Sorry for the lack of posts. I've been in Las Vegas. Unfortunately I didn't win any money, but I had a good time. I plan to pickup the Johnny Cash and I need to hear the Bedroom Walls and Mission of Burma.
Angels and Airwaves We Don’t Need to Whisper (Geffen) – The guy from Blink 182’s new band. Critics hate it, but your 12 year-old niece will probably like it.
Bedroom Walls All Good Dreamers Pass This Way (Baria Records) – The All Music Guide gives this local band a 4.5/5 and says: “"If Elliott Smith were still alive and decided to get together and jam with Neutral Milk Hotel, the results might sound a lot like this self-described ‘romanticore’ quintet.” That’s very high praise indeed. They’re appearing live at the Troubadour on 5/30. Download a demo of “In Anticipation of Your Suicide”
Blood Brothers Love Rhymes with Hideous Car Wreck EP (V2) – Manic guys from Seattle.
Johnny Cash Personal File (Sony) – A two-disc collection featuring 49 previously unreleased tracks. These are very intimate recording with just Johnny (during his prime) and an acoustic guitar. Most of the songs were recorded in 1973 but some of them are as recent as 1982. Most of these are covers (with lots of gospel tunes) but there are some originals too.
The Ditty Bops Moon Over the Freeway (Warner Bros.) – Appearing at the Derby tonight (5/24). Old-timey music that veers all over the map.
Dixie Chicks Taking the Long Way (Sony) – The controversy surrounding this band will remind people on the coasts what happens in the “heartland.” After the lead singer dared to speak her mind about the President and the war, the country music establishment turned their back on the group. Natalie Maines has even gotten death threats in her home state. Rick Rubin produced this record, so there are lots of collaborators (Gary Louris, Sheryl Crow, Keb’ Mo’, Neil Finn, etc.). It’s still rooted in country, but more rockin’. Will the NPR/Starbucks crowd make up for the lost fans in the middle of the country? The “60 Mintues” feature and the cover of Time Magazine can’t hurt. Critics seem to like it too. See them live at the Staples Center on 9/14.
Dub Trio New Heavy (Roir) – This is a totally schizophrenic, mostly instrumental album that seamlessly shifts between noise rock and dub. The three members are heavy hitter session guys who went to the Berklee School of Music. This is the album they probably always wanted to hear when they were stoned. One track features guest vocals from Mike Patton.
Mission of Burma The Oblitrati (Matador) – Mission of Burma are a very influential post-punk band from Boston. “That’s When I Reach for My Revolver” is a classic for good reason. They’re known as innovators with odd time signatures, tape manipulation and quick tempo changes. They originally broke up in 1983 due to the guitarist’s tinnitus, but reunited in 2002. This is their second album since then, and critics (including Pitchfork) have been giving it glowing reviews. Download “2wice”
Murder By Death In Bocca Al Lupo (Tent Show) – I got this one in the mail a few weeks ago and I’m still trying to figure out how to describe it. It’s vaguely western sounding. The product description on Amazon brings up Nick Cave and the Decembrists. That’s about all I can say at the moment. Appearing live at the Troubadour on 6/5.
Osaka Popstar Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk (Rykodisc) – It’s an Anime inspired punk album featuring: John Cafiero (Misfits’ collaborator), Marky Ramone (The Ramones), Jerry Only (The Misfits), Dez Cadena (Black Flag), and Ivan Julian (Richard Hell & the Voidoids). The All Music Guide gave it a 4.5/5.
Phoenix It’s Never Been Like That (Astralwerks) - French synth-rock getting mostly solid reviews. Apparently there’s more focus on the guitar on this one.
Shooting at Unarmed Men Yes! Tinnitus (Too Pure) – From the band mclusky.
Tilly & the Wall Bottoms of Barrels (Team Love) – Eccentric indie-pop band from Omaha. Appearing live at the Troubadour on 7/6. Instead of a drummer they have a tap dancer. Usually Team Love lets you download their albums for free, but their website seems really buggy right now.
Various Artists Big Star Small World (Koch) – Big Star tribute album with Teenage Fanclub, Wilco, Matthew Sweet, Juliana Hatfield, Whiskeytown and others. Big Star is brilliant, but usually these albums are disappointing. Hopefully some of the individual tracks are available for download.
Vetiver To Find Me Gone (Dicristina Stair) – For the Devendra Banhart fans. Folky with a psych edge.
Scott Walker The Drift (4AD) – He had massive radio hits in the early 1960s with the Walker Brothers, but his baroque-pop albums from the late 1960s are what ensured his legacy in the hipster world. Those albums feature his deep baritone, over-the-top string arrangements and lyrics about the dark side of society. This is his first album in 11 years. Apparently it’s a very dark but interesting album with cold arrangements and his signature huge voice. Download “Cossacks Are”
The Walkmen A Hundred Miles Off (Record Collection) – Somebody’s been listening to his Bob Dylan records. Appearing at the El Rey on 6/15.
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