Don't Need Anything

My Top 50 of the Year - #30-21

2008-01-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

30. Dustin Kensrue - Please Come Home
Another album that came out of nowhere for me. Great country influenced pop rock songs with anthems about love and blood. Don't let preconceived notions stop you from checking into this one.
Pistol

29. American Catastrophe - Excerpts From The Broken Bone Choir
This album first came out in 2006 but I didn't do a list then, and it was re-released on Oxblood Records this year, so I have to give it some love this year. It's dark, dank and kinda shoegazing, but man, Shaun Hamontree can howl.
Broken Bone Choir

28. New Amsterdams - At the Foot of My Rival
The best New Ams record to have come out in a while.
Revenge (Live)

27. Lavender Diamond - Imagine Our Love
Beautiful, carried by Becky Stark's incredible voice, didn't sound any better this year.
Open Your Heart

26. The Nightwatchman - One Man Revolution
Tom Morello gets even MORE political (I wasn't sure that could happen) from behind his acoustic and his microphone. The lyrics are intense and worthy of being studied.
One Man Revolution on youtube

25. Erin McKeown - Sing You Sinners /Lafayette
Erin delivered an album of stadards with kickin' horn arrangements and great playing from the band, and then turns around and gives us a great live album of (mainly) old favorites from her catalog and throws the horn section on there too. The version of "Blackbirds" on Lafayette is epic.

24. Sondre Lerche - Phantom Punch/Dan in Real Life OST
Sondre managed to draw heavily from his influences while still producing a sound that is very Sondre. His heartfelt deliver matched with some really interesting guitar playing and a great duet with Regina Spektor on the Dan In Real Life OST.
Phantom Punch on youtube
Also, check out a killer live show from Sondre over at
Lullabyes

23. Sara Bareilles - Little Voice
I first realized the power behind Sara's voice when I saw a youtube video of her playing solo behind her keyboard opening for someone who doesn't matter with the typical opening band chatter drowning her out. However, she then hit the amazing climax of the song "Gravity" and every stopped what they were doing and gave her a standing ovation. You could hear a pin drop during the last of the song. Every song is like that on this album.
Love Song on youtube

22. Fourth Of July - Fourth of July on the Plains
The Hangauer boys have sharp wits, sharp tongues and sharp instruments. Not knives or anything...
Can't Sleep

21. Queens Of The Stone Age - Era Vulgaris
This album is sleazy, grimy, dirty and joyous. A couple of songs that grate on the ears after a while keep this album from being top 10 material, but "Make it Wit Chu" is a contender for song of the year.
Make it Wit Chu on youtube

My Top 50 of the Year - #40-31

2007-12-28T13:14:00.000-08:00

Here's the next cluster. Somehow I ended up with three pop albums from Lawrence, KS in a row, but they all are very deserving.

40. The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
I didn't much like this album at first, but it really grew on me...
Phantom Limb

39. They Might Be Giants - The Else
The last couple of records by the boys just didn't have the same feel to them as before, but they struck back hard with this one. Learn some history and how much the working world sucks.
The Mesopotamians

38. Eisley - Combinations
Not quite as striking as "Room Noises", but still very melodramatic and sweeping.
Invasion on youtube

37. Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War
By far the slightest in their catalog, but when you have a catalog this great, it really isn't a bad thing.
The Night Starts Here

36. Nicole Atkins - Neptune City
Filled with symphonies, slick (but not too slick) production and Stevie Nicks-esque vocals, Neptune City is another album that came out of nowhere for me.
Party's Over

35. Rivers Cuomo - Alone
This is the Rivers I love.
Superfriend onyoutube

34. The Terrible Twos - If You Ever See an Owl...
We didn't have cool kids albums like this when I was a kid - instead of Matt Pryor, I got Alvin and the Chipmunks. I got jipped. The clean melodies make this album great no matter how old you are.
When I Get to Eleven

33. Tanner Walle - The Future of Tape
One of the best produced albums of the year, clever pop music isn't dead - it's just hiding in Lawrence Kansas.
Faultline

32. Dri - Smoke Rings
Slinky and sexy music from Adrienne Verhoven, produced by the cream of the Lawrence crop. This here by ends the Lawrence mini-section.
You Know I Tried

31. Dropkick Murphys - The Meanest Of Times
As blistering as anything the Murphys have put out to date. And get ahold of all the bonus tracks if you can - there's some killer covers in there.
Famous for Nothing on youtube

My Top 50 of the Year - #50-41

2007-12-28T09:33:00.000-08:00

Well, due to the snow, I had a bit of an accident on the highway this morning while heading to work. So I got that cleaned up and came straight back home. I'm glad to have the day here, because I put my finishing touches on my top albums of th year list and here's the beginning. I don't wanna upload anything for this one so mp3 links only where available - youtube links everywhere else.

50. Bettye Lavette - The Scene of the Crime
Bettye's voice has never sounded better and the music (done by the Drive-By Truckers) resonated a bit more with me this time around.
Talking Old Soldiers

49. White Stripes - Icky Thump
A big rebound from the mess of the last record, and it proves that the Stripes may be at their best when they're at their quirkiest.
Conquest

48. Thurston Moore - Trees Outside The Academy
Only a small departure for a man who didn't really need one. Most of the tunes woulda worked with the band, but kudos to Thurston.
Trees Outside the Academy

47. This is My Condition - Get Loose/This Mission
One album of one man freakouts, and another of two man freakouts. Both are a blast to turn up as loud as you can and scare your neighbors with.
This Mission from This Mission

46. Tim Armstrong - A Poet's Life
This album is a blast of good summery fun from yer favorite Rancid frontman. There isn't much more fun that you can have with an album this year.
Into Action

45. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
I think the slicker production than before turned me off a bit, but I'll eat my shoe if "Four Winds" isn't one of Conor's finest songs yet.
Four Winds

44. Norah Jones - Not Too Late
Norah seemed to show us more about Norah and less about the writers and musicians around us on this album, and I liked. You don't expect edgy from Norah, you just expect to relax and enjoy.
Thinking About You at youtube

43. Miranda Lambert - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
I kept seeing this pop up on other peoples lists and thus gave it a try, and whaddya know, its actually quite good. If it didn't slip into dobro-laden ballads as much it would have rated much higher, but the spurned and angry Miranda is a load of fun.
Gunpowder and Lead at youtube

42. Maria Taylor - Lynn Teeter Flower
This one may be on the list just because I listened to it last night, but Maria's sound continued to expand this year and grew more upbeat and spacier. I never thought I'd put Maria on the list higher than Bright Eyes...
A Good Start

41. The Frames - The Cost
Maybe it's just my love for the new breed of Irish troubadours, but I think I could listen to Glen Hansard sing the phone book and fall in love with it, but that's not necessary - this album is lyrically quite personal and wonderful.
Falling Slowly

My Big Announcement

2007-12-26T05:32:00.000-08:00

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I have a pretty big announcement - this weekend I went to visit my girlfriend and I proposed - and she said yes.

When I went to go see the Flaming Lips earlier this year I gave her a show call during "Do You Realize??", so I thought it was fitting that she had been singing the song all morning long.

So this one is for you, babe.

The Flaming Lips - Do You Realize??

Allen Toussaint vs. Andrew Bird

2007-12-14T10:07:00.000-08:00

The other day I was sitting in my car listening to the last part of Allen Toussaint's incredible 1970 album, "From a Whisper to a Scream", which closes with the incredible tempo-changing instrumental track "Pickles". At nearly two minutes in I heard something that caught my ear.

I know that melody...where do I know it from?

Then it hit me - it sounds just like the intro to the album version of "A nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left" by Andrew Bird. I went home and compared the two and they sound just alike to me.

Please tell me I'm not crazy. Here's the songs. Listen to the intro of Bird's tune compared to the section at 1:50 into "Pickles". Lemme know what you think!

Andrew Bird - A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left Via andrewbird.net

Allen Toussaint - Pickles

And in case you're not familiar with Toussaint's work, you should be.

Allen at Wikipedia
Allen at Allmusic.com

His Name Is Alive - Xmmer

2007-12-09T15:45:00.001-08:00

I've been randomly thumbing thru various top albums lists for this year, and one name I've been surprised to see so sparsely is the band His Name Is Alive.

They put out what will most likely, when the dust settles, be a top ten album for me, "Xmmer." It does everything you could possibly want an album to do. It shimmys, it rocks, it mellows, it jives...it does everything but bring you waffles in the morning. If you don't like the song below from the album, listen to the album anyways. There WILL be something there that you will like.

From Xmmer:
Go To Hell Mountain

And then also, HNIA released a tribute to jazz saxaphonist Marion Brown that should currently be flying above your head on the way to my mailbox. Here's a track from that one too:
Bismillahi 'Rrahmani 'Rrahim (Via Pitchfork)

Official link:
His Name Is Alive Homepage

ALSO, speaking of waffles, I've been looking to find my way into a great site to get some food...

So...

2007-12-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

Apparently I've been gone for a really long time. It wasn't planned...it just happened. But I think I'm ready to come back. I think the blog will have a different vibe to it now but it's still me. And just in time for lists!

And here's a song to grow on:
Jason Anderson - O, Jac! (Just Right Click and Save As...it seems that trying to open it in-browser isn't working...)

Jason Anderson has been knocking me on my butt lately. Despite the fact that this track is significantly mellower than the rest, it still gets your head moving to the beat when the drums come in. And with Jason, it's all 'bout getting you moving.

So now let's get this blog moving...

Cover and Compare - San Diego Serenade

2007-06-23T17:00:00.000-07:00

My favorite song on my favorite Tom Waits album is "San Diego Serenade" off "The Heart of Saturday Night". I like my Waits a bit folkier and at his most expressive. This song finds both. Waits pressed to the piano and pouring his heart out speaks to me far more than the more recent incarnations we've seen. "I never felt my heart strings/until I nearly went insane" What a line! And on his first solo album, singer song-writer Arthur Dodge (who can usually be found fronting the Horsefeathers) chose to close with the tune.

Dodge's version steps away from the piano and instead moves to a solo guitar rendition, but he still carries quite a bit of the feeling with it.

Tom Waits - San Diego Serenade

Arthur Dodge - San Diego Serenade

And by the way, the entire Arthur Dodge record, "The Perfect Face" is quite stellar and is worth giving a listen. Here's two more songs off the record via Lawrence.com:
Wet Paint
Million Dollar Muse

Arthur Dodge's Official Site

Repost: Rare Jeff Buckley Demos

2007-05-29T21:38:00.000-07:00

Since it is still officially the 10th anniversary of Jeff's death today, and I was asked to re-upload these files, here are fresh links for the songs from my previous post Here.

When the Levee Breaks
We Could Be So Happy (Alt. Version)
Forget Her (Alt. Version)
Opened Once
River of Dope
When My Love Comes Down
Untitled

Also, I wish I had something big to say about the occasion, but unfortunately, I don't. However, Heather over at Fuel Friends had a wonderful post that I highly recommend reading.

I Didn't Leave!

2007-05-24T13:34:00.001-07:00

Well, I've been on one of my cold streaks again lately, so I thought I'd just get caught up to speed with a few songs I've been really diggin' on lately.

The Greyboy Allstars - How Glad Am I (with The Living Sisters)
A friend of mine introduced this track to me just a couple of days ago, but I'm already addicted. The funk-jazz group collects together Inara George, Becky Stark (of Lavender Diamond) and Eleni Mandell as the Living Sisters to lay down group vocals on the Nancy Wilson cover. It's just a highly enjoyable romp with a great swing and sway to it. The ladies voices blend well and hopefully this won't be the only time we hear from The Living Sisters. (See video of the ladies perfoming live here)

Neko Case - In California
This song presents longing and lonliness and seperateness more potently than any song I've ever heard. The Lisa Marr cover shines on the EP "Canadian Amp" and is a particularly great showcase for her thick-as-molasses voice.

Tim Armstrong - Into Action (w. Skye Sweetnam???)
This is just a fizzy ska track from the great Rancid frontman's new solo disc, "A Poet's Life". The Skye Sweetnam guest spot is a bit bizarre, but it's a great summer track for the backyard cookouts.
"Into Action" video on Youtube

Sean and Sara Watkins - No Way to Live
This song got an odd placement - on the soundtrack to the new horror flick "Bug". It's there alongside songs by Bryan Tyler, Serj Tarkanian and Scott Weiland...but frankly its an odd song. The harmonies feel incongruent on top of the piano, organ and electronic drums. All in all, its pretty cool tho. Maybe we have more of this to come with the Nickel Creek hiatus after this summer's tour.

Cracker - Eurotrash Girl
This one is reaching back a few years. 1993 to be exact. But the boys in Cracker are coming to the big new venue in Kansas City, The Crossroads, in July and I've already reserved my tickets to go see 'em so I've been going back and getting all caught up. This track is more reserved than their bigger hits, but it highlights the countrier aspects to their tunes. I can't wait to see what they're gonna pull out of their fifteen-year-plus catalog for the show.

Links:
Greyboy Allstars Homepage
The Greyboy Allstars' Myspace Page
The Living Sisters' Myspace Page

Neko Case's Homepage
Neko Case's Myspace Page

Tim Armstrong/Rancid Homepage

Watkins Family Hour Myspace Page

My Song of the Summer

2007-05-07T17:08:00.000-07:00

It isn't even summer yet, but already I have selected my song for the summer. It's Tanner Walle's amazing new song "Faultline."

The song is a delightfully slick pop song laden with electronic beats characteristic of one of Tanner's influences, Imogen Heap. And I've already been seen driving around the Kansas City area. Warm vocals, subtle guitar strumming are joined by backing vocals on the chorus that are guaranteed to get stuck in your head for days.

Tanner Walle - Faultline

Really, the entire new album, "The Future Of Tape" is stellar and worth your listening. I picked up my copy at The Love Garden in Lawrence, but you can also pick up yours on CD Baby. (Just in case I haven't mentioned it before, I love CD Baby.) It's easily worth the ten bucks. The production is great and features a couple of inspired guest spots.

Links:
Official Site (Currently Under Construction)
Myspace Page
Tanner on the Live Music Archive

The Decmberists are Possibly the Best Live Band in America

2007-04-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

I really do think that the above statement might be true. But I can't be sure. But after seeing them this Saturday night I may be able to confirm it. I'm gonna go catch them at the Uptown Theater with several hundred of my new close friends. I've been waiting on this show for a while and have been preparing by closely studying setlists and bootleg recordings.

And they're quite possibly the only band that can get me interested in Kate Bush, Joanna Newsome and Cheap Trick. Actually, I'm pretty sure they are.

Bridges and Balloons (Joanna Newsom Cover)
Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect (Live on KCRW)
Shiny (Live)
Wuthering Heights (Kate Bush Cover)
Southern Girls (Live) (Cheap Trick Cover)

From a Colin Meloy solo show:
The Apology Song (Live)

And quite possibly the best b-side in the history of b-sides:
Culling of the Fold

Official Site
Myspace Page

And download all the live Decemberists music you want at the Live Music Archive:
The LLAMA

Review:Day On the Hill

2007-04-19T07:17:00.001-07:00

Saturday was the day - the Day on the Hill, that is.
So that means I've been sitting on this for 5 days now. The review is long overdue...

First off, the weather was cold, the ground was super muddy and the sun was ducking in and out of the clouds. There had been talk about snow, but that all managed to hold off.

Perhaps the weather was the reason why, but when the Roseline took the stage, there was less than 50 of us there. They had been scheduled to start up at 12:30, but when that time came The Faint were still soundchecking. So the Roseline started up at about 1 o'clock. The music was immediately engaging. The harmonies were spot on, the rhythm section sounded amazing. Unfortunately, the big gigantic empty tent made the vocals as muddy as the ground we were standing in, but it was still wonderful. However, due to the late start, the band was only allowed to play three songs. The band obviously wasn't thrilled about that, and neither was the small crowd, but there was nothing to be done about that. They are definitely on my "must see" list, and since they got away before I could buy a CD, I tracked one down at the best record store in the midwest, The Love Garden, before heading back home that evening.

Between sets (except between G. Love's and the Faint's, during which we were bombarded by the same Fugees track for an hour...literally) there was a DJ in the back spinning some classic funk records out of a milk crate on some fancy turntables. I don't know if I recognized a single song, but if I could get ahold of that playlist I would.

Next up was Pomeroy. I'd seen a fragment of a set of theirs a few years ago, but they didn't play a single one of those songs in their short set. We did get some funky beats, fancy percussion and a long-haired headbanging keyboard player. I don't dance but even I can appreciate some great butt shakin' music and that's exactly what Pomeroy's music is for. Front man David Fairbanks' rapid fire vocals didn't seem to go over well with the majority of the crowd, but I had me a good ole time.

Next was G. Love and Special Sauce. By this time, the tent was starting to get full - not uncomfortably croweded, but nice and full. And folks were loving it. There were hippies in tie-dyed t-shirts dancing with their bare feet in the mud. There were heads bobbin', people bouncing up and down and even some mud slingin'. Garret pulled out some of the classics, several from the last album and even a tease of "Gin 'n' Juice." Most major props of the show go to Jimmy Jazz, the upright bass player. I was amazed at his skill and ability to jump off into crazy riffs without losing the groove of the song.

And finally came The Faint. I have heard mixed reviews of their live shows, but was uncharacteristically optimistic. And they were great. By this time, there was no grass left up front at all, so those of us who wanted up front just sunk down, got stuck and danced in the mud. And outside of one of the new songs, the first song of the encore (a strange choice to start the encore if you ask me...), no one stopped dancing at all. The almost sinister aspects to some of their songs were lost in the bright light of late afternoon and the video projections were nearly impossible to see, so it just kinda boiled down to a muddy dance party with great music. The new songs blended right in (except for the one) and the songs from "Danse Macabre" really stood out the strongest in the setlist.

P.S. - If you're looking for the mp3s and links, they're all in the last post. Just scroll down a bit.

Day On The Hill

2007-04-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

Day On The Hill is a tradition at Kansas University. Down at the end of the year the Student Union Activities (SUA) throws a big concert out on the hill in front of the Lied Center on the KU campus for the students and some friends too.
It's usually been focused on alternative acts including Toad the Wet Sprocket, Pearl Jam, Gin Blossoms, They Might Be Giants, Soul Coughing and local boys (and girl) The Anniversary. The tradition stopped in 2002 to be revived again in 2006 with a line-up boasting Spoon, Ghosty and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. It seems like a good time was had by all and so its back again this year.

This year's list is two local bands, a great alt-country band The Roseline and white boy hip-hoppers Pomeroy and two great touring acts: G. Love and Special Sauce and The Faint.
It's looking like it might be bad weather, and frankly I don't know how that bodes for the day, but pending a few things I'm getting my butt out there. I've been dying to see The Faint live for a while, and a big party in Lawrence sounds like a great way to blow a Saturday afternoon.

As always, Saddle Creek is quite generous with mp3's from the Faint, which really span their career well:
I Disappear
Wet From Birth
Agenda Suicide
Glass Danse
Call Call
Worked Up So Sexual
Some Incriminating Photographs
Typing: 1974-2048

A couple from G. Love's site:
Rhyme For the Summertime
Blues Music

Tres from the Roseline:
Shakin' Shorts
Laudromat
Busy House

And dos from Pomeroy's live record "Cocoon Club":
Summer Night
Roboflow

ANOTHER Covers Day!? You Gotta Be Kiddin' Me!

2007-04-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

First picture that came up when I google'd "Cover Day"

Erin Bode - Graceland (Paul Simon Cover)
I owe the discovery of Erin to the man behind the blog "There Stands the Glass". This is less of a cover, more of a total reworking. If Norah Jones had covered this song, it would probably sound more like this. But I'm sure Erin is tired of hearing that by now. And I don't think Norah would have had the gall to cover this one. By the time you get to "human trampoline" you're all caught up and hate the fact that the track has to end.

The Decemberists with Lavender Diamond - Feel Like Making Love (Bad Company Cover)
Come on soundguy! Turn Becky's mic up! There's just something great about hearing Colin Meloy singing this song that made my ears perk up. I think the crowd is a bit more into it then the bands are, but it's still good listening.

Will Ferrel and the Channel 4 News Team - Afternoon Delight (Starland Vocal Band Cover)
My second favorite moment in the movie "Anchorman" (after the gang fight) was when Will and the boys delivered an acapella rendtion of "Afternoon Delight". Unfortunately, this isn't quite that version, but its still got their vocals over top of full instrumentation. Pretty funny if you ask me.

Mark Ronson with the Daptone Horns - God Put a Smile Upon Your Face (Coldplay Cover)
This track comes from what has quickly become one of my favorite albums of the year, "Version". But more on that later. This cover replaces Chris Martin's vocals with some slick horn playing and some funky break beats. Maybe its just the fact that I'm a fellow horn player, but I love hearing the brass blaring away. Next time I dj a party this one may be on the docket.

Ben Folds - Such Great Hights (Postal Service Cover)
This isn't the webrip copy that we've all heard and loved, but instead this is from Ben's DVD "Live at Myspace". Yes, that myspace. And you have to watch the video to see the guitar orchestra and the ringtone orchestra. And like ther person in the comments on the video, I'm wondering exactly when Ben started to look like Elvis Costello...

Tomorrow is Concert Day in Kansas City

2007-03-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

Wow...I was just looking at the concert lineup for tomorrow night here in Kansas City and Lawrence, and it's pretty impressive. There's something for everyone:

BB King
8 p.m., Ameristar Casino, Star Pavilion

Blue Man Group
8 p.m., Kemper Arena ($50.50 - $86)
Jeez! Are those prices serious!?

Billy Ebeling & The Late For Dinner Band
9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Slow Ride Roadhouse (Free)

Small Sails / The Capsules / Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk
10 p.m., The Jackpot Music Hall ($3 - $5)

Crawling With Kings / The Afterparty / OK Jones
10 p.m., The Hurricane

Softee / Ghosty / American Catastrophe / The PedalJets
Sonic Spectrum Anniversary Showcase
10 p.m., The Record Bar ($10)

Danny Pound Band / The Belles
10 p.m., The Eighth Street Tap Room ($2)

Personally, I'm looking at the Sonic Spectrum show. I'm poor but I think I can swing 10 bucks anyways. I hope that Robert Moore and AmCat don't think I'm stalking them.

Attila

2007-03-30T12:31:00.001-07:00

One of the "hip" things to do in music today is the two-man (or indie music - the boy-girl band) and thus strip the music down some, usually to just something you can beat on and something you can play some sort of melody on. It's very rare you get something TRULY unique out of the formula, but often times its still quite enjoyable. But before it was hip, it was experimental.

Back in 1970, Billy Joel teamed up with drummer Jon Small to create a project called Attila. Joel provided vocals and played an oddly distorted organ. This stuff was NOT "Just the Way You Are". It was some sort of combination of the early metal sound, with psychedelic and a touch of prog even. At times, Joel's vocals sounded somewhat akin to the wailing of Robert Plant, if you can imagine that. Once again, this was NOT "Just the Way You Are."

However, the album was a huge bust. No sales, the critics hated it (and apparently still do) and the band ended up getting dropped from their label after just the one album. Apparently, when they lost the record deal, Joel even tried to commit suicide by swallowing furniture polish. You're lookin' at Billy Joel a bit differently now, aren't ya?

Even down to today, it's considered by critics to be one of the worst all time records. It sounded so ridiculous that I had to hear it - but frankly, I really like it. But listen for yourself - you know you're curious about it by now.

01 California Flash
02 Wonder Woman
03 Rolling Home
04 Brain Invasion
05 Revenge Is Sweet
06 Tear This Castle Down
07 Amplifier Fire
08 Godzilla Pt. 1

Attila Wiki Page

New Reverie Sound Revue!

2007-03-28T07:31:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to hear last night about a new Reverie Sound Revue song! Apparently, the new album is just short of being completed and the band is still trying to figure out just exactly what to with it when it comes out. Just in case you didn't notice, the "label" field on their Myspace Page says "none". You mean to tell me Amy Winehouse can get a record deal, but these guys can't!? No justice!

But the song is pretty much everything you expect - driving percussion and bass lines, guitar used more for accents than anything else, and Lisa Lobsinger's voice cooing over it all.

Here's the trick thing tho - this is still an incomplete version of the song. It's not gotten the full mixdown yet, but the RSR folks were so anxious to share it anyways.

So, download the song. Watch the video. You'll like it.

An Anniversary Away

Official Page

Hey, check it out! I made it thru the whole thing without one mention of Broken Social Scene! Oh crap, I just blew it, didn't I?

Review: American Catastrophe with In the Pines

2007-03-26T13:16:00.001-07:00

Photo courtesy of Todd
Check out his page Flickr page too

Saturday night I hopped in my scary car, popped in a country mix CD and headed down the highway to Lawrence Kansas (which was quite depressed last night after the big KU loss) to go see two great bands - In the Pines (whom I've written about before) and American Catastrophe (whom I tragically haven't written about yet...) at the Bottleneck with some DJ work by the man known as Robert Moore.

I've seen both bands before on a bill with another band called The New Tragedies (you'll hear about them soon...) and the first time I was just so immensely impressed with both, In the Pines especially. So I was super excited to see both again.

First, Robert may have singlehandedly convinced me to make sure my radio still works and turn it on. I turned it off for the last time about 3 years ago because the music was so terrible, but last night Robert was spinning everything from Jerry Reed to Love to Peter Bjorn and John. I think I enjoyed the music he played nearly as much as the live music. It made a lot of sense to have Robert there because he is the man behind the new local record label Oxblood Records, whose first signees were American Catastrophe.

And second, I gotta say going to shows alone is not very fun. But on the other hand, I took a notebook with me and got a tom of leg work done for some future posts here. I could hear people behind me saying, "Yeah, so he's definitely a writer, but who does he write for?" I got a kick out of that.

Yup, that's from the notebook...

First up were In The Pines. The setlist was culled almost in its entirety from their self-titled record - the lone hold out was "How to Love Her" from the Oxblood Records comp "First Blood." It really added a new dimension into the set with the handclaps and great lead riff. "Dress on Fire" and "Never Say Too Much" closed out the set and they rippled with an enthusiasm and energy that was missing thru the rest of the set. The rhythm section boomed forward and carried them with the strings skittering atop the acoustics. The sounds were so delicate at times that you had to pay close attention not to miss the subtleties. I'm normally not okay with bands sitting while they play, but frankly, I'm worried for frontman Brad Hodgson - one of these days that chair is gonna fall apart as he rocks back and forth and nearly jumps out of it. And while we're on the subject of Brad, it has to be said that he doesn't really look like a typical front man - he's skinny, balding and unshaven and looks like he may work in the back room of your local guitar shop. But jeez - half the time he didn't ever have to sing into the microphone to get his voice out.

And then, after more Robert Moore and more notebook writing came American Catastrophe (AmCat). First it needs to be said - Shaun Hamontree is one beautiful man. All of the intimidating 6'5 of him. With a voice that sounds like a cross between Jay Munly and Tom Waits, he writhes and jukes in his chair while pushing out some of the greatest music that has one foot in rock, one in blues, a hand in folk and a pinky finger in post-rock. As good as their album is, its no comparison to seeing them live. Their set seemed perfect in the dim, somehow smoky without allowing smoke venue. The new tunes fit in perfectly amongst the ones from their recently re-released "Excerpts from the Broken Bone Choir". The themes of murder juxtaposing with and odd romanticism are continuing on (as well as I could tell from the lyrics). All in all, I can't wait to see what new stuff AmCat will be pushing forward on Oxblood.

These are the same songs from before, but if you haven't listened yet, trust me, it's time:
Dress On Fire
Never Say Too Much
And you can pick up the record here.

And one from AmCat:
Broken Bone Choir

And you can pick up the Oxblood Records comp "First Blood" here.

And my freaking goodness - does EVERYONE need to link to Arcade Fire's takeaway show!?

Burning to Shine

2007-03-19T09:10:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite parts of the Humanities class that I had to take was getting to listen to all the different kinds of music. That class, more or less, was my first introduction to classical music. Sure, we all hear it in Bugs Bunny cartoons and other places, but we really don't pay attention to it. The way the instruments interacted and the way they could convey a full range of emotions without a single word fascinated me. Some of the other students would nod out, but I was wrapped up in it. It's a shame that so few people give it the time of day anymore.

And because of that, the CBC Radio Orchestra is the last of its kind in North America. But their wonderful people were up to a new challenge. In 2006 Canadian Rapper K-os was contacted about doing a collaboration with the orchestra and having it filmed for a documentary. He decided to give it a try and the results were fantastic. I just got a chance to watch the documentary yesterday and it was quite interesting. The tension ran thick as they worked to meet their deadline while K-os repeatedly changed his mind and made adjustments and worked in ways that the folks associated with the Orchestra had never worked before.

All in all it was a very entertaining documentary and it made for a great track too.

Watch the documentary in its whole HERE.

And after you watch, check out the track too:
Burning to Shine

K-os Official Page
K-os Myspace
CBC Radio Orchestra at Wikipedia

Rachel Yamagata's New Record

2007-03-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

Back in 2004, Rachel Yamagata was announced to be a part of the lineup at Bonnaroo. This led to a collective response of "Who?" Rachel isn't such an unknown anymore. Her music has been about everywhere and as a result she has too. Her smoky voice and plaintive calls on the piano are real attention grabbers and the pop hooks keep you coming back for more. Her live performances, while often containing awkward banter, are always changing including different versions of songs. I've probably heard at least five different versions of "Worn Me Down" alone. The moods vary from upbeat pop (see "1963") to brooding dark pop (see "These Girls") to "Did-She-Really-Say-That?" confessionals (see "Woman").

And later this year we get the LONG awaited second full-length from Rachel. She says its all done but hasn't yet given us a tracklisting or title and says that the artwork isn't done yet. That makes me nervous considering how long we've waited for this record, but at least the music is done now. It's said to be more guitar driven this time around, proven by the version of "Faster" that she played at said Bonnaroo performance.

All these following songs are possibilities to be on the forthcoming untitled record.

Live From Bonnaroo 2004:
Faster

Live From KCRW in 2004:
Sunday Afternoon
Woman

Live From KCRW in 2005:
Parade
What If I Leave?

Official Page
Myspace Page

And of course, as I hear more, I'll do my best to pass the word on. I'm really excited for this one.

Lavender Diamond

2007-03-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Frankly, I wasn't in a big hurry to get around to listening to Lavender Diamond after hearing the accounts of their opening sets for The Decemberists and front-lady Becky Starks antics. Not in a hurry at all. However, when Matador temporarily posted a track off their upcoming record, "Imagine Our Love", I decided to give it a shot. And I'm glad I did.

If you're looking for a life changing album, this is not for you, but its just a great pop record. Becky has an amazing voice and the instrumentation isn't flashy but its really solid and the album is really well produced. Lyrically, there's probably very little being covered here that hasn't been covered a thousand times over in the last 60 or so years, but the lyrics are carried by Stark's vocals and the pure sense of conviction in her vocals. When she repeats "I'll never lie again" in the track by the same title, you believe her. She obviously has corrected all her geneological imperfections to the point where she is physically incapable of lying ever again. And then, on "Open Your Heart", you almost expect Colin Meloy to jump in on vocals for a while, but Stark carries it out wonderfully.

Despite its imperfection, this is really a great record that is gonna be in my rotation for a while.

From "Imagine Our Love":
Open Your Heart
I'll Never Lie Again

From "The Calvalry of Light EP":
You Broke My Heart
Rise in the Springtime

From Becky Starks' "Artifacts of the Winged":
I Know You Had To

Links:
Official Page
Myspace Page

1090 Club

2007-03-02T09:40:00.000-08:00

What comes out of Billings, Montana? BESIDES Brent Musburger! Surprisingly, some pretty darn good pop music.

1090 Club was formed nearly by accident when they gathered to do up one song for a comp, but just kept going. Kinda like in Forrest Gump when he just kept running. Kinda like that. But it's a good thing. Everyone in the group contributes vocals, with violin player Megan Dibble's vocals really kinda stealing the show. That's not to say that they boys are slowing down the train...piano man Mike Galt, guitar man Sean Lynch, and drum...man...Steve Serfazo all hold their own and make for a heck of an enjoyable album.

The first references to the 1090 Club that I heard were references to Mates of State and The Postal Service. Sounds good to me. I'd also like to add to that list a good slice of Matt Pond PA. I think that's probably an even better reference to the sound.

(Puts on Levar Burton hat)
But don't take my word for it. Listen to the MP3's:
Second Hander
It Starts With

Links:
Sidecho Records Page
Official Page
Myspace Page

The Afterparty

2007-03-01T09:48:00.001-08:00

The Afterparty is not your normal country-rock band. Your normal country-rock band may cite Roy Orbison as an influence, but they wouldn't cover "In Dreams" on their latest record. They wouldn't feature a local pin-up girl on backing vocals. And they wouldn't have a rockin' picture with Andre Williams on their Myspace page (See above).
Nope. These guys are pretty unique. They'll kick you in the shins and then ask you to dance. And when you say no, they pull you out on the dance floor anyways. But man, they can dance.

And then last night, I was having a rough night and noticed my copy of "Under the Rainbow", their most recent release, and tossed it in the cd player and I learned it's actually one heckuva "pick me up" disc too.

And now they're going on a bit of a tour. If you live between Kentucky and Texas you may get a chance to dance afterall.

MP3's:
Down In
Hard Times
And if you swing by their Myspace Page, you can download some tracks off the most recent record, and a couple of great live tracks.

Tour Dates:

March 1- Louisville, Kentucky
@ The Rudyard Kipling
w/ The Sad Bastard Brothers & Warm in the Wake

March 2- Chattanooga, Tennessee
@ Black Sheep Pub
w/ Bathtub Gin and The Bohanons

March 3- Chattanooga, Tennessee
@ JJ's Bohemia
CFAR Pirate Radio Benefit

March 4- Memphis, Tennessee
@ Murphy's
w/ Girls of the Gravitron and Staags!

March 4- New Orleans, LA
@ Circle Bar
w/ Happy Talk Band New

March 6- Austin, Texas
@ Beauty Bar
w/ Matt Hubbard & Pink Nasty

March 7- Austin, Texas
Live on-air performance/interview
The House Call with Dr. J on KOOP 91.7 FM

March 8- Austin, Texas
@ The Mohawk
w/ Matt Hubbard and The Summer Wardrobe

March 9- Austin, Texas
@ Scoot Inn
w/ Etta Vendetta's Eyeful Tower & That Damned Band

March 10- Austin, TX
RECORDING!!!!
We'll spend the day with Mike Vasquez at Sweatbox Studios.

HUGE Show In Kansas City Tonight!

2007-02-24T07:59:00.000-08:00

I'm gonna really try to get out to an enormous show in Kansas City, Mo. tonight at the Record Bar, and if you like local music at all or are willing to give it a shot, you should get out there too.

Check the lineup:
The Architects 6pm
Lovers In Transit 7pm
Olympic Size 8pm
In The Pines 9pm
American Catastrophe 10pm
Be/non 11pm
The Pedaljets 12
Roman Numerals 12:30

And there's also a documentary being shot about the local music scene that will be filming there tonight , but I'll let Wayward Blog explain all that for ya.

It's gonna be a great show.

R.I.P. Kirk Rundstrom

2007-02-22T19:17:00.000-08:00

This morning in Wichita, we lost a legend of the local music scene - Kirk Rundstrom of the band Splitlip Rayfield. His battle with cancer finally got the best of him. There aren't words to describe how much Kirk meant to the local scene and to anyone who knew him. I'll admit I didn't know him personally, but I talked to many who did. Every person who met him shall miss him sorely.

Lawrence.com has a great write up on him that I highly recommend reading.

The simple fact that he refused to let his cancer take him lying down in his hospital bed, but instead while out on the road and playing shows, says a lot about Kirk's strength of spirit.

And obviously, Kirk would want you to enjoy the music.
Via Lawrence.com:
Kirk Rundstrom - Abilene
Kirk Rundstrom - Bullet in the Chamber (HIGHLY recommended)
Kirk Rundstrom - John Brown
Kirk Rundstrom - Leaving

Splitlip Rayfield - Day the Train Jumped the Track
Splitlip Rayfield - Drink Losta Whiskey
Splitlip Rayfield - Hundred Dollar Bill (HIGHLY Recommended)
Splitlip Rayfield - Never Make It Home
Splitlip Rayfield - Lord I'm Lost (Live)

Splitlip Rayfield's Official Page
Splitlip Rayfield Videos at Youtube

Long Overdue Cover Day!

2007-02-22T06:53:00.000-08:00

Harvey Girls - Burning For You (Blue Oyster Cult cover)
After my last post on the Harvey Girls I delved even deeper into their stuff, including this slinky and sexy cover of one of the ultimate mullet rock songs of all time. Verses are scaled back to mainly organ and beats with some flourishes on guitar. The main riff sounds like it was stripped from the kind of movie you aren't supposed to admit that you've ever seen. All I can say is...wow.

Volebeats - Maggot Brain (Funkadelic cover)
Here I go again posting another band that I know nothing about. Best as I can tell, this group of guys play a fairly standard version of alt country, but you give them the song that was once called "the hardest song of all time", and they turn into funky guitar heroes. If there was ever a song that is deserving of a spot on "Guitar Hero III", its gotta be Maggot Brain.

Flaming Lips with Cat Power - War Pigs (Black Sabbath cover)
I get asked about this cover all the time so here you go. Wayne is no match for early Ozzy, but man, the band sounds great. And the looks on Chan's face are great. If you get a chance to catch this on a re-run on PBS or something it's worth watching.

Toad the Wet Sprocket - Hey Bulldog (Beatles cover)
Somehow Toad's name has gotten mired down to a reference to the run of the mill earlt-to-mid-90's boring rock, but it really isn't true. Toad shows off a bit more of their rambunctious rockin' side with this track showing off what made their music so compelling.

Rufus Wainwright with Kate McGarrigle - I Eat Dinner (Live on KCRW) (Kate and Anna McGarrigle cover)
This is a particularly interesting cover because here you have one of the songwriters paired up with her son while giving the story behind the song. The imagery in the song, as Kate mentions, is quite strong. I've never heard the original, but I can't imagine it's much better than this. And the mother-son pre-song banter cracks me up. "Mummy! Bridge."

Ray Charles - Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
Ahh...my favorite country song. And then you add Ray's strong voice, shimmering strings and one wicked bass line...and I think I'm in love.

Kings of Convenience - Gatekeeper (Feist cover)
After Feist appeared on several KoC tracks, it seems only right that they swank on down with a Feist cover. The "June July August" harmonies are spot on and quite lovely...much like Feist herself.

Madeline Peyroux - I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate (Ummm...a cover)
Ah...a playful ode to being jealous of a slutty sister.

And by the way, I have a last.fm account now, so feel free to stop by and befriend me. If you're into that sort of thing...

I Must Confess a Mistake

2007-02-15T13:25:00.000-08:00

I have committed an error. I mistook Andrew Bird for someone else. I mistook him for an entirely different artist. I even managed to convince a friend of mine not to listen to him anymore because of my mistake. Seriously. After talking to the extremely enthusiastic girl at the Dosh concert, I decided to look into Andrew and his music again and I realized my mistake. Oops.

So I've been listening to his music now and really liking it.
And to my friend - I'm sorry. I'm definitely gonna buy you a new "Mysterious Production of Eggs" CD.

MP3's from Andrew's media page:
Heretics (From the upcoming "Armchair Apocrypha")
A Nervous Tic Motion Of The Head To The Left

And here's three tracks from a My Morning Jacket show that Andrew sat in on:
Gideon
Lowdown
Steam Engine
Full Show Here.

Andrew Bird Links:
Official Page
Myspace Page

Review: Dosh with This Is My Condition and Boo and Boo Too

2007-02-12T13:12:00.001-08:00

Saturday night me and my friend Nathan got off our butts and headed down to Lawrence to check out a show at the Jackpot Saloon, which is a great place to see a show. Neither of us had ever seen and of the bands before so we were ready to rock. The wonderful tool of Lawrence.com said the show started at 9...it was only an hour-and-a-half off...

Finally first to the stage was This Is My Condition, a one man show otherwise known as Craig Comstock. Craig sets at his drumset with a looping pedal at his foot, a guitar laid across the snare and floor tom and a microphone with enough reverb to make Jim James sound natural. Craig slammed and rubbed the drum sticks on the guitar strings and tore the drums to shreds in a way that would make Zach Hill run for cover. I was quite surprised at the riffs that Craig pulled off with just two sticks - the final song had riffs strong and funky that Tom Morello would have been proud of. At the end of the set we all clapped and cried out for more but unfortunately there was no more to be had.
Later on, during Dosh's set, Martin even showered Craig with complements: He said that if anyone in the house was an A&R man, they should sign TIMC right away beacause "he'll make you millions of dollars." All Mike could manage to say was "Wow". We all agreed.

Next up: Boo and Boo Too.
Ever since about halfway thru their set I've been having a dilemma as to what to say about BaBT. I've decided to be brutally honest. The drummer, Gaurav Kumar, was the main attraction. Flawless playing. However, most of the time we saw chord changes but didn't hear chord changes because they were far too busy trying to be loud. Every song devolved into a game of "Who Can Strum the Fastest." That being said, there was some flashes of the underlying talent and possiblity for great music, including one number that had kind of a dance rock, !!! type vibe. I'll give the boys another chance, but it won't be soon.

And then the man that we were really there to see took the stage: Dosh.
I had only just heard Dosh recently so I really was unsure what Martin's live show would be like. Talking to an extremely enthusiastic girl from Omaha (who unfortunately totaled her car on the way to Lawrence for the show) we learned just how related to Andrew Bird the music of Dosh is. Not being a big Andrew Bird fan, I suddenly was confused. But then Martin and fellow multi-instrumentalist Mike Lewis took the stage and blew away any confusion. I got a great spot right at the front of the stage in the left hand corner and was able to not only watch Martin and Mike set their loops, but I also got to watch everyone's faces light up and heads bob as the songs got put together piece by piece. I could describe how the loops came together but I think this video does a far better job:

Then after the show I stopped by the merch table to pick up a Dosh CD, and the man almost seemed embarrassed as everyone shook his hand and told him how amazing the show was. But man, he deserved to be told.

This Is My Condition Links:
Myspace Page
Official Page
Audio:
My Blood
Jitterbug Waltz (Fats Waller Cover)
Hamlet Strings
Ready to Go

Boo and Boo Too Links:
Myspace Page
Official Page
Audio:
Couch on Fire

Dosh Links:
Myspace Page
Official Page
Audio:
This is When Things Were (Live)
Ankle Deep and Rising
Pure Trash
And there's also LOADS more mp3's at Dosh's audio page at the official page.

Patrick Cleandenim

2007-02-08T10:05:00.001-08:00

Patrick Cleandenim is a jazzy 21 year old guy who just wants you to swing a little. He's managed to create a fusion of jazz/swing music and indie pop music that doesn't make you feel grimy when you're done listening to it. Lush melodies slathered in strings, horn sections, and marimba carry out Cleandenim's piano and lazy vocal lines with ease.

His new record, Baby Comes Home, is smooth. Really smooth. Sade level smooth. (By the way, I don't know how to put the little accent on the "e" in Sade. Don't write me letters.) It'll be coming out at different times depending on who you ask. Some people even say its already out. I don't know. Maybe ya'll are smarter than me and can tell me when it comes out. But when it does, you should buy. Trust me on these things.

From Baby Comes Home:
Baby Comes Home
Days Without Rain
Hollywood
Rocket to the Moon

From Three Love Songs:
Now When

Random demo:
So You Said (Demo)

Links:
Official Page
Myspace Page
Lawrence.Com Page

Limbeck - Bringin' the rural to your 'politan

2007-02-05T13:54:00.000-08:00

I love Limbeck.

The band, which hails from Southern California, has been making great alt-country-type music for several years now on the Get Up Kids' imprint, Doghouse Records. As a matter of fact, if you strip away the angstier influences of the Get Up Kids and add more Americana influences you may get a decent idea of the sound the boys are making. I haven't been drinking to their music (yet...) but I'd imagine it's great drinking music.

They've finished recording their new record with super-producer Ed Rose at Black Lodge Studio and it should be available sometime this spring. Before then, however, we can get a good glimpse of the sound of the record when you can stream some of the new music on an unfortunate day on the 14th of this month on "some nice websites", as they put it. And then the new single, "Big Drag", will also be available on their extensive tour. Look at the dates below. The boys are gonna be tired. But try to get out to see 'em. They sound great live.

Listen to the tunes via Doghouse Records:

From Let Me Come Home):
People Don't Care

From Hi, Everything's Great:
Honk and Wave
EDIT - the good people at Doghouse are having problems with the link to the song "Julia". Sorry 'bout that.

Also, swing by the Myspace Page to download my personal favorite, "Sin City".

Tour Dates:
02/03 La Jolla, CA @ UCSD - Price Center
02/21 Santa Barbara, CA @ UCSB - HUB
02/22 Long Beach, CA @ Fingerprints - Instore! (time TBA)
02/23 Murrieta, CA @ Monte Vista School
02/24 Tucson, AZ @ Plush
02/25 Tempe, AZ @ Zia Records - Instore! (5PM!!)
02/26 Bountiful, UT @ Graywhale Record Exchange - Instore! (time TBA)
02/28 Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge w/ the Only Children
03/01 Omaha, NE @ Sokol Underground
03/02 Madison, WI @ Orpheum Stage Door
03/03 Milwaukee, WI @ Exclusive Company - Instore! @ 3PM
03/03 Milwaukee, WI @ Mad Planet
03/05 St Louis, MO @ Creepy Crawl
03/06 Lansing, MI @ Mac's Bar
03/07 Pittsburgh, PA @ Garfield Artworks
03/08 Dayton, OH @ The Nite Owl
03/10 Norman, OK @ Univ. of Oklahoma (free show)
03/13 Little Rock, AR @ Juanita's w/ As Tall As Lions, Dear Hunter, Keating
03/14 Tulsa, OK @ King of Clubs w/ As Tall As Lions, Dear Hunter, Keating
03/15-03/18 AUSTIN, TX @ SXSW - Details Soon to come

THE BEARS TOUR W/ HOT ROD CIRCUIT & THE FORECAST

04/04 Buffalo, NY @ Club Infinity
04/05 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
04/06 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
04/07 Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
04/08 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity
04/09 Ames, IA @ Maintenance Shop
04/11 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
04/12 Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Sound
04/13 Boise, ID @ The Venue
04/14 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
04/15 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
04/17 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
04/18 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
04/19 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
04/20 San Diego, CA @ Soma
04/21 Tempe, AZ @ the Clubhouse
04/23 Austin, TX @ Emos
04/24 Dallas, TX @ the Door
04/25 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
04/27 West Palm Beach, FL @ Rays
04/28 Orlando, FL @ the Social
04/29 Tampa, FL @ Orpheum
05/01 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
05/02 Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
05/03 Charlottesville, VA @ Starr Hill
05/04 Philadelphia, PA @ Northstar Bar
05/05 East Rutherford, NJ @ BAMBOOZLE
05/06 Hartford, CT @ Webster Underground
05/08 Toronto, CAN @ El Mocambo
05/09 Ottawa, CAN @ Café Dekcuf
05/10 Montrea, CANl @ Club Lambi
05/11 South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
05/12 Boston, MA @ Middle East

Limbeck's Official Site
Myspace Page

His Purple Badness - Rockin' the Super Bowl

2007-02-03T11:41:00.000-08:00

I don't think I've ever taken the time to tell you guys just how much I love Prince. The man is amazing. His talent level is off the charts and he has continuously and consistantly put out great stuff since the late 70's.

His last record, "3121", was just as good as most anything else he's put out and he hasn't lost an ounce of the funk.

And the fact of the matter is that he's going to DESTROY the Super Bowl halftime show tomorrow night. (Here's a hint - think Hendrix...) As a preview, give a listen to his performance from the Brit awards last year. Two tracks from last year's 3121 and two classics. Not to mention Sheila E...

Te Amo Corazon
Fury
Purple Rain
Let's Go Crazy

Or just watch the dang thing:

Also, via his official site, 3121, Prince has put up for download a brand new single. It's worth checking out.

Marnie Stern Melting Faces

2007-01-26T18:22:00.000-08:00

Noise rock, avant garde, experemental...all I hear is blah blah blah. Sure I listen to Sonic Youth and Hella and a few other random bands that come under those labels but mostly the type of the music means nothing to me.

But give me a picture like the one of Marnie Stern above and I pay attention. That picture was my first introduction to the guitar shredding wonder woman and it caused me to search out the music. And its really good.

Marnie's high pitched voice, Zach Hill's spastic drumming and the shredding guitar is bound to make your head spin on first listen but be persistant. Its a pretty rewarding listen once you're able to break it down.

The record will be available on Feb. 20th via Kill Rock Stars.
And keep an eye out. She's probably coming to your town.

Via Pitchfork:
Every Single Line Means Something

Via Marnie Stern's Site:
Precious Metal

Be Marnie's Buddy at Myspace

Haha...I was just checking out the Pitchfork description...darn them for using the same descriptive words as me...

The Harvey Girls

2007-01-06T19:21:00.000-08:00

I got to pick up a copy of the KJHK Farm Fresh Sounds sampler a week or two ago. Its loaded with rare and exclusive tracks by a number of bands I'd heard of as well as several that I hadn't. One of the bands that was new to me was The Harvey Girls. Its a name that I had seen in a few places but I'd never taken the time to really look them up. Now I wish I had looked them up quite a while ago. The Harvey Girls (which is really one girl and one guy...a bit deceptive, huh?) make great charming elctro-pop music. This music is usually not my type so I really don't know exactly who to compare them to. I guess the references to Prince Paul and the Shangri-las on their Myspace Page are as good as we're gonna do there.

But the fact of the matter is that they seem to be really cool people. If you swing by the sounds page at their official site, its obvious that they really want you to enjoy the music above all else. You can download all their albums, including a great cover album called "Our History is Your Kitsch", for free.

Yep. Free.

However, the full proper thing to do is to hit up the "donate" links on the right, or, as I am going to do, order a CDR pack. It's worth it.

Here's a couple of the wonderful individual tracks that they've made available for us to hear:
Parking Lot
Book Of Love (Magnetic Fields Cover)

And a couple more from lawrence.com:
Someone Who Looks a Lot Like Them
The Girls Sing
Mother's Heartbeat

And All the Stars Were Crashing Around...

2006-12-17T14:24:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let you guys know that I am still here, but am doing some computer moving and system work and it may be a few days before i get to post again. But I am working on writing a few posts so when I come back I hit you over the head with a post a day for a while. I just can't upload any files right now. Make sense? I hope so 'cause I don't wanna explain it again.

Peace and Love
Matthew

P.S. - Go to Music Etc. to download my current obsession - "The Crane Wife 1 & 2" by the Decemberists.

Karen O. - KO at Home

2006-12-11T11:33:00.000-08:00

Here's an interesting artifact that appreared on the intraweb last night. Apparently some old Karen O. home recordings were found in the apartment of one of the guys from TV on the Radio on a CDR. They came with a written note containing a section of a writing by Oscar Wilde and a picture of Karen and someone that I sure can't identify. At the moment I don't really know a heck of a lot more about this stuff, so if you know any more please share your info with the rest of us.

I almost decided not to post anything from this here because its kinda hard to listen to. It feels like putting a stethoscope against Miss O and listening to her hearbeat. Although the songs, at least the ones that are developed, are good and interesting, they are very unnerving for some reason. On the fourth track (none of the songs came with titles) the layers of her voice start to create a feeling of coming unglued - but I can't decide who's more coming unglued - me or Karen.

Here's track 5: (apparently myfilehut is having issues right now, so it is via Savefile)
Karen o. - Track 5

Go check out Dreams of Horses for a picture of the handwritten note and 2 more songs.

EDIT:
Do you guys think I should take these down in lieu of what is going down over at Stereogum? I feel kinda dirty...

Country...My Way Dangit!

2006-12-05T08:35:00.000-08:00

I have a thing for vinyl. Not the creepy kind - the old used vinyls with the great artwork and the ambience of crackles and pops. I buy used records all the time and am proud of my ever growing collection. If you browse the bargain rack often time you can find something amazing.

And that's where I found this record. I bought 1967's "Country My Way" by Nancy Sinatra for an amazing 50 cents. Nancy lays her smooth and sexy voice over a number of the big country hits of the day. It oozed with acoustics and pedal steels. The best thing is that it featured Nancy's take on one of the single greatest country songs of all time - Skeeter Davis' "End of the World". The arrangements are staightforward but that's ok...if it ain't broke, than don't screw with it. The record is also notable for its production by Lee Hazelwood as well as a couple of guest vocals by Lee himself, including on the classic "Jackson", best known as a Johnny and June Carter Cash vehicle.

Check out two tunes from the record and one more bonus from the re-release from 1996:

End Of the World
Jackson
Hello L.A. Goodbye Birmingham

First DNA Mix: Winter!

2006-11-29T09:11:00.000-08:00

I finished my first ever mix for this site last week but it was so warm that I couldn't bring myself to post it. However, today it turned. Most likely the first snow of the season will come down either tonight or tomorrow morning so this is the PERFECT time for this mix.

A lot of harmonies and swirling instrumental sections, this mix is gonna be great for the next few months.

01. The Avalanche - Sufjan Stevens
I've never really thought of the banjo as a wintery intrument, but when it is laid on a bed of flutes and pianos its stabs sound like ice falling from the old tree in your backyard. And I suppose that avalanches only happen in winter... Also, listen close for Shara Worden's backing vocals on this track - they're superb.

02. Igloo Glass - Holopaw
There's nothing that says winter like an igloo...at least if you're an eskimo or something... Holowpaw has been making unrecognized acoustic pop music since 2002. I recommend their 2002 self-titled disc. Note - Issac Brock, who worked with members of Holowpaw in Ugly Casanova, plays the mandolin and lays some backing vocals on this track.

03. She Paints Me Blue - Something Corporate
I don't know why I associate this with winter. But I do. And Andrew's piano work is in top form on this track.

04. Go or Go Ahead - Rufus Wainwright
The lyric "Got me writing lyrics on postcards/then in the evenings looking at stars" is one of my all time favorite lyrics. The way that they chorus swirls like snowflakes falling to the ground is almost unbearable to listen to with a broken heart.

05. The Man Who Sold the World - Nirvana
There's a cold ambience to the effect on the lead guitar on this most brilliant of covers. Frankly, the entire "MTV Unplugged" album sounds like its played in front of kids wearing scarfs and fuzzy hats while drinking hot chocolate. The longing and lonliness in Kurt's voice just adds to the feeling.

06. Your Ex-Lover Is Dead - Stars
Stars have SO many great winter songs! It was knock down drag out between this track and "What the Snowman Learned About Love". I think this one won out strictly for its lovely video.

07. Lover's Spit (Beehives Version) - Broken Social Scene
Although I like the original version of this song, Leslie's voice really brings something special into the mix. Her performance makes such a disgusting song sound downright beautiful and romantic.

08. Gone - Brandi Carlile
I think this song really evokes a feeling of a new start. Lyrics like "Gone like the darkness/at dawn and then they forget" could easily be viewed as trite if it weren't for Brandi's heartfelt delivery and the wonderful harmonies from the Hanseroth boys.

09. In The Aeroplane Over the Sea - Matt Pond PA
From the band's Ep "Winter Songs", this cover evokes an entirely different type of beauty than the original modern classic. The lyrics point to a far warmer time of year, but the mood is all winter.

10. I Was A Kaliedascope - Death Cab For Cutie
It's confession time. On the day of the first snow every year for the past few, I stay home and dance thru my living room with this song blaring in the background. It's a bit embarassing, but so darn much fun.

11. Newfound Mass (2000) - Get Up Kids
"These bridges and boundaries are bringing me closer to you." Matt Pryor's lyrics take on whatever meaning you need them to each time you listen to them. And James Dewees' piano strikes a chord. Get it! Piano! Chord!

12. Blizzard of '78 - Ida
This song features a power that is really different from the majority of Ida's previous work. Blizzards happen in winter. It's a known fact.

13. Snowbirds and Townies - Further Seems Forever
I'm losing the tiny little bit of any indie cred I had left with this track.

14. Embracing Winter - The Autumns
One morning I was at work listening to this song and when the guitar solo came in at about 3:03 into the song, I stopped to write this:
"This guitar isn't gently weeping. It's bawling like a 5 year old with a skinned knee...or...like a grown man who's had his heart stomped on one too many times"

15. Grow Old With Me - The Postal Service
Sit around the fire with someone special and listen to this one.

16. Until Next Time - The Rocking Horse Winner
Jolie's voice (which may sound familiar from several Dashboard Confessional recordings) really makes me thing of deer traipsing thru snowcovered plains. Or it could just be the artwork from their records...

17. Naked as We Came - Iron and Wine

18. So Long to the Holidays - Ugly Casanova
I'm smiling so much over being able to fit this into a mix. You really just don't know. The ambience provided by the keyboards makes this song drift along almost on a subconsious level. It's perfect for slowly drifting off into dreamland.

So, here's the link to the Zip File (which unfortunately is thru Sendspace...sorry 'bout that) at the bottom of the page:
DNA's Winter Mix (via Sendspace) (Zip File)

If you don't like a track or two, I recommend going here to get this wonderful recording of "Majesty Snowbird" by Sufjan. Or do whatever you want - its up to you.

How I Spent My Thurs. Night

2006-11-27T18:09:00.000-08:00

Wednesday afternoon I got a call from my dad and he asked me if I wanted to be in the halftime show at the Kansas City Cheifs games. I'd have been an idiot to say no.

John Fogerty, whom I've explained my love of before, was playing a four song set during halftime at Arrowhead and they wanted a crowd down on the field. So, Thursday night, after a load of waiting in buses and tunnels underneath the stadium, we finally got to run out on the field of Arrowhead, one of the greatest stadiums in the United States, and rock out with John Fogerty. He ripped thru all four songs in about 10 minutes (maybe less...) and then we ran back underneath the stadium again. Afterwards, they fed us a rockin' turkey dinner and gave us free t-shirts and we watched the game on a bigscreen in a tent just outside of the stadium (no tickets=no seats). It was loads of fun.

So here are the songs he played, as they appear on John's new live record, "The Long Road Home - In Concert":
Travellin' Band
Down on the Corner
Fortunate Son
Bad Moon Rising

Experimental Instrument Orchestra

2006-11-25T13:56:00.000-08:00

Another great band coming out of Kansas City is Experimental Instrument Orchestra. The group comprised of Mark Smeltzer, J.Howell and Amy Farrard plays "junk". That's right - they use whatever junk they can find, including some dumpster diving, and make their own instruments. Supposedly practices can last as much as 6 hours because they first begin practice by making instruments, then learn how to play them and THEN they can finally play songs. You can swing by their Myspace Page to see pictures of some of the instruments they have built, including "pandolins" and one string fiddles.

The music comes out as kinda country, kinda avant garde, and kinda disturbing. The singing often times sounds more like chanting and their are loud crashes and bangs everywhere. No song is ever truly repeated and everything is always recorded.

You will never hear music quite like this again.

Here's a couple of tracks via E.I.O's myspace page:
You Don't Love Me
Eyes of the Steamboat... (Stupid Myspace cuts off track titles!)

I just sent the good folks of E.I.O. a message to ask where on earth we can buy their records so I'll let you good folks know as soon as I find out.

Mates of State Cover Bowie

2006-11-24T10:13:00.000-08:00

I've got a few posts that I've been working on including one to tell you all about what I did yesterday. I find it interesting. You probably won't. I'm gonna post it anyways.

In the meantime, I HAVE to share this track. From a concert back in 2004, the overly adorable Mates of State (who met and formed their "group" in Lawrence KS.) took on one of the strongest tracks from David Bowie's "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust". It's sounds pretty much exactly like what you would imagine it would. But that's not a bad thing.

Mates of State - Starman (Live) (David Bowie Cover)

Also, somehow I've been experiencing this sort of creative rush over the last couple of days. I'm writing music and poetry again and hopefully some of the rush will spill over into the site. I hope it does.

And just say no to christmas music!

New Covers Day!

2006-11-14T08:10:00.000-08:00

My folder of covers for the site is getting full, so it's time to empty some out for a cover day!

Bela Fleck and Tony Trischka - Beatles Medley
Two banjos and a heap of Beatles songs. It's worth for the take on "Drive My Car" if nothing else.

Flaming Lips - Knives Out (Radiohead Cover)
Something about this cover is vaguely disturbing. I can't quite place it but it give me the willies every time.

Get Up Kids - Close to Me (Live) (The Cure Cover)
This cover was recorded at the Get Up Kids last ever show at the Uptown Theatre in Kansas City, Mo., which I drive past at least once a week. I'm still kicking myself for not getting tickets to this show - and I could have gotten 'em.

Isley Brothers - Summer Breeze (Seals and Crofts Cover)
Pure slinky funk. Ronald's voice just glides over the dirty guitar lick with the greatest of ease. It makes me feel fine. (How corny!)

Jesse Lacey (Of Brand New) - Two-Headed Boy (Neutral Milk Hotel Cover)
This seems like the perfect time to post this cover since Brand New's record drops next week (I think...). What I've heard of the record so far is not too bad. On this recording, tho, it sounds like no one in the crowd has any clue just what they're hearing.

Glen Phillips - Hide and Seek (Live) (Imogen Heap Cover)
It starts a bit rough, but GLen pulls it together and makes something oddly compelling in this bizarre cover. Also, the rest of the show contains some great covers by Elliott Smith, Neutral Milk Hotel and Randy Newman. And, of course, it ends with "Don't Need Anything".

Get Out of the Car Longhair!

2006-11-10T08:22:00.000-08:00

For some reason I feel the need to share the fact that my hair has gotten very long...well, at least longer than it has ever been before but I think today is the day to go get my hair cut and remove this beard-like growth on my face.

So to commemorate, here is a surprisingly great b-side from Jason Mraz which features the lines:

I'm trying not to pull out my hair
I'm trying not to show it 'cause I'm far too shy to grow it back there
That's probably why I like wearing hats
There's no denying I'm deferring the facts

Even if you're not a Jason Mraz fan, you just might still dig this track.

Jason Mraz - Prettiest Friend

Stephen Brodsky

2006-11-08T08:51:00.000-08:00

EDIT - I woke up yesterday afternoon to find this post that I don't even remember writing. So, ignore the words, but the music is still good.

Not much time to write today.

One of my favorite new albums is this weeks new release from Stephen Brodsky, entitled "Octave Museum". Its fun and upbeat but never corny. The guitars are steady but the choruses keep soaring.

Here's a great song from the record.
Stephen Brodsky - Kid Defender

And if you're interested into looking into Stephen's previous work with Cave In and his other related projects, this is the place to start:
Cave In Official Page

Stepehen Brodsky's Myspace Page

Order the record here.

In The Pines New Record!

2006-10-30T07:35:00.000-08:00

So over the weekend I got in my copy of the debut cd from Kansas City's own In The Pines. I've heard from a lot of people who really enjoyed the demos from my previous post on them, so I couldn't pass up the chance to share a couple of the final products.

I've been trying to figure just who I could rightly compare them to, since that's what we bloggers love to do for some reason unbeknownst to me, so here's the best I can do - Damien Rice meets Wilco. Despite having such...uh...RURAL backgrounds, they manage to veer off into lovely jams that sometimes feel even a bit ambient. I very rarely ever am able to sit down and do nothing but listen to an album straight thru, but I MADE the time to finish this one out.

The guys and gals even won a coveted "Best of Kansas City" award for Best Local Song.

So enjoy these mp3's of the finished product, courtesy of Second Nature Recordings:
Dress On Fire (HIGHEST Recommendation!)
Never Say Too Much (Highly Recommended)

And go order the record HERE.

Myspace Page
In The Pines Official Page

By the way, I'll probably be heading out to see them live on Nov. 18th at Davey's Uptown with American Catastrophe so if I'm able to make it I'll try to do some sort of write up for ya.

Glen Hansard vs...Himself?

2006-10-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

To me, it's insane that Irish band The Frames haven't achieved greater fame yet. In 2003 they released one of the single greatest live albums in recent memory with their record, "Setlist". Lead singer Glen Hansard has an amazingly clear and versatile voice that soars above the layers of guitars and violins but he can still muster up a great holler (see "Revelate").

Earlier this year, Glen's side project with Czech pianist Marketa Irglova, a record called "The Swell Season" was released and is fantastic. Marketa's voice is able to twist itself around Glen's and really make you feel every bit of blood, sweat and tears that are evident in the lyrics.

This is best showcased in the track "Falling Slowly". These lyrics catch me every time:

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time, raise your hopeful voice
You had the choice, you've made it now

As if that weren't enough, the new Frames album, "The Cost", has a different version of the same song.

Check out the two tracks and see which one you dig most and let me know. I still can't decide...

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova - Falling Slowly
The Frames - Falling Slowly

Also, Glen has made a contribution to a project called "The Cake Sale". The profits from the record, which features great acts such as Glen's friends and fellow Irish Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan, Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol, Josh Ritter and The Thrills, will be going to the Oxfams Make Trade Fair campaign. I haven't procured any mp3's yet, but several of the tracks can be listened to at the project's Myspace Page.

Links:
Swell Season Myspace Page
The Frames Homepage

#100 - Elliott Smith Saved D.N.A.

2006-10-24T07:16:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna be frank. I've been considering ending this blog. Almost everyday I log into blogger and begin to type an entry only to stop and close the page before I am done. My life has been a constant series of ups and downs lately and I just couldn't manage to place blogging into the rollercoaster. I even start to write emails constantly but never finish any of them. I had planned to use my 99th post to let you all know that I was going to walk away.

Was.

Then on Saturday I started to read all the blog posts about Elliott Smith. It's amazing to see how Elliott managed to touch so many people from so many completely different backgrounds. Many people talked about how one simple Elliott Smith moment changed their perspectives on things. And then it hit me - I had made an enormous mistake. In my process of listening to all the Elliott Smith I could get my hands on a few years ago I had somehow managed to miss out on "Figure 8". I knew most of the songs from the live performances I had heard but heard none of the album versions. I instantly ran out and got a copy and listned to it last night straight thru for the first time.

This was my Elliott Smith moment.

Much of the record felt as if Elliott had written it from my point of view. My exact thoughts and emotions and sentiments. This probably means that I'm more than a little messed up, but that's the way that life goes...and Elliott understood. Life is hard but you have to keep trudging on. That's why the moment that was marked on Saturday still makes no sense to me. Did that much change in Elliott's life between the writing of "Figure 8" and his final demise? I can't imagine that much had changed...but I know I've been wrong before.

I had originally planned on a lavish 2-disc mix for my 100th post, and that will later see the light of day, but this is more important. So, instead I wish to bring to you one of my personal favorite Elliott Smith live recordings from the brilliant 2000 tour. I hope it leaves you with the same feelings that it leaves me.

Elliott Smith - Live 11.10.00 Roseland Theatre - Portland, Or. via Archive.org

01 - Needle In The Hay
02 - Son Of Sam
03 - Clementine
04 - LA
05 - Cupid's Trick
06 - Division Day
07 - Waltz #2 (XO)
08 - Bled White
09 - Stupidity Tries
10 - In The Lost and Found (Honky Bach)
11 - Junk Bond Trader
12 - Happiness
13 - Ballad of Big Nothing
14 - Independence Day
15 - Can't Make A Sound
16 - Everything Means Nothing To Me
17 - Color Bars
18 - Say Yes
19 - A Fond Farewell
20 - Speed Trials
21 - Yer Blues

Also, I want to take this moment to tell everyone, especially my personal friends, that I love all of you. This song, the song that my blog is named after, is for you:
Glen Phillips - Don't Need Anything (Demo Version)

Brandi Carlile - Live and Rare...uh...Mostly...

2006-10-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

Here's my hasty post no. 99. Expect no. 100 either later today or tomorrow.

Check out these wicked rarities from the wonderful Brandi Carlile. Darn you, Heather, now I'm flippin' obsessed with Brandi...but not in a creepy way. I swear.

Brandi Carlile - Burn (Ray Lamontagne Cover)
Brandi Carlile - Downpour (Live at MPR)
Brandi Carlile - My Song (Live)
Brandi Carlile - Seven Bridges Road/Fall (Eagles Cover)
Brandi Carlile - The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Cover by godknowswho...)
Brandi Carlile - Boys Don't Cry (Live)

And go pay your dang respects at Rbally.

Toothfairy

2006-10-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

There are several great releases coming out today, and this evening I will be swinging by the store to pick up "The Crane Wife" by the Decemberists, as it is the best thing I've heard this year. However, in the weekly glut of new releases a few great ones always go unnoticed and this is one I hate to see go missed.

The band Toothfairy release their new record, "Hard Drugs Made Me A Better Person", today and it is insane. The story behind the record, according to their Myspace Page, is that they found some old records to accompany slideshows from the 60's to inform youths about the dangers of drugs. So the band laid some psychadelic jams over top of the records, slide-change bells and all, and put the four 10+ minute jams on record. It's highly unnerving yet still wicked fun at the same time. The band has put low-quality mp3's of all four tracks on said Myspace page, so take a listen and then go order the record.

I Killed Death
I Hanf Around With...
Do You Wish You Did Do...
The Gates Have Closed

Fully unrelated, this Tom Waits bootleg from Rbally is quite possibly the greatest thing I've ever downloaded on the internet.

A Cover Interlude

2006-09-25T07:37:00.000-07:00

I'll likely be back later today with a full post, but I couldn't wait to share this Death Cab cover.

Death Cab For Cutie - Here Comes the Rain (Eurythmics Cover) (HIGHLY recommended!)

Full Show Here.

Nothin' Better Than Sam Cooke

2006-09-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

If you can find a sweeter soul singer than Sam Cooke, let me know, because I don't think it's possible.
Sam is another who was unfortunately snatched away from us before his time, but left us such amazing music to remember him by.
I ran over to allmusic.com before posting this to see what they said about him and made some amazing lofty comments: "Sam Cooke was the most important soul singer in history -- he was also the inventor of soul music, and its most popular and beloved performer in both the black and white communities. Equally important, he was among the first modern black performers and composers to attend to the business side of the music business, and founded both a record label and a publishing company as an extension of his careers as a singer and composer."

What more can I say than that?

Chain Gang
Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha
Frankie and Johnny
Twistin' the Night Away

Miss Alex White and the Red Orchestra

2006-09-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

Judging by Miss Alex White's curly red 'fro, and tight fitting clothes, you wouldn't expect her to be the hardest rocking front(wo)man to hit the scene in years. Her live performances are dynamic and her low growling voice is enough to make lesser frontmen pass out. One newspaper asked the question, "Are the vocals a little high in the mix or is she always that overwhelming?" I think its just her.
It's very rare that garage rock makes you wanna get up and dance, but Miss Alex even brings me to my feet. The formula for the songs is simple - two guitars, bass, drums and Miss Alex growling and hollerin' and singing away. Often you're not gonna get anymore than two or three chords, but you won't miss the others.
Her Myspace page lists off Chuck Bery, The Kinks, Spaceman 3, Jesus and Mary Chain and Modern Lovers as influences. And you gotta love the funny myspace "About" sections. Her's is worth the trip to Myspace.
And I gotta admit - I'm crushin' a bit.

Enjoy the sounds:
Chainsaw
Movies
Out Of Time (via Myspace)

And go visit Culture Bully and see if you can win yourself a brand new cd like the Silversun Pickups Cd that I won. And read around while you're there - Chris posts good stuff.

How Old Am I?

2006-08-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

Carole King - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Chances are that nobody will ever accuse Carole King of having a wonderful voice just the same way that no one will ever accuse Conor Oberst of having a beautiful voice, but the fact of the matter is that both of them get the job done. I have heard many renditions of this song, some by artists with beautiful voices, but no version has been able to touch this original version. Carole's voice carries every bit of emotion in this section of pure pop bliss. James Taylor's backing vocals and guitar add a wonderful touch to this 4 minute piece of romanticism of insecurity. This is one of those songs that should be required listening to be considered a member of the human race.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

ELO - Living Thing
No, this song was not written for a jingle. Kids today are gonna hear this song and think of insurance or job finders or some ridiculous corporation now. Instead they should be thinking of Jeff's sweet voice, the crazy string section and the bouncing feel good rhythms. Pop music can be a great thing.
Livin' Thing

The Meters - Cissy Strut
A pure New Orleans classic. One of the greatest instrumental songs of the modern era, Cissy Strut is one of those songs that EVERYONE has done a version of. Its a rite of passage for young jambands and guitar players of all genres. If you can stand still during this song, you have no heart and no soul. I would hate to be your doctor.
Cissy Strut

Tim Buckley - Morning Glory (Peel Sessions '68)
Justin Furstenfeld once said "Where did all my idols end up? They've all passed away." Unfortunately, Tim Buckley fits in that category, but man, did he leave us some great music or what? He could weave some incredibly beautifully slow and meloncholy songs without ever making them boring, as is the case with this live rendition of "Morning Glory".
Morning Glory

War - The World is A Ghetto
When I was a kid, my family went on road trips to Denver at least once a year, if not 2 or 3 times. We'd load all of us kids in the car and head out to cross the barreness of western Kansas. Needless to say, none of us were to excited to make the journey. However, we always had our music we took with us to make it better. And our main roadtrip staple was "The Best of War...and More!" by...well...War. THe strong harmonies, the organ, the horn parts, the upbeat lyrics, we loved everything about it. Low Rider is one of my all-time favorite songs and to this day, I can't take a roadtrip without a War cd in my cd case. Here's one of their best. Check out those vocal harmonies!
The World Is A Ghetto

Mary Fahl - From the Dark Side of the Moon

2006-08-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

I have never heard of Mary Fahl before her current project, but just the sound of it had me intrigued. She does a song-by-song cover of the Pink floyd album "Dark Side of the Moon".

I don't think that I have ever confessed my love of Pink Floyd on this site before, but I have spent many a hour listening to "Animals". Music doesn't get much better than Pink Floyd.

That being said, I think this project is a general success. She has a large, full voice that actually suits this project well. The arrangements are less ambient and more electronic but somewhat faithful to the originals. Sometimes they are a bit too faithful, as the sound effects don't quite cut it. The alarms and glass breaking and such are a bit hard to stomach. As could be expected, a track or two go astray and are hard to listen to, especially "The Great Gig in the Sky". Mary doesn't have near the range that Claire Torry had on the original and thus the track suffers.

However, this record is worth a spin for any Pink Floyd fan and its quite interesting to see how Mary's voice stands in comparison to the originals. Here's a couple of examples:

(Note that the tracks bleed into each other on the record so these tracks start and end kinda funny...)
On the Run
Brain Damage

You may notice that I am trying a different filehost. I'm not quite satisfied with it so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know if you know of any filehosting services that accept paypal that are good.

Death Cab - Live and Acoustic

2006-08-11T22:26:00.000-07:00

Here's a Ben And Chris acoustic set performed around the time of Transatlantacism. I think I just botched the spelling of that but I'm too lazy to check the proper spelling.

Enjoy!

01 The Dream Is Over
02 The New Year
03 Lightness
04 The Sound Of Settling

Also, congratulations to the good people in Anvil Chorus on their win for "Best New Act" in the Pitch Music Awards. I voted for you and you bloody deserve it!

New Music: In The Pines

2006-08-10T11:24:00.000-07:00

I was recently browsing thru the nominees of The Pitch Music Awards and have found some really great music. One of the best I've found is In The Pines. In The Pines makes great old timey country/folk music. Frankly their profile on their Myspace page says far more than I ever could:
"In the late 1800's the music of the mountains of Appalachia somehow managed to evoke emotion so powerful it was like a freight train straight to the hearts of the poor people for which it was written. The same can be said about the early bluegrass, blues, country, and rock and roll after the beginning of the 20th century. Our songs tend to be inspired by lost love, poverty, trains, the mountains, the civil war, and various other themes from that particular period of American history. It is dark, it is dirty, it is sometimes drunken. It is what we call In The Pines."

Here's a few excellent demos from their upcoming record later this year via their official site:
The Second Hymn
Dress On Fire
On The Table
Never Say
Enough

EDIT:
Congratulations to In The Pines for their win for Best Folk/Roots Act! You guys deserve it!

Back to the Music...With Covers!

2006-08-08T07:55:00.000-07:00

So I'm a cover whore...

BUT FIRST - just know that I may take off again of a while...we'll just have to wait and see, but I am doing much better. I've been getting out of my house again and I may have a large change coming up very soon that I think will help.

And now on to the music!

Glen Phillips - Hyperballad (Live) (Bjork Cover) HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!
I'm not a fan of Bjork. Not at all. I hate how being strange is sometimes confused with being original. I never listened to this particular song until I heard this version and through Glen's plaintive call I finally noticed the depth of emotion present in the lyrics. Glen's version finally made the melody and lyrics shine through. This is a must hear for anyone.

Pete Kuzma with Bilal - High and Dry (Radiohead Cover)
Everyone was wicked hard in their reviews of the Radiohead tribute album "Music for Radio Heads". Sure, the title was dumb but there were a few great renditions in there. Who knew that Radiohead could write such an amazing soul song? It replaces the bitter feel of the original version with a smooth groove and is perfect for a backyard barbeque with your special friend.

Trey Anastasio with Stewart Copeland - Can't Stand Losing You (Police Cover)
OK, OK...this one is kind of a mess. Trey can't hit the notes that Sting could and the jam in the middle sounds like everyone was playing random things all at once...but it's still Stewart Freakin' Copeland playing an old Police classic.

Thrice - Eleanor Rigby (Beatles Cover)
Don't judge this cover before you hear it..well...at least the first half of it. I get shivers when I hear the lead singer hit that insasne falsetto the first time. I could have done without the hardcore ending tho...but the beginning is fantastic.

Barenaked Ladies - Close to You (Carpenters/Burt Bacarach Cover)
Pure pop goodness. What else is there to say?

Also, thank you to everyone who sent kind emails, left kind comments and other correspondance. I appreciate every bit of it.

I Went to Bleeding Kansas and You Didn't!

2006-08-07T07:19:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been dying to post lately but I wouldn't let myself. This seems like as good of a reason to come back as ever.

I had never seen any of the bands who played Saturday before, so I had no clue what I was getting myself into. Here's the rundown:

First off, Burcham Park in Lawrence Kansas is beautiful. Right on the Wakarusa River, the location is grassy and shaded by lots of trees - a perfect place for a festival show in Kansas in the heat of August.

The first band to take the stage was one of the number of local bands, The Legendary Terrordactyls. I had never heard of them before but I checked it out because they were the only band on at the time - and they were fantastic. It was the most pleasant surprise of the day. They rocked pretty hard somewhere landing between "Rather Ripped"-Sonic Youth and older, noisier Sonic Youth. Unfortunately, they didn't have any cd's for sale that I could find, but I'll be checking around.

After that I wandered over to the Main Stage to see Aberdeen City, another local act, but they sucked. Hard.

So I wandered into the Ad Astra Tent to see Ad Astra Per Aspra, but apparently the lead singer had his jaw wired shut at the moment, so instead 4th of July took the stage early. They obviously had to be awesome since they started out with a Townes Van Zandt cover. I didn't recognize everyone upfront, but according to the almight lawrence.com, the band features former members of The Anniversary, and current Members of Ghosty and Free All Beats. They pumped out great dancable music, even if we all were sitting down to enjoy it.

So this started to throw off the stage times. I don't know if Boy Kill Boy was there or not, but Murder By Death's set started awfully early so I missed the beginning. I've never been a fan of theirs before, but I'm checking them out again. The cello player is one heck of a performer (and one heck of a fox too...) and made the show worth watching, instead of just worth listening to.

Inbetween I caught a bit of Conner, which is very much like any horrible dance-rock band on the radio so I cautiously waked away, making sure no one saw that I observed the tragedy that happened on that stage.

Next up was Mates of State. Just like everyone else, I'm not quite sure how such a full sound can come out of only two people and my friend wondered how similar two voices can be. This was a a bit of homecoming for the Mates, seeing as they met and formed the band while attending Kansas U., and they drew a major crowd because of it. I even stood about 5 feet from Adrianne from The Anniversary during this set! Poor Kori looked like she was going to pass out and mentioned that the heat was a bit much for her, but you sure couldn't tell from listening. They killed it.

Next was Broken Social Scene. I have been listening to boots of their live shows for a while so I knew fully well what they were capable of - but they didn't get there. Kevin Drew was wicked drunk and upset at the sound guy, telling Lisa to come on stage before she was ready, rambling about Kansas having heart (which it doesn't) and confusing his band mates. He tried to do a countdown into Ibi but apparently had drank enough that he lost his ability to count. The rest of the band held up their end of the bargain, but Kevin really brought down the mood.

I spent the majority of Keane's set making fun of the lead singer's posing and screaming out requests for Coldplay and Lynyrd Skynyrd songs. He pranced around like Jon Bon Jovi in a dress. Eeeew.

And then finally was the big headliner, Death Cab for Cutie, and they were in rare form. Pretty much everyone at the fest was crammed in front of the stage and for good reason. For an hour and a half, Ben Gibbard was the king of Kansas. He crooned, he yelled, he thrashed, he tore the crap out a drum set and cast the coolest shadows ever. Unfortunately, every time they played any track from "Plans", the show seemed to stop for four minutes, but those songs were spaced out enough that it didn't bring the whole set down. As a matter of fact, when I requested "The Face That Launched 1000..." a teenage girl gave a disgusted "Oh god, I hope not..." Kids today!

All in all, I had a blast and was honored on the way out to be cut off by Chris from Appleseed Cast. I think he was the only person there who had a crappier car than me.

I'll try to be back with some music later today. In the meantime, check out this fascinating article about independant music stores. It makes me wanna drive to Lawrence more often.

Bad News

2006-07-21T21:32:00.000-07:00

I am sad that it has come to this. As you may have noticed, when you look back thru my posting history there are a number of large gaps and irregularities. My confession is that this is due to the fact that I have some severe mental illness and battle clinical depression.

Unfortunately, my problems are winning right now. So, I am going on record as stepping away temporarily. I am taking the time to re-prioritize my life and try to get some help.

I WILL BE BACK. I do not know how long I will be away for but I will return. I promise. Until then, if there are any blogs listed on the right that you are not already intimately familiar with, please take the time to become familiar with them. You'll thank me for it later.

I wish you all the best

Peace and love
Matthew

Rare Jeff Buckley Demos

2006-07-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

Seeing Heather's new Buckley post, I felt inspired to go ahead and post these demos that are supposedly rare. I don't know for sure about that, but I do know that I just spent over a half-hour listening to "River of Dope" on repeat.

When the Levee Breaks
We Could Be So Happy (Alt. Version)
Forget Her (Alt. Version)
Opened Once
River of Dope
When My Love Comes Down
Untitled

ALright, so Heather got her friend Lisa to hook us up with some information on these tracks. Here's some of what she had to say:
"To the absolute joy and amazement of many, some of these songs
surfaced, late, this past winter. No one really knows their origin.
The file, that contained the tracks, was entitled "Rarities From NYC."
With the exception of, Forget Her (which was most likely recorded
during the Grace sessions) it's believed that most of the tracks were
recorded, in NYC, early to mid 96.

Then there are the rehearsals and preliminary versions of songs for, My
Sweetheart the Drunk, recorded at Sorcerer, in NYC, in the
summer of 96, with Tom Verlaine, pre Parker Kindred. Then there's some
studio recordings, with Verlaine, after Parker joined on as
well. It's hard to pin them down because they aren't mentioned in
anything that's been written about. One can only speculate.

We don't know who is jamming with Jeff on, Levee (which is a total joy
to hear considering Jeff's love of Zeppelin), or on, We Could
Be So Happy Baby (which is fantastic to be able to hear an arrangement
with a full band). I'm guessing this was recorded before his
4-track version, from his solo sessions, in Memphis that actually ends
up on, My Sweetheart the Drunk. It's just lovely to hear him
pulling the guys through some of these songs like when he sings the
chords "gimmie A,A,A,A,A... in, When My Love Comes Down."

How cool is that!?

ALSO, it appears that, as best as I can tell, that EZarchive does not accept Paypal. Does anyone know a good file server that does?

The Society Islands - Don't Miss Out!

2006-07-10T06:26:00.000-07:00

On a music forum, a guy posted a link for all of us to download his new album and wanted some feedback. I passed on it at first until all the good feedback started pouring in. Everyone seemed to love it. People were saying it was better than most of the albums that had come out this year. I knew I had to check in on it too, and I am glad I did.
The album "Kiss and Tell", by The Society Islands, has quickly become one of my favorites of the year too. The band is, as the Myspace Page reads, "mostly one guy who made a vow to play every single instrument he can get a hold of - no matter what the consequences." Well, the consequences are quite good on the record. It manages to evoke shades of everything that's good in indie pop, from the Shins and Grandaddy to Pavement themselves.

All these tracks from their Myspace page are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

House of the Syrens
Hotdogs at Sunset
Julia Peculiar
Love Under Palms

Regina Say What?

2006-07-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

Regina Spektor has been hot of late. Her new album, "Begin to Hope", and especially the wonderful song "Samson" have been well blogged lately.
However, for those who have been folling Ms. Spektor's wonderful self for a long time knows that this album is quite an instrumental departure from her previous work. Often times before the songs have consisted of just piano and voice, sometimes accompanied by Regina beating a drumstick against her piano bench.
One thing that has not changed however, is the quality of songwriting and the wordplay.
May I suggest checking out a copy of "Soviet Kitsch" to catch up.

Regina Spektor - Flyin'
Regina Spektor - Mary Ann
Regina Spektor - Pavlov's Daughter
Regina Spektor - Us
Regina Spektor - Samson (Original Version)

Polyphonic Spree Pt. 2

2006-07-03T12:28:00.000-07:00

Since there was a lot of response to the Polyphonic Spree cover of Lithium, here's another track from that ditched cover EP.

Hope you dig it.

Polyphonic Spree - Sonic Bloom (Tripping Daisy Cover)

Ted Leo Offers You My Forgiveness

2006-07-02T10:01:00.000-07:00

So, I was trying to wait until I got my new file-hosting service set up before I posted anything new, but it's taking way too long (bank issues) and I have a ton of new posts planned. Today, I was browsing thru some old forgotten DATs and I came across a slew of great live shows that are worth sharing so here's the first of a few likely coming your way.

Ted Leo
Live 7.19.2004 Albany, NY
Soundboard Audio

01 Where Have All The Rude Boys Gone
02 Biomusicology
03 Me and Mia
04 Counting Down the Hours
05 I'm a Ghost
06 The High Party
07 Little Dawn
08 Heart Problems
09 Under the Hedge
10 The One Who Got Us Out
11 Timorous Me
12 Hearts of Oak
13 Suspect Device
14 Dirty Old Town

Also, I know the site has been getting more hits lately, mainly due to the Polyphonic Spree cover, so if you look thru and see anything that may be expired that you want to hear, either leave me a comment or an email and I'll see about getting those thrown back up for you.

This Makes Me Smile

2006-06-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

From Wakarusa over the weekend:

Buckethead doing the Robot

Site News and a Contest

2006-06-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

Due to increasing number of problems with my lame-o file hosting service, and the fact that it's gotta be pretty inconvienient to download from for you guys, I began the setup on my Paypal account today so i can get a legit fileserver. Hopefully, I will be able to get that setup in a couple of days.

Now, the contest I speak of is not my own, but belongs to Chris Thile and his myspace page. Chris is the mandolin player from Nickel Creek, but you never know what his solo projects are gonna sound like - his last record sounded nothing like Nickel Creek and was just plain brilliant. But here is how his Myspace message read:

"In utter anticipation of Chris Thile's new record, How To Grow A Woman From The Ground, we're throwing a give-away / TOP 8 contest. If you navigate to Chris' myspace page (or just look below) and check out his influences there's a puzzle/game/riddle somewhat burried beneath the surface. The person who can correctly identify the most influences will win an autographed copy of Chris' new record that comes out on September 18th and top spot in Chris' TOP 8. The following seven runner-up's will also make it into the TOP 8, but sorry no CD.

THE DETAILS:

In order to be considered for the prize / top 8 you must respond to this bulletin by sending an EMAIL with your answers to the following addres howtogrowacontest@gmail.com. To make this easier on all of us, please use the email address that your myspace account is registered in for TOP 8 purposes.

Biff Hooper, Callie Shaw, Chet and Iola Morton (they're brother and sister, not married), Aunt Gertrude, Inspector Lestrade, The Dancing Men, Mycroft Holmes, The Five Orange Pips, Professor Moriarty, Susie Derkins, Amy Archer, Maude Lebowski, Mara Jade, Kyp Durron, Oola the Twi'lek, Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes, Martina Hingis, Michelle Wie, That Blonde Softball Pitcher, Seymour the Walrus, Seymour Glass, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Trevor Hoffman, Giovanni Hoffman, Don Giovanni, A. Bartlett Giamatti, Joe Schlobotnik, Joe Garagiola, Joe Hardy (see top of list), Joe Cool (see first two Joes on list), Franz Liszt, Franz Josef Haydn, Hide 'n Seek ye first the kingdom of God only knows what I'd be without MSG I am nothing ever happens on Marsupials are mammals. The female typically has a pouch in which it was the best of times it was the worst of times they are a ch-ch-ch-ch-CHANGES!"

Not the most exciting of prizes but a quite interesting contest. I've been racking my brain but don't get about half of the references. Oh well, guess I'll just have to buy the cd.
Make sure to go to his Myspace Page to hear his new White Stripes cover.

Also, somebody you know just got a profiling on The Late Greats, who just recently posted some Grace Potter.

Polyphonic Spree vs. Nirvana

2006-06-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what Nirvana would sound like with flutes? Yeah, me neither. But we need not speculate anymore! Last year Polyphonic Spree headed into the studio with super-producer Jon Brion to record an EP's worth of covers. Included was Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and this Nirvana classic, Lithium. Somewhere along the way, this EP got scrapped but two tracks (Unforunately, not the Beatles Cover) have been leaked so far to my knowledge.
Lithium has always been my favorite Nirvana song so I was quite skeptical going into this but I gotta say that I enjoy it. If you expect Kurt Kobain worthy vocals, than don't click the link because you're not gonna like it. But for everyone else, this is probably worth it for you.

Enjoy!

Polyphonic Spree - Lithium (Nirvana Cover)

John Brown was Cool for So Many Reasons.

2006-06-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

I was pretty bummed that I wasn't going to get to go to any of the big festivals this year due to inability to travel at this point and time. But then I caught a blurb about a music and arts festival called Bleeding Kansas. Bleeding Kansas will be taking place one hour from my house in Lawrence Kansas on August 5th and has one heck of a mainstage lineup. Death Cab for Cuties, Broken Social Scene (Who I don't think have ever been to Kansas before...), Mates of State (who formed in Lawrence), Keane, Murder By Death and Lake Trout. This is insane, you guys. I am going to be there and you can't stop me.
I gotta say that I might be even more intrigued by the arts section of the fest. I'm keeping an eye out for more info on that aspect.
Enjoy a couple of bands from the main stage.

Bleeding Kansas Official Page

Death Cab For Cutie - We Laugh Indoors
Broken Social Scene - 7/4 (Shorelines)
Mates of State - What I Could Stand For
Lake Trout - Say Something

This Post Brought to You by the Letter E!

2006-06-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

Mr. E, Mark Oliver Everett, the front man of Eels, is the man. However, before the Eels came about, E was the solo man.
In 1991, E released his first album, "A Man Called (E)" which was unjustifiably ignored by the general public. It was chock full of charmingly crafted pop songs that could make the most grizzled of men smile. To this day, it remains one of my personal favorite albums. Things looked good for E.
Then, the follow up album, "Broken Toy Shop", despite being quite brilliant as well, was virtually unnoticed. Things started to look bad. E and his label split ways. He was left with no label and two albums which no one knew existed.
Thats when he formed the Eels, and history was written. However, between "Broken Toy Shop" and that inspired formation, E dropped into the KCRW studios and recorded the following session. It includes an early solo piano version of "Beautiful Freak", a Prince cover and a few demos E recorded in his basement. The real treat, however, is the interview segments.

Enjoy!

(By the way, if you know the name of track 2, please let me know. It's killing me.)

E - 01 Talk (KCRW)
E - 02 I Don't Even Know What I'm Looking For (KCRW)
E - 03 Talk (KCRW)
E - 04 Shovel (KCRW)
E - 05 Talk (KCRW)
E - 06 Mental (KCRW)
E - 07 Talk (KCRW)
E - 08 Beautiful Freak (KCRW)
E - 09 When Doves Cry (KCRW)
E - 10 Talk

Bonus:
E - Hello Cruel World

Also, swing by Heather's place for some great Eels live stuff.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

2006-05-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

Grace Potter is a bluesy 22-year-old phenom hailing from Vermont that has knocked my socks off. Her voice gets comparisons to Aretha Franklin, Norah Jones, Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin. But she also is an amazing musician wailing away on her B-3 Hammond Organ, piano and acoustic. The rest of the band is most definitely holding up their own too. Brian Dondero's bass thumping keeps the music moving.
At this year's Jammy Awards (for jam-bands, duh!) Grace was said by many to have stolen the show which featured the Who's-who of the jamband community by laying organ and jaw-dropping vocals on a smokin' cover of "Cortez the Killer." (Scroll down. Yes, there it is.) 2006 looks to be the year that Grace and the boys take over. Just wait. You'll see.

Myspace Page
Official Page

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - 2-22 (from "Live Oh Five)
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - Joey
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - Somebody Fix Me
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - Toothbrush and My Table
Grace Potter - Skinny Woman (Solo Acoustic)
Grace Potter, Steve Vai and Others - Cortez the Killer (Live)

Joan Baez Sittin' in a Tree

2006-05-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

Expect some music later toady, but until then, I think this story is important:

Joan Baez in Tree to Help Save Garden

LOS ANGELES -- Folk singer Joan Baez and tree-sitter Julia "Butterfly" Hill have taken up residence in a tree to raise awareness about a 14-acre urban farm threatened with demolition.

Hill, who lived in a redwood in Northern California for more than two years to prevent loggers from cutting it down, said Tuesday that she, Baez and others will occupy the tree in shifts.

Two door-sized platforms have been placed in the tree for the sitters, and a support group has set up an encampment on the ground.

Hundreds of farmers could face evictions after The Trust for Public Land came up $10 million short in its bid to buy the site. The nonprofit group was not able to raise the $16.35 million required by the time the purchase option expired Monday.

The trust signed a contract in April with landowner Ralph Horowitz to buy 10 of the 14 acres in south Los Angeles where about 350 families, most of them working-class immigrants from Central America, tend small plots of fruits and vegetables.

Hill said she was protesting now because Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has pledged support for the farmers but has not come through yet.

Villaraigosa's spokesman did not immediately return a message left after business hours Tuesday.

Deputy Mayor Larry Frank has said the city was trying to help the farmers move to other sites, including an 8-acre plot which can accommodate 200 of them.

Imogen Heap on the Radio

2006-05-17T10:27:00.000-07:00

It looks like this Monday night I might be heading out to Lawrence, Ks. to go see the wonderful Miss Imogen Heap. I'm pretty darn excited about it being as I am a big fan of her. So I thought this would be a wonderful time to share the wonder of live Imogen via two radio sessions, the first from KCRW and the second from KBCO, which I believe is out of Boulder, CO. The solo piano version of "Let Go" is particularly stunning.

Enjoy!

Imogen Heap - Headlock (KCRW)
Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek (KCRW)
Imogen Heap - Just For Now (KCRW)
Imogen Heap - The Moment I Said It (KCRW)
Imogen Heap - The Walk (KCRW)
Imogen Heap - Goodnight and Go (KCBO)
Imogen Heap - Let Go (KCBO)

It's My Obligation

2006-05-05T07:47:00.000-07:00

I haven't been feeling particularly well lately so that kinda explains my lack of posts. So here's some of the great stuff I've been listening to lately.

These songs are all HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

The Most Serene Republic - The Protagonist Suddenly Realizes What He Must Do in the Middle of Downtown Traffic

Most Serene Republic rocks. And they rock hard. The band features some Broken Socialites and a rhythm section that blows away any hard rockers out there.

Tristan Prettyman - November (Demo)
Take all the best elements from Jason Mraz, G.Love and Special Sauce, John Butler Trio and Jack Johnson and then you have Tristan Prettyman. Heck, she's even better than that because she's a far better songwriter than any of those guys. Girls are awesome.

The Softies - Sleep Away Your Troubles
Sweet sweet pop music for fans of The Concretes, The Lucksmiths and other sweet sweet pop bands like them. Don't make me say the "t"-word. Please don't.

Grace Potter (Of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals) - Skinny Woman (Solo Acoustic)
Grace kicks out some wicked blues music and for this breif classic blues cover (which she supposedly learned while touring with North Mississppi All-Stars) she kicks it out down and dirty. She can make Bonnie Raitt quiver in her boots with this one. Keep an eye out for more GP in the next couple of weeks.

Joan as Police Woman - Eternal Flame
I first heard of Joan as Police Woman a couple of years ago when she opened for Rufus Wainnwright. She came out and was terrible. I even heard a couple of scattered boos. So when her upcoming disk, Real Life, "came across my desk", i fully intended to skip over it, but I was strongly encouraged to give her a second try and I am quite glad I did. It's hard to tell just by listening to her what her influences are but the vocals are intense and wicked soulful. The layering on this track makes it an aural delight. Don't pass over it like I nearly did.

Jack Johnson and Ben Harper - High Tide or Low Tide (Live)
I've heard a number of recordings of these two playing this song, but this take from the Kokua Festival possibly takes the cake. They manage to intertwine their guitars and laid back vocals on the Marley classic amazingly.

Bill Cosby - Questions and Answers
This is wrong on so many levels. I am unaware as to where this track came from but it is Bill Cosby talking to a bunch of kids about drugs. I love when one kids refers to marijuana as "proud mary". That is kinda crazy.

Gillian Welch

2006-04-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

I have very strong feelings about the music of Gillian. Her music stands in open spaces crying out to be heard. The guitar of David Rawlings wraps around her heart-wide-open lyrics and wails and makes them even more heartwrenching. If she had been around 50 years ago she would have been as famous as famous can be. But take a minute and give this music an honest chance. Its worth your time. That country gospel sound could do you some good. If you like Emmylou Harris, the new Jenny Lewis disc or anything like that, this may be for you.

Gillian Welch - Rock of Ages
Gillian Welch - Time (The Revelator)
Gillian Welch - Orphan Girl

And according to this article, she's going to be guesting on the next Bright Eyes album. (Via Chromewaves)

Hey Brotha, Can You Spare Some Covers?

2006-04-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd reward those of you who have managed to stick around through my local music (which isn't going away yet) with a good covers day post.

Ben Lee and Ian Ball (of Gomez) - Life During Wartime (Talking Heads Cover)
If you take your Talking Heads quite serious, then this cover is not for you. It sounds like Ben and Ian were just having one heck of a time. They strip it down to two acoustics and a lot of hollerin'. Its a good time.

Sam Bush - Is This Love (Bob Marley Cover)
The mandolin king breaks it down Kingston style! He still sounds southern as a spam cake but its complete with the full organ and great bass work as the original classic.

Built To Spill - Freebird (Lynyrd Skynyrd Cover)
A completely unironic cover that has all the guitar that made men in mullets cry during the 70's and men in mullets scream out requests in the 80's through today. How can you NOT love this song?

Charlie Hunter Quartet and Norah Jones - Day Is Done (Nick Drake Cover)
This version has a sexy swagger to it that you just dont equate with Drake. Charlie's bass strings thumping away just make this song work and Norah's piano and smoky voice makes you feel like taking a cold shower by the time the song is done.

Jeff Buckley - When the Levee Breaks (Led Zepplin Cover)
For some reason, this studio demo hasn't seen the light of day yet. Jeff is in his usual form...one of the only singers who can sing Robert Plant as good as Robert could. Proof that we still have more Buckley songs waiting in the wings and ready to be released...keep your eye out for more Buckley covers in the future...

Local Music #3 - Blackout Gorgeous

2006-04-18T11:38:00.000-07:00

Next in our line of Kansas City/Lawrence area bands is Blackout Gorgeous. Their music is a crazy mixture. From Hip-hop to jazz to classical to straight up rock, anytihng good can be considered an influence here. Dual vocals between Tim Wurtz and Erin Keller make things interesting. Erin is an experienced jazz and classical singer while Tim is more straight up. They manage to blend into something quite beautiful. Check out this list of influences quoted from their Lawrence.com page:
Blonde Redhead, Talking Heads, Flaming Lips, Tortoise, The Stone Roses, Radiohead, Saul Williams, Pink Floyd, Air, Bjork, Portishead, Sage Francis, UNKLE, Isotope 217, Wilco

Makes you curious, doesn't it? Check them out this Saturday night at The Hurricane with Anvil Chorus. And buy their record. And go to their Myspace page. And check out a couple of tracks while you're here.

Blackout Gorgeous - Prism
Blackout Gorgeous - Soundtrack

Let Me Tell You How It Will Be...

2006-04-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

For everyone else who wrote big checks this morning - Nickel Creek, Glen Phillips, John Paul Jones and Pete Thomas, as well as the Beatles, feel your pain.

Mutual Admiration Society - Taxman (Live)

Buckethead

2006-04-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

I can't stand Axl Rose. His voice, to me, is one of the most obnoxious sounds ever witnessed before. However, when the new Guns 'n Roses album is released (or should I say, "if") I will give it a spin for one reason. Buckethead. Half mythological creature, half man...all bucket. He plays the guitar worthy of Guitar Center fanboys admiration. We should all be more like Buckethead. This track by Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brain tells his story, including why he waers a bucket, and then features the bucketman himself laying down some seriously tasty licks. They're finger lickin' good.

Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brain

By the way, this makes me furious.

This Post Needs No Explanations

2006-04-03T08:40:00.000-07:00

Chances are you enjoyed the brilliantly inspired collaboration album "In the Reins" by Iron and Wine and Calexico that came out last year. All of the songs, however, were versions of songs by Sam Beam. Solo versions exist of them all. And here they all are.

Iron and Wine - In the Reins (Solo Acoustic) Zip File

Unexpected Stuff...

2006-04-03T08:34:00.000-07:00

I actually was just logging on here to make a completely different post but I was so entirely distracted by the song that came on that I decided that it must be heard. A couple of years ago I got the opportunity to go see Rufus Wainwright play live in Lawrence and had a heck of a time. He played one particular song that caught my attention and everyone else's too due to the amazing vocal range and heartfelt performance. It was called "Liberty Cabbage" and entirely captivated the entire room. When it ended I noticed my eyes were a bit damp and that it was the same for many other people around. So here it is. Enjoy.

Rufus Wainwright - Liberty Cabbage

Local Music #2 - Splitlip Rayfield

2006-03-29T07:24:00.000-08:00

Splitlip Rayfield is responsible for some of the fastest, most furious bluegrass music you've ever heard before. Having some punk influences to, these guys are tattoo-ed and beer drinkers by the pitcher. As their bio says, its "Bluegrass worthy of being blasted out of the windows of a Plymouth Barracuda with 451 Hemi engine." And frankly, there's nothing cooler than Jeff Eaton's "gas tank bass."

However, don't expect to see them touring any time soon. Guitar player Kirk Rundstrom has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and they have canceled all dates upcoming. Since he has no health insurance (most "local" bands don't) they're asking for donations and all-around encouragement and love so please, if you can, stop by their official page and see how you can help. But also make sure you check out the mp3's while you're here:

Splitlip Rayfield - The Day the Train Jumped the Tracks
Splitlip Rayfield - Hundred Dollar Bill
Splitlip Rayfield - Never Make it Home

Check out their Myspace page too. Read the bio - it's great.

Local Music #1 - Anvil Chorus

2006-03-23T14:32:00.000-08:00

I just recently ran into a treasure trove of Kansas City-area artists and their mp3's so I'll be running thru the archive of nearly 1000 mp3's and bringing you some of the best as I go. One that I'd already been watching a bit was Anvil Chorus. They create this atmospheric blend of piano, guitar, bass and drums that just kinda floats around beautifully. Their Myspace page lists them as having evoked "shades of Blonde Redhead, Mogwai, Portishead, My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth among numerous other influences." Other comparisons include Bjork, Mazzy Star and "Hail to the Theif"-era Radiohead.
A review called their debut EP "dark, dire and drop-dead sexy, an immediately ensnaring chemistry of obsessive, paranoiac instrumental layers and maddeningly sensual rhythms and vocals."
If they ever end up playing a Saturday night show around here, you can be sure that I will be there.
They are worth checking out. Here's the mp3's:

Anvil Chorus - Lust And Vice (Highly Recommended)
Anvil Chorus - Bright White (Live)
Anvil Chorus - Broken Hands

Blue October!

2006-03-20T11:07:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, I have not been able to post any files from one of my favorite bands in the world, Blue October, who have a new album coming out next month. I have heard several songs from it, including a few on their MySpace page, and all have been fantastic.
Their music is highly emotional and very powerful. Many people look at their music as therapy in a box. It's helped me thru some hard times.
I did discover a fan site, Argue With A Tree, that features a few tracks for download from various online sessions.

Here's links to a few of those tracks:
ALL OF THESE ARE OF THE HIGEST RECOMMENDATION
Blue October - Calling You
Blue October - Clumsy Card House
Blue October - Schizophrenia
Blue October - Calling You
Blue October - Inner Glow
Blue October - Ugly Side

Also, go buy an album or two...or all of 'em. They're worth it.

Covers Day! (With an explanation...)

2006-03-20T07:48:00.000-08:00

Sorry for another unexpected hiatus - but this time I had a really good reason. Last week a tornado landed two blocks from my house and tore up my neighborhood really bad. It knocked out my cable line so I had no internet access for a bit. So I thought that today I would just empty out my "covers day" folder and then get some good writing done later. Enjoy the covers!

Rage Against the Machine - Beautiful World (Devo Cover)
At first I really didn't think this was Rage, but listening really close I finally decided it was indeed Zach and the boys. This cover defies the labels applied to Rage and Devo both and is a really interesting listen.

Get Up Kids - Never Tear Us Apart (INXS Cover)
This performance from just Matt and James comes from a KEXP performance from a few years back. Matt and James still appear at each other's shows and maybe one day they'll start doing some GUK songs again. I hope. But until then, this great cover with a wicked solo is a lot of fun.

Deftones - No Ordinary Love (Sade Cover)
I will admit to really hating the Deftones and really loving Sade. However, this one sounds so unlike the Deftones that I can dig it.

Finch - Karma Police (Radiohead Cover)
Standard acoustic based Radiohead cover. Nothing special but nice to have.

Gonzales, Feist and Dani - Boomerang 2005 (Serge Gainsbourg Cover)
As you all know, Feist has my everlasting devotion. And due to her and several other very cool artists appearing on a Serge Gainsbourg tribute, I gave it a spin and loved it - even the bands on there that I normally don't like put out really good performances. It's definitely worth going out and picking up. And this track is funky as all get out...

John Mayer - Kid A (Radiohead Cover)
Apparently John is a huge fan of Radiohead. I've heard him tease "Paranoid Android" and "Karma Police" in live shows. And then there's this studio recording of and interesting interpretation of one of Radiohead's more...interesting songs. Interesting.

Manic Street Preachers - Train In Vain (Clash Cover)
Gotta dig this song. I don't care who you are.

Rosie Thomas - Love (John Lennon Cover)
One of John's best covered by one of Sub Pop's most overlooked. Her sweet voice curls around the lovely lyrics like a blanket around a pair of sweethearts.

Watkins Family Hour - Ain't Misbehavin' (Live) (Fats Waller Cover)
2/3 of Nickel Creek perform at Largo, Jon Brion's residence, under the name Watkins Family Hour with constant guests. Sara really belts out this cover of the classic song that's been covered by anybody who's anybody.

Keep an eye on the good folks over at Lullabyes because they should have some soundboards from SXSW coming up soon. I'll be watching out since I didn't get a chance to go. Did anyone catch Blue October there? I'm curious as to how the new songs perform live. Drop me a comment and let me know!

Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet

2006-03-08T01:50:00.000-08:00

I was, as usual, quite confused and concerned when I heard Heather talking about a covers album by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs doind covers of many of my favorite songs. Velvet Underground? The Beach Boys? The Zombies? Hmm. But I've gotten ahold of the album and listened to some of it and have been plesantly impressed. Take a listen to two of my favorite songs of all time and see if you agree:

Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs - Warmth Of The Sun
Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs - Care of Cell 44

Reverie Sound Revue

2006-03-07T07:15:00.000-08:00

This band is darn hard to get info on. I first heard of them due to lead singer Lisa Lobsinger's trysts with Broken Social Scene, and I'll give anything associated with the BSS crew a shot. Lisa's vocals are wonderful with a powerful voice, kinda like a less country-fied Neko Case (Don't lynch me if you disagree!) and the drums are really a huge part of the show here. The persistant rhythms over the sublte guitar work really keep the music moving. None of the websites I've checked know for sure whether or not RSR even exsists anymore but if so, it'd be a good thing to groove the beat a bit more.
Check 'em out:

Reverie Sound Revue - Rip the Universe
Reverie Sound Revue - Walking Around Waiting Downtown

BYTHEWAY, I was browsing my own site yesterday and noticed that quite a few of the old links are dead by now, so if you see anything you're interested in, just shoot me an email and I'll get em to you...probably pretty quickly too.
Peace and love.

Covers on Monday?

2006-03-06T08:34:00.000-08:00

Since I haven't been posting near as often as I would like to lately, I thought it to be a great time for a covers post.

Mark Ronson and Alex Greenwald - Just (Radiohead Cover)
I got this off a promo for an upcoming Radiohead tribute album with a major hip-hop flair. This track bumps and could probably even be spun on the dancefloor. I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not but I am really diggin' it. Nod your head a bit - it's ok.

Tilly and the Wall - Kiss Off (Violent Femmes Cover)
To the memebers of Tilly and the Wall - I hope you know this is going on your permanant record...as a really good cover. They didn't stray TOO far from the original (mainly just the tap-dancing) but still it sounds like a definite TatW song. Good job.

Shirley Bassey - Light My Fire (The Doors Cover)
I must admit - I really like Shirley Bassey and this cover is the main reason why. I have heard literally about 25 or 30 covers of this genius song, but this one is by far the best cover. The horns swirling at the beginning, the voice, the rhythm section - the whole thing works and is one fantastic listen.

Phantom Planet - Paranoid Android (Radiohead Cover)
Frankly, this is exactly what I would have expected from a Phantom Planet cover of Radiohead. If you like Phantom Planet, you'll dig this acoustic version. If you don't, then you probably won't.

Rose Hill Drive - Shakin' All Over
I know I said that I had posted this one already, but it turns out that I didn't...and I have no clue who did the original but notable versions were done by The Who and The Guess Who. That has to stand for something. Major shredding goin' on here.

John Fogerty - Centerfield

2006-03-04T06:27:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid, my parents submitted me to all kinds of music. My dad loved the Beach Boys and my mom loved Santana. Me and my sisters could sing along to anything that came on the radio from Sir Mix-a-lot to Bryan Adams. We had a few tapes that we kept in the car that we listened to a lot and I had my personal favorite. I loved John Fogerty's Centerfield. I dug the voice, I dug the vibe. I loved everything about it. One day the tape just kinda disappeared. I was devastated. It turns out that my sister got tired of it so she destroyed it. Gotta love older sisters, huh? So then last week I was able to get ahold of a copy on CD. I hadn't heard it in about 15 years so I jumped at the chance to hear it again. I still love it - not quite like I did back then, but I do still love it.

John Fogerty - The Old Man Down the Road
John Fogerty - Big Train (From Memphis)

Rose Hill Drive

2006-02-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

These guys are mind blowing. First off, I posted their cover of "Shakin' All Over" a bit ago and it smoked. Now I've been able to get ahold of some more stuff by these long-haired hippies that rock like they think they're Led Zepplin. I haven't been able to get ahold of it, but I've heard that their live album has several Zepplin covers and the ones that I've heard over at The Llama have been fantastic. Check em out and bang your head. No one's around. It's OK.

Rose Hill Drive - Cool Cody
Rose Hill Drive - Polyester Fad

New Ted Leo Song!

2006-02-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Army Bound
I was pretty dang stoked to see this file. Sure, it doesn't have a blazing chorus or the intricate guitar work that we're used to from Ted, but its still good. Hopefully we'll be able to get another song or two soon! Bring on some more!

I Loves Me Some Feist

2006-02-24T06:58:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you come across some amazing things when you troll music forums. At the official Arts and Crafts board, some guy posted a cd's worth of live tracks, collaborations and demos from Miss Leslie Feist. In the interest of keeping this a blog the whole family can read and listen to, I won't post all the tracks but here were a few highlights:

Placebo - Keen Nose
Chances are by now, you know that Leslie was in a punk/grunge band called Placebo that won a contest to open a concert for the Ramones. Their influences included Metallica and Jesus Lizard and they were just plain loud. The track is, well, not very Feist-y.

The Kings of Convenience and Feist - Know How
How can you not dig the Kings? Add in Feist and you've got one wicked good track.

Feist - L'amour Ne Dure Pas Tojours
I have no clue what this song is saying but I do know it is darn sexy.

Feist - Mushaboom (Live on Jimmy Kimmel)
So you've probably heard this one before, but I heard one guy on the Arts and Crafts forum say that he's heard this song 50 time, played 50 different ways and this performance was by far his favorite. I have to agree.

Sorry about the lack of posts lately! There has been a few problems on my end that has prevented me from doing much for the site but that should all be rectified now. I'm gonna try to get back to daily posts now. So tell your friends to come back!

Music That I Need to Listen to Today

2006-02-19T08:17:00.000-08:00

This post is more for me than it is for you, but its still good music and you should still listen to it.

Rachel Yamagata - Faster (Live at Bonnaroo 2004)
I just so happen to be a big fan of Miss Rachel. Despite the fact that a few of my friends disagree, I think that if Norah Jones had grown up listening to Ani Difrance instead of Billie Holiday, this could be what she sounded like. Maybe its just me. But this particular track, as Rachel notes, is a bit more of a rockin'-ish track than what we've grown accustomed to from her. Man, she can wail sometimes...

The Concretes - New Friend
It's good. Just trust me on this one.

Say What You Will

2006-02-14T07:16:00.000-08:00

364 days out of the year I am devoted to love. I am enamored with love. This is day 365.

Eels - Ugly Love
And if she finds me so repulsive
She wouldn't be the first to retch...
'cause my kind of love is an ugly love

Feist - Let It Die (Live on KCRW)
Now I know what I don't want
I learned that with you
The saddest part of a broken heart
Isn't the ending so much as the start

The Shins - Gone For Good (Live on KCRW)
I found a fatal flaw
In the logic of love

Bright Eyes - A Perfect Sonnet
I believe that lovers should be tied together,
Thrown into the ocean in the worst of weather,
Left there to drown,
Left there to drown in their innocence

New Sondre!

2006-02-13T09:04:00.000-08:00

Continuing the trend of ignored great advance songs - here's the new Sondre Lerche song. The song has a great quiet little jazzy charm that will stay on my mp3 player for a while. This one is Highly Recommended:

Sondre Lerche and the Faces Down Quartet - Minor Detail (Highly Recommended!)

Come back tomorrow for an...interesting post. Heh.

New Flaming Lips and Grandaddy

2006-02-12T09:16:00.000-08:00

Even though no one comes here you can't say I'm not trying to put out the good stuff. In addition to the new Calexico stuff I posted, here's new tracks from Grandaddy and The Flaming Lips.

Grandaddy - Summer...It's Gone
This is just more of the same from a brilliant band that's going to be sadly cut short. There really is nothing particularly new from the new album, "Just Like the Fambly Cat", but its still great.

Flaming Lips - Yeah Yeah Yeah Song
About halfway through this song I got up from my computer chair and spontaneously went into half dance/half spasms. This track is fun and out of this world - just like the rest of the album. And if you didn't like "The W.A.N.D.", which I posted previously, it sounds way better in the context of the album. I'll definitely be buying this album.

I'm interested to hear what the rest of you think about these songs. Let me know!

New Calexico

2006-02-10T08:20:00.000-08:00

The New Calexico album, "Garden Ruin", hit the web today.
I got this description along with it:
Ennio Morricone's fantasy house band, Calexico, have some surprises in store for their fans when the follow-up to 2003's Feast of Wire comes out this spring. Due April 11 on Quarterstick, their longtime label, Garden Ruin seeks to cement Calexico's reputation as more than just "that indie rock band with Mariachi horns".

"I guess it kind of sounds different from previous records," frontman Joey Burns told Pitchfork earlier this week. "The Southwestern element is downplayed more on this release. It's focusing more on the songs themselves. There's no instrumentals on this record."

Calexico have been riding high recently. They've been out on the road in support of their successful collaboration with Iron & Wine, In the Reins, and finally secured their place in the adult contemporary world when NPR recently aired a performance from this tour. That's got to be worth, like, three OC soundtrack appearances.

Burns said that Calexico's desire to branch out was inspired by working with Iron & Wine and Neko Case (the band appears on her forthcoming album, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood), as well as touring with Wilco. "It's helped us reconnect to the music scene in the States more, and I can see where in the past our music and our style has maybe been hard for people to identity with here, especially outside of the Western states. So having gotten to tour with Wilco and Iron & Wine, and playing festivals like Bonnaroo, has helped us play to bigger audiences and [ask], ‘What is about us that makes us different?' and 'What else do we have to offer that hasn't been highlighted before?'" "Listening to bands like Iron & Wine and Sufjan Stevens, digging into this tradition of singer/songwriters from the States, has had a big influence," Burns said. "I wanted to put down the nylon string guitar and pick up the steel string guitar, which may sound like a small factor, but for me, what you gravitate towards as far as what you're going to write songs on really does have an influence as far as where the songs are going to go."

Calexico's live improvisations also helped shape the sound of the album. "It's interesting to see what we can do to kind of continue on in the spirit of experimentation, trying new things and coming up with new sounds and new textures and arrangements," Burns said. "I really enjoyed performing and covering the song "Alone Again Or" [by Love] and just having the whole band singing and playing the trumpet, not so much in a Southwestern style, but more in a pop sense. So the first track off the record, "Cruel", is kind of a result of that. I think because of the climate here politically and socially, and the fact that the band is always into reinventing ourselves, we wound up kind of focusing on more of a classic American singer/songwriter or folk or rock influences."

The lyrics on Garden Ruin have more of a liberal political bent than the usual Calexico fare. "Touring a lot in Europe has presented a lot of questions to the band," Burns explained. "How do you feel about your government? Your country's choice for president? What's going on outside the international boundary lines? Living close to the border of Mexico, being born in Montreal, Canada-- these things kind of make you think outside of the TV box and what's being said and what's being focused on. So I think all things have an influence at some point on your life and eventually it kind of settles into your writing and your experiences as you get older, travel about, do music."

Tracklist:
01 Cruel
02 Yours and Mine
03 Bisbee Blue
04 Panic Open String
05 Letter to Bowie Knife
06 Roka
07 Lucky Dime
08 Smash
09 Deep Down
10 Nom de Plume
11 All Systems Red

Check out a couple of tracks:
Calexico - Cruel
Calexico - Leter to Bowie Knife

The Grammys

2006-02-10T06:45:00.000-08:00

Since I had to work Wednesday night when the Grammys were on I had to tape them and watch it yesterday afternoon. I just thought that I'd throw in my two cents on the performances of the evening.

Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc./Madonna - Hung Up
Why on earth did they have the Gorillaz open? It might have been amusing halfway through the show but watching Murdoc grind his bass in his underwear was a terrible way to start the show. And Madonna. What really can you say about Madonna? First off, I must say that she looks better now than ever, but what was that song? I know I'm fairly removed from the radio and mainstream in general, but is that really popular? The dancers had it working tho.
Grade: D+

Coldplay - Talk
I'll admit to the fact that I really don't like this song. It's probably my least favorite Coldplay song but Chris Martin is quite the charismatic performer and rescued the lame song.
Grade: B+

John Legend - Ordinary People
I am in love with this song. John kinda reminds me of Bill Withers with the half croon/half soul vibe I get from him and the expanded instrumentation made it even more rich and beautiful than the original.
Grade: A

Sugarland - Something More
Not my cup of tea even though the lead singer was kinda cute. I fast forwarded through half of it.
Grade: C

U2 - Vertigo/U2 and Mary J. Blige - One
Ahhh, the king of Pretention. or pretentiousness...whatever. I wonder if Bono knows that he's counting "one two three FOURTEEN!" Either way, I still think that Bono sounded terrible. Mary J. back in her "I was your secretary" days would have saved this performance but now she seems to be satisfied to oversing everything hitting some notes that people for some reason are able to tune out. I can't.
Grade: D+

Kelly Clarkson - Because of You
I will admit to being a fan of Kelly Clarkson. If Ted Leo can be a fan, than goshdarnit, I can be too. She sang wonderful, the little kids playing was very cool and she looked great. Did anyone else notice the reel-to-reel sitting on the stage?
Grade: A-

Paul McCartney - Fine Line/Helter Skelter
When did the bass player from Bowling for Soup start playing drums for Paul? The new track didn't do a bit for me but the psychadelic piano stuff was great. It made me wish I was listening to Pink Floyd. And "Helter Skelter" was a welcome surprise. Next time Paul, please play "Happiness is a Warm Gun".
Grade: C+

Mariah Carey - We Belong Together
I can't stand this stinking song. Mariah still is as stuck on herself as ever. I started fast-forwarding about a minute into the song.
Grade: N/A

Faith Hill and Keith Urban - I dont' know the songs...
I've got to give Keith Urban credit where credit is due - the man can play that guitar. I enjoyed his performance but was a bit lagging during Faith's side.
Grade: B

Sly and the Family Stone Tribute
Where to start - Who is Van Hunt and Devin Lima? How did these guys get involved here? Ohwell... Joss stone and John Legend were great together as always, Maroon 5 sounded good but I could have done without Ciara. Fantasia continues to be a cross between Macy Grey and Corey Taylor (yeah, I just went there.) and Steven Tyler was..well..Steven Tyler. I would have like to hear a bit more of my boy Robert Randolph but I can live with it. Sly Stone obviously has used lots and lots of drugs. Obviously.
Grade: C

Jay-Z and Linkin Park - Numb/Encore/Blackbird (Plus Paul McCartney)
Numb/Encore was un-exciting as expected but the Paul appearance was quite unexpected. Chester surprisingly held his own but I really could have done without Jay-Z grunting so much. Didn't he have a party to go to or something?
Grade: B-

Bruce Springsteen - Devils and Dust
I have a confession to make - I have never "gotten" Bruce. Sure he has a song or two I like but that's about it so I never took the time to listen to his new CD. After hearing his song I will take the time now. I've performed alone on stage in front of about 1000 people before. It was wicked scary. Bruce is obviously a trained professional. As much as I dislike people using award shows and the like for political statements, I really dug this performance.
Grade: A+

Kanye West and Jamie Foxx - Gold Digger/Touch the Sky
I can't stand Kanye and Jamie needs to stop trying to be Ray Charles. I fast forwarded through it and refused to listen to it.
Grade: N/A

Herbie Hancock and Christina Aguilera - A Song For You
Fantastic.
Grade: A

Various - New Orleans Tribute
A bunch of cool people and U2 together. I love Allen Toussaint (despite the fact that I think I just misspelled his name) and Dr. John so it was great to see them on stage making everyone a bit weepy. I liked it.
Grade: A-

Hey Hey My My

2006-02-08T06:53:00.000-08:00

I got an email a few weeks ago from the manager of a band called "Hey Hey My My". So I listened to the songs at their Myspace page and dug em so here's the bio and a track:

"The hey hey my my’s is a bet launched on the number two: two artists, two Juliens (Garnier and Gaulier), two guitars, two Hey’s, two my’s and a lot of luck on two people becoming fundamental. It all began on February 9th 2005, while singing a few songs for friends during one of the Julien’s birthday party, a fire broke out in the apartment. Luckily, no one was hurt, more fright than harm, but this inspired the two Julien’s to think of a part of a Neil Young song saying « It’s better to burn out than to fade away », which lead them to name their group with the title of this song : «hey hey my my». Tempo being set by such a flaming start, both write and compose folk songs in mind similar to Nick Drake, Frank Black, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash or Brian Wilson (nevertheless neither of the two Julien’s never really listened to the Beach Boys !). We could say the torch has been passed."

Hey Hey My My - Too Much Space

Also, the new Grandaddy Album has leaked so keep your ear to the ground and I'm sure a few tracks will show up.

Am I Still Lazy?

2006-02-07T06:44:00.000-08:00

Yup.

The Faint - Psycho Killer (Live) Talking Heads Cover

James Mercer And Friends!

2006-02-06T06:41:00.000-08:00

(I've already shown you his picture two or three times by now. That's enough.)

I'm gonna try to make a few intelligent posts this week but until then enjoy these live collaborations from James Mercer of the Shins.

James Mercer - New Slang (Live With Sam Beam
James Mercer - The Past and Pending (Live with Rosie Thomas)

By the way, the Rolling Stones are very good live for being so darn old - but not SuperBowl halftime show good.