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Quickies A rapid jaunt through a short obstacle course of CDs. Win an Aphex Twin 12"! Be dazzled by the finery of Dahlia, Stereolab, Degenerate Art Ensemble, Sarah Dougher, Tori Amos, Spring Heel Jack, François Breut, and Trailer Bride! by Tiffany Lee Brown
Eugene, Oregon has raised some distinctive songwriting singers, like Tracy Bonham and Sleater-Kinney’s Corin Tucker. If you need absolute proof that songwriting excellence oozes out of my hometown’s overcast skies, look no further than Sarah Dougher. Belting finely-honed lyrics in an impassioned, somewhat nasal voice, Dougher swoops from punk rock declarations to oblique poetry and back again on her new release, The Bluff (Mr.Lady Records). An inconsistent album – perhaps in service to its concept, which involves the fluidity of identity – The Bluff offers a bigger, more rockin’ sound than the relatively clean presentation of her last release. But once The Bluff gets under your skin, it’s likely to stay there, where its jangly melodies and hummable harmonies can seep into your bloodstream via osmosis. Musicians on the release include Tucker (who also plays with Dougher in Cadallaca), Janet Weiss (S-K, Quasi), and John Nikki.
In nearby Portland, current home to Ms.Dougher and to Signum’s editorial offices, you’ll also find the inspiring Jennifer Folker and her band Dahlia (who opened for the Dalai Lama when he was in town). Folker, who favours accessible, face-front lyrics, flings her feelings into the mic against a lush, danceable electronic background. No new ground is broken on Dahlia’s Emotion Cycles, but its soulful sincerity and drifty downtempo numbers are quite refreshing. The faster tracks get tangled in a few dance clichés – you know, pointless twangly bleeps and the occasional artless beat – but it’s not enough to shake the foundations of Folker’s emotional vocals. Speaking of noises electronic: we have a fabulous-looking slab of vinyl here at Signum World Headquarters, a sealed Aphex Twin "Cock 10 — Delco Freedom Mix/54 Cymro Beats — Argonaut Mix." Curious? Want to know more, like whether you might be able to own this exclusive Aphex Twin 12" for FREE, just because we love you? Then sign up for the Signum Announcement list by sending email to signum-announce@yahoogroups.com, and await further instructions. And there’s more Aphex later in this installation of Quickies...
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