Monthly Archives: November 2005

Death Cab for Cutie: Plans

Death Cab for Cutie reminds me of Eurythmics.

Back when I was a pre-teen, I followed Eurythmics closely, buying just about every album the duo made. But as the years passed, I realized I didn’t love any one of those albums in particular. Eurythmics produced some great music on the whole, but a lot of its individual songs were filler.

Death Cab for Cutie, similarly, strikes me as a band with a great overall sound. But listen too closely, and you have to get through some dead weight.

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Kronos Quartet with Asha Bholse: You’ve Stolen My Heart

Kronos Quartet deserves a lot of credit for You’ve Stolen My Heart.

In dealing with the music of prolific Indian film composer R.D. Burnam, Kronos eschewed the usual process of comissioning string quartet arrangements and tackled recording of the album itself.

The ensemble complemented its line-up with Wu Man on pipa and Zakir Hussain on percussion. And, of course, Asha Bholse, Burman’s wife and go-to singer for his work, contributed vocals.

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Tommy heavenly6: Tommy heavenly6

This album is commercial genius.

OK. Maybe not genius, but certainly … inspired.

As frontwoman for lightweight alternative pop band the brilliant green, Kawase Tomoko cultivated a stage persona often described as coquettish. Her quiver of a voice and demure presence made her an appealing, fashion-conscious figure.

So when she launched a solo project as Tommy february6, she revamped that image to become the nerdy babe — all bright colors, big glasses, and happy music. Even more unexpected was a further spin-off … Tommy heavenly6, the dark, Goth-punk alter ego.

Three years after introducing Tommy heavenly6, Kawase unveiled that persona’s debut album. And a strange debut it is.

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Bach (Not Bach)

When is Bach not Bach? When it is the Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor.

According to some scholars, at least. For the past century, musicologists have been debunking the Tocatta and Fugue, a popular tune around Halloween, as part of Bach’s canon. This article details the scholarship happening to authenticate one of Bach’s most famous pieces as his own. Scandal!