Today we will dissect the musical catalog of the Black Keys.  I just can’t say or write enough about the music these two dudes put out.  Pure musical genius and a little slice of heaven to boot!  If you listen or buy one album today, make it something from their catalog. Read the rest of this entry »

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Who the hell are these guys?

That was Ringo Starr’s reported response upon hearing the Vanilla Fudge’s explosive cover of “Ticket to Ride.”

Ringo wasn’t the only Beatle blown away by the Fudge’s symphonic interpretations of “Ticket” and “Eleanor Rigby” on the group’s 1967 debut album. George Harrison reportedly played the album to anyone who would listen. Considering that the Beatles had just released “Sgt. Pepper,” that was no small compliment. Read the rest of this entry »

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Killing Joke onstage at the Fillmore at Irving Plaza, NYC. Photo by Lynn Vala

Killing Joke finally played the Irving Plaza after postponing this show from earlier in the year.  They were amazing.  I told you it was going to be awesome.  You should have been there.

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Suddenly passing my driver side door at unholy speeds is a small Honda civic, white paint scuffed on the rear fender, with annoyingly loud muffler, with clothes hanging from a line in the backseat. I struggle to keep up on this never ending highway littered with small towns that have one exit, advertising rooms for rent and Big Macs. Each town passing in the blink of an eye, no sign of highway patrol anywhere, everything is flying by and it feels like this whole month is going the same route passing me by as I sit and watch as moments fall away from me one after another, quicker than I grasp. On the lonely and ever darkening highway up to Albuquerque, NM to make a stop off at exit 215. This night we sip champagne, we dance, we gamble, we shuffle around to and from rooms, this night we arrive just in time to see Beach House and Vampire Weekend at the Hard Rock Hotel. Read the rest of this entry »

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Hangover of the surreal. Waking up way too early on a Sunday morning driving through traffic. I see headlights in the distance, each set of lights passing me by, flashing, blinking, red, green and yellow lights, sitting in silence trying to wipe the fatigue from my eyes and shake the bleak from the break of day. Cars pull into a parking lot in unison, people like machines one by one empty their cars and huddle into groups to ride elevators to different floors. Walk into offices with rows of cubicles with blank faced people staring wildly into the screens in front of them. I sit down and as the world and room is spinning around me I ask myself is this all we are meant to be? A listless mass of people falling through time, spending endless hours doing everything and nothing all at once, we move, walk, drive, sit, breathe and eat all in sync like robotic animals that we are slowly becoming. The ant like people toil and move to rhythms unheard to them but only to I, and I can hear the words and rhythms of The XX reverberating in my head as they all move in time lapse. Read the rest of this entry »

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L.E.D. lights, laser lights, Naru jackets, spiritual music all equal a transcendental experience. Photo by Lynn Vala

Glenside PA – Picking up from where we left off with our last entry, we are in intermission of the Todd/Healing show at the Keswick Theater in Glenside PA.  Whilst waiting for part two of the show, I manage to talk to some fans, as well as Doug Ford, Steve the usher who tells me that some of the more raucous songs are not only not for him, but at the back of the theater, sound like mud.  THAT’S a shame.  I am fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of Tim Luciano, who, through his brother Pete (‘Lucky’) is friends with and grew up with Rundgren’s brother Robin Rundgren, who is here at the show along with Rundgren’s mother Ruth.  Mrs. Rundgren attends many of Rundgren’s east coast shows and is a heavy contributor to Rundgren biographer Billy James’ two editions of ‘A Dream Goes On Forever, The Continuing Story Of Todd Rundgren’.

As the second half nears, we see under the curtain the movement of feet, we hear Rundgren talking and errant notes here and there.  The house lights die as album 2, Healing begins.  From behind closed curtain we hear Rundgren vocally proclaim ‘My child…’

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Well, 2010 was quite the year!  Everyone got a little older but ladies, you don’t look it!  In spite of continued political divide, the yet to rebound economy, and little oil spill in the Gulf, 2010 was a pretty great year in music.  Not for the industry as a whole (canceled tours, decline in both digital and CD sales, etc…), but in terms of the output from various artists it was a pretty fine year.  Hell, the Beatles finally capitulated to the masses and released their catalog on iTunes!  Back the Brinks truck up boys, we are cashing in!

Here is my annual review of what I thought, and thereby, was good in the world of music in 2010.  If it did not make the list, it means I did not get a chance to listen to it, or it sucked.  It is entirely possible that some music got by me this year.  It is more likely that the music I did not listen to was not listenable and therefore sucked. Read the rest of this entry »

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Jay Farrar is the incredibly gifted singer/songwriter/musician who has been part of the creative process for two influential bands (Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt).  He has also had a nice solo career and most recently ventured out with Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) on the soundtrack for “One Fast Move or I’m Gone”. 

Musically he is just as adept in the sparse folksy acoustic of Americana music or the powerful roar of rock and roll.  In addition to the guitar, Farrar also knows his way around the harmonica. 

Jay Farrar Discography:

• Sebastopol (2001)
• ThirdShiftGrottoSlack (EP 2002)
• Terroir Blues (2003)
• Live EP (2004)
• Stone, Steel, & Bright Lights (2004)

Upon the demise of Uncle Tupelo, Farrar formed Son Volt and released three albums before going on a six year hiatus.  Upon return in 2005, Farrar was the only original member of Son Volt and the newly designed band released an additional four albums. 

In 2006 Farrar and Anders Parker created Gob Iron and released one album while he was in the process of recording another Son Volt album. 

Farrar’s distinctive vocals are the glue that holds all of his music together.  While he has respectable writing and musical skills, it is his voice that puts the energy and emotion into the songs.   At times, it is low and deeply emotive, conveying the world weary troubadour.  Others times, it is painfully hidden behind the weirdly tuned guitar.

Top Five Jay Farrar Songs:

1. No Rolling Back (Terroir Blues)
2. Damn Shame (Sebastopol)
3. California (Terroir Blues)
4. Feel Free (Sebastopol)
5. Station to Station (ThirdShiftGrottoSlack)

Check out Jar Farrar at www.jayfarrar.net

www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9UNSyisYG8

www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9N4fDkSLUE&feature=related

Great music awaits!

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The Strokes are the hip, happening New York band that careened on to the music scene in 2001 with their garage rock debut Is This It.  They packed the one, two punch of critical acclaim; their debut recently was listed as one of the top 50 Albums of the Decade by Rolling Stone Magazine, and commercial success.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Well, it is Friday and it has been a few days since I last posted a blog.  Part of that is due to my hectic vacation schedule of lying in bed, watching T.V., drinking beer, and attempting the occasional home project.  The other part is due, in no small part, to my incredible laziness the last couple of days.  However, it has not been a total waste of a few days.  Read the rest of this entry »

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This is the first blog I have done about a band who has not released any music to date.

Fistful of Mercy is the latest band to get the super group moniker attached to them.  This is, often a dubious title as the sum is never equal to the parts.   Fistful of Mercy is comprised of Ben Harper, Joseph Arthur, and Dhani Harrison.  Their album, As I Call You Down, is scheduled to be released in October.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Zac Brown and his rowdy band of musical brothers did a benefit concert for the Georgia Theatre, a cultural haven of the Athens music scene that burned down in 2009, and released it as a live album entitled Pass the Jar.  The album is a two disc set that is accompanied by a DVD of the concert.  Zac’s music is typically fun in nature and drenched in the good time vibe.  The concert exemplifies that vibe and the diversity of the cover songs reflects his deep appreciation for music in general.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Zac Brown and his rowdy band of musical brothers did a benefit concert for the Georgia Theatre, a cultural haven of the Athens music scene that burned down in 2009, and released it as a live album entitled Pass the Jar.  The album is a two disc set that is accompanied by a DVD of the concert.  Zac’s music is typically fun in nature and drenched in the good time vibe.  The concert exemplifies that vibe and the diversity of the cover songs reflects his deep appreciation for music in general.  Read the rest of this entry »

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AUTHOR’S NOTE: This review is extremely late in being posted as both the author and photographer have experienced a loss in the family and have been dealing with the associated responsibilities that accompany a family member flying from this earth.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone.

Hipster gigster, techno-wizard and all-around rock-and-roll guy, Todd Rundgren gives the "Fool" guitar a massive workout recreating the Todd album. Photo by Lynn Vala

Glenside PA – I will have to explain the two albums being played live by Rundgren and company at the Keswick Theater before we get into the review.  The first is the self titled album Todd.  It remains my favorite album by him to date.  Starting out with some backwards masking (sounds played backward) of a voice asking for a little fanfare, it maintains a non-stop adventure right to the protracted fade of the last track, recorded live with a chorus of audience members from both coasts and mixed together (long before digital signal stretching in Pro-Tools) in one track.

The second album is a collection of songs pertaining to the science (?) of psychic healing.  Side one of Healing deals with the voyage of one who is anointed with the power to heal, and the taxation of a greedy society, all clamoring for the healing touch.  Trivia time:  The bonus 7” vinyl that was included with the original 12” plastic waffle release was the single from the album called “Time Heals” and was the 7^th original video aired on MTV’s broadcast debut.

There weren’t many videos to choose from then, and Rundgren and MTV are not the best of friends.  Read on for more dish…

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The National is the indie band of brothers (seriously, it is two sets of brothers and a lead singer) strengthened by the unique baritone of lead singer Matt Berninger.  Formed in Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, The National released their self titled debut in 2001.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Ok, I’m on a bit of a Jack White bender and today’s blog is about his other musical love child The Dead Weather.  This incarnation finds White and Raconteur cohort Jack Lawrence (The Greenhornes) pillaging the musical talent of Allison Mosshart (The Kills, Discount) and Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age).  Read the rest of this entry »

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The National is the indie band of brothers (seriously, it is two sets of brothers and a lead singer) strengthened by the unique baritone of lead singer Matt Berninger.  Formed in Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, The National released their self titled debut in 2001.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Band of Horses is the indie rock band that was birthed in the fertile musical breeding ground of Seattle, Washington in 2004 and signed to the indigenous Sub Pop Records.  Ben Bridwell and Mat Brooke formed the band after the demise of their former band Carissa’s Wierd and the band came to the attention of Sub Pop after opening for Iron & Wine during some Seattle area shows.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Vinyl soothing sounds lamenting over troubled times and rhythmic reminiscing, an exploration, a question; is something really missing, from one end of the vinyl groove to the other, a soulful examination of how they got over.

The Roots newest album How I Got Over is a worthy album for exploration. Although not necessarily an independent rock band they make a smooth transition further underground from mainstream hip-hop with its foray into experimental collaborations including Monsters of Folk and Joanna Newsom. With a full band including mc, live drums, bass, 2 keyboard players, percussion, guitar, and sousaphone.  The Roots are not only pioneers of this awakening genre but the masters of it as well. With little to no competition in the hip-hop world in terms of groups that have a full band, and almost no large hip hop artist making collaborations with independent musicians such as The Monsters of Folk and Joanna Newsom. The Roots are in a world of their own creation. Read the rest of this entry »

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…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead is the Austin based art rock band that just happens to have one of the coolest names in the business.  And, their music is as cool as their name (which is often truncated to Trail of Dead).  The band came to fruition in 1994 when long time friends Jason Reece and Conrad Keely relocated to Austin from the indie breeding ground of Olympia, Washington.  Read the rest of this entry »

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