Monday, September 07, 2009
You Don't Know Jack, Part 2
No, not Jack White again. Or even Jack Black. Today's Song of the Week, "Tonight's Today," is by Jack Peñate (pronounced 'pinyatee'), a UK musician who's very hard to categorize! "Tonight's Today" is all at once, lively, haunting, and retro... Picture Paolo Coelho having a party in the Sonora Desert, circa 1973... Jack's two albums have, earned him a loyal critical following and, in the UK, modest radio play...
For once, you really do have to watch the video, below, for it's superb black-and-white cinematography, directed by the ingenious Alma Har'el...
I like that Jack's website home page lists his favorite tracks/lyrics of the moment.. Jack's playing the Mercury Lounge September 15-16, maybe I'll try to get tickets. That's an intimate venue on East Houston that fits only 250 spectators.. It's 'sister venue,' Bowery Ballroom down on Delancey St, fits 575...
Anyway, here's that spectacular 'Tonight's Today' I promised...
So many styles this guy has. "Second Minute or Hour,' from his first album, sounds like British Invasion filtered through outdoor NY rock circa 1973....Me and Julio down by the Mersey...
"Be The One" is 70s pop classicism all the way, with its jaunty organic bass and r&b backing vocals, peppered with an 80s synth squiggle and vocals that emulate The Cure... While not black-and-white, this video's palate is darker colors...
This slow-starting, zippy ska midtempo number is 'Torn On The Platform,' Peñate's breakthrough song in the UK.. I like the cartoon cutouts in the otherwise organic video clip.
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