Hard Rock is making a comeback, and no, it isn't in the form of Cafes.
The White Stripes have a new album, Icky Thump, coming out June 19th. Their first single, also titled "Icky Thump," is a much heavier sound than much of their previous work. Think "Blue Orchid" from Get Behind Me Satan. As the British DJ that debuted the song said, "White Stripes - Icky Fump. Heafvy. Very heafvy, man." It remains to be seen whether the rest of the album maintains this sound or not, but one can always hope.
[mp3] The White Stripes - Icky Fump
The Silversun Pickups have begun to have mainstream success, a full year after their first album's release date (Carnavas in '06). They opened for Snow Patrol on their recent nationwide tour, and their single, "Lazy Eye" hit #5 on the Billboard Rock charts. Imagine my surprise when I heard it on ZRock 103.3.
[mp3] The Silversun Pickups - Well Thought Out Twinkles
The Whigs are a band hailing from the music-rich Athens, Georgia. They've had an LP out for awhile now, Give 'Em All a Big Fat Lip, but they recently signed to ATO Records (that would be fellow Athenian Dave Matthews' record label) who re-released the album to a much wider audience. I like the album, it continues a very rich garage rock tradition.
[mp3] The Whigs - Violet Furs
The Smashing Pumpkins (actually just drummer Jimmy Chamberlain and Drama-Queen-Himself, Mr Billy Corgan) are recording a new album, Zeitgeist. The lineup is, as some have called it, Zwan 2.0. I'm cool with that. I liked Zwan's album, but I wasn't surprised when Corgan broke it up, as he seems to be very hard to work with in a creative setting. They released the first single, "Tarantula," and it's pretty good. The chorus (and vocals) have a distinct Zwan-ish feel, but the guitars are quite a bit heavier and distorted than anything Zwan tried. Jimmy Chamberlain is a great drummer, and I think a lynch-pin of the Pumpkins' success (and Corgan's for that matter). Whenever the Smashing Pumpkins or Billy Corgan attempts something without him I just have to shake my head. Their record label is currently going nuts trying to keep the song on lockdown, so no dice on an mp3.
Velvet Revolver is coming out with another album, and it is probably destined for success, just like their first. It's called Libertad, and the first single is "She Builds Quick Machines" (who do they have in charge of writing titles, anyway?). I'm sure it will be all over mainstream radio in no time, played into oblivion, and then never heard from again. At least, that's how things seem to go nowadays.
[video] Velvet Revolver - She Builds Quick Machines (Warning: contains futuristic western craziness)
Monday, May 7, 2007
Monday, March 5, 2007
More Bluegrass/Folk Than You Can Throw Rocks At
Well, I've been on a pretty strong bluegrass binge lately, and have uncovered some good bands/songs. Here's a little list for you that will definitely get your hillbilly blood pumping:
Samamidon - They've got a pretty soft sound, and interesting lyrics. Plus they use the banjo well, and everything could use some good banjo playing. "Tribulation" has some pretty amazing piano playing as well.
[mp3] Samamidon - This Chicken Proved Falsehearted
[mp3] Samamidon - Tribulation
Doug Martsch - This song comes from Jack Johnson's surf documentary A Brokedown Melody. About half-way through, the bass kicks in and the song speeds up. The slide guitar on this song will make you want to slap your knee and stomp your foot.
[mp3] Doug Martsch - Heart (Things Never Said)
Pete Droge - This is an amazing song, and you really should give it a listen. I Guess I'm Floating clued me in to this song, and I'm grateful, because it is amazing (I know I'm repeating myself. Give the song a listen and prove me wrong). Pete formed a "super group", The Thorns, along with Matthew Sweet ('90s geek rock hero) and Shawn Mullins (don't worry, I don't know who he is either). The Thorns didn't turn out to be a huge success, but Pete's 2006 album, Under the Waves, which takes its name from this song, is solid. You can hear more from it at his myspace.
[mp3] Pete Droge - Under the Waves
Jayber Crow - Jayber Crow is named after an amazing book by Kentucky's own Wendell Berry (I suggest you read it). They've as of yet only released an EP, The Farmer and the Nomad, but they've managed to pack a few powerful songs on it. They play a mandolin, guitar and tambourine. Their music keeps bringing to mind the farms and country roads of where I grew up. They currently have only toured the Midwest, but I would definitely catch their show if they came around here.
[mp3] Jayber Crow - The Farmer and the Nomad
[mp3] Jayber Crow - The News About Michael
Old Crow Medicine Show - Finally, there is OCMS. This is a true bluegrass band--there is lots of fiddle-playin', foot-stomping music from them. They've also got that classic twang in the vocals that characterizes bluegrass. This song, "Wagon Wheel," takes its chorus from "Rock Me Mama" a bootleg recording by Bob Dylan.
[mp3] Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel
Samamidon - They've got a pretty soft sound, and interesting lyrics. Plus they use the banjo well, and everything could use some good banjo playing. "Tribulation" has some pretty amazing piano playing as well.
[mp3] Samamidon - This Chicken Proved Falsehearted
[mp3] Samamidon - Tribulation
Doug Martsch - This song comes from Jack Johnson's surf documentary A Brokedown Melody. About half-way through, the bass kicks in and the song speeds up. The slide guitar on this song will make you want to slap your knee and stomp your foot.
[mp3] Doug Martsch - Heart (Things Never Said)
Pete Droge - This is an amazing song, and you really should give it a listen. I Guess I'm Floating clued me in to this song, and I'm grateful, because it is amazing (I know I'm repeating myself. Give the song a listen and prove me wrong). Pete formed a "super group", The Thorns, along with Matthew Sweet ('90s geek rock hero) and Shawn Mullins (don't worry, I don't know who he is either). The Thorns didn't turn out to be a huge success, but Pete's 2006 album, Under the Waves, which takes its name from this song, is solid. You can hear more from it at his myspace.
[mp3] Pete Droge - Under the Waves
Jayber Crow - Jayber Crow is named after an amazing book by Kentucky's own Wendell Berry (I suggest you read it). They've as of yet only released an EP, The Farmer and the Nomad, but they've managed to pack a few powerful songs on it. They play a mandolin, guitar and tambourine. Their music keeps bringing to mind the farms and country roads of where I grew up. They currently have only toured the Midwest, but I would definitely catch their show if they came around here.
[mp3] Jayber Crow - The Farmer and the Nomad
[mp3] Jayber Crow - The News About Michael
Old Crow Medicine Show - Finally, there is OCMS. This is a true bluegrass band--there is lots of fiddle-playin', foot-stomping music from them. They've also got that classic twang in the vocals that characterizes bluegrass. This song, "Wagon Wheel," takes its chorus from "Rock Me Mama" a bootleg recording by Bob Dylan.
[mp3] Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Crooked Still & Alexi Murdoch: Folk music that doesn't make you want to drown yourself
Crooked Still is part of a new breed of bluegrass bands. Unorthodox, alternative, what have you--they draw on a multitude of influences to produce a unique sound and and approach to some bluegrass classics. The band consists of a banjo (Greg Liszt), cello (Rushad Eggleston), double-bass (Corey DiMario) and guitar/vocals (Aoife O'Donovan.) Yeah, that is about as Irish a name as you can get. Although that seems like a rather strange set of instruments for a bluegrass quartet, they manage quite well. Rushad has a percussive, almost slapping style of play that plays well off of both the bass rhythms and the banjo rolls. Greg Liszt is an incredibly talented banjoist, probably in the top 10 in the world. Anyway, they stick to a set of more traditional bluegrass songs, unlike Nickel Creek, but they are incredibly innovative in their musical interpretation of them. Check out their myspace, and listen to "Mountain Jumper" as well as "Wind and Rain" (it has a fiddle part.)
To give you an idea of just how awesome they are live, here is a video of them playing "Orphan Girl" at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Be sure to keep an eye on Rushad.
I first heard of them when they played Woodsongs in 2006, along with Tony Trischka (another amazing banjoist). The podcast of that show is available here, and I highly recommend it. Liszt and Trischka have a crazy duet.
Alexi Murdoch is a folk singer/songwriter similar to Nick Drake. He's from Scotland, and you can hear it in his voice. In fact, I think that is what I like most about him. You can hear how he forms his words. He has an album out, Time Without Consequence, which has significant influences from blues and jazz, especially in the instruments surrounding the guitar. He just played Headliners in Louisville, which I missed, unfortunately. Here is a video of him playing my favorite song from his album, "All My Days" on Carson Daly.Also, here is an mp3 of another song from his album, "Song For You." The whole album is this good, actually, so I recommend that you buy it.
[mp3] Alexi Murdoch - Song For You
Friday, February 2, 2007
2007: The Year In Preview
Well, 2007 is officially 1/12th over, and it is definitely off to a strong start; and all indicators point to it staying that way. So, just for you, here is a list of some things to look forward to this year.
The Shins - Wincing the Night Away
The Shins' primary songwriter, James Mercer, weaves an astounding dreamscape on this album. By building on songs such as "The Past and Pending" and "Those to Come" from their previous work, they have achieved a dreamy journey Lewis Carrol would be proud of. "Red Rabbits," "Sleeping Lessons," and "A Comet Appears" are almost magical in quality. "Phantom Limb" and "Australia" are some of the best pop rock songs since the Beach Boys (whose harmonies both songs are reminiscent of). Despite all of the bloggers and naysayers complaints about Zach Braff, the Shins write incredibly catchy music. I don't know if these songs "will change your life," but they are definitely a good listen.
[mp3] The Shins - Phantom Limb
Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone (2/20)
I didn't really listen to Explosions much until late last year, as I had always been somewhat turned off by their lack of lyrics. I had been missing out. All of a Sudden could definitely be considered a crowning achievement. Their musicianship, and more importantly, their ability to control the emotion of a song has grown tremendously. On this album they make much more use of the piano than previously, which is a good thing. "It's Natural to be Afraid," a 13 minute opus, is the centerpiece of the album, and emphasizes the fact that Explosions share more in common with classical music than with contemporary rock (in my opinion, that is a very, very good thing).
[mp3] Explosions In the Sky - Welcome, Ghosts
The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (3/6)
In their Sophomore release, the Canuks with the Hooks (tm, me), prove that even though a successful follow-up to a breakthrough album is hard to pull off, it is most definitely possible. And it's not the same, old stuff they did on Funeral; their sound has evolved quite a bit. Musically, they've expounded on their use of strings, and various other instruments (mandolin, xylophone, organ, hurdy-gurdy. Yes, a hurdy-gurdy). "Keep the Car Running" is my current favorite, due to its awesome mandolin part and catchy refrain. "(Antichrist Television Blues)" is essentially a short story, one which I haven't exactly been able to make out fully, but the sheer volume of words in the song is pretty ridiculous (and interesting). If you haven't heard any of their stuff, they are similar to Anathallo and Sufjan Stevens, at least in the sense that they have a multitude of able musicians on stage that switch instruments as required. This is a band I definitely want to see live.
[mp3] Arcade Fire - Intervention
Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder (2/5)
CYHSY's first album was groundbreaking for a variety of reasons, although few of them were musical. They self-produced, -recorded, -promoted, and -distributed their album. That's not an easy feat. Musically, they pull heavy influence from eclectic bands like CAKE and Radiohead. I really liked that album, at least in small doses. Whenever I came back to listen to it, I was surprised by the catchiness of many of the songs, despite the almost grating vocals of the lead singer (Alec Ounsworth). Unfortunately for me, their second album builds on (what I view as) the bands deficiencies. Namely, disjointed song writing, inaccessible vocals, and esoteric mixing (some songs seem to possess cacophony solely for the purpose of making the song hard to enjoy). For me, this album is a major disappointment; instead of embracing the things I loved most about their music, they seem to have forgotten them in a push to become even more aloof and exclusive. It's a sad thing, really, because they possess an uncanny ability to write infectious melodies and rhythms.
[mp3] CYHSY - Underwater (You and Me)
Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (3/20)
The indie veterans are coming out with the follow-up to their major label, mainstream breakthrough album Good News. Not much has been released on this album, except for the fact that they have collaborated with James Mercer (of the Shins) on a few songs. "Dashboard" is the only released song from the album, and it is just as good as you would expect.
[mp3] Modest Mouse - Dashboard
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky (5/15)
The guys are back in the studio, with their first offering since A Ghost Is Born in '04. I don't really need to say much about this one, because, well, it's Wilco. They really can't help but make good music.
__________________________________
other albums of note scheduled to be released this year
Radiohead
Bright Eyes
The Postal Service
Sigur Ros
Jose Gonzalez
Interpol
The Smashing Pumpkins (yes, they're reuniting)
Coldplay
Band of Horses
Jimmy Eat World
Queens of the Stone Age
The Doves
Dntel
Fountains of Wayne
Iron & Wine
Stereophonics
The Shins - Wincing the Night Away
The Shins' primary songwriter, James Mercer, weaves an astounding dreamscape on this album. By building on songs such as "The Past and Pending" and "Those to Come" from their previous work, they have achieved a dreamy journey Lewis Carrol would be proud of. "Red Rabbits," "Sleeping Lessons," and "A Comet Appears" are almost magical in quality. "Phantom Limb" and "Australia" are some of the best pop rock songs since the Beach Boys (whose harmonies both songs are reminiscent of). Despite all of the bloggers and naysayers complaints about Zach Braff, the Shins write incredibly catchy music. I don't know if these songs "will change your life," but they are definitely a good listen.
[mp3] The Shins - Phantom Limb
Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone (2/20)
I didn't really listen to Explosions much until late last year, as I had always been somewhat turned off by their lack of lyrics. I had been missing out. All of a Sudden could definitely be considered a crowning achievement. Their musicianship, and more importantly, their ability to control the emotion of a song has grown tremendously. On this album they make much more use of the piano than previously, which is a good thing. "It's Natural to be Afraid," a 13 minute opus, is the centerpiece of the album, and emphasizes the fact that Explosions share more in common with classical music than with contemporary rock (in my opinion, that is a very, very good thing).
[mp3] Explosions In the Sky - Welcome, Ghosts
The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (3/6)
In their Sophomore release, the Canuks with the Hooks (tm, me), prove that even though a successful follow-up to a breakthrough album is hard to pull off, it is most definitely possible. And it's not the same, old stuff they did on Funeral; their sound has evolved quite a bit. Musically, they've expounded on their use of strings, and various other instruments (mandolin, xylophone, organ, hurdy-gurdy. Yes, a hurdy-gurdy). "Keep the Car Running" is my current favorite, due to its awesome mandolin part and catchy refrain. "(Antichrist Television Blues)" is essentially a short story, one which I haven't exactly been able to make out fully, but the sheer volume of words in the song is pretty ridiculous (and interesting). If you haven't heard any of their stuff, they are similar to Anathallo and Sufjan Stevens, at least in the sense that they have a multitude of able musicians on stage that switch instruments as required. This is a band I definitely want to see live.
[mp3] Arcade Fire - Intervention
Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder (2/5)
CYHSY's first album was groundbreaking for a variety of reasons, although few of them were musical. They self-produced, -recorded, -promoted, and -distributed their album. That's not an easy feat. Musically, they pull heavy influence from eclectic bands like CAKE and Radiohead. I really liked that album, at least in small doses. Whenever I came back to listen to it, I was surprised by the catchiness of many of the songs, despite the almost grating vocals of the lead singer (Alec Ounsworth). Unfortunately for me, their second album builds on (what I view as) the bands deficiencies. Namely, disjointed song writing, inaccessible vocals, and esoteric mixing (some songs seem to possess cacophony solely for the purpose of making the song hard to enjoy). For me, this album is a major disappointment; instead of embracing the things I loved most about their music, they seem to have forgotten them in a push to become even more aloof and exclusive. It's a sad thing, really, because they possess an uncanny ability to write infectious melodies and rhythms.
[mp3] CYHSY - Underwater (You and Me)
Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (3/20)
The indie veterans are coming out with the follow-up to their major label, mainstream breakthrough album Good News. Not much has been released on this album, except for the fact that they have collaborated with James Mercer (of the Shins) on a few songs. "Dashboard" is the only released song from the album, and it is just as good as you would expect.
[mp3] Modest Mouse - Dashboard
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky (5/15)
The guys are back in the studio, with their first offering since A Ghost Is Born in '04. I don't really need to say much about this one, because, well, it's Wilco. They really can't help but make good music.
__________________________________
other albums of note scheduled to be released this year
Radiohead
Bright Eyes
The Postal Service
Sigur Ros
Jose Gonzalez
Interpol
The Smashing Pumpkins (yes, they're reuniting)
Coldplay
Band of Horses
Jimmy Eat World
Queens of the Stone Age
The Doves
Dntel
Fountains of Wayne
Iron & Wine
Stereophonics
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Wilco EP
Well, thanks to a heads up from Fuel/Friends, I downloaded Wilco's More Like the Moon EP from their website. It is, apparently, a bunch of B-sides from the YHF sessions. Pretty awesome of Wilco to just give stuff away like that. It's definitely worth the download, if just for the last three songs.
1. Camera
2. Handshake Drugs
3. Woodgrain
4. A Magazine Called Sunset
5. Bob Dylan's 49th Beard
6. More Like the Moon
1. Camera
2. Handshake Drugs
3. Woodgrain
4. A Magazine Called Sunset
5. Bob Dylan's 49th Beard
6. More Like the Moon
As per your request...
A few of you asked me for the track listings to some mix CDs that I gave out. I know just how infuriating it is to not know who you are listening to, so, for your reading and listening pleasure, they are as follows:
New Music Vol. 2
1. Band of Horses - The Funeral
2. Band of Horses - The Great Salt Lake
3. The Shins - Australia
4. The Shins - Phantom Limb
5. Silversun Pickups - Melatonin
6. Silversun Pickups - Lazy Eye
7. TV on the Radio - Wolf Like Me
8. The Slip - Children of December
9. The Slip - Airplane/Primitive
10. Lucero - I Can Get Us Out of Here
11. Matt Pond PA - The Trees and the Wild
12. Doug Martsch - Heart (Things Never Shared)
13. Bishop Allen - Things Are What You Make of Them
14. Tapes 'n Tapes - Insistor
15. Sea Wolf - Black Dirt
16. Margot & the - Skeleton Key
Nuclear So and So's
17. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife 3
Winter Mix
1. Benoit Pioulard - Palimend
2. Margot & the Nuclear - Skeleton Key
So and So's
3. The Velvet Underground - Sunday Morning
4. Ian Love - The Only Night
5. Matt Costa - Cold December
6. Badly Drawn Boy - Silent Sigh
7. Jars of Clay - Little Drummer Boy
8. The Shins - Red Rabbits
9. Sufjan Stevens - That Was the Worst Christmas Ever
10. The Butterfly Explosion - Car Park
11. Matt Pond PA - Holiday Road
12. Bright Eyes - First Day of My Life
13. Nick Drake - 'Cello Song
14. The Slip - Suffocation Keep
15. The Lucksmiths - From Macaulay Station
16. Kings of Convenience - Know How
17. Matt Pond PA - Snow Day
New Music Vol. 2
1. Band of Horses - The Funeral
2. Band of Horses - The Great Salt Lake
3. The Shins - Australia
4. The Shins - Phantom Limb
5. Silversun Pickups - Melatonin
6. Silversun Pickups - Lazy Eye
7. TV on the Radio - Wolf Like Me
8. The Slip - Children of December
9. The Slip - Airplane/Primitive
10. Lucero - I Can Get Us Out of Here
11. Matt Pond PA - The Trees and the Wild
12. Doug Martsch - Heart (Things Never Shared)
13. Bishop Allen - Things Are What You Make of Them
14. Tapes 'n Tapes - Insistor
15. Sea Wolf - Black Dirt
16. Margot & the - Skeleton Key
Nuclear So and So's
17. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife 3
Winter Mix
1. Benoit Pioulard - Palimend
2. Margot & the Nuclear - Skeleton Key
So and So's
3. The Velvet Underground - Sunday Morning
4. Ian Love - The Only Night
5. Matt Costa - Cold December
6. Badly Drawn Boy - Silent Sigh
7. Jars of Clay - Little Drummer Boy
8. The Shins - Red Rabbits
9. Sufjan Stevens - That Was the Worst Christmas Ever
10. The Butterfly Explosion - Car Park
11. Matt Pond PA - Holiday Road
12. Bright Eyes - First Day of My Life
13. Nick Drake - 'Cello Song
14. The Slip - Suffocation Keep
15. The Lucksmiths - From Macaulay Station
16. Kings of Convenience - Know How
17. Matt Pond PA - Snow Day
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