EP-stravaganza II!

There's a long, complicated history as to the definition of an EP.  The minimum and maximum number of songs and/or lengths to fall under that distinction (as opposed to an album or a single) varies, and is also subject to artistic and platformic intent.

So for purposes of our exercise and our sanity today, "EP" refers to a release under 30 minutes.  Though to be honest, our first entry is the most borderline of borderline entries I could dredge up:

Jay-Z "HOV DID"

This is 12 minutes of a news segment giving Jay-Z a blowjob masquerading as some kind of earth-shattering knowledge.  Because it has like four bars of music in it around the eight minute mark, it's damn sure eligible for the Worst Of 2022 list.

The Toadies "Damn You All To Hell"

Yes, The Toadies.  Those of the "Possum Kingdom".  I was always a little annoyed by their radio smash (a lot annoyed when it was in heavy rotation), but as with most music of its time, I've become attached via nostalgia.

This EP is surprisingly decent for a band I was never into.  It's four songs, the opener is an instrumental, the closer is a too-faithful to stand out cover of Bowie's "Sound And Vision" and the two other songs are fine, but somehow it winds up being more than the sum of its parts.  I could've probably stood to hear one or two more.  Good guitar tone, the vocals don't get grating or embarrassing (always a danger for bands from yesteryear with a...distinct delivery), production gets the job done...this is pretty dece.

Iron & Wine "Lori" (feat. Sima Cunningham & Macie Stewart)

I think I need to hear this a couple more times, but the impression I get is this is about someone needing to get over something.  I can fucking relate.  It's a very slow-paced, drumless affair, lots of whole note drones in the backing music, just the right amount of reverb on the vocals.  It's great at setting the atmosphere for the listener to take a bunch of sighing breaths and unburden themselves for about fourteen minutes.  If you need a time out, put this on and don't do anything else; just listen.

Lava LaRue "Hi-Fidelity"

"Don't Come Back" has great bass work; that alone makes the song worth checking out.  The title track is Top Songs of the Year material.  But the first two tracks are kind of annoying and the beats aren't the same caliber.  They're not bad, just...kinda eh.  Closer "Motel" takes awhile to get going, but by the end it seals the deal.  Even if you start at track 3 and check out the first two on subsequent listens, I think this is quite a worthy project.

Illicit Eagle "Eatin' Dinosaur Meat"

Some bloops and bleeps for your perusal.

Billy Idol "The Cage"

His voice might be flagging a slight bit due to 45 years in the game, but not enough to say he doesn't still have it.  Four pop rock punches to the mouth that fail to disappoint.

Tropical Fuck Storm "Moonburn"

Some inessential extras that are still worth listening to if you're a fan of the band.  It's going for a more spaced out, vibey approach than their usual caustic sardonicism.

Melody's Echo Chamber "Unfold"

This is actually Melody's Echo Chamber's second release this year, which brings their grand total of releases since their debut in 2012 to...four.  Huh.  Well, thankfully this one's distinct from its predecessor, not just a handful of leftovers.  Whereas Emotional Eternal is acoustic chamber pop (and more pronounced in its Frenchness), Unfold is more indie rock.

That stylistic difference also excuses multiple releases, because combined both projects would be 55 minutes.  On top of that, they both pull the same bullshit at the end: padding.    On Emotional Eternal the last two tracks are the same song, but one is half as long, and on Unfold the last track is track one backwards.  And considering track six is a 42 second interlude, that's only five real songs here.  (Four and a half if you're still mad at "Ocean Road" for abruptly cutting off.)

These songs are good, I kinda see why they weren't on the album earlier in the year, but it didn't need the padding.  Still the best EP so far.

Mega Ran, Penny The Great & Slopfunkdust "Protoculture Season"

For anyone who loved Robotech/Macross at any point in their life, give this a listen.  The way they integrate the score from the show into the beats is phenomenal and the lyrics do a great job of painting the picture.  Even better than Melody's Echo Chamber.

OhSees "A Foul Form"

So OhSees went punk, I guess.  Parts of it were good, but it never settles down enough to really form an idea.  It just bashes you over the head and runs.  Could be good if you're in the mood for that, but like, eh.  

Lake Street Dive "Fun Machine: The Sequel"

Opener "Automatic" lives up to the name, but the other five tracks sink further into adult contemporary.  That'd be a complaint if the songs weren't good.  They're all covers, but they're well done, listenable covers.  The soulful version of Shania Twain's "You're Still The One" stands out.  The cover of Bonnie Raitt's "Nick Of Time" was unexpected, yet pitch perfect.  (Bonnie was on regular rotation in the Nutter household growing up).  And the 80's-ified version of The Cranberries' "Linger" seals the deal.  It's perfect.  Might need to be in the mood for this one, but I recommend it for a Sunday afternoon.

Kate Bollinger "Look At It In The Light"

Aside from "Who Am I But Someone", this is pretty typical indie girl acoustic guitar faire, but it's pleasant enough I guess.  

That'll do it for this time.  Next time I think we tackle albums, but maybe I feel frisky and throw a curveball.  I'uh'kno.  See you then.

Love Over Fear.