Recent albums, tracks and shows to recommend

Going to be a busy week so throwing up this quick post and that’s probably all she wrote until after the holiday.

Below are a few recommended albums that I’ve recently picked up and a couple of gigs happening in Boston that are worth mentioning. Let me know if you’ve got anything to add in the comments.

Recommended Albums

Quiet Village - “Silent Movie”

Jason Collett - “Here’s To Being Here”

Lyres - “Lyres Lyres”

  • Label: Ace of Hearts
  • Sound: Garage rock at it’s finest. You would find them hanging out with Boston bands such as Mission of Burma and Neighborhoods around the mid-80’s. Started in 1979 and has in some way shape or form stayed in tact off and on ever since. The main man behind the project is Jeff “Mono Man” Connelly (former member of DMZ).
  • Favorite Song: “How Do You Know”
  • MP3 Download: “How Do You Know”
  • Listen: http://www.myspace.com/thelyres
  • Purchase: (eMusic) (Amazon)

Recommended Boston Gigs:

Wednesday night there is a show at the Middle East Downstairs. Headlining the show is Subtle and opening are Black Moth Super Rainbow and The Republic Tigers. The headliner and the second opener, Black Moth Super Rainbow, are worth checking out. Althought I’m not sure how BMSR will translate at the Middle East Downstairs. I see them being more of like an ICA or Museum of Fine Arts show where you sit down and let their onslaught of crazy sounds and melodies take over your thought process. I know nothing about the other band besides the fact that they were featured in the Boston Metro this morning. That isn’t always a good thing.

Subtle have collaborated with one of the square’s favorites, TV on the Radio. The music mixes the exotic rapping and vocal style of Doesone with electronic/instrumental minglings of Alexander Kort, Jordon Dalrymple, Jeffrey ‘Jel’ Logan, Marty Dowers. Another collaborator and original member, Dax Pierson, adds an emotional element to the ever evolving Sublte sound by experimenting with voice recordings and harmonica even though a car accident while on tour in 2005 confined him to a wheelchair as a quadriplegic. He no longer tours with the band but still contributes his voice recording and synth experiments to their albums. Doesone, real name Adam Drucker, and Jeff Logan are founding members of the label Anticon. However, Subtle is on Lex Records. This crew also has strong ties with Amoeba records in the Bay Area so yeah, you can say these guys are pretty well connected in the indie scene. But they also have strong ties in the hip-hope world as well.

On Friday don’t miss the Solid! night at Zuzu where DJ Die Young and and Baltimoroder will be laying it down for the Basstown faithful.

  • Location: Zuzu - right next to Middle East Downstairs on the corner of Brookline St. and Mass Ave. in Cambridge, MA.
  • Cost: Free
  • Details: Bring your dance shoes / 21+

Hearthrob Approved Track Download:

Recent track download recommended by the boys of Hearthrob comes from The Presets. It’s a track called “This Boy’s In Love” and below is both the original and a remix by LifeLike. Keep your ears out for this one during their sets.

Listen

  • Original

  • Remix:

Download

May 20, 2008 · Filed Under Artist Review, Boston Local, Live Show, MP3

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The Teenagers : Win Guest List Spot for Boston Show

The Teenagers are gracing us with their presence on Thursday, May 8th at the Paradise Rock Club and you could win 2 guest list spots if you are the first to send me an email with the subject: “The Teenagers in Boston”. Submit your request at kippy@hip2besquare.net. Or, you can submit a comment to this posting with the same tag line in the message. I will announce and contact the winner on Wednesday.

The Teenagers are from Paris and have developed their sound around such indie icons as My Bloody Valentine but keep it lively with added pop influences from bands like their own country men, Phoenix. Their MBV sound comparison also explains why they’ve taken a strong liking to both Sofia Coppola and Scarlett Johanssen. They’ve even written a song about Scarlett - Check out the video and download the song below.

Download: “Starlett Johansson”

Their philosophy is very similar to the concept behind M83’s recent album, Saturdays = Youth (check out music and video from M83’s new material). Just like with M83’s new album, The boys from The Teenagers love the youthfulness of the teen years, which weren’t long ago for these twenty somethings. Adolescents and all that goes with it - puppy love, awkwardness, day dreaming, etc - make up a good portion of their songs on their recent full album release, Reality Check. This teen love theme is front and center in the single, “Love, No”. Watch the video for “Love, No”.

Calling all aspiring music industry students:

If you’re interested in becoming a Street Team member for the Beggar’s Group, let me know as they’re looking for you. If you don’t know who the Beggar’s Group are, then head over to their website at www.beggarsgroupusa.com. They own the labels Beggars Banquet (The National, Film School, etc.), 4AD (Pixies, TV on the Radio, Beirut, etc.), Matador (Yo La Tengo, Malkmus, etc.), XL Recordings (Radiohead, The Raconteurs, Ratatat), Mantra (St. Etienne). So, yeah, take your pick on the bands you want to help out when they come to Boston plus get into all the shows for free!

Just send an email to me using the address above or leave a note in the comments and I’ll make sure you’re put in touch with the right folks over there.

May 6, 2008 · Filed Under Artist Review, Contest, Live Show, MP3, Video

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