
Mr. Folkie and I were warned several times before our trip that food in China would be different from Chinese food in the U.S. This was true, but I think we were better-prepared than a lot of Americans in that we like trying unusual foods, and we eat and drink soy products as a regular part of our diet. Chinese restaurant dishes [...]
I'm heading down to the 2008 Forecastle Fest , in Louisville, KY at the Riverfront Belvedere today. Unfortunately had to miss Del and GZA kick things off last night. How were they? GZA - Alphabets You can still buy your tickets for the remaining two days for $18 – $23. Forecastle Lineup: Method Man Disco Biscuits Ekoostik Hookah Tortoise Dr. Dog - The Old Days [...]

As always, big love to 91.7 WEEM for allowing MOKB Blog Radio to record these sessions. Gran Bel Fisher really isn't "indie" so much, he's on Disney-backed label Hollywood Records , but he was a hell of a nice guy and I think he's got a fantastic voice. I was really happy to welcome him into the MOKB SIRIUS Blog Radio / [...]
So here you go. It's the "end of year wrap-up" special here at benlovesmusic.com. We've got a few fun things planned for today. So enjoy. Other People's Lists! (Who they are, Where they are, How I know them, What they do) Bo Goldburne, Boston, Geeky Red Sox Love, High-Powered Music Executive: Arctic Monkeys - A Certain Romance These guys are so English , and that is what makes this track [...]
"tHE IMPENEtRABLE Beck HANSEN" graces the cover of the latest Paste. If he's truly (metaphorically) impenetrable, that might make for a fairly short cover story. Perhaps the use of large, wacky fonts could add length and interest. Even the most experienced and caffeinated reporter could only quiz him so long about his bright pink bow ties before collapsing with fatigue, forced to conclude that the man will just not give up any answers about his fashion choices. Track Listing For Paste Sampler CD No. 26: [...]

TICKETS! At the outset of this post, I just I want to make sure you all have looked out the left column (or the recent posts below) and seen that I've got Citizen Cope tickets to give away . And also Everclear tickets, along with CDs. If I [...]
Darn you Gran Bel Fisher! Why'd you have to do it, huh? You just had to start off your debut album, Full Moon Cigarette , with a gorgeous piano intro, which just happened to nicely lead into a fresh and pleasing arrangement, accompanied by some finely toned, crooning vocals that you knew-you just knew-would land me hook, line, and sinker. I'm sure you had it planned all along; how you would create a solid album with tunes ranging from beautiful, sombre ballads to fresh, poppy toe-tapping tracks. I can see you meticulously planning your systematic take-over of my musical [...]

I wrote about Gran Bel Fisher last month, talking about the song Edible off his debut record Full Moon Cigarette . I said that song wasn't "that much different from your traditional 70s-rock-influenced alt-country fare," but that it grew on me after a few listens as I began to sense a greater depth. I concluded by saying "He could turn into a unique and truly interesting artist. Or he could turn into Coldplay-lite. One will probably be better for him commercially, but the other will make me happier." I have to admit, [...]

Ah another week has passed, which means it is once again time for my weekly concert calendar of the Baltimore region. I must admit that things are looking pretty sad in Charm City this week. Fortunately there is enough life in the outlying areas to make this week worthwhile. The lone concert of note that I have to report in Baltimore this week is fortunately a good one. On Wednesday night, The Ottobar has a bill featuring Aloha , Rahim [...]

Ashland and Sabina , Ohio are separated by about 135 miles of Interstate 71. Almost equidistant from Columbus , the two towns are both penturban communities whose musicians are producing surprisingly urbane sounds. If you are from Central Ohio and you want to form a band, there seems to be an unwritten rule that you use the word “Bel†somewhere in your name. Case in point, the Sabina-born Gran Bel Fisher and the Ashland-based Bel Auburn . Gran Bel Fisher [...]

A lot of good stuff comes to my attention via my email inbox. These are all decent and new bands you might want to check out. This post is good to preview these bands and I will most likely be writing a more detailed review for some of these releases. Enjoy! mp3 Nations Underground ( Sunny Day Sets Fire - Wilderness ) mp3 Edible ( Gran Bell Fisher - Full Moon Cigarette ) mp3 Call Me Your Darling ( Thea Gilmore - Harpo's Ghost ) [...]

Edible - Gran Bel Fisher Here's a track off Full Moon Cigarette , the debut CD from Gran Bel Fisher , released last week. It's an intriguing song. In some ways, it doesn't sound all that much different from your traditional 70s-rock-influenced alt-country fare. Which isn't bad, but doesn't really merit much discussion either. But then you notice the stunning range of Fisher's voice. And then you notice that the music has a darker tint to it than you originally thought, like wouldn't this actually sound pretty good on an early [...]

Mysterious sounding name, and a haunting black and white image on the CD case sets the mood for me to listen to Gran Bel Fisher's "Full Moon Cigarette". The CD opens with a GREAT track, which of course, is the title track "Full Moon Cigarette", and let me tell you, it is what I would hope the whole CD would've fed off of. Keeping the dark piano/country/folk vibe other stand out tracks include Crash and Burn and Edible. My gripe with Gran Bel is that he trys to over extend his vocal range. His deep basso voice is [...]

Oh, I could talk about the World Cup all day today, but you know already from the last post . So instead I will chat about the cinema. Last weekend I saw The Break-Up with my sister ( I know, I KNOW ). I told her that she is the only one I would see it with and enjoy the experience. The movie itself was an odd combination of really FUNNY moments (mostly due to Vince Vaughn ), melded with supremely nasty [...]

Since I was late last week, here’s helping number 2 (and all new stuff this time!): Gin Blossoms - Learning The Hard Way It’s been a long time since we’ve heard anything new from the Gin Blossoms but this track makes it seem like it’s been worth the wait. I listened to Congratulations, I’m Sorry hundreds of times through my adolescent years and it’s good to hear something fresh - but still familiar. Major Lodge Victory , a full Gin Blossoms LP, is due out [...]
I still don't quite understand why this past week's Real Detroit (see below) nailed this great CD. Gran Bel Fisher (who's voice has similarities to Jim Morrison at times and literary seems haunting in some tracks) has a good blend of just about every kind of popular music being played on today’s radio. His songs have the kind of hooks that pull you into them by the first chorus, and are easily enjoyable. "Full Moon Cigarette" and "Edible" are my favorites tunes. "Superb production does not a great [...]