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...other? “Dimmer” is a catchy enough piece of music, but it fails to develop after the first few chords, and repeated listens reveal no real nuance or subtlety, something that is true all-too-often of the songs on this album. Bass, electric guitar and drums are augmented elsewhere by acoustic guitar and that indie pop favorite, keyboards. Strings are largely absent as Bishop Allen choose a simpler sound that emphasizes their songwriting. This might seem like a wise decision, as Rice and Rudder have acquired a reputation for witty wordplay and elegant storytelling...
...until next year. I'm currently in the writing process. I'm learning how to play music and write songs, but they're comedy songs. Because I can't write music or play very well - actually, I have quite a bit of musical aptitude when it comes to the guitar, but I don't know how to write music - I'm collaborating with different artists who are giving me the music while I provide the lyrics. Two of the people I'm collaborating with will be performing with me at SXSW - Patty Griffin and Amanda Palmer [of the Dresden Dolls...
...obvious question is, Why are you doing songs? I was inspired by Madonna. I've been doing comedy music in my shows for the last few years now. I saw Madonna playing the guitar and I was like, "I want to do that!" I mean, if she can do it, I can do it, right? But it's really hard. So I came up with the idea of collaborating. But every time I meet with somebody to write a song, they give me a music lesson. Basically, I have some of the best musicians in the world teaching...
What are you expecting? I don't know! I'm excited for sure. I'm performing for the first time as a musician, which is new. I have all my little musician things to check off: bring this guitar, do this or do this. I can't wear long necklaces anymore, because the guitar itself is a necklace. So that's my jewelry, and I have to figure out what I'm going to wear around...
From there, Welcome to Mali becomes a more standard Amadou and Mariam affair, which is to say it's a joyous, hook-filled guitar album with impressive range. Amadou grew up as the biggest Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple fan in Bamako, and while he knows how to mimic the sounds of a kora and slip into high-stepping township jive, he's most at home using African styles to flavor rock melodies. "Ce N'Est Pas Bon" is stomping garage rock, while "Bozos" could be a particularly happy Neil Young song. Everything has a familiar pop structure, but there...