The AV Club has the new Deep Time record streaming! This band used to be known as Yellow Fever. Pretty sure I wrote them up at some point. Great stuff!

A single on Slumberland, this single, and who knows what else... all I know is that this song is one of the catchiest I've heard this year.

Knock Knock

I've written about Knock Knock here before and generally don't write about the same bands over and over. I have a very special place in my heart for this band though and it really is a cause for celebration when they release new material! Sacramento Records has released their latest, We Will Raise Your Child. These days I am a rather finicky music consumer. Labels that used to have my support with any release lost me by putting out too much I didn't like, bands I like release records with too much filler, but I always know that I can count on Knock Knock to release a solid record from start to finish. In fact, I have been playing this from start to finish since I bought it. That is a real rarity for me these days! I would like to give you a taste of it and if you like what you hear, I can pretty much guarantee that you will love the entire record.
Wild and Blue

Honor!

I was asked to contribute to this wonderful article on Rose Melberg. You can read it here!

Wild Flag

What can be said about Wild Flag that hasn't already been said? For a band that has existed for such a short time there sure has been a lot written about them! I assume that if you've found this post then you know the history of the members who make up the band. I don't want to bore anyone with repetitive detail. What I will say is that both Helium and Sleater-Kinney rank amongst the best live shows I ever had the pleasure of seeing so I was anticipating this record from the second I heard about it. When it was announced that Chris Woodhouse was recording it, well, my excitement level went through the roof! I've known Chris for a very long time (I think 16 years at this point) and have had the honor of being recorded by him. I know exactly what sounds he is capable of capturing and was especially excited to hear Janet's drum sounds and the guitar sounds on this record. I've recorded with some awesome engineers but Woodhouse did the best job at capturing the sound of any band that I was ever in.

I saw the band play at The Rock Shop here in Brooklyn last March at a time when I was pretty down on music. My appreciation of music has never waned but my excitement over it ebbs and flows. Shortly before the show date I considered selling my tickets but my friends talked me out of it. I take this opportunity to publicly thank them all. The show revitalized me! I felt excited about music again! Somehow, seeing artists that I have followed since I was in my late teens(!) up there and totally bringing it and rocking my face off was all I needed to feel good about music again. I was so inspired by it that I pursued playing music with a friend of mine whose musicianship/songwriting I've always enjoyed. It felt good to play music again! It was also awesome to TALK about music again with someone who has a similar nerd knowledge base. Yes, maybe there were conversations about how many tracks "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen or "Hysteria" by Def Leppard had on them for the final mix. Maybe.

Now the record is out. I've had some time to listen to it loudly and on headphones, my two tests of audio pleasure. Aside from one song that I just cannot get into, I think the record is incredibly solid. I love the production work, Chris added some nice headphone flourishes for the audio nerds. When I sat down to write this I was having trouble deciding which song to post. At the show, "Electric Band" was the standout to my ears. I thought it was incredibly catchy and sort of captured the spirit of the band. After listening to the record over and over on my commute, I've decided that Future Crimes is probably my favorite track on the record. Classic Carrie Brownstein tension, angst, paranoia, and intensity all wound so tightly with the release of it all coming at the end. Brilliant.

Lush

Lush. A band that I liked from the get-go. I always made a point to go see them live and always thought that they were great. It was nice to get proof of that with the release of some live stuff. Some bands that I thought were great back in the olden days (um, the mid 90s) were really quite terrible! Youtube is a double-edged sword, right? Live shows used to be about being in the moment and enjoying what was happening right in front of you. Now all you have to do is go home and look it up on youtube after the show to see what you missed when you were too busy (insert technological device, conversation, other distraction here) to be IN THE MOMENT. Of course, for oldsters like me, I can catch old video of shows I was at and be reminded that they were either as awesome as I thought or terrible in a way that I can't possibly remember. Actually, I don't let myself look stuff up that often. I prefer the memories.

Lush are a band that I have very fond memories of. Always with friends, usually at the Fillmore in San Francisco, and always sounding great and playing songs I wanted to hear. This song, Lovelife (live version), remains a favorite to this day. I've stopped trying to rationalize to myself what makes songs stab me in the heart. I'm just trying to enjoy the moment. However, Lush will always be tinged with sadness in my mind. Chris Acland, the drummer, had celebrated his 30th birthday in San Francisco with an Elvis impersonator and an audience singing him "Happy Birthday" and it was one of those things that as an audience you felt a little bit honored to be a part of. Somebody's joy. Less than two months later he committed suicide. (A side note, a few months before Chris's death another favorite drummer, Mathew Fletcher, from Heavenly had done the same thing. 1996 was not kind to British boy drummers and both deaths really hit me hard.) It put an end to the band and singer Miki Berenyi retreated from public life. One can only wonder what the future would have held for a band that was so young and talented.

Full disclosure: I snagged this mp3 from another blogger. I just can't recall who. I also can't recall if I've posted about Lush before. Hmmm.

Eleanor Friedberger

I am pretty dang sure I've posted on the Fiery Furnaces before. I would imagine that the post talked about my love for the more straightforward songs. The sad songs. Well, Eleanor Friedberger has released her first solo record. Guess what song is my favorite? Yep, the straightforward sad song. I am as predictable as a clock but that's okay. The favorite is I Wont Fall Apart on You Tonight. I think the rest of the album will be a grower because off the bat this is the only song that really grabbed me. The record is a snapshot of places and times and I am fond of that style of writing. Especially when it's places that I'm so familiar with. Having your view of something and then hearing someone else sharing theirs is always an eye opening experience. Obviously Eleanor is incredibly talented and I respect the less straight ahead approach to songwriting. If I can find my way in, I do think that this could be a great summer bleeding into fall record.

Allo Darlin'

Allo Darlin' are an awesome band from England though two of the members are originally from Australia. I first saw them in 2010 at the NYC Popfest where they charmed the audience who then demanded an encore after they played their set. The band were so flattered and humbled that night by their reception and for some reason that always stuck with me. In this day and age of bands coming and going every 5 seconds, to see a band that was clearly not expecting such a rapturous response really warmed my heart. For some unknown reason, I did not purchase the album that night.

When I found out they were coming to play the US again I planned on going to see how well my memory served me. So on June 8 me and some friends made our way to the Mercury Lounge to see them again. While the opening band was seriously one of the worst things I've ever heard and the bill was completely mismatched we soldiered through and kept our excitement intact by mocking the band that was playing. As they played the room filled up and it became clear that many others had fallen in love with Allo Darlin' over the course of the year. By the time they went on they were playing to a full room. For a moment, my belief in good old fashioned songwriting ability, touring, and word of mouth amongst fans was restored.

The band debuted some new songs (all wonderful) and were as fantastic as I remembered. My friends and I look forward to the new record just based on what we heard that night! In the meantime, I'd like to help spread the gospel. Their debut is a solid win from start to finish and it was difficult for me to pick one song to post. I went with my current favorite: Silver Dollars. Enjoy!

Dean and Britta

It dawned on me recently that I'm becoming something I never thought I would - more mellow in my musical selections. Music that would have (or did) bore me in the past is now comforting. I prefer going to shows where I get to sit and relax and enjoy the band playing rather than being jostled around and standing on my feet for hours on end. Once in a blue moon I'll feel inspired to go to a looser and less regimented show but it's less and less often. Mostly, now, I am satisfied to go to a theater and have seats and relax. I love going to see the Magnetic Fields precisely for that reason.

The other night, me and my lovely girlfriend went and saw "13 Most Beautiful... Songs for Andy Warhol's Screen Tests" performed by Dean and Britta. I was going for the footage more than anything. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the songs they wrote (and covered) for their musical selections. I guess it strikes me as "older people music" but I suppose that is because 19 year old me wouldn't have been caught dead listening to something so mellow. The song I'm posting has special significance for me and my lady friend and I instantly dubbed it our song. Hope you enjoy. Please search out their version of Bob Dylan's "I'll Keep It With Mine" as well because it really is top notch and now officially my favorite cover of it.

Eyes in My Smoke

Run DMC & The Beastie Boys

Oops. How have 5 months passed? I've been in a weird place with music. Bands aren't grabbing me by the heart/mind lately. I've found myself going back to my youth and loving the stuff that had me obsessing when I was a child. Run DMC and the Beastie Boys to be exact. Raising Hell and Licensed To Ill were my favorite records (yes, vinyl) in 1986/1987. As documented before, they were also my first concert. I was born in 1976 so I am not exaggerating when I say child! What's interesting to me is how did this suburban white girl of 10 years old become obsessed with Run DMC? I have no recollection. I would listen to them over and over. The Beastie Boys came later. However, once into them, I would listen to them over and over as well. I like to think that the Beastie Boys in particular helped to lay the ground work for my love of classic rock. All of the great samples on that record! Metal was my next great love as a child followed by "alternative" so it's fun to see how it all is actually oddly linear. It's funny to me that a relatively new genre (rap) helped get me into classic rock.

Proud To Be Black is one of my favorite songs on the record. I was really into Harriet Tubman as a child (I was a weird, nerdy kid) so it was really amazing to hear a song cite her! As much fun as some of the other songs are, this one really stands out.

She's Crafty is one of those songs that brilliantly uses samples. The opening? My god! I love the story in here. I have always been about the lyrical journey, apparently. This is one of the more perfect songs from this record. These records are such a fun memory for me. Hope you enjoy.

Emma Pollock

I think that we can all acknowledge that very few artists make albums anymore. It's more about the one catchy song that everyone will download or Apple will use for their iPod commercial. As a former musician, I do not begrudge this stance - musicians need to eat! As a fan, I miss the days of going on a journey with the artist. I'm not talking concept records (which I mostly despise) but simply an album which you know the songs were meant to be played together to get the big picture. It could be for thematic reasons or simply the mood of the music. Whatever the case may be, you knew that out of context the songs would take on different meaning BUT in context you would be rewarded with a greater understanding.

It's no great surprise that Emma has released an actual album... The Delgados were masters of the album. Emma's first solo record was good but I never felt strongly that it was an album. I saw her live a few times in support of the record and was happy to see her winning over the audience night after night. Live the songs really got a chance to come to life. I was excited to see her back at home on Chemikal Underground with this release and admittedly that fact alone gave me great hope that this would be more of a return to form for her. Obviously, I feel as if it is.

It's difficult for me to pick one song to represent what I feel is an album. I Could Be A Saint is one of the songs where the Emma Pollock songwriting style is in full effect. In other words, a good introduction for those of you who maybe haven't heard her, and something for those of you who know her to see that while she continues to grow she's still recognizable to us who have been longtime fans. The Law of Large Numbers is released in the U.S. today, March 2. Already available in the U.K. If you still believe in the album I recommend this to you. I hate to lecture but Chemikal Underground is an independent label and should be rewarded for carrying on and consistently releasing great material - don't be an ass and download this record for free.

Dum Dum Girls

I don't think I'll surprise anyone by stating that I've been sort of unexcited about most of the music that's been coming out for the past few years. I fully admit that this has caused me to write stuff off on the basis of one or two songs. Even worse, it's caused me to discount some things just based on the hype. The Dum Dum Girls fall into that category completely.

At x-mas time I downloaded the Crocodiles & Dum Dum Girls track and was super into it. Thought that perhaps the time had come to give them a shot. Shortly after that Jail La La became available and I grabbed it. Based on those two songs I have to say that I'm pretty excited to hear the full length coming out on Sub Pop March 30. I'm a sucker for the pop, what can I say?

Red House Painters

I got into the Red House Painters while working in a record store in the mid 90s. I actually found the live performances to be where the band really shined. The first time I heard Mark fill a room with his voice off mic I was blown away. The recordings are a bit much for me. I was never a huge fan (I think it's clear that I generally like more concise pop songs) but over the past few months I've been obsessed with this version of Smokey. It's the demo version taken from the Shanti Project Collection benefit cd. Just a simple solo acoustic version with some very slightly altered lyrics.

My best friend in the entire world is a huge fan. She loves sad bastard music even more than me. I think the Painters qualify as the saddest of sad bastard music out there. I can't tell you how many nights we drove around getting thoroughly depressed listening to this stuff. Yet those are some of my fondest memories. That's how life works, my friends.

The Great Danes

The Great Danes is a solo project from One Happy Island member Rebecca. She writes some of the most charming pop songs I've heard in ages! When she sent me some songs I was thrilled and have been meaning to ask her if I could post one. As you may note, time has gotten away from me here... Anyway, I'm here now!

Milling is a catchy little pop ditty that takes often hijacks my brain. As the song builds so do perfectly nuanced little layers of instrumentation. Her voice is maybe my favorite part of it all. This girl has the perfect indie pop voice! I look forward to hearing more of the recordings and if Rebecca ever wants to take it live I hope to talk my way onto the drum throne!

(I promised that I would put in a disclaimer that this is a very rough recording. However, I don't think the disclaimer is necessary! The recording is just another charming aspect...)

Darlene Love

I'm not a fan of x-mas particularly. I especially hate being aurally assaulted over and over by Jose Feliciano's version of "Feliz Navidad" which seems to be the most popular x-mas song played in NYC. I'm not even sure I had ever heard his version before moving here. There is one x-mas song that I never tire of though. I just spent a few minutes thinking about why I love Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), aside from the fact that it's just fantastic, of course. Rather predictably I've come to the conclusion that I love it because it's sad. X-mas makes me sad so it's unsurprising that I like melancholy x-mas songs.

I will say that if you live in NYC I cannot recommend enough taking the M7 up from 6th Ave and 15th Street up to 72nd and Amsterdam. Even the scroogiest of scrooges (yours truly) felt in the x-mas spirit while doing so last weekend. You go by Macy's at Herald Square (Miracle on 34th Street, people) and Rockefeller Center. Trees on the street are lighted. Many businesses have big decorated trees out. Even I can recognize that x-mas time here is a pretty magical affair.

The Kinks

While on the subway yesterday my iPod shuffled to The Kinks and I was immediately put into a better mood when the distorted chords of All Day and All of the Night were ringing out into my ears. It occurred to me that this may be one of the best love songs ever written. It seems that most bands feel that to write a love song they have to slow down the tempo, get rid of the distortion, and be really sensitive and emotional. No. This song proves otherwise. Yes, we get that he wants to bone his lady. We also get that the only time he feels good is when he's with her and he believes that they'll last forever. It's actually kind of perfect. Romantic love can't exist without sexual attraction, can it? Not in my world! The dirtiness of the guitar with the nasty distortion only enhances the message of the song. You feel the sexual tension bubbling under the surface... it's just brilliant song crafting! I think that it's easy to forget how great some of the songs from the 60s are because we've heard them so many times. It was a nice 2 and a half minutes spent focusing on this song yesterday.

Let It Be Me

I wonder how many songs get their own wikipedia page? The song Let It Be Me has quite a history that I only learned of fairly recently. The internet is magical in that way! My own history with the song is simple - my mom had a cassette tape in her car that had the version I'm posting on it. I must have heard the Everly Brothers singing it and probably the Elvis rendition as well while growing up but I have no recollection of this. It was as a twenty-something that I first remember hearing it, not just hearing it but becoming obsessed with it. A few years back I thought of this song and did a search on iTunes for it. This version was not available. I ended up with the live version done by Elvis which was okay but I really felt like it was missing the emotion behind this cover. In fact, all of the other versions that I listened to were missing something for me. So I kept searching for this particular release. Since I only recently found it and am overjoyed I decided to share my joy with you! This is the Betty Everett and Jerry Butler version of Let It Be Me - in my opinion, the definitive version.

The Feelies

Over the last year and a half I happened to see The Feelies twice - once opening for Sonic Youth (way back on the 4th of July in 2008) and again opening for Yo La Tengo on New Years Eve. They've been getting the reissue treatment and rightfully so! I love many of their songs but lately this one has been hitting me in all the right places. While maybe not as interesting or exciting as some of their songs I think it's a straightforward enough song for even the casual listener to attach themselves to. Especially if said casual listener is feeling a little down...
It's Only Life

Ribbons

This post will only be meaningful to one other person on the planet but that's ok.

It's Bastille Day today. There was an uprising of emotions in a person on this day 4 years ago. Their emotions almost killed them. It was a coincidence that it happened on the French holiday. Though, in retrospect, seems fitting. I didn't know this little tidbit until a couple of days ago when it came through a text message. I didn't know about this song until just a bit ago. It all coalesces. Sometimes you owe people more than you'll ever be able to repay. Sometimes you have to let that go because the weight of that will do you in. The best is when you can let that go and find your way back to the beginning.

Ribbons are currently on tour across the U.S. right now. Check out their myspace page for dates.

Lord Cut Glass

On June 23 the debut album from former Delgado Alun Woodward (under the Lord Cut Glass moniker) will be released. I've been waiting for years for this date and can't believe that it is almost here! Look After Your Wife is the first single from the album. It may seem like an odd choice for the uninitiated but I think it's perfect. Enjoy!

In other news, this will quite possibly be my last post here for awhile. I've become overwhelmed by real life which you may have suspected due to the lack of regular posting. I've decided to do an easier blog - easier because I can write it while on the subway. I present to you i haiku, do you?