Man, does this guy really try to walk the fine line between Billy Joel and Warren Zevon, and like a failed tightrope walker, he fell early. The tracks are relatively innocuous sounding, but have none of the sheer power that Joel has in his pieces or the political message Zevon places in each and every track. If one is just looking for innocuous pop music that is styled after that…
It was in the middle of the summer 2008, i received a long email from a japanese ‘fan’. Looked like it was just some lovely words, advising me to film a japanese musician, a certain rare folk artist named Tomokawa something. It took me 4 more months to re-read the email until the end – and discover that this fan was actually inviting me to Japan to make a movie…
The 2009 “We The People” Festival originally scheduled for Nov. 21 has been postponed until early 2010. From the Festival: “As organizers, we are committed to presenting only the finest event possible for this important movement. Due to ongoing economic challenges, we decided our best option was to move the event to a later date to insure these standards are maintained for the benefit of our important, loyal audience.” Further…
After playing several shows to rave reviews in Austin at SXSW this past March and New York this past September, we are thrilled to announce Wild Beasts will be embarking on a full North American tour in early 2010! This tour is in support of Wild Beasts’ sophomore release,Two Dancers, out this past September on Domino Records. Wild Beasts’ Tour Dates: Wed. Feb. 10 — Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour…
While Fragments of Unbecoming have a distinctly sedate style, this is quickly matched by a powerful metal side that will get individuals rocking as hard as they were listening to the previous section of the act. The band a tremendous album to top in “Skywards: A Sylphe’s Ascenionâ€, but I can say that this album matches the previous album blow by blow, and in some case even surpasses the work…
Short on attention span but long in ultra-creative, psychedelic rhymes, Oakland trio iLL-Literacy has some ambitious plans for the next few months. iLL-Lit is aiming to reshape not only the way that music is made but the way it’s distributed. Emcees Drizzleton, Dahlak, and N.I.C. are proud to release the first part of three “chapters” for their new album iB4the1 (pronounced I Before The 1). Confused? Don’t be. It’s just…
“Callypso†is the first track on Jimmy Bletcher’s current project, Project DNA. The rock that issues forth from this introductory track has a definite pop edge, but one that is moderated by the inclusion of sizzling horns, splashy drums, and a production that is easily on par with any music that can be heard on radio. “Love Me Tonight†is a track that touches upon a number of different genres…
“Twisted Up†is a quaint little bit of laid-back rock. The track contains tidy guitars, funky bass lines, and utterly smooth vocals. While there are bits and pieces of eighties trappings present, the solo that is present here is definitely out of the Santana playbook. “Yesterday’s Coffee†has more of an electronic edge to it than “Twisted Upâ€, calling forth Hot Butter (“Popcornâ€), New Order, and a little bit of…
A crew of only five people over the course of five days, traveled hundreds of miles from Sequoia National Park, to Yosemite, to Death Valley and everywhere in between, filming this hybrid music video-action/adventure film with only a few, limited resources. Shooting mostly guerrilla style and capturing elements at the spur of the moment along the whole route, Garneau was outfitted with home-made rigging and equipment to create the specific…
Foxy Shazam! Plays a brand of music that I in no way expected from their white-heavy, washed-out cover. This is a brand of punk mixed with the double-bass of a band much heavier (French Passion of Animality Opera). Tracks begin and end before a listener can blink, and the rapid-change style of the band is reminiscent of acts like System of a Down, Voltaire and Temper Temper. The SOAD comparison…
Led by Daniel Collás and Sean Marquand, (producers/musicians/pals/DJs), The Phenomenal Handclap Band has been touring behind their self-titled album, out now on Friendly Fire Recordings. The album features contributions from their friends in TV on the Radio, Antibalas, The Dap Kings, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, L’Trimm, Calla, The Mooney Suzuki, Sà Se, and Honeycut among others. Live they are an 8-piece band, with a variety of special guests. The…
Led by Daniel Collás and Sean Marquand, (producers/musicians/pals/DJs), The Phenomenal Handclap Band has been touring behind their self-titled album, out now on Friendly Fire Recordings. The album features contributions from their friends in TV on the Radio, Antibalas, The Dap Kings, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, L’Trimm, Calla, The Mooney Suzuki, Sà Se, and Honeycut among others. Live they are an 8-piece band, with a variety of special guests. The…
Can someone take a break during a 46 Short album? It seems like, especially given the opening of the disc (“Nothing Leftâ€) that individuals will keel over from a lack of oxygen. Luckily for them, the album is less than thirty-five minutes. “Nothing Left†is a track that shows 46 Short as a band that brings together The Casualties and Rancid, but in their own way. This is not a…
“You’ve still got the big choruses and raw energy The Cribs are known for, but now with the flourishes and panache the onetime Smith is known for. I’d even say Ignore the Ignorant finds Johnny Marr sounding like Johhny Marr for the first time since his days in The The. It’s a really strong record.” – Brooklyn Vegan “If you’re looking for some serious headrush 1-2-3 punch combos of addictive…
Formed in 2007 with the intention of honoring England’s proud ancestral heritage and rich national culture, WINTERFYLLETH (comprised of members culled from the UK’s most devastating doom contingent Atavist) set a solidified mission statement to bring awareness to England’s historical stories, folklore, landscapes and ancestral past through their folk-influenced vitriolic black metal. Coining the term English Heritage Black Metal (EHBM), WINTERFYLLETH — which translates to “Winter Full Moon” from the…
Jay-Z and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith have enthusiastically joined the producing team of Fela!, the new Broadway musical based on the life and music of African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, marking the first Broadway production that these entertainment icons have presented. The critically acclaimed musical, which played to sold-out crowds dancing in the aisles during its world premiere off-Broadway last summer, arrived on Broadway at the Eugene O’Neill…
With a really hit or miss style of creating songs, The 4-Squares really seem if they are almost 2 bands. With either tracks that will blow one away or force people to turn of the disc, one almost wishes that the band was a little more consistent. Too many of these songs really blast through too quickly, and have almost nothing in substance, leaving a bad taste in one’s mouth.…
Wildbirds & Peacedrums are pleased to announce a support tour with St. Vincent early next year, in addition to the release of the “My Heart†single on January 19, 2010 via The Control Group. “My Heart†is Wildbirds & Peacedrums’ first ever US single release, and will be available as a digital EP and limited edition 7†single. “My Heart†is a wonderfully uplifting pop track that blossoms into a…
Despite their un-Googleable name, Portland, Oregon’s Church have amassed a sizable and dedicated following along the West Coast over the last three years–partially through their intense touring ethic and consistent presence in the Portland house show scene, but mostly because when you see them, your mind gets blown. Brothers Brandon and Richard Laws grew up listening to disparate things like Kraftwerk and The Beach Boys (I am not inferring that’s…
hirty Seconds To Mars Scores The Top 2 Songs On Twitter’s Music Monday Chart With “Kings & Queens” and “This Is War” “Kings & Queens” Holds Strong At #3 On Alternative Radio Airplay Chart While “The Kill” Named #1 Alternative Song Of The Decade By AOL Radio Thirty Seconds To Mars Named “Best Band” in the Kerrang! 2009 Readers Poll “This Is War… shines as an artistic triumph for 30…