Posts tagged Indie
Lock The Door & Cover Me – Utah Saints
Apr 16th
The Giant Panther, more accurately the music blogosphere, is under attack by a group trying to enforce the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Signed into law by former President Bill Clinton (never dreamed how much I’d miss the big lug) on October 28, 1998, it passed after a unanimous vote (remember those?) in Congress. While it was designed to protect the rights of the artists we worship, The Giant panther has been getting spanked for posting 20 year old music lately. Where’s my copy of Judas Priest’s “Breaking The Law” when I need it? I’d have mentioned The Bobby Fuller Four, but their estate might be after us too. They’d win.
I don’t know if it is one of the three major labels doing some kind of sweep, but it’s affecting our ability to post certain songs. I don’t know how many of you run a blog yourselves, but the labels push all the new artists and throw you a bone by authorizing the song they want to release…I’m imagining the first single and want to contain the freebies right there. It makes some sense on the new stuff I suppose, because you do want to leave the first year or two after the initial release for folks to actually buy or legally download new records. After that though, it’s a struggle, particularly in the new musical economy, to market and sell artists of any pedigree. Anyone who wants to drop by my place can ogle the massive amounts of money I have spent on these artists. I was only too happy to do so because they earned it. I love to support the artists I am fond of. I go see them live and I buy ridiculously priced CDs, posters and all kinds of things at these shows. I totally get that they need to make a living. I want them too in a big way. I don’t care if they get filthy rich doing it like U2. I’m for all that they can get. Too many of them are extremely talented and come up empty. I get that too.
Music blogging is about spreading the word on artists. It’s free publicity and it’s organic. I am getting cease and desist notices through my host about records that are literally 20 plus years old. So far I’ve been asked to take down single tracks by bands like The The, Iggy Pop and Lloyd Cole & The Commotions. Lloyd Cole! If not for the ten or fifteen posts worldwide since 1995, Lloyd Cole’s records…well let’s put it this way…no post is going to prevent his CDs from the cutout bin at the used record store. His records have got to be out of print (he said without checking). So I post a song and 200 people download the single. I’m not saying 200 even did, but where’s the harm? Half of them had never heard the track before. It’s in MP3 format for crying out loud. It’s not like it’s a WAV or FLAC or some other higher quality file. Posting is about spreading the word. Hey, you might have missed this track…check it out. How many The The songs is your local Alternative Rock station playing anymore? Two? At best? That’s not a knock on The The either. I love that band or I wouldn’t have posted the single (Sweet Bird of Truth) in the first place.
It’s not like the post is going to prevent more sales of a record that came out in the mid 80′s. They had their three to five year window to sell that record. Why not let them live on in infamy? I have had artists contact me directly to thank me for posting their long forgotten song. They get it. The party’s essentially over if you haven’t sold X number of copies after twenty years. As long as somebody is paying for The Giant Panther Dot Com you would have been able search on The The and hear one single track out of their catalogue of eight or nine CDs or whatever it is. I own them all and I bought them all fair and square. Chasing me down for posting the track is ludicrous. I’d yank the entire post, but I took some time to put the song in context for my world and now I feel like sending it to everyone I know just because I’m annoyed. If this keeps up I might just shut it down (my contribution). I don’t see the point in getting bullied into posting only approved singles by current artists. I’m a chestnut guy. The third, fourth or fifth track of a record is what makes a good record good and the song consequently worth promoting. I have a hard time thinking Iggy Pop cares if I post “The Endless Sea” from 1979 or that Matt Johnson cares about “Sweet Bird of Truth” being posted from 1986. Maybe I’m wrong. I know you have to start somewhere, but if I were trying to contain digital intellectual property I’d keep my eye on the last fifteen years at very best. Anything released prior to that just doesn’t seem worth the trouble does it?
I came to post a band called Utah Saints today. But it might have to come down tomorrow in this climate. Brother. This is an unusual cover of a Kate Bush song called “Cloudbusting,” which you might recall was originally released on Kate’s 1985 masterpiece Hounds of Love. For those of you unfamiliar with Kate’s work it’s time to get on the stick. Her compilation The Whole Story is a good place to start, but you’ll find yourself picking up her individual records as soon as you get yourself acclimated. Of the 150 or so artists The Giant Panther and I agree on to the hilt (you’d think it’d be more, but I’m just too old) Kate Bush is among them. Phenomenal artist. “Wuthering Heights” still gives me chills when I hear her sing it. Utah Saints are a sample happy techno/electronica/house/trance/rave/dance act from Leeds in the UK (yeah I know…you’d think they would hail from Utah, but I don’t have that answer for you). Kate Bush is also an English artist and is greatly revered among the younger UK artists. It’s not surprising that she was sampled, with permission, and it’s not surprising that this single went to number 4 on the UK Charts in 1992. The Saints sampled The Eurythmics, James, Blondie, Hawkwind, The Human League, Simple Minds and The Osmonds over the years as well according to Wikipedia.
Utah Saints seem to disappear and surface from time to time over the past 18 plus years, but they were never as famous as they were in 1992. Let’s hope the digital police can be kept at bay for a few blissful hours so you can enjoy Utah Saints. It’s out of print so maybe we have a fighting chance here.
Utah Saints – Something Good.mp3
Buy or download Utah Saints from Amazon here.
Beach House – Teen Dream
Mar 13th
This album rocks my world. Absolutely killer. To be honest, in the past I never understood what all they hype was about with Beach House. Most of my favorite fellow bloggers have been huge fans since the beginning of Beach House a few albums back. I always found the songs interesting in concept, but after a few songs they all started to blend into the background. This has all changed with their new LP Teen Dream. Let me go on record early as saying this will most likely be my favorite album of 2010. I’m only doing this preemptive strike because I know it will be on most end of year lists as the best, and I don’t want to be called “unoriginal”. In early 2011 I will be able to point back to this post and say, I was among the first 50,000 bloggers to “call it first.”
Beach House formed in 2004 in Baltimore, and is a duo made up of French-born Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally, who hails from Baltimore. They were introduced at a friend’s party or something, I’m probably getting this wrong I heard it on an interview (they are much better at making music than as interviewees, but then again, most musicians are. See my old David Byrne clip from Letterman or check out the infamous Sigur Ros interview for good examples of interviews gone wrong.
Hard to describe this music. Closest I could come would a modernized version of Fleetwood Mac. Don’t get all worked up if you think this makes no sense. I’m not trying to make a direct comparison, or make your precious indie nuggets less “cool” or too popular. I just mean to say it gives me the same type of feeling when I listen to the records. Lush, layered harmonies, amazing voice (mix Dusty Springfield with Stevie Nicks and Nico). I had a really tough time chosing which songs to share from this album, they are all four and five star tracks, every single one of them. If you by one album this spring make it this one.
Buy or download Teen Dream from Amazon here.
Phantogram – Eyelid Movies
Mar 11th
I’m liking what is happening in music this year and last year. Toro Y Moi, Vega, Washed Out, Neon Indian, and now Phantogram. There is a fresh new feeling that seems to be a signifigant shift away from traditional indie/underground rock and pop of the early and mid 2000′s, which is a good thing. It’s not always easy to pinpoint when a musical shift happens until 10-20 years later, but I think in this case it’s pretty apparent. Either that or I’m paying more attention to it.
Phantogram is the perfect combination of all things I’m loving in music. Dark synths, sampling, drum beats, melodic. Phantogram is based in NY, and consists of duo Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel. Every song on this record offers something different, but they all work together nicely. Josh and Sarah trade turns as vocalist track to track, both offer something unique.
MP3: Phantogram – Mouthful Of Diamonds
MP3: Phantogram – As Far As I Can See
Buy or download Eyelid Movies from Amazon here.
Phantogram on Myspace
Zola Jesus – Stridulum EP
Mar 10th
Why, as a music blogger, do I feel like I’m always the last to know about great new music? That’s a conversation for another day. Just finished my fourth listen through the new Zola Jesus EP, it’s spectacular. Any fans of Jesus & Mary Chain, Joy Division, etc will dig this. Call it dark-fi, goth pop, whatever you want. Zola Jesus (Nika Danilova) combines a punch you in the jaw powerful voice, and songs that build energy from the dark to make the perfect soundtrack to a late night drive.
MP3: Zola Jesus – I Can’t Stand
Buy or download Stridulum from Amazon here.
Zola Jesus on Myspace
R.I.P. – Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse
Mar 9th
I’m a little late to the draw here, but over the weekend a relatively little known artist named Mark Linkous, better known as Sparklehorse, took his own life in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was 47 years young. That is a real shame. It was allegedly set off by a text message. How would you like to be the sender? No thanks. I hope it was worth it. Reports say it was roughly 1:20 PM in the afternoon when this all happened so we’d like to believe this wasn’t some alcohol or drug fueled spur of the moment decision. Then again most of us don’t lose our composure over a text message. I’m not passing judgment here though. It may a Wonderful Life, but each of us has our own crosses to bear. I’m turning 50 years young myself next Monday. I never ever dreamed of being this old and yet here we are. Now life gets interesting.
My first exposure to Sparklehorse was in 1995 when I came across a copy of Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot. I heard the song called “Rainmaker” on the radio just one time before I jumped on board the Sparklehorse train. I instantly added it to my mixed cut cassette tape empire because I liked it so much. The title of the record was a mouthful and a pain in the neck to deal with, but I’m sure it was intended to draw attention to the release. On that count it seems like it was successful. I was, and still am, impressed with Sparklehorse. It’s a real shame Mark decided to pack it in, but it was not the first time he displayed a certain instability. In 1996 he nearly lost both legs after overdosing on a lethal combination of drugs while on tour with Radiohead. He recovered after spending some six months in a wheelchair and, as it turns out, lived another 14 years.
Sparklehorse was essentially a one man outfit. It was a setup not unlike Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails except that the Sparklehorse sound bordered on Stoner Indie music. I don’t know if that category exists, but it does now. Mark’s music was sometimes hard to pin down and describe. It had some of that jangly Alt Country Wilco feel to it at times, but it could be as spacey as, say, Catherine Wheel too. I loved it because it was way off the beaten path. Sparklehorse didn’t get a lot of radio airplay so whatever audience it had built up was based word of mouth. Their music was mesmerizing to listen to because they didn’t have to adhere to any genre or record company directive. It’s not the kind of thing you throw into your CD player to get you pumped up for an event, but it had its place among the reflective late night set. It’s not going to rock you to your feet, but it was easy to get lost in the trippy feeling embedded in the melodies. I don’t know a thing about recording vocals, but I’m assuming he is singing through some kind of device that alters his voice a tad. It’s dreamy and hypnotic at times.
Nobody has any concrete answers for suicide. I’m pretty sure everybody contemplates it at some point or another, but reason and good sense usually rule the day. Everybody has demons, but most of us keep them at bay. I wish everybody could. Mark was obviously very talented and I wince every time I hear about suicide, but it’s particularly galling when someone with so much to offer the masses makes that decision. This guy is going to be missed, plain and simple and it sure doesn’t seem like it had to be this way. I hope whatever afterlife may exist makes Mark a happier man and I’m really sorry he felt like he had to go now. Rest in Peace.
I’m leaving you folks with a couple of Sparklehorse favorites. You can track them down on 1995′s Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot, 1998′s Good Morning Spider and 2001′s It’s a Wonderful Life. I’m also tacking on their wonderful cover of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here. That one is from a 2001 Promo only called Chest Full of Dying Hawks which may be hard to locate. I hope you like them.
Sparklehorse – Wish You Were Here.mp3
Sparkelhorse – Wish You Were Here.mp3 YSI
Buy or download It’s a Wonderful Life from Amazon here.
My Insipid Record Collection – The Lovemakers
Feb 21st
I ran into The Lovemakers a couple of years back while surfing the end of year lists. They are an Oakland, CA based act that has been around maybe eight years or so by now. I had never heard of them until somebody put their CD Times of Romance in their best of 2005 list. I have to admit, without condoning anything remotely close to YouPorn, that I kind of liked the CD jacket artwork. I mean, if you are going to call yourself The Lovemakers, by all means, have some fun with it for crying out loud. I have read that Scott Blonde and Lisa Light (those absolutely sound like their original names…I’m sure of it) are the two main members of this sometime trio, sometime foursome. It has been written that they were tossed out of their previous band, Applesaucer (man it’s gotta be tough coming up with original band names huh?) for making out during practice. I’m all for a couple being unable to keep their hands off each other, especially during the designated month of love here, but there is a time and place for everything. The good news is, if that is even true, is that they have talent and things seemed to work out for them.
According to our friends at Wikipedia this band took its name from the Japanese film The Weird Lovemakers. I’ve never seen this film, but I’m sure it has merit. The Lovemakers (I’m assuming Light Blonde or Well Lit Blonde were already taken…speaking of shaky band names…I can play that game too I guess) released a self titled record in 2003 and Times of Romance in 2005. In 2007 they released an EP called Misery Loves Company and followed that up with a full length CD called Let’s Be Friends in September of 2009. I sure hope that last one isn’t an autobiographical account of the state of their relationship. Everyone knows men and women can’t really be friends if one of them still harbors feelings for the other, which I’d venture to say is, oh, 95% of the time. The breakup was mutual, yeah right. I don’t mean to say that Blonde and Light are not still an item, but it is a curious title for a Lovemakers CD don’t you think? Maybe that is just the point no? Keep ‘em guessing. Do you think Jack and Meg White are sister and brother still?
I don’t have a lot of information on The Lovemakers to share with you. According to their web site (www.thelovemakers.com) they are touring behind Let’s Be Friends as we speak. I was sifting through some of what is written about Times of Romance on Amazon.com and found out Light is a Standford graduate. She’s a lot smarter than I am already. As for bands they might sound like names have been thrown out like Human League, The Killers and or The Postal Service. Well, I’m a Human League fan, but those guys were more techno than New Wave sounding. Human League has a really catchy sound to them that went beyond the brilliant single “Don’t You Want Me.” I wouldn’t say they have much in common, but that is only my opinion. There is some techno there, but not like Human League.
The Killers? Man, how great were The Killers until they released a second and third record? Those guys better figure something out because one more “Human” (which to me is the equivalent of Peter Frampton releasing “I’m in You” after all that great music with Humble Pie and his solo career) and they’ll be irreparable damage to their brand. So many people love this band to a fault (including my local Alt Rock station WFNX), but I think they are headed in the wrong direction. The Postal Service is about the closest thing to The Lovemakers here, but definitely different. I absolutely loved that Postal Service record, but The Lovemakers rock a bit harder. I’m sure there are other comparisons, but I haven’t digested Let’s Be Friends at all yet. I’ll get there. I’ve always liked the male-female vocal back and forth so it’s not hard to see why I like The Lovemakers. It doesn’t take much if a female vocalist is talented.
I wanted to do a post about Times of Romance because it is a sexy record and it is a sexy month. I’m posting “Prepare For The Fight, Shake That Ass and Dance.” If you have never heard of these guys I’m betting you will like these tracks. If, on the other hand, I am five years behind the times, I apologize. Better late than never I figure.
I’m running out of days in February and have more ideas than days left so I’ll have to save some for February of 2011. Can you believe the Y2K scam is Ten Years Gone already? I remember battening down the hatches that New Year’s Eve in case my computer exploded. Pretty funny now that you think about it. The argument for preparation sounded pretty logical at the time, but it sounded kind of shaky. Not unlike Global Warming I guess, but I’d sure love access to Al Gore’s bank account. Did I just say something political? I hate that. Please ignore.
The Lovemakers – Prepare For The Fight.mp3
The Lovemakers – Shake That Ass.mp3
The Lovemakers – Shake That Ass.mp3 YSI
Buy of download Time of Romance from Amazon.com here.
John Jay’s 20 Favorite Releases of 2009
Dec 30th
I ran out of real estate. There is no more time to screw around. There are mere hours left in the present year. I have to tell you; I don’t really relish these end of the year lists. I feel like, as a quasi blogger (I say quasi because I’m just a guy who like to tell stories as opposed to raving about the latest sounds), their is kind of an onus on Ryan and I to put out something that sums up the year that just whistled by. I’ve been cramming lately for what feels like an exam, listening to a ton of music released in 2009. We all know you can’t possibly absorb a piece of music, in full the way it deserves to be ingested, with one single listen. At least that is my philosophy. That is one of my problems with doing this list each year. I should set aside three days each month to pour through that month’s releases and start my list in January, as in two days from now. It just doesn’t happen unfortunately. Life gets in the way of my high paying (not) job somehow and this is what we are left with.
Every time I do this I feel like I need to leave disclaimers about what I haven’t yet listened to, what will age poorly, what order I list the CDs in and what qualifications I even have to do a list like this. Well, that should cover it no? I’m going to be as brief as possible even though I know this is definitely not my strong suit. I expect Ryan’s list and my list to be eons apart. There is nothing wrong with that. Ryan listens to a lot of newer music and tends to veer in the opposite direction of Classic Rock artists. Nothing wrong with that either. I’m always keeping an eye on later day releases of old favorites like Collective Soul, Bob Mould, Bob Dylan, Cracker, Sonic Youth, Muse, Cheap Trick, The Black Crowes and Wilco. Some made my list and some didn’t, but those artists have earned my trust so to speak. It’s never easy to narrow it down, but it’s particularly difficult when you don’t feel like you’ve listened to each CD ten or fifteen times. Sometimes that takes years I’m afraid…
I’m also going to pay attention to more Blues artists than I think Ryan might. This year we had Back Door Slam, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Eric Gales, Joe Bonamassa, Gov’t Mule, Robert Cray and J.J. Cale release new CDs. And I love Progressive Rock like Pure Reason Revolution, Marillion and Porcupine Tree which factor into my decision making. Not everyone can make the list, but in two or three days time no one will care anyway so I give up. So without further ado here is my top twenty with a sample track for each record. Please don’t read into the order. It’s a futile exercise. There is no way I won’t be criticized six ways to Sunday, but it’s go time…
20. Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood – Live From Madison Square Garden
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood – Tell The Truth.mp3
Buy or download Live From Madison Square Garden from Amazon here.
I realize a vote for this record is like voting for an experienced Japanese baseball player for rookie of the year in MLB, but quality is quality. These veterans of rock can still get it done. Tremendous recording in one of music’s palaces.
19. Collective Soul – Collective Soul (Rabbit)
Buy or download Collective Soul (Rabbit) from Amazon here.
I know it’s been over a decade since anyone cared about Collective Soul, but these guys might be the best “soft” rock band I’ve ever heard. I have always liked them right from single one. That would be 1994′s “Shine” in case you’re wondering.
18. Hell City Glamours – Hell City Glamours
Hell City Glamours – I’m Not Here.mp3
Buy or download Hell City Glamours from Amazon here.
Another Australian export. The new Airbourne they say. They have a similar sound to Thin Lizzy in places, but I just feel like I need to include this surprisingly even uneven effort. Long Live the rock band. No reason main stream rock cannot continue to thrive even in the face of the music business today.
17. Silversun Pickups – Swoon
Silversun Pickups – Substitution.mp3
Buy or download Swoon from Amazon here.
Look, so what if they are carrying on The Smashing Pumpkins legacy? Lazy Eye was a great single and this record has its share of good songs too. I love this one.
16. The Black Crowes – Before The Frost…
The Black Crowes – Been a Long Time (Waiting On Love).mp3
Buy or download Before The Frost from Amazon here.
Recorded before what amounts to a live studio audience in Levon Helm’s barn, the Crowes break new ground. Not with their sound so much, but in the way this record was recorded. I’m determined to get out to Woodstock to see where this recording took place. There is a great feel to this CD and I wish I had been there.
15. Hockey – Mind Chaos
Buy or download Mind Chaos from Amazon here.
I first heard Hockey played on Kami Knake’s excellent Bands Under The Radar (www.bandsundertheradar.com) program last Spring. Kami’s enthusiasm for new music is beyond the pale and she’s turned me onto several bands over the past two years. I only wish her two hour podcasts were shorter and more frequent. Still, I enjoy the hell out of her show. Check it out sometime if you haven’t already.
14. Magnolia Electric Company – Josephine
Magnolia Electric Company – Josephine.mp3
Buy or download Josephine from Amazon here.
I’ve become quite the Alt-Country fan in my old age. One of the bartenders at Bukowski’s Tavern in Boston was playing these guys one afternoon and I’ve been a fan ever since. I find Jason Molina’s voice very soothing and easy on the ears.
13. Alice in Chains – Black Gives Way To Blue
Alice in Chains – Check My Brain.mp3
Buy or download Black Gives Way To Blue from Amazon here.
I didn’t want to like this at all. I’m not a big fan of moving on without prominent band members as a rule, but this record is heavy and surprisingly easy to digest. Well done men. Seattle still lives on even as Grunge and Rock seem dead. Makes me nostalgic.
12. Starsailor – All The Plans
Buy or download All The Plans from Amazon here.
I know this will probably upset somebody, but I hear a lot of Better Than Ezra in these guys. As you can probably guess I like Better Than Ezra. It was “Good” living with it.
11. Chickenfoot – Chickenfoot
Chickenfoot – Sexy Little Thing.mp3
Buy or download Chickenfoot from Amazon here.
Let the haters begin. I Can’t Drive 55, so what? I ride a Bad Motor Scooter and eat Rock Candy too so get offa me. Supergroups bite so what? I had a ball listening to this track. It’s right out of the 70′s playbook. Come to think of it, so am I.
10. Dan Auerbach – Keep It Hid
Dan Auerbach – Heartbroken, In Disrepair.mp3
Buy or download Keep It Hid from Amazon here.
It’s safe to say I’m a mad Black Keys fan. Why does a duo need to step outside the relationship to make a solo record? Your guess is as good as mine, but this song is instant gratification personified. I sure hope The Black Keys aren’t breaking up.
9. The Answer – Everyday Demons
Buy or download Everyday Demons from Amazon here.
Southern California rockers bringing it old school. Whatever that means. Back to the 70′s in the style of one Led Zeppelin. I think they have a lot of potential.
8. Back Door Slam – Coming Up For Air
Back Door Slam – Coming Up For Air.mp3
Buy or download Coming Up For Air from Amazon here.
By all accounts this record is not as good as 2007′s Roll Away, but it packs a good solid punch. So what happens? They take a perfectly good band name lifted from a Robert Cray song and change it to Davey Knowles & Back Door Slam. I hate it. I guess that means the young prodigy has one foot out the door huh? Sounds like The Los Angeles Back Door Slam of Anaheim to me. I hope this wasn’t Davey’s idea.
7. Crocodiles – Summer of Hate
Buy or download Summer Hate from Amazon here.
These guys sound like The Jesus & Mary Chain meets Love & Rockets to me. All fuzzy and melodic, but with ostensibly very little commercial potential. Know what? I love this record. There are several great tracks here and I plan to keep listening.
6. White Lies - To Lose My Life
White Lies – Farewell To The Fairground.mp3
Buy or download To Lose My Life from Amazon here.
This one is my sleeper of the year. I don’t know how I first heard about it, but this record is dark and cool. It’s got some Interpol in it, but also some Stellarstarr*. Not a bad combo in my book. I’d recommend checking this one out if this sounds good.
5. Alberta Cross – Broken Side of Time
Alberta Cross – Rise From The Shadows.mp3
Buy or download Broken Side of Time from Amazon here.
From the Canadian province of Alberta, this band allegedly has a musical foundation based in The Band and Neil Young, but I’m not sure I hear that. What I do hear is very impressive. Not a bad track on this CD and I’ve been playing it alot. Check it out.
4. Band of Skulls – Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
Band of Skulls – Cold Fame.mp3
Buy or download Baby Darling Doll Face Honey from Amazon here.
Straight Outta Southampton (UK), this band has a lot of influences. They have some controlled White Stripes blood in them which by definition that means they’re all over the dial. I hate ballads as a rule. Not this one. A very solid effort all around.
3. Joanne Shaw Taylor – White Sugar
Joanne Shaw Taylor – Blackest Day.mp3
Buy or download White Sugar from Amazon here.
This record makes me so happy to know there are women in the world like this. Clearly a disciple of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joanne Shaw Taylor is a good looking young blonde woman who positively smokes on guitar. White Sugar? More like White Hot. Definitely one of my favorite records of the year. Keep ‘em coming Joanne.
2. Wolfmother – Cosmic Egg
Buy or download Cosmic Egg from Amazon here.
Maybe I should move to Australia. I seem to love most of the bands that come from the land down under. I think this record has several really good tracks and naturally the Zeppelin comparisons will not die now. So what? I love this record.
1. Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures
Them Crooked Vultures – Caligulove.mp3
Them Crooked Vultures – Caligulove.mp3 YSI
Download or buy Them Crooked Vultures from Amazon here.
There isn’t much to say here. I’m big fans of Queens of The Stone Age, The Foo Fighters and that little known band they called Led Zeppelin. This record brings the Hammer of The Gods. Did I mention Supergroups bite? Well, most of the time they do. Not this time I’m afraid. Now I’m kicking myself for sitting out their concert last month. Oh, and album cover of the year for sure! Love the contrast and logo.
OK, that’s a wrap. My apologies to fans of great releases from The Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, The Editors, Cracker, Bob Mould, Sonic Youth, Glasvegas, Porcupine Tree, The Big Pink, Muse, Gov’t Mule, Cheap Trick, Joe Bonamassa, J.J. Cale, The Eels, Eric Gales, Robert Cray, Tegan & Sara, The Bottle Rockets, Hot Leg, Wilco, Fever Ray, U2, Walter Trout, The Wildhearts, The New York Dolls, The Features, The Dead Weather, The Avett Brothers, The Cave Singers, The Cribs, Simple Minds, The Pretenders, Pure Reason Revolution, Phish, Owl City, Passion Pit, Morrissey, Modest Mouse, Moby, Metric, Kiss, Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Mayall, Ian Hunter, Heaven & Hell, Heartless Bastards, Grizzly Bear, Green Day, Dinosaur Jr, Depeche Mode, Clutch, Built To Spill, Cage The Elephant, Bob Dylan, Blue October, Astra, Electric Mary, A Place To Bury Strangers…even Tom Petty & AC/DC. It was a good year as far as I can see. Tuesday begins another annual cycle…
John Jay’s Top 20 Albums of 2008
Happy New Year to everyone out there and THANKS FOR READING!
Neon Indian Remix
Sep 29th
Listen to this Neon Indian remix of Au Revoir Simone. I wasn’t overwhelmed with the original version, as a matter of fact, this remix could have worked just as well on its own. This reminds me of a backing song to an 80s sci fi movie played on a VCR with lousy tracking. It’s way harder to make something sound bad/lo-fi than it is to make it sound aesthetically pristine. Jealous.
Can’t wait to hear more from Neon Indian than the bits and pieces that I’ve seen in blogoland.
MP3: Au Revoir Simone – Another Likely Story (Neon Indian Remix)
Alt Link
The Drums
Sep 2nd
I’m crawling out of the woodwork to actually blog on something. For those of you who don’t know, there are two writers for The Giant Panther, John and Ryan. This would be Ryan. John can actually be counted on to keep the ball rolling, posting faithfully and passionately on a regular basis, conjuring up lost classics and concert reviews.
I’m the other typically more cynical jerk who really kind of just chimes in twice a year when something (usually new) really grabs my attention. I don’t like ACDC or any other band I might hear at a Patriots game, but John and I rarely disagree on loving a band beyond those guidelines. He’s been on a quite a run lately I might add, loving The Replacements and others.
I came across The Drums somewhere in my aimless web browsing, and their sound grabbed me immediately. They somehow teeter on the edge of extremely poppy without ever offending me (which extremely poppy tends to do). I think the magic formula for The Drums is their minimalistic approach to pop, sort of a punk theory applied in their genre. Fans of Vampire Weekend (or those of us who find them slightly appealing but mostly tiresome) will most likely enjoy The Drums.
I don’t know much about these guys but they have an EP titled Summertime due out on Sept 15, and they hail from Brooklyn. I thought it interesting in their bio that they set out to create a band that sounded like The Wake, a pretty obscure, but awesome concept. If you like New Order, Swans, or Joy Division you would like The Wake by the way. While I do hear hints of it, The Drums are something quite different (which is a good thing, nobody wants an exact replica of something else). Particularly digging Don’t Be A Jerk Jonny. “You used to pretty, but now your just tragic, believe in something, you’re full of horseshit”. How often I’ve wanted to say that to someone.
Keep an eye on The Drums.
The Drums – Let’s Go Surfing Alt Link
The Drums – Don’t Be A Jerk, Jonny Alt Link
Contest: Sonic Youth Biography Goodbye 20th Century
Jul 1st
GOODBYE 20TH CENTURY: A Biography of Sonic Youth by journalist David Browne. Giant Panther has a copy of the soft cover to give away. Please drop a comment with your favorite Sonic Youth album cover and email address, and I’ll pick a winner next week.
