Archive for the 'Song Reviews' Category
First Lost Notebooks Single Uncovered: Jack White’s “I Know That You Know”
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Two months ago, we reported that some of Hank William’s unfinished lyrical scribblings were being transformed into an exciting new compilation album, The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams, which was officially released yesterday. Now, Rolling Stone has the first listen to a track off of the album, “You Know That I Know,” recorded by Jack White.
White tweaks his signature, wavering, and high-reaching voice to more closely emulate Williams’ country twang, playing it as straight as if Hank had walked out of the grave, dusted off his britches, and dyed his hair gothic black. The track even has a similar sound to Williams’ “Cold, Cold Heart” and seems like it could be playing out of an old-time radio in The Last Picture Show. Yet as much as White channels Williams, he leaves his mark on the tune, bringing his favorite muses in to play. Read the rest of this entry »
read comments (0)Pool Holograph Releases New Single: “Incognito”
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Chicago’s Pool Holograph, a one-man experimental pop band comprised solely of the multi-talented Wyatt Grant, recently released a new single, “Incognito.”
“Incognito” slowly hums into existence, building into a breathy verse balanced by a creeping, tension-building beat that soon explodes into a sweet, almost wordless chorus. Quiet and obscured, “Incognito” slips away from you with a sweet whisper. Listen to the single (and download it for free) after the jump.
Milagres’ “Halfway” Music Video
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Are you a cat lover or a dog lover? Something to ponder as you watch the video for the latest single from Brooklyn’s new electro-pop-with-a-Coldplay/Grizzly Bear-edge band, Milagres. The video is set to “Halfway,” the first single off the band’s debut, Glowing Mouth. It involves a gorgeous redhead, a bath of potions, a transforming white kitten, and a Luck Dragon-esque ride through rainbow-colored space.
Wooden Shjips Release New Video: “Black Smoke Rise”
Author: Kerri O'Malley
In preparation for their sixth album, their first real-live studio record, San Francisco psych-rockers Wooden Shjips have released a video for their new song, “Black Smoke Rise.”
The band’s new album, West, sounds like a journey not only through the desert, but through the mind. Backed by more than the traditional guitar, the Shjips include Nash Whalen on organ, who adds a ghoulish tremble to “Black Smoke Rise.” Out of the layered feedback and distortion, singer Ripley Johnson’s voice barely makes it through, echoing from a distance in an extremely inviting and mystical manner. Check out the black-and-white video after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
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 »
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)…
Peter Kernel Doesn’t Care
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Members of Peter Kernel
Swiss-Canadian noise pop trio Peter Kernel recently released the first single off of their upcoming sophomore album, White Death & Black Heart. With a video to match, the single marches along with an anti-this, anti-that, pro-easy living punk attitude.
A mix of sunshine, anarchy, and edgy vocals, “Anthem of Hearts” starts off with a shock to the system care of singer and bass player Barbara Lehnhoff, but soon melts into a lovey-dovey soothing vocal, reaching for “a place to live and dream.” Check out the new song by these misanthropic romantics after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
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 »
Listen to Third Man Records’ First Hip-Hop Single
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Black Milk and Jack White: Together, White Milk
Third Man Records recently proved that you should never say never with the release of their latest project: a 7″ single from Detroit rapper Black Milk. The first hip-hop music Jack White’s label has ever released, Black Milk’s single is, not surprisingly, more than your average rap track. Laced with touches of funk, soul, and sax, both songs rock retro while rapping righteously.
White stepped in to play guitar on the A-side, “Brains,” and drums on the B-side, “Royal Mega.” According to Black Milk, the collaboration was White’s idea. On his website, Milk describes the encounter: 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 XX
Author: Gabriel Barrio
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 »
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…’
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 7th 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…
The Roots, How I Got Over (2010 Def Jam)
Author: Gabriel Barrio
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 »
Producer/Engineer extraordinaire, Alan Parsons shows off his live cred. Photo by Lynn Vala
Bethlehem PA – The man, the myth, the legend, Alan Parsons playing his ONLY east coast appearance (to date) fifteen minutes from my back door. A dream come true, right?
As Sarah Palin might say, you betcha! But I had no idea just how much of a dream come true it would be.
I am not going into Parson’s history, save to say you have heard his work. You may not have heard his voice, or his playing unless you have purchased his recent rerelease remastered series of most of his catalog. You HAVE heard his work BEHIND the recording console. Need further proof?
Read on and be amazed…
Band of Horses, Infinite Arms (Columbia, 2010)
Author: Gabriel Barrio
Dreary eyed, and melancholy muses, getting used to bad news, and exaggerated critical acclaims, another hour of rhythms and string strums, light drums and vocal hums. The world is turning slowly, madness ensures on every corner of the globe, forest fires, recalled food products, natural disasters, wars, discord, sorrow, famine and failure, it is all around us. Some look to the sky, some run to their holy books, their holy places, some run straight into the belly of hedonism, others excess and vice. However, on this starry night I look no further than the notes and melodies divine, in each devotional note I find, peace and solitude. Read the rest of this entry »
ISN’T IT TIME YOU HAD SOME FUNKY KNIGHTS?
Author: Jeff Boule
Every once in a while you gotta take a leap of faith. Just give something a listen to that may not be up your alley. For me, that leap of faith was The Funky Knights. I have some R&B appreciation in my background. One of the slickest produced artists I remember (and just plain old liked) was the late Luther Vandross. His albums were always clean, tight and had that smooth sheen.
I have to say, The Funky Knights come awfully close. At least when it comes to the instrument production.
An important album from an important artist. Cover reprinted with permission of Nonesuch records.
You’re reading a review.
About someone you’ve never heard of.
But…
You should know her.
You should know her work.
You should know her work is.
You should know her work is for… YOU!
She is a performance artist, music, dance, theater, comedy, drama, love, hate, technology… She is a political activist. But I don’t go near politics and I don’t go near music artists when they sit between their wives and ex-wives.
Alela Diane (Rough Trade 2009)
Author: Gabriel Barrio
The air rushes through the leaves, they dance and sway in the wind, the trees stand solid. Water brushes down the muddy banks of the river, and the stones are awash in freshwater as they stand still. Wild grasses grow and lean into the breezes direction, sun shining still and strong. Somewhere in the distance you can hear a voice carried amongst the thick of the forest, and soft strings playing through the cool climate of the pacific northwest. A zen like folk song conjuring up images from which the voice originates. This sound native of Nevada City, California now carried up through my earphones sending me through memories and images of peace. This sound can only come from such a beauty of a voice and a gorgeous landscape of our fair country.