That was a great two week vacation. Like every Holiday season, I spent a large chunk of that time reading year-end top ten lists and buying copious amounts of new music. Actually, I could not buy anything else for about 3 months and still have plenty of music to write about. That isn't going to happen though, since January brings us new albums by Bruce Springsteen (January 27), Franz Ferdinand (January 27), and Antony and the Johnsons (January 20). That's pretty amazing as far as January goes.
After seeing it show up on about a dozen year-end lists, I picked up the debut album by Santogold. I'm glad I bought it before I flew back home because it gave me a chance to give it a few listens before judging it. At first listen, its half M.I.A. ripoff and half Karen O ripoff. After several listens, that's still true, but at least the songs are catchy and memorable.
"L.E.S. Artistes" seems to be universally beloved, but it really isn't one of the high points here. The keyboard touches don't really vary it much from what the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have already done better. "You'll Find A Way" is more fun with its surf-punk guitars and shouted chorus. With "Shove It", she takes a sharp turn into reggae dancehall territory, which leads up to the M.I.A. mimicking "Creator". As far as first half of debuts go, the diversity here is outstanding.
Unfortunately, the album falters in quality after that. The new-wave pop of "Lights Out" is the exception - this one should hit the radio or at least be used in a corny love scene in a prime time show.
Not a great album, but a notable one and definitely an artist to watch in the future.
In a few days, I'll rant about how I love MGMT and how I'm an idiot for not buying that album six months ago. Happy New Year.
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