Please for the love of all that is holy go here and listen to Corndawg aka Johnny Fritz. Fritz is the man and draws influences from Waylon Jennings, Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristoffersen, etc. His songs are beyond bright and feature head-scratching lyrics that leave one to ask, "Why didn't I think of that?" It's the way pop country should sound.
Big props to American Songwriter for featuring his song, "Family Tree" on their new Craft of Music Compilation.
I might be gushing, but artists like Corndawg that remind you why you love music.
Fritz also recorded songs for the new AS Sessions blog. Check that out as well.
Today I am sick. Regardless, I have heard some great things lately that I wanted to turn you onto.
First is 13 Ghosts, a band from Birmingham, Alabama with a penchant for lyrically dark songs that are thrust into your ears on the sturdy wings of cathartic instrumentation. RIYL: Blitzen Trapper, Neil Young, Bright Eyes, Band of Horses. 13 Ghosts--Various Songs--Myspace
"Whip Poor Will"
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Next is Eden Express, a Memphis-based Tropicalia/Folk trio which just released their debut, que Amors Que, on Holy Mountain. This warm, slinky fare is perfect for a poolside tequila or an early morning beach romp. Or perhaps a sunrise stroll down a cobblestone street, your brain swimming backstroke while the salty breeze whispers against your face. Regardless, listen to these tracks and you'll feel better than you did before.
God, I feel like this is a Dead Confederate blog. It's a good thing they have their own blog now. Here's a recent post featuring a new demo that bassist Brantley Senn wrote, titled "Mob Scene.
From deadconfederate.typepad.com: I wrote and recorded a new tune today at home. It's kind of ridiculous. I'm really not sure yet if it's good or rubbish. But it WAS a lot of fun making. I'm releasing my inner Beck.
Anyway, here it is, in all it's glory. Free. Exclusive. Mp3.
Mob Scene (Lyrics) Hail hail, God's dead, I'm wet Soaked in a Roman bath of gold and green Back back, hard stares, envy Gotta get clean I got my maker to meet Down down, hard ground, mob scene The Proles in the gallery are letting off steam Back back, handshakes, crooked smiles Had enough of hangin' round just so you can take what's mine
Did I mention that it's ridiculously short? -B
Sounds like Brantley has been listening to some TVOTR. Still an interesting track with some killer lyrics.
My brother, Mac, has a new blog, TitleTickler.com, dedicated to the Georgia Bulldogs' march to the BCS Championship. Check it out. His coffee-fueled postings read like meth-ridden, avant-garde literature. The site is not only piss-your-pants hilarious for that reason, but also because he posts numerous pictures of mustaches--most of which are of his--being grown during this football season. The Dawgs are undefeated so far. My Tarheels are as well, perhaps due to the fact that I have a mustache of my own.
Here's hopin' that the Heels and the Dawgs can keep their streaks alive this weekend!
And here's a Band of Horses cover of "The End's Not Near" by The New Year. TNY has a self titled new record out. Pick it up, here.
Ben Bridwell is a self-proclaimed Bulldog fan. Makes brother Mac and I even bigger fans of the band. ---
Oh, almost forgot. you might recognize Parker Gispert, front man of the Whigs, in that picture with Mac. Well I got this little update from him last night.
Yoohoo FOLKS,
The Whigs will bring in the new year by joining forces with Band of Horses December 30th and 31st at Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse. These shows are already on-sale and are close to selling out so purchase your tickets today if you want to assure yourself a spot. Also, the Whigs will perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Wednesday October 29th so set your tape machines / DVR / Tivo, etc. Finally, the Whigs have new T-shirts for their fall tour. Check them out HERE. ROCK!!!!!!!!
So that looks pretty swell if you ask me. That's all for now. Take 'er easy.
First, I rediscovered on of my favorite artists/bands in the past week. That artist is Josh T. Pearson, a Pentecostal grizzly who used to sing and play in Lift to Experience. That Denton, Texas-based outfit influenced Explosions in the Sky. Check out a video of him singing "The Clash." I saw this song live last spring in Amsterdam.
You should buy this album today. If you aren't convinced, listen to what my buddy Jon, a booking agent, said about the record in a note to our friend, Lowry, a Yale Law student. "not christian rock. will blow your fucking mind. suicide and my bloody valentine meet townes van zandt on 9/11. listen to the whole thing in one sitting."
I couldn't say it any better myself. Also, Jon fell asleep listening to the record the other and woke up with his headphone cords wrapped around his neck. So be careful, this thing has serious power.
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OK people, the day is near. Tomorrow, Dead Confederate releases Wrecking Ball. Here is their new video for lead single, "The Rat," directed by stop-motion artist Pamela Littky. She has also directed videos for Tom Waits and the Raconteurs.
And a live video of "It Was A Rose," from the dingy depths of the Cave in Chapel Hill.
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A little humor to lighten the mood on this muggy Monday.
First, a gritty video from All the Saints' show at the Death by Audio space in Brooklyn, featuring four new songs, including "Percival," "Daughters," "Untitled (Listen Boy)," and "Half Red Half Way."
Also, check out my brother's blog, titletickler.com. He's been bloggin' a lot more than I have lately. I reckon I need to pick it up.
Here is a video of My Morning Jacket playing Evil Urges' "Touch Me, Pt. 2" on the Black Cab Sessions. It's just Jim and Carl, but it's still very, very awesome.
Next, I have finally found my favorite band in Chapel Hill, Americans in France. Some serious indie/punk dynamics from this trio. Missed them on Saturday night at Nightlight, but certainly won't make that mistake again.
9/9- at the Cradle, the Whigs are opening for Tokyo Police Club. Not the biggest fan of the headliner, but I know the opener always brings the rawk.
Dead Confederate is also streaming new tracks from their album on their myspace. Check out "Yer Circus," which leads me to imagine a UFO fleet coasting above a dried-out cornfield.
Another thing, I am now a DJ on WXYC, UNC-Chapel Hill's radio station. My set is from 6-8 on Thursday Mornings. Stream it live here.
Here are some pics from the Dead Confederate/All the Saints tour I was on in in early June. Here are some highlights from the flickr set, "Sticker Fun." Besides the fact that most of these shots are from the streets of Philly, I don't think I need to explain what is going on here.
Remember to check out "Sticker Fun" to see the rest of these pics. Also go here to see a bunch more from the DC/ATS spring tour.
I love how some of my favorite bands like Dead Confederate, All the Saints, and Dead Meadow understand that you dont have to flaunt your cock to put the balls back into rock music. Sludging shows a set, too. Another outfit that's on the same page is Crystal Antlers. I'll admit that I am a little late on this Long Beach-based contigency. They've already had the rave Pitchfork review a while back. Once again, it took the Ice Cream Man's rec to get me to really give them a listen. When I hear Jonny Bell's ragged vocals seep through the band's murky sound prism, I picture Atreyu in the Swamp of Sadness, grueling through the mire with that wolf-beast breathing down his neck. Like the flying dog saved him, CA's energy will save you, providing the push to perserve through whatever shit might be bogging you down. Don't wait to listen to this band. Crystal Antlers could tour with any of the other three I mentioned above, as well as a number of others. Here's to hoping that it happens soon, or that they play down south. Come on Fleet Team. I'm looking at you.
I'm in Chicago right now with the Ice Cream Man and he turned me onto to something good, good, good last night. It's the good word, The Good Gospel Truth, a raucous Brooklyn via Nashville four-piece featuring members of the Brooklyn indie rockers and Les Savy Favs, Detachment Kit. This jagged fare draws sounds form northwest indie rock, as well as NYC post-punk, and runs those influences through a rusty combine, creating some of the most immediate hooks I've heard in a good bit. It'll sound perfect on a creaky porch come Labor Day, or perhaps a dusty basement party once the the leaves turn and the band's kinetic energy is all that's left to create warmth. Cautiously listen to squalid roar of "This is Not a House of Life" or the Brock-ish but broiling scuzz of "I've Got the Lord's Protection." You'll only want to start the weekend early.
It's been awhile. But I'm back. Got to keep things short today but just wanted to give y'all a heads up on a few videos my good friend Brack Bradley created. Brack and I were on the road with Dead Confederate and All The Saints in June for a week and a half. The first video features Dead Confederate's "The Rat" and was created from footage compiled from said tour as well as a live track of the song performed in Asbury Park's The Saint.
"The Rat"
The second video is for All the Saints' "Half Red Half Way." It's taken from footage from a documentary short, "ATS: Trust Your Ears" that Brack directed and produced for the band last year. "Trust Your Ears" highlights All the Saints' first journey to SXSW as well as their time in the studio creating their debut album.
"Half Red Half Way"
Also, hear is a teaser trailer for "ATS: Trust Your Ears."
That's it for now. Expect a lot of pics and words from said tour here in the next week. There will also be other news and updates. Jay the Intern is back.
Sorry, It's a been a busy time a lately. Here's some quick news.
Chaz Bundick aka Toro y Moi is at it again. This time with Sides of Chaz, a new experimental/ambient project resulting from the fact that Chaz "found recording on a whim and free styling lyrics to be very FUN." Well Chaz, we're finding it pretty doggone fun, too. So if you don't mind, keep having fun.
Local screwgrass trio Megafaun got some love from P4K the other day. I saw them for the first time opening for Bon Iver, and it was one hell of a spectacle. These fellers put the row-d in Crowd Interaction. You know that feeling at a show where you don't want to go get another beer because the music is so fucking intoxicating? That's how it was with Megafaun. They've got a record out too, Bury the Square, on Table of the Elements. You must go and purchase it. You must.
Another JTI fave, Deer Tick, recorded a cover of Sean Kingston's "Beatiful Girls." I admit, I hate this song with a fucking passion, but you got to give it up to John McCauley. Kid knows how to have a good time. Thanks to Dodge at MOKB for the tip.
Tomorrow Night, if you're in Chapel Hill, go to Hell, because All the Saints will be there. Wait, that don't sound right. Okay, let me try again. Atlanta psych-rock trio All the Saints are bringing their acid-induced thunderstorm to Hell (below Bub O'Malleys) tomorrow night. If you like Dead Confederate, Dead Meadow, Dino, Jr., Pink Floyd, Ozzy, etc., then you'll love All the Saints. They actually just got finished with a little stint opening for that second Dead band and they've got a new record out, which is awesome.
Also, feast on this video of Jim James singing Bob Dylan's "Going to Acapulco." His cover is available on the "Im Not There" Soundtrack. Have a goodun'
Here's my review of the new Hot Chip album, Made in the Dark. I interviewed Al Doyle, one of the Electro-nerds, in December and AS.com should be posting that interview soon. When they do, I'll post it here as well.
In the meantime, check out this video of "Ready for the Floor." Human Tetris anyone?
I am now an official contributor to The Biscuit Blog. For those of you that haven't gotten your fill of biscuits yet, the blog is run by Joel, a buddy of mine who recently moved from Atlanta to Austin. He blogs about everything from the perfect chicken wing to stupid Sky Mall products, but mainly concentrates on music. That's where the expert (hah), yours truly, comes in. Every Tuesday, George Fontaine, from Livewire Recordings picks his two favorite releases from that day. Then I'll follow up with reviews of the albums the next Tuesday. If you ask me , the whole situation's fun as biscuits and gravy. So get over to TBB and check it out!
Sub Pop has two bands right now that I am super excited about. The first is Fleet Foxes, with vocals reminiscent ofMMJ, and two other Sub Pop bands--Band of Horses and the Shins. But they aren't resting on these influences. There's gospel, folk, and chamber pop present here, creating breathakingly ethreal songs that wash over you like a hot shower after a long slumber. Whenever I listen to these songs, I feel like Delmar getting baptized in "O Brother Where Art Thou." Or put it this way, if this were a church choir, I would have been twenty minutes early to church when I was seven years old.
The next is Grand Archives, the new project of Mat Brooke, formerly of Band of Horses. GA sounds like the half-brother to BoH and the grandchild of CSNY--pretty awesome if you ask me. "Torn Blue Foam Couch" features a lovely blend of lush harmonies and ascending instrumentals. It's also probably just as good if not better than most of the songs on Cease to Begin. Brooke and Bridwell sure do know how to write some fucking songs.
BTW, Fleet Foxes is opening for another Sub Pop outfit, Blitzen Trapper, on March 23rd at the 506. You can bet your sweet ass I'll be there.
Also, that band I posted the video of rocking Letterman last night will also be at the 506 tomorrow night. The Sammies and Bull City open. Prepare to, in the words of Parker Gispert, rawk your nuts off.
There's more I'd like to reminisce on from '07, but for now, here is my best of list and my buddy BK's list. He's constantly turning me on to new jams, best of which is Toro y Moi so he more than deserves the cred.
BK's Top Ten Albums: Okkervil River-The Stage Names
Feist- The Reminder
Panda Bear- Person Pitch
Of Montreal- Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer
Deerhunter- Cryptograms
The National- Boxer
Battles- Mirrored
Grizzly Bear- Friend EP
Menomena- Friend or Foe
Elvis Perkins- Ash Wednesday
Bk's Best Songs Feist- "1234" Fuck Buttons- "Bright Tomorrow" Black Kids- "I'm Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You" Grizzly Bear- "Little Brother (Electric)" Of Montreal- "Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse" Best Fwends- "Sk8 or Live" Vampire Weekend- "Mansard Roof" Kia Shine- "Krispy" Cracked Out- "Bennigan'z" Okkervil River- "Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe"
Gotta love the diversity of that list.
My Top Ten Albums: 1. Boxer-The National 2. 23 Blonde Redhead 3. In Rainbows- Radiohead 4. Emotionalism-The Avett Brothers 5.Person Pitch-Panda Bear 6. Neon Bible-the Arcade Fire 7. Strawberry Jam-Animal Collective 8. La La Land- Wax Fang 9. War Elephant-Deer Tick 10. Ga Ga Ga Ga-Spoon
Top Ten Songs 1."Slow Show"-The National, Boxer 2."Shame"-The Avett Brothers, Emotionalism 3. "Good Girl/Carrots"-Panda Bear, Person Pitch 4."(Antichrist Television Blues)"-the Arcade Fire, Neon Bible 5."The Rat"-Dead Confederate, Dead Confederate EP 6."The Ghost of You Lingers"- Spoon, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga 7."Nude"-Radiohead, In Rainbows 8."Dirty Dishes"-Deer Tick, War Elephant 9. "2080"-Yeasayer, All Hour Cymbals 10. "The Doctor Will See You Now"- Wax Fang, La La Land
And because BK mentioned Best Fwends, a band that blew me away in London, I'm posting this video as an end of the week treat.
First off: GO TARHEELS. Little too close for comfort last night, but I never really thought we were going to lose. That's why it's the ACC. You beat your rival by 31, then, four days later, eek out a win against the last ranked defensive squad in the league. Any given night.
Les Savy Fav's Let's Stay Friends was one of my top 50 records of 2007, and "What Would Wolves Do" is definitely my favorite from that album. Well, looks like it's my lucky day, because P4k posted the video for the song earlier today. Another plus for me is that it's directed by Ryan Quincy, an animator for South Park--my favorite show. Maybe that's why the pretty little honies turn into robotron crab people in the end. It's one of the more entertaining videos I've seen in awhile.
Also, didn't realize that LSF drummer Harrison Haynes is from Durham. Here's an Independent article on him from awhile ago.
And please, for the love of God, go check out Toro y Moi's new tracks. I'm supposed to be reviewing Atlas Sound right now, but it's so hard, because I cant stop listening to these jams. Start with "Such Bad Handling."
The Drive-By Truckers' new album, Brighter than Creation's Dark, comes out next week on New West Records. Below you'll find the video of a hell-raisin' new cut, "That Man I Shot," from last weekend's Rock show at the 40 Watt in Athens. Patterson Hood says the number is based on a soldier's account of his time in Iraq.
Seems our band has some fans over there and we're always moved by the stories of really fine folks who are sacrificing so much for our privileged existence. The man in That Man I Shot probably doesn't agree with a lot of my viewpoints, but I tried to be true to what he said and how he said it. You don't have to agree with someone to respect them and that seemed to run both ways with us. As a writer, it's not my job to agree or disagree and certainly not to judge. It is my job to be as true to the character's voice as humanly possible and to tell the story accordingly.
The rest of the song by song write up can be found here.
Rock on. From what I've heard, I can't disagree with the multiple 4 star reviews this album has received so far. With this and the Whigs new one coming out, 1/22 should be a great day for Athens.
Also, remember that tonight, [edit: I'm an idiot. It's tomorrow night.] Yeasayer and MGMT are playing at the 506. Expect a write up on that soon. In addition, be on the lookout for my interview with Hot Chip for American Songwriter. I'll post that as soon as it's finished. Here's my review of their album.
Greetings. Happy New Year. Today, let's check out some things that are neat.
1st. Toro y Moi (Chaz Bundick) is streaming tracks from his new album, My Touch, on myspace. This new material draws heavily on the electronic direction he took with his cover of Beach House's "Master of None." Quite different than Woodlands, but still pretty awesome. I really think this kid will make some tidal waves in the Ocho.
B. MGMT was on Letterman last week. That means Hank Sullivant, former multi-instrumentalist for the Whigs, currently shredding a Carolina blue Fender for the Brooklyn-based psych outfit, was also on. Congrats, Hank and MGMT. Word on the Skreet is that Hank has a new solo album. Hopefully we'll have some news on that soon. I'll try to see what I can find out on Wednesday night, when MGMT and Yeasayer will be at the Local 506.
