23 posts tagged “pop”
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05/16/08 Toad’s Place New Haven, CT
Discography
05/22/08 Slims San Francisco, CA 05/24/08 Les Schwab Amp Bend, OR 05/25/08 Sasquatch Festival Quincy, WA 05/28/08 Henry Fonda Theater LA, CA 06/06/08 Wakarusa Festival Lawrence, KS 06/07/08 Slowdown Omaha, NE 06/08/08 Bluebird St. Louis, MO 06/10/08 Bricktown Ballroom Oklahoma, Ok 06/11/08 Granada Theatre Dallas, TX 06/12/08 Warehouse Live Houston, TX 06/13/08 Emo’s Austin, TX 06/14/08 Rev Room Little Rock, AR 06/15/08 Hi-Tone Memphis, TN 06/17/08 Southgate House Newport, KY 06/18/08 Mr. Small’s Theatre Pittsburgh, PA 06/21/08 Popped! Festival Philadelphia, PA 06/25/08 Pemberton Festival Pemberton, BC 08/01/08 Lollapalooza-Grant Park Chicago,IL 08/08/08 All Points West Liberty State, NJ 09/26/08 Austin City Limits Festival TX
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Mates of State are back with Re-Arrange Us, coming out May 20th. Let me tell you that this girl-boy duo knows great pop music.
I first heard about them on a 2003 CMJ compilation with a little song called "Ha Ha", but I didn't think much of it. By 2006, after being signed to Barsuk Records, I remember I started seeing that distinctive "indie cover" artwork with Mates of State's husband and wife team, Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner, in a very strange half embrace.
There's some great pop tunes on Re-Arrange Us, but the song that the record label approved us to use is "My Only Offer", which I already liked so I have no problem with using this particular song. I thought the trumpet, played by Gary Olson, was a very nice addition to the song.
There's a few great songs, including, "Jigsaw", which basically has Jason repeating lyrics sung by Kori (actually, after reading the credits, it lists Ben Gibbard, from Death Cab For Cutie, as backup vocals). It's really easy to sing along, so I think this would be a great live concert pleaser. Also would play great is "Now", which has the simple, but catchy "Now now now now now now. Now now now now now now, who who who?"
I also really dug "The Re-Arranger", which is basically what the album was named after. This song sounds like it's escaped from the 60s and made a stop in the 80s, before resurfacing now.
The duo are currently doing some tour dates to promote Re-Arrange Us, so catch them if you're able. According to their official website, if you pre-order the album, it should arrive in your mailbox on the 20th, but you can usually find Barsuk records at most good record stores.
PS, apparently the band is a fan of the "Little Boxes" song (there is a live rendition on their myspace). I wonder if they got involved with the song because of Death Cab for Cutie's version or because they're also doing a theme song for Weeds?
I'm going to use a five stars, or rather hearts, rating. I've created 10 images in my Rating Folder, if anyone else wants to use it for review. Since images tend to align itself defaults to "center", you can actually set the image to align to the bottom. Here's how, example:
<img src="http://a6.vox.com/6a00f48cdd2598000200f48cf11d4e0002-500pi" style="vertical-align: bottom;">
The code above will generate a 2.5 rating:
Okay! So this week's review theme is Girls! Girls! Girls! Here we go:
The Last Town Chorus - Loud and Clear I am kind of excited to see that Megan Hickey, aka The Last Town Chorus, has a new single out called Loud and Clear (released last February). I believe it's just a one-track single that you can download on iTunes for 99 cents. The Last Town Chorus, since the last time I reviewed her Wire Waltz on W♥M, I noted that all her songs are kind of mini-biography, or at it least seems so. This song is a dialogue between listener and song, with her obvious trademark lap steel guitar sliding in and out. [ read more ] |
Madita - Too Edita Malovcic, aka Madita, is an Austrian singer and actress. To be honest, I haven't seen any of her films, they're mostly European features, but they do look interesting. And who knew that she would also have a great voice to go on her second album. I'll have to also admit that the first time I saw her album artwork, I thought of that M.I.A. woman, but although the DIY/weird mix of sounds is more to do with improv jazz as heard on "Fragile", I think in some ways, Madita is more classic and traditional. [ read more ] |
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Anna Ternheim - Halfway To Fivepoints As it, I came across Sweden's Anna Ternheim in association with El Perro Del Mar[W♥M], who apparently they are going on tour together in May (with Lykke Li). And just in time, for America to catch up on Ternheim, Universal Music released a self-titled EP and Halfway To Fivepoints , which collects some of Ternheim's best known songs together. I wish they'd use a different cover artwork for Halfway To Fivepoints as it is exactly the same as her second album, Separation Road. [ read more ] |
Sarah Vonderhaar Sarah Vonderhaar just released Are You Listening Now on April 22nd. According to her notes printed on the CD, she lived with her manager, Bill Covert, for six weeks to record of this debut album. The result? An impressive debut pop record. She first found fame through CW's America's Top Model (Cycle 8), which translate to her massive fan base of mostly young women. As I previously mentioned this being a pop record, most of these songs are radio friendly (which means they are 3-minute songs)... [ read more ] |
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Nicole Atkins - Maybe Tonight I've seen Nicole Atkins in concert before, so I'm glad to see that she's doing some promotional dates in the UK, just in time for her album Neptune City to be released in the UK on June 2nd, 2008. Since I already have the album, being in the US, I can tell you that it'll do well in the UK charts. Prior to the album, her UK single will be Maybe Tonight to be released on May 26th. The one-track promo I receive doesn't have any album artwork, so I'm putting one of favorite photo of the 'magical' Atkins. It's one of those songs that would play very well on the radio and you'll find yourself humming and singing to the catchy chorus of "I know we'll never meet again/Maybe tonight/Just tell me where and when", but failing to know any of the other lyrics. [ read more ] |
Lara Ewen and the Unstrung Orchestra I'll have to admit, I think Lara Ewen is very good looking, based on her photographs on her debut album, Ghosts and Gasoline (2007). I even love her mysterious angel wings on her left arm, which she wears proudly like a badge of honor. By the way, the band's name is actually Lara Ewen and the Unstrung Orchestra. The orchestra part is kind of amusing because I don't really recall any traditional orchestra part at all (although it would be interesting to hear her music set to wind instruments...) Most of the songs are kind of folky and country, centered around Ewen's gorgeous full vocals. Such as the bluesy "Clear", probably taken from her debut EP. Her vocals suggest a sassy young woman in New York City, full of an American dream. [ read more ] |
04/26/2008 18:24:10
vu
my♥posts
weheartmusic.com
What do I have here? Three Aussie bands. Three interesting bands, really quite worth tracking down really.
The release itself contains a comprehensive biography of the band (which I wont bother repeating here) and some rather sinister looking photos of what most of our dad's probably looked like in the 70's.
The music on this Milesago is really like nothing I've heard. A lot of experimental type progressive rock sounds mixed with some very cheesy melodies.... not to mention the names of the songs. Love's My Bag, has to be a highlight (and of course, was the first track I listened to).. Do The Crab and Mama, Did Jesus Wear Makeup? and are also up on that level.
Additions to the original release are bonus tracks (including one track that is a brain-breaking 20-something minutes) from their performace at the Sunbury Festival in 1972.
A new release and 2nd EP release from Sydney band Me vs.You, The Fear Of Falling, spans a range of musical genre influences. From pop to rock to metal to punk. It really has something there for most people. The Fear of Falling presents an energetic but melodic collection of songs (the CD artwork itself contains the lyrics so you can sing along... great!).
Formed in 2005, by looking at their myspace page it's pretty obvious they have quite a solid following.
They also seem to like the colour green.
Check out their offical website: www.mevsyouband.com ...and and and get down to Luna Park on ANZAC day (April 25th) to catch them alongside Envy Parade, My Name 4 Your and The Hotel Charlie ($15 entry) and you'll receive a copy of The Fear of Falling FREE! They're also embarking on a tour of the east coast... so keep your eyes peeled.
Go/No-Go
It had been a while since I had ventured out to take in a band that I had not heard of before.
For a first live performace, Go/No-Go have started on brilliant footing. It was rock, but popesque rock, perfect for dancing. Was i dancing? Well... no. They played at 8:15pm so there clearly weren't enough beverages in me by then.... but I would have! I swear!
There was a sizeable crowd there as well.. which was encouraging, but I guess that may have had something to do with the fact that it was the birthday of drum person, Nicholai. (If anyone see's him in the near future tell him that I wanted to wish him happy birthday, but the nanna in me was throwing a tantrum and made us go home).
Anyway, a entertaining performance by a band that I am sure will gain a following at a rapid rate. So get in early so you can't be accused of jumping on any band wagons. I'm not sure how they're going to deal with the fact that there are a swag of bands with the same name... but hey!
Check em out: Myspace page or May 13th @ the Hopetoun Hotel, Surry hills.
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04/26/08 Lime Light SanAntonio, TX
05/08/08 Louisiana 05/09/08 Popmayhem Fest! Gainesville, FL 05/10/08 Orlando, Florida 05/11/08 Georgia 05/12/08 Athens, GA 05/13/08 Drunken Unicorn Atlanta, GA 05/14/08 Virginia 05/15/08 Danger Danger Gallery, Philly,PA 05/16/08 Philladelphia, Pennsylvania 05/17/08 New York, New York 05/18/08 Brooklyn, New York 05/19/08 WNYU radio New York City 05/20/08 Cafe Nine, New Haven, CT 05/21/08 Boston,, Massachusetts 05/22/08 New York, New York 05/23/08 Cleveland, Ohio 05/24/08 Michigan, Michigan 05/25/08 Michigan, Indiana 05/26/08 CBGB St. Louis, Missouri 05/27/08 Chicago, Illinois 05/28/08 Chicago, Illinois |
We got an exciting week of news lined up for this week.
First off, I wanted to mention that Austin's A Faulty Chromosome (myspace.com/afaultychromosome) is going to set on tour, and judging from their myspace tour information listing, they are in need of help booking venues in various cities. They are definitely playing CBGB in St Louis, but if you're in New York, Chicago, and Massachusetts, and have or know public venues, please help them out.
I've also noticed that they are selling their music as donationware, their album, As An Ex-Anorexic's Six Sicks Exit has a suggested price is $6.66 - but you are free to donate any price you can afford. This is a really cool concept.
Although they lists Belle & Sebastian as "sounds like", I don't believe this is the case upon listening to some songs, but you can be the judge of that. I do like that they have a very DIY sound and often it sounds like they're making things up as they go along, with a general guideline.
By the way, I do have someone working on a review of this album, so hopefully that will be up sooner than later.
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Ocote Soul Sounds and Adrian Quesada (ocotesoul.com) have teamed up to produce one of the most interesting and exciting mostly-instrumental album coming out in June called The Alchemist Manifesto. They are members of Antibalas and Grupo Fantasma[W♥M].
My initial reaction to this album is that it's a very strange soundtrack to a French movie, that is set in Spain. It's very refreshing and I look forward to putting up the review in June.
In the meantime, Quesada is playing with his Grupo Fantasma at the Norman Music Festival in Oklahoma and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in Louisiana.
You can find more information on our press release page.
Speaking of press release, check out Series Two Records 4 CD compilation to be released April 22nd. This is a rather impressive collection of bands (a total of 90 songs from 90 different bands).
If you're a fan of Sarah Records[W♥M] and Swedish pop music[W♥M], it's worth checking out.
It's also very limited, 100 handmade albums and all the money goes to promoting and releasing of future music on Series Two Records. Support your indie label and tell them you♥music too.
Finally, just a quick mention, but I was sent the finalized album artwork for The Day is Brave, the debut album from Brendan James (myspace.com/brendanjames).
Please refer to my earlier article on Brendan James for more information, but from the comments and personal feedback, I can tell you that this guy will be someone to look out for!
That's all I've got for this week. Keep me updated on music! Contact me!
04/20/2008 13:36:26
vu
my♥posts
weheartmusic.com
Harold Nono graduated from Edinburgh Art College with a painting degree. Listening to his third release on Bearsuit Records, To the River Lounge, his degree is quite fitting. The album sounds like layers of paint, juxtaposed, and organized in his own unique way. It opens with "Lullaby", a downtempo track that features a woman's voice singing over a head-jerkin drumbeat. The following track "A Shining Space" reminds me of some creepy Japanese horror film like Ju-on. Next is "Rain" and it makes me feel like I'm floating above a body of water on a beautiful sunny day. "Waterspeakers" brings the listener back to the water and features bells of some sort and a looping hum that sound like waves. Later in the album, "Tacky Tigers" comes and sweeps you out of the water and into a fairy-tale with its glistening flutes and innocent and playful tone. To the River Lounge is truly a great album and different from what I normally listen to and post on W♥M.
For more information on Harold Nono and/or purchase the album, visit his site or Bearsuit Records.
04/18/2008 23:41:50 jason my♥posts myspace.com/haroldnono myspace.com/bearsuitrecords Jim Noir and I are friends. Well, MySpace friends anyhow. I was really excited to see that he had new music up on his page, and I was even more excited when Barsuk sent along a copy of his new album. I liked it so much, I almost forgot that I actually had work to do. On with the review!
Those of you who are going "Jim who?" chances are that you've already heard him. Remember that really catchy Adidas commercial with the little boys playing soccer? That was Jim Noir. A version of "My Patch" off his first albumb Tower of Love was used by Target during this past holiday season as well.
Jim (he and I are on a first name basis) plays all instruments on his albums, and does all the finishing work. It's very much a DIY operation. His sound could best be described as electronic pop with a 70's feel, and my two favorite songs are very much in that vein. Jim has been on every summertime playlist I've had the past few years, and he's always enjoyed by everyone.
"All Right" is a groovy little tune, with a nice dancing beat and layered vocals is like summertime in an mp3. If you don't do a little shimmy or two while listening, then your heart is probably two sizes too small. "Ships and Clouds" is also another one of my favorites. Different funky beat, but same layered vocals. I think I enjoyed this album a lot more because Jim's vocals have improved a lot since Tower of Love.
Jim Noir was released April 8th and is available at your fine record retailer or via iTunes. Check out Jim Noir via Barsuk Records or better yet, friend him on MySpace and catch him on tour!
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05/16/08 Today Show - New York, NY
05/17/08 Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ 05/18/08 Tweeter Center, Boston, MA |
Hey, I'm behind on the weekly news.
Randy sent this in: New Kids on the Block to Reunite.
I am actually not that excited (or surprise) about New Kids on the Block returning, but I know that Courtney is really excited about this and did a live blog on the reunion.
They may be pushing 40, but the New Kids are returning to the block. The Boston boy band New Kids on the Block, which sold 70 million albums in the 1980s and early 1990s, has reunited and plans to release a new album and go on tour. The reunion comes 20 years after the release of the group's multi-platinum album, "Hanging Tough."
The group released a new photo Wednesday and reportedly will appear on the Today show Friday morning — the same time an unmarked countdown clock on http://www.nkotb.com ends.
"The fan response to this has been incredible," band member Donnie Wahlberg told the Boston Herald.
Apparently, as of this writing, they seem to be signed to Universal Records and are going to be on tour.
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Tour Dates
04/17/08 La Cigale Paris
04/22/08 Gamla Oslo 04/24/08 Stacken Stockholm 04/29/08 Soho Revue Bar London 05/02/08 Bitterzoet Amsterdam 05/10/08 Blend Bar Ridgewood, NJ 05/15/08 Stone Pony Asbury Park, NJ 06/12/08 Bonnaroo Manchester, TN 06/12/08 Xpo Fest Camden, NJ 08/09/08 All Points West Liberty, NJ 08/15/08 House Blues Atlantic City, NJ |
I was also told that Nicole Atkins's album ‘Neptune City to be released June 9th 2008, but I believe this might be a UK-only release date.
It looks like she's currently promoting in Europe (that must be nice) and eventually going to stop in London on the 29th of April.
The rest of her tour schedule will be back in the states, mostly in her homestate of New Jersey.
Find out more about Nicole Atkins on my previous my live concert review or check out www.nicoleatkins.com
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Superdrag fans rejoice! Well.... at least those in the West Coast. Apparently they are going to go west with a few dates.
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5.28 Los Angeles CA Troubadour w/Kay Hanley & TBA
5.29 Los Angeles CA Troubadour w/Kay Hanley & TBA
6.01 San Francisco CA Bottom Of The Hill w/TBA
6.02 San Francisco CA Bottom Of The Hill w/TBA
Pre-sale tickets are already available as of yesterday on their website. I'll keep you updated if there are any changes/additional announcements.
I don't need to tell you that you should check out Cristina stalkerish obsession with Superdrag on W♥M.
There's one more story about a Thursday/Envy split album, but I've run out of room and things to say about it. Just head over to our press page and read about it.
As usual all the stories here can be found on press.weheartmusic.com.
04/06/2008 20:56:58
vu
my♥posts
weheartmusic.com
*ahem*
Where to begin? At the start maybe? Nice one.
It appears they have a quite a solid following, some of them with dance moves I could only dream of being able to pull off. Standing there watching them, I felt as though I was time warped back to an early Stone Roses show. And being one of my favourite bands, I can't say I was complaining. A lot of feedback, but done in a skillful way, the tunes behind the feedback were good fairly dancetastic (although I dare not try).
I apologise for this crapness of my photo (I only got one), it appeared that Jesus and Mary Chain fans are all extremely tall, so here is my slim and blurry offering (consider it as me being arty).
The Rakes, a band I first recall hearing when I was in England in 2004, back when I only used to buy the NME if it had a free CD stuck to the front and back when many nights were spent in that little club down on Brighton Beach...mmm pebbles.
Anyway, shamefully last night was the first time that I had managed to see them live, and yes, it was worth the wait. To tell you the truth, I dont think I was giving them enough credit. It was brilliant; very danceworthy.
Now... The Jesus and Mary Chain; totaly not what I was expecting at all. After seeing Duran Duran last week though, it was nice to see a group of guys (that herald from a similar era, but opposite genre) that weren't (facially) made of plastic.
One similarity however, was the fact that their performace was almost seemless (just enough small deviations from their albums to let you know that they weren't faking it. This is exactly what I wasn't expecting. When I picture the Jesus and Mary Chain playing live, I imagine a tuneful mish-mash of noise. This was noisey yes, but more tune than noise.
What an awesome line-up of bands. I don't feel so ripped off now!... especially after finding out that at least half the people that I knew there had acquired free tickets.
Sally