Author Archives: Jon Rooney

Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Peter Colclasure – “Cynic”

Peter Colclasure is a former member of the Foghorns whose contribution to Ball of Wax 35 is a surreal kiss-off in waltz time. “Cynic” contrasts Colclasure’s derisive lyrics (“you got yourself seen at all the right places / all the hip … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Bandolier – “Steady Love”

Bandolier gets things off on the right foot with the iconic pum—pum-pum-thwack! of the indestructible “Be My Baby” drum beat. Almost immediately gritty synth organ and a tinny melodic figure (a guitar with tremolo?) emerge below reedy vocals singing “[I] … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Levi Fuller – “5 Year Plan”

Levi‘s contribution to volume 35, “5 Year Plan,” veers away from the rumble and fuzz of his recent work with the Library and returns to the organic folk simplicity of his earlier recordings. Acoustic guitar and voice sit way up in … Continue reading

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Love: Thoughts by Jim Gavin

[Jim Gavin is a Los Angeles-based writer and the biggest Love fan I know. Back in the silvery gloom of the early ’00’s, he met my general ignorance of the band with utter disgust and set me straight. He also … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Aram Bajakian – “Medicaid Lullaby”

Aram Bajakian is quite the get for Ball of Wax. Not only has the New York-based guitarist played with the likes of Lou Reed, Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Yusef Lateef, John Zorn, Nels Cline, and Diana Krall, but he’s also … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Inly – “In the Morning”

Inly‘s “In the Morning” is a hardened love song, more “look out for that guy” than “that guy is the greatest.”  Mindie Lind’s sweet, rootsy voice croons a tale of warning (“in the morning / he’s going to fool you”) … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Joshua Schramm featuring Fairy Robot – “Drink Until You’re Dry Again”

Westerly‘s Joshua Schramm makes his first contribution to Ball of Wax with “Drink Until You’re Dry Again,” a collaboration with Fairy Robot, known by most folks as Sarah McGuinn (who also plays with Schramm in Modern Relics). “Drink Until You’re Dry … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Quichenight – “Fjord Tortoise”

Ball of Wax newcomers Quichenight describe their music as “lo-fi, high-brow, easy-listening music for nerds.” Their contribution to volume 35, “Fjord Tortoise,” is top-shelf bedroom pop that reminds me of tons of great bands – from Pavement at their most accessible … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Sam Russell – “The Arena”

[It’s time once again to share with you, track by track, the songs from the upcoming volume of Ball of Wax. BoW 35 is devoted to the love song, and will be released Friday, February 14th at Lo Fi. Join … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 34 Songs: Yucca Mountain – “Garden”

Yucca Mountain is the current musical manifestation of Ball of Wax mainstay Jeremy Burk. Burk has a towering rasp of a voice – a legitimate, powerful instrument capable of stopping a room in its tracks. Burk puts that voice to … Continue reading

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