Plymouth Staff Choices

CARMEN by Georges Bizet
CD’s – Opera – Main Level

If you are looking for a great introduction to opera, Bizet’s Carmen is it! The CD begins with a familiar and bouncy prelude which will immediately pique the interest of both children and adults. The CD continues by telling the story of Carmen, a beautiful gypsy, and Don Jose, her hopeful suitor. It is a classic soap opera tale of love and betrayal. The libretto included with the CD is written in four languages, including English, which makes the simple plot even easier to follow. It is not the story, though, that makes this opera a continued favorite. It is Bizet’s wonderful and stirring music which will make you come back to this opera again and again.

Roaming by Jeremy Kittel
CD Bins - World Music - Europe, Scotland

U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and Saline local Jeremy Kittel is always worth listening to. On this album, he mixes traditional Scottish tunes with his own jazzy compositions, blending the two disparate styles into a whole so hot you can almost see the sparks. Fusion may not win Scottish championships, but this is clearly the music that Kittel plays to entertain himself. Even on the slow numbers, the passion shines through.

Ragtime Detroit by River Raisin Ragtime Revue
CD Bins - Easy Listening - R

It was news to me, but apparently Detroit was a significant source of popular ragtime music at the turn of the last century, with many prominent composers and two large sheet music publishers (the primary venue for spreading music at that time.) The hefty liner notes document many of these composers and the importance of the music presented, including some with titles no longer politically correct. You don’t need to read either the notes or the titles to enjoy the music, though – it’s peppy and swingy and reminded me of carousel music (but with real instruments and good recording). Get some cotton candy, put on this CD, and enjoy some quintessential summer music.

The Reminder by Feist
CD Bins- Rock- F

Is there an emptiness in your life that can only be filled with some sweet summer tunes? You’re in luck: earlier this year Canadian-born Leslie Feist, also of indie-rock group Broken Social Scene, released her second major solo album to rave reviews, and its variety of styles (upbeat and peppy as well as mellow and relaxed) are perfect for everything from driving around in the sun to relaxing by the pool. Feist is described by the indie music gurus at Pitchfork Media as owning a voice, “marked by specks of Dusty Springfield's soul, Björk's confrontational adventurousness, and Joni Mitchell's warmth.” You’ll enjoy the versatility of this songwriter as her songs alternately inspire and haunt you.

Betcha Bottom Dollar, by The Puppini Sisters
Main Level CD Bins - Easy Listening - P

The Puppini “Sisters” are Marcella Puppini, Stephanie O’Brien, and Kate Mullins. Their vocal harmonies are reminiscent of The Andrews Sisters. On this disc they cover older standards made popular by The Chordettes, The Ink Spots and The Andrews Sisters, as well as retrofit into the genre more recent standards made popular by Gloria Gaynor and Blondie. To my mind the most unusual song on the disc is Wuthering Heights, the chorus beginning: “Heathcliff, don’t you know that it’s me, it’s Cathy…”, a United Kingdom hit in 1978 by Kate Bush. The best track on the CD, however, is Glenn Miller's In The Mood… engaging vocal harmonies supported by finger snaps, hand claps and foot stomps.

You in Reverse by Built to Spill
Cd bins - Rock B

Built to Spill is one of the few bands out there that can put out consistently great rock albums without posturing, without gimmicks, and still make it seem effortless. The band is known for Doug Martsch’s guitar style that shares similarities with Neil Young, yet provides enough distinction to be an unsung influence for bands like Modest Mouse. However, Doug Martsch’s seemingly passive voice continues to speak loads more than any screeching the latter band may provide. "You in Reverse" is arguably the best release yet, containing soaring guitars that meander just long enough to make the melody rewarding when everything comes together. Martsch also makes good use of the slide guitar which was featured prominently in his solo album (another great album by the way.)
Those familiar with Built to Spill may not find it as adventurous as their previous efforts like "Perfect From Now On", but there is something to be said about a more polished, cleanly produced iteration of the band. Stand-out tracks include the epic opening song "Goin’ against your Mind", as well as "Conventional Wisdom," which feels as though it was lifted right from a Dinosaur Jr. album. However, this is an album where every song has something to offer and where repeated listens only strengthen the experience.

The Very Best of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
CD Bins - Classical - Schubert

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone, is considered the world’s greatest interpreter of German Lieder and one of the most recorded classical singers in history. The first CD in this two-disc set includes a sampling of his vast Lieder repertoire with compositions by Shubert, Brahms, Wolf, Strauss, and Mahler. The second CD contains excerpts of his work in opera with compositions by Bach, Handel, Wagner and Verdi. From his biography (in the Biography Resource Center database, available from the Plymouth Library homepage) we learn Fischer-Dieskau is also a painter, author, conductor, music historian and teacher. And we learn that shortly after enrolling in the Berlin School of Music he was drafted into a World War II German Cavalry Unit where he calmed the horses by singing arias and lieder. He apparently gained experience performing for people while a prisoner of war in an American camp in Italy in 1945, and did not retire from singing until 1992, sharing his vocal artistry with the world for almost 50 years.

Challengers by the New Pornographers
Cd Bins- Rock- N

Don’t let their name gross you out- there’s little to offend listeners in this new release from Canadian indie rock band the New Pornographers. A bit mellower than their 2005 album Twin Cinema, Challengers still has a few rousing toe-tappers mixed in with slow, harmonious tunes- all featuring poetic and slightly nonsensical lyrics. The songs have an unpolished tinge that showcases their talent (in other words, no auto-tune necessary). Especially lovely are the crisp, clear vocals of Neko Case on the title track and “Go Places.” This album brings more tingly-eared satisfaction with every listen, in particular for any lovers of Andrew Bird, the Arcade Fire or Rilo Kiley.

The Obliterati by Mission of Burma
Cd Bins - Rock M

Far too often it seems that the older a band gets the more complacent and dull their sound becomes. We all have our opinions on which bands those are. (Cough, cough) The Who (cough, cough) or how about that MC5 reunion? That was just sad. Thankfully, the same can’t be said for Mission of Burma. While most people think of the Ramones, The Clash, or the Sex Pistols when the word punk is mentioned there is an excess of bands that have had just as much influence on the genre and Mission of Burma is one of them. Honestly, the Sex Pistols only had about twelve songs and their influence was more of a fashion statement then a musical one.

Best known for the songs “Academy Fight Song” and “(That’s When I Reach for my) Revolver,” Burma distinguishes themselves from the typical punk trappings by using unconventional time signatures and chord progressions, along with the use of tape loops. The band used to play so loud in fact that guitarist Roger Miller developed tinnitus and now plays with firing range headphones to guard his ears.

The Obliterati itself is a mixed bag full of light anthemic rock songs and slower paced darker entries. The first two songs, 2wice and Spider’s Web, are definitely the stand out tracks. For those willing to stop themselves from playing those on repeat, the rest of the album is evidence that Mission of Burma still have more vigor than bands half their age.