It’s New to Elliot: as suggested by Arin Eaton

You might know Arin Eaton as Karen Meat, the frontwoman of Karen Meat and the Computer, formerly Karen Meat and the Players. Arin writes really good songs that borrow from conventional pop structures, but improve upon them with modern sensibilities. Her lyrics are blunt and unapologetic, as is her voice — an extension of her what-the-hell-are-you-looking-at nature. It sounds as if Karen Meat and the Computer are taking a short break, but I hope they come back refreshed and ready to take some names, because they are one of the few Des Moines bands in which I have faith and hope.

The records that Arin suggested are, I believe, a neat sampling of the influences that made her what she is. Just because I didn’t love all of them shouldn’t tell you that her influences aren’t so good. As you should know by now, my taste isn’t always correct. Feel free to tell me that.

Tammy Wynette — D.I.V.O.R.C.E

I have a soft spot for country music from this era, when the songs weren’t written to just distract people from their life’s problems, but rather make them face those problems head on, with unflinching honesty. Tammy Wynette is the perfect representation of this concept. Her voice is achingly beautiful, occasionally soaring in ways that briefly make my heart stop. But this beautiful voice is being used to emote utter despair in songs like “Honey (I Miss You),” “Sweet Dreams,” and above all, “D.I.V.O.R.C.E.” I can’t say enough about that song. On its surface, it’s a light-hearted ditty about a touchy subject, but when you listen to those lyrics, there’s nothing light-hearted going on. It is cripplingly depressing, and it captures the helplessness of a lost relationship and a shell-shocked family better than any other song I’ve heard. This record is brilliant because it can take you from the emotional lows of the title track, to the outlaw country of “Bonnie and Clyde,” to a too-good-to-be-true cover of The Beatles’s “Yesterday.” I really loved it.

My Opinion: 8/10

Leonard Cohen — New Skin For the Old Ceremony

It’s true: I have never heard a Leonard Cohen record. One would think that because Tom Waits is my favorite solo artist ever that I might be inclined toward elderly, mysterious singer-songwriter guys, but that intrigue has never led me Cohen’s way. So I sat down with this record, and while I wasn’t blown away, I did pick up on the qualities that make so many people worship this man. Though his vocal style isn’t the most exciting you’ll ever hear, he does have a certain way of singing that makes his words more impactful. His deep baritone voice is so strange that you can’t help but stick around. Musically, I think this record is okay. It’s cool how much restraint he shows in his arrangements — certain instruments are brought in so quietly that you hardly notice they’re even there. Such low-key instrumentation is probably intentional in order for you to focus on the lyrics, and those lyrics are quite good. Funny, confusing, sad and lovelorn tales are told, and even if I don’t fully understand them, I totally see how people could attach themselves to Leonard Cohen’s work and study him deeply. I might come back around and study more in the future.

My Opinion: 6/10

The Babies — Our House On the Hill

Only putting out two records in 2011 and 2012 and then basically breaking up, the barely-there career arc of The Babies fits nicely with their laid-back garage rock sound. Cassie Ramone of Vivian Girls fronts this band with her friend Kevin Morby, and they both do that thing with their voices where they’re kinda lazy and nasally and act like they don’t care. I appreciate how that can be a good aesthetic, and it works for me with other bands, but not so much with this one. The songs are okay and I found a few rhythms that made my toes tap, but the songs aren’t good enough to justify the lazy confidence here. It’s a decent record to put on in the background if you’re drinking with friends, but if the conversation dies down and you’re all just listening to it closely, the weaknesses will be exposed, and your mellow will be harshed.

My Opinion: 5/10

Those Darlins — Blur the Line

I saw Those Darlins in 2009 when they were touring on their self-titled record. They were an absolute blast — a tornado of rip-roaring country-tinged rock’n’roll with a sense of humor and little concern for hospitality. This is why it’s so disappointing for me to hear this most recent record and discover that every special element of their band has been almost totally erased. The piss and vinegar they once infused into their sound has been whittled away, and now it’s just regular rock music with hardly anything cool about it. I suppose it’s better than, like, Three Doors Down or something. And a couple songs, such as “That Man,” maintain that twang and attitude. But too much of this is just sleepy, washed-out rock with no oomph behind it. I know that bands have to evolve, especially if they’re looking to make their band even bigger and appeal to civilians, but does it always have to get boring?

My Opinion: 4/10

Mountain Man — Made the Harbor

You might see the name of this group and imagine a band of guys who look like Grizzly Adams. But you would be wrong, as this is an all-girl band. Such is the delight of weird band names! This is super quiet, super chill, super not fun indie-folk heavily steeped in three-part vocal harmonies. Those harmonies are pretty stunning, but other than the occasional soft strumming of acoustic guitar, there are no other instruments on this record other than the three voices. That will be a tough sell for most people, including me. I can only admire gorgeous harmonies for so long before I start to lose some patience. This record would have really been good for me about five to ten years ago when I used to always go to bed with music playing. I would listen to Low, Ida, Son House and other artists with lovely sounds who could lull me to sleep. Mountain Man would have been perfect for this, but since we don’t do that anymore, especially in the summer up in our attic bedroom with our loud-ass air conditioning unit, I’m afraid I have little use for it.

My Opinion: 5/10