The next couple weeks are a bit thin on new discs due to the 4th of July. Nevertheless, we highlight a few of this week's releases.
THE ALKALINE TRIO: Agony & Irony
Sixth studio album from punk-pop vets. Might it be too polished for long-time fans?
NELS ANDREWS: Off Tracking Betting
Indie/country/folk from this solo artist with a backing band full of names you know. Sounds promising.
EARLIMART: Hymn and Her
A quick follow-up disc to last year's Mentor Tormentor. Expect more indie/dream pop from this trio.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Hold Steady/Aberdeen City at the Paradise, June 26
On the surface this double bill pairing seems a bit odd, but it's fairly well known around Boston that both Craig Finn and the boys of Aberdeen City are alums of Boston College. Outside of that higher learning link there really isn't much that ties these acts together. Regardless, both bands turned in killer sets.
Aberdeen City's Web site indicates that they're working a new album and included many of those new tunes into their set. While I didn't hear a clear hook-laden follow-up to "God is Going to Sick of Me," the new tunes seem full of stadium-sized melodies matched up with arrangements that are probably too intricate (i.e. interesting) to work in that setting. And that's a good thing. One new song title was shared with crowd, "Dirty Little Rumor." Singer Brad Parker segued that to dispel a rumor that the band is breaking up, but did inform everyone that last night was guitarist Ryan Heller's last show. Still, there continued to be grumblings after the show that AC is in fact disbanding.
The Hold Steady was a bit more reserved than we've seen in the past. And by reserved, we mean sober. Despite this, Craig Finn had the packed Paradise hanging on his every word and awkward rock star stage move. The unlikely front man had the kids eating out of his hand for the whole set. The band worked through tunes from their three previous discs as well as hits-to-be like "Sequestered in Memphis" and "Lord, I'm Discouraged" off their upcoming album Stay Positive. Finn shouted into the mic, directly at the fans and occasionally banged out some chords on the Gibson loosely slung around his neck.
The public's love of the Hold Steady is bouyed by the Hold Steady's love for their craft. Their respect for the acts that Finn constantly name checks and the respect that each band member has for one another is evident onstage. When Tad Kubler pulled off one of a few classic solos (one on double-necked SG) Finn simply stood by and shook his head in amazement.
Let's hope these guys keep knocking us out, and knocking themselves out, for many tours to come.
Aberdeen City's Web site indicates that they're working a new album and included many of those new tunes into their set. While I didn't hear a clear hook-laden follow-up to "God is Going to Sick of Me," the new tunes seem full of stadium-sized melodies matched up with arrangements that are probably too intricate (i.e. interesting) to work in that setting. And that's a good thing. One new song title was shared with crowd, "Dirty Little Rumor." Singer Brad Parker segued that to dispel a rumor that the band is breaking up, but did inform everyone that last night was guitarist Ryan Heller's last show. Still, there continued to be grumblings after the show that AC is in fact disbanding.
The Hold Steady was a bit more reserved than we've seen in the past. And by reserved, we mean sober. Despite this, Craig Finn had the packed Paradise hanging on his every word and awkward rock star stage move. The unlikely front man had the kids eating out of his hand for the whole set. The band worked through tunes from their three previous discs as well as hits-to-be like "Sequestered in Memphis" and "Lord, I'm Discouraged" off their upcoming album Stay Positive. Finn shouted into the mic, directly at the fans and occasionally banged out some chords on the Gibson loosely slung around his neck.
The public's love of the Hold Steady is bouyed by the Hold Steady's love for their craft. Their respect for the acts that Finn constantly name checks and the respect that each band member has for one another is evident onstage. When Tad Kubler pulled off one of a few classic solos (one on double-necked SG) Finn simply stood by and shook his head in amazement.
Let's hope these guys keep knocking us out, and knocking themselves out, for many tours to come.
Monday, June 23, 2008
New Releases: June 24, 2008
BABYSHAMBLES: Oh What a Lovely Tour
As of right now Pete has a better long-term health outlook than Wino. The day is young though.
SIGUR ROS: Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Translations, anyone?
G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE: Superhero Brother
Seriously?
LIZ PHAIR: Exile in Guyville {Deluxe Edition}
Truly great songs... mostly about Nash Kato
THE WATSON TWINS: Fire Songs
Jenny's girls are doing their own thing again.
As of right now Pete has a better long-term health outlook than Wino. The day is young though.
SIGUR ROS: Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Translations, anyone?
G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE: Superhero Brother
Seriously?
LIZ PHAIR: Exile in Guyville {Deluxe Edition}
Truly great songs... mostly about Nash Kato
THE WATSON TWINS: Fire Songs
Jenny's girls are doing their own thing again.
Dennis Wilson - Pacific Ocean Blue
It’s all but impossible to say much about this album without bringing up this Beach Boy’s story. He’s the famous middle child that didn't quite have the vocal chops of his brothers, a guy whose brother replaced him with uber session man Hal Blaine on many, many recordings, and a guy who had trouble with booze and drugs and ultimately died an early death. You can hear all that and more on Pacific Ocean Blue, Dennis Wilson's lone solo album that was just re-mastered and repackaged with several tracks recorded for a follow-up album that never saw the light of day. We’ll just be focusing on the original POB tracks today.
Quite simply, the songs on this album ache. Wilson’s gruffy, prematurely aged voice gives further weight to the dense melodies and lyrics of this disc. “Friday Night” is the first track that really stands out. Fifteen years earlier in his career a song with this title would’ve been about chasing girls, drinking in the sunset and generally enjoying life. This Friday night is a dark, lonesome one, with the songwriter dreaming of music and wondering what happened to that latest girl.
Interestingly, there is a range of sounds and styles on the album. In addition to an adult portion of 70’s songwriter moves and poorly aged synth sounds, you’ll hear plenty of horns, dark atmospheric production, and some Floyd-esque echo. Seriously. The album is at times epic and consistently intense. Certainly not fit for an easy summer drive but might be just the right medicine the next time a lonely weekend night rolls around.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
New Release: June 17, 2008
DENNIS WILSON: Pacific Ocean Blue {Legacy Edition}
What a coincidence... we just reviewed The Explorers Club
SILVER JEWS: Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea
Berman is back! Again...
WOLF PARADE: At Mount Zoomer
One of the most anticipated indie releases of the summer.
SEBADOH: Bubble & Scrape
Lo-Fi pioneers get re-issued.
THE WAR ON DRUGS: Wagonwheel Blues
Indie ambient pop, apparently.
What a coincidence... we just reviewed The Explorers Club
SILVER JEWS: Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea
Berman is back! Again...
WOLF PARADE: At Mount Zoomer
One of the most anticipated indie releases of the summer.
SEBADOH: Bubble & Scrape
Lo-Fi pioneers get re-issued.
THE WAR ON DRUGS: Wagonwheel Blues
Indie ambient pop, apparently.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
