Songs from a Random House is one of those unclassifiable bands that either astound a selective few and then vanish without a trace or else create an entirely new genre that utterly confounds potential imitators. The unusua... more »l instrumental forces, which include two ukeleles, a viola, a chord organ, acoustic bass, and trap drums, are only half the tale. Bandleader Steven Swartz's songs have a chilled-out, sophisticated, downtown jazzy melodic sense that might remind some listeners of Steely Dan minus the unctuousness. There are also hints of 20th-century classical dissonance, assorted string-driven world music traditions, late-night café torchers and be-bop. Swartz's lyrics are full of sly humor, ironic puns, blistering insights, and surreal epiphanies--the fallout of minutely observed living amid chaos. But that isn't to say the group is incapable of getting down--the album closes with a drone-laced, propulsive, droll cover of Donna Summer's louche disco hit, "I Feel Love." --Christina Roden« less
Songs from a Random House is one of those unclassifiable bands that either astound a selective few and then vanish without a trace or else create an entirely new genre that utterly confounds potential imitators. The unusual instrumental forces, which include two ukeleles, a viola, a chord organ, acoustic bass, and trap drums, are only half the tale. Bandleader Steven Swartz's songs have a chilled-out, sophisticated, downtown jazzy melodic sense that might remind some listeners of Steely Dan minus the unctuousness. There are also hints of 20th-century classical dissonance, assorted string-driven world music traditions, late-night café torchers and be-bop. Swartz's lyrics are full of sly humor, ironic puns, blistering insights, and surreal epiphanies--the fallout of minutely observed living amid chaos. But that isn't to say the group is incapable of getting down--the album closes with a drone-laced, propulsive, droll cover of Donna Summer's louche disco hit, "I Feel Love." --Christina Roden
"In a perfect world this album would wind up near the top of most end-of-the-year critics polls, because gListen is easily one of the best albums of 2004. SFARH manage the neat trick of stretching the boundaries of avant-pop while remaining completely listener-friendly. Their unorthodox lineup features viola, lap steel guitar, Magnus chord organ (!) and, most prominently, two ukuleles (if you are thinking Don Ho, think again: the ukulele is a completely different instrument when plugged in, routed through a fuzz box and kicked up to 11--see the sample from Taste of Crow). It takes a couple of listens, but this cd is filled with tunes that stick in your head and images that keep floating to the front of your mind long after you've taken the disc out of the player. The carefully crafted lyrics could easily be lifted from the liner notes, plopped between two covers, and published as a poetry chapbook. Oh yeah, also, this album RAWKS. And you can dance to it. Buy gListen and help make the world a better place."
Great sound
Sam | VA | 12/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Songs from a Random House is an exciting group.There is a lot of variety in their music, creating moods with various textures,styles and rhythms.There is a notable jazz influence in many of the selections.I especially like stretch which has a fusion sound like Mahavishnu Orchestra."
Moody, Marvelous Music
Larry D | Los Angeles, CA United States | 12/21/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I might as well caveat this right up front: Songs From a Random House's music isn't all that easy to wrap your arms around. It's layered and literate and a bit artsy, and oh yes: they play ukuleles. So if your usual meat is along the lines of Justin Timberlake, gListen may not be for you. But if you like a nice big slice of Roxy Music or Talking Heads now and then, give gListen a listen. And then another listen: you may not be humming the songs after the first time through, but not everybody can be Britney Spears (thank God). It might help to start with the Donna Summer cover (just for something familiar), then start the CD at the beginning. A couple of days later, you might just find yourself absently humming "A Taste of Crow"."
More than the ukes
T Bird | NYC | 09/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This disc is fantastic - the songs are intelligent and funny and they stay in your head (in a good way). It's cool that there are ukes - but there's much more to this than the instruments used. This is real songwiritng - real music making, and to top it off, the sound quality is great. Get this album!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
