3 posts tagged “attack of the eps”

The Ink Spots - I Don't Want To Set The World On fire

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I'm a longtime Fallout fan, and I recently put down some preorder money for the Deluxe Edition because Gamestop was offering a free 5-track CD.

The Fallout 3 Soundtrack features their theme song of The Ink Spots' "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire".

I might try and dig up the first two Fallout games and replay them in anticipation to the third game, revisit the classic Louis Armstrong's "A Kiss To Build A Dream On" as that was heavily used in the second game.

Anyway, if you were intending on getting Fallout 3, you might want to get a bonus EP out of by going to Gamestop.

PS, my character of choice was a sharpshooter with lots of strength to wear the Brotherhood of Steel's armor and to shoot those heavy guns.

MTO - Bring It On Now (Hatchmatik Remix)

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I had a pretty hard time locating mister MtO, as there is a rapper crew from California, also called MTO. This MtO is a DJ from Paris, France.

This latest release is Bring it On Now, a three-track EP with three different version of the same song. At first listen, all three sounds basically the same, but the Remote mix seems to be slowed down a bit (this is evident on the vocals "bring it on now").

I thought the Original mix is pretty accessible/poppy, complete with backup "oy" sound. It ends up that Hatchmatik stood out here, I think mostly because I like the clapping used on the mix.

Like all remix/DJ releases, I think that the real talent is actually live mixing and I don't know if that translate well on a recorded medium. If you're a fan trance and beats, definitely give this a spin, you can get the record from Coco Machete Records.

Middle Class Rut-New Low

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The "MC" in MC Rut does not stand for Master of Ceremony, but "Middle Class". Another misconception you might have is that this "EP" contains nine songs (officially 8 songs, but there is a not-so-hidden 9^th called "Start To Run"), clocking over 40 minutes - longer than many punk albums I own!

Apparently this band consists of only two members, guitarist Zack Lopez and drummer Sean Stockham, both of whom were on a major label band called Leisure when they were only in their teens.

By default, I usually think the first song on a single or EP is the most important, but I'll have to say that I will pass that up for "New Low" - which contains a catchy line "I got a new low, all fifty-two cards in a row".

Middle Class Rut is playing one show at the end of the month (August 31^st) with The Force at Anaheim, California. Be sure to pick up their latest EP, MC Rut EP from their myspace.

The Jeff Michael Band - When Will I See You Again

Despite what you may think, I actually really like Country music, and the Jeff Michael Band does have a little bit of a country twang to them. Check out "When Will I See You Again", their lead song on The Other Side EP.

Although it looks like he does have a full band backing up mister Michael, you never really see them in photographs on his myspace or official website. All the photos shows off a handsome Jeff Michael.

The Other Side is the second EP from this talented young musician, whose influences includes classics like The Beatles (especially on "Let Her Go") to John Mayer, but I do get a sense of a little Dylan (on "Enjoy the Ride").

He's playing one date (Sep 24^th) at the M Bar in Hollywood, California. Be sure to grab his latest EP at CD Baby.

Eternal Descent - Phantom

We previously mentioned Eternal Descent before, and I said they reminded me of Evanescence.

As a cover lover, when I got their latest EP, The Phantom of the Opera, I instantly needed to hear their cover version of this Andrew Lloyd Webber classic. Wow, it didn't disappoint me, this song is an industrial metal with a "duet" of a demonic-sounding Phantom.

The b-sides consists of only two mostly-instrumental songs "Legends" and "Fallen", both are good, but I felt was overshadowed by the first track, "Phantom". I think they were really designed as background music, as you're reading the comic book (you can see a preview of it on their myspace, I couldn't find any details on how to actually get a copy of the book).

With Losing Faith, I previously mentioned looks kind of anime, but this new cover art by Jason Metcalf feels more superhero. The art reminds me of Michael Turner, who unexpectedly died this year.

Anyway, you can pick up the latest EP from cdbaby, be sure to read about Losing Faith.

Spin - Not In Love

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This is SPiN, a Philadelphia band with their 2007 EP called, er, what else? EP.

In a recent discussion with cranky, she pointed out that Music Exchange was cross-promoting Philadelphia and Minneapolis bands. This is kind of interesting, because previously, I wouldn't associate these two cities together, you know?

Plague with a common moniker, searching for SPiN's website was really hard. I eventually found it, but if I had trouble... then there's a problem for fans to find you.

Apparently the band is sponsored by their drink of choice, Jagermeister, an interesting choice, since I get the impression that they sponsor more harder music such as Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica. If you listen to them, they sound more like powerpop/rock.

Check out their burst of energy song, "Not In Love". You know, the more I hear "I'm not in love, I'm not in love, no no, not in love with you", the more I get the feeling that he's actually in love with her. Still the chorus is pretty catchy.

Be sure to check out these live dates:

08/23/08 Dr. Watsons Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
08/28/08 The National Underground New York, New York

Illimanjaro - Not Invited

I wanted to mention Illimanjaro today because they are playing tonight at Flemings Pub at the Make Music Event in Queens, New York. It looks like they are also playing two other NY dates: Club Europa (July 9^th and July 22^th).

Their debut EP is called Not Invited and they are offering the entire four track EP available for download on their myspace.

There's not a lot of details about this band, apparently they formed in late 2004 and are known for their "hard-htting rap/spoken word" vocals. Which after listening to the first song "Not Invited", it sounds more like Devo-esque.

In fact, the only "rap" style song is "No Means No", because "No Win Situation" had more singing, while "Still" is all instrumental. I felt that "No Means No" sounds a little Beastie Boys, but with a very fat bass on this song.

Since every song is quite different, I'm assuming the band is either is very diverse or they're still struggling to find their sound, but I'm hoping it's the former and not the latter.

Not Invited is available for download now, see them live if you happen to be in New York.

I Am the Heat - What Would Lou Reed Do

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Another New York indie band, I Am The Heat have been around since 2005, with already three EPs under their belt (Cars Like Oceans, Selections from the Silver Skies, and Naked), and they have a new one called The Future Doesn't Need Us.

I just checked, the new EP won't be available until July 15^th, but I wanted to mention them today because they are playing tonight at Make Music in New York. There will be an official record release party on August 2^nd at a yet to be determined location.

Listening to their album, I get the impression that this production is very garagey and DIY (do it yourself). It's also infectiously fun to listen to them having a good time on such songs as "What Would Lou Reed Do" and "Dream Machine".

The EP ends with a seemingly slow song, "Tonight (And I'll Save You)", that is until near the end where it picks up into a frantic frenzy.

I like the idea that they don't take themselves too seriously and I also like the idea of having Morrissey on their Top 8 (because they sound nothing like the depressing mopester).

You can pick up The Future Doesn't Need Us as well as Naked on High Five Records.

Jacksonknife - Healthy Diets

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New York indie band's Jacksonknife's debut EP is called You Don't Know What You're Talking About. They formed in 2006, by songwriter Jeremy Kirkland, and have performed with similar indie rock acts such as The French Kicks, Ra Ra Riot & Encrypt Manuscript.

When you think of indie rock, you don't normally hear brass instruments, so that was refreshing to hear it on "Truthfully". It doesn't stop there, other interesting sounds such as violas on "Healthy Diets" and "The Morning" and banjo-sounds on "Catholics" definitely makes the songs better and interesting in my opinion. I have to add that I thought the quiet-sounding folk song "Catholics" didn't quite belong on this EP, it just felt out of place.

The happy/get up and move "Truthfully" is good, but I felt "Healthy Diets" would best describe the band: great melody and great lyrics. I half imagine if you like The Decemberists or Modest Mouse, this band might be right up your alley.

They are playing a few dates around New York:

07/05/08 Cake Shop New York
07/23/08 The Annex New York

You Don't Know What You're Talking About can be purchased on amazon (use Pepsi Points and get it for free!) and iTunes. Keep up with the band at the usual myspace and their tumblr blog.

Garry Segal - Two Broken People

The seven-track EP I have from Garry Segal is called Taking Notes, and at the time I got the submission, I don't believe he had a band. As it turns out, his band is called ToDyeFor, which I haven't heard yet, but based on this EP they should sound excellent.

This is a great EP if you are into blues, Segal has that seasoned years of drinking voice that fit these kind of songs. You'll believe him when he says "I keep drinkin', hop back on it everytime. No river of religion to wash away my pain, just drags me down the drain." on "I Keep Drinkin'" and "she lost a place in more ways than you think/now she's in this bar, looking for drink from a guy who understand her losses" on "Two Broken People".

I also found "Wrong Dogs" a little humerous, although I get the impression that dogs are a metaphor for humans.

Although I normally like the storytelling aspect of blues and country music, but to my surprise, the instrumental track, "Everything's Jake", which is mostly driven by a harmonica, is seriously good. I had to play that twice in a roll.

He's playing a few dates with his new band, so check them out:

07/17/08 Rodi gastonia
07/26/08 Cypress Cellar hendersonville
08/15/08 St. Andrews College Laurinburg NC
09/11/08 Backroom Flat Rock, NC

He's playing tonight at the Cypress Cellar in North Carolina, if you are in the area. If not, Taking Notes, can be purchased on CD Baby.

My Education - Arch

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Bad Vibrations, the EP from My Education was released fairly recently, on June 10^th.

Originally formed in Austin, Texas, in 1999, as a three-piece band (Brian Purington, Eric Gibbons and Sean Seagler), they eventually added keyboardist Kirk Laktas and viola James Alexander and "guitar god" Chris Hackstie to their lineup.

Their biography goes on to let us know that these guys have been around, releasing two albums: 5 Popes (Sold out in 2003, reissued in 2004) and Italian (2005).

Listening to the seven tracks (eight if you count the hidden non-musical track), I have to admit they create this weird slow cooking atmosphere. None of the songs have singing on it, and their songs often goes over the five minute mark - definitely not pop radio material... but I think their music might be experienced live or on a motion picture soundtrack.

I generally liked all the songs on the EP, especially if they have some sort of structure to them like "Mother May" and "Sluts and Maniacs". I also like hearing Alexander's volins on "Arch" and "Aria", both songs have a nice delightful ambiance to them.

They are doing quite a few tour dates, so see them live:

06/26/08 Live radio on Kut 90.5 Austin, TX
06/26/08 Bad Vibrations Record Release Party @ Emo’s Lounge Austin, Texas
06/28/08 End of an Ear Austin, Texas
07/04/08 Albuquerque, NM @ Atomic Cantina
07/05/08 Tucson, AZ @ Plush
07/06/08 Phoenix, AZ @ Modified Arts
07/07/08 San Diego, CA @ the Beauty Bar
07/08/08 Los Angeles, CA Sunrise Film Score
07/09/08 San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock
07/10/08 Arcata, CA @ Jambalaya
07/11/08 Portland, OR @ Towne Lounge
07/12/08 Olympia, WA @ The Voyeur
07/13/08 Seattle @ Funhouse
07/14/08 Missoula, MT @ The Palace
07/16/08 Denver, CO @ Old Curtis
07/17/08 Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge
07/18/08 OKC @ the Conservatory
07/19/08 Denton, TX @ Hailey’s

Bad Vibrations is out now, you can pick it up from Strange Attractors with other oddities as Harris Newman and Nick Castro.

Rosie Swan - Treasure (live)

She previously released an EP under her full name Rosemary Rebecca Swan called Mid Life (and the Definitive Break Up) and she has a full album called White Girl. I don't believe these two audio tracks ("Treasure" and "Good Again") that were submitted to me are from her album, but it was the only album artwork that was provided.

Since both songs are acoustic, I'm forced to think that she sounds like a folk singer/songwriter type. She definitely have a hidden anger buried inside her, at least I get that impression, based on the two songs.

Personally, I think the two tracks a little rough and could use some mixing, but you'll have to keep in mind that they were both recorded live. Of the two tracks, I think "Treasure" sounds better because you can clearly hear the acoustic guitar and her energetic vocals.

By the way, her impressive biography, which lists her her media work as having appeared on television, films, and radio (notably Top of the Pops and Liberty Radio) and her numerous awards (winner of The National Music Day, Gibraltar International Song Festival Award, Marquee Club, Essex Radio National Rock Song, and London Songwriters Showcase), you would think that with the right marketing and record label that she would be a star, if not now, then soon.

See her live on July 5th at the Pride London Open Air Festival, along with such acts as Sandi Thom, Shen, Geek Girl (what a name!), Lilth's Army, and Becca Williams. Swan is schedule to appear on the Women stage at 4:20 pm.

Check out more music on her myspace and add her to your neighborhood on vox.

Saint Bernadette - Hard to Believe

Saint Bernadette - I Wanna Tell You Something...
Feb 23, 2008 at 9:17 AM

W♥M favorites Saint Bernadette have a new EP called I Wanna Tell You Something... to be released March 17th (although the street date announced on their myspace is closer to March 4th). Please refer to my original article to read about the band.

It looks like they (and EVERY other band!) are going to be playing at SXSW this year as well as a few unconfirmed dates.

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The Black Crowes - Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution

The Black Crowes - Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution
Feb 24, 2008 at 10:27 AM

I have The Black Crowes's Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution 1-track radio promo here. There's really not a whole lot to write about when you're just given one song to listen to.

The good news is that if you like old The Black Crowes, this song sounds exactly like what they sounded like on their quadtriple southern blues/rock album, Shake Your Moneymaker - which is not a bad thing at all if you dislike change.

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Télépathique - Love and Lust

Télépathique
Feb 24, 2008 at 12:45 PM

Télépathique are a dance groove/big beat/DJ duo consisting of Mylene (who does all the vocals) and Erico Theobaldo (who handles all the drums, turntables, and various programming), based out of São Paulo, Brazil.

I believe they are already a big hit throughout Europe and their hometown with their album Last Time on Earth (2006), but Americans will finally hear about them through their debut North American single: Love & Lust to be release March 18 on The Control Group.

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Arianna Solare - Lift Me Up

Arianna Solare - Book of Us
Feb 24, 2008 at 8:47 PM

Arianna Solare, a singer from Los Angeles, California, released her debut EP called Book Of Us sometime late last year.

Looking at her myspace, I thought she is a one-woman folk singer, but this EP has a full backing band of Angelo Vermuelen (guitars), Henrik Linde (bass), Chris Steele (drums), Brent Arnold (cello), and Dan Trollinger (piano).

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Delorentos - Any Other Way

Delorentos
Feb 24, 2008 at 10:16 PM

Delorentos are a rock band from Dublin, Ireland. It looks like they've released at least six singles/EPs and one debut album (In Love With Detail, 20 April 2007). They were kind enough to provided me with one song from their Basis of Everything EP.

The song starts off really slow and quiet, but when it picks up (exactly at the 1 minute mark), it's pretty good. I definitely like the energy and the guitar work on the later half of the song.

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Goodtimes Goodtimes - Kids

Goodtimes Goodtimes
Feb 25, 2008 at 12:27 AM

Goodtimes Goodtimes is basically Franc Cinelli, who plays something he calls "alt-folk". His debut album is called Glue (which I think was released in 2007), which I was only offered a few songs his website.

Although he's Italian, he did grow up in London, so his songs only have a British accent. Between the four songs I have, I think with its jangly acoustic guitars, I liked "Kids" the best.

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