Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Album Review - Xavier Rudd "Dark Shades of Blue"
Allmusic recently reviewed Xavier Rudd's latest album "Dark Shades of Blue". They chose it for one of their album picks and gave it 4 out of 5 stars...pretty good in my opinion. I wrote about Xavier Rudd a while back and I really think he's going to come onto the scene and be pretty popular, at least in the acoustic/aussie folk/surf rock world. I haven't yet listened to the entire latest album but I tend to trust allmusic's reviews so I'm excited they picked this album as their AMG Album Pick. The only thing that I'm tentative about is that he went a little more electric on this album instead of staying his aussie folk/reggae/acoustic style. But that's not going to stop me cause he's great either way. From the review:
Dark Shades of Blue is special, and unique to Rudd's catalog. First off, it's an electric record, full of barely contained squalling guitars, percussion, and a more textural approach to recording. That said, it's hardly a sellout; in fact, given how comfortably he inhabits this terrain, this may be the record Rudd has desired to make for a long time.
You can preview five of the tracks on his site.
Guku and Edge of the Moon from "Dark Shades of Blue"
One of his older songs "Let Me Be":
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Freeness is the Goodness
I heart free and legal mp3's: StereoGum mp3 downloads. You might not have heard of 90% of these bands but there are some great up and comers mixed in. And if you haven't heard of them this is a good way to try them out. Here are some of my picks:
Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines
Lykke Li - Little Bit (I recently posted their take away shows)
Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
Conor Oberst - Danny Callahan
Damien Jurado - Where Lies My Tarp & Gillian Was A Horse
Joseph Arthur - Pretty Good Company & I Want to Get You Alone
Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You
Flight of the Conchords - Ladies of the World & Business Time
Bowerbirds - In Our Talons
Animal Collective - Taste
Bon Iver - Skinny Love
Bishop Allen - Click Click Click Click
There are a billion more on there. For more freeness explore my previous post about last.fm's freeness without jail.
Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines
Lykke Li - Little Bit (I recently posted their take away shows)
Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
Conor Oberst - Danny Callahan
Damien Jurado - Where Lies My Tarp & Gillian Was A Horse
Joseph Arthur - Pretty Good Company & I Want to Get You Alone
Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You
Flight of the Conchords - Ladies of the World & Business Time
Bowerbirds - In Our Talons
Animal Collective - Taste
Bon Iver - Skinny Love
Bishop Allen - Click Click Click Click
There are a billion more on there. For more freeness explore my previous post about last.fm's freeness without jail.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Jeremy Fisher on VW
I was watching tv last night and a VW commercial came on and who other than Jeremy Fisher was the background music? They used my personal peppy favorite of his "Scar That Never Heals" ( listen here, should be the first song ). If you haven't heard of him, check out my previous post on him. His "Juno" style music video for "Scar That Never Heals":
Speaking of commercials, one of my top 10 favorite artists Joe Purdy had his song "Can't Get it Right Today" on a Kia commercial a while back. For more on this great artist see my "Where Do I Start?" post on him.
Speaking of commercials, one of my top 10 favorite artists Joe Purdy had his song "Can't Get it Right Today" on a Kia commercial a while back. For more on this great artist see my "Where Do I Start?" post on him.
Album Review - Donavon Frankenreiter "Pass It Around"
Allmusic had a promising review of Donavon's new album. If you bought Donavon's first album "Donavon Frankenreiter" that featured "Free" then you really liked him. If you then bought his second album "Move By Yourself" you thought "Did Donavon and Jamiroquai become one person and produce a funk disco album?". Let's just say his second album was very different. But there is hope Donavon F. fans:
This time out there is less energy and funk than on 2006's Move by Yourself, and also fewer memorable songs. It feels like a bit of a backslide from that album's ambition and drive, but still results in a perfectly fine record
Friday, August 22, 2008
The Decemberists News
From Pitchfork: (one and two videos)
It's been a whole summer since we've heard from the Decemberists. Besides drummer John Moen's Perhapst project, the last time we checked in with Colin Meloy's Portland crew, they were raising the ire of conservative critics over their appearance at an Obama rally. We're sure those critics are going to love the band's new digital/vinyl singles series, the first installment of which features a tune called "Valerie Plame". According to a press release, "Valerie Plame" is "an amorous tribute to the onetime CIA operative...written from the point-of-view of one of Plame's inside contacts upon discovering her true identity." [Hey, doesn't that sound like it's the sequel to "The Bagman's Gambit" from Picaresque?- Ed] We'd expect nothing less labyrinthine from the makers of The Crane Wife.
Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series comes in three volumes. Volume I features "Valerie Plame" and "O New England" and comes out October 14. Volume II features "Days of Elaine", "Days of Elaine [Long]", and "I'm Sticking With You" and comes out November 4. Volume III features "Record Year" and "Raincoat Song" and comes out December 2.
In the U.S., Capitol will release Always the Bridesmaid digitally, and the Decemberists' own Y.A.B.B. Records, in conjunction with Jealous Butcher Records, will handle the 12" releases via the band's online store and select independent shops. In the UK, Rough Trade will release Always the Bridesmaid digitally and as a series of 7"s.
The Decemberists are planning some yet-to-be-announced U.S. shows for November, but for now, their only date is an Election Day Eve (November 3) appearance on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" to perform "Valerie Plame". They're also working on a full-length follow-up to The Crane Wife with Always the Bridesmaid producer and The Crane Wife co-producer Tucker Martine.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Unite World: Against the Coconut Crab
I just stumbled upon what is my new arch nemesis in the world. Introducing the coconut crab. Why have we not united as one front to either make these crabs extinct or eat them into extinction? Could you imagine if one of these crab-walked out of the water while you were sitting on the beach? You would literally need a baseball bat, a shotgun or Gandolf to contain it. By the way this crab "is known for its ability to crack coconuts with its strong pincers in order to eat the contents"...last time I checked coconuts were about the same hardness of the human head and contained "contents". I officially hate these and hope they remain around the waters of Australia and never visit me in Virginia Beach.
For more background on the devil beast crab before annihilating/consuming them, read here.
Oh geez, I hate them:
For more background on the devil beast crab before annihilating/consuming them, read here.
Oh geez, I hate them:
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Training Montages
To compliment the 80's training montage scenes poll to the right here they are to get stuck in your head and help you with your voting:
Daytrotter Sessions - Ingrid Michaelson
You might recognize Ingrid Michaelson from her Lisa Loeb-esque song "The Way I Am" featured on the one tv show that can catapult you into instant stardom "Grey's Anatomy". She stopped by the Daytrotter studio and recorded a session that is very good. If you listen/download anything from her four songs it would definitely be the cover of the song popularized by UB40 "Can't Help Falling In Love With You". Very good session and as always, all songs are downloadable in the mp3 format which seems to be catching on...finally.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Take Away Show Friday - The Wombats "Let's Dance to Joy Division"
I posted this one a week or two ago but I just realized that they killed the link to it. So I'm reposting as I think it's a fantastic song and well done show (probably because it reminds me of the cure):
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Beautiful Girls
The Beautiful Girls - Last.fm and purevolume. You can't classify this band, it's just not possible. Take G. Love, Jack Johnson, Dispatch, Donovan Frankenreiter, Dave Matthews and Xavier Rudd and I think you have The Beautiful Girls. I first featured these guys back before this site even started in my original emails and I was half and half on them. Half loving them, half indifferent on them. Now that I've heard more and they've released more songs I'm a big fan.
With this band you'll get a mezcla of music. Sometimes you'll get semi-normal indie music, other times you'll get surf rock, then you might get easy surf rock, then you'll get reggae, then back to indie again. For example on purevolume, you get easy indie with "Cash Money", then surf-rock reggae with "Blackbird", easy Jack Johnson surf rock with "Take the Long Way Home". All I like because they don't just sit on one thing.
Switch over to the last.fm site you'll find another different side with their indie fun rock with "Though About You", a really good song. The rest of the songs lend to this style as well with some reggae surf rock blended in.
If I was to recommend an album purchase it would be "Ziggurats" which is definitely worth the $9.99. I highly recommend checking out this band and purchasing some of their stuff. So good.
This Aussie band is high on my list of favorites and I recommend at least checking the purevolume and last.fm sites out if not going over to iTunes for purchasing.
Video for your visual enjoyment:
With this band you'll get a mezcla of music. Sometimes you'll get semi-normal indie music, other times you'll get surf rock, then you might get easy surf rock, then you'll get reggae, then back to indie again. For example on purevolume, you get easy indie with "Cash Money", then surf-rock reggae with "Blackbird", easy Jack Johnson surf rock with "Take the Long Way Home". All I like because they don't just sit on one thing.
Switch over to the last.fm site you'll find another different side with their indie fun rock with "Though About You", a really good song. The rest of the songs lend to this style as well with some reggae surf rock blended in.
If I was to recommend an album purchase it would be "Ziggurats" which is definitely worth the $9.99. I highly recommend checking out this band and purchasing some of their stuff. So good.
This Aussie band is high on my list of favorites and I recommend at least checking the purevolume and last.fm sites out if not going over to iTunes for purchasing.
Video for your visual enjoyment:
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sweep the Leg Johnny
Thanks to a friend, this song has been in my head officially for 24 hours...and not stopping:
And while we're on the 80's movie training montage scene music:
Give me some others in the comments. By the way, quick tip you probably know. The way I search for songs in my head is type the song and "site:imeem.com" into the google, like so: "You're the best site:imeem.com". I need more training montage scene music.
And while we're on the 80's movie training montage scene music:
Give me some others in the comments. By the way, quick tip you probably know. The way I search for songs in my head is type the song and "site:imeem.com" into the google, like so: "You're the best site:imeem.com". I need more training montage scene music.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Better than the Jump to Conclusions Mat?
Probably won't churn the revenue wheel but some of these are cool inventions. I would buy the transparent toaster.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
How Interesting is it?
Ranking number two in my list of distractions is DamnInteresting.com. This site has been providing me with great lunch breaks (and bathroom breaks) for years now. It's basically articles about the most random and interesting things that have ever happened in the world. They cover a lot of stuff you've never heard of, a lot of military history/secrets, experiments, unknown history, failed stuff, gray matter, disasters, and a lot of other random stuff. My best sell on the site is to read these stories, especially the story of Centralia the underground burning city. Some of my other favorites include: Lucid Decapitation, The Apocalypse That Might Have Been, Terror on Wall Street, The Thugs of India, Rocket Mail and one of the most interesting I've ever read The Call of the Bloop
By the way, number one distraction is easily Sporcle
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Honorary Title
The Honorary Title - Last.fm and purevolume. I'm such a sucker for up tempo bands. Bands that rarely have slow songs and even if they do it still keeps my interest. The Honorary Title falls into that category for me and live up to it very well. This is a pretty unique band although you could consider them a cross between Franz Ferdinand, Copeland and The Format(the drummer came from this band)...three very good bands themselves.
Listen to all the tracks on last.fm which cover the highest points of the "Anything Else But the Truth" album. Listen to it all, including "Everything I Once Had", "Bridge and Tunnel" and "Anything Else But the Truth"(song). On purevolume Listen to "Along the Way", "Untouched and Intact", and "The City's Summer" to get a good feel of their latest album. On the purevolume site they currently have their entire last year album "Scream and Light Up the Sky" which is very good but I'm a bigger fan of "Anything Else But the Truth"(album). They are quite different albums, one is more indie and the other more indie rock. Both very good and I like the change up. Check it all out, I recommend it. Driving rhythms, upbeat nature, great sounds.
Listen to all the tracks on last.fm which cover the highest points of the "Anything Else But the Truth" album. Listen to it all, including "Everything I Once Had", "Bridge and Tunnel" and "Anything Else But the Truth"(song). On purevolume Listen to "Along the Way", "Untouched and Intact", and "The City's Summer" to get a good feel of their latest album. On the purevolume site they currently have their entire last year album "Scream and Light Up the Sky" which is very good but I'm a bigger fan of "Anything Else But the Truth"(album). They are quite different albums, one is more indie and the other more indie rock. Both very good and I like the change up. Check it all out, I recommend it. Driving rhythms, upbeat nature, great sounds.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Ghostbusters 3?
As this is the summer where Indiana Jones has proved that you can revive a franchise that’s been gone for nearly two decades and still bring home the bacon, it seems that the spotlight has suddenly swung back towards a potential third Ghostbusters film.
Previously, the third film had got quite close to production, but it eventually fell by the wayside, and Bill Murray confirmed that he would not have anything to do with it (he was apparently keen to see his character killed off). Sony, however, seems keen to bring the franchise back, not least because of the interest in the forthcoming video game, to which the original cast has lent their voices.
That said, the cinematic revival is unlikely to involve any of the original team in any kind of lead role, with the old hands instead turning up in the film to hand over the reigns to a new team of Ghostbusters, reports Dread Central. It also cites Steve Carell and Seth Rogen as possible new recruits to do battle with the supernatural.
There’s been no official confirmation forthcoming, but it certainly sounds plausible from where we’re sitting.
Music on TV - August 4-10
Great week in music on tv. My pick of the week is either Conor Oberst on Wednesday/Thursday or Mason Jennings on Conan on Friday. If you haven't seen the Sufjan/Calexico Austin City Limits, set the DVR, you'll be happy.
Monday, August 4:
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Fleet Foxes
FUEL TV: The Daily Habit: the Night Marchers
Comedy Central: The Colbert Report: Apples in Stereo
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Cool Kids
Tuesday, August 5:
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Spiritualized
CURRENT: Sigur Ros @ MoMA
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: N*E*R*D
Wednesday, August 6:
NBC: The Tonight Show With Jay Leno: Conor Oberst
FUEL TV: The Daily Habit: Lucero
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Randy Newman
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: the B-52s
Thursday, August 7:
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Conor Oberst
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Alejandro Escovedo
NBC: The Tonight Show With Jay Leno: Solomon Burke
FUEL TV: The Daily Habit: the Warlocks
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: Elbow, MGMT
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Al Green
Friday, August 8:
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Mason Jennings
Saturday, August 9:
PBS: Austin City Limits: Sufjan Stevens, Calexico (rerun)
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Feist (rerun)
FOX: Fearless Music TV: Gogol Bordello, Dengue Fever, Ambulance LTD, Laura Marling
Fink
Fink - Last.fm, myspace. A small piece British band comes through again for me. A while back I heard Nizlopi for the first time. I recently heard Fink and I'm really digging them. They are a 3 piece band focusing mostly on the lead's acoustic guitar and voice, but includes the bass and drums on most tracks. This is a band you could hear live or on studio tracks and love both sounds. I highly recommend you listen to the rhythmic tracks from Fink.
Listen to "Pretty Little Thing", the studio track then the live one, and then everything else. Below are some of their videos.
Listen to "Pretty Little Thing", the studio track then the live one, and then everything else. Below are some of their videos.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Album Review - Conor Oberst "Conor Oberst"
Conor Oberst from Bright Eyes breaks off for a self-titled solo album. I haven't listened to this one yet but based on pitchfork's review with a semi-generous 7.3, I think I just might... I'm sure the album continues with Oberst's insightful, brilliant and smart writing styles.
"Sausalito" is a rollicking daydream about camping out on a houseboat in California; "NYC - Gone, Gone" is a stomping, distorted burst about leaving New York for Mexico. "Gone, gone from New York City,/ where you gonna go with a head that empty?" Oberst demands. "Milk Thistle", which closes the album, is a grim acoustic song about dying (Oberst never mentions alcohol explicitly, but milk thistle, a purported hangover cure, is often employed, holistically, to treat liver disease-- so it doesn't seem unreasonable to read "Milk Thistle" as a song about suicide-via-whiskey). "Milk thistle, milk thistle, let me down slow," he trembles. "If I go to heaven I'll be bored as hell." It feels like a fitting, if morbid, way to end a record about escaping life-- about escaping everything.
New Music
The last week or so I've been too busy at work and home to post any new music, my apologies. I have a list of about 15 artists that I'd like to post right now, but it would inundate you. Hopefully I'll get something out today about a little band called "Fink" who I think is going to hit it big.
In the meantime enjoy the Conor Oberst self-titled album release review I'll post above.
In the meantime enjoy the Conor Oberst self-titled album release review I'll post above.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Take Away Show Friday - My Favorites
I couldn't settle on any new shows for today so I figured I'd post six of my all-time favorites:
Beirut - "Nantes" (the one that started it all for me and still my favorite)
I'm From Barcelona - "We're From Barcelona"
Jeremy Warmsley - "Dirty Blue Jeans"
Beirut - "Forks and Knives"
Cocoon - "Hey Ya" (outkast cover)
R.E.M. - "Until the day is done"
Beirut - "Nantes" (the one that started it all for me and still my favorite)
I'm From Barcelona - "We're From Barcelona"
Jeremy Warmsley - "Dirty Blue Jeans"
Beirut - "Forks and Knives"
Cocoon - "Hey Ya" (outkast cover)
R.E.M. - "Until the day is done"
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