They say life imitates art but in this case, art imitates life. The Dears have been through as much drama in the last two years as their music conjures up. Creative differences led to the departure of every band member except for Dears founder Murray Lightburn and wife, Natalia Yanchak and the search for a new label provided the drama...and The Dears delivered the soundtrack. Following the stripped down "Gang Of Losers"; their first release for Dangerbird Records, "Missiles", is a return to form. Their dramatic post-apocalyptic orchestral rock includes everything from a [...]
Suicide Squeeze Records has released the new These Arms Are Snakes album, "Tail Swallower And Dove". Just like the wolves on the cover, the new album is ferocious and powerful and proves to be the tightest and most focused of their three albums. Even after touring with bands like Pelican, much of the atmospherics of the last album, "Easter", are kept in check; being replaced with a propelling groove that drives the songs with minimal synth parts and vocal tricks. Their sound remains as abrasive and raw as ever and Steve Snere's vocals are both relentless and emotional. [...]
Vice President hopeful Sarah Palin may be Alaska's favorite daughter, but Portugal. The Man are their prodigal sons. On their third album, and first for Equal Vision Records, Portugal. The Man continue to color outside of the lines of classification with, "Censored Colors". The album is split into two halves with the first half centering more on disparate, Gospel fueled folk and psych-pop than the Mars Volta-like art rock of their past. While the second half is a seamless suite of the freaked out prog, jazz, and metal they are known for. "Lay Me Back Down" opens the [...]
The Little Ones are out on tour to support their new album, "Morning Tide". On October 14th, they brought their bright, indie-pop to the Southgate House in Newport, KY. That night was the last night of their tour with The Walkmen. The shiny, happy sounds of The Little Ones contrasted with The Walkmen's emotional, brooding music made for an interesting show. The Little Ones put on a show that reflects their music. They looked like they were having as much fun playing their songs as we were watching them. Starting off [...]
Finally...after a critically acclaimed EP, a recent self-released EP, and over two years of label woes and waiting, The Little Ones have released their first full-length, "Morning Tide". You would think that all of these complications would bring a band down, well if so, their music doesn't show it. Brimming with quirky, upbeat, infectiously catchy indie-pop, the new songs practically beg you to sing and dance along. Although comparable to 60's pop legends, The Beach Boys, Kinks, and Zombies and modern day acts such as The Shins and Death Cab For Cutie, they put their own sunny spin on [...]
After emerging like a phoenix from...Phoenix last year with their debut, "Small Steps, Heavy Hooves", Dear And The Headlights have just released their second album on Equal Vision Records, titled, "Drunk Like Bible Times". Much like The Counting Crows in their prime, they create dusty, piano laden alt. country-indie rock with great appeal. Fans of Okkervil River and Bright Eyes will find comfort in singer, Ian Metzger's wavering, almost painfully emotional soft/loud vocal style. Five years in the making, the songs on the last release were much more lived in and demo-ed to death before finding their way [...]
"Ordovician Fission", the debut studio release from Adagio Blue will be released by Alpha Dawg Records on October 25th. Adagio Blue is a post- modern instrumental, melodic jazz-funk fusion band from Ohio; the brainchild and side project of guitarist/songwriter Jay Brunner (of Johnny B and the Gravediggers) and bassist/songwriter Chris Rhoton with Matt Hall (keyboards) and Mark Becknell (drums). All of the songs were recorded in a live band setting with no overdubs. Most songs were recorded in just one or two takes, which is a testament to the experience and talent these four members exude. [...]
Copeland are set to release their fourth full-length, "You Are My Sunshine", October 14th on Tooth & Nail Records. Building on their last two releases, "In Motion" (2005) and "Eat, Sleep, Repeat" (2006), Aaron Marsh and company deliver more of their lush, introspective, and graceful indie rock. Although they have removed some of the emo-punk stylings of their past efforts, Aaron's voice is the spotlight again with his heartfelt, atmospheric delivery. Produced by both Aaron Marsh and the acclaimed, Aaron Sprinkle (Anberlin, Eisley). They have created a laid back, more organic and less polished sounding record that reflects [...]
Today marks the release date for Deerhoof's latest offering on Kill Rock Stars, "Offend Maggie". Through the abrasiveness and dissonance--which with every new album there is less of--Deerhoof puts their "hoofprint" on pop. I am not saying they have totally went pop, but there is an undercurrent of melody, and fun that makes it an enjoyable listen. The last song on the album is titled, "Jagged Fruit" and that pretty much sums up the Deerhoof sound. Spiky and sweet. With the addition of new guitarist, Edward Rodriguez, the contrast of Townshend-like power chords and nimble acoustic guitars makes the title [...]
Over five years in the making, unsigned Ohio band, Only Makebelieve, has finally released their ambitious debut, "Message From A Mockingbird". OMB consists of Samuel Atkinson and Wyatt Michael who wrote, recorded, produced and played everything on the album. They took the best parts of the great music from the last several decades and fused it with their own brand of artful, intelligent power-pop. Notable influences on the record are rich Beatlesesque harmonies, the prog-rock prowess of Rush, the 80's brit-pop of Tears For Fears, the skewed pop sense of XTC and Jellyfish, and Sloan's penchant for classic rock goodness. [...]
Sometimes when a band creates a masterpiece ("Return To Cookie Mountain") the next record can fall short of expectations. Or sometimes they exceed those expectations and create another great record. Just as TV On The Radio has done with, the highly anticipated, "Dear Science". A much brighter sounding record, "Science" is less dense than their previous output. Most of the gauze enshrouding the songs on "Cookie Mountain" is replaced with a cleaner sound, focusing the spotlight on the vocals of Tunde and Kyp. New sounds such as handclaps, horns courtesy of members of Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, funky Prince-like guitar riffs [...]
Doghouse Records released "Strugglers", the long awaited new Koufax record last week. Only one member from the original lineup remains, vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Robert Suchan, but his voice and "every-man" stories make Koufax what it is. Recruiting some friends to help record for this new record, including Dustin and John from White Whale, Koufax has both added and subtracted from their signature sound. For the new record, they have subtracted the pianos and synths just a little and have added some sleazy horns to the mix. The horns were played by enigmatic free-jazz legend Mark Southerland who made them himself. Much of [...]
Now here is the perfect example of not judging a book (or album) by its cover. For the person who has never heard of Marnie Stern, one look at this cover may lead them to judge Marnie as another acoustic guitar strumming indie folk princess. And nothing could be further from the truth. Marnie actually shreds the electric guitar like she is cutting down a tree instead of hugging it! A part of the indie rock crowd, but if it wasn't for her broken pop stylings, her finger tapping techniques would fit right in with a prog-rock band. Her voice [...]
Hot on the heels of the release of "Rook" and Okkervil River's "The Stand Ins", Shearwater will release a digital EP on October 14th. "The Snow Leopard" includes several songs culled from live radio sessions and B-sides as well as the brooding title track, one of the standout closing tracks from "Rook". Here is the track list: 1 The Snow Leopard (album version) 2 So Bad (iTunes bonus track) 3 North Col (vinyl and iTunes bonus track) 4 Henry Lee (live from KUT) 5 [...]
There really isn't much that I can say about 31Knots that hasn't been said before. But their new album, "Worried Well" could be considered the perfect soundtrack to today's confusing times. With their own brand of eccentric, frenetic post-rock and Joe Haege's vocals-reminiscent of a deranged carnival barker, 31Knots gives this year a voice. Although the lyrics to 31Knots songs are usually oblique; "Compass Commands" sounds like an anti-war party complete with a call and response bridge with female background singers answering: "kill or be killed" when asked about "the universal rule of thumb". For all [...]
My wife and I are going to see Mates of State on Saturday at Southgate House in Newport, KY. We used their song, "Like U Crazy" in our wedding last year. They put on a great show. Don't miss them! For tour dates in your area, click here: http://www.barsuk.com/bands/ma tesofstate/shows
You may know Sebastien as the drummer/singer of his previous band, Death From Above 1979. They were an athemic dance-punk duo whose sweaty energy and aggressive rhythmic sound led to the break though album, "You're a Woman, I'm a Machine". They broke up shortly after and Jesse continued on, creating the dance oriented MSTRKRFT. And now Sebastien has finally chosen his next path. A more melodic, personal style instead of the agressive punk stylings of his past may surprise some of the followers of his early works. Don't worry, he hasn't gone soft...he still knows [...]
After signing in July to Saddle Creek Records, Land Of Talk is ready to release their debut full-length, "Some Are Lakes". The dissonant energy of the debut EP, "Applause Cheer Boo Hiss" remains, but is contrasted with a more focused and reflective group of songs. Singer/guitarist and songwriter Elizabeth Powell has put the focus on her voice and story telling this time around with the help of Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) who lent his vocals and perspective to nine songs. The title track is an anthem of unending love and is a perfect example of the new sound of the [...]
Jenny Lewis is back with "Acid Tongue", her second solo album and all Rilo Kiley fans will rejoice. It is hard not to compare Jenny's solo work with that of her band Rilo Kiley. The last Rilo Kiley cd, "Under The Blacklight", was a disappointment to fans as it took a turn toward the mainstream with disco/dance beats and side-stepped the alt. country/indie pop we fell in love with. Luckily, Jenny stays the course of "Rabbit Fur Coat" and lets her amazing voice take the spotlight again while the music maintains its dusty, disparate quality. Again, [...]
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