This album keeps finding its way in my player, and it has pretty much from the time that I originally tripped over it on one of our legendary Rasputin's runs. I remember picking it up solely because I had a thing about bands that referred to primates in their name or album title. To this day, I own every release from the Arctic Monkeys , The Monkees , Sprung Monkey , The Naked Apes , Ape Cave , and simply, The Apes , regardless of how good or bad the music may actually be. [...]
Sondre Lerche @ MHOW in September ( more by Tim Griffin ) Sondre Lerche will be one of the many acts at the now-sold-out Bell House Haiti Benefit tonight (1/27). Sondre goes on tour after that with opener JBM . JBM is NYC songwriter Jesse Marchant, who's now signed to Partisan Records . The label will release his debut Not Even in July on April 13th. For some JBM right now, check out his [...]
"Oh, how happy we will be/ if we keep the ten commandments of love." —the Moonglows "One of a thousand pities that you can't categorize There are ten commandments of love…" —Elvis Costello, "Pidjin English "She's got the ten commandments tattooed on her arm." —MC5, "Sister Anne" Not nine. Not eleven. Ten commandments. No wonder ten-named songs are a solid lot: they are linked inextricably to [...]
I've had a couple of requests over the past week or so. Figured I'd do a quick Tuesday post to fill 'em. First off, the links on the Fine Young Cannibals and The Beat posts that had gone bad have been fixed. Secondly, I had a request to re-post the songs I posted during the 2008 holiday season, as nearly all of the links have since gone away. so here they are, all in one zip file . I won't [...]
"Kiss always fashioned themselves as the Beatles on steroids"—Gene Simmons, Billboard, 10/3/09 ◆◆◆ Singer/guitarist Parthenon Huxley, aka P. Hux, is "rock's most underrated pop genius" according to the L.A. Weekly . Inspired as a kid by the British Invasion, Huxley's melodies are ridiculously catchy. Think Beatles On Steroids: great songs, insane hooks, smoky vocals, and lyrics good enough to recite to your friends.—Publicity page for P. Hux ◆◆◆ [Charlie Bernardo's] other duty is [...]
S old! My apartment in New York City is in someone else's hands now, and I'm once again filled with wanderlust. First stop, New York City on February 17. Then London. Then Istanbul. Then who knows? When will I be back in Buenos Aires? April at the earliest. Maybe May. Maybe never. (Well, not never . I still have my apartment here.) The third leg of my upcoming journey was a toss up between Istanbul, Beirut and Cape Town. Beirut was coming out on top until I turned to a Time Out colleague, who'd recently moved there [...]
KELLEY RYAN'S NEW TWIST AVAILABLE AS SPECIAL $1 DOWNLOAD IN ADVANCE OF RELEASE DATE Month Long Offer starts January 19 Singer/Songwriter Performing A Series of Concerts, Including Stops in New York and on National Radio Show Mountain Stage In a bold and innovative move, critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Kelley Ryan will offer her new album, Twist, for just $1 and before its February 16th release date. Selling Twist for a little more that the cost of a candy bar is a clever and fresh idea, designed to introduce Ryan's music to [...]
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven at World Cafe Live, Philly The Hesh Inc, Joe Wymer & The Itty Bitty Band and Bobby Strange at The Saint Thursday, January 14, 2010 Hot Rats (feat Gaz Coombes & Danny Goffey from Supergrass) at Bowery Ballroom Michael Shelley at Lakeside Lounge Brad Mehldau at Highline Ballroom Julian Casablancas (of [...]
Inviting, open-ended album of loss, loneliness and meandering hope Freedy Johnston opens his new album, his first new material since 2001's Right Between the Promises , with a ukulele strum and a lyric that searches optimistically for answers. The quality of his voice against the stripped-down arrangement highlights the arresting, bell-like clarity of his tone, and the lyric playfully strides between a literal ode to a found coin and a metaphorical hand outstretched to a lost girl. Producer Richard McLaurin leavens the ukulele's chipper tone with more quizzical and [...]
So my old pals and power pop gods The Smithereens are playing B.B.King's in NYC on Saturday, and it occurred to me I haven't posted anything about them in ages. Here's one of my top five fave 'Reens songs, from 1988 (and Green Thoughts , their fabulous sophomore album) -- "Only a Memory." This was a big radio hit, at least in NYC, and at the time it was getting a lot of airplay, I was toiling at the late lamented [...]
Primal Scream has been around awhile. Formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1982, Primal Scream has explored a lot of genres. Alternative Rock, Acid House, Goth, Indie, Dance...even some reggae. They've got about 15 ex-members, which is always telling in my book. The lead vocalist, Bobby Gillespie, was once the drummer of The Jesus & Mary Chain, but vacated his post in the mid 80's to work on Primal Scream full time after being given an ultimatum by the Reid Brothers of TJ&MC. Following Gillespie's departure from that band, Primal Scream kicked around a few years and were met with lukewarm praise, at best, from the critics. [...]
As a change of pace, power pop icon Richard X. Heyman puts on his garage/bar band hat and with the rest of the Doughboys (Mike Caruso, Bass - Gar Francis & Willy Kirchofer, guitars - Myke Scavone, vocals and percussion) and play classic rock a la Kinks. Through the grit of Scavone's vocals is a classic rock and roll sound, and the tell tale hooks on Heyman's penned "Why Can't She See Me?" are a welcome treat here. Scavone does some excellent Mick Jagger styled blues on "Carmalina" and the Animals-styled "It's Alright" are just a few of the gems [...]
For nearly 50 years the Court Tavern has been a New Brunswick fixture. Since the early 1980s it also has been a vital part of the state's rock scene, hosting up-and-coming bands such as the Smithereens, which later returned the favor by donating one of its platinum albums to the small club. But the slow economy following a re-financing effort a couple of years ago bought the owners, Bobby and Eileen Albert, to the brink of closure, with a 4 p.m. deadline today to pay $20,000 in back taxes and city [...]
Growing up in the late sixties and early seventies as I did, there's actually some gratification to knowing that the occasional bits of pop culture persist. For instance, on Labor Day weekend, I can't help but tune in to the MDA Telethon ... ...and that's why I'm watching The Yule Log on WPIX , at least 'til it ends at 1PM. It's even got a newly chosen hour full of not-very-new-but-unheard-for-d ecades Christmas tracks in its last hour at noon. (Of course, we've still got A Very Inappropriate Christmas running all [...]
Music impresario Michael Dorf is putting together a tribute concert for The Who on March 2, 2010 at Carnegie Hall. The first announced performing artists to pay tribute to the Who: Warren Haynes & Gov't Mule, The Postelles, Bettye LaVette, Robyn Hitchcock, The Smithereens, Sondre Lerche, Mose Allison, Matt Nathanson, Gaslight Anthem, Frank Black (of the Pixies), Bobby McFerrin, Bob Mould (of Hüsker Dü), and Living Colour MANY MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED (subject to change) 100% [...]
MUSIC NEWS - Michael Dorf Productions today announced that soul diva Bettye LaVette and roots-rocker Jason Isbell were added to the line-up of performers who will pay tribute to the rock legend, The Who at a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall in NYC on March 2, 2010. Other artists already scheduled to honor The Who and their classic rock tunes include Bobby McFerrin, Bob Mould (of Husker Du), Gaslight Anthem, Matt Nathanson, Sondre Lerche, The Postelles, Warren Haynes Govt. Mule, Living Colour, Robyn Hitchcock, The Smithereens and Mose [...]
If you hadn't already heard, the best thing to happen to Who fans since the resurrection of Keith Moon - oops, no, sorry, still waiting on that one - will occur on March 2, when an all-star tribute to the iconic British rockers takes place at Carnegie Hall. The show, which will benefit youth-oriented non-profit music programs, will feature a stellar roster of artists performing the music of The Who, and the latest additions to the list are soul queen Bettye LaVette and former Drive-By Truckers singer/songwriter Jason Isbell. LaVette, who has been one of the most powerful voices in [...]
Smithereens drummer offers up Christmas classics, Stax style Here's a fun Christmas album from 2002 on which organist/inventor/WFMU DJ Dave Amels and Smithereens drummer Dennis Diken give a Stax-styled instrumental spin to a slate of holiday classics. From the opening of the Beach Boys' "He's the Man with All the Toys," you get plenty of smooth organ, deep bass, twangy guitar, punchy drums and the funky vibe Stax created in their Memphis studio. A few numbers roll in iconic MG riffs, such as the organ and guitar of "Green Onions" behind the Husky Team's [...]
The long and the short of it is that $20k isn't a lot of money if enough people get together to do the heavy lifting. Here's what's being passed around Facebook: If you know anyone in a financial position to save the Court , PLEASE pass this along to them! ------- Once again I am in the position of writing an extremely difficult letter. We have 24 hours to raise $20,000 or we may be forced to close. I know that times are tough and it is the holiday season but it's [...]
Bob Mould of Hüsker Dü , Frank Black of Pixies and Gaslight Anthem are among 20 artists tapped to perform classic songs from The Who for a new charity event at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Set for March 2, 2010, the event will also include Warren Haynes & Gov't Mule, Postelles, Bettye LaVette, Robyn Hitchcock, The Smithereens, Sondre Lerche, Mose Allison, Matt Nathanson, Bobby McFerrin, and Living Colour More information is available on the event website . [...]
Yeasayer – Odd Blood (Review)
TOUR: The Tallest Man On Earth Announces U.S. Dates
New Releases V2.9
[mp3] Joanna Newsom - "Kingfisher"
Hot Chip: One Life Stand
