notes::Cinemechanica in the U.K.

Monday October 22, 2007

notes::Cinemechanica in the U.K.Riding a wave of hysteria in the United States, Athens, GA’s Cinemechanica is in the midst of their first tour of the United Kingdom. Cinemechanica found national acclaim for last year’s The Martial Arts, which served notice that so-called “math rock” bands can make compelling, diverse albums that capture the spirit of their live shows. Cinemechanica delivers a mind-bending live experience, complete with twists, turns, and buckets and buckets of filthy riffs. Now, for the first time the United Kingdom will have an opportunity to sample the bands prodigious talents.
music:
bruckheimer.mp3braintarp.mp3

tour:10.22.07
Leeds, UK @ The Fenton w/ Bilbao Syndrome
10.23.07
Leicester (University), UK @ The Lounge
10.24.07
Birmingham, UK @ the Rainbow
10.25.07
London, UK @ Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes w/ YouMeTheSwitch
10.26.07
Reading, UK @ The Face Bar w/ Symmetry, Serena Joy
10.27.07
Wilts, UK @ 3 crowns, devizes w/ Untitled Music Project, Target Nine
10.28.07
Ashford, UK @ Downtown Diner
10.29.07
Norwich, UK @ the Queen Charlotte
http://www.cinemechanica.com/
http://www.myspace.com/cinemechanica
http://www.hellosirrecords.com/

artist::Realistic:Perpetual Memory Loss

Monday October 22, 2007

artist::Realistic:Perpetual Memory LossRealistic is sound collage artist James Towning and Realistic’s third album, Perpetual Memory Loss, features sixteen tracks of intricate sample-based compositions – a beautifully sophisticated celebration of found sound, recorded media, technology, and electronic composition. Slices of field recordings mesh with surreal electronic melodies, creating enjoyably odd multi-layered musical fun. With this release, Illegal Art (Girl Talk, Oh Astro, Steinski) continues to challenge the restrictions of copyright as perceived by the larger music industry, further . illustrating that sample-based music is strikingly some of the most original, innovative, and exciting music being made in the 21st century.



artist spotlight::The Bench Connection

Monday October 22, 2007

artist spotlight::The Bench ConnectionMasquerading as a music journalist means spending lots of time trying to grab hold of something on an album to write about. Sometimes it is more difficult than others, and in the midst of things good records often get passed over. It should also be of note that these reviews are for the “here and now” and for the most part make no guarantees concerning their future stock options. I’ve heard enough music over the years to know that there are things which are the great for a season, but once that winter has passed, obsolescence takes over. I try to judge records on originality, sound, lyrics, and most importantly how much I feel drawn to the music. Reviews are a funny beast and I think some folks take themselves way to seriously. Or perhaps, I just don’t have the knowledge to analyze music and lay it out in a scientific manner over a decimal system. Besides, how do you objectively measure the soul? It is about the soul isn’t it?

artist spotlight::The Bench ConnectionEarlier in the year The Bench Connection released their wonderful full length Around The House In 80 days. The release came with comparisons to Nick Drake and John Martyn. I don’t know about Nick Drake, but this album sounds like something Martyn could have made in his Bless The Weather or Solid Air days. This music is mellow, tranquil, passionate, and well constructed – - a perfect Sunday morning record if you ask me. Not to mention, these guys have a really cool story, but you’ll have to find that one out on your own. This was my summer soundtrack, but I think it is going to serve just fine for Autumn as well.
young at last

http://www.myspace.com/thebenchconnection


notes::Rock Band Logos

Sunday October 21, 2007

notes::Rock Band Logos The Detroit Free Press had a cool expose on rock band logos last week: http://media.freep.com/rockbandlogo/index.html

album::Saint Bernadette:In The Ballroom

Sunday October 21, 2007

album::Saint Bernadette:In The BallroomSaint Bernadette recently released its’ debut album In The Ballroom to rave applause. The band has also premiered the video for “Sidestep” from In The Ballroom – recorded live in Bridgeport’s abandoned Bijou Theatre. In The Ballroom shows off the lively pipes of singer Meredith DiMenna, who many of you know as the voice of MTV’s “Chunky Pam.” In The Ballroom will be followed up by a pair of EPs in 2008. One, a new Saint Bernadette collection entitled I Wanna Tell You Something and a second EP of covers originally sung by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong, Tom Waits & Crystal Gail, Morrissey & Siouxsie Sioux, Tricky & PJ Harvey, and Elvis & Ann Margaret. For fans with a golden appreciation of the past…

music:
I Own The city.mp3

video:
Sideshow
Chunky Pam

http://www.saintbernadettemusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/saintbernadette
http://www.exoticrecordings.com/


notes::NYC tonight::Hometapes CMJ Showcase

Friday October 19, 2007

notes::NYC tonight::Hometapes CMJ Showcase
If you’re at CMJ, or somewhere in the city, tonight the incredible Hometapes label will host their showcase at Mo Pitkin’s. More fun than a barrel of monkees and a slip n’ slide.

The Hometapes CMJ Showcase
Friday October 19
Mo Pitkin’s
34 Avenue A, NYC
*

notes::Drive By Truckers announce new album release

Friday October 19, 2007

notes::Drive By Truckers announce new album releaseWhile the Drive By Truckers are in the midst of completing the third and final leg of The Dirt Underneath tour, we finally have word that their new album “Brighter Than Creation’s Dark” will be released on January 22, 2008. The album title comes from a line from Cooley’s Checkout Time In Vegas, which should be on the new record as well. Good stuff indeed, but I think it is time to announce the site of the New Year’s shows, so I can make my travel plans.

Tour:Oct 20 – Madison, WI - Barrymore Theatre
Oct 22 – Chicago, IL - Park West
Oct 24 – Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom & Tavern Horses
Oct 25 – State College, PA - The State Theatre
Oct 26 – New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom SOLD OUT
Oct 27 – Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
Oct 28 – Baltimore, MD - Ram’s Head Live


album::The Ginger Envelope:Edible Orchids

Friday October 19, 2007

album::The Ginger Envelope:Edible OrchidsOne Percent Press is pleased to announce the impending release of the The Ginger Envelope’s debut full-length, Edible Orchids. Athens, Georgia’s The Ginger Envelope is one of the town’s best kept secrets until now. Featuring members of Dark Meat, Venice is Sinking, and South San Gabriel, The Ginger Envelope, under direction of bandleader Patrick Carey, creates breezyfront-porch melodies with rich voices and a slow burning approach that seeps under your skin with you unaware. Edible Orchids is destined to become a mainstay on your Saturday afternoon playlist.

music:
failsafe.mp3dirtypenny.mp3caretaker.mp3

http://www.myspace.com/thegingerenvelope
http://www.onepercentpress.com/
http://www.myspace.com/onepercentpress


notes::The Sound of Animals Fighting sign to Epitaph

Friday October 19, 2007

notes::The Sound of Animals Fighting sign to EpitaphProg-rock collective known as The Sound of Animals Fighting have signed with Southern California based Epitaph Records. This mysterious cooperative effort features members whose identities are the subject of intriguing anonymity and speculation and who are only known by their respective animal names. TSOAF’s style of music features an interesting arrangement of unusual song structures and tempos drawing from an array of influences including indie, rock, electronic, hardcore and even world music for one of the most unique collaborative projects around today.

Skullflower live

album review::Emma Pollock:Watch The Fireworks

Friday October 19, 2007

album review::Emma Pollock:Watch The FireworksA record I have been playing a lot is Emma Pollock’s Watch The Fireworks, which came out last month on 4ad. Pollock was part of the Scottish group Delgados, who were by far one of the most overlooked pop bands of the last couple of decades. She has one of those classic pop voices that has such natural character, it makes certain each line has a little more colour. Opener “New Land” is a waltz, which starts with a toast and weighs the merits of retribution. “Here Comes the Heartbreak” has a melody line on the verses which is reminscent of Matthew Sweet’s “I’ve Been Waiting.” While Watch The Fireworks may lack some of the orchestration of her old band, it is far from being a 180, and has enough musically to satisfy Delgados fans for a little while. Call it what you want, but Watch The Fireworks is pop, albeit not necessarily straight forward, but full of hooks and good melodies, and a rich familiar voice.



album::Saturday Looks Good To Me:Fill Up The Room

Thursday October 18, 2007

album::Saturday Looks Good To Me:Fill Up The Room Saturday Looks Good To Me finally release Fill Up The Room on K Records next week. Michigan-born songwriter and producer Fred Thomas continues his mission of trying to write the perfect pop. The album was recorded in Portland and Stockholm, and we all know the pop magic that has come out of Sweden in recent years.

*
music:
*
SLGTM Tour:
10-19 New York, NY – TBA (CMJ)
10-20 Providence, RI – AS22010-26 Ann Arbor, MI – Blind Pig *#
10-27 Milwaukee, WI – The Borg Ward
10-28 Minneapolis, MN – 7th St Entry
10-31 Olympia, WA – ABC House
11-01 Seattle, WA – Nectar Lounge
11-02 Anacortes, WA – Department of Safety
11-03 Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
11-03 Portland, OR – Holocene
11-08 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill
11-09 Santa Barbara, CA – Muddy Waters Cafe
11-10 Los Angeles, CA – The Echo
11-11 Tucson, AZ – Club Congress ^
11-12 Phoenix, AZ – Modified Arts
11-14 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
11-15 Denver, CO – Hi Dive
11-16 Kansas City, MO – The Record
11-17 St. Louis, MO – The Bluebird
* with Mason Proper
# with Canada
^ with Golden Boots
*




news::Mickey Hart/Zakir Hussain "Global Drum Project"

Thursday October 18, 2007

news::Mickey Hart/Zakir Hussain "Global Drum Project"Shout! Factory has released the new Mickey Hart/Zakir Hussain album, Global Drum Project, the follow-up to the Grammy award winning Planet Drum fifteen years ago. Planet Drum has the rare distinction as the first-ever Grammy winner for Best World Music Album, having spent an unprecedented 26 weeks at #1 on the Billboard chart, still selling as a perennial favorite to this day. The album is full of elegant electronic programming and hypnotic tuned percussion making the Global Drum Project a distinct release occasionally reminiscent of the pioneering Byrne/Eno release, My Life in the Bush of Ghosts.