Blog: Come Pick Me Up

"Feels like I'm in a mess all time/Save my soul from breaking..." This is the band that sat upon numerous top album lists for 2005. And rightfully so. The band is building up a lot of steam. This is due in part to the release of the long time coming (believe you me) Tally of the Yes Men as well as the attention and fervent support the band has garnered from various websites, radio stations/programs, and even media supergiant FOX (the band recently had a song appear [...]

"I dreamed I dreamt my life away." The Smiths reincarnated? Poor band. They probably hear it a lot. However, I can't really imagine anybody being upset at the idea that they are fairly reminiscent of Morrissey and his crew. However, Mighty Six Ninety isn't hiding behind anyone's shadow. I sent this band to someone , and his exact words were, "These guys should be bigger." Exactly. If we all come to our senses, I'm positive they will start getting noticed more so [...]

"You just steal my broken faith/And put it back together..." Alt-Country and Brooklyn, NY? It has never made much sense until now. Thanks to the Damnwells and their 2003 release “Bastards of the Beat,� the Manhattan counterpart is no longer only a haven for hipsters and the like. Although the band would find itself in good company among bands like Wilco, Whiskeytown (who drummer Steven Terry himself had a short but sweet run with) and the Replacements, it can’t be said that Brooklyn and it’s [...]

"Why such a long lines at scary movies?/As if being scared is something we need." You know that band with the crazy name that has been floating around the internet these past few months? Halloween, Alaska? Yeah, my Minneapolis boys have been getting a lot of attention lately. Well warranted, that attention is. Many of you have probably heard of them. But, have you heard of the Love-Cars , another project of frontman James Diers? No. I'm here to enlighten you, because they're just as [...]

"Time is a runaway/It's coming for you..." Just a nice bunch of boys from the Northeast. Tim Warren (far left, the voice) and Eric Donnelly (far right, the brains) formed the Alternate Routes back in 2002. The 4 songs below are from the band's debut album The Good and the Reckless and True . As far as I'm concerned, it's a pretty damn good debut album. The guys have some pretty extensive touring experience, both on the college and mid-size club circuit. They've played with the [...]

"Come pick me up/Take me out/Fuck me up/Steal my records..." Inspiration? No, that's a lie. If Ryan Adams was my role model, I'd most likely be 1) an alcoholic 2) a drug addict or both roaming the streets of NYC or in some very similar, desperate situation. However, I've got my wits about me and that is indeed not the case. Despite Ryan's many faults, I'm still very much in love with him. So much so that if he asked me [...]

Artisan . New. Good. Really good. From the UK (London, I believe). Worth my time - worth your time. Big praises. Ok, the band has full songs up on their myspace page. They plan of releasing their first official release fairly soon. I'm posting some remixes of theirs because, frankly, I think they sound a little better than the originals. They're a bit jazzed up, you know? I Hold My Breath Over Soon [...]

"I love you but I'm scared of fucking up..." says the Research . A friend of mine just sent me a link for this band and I'm very glad that he did. Really diggin' them. Young, new band from the UK. I'm keeping this post short. It's Sunday night, and I'm leaving you with links. Check them out, I'm fairly positive you'll like them as well. Official Site Myspace [...]

I'm a sucker for alt-country (note the blog name). That's why I bring to you Spouse. The band, who I believe to be from Masachussetts, is led by frontman Jose Ayerve. His voice makes me melt, for real. The vocals are just what you'd expect this kind of band to have. You'll know when you hear it. Anyways, they've got quite a catalog of songs. I picked 4 from the most recent releases. Their influences, as professed by themselves, are bands like the Replacements (a personal [...]

Chicago (again, one of my favorite cities) band Sleeping At Last has got some musical chops like you wouldn't believe, especially for being a relatively young band. They are no strangers to the major label scene. Their debut album Ghosts was released on Interscope Records back in 2003. They have since found themselves as "free agents", if I may, and plan on recording a new record very soon here to be self-released. As far as the music goes, just think of them as a user friendly Radiohead. [...]

Sea Ray , from good ole Brooklyn, NY is no longer a band. But then again, neither are the Smiths. We all still love the Smiths. Therefore, you all can come to love the genius(es) that is Sea Ray. Well thought, well played experimental pop music. Don't let the word "pop" throw you off. This is no indie pop band. It is actually a bit hard to describe. They really are one of a kind. So [...]

I just thought I'd post some bands from UK (because I myself am in love with anything European) who are either pretty new or not getting the attention they should be. Anyways, these are 4 bands I've been especially into as of late. Enjoy. Team Salt a really great, young Scottish band. Cool voice, interesting acoustic arrangements. I'd really like to hear some from this band. The Beast Within My Mind [...]

These boys have big shoes to fill. Manchester, also the home of greats like the Smiths and the Stone Roses, brings you new band Longview as well. Let me say one thing, Long-View has no trouble filling these shoes. I say this about almost every band I post, but I have never meant it more than now...I can't say enough about this band. Signed to Columbia Records here in the states, and rightfully so, the band still hasn't really been able to leave it's mark. Poor marketing, bad tours? Who knows. [...]