Fun with Archive.org: Justin Townes Earle
Thanks to a new iPhone app that the App Store Genius recommended to me (Music Archive) I’m rediscovering the wonders of Archive.org. This website, which acts as both a graveyard and a purveyor for the Internet, is well known for it’s plethora of stored live music recordings, most notably the Grateful Dead. As of this post they had 3,339 shows available to download and 3.976 Grateful Dead shows that you can stream. The entire library consists of 73,799 musical archives covering 3,988 different bands (as of 2/9/10).
I was sending out Twitter messages and posting on Facebook some of the live shows that I was discovering and realized that there’s so much music on here besides the Grateful Dead that it would be fun to share some of my favorite finds on hip2besquare. I call it my “Fun with Archive.org” posts.
First up is Justin Townes Earl at Stubb’s BBQ from 2/4/2010. Below is the stream.
Setlist:
01 Intro
02 Poor Fool
03 They Killed John Henry
04 Halfway To Jackson
05 My Mamas Eyes
06 Boy Keep Movin’
07 What I Mean To You
08 Someday I’ll Be Forgiven For This
09 Ain’t Waitin’
10 A Wanderin’
11 Do I Ever Cross Your Mind (Dawn Landes on vocals)
12 Starter Won’t Start (Lightning Hopkins)
13 What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome
14 Hard Livin’
15 Lone Pine Hill
16 Ain’t Glad I’m Leavin’
17 I Don’t Care
18 Workin’ For The MTA
19 Mama I’m Coming Home
20 Midnight At The Movies
21 Banter
22 Gold Watch And Chain (Carter Family)
23 I Can’t Wait
24 Walk Out
Learn more about Justin:
www.justintownesearle.com
Bluegrass legends jam at Harvard Symposium
This past weekend Harvard held the first ever Bluegrass Symposium. It was called Fire on the Mountain. For bluegrass fans, they had more then just famous players (Sam Bush, legendary Bobby Hicks and Alison Brown), but also famous professors and instrument builders on hand to talk about one of America’s greatest contributions to the music community – bluegrass.
During the 3:30 session the three musicians who were told their stories about how they got started, where they learned to play, who they played with and what they feel is the future of bluegrass music. Each played some of their favorite tunes but when it came time for Sam Bush to pick his mandolin he told Bobby to join in if he felt so inclined. And boy, did he feel inclined. I know there were others recording so I’m sure there’s something better then one I captured on my little old iPhone, but you don’t need much for this to sound good. Enjoy.
For those in need of some Bluegrass in their collection, start with Bill Monroe and work your way out from there. For those eMusic subscribers, grab The Essential Bill Monroe & The Monroe Brothers collection.
First official hip2besquare mix
In the spirit of Halloween and the parties that usually go down, I created my first ever official mix last weekend. Yeah, I’ve made plenty of mixes in the past but never ones that flow together.
Let me tell you, I have a new found respect for DJ’s as lining up tracks and making sure that songs match up beat wise and such is harder then you think.
The inspiration for this mix first came from a friend request who threw a bachelor party last Saturday in New York City and needed some ideas for songs to jam. The songs used in this mix come out of the ones I recommended.
Here is the tracklist:
0:00 – Talking Heads – Once in a Lifetime
3:59 – Doobie Brothers – What A Fool Believes
7:33 – Quarterflash – Harden My Heart
11:11 – New Order – Blue Monday
16:13 – Phoenix – If I Ever Feel Better
20:10 – Chromeo – Bonafide Lovin
23:46 – Phoenix – Too Young
26:49 – David Bowie – China Girl
32:07 – Rappermatical 5 – Party People
38:44 – Billy Idol – White Wedding
42:44 – Talking Heads – Take me to the River (live version)
48:06 – Jackson Browne – Somebody’s Baby
52:15 – Huey Lewis – I Want A New Drug
56:42 – Tigercity – Are You Sensation (VHS or Beta Remix) –> 59:40 Harden My Heart (Sax Solo) —> Are You Sensation
Total Time – 1:03:04
Download & Listen: http://www.hip2besquare.net/audio/Once%20In%20A%20Lifetime.mp3
Monsters of Folk on tour and mp3
You have to be wary of supergroups. From the Traveling Wilburys (George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbinson, Bob Dylan and Jeff Lynne) to The Highwaymen (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson) to Velvet Revolver (yikes), you never know what you’re going to get. It could either be amazing energy or it could be too much energy, too much star power or too much ego for one room to handle.
Monsters of Folk started when Conor Oberst (better known as lead singer of Bright Eyes) and his cohort in Bright Eyes, Mike Mogis, joined up with Jim James of My Morning Jacket and M. Ward on a tour where they sat in with each other on a number of occasions. Each one talented in their own right and plan to keep the “freewheelin” vibe going by switching up instruments both on the album and during their fall tour which was just announced.
They released a single, “Say Please”, which you can run over and grab right now for free on their website (www.monstersoffolk.com). Not sure if there is anything specific that you need to type in to the form to get the mp3, but I put in “please” and that seemed to do the trick.
The song begins with Conor and M. Ward trading off vocal duties leading into a big chorus with everyone chiming in, “hold out your hand – hold out your hand – darling (conor only) – hold out your hand – say please (conor only)”. Nothing crazy to report about the song itself. A pretty standard tune (verse, chorus, verse, bridge, verse, chorus, etc.). I have yet to hear the rest of the album but this very well could be a supergroup whose only purpose is to ellicit joy in the artists for jamming together and to raise money for local non-profits. They parterned with Air Traffic Control, a group that helps the musical community with philanthropic and social change efforts, and are donating $1 for every ticket sold on the tour to local non-profits. I’m assuming that by local they mean all the cities that they’re visiting this fall.
They’re coming to Boston on November 3rd at The Orpheum. Check out the rest of the tour on their website.
Tour Annoucement: The Big Surprise Tour w/ Old Crow Medicine Show and Felice Brothers
This just in, great line up coming together in August to tour most of the northeast, down to North Carolina and then over to Tennessee. The line up includes Old Crow Medicine Show, Dave Rawlings Machine (Featuring Gilian Welch), The Felice Brothers and Justin Townes Earle.
The tour starts in New Hampshire at the Hampton Beach Casino on August 4th and the following night they hit up the House of Blues here in Boston. I’ve been meaning to get over to the newly built House of Blues, which took place of Avalon and Axis on Lansdowne Street behind the Green Monster. However, I think I may have preferred this show to be at the BoA Pavillion down in the harbor. One of the better outside venues around and nothing says summer then a big old ho-down like this one.
If you’re not sure about these artists on paper, just give then a chance in the flesh and I promise you won’t regret the decision.
Tour dates:
04 – Hampton Beach, NH @ Casino Ballroom
05 – Boston, MA @ House Of Blues
06 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
07 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
09 – Charlottesville, VA @ Charlottesville Pavilion
10 – Cary, NC @ Koka Booth Amphitheatre
12 – Louisville, KY @ Waterfront Park
13 – Nashville, TN @ Riverfront Park
14 – Knoxville, TN @ World’s Fair Park
Myspace Pages:
Listen to a preview of what you’ll hear by streaming “Run Chicken Run” off of The Felice Brothers latest album, Yonder is the Clock.
Free Concert Announcement: Galactic at Paradise Rock Club
We’re coming up on summer time here in Boston and as is the case with many major cities, we have lots of free concerts throughout the season.
To kick things off, I was recently made aware of a freebie at the Paradise Rock Club – Galactic.
Show is on Wednesday, May 6th and doors open at 7pm. It’s first come first serve so get there quick. Oh, and since it’s a alcohol sponsored event, must be 21+.
For tickets, go to www.thephoenix.com/beamrocks or www.galacticfunk.com
Nat King Cole comes alive in Re:Generations
Thanks to Cee-Loo Green, Will.i.am, TV on the Radio, Cut Chemist…and most importantly, Michaelangelo L’Acqua and Carole King, the legendary Nat King Cole is brought to life in our modern day age of melting genres.
Some of today’s top artists, both hip hop, indie and electronic, converge on this album to conjure up modern tones to old school Nat King Cole tracks.
If the mixing on the two tracks I have here for you today to listen to are any sign of things to come, I expect great rewards coming to this two year project.
Listen:
“Lush Life” – produced by Cee-Lo Green
“Day in Day Out” – produced by Cut Chemist
Update: new stream added – “Nature Boy” produced by TV on the Radio
Tracklist:
1. LUSH LIFE produced by CEE-LO GREEN
2. STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT produced by will.i.am, featuring NATALIE COLE
3. DAY IN DAY OUT produced by CUT CHEMIST
4. BRAZILIAN LOVE SONG produced by MICHAELANGELO L’ACQUA, featuring BEBEL GILBERTO
5. THE GAME OF LOVE produced by SALAAM REMI, featuring NAS
6. WALKIN’ MY BABY BACK HOME produced by THE ROOTS
7. HIT THAT JIVE, JACK! produced by SOULDIGGAZ featuring IZZA KIZZA
8. CALYPSO BLUES produced by and featuring DAMIAN “Jr. Gong” MARLEY & STEPHEN MARLEY
9. MORE & MORE OF YOUR AMOR produced by BITTER:SWEET
10. EL CHOCLO produced by BRAZILIAN GIRLS
11. PICK-UP produced by JUST BLAZE
12. ANYTIME, ANYDAY, ANYWHERE produced by AMP FIDDLER
13. NATURE BOY produced by TV ON THE RADIO
For more information, visit www.natkingcole.com
Brett Dennen at Paradise Rock Club (2/14)
Just a heads up for those last minute Valentines Day ideas, Brett Dennen from the birthplace of “peace, love and rock n’ roll”, San Fran, is playing the Paradise on Saturday. Show is sold out but there’s always the craigslist approach: http://boston.craigslist.org/search/tix?query=brett+dennen&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max
The Phish and jam band gang appear to make up a good portion of his following but his sound is appealing to a wider audience then a typical jam band. Brett himself reminds us that there was a time that to be a good musician meant you had to have a good voice and that was all. No crazy style, don’t have to be the stereotypical good looking girl or guy. Just step right on up, pluck your guitar and let it all hang out.
Watch the video for “Make You Crazy” featuring Mandy Moore:
Brett is also making an appearance on the CBS Early Show (8 am) this Saturday as a Valentines Day special.
Myspace: www.myspace.com/brettdennen
The Hip2besquare 2008 Year End List Part IV
Passion Pit – “Chunk of Change”

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/passionpitjams
Listen and download “Sleepyhead”: (Download courtesy of RCRDLBL)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Over the past few years we’ve seen various bands go from zeros to heros in a matter of minutes. Success in the music business varies depending on who you’re talking to. Some want it all and some are happy if just one of their songs, albums or jingles gets recognition. For the sake of this post, lets just say success is when you decide to record some songs for your girlfriend for Valentines Day and having those songs turn into a six song EP which eventually gets passed around, has you land some gigs at Pianos in Manhattan, play some showcases at CMJ and then get signed by a major (Columbia Records, UK), all in less then a year.
Passion Pit are Michael Angelakos, Ian Hultquist, Ayad al Adhamy, Jeff Apruzzese and Nate Donmoyer. They all knew each other from Emerson College in downtown Boston and are slowly but surely becoming top players in the electronic pop world along side LCD Soundsystem and the 2008 newbies, MGMT.
She and Him – “Volume One”

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/sheandhim
Listen and download “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?”: (Download courtesy of Welikeit.indie)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Watch weird and sadistic video for above song: Pitchfork.tv
Back in 2007 I was introduced to M. Ward with Post-War. And just like last year, I’m late to the party of another M. Ward creation. Only difference, this year his creation was helped by an unlikely songstress, the actress Zooey Deschanel, the actress most famously known for her role along side Will Ferrell in the Christmas classic, Elf (and now most famously known for getting engaged to Ben Gibbard if your an indie kid).
I knew of She & Him for sometime but failed to connect the M.Ward dot. How I missed this major detail is beyond me. I remember Aquarium Drunkard posting their live recordings from their “wet and wild” set at this year’s Newport Folk Festival. However, I didn’t pick up the album till about a month ago.
While it’s a late addition to my listening cycle, it’s definitely showing promise of a trusty stand by. Besides M. Ward’s ingenious arrangement of classic songs, Zooey’s vocals are a comfort during every listen. Her ability to change her vocal style is impressive as well. She’ll throw in some country, lounge, jazz and has a very distinct Peggy Lee sound.
The stand out song of the album is their cover of the Beatles tune, “I Should Have Known Better”. They completely changed up the tempo, creating a slow waltz with Hawaiian style slide guitar playing out the melody. Not since the Grey Album when Danger Mouse successfully combined the Beatles White Album with Jay-Z’s Black Album, has a Beatles song sounded so good outside it’s original format.
Jason Collett – “Here’s to Being Here”

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jasoncollettofficial
Listen and download “Out of Time”: (Download courtesy of Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The boys and girls in Broken Social Scene may be some of the hardest working musicians in the business. Even when they’re not officially pumping out their own albums, each band member is in some way creating new sounds. This year it was Jason Collett and Brendan Canning (who we’ll talk about soon) that lead the pack in 2008.
Jason’s music has a distinct similarity to Tom Petty. He’s got that slight nasal tone and a rocking guitar to boot. Any fan of Petty would be hard pressed not to go out and give this one a shot.
Broken Social Scene Presents – “Brendan Canning – Something for All of Us…”

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/brendancanning
Listen and Download “Hit The Wall”: (Download courtesy of Pitchfork)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Unlike Jason, Brendan’s sound rings true to the BSS method – loud, sprawling riffs with soaring vocal lines. I would also throw in cinematic to describe Brendan’s work here with hints of classic rock brewing in the background, as is the case with most BSS albums. The odd man out on this album is “Love Is New”. Here Brendan conjures up Talking Heads and produces one of the albums more straightforward grooves and helps to add some depth to the sound of the album as a whole.
AA Bondy – “American Hearts”

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/aabondy
Listen and Download to “Witness Blues”: (Download)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Some of you may know Scott Bondy from his previous work in Verbena, a late 90’s indie rock band that some critics had herald as the next Nirvana and Scott as the next Cobain. Unfortunately I was not an “in-the-know” music man back then but what I know now is Scott has dropped the grundge icons appeal and now applies a different icon to his sound, Bob Dylan.
While us critics can always stand back and make comparisons, in the end, a good musician will differentiate themselves through creative lyrics and melodies and in my opinion, AA is one of those musicians. Lets face it, it was clearly the year for modern day America folk music or as some critics like to call it, the nu-folk movement. AA Bondy’s solo debut, while nothing spectacular, helps make this case even stronger.
Hot Chip – “Made In The Dark”

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/hotchip
Listen and Download “Read For The Floor”: (Download courtesy of Cafe Eclectica Music)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Those who know me know that I’m a Hot Chip freak. I’ve been trying to convert both friends and family for a few years now. So I was especially excited this past year when I got the chance to interview one of the founding members, Joe Goddard, before their amazing show at the Paradise Rock Club. This may or may not have been a good idea given how much of a fan and nerd I am about their music. But by the looks of both Joe and the other founding member, Alexis Taylor, they have some nerd in them as well.
What struck me the most about Hot Chip this past year was their refined live sound. During my interview with Joe, he talked about how the band has been practicing alot and perfecting their live performance. There’s a good and bad side to this. The good of course is all the transitions, song extensions and changes are flawless. The bad is the room for improvisation goes away. The argument you can make is that with a band like Hot Chip, where you have several members and lots of intstruments and sounds to manage, having an improvisation session on stage can get confusing. While it’s enjoyable to the player, the listener may get lost. Unless you’re hopped up on a slew of drugs where it doesn’t matter what you’re playing as long as it’s got a beat.
“Made In the Dark” brought about some of the best produced songs Hot Chip has done to date. “Ready For the Floor”, “One Pure Thought”, and “Touch Too Much” were three of my favorites. Yet it’s not the album I turn to the most. You could make a strong argument that “The Warning” is their best studio work but for me, “Coming On Strong” is my trusty stand by.
You can say what you want about one hit wonders or songs that conjure up special moments from the past but to me, albums are like your best friends. They’re there to calm you down, pick you back up or help celebrate life accomplishments. But most importantly, they help keep you moving in the right direction.
Bob Dylan – “Bootleg Series: Vol. 8″

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bobdylan
Listen and Download “Mississippi”: (Download)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Besides Tom Waits, Dylan is one of the greatest inspirations not only to artists who strive to play music as long as he (good music that is), but also for the listener. The fact that he can continue expressing his emotions in such a pure way to the world is a testament to humanity.
This is not the Dylan your mom and dad grew up with on the eightth volume of Columbia Records “Bootleg Series”. Or is it? Besides the raspy, smoke damaged vocal chords that modern day Dylan has to deal with, the same passion and genius is there in his lyrics. All songs you here are from 1988 and onward. Pretty impressive considering this kid was making heads turn (including the Man in Black, God rest is soul) back in the late 50’s.
I think this is a good place to end the list.
Worthy Albums of 2008
There are plenty of albums I didn’t mention in my lists that I would have liked to but this here blogger just doesn’t have the time. Here is a list of albums worth your time:
Ra Ra Riot – “The Rhumb Line”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/rarariot
Notes: Gained cred during last years CMJ and released their debut without any disappointments to discuss.
The Black Keys – “Attack and Release”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theblackkeys
Notes: Best blues rock duo alive right now and plop in one of the best djs/producers in Danger Mouse and you’ve got a winning combination.
Black Mountain – “In The Future”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/blackmountain
Notes: Yeah, acid folk rock at it’s best.
The Walkmen -”You & Me”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thewalkmen
Notes: This is how SoCal should sound only these guys are from NYC.
Dr. Dog – “Fate”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/drdog
Notes: A great album and they’re from Philly. Enough said.
The Watson Twins – “Fire Songs”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thewatsontwins
Notes: Great cover of the Cure’s “Just Like Heaven”
Girl Talk – “Fee the Animals”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/girltalkmusic
Notes: There’s genius in his precision to tie both old and new pop songs together.
The Felice Brothers – “The Felice Brothers”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thefelicebrothers
Notes: Think party Bob Dylan part The Band. Great energy in their live performance.
Atlas Sound – “Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bradfordcox
Notes: Deerhunter’s lead man, Bradford Cox, stones the listener even if you’re not one to inhale.
Quite Village – “Silent Movie”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/quietvillage
Notes: One word, Chill.
Fuck Buttons – “Street Horrrsing”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/fuckbuttons
Notes: One phrase, fucked up noise rock.
The Dodos – “Visiter”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thedodos
Notes: Another power duo from Cali except unlike Two Gallants who hail from the north, these two bring us that SoCal flavor. Some good yelling going on here.
Stephen Malkums & The Jicks – “Real Emotional Trash”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/stephenmalkmus
Notes: It’s hard not to love this album if you’re a guitar player.
Delta Spirit – “Ode To Sunshine”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/deltaspirit
Notes: Blew us away opening for Dr. Dog. We were also trashed upon entering the venue so who knows. But seriously, keep an eye on these guys. Not going to say too much cause I don’t want another Cold War Kids on our hands and since they’re already from SoCal, the ingredients are in place for such a thing to happen.
Discovered Albums of 2008
There are always a few albums that I pick up that are from past years. This does not include very old recordings such as the Cocteau Twins album I picked up or the Jimmy Smith recording I got. Those are by default most likely classics.
Great Lake Swimmers – “Onigara”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/greatlakeswimmers
Notes: Highly underrated album and artist. New album out in 2008.
Phosphorescent – “Pride”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/phosphorescent
Notes: Think bon fire style sing alongs and add in some Native American chanting and you’ve got this album. Perfect for popping on during plane rides. Little glass of wine and this album, you’ll be sleeping sweet dreams.
The Ruby Suns – “The Ruby Suns”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/therubysuns
Notes: I was unable to get Sea Lions, which was their 2008 album. So instead, I got this prior release. Plenty good from this New Zealand outfit.
The Glands – “The Glands”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theglands123
Notes: Yet another great rock group from Atlanta. A mix between Tom Petty and Yo La Tengo if you can belive it. No joke, the guy definitely sounds like Ira from time to time on this album.
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND WE’LL SEE YOU IN 2009!
The Hip2besquare 2008 Year End List Part III
Crystal Stilts – “Alight of Night”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/crystalstilts
Listen and Download “Crystal Stilts” – (Download)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
This was a late edition to my listening rotation and it’s been up high in the order ever since I picked it up a month or so ago. I love the lazy, hazy, fuzz and psychedelic tone of this album. There’s a poppyness that evokes the likes of Jesus and Mary Chain. This mix of post-punk and a psychedelic 60’s sound, a sound found from groups like the Velvet Underground, make this album a must have for those avant garde or as Slumberland, their label puts it, “avant-garage” enthusiasts.
Deerhunter – “Microcastle / Weird Era Cont”

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/deerhunter
Listen and Download “Nothing Ever Happened”: (Download)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
I don’t say this enough but Deerhunter are slowly but surely becoming one of my favorite bands. Period. It all started back when they played here in Boston at the new Insitution for Contemporary Art. If you’ve never seen a show there or if you don’t know what the new building looks like, then you need to get your butt down there fast. If you don’t live in Boston, click here for slideshow of pics. Here is what the room likes like that I saw Bradford Cox and his Deerhunter cohorts play in:

The show started with the glass covered by a big red curtain. After the first fuzzed filled song was drifting to it’s death, the curtains slowly rised and the Boston harbor appeared. The show started around 7:30 and being the summer, the sun was just about setting. It was a blue sky day and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Mixed in with their heavy guitar fuzz riffs and their well crafted pop hooks, this is one of my favorites shows. Period.
This is when my love for this band definitely started to take form. “Microcastle / Weird Era Cont” has now made this love affair official.
The lead singer, Bradford Cox, is definitely different. And I’m not talking about his unfortunate disease (Marfan Syndrome). More so in how he behaves in the public eye and his sick sense of humor. If you’ve ever kept up wih his blog (http://deerhuntertheband.blogspot.com/), you know what I mean. He’s definitely got a chip on his shoulder and isn’t afraid to let that chip shine. He loves to mess with people and finds humor in creating discomfort. This is most likely due to the fact that people have been looking at him differently all his life because of something he can’t control. So his humor is a form of therapy and so is his music. This aspect of the band and their lead man reminds me of the late great Kurt Cobain.
Watch Brad and the gang working in studio over at P-Fork TV:
Department of Eagles – “In Ear Park”
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/deptofeagles
Listen and Download “No One Does It Like You”: (Download)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The eerie, creepy, dark freak-folk melodies that Grizzly Bear is so good at producing come storming out on this release from Grizzly Bear member, Dan Rossen and his partner, Fred Nicolaus. If you’re a fan of the Grizzly then you either already no about these guys or if you don’t, you should.
I didn’t start to really get into GB until after I saw them live. However, with Department of Eagles I was won over immediately. Perhaps it’s because I’ve already warmed up to GB and DoE sounds very similar but this album also has more of a pop feel with sneaky hooks that seem to appear out of thin air.
Dan and Fred have been playing music together even before Dan joined Grizzly Bear. They put out a bunch of collages back in 2003 under the DoE name called “The Cold Nose”. Now that they’ve resurrected the project, two of Dan’s bandmates from GB, Chris Bear and Chris Taylor, have joined the duo.
If the album grabbed my attention, then I can only imagine what their live show will do. And lucky for us Cantabridgians, they’re making an appearance at the Brattle Theatre on January 18th.
Apollo Sunshine – “Shall Noise Upon”

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/apollosunshine
Listen and download “The Coming of the New World Government”: (Download)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Apollo Sunshine has been making noise up here in Boston since 2001. They put out a couple albums since then (2003 and 2005). It took them three years to come out with their third, “Shall Noise Upon”, but it was worth the wait.
During those three years the band did a lot of touring. They have a strong root in the jam scene as their live shows take their sound to the next level. The threesome (Sam Cohen, Jesse Gallagher and Jeremy Black), enjoy swapping instruments while up on stage and creating enourmous amounts of sound that engulfs their audience.
Unlike some jam bands, Apollo have successfully combined their live performance to a studio release. If you’re a fan of live music, pick this one up today and keep an eye on their touring schedule, which you can do here:
http://www.apollosunshine.com/tour.html
To Be Continue (It’s not 2009 yet)…




