Sound Check Nov. 4

November 4, 11:15 AMMusic ExaminerLinda Laban

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Little Joy “Little Joy” (Rough Trade)

If this mellow set sounds like The Strokes gone Jack Johnson, that’s probably partly explained by the fact that Strokes Fabrizio Moretti, clearly kicking back with some new musical pals, heads Little Joy. Which, as Moretti isn’t doing more than adding backing vocals, drums, percussion, and a little sundry instrumentation, is no explanation at all. The cute crooning main lead vocal is courtesy of Rodrigo Amarante, who fronts a Portuguese band called Los Hermanos, and whose Strokesish sexy laissez faire is uncanny.  (The third Joy member, Binki Shapiro, coos sweetly here and there.) But, really, if Moretti wasn’t a member of one of this decade’s biggest rock phenoms, we’d only be mentioning Fab in passing. If at all. Amarante’s gorgeously seductive voice is one thing.  But his beautiful classical guitar, piano, and ukulele parts are quite some icing. The pace picks up with the chugging rocker “Keep Me In Mind” and the Western-feeling “How to Hang a Warhol,” which you’ll swear are Strokes songs, but otherwise, “Little Joy” is free and easy, and a pleasure in its simplicity.

Johann Johannsson “Fordlandia” (4AD)

Post rock meets contemporary classical in Johannsons’ engulfing, beautiful instrumental album. But that’s far too crude a description for such weighty, transcendental stuff. Just as fellow Icelandics Sigur Ros attempts to go pop on us (stop, it isn’t working), this record comes along, a beacon of introspective songs that are bitingly sad but ever-hopeful. This dark, magnificent album is the second in a proposed trilogy inspired, if that’s the right word, by American brand names and technology. Here Johansson looks at failed Utopias and directly references Henry Ford’s proposed – and doomed -- American town, to be built in the rubber-rich Amazon for a cheap tire supply.  Melancholic seesawing strings are flecked with twinkling, clanging guitar and a deep thrump of baritone piano keys on the epic opening title track. Oboe and woodwind leads “Melodia,” perhaps throwing the post rock tag for a loop. But guitars chime so pertinently and electronics blip and distort symphonic orchestrations, opening up the record to interpretation beyond classical. This is the soundtrack to a film that’s yet to be made, but it’s full of vivid images nevertheless.

Travis "Ode to J. Smith" (Fontana International/ Red Telephone Box)

Before Travis took up the mope rock mantle bestowed by Morrissey, Catherine Wheel, et al, the band cut a super little tune called “All I Want to Do is Rock.” The 1996-released song (produced by Steve Lilywhite) is a brilliant, bristling lovelorn ditty that never revs up beyond a funeral pace.  In short, it’s one of rock and roll’s most perfect little paeans. After some years of silence, not to mention more than a couple of records worth of maudlin folksy rock, Travis returns with its sixth studio album and a brighter, breezier Britrock sound. Guitars are a-go-go on “Something Anything,” an easily assimilated slice of raunchy rock. But the band hits fuller frenzy on the skittish “A Long Way Down,” as Andy Dunlop’s driving guitar riff envelops singer Fran Healy’s raspy yowl. This newfound-refound va-va-voom doesn’t stop the band from slipping into sentimentality with the dramatic closing ballad “Before You Were Young.” But while Healy is busy reminiscing, Dunlop sneaks in a brilliant soaring, trilling guitar part. Thank you, Andy.

Random interesting releases this week: Masked man – or real mouse? -- Deadmau5 issues his joyous dance set, “Random Album Title” (Ultra)…Paul Oakenfold issues the trippy self-explanatory “Trance Anthems” (Ultra)…  Past Lives, which features ex-members of Blood Brothers and Shoplifting, also issues an EP, “Strange Symmetry” (Suicide Squeeze)… Self-confessed Godfather of Nerdcore Rap, MC Frontalot issues “Final Boss” (Level Up)… Thursday and Envy unite for a self-titled split emo-hardcore LP (Temporary Residence)… Moby’s latest “Last Night” gets remixed and is stunninggly titled “Last Night Remixed” (Mute)… For anyone wishing it was 1987 all over again, metal wannabes Hinder threatens with “Take It to the Limit”…