Momofuku and Other Delights

So my favorite artist has released a new album, Momofuku, named after the inventor of instant cup-o-noodles. The initial release was on vinyl only, with a traditional CD and iTunes release following this week. The album was recorded in about a week with the Imposters with lots of assistance from Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley), her boyfriend Johnathan Rice, and folks from Beachwood Sparks and Los Lobos. If you are a fan at all, this one will blow your socks off. No arty pretense, no genre straightjackets, just straight ahead pop and rock numbers with lots of guitar and a real air of fun and ease around every song. 'American Gangster Time' hearkens back to This Year's Model, while 'Mr. Feathers' sounds like it could have come from a 1967 Kinks album. 'My Three Sons' has EC in a rare sentimental mood and 'Go Away' might be one of the catchiest things he's ever done with its buzzing organ riff and great minor chord change during the chorus. My favorite though is 'Stella Hurt', the true tale of a great Louisiana jazz vocalist whose career was sidetracked by her USO career which shot her voice. Its a vicious rock song with a great lift from the Beatles 'Hey Bulldog' to drive it along. Kick ass.

Anywho, Flood the Panties for your taste of Momofuku. As an added side dish, please find Chris Mars' Horseshoes and Handgrenades and this evening, the new Neil Diamond Home Before Dark. More on that one tomorrow. Enjoy!