Crib Notes

In keeping with last year’s music issue I’ve compiled a list of my 10 favorite local releases that came down the line between May ’07 and May ’08.

If I had to single out the best Atlanta label for this year, thus far there’s no doubt that it would be Douche Master Records. But the label’s reach has extended far beyond Atlanta over the last year. Excellent singles in the DM catalogue by groups, such as Hex Error and Cheap Time, as well as the Black & White’s self-titled full-length are all worthy of note, but they don’t fit into the category of a “local release.” The one significant local release from Douche Master this year is the reissue of Carbonas’ “Black Out” single … Is it a faux paw to list reissues in the year’s best of list? I think so … But it’s worthy of an honorable mention. The “Black Out” single is a good companion to Carbonas’ third full-length, which shows a tremendous amount of growth on the group’s part. Vocalist Greg King’s voice sounds so much more controlled than it has on previous releases and the group’s grasp on tight, manic melodies in songs, like “Phone Booth” and “Ass Vogel” are so much more refined than any of the group’s previous records that it easily eclipses anything else to come out of Atlanta this year.

I also want to make a note about including the Selmanaires 7-inch in this list and not the album, The Air Salesmen. Whenever I play the CD I catch myself skipping to the tracks from the single. As soon as they’re finished I play them again, rather than letting the rest of the songs play out. For me, the single, “Just to Get Your Love” b/w “Verdigris Intrigue” are such powerful songs that they outshine the rest of the album.

So here’s my list…

1.) Carbonas — Carbonas (Goner Records)
2.) Atlas Sound — Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel (Kranky)
3.) Zoroaster — Dog Magic (Terminal Doom Records/Battle Kommand Records)
4.) The Black Lips — Good Bad Not Evil (Vice)
5.) Baby Shakes — “Tell Me Now,” “Baby, It’s You,” “Come On, Babe” 10-inch (Rob’s House Records)
6.) Anna Kramer & the Lost Cause – The Rustic Contemporary Sounds Of… (International Hits)
7.) The Coathangers – The Coathangers (Rob’s House Records)
8.) The Selmanaires — “Just To Get Your Love” 7-inch (International Hits)
9.) Noot d’ Noot – “Jiggle City” 7-inch (Solutionist)
10.) Daniel Clay – The Protestant (Self-released)

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Tomorrow — Saturday, Oct. 13 — the Coathangers are filming a music video at the infamous Rob’s House, and the band is inviting its fans to participate. Here’s the bulletin sent ’round on MySpace:

on Saturday October 13, we’re shooting a video for The Coathangers at Rob’s House (1318 Ormewood Avenue). we would like to invite all who would like to see a free show and be in a music video. we need folks as extras at the show so if you’re interested in acting, please contact me (www.myspace.com/robshouserecords). time for the show is 4 - 7.

this is not a real real show - its a music video shoot but its supposed to be like a house show. the director has asked for people to dress like you’re going to a show; the more over the top, the better. anyway, we’ll have a keg too so it’ll be fun - we’d love if a few folks could stick around past the 7pm time to be featured extras.

love,
Rob’s House Records

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I spent last Tuesday night (Aug. 28) at El Bar, and by doing so, simultaneously paid homage to rock music, alcohol and the Coathangers. (You can read more about them in Chad Radford’s CL story, “Boobie trapped,” this week.) The new Triple D’s Rock Night (occurring Sept. 11, Sept. 25, then every Tuesday beginning in October at El Bar) features Damon Hare, Drennen Quinn and Dustan Nigro spinning rock favorites — a rare and pleasant break from the normal (and sometimes tired) DJ routines.

The Triple D’s hosted a Coathangers listening party for the release of their upcoming debut CD. And though there were no miniature horses, as rumored to be in attendance at the upcoming release party at Criminal Records Sept. 4, the club was packed by midnight with the Coathangers, their label managers Trey and Travis at Rob’s House Records, and a crew of friends squeezed into the small club in the basement of El Azteca.

Everyone was in good spirits as the booze flowed and the DJs spun old rock favorites mixed with the sounds of the Coathangers’ new album. The girls were all smiles — giddy, confident and grateful. Their new album drops Sept. 4 on Rob’s House Records, with an album release show that day at Criminal Records at 7 p.m. It’s free, and there’s beer. Go, and pay your own respects to beer and fun local music.

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I’m mystified by the Coathangers. Not because I don’t like them, but because they seemed to come out of nowhere this winter and were suddenly, like, everywhere, playing at all the nightclubs and being seen with all the “cool” Atlanta bands.

Perhaps that’s why the four ladies draw polarized reactions. I’ve heard people call the Coathangers a great band, and heard others dismiss it as a bunch of scenester savants. I find this last criticism ironic because the Atlanta underground rock scene is mostly a man’s club filled with twentysomething musicians who pride themselves on being idiot savants. Now you have four women doing the same thing, so what’s the difference?

When I hear about a band that gets as popular as the Coathangers, I usually run in the other direction. I know this is antithetical to my job as a journalist, but I can’t stand hype. And that isn’t a dis: I haven’t heard nor seen the Coathangers before, so I can’t give an opinion. Maybe the Coathangers are worth all the attention.

Anyway, the real reason for this post is to announce the Coathangers are dropping a self-titled album on Rob’s House Records Sept. 1. The group is celebrating the occasion with a Sept. 4 CD-release party at Star Bar. Who knows … maybe you’ll even see me in the crowd, singing along to “Nestle in My Boobies.” The track listing, which you’ll find below, comes courtesy of Fanatic Promotion publicist (and former Atlanta nightlife promoter) Kasey Price.

Finally, if you don’t know what the hell I’m talking about, read Ellis Jones’ April 4 profile of the Coathangers here.

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