Archive for the 'Indie Release Highlights' Category
Palmist Records’ Growlers/Thee Ludds Split Release
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Palmist Records’ sixth split release is grungy, gruesome, and growling…from both sides of the globe. LA’s Growlers meet Leicester’s Thee Ludds for an oil-slicked slide through 60s garage rock, though both bands add their own spin and earn their own sides.
It’s rumored that Black Keys singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach will produce the Growlers’ next album, but while we wait for official confirmation, these five songs will sing us into submission. The short but sticking “Graveyard’s Full” starts the side off with a sort of down-home, front-porch feel, mixed with creepy witticisms and the opposite of a sunny disposition. A modern update on a tune that draws from early blues, “Graveyard’s Full” somehow also has a lilting, carnvial-esque vibe. Check it out below: Read the rest of this entry »
read comments (0)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!”
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 »
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.
Mahoney & The Moment Release Debut
Author: Kerri O'Malley
If She & Him were real human beings, and not just the unearthly pairing of an uber-cute hipster doll and the chilled-out reincarnation of Bob Dylan before his time of dying, they might sound a little more like Mahoney & the Moment. This duo is a little less rock star, a little more kids you knew in high school. Charming and heartfelt, their self-titled debut feels like a true collaborative effort and sounds soulfully sincere. With a touch of country and a dollop of folk, listening to Mahoney & The Moment is like sinking into a pile of pillows — a comfortable lullaby. Read the rest of this entry »
The Grand Nationals Bleed Americana
Author: Kerri O'Malley
What makes Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty great? Aside from memorable haircuts, it’s their ability to redefine simplicity and embrace the everyday, heading straight for the greater glory hidden in simple truths and shared experiences. Local band The Grand Nationals‘ love for their all-American forefathers echoes through their debut record, Tennessee Rain. The Grand Nationals’ folk-tinged tunes and like-able lyrics are absolutely enjoyable and reminiscent of the heartland rock of yore.
The Grand Nationals‘ “Movin’ On” is so heavily influenced by these kings of yesterday’s rock radio that I would almost swear I’ve heard it before. With a bopping melody, narrative lyrics, and an unstoppable sunshine smile, “Movin’ On” sounds like a mix between Simon & Garfunkel’s “Cecilia” or solo Simon’s “Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard” and John Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane.” Read the rest of this entry »
The Mysterious MH Releases Black Animal
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Slow and steady wins the race for this Black Animal. The mysterious MH’s latest release, recorded in Chicago and New York, is a mix of hazy, dark folk reminiscent of Leonard Cohen and ambient Beach House-style tunes.
Independently released, this record falls heavy on your ears, driving the message home with a resounding, mournful tempo that ticks through the whole album. Black Animal begins and ends slow and mellow, keeping a consistent mood but exploring variations within its sullen sound. Black Animal is designed for lying on the floor, purring, and wallowing in thoughtful moments. Read the rest of this entry »
Gomez – Whatever’s On Your Mind
Author: Andre Veloux
Who are Gomez? Another great, esoteric band from a small town in England? Perhaps a truly great band from a small town in England? They haven’t made much of an impact in the US, just a small splash at the end of the 90s around the time of their debut Bring it On, and the follow up Liquid Skin. Since then, they have produced consistently and have a back catalogue of all sorts of wonderful and interesting music behind them. And here they are with their seventh album, Whatever’s On Your Mind which I picked up on a recent trip home. Another out of genre mix of this and that, diverse lyrics, tunes and melodies.
New at PREX: The Great Afternoon & Hair Rocket
Author: Kerri O'Malley
Hair Rocket's Punishment Cookie and The Great Afternoon's Self-Titled EP
Now on consignment at the Princeton Record Exchange are two exciting new projects from local bands, Hair Rocket and The Great Afternoon. Hair Rocket, from Lumberville, Pennsylvania, recently released their first full-length album, the upbeat, edgy Punishment Cookie, and Lambertville’s The Great Afternoon just released their first official, and extremely folksy, self-titled EP.
First, let’s start off with Hair Rocket, whose Punishment Cookie is surprisingly rewarding. Pop-punk in the best possible way, Hair Rocket shoot through their first full-length with a witty, high-energy, yet irreverent sound, playing rough and fast while managing to pull off the polish. 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 »
Clear Eyes, High Hearts, Can’t Lose
Author: Kerri O'Malley
On the cusp of summer, I sat in a living room in Lambertville listening to members of High Hearts pick a mandolin, banjo, and acoustic guitar. Aided by these three unusual instruments, the simple yet resounding chorus of “Gypsy Girl” drifted through the warm air and out the screen door, greeting neighbors with the wistful reminder that “the world is a lonely place/yes, the world is a lonely place.”
Though the lyrics may sound sorrowful, the true feeling of High Hearts isn’t rooted in melancholy, but in the comforting yet confronting attitude of old-time folk music. Formed by Shaun Ellis and Matt Pillischer in 2005, these local musicians have now released their first album Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of Your Fist, available at the Princeton Record Exchange. 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!
Black Friday = Record Store Day Pt.2!
Author: jon
On Fri. Nov. 26, a large slate of titles are being released only to independent record stores. For that hard-to-shop-for music lover, there are singles by Dylan and Springsteen, Hendrix green vinyl 10″, new Metallica live LP, and much more. See notes below. Sorry, did not get any U2, Soundgarden…, or Slayer. Hope you get a chance to visit…Happy Thanksgiving!
Below is a partial listing of the indie-only titles slated to be released on Black Friday, Nov.26, 2010
Please note that while we have ordered heavily on most of these, many of these items are very limited, and we won’t know what we get until we get ‘em. 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.
Berlin poses with a neon copy of his Dean bass. A sweet sounding instrument as evidenced on his new album, "High Standards".
There used to be a blogger I worked with a while ago. Anthony Medici, whom I admired for his tenacity, work ethic and integrity. I especially respected him once he started to take on the major jazz publications and took them to task! He also had some harsh words for a local public radio outlet near his hometown (Washington DC area). But he knew his stuff about jazz, and were he still working for the blog, I would ask him to review Jeff Berlin’s new disc, and most likely ask him to do this interview.
It isn’t as though I am totally foreign to Berlin’s work. I was first exposed to Jeff Berlin during his tenure with Bill Bruford’s fusion band, Bruford in the late 70’s. Having recently purchased the “Bruford – Rock Goes To College ” DVD, I was able to watch a young Jeff Berlin toss around riffs with the likes of Bruford, Allan Holdsworth, among others.
Berlin has come a long way…
BOSCH ARE MORE THAN GERMAN CAR PART MANUFACTURERS. MUCH MORE!
Author: Jeff Boule
BOSCH are (from l to r) Christopher Brown, Charles Greenleaf, and Kevin Sims. I dig `em daddy-o!
I find it hard to find new music I LIKE. Yeah, yeah, there are satellite channels, pay-radio, web-radio, TV “music” channels, friends, etc. But just because there are multiple sources of input does not necessarily yield categorical output.
I like BOSCH.
Princeton Record Exchange kicks off their 30th anniversary celebration on Record Store Day!
2010 marks the 30th year of the Princeton Record Exchange, one of the leading independent music and movie stores in the USA. We are happy to invite our fans, friends and families to join us in a weeklong celebration including live music, raffles with prizes awarded every day, scores of freebies and a huge amount of limited edition merchandise. The party begins on Saturday April 17 with the 3rd annual Record Store Day, and continues through the week, culminating on Saturday April 24 at Princeton’s Communiversity festival. Read the rest of this entry »
MYSBLT: NYE 2010, Vampire Weekend, Coachella 2010, Jay Reatard
Author: Taylor Roberts
In this issue of Music You Should be Listening to:
Welcome to 2010! The Indie music world has been gearing up for these first couple months and MYSBLT is all a buzz for things to come. New Years Eve is one of the best nights for hearing good music, but only if you are willing to spend a little extra. So I will let you in on the secret to dropping less coin without sacrificing good tunes. For those of you who have been on the edge of your seats waiting for the new Vampire Weekend album, I will let you know what I think of my first couple listens. Want a hint? I am not happy. On the side of recent news, the Coachella 2010 lineup has been announced and we finally have news from the guys at Brand New who have been tormenting their fans with the possible release of God and the Devil on vinyl. And finally, MYSBLT will pay its last respects to indie garage rock mastermind Jay Reatard who tragically passed away on January 13th at the age of 29.
MYSBLT Bands to Watch in 2010: Part 2, The Local Natives
Author: Taylor Roberts
Here at MYSBLT and The Princeton Record Exchange, we cannot tell you how excited we are to bring to you our second issue in the feature: Bands to Watch in 2010. I was lucky enough to sit down with Los Angeles band, The Local Natives, before their show in Boulder, Colorado, on December 1st. As it so happens, I met with the band the eve after they had announced signing with New York indie rock mega-label Frenchkiss. Going backstage with the band before they opened for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, we discussed their music, signing with Frenchkiss and the upcoming debut release Gorilla Manor. If you have yet to hear their tunes, you can expect to be blown away. The Local Natives are MYSBLT’s second act in our feature: Bands to Watch in 2010, and I thank them for welcoming me and my cameras backstage.