A Certain Romance

Slow Club

2008-07-03T13:46:00.004-05:00

Yes, so they've been mentioned twice before, but truly I can't stop gushing. Slow Club are as good of a band as you'll find anywhere these days and I'm looking forward to their debut album more than anyone else's (yep, it's true). And I'll tell you why. One word. Charm. As in CHARM. They've got in it spades and when you've got that then there's no need for posturing or being gimmicky.

Here's an "old" (I mean, 2007, c'mon...) UK radio session that I've been loving lately.

Slow Club - "Because We're Dead" (Radio Session).
Slow Club - "I'm Alive" (Radio Session).
Slow Club - "Sunday" (Radio Session). (This is quite easily my favorite tune of the past month; oh, I could go on... but I won't.) (And, check out "Dance Till The Morning" on their myspace page...)

Glasvegas 1st Major Label Single

2008-07-03T13:23:00.004-05:00

OK. I need to calm down cause I'm really frustrated right now. Argh. I could easily launch into a diatribe about the pointlessness of major labels in 2008, but I'll resist for now. Regardless, here's the bad news about the recent Glasvegas signing to Columbia UK:

New single "Geraldine" is now out (the good news). However, as a USA resident, I cannot figure out how to access it. (1) Stupid iTunes seems to have the b-sides in the UK store and I can't purchase them without a UK payment card. (2) I could order the actual CD single through Columbia UK (which I'd love to do), but the shipping to Texas is (oh, let's see) $18.40 for the cheapest shipping option, bringing the total cost to $27.43. Uh, I don't think so.

So, it's 2008, right? Then why can't I pay for a download of each and every new A and B-side? Man, it was so easy before. Yeah, I'm frustrated. (In other frustrations, why does everything they touch now have to be so 'big'? Back off on the shoegazing guys, your songs are good enough).

The good news is that the always kind Glasvegas manager sent me my first swag ever in the form of a "Geraldine" promotional CD copy. Since you can't download this in the US, here are the "Radio Edit" and "Instrumental" versions. Enjoy.

Glasvegas - "Geraldine" (Radio Edit).
Glasvegas - "Geraldine" (Instrumental).

PS - Here's the new website and the single charted at #16 in the UK. Impressive. If only I could buy it...

A Baker's Dozen : Volume 12

2008-07-03T12:14:00.012-05:00

Long before the muxtape, there was "A Baker's Dozen". And it's back. Volume 12. Enjoy.

01 - Lykke Li - "Dance Dance Dance". "When I'm shaking my hips, look for the swing, the words are written in the air...". My #2 favorite song of the past month (with #3 here and #1 coming up).

02 - Florence & The Machine - "Kiss With A Fist". Well, I can't say I recommend the sentiments of this one, but not taken literally it's a great jam. This tune does a great job of doing what a TV critic told a dance contestant last night ("you need to get into the floor more!"; amen).

03 - Absentee - "Bitchstealer". The mighty Absentee are back with the deep gravel baritone firmly in place. If you're a fan, you'll dig this one.

04 - People of Water - "Vale of Aching Hearts". The first of two instrumentals this time out. This one sounds like an outtake from The Cure during the "Pornography" era. Huge.

05 - The Rosie Taylor Project - "Black And White Films". I've referenced this tune before and so here it is. These guys (and gal; see above!) bring the melodic mellowness that I love.

06 - Ema & The Ghosts - "Ermine & Mink". One of many tunes (including The Weather Underground and The Sweet Hurt) that I've nicked from Rock Insider lately (hey, she brought me Ferraby Lionheart so I'm forever in her debt). It drifts and drifts and I'm in its wake.

07 - Underwater Getdown - "Hey". I know absolutely nothing about this band other than this tune somehow finds my skull first thing in the morning. Catchy.

08 - Organic Stereo - "Brightness". The 2nd of the 2 instrumental tunes in this set. The "glitchy electronica" thing is somewhat overdone, but this one hits.

09 - Kleerup - "Until We Bleed" (with Lykke Li). How much do we love this girl?!?!? I know!

10 - Taken By Trees - "Only Yesterday". And yet another great Swede. Soothing and impeccably cool.

11 - The Weather Underground - "How Many Operations". Interesting name choice here. Normally this style doesn't grab me, but the energy on this tune is undeniable.

12 - The Sweet Hurt - "Where Would You Go". So, going soft again. It may sound harmless, but at least it's melodic to the core, which I dig.

13 - Gemma Hayes - "At Constant Speed". This one took me a bit but I love it now. Ever watch "So You Think You Can Dance?" (if there answer is "no", change your ways now). I could see this song on there. Gorgeous.

Frightened Rabbit

2008-06-07T12:35:00.008-05:00

Took the wifey out the other night to see the mighty Frightened Rabbit at The Mohawk, my favorite venue here in Austin. While I've plugged them multiple times before, really more should be said (like that they are playing a free show at the very same venue on 6/24).

Live, Frightened Rabbit are slightly noisier than I would have expected. Not annoyingly so, just less clean than the recordings. This adds massively to the "upbeat droney" feel they create. I know that's an odd phrase, but their live show woke me up to the fact that they are one of few bands that are really masters of a unique rhythm. The Wedding Present were masters of the guitar chug. Orange Juice were masters of the jangle. Bands like The Warlocks do a great slow drone. But, few have done so well as Frightened Rabbit at creating a repetitive droney feel while still having such blatantly pop melodies (I know everybody is thinking, "What about the Velvet Underground?!?!?"; well, their rock rarely rolled like this).

Add to the feel of the music a lyrical trip through the usual subjects of love/loss/heartbreak that has an "of the times" grip on complete transparency and detail. It's completely romantic in that non-Hallmark way ("I'll turn off the TV, it's killing us we never speak; turn off the lights so we can see; we will waltz across the carpet; 1-2-3-2-2-3."). Pick up "The Midnight Organ Fight". It comes highly highly recommended.

(Funny side note: The Texas Democrats had their convention this week in Austin. While my wife and I were walking up Red River to The Mohawk, we passed this Irish bar (I forget the name of it) that was having a Hillary rally (a day late people) that was rather desolate. Then, at Club Deville, we noticed there was a huge Obama party going on (it's an outdoor venue). Two creepy moments: (1) Electronic music was blaring from the sound system with "Yes We Can" speech excerpts dubbed over it again and again and again. Weird. (2) There were about 40 people line dancing. Yes, line dancing. Mind you, this is no Texas country bar. I saw British Sea Power at this place about two months ago. Apparently the Democrats aren't quite as young and hip as this wish they were.)

Frightened Rabbit - "Modern Leper".
Frightened Rabbit - "Old Old Fashioned".
Frightened Rabbit - "Good Arms vs Bad Arms".

A Century Removed : The Cure (2nd Peel Session)

2008-06-07T12:01:00.008-05:00

Nearly ten months later, I'm back with my 2nd installment (first here) of the "A Century Removed" series, this time featuring The Cure's 2nd Peel Session. And, "why bother?", you might ask? Great question.

First of all, The Cure are playing Austin TX tomorrow night. Seeing as it's a Sunday, I'm not going. Yeah, I'm religious. It's a good thing. Besides, it's my niece's graduation weekend, so family trumps.

Second, last week I stumbled upon a version of an early Cure song that I've never heard (and let it be known that if I were forced to sit down and decide upon my all-time favorite band, I'd answer with 'The Cure' after about four seconds).

So, some history. The story goes that, apparently after the distribution to the press of their debut album "Three Imaginary Boys" (plus the white label of "Grinding Halt", reviewed by Ian Penman), music journalist Paul Morley (who actually did write a great book called "Nothing" that oddly compared/contrasted Ian Curtis's suicide with Morley's own father's) wrote one of his typically wordy and pedantic reviews (which thanks to the infinite coolness of the internet, you can actually read here). Using such phrases as "most of the time it's a voice catching its breath, a cautiously primitive guitar riff, toy drumming and a sprightly bass", Morley was less than impressed by the new band's first long player (which, while not their best, was still really good and showed massive promise for Smith as a songwriter).

Some time later, The Cure delivered their musical/lyrical response to Morley (and Penman) via a John Peel session track. Suitably titled "Desperate Journalist In Ongoing Meaningful Review Situation" and set to the music of "Grinding Halt", The Cure lashed back with some keen wordplay themselves including the sarcastic refrain of "I use such long words". Needless to say, I'm thrilled by this historic find and hope you enjoy it as well (lyrics here). For a band that people often consider overly maudlin and downright goth even (obviously missing the point entirely), this goes a long way in revealing the humor that has always been part of The Cure package. Enjoy.

The Cure - 2nd Peel Session.
Recorded 09-May-1979. Broadcast 16-May-1979.

The Cure - 01 - Desperate Journalist In Ongoing Meaningful Review Situation.
The Cure - 02 - Grinding Halt.
The Cure - 03 - Subway Song.
The Cure - 04 - Plastic Passion.
The Cure - 05 - Accuracy.

P.S. - Look at this insane set list from the Austin show! 4 songs from "Seventeen Seconds" and 7 from "Three Imaginary Boys"?!?!? Much have been nice.

An Attempt At A Return...

2008-05-19T22:55:00.000-05:00

It's been two plus months since I've posted here. Write it off to life, family, the usual time-consumers (in a good way). The young one is mobile and another is on the way (making the wife temporarily less mobile). So, if you would, sit back and allow me to catch you up on what's been flowing in and out of my ears recently. It's been a good musical year thus far and even though it's not a logical time to do this, I'm rolling out my unrequested "best so far" list for 2008.

1 - Los Campesinos: "Hold On Now, Youngster" (Myspace). This album consumed me during my February winter work tour of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and upstate New York. I could write pages (honestly). This is the #1 "left me looking like a 14-year old girl struck with Beatlemania at SXSW" band/album this year. Lyrical genius meets catchy indiepop. "It's not what you like, it's what you're like as a person...". MP3: "Knee Deep at A.T.P." / "And We Exhale And Roll Our Eyes In Unison". Video: "My Year In Lists".

2 - Mystery Jets: "21". Gnarled 80s pop, upmixed jangly guitar strums, eccentricity in spades. This is quirky pop to say the least and it works for me. "Even 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' don't ease the pain". MP3: "Veiled In Grey" / "21". Videos: "Young Love" / "Two Doors Down (as 80s as it comes)".

3 - The Wombats: "A Guide To Loss, Love, & Desperation". A bit of a disappointment only in the sense that the earlier Japanese release had demo versions of most of these songs and I wanted a load of new tunes. That aside, this is a pop classic for the ages. If you don't dig it, you're boring. MP3: "Here Comes The Anxiety". Videos: "Let's Dance To Joy Division" / "Moving To New York" / "Backfire At The Disco" / "Kill The Director".

4 - Frightened Rabbit: "The Midnight Organ Fight". I remember when Pedro The Lion could make me wait on every note. No more. Now it's Frightened Rabbit. This stuff is gorgeous. MP3: "Floating In The Froth". Videos: "Heads Roll Off".

5 - Tokyo Police Club: "Elephant Shell". A frequent play around these parts, Tokyo Police Club finally deliver a full album and I dig it. It's mellower than expected but worthy nonetheless. MP3: "Juno". Videos: "Tessellate".

6 - Pete And The Pirates: "Little Death". Our cover stars above, pulling in the final slot here. Catchy and smart pop here with great guitar hooks. MP3: "Mr. Understanding" / "Bright Lights". Videos: "She Doesn't Belong To Me" / "Knots" / "Mr. Understanding".

To close things out here, a few more of the tunes that have kept my ears occupied over the past two months:

Johnny Foreigner - "DJs Get Doubts". From the soon to be released "Waited Up Til It Was Light" debut album. Here is the video for new single "Eyes Wide Terrified".

The Rosie Taylor Project - "Sun". Also check out the video for "Black And White Films".

Duffy - "Mercy (video)". You've heard this a thousand times already and I can't say I love this song (it's kinda cool), but this video is legit. Northern Soul steps, spins, kicks, and drops galore. Makes me definitely crave the talcumed dancefloor yet again.

Slow Club (legs pictured above) - "When I Go". If you were smart last time around, you picked up on this clue. Now pick up on the mp3. This song should be on every good soundtrack ever.

Glasvegas - Here's the video for the revamped "Geraldine". Bottom line, I dig the song (in spite of that "I'm your Social Worker" line). I love the drum sound, I love the chuggin' bass, I love Rab's searing guitar riff, I love the vocal line. But... oddly enough, this sounds like a classic shoegazer anthem to me; perhaps not the greatest "first single" from the forthcoming album. I don't know. I love the kids all the same and am dying to finally hear the 'debut album'.

Aushua, Foxes, Owls, Kooks

2008-03-12T01:21:00.000-05:00

Aushua - "Stained Glass Blues". My younger brother is in town for a visit (and some SXSW festivities) right now and so of course we ended up talking about the new bands we're into. He dropped the name of an Orange County outfit called Aushua on me and they are honestly my new faves. Classic mid-tempo anthemic sounds, which can get admittedly trite these days, but done very well here. Some nice touches of The Verve. Check out their Myspace page for some great songs.

Fleet Foxes - "Oliver James" & "White Winter Hymnal". Miss early My Morning Jacket and first album Band of Horses? Of course you do. This guy's voice is UNREAL it's so good. That end of "Oliver James" is amazing.

Grand Archives - "Torn Blue Foam Couch". And, following on in that vein, here are Grand Archives (with some apparent tie to Band of Horses that I can't be bothered to research). Class tune in that same genre.

Cut Off Your Hands - "Closed Eyes". Now for a little noise. I wrote about these guys last summer and they just keep cranking out the hits. These guys and Tokyo Police Club keep me so happy.

Lykke Li - "Little Bit". If you don't know this one already, you really need to get out more. This is the seductive jam for Spring. And this Swede is definitely more than a one-hit wonder. The album is good. Investigate.

Mezzanine Owls - "Snow Globe". I wrote about these guys a year ago to the day (odd). Fortunately they are coming back to SXSW and I hope to sort them in (who knows this year...). This song is another bit of pure genius, second only to "Lightbulb".

The Kooks - "Always Where I Need To Be". I've loved these guys since that first note years ago. Somewhat over-the-top pop, but homeboy can sing and write a tune. This one didn't fully catch me at first, but now it's stuck up in me brain.

See you after SXSW... In the meantime (and if you are lucky enough to be reading this while the tune is still available), do yourself a huge favor and check out "When I Go" by Slow Club. As charming as they come...

Glasvegas: Single #3

2008-02-15T09:05:00.000-06:00

The mighty Glasvegas dropped single number three yesterday (on Valentine's Day, ah), a big studio version of the lovely "It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry" backed with "Be My Baby" (of course...). This post is a not-so-subtle nudge for you to find your way over here, buy the single and support the undisputed 'best band in the world' (i.m.h.o.).

To whet your appetite for this classic, listen to the 'Home Tapes Demo' version here (plus other demo tracks here) and download the demo of "Geraldine" below.

Glasvegas - "It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry / Be My Baby" (purchase here)
Glasvegas - "Geraldine" (Home Tapes Demo)

Website | Myspace

Leftfield: Mute Irregulars And Their Kin

2008-02-08T01:55:00.000-06:00

I'll be the first to admit that the tunes I typically post here favor my overly melodic pop tendencies. Well, today, we're going to flip to the b-side.

There are some fairly good 'art/noise/experimental/post-post-post punk' (I never know what to call it) bands coming out of the UK right now, many of whom are being adeptly harnessed under the new Mute Irregulars label. Here's a preview of this amazing new outfit along with some of their like-minded cohorts. Go buy these great singles.

XX Teens - "How To Reduce The Chances Of Being A Terror Victim (BBC Live)" (purchase). This lot have been kicking around for a few years and recently changed their moniker from the Xerox Teens to simply XX Teens (makes you feel creepy when you Google it). This song is a live BBC version of their latest single, showcasing the narrative vocals over rhythmic back-beat and usually solid bass guitar (very early Fall) style that typifies this new 'scene'. I highly recommend picking up last single "Darlin'".

Spider And The Flies - "Spider And The Flies" (purchase). This is the brainchild and side project of the immensely talented Spider Webb of The Horrors, known club promoter and all around genius. Love the drums.

Cristine - "Cross The Line" (purchase). This is just one of those big tunes that you would love to hear while walking into a club.

The Broken Hearts - "Blanco" (purchase). These girls don't really fit here very well at all except for their inclusion on Mute Irregulars. This is a tune that is the aural equivalent of their dainty flapper look. Great song.

The Bleeps - "Dull Thud" (purchase). The Bleeps lean back into familiar early post-punk territory with this masterfully rhythmic track. Dig that perfect bass-line.

These New Puritans - "Elvis" (purchase). Our cover stars (up top) here and an outfit that have been around since the early days of this new 'explosion'. A new LP is out now on Angular where you will also find the similarly styled Navvy (and if you like them, check out Electricity In Our Homes, both being very Pere Ubu / Fire Engines-esque).

Rip it up and start again, indeed.

A Baker's Dozen : Volume 11

2008-01-30T07:07:00.000-06:00

Another set that should have been posted a couple of weeks ago. Enjoy.

01. The Cribs - "Don't You Want To Be Relevant?" (buy). Seriously, this is what their B-sides sound like?!?!? It's amazing. I love the way this one kicks right in and even though I don't quite get these lyrics, I do love the "your onstage antics out in Leeds were tailor-made to suit men's needs". Three albums deep and they still have it. That's rare.

02. Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong - "Sleazy Hughes" (buy). New British press darlings here and fortunately they have the tunes to back it up. Check out new single "Lonely Buoy", last single "Lurio Starts Fires", and the Smiths-esque "I Ain't Sure". Band name of the year as well. Fortunately, they are coming through SXSW.

03. Elle S'appelle - "Little Flame" (buy). Quirky and catchy. A nice Moshi Moshi addition here.

04. The Duke Spirit - "Lassoo" (buy). "I talk to no one, oh you're invisible...". Dirty rock'n'roll at its finest. The Duke Spirit is back with their grimy souls in tow. Again, SXSW on deck!

05. Brazos - "Mary Jo" (buy). A local Austin outfit here named for a river in Texas. "Mary Jo" has been swimming through my head for months. Reminds me of classic moments from the likes of Beat Radio. Just a plain good song.

06. Plans and Apologies - "Meetoo" (buy). I don't know where I picked this one up, but it's a great slick indiepop melody that I'm always a sucker for. Well written.

07. Let's Wrestle - "I Won't Lie To You" (buy). These guys have PAVEMENT written all over them. The kind of kids that sport bedheads without the product. It just sounds so amateur and yet brilliantly catchy. "No matter how many records I buy, I can't fill this void, and no matter how I try and calm down, I can't help but feel annoyed".

08. Slow Club - "Me And You" (buy). Remember The Research from a couple years back? Same vibe here and I love it. A good melody will always have a room in my house.

09. The Wombats - "School Uniform" (buy). So, the "official" debut album is finally out and although it doesn't have a ton of new tunes, it's still brilliant. I'll even go as far as to say that these guys trump The Cribs for me, and that's a high honor. It's Glasvegas and The Wombats for me. "I remember short skirts, long hair, my hormones flying everywhere...".

10. Hatcham Social - "Til The Dawn" (buy). Listen to that voice at the start. I haven't heard that falsetto since the first Smiths album. And the rest of this sounds like it was recorded around 1985 as well, delving into the darker side of the "Young Sound of Scotland" with the likes of Josef K and The Fire Engines. I'm excited to see where things lead this lot.

11. The Moldy Peaches - "Anyone Else Isn't You" (buy). Like most, I had no clue about this song until I saw the hilarious movie "Juno" (if you haven't seen it, pack up your things and go right now). Another perfect example of two chords and a great melody getting the job done.

12. Tegan And Sara - "Soil, Soil" (buy). I took my niece to see Tegan & Sara play Stubbs here in Austin a couple of months ago and it was an amazing show. I love their tunes and harmonies. Charming performers as well.

13. The Real Tuesday Weld - "It's A Wonderful Li(f)e" (buy). "And all we ever need to do is to see the world the way dreamers do, and I'd say 'Never say die' and you'd say 'It's a wonderful life', but you know that's a wonderful lie". Optimism, faith, hope, disappointment, etc. It's all a big swirl sometimes, but I'll take my place in the "Wonderful Life" line. Cause it is.

Good Good Times Ahead

2007-12-21T16:20:00.001-06:00

Another year comes to a close and unless you were living under a rock, 2007 was a great one for music. Maybe the tunes are actually getting better lately or maybe they're just easier to get at (I sometimes wonder how many great bands were lost during the pre-Internet era).

There are so many bands to be excited about right now, most of which are coming out of the UK courtesy of forebearers like The Arctic Monkeys and The Cribs and now spilling into a new generation of punk/C86 mashers like The Wombats, Los Compesinos, Frightened Rabbit, Tokyo Police Club (I know, they're from Canada; hey, it's a commonwealth), and a few of the ones presented below. And, then there is Glasvegas. Enough said.

The Answering Machine - "Lightbulbs" (buy). "Just shut up, it's not like that; she retracts like a brick wall, but I'm her cracks."

Johnny Foreigner - "The End And Everything After" (buy). Man, this new generation of drummers just gets it. Snare rolls all over the place. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Look See Proof - "Casualty" (buy). Hear any Blink 182 in there? Of course you do. This is a great amalgam of the Atticus boys, emo, and the new school C86/punk sound. So catchy.

Rooney - "When Did Your Heart Go Missing" (buy). OK, change of pace here. Less noise, more classic pop hook. This LA band may be a bit too pretty, but every album they put out comes with at least one monster gem like this that gets stuck in my skull for days. What a hook.

Danny Malone - "Baby Bleu" (buy). The past three weeks have been an insane emotional ride. Without explanation, suffice it to say that I could write novels on sadness, hope, and 'love's easy tears' right now. Being a parent is the greatest and most heart-wrenching thing ever. When your kid isn't feeling right, you aren't feeling right. I sat in my favorite NYC deli last week and ate about 1/4 of my food. I've never been so consumed. "Wishing all day that I could clear my head, yeah wishing all day that I could clear my head, clear my head full of thoughts of you, oh you're all I think about 'baby bleu'".

Merry Christmas.

The International Tweexcore Underground

2007-11-27T23:02:00.000-06:00

(At about nine different points during the latest holiday season, this was meant to be multiple entries, brought to you in a timely and respectful fashion. Oh well. It's all late news now, but here are some great relatively new songs regardless.)

To quote "Omahype, NE": "The most interesting thing about this single release (by Los Campesinos) is actually the b-sides. The song 'The International Tweexcore Underground' is basically a song about two friends, one is a "twee" fan and one is a punk fan. The b-sides are then a Heavenly/Calvin Johnson cover ('C Is The Heavenly Option') and a Black Flag song ('Police Story')."

Well, I disagree that "the most interesting thing about this single release is actually the b-sides". That's bull. The b-sides are cool covers, but the a-side is the real gem. These lyrics are awesome.

Getting the laptop fixed by a professional doesn't make me a pawn
and stamping harder on your FX pedal, won't make you feel any better any more
oh you said "we've gotta bite the hand that feeds" but i was sucking seductively on the fingertips of a civil servant
said "how you gonna bring the state down when you're propping it up, with daytime radio and skimmed milk and soppy bows just 'cause you're scared to be alone"
and i never cared about Ian MacKaye
Calvin Johnson never meant anything to me
but the International Tweexcore Underground, will save us all

Beautifully tongue-in-cheek. Check out the video here. This song is perfect. Along with the Shout Out Louds (see below), this is the kind of song that inspires meaningless and yet totally entertaining music geek conversations within me. (Besides, the bridge lyrics are copped from BOTH "Police Story" and "My War" by Black Flag. Yeah, I was a wannabe punk.)

Los Campesinos - "The International Tweexcore Underground".

I'm sure about four million bands have used the name "The Virgins" before, but this NYC unit takes the early-century Strokes template and drops one of those beautifully meandering tunes on us. Reminds me of the (sigh) Longpigs (R.I.P.).

The Virgins - "Fernando Pando".

Next up is the former Test Icicles frontman gone all singer-songwriter under the Lightspeed Champion moniker. It'll probably end up on your favorite TV show soon, so enjoy it now. Great moments in these songs.

Lightspeed Champion - "Waiting Game".
Lightspeed Champion - "Galaxy Of The Lost".

Plus plus plus...

The Black Kids - "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You". If nothing else, song name of the year. Fortunately the tune cracks a bit too and the EP is called "The Wizard of Ahhhs".

Pete And The Pirates - "Knots". Great indiepop riff and tune.

Pants Yell! - "Magenta And Green". Probably the only really "twee" band that I can consistently handle. Dudes can write songs. "Here comes the part where I open my heart and no one wants to hear about it". I love the wry, melancholic delivery.

The Octopus Project - "Truck". Great little "twee"-ish instrumental track.

The Shout Out Louds - "Impossible". I could write pages (I'll spare you) about how this Swedish unit is the best modern version of the C86 legacy (the guitar player even looks like Stephen Pastel buried in an old Field Mice rhythm section). Saw them live in Austin a few weeks back and they were amazing (even the unindoctrinated wife grooved hard). Pick up their latest CD. Great.

Do It With All Your Heart

2007-10-30T08:11:00.000-05:00

"baby, baby, can't you see, anything you do for me, i need you to do it with all your heart. don't do what you read in the book now, don't worry about how you may look; if we go dancing once more, when you take me out on the floor, i want you to do it with all your heart..."

Dee Dee Warwick - "Do It With All Your Heart".
Marsha Gee - "Baby I Need You".
The Marvelettes - "Too Many Fish In The Sea".

The Real Thing

2007-10-18T01:48:00.000-05:00

"so you, you could wear a dress out, chin would hit the floor, my chin would hit the floor. and you could flutter those lashes i've been trying to ignore, trying to ignore. and i will wait for the real thing, i will wait for the real thing. you might as well quit if you haven't got it."

Hello Saferide - "I Was Definitely Made For These Times".
Tokyo Police Club - "Cut Cut Paste".
The Maccabees - "The Real Thing".

Ringo Deathstarr

2007-10-04T17:40:00.000-05:00

Starrgaze. Yep, that's what they call it. You know how you hate all those emo bands that deny being emo (even though they most definitely are) and then offer no other genre tag? I hate that. Or, bands that think they defy description when their sound couldn't be more generic? I hate that too. Own your tag or invent a new one (I used to be in an indiepop band. Period.). Glasvegas say they are "doo wop punk". Love it. Ringo Deathstarr say they are "starrgaze". Equally love it.

Call me a lazy blogger, but Ringo Deathstarr = Psychocandy + Loveless. And that's a huge compliment. Honestly, name another band that has lived up to either of those, well, genres really. Nobody (yes, I'm an opinionated chap). Ringo Deathstarr pull it off. I've always said "do something familiar amazingly or do something totally new". The Deathstarr pull off the former without even the slightest hesitation.

"Starrsha" makes me dizzy like "Never Understand" always has. It's perfect. And then there is "Sweet Girl" which goes all "Only Shallow" on us at the belated 2:56 mark. Sad that these guys live in Austin and I haven't been out to see them yet. That will change quick.

Ringo Deathstarr - "Starrsha".
Ringo Deathstarr - "Sweet Girl".

Buy this now through Spoilt Victorian Child.
P.S. If you don't own "Psychocandy" yet, you are missing out the greatest album ever...

Do You Like Rock Music?

2007-10-04T17:05:00.000-05:00

It's always good news when British Sea Power emerges from the studio with new tunes in tow. First preview, "Atom", has been released as a free download and is definitely a choice tune. The song will appear on an EP later in November and then on a new album to follow in the new year entitled "Do You Like Rock Music?". I have my fingers crossed. The first BSP album is still in my all-time top 10.

British Sea Power - "Atom".

I had the golden opportunity of seeing Low in concert once again last night. That makes seven (that I can remember) times across five cities (Provo, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin). I'm not floored by "Drums and Guns" yet, but I am floored by moments therein and most notably "Murderer". Deep.

Low - "Murderer" (Radio France Black Session, 05-07-2007).

And, finally, in this post of whateverness -- If you haven't started watching Friday Night Lights yet, please change your ways. It's amazing. I thank a friend for continually twisting my arm. For me, there are two shows on TV -- The Office and Friday Night Lights. FNL makes me forget that the OC ever even had a good season. I'm addicted. And, the music (provided primarily by the untouchable Explosions In The Sky) is amazing. Included below is a band that I've just discovered (not via FNL) that have a definite Explosions-esque vibe and hail from San Marcos, TX, just south of Austin.

This Will Destroy You - "I Believe In Your Victory".

A Baker's Dozen : Volume 10

2007-09-21T00:28:00.000-05:00

Well, kids, who would've thought I'd have the perseverance to make it to Volume 10 of the now world-unreknown "A Baker's Dozen" series? 10 volumes over a mere 19 months. Not too shabby. But, enough waxing nostalgic. Back to what's happening NOW!

01. Lucky Soul - "Ain't Never Been Cool". Yeah, that's it, call 'em all out on this whole "cool" thang! "I heard you say what you want, say what you want to; oh, but you don't though do you?". I must admit that this here tune reminds me of an old jingle I penned back in my fifteen-seconds of glory; this one just happens to be, oh, much much better. Website. Myspace. Purchase.

02. The Lurios - "Footloose And Fancy-Free". Oh, so it's not just me? You also thinks this sounds like The Kooks? I know, it's nice, eh? But it does serve to sadly remind me that I miss those darn Kooks. Regardless, a decent little kick-out-the-brit-pop-jams unit here. Myspace.

03. The Lodger - "My Advice Is On Loan". Twee. What a scene. Fortunately this guy picked up the finer points and left the rest of that sad lot behind. "And I can't explain why you work in an office when you have a brain". Dude, I know. Be cool now... Website. Myspace. Purchase.

04. Arctic Monkeys - "The Bakery". It's like old Alex is a bit lovesick here. Imagine that. "You're slackin' love, where have you been?". Classic. Website. Myspace.

05. Novi Split - "You Got Served". Wherein my weakness for nice harmonies lands these lads from San Pedro a deserving spot. Website. Myspace. Purchase.

06. Shout Out Louds - "You Are Dreaming". So, an old high-school boyfriend of my wife called her up last night and told her (after having not seen her for a decade plus) that he still thinks about her (get lost buddy). Fortunately, my wife's response was akin to the sentiment here - "and if you still believe I'm thinking of you, you're dreaming, yes, you're dreaming". Perhaps she's still into me. :) Website. Myspace. Purchase.

07. Camera Obscura - "San Francisco Song". (1) I am eternally addicted to songs with subtle chugs like this one (with simmering organs, mind you). (2) "I send you movie stills to rid you of your ills, cause you're ill (all high-pitched voice)". (3) How perfect is this band? Website. Myspace.

08. Voxtrot - "Honey Bee". My love/hate relationship with Voxtrot continues. I love the fact that I love their songs. I hate the fact that their songs are so non-immediate. They require an investment (as do the best of things). My short-term attention spans sometimes misses out though and gets lazy. Fortunately I tend to come around. Website. Myspace.

09. Pleasure - "Out Of Love". Yeah, I know, it's total teeny-bopper pop. But isn't it just too insanely catchy? Totally. Website. Myspace.

10. The Locarnos - "Sticks And Stones". Wait a second, didn't I play this one already? No, no, that was The Lurios. This is The Locarnos. Probably some distant cousin. And another Kooks-"tribute band"? Sounds good to me. Myspace.

11. Loney, Dear - "Sinister In A State Of Hope". By now you've realized that if you just stay with me long enough, you're going to get something all epic. Well, here it is. From the cold wintery places where this stuff tends to come from these days. Website. Myspace. Purchase.

12. Helios - "Emancipation". Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. This likely works the same magic on indie girls that Al Green works on the soul sisters. Indie seduction? I know. Odd. Myspace. Purchase.

13. Sonic Flyer - "Overseas". So, disclaimer: This one goes on way too long. So, fact: I've likely played the first three minutes of this song more than anything else in the past three months. I'm addicted to it. The verse melody and instrumentation are amazing. When she comes in at 0:36 with that cool little verse melody, it's the best shoegaze moment in the past 15 years. Easily. The floor toms, that bass drone, the simple atmospherics. It just moves. File this one after that last Helios track. You never know. One may lead to the other...... Website. Myspace. Purchase.