As far I as knew, Ash was a British rock band - sometimes stomping, sometimes trying to be epic - but definitely a British rock band. A pretty good one too. Their new single, "True Love 1980," makes me think of 1984. Or a TV theme song. Either way, I was less than thrilled.
That said, let's get to the reason I really decided to write about the song: I think the A to Z thing is a clever adaptation of the "let's release a bunch of singles instead of an album" concept. I don't get the A to Z thing, since the letters clearly have no meaning for the songs, but I like the rest of the concept.
I've never actually paid for an Ash album. At 99 cents a pop, though, I might buy about an album's worth because. Which is true for a lot of bands that can't manage to put out an entire record I want to listen to.
Showing posts with label mp3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mp3. Show all posts
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Pancakes and new music? It must be Tuesday.
Since I've been listening to a bit of the corporate rock radio in South Florida because the CD player in my car refuses to work (only "a bit" because I've also rediscovered NPR, WKPX and sports talk radio), I almost put together a Two for Tuesday gimmick this week. Then I realized there's no reason to act like those slovenly fools when I can do way better than that.
Kind of a different group of tracks this week, what with the folk and the poppy punk. There's enough noise and feedback to more than make up for it though.
Feller Abides v3
Monsters of Folk - "Man Named Truth"
MOF is Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Jim James (My Morning Jacket), M Ward (um, Google him - he's everywhere) and Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes member), but the album is a little less predictable than I thought it would be. I was going to include one of the more upbeat songs on the album - the Big Bopper meets the Beach Boys meets, well, the members of this supergroup "Whole Lotta Losin'" - but I couldn't shake "Man Named Truth." Like a lot of the album, "Man Named Truth" has more of a country feel to it, and I dig how bitter Oberst sounds. This is one of those times I understand why he has been exalted as the new Dylan. (Listen to the entire album at the MOF MySpace profile)
Beck - "There She Goes Again"
Beck has become an Internet phenomenon, recording an acoustic rethink of his Danger Mouse-produced album Modern Guilt, offering DJ sets, and then a complete rerecording of the Velvet Underground's essential and ridiculously influential The Velvet Underground & Nico. Ok, so maybe he was a big star before hitting the 'net - the fact is, he's putting his stamp on shit. Hard.
Last Days of Summer - "Moving On"
I'm a sucker for the crunch of pop punk, and Last Days Of Summer is doing it well. They're learning from the bands they worship - which ones shouldn't be much of a mystery if you listen close enough - but putting together something altogether their own. By the three-minute mark you should be standing up and pounding on the walls of your cubicle or whatever you spend your day chained to. Full disclosure: The drummer is my brother-in-law. If they sucked I wouldn't put them on here though. This time next summer, LDOS is gonna be huge. Trust me on this.
Muse - "Uprising"
In my anti-anti-Kanye rant posted yesterday I forgot to include Muse as one of the best performances on the VMAs. Chances are more viewers forgot, or ignored, the band played anyway - which is sad. Muse deserves a lot more attention for their hard-charging, somewhat electro rock. This is one of those bands that commercial rock radio ought to play a few times a day instead of a ninth song from the Chili Peppers or anything from Metallica's horrific St. Anger. Good luck not screaming "Call Me" a few times during the song. (That'll make sense once you hear it.)
Times New Viking - "Hustler, Psycho, Son"
Times New Viking continues to write great rock and roll songs, and then bathe them in layers and layers of feedback. As much as I like the noise, this is a band that should be playing over the PA in malls and grocery stores based solely on the quality of song (and the recent propensity for public airing of indie gold). With the wall of sound as barrier, maybe staying in the underground is what they want - and we certainly don't mind it. Check out this song, and the rest of the new TMV album, which is streaming at their Matador Records profile.
Non-Prophets - "Damage"
Though the Non-Prophets' album Hope is over six years old, this track sounds as good now as I'm sure it then, when I heard it and moved on. Sad and shameful as that act was, Sage Francis's rhymes hold up well over Joe Beats', um, beats. Grab the whole album if you made the same mistake I did.
Massive Attack - "Splitting The Atom (ft. 3D, Daddy G and Horace Andy)"
The last Massive Attack album, 100th Window, was boring. It sounded like Massive Attack trying to make a Massive Attack album. It must have been tough to follow up one of the best albums of the 90s in Mezzanine, but that last thing was a huge letdown. This, the first single off the forthcoming "LP5," gives great hope for the future. In the meantime, the Splitting The Atom EP is out in October, before the full album lands early next year. We've heard this before though - if you've not heard the drama of "LP5," check it.
Kind of a different group of tracks this week, what with the folk and the poppy punk. There's enough noise and feedback to more than make up for it though.
Feller Abides v3
Monsters of Folk - "Man Named Truth"
MOF is Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Jim James (My Morning Jacket), M Ward (um, Google him - he's everywhere) and Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes member), but the album is a little less predictable than I thought it would be. I was going to include one of the more upbeat songs on the album - the Big Bopper meets the Beach Boys meets, well, the members of this supergroup "Whole Lotta Losin'" - but I couldn't shake "Man Named Truth." Like a lot of the album, "Man Named Truth" has more of a country feel to it, and I dig how bitter Oberst sounds. This is one of those times I understand why he has been exalted as the new Dylan. (Listen to the entire album at the MOF MySpace profile)
Beck - "There She Goes Again"
Beck has become an Internet phenomenon, recording an acoustic rethink of his Danger Mouse-produced album Modern Guilt, offering DJ sets, and then a complete rerecording of the Velvet Underground's essential and ridiculously influential The Velvet Underground & Nico. Ok, so maybe he was a big star before hitting the 'net - the fact is, he's putting his stamp on shit. Hard.
Last Days of Summer - "Moving On"
I'm a sucker for the crunch of pop punk, and Last Days Of Summer is doing it well. They're learning from the bands they worship - which ones shouldn't be much of a mystery if you listen close enough - but putting together something altogether their own. By the three-minute mark you should be standing up and pounding on the walls of your cubicle or whatever you spend your day chained to. Full disclosure: The drummer is my brother-in-law. If they sucked I wouldn't put them on here though. This time next summer, LDOS is gonna be huge. Trust me on this.
Muse - "Uprising"
In my anti-anti-Kanye rant posted yesterday I forgot to include Muse as one of the best performances on the VMAs. Chances are more viewers forgot, or ignored, the band played anyway - which is sad. Muse deserves a lot more attention for their hard-charging, somewhat electro rock. This is one of those bands that commercial rock radio ought to play a few times a day instead of a ninth song from the Chili Peppers or anything from Metallica's horrific St. Anger. Good luck not screaming "Call Me" a few times during the song. (That'll make sense once you hear it.)
Times New Viking - "Hustler, Psycho, Son"
Times New Viking continues to write great rock and roll songs, and then bathe them in layers and layers of feedback. As much as I like the noise, this is a band that should be playing over the PA in malls and grocery stores based solely on the quality of song (and the recent propensity for public airing of indie gold). With the wall of sound as barrier, maybe staying in the underground is what they want - and we certainly don't mind it. Check out this song, and the rest of the new TMV album, which is streaming at their Matador Records profile.
Non-Prophets - "Damage"
Though the Non-Prophets' album Hope is over six years old, this track sounds as good now as I'm sure it then, when I heard it and moved on. Sad and shameful as that act was, Sage Francis's rhymes hold up well over Joe Beats', um, beats. Grab the whole album if you made the same mistake I did.
Massive Attack - "Splitting The Atom (ft. 3D, Daddy G and Horace Andy)"
The last Massive Attack album, 100th Window, was boring. It sounded like Massive Attack trying to make a Massive Attack album. It must have been tough to follow up one of the best albums of the 90s in Mezzanine, but that last thing was a huge letdown. This, the first single off the forthcoming "LP5," gives great hope for the future. In the meantime, the Splitting The Atom EP is out in October, before the full album lands early next year. We've heard this before though - if you've not heard the drama of "LP5," check it.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Guilty pleasure techno-pop.
This is the sort of thing I want to do drugs and dance around to. I'm sure there are people who are doing just that, right now, as I type this. Hell, they may be doing it in the video.
Late in the video Solveig and Dragonette are dancing on a rooftop. It was kind of a disappointing scene for me because I was hoping one of them might go flying off the side of the building.
Anyway, here's a remix of that very track as well.
I don't know what Dragonette does on tour, but if you're nearby I'm sure it could be interesting:
10.2 PETERBOROUGH, ON Red Dog
10.3 MONTREAL, PQ POP MONTREAL / LE Cabaret
10.5 HAMILTON, ON casbah
10.6 LONDON, ON Call the Office
10.7 WATERLOO, ON The Starlight
10.8 TORONTO, ON The Mod Club
10.12 WINNIPEG, MB west end cultural centre
10.14 CALGARY, AB The Whisky
10.15 EDMONTON, AB Starlite
10.16 NELSON, BC venue TBC
10.17 VANCOUVER, BC Venue
10.18 VICTORIA, BC Sugar
10.19 SEATTLE, WA @ Vera Project
10.20 PORTLAND, OR @ Doug fir
10.22 SAN FRANCISCO, CA @ Popscene / 330
10.23 LOS ANGELES, CA @ The Echo
10.24 COSTA MESA @ Detroit Bar
10.26 DENVER, CO @ Larimer Lounge
10.28 KANSAS CITY, MO @ Czar Bar
10.30 SPRINGFIELD, MO @ Outland
10.31 CHICAGO, IL @ Sonotheque
11.4 BOSTON, MA @ Great Scott
11.5 NEW YORK CITY, NY @ Santos
11.6 WASHINGTON DC @ DC9
Late in the video Solveig and Dragonette are dancing on a rooftop. It was kind of a disappointing scene for me because I was hoping one of them might go flying off the side of the building.
Anyway, here's a remix of that very track as well.
I don't know what Dragonette does on tour, but if you're nearby I'm sure it could be interesting:
10.2 PETERBOROUGH, ON Red Dog
10.3 MONTREAL, PQ POP MONTREAL / LE Cabaret
10.5 HAMILTON, ON casbah
10.6 LONDON, ON Call the Office
10.7 WATERLOO, ON The Starlight
10.8 TORONTO, ON The Mod Club
10.12 WINNIPEG, MB west end cultural centre
10.14 CALGARY, AB The Whisky
10.15 EDMONTON, AB Starlite
10.16 NELSON, BC venue TBC
10.17 VANCOUVER, BC Venue
10.18 VICTORIA, BC Sugar
10.19 SEATTLE, WA @ Vera Project
10.20 PORTLAND, OR @ Doug fir
10.22 SAN FRANCISCO, CA @ Popscene / 330
10.23 LOS ANGELES, CA @ The Echo
10.24 COSTA MESA @ Detroit Bar
10.26 DENVER, CO @ Larimer Lounge
10.28 KANSAS CITY, MO @ Czar Bar
10.30 SPRINGFIELD, MO @ Outland
10.31 CHICAGO, IL @ Sonotheque
11.4 BOSTON, MA @ Great Scott
11.5 NEW YORK CITY, NY @ Santos
11.6 WASHINGTON DC @ DC9
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Aliens land. Again.
My introduction to the Beta Band came with the release of The Three EPs in the late 90s. For most, however, the first mention was via High Fidelity:
The band put out a few more great records before finally breaking up sometime in late 2004. After which, the members went on to other projects, as band members often do.
Robin Jones and John Maclean formed The Aliens, along with help from another former Beta Band member, Gordon Anderson - who became known as Lone Pigeon after BB broke up.
Unlike the Lone Pigeon work, or anything else on earth, The Aliens retain not only much of the magic, but much of the sound of Beta Band. Sort of a folky, sampleadelic, trip hop vibe that naturally radiates through your ears like a groove you didn't know you were feeling.
Last year, the band put out Luna, a great album if ever there was one. This year, they're release a special edition that comes with a 60-page book.
I'm sure the book - limited to 1000 signed copies - won't be cheap. I'm posting this so that ya'll can check out a great band that hasn't got much attention. So listen to the mp3 and get the records.
The Aliens - Sunlamp Show
The Aliens
The Aliens on Amazon
The band put out a few more great records before finally breaking up sometime in late 2004. After which, the members went on to other projects, as band members often do.
Robin Jones and John Maclean formed The Aliens, along with help from another former Beta Band member, Gordon Anderson - who became known as Lone Pigeon after BB broke up.
Unlike the Lone Pigeon work, or anything else on earth, The Aliens retain not only much of the magic, but much of the sound of Beta Band. Sort of a folky, sampleadelic, trip hop vibe that naturally radiates through your ears like a groove you didn't know you were feeling.
Last year, the band put out Luna, a great album if ever there was one. This year, they're release a special edition that comes with a 60-page book.
I'm sure the book - limited to 1000 signed copies - won't be cheap. I'm posting this so that ya'll can check out a great band that hasn't got much attention. So listen to the mp3 and get the records.
The Aliens - Sunlamp Show
The Aliens
The Aliens on Amazon
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Revolting Cocks return for more.
Maybe they were a jokey side project for Al Jourgensen to let out the sexual energy that has no place on a Ministry album, or maybe they're a serious work of music art. Either way, the Revolting Cocks return to action on their LuBriCaTouR - bringing the perversion on the road for the first time since a 2006 stint opening for the aforementioned Ministry.
Although Jourgensen will only appear with the band at it's Irving Plaza stop in New York, the trek takes the band across these continental United States, including to South Florida, which I never expect of any band. (Full dates below.)
The occasion, or maybe excuse, for the tour is the release of Sex-O MiXXX-O, a 10-track remix set. Contributing to the album are efforts from Chris Vrenna (Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Tweaker) and Dave “Rave” Olgilvie (Skinny Puppy), among others. The album is out September 29 on Jourgensen's 13th Planet Records.
From the album: I'm Not Gay (Blownload Prison Remix)
Here's the kicker - RevCo put out an album in March called Sex-O Olympic-O. Maybe I was just out of it at the time, but did anybody know that came out? Yeah, that's what I thought.
Revolting Cocks were a pretty decent side project for Jourgensen back in the day. The press release says icons. That word works for Ministry because, you know, it's an understatement. But it feels strong here.
Anyway, no doubt this will be worth checking out if they're in your town.
Also on the tour is Jim Rose, BlownLoad and Left Spine Down...
September 10 - El Paso, TX - Club 101
September 12 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
September 13 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theater
September 14 - Ft Collins, CO - Aggie Theater
September 15 - Salt Lake, UT - Club Vegas
September 17 - Coeur d'Alene, ID - The Grail
September 18 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
September 19 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
September 20 - Portland, OR - Dante's
September 23 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
September 24 - Orangevale, CA - The Boardwalk
September 25 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
September 26 - Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse
September 27 - Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues
October 1 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
October 2 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
October 3 - Kansas City, MO - The Beaumont
October 4 - St. Louis, MO - The Firebird
October 6 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
October 7 - Detroit, MI - Blondie's
October 8 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
October 9 - St. Thomas, ON - Coolz Warehouse
October 10 - Ottawa, ON - Babylon
October 11 - Montreal, QC - Foufounes Electriques
October 12 - Toronto, ON - Reverb
October 14 - Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater
October 15 - Allentown, PA - Croc Rock
October 16 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
October 17 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
October 18 - Baltimore, MD - Ram's Head Live
October 20 - Jacksonville, FL - Jackrabbits
October 21 - Orlando, FL - Firestone
October 22 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Revolution
October 23 - St. Petersburg, FL - The State Theatre
October 24 - Charlotte, NC - Tremont Music Hall
October 25 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
October 27- Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
October 29 - Fort Worth, TX - Ridglea Theater
October 30 - Austin, TX - Emo's
Although Jourgensen will only appear with the band at it's Irving Plaza stop in New York, the trek takes the band across these continental United States, including to South Florida, which I never expect of any band. (Full dates below.)
The occasion, or maybe excuse, for the tour is the release of Sex-O MiXXX-O, a 10-track remix set. Contributing to the album are efforts from Chris Vrenna (Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Tweaker) and Dave “Rave” Olgilvie (Skinny Puppy), among others. The album is out September 29 on Jourgensen's 13th Planet Records.
From the album: I'm Not Gay (Blownload Prison Remix)
Here's the kicker - RevCo put out an album in March called Sex-O Olympic-O. Maybe I was just out of it at the time, but did anybody know that came out? Yeah, that's what I thought.
Revolting Cocks were a pretty decent side project for Jourgensen back in the day. The press release says icons. That word works for Ministry because, you know, it's an understatement. But it feels strong here.
Anyway, no doubt this will be worth checking out if they're in your town.
Also on the tour is Jim Rose, BlownLoad and Left Spine Down...
September 12 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
September 13 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theater
September 14 - Ft Collins, CO - Aggie Theater
September 15 - Salt Lake, UT - Club Vegas
September 17 - Coeur d'Alene, ID - The Grail
September 18 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
September 19 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
September 20 - Portland, OR - Dante's
September 23 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
September 24 - Orangevale, CA - The Boardwalk
September 25 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
September 26 - Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse
September 27 - Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues
October 1 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
October 2 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
October 3 - Kansas City, MO - The Beaumont
October 4 - St. Louis, MO - The Firebird
October 6 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
October 7 - Detroit, MI - Blondie's
October 8 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
October 9 - St. Thomas, ON - Coolz Warehouse
October 10 - Ottawa, ON - Babylon
October 11 - Montreal, QC - Foufounes Electriques
October 12 - Toronto, ON - Reverb
October 14 - Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater
October 15 - Allentown, PA - Croc Rock
October 16 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
October 17 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
October 18 - Baltimore, MD - Ram's Head Live
October 20 - Jacksonville, FL - Jackrabbits
October 21 - Orlando, FL - Firestone
October 22 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Revolution
October 23 - St. Petersburg, FL - The State Theatre
October 24 - Charlotte, NC - Tremont Music Hall
October 25 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
October 27- Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
October 29 - Fort Worth, TX - Ridglea Theater
October 30 - Austin, TX - Emo's
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