Summer Time Blues News…

This usually happens around this time of year.  I go away a lot, especially on excursions north to the Maine coast and to some weddings, which drags down my blogging capabilities.  It also doesn’t help that I’ve started a political blog.  Lord, when will I stop blogging, I ask.  Never, I say.

But to add to the hiatus I moved into a new apartment in July and still don’t have Internet at my the new spot.  Lord, will I ever learn it’s the life blood of a blogger.  So here I am, trying to catch up but don’t really have much to say other then Dr. Dog and Broken Social Scene both came out with their latest sounds this week and I’ve been delving into both.  And it helps that right now there is a giant band of green, blue, red and yellow over our heads, or at least that’s what the radar tells me.  So I’ve got some time at the end of the day here in my office, which has the Internet, to populate the square.

Broken Social Scene Presents:  Brendan Canning “Something For All of Us”

Those who don’t know, Broken Social Scene are creating a series of Broken Social Scene: Presents… which takes the long list of contributing BSS members and highlights their song writing capabilities.  This release highlights the second in command, Mr. Brendan Canning.  The album is entitled, “Something for All of us…”, and based on the Arts & Craft landing site for the album, Brendan likes to take it all in himself.  So lazy those Canadians and their “futbol”.  But seriously, the album, so far so good to these ears after one listen in.  The great thing about these albums is they all sound very, well, Broken Social Scenish.  But those who know the band know that a lot of sounds and influences go into each song.  On the “…Presents” albums we’re hearing a microcosmic BSS and based on the first two, I’m really looking forward to hearing more.

Dr. Dog: “Fate”

Dr. Dog’s latest release, “Fate”, off of Park the Van (Philly based label I may add), has been dawned a masterpiece and also the best album so far in 2008 by a close friend of mine who at times, I respect for his musical taste.  I caught the Dog back in early June when they came to Harvard Square for a free show that ended up being inside at John Harvard’s due to weather.  They had already been canceled back in May, when Harvard Square had it’s annual May Fair, due to weather so the organizers weren’t going to let us down again.  Thankfully, the John Harvard folks were accommodating and us lucky Cantabrigians got to see some really great free music.  I remember they played a few of these new tunes at the show and thinking to myself, “oh boy, they’re gearing up for something special.”

A commenter over at Aquarium Drunkard today made a good point by saying, “I love their sound, but the problem is that the records don’t really do their live shows justice.”

So if you’re on the fence about Dr. Dog, I and Chad (above commenter) suggest you catch them live.  Where can you do this you may ask, check out their full tour line up HERE cause I’m not putting that beast of a tour in this post.  Would take up most of the page if I did.

July 24, 2008 · Filed Under Artist Review, MP3, On Sale!

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Home sick is the only time to blog

Apart from my daily tasks at work and the recent bouts of weekend get aways such as college reunions, bachelor parties and preperation for moving next month, there has been absolutely no time to write about the music that I love.

But now, due to circumstances both induced on my own over the weekend and a combo of the fluctuating heat here in New England, I’m home sick with a nasty head cold. First time I’ve stayed home from work because i was sick I think in about three years.

So what’s on my mind right now when it comes to music?

The Vinyl Phenomena

I predicted that vinyl could potentially make a come back. It’s like how in Jurassic Park where we all learn a valuable lesson, nature always finds a way to correct itself. In the case of music, the goal is to try and hear it at it’s purest form. Of course, the live show is as pure as you’re going to get. But many, including myself, feel that a perfectly kept or brand new pressed piece of plastic is the closest you can get to being in the studio with the artists. So naturally, since we’ve all been moving in the direction of the digital world, where the music has been compressed to finite amounts, causing producers to alter the levels on the final production, there is a gap wanting to be filled. While the digital world may fill our “need it now” gap, it doesn’t completely supply us with the sound perfection we music lovers search for in a record.

Due to an accident out west, the vinyl phenomena may not be a crack pot idea. Check out this article in the LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-vinyl10-2008jun10,0,3936629.story

MMJ doing NYE at MSG

While the critics may not find the latest My Morning Jacket album to be anything special, there is no question that they’re one of the best live bands around today. So when I heard they were planning a New Years Eve show at Madison Square Garden for 2008/2009 I wasn’t the least bit surprised. These guys deserve all the recognition they’ve received over the last few years. If you’re just catching wind of this southern alternative rock outfit from Kentucky, stream their latest album, Evil Urges, over at their Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/mymorningjacket.

Their latest album is a really big step in a different direction for My Morning Jacket when it comes to studio sound. They’re doing a lot more experimentation unlike their previous albums which are mainly pure reverb southern alternative rock. However, I’ve heard that their live show is still as rocking as ever.

Purhase tickets for the NYE on Friday, June 27th through Ticketmaster.

Diplo remixes “California Soul” (Marlena Shaw)

Those unfamiliar with this song need to not look any farther then their TV. If you watch a lot, you’ve probably seen the commercial for Dockers where the camera glides through the San Francisco sky line. That’s the original version of the song being played by Marlena Shaw, Blue Note Records first female artist.

In the latest Verve Remix album (volume 4), Diplo puts his own spin on the tune.

Download: “California Soul” (Diplo Remix) (right click and save)

Listen:

Purchase on iTunes

Visit the Verve Remix official website: http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/

What’s summer time without Bluegrass?

For me, it’s not summer. So that’s why I’m happy I stumbled upon The Creaking Tree String Quartet.

They take Bluegrass to a new level. A lot more passion from adding traditional classical music elements and real theatrical moments. It doesn’t always work well with that rocking chair out on the porch sipping a mint julep moment but it’s sure worth a listen this summer time.

Give a listen to what I call “intellectual bluegrass” over at their myspace page: www.myspace.com/creakingtree

Visit their official website: http://www.creakingtree.com/

A nod to the Little Compton / R.I. Gang

During college I was introduced to the R.I. scene by a group of hooligans that I was fortunate or unfortunate depending on how you look at it, to be dormmates with my freshman year at UVM. Call them dysfunctional, call them irresponsible, but there is definitely musical talent in their water. Most of us Jam band kids all know one musically talented band from RI, The Slip, and due to a nod by Jim James of My Morning Jacket, so do a good portion of the indie rock scene. I also stumbled upon Deer Tick whoes tunes “Ashamed” and “Baltimore Blues No.1″ still get me going.

Now a new breed has arisen. This time, they’re not rising from their roots of R.I. but rather from the roots of the Redwoods; San Francisco.

Big Light are Fred T. (guitar, vocals), Brad (drums), Jamie(guitar, bass and vocals), Colin (keys), Dan (guitar, bass, keys and vocals), Steve (bass). They also have down their sound man, Jeremy, as a member. It’s surprising how many sound guys get over looked in the industry.

Their first single, “Hard Knocks”, off their seven song EP is available for download below or at their myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/biglightband). The song’s about a person that reminds Fred of his sister Jane and has almost a Tom Petty vibe to it. Fred is the lead vocalist in the group and he’s got a low, lazy and raspy approach to vocals. This vocal style is common among the psych-folk scene that crawls all over San Fran. The music itself is very crisp and has a nice bouncy groove to it. Great summer time tune.

Download: “Hard Knocks” (RIGHT CLICK AND SAVE)

Listen:

Big Light are going on a West coast tour soon and will be playing with both Apollo Sunshine and Surprise Me Mr. Davis. Their EP release party will be at 12 Galaxies in San Fran on June 26th, which kicks off this tour:

High Sierra Music Festival - 7/4 thru 7/6

Spaceland, Los Angeles (opening for Surprise Me Mr. Davis) - 7/8

SoHo, Santa Barbara (opening for Surprise Me Mr. Davis) - 7/9

Moe’s Alley, Santa Cruz (opening for Surprise Me Mr. Davis) - 7/11

Cafe Du Nord, San Fran (opening for Surprise Me Mr. Davis) - 7/12

12 Galaxies w/ Charles Gonzalez & The Stereo Glitter - 7/31

12 Galaxies - 8/28

12 Galaxies - 9/25

Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead III - 10/30 thru 11/2

12 Galaxies - 11/27

June 17, 2008 · Filed Under MP3, New Artist, News, On Sale!, Song Review

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