THE OCEAN BLUE "Between Something and Nothing":
Because they are a great band from my home state and I'm going to see them play tomorrow night.
STEVIE NICKS-Sleeping Angel:
Because I just watched Fast Times At Ridgemont High and this song was in it. And I love it.
OINGO BOINGO-Goodbye Goodbye:
Same as above...
KISS-New York Groove:
Finally got elected into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. What took so long?
PETER GABRIEL:
Like KISS, he finally got elected into the R&R Hall Of Fame. There will never be another Peter Gabriel. Ever.
Since I skipped last week, it's bonus time...
FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS-Suspicious Minds:
A true gem. This song always makes me happy. The King should be proud.
LAKE STREET DIVE:
Wrote about them a few weeks ago. Really dig their sounds. Have a cd coming out soon with a tour taking them all over the USA. Go see them!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all good night.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Friday, December 6, 2013
THE FRIDAY FIVE (12/6)
We're back after taking last week off to digest our Thanksgiving meals. With many 'Best of 2013' lists hitting the web this week, I have been soaking in a lot of what was heard over the past year. These are some of the standouts this week:
QUEENS OF THE STONEAGE-If I had a Tail:
From a band that oozes cool. This song is just one of many badass tunes on the album ...Like Clockwork which was released in June.
PARQUET COURTS-Stoned and Starving:
Put some headphones on and listen to this song. This Brooklyn NY band has a way of sucking you in. Caught them live this past summer and their live show just pulls you closer to the stage. There is a 30 minute documentary about the band called "Light Up Gold Road Trip" that makes you want to like the band even more. Good search to watch when you have some free time. It's worth 30 minutes.
TEMPLES-Colours to Life:
I'm happy to hear more of this psychedelic sound coming back. These english dudes first album will come out early next year, but this is a taste of whats to come. I dig it.
JAGWAR MA-The Throw:
A blend of Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Janes Addiction and that psychedelic that I love. This is from the debut album from the Sydney Australia trio.
T. REX-Life Is Strange:
Obviously not a new song but you will find this on the Dallas Buyers Club soundtrack, which is a fantastic movie and should be listed in the 'Best of Movies for 2013'. Either way, it's T. Rex, it's a great song and when I saw the movie last week, I made me want to to dig out my T. Rex cd's and listen to them nonstop.
That's all for this week. We'll have more best of stuff coming up next week.
QUEENS OF THE STONEAGE-If I had a Tail:
From a band that oozes cool. This song is just one of many badass tunes on the album ...Like Clockwork which was released in June.
PARQUET COURTS-Stoned and Starving:
Put some headphones on and listen to this song. This Brooklyn NY band has a way of sucking you in. Caught them live this past summer and their live show just pulls you closer to the stage. There is a 30 minute documentary about the band called "Light Up Gold Road Trip" that makes you want to like the band even more. Good search to watch when you have some free time. It's worth 30 minutes.
TEMPLES-Colours to Life:
I'm happy to hear more of this psychedelic sound coming back. These english dudes first album will come out early next year, but this is a taste of whats to come. I dig it.
JAGWAR MA-The Throw:
A blend of Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Janes Addiction and that psychedelic that I love. This is from the debut album from the Sydney Australia trio.
T. REX-Life Is Strange:
Obviously not a new song but you will find this on the Dallas Buyers Club soundtrack, which is a fantastic movie and should be listed in the 'Best of Movies for 2013'. Either way, it's T. Rex, it's a great song and when I saw the movie last week, I made me want to to dig out my T. Rex cd's and listen to them nonstop.
That's all for this week. We'll have more best of stuff coming up next week.
Friday, November 22, 2013
THE FRIDAY FIVE (11/22)
All right, all right, all right. The Friday Five is back, just in time to kick off your weekend. Enjoy!
THE CAVE SINGERS:
I wrote about this Seattle band after seeing them open up for Fleet Foxes a few years back. Really enjoy them a lot but haven't had a chance to catch them live since then. When I last saw them they were a three piece but I see they have since added a fourth member, oddly enough a member of Fleet Foxes. I shazamed a few of their songs this week that are all from their recent album Naomi, which was released in the spring. I couldn't seem to pick just one of their songs so I figured I would post their whole 25 minute performance from KEXP earlier this year. Just for the record, should they ever do a movie on Joe Cocker, I nominate lead singer Pete Quirk to play him.
BARRENCE WHITFIELD & THE SAVAGES-Corner Man:
Caught these guys on an episode of Jools Holland from a couple weeks ago. I knew nothing about this guy and his band but the performance was awesome. Turns out Barrence was rockin' out all the way back in the 80's and is now signed to one of my favorite labels, Bloodshot Records, who recently released Dig Thy Savage Soul, their first album since 1995. This is a splendid punk-soul and R&B smoothie. Drink it down.
KINGS OF LEON-Temple:
They lost me with their last album but from everything I have heard from their new cd Mechanical Bull, I'm interested again.
PHOSPHORESCENT-Ride On/Right On:
I shazamed this tune a few weeks ago and every time I hear it, I want to shazam it again. For some reason, it's just so damn catchy. The beat reminds of of another song but I can't seem to put my finger on it. Fleetwood Mac maybe? Anyway, I've seen this Brooklyn based band on a number of occasions opening for other bands. Always thought they were interesting. This song is off their awesomely named album Muchacho, which came out earlier this year. Be prepared to be hooked.
JOHN PRINE-Spanish Pipedream:
John is a legendary country folk singer dating way back to the early 70's. I read yesterday that he has to undergo surgery for lung cancer, which is unrelated to the cancer that he beat back in the late 90's. Keep this beautiful man in your prayers.
THE CAVE SINGERS:
I wrote about this Seattle band after seeing them open up for Fleet Foxes a few years back. Really enjoy them a lot but haven't had a chance to catch them live since then. When I last saw them they were a three piece but I see they have since added a fourth member, oddly enough a member of Fleet Foxes. I shazamed a few of their songs this week that are all from their recent album Naomi, which was released in the spring. I couldn't seem to pick just one of their songs so I figured I would post their whole 25 minute performance from KEXP earlier this year. Just for the record, should they ever do a movie on Joe Cocker, I nominate lead singer Pete Quirk to play him.
BARRENCE WHITFIELD & THE SAVAGES-Corner Man:
Caught these guys on an episode of Jools Holland from a couple weeks ago. I knew nothing about this guy and his band but the performance was awesome. Turns out Barrence was rockin' out all the way back in the 80's and is now signed to one of my favorite labels, Bloodshot Records, who recently released Dig Thy Savage Soul, their first album since 1995. This is a splendid punk-soul and R&B smoothie. Drink it down.
KINGS OF LEON-Temple:
They lost me with their last album but from everything I have heard from their new cd Mechanical Bull, I'm interested again.
PHOSPHORESCENT-Ride On/Right On:
I shazamed this tune a few weeks ago and every time I hear it, I want to shazam it again. For some reason, it's just so damn catchy. The beat reminds of of another song but I can't seem to put my finger on it. Fleetwood Mac maybe? Anyway, I've seen this Brooklyn based band on a number of occasions opening for other bands. Always thought they were interesting. This song is off their awesomely named album Muchacho, which came out earlier this year. Be prepared to be hooked.
JOHN PRINE-Spanish Pipedream:
John is a legendary country folk singer dating way back to the early 70's. I read yesterday that he has to undergo surgery for lung cancer, which is unrelated to the cancer that he beat back in the late 90's. Keep this beautiful man in your prayers.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
THE FRIDAY FIVE (11/16)
And for the second week in a row, five becomes six. Here we go...
MAZZY STAR-California:
They have returned this summer to release Seasons of Your Day, their first cd since 1996. They haven't strayed from the haunting yet dreamy sound we have are used to, and that is a good thing. Love this.
VOLCANO CHOIR-Acetate:
I heard this song numerous times during the week and every time I thought it was Modest Mouse or Bon Iver. Well, I was halfway right. Turns out, the band is a collaboration between Justin Vernon from Bon Iver and a band called Collections of Colonies of Bees. I haven't listened to any other songs of theirs, but this one stood out of songs I heard this week.
SAVAGES-She Will:
All girl art-post-punk band from London. Very cool intense music from their debut album Silence Yourself. Awesome.
BEST COAST-This Lovely Morning:
The west coast is the best coast from this California band. This tune from their EP Fade Away which was just released a few weeks ago.
EDITORS-Smokers Outside The Hospital:
First song from their second album, An End Has a Start, which was released back in 2007. I shazamed this song because I forgot all about them and wanted to remind myself to start listening to them again. I had seen them a few times live and really liked them but I guess I just forgot about them. I've always like this band and their sound. Looks like they have put out 2 cd's since this release, one as recently as this past summer. Looks like I have some catching up to do.
THE YOUNG-HOLT UNLIMITED-Soulful Strut:
Ending this week with some cool old school soulful jazz that was released 45 years ago this month. YHU were formed out of the Ramsey Lewis Jazz Trio and released 12 cd's between 1966 and 1973. This jam was the stand out from all of their releases.
MAZZY STAR-California:
They have returned this summer to release Seasons of Your Day, their first cd since 1996. They haven't strayed from the haunting yet dreamy sound we have are used to, and that is a good thing. Love this.
VOLCANO CHOIR-Acetate:
I heard this song numerous times during the week and every time I thought it was Modest Mouse or Bon Iver. Well, I was halfway right. Turns out, the band is a collaboration between Justin Vernon from Bon Iver and a band called Collections of Colonies of Bees. I haven't listened to any other songs of theirs, but this one stood out of songs I heard this week.
SAVAGES-She Will:
All girl art-post-punk band from London. Very cool intense music from their debut album Silence Yourself. Awesome.
BEST COAST-This Lovely Morning:
The west coast is the best coast from this California band. This tune from their EP Fade Away which was just released a few weeks ago.
EDITORS-Smokers Outside The Hospital:
First song from their second album, An End Has a Start, which was released back in 2007. I shazamed this song because I forgot all about them and wanted to remind myself to start listening to them again. I had seen them a few times live and really liked them but I guess I just forgot about them. I've always like this band and their sound. Looks like they have put out 2 cd's since this release, one as recently as this past summer. Looks like I have some catching up to do.
THE YOUNG-HOLT UNLIMITED-Soulful Strut:
Ending this week with some cool old school soulful jazz that was released 45 years ago this month. YHU were formed out of the Ramsey Lewis Jazz Trio and released 12 cd's between 1966 and 1973. This jam was the stand out from all of their releases.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
THE FRIDAY FIVE (11/9)
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).
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).
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.
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