A Midnight Summer's Masturbatory Dream

Ah, the soothing feeling of Summer. It's both a pleasant and unpleasant time, dealing with the humidity and frizzy hair that it brings... but in return being able to enjoy longer days in the outdoors (and with less layers of clothes). Although hair ties and bottled waters become the biggest accessories this time of year, what would Summertime be without an iPod full of songs both dreamy and downright dirty?


All Smiles is the solo debut of the multi-talented Jim Fairchild, well known in the music world for his work as a guitarist in Grandaddy. Sure, I could throw out a comparison here and there to his former contributions... but what I really want to talk about is how I picture this album to be a perfect soundtrack to a cross-country trip, if I were ever brave enough to drive instead of fly. But you see, I'm used to the land of pavement and street signs, and I've seen one too many horror movies in my life. HOWEVER, if I ever grew the courage to take that trip... this album would be my soothing guide.

If my personal testimony to this album doesn't work for you, check out this name dropping: Other contributors on this debut release include Janet Weiss (Sleater Kinney, Quasi), Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse, Black Heart Procession, Magic Magicians), Danny Seim (Lack Thereof, Menomena), Solon Bixler (Great Northern), and it was mixed by Brian Deck (Iron And Wine, Modest Mouse).

Yeah, uh huh... it's good.

From Ten Readings of a Warning (buy @ Dangerbird Records):
Summer Stay
Backward Forward Through
+ Myspace



I discovered the angelic-voiced Citizen Helene buried in the thousands and thousands of bands on SoundClick (which some of you may already know is my day job)... and I was absolutely shocked to find out that this sweet cherub was only 23 years old. Her bio states that she loves the Beach Boys "to a fairly worrying extent," and it is so wonderfully apparent in the vocal harmonies that enrapture you the moment you hear them. This girl is so beyond her years, and I genuinely look forward to hearing a full length release from her very soon.

From The Gilded Palace of Gin:
Sunday Morning Light
The Ballad of Ike and Tina
'Til Tomorrow
+ Myspace
+ SoundClick



And now for the nitty gritty, let's get down and dirty. You may have heard of Gravy Train before, and if you have... you know it's more about the lyrics than the music itself. Sure, there's nothing amazing about the production, nor are the vocals on par with your typical electrorap/indietronica artist... but with lyrics about masturbation and teenage-like antics layered over the sharpest cheddar of cheesy synthpop... they've struck gold in my perverse heart. Hell, even though I despise the word "hella," I fell in love with them when I first heard Hella Nervous a few years back.

So go on, find a gay boy to grind on, and hit play. Don't act like just because you're straight, you can't do it.

From All The Sweet Stuff (pre-order @ Amazon):
Wutcha Wutcha Wutcha Wutcha Wutcha Wutcha Doin' Tonite?
Solo J/O

From Hello Doctor (buy @ Amazon):
Hella Nervous
+ Myspace


Loving you with a J/O,
Lady Byrd