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MUSIC
THE CLASSICAL BEAT CLICK TRACK
Post critic Anne Midgette offers her take For more pop music news, reviews and features,
on the classical music world at voices. visit ClickTrack, The Post’s pop music blog at
washingtonpost.com/the-classical-beat. blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack.
‘Plastic Beach’: Surf’s not up
QUICK SPINS
Eco-themed mishmash
from Gorillaz doesn’t
quite hold together
by Allison Stewart
Imagine mysterious British
street artist Banksy fronting the
The Knife Gary Allan Ludacris
Banana Splits and you’ll pretty
TOMORROW, IN A YEAR GET OFF ON THE PAIN BATTLE OF THE SEXES
much get the point of Gorillaz,
the virtual side project of occa- If you’ve ever said to yourself, Gary Allan’s music might be
Ludacris’s latest project was
sional Blur frontman Damon Al- “I wonder what Darwin’s ‘On the steeped in the West Coast
born of noble purpose: to give
barn. A shape-shifting, multi- Origin of Species’ would sound honky-tonk of Buck Owens and
female perspectives, notoriously
platinum hip-pop collective that like if masked Swedish duo the Merle Haggard, but his
scarce in hip-hop, much needed
uses cartoon stand-ins in videos Knife turned it into an opera, brooding persona owes as much
attention. Early reports
and onstage, Gorillaz tends to and mezzo-soprano Kristina to rock-and-roll, an affinity
characterized “Battle of the
make the same album over and Wahlin Momme was there too,” that’s apparent throughout the
Sexes” as a head-to-head
over: futuristic minglings of hip- then “Tomorrow, in a Year” is 10 tracks on his terrific new
matchup between Luda and
hop, electro, pop and reggae fea- your answer. album.
rapper Shawnna, who appeared
turing the same micro-preoccu- Natural selection being what In one lovelorn song, as his ex
on his first big single, 2000’s
pations (Hollywood action stars, it is, it’s a wonder that the Knife, retrieves her things from his
“What’s Your Fantasy.”
R&B old-timers, De La Soul, Af- a delicate and weird apartment, the item that gives
Then Shawnna left Luda’s
rica, the end times), played out brother-sister duo known for him pause is “the empty
Disturbing tha Peace crew. Her
against different scenery. chilly electro-pop and a ‘Zeppelin III’ CD case” he spies
voice is still on the new album,
“Plastic Beach,” the band’s fondness for public disguises, in one of the boxes she carries
but her role seems small, and
fine, if occasionally unfocused, has made it this far. Their out to her car. In the
several other female MCs are
third release, is an environmen- double-disc “Tomorrow,” created fiddle-sweetened “She Gets Me”
sprinkled throughout.
tal concept album prompted by with additional help from Mt. he gives thanks for finding
Unfortunately, a guest verse
the time Albarn went to a land- Sims and Planningtorock and someone who loves him in spite
here and there isn’t enough to
fill in Africa. Perhaps realizing commissioned by a performance of his shortcomings, not the
make “Battle of the Sexes” a
that the only thing more shud-
JAMIE HEWLETT/EMI MUSIC
art group, pays homage to least of which being the “crazy
showcase for female rappers, or
der-inducing than a concept al- HIP-POP AHOY! “Plastic Beach” is the latest, but not greatest, Darwin in the most amorphous rock-and-roll life” to which he’s
even an exercise in equity.
bum is an environmental con- offering from the eclectic collective launched by Damon Albarn. way possible. addicted.
Instead, there’s a ton of
cept album prompted by the Its first half emphasizes The surging guitars and
sexed-up, party-oriented music
time the lead singer went to a and . . . bunnies (though it’s so first disc not to feature an out- muted nature noises with rhythms on “That Ain’t Gonna
— catchy but hardly
landfill in Africa, Albarn and cloaked in metaphor, it’s hard to side producer (their first two re- minimal, mostly operatic, vocal Fly,” meanwhile, are closer to
groundbreaking. The squeaking
company don’t belabor the tell). leases, “Gorillaz” and “Demon parts. A spartan collection of “Born to Run,” or even ’90s
“How Low” has been inspiring
point. Elsewhere, former Clash Days,” were co-helmed by Dan tweeting birds, snorting alt-country, than anything you
club-goers to wind it down to
Their main concession to members Mick Jones and Paul the Automator and Danger animals, howling winds and might hear on Alan Jackson’s
the ground for several months
theme is “Welcome to the World Simonon reunite on the wobbly Mouse, respectively), and not co- rain noises, some of it field latest CD. Even “We Fly by
now, as has “My Chick Bad,”
of the Plastic Beach,” the disc’s title track, reminiscent of a ’50s incidentally it’s the first to feel music recorded by the Knife’s Night,” yet another of the smoky,
which, despite a Nikki Minaj
opening track (unless you count sci-fi score, the Fall’s Mark E. less like a cohesive collection of Olof Dreijer, it’s like a National atmospheric ballads Allan
verse, is a guy’s song about
the orchestral intro, “Orchestral Smith guests on the chugging songs and more like a scatter- Geographic special with began honing over a decade ago,
women. “Sex Room,” featuring
Intro”), a sleepy, Snoop Dogg-led electro sugar rush “Glitter shot inventory of the contents of feedback. As conceptual art is more Roy Orbison than
Trey Songz (who else would one
number with a let’s-not-hurt- Freeze” and Lou Reed takes over Albarn’s iPod. presumably meant to evoke the George Jones.
feature on such a song?), is filled
the-planet-kids message and a the Dennis Hopper Scary Arche- Albarn, once the Britpop long-ago noises of the Allan’s by turns gruff and
with hilarious freakiness, but it’s
“Planet of the Apes” shout-out. typal Hipster slot on the jaunty equivalent of a less embarrass- Galapagos Islands, it’s effective. tender vocals nevertheless are
a one-sided account.
Gorillaz discs live or die on “Some Kind of Nature.” ing Billy Corgan, has never As a stand-alone recorded work, undeniably country, as is the
Women finally step out front
the strength of their supporting The great and strange “White seemed concerned about the it’s practically indigestible. stolid resilience with which he
on the remix of “My Chick Bad,”
players, and on “Plastic Beach,” Flag” is a flute-heavy war-and- perils of too much-ness. But The Knife features more confronts heartache. “No
as Diamond of Crime Mob,
Albarn has chosen well. Among religion takedown featuring ap- “Plastic Beach,” long and synth- prominently on the Regrets” finds him looking back
Trina and Eve stretch out and do
the pinch hitters: Bobby Wo- pearances from British grime crazy and diffuse, can be a slog, a comparatively conventional on his time with his late wife
some bragging. On “Hey Ho,”
mack takes over the Random artists Kano and Bashy as well as potentially great album suffer- second disc. “Colouring of Angela, who committed suicide
Ludacris addresses the gender
Grizzled Soul Vet slot from Ike a Lebanese orchestra. It’s one of ing from an excess of everything. Pigeons” (woozy, with cellos), — after suffering from
double-standard of sleeping
Turner on the space-disco gem several tracks on which Albarn style@washpost.com “The Height of Summer” prolonged depression — in
around, then brings in Lil’ Kim
“Stylo,” a collaboration with Mos (in the form of his Gorillaz alter (almost pop) and “Annie’s Box 2004. “I’m moving slow but I’m
to help break down the
Def; De La Soul take over the, ego 2D) hardly seems to show up Stewart is a freelance writer. (Alternate Vocal)” (an moving on,” he tells himself, and
hypocrisy.
uh, De La Soul slot on the breezy at all, contributing to the im- otherworldly ode to Darwin’s the mix of sadness and
There is plenty of fun
“Superfast Jellyfish,” a collabora- pression that “Plastic Beach” is a daughter) are bracingly anticipation in his voice is that
happening on “Battle of the
tion with Super Furry Animals’ very well-made compilation al- beautiful antidotes to the rest of of someone who’s lived through
Sexes,” but still, the fellas clearly
Gruff Rhys that seems to be an bum on which Gorillaz makes Recommended tracks: this undertaking, which seems an agonizing experience,
run it; the ladies are hardly even
indictment of conspicuous con- occasional appearances. “Stylo,” “Superfast Jellyfish,” “White more pretentious and difficult emerging battered but intact.
given a chance.
sumerism, environmental waste “Plastic Beach” is the group’s Flag” than it needs to be. — Bill Friskics-Warren
— Sarah Godfrey
Depending on your ambient
opera tolerance level, it’s either
a strange and moving tribute to
SINGLES FILE
Darwin’s work or the best Recommended tracks:
Recommended tracks:
argument yet for intelligent “Get Off on the Pain,” “That Ain’t
“My Chick Bad (remix),” “Hey Ho”
A weekly playlist for the listener with a one-track mind design. Gonna Fly,” “No Regrets”
D.C.’s own Likeblood is out
— Allison Stewart
Likeblood: “I Get It All” with a new track.
The DMV up-and-comers follow up “Money Over Here” with this Judah-
produced track from their new mix tape, “We All Alone: 3010.”
Broken Bells: “The Mall and Misery”
Recommended tracks:
The joint James Mercer/Danger Mouse disc is even better than you
“Colouring of Pigeons,” “Annie’s Box
might think it would be, especially this dazzler of a closing track.
(Alternate Vocal)”
Meth, Ghost and Rae featuring Alicia Keys: “Our Dreams” (Ant
Acid mix)
COURTESY OF SOBLU INC.
The Wu-Tang trio’s latest, RZA-produced single gets mashed up with
Keys’s “Almost There,” with surprisingly naturalistic results.
B
THEATRE
B
Damien Jurado: “Arkansas”
One of the best singer-songwriters you may never have heard of, Jurado
usually makes albums that sound like “Nebraska,” only leaner and
“…the very definition of
more depressing. This atypically peppy, cinematic track hails from his a guilty pleasure”-TheWashington Post
upcoming “Saint Bartlett.”
B
THEATRE
B
Cults: “Go Outside”
If Up With People made a soul record with the Shirelles, it might sound
THEATER J
something like this springy new track from the unknown New York duo
PWYC:Tonightat7:30!
Cults; it’s both freakish and freakishly good.
Josh Kornbluth’s
— Allison Stewart
ANDYWARHOL:
n Mon–Friat8,Satat6&9,Sunat3&7x
AddedShows:Tue,Wed,&Thuat5
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TKTS:202-467-4600
800-494-TIXS www.theaterj.org www.kennedy-center.org/shearmadness
DANCE REVIEW big-name artistic directors — at-
Photo by Chris L
tempt to mesh modern dance
The Guide to the Lively Arts
with ceremonial traditions. Few
succeed like Black Grace. Exam-
CHRISTOPH ESCHENBACH
Welcome
appears
Black Grace’s
The Studio 2ndStage
Sunday inArts.deadline:Wed.,12 noon
Monday in Style.deadline:Friday,12 noon
FINALWEEK! Tuesday in Style.deadline:Mon.,12 noon
ples from Saturday’s program in-
clude “Minoi,” a Samoan “slap
VERDI: REQUIEM
Wednesday in Style.deadline:Tues.,12 noon
lusty mix of
e
“Arresting! Energetic!Engrossing!”
e Thursday in Style.deadline:Wed.,12 noon
–City Paper
Friday inWeekend.deadline:Tues.,12 noon
dance” chanted by seven men,
Tomorrow at 8:30pm!
Saturday in Style.deadline:Friday,12 noon
choreography
and “Deep Far,” a call for rain per-
CHRISTOPH ESCHENBACH For information about advertising,call:
formed by two men and two
CONDUCTOR
THATFACE
Raymond Boyer
(guest) women dancers who
TWYLA ROBINSON
by Polly Stenham
202-334-7006 FAX 202-496-3814
Dance has a habit of luring its stand in a square, alternately
SOPRANO
directed by Rahaleh Nassri
guidetoarts@washpost.com
practitioners away from more lu- leaping forward and backward
M studiotheatre.org 202-332-3300
Rates: DailyH$134.28 per column inch
IHOKO FUJIMURA SundayH$187.44 per column inch
crative careers. Neil Ieremia was from diagonal points.
MEZZO-SOPRANO
19 when he announced plans to Most intriguing: an excerpt
NIKOLAI SCHUKOFF
quit a banking job and become a from “Surface,” a 2003 evening-
TENOR
Thursday, March 11 at 7
choreographer. His parents — im- length work that depicts a tradi-
EVGENY NIKITIN
Friday, March 12 at 8*
migrants from Western Samoa tional coming-of-age tattooing
BASS-BARITONE
Saturday, March 13 at 8
who sought a better life for their ceremony for Samoan men. The
THE WASHINGTON CHORUS
children in New Zealand — dancers rolled giant stones out
JULIAN WACHNER,
*AfterWords: Fri., Mar. 12 performance followed by
a free discussion with Christoph Eschenbach and
MUSIC DIRECTOR NSO Director of Artistic Planning Nigel Boon.
thought they might as well jump onto the stage, then tipped them
back on a boat. sideways, creating primal plat-
YOU CAN’T GET
Tickets from $20 at the Box Office or charge by phone (202) 467-4600
But they didn’t, and lucky for forms. With the tap-tap-tapping
Order online at kennedy-center.org | Groups (202) 416-8400 | TTY (202) 416-8524
world dance stages, Ieremia has of tattoo hammers hitting sharp-
spent the last 15 years directing ened bone as a soundtrack, the
General Dynamics is the proud sponsor of the NSO Classical Season. THE DEALS IF YOU CAN’T
Black Grace, an all-male com- dancers ricocheted off the stones
The Blue Series is sponsored by United Technologies Corporation.
pany that fuses traditional Maori into each other’s arms.
Part of Focus on Russia
Focus on Russia is supported through the generosity of the HRH Foundation.
FIND THE SALES.
and Samoan movement with The show closed with an ex-
modern dance. Two years ago, the cerpt from “Gathering Clouds.”
testosterone-powered troupe From the stage, in one of many
made a sweaty splash at the Ken- charming but lengthy explana-
nedy Center. At George Mason tions, Ieremia said this work was
University Saturday night, the about immigration and Polyne-
dancing was every bit as lusty, but sian pride. No introduction was
IF THERE’S A SALE OUT THERE, IT’S IN HERE.
some presentation elements were necessary. As dancers sat cross-
The Washington Post
problematic: murky lighting, ex- legged, clapping to the counter-
is printed using recycled fiber.
cessive narration and choppy ex- point of Bach’s “Goldberg Varia-
cerpts detracted from an other- tions,” the cross-cultural implica-
wise amazing show. tions were obvious, and a joy to
If you don’t get it, you don’t get it.
SF612 2x3.5
Many choreographers — from watch.
local Indian dance enthusiasts to — Rebecca J. Ritzel NF407 2x1.5
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