This evening we are here to discuss (somewhat belatedly, I agree) One Cool Band and One Cool Classicist.
The band is
El Goodo. They're from Wales. They have a new album,
Coyote, out today on
Grease Records. It will make you smile. You should buy it.
Howcome? Because it's the wildest, coolest, wittiest, most sophisticated slab of 60s-influenced psych-pop since - well, since their debut actually.
I first heard El Goodo aaaaaaaaaaages ago, on Steve Lamacq's 6 Music show. It may have been the only time he ever played anything off that first album! Didn't matter. The call went out from Resolven, Wales: Athens, Georgia heard and received - via our friends at Auntie Beeb - and fell in love.
Coyote is El Goodo's sophomore release, and it sounds it. Quality production coming straight atcha from a disused theatre in The Rezzzz. Sounds great.
El Goodo wear their influences on their sleeves - but the sound is uniquely theirs. El Goodo's 60s are viewed through a funhouse mirror. It is WARPED. But in a good way. Imagine a parallel musical universe where The Turtles cover the Velvets; the Beach Boys cover
Chelsea Girl; Badfinger does the Bonzos; the Bonzos do
Flying Burrito-era Byrds. You have an opportunity to live in that universe when you hear El Goodo. And it's all wrapped up in the gorgeous harmonies for which El Goodo is already known.
So put a crowbar in your wallet and BUY this shit. It's awsome.
************
The Cool Classicist is composer
Elliott Carter. He celebrated his
100th birthday on December 10. That in itself would be an achievement, but the thing is - he's still composing, and his stuff is STILL great! My personal favorite - so far, anyway, but who knows what the future may hold - is his
"Elegy" for viola and piano. It never really leaves my late-night chillout playlist. Imagine how cool it would be to have your 100th birthday celebrated with concerts all over the world, most of which included stuff you had
just got done writing. Absolutely awesome.
As part of the Elliott Carter Centenary celebration, Mr. Carter will be receiving a special Trustees Award on the Grammy Awards on February 8. Trust me, he'll be the only thing worth watching on there.
Happy birthday, Mr. Carter. And many more!
x
G.