Music Briefs are provided by DJs from KXUA 88.3 FM, a student-run radio station broadcasting out of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. KXUA is a non-profit station dedicated to serving the NWA community with the most eclectic blend of music possible. Listen online at kxua.uark.edu.Seapony – Go With Me
Label: Hardly Art (2011)
Genres: Indie Rock
Sounds Like: Beach Fossils, Heavy Hawaii
Review by TG Keas, KXUA Music Director
Seattle-based trio-and-drum-machine Seapony, after collecting a decent bit of buzz, have released their debut. All is mellow, droning, and layered with layer of effects. Laid-back shoegaze tends to filter through the brain easily and create lovely soundscapes and this affair is no surprise. I’m not sure what Seapony was trying to evoke with this album, but the vaguely nostalgic head trip is lovely.
Seapony – Dreaming from Anabel Navarro on Vimeo.
Hazmat Modine – Circada
Label: Barbes Records (2011)
Genres: World, Jazz
Sounds Like: Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Blind Boys of Alabama, Tom Waits
Review by Tyler Eck
After climbing to as high as number twelve in Billboards “Top Blues Album” category in 2006, Hazmat Modine is back to deliver a much needed punch to the jazz and blues scene. Especially since their sounds lends to the ‘big band’ side of the spectrum, utilizing multiple brass and woodwind instruments. After their last album showed their ethno-musical experimenting abilities this new album brings a very ‘New York or American’ feel back to their jazz music although still incorporating African lyrics and poly-rhythms.
Alina Simone – Make Your Own Danger
Label: Pentar Records (2011)
Genres: Rock
Sound Like: Björk Cat Power, Scout Niblett
Review by Ginny Garber
Alina Simone puts it all out on this record, both to her advantage and disadvantage. She gives us her strongest, loudest (harshest) voice throughout most of the album, sometimes compelling with a Björk-like eloquence, other times like a blackboard screech. The instrumentation is amazing, dark, like a gutter serenade. Just be wary of Simone’s full-force vox.
Corea, Clarke & White – Forever
Label: Concord, (2011)
Genre: Jazz, Fusion
Sounds Like: Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White
Review by David Zeek Martin
Chick Corea on the ivory, Stanley Clarke beatin’ the hell outta that bass, and Lenny White keeping time like nobody’s business – how could this album be anything but great? There are no let downs here – emotions ebb and flow, and stories are told in a way that only three masters of their craft can tell them. This is one natural feeling album – nothing is forced, and it all seems very organic. Perhaps it is the reliance on acoustic instruments, perhaps it is the century-plus of experience under the hood, but whatever it is, it is what you would expect if you know any of these pillars. Mellow for the most part, with surprises scattered throughout. This would make a great accompaniment to a drive up to the ‘Den.
