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GROOVEOUT
By Chris Sill
Endless
Summertime
And the living is easy with k.d. lang
Invincible Summer—k.d. lang
(Warner Brothers)
Summer in Houston means two things, heat, humidity...and
Galveston Island. OK, maybe three things. Might as well
make it four, because no trip to Galveston’s beaches
this summer will be complete without k.d. lang. With
Invincible Summer, the sultry chanteuse has captured
both the splendor of summer and of being in love, in
the season’s most spirited release.
Inspired by Southern California’s sun, lang set
out to create an album that feels like summer. Musical
influences from the Mamas and Papas, the surf punk genre,
as well as Brazilian music, give Summer the feeling
of a warm breezy day at the beach. But what’s summer
without love or at least a fling? Hence “Summerfling,”
the album’s first single, a romantic tale about
summer love drenched in a ’60s-esque soundtrack.
Lang sounds quite carefree here—as indeed she does
on much of the album. Not to worry, she provides plenty
of vocal heat, just not in the torch style to which
we’ve grown accustomed from her. This is a woman
rejuvenated by sunshine and love and she wants the world
to share in her joy.
Treading into deeper waters is the Roy Orbison-sounding
“Love’s Great Ocean.” It’s a gorgeous
love song almost too perfect for lovers walking hand
in hand on the beach. And “Simple” dives even
deeper as lang unravels the complexities of love. She
resurfaces on “Curiosity” where she finds
dangerous fun in obsession ...even if it’s with
her dog Saylor.
If lang had control of the world’s weather, it’s
safe to say she would have summer all year long. Fortunately
for Houstonians, she doesn’t posses those powers.
We’ll gladly take her Invincible Summer over
an endless summer any day.
Songman —Nomad (Australian Music
International)
If you’re searching for something more meaningful
than a summer fling, head down under and take a spiritual
journey to the world of Nomad. Hailing from Australia,
Nomad (Adam Plack) unites ancient Aboriginal didgeridoo
sounds with thick downtempo beats on his newest creation,
Songman.
A songman is the keeper of songs and stories for the
Aboriginal Dreamtime. Nomad spent weeks collecting material
and getting approval from tribal elders for reproducing
their work. Songman respectfully translates their
sacred message into a modern soundscape of hypnotic
rhythms and seducing grooves. Both of these elements
make for great dance music, which is why “With
You,” the album’s first single, has been remixed
for club exposure.
Whether you vacation this summer or not, let Nomad take
you far from the maddening crowds. Songman will
replenish your mind, body, and soul.
Chris
Sill spins tunes at Rich's and can be reached at csill@infohwy.com.
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