Tuesday Bazaar (on Wednesday)

Kevin Bronson remains out of town, being subjected to Midwestern radio stations and their love of mid-period Aerosmith. Jeff Weiss is his guest blogger. He also does not like "Pump". Though he will admit that he liked Aerosmith better when they went by their original, better name, The Rolling Stones.

Recommended

Jarvis Cocker, "Jarvis," (Rough Trade) Jarvis Cocker seems an unlikely candidate to be releasing his first solo record, considering he's 44 years old and his glory days are ten years gone. But the talent that made the former Pulp frontman the toast of England in the mid-90s remains on display with "Jarvis". Released in England in November, "Jarvis" received rave reviews from the British press, including a perfect score from the Guardian. Domestically, the record has received strong but not spectacular reviews, with Pitchfork giving it a respectable 6.2. Meanwhile, Rolling Stone gushed that it's Cocker's best record since the Pulp classic, "This is Hardcore". The truth lies somewhere in between, with Cocker concocting a typically wry collection of songs, at times brooding chamber pop, at times taking on a post-punk stomp. As always, his prodigious intellect remains on display and while this record may not make you throw away your import single of "Common People", it marks a late career rebound from one of England's finest singer/songwriters. Be sure to check out his live set at Coachella this year.

Stream the majority of "Jarvis" at Cocker's Myspace

Also Recommended

Fountains of Wayne, "Traffic and Weather," (Virgin) Admit to liking this album and one immediately loses their hipster cred. Pitchfork dealt it a bone-crunching full nelson, giving it a dismal 3.0 and calling the record "bullshit". Stylus was even harsher, giving it a D- and calling it a "Killers tribute, three years behind the times." More mainstream publications have been more forgiving of the record's saccharine tendencies, with the Times' Mikael Wood calling it "more accessible" but keeping FoW's "trademark wit".

And while I'm fully of the belief that the only thing Stacey's mom had going on was her knowledge that Fountains were ripping off The Cars--hard, if you're into power-pop, you'll probably like this record. Adam Schlesinger and Co. aren't breaking any new ground, but if you liked their early stuff, this is the logical extension of their sound. Just don't tell anyone east of La Brea. Fountains of Wayne are also playing this year's Coachella.

Listen at Fountains of Wayne's Myspace

The Twilight Sad, "Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters," (Fat Cat) Judging from their twee-sounding name, album title and Glasgow heritage, one would expect the Twilight Sad to produce frail, sensitive tunes like a Tigermilk-era Belle & Sebastian. Instead, their fuzzy, anthemic rock falls closer to U2, if U2 was still making good music. Just don't be surprised if the band's lead singer's thick Scottish brogue reminds you more than a little of The Simpsons' Groundskeeper Willie.

Listen at Twilight Sad's Myspace

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Touts for Wednesday, April 4
Fresh off a two-month stint in the UK and performances at SXSW, hometown jangle-poppers The Little Ones rock the Troubadour, hopefully playing some new material from their upcoming Astralwerks debut. The band will be supported by Sea Wolf. At the Silverlake Lounge, Jason Lytle of the defunct and esteemed Grandaddy will be playing a set with Aaron Espinoza, one of the men behind local scene linchpins Earlimart.

Indie 103.1 and Club NME present a performance from Persephone's Bees, a band whose lead singer has been described as a Russian Blondie. Merge folkie Richard Buckner plays the Echo. And lastly, a re-constituted Yardbirds (or what's left of them) play the Knitting Factory. Rumors abound about a possible guest appearance from one of the band's early legendary guitarists.

Comments

[DudeAsInCool]

Yep, the Jarvis Cocker cd is a keeper. Good recommendations all around.

[satisfied75]

Buckner was great last night. Powerhouse folkie.