Archive for the 'Opinion Posts' Category
Rachel Fuller’s In The Attic: A Musical Showcase of Talent
Author: Butler Bad
Rachel Fuller is the long time, significant other, heterosexual life partner of Pete Townshend from the legendary rock band The Who. Several years ago, she released an album that was not as well received, critically and commercially, as she had hoped and was looking for a way to connect to a wider audience. Thus “In the Attic” was born.
It started with a web cam in the home studio (always a risky proposition) with her and some folks talking about music and occasionally playing some tunes. In 2006-2007 when The Who decided to tour again (Exactly how many farewell tours have they pulled off?), Rachel got the idea to take a traveling studio to the various festivals The Who played and invite other artists, who played the festivals, to come in and chat, perform a song or two and stream it over the miracle of the World Wide Web. This worked well for the European leg of the tour and had gained quite a following. As The Who made plans to tour North America, a new plan was needed as the logistics and expense of shipping and traveling in the studio were apparently prohibitive. Read the rest of this entry »
read comments (0)Enjoying Jello and Juggernauts with Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Earlier this summer, Unknown Mortal Orchestra released their debut album, a falsetto-driven, mellowed-out psych-rock record that received a lot of attention thanks to the viral success of its first single, “Ffunny Ffriends.” Unique and enjoyable, the self-titled album has edged its way into my summer soundtrack, but the song that I can’t stop playing is “Jello and Juggernauts.” Read the rest of this entry »
Texas Forever: Friday Night Lights’ Jesse Plemons Plays Cowboy and Indian
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Cowboy and Indian at SXSW, Plemons far right
Jesse Plemons may have killed a man on NBC as Landry Clarke, the nerdy comic relief-turned-murderer in Friday Night Lights‘ worst plot twist, but he’s since risen from his roots on the now-defunct (though excellent) TV show to play a different role: folk singer. Plemons is part of a folk crew, called Cowboy and Indian, whose outfits are something to shake an eyebrow at and whose gorgeous vocal harmonies and down-south fever are enough to start you square dancing.
And no, Friday Night Lights fans, Cowboy and Indian don’t sound anything like Landry’s fictional Christian thrash band, Crucifictorious. Read the rest of this entry »
Lykke Li Unplugs Her Wounded Rhymes
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Lykke Li, at first wash, is our generation’s Nico. Both came to us from Europe (Sweden and Germany, respectively) with beautiful faces, cold stares, and unusual accents. And both embody that same mystery, a cool air of unspoken depth and inner darkness. Perhaps the greatest difference is that Lykke Li grew into her shadowy success.
She began as a light-hearted, light-footed Swedish pop singer, drawing attention with her stripped-down, kinda-techno, dance-happy single, “Little Bit,” off of 2008′s Youth Novels. Now, Lykke Li’s translated her penchant for shoulder-shaking into the desperate, drunk and defiant dancing of this year’s “Sadness is A Blessing,” adding tension, subtracting softness, and reaching for a mystical, tribal essence in her latest release, Wounded Rhymes. Read the rest of this entry »
Once again, nothing like that personalized, autographed CD cover.
If you caught my last post, I went on about a talented young bassist by the name of Julie Slick who plays bass in the Adrian Belew Power Trio. For this young lady to be able to handle parts by bassists of such renown as Tony Levin, Les Claypool and others, as well as converting parts played on the Chapman Stick and Warr Guitar, is an ambitious feat in itself. So it was of little surprise to me that she could conjure up a series of songs to compile a solo disc. What was surprising was the depth and imaginativeness as well as the maturity and depth of composition this young artist has displayed. Again, if you are looking for Katy Perry, Lada Yada, or other pop divas of that ilk, this ain’t it. This is the direction of progressive music of the female gender. Artists like Tori Amos, Nina Hagen, even some instrumental Laurie Anderson come to mind. Slick professes not to be a vocalist, but I’d love to comprise this line-up: Amos on keyboards and vocals, Anderson on keyboards, violin, electronics and vocals, Slick on bass and electronics, and Maureen Tucker of Velvet Underground (Anderson’s husband Lou Reed’s former bandmate) on percussion and anything else she wants.
GoGo’s my gluteus maximus (and at my age, it is maximus)…
Record Store Vacation
Author: Andre Veloux
Times have changed, the big record stores are no more, their dead retail carcasses lying boarded up and abandoned. But hey, that’s the good news! Lots of music is cheap, music is even free sometimes, and if you still want that store experience you can relive the old days and visit your reliable local record store. Independent, vibrant and staffed with people who love music like you. Why can’t shopping always be like this you wonder.
As a consequence, for my vacation research, in addition to scouring the internet for local art galleries, stately homes, restaurants and the like, I google for the local record stores. I know, you’d think with Prex on my doorstep, why should I ever need to. But no two record stores are alike, and you never know what you might find. And to be honest I just get a great big buzz out of going to record stores. Prex itself is a Princeton tourist attraction to rival Nassau Hall, Princeton University and Palmer Square. In my eyes at least.
Georgia Meets Ghana: Get Involved in Jim Wilson’s Taxicab Verses
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Kofi Anteneng and Jim Wilson
In the digital age, it’s not a rare occurrence for a musician in one country to be inspired by an artist in another. But perhaps now more than ever, it’s unusual for the two to meet. And when one unknown musician travels hundreds of miles to see and record with another equally unknown musician, each with hardly any money to fund such a far-away friendship, it is a rare and special musical journey.
Jim Wilson is on such a journey, and he needs our help. Wilson is a musician living and working in Athens, Georgia, involved with a number of local bands. In 2008, Wilson took his first trip to Accra, Ghana where he met multi-instrumentalist Kofi Anteneng, a man who until that moment was a stranger to Jim. Kofi and his band, The Warriors, instantly struck Wilson with their skill and style. Together, Kofi and Jim began a project that will become Taxicab Verses. Read the rest of this entry »
Coachella 2011
Author: Gabriel Barrio
I had a dream we were here three times before. Except in my dream things constantly changed, people that were here aren’t, things that happened that definitely will not. The days light slowly hides away from us like a large toy chest closing and we are on the inside, we keep moving mile marker one after the other. Its all a blur and the stars hide out on the outskirts of the horizon, the highway is no place for stargazing and no place for two crazy souls seeking rhythms and healing undulations. We can only find adventure in our hearts and when we seek it we will always find the adventure that is meant entirely for us. This adventure has the meaning that only two sets of eyes can see yours and mine. This year we drive endlessly into the dark once again to the valley, till we reach our destination Indio, California where the Coachella Music Festival reinvigorates our souls, our hearts and reminds us why we are still here, still smiling. Read the rest of this entry »
Nothing like a personalized, autographed DVD case of the Adrian Belew Power Trio Live In Germany.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I’d like to take a minute or two to express some heartfelt emotions. Yup, first entry back and I’m getting all mushy. But I’d like to thank all of my faithful followers who contacted me on my Facebook page and relayed their concerns regarding my absence from these sites. I have been, and to a lesser extent, still am, under the weather. I will remain classified as such until an exam later this month. I also want to thank a couple of new Facebook friends who convinced me that regardless of negative feedback, my opinion of the art form is the only one that should matter in my forum. Thank you Steve and Elliott.
I have a lot of catching up to do, so let’s get to it!
The Jayhawks
Author: Butler Bad
The Jayhawks are the harmonizing alt/country, rootsy, rock, with a touch of pop/folk band that emerged from Minneapolis, Minnesota in the mid 80’s. Considered by many to be one of the forefathers of the then bourgeoning alt/country scene.
Formed in 1985 and co-helmed by Gary Louris and Mark Olson, The Jayhawks released their self titled debut on the indie label Bunkhouse Records. In an attempt to snag a major label deal, the band recorded a set of demos, and then due to tragic and unforeseen circumstances, Gary temporarily left the band. Upon his return, the collection of demos was fashioned into their sophomore release Blue Earth. Read the rest of this entry »
Kurt Vile Song Tapped for Windows Phone Campaign
Author: Kerri O'Malley
A Still from Todd Cole's "Baby's Arms" Video
Last week, Kurt Vile‘s gentle love song “Baby’s Arms,” off of Smoke Ring for My Halo, got its own music video care of Todd Cole and the Windows Phone Me short film series.
Although the video has been deemed “official” by Vile’s label, Matador Records, it’s more (or possibly less) than your typical music video or film short; it’s also an advertisement for the under-used Windows Phone. In an attempt to compete with the instantly hip iPhone, Windows has launched a unique marketing campaign, comprised of short films. Read the rest of this entry »
JEFF the Brotherhood Beat on the Brat
Author: Kerri O'Malley
JEFF the Brotherhood may awkwardly love your momma’s milk and cookies a bit too much, but their new album is short on the comforting nourishment. Contrary to the AP’s review of the Brotherhood’s latest release, “We Have Heard the Future and It is JEFF” and despite abundant laser sound effects, We Are the Champions is yet another study in retro revivalism. While tracks like “Hey Friend,” “Bummer,” and “Health and Strength” are truly unique and hold great promise, the boys delve into the popular punk sounds of the 70s for most of the rest of the album, ultimately shrouding their potential in the (way too familiar) guise of the past.
Who are they emulating? If I gave you two guesses, you probably wouldn’t need them: it’s the ever-present spectre of The Ramones haunting these two Nashville brothers. Read the rest of this entry »
Ty Segall Says Goodbye Bread, Hello Sweet Tunes
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Whether Ty Segall suffers from some sad-puppy lovesick syndrome or just the carb-depleted depression of the Atkins diet, the beginning of Goodbye Bread is miles from the San Francisco fuzz rocker’s high-energy 2008 self-titled debut. Segall’s latest album, his first for Drag City, opens up with the slow title track, composed mostly of laconic strumming and a barely-there downer daydream falsetto.
Of course, Segall doesn’t let sleeping dogs lie. The rest of the record is a mixed bag of hard-hitting rock tracks, like the punk-rock mini-song “California Commercial,” and more semi-ballads, like the slow-clap support group feel of “I Can’t Feel It.” But unlike Segall’s previous releases, the distortion is (usually) turned down a notch, and Segall’s formerly hidden voice bleeds through his chords more clearly. Read the rest of this entry »
Kurt Vile at the Bowery Ballroom (June 11)
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Kurt Vile smokes Camels. I know this because the top of the package is poking out of the back pocket of his narrow jeans as he paces the small stage at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City, hunching over instruments and amps, long wavy hair swinging as he makes the final adjustments before his June 11th show begins.
Now shaded blue, the stage has already sizzled with two opening acts, a Joan Baez clone by the name of Meg Baird and Purling Hiss, a vaguely psychedelic jam band from Philadelphia who Vile later referred to as friends of his. The boys of Purling Hiss took the stage with a laid-back vibe and more instrumental breakdowns than lyrics, amping up the energy from Baird’s slow start.
Yet it’s unlikely that anyone here on this rainy, humid day came for either Baird or Purling Hiss. Tonight is Kurt Vile’s first headlining show at the Bowery Ballroom, and it’s completely sold out. Read the rest of this entry »
Those Darlins at The Big Apple BBQ (June 12)
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Despite the gray heat on June 12th, the girls of Those Darlins lined up across the outdoor stage at the edge of Madison Square Park in different shades of black. From pleather to ripped tights and sequins, Jessi, Kelley and Nikki Darlin brought some much-needed Tennessee punk to a sprawling New York food festival: The Big Apple BBQ. Riding high off their successful Screws Get Loose album, the female Darlins and their male drummer, Linwood Regensburg, played to a crowd of dirt-covered, finger-licking, dedicated followers of fashion at Madison Square Park last weekend. Read the rest of this entry »
The Golden Age of Grrrl Power: Ten Singles From The 90s’ Best Female Artists
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Ah, The 90s. A generation that often gets lost amidst the prevalence of plaid and the birth of “Baby One More Time” pop, the 90s wasn’t (like) totally clueless. Instead, the 90s remarkably housed some amazing made-by-girls music, and I’m here to prove it to you with 10 musical gems from the ladies of the 1990s. (Don’t worry, Britney didn’t make the cut.)
With the birth of the riot grrrl movement, ladies landed on stage, fully clothed, with a definite bang and a stunning lack of glitter. From rock to pop to R&B and everywhere in-between, the decade’s female acts possessed a bite and attitude that made their songs some of the most memorable and exciting tracks of the 90s. Move over, Kurt Cobain. Courtney’s gunning for ya. Read the rest of this entry »
The iconic Record Store plastic bag
Author: Andre Veloux
What could be more sustainable than a shop that sells predominantly used items? Not much if you ask me. In so doing Prex has already stepped up to the environmental challenge by having a store full of all those pre-loved goodies. No mail order either, it’s all in one place, if you added a bike rack outside you could be talking practically a zero environmental impact of your purchases. Bearing all that in mind, it was great to see Prex joining in many other local businesses in supporting Sustainable Princeton‘s BYOBag (Bring Your Own Bag) campaign. But that got me thinking, isn’t the iconic record store bag part of the experience? Could we seriously ask record store patrons to forgo the ubiquitous plastic bag?
PJ Harvey Let England Shake (Island Records 2011)
Author: Gabriel Barrio
Redundancy strikes deep in our constant observance and cyclical critique of American entertainment. We love, we laud, we loathe, we praise and then down comes the proverbial hammer and we destroy. We pick apart every piece of the soul, spirit and sense of artistic creativity our artists give us. We tear into their works with teeth gnashing against their souls laid bare, we ravage each aspect constantly devouring their works we can relate to but turning their works in which we cannot relate to into refuse, we spit it back at the artist and devalue them in such a way that they become distant and reluctant to expose themselves to us again. They attempt to connect and to love their audience and we are fickle lovers that throw them out over the most trivial reason possible. This is our dynamic and this is why we look to them for guidance both parties lost we look for ourselves in each other. Read the rest of this entry »
Say YES to acoustic versions from your favorite progressive band's lead singer. Photo courtesy of Glass Onyon.
4/5/2011 – Asheville, NC - Much to the excitement of fans across the country, Music icon Jon Anderson, best known for his work with Yes, Vangelis, Kitaro and other notable music artists, as well as his innovative solo efforts, is preparing to tour the US in support of his forthcoming CD release ‘Survival and Other Stories‘. Jon recently completed a successful European tour with former Yes member and keyboard virtuoso Rick Wakeman on the heels of their critically acclaimed debut album ‘The Living Tree‘. The upcoming Spring tour “An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson” touts an exciting mixture of material from Jon Anderson’s prolific solo career, collaborations with Vangelis and classic Yes songs, along with new compositions from his pending CD, and promises a magical and memorable evening of enchanting music for all who attend!
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE RETURN TRIUMPHANT TO TERMINAL 5 IN NYC, 3-25-11
Author: Jeff Boule
The new and improved Queens Of The Stone Age seminal first album. The re-release has garnered such interest that the band embarked on a tour shortly after a near-death experience by frontman Josh Homme.
It was no surprise that the Queens Of The Stone Age (QOTSA) sold out its first tour in many years. They left fans wanting more after their Era Vulgaris tour, and Josh Homme teased us with his super-group Them Crooked Vultures, which was also economically viable to the point where his cohorts in the band (Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and Led Zepplin bassist/keyboardist/arranger John Paul Jones) want to keep the band productive.
But perhaps it was (according to Rolling Stone) Homme’s recent death scare that made people sell out this tour AND FAST! You see, if you follow QOTSA, you know that Homme has had trouble with his knee and an emphysema-like illness since the Over The Years and Through The Woods era. For those of you not familiar with this incident, please read on…