The Sounds of Summer (pt 1)

Megan Giddings loves summer. Megan Giddings loves music. So in celebration of these two passions, the Modern Pea Pod is proud to present a series of reviews on what Ms. Giddings considers to be some of the best recent albums to hear as the summer months begin. We begin with the debut release by Brazilian neo-tropicalia/electronica producer Apollo Nove: an album to lighten these unusually sultry Michigan days with a refreshing Sao Paulo breeze. So without further ado...

Welcome to the Summer

Res Inexplicata Volans
Apollo Nove
(Rykodisc/Zirguiboom)

Sometimes, an artist will choose the absolute perfect title to sum up their work. When John Singer Sargent renamed his Portrait de Mme to Madame X, he captured a feeling of sensuality that would ensnare and titillate art lovers for generations afterwards. Apollo Nove joins the ranks of auspicious titlers like Sargent with his release of Res Inexplicata Volans. Named after a Vatican translation for the term "Unidentified Flying Object," Nove's release is fittingly equivalent to drinking a daquiri on Mars in July; covered in a sensual icy layer, with a tempestuous heat lying just below the surface. In short, Res Inexplicata Volans is an album which bottles up everything a perfect summer should be.

Of course, Nove alone does not achieve this feat. But with guest stars ranging from current Indie Latin Lover, Seu Jorge, to songwriting credits attributed to legendary Os Mutantes singer Rita Lee, as well as the lovely vocals of Tita Lima, the summer is formed into a swirling yellow-gold confection.

Just listen to "ensaboar voce (soap you)": it's the soundtrack to lying on a hammock in the late, golden afternoons of a Michigan June. It's the song that should be played when someone else crawls into the hammock; someone to whom a million things could be said, but are bypassed for the silence of bright light and a quiet afternoon. Meanwhile, "I?m a Rocker" [sic] - an almost unrecognizable AC/DC cover - is the song that should be played to empower every young woman who's afraid to show off her brand new beach-ready body. With Lima's breathy vocals lending modern sex appeal as well as a nostalgic nightclub feel, it's enough to boost anyone's confidence. Another highlight is, of course, the Rita Lee co-penned "Inexplicata." Frankly, if any man wanted to seduce me with a coconut cup pina colada and a half-opened suit, this would be the song to do it. And while these tracks are some of the stand outs, there are many more treasures to be found and sampled on this release.

Res Inexplicata Volans is highly recommended for anyone desperately searching for not just the pool party wholesomeness of summer, but for all the exotic intrigue slapped into older movies and '60s girl group songs. So put on the album and strip...this is Rio, baby.

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