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The B-52's, pioneering dance-rock stars, are exploding on the scene once again with the February 26th, 2008 release of Funplex, the band's first studio album in 16 years.

Hehehehe.

I can just imagine it now. No seriously I am looking forward to this album. I think it might end up being refreshing if not VERY interesting.

Guitarist Keith Strickland explains, "It's loud, sexy rock and roll for your pleasure zones, with the beat pumped up to hot pink."

I can't say you heard it hear first, but I hope you did. When I get more news I'll let ya know.

THE B-52'S 'FUNPLEX' TRACK LIST
1. Pump
2. Hot Corner
3. Ultraviolet
4. Juliet Of The Spirits
5. Funplex
6. Eyes Wide Open
7. Love In The Year 3000
8. Deviant Ingredient
9. Too Much To Think About
10. Dancing Now
11. Keep This Party Going

Love shack, that's where it's at...

Labels: B-52, music news

Yes that's right..14 days until the wedding!

In honor of the special day and in lieu of the Noah's Ark worthy rain we have been experiencing I have THE PERFECT song to share with you on this soggy Saturday morning.

Listen:
Jackson Waters - "Jamie's Song" (mp3)

Featuring Brian Meek on bass, David Leonard on vocals, guitar and keyboards, Ryan Hawk on drums and both Toby Friesen and Jesse Lafave on guitar.

Labels: Jackson Waters

Thomas Comerford started "Kaspar Hauser" in 1999. Eight years later and he is finding himself playing a show with none other than Jim Fairchild who is "All Smiles".

Recently, the post I wrote about All Smiles seemed to be a big hit. So when I heard from Thomas I thought I should check him out and see if he was "Bring Me Up" material. After research and listening I realized why Jim is playing a show with him. Kaspar Hauser has the same laid back western feel to his music but he adds in some hand claps and banjo along with a wicked harmonica (I love hand claps)! Coupled with catch finger picking and fantastic vocals it makes for music you'll keep playing.

Kaspar Hauser has been touring all year beginning on January 24, 2007 and not stopping until December 28, 2007 for a show in Chicago at the Empty Bottle (where they perform often).

Their new record, Quixotic/Taxidermy, came out courtesy of Backwardmasking Records in February 2007. It's in a lovely silkscreened, gatefold package with drawings by Chicago comics artist, Becca Taylor. Kris Poulin, a Chicago engineer (Pinback, Bonnie 'Prince' Billie, Love Story in Blood Red) recorded and mixed most of the record.

You'll find that this newer album is quite a development from previous records showing a more mature style of both multi-instrumentals and thought provoking lyrics. But all in all, after sampling several albums, I've decided they collectively make a satisfying bouquet of sensible, Southern-dipped time-worn tracks.

Listen:
Kaspar Hauser - "Fossil" (mp3 - LIVE)
Kaspar Hauser - "Without A Word" (mp3)
Kaspar Hauser - "King Pop" (mp3)

Buy the music!!!

Labels: Kaspar Hauser

All Smiles released their full length album Ten Readings of a Warning in April and it hasn't gotten the hype it really deserves. My hope is that the East Coast tour will perk up some more ears and get people chatting. For folks in my area, All Smiles will be at Johnny Brenda's on Halloween night. The venue is pretty cool but it's a tight space up in the show area so get there early and stay cool.

Jim Fairchild created the album without any backing from a label. He's an incredible musician, storyteller, and artist. I'm telling you right now YOU WILL LOVE his skills on the piano, I get all googly eyed when it comes to the keys.

The record was almost entirely created on 8-track, recorded in living rooms up and down the West Coast. "It was a no-budget record," says Jim. "There wasn't any backing yet. I just set up whatever gear I had in the kitchen of our borrowed house in Portland, and our living room in Los Angeles. It sounds like the places it was recorded in. You can hear the walls, and the floors, and the ceilings, and you can hear the cars, and the trees, and the guys selling drugs outside."

Ten Readings of a Warning was perfectly mixed by Brian Deck (Iron and Wine, Modest Mouse).

Listen:
All Smiles - "The Velvetest Balloon" (mp3)

Buy the music!

Tour Dates
23 Oct 2007 The Pike Room Pontiac, Michigan
24 Oct 2007 Grog Shop Cleveland, Ohio
26 Oct 2007 Mohawk Place Buffalo, New York
27 Oct 2007 T.T. The Bear's Boston, Massachusetts
29 Oct 2007 Mercury Lounge New York, New York
30 Oct 2007 Southpaw Brooklyn, New York
31 Oct 2007 Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia, Pennsylvania1 Nov 2007 Black Cat Washington, DC, Washington DC
3 Nov 2007 Duke Coffeehouse Duke University Durham, North Carolina
4 Nov 2007 Grey Eagle Asheville, North Carolina
5 Nov 2007 New Brookland Tavern West Columbia, South Carolina
6 Nov 2007 Cafe Eleven St. Augustine, Florida
7 Nov 2007 The Social Orlando, Florida
8 Nov 2007 Club Downunder Tallahassee, Florida
9 Nov 2007 Bottletree Cafe Birmingham, Alabama
10 Nov 2007 The Earl Atlanta, Georgia
12 Nov 2007 Exit/In Nashville, Tennessee
13 Nov 2007 Southgate House Newport, Kentucky
14 Nov 2007 Martyr's Chicago, IL w/ Ed Grey and Kasper Hauser

Labels: All Smiles

Skydiggers are a Canadian roots rock band from Toronto, Ontario. They formed in 1987 and were signed by Engima Records in 1989. With their love for roots music they blended a folk, rock and country style into music that has still not grown old. Just last year they teamed up with The Cash Brothers and released an acoustic album.

If you like John Hiatt you'll love Skydiggers. Prepare for some foot tapping.

Listen:
Skydiggers - "What Can I Say" (mp3)

And since I don't blog nearly enough country music I thought I'd also mingle in a Billy Currington song. He's a bit newer than Skydiggers but still has the old school sound. Signed to Mercury Nashville Records in 2003, Billy Currington has released two full length albums and has seven singles. The latest of his hits is called "Tangled Up." And I've heard he plans on releasing a new album in early 2008.

Listen:
Billy Currington - "Ain't What It Used To Be" (mp3)

For a third harmonica driven track I'm going to post something from The Jayhawks. It's a live track of a song from their Rainy Day Music I'm Gonna Make You Love Me album. The Jayhawks have been around awhile, but their name is flitting around the music news lately because Mark Olson, former founder of the Jayhawks, has delivered his first solo album, Salvation Blues.

Listen:
The Jayhawks - "Waiting for the Sun" (mp3)

Labels: Billy Currington, Skydiggers, The Jayhawks

Tenlons Fort debut record, Golden Handshake, was recorded July 2005 at Rockhouse Studios in Liberty Hill, Texas. His latest record, Followed By Bad Luck, released this past summer. All the songs are written and produced by Jack Gibson.

Jack Gibson has such a youthful spirit and the fact is evident when you see him dance. He is definitely one who practices "dancing as if no one is watching." You could compare him to Ryan Adams or Band of Horses and not be too far off on how he sounds. Little bit mellow...little bit dramatic...always intensely revealing and soulful.

I feel Jack Gibson and his talents should not go undiscovered. He has a strong ear for melodies that happily stay in your head all day, and an interesting way with lyrics. It's rare to get two back-to-back albums from an artist and be able to say there isn't a bad track in the mix, but for Tenlons Fort that would be the case. Each time you play these tracks you will find them sweeter and sweeter.

Listen:
Tenlons Fort - "Golden Handshake" (mp3)
Tenlons Fort - "Ghost on a Hill" (mp3)

Buy his music!!!

Labels: Tenlons Fort

I had posted this once before but I'm doing it again because there is nothing quite like the sound of laughter.

Music to my ears!

Labels: braeden, home video

One would think revitalizing a log cabin in the Appalachian foothills would be a feat on its own, but for Marco Mahler it proved inspirational enough to also write music. He also became a husband and father during his time in the foothills and all of these changes heightened his creative passions.

Design in Quick Rotation is the title of his debut album and has been described as "music that captures the dawn of Sunday morning and embodies it through verse and song." With a release date of June 7, 2007 the album has been growing in popularity and as of last week is being played on 67 radio stations including The New York Times' radio station, WQXR.

With lofting, arching melodies over pop and folk structures you'll find his music refreshing and dreamy.

Listen:
Marco Mahler - "Standing Still Faster" (mp3)

Buy his music!

Labels: From The Inbox, Marco Mahler

On this fine Friday morning I took off from work because it is my little boy's 4th birthday. But still music calls me and the beats from the inbox this morning were far too perfect to leave hanging.

Introducing "Goodtimes Goodtimes" an indie folk band from the UK.

"GOODTIMES GOODTIMES throw these blues on the carnival bandstand and dance around them with a smile from ear to ear. A beautiful defiance of and lust for life."

The previous statement is from the band's MySpace page. You might speculate over whether or not it is a bit bias, but I have to admit it's pretty accurate.

I can seen how the tone of the guitar riffs could seem a bit bluesie at times, the vocals are far more Johnny Cash with their drawl. (Seems strange coming from someone from London Town). Though I wouldn't say the music is typical blues material I can say it reminds me of the "Jack and Diane" ages of Mellencamp. There is a wicked harmonica in their "Sunshine Sunshine" song. This music is far too light to be considered blues from my perspective. I'd say it would lift you out of your blues!

Francesco Cinelli you are a fantastic combination of Van Morrison and Tom Petty. I hope know one thinks that to be an unlikely collaboration, because this auditory tie-dye is brilliant. And the lyrics seem simple and profound at the same time.

Listen:
Goodtimes Goodtimes - "Sea Shanty" (mp3)

Buy the music at the Goodtimes Goodtimes MySpace page!

Labels: Friday, From The Inbox, goodtimes goodtimes

Have you ever head the band "The Lightning Seeds" or perhaps "Supergrass"?

Okay, maybe not, but they are great bands, and I was recently introduced to "The Big Lie" who I feel is right up there with the aforementioned groups. Strong material, fun, upbeat pop sounds and catchy lyrics make up great music! You may even say they are "The Who" of pop-punk. =o)

"The Big Lie" just released their first self-titled album, courtesy of Defend Music. It came out in stores yesterday, October 9, 2007, and I can honestly say it is quite addictive.

The strange thing about this band is that they have never recorded in the same room, or played a live show together.

**gasps**

They recorded music in a singular fashion, sent it to each other, it was mixed and produced and it became a full length album. All of this craziness led to their band name.

The "band" never intended for this collection to see commercial release. They shared copies with family and friends for around a year when one of those friends, Roy Jay, a former bouncer at a now defunct club they used to roll through in their various bands, sent a copy to a friend in New York, who happened to play it for Michael Prommer of Defend Music. Prommer reached out to Jay, who reached out to the "band". There a problem occurred, as there is no band. Finally, an arrangement was worked out. Jay would be the spokesman for what had become The Big Lie.

Now that you have the very interesting back story you HAVE to listen to the music, right? Right!

Listen:
The Big Lie - "Sally" (mp3)
The Big Lie - "Fix Me Up" (mp3 snippet)

Labels: The Big Lie

Since the sky poured it's heart out yesterday afternoon and night I decided to grab a track from the inbox that dealt with water. =o)

Seabear released their debut album, The Ghost That Carried Us Away, on September 9, 2007. Morr Music, their lovely label, says the album covers topics of "nature, mortality and love."

The group is from Iceland and they have an eclectic sound. Guitar, piano, violin, harmonica, lapsteel; you name it and you'll probably hear it floating around in their tracks. They like the LoFi feel (much to my dismay) so their album is reminiscent of the reduced stereo recordings of the '60s. I'm all for vintage, but when it comes to sound I'm just not in to the whole LoFi quality.

Take a listen:
Seabear - "I Sing I Swim" (mp3)

Labels: From The Inbox, Seabear

In the spirit of the month of Halloween it seems only proper to share a song off a newly released album from Sunset Rubdown. You'll love the worn vocals and the deep lyrics. Oh you will!

They are yet another fabulous indie rock band in from Canada; Montreal to be exact. But don't do any silly comperisons, you know I hate that! Sunset Rubdown began as a solo project of Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade). It began in 2005 and now nearing the end of 2007 they have 3 full length albums and one self-titled EP.

Though leaked over the summer, their latest record Random Spirit Lover, officially released today, October 9, 2007. This is their first release with the Jagjaguwar label.

Jagjaguwar speaks of the new album wonderfully, "The woven lyrics and singular songwriting style heard in Sunset Rubdown invoke a mythological world, where magical narratives and tiny metaphors give shape to ordinary objects in the room; sometimes beautiful, sometimes beastly."

Listen to track #5:
Sunset Rubdown - "Winged/Wicked Things" (mp3)
and to track #3:
Sunset Rubdown - "Up on Your Leopard, Upon the End of Your Feral Days" (mp3)

Buy their music!

P.S. A limited amount of hand-numbered and silk-screened Sunset Rubdown posters will be given away for free to those buying the new album at select retail establishments.

Labels: Sunset Rubdown

I'm slacking on the sound segment, sorry about that guys. Been a busy bee these days and I hurt my back so sitting at a PC is not so easy sometimes.

It's Monday morning, humid and overcast here in Delaware. I don't know how it is in Texas, but that's where Brian is at the moment.

Here's some music for you. I'm okay with the sound, but do not at all dig the vocals. There's one thing to have a Gwen Stephani ska sound, strong women vocals, but it's another thing to have a woman just screaming angrily at the mic.
I like the song title though. =o)

Young & the Restless - "Kapow" (mp3)

And for some mow low key music on this Monday, I've got some Cary Brothers for ya. As always his music is pristine and beautiful. The lyrics aren't always apple pie and sugar crumbles, but there's no way to stay tense when you turn on this music.

He's currently touring with Matt Nathanson, that would be such an awesome show! I love both bands and their music is such great folk-rock, these guys are what singer-songwriters are supposed to be like. Anyway, they'll be in Philly this Thursday at the Theater of Living Arts.

Cary Brothers - "If You Were Here" (mp3)

Buy his music!

Labels: Cary Brothers, Young and the Restless

Of course Adrienne Pierce began her North American tour yesterday and we should all be psyched. But the day she is in Philly just happens to be my son's 4th birthday and there is no way I will be able to make the show. Other belated news from Miss Pierce is that one of her songs "Fool's Gold" was played during an episode of ABC's show "Greek" over the summer. Wee-hoo!

Grab one of her tracks in an older post... And of course you should most definitely buy her music!

And we have some news from the lovely Jessica Sonner. She is currently writing, playing and recording in the studio. She is very excited about a new song "All We Need" which is just awesome. There has been a self-proclamation of developing and maturing as a singer. So me thinks we have lots to look forward to from this gal.

Listen:
Jessica Sonner - "All We Need" (acoustic mp3)

To show some love for my Cloud Atlas crew, I've got a tidbit of news. This summer they were asked by an independent film maker whether they minded 'Even Astronauts' being used in a short film. How awesome is that!? It's no surprise to me of course because ever since hearing that track I have been following their blossoming stardom. =o)

Labels: adrienne pierce, Cloud Atlas, jessica sonner

Coming to us from Switzerland is Division Kent.

The style of music Division Kent shares is electric pop dance music. The vocals are distant and airy, they music is well produced to add to the overall dreamlike quality. Their latest (and second) album is Gravity which their MySpace page beautifully defines on their MySpace page. The story is that the entire album is based and named off one particular track.

The new album is named after a track that turned into what it is by a series of coincidences and accidents: a beat flying into a frenzy; a voice that dives abruptly one night; two song sketches coming together.

Andrea B. & Sky Antinori have put together 11 tracks that send you on an auditory fantasy ride. A little bit Daft Punk in style, their music escapes the alternative indie feel to embrace something a bit more alive.

You have "L'Heure Bleue" which is the kind of music I would imagine in the background of my favorite anime shows. This track is so smooth it is almost hypnotically entrancing. And then there is synthesized and strings "She's Going Places" which is an intense and focused track; definitely dramatic.

Listen:
Division Kent - "L'Heure Bleue" (mp3)
Division Kent - "She's Going Places" (mp3)

Buy their music!

Labels: Division Kent, From The Inbox