I didn't get a chance to post yesterday so THE FRIDAY FIVE turns into THE SATURDAY SIX for this week. Do you like what you hear?
BLITZEN TRAPPER-Thirsty Man:
It seems like every time Blitzen Trapper puts out a cd, there are 2 or 3 songs I hear that I really enjoy yet for some reason, I never dive deeper into the cd or go see them in concert. I shazamed this song earlier in the week and was lucky enough to hear them perform on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic yesterday. This song is from their 7th (the first 3 were self released) cd 'VII' which was released early in October. Very, very cool stuff. Next time they come thru, I will not be missing them.
Also, I need to give a shout out to 89.3 The Current, which is the Minnesota Public Radio station that this video below comes from. The videos of their in-studio performances are always fantastic.
ARCADE FIRE-Afterlife:
Unless you have been living in a cave for the last month or two, you know that Arcade Fire recently released their much hyped fourth cd Reflektor. Everywhere I look this cd is reviewed and they seem to have been on every talk show possible to promote it. I'll be honest and say that I haven't yet listened to Reflektor, read any of the reviews and only caught their performance on the Colbert Report which was just OK. Actually I did read two short reviews. One was a text from my friend Karen, who loves Arcade Fire. It was a short text. She said it was horrible. The other was a review of the reivew's, which said the reviews were mixed, and that's why I don't read many reviews. Arcade Fire are in a tough boat here. Expectations are high. They are a band that average music fans feel they should like due to all the hype. Regardless of all the buzz, I really like this song a lot. The video is from the Youtube Music Awards which happened last week. I think Spike Jonze may have directed it.
PAUL SIMON-BIKO:
This is a very cool cover of Peter Gabriel's song about the black South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. The song is off the Scratch My Back/And I'll Scratch Your's which sees Peter doing covers of various bands and bands covering of his songs. Its a cool concept but the result isn't that overwhelming from what I have heard so far, then again, in true Peter Gabriel fashion, his renditions are very different and unique. As far as the covers of his songs, there are a few gems, including Randy Newman doing 'Big Time', Elbow's beautiful version of 'Mercy Street' and this version of Biko. I've had the pleasure of seeing Peter Gabriel live on many occasions and there are very few songs you will experience in concert that are as moving as when he performs BIKO. I really enjoy Paul Simon's version here and the addition of strings is a really nice touch.
BAND OF SKULLS-Death By Diamonds and Pearls:
After hearing this song, the only conclusion I can come up with is that everyone should have the Band Of Skulls in their life. Super cool stuff from their 2009 debut cd Baby Darling Doll Face Honey.
BROKEN BELLS-Holding On For Life:
The first single from the yet to be released cd After The Disco by the super collaboration of James Mercer (The Shins) and Danger Mouse (everything he touches is gold...). This will be their second cd together. Very cool mellow, psychedelic, retro vibe.
LAKE STREET DIVE-Bad Self Portraits:
How do you categorize the sound of this Boston band? On their website, they mention they started out as 'free country' band with intentions to play "country music in an improvised avant-garde style-like Loretta Lynne meets Ornette Coleman." Not they just say they are a "pop band leaning very heavily on soul and rock with hook-y writing." Whatever the sound, I love it. Reminds me a bit of early Hall & Oats. (note-I heard one of their songs, tried to shazam it and it didn't work, so I just wrote down the name of the band to remember the band).
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Friday, November 1, 2013
THE FRIDAY FIVE (11/1)
Kicking November off with 5 great songs that I have Shazamed this week. First a sad note. The music world ended October in a sad way with the passing of Lou Reed. His music career started in the late '60's (?!) as a member of the highly influential band The Velvet Underground and recorded probably his most notable song 'Walk on the Wild Side' as a solo artist in 1972. Crazy to think that this guy had been putting out music since before I was born and his most recent cd was a collaboration with Metallica. While he has moved on to a better place, he left us with a masterful collection of music that totals almost 40 cd's. Rest In Peace Lou.
And now, The Friday Five.
WILD BELLE-It's Too Late:
Led by a brother and sister duo from Chicago, this song is from their debut cd, Isles, which was released this past March. Lead singer Natalie and her multi-instrumentalist brother Elliot draw influences from reggae, funk, jazz and soul producing a super cool and sexy groove. Real good stuff. The rest of the cd sounds just as good!
J. RODDY WALSTON & THE BUSINESS-Heavy Bells:
I have a buddy that has been telling me about this Baltimore via Tennessee band for the past few years so I was really happy when I heard this track off of their recently released cd Essential Tremors. Its just great gritty rock & roll.
LUSCIOUS JACKSON-"#1 Bum":
Yes, you see this right. The ladies of Luscious Jackson are back with their first release in almost 14 years. The cd titled Magic Hour, comes out next week and is getting some great reviews. From the sound of this funky tune (and catchy video), they haven't skipped a beat. Welcome back!
KODAKID-Shake Skin:
A soulful blues rock & roll band from Waterford, Ireland (yes, Waterford Crystal originated here). They have a 3 song ep that you can download for free from their website. It includes this song 'Shake Skin' which I find very addicting. Looks like they have full length cd coming out later this year. An easy comparison is that of the Black Keys.
FIRST AID KIT-Emmylou:
The sweetest song you will hear this month is performed by these two sisters from Sweden. This is from their second cd Lions Roar which is filled with songs just as beautiful.
And now, The Friday Five.
WILD BELLE-It's Too Late:
Led by a brother and sister duo from Chicago, this song is from their debut cd, Isles, which was released this past March. Lead singer Natalie and her multi-instrumentalist brother Elliot draw influences from reggae, funk, jazz and soul producing a super cool and sexy groove. Real good stuff. The rest of the cd sounds just as good!
J. RODDY WALSTON & THE BUSINESS-Heavy Bells:
I have a buddy that has been telling me about this Baltimore via Tennessee band for the past few years so I was really happy when I heard this track off of their recently released cd Essential Tremors. Its just great gritty rock & roll.
LUSCIOUS JACKSON-"#1 Bum":
Yes, you see this right. The ladies of Luscious Jackson are back with their first release in almost 14 years. The cd titled Magic Hour, comes out next week and is getting some great reviews. From the sound of this funky tune (and catchy video), they haven't skipped a beat. Welcome back!
KODAKID-Shake Skin:
A soulful blues rock & roll band from Waterford, Ireland (yes, Waterford Crystal originated here). They have a 3 song ep that you can download for free from their website. It includes this song 'Shake Skin' which I find very addicting. Looks like they have full length cd coming out later this year. An easy comparison is that of the Black Keys.
FIRST AID KIT-Emmylou:
The sweetest song you will hear this month is performed by these two sisters from Sweden. This is from their second cd Lions Roar which is filled with songs just as beautiful.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
THE FRIDAY FIVE (10/25)
A day early...
DEX ROMWEBER DUO-Death Of Me:
If you've never heard of Dexter Romweber, well you have been missing out on an amazing collection of music that dates way back to the mid 80's as a member of the highly influential rock n' roll/rockabilly band the Flat Duo Jets. Dex's output of music includes 10 cd's with the Flat Duo Jets, 6 'solo' cds and 3 as part of the Dex Romweber Duo which includes his sister Sara on drums. He also plays with a band called the New Romans which involves up to 10 members and play/rehearse in his garage every Thursday night. This song, Death Of Me, is from their 2011 Is that You In the Blue release.
THE STRYPES-What a Shame:
An Irish garage rock/rhythm & blues band that is made up of all teenagers! This song is from their debut cd Snapshot, that was released just last month. Definitely working the 60's mod vibe and doing it well.
B-52's-Private Idaho:
This song is a real gem in so many ways. My favorite of all time from the B-52's. I get way too excited every time I hear this song and when it came on the radio this week, I almost crashed the car. Find this on their 1980 cd 'Wild Planet'.
ARCTIC MONKEYS-R U Mine:
From their most recent release called AM. This band is awesome and love to see them continue to grow their sound. Joshua Homme, from Queens of the Stoneage, has worked with them on their last couple cd's and that has produced this heavier sound. Well done lads.
MAX SEDGLEY-Slowly:
Max is a British DJ and producer. This song is from 2006. I loved the song when I first heard it but the video takes it to a different level.
DEX ROMWEBER DUO-Death Of Me:
If you've never heard of Dexter Romweber, well you have been missing out on an amazing collection of music that dates way back to the mid 80's as a member of the highly influential rock n' roll/rockabilly band the Flat Duo Jets. Dex's output of music includes 10 cd's with the Flat Duo Jets, 6 'solo' cds and 3 as part of the Dex Romweber Duo which includes his sister Sara on drums. He also plays with a band called the New Romans which involves up to 10 members and play/rehearse in his garage every Thursday night. This song, Death Of Me, is from their 2011 Is that You In the Blue release.
THE STRYPES-What a Shame:
An Irish garage rock/rhythm & blues band that is made up of all teenagers! This song is from their debut cd Snapshot, that was released just last month. Definitely working the 60's mod vibe and doing it well.
B-52's-Private Idaho:
This song is a real gem in so many ways. My favorite of all time from the B-52's. I get way too excited every time I hear this song and when it came on the radio this week, I almost crashed the car. Find this on their 1980 cd 'Wild Planet'.
ARCTIC MONKEYS-R U Mine:
From their most recent release called AM. This band is awesome and love to see them continue to grow their sound. Joshua Homme, from Queens of the Stoneage, has worked with them on their last couple cd's and that has produced this heavier sound. Well done lads.
MAX SEDGLEY-Slowly:
Max is a British DJ and producer. This song is from 2006. I loved the song when I first heard it but the video takes it to a different level.
Friday, October 18, 2013
THE FRIDAY FIVE (10/18)
First off, a big Happy Birthday to Chuck Berry. One of the great pioneers of rock n' roll is 87 years old today!! Big ups to you Chuck!
And now back The Friday Five.
UB40-One in Ten:
This song is from their second of eighteen (?!?!?) albums. The album is called Present Arms and was released in 1981. The song has to do with the percentage of workforce filing for unemployment (9.6%) in West Midlands in the summer of 1981, when the song was released. The video is them performing the song on Top of Pops that same year.
KOPECKY FAMILY BAND-Heartbeat:
Not a family. Horrible video. Incredibly addicting song. You've been warned.
IDES OF MARCH-Vehicle:
Its songs like this that makes Shazam so great. I've probably heard this song more than 1,000 times over my lifetime but never knew the band. I think I just always just thought it was Chicago. Nope, its the Ides of March who oddly enough are from Berwyn, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
FLETCHER C. JOHNSON-Messin Up My Mind:
I actually Shazamed this song twice in the last week, I think both times from Little Stevens Underground Garage station on Sirius. These dudes look to be from Brooklyn and much like Kopecky Family Band, the video almost makes you want to not like them. The epic ending saves it.
NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS-Turn Up Satan:
This song is from their sixteenth album, World Boogie Is Coming, which was released last month. This 3 man band from Hernado, Mississippi has been tooling around since 2000. I've never really thought to listen to their music but damn, I've been missing out. This is some killer music. Sixteen releases? Where the hell have I been? I've got some catching up to do. Loving this sound. A few cool tidbits about this band. One guy plays an electric washboard as well as something called a 'lowebow', also called a cigar box guitar. This is a cigar box with two rod sticking out, one for one bass string and one for one acoustic string. It was created for a one-man band in mind.
And now back The Friday Five.
UB40-One in Ten:
This song is from their second of eighteen (?!?!?) albums. The album is called Present Arms and was released in 1981. The song has to do with the percentage of workforce filing for unemployment (9.6%) in West Midlands in the summer of 1981, when the song was released. The video is them performing the song on Top of Pops that same year.
KOPECKY FAMILY BAND-Heartbeat:
Not a family. Horrible video. Incredibly addicting song. You've been warned.
IDES OF MARCH-Vehicle:
Its songs like this that makes Shazam so great. I've probably heard this song more than 1,000 times over my lifetime but never knew the band. I think I just always just thought it was Chicago. Nope, its the Ides of March who oddly enough are from Berwyn, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
FLETCHER C. JOHNSON-Messin Up My Mind:
I actually Shazamed this song twice in the last week, I think both times from Little Stevens Underground Garage station on Sirius. These dudes look to be from Brooklyn and much like Kopecky Family Band, the video almost makes you want to not like them. The epic ending saves it.
NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS-Turn Up Satan:
This song is from their sixteenth album, World Boogie Is Coming, which was released last month. This 3 man band from Hernado, Mississippi has been tooling around since 2000. I've never really thought to listen to their music but damn, I've been missing out. This is some killer music. Sixteen releases? Where the hell have I been? I've got some catching up to do. Loving this sound. A few cool tidbits about this band. One guy plays an electric washboard as well as something called a 'lowebow', also called a cigar box guitar. This is a cigar box with two rod sticking out, one for one bass string and one for one acoustic string. It was created for a one-man band in mind.
Friday, October 11, 2013
THE FRIDAY FIVE (10/11)
Starting something new. In an effort to be more regular with my activity, every Friday I'll be posting the top 5 songs I have Shazamed for the week. And away we go:
PETER KING-Freedom Dance:
A Nigerian multi-instrumentalist from the 70's. He performed a blend of Afro-beat, funk, soul and jazz similar to that of Fela Kuti and Tony Allen. This song is from his album Shango. I've become obsessed with this type of music over the years and you can find some amazing compilations such as the Nigeria 70 collections, African Scream Contest and Nigerian Rock Special.
LA LUZ-Sure As Spring:
Four girls from Seattle playing 60's inspired surf rock. How cool is that?! From the looks of it, they have only been together as a band for a year and just released their first EP titled Damp Face.
MEL BRITT-She'll Come Running Back:
Struggling to find out much about this guy other than he is from Detroit and was part of the Northern Soul Revival. In an article that I read regarding Northern Soul, iconic British soul DJ Ian Levine said "Northern Soul is about the artists that wanted to be the Motown sound but weren't." Mel died earlier this year.
LL COOL J-Going Back To Cali:
No explanation needed. A pure classic.
BLACK LIPS-Veni Vidi Vici:
Psychedelic, garage, punk rock band from Atlanta known for their outrageous live shows. This tune is from their 2007 album Good Bad Not Evil.
PETER KING-Freedom Dance:
A Nigerian multi-instrumentalist from the 70's. He performed a blend of Afro-beat, funk, soul and jazz similar to that of Fela Kuti and Tony Allen. This song is from his album Shango. I've become obsessed with this type of music over the years and you can find some amazing compilations such as the Nigeria 70 collections, African Scream Contest and Nigerian Rock Special.
LA LUZ-Sure As Spring:
Four girls from Seattle playing 60's inspired surf rock. How cool is that?! From the looks of it, they have only been together as a band for a year and just released their first EP titled Damp Face.
MEL BRITT-She'll Come Running Back:
Struggling to find out much about this guy other than he is from Detroit and was part of the Northern Soul Revival. In an article that I read regarding Northern Soul, iconic British soul DJ Ian Levine said "Northern Soul is about the artists that wanted to be the Motown sound but weren't." Mel died earlier this year.
LL COOL J-Going Back To Cali:
No explanation needed. A pure classic.
BLACK LIPS-Veni Vidi Vici:
Psychedelic, garage, punk rock band from Atlanta known for their outrageous live shows. This tune is from their 2007 album Good Bad Not Evil.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
BIG DADDY KANE
Last night I caught bits and pieces of a documentary on Big Daddy Kane. I'm not sure of the name of it or even what channel it was on but I kept flipping back in between innings of the baseball game as it was fantastic. I had to pull up a couple of his classic videos. Rap just isn't what it used to be. Kane is one of the best.
CLAIRY BROWNE & THE BANGIN' RACKETTES
If you love Amy Winehouse and the badass soul that she revived, check out Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes. This 9-piece band from Melbourne, Austrailia have only been around a few years but have a fantastic sound that has been generating a well deserved buzz. Their debut album, Baby Caught The Bus, came out 2 years ago in their home country and was finally released in the states earlier this year. Heavy on soul and doo-wop with a touch of blues, the album is a party from beginning to end. The band gained attention last year in the states when the lead single 'Love Letter' featured in a Heineken TV commercial with Browne also appearing in the ad. They are currently on tour all over the USA thru December so be sure to catch them and take along some friends. They will thank you for it. Check out videos below for Love Letter, Baby Caught The Bus and Vicious Cycle
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