U.S. Girls

it's partly musical -- "Velvet 4 Sale" really, really reminds me of "Liquid Diamonds" or "Cruel," or jumping ahead things like "Give" -- and partly the lyrics; "Pearly Gates" would fit right in with "Body and Soul," "God," etc. (less optimistic though)

i can see a similarity in the drum tempo to liquid diamonds for sure. definitely agree there's a thematic kinship as you pointed out in the review

it's an interesting one to consider, thanks

I like this record a lot but I'm not entirely convinced by the assertion that there's nothing much sounding like this now.

Besides the other vocal similarities/influences mentioned above, my wife made an I think astute association with early '80s Stevie Nicks. The whole album feels referential to that era, where disco and postpunk and new wave were all sliding around together. But it also doesn't feel retro. Interesting record with a lot of good songs.

there have been a couple of times when a track off this has come up on shuffle and I’ve been like wow, jenny hval has really upped her game oh wait

I just came out of their Vancouver concert and you best believe that Time is just as incredible live as you think it would be

Oh I was there too! And it was so good! And the band is still so new, I can’t even imagine how amazing they’ll be in a year

The full band versions of “Mad As Hell” and “Window Shades” were heavenly

Can't believe I forgot about that show

Saint etienne definitely seems a fair reference point for rosebud

going tonight

Also going tonight in Seattle. First time seeing her since 2008.

there's a Yelploaf now?

Yes, I've been here (by other names) since '03.

Anyhow, really enjoyed the show. She and her band, The Cosmic Range, seem primed for festival stages. I don't think it's the best vehicle for her, though. Street clothes, fronting a 7 piece band which vamps liberally... not the move. She danced out into the crowd for the last song and smacked me on the elbow. I didn't turn at first but she did it again and said something like, "Why so sad?"

Why indeed.

Oh, that band is not The Cosmic Range, btw, but Meg and her husband Max (Slim Twig) and a bunch of Toronto friends assembled for this tour

She really picked a good crop of ringers tho

Wish I could see them tomorrow, but terrible timing in that the very great Mint Field are playing separately. Next time!

Still a great show and I'm absolutely happy about any success she has. I hope, though, that she'll not abandon the 'singing into my hairbrush to doo-wop loops' vibe (which may be an unfair way to characterize U.S. Girls). I own all the records and support all she does.

Still playing this lots. Saw the middle show in Brooklyn a few weeks back. A little bummed that I dance to it more in my apartment than I did there but hey, spilt milk.

how was the show? it was sold out before I could get tickets

I thought it was great. They were tight, musically, and had an endearing stage presence/character. They did an extended jam on "time" which was awesome.

Their KEXP performance is so good, they sound amazing live... had no idea there were so many people in the band:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGN3XBy_1m8

This album just rips. Especially Time which is a face melter if I’ve ever heard one. Rosebud definitely brings to mind st Etienne

imo Time drags the album down somewhat, it feels like a slightly dull plod

lol whut

i see it as a long form bookend of a great album

Her previous album ended with the face melter to end all face melters, but I just can't get with Time, sorry

Oh yeah woman’s work was a bomb !

https://open.spotify.com/track/78xKlqAi5F3syCVEyZoqvO?si=ygdSXVw3TdmvFp-BdOvsGA

Opening of Window Shades Kills me every time

New album already! Heavy Light out March 6th.

Oh snap IN
Just in time for my birthday

yay!

!!!!!!

First single sounds like she is doubling down on the slicked up sorta disco/ gospel sound of Poem - its good but I do miss a bit of the ole bleeding damaged white noise. This song also made me realise that I guess it has always been a big part of her sound to have the vocals sitting so high in the mix.

there's a tour too! got tickets for the LA show on 4/22.

new song: "4 American Dollars"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGQ1UAX0aYo

If the rest of this is as good as the first three songs then wow.

tracks 4-5 are some embarrassing spoken word into the Be My Baby beat so I think you can retract that wow

i don't like the spoken word interludes (but i never do) but i do like the be my baby noise bit

yep, bad album. sorry.

Incidental Boogie coming on the Spotify artist mix immediately after it ends, specifically to taunt me

"She used to be good! Woman's Work was your song of the year even!"

I don't know what she's become, but it's very on the nose, very irritating and not very good

IOU was alright I guess

Sir this is a sperm bank

Nah it's a pretty good album but the first three songs made me think we were in for a masterpiece but there's a drop off after that, even if I did enjoy her healthy disrespect for the Be My Baby beat.

Spoken word bits are dreadful, mind.

It's good.

I've been chanting the backing vocals in "Overtime" and "4 American Dollars" for the last week.

If the 1st 3 songs are the best ones then there's no need for me to listen to the rest of this album

Spoken word bits are dreadful, mind.

― Matt DC, Friday, March 6, 2020 7:01 AM (four hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

could see this coming from a mile away after reading a profile on this record

yep, bad album. sorry.

was this after one listen? two? just curious.

lol this is NOT going to be another Titanic Rising

I really like this. The interludes don't add anything to the album, but they're not as terrible as I was expecting. I did lower my expectations after reading the mixed reactions on here and on RYM, but I enjoyed it straight away. After a couple more listens it feels like a worthy follow-up to In A Poem Unlimited.