Archive for the 'Musician Reviews' Category
Mwahaha Share the “Love”
Author: Kerri O'Malley
The candy’s on the shelves. The commercials are on TV. Pink is everywhere. The first of February has launched the pre-Valentine’s Day hype and hawking. Whether you’re stuck in a love haze or just trippin’ out, California’s hallucinogenic foursome with a killer name, Mwahaha, have all the psyched-out love you can handle this holiday.
The band recently released a collaged time capsule of a music video for a single off of their recent self-titled debut album, “Love.” ”Love” looks like it would’ve felt right at home in the middle of Roger Corman’s classic acid movie, The Trip, in 1967 (which, by the way, you can now watch in full on youtube — mind the warning).
Get caught up in the feeling and check out Mwahaha’s “Love” video below. Read the rest of this entry »
read comments (2)Wild Belle Releases First Reggae-Infused Single, “Keep You”
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Chicago’s Wild Belle probably don’t listen to Sublime, but that just might be the secret to their sublime sound. Jammin’ without the slightest taste of irreverence, Wild Belle’s first single, “Keep You,” transcends ironic reggae, body-rockin’ sincerely to a shantytown shuffle.
The reggae feel of “Keep You” isn’t buried; it’s the jubilant edge to a song of slip-away sorrow, hazy, over-generalized, and real. Add a horn section and some scattered space-age sounds (and an intro that at first reminded me of My Morning Jacket’s “Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2″), and you have an undeniably catchy number that puts the sway in your hips and sweet lyrics on your lips. Check out the new tune below: Read the rest of this entry »
BASS LEGEND JEFF BERLIN RECORDS AN ASTONISHING NEW CD
Author: Jeff Boule
Richard Drexler, piano and upright bass (right), Berlin (center) and legendary drummer Mike Clark (left). A dangerous combo, promising intense music in February.
1/9/2012 – Clearwater, FL – Insiders who have heard bass legend Jeff Berlin’s newest CD are buzzing about the forthcoming release – a release that they are saying could possibly be among the greatest bass album of all time! The word is that Jeff Berlin has recorded a jazz CD so astonishing that the artist himself is in shock with what he played! “I prepared for it by practicing 5 hours a day for weeks,” Jeff explains. “What came of my preparation was to record solos on the bass that I believe have never been heard before from a bass player!”
La Sera Releases “Please Be My Third Eye,” New Album on the Way
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Sleepy-eyed redhead and bassist for the Brooklyn-based, Jersey-bred Vivian Girls, Katy Goodman re-dubbed herself La Sera last year and graduated from her girl group roots into a solo project that was often more slow, dreamy, and subtle than the garage-band sound of the Vivian Girls. Emerging with a self-titled album full to the brim of breathy numbers like my favorite, “Devil Hearts Grow Gold,” Goodman proved she could keep her own beat, though the tune of her drummer proved to be not too unique.
Lost amid popular lo-fi retro-pop, Goodman seems ready to add a bit of grunge back into her girly tunes, especially if the first single off of her upcoming sophomore solo album, Sees the Light, is anything to go by. Listen to “Please Be My Third Eye,” the fun, fully-fueled, freaky little love song, below: Read the rest of this entry »
Rodriguez: A Psych-Folk Hidden Treasure
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Possibly the Coolest Album Cover Ever
When or how my love for Sixto Rodriguez began is enveloped in a cool blue haze not dissimilar to the vaporous, encircling orb on the cover of the pysch-folk rocker’s debut, Cold Fact. I was probably aimlessly cruising through Light in the Attic‘s offbeat reissues, thumbing past the confrontational garage punk of The Monks, the French seduction of Serge Gainsbourg, and my eternal favorite, the indescribable Betty Davis. I’m sure that in this moment, I was slipping into a sepia-toned reverie, comfortable with my old friends, when the opening bass line of “Only Good for Conversation,” the second song off of Cold Fact, ripped my face in two.
“Only Good for Conversation” is the kind of little-known song that makes you want to dig back through the sands of time and unearth every piece of music ever created because WHAT IF SOMETHING AS GOOD AS THIS IS BURIED THERE?!? Featuring a killer riff and a heaping spoonful of overflowing attitude, “Only Good for Conversation” calls out a cool woman with a fresh and undeniable boldness. Rodriguez’s voice sounds clear and accented in that hollow yet all-encompassing way that only the 60s seemed to produce, layered on top of a thick fuzz. Listen below: Read the rest of this entry »
Perhaps the most comprehensive "demo" tape ever submitted by an up-and-coming artist, Sarah Spencer, enlisting the assistance of heavy hitter Steve Morse. Between that and her raw talent, you can't go wrong.
Please accept my apologies, dear reader. I have been meaning to do this review for so long. Here’s the issue: Every time a new piece of music comes across my desk lately, it has been so new, so fresh, so unheard of to me, that I simply allow myself to indulge, devour and experience.
I also need to extend a personal “thank you for your patience” to Chris Brown of Random Touch. I am dying to do the back-to-back Random Touch albums as the BOSCH disc was killer! (I throw that on every now and again, just because I reviewed them previously, doesn’t mean they collect duct on my shelves. The good ones migrate into my collection.)
But where Mr. Morse and Ms. Spencer went with Angelfire, you would not expect a disc of this caliber from these fairly divergent artists.
Cloud Control Drop Bliss Release Stateside, with Bonus EP
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Australia’s Cloud Control may claim to rule the skies, but the band’s debut LP, released in the states this November, channels a much earthier sound. Tribal without being stale or dark, pop without losing impact, and mainstream yet memorable, half-way through Bliss Release, when I hit the track “Gold Canary,” I finally put my finger on the nagging memory the album was calling to mind: Bliss Release is The Lion King of today’s music.
“Gold Canary,” in particular, with its nah-nah-oh-whey-oh vocal beat-keeping, brought L King to mind, though I wasn’t sure if it was merely for the song’s similarity to The Tokens’ “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” which the cartoon, of course, introduced to me at an impressionable age. But as I kept listening to Bliss Release, I couldn’t help feeling that same soaring feeling that only the tale of an animated lion overcoming his own guilt and self-doubt had been able to instill in me before. Read the rest of this entry »
Little Hurricane Give Away Free Holiday Single, Celebrate Homewrecker
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward teamed up for A Very She & Him Christmas earlier this year, adding their record to my Christmas rotation of Elvis Presley’s Blue Christmas and A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector. But their cover of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” fell short, speeding up the tempo and losing the lovely, snuggle-down feeling of the song.
Stepping up to the plate to replace this lackluster cover is Little Hurricane, another boy-girl duo, but more along the lines of The Kills or The White Stripes than cutesy-pootsy She & Him. Though most of their tracks lean on heavy, fuzzed-out blues, San Diego’s Little Hurricane kept it plain and simple for their cover of “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” available as a free download below. Read the rest of this entry »
T Bird and The Breaks Rock Out Daytrotter
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Yesterday, Austin’s T Bird and The Breaks tore it up during a live Daytrotter session. Playing tracks from their most recent independent release, the awesome Never Get Out of this Funk Alive, T Bird and The Breaks infused a heaping mess of steamin’ retro funk swagger into Daytrotter’s daily routine stream. These Texans play what they like to call Chunk Music: “A form of twenty-first century American music consisting of equal parts funk, hip-hop, and rock and roll…more characterized by its rough sonic quality and energetic, visceral performance. Commonly served hot with a side of girls and brass.”
During their Daytrotter session, they played three pitch-perfect and super-fun Never Get Out tracks: the give-it-to-me-now “Your Nasty Love,” the James Brown-vibing “Put it On the Spot,” and a version of Shirley Ellis’ classic “The Clapping Song,” called “The Clap Hands Song.” The Breaks cooed, ooed, and hit it outta the park like a pack of hall-of-fame back-up singers, while the band’s lead singer, Tim Crane, ran on pure soul power. Read the rest of this entry »
New God Releases Debut, Motorcar
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Yesterday, Maryland’s New God released their debut full-length, Motorcar, through indie label The Royal Army Recording Company. Packed with psychedelic pop and tinged with experimental electro, including a few sound collages, Motorcar is the product of five-plus years of recording and re-recording, making it a very tight, almost conceptual debut album.
Spanning the gauntlet of Strokes or Shins-style pop numbers like “On and Off” and “Drag the Lake” to the more jazzy vibe of “Governors Lap” and “To the Gallows With You,” New God incorporate incredibly diverse influences into a seamless and delectable debut. Read the rest of this entry »
Penguin Prison’s “Don’t F*ck With My Money” Video, Featuring OWS Footage
Author: Kerri O'Malley
About to head out into the cold darkness that is BLACK FRIDAY 2011? Hopefully you’re not headed into the gloom and doom of your local mall, but to PREX for some sweet Black Friday releases to stuff into a special someone’s stocking (or, ahem, your own stereo). Either way, you’ll need a soundtrack to guide you through the chaos and maintain inner peace and happiness while your fellow shoppers tear out each others’ jugular for a chance at half-priced plastic. Enter Penguin Prison.
Even their name already has everything you need: a reflection of the arctic chill found in fuming shoppers’ cold stares and the image of the world’s more lovable aspects hidden out of sight as the shopocalypse reigns its fiery fury. But the nightmare ends there. Push play on Penguin Prison’s new video for their hit single “Don’t F*ck With My Money” and the shimmering glory of old-school disco mixed with sunshine and hilarious swagger will rain down upon you. And suddenly the urge to elbow that lady screaming over the last Twilight poster will leave you and another urge will replace it…The urge to dance! Read the rest of this entry »
It would seem this blog has gotten big for its britches. We started with our loyalty to a certain artist-who-will-never-be-named-in-this-blog-again, we had brushes with greatness (Jeff Berlin, Bill Bruford, Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, so on) we forget what time of year it is, and what we have to be thankful for.
I remember some of the things I have to be thankful for now that I am back in an area where even I made an impression on the local musical scene. Imagine my surprise when I returned after 18 years away to find that the little band I was a part of was historic in that it was one of the first area local bands to make a splash. The band made news doing MTV basement video contest, local radio airplay, local television appearances, etc. Yeah, we were original before original was cool.
I have the scars and road rash to prove it. Long before Breaking Benjamin broke up.
RACES Release Big Broom EP
Author: Kerri O'Malley
RACES, formerly known as Black Jesus, officially released their three-song digital EP, Big Broom, yesterday, complete with creepy-cute cover art oddly reminiscent of Mickey Mouse in “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (or maybe that’s just me). Produced to promote RACES’ first full-length, Year of the Witch, due out next year, two of the three songs are from that anticipated album, while another, “Hope & Gloom,” is exclusive to the EP.
Big Broom is the perfect tease. The title track (click here to download, via Brooklyn Vegan) is thick with fuzzed-out, burning guitar licks matched to a clean sweep metaphor that finds beginnings dusty and endings clean. Not weighted down by these thoughts, “Big Broom” focuses on the revitalizing feeling of a good sweeping.
CLASSIC ROCK LEGENDS WISHBONE ASH CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF ‘ELEGANT STEALTH’
Author: Jeff Boule
New tunes from Wishbone Ash! Photo courtesy of Glass Onyon
Danbury, CT - Elegant Stealth represents a benchmark in the evolution of Wishbone Ash, one of the most influential guitar bands in the history of rock. Signature twin-lead melodies and a powerhouse rhythm section frame 11 new tracks that reflect a diverse realm of styles and moods. Elegant Stealth will be released on ZXY Music on November 25th.
Formed in 1969, Wishbone Ash has more than 20 original studio recordings and several live albums to their credit. On Elegant Stealth, the group coalesces around strong songwriting and serious chops. Founding member Andy Powell handles lead vocals and trades licks with Finland’s guitar wizard Muddy Manninen. Bassist Bob Skeat, a 14-year veteran of the band and in-demand studio musician, sets the pace with Joe Crabtree, one of the best of Britain’s new breed of drummers, having played with Pendragon and David Cross of King Crimson.
The band demonstrates its versatility on Elegant Stealth, from the pop/rocker “Reason to Believe” to the gentler vibe of “Give it Up” to tunes like “Warm Tears” and “Big Issues,” where the band gets to stretch out and flex its musical muscles.
Chicago’s Brain Idea Embark on First Tour
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Chicago’s Brain Idea has been experiencing a rush of success since they formed through a combination of happy accident and convenience in the summer of 2009. Brain Idea’s drummer, Grant Sunderland, 24, described the band’s relaxed beginnings: “I was playing guitar in this other band, and I would show up to the practice space early, and Ben and Joe were there and they’re jamming on a riff. They don’t have a drummer, so I started playing drums for them.”
“Ben and I were also in a band together before that, which we were kind of subverting by playing our own jams on the side,” guitarist and vocalist Joe Wepperogh, 29, told PREX. “Grant showed up and yeah, it just made sense.”
The trio began writing songs together, developing a full set by September of that year, and were met with startling opportunities almost the moment they stepped on stage. Read the rest of this entry »
Wakeman ( r ) and Anderson test drive some new material from their new collaborative LP The Living Tree as well as cruise some classic YES tunes in the Poconos. Photo by Lynn Vala
This blog has exposed me to a lot of new music. It has also brought me close to many artists, opened many musical doors for me, and I learn something new every time I write something. This review is unique in that while I was fortunate enough to work with the promoter for Jon Anderson, and his subsequent projects, I got to experience what many say is the heart and soul of progressive rock mainstays YES, Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman live playing songs from the YES catalog that we all know and love, but also songs from Anderson/Wakeman’s new album The Living Tree. While this is a review of the live act, I will make a quickie commentary on the album The Living Tree: I am going to get the disc based on the performances I saw at the Sherman Theater.
The Sherman Theater is an old venue in the heart of Stroudsburg, which is undergoing a touch of a renaissance lately. The Sherman, I would say is undergoing it’s own renaissance, with some new elements and some signs of age. Will call got our order confused, but such associations with promoters, press agents, etc., usually leads to snafu situations. Unless person A talks directly to person B, and when I get there I talk to person B, then the situation usually devolves to Situation Normal, All Fouled Up.
While I most likely will recognize the YES tunes, the new pieces from The Living Tree and if Anderson does anything from his new disc Open, I may need help naming them. Thanks to a cooperative soundman and an equally cooperative stage manager named Neil (if memory serves, no chance of that happening), we managed to take pictures of Jon’s personal set lists.
Rock Journalism 101: "… if you need information about anything pertaining to the show, providing you have an actual business purpose for being at the performance and aren't just an overzealous fan…" Photo by Lynn Vala
Ask and you shall receive… Read the rest of this entry »
The Black Belles Release Self-Titled Debut
Author: Kerri O'Malley
The Black Belles are leaving Charlene and Colbert behind, ditching the laugh track for the release of their debut self-titled album, released yesterday on Third Man Records. These gothic girls’ first release is an awesome mix of dark intentions, bad romance, sizzling guitars and grungy garage rock.
Not as black-hearted as their name implies, The Black Belles may have been inspired by their 60s-era fore-bearers, the more pleasantly named The Belles, who graced the legendary compilation album, Girls in the Garage, with their gritty tunes. The Black Belles build on this true grit, drawing from the girl group ooo-ooos of the Phil Spector era and the rebel garage rock of their female ancestors in the 60s and 90s to make truly stand-out ladyrock. These modern undead Runaways make tough music for baaaaad girls and boys, telling tales of tainted love and voodoo magic. Read the rest of this entry »
Promoting the expanded re-release of Completion Backward Principle, the Tubes bring their "La Dolce Vida" tour to Jim Thorpe, PA. Photo by Lynn Vala
Jim Thorpe PA – I function in a lot of different environments. Theaters, clubs, halls… But usually these are, at the most, extreme, in the suburbs of some metropolis. This venue is up in the mountains of North East PA.
This up-high-rural-stuff ain’t for me.
Many of these venues often feature restaurants adjacent or within the structure. This venue’s restaurant, Roadies, was particularly good. I may be a tad biased. You see, that night, I was craving a big, sloppy, juicy cheeseburger. I was thrilled when I saw it on the menu. But the burger itself was so huge, juicy and sloppy, it met my craving head on and was most satisfying. The fries were great too. Thankfully, my doctor doesn’t read this column.
But I have found that many of these “experience” reviews contain comments and opinions about food. I am beginning to feel like a restaurant critic. There are enough Gordon Ramsey’s in the world…
Let’s talk about MUSIC!
Fresh off the burner, the new CD from Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman. They do indeed deliver the goods, right through customs and into the United States. Cover courtesy of Glass Onyon
So, apparently, my question last time, “can Anderson/Wakeman deliver the goods” has been answered! Some of the East Coast US reviews are starting to surface, and, let’s just say I am thrilled we got our tickets!! This is promising to be a trip down YES memory lane with nods to brand new music composed by the duo. Not wanting to speak out of turn, I am going to wait for the show to make any decisions about the new material. The good news is, I won’t be waiting long as Anderson and Wakeman are coming to my “hood” tomorrow and I will have pen in hand, trusty photographer armed with photo pass, and I will be happily passing on all the dish about the show!!!
But let’s give a look at what Anderson/Wakeman’s PR folks have to say about this latest release and corresponding tour”:
11/5/2011 – London, UK – As a follow-up to their critically acclaimed CD ‘The Living Tree’ from 2010, YES legends Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman prepare to release ‘Anderson / Wakeman – The Living Tree In Concert Part One’ on Gonzo Multimedia on November 28th. The CD was recorded during the duo’s British tour in 2010 and comes housed in a sleeve design by Mark Wilkinson who was also responsible for the design of the artwork for ‘The Living Tree’.
Electric Guest Release Two Singles in Anticipation of 2012 Debut
Author: Kerri O'Malley
LA’s Electric Guest recently released two singles, “Troubleman” and “American Daydream,” to give us a taste of their upcoming Danger Mouse-produced album, destined to debut this spring on Downtown Records. Though the titles of the new tracks may call Cat Stevens and Tom Petty to mind, Electric Guest’s “electro-soul-pop,” as Nylon accurately describes it, is anything but your typical radio fodder.
“Troubleman,” a top tune over at KCRW, drifts towards the nine-minute mark, turning an expansive psychedelic narrative into the dreamy pop hook, “She’s got it bad for me,” which itself morphs throughout the song’s odyssey. Slow guitar licks, aided by Danger Mouse’s signature production quality (which sounds similar to Broken Bells here), send the ponderous tune into a lazy, hazy other-world as the song introduces its title character, a stranger set in a strange sonic landscape.