Disclaimer:
Ears out for:
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Literary Greats-An Interview That Covers More Ground Than Any Conversation You've Ever Had With Anyone. Ever.
9:56 PM | 
Posted by
Who?
The Literary Greats: This interview will be about the band, The Literary Greats
The Literary Greats may not include Hemingway, Fitzgerald, et. al., but they do include Brandon Elam, Taylor Lee, Darrin Lee, Chris Ginsbach, and Kris Becker—5 guys in Houston, Texas who are wholeheartedly committed to making music they love while maintaining the lives they love. And, they don’t mind when random “journalists” ask them ridiculous questions about hypothetical situations that will probably never occur—which makes them significantly cooler than normal human beings. 
The Literary Greats are a quintet of musicians who have been together for a few years and have (sort of recently) released their second full length record, Ocean Meet The Valley -- an album that sounds something like Jeff Tweedy joining forces with a musically talented high school quarterback from Texas. In fact—Chris Grainger, the Nashville-based producer, has worked with many bands—including Wilco—and from what Brandon tells me, The Literary Greats thoroughly enjoyed the recording process with him. When I got a chance to talk to Brandon, he needed (upon prompting) to let me know his decision between the two following options: If while on stage he had a choice between a fan throwing a sweaty t shirt that somehow managed to land right around his neck like a scarf OR a fan throwing a drink on stage in a heavy cup that broke the high e string on his guitar (and he had no replacement strings), he would choose the sweaty t shirt incident. Why? “While I think that the throwing the drink is more rock and roll...and would be an awesome moment for about thirty seconds, I would think that would take away from the rest of the forty five minute show...so I’m going to go with the nasty sweaty t shirt around my neck for the rest of the show...I could use [the sweaty t shirt guy] during the live show for banter.” What a brilliant thought process.
Speaking of their live shows, the band tours regionally around Texas (it’s pretty big I hear), but “ultimately, we all want to make a living doing it [making music, that is].” So—keep your eyes peeled as the guys hopefully expand their touring region! Still, Brandon and the band remain realistic and committed to their lives and families in Texas—in fact, Brandon not only reiterates how important family is to the band, in his ultimatum scenario where he only gets one book for the rest of his life—he wants to make sure he brings Angels and Demons for his wife and Charlotte’s Web for his daughter, Eden, and Catch 22 for himself. (I let him have three –and told him he couldn’t have a bible because there would be a Gideon’s Bible available to him—although, when he responded, “So I can’t take The Bible?” I sensed it may have been his first choice).
Despite all the random questioning and bizarre scenarios that were forced upon Brandon, he managed to explain to me a bit of the songwriting process of The Literary Greats. While it started off with him writing all of the lyrics and all of the music, as the group writes their latest album, all of the guys are adding the music while he still focuses mostly on the lyrics. “I love it—it frees me up to focus more on lyrics,” he tells me—and says that the reason he loves writing is because he’s “not good at it.” (That makes two of us!) He seems to really admire everyone’s ability to “darken” the songs up and add his own element to them. And, he thinks putting “Oh Abilene” somewhere in the midst of O Brother, Where Art Thou? would be an ideal fit.
Talking with Brandon revealed to me the passion and humility behind this band— between Brandon and band mate Taylor meeting as audio engineers to Brandon calling up his old piano teacher when they needed a keyboard player—the four gentleman seem to possess a common passion for music and life that keeps them grounded and on a pathway to a lot of success in what they’re doing. Their latest album is certainly not to be missed, and if you get a chance to see them live somewhere in Texas (or beyond!), definitely take advantage—they’re everything a good band should be. Oh, and Brandon would rather name his hypothetical child (not his real life daughter) Chipper, as opposed to Basket. Good choice, sir. The Literary Greats: Livin’ the dream.
Tracklist:
1. That Mountain Yonder
2. Show Me The Coast
3. Happens Every Time
4. The Black Bee
5. Oh Abilene
6. Dreadnought
7. Emily's Enemies
8. Ruby Sapphire
9. Ocean Waves
10. Hill Country Queen
Labels:
Monday, April 26, 2010
De Novo Dahl - Tigerlion
Tracklist:
1. Two Thirds
2. 1918
3. For Richard Harper
4. Don't Kill Yourself
5. East of Eden
6. City Driver
7. Love is the Healer
8. Once When I Was Young
9. Dusty Drifter
10. Wayside
Website: Myspace | Buy! (Free)
Release Date: 2010.04.20
Supposedly this was only available free on 04/20 until it's official release through Theory8 records but that link still takes you to their bandcamp where it's still downloadable. It's great. Typical of the albums I fall in love with is the schizophrenia of this album's moods. Listen to 1918, get a feel, then take a trip to a very The Heavy track 04, then slow it down to track 06. Mmm.
De Novo Dahl is an indie pop group formed in 2001 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States. The band consists of Joel Dahl (vocals, guitar), Serai Zaffiro (omnichord, vocals), Keith Lowen (bass), Matthew "Moose" Hungate (keyboard) and Joey "Mixta Huxtable" Andrews (drums) Drawing on the tones of artists such as David Bowie, Super Furry Animals, The Kinks, Supergrass and many more, De Novo Dahl was created in Nashville's burgeoning rock scene in 2001. After a self-released EP in 2003 the band teamed up with theory 8 records to release their biggest effort to date, a double album entitled Cats & Kittens. The response to Cats & Kittens was overwhelming--first charting at ..60 on the CMJ Top 200 and landing reviews in Spin, Magnet, Pitchforkmedia, CMJ and many online tastemaker sites such as Stereogum, Delusions of Adequacy and Coke Machine Glow. Pitchfork declared, "The net impression left by the two discs of Cats & Kittens is one of a confident, talented band letting its collective imagination run wild, deconstructing it own ideas and recycling them into something new. It's a damn impressive debut overflowing with mostly realized ambition" giving it a 7.5 rating.
Release Date: 2010.04.20
Supposedly this was only available free on 04/20 until it's official release through Theory8 records but that link still takes you to their bandcamp where it's still downloadable. It's great. Typical of the albums I fall in love with is the schizophrenia of this album's moods. Listen to 1918, get a feel, then take a trip to a very The Heavy track 04, then slow it down to track 06. Mmm.
De Novo Dahl is an indie pop group formed in 2001 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States. The band consists of Joel Dahl (vocals, guitar), Serai Zaffiro (omnichord, vocals), Keith Lowen (bass), Matthew "Moose" Hungate (keyboard) and Joey "Mixta Huxtable" Andrews (drums) Drawing on the tones of artists such as David Bowie, Super Furry Animals, The Kinks, Supergrass and many more, De Novo Dahl was created in Nashville's burgeoning rock scene in 2001. After a self-released EP in 2003 the band teamed up with theory 8 records to release their biggest effort to date, a double album entitled Cats & Kittens. The response to Cats & Kittens was overwhelming--first charting at ..60 on the CMJ Top 200 and landing reviews in Spin, Magnet, Pitchforkmedia, CMJ and many online tastemaker sites such as Stereogum, Delusions of Adequacy and Coke Machine Glow. Pitchfork declared, "The net impression left by the two discs of Cats & Kittens is one of a confident, talented band letting its collective imagination run wild, deconstructing it own ideas and recycling them into something new. It's a damn impressive debut overflowing with mostly realized ambition" giving it a 7.5 rating.
The Forest & The Trees - The Forest & The Trees
Tracklist:
1. Mother (3:24)
2. To the Forest (I Need Some Pe (3:14)
3. The Barber (3:29)
4. Run (4:07)
5. Bohemian Boy (3:37)
6. In the Summer (4:12)
7. Circus Lonely Hearts (3:19)
8. Hold Me Close, Hold Me in You (4:53)
9. Dreams (4:19)
10. Escape (3:05)
11. Seventeen (5:08)
12. By the Trees (4:56)
Website: Myspace | Pre-order!!
Release Date: 2010.05.10
THE FOREST & THE TREES are Joel and Linnea Edin, they live in marital bliss in their apartment just outside of Stockholm, Sweden where they sleep, eat and create spectacularly joyous pop music. Formed from the ashes of The Tupelo Honeys - a duo consisting of Joel and his sister Linn - Joel and Linnea began writing music together whilst recording a Christmas CD-R for their friends and family. Something clicked between them - the closeness of their marriage coupled with Joel's effortless ability to write heartbreaking harmonies and simplistic pop hooks spurred the duo on and has led them to create some of the most bittersweet, romantic music we've heard in a very long time. Their debut single "To The Forest (I Need Some Peace)" is a technicolor burst of Swedish Winter sunshine. An escalating chorus that spirals into a euphoric high, awash with shuffling drums, tinkling keys and luscious harmonies. Featuring David Lindvall (bass) and Ola Hultgren (drums) from fellow Stockholm residents Loney Dear - "To The Forest" is pop perfection.
Ethereal, poppy, experimental, folky, and overall tres catchy.
Release Date: 2010.05.10
THE FOREST & THE TREES are Joel and Linnea Edin, they live in marital bliss in their apartment just outside of Stockholm, Sweden where they sleep, eat and create spectacularly joyous pop music. Formed from the ashes of The Tupelo Honeys - a duo consisting of Joel and his sister Linn - Joel and Linnea began writing music together whilst recording a Christmas CD-R for their friends and family. Something clicked between them - the closeness of their marriage coupled with Joel's effortless ability to write heartbreaking harmonies and simplistic pop hooks spurred the duo on and has led them to create some of the most bittersweet, romantic music we've heard in a very long time. Their debut single "To The Forest (I Need Some Peace)" is a technicolor burst of Swedish Winter sunshine. An escalating chorus that spirals into a euphoric high, awash with shuffling drums, tinkling keys and luscious harmonies. Featuring David Lindvall (bass) and Ola Hultgren (drums) from fellow Stockholm residents Loney Dear - "To The Forest" is pop perfection.
Ethereal, poppy, experimental, folky, and overall tres catchy.
Old Crowns - Old Crowns
Tracklist:
1. Shaky Hands
2. Two Birds (featuring Jonathan Chandler)
3. Weathered
4. Sleep Alone
5. Keep Calm
6. Hems
7. She's a Weight (featuring Rachel Ferguson)
8. Dead Dogs
9. 45
10. Crutches
Website: Myspace | Buy! (name your price)
Release Date: 2010.04.20
Old Crowns' debut has been described as a "stoner-country-rock masterpiece." Ten tracks that range from folk/country duet to blues-rock epic, yet consistently satisfy with melody, harmony, groove and dynamics.
The self-titled release was crafted and honed with a year of work at the band's studio, Castle Grey Fox. The songs remain true to their roots in the organic collaboration of the band members and the resulting sound is one that speaks of the character and focus of each band member, and of the harmonic convergence of their musical personalities.
The album meanders through Country, Folk, Rock and Blues, yet has a common sonic string running through its nearly 41 minute running time. The songs can be appreciated individually, or as one epic soundscape inhabited by many wonderful melodies, riffs, and aural curiosities.
Release Date: 2010.04.20
Old Crowns' debut has been described as a "stoner-country-rock masterpiece." Ten tracks that range from folk/country duet to blues-rock epic, yet consistently satisfy with melody, harmony, groove and dynamics.
The self-titled release was crafted and honed with a year of work at the band's studio, Castle Grey Fox. The songs remain true to their roots in the organic collaboration of the band members and the resulting sound is one that speaks of the character and focus of each band member, and of the harmonic convergence of their musical personalities.
The album meanders through Country, Folk, Rock and Blues, yet has a common sonic string running through its nearly 41 minute running time. The songs can be appreciated individually, or as one epic soundscape inhabited by many wonderful melodies, riffs, and aural curiosities.
Sleepy Sun - Open Eyes EP
Tracklist:
01. Open Eyes (link removed by request)
02. Sleepy Son (Live at ATP May 2009)
03. The Chain (Live at ATP May 2009)
02. Sleepy Son (Live at ATP May 2009)
03. The Chain (Live at ATP May 2009)
Website: Myspace | Buy/ATP Records
Release Date: 2010.04.13
Open Eyes is the first single from the forthcoming Sleepy Sun sophomore album, Fever (released May 17th in Europe, Japan and Australia and June 1st in the US). This digital only EP features two exclusive live from ATP tracks, Sleepy Son and The Chain. Open Eyes also appears on the ATP 2010 Record Store Day Sampler 10" available from April 17th from a Record Store near you!
Sleepy Sun is a California band from many Californias. They hail from the rolling oak and sage hills of Sierra Gold Country, The San Francisco Peninsula, where Kesey raged and the Dead were once Warlocks, and the forever-sunshine climes of the Southland. They came together—young and garage strutting in the coastal Northern California crucible of Santa Cruz. And there they birthed the Sleepy sound—dead blues shaken alive, razor sharp and ramblin’, soul, sonic science and dead-on pop surgery. Wooden, earthy, stratospheric, and swinging…California music of beautiful contrasts for conflicted times.
Release Date: 2010.04.13
Open Eyes is the first single from the forthcoming Sleepy Sun sophomore album, Fever (released May 17th in Europe, Japan and Australia and June 1st in the US). This digital only EP features two exclusive live from ATP tracks, Sleepy Son and The Chain. Open Eyes also appears on the ATP 2010 Record Store Day Sampler 10" available from April 17th from a Record Store near you!
Sleepy Sun is a California band from many Californias. They hail from the rolling oak and sage hills of Sierra Gold Country, The San Francisco Peninsula, where Kesey raged and the Dead were once Warlocks, and the forever-sunshine climes of the Southland. They came together—young and garage strutting in the coastal Northern California crucible of Santa Cruz. And there they birthed the Sleepy sound—dead blues shaken alive, razor sharp and ramblin’, soul, sonic science and dead-on pop surgery. Wooden, earthy, stratospheric, and swinging…California music of beautiful contrasts for conflicted times.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
The Poison Control Center-An Invasive and Haphazard Interview
The Poison Control Center - This Interview will be about the band, The Poison Control Center
Patrick Fleming, lead singer of Iowa’s finest --The Poison Control Center-- would rather name his hypothetical child Gator, as opposed to Bullitt, for those of you who were desperately wondering. And, on a more relevant note, his band has a busy year ahead of them: They’re planning on playing at least 250 shows within the next year, celebrating the 10 year anniversary of their first show together, and releasing their latest full length album, Sad Sour Future, on May 19. I got a chance to talk to Patrick, the lead singer, this past week and had the opportunity to hash out some of the finer details of the band (and life): how the band manages to record an album while living in four different cities, the vegan selection at Triple Rock in Minneapolis, MN, and how PCC may or may not have been the catalyst in the Pavement reunion—and everything in between.
For a band who has been playing together for this long and has played with everyone from Apples in Stereo to Cold War Kids, these guys are still in this for the music. Patrick explains to me what some may already know—all four guys contributed songs to this album—sending demos across the country, and then came together in about a week at an analog studio in Iowa to record it all. It’s like a modern age, long distance musical love story. Patrick, who used to work for Daytrotter, had one of their producers help them out for a couple of reasons—but mostly due to his brutal, commandeering honesty. If something sucks, you might as well have someone there to tell you, right?
Patrick and all the guys contributed songs, and he notes that his favorite song is “Start The Revolution,”—mostly because of the story behind it. Let’s just say it has something to do with his current wife’s ex boyfriend, a little bit of ketchup, and a pretty disheartening hand-holding incident. After discussing much of the “music stuff,” I decided to hash out some of the finer details of life with Patrick. He says (in response to a mildly irrelevant question), that if he only had one meal, one celebrity hook (up), and one last song to listen to/play, he’d choose the following: a vegan tofu dish from bar/venue, Triple Rock, in Minneapolis, Yoko Ono (because why not? And he says this half heartedly while trying not to offend anyone), and to keep with the theme – John Lennon’s “Mother.” A solid answer, I think. But, if he could go into the studio with anyone for one hour, he’d choose Steve Cropper-an idol who can work magic with guitar sounds. (Insert incomprehensible guitar noises that can’t possibly be translated into words here.)
As you can probably tell (despite the haphazard nature of some of these questions), Patrick and his band mates truly love music. Patrick tells me how lucky they are to have “played with a lot of [their] heroes,” and how despite the fact that some band members are in grad school, some are getting married, and some live in different states, he’s looking forward to an extensive tour this summer where he gets to spend some serious time with his best friends. It’s safe to say that these guys will be stopping by your town (or somewhere close enough) within the next year, and you should definitely pick up their new album and get to a show. In fact, if Patrick could call his fifteen year old self and tell him anything—he’d encourage him to save up all his money from the ages of 15-19 to put it towards a good touring van—just another sign that he’s dedicated to the touring cause. All in all though, these guys are humble, talented, and have been ruthlessly and relentlessly attacking the music scene for the past ten years –and they show no signs of stopping any time soon.
Patrick Fleming, lead singer of Iowa’s finest --The Poison Control Center-- would rather name his hypothetical child Gator, as opposed to Bullitt, for those of you who were desperately wondering. And, on a more relevant note, his band has a busy year ahead of them: They’re planning on playing at least 250 shows within the next year, celebrating the 10 year anniversary of their first show together, and releasing their latest full length album, Sad Sour Future, on May 19. I got a chance to talk to Patrick, the lead singer, this past week and had the opportunity to hash out some of the finer details of the band (and life): how the band manages to record an album while living in four different cities, the vegan selection at Triple Rock in Minneapolis, MN, and how PCC may or may not have been the catalyst in the Pavement reunion—and everything in between.For a band who has been playing together for this long and has played with everyone from Apples in Stereo to Cold War Kids, these guys are still in this for the music. Patrick explains to me what some may already know—all four guys contributed songs to this album—sending demos across the country, and then came together in about a week at an analog studio in Iowa to record it all. It’s like a modern age, long distance musical love story. Patrick, who used to work for Daytrotter, had one of their producers help them out for a couple of reasons—but mostly due to his brutal, commandeering honesty. If something sucks, you might as well have someone there to tell you, right?
Patrick and all the guys contributed songs, and he notes that his favorite song is “Start The Revolution,”—mostly because of the story behind it. Let’s just say it has something to do with his current wife’s ex boyfriend, a little bit of ketchup, and a pretty disheartening hand-holding incident. After discussing much of the “music stuff,” I decided to hash out some of the finer details of life with Patrick. He says (in response to a mildly irrelevant question), that if he only had one meal, one celebrity hook (up), and one last song to listen to/play, he’d choose the following: a vegan tofu dish from bar/venue, Triple Rock, in Minneapolis, Yoko Ono (because why not? And he says this half heartedly while trying not to offend anyone), and to keep with the theme – John Lennon’s “Mother.” A solid answer, I think. But, if he could go into the studio with anyone for one hour, he’d choose Steve Cropper-an idol who can work magic with guitar sounds. (Insert incomprehensible guitar noises that can’t possibly be translated into words here.)
As you can probably tell (despite the haphazard nature of some of these questions), Patrick and his band mates truly love music. Patrick tells me how lucky they are to have “played with a lot of [their] heroes,” and how despite the fact that some band members are in grad school, some are getting married, and some live in different states, he’s looking forward to an extensive tour this summer where he gets to spend some serious time with his best friends. It’s safe to say that these guys will be stopping by your town (or somewhere close enough) within the next year, and you should definitely pick up their new album and get to a show. In fact, if Patrick could call his fifteen year old self and tell him anything—he’d encourage him to save up all his money from the ages of 15-19 to put it towards a good touring van—just another sign that he’s dedicated to the touring cause. All in all though, these guys are humble, talented, and have been ruthlessly and relentlessly attacking the music scene for the past ten years –and they show no signs of stopping any time soon.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Secret Cities - Pink Graffiti
Tracklist:
1. Pink City
2. Boyfriends
3. Slacker
4. Pink Graffiti pt. 2
5. Wander
6. Color
7. Aw Rats
8. Pink Graffiti pt. 1listen
9. Vamos A La Playa
10. The End
Website: Myspace | Buy (eventually)!
Release Date: 2010.06.08
Label: Western Vinyl
asda I came home today to find at the top of my email, not an hour old, a message pointing me towards this upcoming release by Secret Cities. Given that I had some quick busy work to do I quickly snagged it and let it be the elevator music to my post-work grind and before I knew it I was paying more attention to the music than anticipated. Infinitely difficult to capture in a nutshell this LP by Secret Cities appeals to more of my stylistic tendencies than most bands. With an appetite for music as varied as mine this is a veritable dim sum to satiate every indie, pop, psychedelic, and electronic craving I have. The opening track hits me with the lo-fi before popping into a harmonious build and fading into dreaminess - only to return back to lo-fi distortion. This dialectic method of musical creation both aligns and contrasts the best of each genre, complementary from the microscope of song to the collection in its entirety. Thou shalt not be disappointed.
p.s. it was recommended by Western Vinyl because we like Pet Lions here at Ear It Now - I'm assuming it works both ways so if you like this scroll down
Release Date: 2010.06.08
Label: Western Vinyl
asda I came home today to find at the top of my email, not an hour old, a message pointing me towards this upcoming release by Secret Cities. Given that I had some quick busy work to do I quickly snagged it and let it be the elevator music to my post-work grind and before I knew it I was paying more attention to the music than anticipated. Infinitely difficult to capture in a nutshell this LP by Secret Cities appeals to more of my stylistic tendencies than most bands. With an appetite for music as varied as mine this is a veritable dim sum to satiate every indie, pop, psychedelic, and electronic craving I have. The opening track hits me with the lo-fi before popping into a harmonious build and fading into dreaminess - only to return back to lo-fi distortion. This dialectic method of musical creation both aligns and contrasts the best of each genre, complementary from the microscope of song to the collection in its entirety. Thou shalt not be disappointed.
p.s. it was recommended by Western Vinyl because we like Pet Lions here at Ear It Now - I'm assuming it works both ways so if you like this scroll down
Pet Lions Interview
Pet Lions: This "article" will be about the band, Pet Lions.
Shuhei Yamomato, the bass player for Pet Lions – your Chicago answer to indie pop – curses like a goddamn sailor. But he works full time for a non-profit, plays with White Rabbits and Here We Go Magic on weekends, and talks to “the press” in his off time.
Pet Lions, a Chicago band who have been playing together over the last two years, have created some of the most concise and catchy guitar-based pop I’ve heard in recent memory. (See below for full EP review). The guys just played a series of parties at Austin’s most drunken week, SXSW, last month, and are in the process of writing, rehearsing, and playing shows throughout the Chicago area. So what should you know about Shuhei (pronounced: Shoo. Hey!) and his band mates before their EP inevitably soaks its way into your veins?
1. Shuhei is so ridiculously Japanese it’s not even real. [To this statement he responds, “What! You make it sound like I speak in broken English. Or Engrish. And was doing math while we were talking. And running away from Godzilla] While these things may or may not be true, he does want his mom to make him homemade Japanese food on death row, and he wants to have some sushi. “Really backed myself into a racial corner there, didn’t I?” he says.
2. The guys bonded over 80’s pop, and oddly (or not so oddly?) enough, Swedish pop life-changers, ABBA; during their twenty hour band rides they enjoy coming up with band names that use the word “Japan” in them: Japanchovies, The Secret Diary of Japanne Frank, etc.
3. Within the last month, the guys have lost their practice space, had their touring vehicle breakdown, and had their guitarist hit by a car. Obviously these guys were curb-stomping kittens to deserve this kind of Karma in the recent weeks.
4. For a pre-execution hook, Shuhei first chose me (“is that a valid answer?”) and then vacillated between Jessica Alba and Zooey Deschanel before finally deciding on Rachel Bilson.
5. Shuhei is convinced that Phoenix’s “1901” is the greatest song ever.
6. The band loves whiskey. Perhaps this should have been number one?
So what’s in store for Pet Lions in the near future? Well, as mentioned, the guys are playing a show this Sunday at the Metro with Here We Go Magic and White Rabbits. So if you live in Chicago and aren’t going, you’re most likely an asshole. Since their touring van is currently out of commission, the guys will be playing locally as much as possible and working on writing their first full length album in the coming months. Worried that their first EP, Soft Right, might be almost “too accessible,” Shuhei tells me that the guys are working on “more varied arrangements” and are definitely hoping to develop their songwriting quite a bit as they write the new album. Still—Shuhei wholeheartedly admits, “I f-ing love top 40;” so perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised to hear a very Miley-esque track on the next album. Kidding.
To sum up: Pet Lions are a band from Chicago that you should already be listening to. Shuhei is Japanese. A love for ABBA brings songwriters together. Step on a kitten and your tour van will break down. Pet Lions, Here We Go Magic, and White Rabbits at the Metro Sunday, April 25, 2010. And, since you were probably curious, Shuhei would rather name his hypothetical and unborn child Bullitt, as opposed to Gator. Until next time.
Tracklist:
2. Propeller Plane
3. Stuck at the Bottom
4. I will Track You Down
These Chicago-based quartet of insatiably charming and intelligent young gentleman, have (not so recently) self released their first EP, Soft Right, a collection of accessible, foot stomping, dancing-alone-in-your-room indie pop... and it’s good. The EP is five songs of catchy greatness; for a debut EP, this group has struck a tough balance of friendly pop music and we’re-not-just-the-next-Vampire-Weekend. (They’re not)
The single?, “Roman History,” isn’t even the best song on the EP, with the final track, “Girls of Athens,” ringing compulsively into my eardrums after each listen. Instead of using a bunch of recording/super pretentious Pitchfork writing terminology to explain the way this album sounds, I will say this: The guys have stumbled across the guitar pop sound of Voxtrot, Vampire Weekend, Phoenix, and paired it with the songwriting and lyricism somewhat resonant of The Strokes, 60s/70s pop, and obviously, ABBA. So, basically, if you like any of the aforementioned five bands and/or genres, Pet Lions is definitely someone you should be listening to. In fact, their entire EP is available as a free download on their site right now: www.petlions.com. Play this album loudly as you drive down a city street on a day where the sun is shining and the temperature is 66 degrees or above, and sing to it loudly and dance spastically as onlookers gaze at you condescendingly. You will love it.
Monday, April 19, 2010
The One AM Radio - Loose Ends
Tracklist:
01. The Wayward Wind (Patsy Cline Cover)
02. Reckoner (Radiohead Cover; The One AM Radio Remix)
03. In The Time We've Got (The Long Lost's Version)
04. Astrology Days (Lymbic System Cover; The One AM Radio Remix)
05. Untied (Dirty Projectors Remix)
06. Sleepyhead (Passion Pit Cover; The One AM Radio Remix)
07. The Way (Mia Doi Todd Cover; The One AM Radio Remix)
08. Apologies (James Figuring Cover; The One AM Radio Remix)
09. Luck (Five Waking Dreams by Greg Davis)
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: their next tour
Label: Dangerbird
If you blow up the image above you'll see it's copy number 9 of 55... and further research into trying to find out why I can't buy this right now taught me that this is supposedly a limited edition that they are taking on their next tour. Loose Ends is subtitled "A Collection of Rare and Unreleased Tracks" and it is a mix of covers as well as remixes of both their songs and other songs. I'm including the Reckoner remix done by this band because I think it does an A+ job of showing the talent that an indie-folkish band can do when playing with other people's music... namely in a way of being able to create and re-imagine music in a way that wouldn't shine through their original releases. So that all being said you need to see them on their next tour to possibly find out if you can pick this up... and in the meantime grab Credible Threats, a 7" released through Dangerbird on April 17th of this month.
Release Date: their next tour
Label: Dangerbird
If you blow up the image above you'll see it's copy number 9 of 55... and further research into trying to find out why I can't buy this right now taught me that this is supposedly a limited edition that they are taking on their next tour. Loose Ends is subtitled "A Collection of Rare and Unreleased Tracks" and it is a mix of covers as well as remixes of both their songs and other songs. I'm including the Reckoner remix done by this band because I think it does an A+ job of showing the talent that an indie-folkish band can do when playing with other people's music... namely in a way of being able to create and re-imagine music in a way that wouldn't shine through their original releases. So that all being said you need to see them on their next tour to possibly find out if you can pick this up... and in the meantime grab Credible Threats, a 7" released through Dangerbird on April 17th of this month.
Foals - Total Life Forever
Tracklist:
1. Blue Blood
2. Miami
3. Total Life Forever
4. Black Gold
5. Spanish Sahara
6. This Orient
7. Fugue
8. After Glow
9. Alabaster
10. 2 Trees
11. What Remains
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2010.05.10
Label: Sub Pop
"Total Life Forever" is the second studio album from Oxford band Foals. It was produced by Luke Smith, formerly of post-punk/electropop band Clor, and was recorded at Svenska Gramofon Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. Styling in the same experimentally harmonic vein as Yeasayer and mildly percussive with words and drums like Ruby Suns, it's an album that varies as much in it's entirety as it does within each song. If you like either of the mentioned bands you're sure to love this... also for fans of Wild Beasts. A little less "heavy," so to speak, than Antidotes (a great album if you haven't picked it up) it certainly exudes a much more polished feel... exactly what I'd expect from a sophomore release. Get in on May 10th.
Release Date: 2010.05.10
Label: Sub Pop
"Total Life Forever" is the second studio album from Oxford band Foals. It was produced by Luke Smith, formerly of post-punk/electropop band Clor, and was recorded at Svenska Gramofon Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. Styling in the same experimentally harmonic vein as Yeasayer and mildly percussive with words and drums like Ruby Suns, it's an album that varies as much in it's entirety as it does within each song. If you like either of the mentioned bands you're sure to love this... also for fans of Wild Beasts. A little less "heavy," so to speak, than Antidotes (a great album if you haven't picked it up) it certainly exudes a much more polished feel... exactly what I'd expect from a sophomore release. Get in on May 10th.
Fanfarlo - You Are One 7"
Tracklist:
01. You Are One
02. What Makes You Think You're The One
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2010.04.17
Who was paying extra attention to the scene this year for Record Store Day? I know I was. This exclusive 7" can be purchased from a large number of stores - any of which can be located via the buy link above. What Makes You Think You're The One is a Fleetwood Mac cover and both were recorded in Berlin whilst on Tour. They have been on tour non-stop (both because of their schedule and because I've seen them two times here in Chicago, Lincoln Hall and Schubas, in the last six months) and on top of that they have a free College Radio Sessions EP available on their website. So be a good fan and pick up a copy of this 7"!!!
Release Date: 2010.04.17
Who was paying extra attention to the scene this year for Record Store Day? I know I was. This exclusive 7" can be purchased from a large number of stores - any of which can be located via the buy link above. What Makes You Think You're The One is a Fleetwood Mac cover and both were recorded in Berlin whilst on Tour. They have been on tour non-stop (both because of their schedule and because I've seen them two times here in Chicago, Lincoln Hall and Schubas, in the last six months) and on top of that they have a free College Radio Sessions EP available on their website. So be a good fan and pick up a copy of this 7"!!!
Friday, April 16, 2010
The Morning Pages - Lady Gaga "Telephone" Cover
Tracklist: The Morning Pages - "Telephone" (Lady Gaga Cover)
I love nothing more than a real band covering a (insert choice word) pop song. The Morning Pages may have caught my attention with their alt-folk-rock- cover of Lady Gaga, but now I'm turning to their debut album for more love from these Brooklyn natives. As I stream the album (Rising Rain) now, I'm so confused as to whether or not I'm listening to Neil Young, and I can't help but feel like I'm laying in a barn somewhere in Mississippi contemplating why 1971 has been such a good year. If this Lady Gaga cover doesn't get these guys more attention, I'm going to punch someone in the face. They've got a sound that sounds more mature than most bands who have been around for 10-15 years, and while this is certainly my genre of music, it's definitely something that you should check out if you have any appreciation for some of the classic rock juggernauts (Neil Young, The Band, Tom Petty, etc)-- Listen to this Lady Gaga cover in the car with your friends who typically only listen to bad music and surprise them with your unbridled knowledge of all things enlightening.
I love nothing more than a real band covering a (insert choice word) pop song. The Morning Pages may have caught my attention with their alt-folk-rock- cover of Lady Gaga, but now I'm turning to their debut album for more love from these Brooklyn natives. As I stream the album (Rising Rain) now, I'm so confused as to whether or not I'm listening to Neil Young, and I can't help but feel like I'm laying in a barn somewhere in Mississippi contemplating why 1971 has been such a good year. If this Lady Gaga cover doesn't get these guys more attention, I'm going to punch someone in the face. They've got a sound that sounds more mature than most bands who have been around for 10-15 years, and while this is certainly my genre of music, it's definitely something that you should check out if you have any appreciation for some of the classic rock juggernauts (Neil Young, The Band, Tom Petty, etc)-- Listen to this Lady Gaga cover in the car with your friends who typically only listen to bad music and surprise them with your unbridled knowledge of all things enlightening.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Poison Control Center - Sad Sour Future
Tracklist:
1. Walls of City Hall2. By The Wave
3. Being Gone
4. After The Holiday
5. Stay Golden
6. Calling Card
7. Cemetary Glow
8. Two Mountains
9. Tiny Isles
10. Cognac Dreams
11. Yellow Image
12. Start The Revolution
13. Friends In The Band
14. Eye
15. Pacific Sunrise
16. Minds Align
17. Baron In The Tree
I'm having trouble describing this album because it's not quite in the genre of music I normally listen to, BUT I really like it. It's upbeat albeit somewhat longwinded (17 songs clocking in at 71 minutes), and the single, "Being Gone," is going to get some serious repeat airplay in my apartment - much to the dismay of my roommate. There are tracks on here that make me want to call Rivers Cuomo and ask him if he participated in some of this magic, and then there are tracks that lose their melody and drone sort of like some early Modest Mouse drunkenly slurred together with some early Islands stuff. Bottom line: it's got gems and just a few skip-aheads and should probably be listened to while drinking gin and playing a somewhat competitive game of scrabble. The thoughtfully poignant lyrics work well for this Iowa band who has recently shared the stage with the Cold War Kids, and this album is definitely worth a listen. In fact, make sure you give it a good couple rounds--there are tracks at the end that will make your ears perk up and force you to run to your facebook status to quote that new obscure song lyric that no one knows. What? Oh. and you should check out their new music video and tour dates. They smell good. Note to people who struggled but made it to the end of this post: Friends In The Band is my favorite song on the album along with Being Gone. I think you'll like them.
THE POISON CONTROL CENTER
04/01 Iowa City, IA Mission Creek Music Festival *
04/03 Iowa City, IA Mission Creek Music Festival
04/09 Ames, IA ISU Memorial Union #
04/17 Des Moines, IA Mars Cafe
04/30 Des Moines, IA Vaudeville Mews
05/01 Ames, IA The M-Shop
05/02 Iowa City, IA The Mill
06/10 St. Paul, MN Turf Club
06/11 Milwaukee, WI Club Garibaldi’s
06/12 Champaign, IL Mike ‘n Molly’s
06/13 Chicago, IL Schubas
06/14 North Manchester, IN The Firehouse
06/15 Pittsburgh, PA Garfield Artworks
06/16 Jamacia Plain, MA Midway Cafe
06/17 Hamden, CT The Space
06/18 New York City, NY Pianos
06/19 Philadelphia, PA The Manhattan Room
06/20 Brooklyn, NY Bruar Falls
06/21 Arlington, VA Galaxy Hut
06/22 Chapel Hill, NC The Cave
06/23 Athens, GA Caldonia
06/24 Birmingham, AL The Nick
06/25 Nashville, TN The Basement
06/26 Columbia, MI The Blue Fugue
06/27 Lawrence, KS Replay Lounge
06/28 Kansas City, MO The Record Bar
06/30 Omaha, NE The Slowdown
07/01Lincoln, NE Bourbon Theater
07/07 Fargo, ND The Aquarium
07/09 Missoula, MT The Badlander
07/13 Seattle, WA The High Dive
07/17 Reno, NV Biggest Little City Club
07/20 Los Angeles, CA Echo Curio
07/23 Albuquerque, NM Burt’s Tiki Lounge
07/24 Denver, CO Denver Underground Music Showcase
* = w/ David Bazan, Headlights
# = w/ Cold War Kids
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The Apache Relay - 1988
I found this album buried under a stack of papers on my desk one day and the rest is history. It's like The Avett Brothers had a bullied little brother that grew up and teamed up with a very cheerful and much more sober Old Crow Medicine show and then decided to kick standard bluegrass' ass with a solid concoction of folk bluegrass pop that is absolutely irresistible. As is the lead singer. These Nashville heartbreakers are in the process of recording a new album right now and touring around with acts like Cadillac Sky, Frontier Ruckus, and are even hitting the stage soon with Bela Fleck on April 17. Keep your ears peeled; these guys are gonna be huge. Listen to this album on repeat, straight through, as you drive anywhere at anytime--ever.
Tracklist:
1. Sugarcane
Tracklist:
1. Sugarcane
2. Sun Child
3. Let's Start Over
4. Sweet Louisianne
5. Sisters, Brothers, Lovers
6. Return & Leave
7. Why'd You Go?
8. Tongue Tied
9. Blue Eyes
Yawn- Yawn E.P.
Yawn: I think I hear dogs barking on this one.
Perhaps that's irrelevant, but that's what I'm hearing. A good friend of mine put the song "Kind of Guy" on a mix for me recently, and it's a sunny little folky pop tune with some strange ambient noises going on in the background. Either way, the rest of this EP sounds similarly: quirky pop with strange noises and sound effects strewn about (It gets pretty funk-ish at times too). "David" sounds nothing like "Kind of Guy," but I guess that's okay. I would definitely listen to this EP (or at least parts of it) if someone was spiking the punch bowl at a picnic I didn't want to be at. But only if this was a picnic with people from all over the world and we were all going to dance in circles-because that's what this music makes me want to do.
Tracklist:
Tracklist:
1. Toys
2. Kind of Guy
3. David
4. Empress
5. Midnite
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Passion Pit - Little Secrets
Tracklist:
1. Passion Pit - "Little Secrets" (LAZRtag Remix - Club Edit)
2. Passion Pit - "Little Secrets" (LAZRtag Remix - Dub Version)
Website: LAZRtag | Passion Pit
Release Date: Very Soon
Label: Columbia
Today Kosher Management sent over a nice promo for me to check out and I had to bestow the opportunity upon all other ears as well. Passion Pit certainly blew up in record time last year and I must admit it's hard not to like the music. Perhaps the only reason to complain is the "too much of a good thing is a bad thing" when everybody everywhere eventually plays one of their songs. Are you getting tired of hearing the songs too much? How about we let a remix breathe a little life into it! LAZRtag has done some quality remixes in the past (head to their myspace) that get the electro job done so it's no surprise that they've done it again. Keeping enough of the pop while blitzing the clubber in you with Boys-Noize style stabs, it also manages to delve into the electronica and house genres to keep it fresh and frothy. The official single, release date TBD, will also include remixes from Mike Rizzo and Smash Club, but while you're awaiting the real deal you should scope the radio edit of Little Secrets a la LAZRtag.
Release Date: Very Soon
Label: Columbia
Today Kosher Management sent over a nice promo for me to check out and I had to bestow the opportunity upon all other ears as well. Passion Pit certainly blew up in record time last year and I must admit it's hard not to like the music. Perhaps the only reason to complain is the "too much of a good thing is a bad thing" when everybody everywhere eventually plays one of their songs. Are you getting tired of hearing the songs too much? How about we let a remix breathe a little life into it! LAZRtag has done some quality remixes in the past (head to their myspace) that get the electro job done so it's no surprise that they've done it again. Keeping enough of the pop while blitzing the clubber in you with Boys-Noize style stabs, it also manages to delve into the electronica and house genres to keep it fresh and frothy. The official single, release date TBD, will also include remixes from Mike Rizzo and Smash Club, but while you're awaiting the real deal you should scope the radio edit of Little Secrets a la LAZRtag.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
In Tall Buildings: In Tall Buildings
IS THIS THE NAME OF THE BAND? THE ALBUM? A PLACE?: IN TALL BUILDINGS
So, before we get into an "album review" full of musical analogies that don't really help you figure out whether or not you'll like this band, let's clear one thing up. In Tall Buildings is the name of the band and the album. Oh, and it's the name of some other song. But, really it's this guy Erik Hall. Kind of like how Justin Vernon is Bon Iver. Erik Hall happens to be kind of sexy with a kind of subtle and melodic voice. There's a really shameless acoustic guitar mixed with some synthy stuff that actually sounds pretty magical; plus, he is unregrettably honest. Like before Conor Oberst became obligatorily depressed. I'd recommend listening to it on repeat while making dinner for some people, unless the cooking gets complicated and causes you to get distracted from his angelic swooning.
Oh. And if you're lucky enough to live in the second coolest city in the U.S., check out his release show yesterday. Here are upcoming dates:
Apr 11 - Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop w/ NOMO
Apr 12 - Buffalo, NY @ Soundlab w/ NOMO
Apr 14 - Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool w/ NOMO
Apr 15 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Andy Warhol Museum w/ NOMO
Apr 16 - South Bend, IN @ Subkirke w/ NOMO
Apr 12 - Buffalo, NY @ Soundlab w/ NOMO
Apr 14 - Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool w/ NOMO
Apr 15 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Andy Warhol Museum w/ NOMO
Apr 16 - South Bend, IN @ Subkirke w/ NOMO
Tracklist:
SIDE A
1. Walking Man
2. The Way To A Monster's Lair
3. Twenty One
4. Suitor
SIDE B
1. Good Fences
2. Elvis Presley Blues
3. Alarm Will Sound
4. Flemishing
SIDE A
1. Walking Man
2. The Way To A Monster's Lair
3. Twenty One
4. Suitor
SIDE B
1. Good Fences
2. Elvis Presley Blues
3. Alarm Will Sound
4. Flemishing
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The Willowz: Everyone
These guys just recently got off the road with The Delta Spirit, and these long haired rockers sound pretty ready to take on the world. The video on their homepage looks like it's straight out of Spinal Tap, but the guys deliver something that sounds like a sexy grungy mix of Kings Of Leon (Aha Shake Heartbreak style) and muddled with The Raconteurs with Steven Tyler's screeching howl trailing behind somewhere. I'd probably listen to it if I just lost in my NCAA bracket pool and was half drunk with a lot of energy left. Their new EP, Everyone, is available now. Get it. Oh, and they've been in some pretty legit soundtracks like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind--not bad, gentlemen. (and lady).
Tracklist:
1. Break Your Back
Tracklist:
1. Break Your Back
2. Destruction
3. Repetition
4. I Know
5. Jimmy James
6. Way it Seems
7. Twenty Five
8. You Do
9. No Heros
10. Everyone
Genre: Garage Rock/Indie
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: December 15, 2009
Label: Dim Mak Records
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: December 15, 2009
Label: Dim Mak Records
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
