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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Quite Village - “Circus of Horror”

martin dennyThe two gentlemen behind Quite Village are Matt Edwards and Joel Martin. In the electrnoic world Matt is known for his label ReKid / Radio Slave. Both Matt and Joel appear to be pretty well known in the electronic scene but their new upcoming album, Silent Movie, due out May 12th on iK7 records in the states appears to be in a genre all on its own. With all the genre bending going on these days, this is not a rare occurrence.

I have yet to hear the new album but the one song, “Circus of Horror”, is available for download so I’ve had some time away from the computer to soak it in. From an instrument standpoint, everything but the kitchen sink is basically thrown into the mix - flute, guitar, bass, chorus, horror film screams, sirens, strings. The glue of the song is a deep, thick guitar riff that opens up the track. Joel and Matt continue to layer this riff with the plethora of sounds from the instruments mentioned above. Adding a scream and siren here and there.

One true testament of a great song is the feeling associated with every listen. If a song can create certain sensations that never seem to die off with each listen, you know you’ve got something. With “Circus of Horror” the feeling is both of vintage horror and James Bond cool. I’m not a die hard fan of vintage flics but I do find them intriguing and the 1960’s era movie soundtracks basically blow away any modern day attempts. It’s clear that Matt and Joel are fans of the vintage flics. In fact, one of their inspirations was Italian film soundtracks along with acid rock, soul, orchestral music and even their own electronic influences. The album title itself came from the inspiration of Martin Denny’s Exotic Sounds album.

What is Martin Denny doing these days? Lives in Honolulu, HI and has his band, Martin Denny Combo. Give them a listen on their myspace page and you’ll understand where Matt and Joel are coming from.

Blair over at Music for Robots gets the credit for introducing me to Quite Village. And according to Blair who’s listened to the full album it’s full of masterpieces like “Circus of Horror”. And according to Pitchfork, it’s a stoners dream record. Either way, stoner tunes or more freaky vintage chill outs, I’m in line on May 12th to get my copy.

Download: “Circus of Horror”

Visit their official website - http://www.quietvillage-silentmovie.com/ and:

  • See tracklist
  • Sign up for updates
  • Stream five tracks from album
  • Watch an interview with Matt and Joel

Catch Quite Village on tour this summer:

April 28, 2008 · Filed Under Artist Review, MP3, Song Review

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