4 posts tagged “story of the year”
)Birds, what is up with that? It seems lately that we're getting album artwork that features birds on the cover artwork (especially owls). Can someone explain this to me? Seriously.
Below are a ton of bird-album artwork.
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AVIARY GHOST
aviaryghost.com ♥ myspace.com
Fom Illinois is Aviary Ghost, a band that seems to be headed by Charlie Crimando and Stephen Kemsley. Reading their biography, it would seem that they spent a lot of time recording music in a one-room apartment in Michigan. One of my favorite song on their album, Memory Is A Hallway (featuring cut-out birds over a scenic location), is the most fast-moving song is "Windowlight", which seems to be about the light through the window - sung in an old-fashion cabaret-style song, which I will say works very well for the song. I thought "Somewhere Else" was also pretty good. The song is described as "catchy Swedish pop", which I'll have to agree with. The lyrics are pretty detailed too, I especially liked the chorus: "we're laughing, 'cause laughing is much better than a scream". You can get their album, Memory Is A Hallway (recently released July 15th), on iTunes or CD Baby.
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MORE TEETH
more-teeth.com ♥ myspace.com
I think someone in the W♥M group have this album, One Bird a Day, for review, so I won't go into too much details about it. Surfice to say that it's a compilation of three or four bands in the electro-genre. Based on what I've heard, I really dig Sparkydog (sounds like new wave) and More Teeth (which sounds like very experimental noise art). I've decided to go with More Teeth because of their snazzy drums and electroclashesque vocals of Mindy Abovitz. JESSICA LEA MAYFIELDjessicaleamayfield.com ♥ myspace.com
We're not really promoting Jessica Lea Mayfield (I don't think her PR company knows my address, which I will confess is fine as I have too much music to handle), but I couldn't resist the owl-art on her soon-to-be release album With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt out on September 16th on Polymer Sounds on her press release. What's there to say based on this one song, "Kiss Me Again"? She has a very nice voice, and sounds like Thao Nguyen. |
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PUTOIS
citizensofcontraryknowledge.com ♥ myspace.com
Yet another Chicago, Illinois band - man, they really love their animals! I believe "putois" is actually a ferret or something. Anyway, on their second album, Problem Is Not a Problem Anymore, we see a crane with some ducks (while their debut album, The Thinking Fireplace features a cartoon bird dressed as a gentleman). It would seem that these introspective songs are written and sung by its creator, one Bob Mason since 1995. Most of this album is acoustic, mostly folky and the song "No More Dancing" would best represent what currently Putois sounds like. There are a few highlights on the record. For instance, I liked what he was trying to do with "Cta". This had a weird bass and quirky noises and beeps. Even his singing style is different here (although I think this might be a guest-vocalist? It just sounds very different). The other song that isn't so acoustic is "The Lonely Traveler" with its arrangement of piano and harmonica. If you like bands like Minnesota's Low, Putois might be right up your alley. Problem Is Not a Problem Anymore is out now, you can get it from CD Baby. |
PLUSHGUN
plushgun.com ♥ myspace.com
I love Tommy Boy Records. One of my first CD was a Tommy Boy and I just remember how big they were in the early 90s, especially with the b-boys and girls. Well, I guess the record label is still around and I have one of their latest release by one-man-band, Plushgun. Daniel Ingala's vocals sounds like he has a British accent, reminiscent of early 80s new wave pop bands. His latest self-titled EP has a cute drawing of a bird with an old SNES controller in a cassette-tape-style mess in the sky. All the songs were available for download on August 19th (iTunes). The four songs on the EP is a very easy listen. I love all the songs actually, with the exception of the semi-sappy "14 Candles". Although it was nice to hear a woman singing backup on this song, but I didn't think this song belong on the EP. Maybe I just don't like love songs. His other songs are more upbeat and sounds more like obsessive/stalker feel to them. There are some great lyrics on "Just Impolite" ("I walk the line, like Johnny Cash" and "I'm not upset, just impolite"). A physical copy of Plushgun will be available on September 9th via Amazon and other retailers for $9.99, but if you can't wait the download is sold now for 60% cheaper ($3.98) |
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BRICE WOODALL AND THE POSITRONS
bricewoodall.com ♥ myspace.com
Check out Brice Woodall and the Positrons with their album, Sine Wave Sea. The artwork on the cover is a flying bird block with a hole in its stomach. I know it's a bird because if you visit the artist's website (trevorbittinger.com), his all-flash website features these same block birds flying around. Brice Woodall is currently based out of Chicago, Illinois, according to his myspace. Woodall's vocals has a woman quality to them, but not in a falsetto way (and not as a put down). His voice is very interesting, it definitely pulls you in. I think my favorite songs off this album is easily "This, There, Where", a pop song with some interesting mix. I also dug the experiment on "Winter/Break/Down/Away". Well, it looks like they are currently on tour, be sure to check them out.
09/12/08 Double Door- Kittypalooza Chicago, IL 09/24/08 Rapture Charlottesville, Virginia 09/25/08 Lucky Buddha Richmond, Virginia 09/26/08 Trash Bar Brooklyn, New York 09/27/08 Murky (upstairs) Arlington/DC area, VA 11/08/08 Art*Bar Riverwest Milwaukee, Wisconsin 11/19/08 Madison, Wisconsin 11/20/08 Chicago, Illinois 11/21/08 Detroit, Michigan 11/22/08 Indianapolis, Indiana You can pick up Sine Wave Sea from InSound. |
CITIZENS OF CONTRARY KNOWLEDGE
citizensofcontraryknowledge.com ♥ myspace.com
Featuring a drawing of a chicken on the cover of Citizens of Contrary Knowledge's You're What You Wish You Are. Upon closer inspection, is that a cock? They do sound a bit southern cock rock... Reading their biography, it would seem most of the band members are residing in Harlem, New York. Their singer/frontsman, Chris Barczynski, sounds like he doesn't take his biography too seriously (he writes that he was in the Witness Protection Program, etc). This is also a problem when he lists that he's appeared on stage with Green Day, Sugar Ray and Hootie - should you believe him? I'm leaning to 'no'. I was drawn to the faster/rock song and my favorite is "Complicated" and "Lonely Hearts Society", which is driven by a muscular guitar playing (with some neat tricks). Despite as I have said about their music being rock, they do lean to the sensitive/slow side with "House of Cards", "Unless You Do", "Real Love", and "Wrong Side of the World". I think listening to them that they might fare better as a live act, perhaps jamming their songs at a longer length at a dive bar. You're What You Wish You Are is out now, available on CD Baby. They just finished playing Arlene's Grocery, which is apparently a bar? |
Here is the bonus segment, some bird-bands we've previously covered: Tinkture, Birdflu, Story of the Year, The Alarmists, The Notwist, Loquat, El Perro Del Mar, Ben Sollee, Peter Bradley Adams (Owl), Death Valley Sleepers, Death Cab For Cutie, Patrick Wolf, Deadbird, Jeff Hanson (Owl), They Might be Giants (Owl), Eels, Biography Of Ferns, Computer Vs. Banjo (Owl), Ash, Susan Krebs
Bands we haven't covered, but I'm sure we'll get around to them. These features birds on the cover: The Great Northwest (Experimental Folk), Nebraska (Folk), Foals (British Rock), The Black Keys (Southern Rock), KYTE (Ambient Pop), and the talented Graeme K (Experimental/Old-time/Dance). Honorable worth mention is Abigail Washburn with her tiny birds on the cover.
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This is just a quick note because I wanted to mention some of the great CDs that's being released today, Tuesday, April 22nd. We've covered a few of these bands, so I've included links to our articles below. I'm quite curious about the Whitesnake album. Cristina, please review this one!
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Elbow - Seldom Seen Kid
Whitesnake - Good To Be Bad
Blind Melon - For My Friends
Goldfinger - Hello Destiny
El Perro Del Mar - From the Valley to the Stars
Billy Bragg - Mr. Love & Justice
Flight Of The Conchords - Flight of the Conchords
The Young Knives - Superabundance
Elvis Costello - Momofuku (vinyl only)
Neil Hamburger - Sings Country Winners
Apparently Elvis Costello got a whole lot of people talking about his latest album, Momofuku because he's releasing it vinyl-only. What people didn't know is that a CD version of the album will eventually be made available, two weeks after today.
I got a note last week about Billy Bragg's Mr Love & Justice (regular and deluxe version of his album) will be available today. The story behind this album is that they had finished recording the album with a full backing band (The Blokes), but for some reason, Bragg decided to go back into the studio with his electric guitar to re-record the whole album by himself.
You can see the videos for all 15 tracks on www.mrloveandjustice.net.
New Zealander's Flight of the Conchords is back with a self-titled album (their fourth!) on Sup Pop Records.
Also, be sure to get W♥M's favorite El Perro Del Mar today too.
04/22/2008 11:19:42
vu
my♥posts
weheartmusic.com
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04/21/08 The Rock Nightc... Maplewood
Discography
04/22/08 The Pageant St. Louis 04/23/08 Blue Note Columbia 04/24/08 Cains Ballroom Tulsa 04/25/08 Baton Rouge Riv... Baton Rouge 04/26/08 Cynthia W Mitch... Spring 04/27/08 Pizza Hut Park Frisco 04/29/08 The Social Orlando 04/30/08 Floyds Music St... Tallahassee 05/01/08 State Theater St. Petersburg 05/04/08 Chameleon Lancaster 05/05/08 Mod Club Toronto, CA 05/10/08 Groezrock Festi... Meerhout, BE 05/11/08 Waterfront Rotterdam, AN 05/13/08 Markthalle Hamburg, DE 05/14/08 Oostbahnhof Berlin, DE 05/15/08 Elserhalle Club Munich, DE 05/16/08 Arena Vienna, DE 05/18/08 Volkshaus Zurich, CH 05/20/08 Mean Fiddler London, UK 05/21/08 Academy 2 Birmingham, UK 05/22/08 Academy 2 Manchester, UK 05/23/08 QMU Glasgow, UK 05/25/08 Slamdunk Festiv... Leeds, UK 05/30/08 Tivoli Brisbane 05/31/08 Luna Park Sydney 06/01/08 Billboard/ Afternoon show/ Under 18 Melbourne 06/02/08 Billboard/ Evening Show/ 18+ Melbourne 06/19/08 Warped Tour!!!! ALL DATES!!!! Pomona, California
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Fans of St Louis's Story of the Year will be lining up in line tomorrow to get their much anticipated album, The Black Swan, their debut on legendary punk label Epitaph.
So a little background on SOTY, that they formed in 1995, originally as Big Blue Monkey, but due to conflict with a blues band, they changed their name to SOTY in 2001. Shortly after a huge buzz and a signing deal with Madonna's Maverick label, the group exploded on the alternative punk scene with their debut album Page Avenue (2003).
Sure, you've all seen the album art plastered on store's walls and windows, these guys were huge.
Their sophomore album, In the Wake of Determination (2005), wasn't as successful as their debut (probably due to lack of marketing and promotion), so I am assuming after their contract ran out, they decided to go with a great label as Epitaph that offers the kind of freedom and attention they need.
Surprisingly, the album starts off with a pretty hardcore song "Choose Your Fate", following some British television dialogue. The hardcore song soon gives way to what they're best known for: catchy alternative rock.
The key single is "Wake Up", which was the preceding single for the album. The song is mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, who you may know as mixer for Bad Religion, AFI, and My Chemical Romance. He really has an ear for constantly making the song sound louder and longer and more rocking.
For a second before the album ends with its riff-heavy song called "Welcome to Our New War", you're given this sweet and thoughtful dialogue:
The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. Thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there-on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. It underscores our responsibility to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot.
Apparently this is a rearranged excerpt from a speech by astronomer Carl Sagan's "Pale Blue Dot". For a complete translation (in its corrected unedited sequence), head over to wikipedia
The Black Swan is out tomorrow at most major record store. You can get additional tracks if you buy it from iTunes (pre-order). Story of the Year is also in the middle of a very long tour, chances are, they are headed to your town soon.
04/21/2008 22:51:18
vu
my♥posts
armyoftheblackswan.com
myspace.com
Just as there were a ton of album releases yesterday, there was also a ton of news. Here's your roundup:
Punk rock band Face to Face announced that they are reforming.
We miss playing these songs live. That's the only reason. We don't plan on writing any new material or releasing new records as FACE TO FACE, but we are looking forward to getting out there and playing for people. The live shows have always been the best part of this band so why not continue to do something we love to do.
- Trever Keith (singer/founder)
Although Face to Face will not be recording new material, Keith's recorded a solo album. The press material points to www.treverkeith.com, but at of this writing, there was practically nothing on that page.
Speaking of solo album, Peter Morén (you know him as Peter from Peter, Bjorn and John) will also be releasing a solo album through Quarterstick Records.
Apparently the album was "several years in the making". I suppose, because PB&J exploded last year and they were constantly touring and promoting Writer's Block that it's no wonder his solo album was set on the backburner until now.
According to the press release, the acoustic, low-key album is called The Last Tycoon and will be available on April 8, 2008.
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02/12/08 Chicago, IL - The Co-Prosperity Sphere
02/14/08 New York, NY - NY University 02/15/08 Cambridge, MA - The Lily Pad 02/16/08 Providence, RI - Underground 02/17/08 New York, NY - Bowery Poetry Club 02/18/08 Brooklyn, NY - Lutheran Church 02/23/08 Grinnell, IA - Grinnell College 02/24/08 Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room 02/26/08 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge 02/27/08 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court 02/28/08 Boise, ID - Neurolux 02/29/08 Seattle, WA - The Vera Project 03/02/08 Olympia, WA - Capitol Theater |
Calvin Johnson announces his tour dates with fellow K Records artist, Mahjongg.
I did check out Johnson's biography page which allows two free songs for download (which I'll include one of them here).
Apparently when not hanging out with Beat Happening, The Go Team, Dub Narcotic Sound System, and The Halo Benders, he founded and runs K Records since 1982!
Random Trivia: There is a football player also named Calvin Johnson.
Bonus Random Trivia: Kurt Cobain has a tattoo of the K logo on his arm.
Story of the Year's third studio album is called The Black Swan, to be release on April 22nd through Epitaph (the band was previously on Maverick).
Not much to add to the announcement, except that you can hear the new single, "Wake Up" on armyoftheblackswan.com, where fans are encouraged to sign up for "updates and exclusive opportunities."
Musically, we've grown so much. We have some very unique, timeless, face melting guitar riffs and solos that have come to define our sound, without compromising the idea of a classic song.
- guitarist Ryan Phillips.
The Donnas teams up with The Hives for a major tour, per their press release.
Their promise of "quality, ass-kicking performances" made me smile... and the two bands would compliment each other as their sound are similar.
I always think these girls are a lot of fun, with a lot of humor. Remember when they were underage and when they finally became adults, they released The Donnas Turn 21 in 2001.
They've been in the music industry for 15 years now - something about the rock n roll that keeps these girls going!
01/30/2008 06:52:46
vu
my♥posts
www.weheartmusic.com
