Might I Recommend: Army Navy

Looking for a sign that you're getting older? Here's one--the place you buy your clothing is the same place you buy your groceries and fill your prescriptions. Ah, the wonders of Target.

Thanks to their crisp whites, circular reds, and bouncy tunes, Target commercials have a way of making the everyday-everything store seem like it's the hippest place in town.

Los Angeles trio Army Navy could easily write an entire Target soundtrack on their own. Their songs are immediately infectious and toe-tappingly fun. Their sophomore album, "The Last Place," is solid front to back. Most importantly, it's impossible not to feel just a little better after having listened to it.

The Kooks Get Digital

 

Though they didn't form their band until the mid-2000s, The Kooks' brilliant debut, "Inside In/Inside Out" felt like it was released in the 1960s. The British four piece proudly wore their love of bands like The Kinks and The Rolling Stones on their sleeve as they created an infectious collection of tried-and-true rock 'n' roll songs.

After releasing a formidable follow up in 2008 ["Konk"], the band decided it was time for something different. For inspiration, they turned from their old-time favorites to modern artists like LCD Soundsystem and Lykke Li. The result is "Junk of the Heart," a new album The Kooks couldn't be more proud of.

Guitarist Hugh Harris took a few minutes to talk about the band's entrance into the 21st Century.

After two albums that pull so heavily from another time period, what made you decide to change directions for "Junk of the Heart?"

We're purist. And we were quite snobbish in the past toward computerized music and things that weren't analog. But we realized you can't really go through life like that. We wanted to expand and see what else is out there. We found that synthesizers can be warm and fuzzy and beautiful and distorted as much as the sounds that we love that come out of amplifiers. Through that process, we opened up our minds.  

This isn't what I'd call a "guitar record." As a guitar player, how do you feel about that?

We've had our guitar record. I love playing guitar but there is only so much you can do with it. It's an instrument that has been played. It's had it's day. I've really been getting into writing on the viola and writing string arrangements. I'm not saying indie music or guitar music is dead, but to us, we don't want to be regurgitating the same sound over and over again. Bands who are on their fourth or fifth album and still playing the same sound look so bored on stage. I don't want us to become that band.

After recording a studio album, what has been like trying to figure how to recreate it live?

It's been absolute hell. I got quite possessive over parts that I'd done [in the studio] and said, "I'd quite like to play that part." But then you realize that you don't have enough hands to play all the parts. The live shows are so much different now. They have elements of punk rock, like our old shows, but they seem much richer and much fuller with these new sonics. It feels great.

Have the long-time fans had any trouble with the sonic shift? 

No. Because the change hasn't felt drastic or contrived. At the heart of the writing is still the same ethic. It's about pop songs and an uplifting melody. The most fascinating thing about pop music is that it's totally genre-less. That's why we feel more like a pop band, because we can morph so many more genres.

How has this record affected what the band will do in the future?

I like that we paved the way to use processed beats -- real dance beats that make you want to move. All we've ever wanted is to make people dance. Also, the strings are something we haven't really done before and it's something we'd like to experiment with. We're not going to reinvent the wheel, but music always has to feel new and fresh. Otherwise, it goes stale so quickly.

Check out: See the World [YouTube]

Brandon Flowers is a Mormon

There are plenty of famous Mormons out there. You've got your sports stars like Steve Young, politicians like the Mittster, and actors like Napoleon Dynamite. But not many rockstars (Gladys Knight is not a rock star and The Used's Bert McCracken has left the faith).

Brandon Flowers has been linked to Mormonism since the early days of The Killers, but has rarely addressed the issue, other than to say he was raised in the faith.

Starring in one of the LDS Church's "I'm a Mormon" ads is a bold move. On both sides. I can't imagine that the spot will do much to bolster Flower's rock 'n roll cred, and it's an interesting move for the Church, which doesn't exactly cater to the rock world.

I guess that's why I'm so impressed by it. Kudos to Flowers for being willing to talk about his faith and a bigger thumbs up to the Church for recognizing that there are Mormons out there who may be more inspired by The Killers than David Archuleta.

And as long as we're talking about The Killers, here's a link to one of my favorite songs (and favorite video) by the band, Read My Mind.

A Few Thoughts on Life From Joe Queer

Long-time punkers The Queers will stopping in Salt Lake on December 3. In advance of the show, Joe Queer and I swapped some emails this morning.

The last time I saw you guys play, I was impressed by how many old school fans keep coming out to the shows. How do you keep things new and interesting for fans who have seen you play a dozen times?

We usually change the set up and throw in different songs each night. Also we only play about 40 minutes so no one gets bored.

What is it about punk rock that keeps it going from generation to generation?

 
I think the energy attracts a lot of people. Punk was about being able to see thru the bullshit of day to day life and that appeals to a lot of people as well. Plus it's so irreverent and fun.

What is about punk rock that first attracted you to it? What do you still love about it?

Like I said, the energy is something I love. It gives me a reason to get outta bed in the morning. Always excited to see what's around the bend in the river each day.

What was the experience like re-releasing the early material? Did you like revisiting those old records? Do you feel like they sound better now?

It was kind of fun to listen to them again. I don't listen to our albums except when doing a new album.

Over the years, have you ever regretted any of the band's political incorrectness (e.g., the name of the band, "Love Songs for the Retarded," etc.)

 
No. I hate political punk bands. It's just a shtick for them. I don't think any of them even believe the bull---- they spew. Kids listen to it to feel like they know more than the next guy and they're enlightened more than the average shmuck on the street. The last place I'd go is a punk show to learn and listen about politics.

What's next on the horizon for the band? Any new music on the way?

We're out all winter pretty much on tour. Recording a new album next spring. After that my plans are unclear-I may tour the Congo.Thanks!!!

R.I.P. Heavy D, 1967-2011

Dear Dwight "Heavy D" Arrington Myers,

Thank you for playing a bit part in my life. I was nearing the end of my elementary school days in the early '90s. When birthdays came around, the cool kids bought cassette singles as gifts. Miss Karen Brochinsky bought me a copy of your semi-slow jam "Is It Good to You." I didn't love the track, but I loved your sense of style (e.g., flowy shirts and semi-Hammer pants). And now, even 20 years later, your big hit, "Now That We Found Love" still gets stuck in my head after just hearing the title. So, thank you.

Rest in peace, big guy.