Asian Fusion

Dengue Fever is a band that is unapologetically built around a gimmick; a bunch of Angelenos put together a band with the intention of recreating (and building on) the style of pop rock that apparently existed in pre-Khmer Rouge Cambodia. They found their lead singer (Chhom Nimol - a Cambodian immigrant and Khmer-speaker) through an audition.

If you're thinking that this sounds like the set up for a relatively interesting NPR story about cultural fusion expressed through awful world music, well fair enough. The same thought went through my head when I first heard of these guys.

Yet, the actual sound of the band is infinitely compelling. Cambodian pop is mixed in with psychedelia and post-punk influence, particularly in the amazing track Seeing Hands.

Many of the songs are sung in Khmer exclusively, and I can't help but feeling like I'm listening to them in some post-apocalyptic Pacific Rim gin joint, or in 1960s 'Nam with head full of hash and a 1000-yard stare. Those that are sung in English will not necessarily be more accessible - this is a band whose sound is all about mood and vibe - language doesn't really matter. The one exception is Sober Driver, which is probably the only song that might worm its way onto the radio.

Check them out.

The Goddamn! Awards

I would call them the Graveys - but that would be fucking stupid, not to mention hacky as all hell. If I had to give them a name, I guess I'd call them the "Goddamn!" awards - in recognition of the first thing I said when listening to the songs, artists and albums in question.

The Grammys, an annual celebration of how much money record labels have made, are generally a travesty. Sure they get it right every once in a while, but for every time they give the White Stripes best alternative album of the year, they pass over Smells Like Teen Spirit for best song.

To hell with 'em.

So here are MY awards...

Song of the Year:
Icky Thump - The White Stripes

I know, I know - I'm a huge White Stripes fan, and I'm a little biased. Well this is my blog, so fuck off. The fact remains that this was an amazing song - trademark Jack White face-melting guitar and just a hell of a hook. It had crossover appeal too. Don't get me wrong, I actually think commercial success is a sign that a song sucks, but the fact that a song this good but this weird became a huge hit says something for how good it is.

Album of the Year:
Icky Thump - The White Stripes

It's not my favorite Stripes album, and I don't think you can even call it their best. However, the simple fact remains that this album is fucking amazing - making it their sixth unbelievable record in a row. These guys have come closer to batting .1000 with albums than any band in history.

Best New Artist:
The Noisettes

I'd actually put their album (What's The Time Mr. Wolf?) as a strong contender for "Album of the Year" if it wasn't for the presence of a tiny, tiny bit of filler on the album. I don't know what you even call their style of music - it's got elements of soul, punk, R&B... All very unique, and very, very cool.

Worst Sellout:
Paul McCartney

I don't know if you can really call it "selling out" and I'll be real honest - criticizing a former Beatle makes me feel like I've just jerked off in church, but Sir Paul released a little album called Memory Almost Full this year, and...yech. I guess I'm not comfortable calling it selling out, because he sure as fuck doesn't need the money. He really must have felt this shit was good - but how could he? How could the guy who wrote Helter Skelter thing a piece of pap like Dance Tonight was anything but godawful? Plus, the Starbucks release... Ok, I guess I'm fine with calling it a sellout after all.

Best Sellout:
Rilo Kiley

This might seem like a weird category, but it's one that I feel is important. We all have those albums that we love that we know aren't just an artists lesser work, but are works of true money-grubbing, sell-outery. Metallica's Black Album for instance - great fucking record, awful fucking Metallica record!

Rilo Kiley is one of the cutest bands out there, and I mean that in a good way. They have an adorable, indie-pop sound that has brought some great albums. Their latest album, Under the Blacklight, is also a really good album, it's just not a Rilo Kiley album. Hell, Breakin' Up is a great song, but it's a dance song - I'm sure there are remixes playing clubs as I type this.

Still, it's such a strong album that I can't really fault them. That, and I still have hopes of someday banging Jenny Lewis so, you know, I'm not going to burn that bridge.

Neptune Rock City

I don't remember where I first heard of Nicole Atkins, but I first heard her doing a version of Leadbelly's Where Did You Sleep Last Night on YouTube. By her own admission (in the video), covering the song was a last minute move to fill space in the set, and you could tell. It was covered in exactly the same manner as Nirvana's famous cover (complete with screamed last verse) and the only thing that I took away from it was an appreciation for Atkins' truly amazing voice.

Since then, I've had a chance to listen to more of her stuff (both on my own and thanks to an appearance by Atkins on the Ron & Fez Show - XM 9am - 12pm PST).

I'm blown away. Her voice, as I've already said, is fantastic, a full, powerful alto that serves her very melodic sound well.

She describes her sound as "pop noir" and her MySpace page describes it as Psychedlic/Alternative/Folk Rock. I suppose either one could be appropriate, but her sound immediately reminded me of Ray Orbison's "pop aria" sound - especially on songs like Maybe Tonight and The Way It Is. The lyrics and melodies are darker (hence "noir", I guess) and imbued with a smoldering, but almost shy and romantic sexuality. Think a less cute Rilo Kiley.

Amazing stuff.

For the record - I've heard her stuff derided for being "over produced." I'll agree that it's highly produced, but I think it's a style that works.

Totally Crushed Out

I've got a new crush on a great little band.

The Pipettes' album, We Are The Pipettes, came out in the U.S. about a year ago, and while I had heard of them, I hadn't gotten a chance to hear them until recently.

The sound is very retro - a mix of disco beat and early 60s girl group sound (think he Ronettes or the Shirelles) but mixed with some very modern sound, like the ethereal, britpop vocal overlaying the dance beat in "Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me."

They're gimmicky almost in the extreme, complete with the choreographed girl-group dancing, polka dot dresses and sex-on-a-stick image - but I think I'm in love.