Bout That

I'll Be Movin' On....

2008-12-23T20:50:00.004-05:00

It took 2 months but after:
-Getting fed up with Blogger's decision to delete posts
-Searching for a new job
-Moving from Detroit to Atlanta, GA
-Starting a new job
-Settling into apartment
...I finally made the switch to a Wordpress blog.

Please visit JayeL Audio (http://jayelaudio.com/) for the latest.

Oh Boy: Phonotropic Friday, 10/24

2008-10-21T08:44:00.004-05:00

Yup, so this is going on. Hopefully, its the start of something big....

Check out Phonotropic, The Crofoot, Robin Parrent & the Revenents, Gigi Allyn and Jennica for other goodness. Thanks Phreddy.

New Music: Coming Soon

2008-10-10T15:14:00.001-05:00

Soooo Blogger deleted my Nark & Norah's Infinite Playlist post and a few others over the past week by the request of a label or 2. I haven't had this happen to me before. I mean, I've had people delete the sendspace links, but maybe this is the RIAA's new tactic.

Just another example of how backwards the industry is these days and they have no clue how to use the internets. Does Atlantic actually think they are going to lose millions because of some love from the blogs? If so, why did they selling Paper Trail for $3.99 on Amazon last Tuesday? Some artists (Mickey Factz, Kid Cudi, XV, Crooked I to name a few) actually know how to use blogs and the free publicity to their advantage and actually embrace it. Kanye leaked "Love Lockdown" himself for God sakes! I was lucky enough to get this comment before the post got axed:

"wow! thanks for adding city on fire to this mix! theres some really dope stuff on here.
if you need any more songs feel free to hit me up."

How cool is that? I added "City on Fire" by Che Grand to my latest mixtape, he noticed and actually thanked me for it. The game needs more artists like that. Hopefully, you'll be hearing more Che Grand in this spot in the future.

If you need Nark & Norah's Infinite Playlist in your life, e-mail me. Keep checking back for my next move. I'm contemplating switching to Wordpress, but we'll see.

Che Grand - City On Fire

Matt & Kim: "Nightmare" Drum Kick

2008-09-19T15:44:00.001-05:00

Brooklyn's own Matt and Kim caught my eye and ear last fall, when I saw a video of them performing an acoustic version of "Yeah Yeah" on You Tube. Their bare bones approach, with Matt on an outdated keyboard and Kim drumming on a cardboard box accompanied by a bell, and what looks like Tupperware, blew me away. They are known for Matt's bad, but good vocals, basic melodies and simplified hooks (see "Yeah Yeah" and "Its A Fact"), but you don't need to be complicated to make good indie pop. I immediately snatched up their self-titled debut and the remixes that followed. For some reason, their accessible approach to music makes it that much easier to remix.

Matt and Kim's next album, Grand, can't come soon enough. Their simplicity is backed by the usual bouncy synth on their newest single, "Good Ol' Fashion Nightmare", but Kim's big band drums steal the show. The track is their most jolly and well-rounded to date, and proves you don't always need Auto-Tune if you sing off-key. Besides, they look like their having a blast doing it.

Matt and Kim - Good Ol Fashion Nightmare

Matt and Kim - No More Long Years

Matt and Kim - Its A Fact (Million $ Mano ft Hollywood Holt)

Cover Me Badd: Alphabeat, The Kooks

2008-09-10T09:26:00.001-05:00

Since I've gotten more and more into the indie/underground rock realm, I've noticed the impact of covers. Mark Ronson made a solid album full of them with Version. While I was hesitant at first, talented musicians can certainly make someone else's song, their own work.

Its not exactly new any more, but Alphabeat continued Daft Punk's recent resurgence earlier this year with a cover of "Digital Love". With all of the beeps, synth and electro on the original, I was pretty skeptical before I gave it a listen. Surprisingly, Alphabeat re-imagined the track as an acoustic, choral sing-along, rather than Daft Punk's Spring Break heater. Needless to say, I pretty much played this any time I could this summer.

Alphabeat - Digital Love (Daft Punk cover)

More recently, one of my favorite bands of last summer, The Kooks, covered one of my favorites of this summer, MGMT. Similar to Alphabeat, The Kooks opted to turn MGMT's electro-funk sound into a guitar laden foot tapper on "Kids". By exchanging futuristic keys and vocal distortion for the English accent of Luke Pritchard, The Kooks edition will line up to the original on my future playlists.

The Kooks - Kids (MGMT cover)

Passion Pit: Wake Up, "Sleepyhead"

2008-09-09T09:48:00.001-05:00

If you haven't been exposed to Passion Pit yet, be prepared, they are about to erupt. After being discovered by now defunct blog, Good Weather For Airstrikes, Passion Pit has been mentioned in more places than I can count. The Good Weather For Airstrikes folks even made them their first signing on Neon Gold Records.

Passion Pit's style is almost schizophrenic. Somewhere between pop and electro. Think MGMT but more upbeat and less psychedelic. "Sleepyhead" had me immediately hooked with its hypnotic bounce, off the wall vocals and eerie sample. The Cambridge-based band opened for Death Cab for Cutie and Girl Talk in the past year, and will hopefully make a stop in your neighborhood soon. Their re-issued EP Chunk of Change drops on 9/16.

Passion Pit - Sleepyhead

Sidenote: Quitting a blog to either open a record label and/or music venue is tops on my list. So if anyone has any ideas on how to do that, let me know. Now....

Narkworthy 8/21: Nark-N-Rolla

2008-08-21T11:27:00.000-05:00

The name certainly doesn't work as well as the last one, but it will do. Plenty of heavy hitters made the cut (Nas, Kanye, The Game, T-Pain) this go round, but look out for the newcomers (especially LMFAO) and legends (Large Professor). Of course, "Jockin' Jay-Z" had to be included. Kid Cudi continues his run of appearances and Young Jeezy put together 2 bangers (with a little help from Nas). I've been the biggest Jeezy hater around, but his new work on The Recession might persuade me otherwise. He always had solid production, but his word play never matched the beats. Finally, I can't believe it took so long for someone to jump on Coldplay's "Lost". It is the most hip-hop/Timbo-esque beat on one of the biggest rock albums of the year.

Nark-N-Rolla
1. Page - Still Fly ft Drake
2. Now On - Write Back ft Shawn Jackson
3. Young Jeezy - Crazy World
4. Jay-Z - Jockin' Jay-Z (prod by Kanye West)
5. MURS - Can It Be
6. The Game - Angel ft Common (prod by Kanye West)
7. The Clipse - Celebrate ft Joss Stone
8. Attitude - Man Right Here (prod by Danja)
9. Large Professor - Hardcore
10. LMFAO - Yes
11. Novel - Lost (Coldplay Remix)
12. Trey-C - Showboatin' ft Ya Boy, Glasses Malone & Matt Blaque
13. Slim Thug - Bitch I'm Back ft Devin the Dude (prod by Dr. Dre)
14. Nas - What It Is (Esco Let's Go)
15. Lil' Scrappy - Stand Up ft Lil' Wayne
16. The Game - My Life ft Lil' Wayne
17. Young Jeezy - My President Is Black ft Nas
18. DJ Khaled - Go Hard ft Kanye West & T-Pain
19. Asher Roth - I Love College
20. Kid CuDi - Man On The Moon (The Anthem)

Dan Deacon: Detroit "Wham City"

2008-08-15T15:35:00.001-05:00

While I'm not a huge fan of Dan Deacon, he came out with some intriguing news this week. Deacon plans on taking his electronic show on tour with other Baltimore-based artists as a "round robin" fiesta. Basically, there are going to be multiple stages lined up along the perimeter of a venue, with audience in the middle. A band will perform one song, then the next band will perform a song, etc. There will be two shows ("Eyes Night" and "Feet Night") each in 7 cities. Sounds like a very interesting whirlwind of fun. If I was ever going to check him out in person, this might be a good time to do it.

My only experience with Dan Deacon has been a few Myspace hits, Pitchfork love and walking into the end of his set before Girl Talk at Metro. When I said I walked in, I actually meant stumble because he was performing in the center of the dance floor and I almost ran into the man himself (Green skull and all).

The only bands I recognized were Deacon, Beach House and the Death Set, but the rest are listed here.

The insanity takes place in Detroit on 10/8 and 10/9 at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Someone take some hallucinogenics and let me know how it goes.

Dan Deacon - The Crystal Cat

The Blueprint 3 Suckas On the Way

2008-08-13T18:18:00.000-05:00

Last week, Kanye West polished off his 2nd night at Madison Square Garden with a short monologue to the sold-out crowd. Mr. West has been doing this at all of his Glow In The Dark stops lately, so this wasn't out of the ordinary. Apparently, he was talking about how he is trying quit being so selfish and keeping all the good beats for himself. Since pride is something he doesn't have any issue with, Kanye asked the New Yorkers if they would like a sample. What they didn't know, is who the beat was for.

BLUEPRINT 3 from kwest on Vimeo.

I like it. He even throws in a jab at the bloke from Oasis. It sounds more Blueprint 2 than Blueprint, but I'll take any Jay/Kanye collabos.

This means that Timbaland won't be producing Jay's next entire album. It would be nice, but I'm sure that will happen as soon as Tim and Dr. Dre work on "Chairmen of the Boards" and right after Nas and DJ Premier get back together. The Blueprint 3 is Shawn Carter's last album on Def Jam and is slated to feature No ID on the boards as well.

I don't expect this link to last longer than a day, so get it while its hot.
Jay-Z - Jockin' Jay-Z (produced by Kanye West)

Lollapalooza 2008: Day 3

2008-08-12T11:44:00.001-05:00

DAY 3
After a rowdy Day 2 of Lollapalooza, Day 3 seemed to come as soon as my head hit the pillow. I was more than ready for Sunday though and the ladies of Ann St (Laura, Erin & Becky) were pumped to join the Waters duo and I.

Laura, Becky and I departed early for Grant Park to catch Chicago's Office at 11:30 at the PS3 Stage. I'm pretty sure they were both surprised by the size of the park as we made our first of many jaunts across the north end. After 30 minutes of what seemed to be an excruciating sound check, we were informed that the Weakerthans couldn't make the fest, so Office's show was bumped to the afternoon.

We had some time to relax, so we leisurely made our way south to the AT&T stage where female rapper Kid Sister was to perform. It was still early in the day so we were able to stand close for a good view of the show. Rage Against the Machine was the last show of Day 2 on the stage and sunglasses, pieces of shoes and dead grass were the only remnants left. Kid Sister appreciatively came out with a hype-man, back-up dancers and DJ AutoBot (Flosstradamous) on the ones and twos. Koko B. Ware hasn't come out yet, but had the crowd engaged with fun, new, dance rap ("Switchboard", "Control") and performed her biggest hit, "Pro Nails".

We met up with the rest of our crew at the sparsely filled Citi Stage for What Made Milwaukee Famous. They were serviceable, but didn't exactly wow the crowd until "Sultan" and a few closing songs. I did find out that they aren't from Milwaukee and didn't live up to all the Spoon comparisons I had heard though.

With our full group in tact we took a lunch break in the shade and headed for the Myspace stage. I had finally succumbed to the incessant promotion of Chromeo and was looking forward to them after copping Fancy Footwork a few weeks earlier. Dave 1 and P-Thugg were on their electrofunk A-game from the start keeping the crowd nodding ("Call Me Up") and dancing ("Tenderoni") in the sweltering humidity. I'm sure its nerve-wracking performing in front of thousands of people, but the Montreal based duo were one of the few acts that interacted with Lolla-goers all weekend. Aside from making the crowd bounce with "Call Me Up" and "Bonafied Lovin'", Dave and P were like a comedy duo with jokes incorporating P's talk box.

Florida's Black Kids set on the Citi stage overlapped with Chromeo, but I was able to hear a few of the hits from Partie Traumatic while the ladies took a break from the heat. Lead singer Reggie Youngblood's faux British accent got the best response on "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You". They sounded great live and probably could have played on one of the bigger stages.

We opted for shade and beer rather than G. Love and sweat from 4:30 to 5. After cooling off, we traveled north again to the PS3 stage (hearing Iron & Wine in the distance) to see Irish/punk band Flogging Molly. They had one of the largest crowds I saw at that stage all weekend and did their best to turn it into a rowdy pub. Irish flags were in the air and Dave King snarled and shouted his way through a fun set filled with banjos, accordion, and fiddles. We left after "Float", but "Requiem for a Dying Song" and other jams made me interested for more.

The toughest decision was at hand: Gnarls Barkley or Girl Talk. That resolution was much easier when we saw the crowd lined up at the Citi stage. The schedulers probably didn't anticipate it, but Girl Talk could have easily filled Myspace or PS3 stages. As the bass line for "Charity Case" played at the AT&T stage, it looked like fans were stretched back to Food Town, cutting off walkways. Gillis finally took the stage at 6:30 and made his presence known with VIPs swarming his lap top and fake cops with toilet paper guns as the intro began. The dance party was non-stop as he ran through mash-ups and samples old (Biggie/Elton, "Play Your Part") and new (Yael Naim/Khia, Daft Punk/Tag Team). It was so hectic that Gillis had to clear the stage because it was starting to bend. Nothin' like a daytime dance party. The grand finale was nothing short of epic. Birdman & Lil' Wayne's "Poppin' Bottles" played into Journey's "Faithfully" and looped as Girl Talk crowd surfed from the stage to the sound tent in a friggin' inflatable row boat. 'Nuff said.

Everyone pretty much used all of their energy at Girl Talk, so after that we retreated to tailgate-like lines for the port-o-potties. Mark Ronson and company sounded great on the Myspace stage. His throwback sound with covers (Coldplay, Radiohead, Justice) and special guests Candie Payne, Rhymefest and Kenna amassed a large crowd as well. Unfortunately, Ronson mentioned this is the last stop on their long tour (which obviously skipped Michigan).

Our group refilled on beverages and food while staking out a spot on the hill for Kanye West. I was pretty disappointed in not lining up close to the stage for the final headliner of the weekend, but I got over it after a few songs. Kanye was backed by an elaborate stage complete with bright lights, a DJ, and energetic band. After teasing the crowd with a slice of "Stronger", West greeted his hometown with "Good Morning". He ran through all the hits from "Through the Wire" to "Diamonds" to "Can't Tell Me Nothin'". After a 15 minute long, Chi-Town flavored edition of his guest spot on Jeezy's "Put On", West stated "Now we can start the show". For all of the names Kanye has earned over the years (arrogant, cocky, obnoxious), you have to give him credit for put passion into what he does. He shined throughout the his time on the main stage and was easily one of the best rap/hip-hop artists I've ever seen. Kanye showed his recent love for vocal distortion T-Pain style as he finished the last hour with rousing editions of "Homecoming", "Good Life", "Gold Digger" and more. Things got a little uncomfortable when West gave a short ode to his mother before "Hey Mama", but closed in grand fashion. He let his band get some due recognition by surprisingly covering Journey's "Don't Stop Believin" and played "Stronger", asking "is this what you've been waiting for?". Indeed.

And just like that Lollapalooza 2008 was done. An ocean of festival-goers poured out of Grant Park and cheered in the downtown Chicago streets. It was amazing seeing my iPod come to life and experiencing that many live acts in one weekend. Its hard to single out who was my favorite artist all weekend, but Kanye, Girl Talk, Mates of State, CSS, Lupe Fiasco, Chromeo and Rage Against the Machine certainly were most memorable. The bad news is that Lollapalooza was pretty much a "gateway" event that is going to make me want to go to see most of these artists at smaller venues and make Lolla (or some festival) an annual necessity.

Photos from Lollapalooza Day 3
Videos from Lollapalooza Day 3

Lollapalooza 2008: Day 2

2008-08-07T11:29:00.001-05:00

DAY 2
After an amazing, but exhausting Day 1 at Lollapalooza 2008, I was looking forward to Day 2's less cluttered lineup. Jenny, Andrea, and I were able to make it to Lolla-land midway through Margot and the Nuclear So & Sos' set around 12:30. We heard the only song we knew ("Skeleton Key") and many others ("Quiet as a Mouse" and "Bar Fight Revolution") that made us realize they were worth looking into further. As the early sun and heat began to filter into our pores, Jenny concluded that I must not have an "off button" since I went out and about Lincoln Park Friday night and was still standing.

Next on the AT&T stage was indie-pop duo, The Ting Tings. Their music sounds like it would be hard to reproduce outside the studio, so I was very interested how it would translate live. Lead singer Katie White was commanding on guitar and Jules De Martino kept the speakers pounding on the drums. It was easily one of the most memorable performances of the weekend with "Great DJ", "Fruit Machine" and extended versions of "Thats Not My Name" and "Shut Up and Let Me Go". With an additional drum by White, it might have also been one of the louder performances of the day. The next two hours were pretty chill catching lunch, stages in the shade and the temperature a tad less humid. We saw a relaxed set by folkie Mason Jennings, a dizzying performance by Steel Train, and a lackadaisical hour from MGMT (but a huge crowd). Instrumental outfit, Explosions in the Sky floored the Bud Light stage with a numbing, guitar-heavy performance. I looked into their music before the festival, but you really need to see them live to view the passion and emotion they put into their work.

After breezing by Okkervil River, we opted to get a good spot for Lupe Fiasco's main stage offering. I had to pretend Jamie Lidell wasn't playing across the field, but the wait for Lupe was worth it. He back flipped on stage to the "Rocky" theme, doing one-armed push-ups, and was backed by a full band and DJ (not to mention the deaf interpreter who kept up with Lupe, wow). Dapper dressed in all-white, he almost looked like a preacher and echoed this getting the crowd into "Kick Push" and a gospel intro to "Daydream". Lupe ran through hits from The Cool and saved an extended version of "Superstar" for last. Lupe has clearly picked up some showmanship from Kanye the past few years and had the crowd amped and ready for Rage.

Lupe filled the south end of Grant Park, but by 8:30 it was clear who Lolla-goers were there to see, Rage Against the Machine. Unless they had been to a few festivals last year, there is good chance fans hadn't seen the band since 2000. Flanked by an blazing red star, Zach de la Rocha and company erupted with "Testify". Fans eager to get closer to the stage immediately pushed forward and mosh pits sprouted left and right. After a chorus of cheers, "Bulls On Parade" fueled the fury and the atmosphere was electric as fans bounced in unison to Tom Morello's guitar genius. Unfortunately, this is the moment fun energy almost turned to riot mentality. After "People of the Sun", Zach paused to urge the crowd to "take care of one another" and move "5 to 10 steps" back so hurt fans near the front barricades could exit the area. Rage played an amazing, energetic set, and sounded as tight as their records, but had to stop two more times to make fans realized the seriousness of their actions. We would later find out that Rage fans without tickets had been jumping fences and plowing through security to join the mayhem. Our bubble below the left Show vision screen wasn't nearly as crazy as others, but after a fan was sucker punched by a meat head, for no reason during "Guerrilla Radio", we decided to catch the last few songs by Wilco.

We peeked in Perry's tent to see DJ Momjeans aka Danny Masterson (Hyde from "That '70's Show" on our way to the Bud Light stage. Highlights included a "Fedora" convention on stage and Masterson giving the crowd the finger to a chorus of cheers. Wilco proved to be the polar opposite of Rage. The north lawn was scattered with people much older than Rage's demo relaxing on blankets to Jeff Tweddy's scratchy, alt/folk rock. We stood nearly the same distance as we did for Rage and didn't bump into a single person while the band closed with "Walken" and "Outtasite".

Day 2 was just as solid as Day 1. While we didn't see as many bands, we were closer for most, didn't get cooked by the sun and saw some of great performances. Lupe and Rage Against the Machine had the most influential performances of the day, in my mind, but the Ting Tings and Explosions in the Sky were stunning as well. We took a longer "el" ride and quickly passed out ready for the 3rd and final day of Lollapalooza with the rest of the the Ann St. ladies.

Photos from Lollapalooza 2008: Day 2
Videos from Lollapalooza 2008: Day 2

Lollapalooza 2008: Day 1

2008-08-06T10:20:00.003-05:00

Disclaimer: What I'm about to post is as accurate (and long-winded) as I can be about my experience at Lollapalooza 2008. For each day I'll post photo albums here and you can check out videos here. It doesn't really do justice to what a great event and how sweet the whole atmosphere actually was. Hopefully you will understand why I was grinning from ear to ear all weekend.

DAY 1
After a successful (and on-time) Amtrak train ride from Birmingham, MI to Union Station Thursday night, I could barely sleep in anticipation of Day 1 at Lollapalooza. When I woke up Friday, it was easy to let my sleepiness subside. I was on my own that morning, so after perfect directions from Ms. Waters, I made my journey from the Fullerton stop to Grant Park. After exiting the downtown "el" stop, I followed an obvious group of festival-goers who were trying to decide between early sets by Butch Walker and Rogue Wave.

I happily entered the heavenly gates to the right of a giant, inflated Lollapalooza sign just after 11:30. I didn't need to be at the Myspace Stage for Rogue Wave until 1:15, so I grabbed a free program and wandered the park. I was immediately taken aback by the size of Grant Park (later wouldn't be so roomy). I made it a point to survey all of the stages I had drooled over the past few weeks, take in the unique ideas (Green Street, shaded Hammocks, branded tents, Food Town), Buckingham Fountain and looked for a decent Lolla shirt (no luck).

When I reached the North end of the festival, I stumbled upon the early energy of reggae/hip hop artist, K'Naan at the Playstation 3 stage. He reminded me of K-OS and I quickly took note to check him out more when I got home. Immediately after he finished, Black Lips took over at the Bud Light main stage with their garage punk sound. They didn't exactly keep my attention, so I headed 15 minutes south to get a good spot to view Rogue Wave. Zach & company moved higher on my list of favorite bands with catchy indie songs past ("Publish My Love"), present ("Like I Needed") and Chicago-themed ("Lake Michigan"). I headed back to the Bud Light stage wondering why they were scheduled so early, when they much more worthy of a late afternoon slot. The Go! Team brought a lot of enthusiasm with their indie anthems, but were plagued by early sound troubles and lead singer, Ninja, was mostly drown out by the rest of the band.

The back and forth was only beginning as I hoofed south again, this time for Yeasayer's show at the AT&T main stage. The experimental and Middle-Eastern sounds were felt most on "2080" and the appropriate "Wait For The Summer". Next up was Duffy, back at PS3. I took in most of her set from a distance, but her Motown-influenced sound seemed a bit out of place. I met up with the rest of my party just before Akron, OH duo the Black Keys took the mainstage at nearly the hottest part of the day. So hot, that the crowd cheered for a large cloud that slowly moved in the Chicag sky. Their Southern blues rock was just what the 2nd largest crowd I saw Friday was looking for. Guitarist & singer Dan Auerbach repeatedly praised co-hort Patrick Carney for looking possessed while booming on the drum kit, especially on "Strange Times", "10 AM" and "Your Touch". The Black Keys closing their 3rd straight Lolla appearnce with a thunderous rendition of "I Got Mine" to great fanfare.

We opted to skip Cat Power and made our way back to the south end of the park, stopping at Perry's Tent to see DJ Million $ Mano. The organizers did their best to turn the shady, cool spot into a club-like atmosphere with couches and DJ's aplenty. I only saw a special appearance by Drea of He Say She Say for "Crash Dummie" and heard Mano spin "Lady", but it was enough to check out Mano out next time I'm in town. We caught married duo, Mates of State, (with 2 extra members on strings and horns) halfway through their set. My sweat level was reaching maximum levels but MOS's set was more than enjoyable as they performed "The Re-Arranger" and "Goods" and clearly had fun doing it.

The next two hours were a whirlwind that started with hearing a familiar Grizzly Bear song while inhaling a $5 cheeseburger from Food Town. Bloc Party played a solid set, but Kele and company belted out all of my favorites ("Hunting For Witches", "Banquet") early so we opted for a water break. The crowds had thickened to the point that the "75,000 people" number I heard earlier, became more realistic as we bounced back across to see the Raconteurs. We only stayed for a few songs, but got the point: the band is great a playing nostalgic, garage rock. I pretended that the Cool Kids weren't playing, in favor of catching the 2nd half of CSS's set. I'm sure the Cool Kids were great, but CSS was a great choice. Not only did they play all the songs I needed to hear ("Off the Hook", "Music Is My..") they actually got the Citi stage rowdy. Lead singer Lovefoxxx started in a red body suit with a ring of flowers wrapped around it, only to disrobe to another ridiculous outfit. She jumped roped with the mic cord, was flanked by a hilarious dancer in florescent spandex and made everyone, including a mohawked rocker scream "Alala". Mission accomplished. One of the best performances of the weekend.

Radiohead closed out Day 1 as the only headliner and filled the entire south end of the park. I stuck around for a half hour or so, but just didn't get into them. Everyone raved about their performance, so I'm sure it was great. I was glad I was able to see that ocean of people that clearly loved them. After exiting the park, I took a quick train ride back to the apt., showered and went out with the rest of the Ann St. ladies before I had a chance to think about sleeping.

Pre-Lollapalooza 2008: Part III

2008-07-30T09:45:00.001-05:00

Day 3 Tentative Schedule:
Day 3 has all the ingredients to make for the best day of Lollapalooza: Girl Talk, Kanye West, and an Ann St. Reunion. I may not make it to Office's 11:30 slot, but I hope so. A little later, I'll take a requisite visit to see Chi-town's own Kid Sister, and succumb to the "Pro Nails" chorus in the process( you all will be saying it by the end of the day, ask Laura.) At first glance, it looks like Day 3 should be easy....until 3:15 hits. Luckily, many of the artists I want to see are at both Citi Stage and Myspace Stage (right next to each other). Chromeo's bouncy electrofunk kicks off at Citi, just before Black Kids at 3:30 at Myspace. Iron & Wine and G. Love & the Special Sauce have dueling sets across the park from each other (my interest in both should make that decision easy, with a coin flip). 5:15 brings the Irish-Punk of Flogging Molly just before the toughest conflict of the weekend: Gnarls Barkley, 15 minutes before Girl Talk. Do I catch a glimpse of Cee Lo & Danger Mouse's crazy costumes or get in line for the biggest party I'll ever attend. Probably a game-time decision. I'm looking forward to Mark Ronson's (special guest filled?) set to ease the tension at 7:15. Finally, what better way to close out the weekend with Chicago's son, Kanye West. I don't care what happened at Bonnaroo, I'm expecting the best show I've ever seen (no pressure).

My Schedule

Day 3
Day 3
1. Office - Oh My
2. The Blakes - Magic
3. Kid Sister - Pro Nails ft Kanye West
4. What Made Milwaukee Famous - Sultan
5. The Whigs - Right Hand On My Heart
6. Chromeo - Bonafied Lovin'
7. Black Kids - Listen To You Body Tonight
8. Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend To Dance
9. Iron & Wine - Boy With A Coin
10. Saul Williams - List of Demands (Reparations)
11. Flogging Molly - Requiem For A Dying Song
12. Flogging Molly - Float
13. Gnarls Barkley - Going On
14. Gnarls Barkley - Smiley Faces
15. Flosstradamus - Yeah Yeah (Matt & Kim Remix)
16. Girl Talk - Pure Magic
17. Girl Talk - Set It Off
18. Mark Ronson - Amy ft Kenna
19. The National - Apartment Story
20. Child Rebel Soldiers (Lupe, Kanye, Pharell) - US Placers
21. Kanye West - Touch the Sky ft Lupe Fiasco
22. Kanye West - Homecoming ft Chris Martin

Pre-Lollapalooza 2008: Part II

2008-07-29T20:53:00.001-05:00

Day 2 Tentative Schedule:
Hopefully, I'll have my bearings figured out and know the layout of the Lollapalooza grounds by Saturday morning. Day 2 doesn't pose as many conflicts as Day 1 and Day 3, but it will be nice to know if its actually possible to bounce from stage to stage. I hope to start the day by taking in sets by bands that I only know a few tracks by, like De Novo Dahl, Margot and the Nuclear So & Sos, and Does It Offend You, Yeah?. The Ting Tings will probably have a decent crowd before Mason Jennings captures my attention with his twangy, folk offerings. 3:30 at the Myspace Stage, MGMT is one of the most anticipated acts of the weekend (for me), and I'll be interested to see how their electro-funk music translates live. I'll check out Jamie Lidell's retro crooning, before going to the AT&T stage to see Chi-Town's finest, Lupe Fiasco. I'm probably 3 years overdue, from when I first wanted to see Lupe, but his strong catalog will have made it worth the wait. Day 2's headliners are much more interesting for me. I'll check out Wilco for Jeff Tweedy & company's legendary stage presence, but this will probably be my only opportunity to see Rage live and in-person. All of this will only further my anticipation for Day 3.

My Schedule

Lolla 2008: Day 2
1. De Novo Dahl - Shout
2. The Postelles - 123 Stop
3. Margot and the Nuclear So & Sos - Skeleton Key
4. Does It Offend You? Yeah - Epic Last Song
5. The Ting Tings - Shut Up and Let Me Go
6. Dr. Dog - Worst Trip
7. Foals - Balloons
8. Mason Jennings - Drinking As Religion
9. Mason Jennings - Memphis, TN
10. MGMT - Time to Pretend
11. MGMT - Electric Feel
12. Jamie Lidell - Wait For Me
13. Lupe Fiasco - Daydream
14. Lupe Fiasco - Superstar (acoustic) ft Matthew Santos
15. Serena Ryder - Brand New Love
16. Okkervil River - A Hand to Take Hold of the Scene
17. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights
18. Wilco - Walken
19. Wilco - What Light
20. Rage Against the Machine - Killing In the Name
21. Rage Against the Machine - Bulls on Parade

Pre-Lollapalooza: Part I

2008-07-28T10:03:00.003-05:00

In celebration of the event I've been waiting 2 years to attend, Lollapalooza, I've decided to be really original, and make a mixtape for each day. Though I can't claim to know all of the artist descending on Grant Park next weekend, I think have done enough research to keep up.

Day 1 Tentative Schedule:
After arriving by way of Amtrack the night before, I plan to begin Lolla with Rogue Wave's set on the Myspace Stage. If their performance in Ann Arbor last fall is any indication, they should feel right at home with tracks like "Lake Michigan" and "Chicago X 12". Day 1 gets complicated at 2:15 when I have to decide between the cheer-leading anthems of the Go! Team and tribal sounds of Yeasayer. From there, I'll head for the PS3 stage, to see if the hype Duffy has received from across the pond is worthy. After that I'm inclined to see the Black Keys, before hopscotching from stage to stage to catch Million $ Mano spinning and Mates of State crooning at the same time. 6:15-8:00 is a free-for-all with The Raconteurs, Bloc Party, The Cool Kids & CSS battling. Though I still haven't been persuaded to the ways of Radiohead, I would probably check out a few songs before enjoying the Chi-Town nightlife.

My Schedule

Day 1
1. Rogue Wave - Endless Shovel
2. Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan
3. Butch Walker - Race Cars & Goth Rock
4. The Go! Team - Doing It Right
5. The Go! Team - Grips Like A Vice
6. Yeasayer - Wait for the Summer
7. Yeasayer - Sunrise
8. Duffy - Mercy
9. The Black Keys - Strange Times
10. The Black Keys - Your Touch
11. Million $ Mano - Lady
12. Mates of State - Punchlines
13. Mates of State - The Re-Arranger
14. Bloc Party - Banquet
15. Bloc Party - Hunting For Witches
16. The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldier
17. The Raconteurs - Old Enough
18. CSS - Music Is My Hot Sex
19. CSS - Rat is Dead (Rage)
20. The Cool Kids - I (Mikey) Rock
21. Radiohead - Karma Police

Narkworthy 7/22: The Nark Knight

2008-07-22T11:15:00.000-05:00

It didn't take long for this edition to shape up with Nas' Untitled dropping and T.I.'s Paper Trail leaking like a college house keg tap. There are still a few Midwest artists represented (Buff 1, Kanye, Black Milk, and Kid Sister), but not as biased as Nark Inc. Similar to TQ's appearance last round, the comeback trend continues with Murphy Lee's best bet at a catchy summer jam and Game's foray into rap/rock (its much better than it sounds). Look out for Dr. Dre's latest protege' Bishop Lamont, Young Chris' solo efforts (formerly of Young Gunz), and Kid Cudi's otherworldly musical offering.

Discuss. Hate. Let me know what you think.

The Nark Knight
1. Jay-Z - A Billi
2. John Legend - Green Light ft Andre 3000
3. Styles P - Ghost ft Pharrell
4. Bishop Lamont - Grow Up
5. Young Chris - Party
6. KiD CuDi - Embrace the Martian
7. Nas - Hero ft Keri Hilson
8. T.I. - Whatever You Like
9. Buff1 - Classic Rap
10. Little Brother - Life of the Party ft Skillz
11. The Game - Dope Boys ft Travis Barker
12. Murphy Lee ft T-Pain - My Shoes
13. Wale - Whole Time ft Young Chris
14. Young Jeezy - Put On ft Kanye West
15. T.I. - Swing Your Rag ft Swizz Beatz
16. Buff1 - Never Fall ft Black Milk
17. Nas - Make the World Go Round ft Chris Brown & Game
18. Lil' Wayne - Got Money ft T-Pain
19. Kid Sister - Pro Nails ft Kanye West
20. KiD CuDi - Down and Out
21. Big Boi - Somethings Got To Give ft Mary J. Blige

Josh Fix: "Whiskey" and Queen

2008-07-14T17:06:00.000-05:00

I had this Josh Fix post all ready to be published and then NPR's All Songs Considered beat me to it (I'm way behind on Google Reader). They sum up this multi-talented musician as a Freddie Mercury/Elton John "hybrid". I didn't get the Elton comparison at first, but now I can see that. Much like those two legends, Fix plays guitar, percussion, keyboard and synthesizer, to name a few. His debut album, Free At Last, has a very accessible, layered power pop sound. My favorite, "Whiskey & Speed", was named Best Unsigned Demo by a San Francisco branch of the Grammy's. The song's mocking approach to addiction some how comes off as light-hearted.

Josh Fix will probably be named as a Mika knock-off, but I just never got into him. Fix is much more talented and less annoying than Mika, and is closer aligned to the Queen frontman than Mika is. I even appreciate his ELO influence ("Strange Magic" is sweet).

Josh Fix - Whiskey & Speed

The Rapture ft Timbaland: "No", You Read My Mind

2008-07-03T09:52:00.000-05:00

Timbaland has certainly been one of the most in-demand producers for any genre over the past two years. He collaborated with many artists that I never imagined (Madonna, Duran Duran) and some that I wished he didn't (Danity Kane, M.Pokora). Either way, I am usually satisfied.

So imagine my surprise when I found that Timbo collaborated with The Rapture for the Grand Theft Auto 4 Soundtrack. I admittedly beat The Rapture's Pieces of the People We Love album to death, with infectious tracks like "Get Myself Into It" and "Whoo! Alright. Yeah..Uh-Huh" last summer. Timbaland's innovative, beat box-filled, dance ready production is a perfect match for The Rapture's catchy, dance-punk tunes. Justin Timberlake even gushed that he wanted Future Sex/Love Sound to feel like the band's hit, "House of Jealous Lovers".

Timbo's beat-boxing ("1-2-3/Here we GO") gets things rolling and is quickly joined by an assortment of sounds. Everything from Timbaland's trusty synthesizer to traditional guitar and drums to an assortment of cow bells (clearly The Rapture's favorite backup instrument). I can't say the song makes much sense, with Luke Jenner apparently moaning about some bloke's new abstinence for "trashing people". It doesn't matter much when you are hypnotically listening to the infectious track on loop.

The Rapture - No Sex For Ben ft Timbaland

Also featured in Timbland's Verizon V-Cast Commercial.

Girl Talk: "Feed the Animals" Indeed

2008-06-24T09:42:00.001-05:00

Previously mentioned, in more places than I can count, mash-up maestro Girl Talk released Feed the Animals last Thursday. 2 years after his breakout success, The Night Ripper, Greg Gillis is pretty much the face (but not the creator) of this evolving genre. So far, the Hood Internet, Car Stereo (Wars) and Immuzikation are the only ones close to Girl Talk. Since the classic The Night Ripper, Mr. Gillis has quit his day-job, won a Taco Bell eating contest, and went from doing shows for small gatherings to selling out venues and joining the festival circuit (this year at DEMF, Lollapalooza and All Points West to name a few).

This time around, Girl Talk went with the Radiohead approach by releasing Feed the Animals with the "pay what you want" option. Very interesting, and being the stats nerd that I have turned into, I would love to know how many units sold on the first day/week. I don't think Soundscan will be seeing those records. I bought my copy for $10, which included 14 DRM-free mp3's, plus $3 shipping to get the physical copy this fall (for reasons previously mentioned).

After having the weekend to digest it, I've decided that its okay that its not The Night Ripper. 2 years changes a lot and they are in fact, 2 totally different "Animals". Feed the Animals is much more accessible to the masses sprinkled with more "classics" than you can count. What it lacks in obscure/cult samples, it makes up for in smooth transitions. There are very few spots where an '80s legend couldn't line up with a rap star. While I can't say it has a true "Juicy"/"Tiny Dancer" moment, Animals has some head-turning spots:

-"What Its All About" (Jackson 5 "ABC" + Rihanna "Umbrella") Girl Talk manages to make a young MJ sound electric over the catchiest song from last summer.

-"Set It Off" (Mary J. Blige "Real Love" + the Guess Who "These Eyes") Mary J. Blige's soulful vocals are even better over this stripped down classic.

-"No Pause" (Yael Naim "New Soul" + Eminem "Shake That" + Swizz Beatz "Money In the Bank") The catchiest of all Apple songs, paired with Eminem's filthiest party jam, and a little help from Swizz Beatz makes for a prime mash-up.

-"Play Your Part (Pt.2)" (Huey "Pop, Lock & Drop It" + Journey "Faithfully") While I'm more partial to the Soulja Boy and Journey version I heard in sweat soaked Chicago, I can't think of a better way to conclude the album.

My favorites change each time I listen to it. Cop it while you can. The more popular Mr. Gillis gets, the more I worry that some artist will get grumpy and try to get in Girl Talk's pockets. Look for Girl Talk to continue his non-stop touring through the Fall.

Girl Talk - No Pause

Buy Girl Talk's Feed the Animals here. Preview it here.

Cut Copy: Summertime "Colours"

2008-06-23T09:13:00.002-05:00

I've been slacking again, but its only because of:

a) moving out of my apartment
b) trips to Caseville
c) mourning the end of my beloved Pistons' playoff run
d) the slew new music keeping me occupied

Those good reasons and the fact that my current file-sharing site, File Den, decided to ban me from use (if anyone has any better ones, let me know), should explain my absence. At least I didn't "leave you without a dope beat to step to" (see Nark Inc.).

By now, Lil' Wayne sold a "Millie", Lollapalooza released its 2008 schedule, and Girl Talk took the Radiohead route with Feed the Animals(more on that later). You also might have noticed Cut Copy's rise to fame. From February to May, their tracks (and remixed tracks) have ruled the Hype Machine's top 50 and have quickly risen to my iPod's top 100.

There isn't much more I can say about these Australia natives, other than that they know how to make catchy, yet thoughtful ("So Haunted") dance hits. In what could be confused for a number of styles, Cut Copy manages to create an electropop sound with guitar, drums and keys. At times In Ghost Colours sounds like an 80's throwback ("Lights and Music") without the cheesy haircuts and outfits, and at others its simply, good indie rock ("Midnight Runner" & "Unforgettable Season"). In Ghost Colours could possibly be the album of the summer with breezy songs like "Feel the Love" and "Hearts on Fire".

Cut Copy is currently touring the U.S. and making stops at Pitchfork and Monolith. Everything I have heard about their live show sounds amazing and makes me jealous I missed their Magic Stick show.

Cut Copy - Feel the Love

Cut Copy - So Haunted

Narkworthy 6/3: Nark Inc.

2008-06-03T15:30:00.002-05:00

This mixtape was actually sitting on the burner for a week or so. After the onslaught of summer hip-hop, it took a little while to decide what would make the cut. After seeing the track list, 2 things jump out at me:

1. Neptunes, Neptunes Neptunes. Pharrell and Chad are all over this edition. N.E.R.D. is making me consider avoiding the inevitable leak and buy Seeing Sounds. Star Trak cohorts Kenna, Chester French and Mickey Factz make necessary appearances. Lastly, 2007 may have been the year of Timbaland, but 2008 might be all Neptunes. Between the Common track, N.E.R.D., and Pharell's work on Madonna's album, they certainly have a head start on Timbo.

2. Midwest Revival. Nark Inc. is filled with artists representing Chicago, Detroit and even Cleveland. It was hard to dissect a few cuts from Kidz In The Hall's The In Crowd, with so many to choose from. Common purists are going to be mad, but you can't argue with the Pharrell beat on "Universal Mind Control". Ann Arbor transplant Buff 1 makes the 1st of many future Nark features, Royce 5'9" makes two appearances, as does Cleveland newcomer and self proclaimed "stoner", Kid Cudi.

..and yes, Curtis and his silly vocoder made the list....whoops.

Nark Inc.
1. TQ - Paradise ft Krayzie Bone
2. X.O. - Grind Baby ft Cee Cee
3. Brisco - On The Run ft Akon & Flo Rida
4. Kid Cudi - Day n Nite
5. Common - Universal Mind Control ft Pharrell
6. Mickey Factz - The Water ft Lauryn Hill
7. N.E.R.D. - Spaz
8. Buff 1 - Beat The Speakers Up
9. Idle Warship - Fall Back ft Chester French
10. Elzhi - Motown 25 ft Royce 5'9"
11. Kenna - Say Goodbye to Love ft Lupe Fiasco
12. B.O.B. - Lonely People
13. Saigon - Believe It
14. NYGz - Ya Dayz R #'D remix ft Lady of Rage, Freddie Foxx & Royce 5'9"
15. Bun B - Swang On 'Em ft Lupe Fiasco
16. Wale - The Crazy
17. Kidz In the Hall - Middle of the Map Pt. 1 ft Fooch
18. Kidz In the Hall - Middle of the Map Pt. 2 ft Black Milk & Guilty Simpson
19. N.E.R.D. - Everybody Nose remix ft Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco & Pusha T
20. Kid Cudi - Dat New "New"
21. G-Unit - Rider Pt. 2
22. Rick Ross - Get Down ft Pharrell

Download Nark Inc.

The Black Keys: Southern Blues "Attack"

2008-05-22T17:00:00.000-05:00

I haven't had time to mention The Black Keys' latest effort, Attack & Release, in the past month. Thats because its been a non-stop fixture in my cd player.

**Warning-Short Rant Below**
Yes, I actually went to buy this album because sometimes, I just miss the physical process of purchasing new music. In fact, I would probably switch to vinyl if it were possible to transfer the music to my computer, eventually. But there is something to be said for:
A)driving to a record store (unfortunately, I don't know any in my area)
B)paying cash
C)tearing off the plastic
D)checking for a scratch-free disc
E)perusing through liner notes
F)listening to a new album from start to finish
iTunes just can't give me that experience (and my wallet can't handle buying 10 albums a week).

Anyways, on Attack and Release, the Black Keys added a third party to their close knit duo, producer Danger Mouse. While many were nervous that Danger would disrupt the chemistry and success Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney had on past releases (I know Magic Potion, but need to check out the rest), fans shouldn't worry. If anything, he helped refine their garage-blues sound and only added when necessary. On the lead single, "Strange Times", Carney's drums sound as hard as ever and Auerbach's vocals have a commanding presence. Danger subtly sprinkles some psychedelic keyboarding and an eerie backing to complete the apocalyptic track. "Psychotic Girl" continues the dark tone with a creepy organ amid his haunting voice. Listeners are easily entranced by slight strumming of a banjo, as Auerbach tries to ward off the advances of a female who isn't who she seems.

If a little Danger Mouse, is too much for you, not to worry. "I Got Mine" showcases the duo at their best with thunderous chords with a Led Zeppelin feel. Other highlights include "Oceans and Streams" (a metaphorical bout with insomnia) and the mid-tempo cut "So He Won't Break" (maddening heartbreak).

Look for The Black Keys to continue to gain momentum with stops at Lollapalooza, Rothbury and their own tour this summer.

The Black Keys - I Got Mine

The Black Keys - Psychotic Girl

Narkworthy 5/20: B.O.B., N.E.R.D., Bun B ft Lupe

2008-05-20T19:42:00.000-05:00

There was drought for a week or so, but when new, good hip-hop comes out, it is usually in bunches. Last week was no different with a plethora of summer-ready goodness from a variety of sources.

B.O.B. - Lonely People
This track from the next great thing from A-Town isn't exactly new, but I finally found a copy of it. B.O.B. drops some social commentary over a Beatles sample of "Eleanor Rigby" that would never get cleared, thank god for mixtapes. Some people are partial to Talib's take on this Beatles' gem, but this beat hits harder.

B.O.B. - Lonely People

Talib Kweli - Lonely People

N.E.R.D. - Spaz
Pharell & company sound amazing over another schizophrenic beat. The song is currently getting plugged by Microsoft and feels much more like a track from In Search Of... rather than Fly or Die.

N.E.R.D. - Spaz

Bun B - Swang On'Em ft Lupe Fiasco
After getting props on "Hip-Hop Saved My Life", Houston's best grabbed Lupe for this cut from "II Trill". Lupe's chameleon-like flow sounds more than at home over the thumping track, while Bun B does what he does best.

Bun B - Swang On-Em ft Lupe Fiasco

$35 to see Shawy Lo....I don't think so

2008-05-16T13:00:00.002-05:00

In the past year, I have made it part of my daily routine to check Detroit venue websites for updated concert information. Live Nation and Ticketmaster, usually, only list concerts at "their" venues, and TourFilter only lists concerts a month in advance. So I have been relegated to checking each venue seperately, but it is a good way to waste time.

This week, I stumbled upon a listing for a Shawty Lo concert at The Fillmore on May 30th. I then proceeded to vomit in my mouth and tried to hang myself with "Laffy Taffy" when I saw ticket prices were $35 for General Admission, what!?!!?! That is, of course, if you don't feel inclined to buying $55 Mezzanine seats...GOOD GOD. Oh, and don't forget the convenience and building fees Ticketmaster slaps you with. Your grand total is now $46 or $67. Not very "convenient" is it?

It just made me think, who does Mr. L-O really think he is? I guess he could get away with that kind of highway robbery in Bankhead, but Detroit? I don't think so. Its just another example of how backwards the music industry is, specifically, the rap genre. Album sales are horrific (unless your last name is Mathers, Jackson, Carter or West) due to people sick of buying cd's for only 1 single, and this is the type of thing that will ruin the concert business too.

I mean, that is a lot of money see some "one hit wonder", scream into a microphone with 50 dudes on stage. Mind you, I wouldn't pay to see Shawty Lo for $5, but I've been to enough rap concerts, some good (DMX and Eminem) and some bad (a riot with No Limit Soliders), to know mainstream rap acts worth seeing in person. Jay-Z, Kanye & The Roots would be more expensive than Shawty Lo, but much more worth it. A)They don't use "hype men", B)have good openers (Mary J. Blige, N.E.R.D., Lupe Fiasco), and C)incorporate back-up bands.

It just shows the difference between rap/hip-hop genre and indie/rock music. This is exactly why you hear about small acts selling out venues and rap acts canceling dates. Considering tickets for Cut Copy and the Black Kids at The Magic Stick last week were around $15, for $46 Shawty Lo better play the guitar, do magic tricks and buy out the bar to make it worth it.

Shawty Lo - Dey Know (Million $ Mano Remix)

Jamie Lidell: So Soulful Man

2008-05-13T15:30:00.000-05:00

Sure to be making waves this summer is singer/songwriter, Jamie Lidell. After realizing I hadn't heard of many of the artists that will be appearing at Lollapalooza, I checked out Mr. Lidell via Lolla's handy "Discover Artists" page. I was immediately impressed with Lidell's soulful ways and jealous of his genius skills on the piano. Seriously, when your mother tells you that you'll regret quiting playing the piano in 5th grade, she was totally right.

Lidell's latest album, Jim, was released last week and its upbeat rhythms are perfect for the upcoming, long awaited summer season. He seems to be channeling his inner-Sam Cooke on cuts like "Another Day" and "A Little Bit of Feel Good". Most of the songs deal with the usual subject of love lost and heartbreak, but have a retro-soul feel that leaves you uplifted, rather than depressed. Even when he slows things down on "All I Wanna Do", his crooner sound genuine and not cheesy.

Most of the info I have read about Jamie Lidell mentions that Jim and recent album Multiply are a departure from his Electronica days. If his past passion for electro is half as good as his soulful crooning, it would be worth checking out.

Jamie Lidell - Another Day

Jamie Lidell - A Little Bit Of Feel Good

See Jamie Lidell at Lollapalooza 2008.

The Sadies: Hope For A New "Season"

2008-04-24T19:37:00.001-05:00

If you didn't spend November through March in Michigan, you didn't miss much. Unless of course, you consider a ridiculous amount of cold, white snow something worth being around for. This winter brought brought 85 inches of snow to the "Mitten", the most since the '04-'05 season. I'm not really a "winter sports" person, so when I wasn't traveling, I mostly listened to music that reminded me that summer is ahead.

For some reason, alt country was what got me through the tundra-like winter. Not the beer guzzling, American flag waving, pick-up truck love filled country music that I love at tailgates and boat rides in Pinckney. I'm talking about the story-filled, folk flavored country rock, where banjos and fiddles are required and their usually aren't happy endings. And this is where I lose most of you....but its honestly worth a listen.

I blame Neko Case for her turning me onto the genre with the masterpiece, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. Her haunting voice, amid the twang and blues inspired narratives, is hard to ignore. When I looked for more of her music, I ran across her frequent collaborators, The Sadies. The Sadies are also natives of Canada (Toronto, ON) recorded with Case on a few tracks ("Make Your Bed", "My '63) and co-wrote some of Case's aforementioned album.

Their newest album, New Seasons, was released in fall 2007 and is the perfect soundtrack for a backwoods summer. According to their website, the band wanted to focus more on lyrics on this 13 song compilation. Considering that many of the songs deal with leaving or moving on from something, its fitting that many of the tracks ("Anna Leigh", "The Land Between") sound tailored for a long drive, with the windows down.

Most of the songs have elements of country, bluegrass, and '60s folk rock resulting in the feel of a backyard bonfire ("Never Again", "Sunset to Dawn"). Standout "Whats Left Behind" profiles a relationship that can't get away from the past. The song's pace seems to echo the subject matter in that things are moving too fast, but going nowhere at the same time. The Sadies even manage to sound epic on the instrumental track, "The Last Inquisition Pt 4". The eerie strings at the start lead to a finish full of sweeping guitars and drums that sound like an old western standoff.

The Sadies' New Seasons could be the most overlooked alt country album of 2007, but shouldn't be missed. The dark and thoughtful narratives embedded in the layered, instrumentation throughout the album make for easy, but engaged listening.

The Sadies - Never Again

The Sadies - Anna Leigh

Narkworthy 4/22: Paranoid Nark

2008-04-22T14:00:00.002-05:00

Well it took me 2 months to compile a worthwhile mixtape, but here it is. There are some club/radio tracks (Stat Quo, Ying Yang Twins), storytelling (Atmosphere, Wale), throwbacks (The Cool Kids, Pacific Division) and comebacks (AZ, The Game). Hopefully, there is something for everyone. Comments and criticism are greatly appreciated.

Paranoid Nark
1. Jay-Z - I Know (Irn Mnky remix)
2. The Game - Big Dreams (produced by Cool & Dre)
3. The Cool Kids - Oscar
4. Wale - Back In the Go Go ft Bun B & Pusha T
5. Wyclef Jean - Fast Car remix ft Lupe Fiasco
6. Stat Quo - Double Bubble
7. AZ - Dead End
8. Pacific Division - F.A.T. Boys '08
9. Big Boi - Royal Flush ft Raekwon & Andre 3000
10. DJ Green Lantern - I'm So Fly ft Akon, Fabolous & Fat Joe
11. FloRida - My Money Right ft Rick Ross & Brisco
12. The Procussions - Little People
13. The Roots - Rising Down ft Wale & Chrisette Michelle
14. PRGz - 'Bama Gettin' Money (Diplo Remix)
15. Jay-Z - Ain't I (produced by Timbaland)
16. Atmosphere - Yesterday
17. Danny Swain - Guess Who's Back ft Naledge
18. Ying Yang Twins - Drop
19. JNan - Rapperman
20. Snoop Dogg - My Medicine ft Everlast
21. Wale - Conclusion
22. Rich Boy - Haters Wish

Paranoid Nark

If you need WinRar, download it here.

Narkworthy: April 15th - The Game, Jay-Z

2008-04-15T09:20:00.002-05:00

The Game "Big Dreams"
Fresh off an 8 day bid from a weapons charge, Jayceon Taylor aka The Game dropped this menacing street single off of his last album (yeah right), L.A.X. in mid-March. Hoping to rekindle the fire that Cool & Dre laced on "Hate It Or Love It", "Big Dreams" features another classic soul sample, amid big bass and epic horns. The Game mostly spits bravado-filled lyrics peppered with subliminal disses and name-dropping galore, but he at least sounds hungry. I was a big fan of The Documentary and The Doctor's Advocate, but his sophomore set sounded a little deflated at times (see "Scream On'Em" and "Da Sh**"). Glad to hear one of the best in the West is back at it.

The Game - Big Dreams

Jay-Z "I Know" Irn Mnky remix
When Shawn Carter released the accapella version of American Gangster, it didn't generate the fanfare that came with the The Black Album (see The Brown Album and The Grey Album). However, some creative individuals were able to rework Jay-Z's lyrical wizardry into their own concept albums. Newcomer Irn Mnky was crafted A Very British American Gangster filled with the Jay's tracks built from British rock samples. Not all of it works, but "Hello Brooklyn" (Oasis), "Pray" (The Verve) and "I Know" are definite standouts. Somehow, Irn Mnky makes Jay-Z's lyrics sound even more poignant than on Pharell's addictive beat.

Jay-Z - I Know (Irn Mnky remix)

Chris Walla: "Manual" for Indie Rock

2008-04-14T09:15:00.000-05:00

The past few Spring seasons, there has been an onslaught of new releases to keep music fans happy and this year has been no different. My iTunes queue and Best Buy visits have increased greatly since the Ides of March. This also results in fits of panic in trying to keep up with the latest hits.

Field Manual, was one album I had been anticipating since a post last November on NPR's superb site, All Songs Considered. The single, "Everybody On", immediately caught my ear with its sway-worthy hook, breezy instrumentation and a unique voice. Until I read the post, I had no idea the familiar voice I heard was Death Cab For Cutie member, Chris Walla. Other than some recent promotion from a co-worker, I really hadn't given Death Cab many listens. I mostly wrote them off as "emo" and didn't give them many spins.

After a few delays and an unexplained incident with customs, Field Manual was released in January. While I wasn't able to give it a thorough listening until March, it was well worth the wait. Walla played all instruments (except drums) on the album and crafted catchy indie pop similar to his production work on Tegan and Sara's The Con. Songs like "The Score" (a political discussion disguised as a pop song) and "Everyone Needs A Home" (an ode to the hardships of Katrina) showcase Walla's ability to make bouncy and listen-able gems with an underlying message.

Field Manual outlays how to make an smart, indie rock album that performs well after multiple listens and allows Chris Walla to shine on his own. Though it probably won't reach the masses like Death Cab For Cutie's next album, hopefully it will get the props it deserves on year end album lists.

Chris Walla - Sing Again

Chris Walla - Geometry & C

Million $ Mano: Who? Mano!

2008-04-09T21:54:00.000-05:00

"Who? Mano!". When you hear that announcement at the beginning of a song, you know something good is coming. Not to be confused with this guy, Mano aka Million $ Mano straight out of Chi-town has been burning out my i pod with catchy remixes left and right. After noticing he DJ'd at a recent Cool Kids show and insistent promotion from my favorite Chicago blog, Fake Shore Drive, I decided to check him out. The results were more than priceless.

Not to be pigeon-holed in one genre, Million $ Mano's seamlessly brings together sounds of hip-hop with elements of house, and drum & bass. His penchant for speeding up the tempo on popular hits and sparkling some drum flair and house flavors makes his works more than catchy. Mano's interpretation for Mr. West's "Flashing Lights" easily made me forget the melodrama of Kanye's much hyped video. With the help of rapper, Hollywood Holt, he managed to make indie darlings, Matt & Kim, danceable.

Aside from remixes, Mano also has produced for G.O.O.D. Music artist GLC and has a side project, He Say, She Say, with singer Drea. After recently catching the ear of Kanye West, let's hope Million $ Mano soon gets the respect across the globe, he's already getting from Chicago artists.

Look for Million $ Mano on tour with M.I.A. at the Fillmore on May 8th with special guest Holy F***.

Kanye West - Flashing Lights (Million $ Mano Remix)

Million $ Mano - Lady

Shawty Lo - Dey Know (Million $ Mano Remix)

Matt and Kim - Its A Fact ft Hollywood Holt (Million $ Mano Remix)

Narkworthy: April 8th edition

2008-04-08T09:15:00.000-05:00

I have mostly complained about the rap/hip-hop game (or the lack there of) for the past year. Some of my peers have even claimed I have given up on what I used to be known for: Pushing new bass-thumping rap onto anyone who will listen in the form of "Nark" mixtapes.

To give a brief history, the "Nark" mixtape was originated by my friend Gutter and he aptly titled it, "The Nark Out Remix: Vol. 1". This blockbuster disc featured the latest and greatest in the Spring of 2006 (Drama, Big Tymers to name a few). As for the name "Nark" (not to be confused with the DEA-affiliated "Narc"), I'm pretty sure it simply sounded funny at the time and made no sense, so why not? I inherited the franchise with the next installment on my newly purchased Roxio, external CD drive and tried to drop hits every 4-6 weeks. I pretty much scoured any file sharing avenue possible (Napster, Limewire, mIRC, etc.), in search of the newest and most exclusive songs rap had to offer.

As of April 2008, there have been over 40 "Narks", many "classics" ("Narked Out Reloaded", at least in my eyes), and plenty of ridiculous titles ("Raiders of the Lost Nark", "Jurassic Nark"). Since I don't make those mixtapes that often, I'm going to try to post a few songs per week that I would deem "Narkworthy". Eventually, when I have enough tracks, I'll then turn these into traditional "Narks", but this should satisfy those that need a rap "fix" instantly. I'll also post "Narked Up", my most recent collection.

1. Paper Route Gangstaz "'Bama Gettin' Money" (Diplo Remix)
Their name is pretty laughable, but I'm not sure I have heard anything like them in awhile. Hailing from Hunstville, Alabama, this crew has a hungry sound that is reminiscent of Three Six Mafia's early days. With the help of producer Diplo, they manage to make a George Michael sample drenched in swampy bass and southern drawl, sound very eerie.

Paper Route Gangstaz - 'Bama Gettin' Money (Diplo Remix)

2. Jay-Z "Ain't I"
After Young Hov got his artistic angst out of his system (last year's amazing, American Gangster), he decided to show youngn's how to flow on any beat. DJ Clue released it and originally claimed it was from S. Carter's next opus. Later, Jay-Z said "Ain't I" was supposed to be on Timbaland's Shock Value, but just missed deadline.

Jay-Z - Ain't I

3. Wyclef Jean ft Lupe Fiasco "Fast Car" remix
Though I haven't checked out Clef's new album, Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant, I probably should if his 1st two singles ("Sweetest Girl", "Slow Down") are any indication. The former leader of The Fugees seems to paint pictures with troubled characters over catchy beats with ease consistently and the remix to "Fast Car" is no exception. Substituting Paul Simon for Lupe Fiasco brings another great storyteller to the table on a solid remix.

Wyclef Jean ft Lupe Fiasco - Fast Car remix

Narked Up - featuring Jay Rock, Lil' Wayne, Lupe Fiasco, 9th Wonder, Kanye West, and more.

Lollapalooza 2008: Initial Lineup

2008-04-04T15:12:00.003-05:00

It has been waaaaaay to long since I have added anything to this site. I was really hoping to not have one of those blogs that gets updated once a month. Hopefully, I will return to form immediately.

Whether it was a clever ploy by Perry Farrell and organizers to drum up more early ticket sales or just an innocent leak, I love it. When the "potential" early line-up for Lollapalooza 2008 leaked Friday via the Chicago Sun-Times, it only validated my recent ticket purchase. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I will be amped and ready to roast in Grant Park, Chicago August 1st - 3rd. Not only were most of my hopes answered for most of the artists attending. But my recent task of scouring band websites and tour itineraries to see who had the 1st weekend of August free, made many of my guesses correct.

Here is my take on who will be joining me at Lollapalooza:

Headliners:
-Radiohead: I know the basics of their catalog, but I'm excited to have another reason to check out their catalog in preparation. In Colours seemed to be the "it" album of 2007, so no surprise here.

-Nine Inch Nails: I can't lie, I don't know the band's work. Their video for "Closer" creeped me out beyond believe in 7th grade, so we'll see about these cats.

-Rage Against the Machine: I may not be in the middle of the most pit, but I have been looking forward to a Rage reunion. My friends who saw them at Vegoose and Rock the Bells said it was insane. Count me in.

-Wilco & The Raconteurs: I know an equal amount about both bands, very little. I have been impressed with both albums by Jack White's boys and look forward to hear more from Wilco.

-Kanye West: Chicago's son comes home to rock the biggest party in the city. I expect a lot of "Flashing Lights", emotion and specials guests (could we see a CRS performance?). Cannot wait!

The rest:
-Gnarls Barkley: "The Odd Couple" may have turned away mainstreamers without a pop record like "Crazy", but it was still solid. I'm hoping to see some interesting costumes while Cee-Lo spits the Gospel.

-The Black Keys: Yes, yes and yes. These guys have been in heavy rotation in my eardrums since I heard "Your Touch" this winter. Although I'll have to skip their show in Royal Oak, it will only further my anticipation of their throwback, garage rock sound.

-The Cool Kids: Another Windy City act poise to explode from the hype that has already been bubbling. Their '80s inspired rhymes should keep the crowd in a head-nodding frenzy.

-Mates of State, Bloc Party, Office, the Go! Team: All constants on my playlists and will all be part of my plans for that weekend.

-Cat Power, G. Love, Broken Social Scene, Jamie Lidell: Research for the next few months.

-Blues Traveler: What?

-Girl Talk: Do you really have to ask? I'll be there.

Would you like a sample?

Wilco - What A Light

Gnarls Barkley - Going On

The Cool Kids - Action Figures

Mates of State - Goods (All In Your Head)

Bloc Party - Hunting For Witches

Office - Oh My

The Go! Team - Grips Like A Vice

Girl Talk - Pure Magic

Sam Sparro: Electro "Gold"

2008-02-22T12:02:00.000-05:00

I never thought I would say this, but apparently, I like dance music. This might have been obvious to those who have been forced to listen to my party playlists, but not I'm not referring to danceable rap music by Timbaland, Flo Rida, and others. Since returning from Acapulco Spring Break last March, and frequenting Palladium and Mandara, names like Girl Talk, Bob Sinclair, Million Dollar Mano, and Armand Van Helden have been showing up on my i-Pod. Whether it reminds me of how amazing that trip was or its just mindless fun sound, the synthesizers and thumping bass have struck a chord recently.

While Sam Sparro probably wouldn't classify himself with those listed above, he does make dance music that is more than enjoyable. After being co-signed by one of the best blogs in the Midwest, My Old Kentucky Blog, Sparro's sound has been described by some as "electrosoul" and similar to artists like Goldfrapp. I was quickly hooked on Sparro's latest single, "Black and Gold" in late 2007. Its synth driven beat, psychedelic lyrics, and catchy hook makes for head nodding fun. While I can't say I understand how the colors black and gold relate to the evolution vs. creationism debate, the track's pulsing sound makes you quickly cast aside any need for debate. Look for Sam Sparro to make an impact across the globe with his debut album this summer.

Rothbury: A Music Festival....in Michigan?!?!?

2008-02-14T09:30:00.005-05:00

While I was going through my daily routine of scouring music sites for the latest news, I was not very shocked to see another 3-day music festival scheduled for this summer. From Woodstock to South By Southwest, fans have paid their savings ($100-$500) to check out mile-long lists of "it" bands on a long weekend. While Lollapalooza has been the only way for Mid-westerners to join in the fun, without having to drive 8 hours or more, I never thought there would be a festival closer than Chicago.

So imagine my surprise when I ran across an article on Billboard.com stating Rothbury, MI would be hosting "Rothbury - A Sustainable Camping Festival Celebrating Music and Art". What?!?!?! I was sure this was actually a misprint for the rumored Vineland Music Festival supposedly happening in New Jersey, in August, but wrongo bongo my friend. Rothbury Festival will most definitely be taking place about 3 1/2 hours Northwest of Detroit on the coast of Lake Michigan.

So far, the lineup looks like this: Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, 311, Snoop Dogg, Modest Mouse, The Black Keys, Citizen Cope, Ray Lamontagne, Drive-By Truckers, Of Montreal, Gomez, Diplo, and more. I can't say I would be too excited to pay $250 to see that list, but if this year was a success, can you imagine what this could turn into? This wouldn't be too bad, would it? Or how about this?

On another note, Rothbury brands itself as "a music festival revolution". It might also be a hippie's dream with a very cool, "green initiative". Hoping to minimize the damage past Woodstock and other gatherings have caused the environment, Rothbury wants to create a "zero-waste" event. Their mission is "committed to harnessing the spirit of the music festival community into a durable social movement." To make this happen, there are volunteer opportunities, such as "Work Exchange - Green Team" where concert goers volunteer for 5 hour shifts during the show, where they will be reimbursed for their concert ticket. Of course, you have to purchase a ticket at regular price as a "deposit", but not a bad way to give back and listen to great live music at the same time.

While I think I am still going to hold out hope that I'll have the funds and an opportunity to hit Lollapalooza this year, I am ecstatic at the idea of a major music fest in Michigan. It wasn't very long ago when Ms. Waters and I were hoping we could start a festival of our own (never say never). If Rothbury succeeds this summer, it could be the next Coachella? Early bird tickets go on sale February 27th.

The Black Keys - Your Touch

MIA ft Bun B & Rich Boy - Paper Planes (Diplo Remix)

Vampire Weekend: Off the "Wall"

2008-02-12T09:20:00.000-05:00

I was late to jump on the Vampire Weekend bandwagon, mostly due to the incessant onslaught of blurbs I read. But believe the hype. They have been labeled as a "blog band" and received some backlash after reaching the mainstream, but Vampire Weekend makes great indie pop.

Their self titled, debut album was released last week, after much delay and emits a sound that infuses African("Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"), Punk ("A-Punk"), and Classical music ("M79"). Most of their fare isn't especially lyrically ground breaking, but is more than intricate when crafting a brilliant musical landscape. How can you not love a band that manages to slip in a Lil' Jon lyric without sounding ridiculous?

Vampire Weekend will be at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor tonight.

Vampire Weekend - Campus

Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma

Showstopper: Girl Talk @ Metro, Chicago 1/26/08

2008-02-01T13:10:00.000-05:00

My first concert in Chicago and another great Girl Talk show. Metro was filled from top to bottom with hipsters and dance party enthusiasts galore.

Highlights:
-Everyone in our group made into the venue, despite only 3/8 of us having tickets at 11:00 pm.
-Viewing hundreds of dudes screaming "Since You've Been Gone".
-Falling on my face and being lifted from the ground by a stranger.
-With the help of Journey's "Faithfully", Soulja Boy managed to sound epic.
-Surviving with only a few bruises and slight dehydration.

What more can I say? Sign me up for Round 3.

Estelle: Soon To Be Shining

2008-01-18T11:00:00.001-05:00

Newcomer songstress/rapper Estelle is preparing her sophomore album, Shine, to be released this February. After gaining mild success in her native home in London, Ms. Swaray is hoping her hybrid style will breakthrough across the Atlantic. Estelle's debut, The 18th Letter, quickly garnered the attention of then-unknown singer by the name of John Legend. When it came time to get started on her next effort, Estelle wanted Legend to executive produce, but he wanted more. Legend signed her as his first artist on Homeschool Records. Shine is scheduled to feature production from Swizz Beatz, Cee-Lo, Wyclef Jean, and current "it" producer, Mark Ronson.

I am very intrigued to hear more from Estelle. Her lead single, "Wait A Minute (Just A Touch", has generated some heat early with the help of Will.I.Am. Next up is an appearance by Kanye West on the hip-hop flavored "American Boy". I am most interested to see if Mark Ronson can duplicate his success in 2007 with Sharon Jones and Amy Winehouse. While Estelle is more hip-hop than those two singers, Ronson has shown he can make his throwback sound work with artists from many genres (see Lily Allen, Rhymefest, ODB). Carrying a soulful voice mixed with a jazzy flow and A-List backing, Estelle should have no problem glowing in 2008.

*Songs were removed by request of record company : (

Lyrical Genius: Sean Kingston "Take You There"

2008-01-17T10:57:00.000-05:00

While I try my best to promote music I love and think should be heard by all, inevitably, I succomb to the latest in pop hits. Some beats are so catchy, it can't be helped. Guilty pleasures. Party music. Songs I would most likely love at the bar, but shun in a sober state. I might get my music snobbery card revoked, but the force that is pop music is sometimes unavoidable.

Where is this embarrassing confession leading? One of my latest and favorite hobbies, lyrical interpretation. While it can be quite rewarding deciphering the vocabulary of Conor Oberst and expounding upon the narrative skills of Common. It can also be just as fun to find offensive analogies by Finger Eleven and translate the wordsmithery of sexual innuendos in Nelly's hits. Yes, I know this is pop music. The word "pop" brings to mind sugary, bubble gum that loses its meaningless flavor faster than Snow can say "Informer". But this is what its here for, right?

The most recent example of lyrical genius is executed on the breezy single by Sean Kingston on "Take You There". This Jamaican flavored young'n clearly filled the void of annoying, commercialized reggae star that Shaggy grew too old for and Sean Paul was too ugly hold on to. You might remember him for making you contemplate "suicidal" thoughts after he butchered Ben E. King's classic, "Stand By Me" all summer long on "Beautiful Girls".

On "Take You There", Kingston once again appeals to the ladies. Over a summery beat that features a blatant rip off of the "haunting effect" Danja & Timbaland used on "Cry Me A River" and "We Takin' Over". Throughout the song, Mr. Kingston offers a young female a variety of options for their romantic endeavors. Specifically, he states:

We can go to the tropics
sip Pina Coladas
Shorty I can take you there
Or we can go to the slums
Where killas get hung
Shorty I can take you there

This gem of a chorus is so classy on so many levels. While our cuddly Jamaican friend starts off right by offering up a trip to a scenic spot, he fails to mention he is 17 and won't be purchasing anyone any alcoholic beverages (well, maybe not). He then shows that the word "shorty" might not be finished, after being used by every rapper/crooner (see 50 Cent, T-Pain & Akon) in 2007. At this point, the generous offer gets interesting as Kingston options to show his counterpart a trip to his part of town. Seems like a nice idea, maybe she could meet his mother, wrong. Instead, he'd rather show her spots in which she might get to meet some slain gangsters? Huh?

Kingston finishes this enchanting pick-up with gun shots, police flying by and possible encounter with "bad men". You never know, this could be "paradise" to some classy female. So, ladies, wouldn't you like Sean Kingston to "Take You There"?

2007 Wrap-Up: Showstopper in 2008

2008-01-16T20:19:00.000-05:00

While I am mostly saving my pennies to go to Lollapalooza in 2008, here are a few of the bands I'd like to see live and in person.

#5 Editors/Jack Penate/The Fratellis/The Kooks
Though each of these rising artists/bands from across the pond have very unique styles, I'd love to see them implement their hits on stage. I've already seen Editors, but their expanding catalog would make for a great, dark show.

#4 Georgie James
One of SubPop's newest signees had a great fall with Places. They have already laid plans for part of 2008, hopefully they will bring "More Lights" to Detroit as well.

#3 Girl Talk
While I've already seen this mash-up maestro once (and plan to visit Chicago's Metro for a Jan. 26 sold out show), I could be easily persuaded for another crazy night with Girl Talk. There have been rumors of a new album in early 2008, so why not promote it in "the D."

#2 Neko Case
2006 was chanteuse Neko Case's breakout year with Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, but she still managed to shine in 2007 with The New Pornographer's stellar reunion album, Challengers. From the reviews I have read and evidence from Live From Austin, TX, I'm sure Case's chilling vocals would be more than mesmerizing in person.

#1 Arcade Fire
They made nearly every blogger and critic's top albums list in 2007, but only played a handful of shows in the U.S. to support Neon Bible. The closest Arcade Fire came to Michigan was an October show in Columbus, which wasn't close enough for me to attend. It would be be hard for me to skip a Detroit show with Win Butler's dark orchestra.

2007 Wrap-Up: Looking Forward To In 2008

2008-01-11T11:27:00.000-05:00

While 2007 was the best year in music for me personally, I have only begun to dig in the crates for new music. Though many indie fans have complained that there aren't any big albums to look forward to in 2008 (Arcade Fire, The New Pornographers, Arctic Monkeys, The Shins, etc.) There should be more than enough music to file through and its likely that there will be many hidden gems in the pack (see Feist).

Here is what I'm looking forward to most:

#5 Dr. Dre "Detox" - Yeah, right. This should be filed with the infamous next Guns 'n Roses LP, but there is always hope. The good doctor is rumored to be collaborating with the usual Aftermath suspects (Eminem, 50 Cent, Eve, Busta Rhymes) and others including Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Lil' Wayne, newcomer Bishop Lamont, and producers J.R. Rotem, Just Blaze, and RZA.

#4 New albums by: Andre 3000 and Big Boi of OutKast, the Kooks, Nas, Tokyo Police Club, Klaxons, Royce Da 5'9", The Courteeners, Keri Hilson, The Black Kids, Emmy the Great, Gnarls Barkley, Eminem, Rhymefest, Lightspeed Champion, WALE, Girl Talk, & Adele (look out Amy Winehouse).

#3 Timbaland "Shock Value II" - The follow-up to the genre-twisting hit album in 2007. Scheduled to feature Akon, Gwen Stefani, Linkin Park, Jay-Z, Keri Hilson and more. I can't say it looks too groundbreaking (I'd love to see him work with Bloc Party), but worth checking out for the beats.

#2 Lil' Wayne The Carter III - Dwayne Carter has been rapping out of his mind since his last album. He has been featured on every remix you can think of (DJ Khaled's "I'm So Hood" and Wyclef's "Sweetest Girl" are a few favorites), has put out countless acclaimed mixtapes (The Drought Is Over series) and a buzz-worthy EP, The Leak. Much of the hype has been due to Wayne's growth as a lyricist. By dropping witty metaphors and personal anecdotes (the trippy "I Feel Like Dying") and political musings (George Bush aimed "Georgia...Bush") like its hot, he has shed much of the "Bling-Bling" persona. With production by Timbaland, Will.I.Am, Cool & Dre, Just Blaze and a possible reunion with Mannie Fresh, Lil' Wayne's The Carter III will be one of the most anticipated hip-hop albums of 2008.

#1 Lollapalooza 2008 Aug 1-3 - I've been dying to go for the past two summers, will I finally just pony up the dough? Will Perry Farrell continue to concoct a line-up worthy of past summers with the growing number of competitive festivals? Personally, I'm hoping for Radiohead, The New Pornographers, Girl Talk, Georgie James, Lupe Fiasco, K-OS, Rhymefest, The Black Kids, OutKast, Weezer, maybe even the Black Crowes.

2007 Wrap-Up: Showstopper Edition

2008-01-08T11:10:00.000-05:00

Early on in 2007, I was worried that many of my favorite acts would skip Detroit for other cities. While I didn't get to see everyone I wanted (Arctic Monkeys, Ben Harper, Rilo Kiley, Spoon & Band Of Horses) and some of them still haven't made it (Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, Amy Winehouse, The New Pornographers), I was more than happy with the shows I was able to attend.

#5 Copeland w/ As Tall As Lions @ Blind Pig, Ann Arbor, MI - 5/7/07

My first show of the year and first ever in Ann Arbor. I wasn't sure what to expect, but Copeland didn't disappoint. The audience was enthralled with lead singer Aaron Marsh's emotion and his piano skills weren't too shabby either. "You Have My Attention" and "Control Freak" were definite highlights.

#4 Tegan and Sara w/ Northern State @ St. Andrew's Hall, Detroit, MI - 11/28/07

Canada's most talented set of twins showed their vast musical talent and patience at this recent show. The crowd helped Tegan and Sara sing most of the numbers from the band's large catalog and gave a few too many suggestions as well. Short anecdotes from Tegan made for memorable moments/rants were perfect for the intamate venue. Recent hits from The Con kept almost everyone happy, but "Living Room" shined as an energetic performance. Northern State aptly opened the show with their fun and earnest female rap session. You couldn't help but smile as they ran through "Better Already" and "Sucka Mofo" while striking poses and jumping along the way.

#3 The Format w/ Limbeck, Steel Train, & Piebald @ St. Andrew's Hall, Detroit, MI - 8/31/07

Energy was abound at this show with members of each band helping out for each other's sets. The Format seamlessly and electrically played past hits and most of their latest, Dog Problems. Limbeck brought West Coast flavor, Steel Train gave a dramatic Jersey showcase and Piebald gave a rowdy effort on their last ever stop in Detroit.

#2 Feist w/ Rogue Wave @ Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI - 9/15/07

Definitely the quietest concert I've ever attended, but amazing in its own way. Feist highlighted hits from The Reminder and Let It Die with a cool backdrop that set Michigan Theater aglow. "My Moon My Man", "Mushaboom" and the encore featuring "Sea Lion Woman" were highlights. The finale even featured Feist as choir director leading the crowd in helpful edition of her biggest hit so far, "1,2,3,4". Rogue Wave had a solid opening slot and featured a rousing rendition of "Lake Michigan".

#1 Girl Talk @ Eagle Theater, Pontiac, MI - 11/10/07

Though it doesn't really qualify as an concert, the Girl Talk show was certainly the best event I attended this year. This fringe riot is probably the only time I'll ever see that many people sweating and bumping into each other like they'll never dance again. Insanity.

2007 Wrap-Up: Commercial Hip-Hop Albums

2008-01-03T14:06:00.000-05:00

For all of the complaining I have done about the rap/hip-hop game this year, when it was good, it was really good.

#4 Common Finding Forever
It might not be Common's best, but it was still one of the best in the game. After his most successful album to date, Be, gained crossover success, Common decided not to mess with a good thing on Finding Forever. With help from Kanye West, Will.I.Am. and DJ Premier, Common pleased pop fans and hip-hoppers alike with stellar story-telling on "Drivin' Me Wild", "The Game" and "The People". The only thing missing was a few more J-Dilla beats.

#3 Jay-Z American Gangster
Jay-Z must have been watching "Godfather III" in between viewings of "American Gangster" because just when you thought he was out, he got pulled back in. Young Hov decided to postpone retirement again and create a concept album inspired by Denzel Washington's most recent amazing performance. American Gangster easily eclipses his last effort and created a dark landscape as close to Reasonable Doubt as it gets. "I Know" is classic song writing taken from the view of heroin, while "Pray", "Success", and "Fallin'" exploit the highs and lows of S. Carter's hoodlum past.

#2 Kanye West Graduation
The ever controversial Kanye West added a sales war with 50 Cent to his resume with the release of Graduation. Not surprisingly, it lived up to the hype. "Stronger" used a Daft Punk sample to get pop fans interested, but gems like "Flashing Lights" and the earnest approach on "Everything I Am" impressed hip-hop purists and pushed Mr. West to the head of the class.

#1 Lupe Fiasco The Cool
Kanye and Common weren't the only Chicago MC's to show the world how Chi-Town does hip-hop. Lupe Fiasco's semi-concept album, The Cool barely made it into consideration for 2007, but won't be easily forgotten. He continues where he left off on Food & Liquor with the story of a mobster who rises from the grave on "The Coolest", while he introduces new characters The Streets (the gritty "Streets On Fire") and The Game ("Put You On Game"). Lupe Fiasco is particularly compelling on the intergalactic sound of "Intruder Alert" and military style of "Little Weapon" While using each verse to describe 3 different stories, "Intruder Alert" intracatly details the experiences of a rape victim, drug addict and an immigrant. The hypnotic beat by Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump on "Little Weapon" echoes the entrancing story of child soldiers in Africa. Lupe's composed delivery while dropping refreshing knowledge is apparent no matter who's point of view he spits from.

2007 Wrap-Up: Covers in 2007

2007-12-21T11:13:00.000-05:00

2007 brought a plethora of karaoke wanna bes to the mainstream. It seemed like everyone from Tegan and Sara (Rihanna's "Umbrella") to Lily Allen (50 Cent's "Window Shopper") felt the need to get their "American Idol" on and borrow a fellow artists song. I normally don't condone this kind of recycling, but the following covers are a few of the best.

#3 Tom Thumb "Atlantic City" (Bruce Springsteen)

Anyone who decides to cover the Boss is either a brave soul or a crazy fool. Luckily, newcomer Tom Thumb's chilling voice more than adequately translates to the dark tale of a couple who might be involved with the mafia.

#2 Mark Ronson "Valerie" ft Amy Winehouse (The Zutons)

As a producer, Mark Ronson blew up in 2007 by pushing Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse and Kate Nash as the next "it" girls in music. He also had success on his album of covers, Version, with new twists on old favorites (ODB's appearance on "Toxic" is priceless). Winehouse returns the favor on "Valerie". Ronson's jazzy production soars and is puncuated by Winehouse on every note.

#1 Jenny Owens Young "Hot In Herre" (Nelly)

I promoted this jam earlier in the spring, but it was consistently part of my playlist throughout the year. Young's slowed down and stripped version of Nelly's "Hot In Herre" is hilarious and as catchy as the original. Its even better to hear the ridiculous lyrics (Stop placin, time wastin/I gotta a friend with a pole in the basement (What?)/I'm just Kiddin like Jason (Oh)/Unless you gon' do it) over the plucks of an acoustic guitar.

2007 Wrap-Up: 10 Tracks in 2007

2007-12-19T15:51:00.000-05:00

I feel like I might be shooting myself in the foot by neglecting some songs, but as far as I can remember, these were my favorites. Feel free to let me know of any suggestions.

#10 Emmy the Great "Two Steps Forward"

While 2008 will likely bring Emmy the Great to the masses, she started to build a name for herself with a few underground singles. "Two Steps Forward" is a sophisticated rant without a chorus, but you wouldn't know it with her soothing voice. This "anti-folk" single about past loves sounds amazing among a fiddle, light guitar riffs and Emmy's angelic voice.

#9 Arctic Monkeys "Do Me A Favor"

My Favourite band from Sheffield returned after a short hiatus with more stories of mischief in the U.K. This gripping narrative details a relationship headed for the guillotine with the soundtrack to match. The nerve wracking bass line leads to a guitar smashing result that works superbly.

#8 Kate Nash "Foundations"

Kate Nash acquired many comparisons to Lily Allen from her poetic storytelling to her alliance with Mark Ronson, but Nash made a name for herself on her 1st hit single . "Foundations" is solid as a sarcastic break-up monologue filled with clever wordplay over a piano and guitar landscape.

#7 Iron and Wine "Boy With A Coin"

Sam Beam shines on the first single from The Shepherd's Dog. In a departure from his past low key (but still great) work, the track's backing has more than the usual acoustic guitar. Hand claps, electric guitar, light drum and some vocal distortion help craft this song filled with religious imagery.

#6 Bright Eyes "Four Winds"

While it took me awhile to realize the genius that is Conor Oberst, the first single from Cassadaga made me a believer. "Four Winds" features political and religious musings over a refined bluegrass sound. Its easily the best toe-tapping apocalyptic tune of 2007.

#5 Patrick Wolf "The Magic Position"

Patrick Wolf made a name for himself in 2007 as an eccentric character on the upbeat single, "The Magic Position". As if it was plucked from the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory soundtrack, the track features hand clap percussion, a childish chant and a hypnotic hook. The not-so-subtle come on might not work for Wolf in reality, but it works perfectly in song.

#4 Jose Gonzalez "Down the Line"

Gonzalez's latest effort easy caught my ear this summer. His way with a guitar and a cool melody ease the tension on the simple, yet mesmerizing song about regret and temptation. This could also win the award for creepiest video of the year.

#3 The Black Kids "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend to Dance With You"

With a little help from Rolling Stone, Florida's The Black Kids have some of the best buzz leading into 2008. On this single, the band's garage rock sounds sweet intertwined with the bitter storyline surrounding it.

#2 Rogue Wave "Lake Michigan"

Rogue Wave burst back on the scene after recording their latest album, Asleep At Heaven's Gate in the Midwest. This melancholy and socially conscious track features some of their best work complete with crashing guitars and always welcome hand claps. Pay attention and you'll find its about pollution. Imagine that.

#1 Bon Iver "Skinny Love"

You might notice a theme here with minimalist yet dramatic songs featuring an emotional singer on this list, but Bon Iver deserves to be here as well. This folk classic about loneliness after love is as earnest as they come. Certainly my favorite of many favorites in 2007.

2007 Wrap-Up: 10 Albums In 2007

2007-12-13T10:00:00.001-05:00

3 years ago, if you would have told me that I would be writing a 2007 Best of List that didn't include a rap/hip-hop album, I would have probably spit beer in your face. I could go into a whole rant on why the current state of Hip-Hop didn't allow me to praise the genre, but I've already done that. Instead here is a short list of the great, new music I've discovered this year. Some of my opinions have changed from previous reviews, but that is bound to happen after repeated listening sessions.

#10 Georgie James Places

After a late 2007 release, Georgie James crept into heavy rotation with their fetching album Places. The album has enough addictive indie rock to arm Impact89FM playlists for months with james like "Need Your Needs", "More Lights", and "Look Me Up".

#9 The Rosebuds Night of the Furies

Raleigh, North Carolina's The Rosebuds added a risky electronic touch to their 3rd disc, Night of the Furies and it paid off. I was hooked by the dark, yet danceable "Get Up And Get Out", while "I Better Run" and "Hold Onto This Coat" made for a solid album.

#8 Tegan and Sara The Con

Though the Quinn sisters caught some flack from fans for a more commercial sound, The Con featured some of my favorite songs to date by the twins. The title track and "Back In Your Head" are particularly cathy, but "Knife Going In" and "Dark Come Soon" showcase the duo's unique story-telling abilties.

#7 Band of Horses Cease to Begin

Although I was late to jump on the Band of Horses hype machine, I soon found Cease to Begin was a near perfect fall album. Spectral sounds and loud riffs on "Is There A Ghost?", "Detlef Schrempf", "Marry Song", and "No One's Gonna Love You" made for a bright album in the dark months ahead.

#6 Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Terribly titled, but Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is Spoon's six album and could easily be the band's best. "You've Got Your Cherry Bomb" and "The Underdog" were infectious enough to grace my i-pod countless times this year. "Don't You Evah" and "Don't Make Me A Target" were breezy, indie rock gems that rounded out the album's upbeat sound.

#5 Amy Winehouse Back to Black

As if teleporting from the past, Amy Winehouse burst onto playlists everywhere with the retro-infused album, Back to Black. While her troublesome offstage antics caught the attention of many, her soul & jazz influenced album won over critics and bloggers most. "Rehab" burned up the pop charts, while "You No I'm No Good", the title track, and "Love Is A Losing Game" gave a feel of '60s Motown nostalgia.

#4 The Bees (Band of Bees) Octopus

One of my earliest reviews was of The Bee's (or Band of Bees in the US) stand out album, Octopus. 8 months later, my opinion hasn't changed. The Bees' eclectic musical offerings from the '60s rock stylings of "Love In The Harbor" to jazzier fare on "Got To Let Go" made for an amazing album. The musings on "Who Cares What The Question Is?" could easily make for the best bluegrass impressions of the year.

#3 The New Pornographers Challengers

Canada's "super group", The New Pornographers jumped the front of the list with Challengers. With that many great musicians contributing, how could the results not be amazing? "Mutiny I Promise You" and "My Right Versus Yours" dropped light political messages, while the title track, "All The Old Showstoppers", and "Go Places" were simply great indie rock.

#2 Feist The Reminder

Leslie Feist crafted an impressive indie pop breakthrough with The Reminder. While Apple and Verizon capitaled on the sounds of "1,2,3,4" and "My Moon My Man" for marketing campaigns, "I Feel It All" and "The Water" were equally ear pleasing. I was lucky enough to see her genius in Ann Arbor this fall and The Reminder was just as perfect live.

#1 Arcade Fire Neon Bible

In 2007, Win Butler and company crafted a hauntingly good follow-up to The Funeral. Chilling vocals and an eerie pipe organ made songs like "Intervention" and "My Body Is A Cage" creepy in a good way, allowing "Keep The Car Running" and "No Cars Go" to light up the album with '80s-esque energy. Neon Bible blessed more ear drums than any other album this year. Let's hope the band's recent success and sightings with Bruce Springsteen fuel more inspiration for another smash album.

Honorable Mention: Bright Eyes Cassadega, K-OS Atlantis: Hymns For Disco (US Release in 2007), Arctic Monkeys Favourite Worst Nightmare, Jay-Z American Gangster, Modest Mouse We Were Dead Before The Ship Was Sinking, Kanye West Graduation, Bloc Party A Weekend In The City, Editors An End Has A Start, Maximo Park Our Earthly Pleasures, Winterpills The Light Divides

Jeremy Fisher: Cure For A "Blue Monday"

2007-11-26T20:50:00.000-05:00

Jeremy Fisher is singer-songwriter from Vancouver, Canada. With the release of his sophomore album, Goodbye Blue Monday, he sure to draw many comparisons, but it shouldn't hold him down. With story-telling skills in the mold of Bob Dylan and Paul Simon combined with a scratchy, likable voice similar to Josh Rouse, success shouldn't be hard to find.

"Scar That Never Heals" is sure to rise to the top of hipster playlists with its up beat, playful "Cecilia"-like flavor. With hand claps a plenty and a '70s folk pop backing, its hard not to nod your head. Though I don't understand the hook ("she runs guns everyone wants guns/She runs guns everyone wants there she goes"), my best guess is that his lover's disdain for monogamy, is the cause for Fisher's melancholy, pain.

Apparently, Fisher paid attention in English 101 as he perfects personification on "Cigarette". The single features Fisher's Paul Simon-like, story-telling skills as he continuously offers himself to a female who keeps coming back. He lazily croons, "I’ll be your cigarette/Light me up and get on with it/I’ll be hard to forget/Good or bad I’m just a habit."

Goodbye Blue Monday is filled with upbeat bounds of indie/folk rock. Other highlights including "Jolene", the Americana filled "Remind Me", and the bouncy track "Sula" are sure to cure any Winter blues. Any similarities Jeremy Fisher attains to the aforementioned greats should be welcomed as a hint of Fisher's bright future.

Jeremy Fisher - Cigarette

Jeremy Fisher - Scar That Never Heals

Show Stopper: Girl Talk @ Eagle Theater 11/10/07 - Insanity on the Dance Floor

2007-11-12T21:01:00.000-05:00

Pandemonium. Mayhem. Insanity. These are the best words I could think of that described the scene I witnessed in Pontiac on Saturday night, and they don't even come close. Girl Talk came to Eagle Theater this weekend and nearly incited a riot with a frenzy of mash-ups that shook the venue. And it was amazing.

Girl Talk aka Greg Gillis, has quickly garnered a cult following among bloggers, hipsters and music fans everywhere with his knack for creating hits out of hits. An engineer by day, entertainer by night, Mr. Gillis soon realized making people dance to mixtures of Dr. Dre & Billy Squier was his true calling. The Night Ripper, gained so much attention that Girl Talk earned sets on the major festival circuit (check out these videos from Coachella and the Montreal Jazz Festival) over the past 2 years. Though I hate the term mash-up, its the only phrase I have heard that best portrays his work. It just doesn't give justice to the expertise Gillis has for the precise beat-making heard on Saturday.

With a line that stretched around the corner of Saginaw St in Pontiac, the anticipation was building for the sold out show. You could sense the feeling that my fellow concert goers weren't sure what to expect. The Eagle Theater's unique decor, was certainly perfect for a unique event. From the ballroom type ceiling fixtures, to the disco influenced platforms, the venue was a mash-up of eras past, collaborating for the sold out event. The opening band, Death Set, didn't show up (according to Girl Talk, the band rocked too hard the night before), but people didn't seem to mind, giving a short chant for the headliner to arrive.

After a brief introduction by Girl Talk, the festivities were ready to commence. Gillis' bare bones approach, dressed in a white track suit and headwrap with a card table and wireless laptop, gave the feeling that he was only here for one reason, to make everyone party. From the first note of the opening song (a revamped edition of "Hold Up"), the crowd was in a frenzy and it only took a few seconds before the entire stage was filled with rowdy dancers. It wasn't long before the aforementioned table helmed by Girl Talk was engulfed in a sea of sweating bodies. While some of my group ventured to the madhouse on stage, the floor was equally electric. Jumping, dancing, and bouncing off people from every angle was the only way to move and not a soul gave a care or sharp elbow. I don't think I've ever seen that many people in one confined area smiling and dancing.

With the non-stop party in full swing, it was hard to take note of the exact sources of the many new creations blasting from the towering speakers. Which is really just a testament as to how amazing the whole event was. Aside from a smattering of tweaked tracks from The Night Ripper (including the classic Elton John/Notorious B.I.G. collabo, "Smash Your Head"), there was a mini Daft Punk tribute, a memorable rendition of Soulja Boy's "Crank That" with Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin" and countless new gems that will hopefully surface on a future album. After almost two hours of a non-stop dance party, everyone in Eagle Theater looked like they had left the best rain shower they had ever been in. Sign me up for Round 2.

I didn't have a camera, so thanks to whoever's pictures I borrowed...

Duran Duran: Pop Chart "Massacre"

2007-10-03T08:17:00.000-05:00

Duran Duran wanted to make more than a comeback after threatening to fall into the abyss of fallen rock stars, they wanted to take over the pop charts. The band hoped to return to their new wave roots that made them staples on MTV in the '80s with hits like "Hungry Like The Wolf" and "Rio". So, they went out and hired two of the biggest names in music, Justin Timberlake and Timbaland (not to mention, protege Nate "Danja" Hills). Lead singer Simon le Bon confessed, Timbaland "was the only producer out there that we knew we all liked" and the collaboration turned into "Red Carpet Massacre".

Duran Duran's 12th album, Red Carpet Massacre, should be a sure-fire hit, when it is released on November 12th. Anticipation has already begun building from leaks of three tracks featuring Timbaland and JT's genii behind the boards. Will their seemingly midas touch give Duran Duran the success its already given Timbaland and JT's solo albums and other collaborations (Bjork, 50 Cent, Nelly Furtado, etc)?

If the early results are any indications, then the answer is a resounding yes. The first single, "Falling Down", is a mid-tempo ballad reminscent of tracks from "Future Sex/Love Sound". Listeners that didn't even see the '80s will easily relate to the reflective cut. The pace quickens on "Nite Runner". Timbaland quips ad-libs, while JT backs le Bon on the sexually charged hook with sublte cow-bell hits and beat boxing. "Skin Divers" delves further into new wave inspired territory with futuristic keyboard synth and irresistibly odd chorus ("It's a skin dive/In deep silence we are/Going underwater/It's a lifeline/Teardrop, bullets, all night/Dip into the water"). Timbaland shines with a funky few bars ("Babygirl you're swimming/A little too deep/So deep....that I think you might hit a reef") and trademark turntable-like vocals (think Aaliyah's "Try Again").

Though its more of a testament to the hit-making machine that is Timbaland and Justin Timberlake, Duran Duran show they can still convincingly make good pop songs. Simon le Bon told Rolling Stone earlier this month "We want Top Forty", Thats exactly what they will do.

Duran Duran - Falling Down (produced Justin Timberlake)

Duran Duran - Nite Runner ft Timbaland

Duran Duran - Skin Divers ft Timbaland

Beck - "Timebomb"

2007-09-26T14:24:00.001-05:00

Beck recently caught my ear again, when he released a new single, "Timebomb". Though I hadn't paid much attention to Beck's career, his last album, The Information, hooked me with an experimental, new wave sound. Similar to hits like "Cell Phone's Dead" and "Nausea", "Timebomb" continues the trend with futuristic beeps and kinetic energy abound. I wasn't intrigued the first time I heard it with its non-sense driven chorus, but it grew on me with the tune's bouncy, progressive beat. Clearly, lyrics like "We got a timebomb/We got a timebomb/Na na na na" aren't exactly ground breaking, but synthesized chants mixed with hand claps and a bass guitar make for a catchy fun, song.

Perhaps one of the more interesting notes about the single, is that it is a single. Meaning, that is isn't attached to a Beck album past, present of future. It is a stand alone song released exclusively (at first) on I-Tunes. With the state of abysmal record sales plaguing the record industry, you have to wonder if many artists will release more singles and EPs rather than full length albums. You can't have a record sales showdown every Tuesday....or can you??

Beck - Timebomb

Eisely - Family "Combinations"

2007-09-21T10:30:00.000-05:00

Eisley is a collective lead by the serene vocals of Sherri DuPree and made up of four siblings and one cousin. I was made aware of the band when they were featured as the "NPR Song of the Day" last week. They immediately caught my attention as soon as I heard them with intricate indie sensibilities mixed with pop flare and made me an instant fan.

Combinations is their second full length album on Warner Bros Records and it is chock full of lush, indie pop sounds reminiscent of the '60s. Eisley has many of the same ear-pleasing attributes as Rilo Kiley: a great lead singer, catchy, story-like songs and a strong band. The first single, "Invasion" shines as a political statement (possibly?) with an amped up, guitar driven chorus and dramatic lyrics: "And you, you, you, you/you would take the breath from my throat/and you, you, you, you,/you would take the cherished people that i hold". "A Sight to Behold" features the band's Radiohead influence with a heavier sound, but is still very accessible. It matches the love story about a forging ahead despite past failed relationships amid the new wave, bass-laden backing.

"Taking Control" stands out as an immediate favorite that should receive pop attention. The song refers to a romance in a downward spiral, where the narrator has no control of the situation. She finally stands her ground at the end by switching to chorus to the stand offish: "You've been making a joke of our lives/And you've been letting this go/You've been taking control of our lives/And you've been letting this go". Hopefully, it doesn't get overplayed (but I'm sure the band would be flattered) by being picked up by a "Grey's Anatomy"-like show as a theme song or something. I wouldn't be surprised if it did though, because it seems Eisley has crafted an album that shouldn't be overlooked.

Eisley - Invasion

Eisley - Taking Control

Eisely is currently on tour with Mute Math and will be playing at St Andrews Hall on October 13th. Check them out if you are in the area.

Kanye West: "Graduation" with Honors

2007-09-13T09:02:00.000-05:00

Kanye West - Graduation 4/5 Narks

With the massive anticipation for Kanye West's third opus, Graduation, many people wondered if he could rise to the top of the class. In the past 2 years, since Late Registration, Kanye has injected his larger than life persona into popular culture by a public displeasure with George Bush, unleashed tirades at various award shows, successfully launched his G.O.O.D. Music label with the help of John Legend and Common, and engaged in a sales competition with 50 Cent. Needless to say, these events gave Kanye plenty of material to create a colorful and inventive new album.

Kanye West continues his flavor of digging in the crates for classic samples on Graduation, but this time he infuses his penchant for soul with a futuristic/new wave sound. T-Pain assists with his trademark vocal distortion over a sample from Michael Jackson's "P.Y.T." and synthesizers on the party driven next single, "Good Life". "Stronger" may not be the first time a hip-hop producer has sampled Daft Punk (see Busta Rhymes' "Touch It" helmed by Swizz Beatz), but it certainly is the best. The futuristic drum beat reverberates through the speakers while Kanye confidently rhymes his way in to space.

While most of West's best raps are boastful, bravado filled with fashion-sense and pop references (see "The Glory"), he usually includes a few tracks that give a more personal look at the inner demons of Kanye West. "Everything I Am" shines as a laid back piano sampled track featuring turntable work courtesy of DJ Premier. He addresses naysayers who chastise his actions and simply states "everything i'm not, made me everything i am". "Big Brother" gives a personal account of West's rise in the Roc-a-Fella crew and his admiration for idol/label head Jay-Z. From being too star struck to speak with 'Hova to trying to match Jay-Z's success and being humbled by Def Jam's president at Madison Square Garden, it shows West's vulnerable side.

While West earns many A's on Graduation, there are still a few spots where you can see he has a few more things to learn from the "Best Rapper Alive". "Drunk and Hot Girls" follows late night exploits of the rich and famous with promiscuous ladies with a lazy, annoying flow. "Barry Bonds" would suffice as a mixtape cut (Lil' Wayne continues his streak of hit guest appearances), but seems out of place with the sonic-soul feel of the album.

Kanye West has quickly risen to the top of the hip-hop A-list with spit fire rhymes paired with innovative production. Graduation continues the tradition with West's earnest, unapologetic approach and catchy, but soulful beats.

BTW, Curtis lost....

Kanye West - The Glory

Kanye West - Everything I Am

Kanye West - Bittersweet ft John Mayer (Bonus Track)

Kanye vs. Curtis: The Heavyweight Matchup

2007-09-07T11:21:00.000-05:00

Everyone else has an opinion about it, why not me? Two rap superstars. 1 day. 1 winner. Kanye vs. 50 Cent. Graduation vs. Curtis. The hype surrounding the rap album showdown on Tuesday, September 11th is about to bubble over. Though my interest in today's rap game is waning (can you blame me?), this feud caught my attention. Even my favorite indie rock journal, My Old Kentucky Blog, commented on it. If you have been living under a rock, here's the run down:

50 Cent was set to release Before I Self Destruct earlier this summer. After releasing the lackluster, "Candy Shop" leftover, "Amusement Park" and street single "Straight to the Bank", 50 decided to head back to the studio. After a hilarious feud with rapper Cam'ron, where Killa Cam tried to belittle 50 by calling him by his real first name, 50 changed the name of the album to Curtis. He recruited Akon, JT, Timbaland, Nicole Scherzinger and usual contributors Eminem and Dr. Dre to beef up his lukewarm reception. These changes pushed the album back to September 11th.

Meanwhile, Kanye West had been in the lab crafting his third disc, Graduation, hoping for an August release date. Just when the street single, "Can Tell Me Nothing" was gaining steam, Def Jam decided to delay the disc until September 11th. Even though Curtis was already scheduled to drop, he had the gall to say "I hope that they see and understand what’s getting ready to happen."

What 50 didn't know, was the fire-starter single Kanye had in his back pocket. The Daft Punk sampled single, "Stronger" generated enough buzz to burn G-Unit offices down, getting love from the indie set and mainstream fans. 50 came back with his own scorcher, "I Get Money", but its success has paled in comparison to Kanye's first. Even the release of the JT & Timbaland assisted "AYO Technology" hasn't propelled 50 back to his lofty perch. The latest Billboard Hot 100 singles charts has "Stronger" at #2 and "AYO" at #20. "I Get Money" has made some noise in radio play, but it still can't match Kanye's heat. For those counting, 50 released 4 singles to Kanye's 2. Just wait 'til Kanye drops "Good Life" with T-Pain...

The biggest headline of the story though, is 50's claim that he will retire if Kanye sells more than him the first week. He claims that he won't release any new solo material, but will appear on other artists' records from the G-Unit camp. If that were true, he might as well start looking for a resting spot in Florida now, because Kanye's presales are already beating him.

What do I think? I definitely think Graduation will sell more than Curtis, though they will both hit big numbers. 50 Cent had his time to shine and while his fan base used to be as wide as Eminem's and Dr. Dre's, his arrogance and rap's overall sales decline will take a chunk out of his Soundscan numbers. Kanye West is very arrogant as well, but he still has the hunger to want to be #1 that 50 lost after "In the Club". 50 Cent is a marketing genius, from books to Vitamin Water to clothing. I don't even doubt the possibility that he could have met with Kanye earlier this summer and set this whole charade up. Other labels saw the opportunity and now Kenny Chesney will drop the same day. 50 just isn't as musically innovative and lyrically gifted as Kanye to remain relevant. Kanye might call himself the Louis Vuitton Don, but when he gets respected from backpackers and hip-hop heads for his beats and rhyme skills.

Winner = Kanye West Graduation

Kanye West - Stronger

Kanye West - Good Life ft T-Pain

50 Cent - I Get Money

50 Cent - AYO Technology ft JT & Timbaland

..and Kenny Chesney - Never Wanted Nothin More

The Klaxons: Mercury Winners? Is It A "Myth"?

2007-09-06T09:12:00.000-05:00

I have mentioned the Nationwide Mercury Prize a few times in posts, but haven't really explained it. Basically, its an award show that highlights the best British and Irish albums of the past year. The albums nominated are voted on by a board of music executives from across the pond and usually don't get much play in the States (sad, but true).

Klaxons won this year's prize for their 1st album, Myths of the Near Future. The album beat out the likes of Amy Winehouse, Arctic Monkeys (last year's winner), and the New Young Pony Club. Now I would never call my self a journalist or a music critic, I just happen to like writing about music I feel others should pay attention to (or at least give a listen). I don't have a literary degree or have ever been in a band, but I still like to voice my opinion. I just wonder how the "expert" voters came about choosing the Klaxons' album over the list of other nominees. Don't get me wrong, songs like "Golden Skans" and "Gravity's Rainbow" have been in heavy rotation on my i-pod since I heard them. I can definitely appreciate that the band is leading the way in the creation of the "new rave" genre.

The fact of the matter is that Myths of the Near Future is an uneven album, as I mentioned in an earlier post. I may have even been a bit harsh in my initial review, the album was probably a 3 after few more listens. But I have a hard time believing its the best Brit or Irish album of 2007. Especially in comparison to Back to Black and Favourite Worst Nightmare. I am sure Ms. Winehouse will get her due and the Arctic Monkeys got their fair share of praise last year, I just think Klaxons should be rewarded in the "Future", when they create a more focused record.

Klaxons - Golden Skans

Klaxons - Gravity's Rainbow

Bonus: Amy Winehouse - Love Is A Losing Game @ Mercury Prize

Show Stopper: The Format @ St. Andrew's Hall 8/31/07

2007-09-05T09:28:00.000-05:00

The Format - St. Andrew's Hall - Detroit - 8/31/07

Since I have 4 concerts lined up this fall, I figured I would try writing a few concert reviews. One of the first indie bands I was introduced to, also happened to be the first band I saw in concert this year, The Format. The Format are a band from Arizona, who's name refers to their variety in sound, as in, not following the norm. They have released 2 albums (most recently Dog Problems) and a number of EPs that range in style from indie pop to alternative. The were dropped from Atlantic Records, just before the release of Dog Problems, but have gained a huge following due to the band's critical success and loyal fan base.

Last Friday, Laura and I were lucky enough to see The Format at St. Andrew's Hall. The mood was upbeat and harmonious throughout the night and it showed in each of the bands' performances. Members of the Format and the three opening bands frequently sat in on each others sets with ease and excitement.

Since this was an early show (a 5:00 start), we arrived a bit late and missed the first opening band, Reuben's Accomplice. But gladly, we there just in time to take in the scenery before Limbeck took the stage and the sold out crowd began to filter in. I had never been to St. Andrew's before, so I had been looking forward to visiting a new venue. The historic location emitted all of the nostalgic stories I had heard about with its dusty hardwood floor, elevated balcony, and mountainous speakers.

Limbeck was the only band I was able to check out before the concert and they aptly met my expectations. Their indie/alt country sound was very crowd friendly and kept the audience's attention. "Big Drag" and "Honk and Wave" persuaded me to purchase their latest self-titled album. Limbeck was followed by a rousing set by New Jersey's own, Steel Train. Lead singer, Jack Antonoff created a great show with a passionate display of on stage antics echoing the band's classic rock influenced sound. Not to be outdone, Piebald's Travis Shettel had his own way for grabbing the audiences' attention. As I was later told, this would be the band's last stop in Detroit after deciding to amicably break up after the tour and the band played like it. Piebald's entertaining set shot even more adrenaline into the crowd with piano driven indie rock, a crowd surfing attempt and parachuting toy soldiers from the highest speaker in the room.

When the Format reached the stage, it was clear who the Detroit fans were there to see. From the horn-flavored start on "Dog Problems", to the bouncy rendition of "Snails", the crowd served as back-up choir, echoing lead singer Nate Reuss' every word. Though the band only slowed things down a bit on an acoustic session featuring the heartfelt "On Your Porch", it was perfect for the intimate setting. Things quickly picked up with snappy renditions of "The Compromise" and the label-bashing "My First Single" before the raucous encore. The encore came with a run through of "I'm Actual" and "Inches and Falling" and following an invitation, members of all of the opening bands joined in for "Caravan". Nearing the end of a long tour, you could clearly see the new found camaraderie of all the musicians as they grabbed any instrument available to end their Detroit stop on a high note. Concert #1 = Success.

The Format - The First Single (Cause A Scene)

The Format - On Your Porch

The Format - Inches and Falling

*Thanks to a fellow fan who posted more pictures here (I'm too cheap to buy a digital camera).

The New Pornographers: Taking All "Challengers"

2007-09-04T09:16:00.000-05:00

The New Pornographers - Challengers 5/5 Narks

2007 has been the year of the reunion. From the Police to Rage Against the Machine, to Genesis and the Wu Tang Clan, bands are trying to recreate past magic for fans and frankly, one last run at a boat load of cash. One of the lesser-hyped reconciliations of the year, happened when The New Pornographers decided to give it another go. And it might just be the best of the bunch.

The new album Challengers stands out as not only a great reunion, but one of the best albums of 2007. The New Pornographers are made up of some of the most talented Canadian musicians from Vancouver and have the resumes to prove it. Danny Bejar, singer and pianist, also formed indie favorite, Swan Lake. Neko Case gained fame last year with her atl. country album, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. Even the band's leader, A.C. Newman, had mild success with a few Canadian indie bands, before heading up the formation of the group. He writes the majority of the band's melodic, hook-flavored music and plays a smattering of instruments, including bass mandolin.

A.C. Newman notes Burt Bacharach and the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson as influences and both are apparent throughout the album's song structure. Songs like the conversational "Myriad Harbor" and the politically charged "My Right Versus Yours" ooze with catchy hooks and sophisticated instrumentation. "Unguided" starts with a minamalist echo-backing, as if the narrator is worried about not having control of their own life. To the chorus of march-worth drum kicks and mindful lyrics ("Killing time because I have to/why?/Because it isn't mine, remember?/Killing time because it wasn't mine"), they later realize that having a plan doesn't mean nature will pay attention to it.

One of the best attributes of The New Pornographers, is that they have the ability to intermingle statements and poignant messages with breezy, pop-friendly hooks. If you don't stop and take a listen to the blasphemous new take on religious figures ("All The Old Showstoppers") or political observations ("My Right Versus Yours"), you might miss what makes the album poetic.

Challengers should mangage to satisfy indie-hipsters along with occasional pop listeners. Even though their music won't match the latest receipts from the Police tour, it will make me anxiously await The New Pornographers' next reunion.

The New Pornographers - My Right Versus Yours

The New Pornographers - Unguided

Northern State: More Than "Better Already"

2007-08-30T09:05:00.000-05:00

When I bought Tegan and Sara tickets, I was pumped because I thought Great Northern would be opening. Upon further research, I found that I was wrong, it would actually be Northern State (an unknown band to me) warming up the stage in November. Although I was disappointed at first, it didn't take long before I realized this was a blessing in disguise.

Northern State are a trio of ladies who infuse their indie-rock talents with good enough rapping skills to make you press rewind (I guess it would be "left arrow" on i-pods). Hesta Prynn, Spero, & Sprout hail from New York and while I doubt you would ever see them on a Brooklyn corner with The Notorious B.I.G., their hip-hop flavored rhymes will bring a smile to your face. Their high strung, upbeat flow on "Sucka Mofo" might remind you of a female version of the Beastie Boys, and for good reason. After garnering buzz from their EP, "Dying In Stereo", Adrock of the Beastie Boys offered to remix one of their tracks and ended up executive producing their latest album.

The girls' most recent album, Can I Keep This Pen, dropped Tuesday and should not be ignored. Songs like "Better Already" and "Mother May I" are playful enough for casual rap listeners and experimental enough for indie fans alike. With support from Questlove, Pete Rock, and a Pop Candy podcast feature this week, the buzz should only continue.

Northern State - Better Already

Northern State - Mother May I

Northern State will open for Tegan and Sara on November 28th @ St. Andrew's Hall. Buy your tickets here.

Common: Hip Hop "Forever"

2007-08-07T09:26:00.000-05:00

Common - Finding Forever 4/5 Narks

Common has blessed the masses once again with a great album. While most of the rap industry is focused on making a new dance, dropping a non-sense radio hit or selling the most ringtones, Common keeps hip-hop alive. Over and over, he has consistently dropped knowledge for backpackers, street scripture for hip-hop heads and enough eclecticism to grab mainstream listeners and Finding Forever furthers that notion. Continuing on the momentum of 2006's hip-hop album of the year, Be (arguably, album of the year in any genre), Common, with the help of usual suspect Kanye West, has created songs full of rich narrative and unrivaled soul appeal.

People who don't take time to listen hip-hop/"conscious rap" claim it doesn't keep their attention. Fortunately, one of Common's strongest qualities is the way he tells stories through song, which attributes to fans often pressing rewind. It is like listening to a spoken word poet who knows how to prophesies with rhythm. On "The Game", Common tears through DJ Premier cuts and Kanye's menacing production while speaking on the current status of the hip-hop culture. "Southside" stomps through with the hardest beat on the album. Common and fellow Chi-Town affiliate, Kanye West spit battle raps back and forth as if trying to one up each other with clever lines like: "Back in ‘94 they call me Chi-town’s Nas/Now them n***** know I’m one of Chi-town’s gods" and "Thinking back to the projects, and they way they tore ‘em all up/Like when I do a project, and come back and tear the mall up".

Common trades some of the pop-tinged songs of Be for soul on Finding Forever. His deep voice has never sounded better intertwined with samples looped by way of producers Devo Springsteen and the late JDilla. D'Angelo sufficiently guests on "So Far To Go" where Common shows appreciation and lust for a lady for bettering herself. The peak of the album is the aptly titled, "Misunderstood". Once again, Common weaves haunting tales of lost souls in the ghetto over the lush, Nina Simone sample. Its as if he has cast himself as the narrator as an AIDS-stricken young man and a young stripper wander through lives spiraling out of control.

Another standout track is the radio-friendly, "Drivin' Me Wild", surprisingly featuring Lily Allen. Although the song doesn't make uses of Lily's sly humor (though her voice is very recognizable), it does showcase Common's storytelling ability at its finest. While he lyrically disects a female narcicist ("Had a body, A body that you can't pay fo'/That mean she had some Ds on her but they wasn't fake though") and a playboy with too much money ("Spendin cash at the bar to get credit/Drinkin Chaundon just because BIG said it"), Lily uses breathy vocals to get the point across. The chorus, "It's this thing now, that's drivin' me wild/I gotta see what's up before it gets me down/No it's not a mystery, it's everything", explains how meaningless obsessions can take over one's life.

Finding Forever is another classic album by Common that should appeal to fans of all kinds. While it lacks some of the pop appeal of his last album, it fills the void with insightful, soul-filled tales backed by some of the year's best production in hip-hop. Look for Finding Forever to rack up a number of accolades before the 2007 is over.

Common ft Lily Allen - Drivin' Me Wild

Idgy Vaughn: Story of the "River"

2007-07-27T09:24:00.000-05:00

Idgy Vaughn is a refreshing addition to the country/folk rock scene by way of Austin, Texas. Pop Candy blogger, Whitney Matheson, expressed her appreciation for Vaughn's "groovy...wailing" on the outstanding "Red Bone Hound" and after a listen I was immediately hooked. Vaughn's affinity for poetic story-telling and breathy vocals make for easy listening no matter the topic. She could even be mistaken for Neko Case with matching fire-red hair and an appreciation for folk rock with country influence.

If ladies are looking for tips as to how to off a cheating boyfriend, they could learn a thing or to from Idgy Vaughn (she puts the Dixie Chicks to shame). On the mid-tempo cut "Dragging the River", her voice emits a deceivingly melancholy, innocent tone over the dark premise. She speaks softly and sweetly enough throughout, that you may not notice the haunting subject matter, the vengeful murder of a former lover. Mockingly, Vaughn croons, "Look into my eyes/do I look like the dangerous type?/you'd never tell by these small hands".

Vaughn is effortlessly bewitching over the backyard sound of the banjo and harmonica. Her narrative skills effectively make the listener feel like an accomplice to the crime. After watching the victim plunge into the Mississippi without remorese, she concludes, "No one ever thinks that little hands are capable of much/but in the end these little hands were just capable enough". Though Idgy Vaughn may claim to have "small" features, her talent is tremendous. Her album Origin Story is in stores now.

Idgy Vaughn - Dragging the River

Spoon: "Ga Ga" for a Summer Album

2007-07-18T12:34:00.000-05:00

Anyone who has filed through any place for music news and reviews in the past few months has probably read some sort of praise for Spoon. Their latest album, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, has been lauded by many and even mentioned in some early discussion for album of the year. Unfortunately, it took me longer than usual to check it out. Partially due to the onslaught of new records released this season and honestly, I think I subconsciously avoided it because of all the hype.

It wasn't until I finally got around to watching the highly underrated Will Ferrell film (also featuring the great talents of Emma Thompson and Dustin "I've been in every movie you can think of" Hoffman), Stranger Than Fiction, that my interest in Spoon peaked. I waded through the credits to find out who the band was that had me humming along throughout the movie. I was pleasantly surprised to find Spoon had 6 songs in the film and I was eager for more (I also decided I would love to be the person to create soundtracks for movies and TV shows).

Coincidentally, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga had just been released and I didn't need to be convinced, the album is great. It is classic indie rock for devout followers or pop music fans. Songs like "The Underdog" and "You've Got Yr Cherry Bomb" are breezy enough for an afternoon on the beach and catchy enough for a rowdy game of beer pong. The band's Brian Wilson-like abilities for writing fetching hooks and layered sounds are both pleasant and addicting. Lyrically, its not exactly profound, but is more than sufficient as a fun, summer album.

If you are in the Detroit area on October 13th, check out Spoon at The Majestic Theater. Tickets are are $20 before Live Nation adds all of their garbage charges, but the band's shows have been getting rave reviews as well.

The whole album is streaming here if you need to give it a trial run.

Rilo Kiley: Potential "Moneymaker"

2007-07-13T10:43:00.000-05:00

I am glad to say Los Angeles indie stalwarts, Rilo Kiley have returned with their first major label single, "The Moneymaker". After the success of the potent album More Adventurous and touring with the likes of Bright Eyes and Coldplay, Warner Bros. Records quickly snatched the band up for future hits.

I first heard about Rilo Kiley last summer after numerous plugs from fellow blogger Ms. Waters and found the folk/indie rock infused More Adventurous to be more than worth the hype. The country-blues flavored title track "More Adventurous", "I Never", and practically the entire set are a lyrical relief and musical genius.

Fronted by lead singer Jenny Lewis's best seductive lounge singer impression and the band's bluesy accompaniment, "The Moneymaker" is sure to catch the ears of old and new listeners. The lyrics aren't exactly ground breaking (a bit repetitive, actually), but the band's alliance with frequent Dr. Dre collaborator, Mike Elizondo has only evolved their resonance further. Lewis' breathy vocals sound as though she is scouting her prey and the chorus is her cue to pounce. The lyrics "You've got the money maker/You've got the money maker/This is your chance to make it/Out out out oh yeah/You'll get out out out oh yeah" could be a mating ritual or foreshadow their impending rise to fame.

Mark August 20th on your calendars, when the band's fourth album, Under the Blacklight is scheduled to be released.

Rilo Kiley - The Moneymaker

Maximo Park: UK "Pleasure"

2007-07-06T10:24:00.001-05:00

Maximo Park - Our Earthly Pleasures - 4/5 Narks

Our Earthly Pleasures is the sophomore offering from North-East England based Maximo Park. The album celebrates the many aspects of human emotion from a post-punk revival point of view. Lead by front man Paul Smith, the band was more than able in forming a collection that embodies the roller-coaster that is life.

"Our Velocity" exploits the band's strength in creating dance-able tunes no matter the pace. Featuring a synthesizer straight out of the '80s, the song's frenzied tempo matches the Smith's schizophrenic rant about life careening out of control. He sings, "Never, never try to gauge temperature/When you tend to travel at such speed/It's our velocity." To further the effect, he implements a yodeling dynamic as guitars and drums jump up and down like a lie detector test. It is like he is trying to combat his new feeling of loneliness in the rat race by arguing with himself. Concluding by repeating "I’ve got no one to call/In the middle of the night anymore/I’m just alone/With my thoughts." Interesting subject matter for a dance-rock track.

"Books From Boxes" also speaks to relationships gone awry, as Smith recounts the signs of a break-up. Looking over each detail of the situation like a detective adding up clues, he explains "We rarely see/Warning signs in the air we breathe/Right now I feel each and every fragment." The lines are very reflective and point to the way love can make people oblivious or at least ignore the subconscious. The act of "unpacking books from boxes" could be used to describe feelings that were never opened in the failed relationship, as literature the goes unread.

Similar to Arctic Monkeys and other post punk stalwarts, one of Maximo Park's strongest attributes is the vivid story-telling that evokes memories of nights in saloons that resonate with great imagery. "By the Monument" belabors over flashbacks with almost obsessive detail like a "photobooth smile" and "disparate futures". Further,"Your Urge", a mid-tempo tune about needs that come with shame, descriptively sets the stage with words like "Oh but the pinkness near your iris,/Reveals that you've been crying,/But I don't know what my crime is,/Behind my crumbling veneer."

Maximo Park easily avoids the ominous sophomore slump on Our Earthly Pleasures by playing to their strong points: crafting energetic tracks at a variety of paces that are also lyrically reflective.

Maximo Park - Books From Boxes

Emmy the Great: "Two Steps" to Greatness

2007-07-02T21:24:00.000-05:00

Emmy the Great is a young, British, singer-songwriter type that should be penetrating your eardrums soon, if she isn't already. I first heard her on the popular site, My Old Kentucky Blog, and my interest was accelerated with a post about her on the Daily Growl. There really isn't much more I can pontificate about Emmy the Great that those two gentlemen didn't already say, but I would like to reinforce them.

Mostly, I can't fathom why she hasn't been scooped up by a label yet. She is precisely the reason I wish I could start my own record company. She would easily be the flagship artist. Her soft-spoken, troubadour approach is very accessible to a variety of audiences. Not to mention that her voice delicately laces each melody, but makes you listen (similar to Feist).

One of the Emmy's greats so far, is "Two Steps Forward". The run down of an encounter with a past love reminisces about how times have changed since the couples' last rendezvous, including vivid imagery of the her first sexual encounter, religious opinions, and the fun of music before it was a "job". Emmy's airy vocals combined with the impassioned subject matter effectively give a sense of the innocence lost and the pain it has caused. The track is sure to conjure emotions and thoughts of nostalgia over the acoustic guitar strums and subtle fiddling. You hardly notice that there isn't a chorus because you are enamored with every earnest detail.

Emmy the Great - Two Steps Forward

Be sure to check out the Black Cab Sessions video as well

Editors: Head "Start"

2007-06-28T10:13:00.000-05:00

Editors An End Has A Start - 4/5 Narks

One of the U.K.'s finest rising bands, Editors, have returned with their highly anticipated album, An End Has A Start. As mentioned in a previous post, Editors are one of the first bands I stumbled upon when I was in search of new music last year. Its fair to say, they are one of the first bands I can say I've followed, which is great because I can see how they grow and evolve (Arctic Monkeys are a close second). After playing their platinum debut, The Back Room, countless times in the past year and catching them in concert last summer, I have been more than anxiously awaiting their next offering. This also makes it tougher for me to a) criticize their latest effort without bias and b) not be jaded to the fact that it might not be better than The Back Room, but I did my best.

After a first listen, it was apparent that the band has only got better at playing together. Whether it was by the guidance of recruited producer Jackknife Lee or touring the globe, their improved efforts have not been wasted. However, improving a craft does always translate into dramatic results. The new album treads much of the same ground as Editors' debut, specifically the epic ballads that highlighted The Back Room: "Camera" and "All Sparks". In a post on the band's myspace page, they cite deaths and trials throughout last year fueled the morbid, yet truthful finished product. Fortunately, dark themes and art rock are one of the band's strongest attributes.

The first single, "Smokers Outside the Hospital Door", opens the album on a grandeur note in heart breaking fashion. This tale features lead singer Tom Smith wondering how his life got to this point, seemingly in ruins, simply asking, "Someone turn me around/Can I start this again?" The song climaxes with a choir chanting, "We've all been changed/From what we were/Our broken parts/Smashed off the floor" almost as an otherworldly being answering his calls for redemption. "Weight of the World" continues the trend with commentary about a person's role in the world pondering, "Every little piece in your life/Will add up to one/Every little piece in your life/Will it mean something to someone?".

One of the standout tracks on the album is "Bones". The song is a heartfelt conversation about striving for a love that never quite matches the trouble. On the mid-tempo cut, the words "In the end all you can hope for/Is the love you felt to equal the pain you've gone through" speak to how relationships can be just as taxing on a person as physical injury. Further, "A system's put in place/Put there to protect us/For you I throw a life line every time" is explains how a person's skeletal structure is there to safeguard from pain and heal wounds. The parallel is made to the way a person can be hurt and but still be able to heal and forgive, even if they subconsciously know they will be hurt again.

Lighter fare can be found in the pulsing title track, "An End Has A Start". It features a rapid guitar with some synth assistance and states "You came on your own,/And that's how you'll leave,/With hope in your hands,/And air to breathe." A bit morbid, but a scenario for a variety of situations (birth and death or the rise and fall of a relationship). "Racing Rats" has up tempo energy and an industrial sound similar to "Fingers In The Factories", and speaks about being caught up in the contemporary world unable to keep in touch with whats important. Enough that you might not even notice the apocalypse. Many of these tracks will only further the comparisons to Interpol and Coldplay, but is inevitable with those bands citing similar influences (U2 and Joy Division).

Though experimentation is usually lauded in this forum, there is something to be said for consistency. An End Has A Start may not cover a lot of new territory, but Editors should be admired for creating a solid follow-up to their debut. Fans familiar with the band should enjoy it and I expect a larger US following after the release on July 17th. They are truly championing their sound which I would describe as industrial, with a touch of grandeur.

Editors - Bones

Pharoahe Monch: "Body" Shot

2007-06-20T11:31:00.000-05:00

Its as if the leaders of hip-hop read my post about the decline of my favorite musical genre. Kanye West dropped the "Can't Tell Me Nothing" mixtape in an effort to push his release date up to August, Talib Kweli's "Eardrum" album has leaked (but worth buying), Wu Tang Clan is reuniting for a new album, and UGK's collaboration with OutKast, "International Player's Anthem" is gaining steam. Within the past two weeks, I have felt a jolt of excitement about hip-hop music, which hasn't happened since Little Brother shook the underground with "The Listening" in 2003.

Further fueling my anticipation of hip-hop on the rebound is Pharoahe Monch. The underappreciated MC returns from an astounding 8 year absence after his critically-lauded 1st release, Internal Affairs. Pharoahe Monch's complex flow and thought provoking lyrics were highly regarded in hip-hop ciphers and caught the ear of many in 1999. Since then, he has kept a low profile since former powerhouse label, Rawkus Records folded. His name popped a few years ago when he was said to have been courted by a number record labels, including Eminem's Shady Records, before finally settling with Street Records (headed by former Loud Records CED Steve Rifkind).

Pharoahe Monch's latest offering, Desire, is sure to headline a number of year-end lists and might even climb mainstream music charts. The street single, "Push", already has the underground buzzing and "Body Baby" should catch some of the OutKast crowd with Pharaohe's over-the-top, soulful crooning, mixed with spitfire rapping and a jazzy, infectious beat.

Pharoahe Monch - Body Baby

The Rosebuds: Indie Sounds of the "Night"

2007-06-18T09:22:00.000-05:00

The Rosebuds Night of the Furies - 4/5 Narks

The Rosebuds are back with their latest offering, Night of the Furies and they've added a new twist to their style. The husband and wife duo of Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp, known for their folk/indie rock melodies on the stellar Birds Make Good Neighbors, decided an electronic touch would be the perfect complement. This added element makes for catchy hooks that bring an indie-feel to the dancefloor.

The lead single, "Get Up Get Out", is one of the stand out tracks that showcases the group's embrace of dance beats. The dark, yet danceable tune features Ivan suggesting a companion the opportunity to "get out" and experience something new and exciting. It seems as though the song could also be in reference to this new and welcome sound the Rosebuds experimented with on Night of the Furies.

Other favorites include the grandeur sound of "Cemetary Lawns", the sonic handclaps on "Hold On To This Coat", and the odd, yet foot-tapping "I Better Run". The cowbell infested track features Ivan as a one man choir on the chorus, while Kelly seductively speaks of family heirlooms and her need to escape (as far as I can tell).

The only bad thing I can mention about the Night of the Furies is the short track list. At 9 tracks, it leaves the listener eager for more. Maybe its the fact that I am used to most rap (not hip-hop) albums that boast bloated tracklists 19 to 22 songs deep. Those albums usually contain garbage skits and filler tracks that aren't worth more than one listen. Fortunately, the replay value of the Rosebuds music is very high, especially on this album.

In the Rosebud's bio, it states "we set about recording these and other stories right away and Night of the Furies is the result. It is a dark, sexy, danceable, nuanced, and sublime record." And they effectively did so, its just a shame there wasn't more of it.

The Rosebuds - I Better Run

The Little Ones - West Coast "Sing Song"

2007-06-05T09:18:00.000-05:00

The Little Ones is an indie pop group from Los Angeles that has an penchant for writing addictive hooks over festive instrumentals. Though they have only begun to gain notoriety in the indie realm, they already have amassed a small following on the road, opening for the likes of Tilly and the Wall and the Kaiser Chiefs. They were recently blessed with the rotation of their singles on the Zane Lowe Show and given a spot on the NME New Music Tour across Europe.

Their Southern California background and '60's pop influence is fittingly similar to fellow West Coast alumni, The Beach Boys. On their first release, Sing Song EP, The Little Ones use handclaps along with traditional instruments to create catchy tracks reminiscent of Pet Sounds. "Cha Cha Cha" comes off as beachside guitar pop with a chorus featuring wave-like strokes that sound inspired by the Pacific.

I first heard "Lovers Who Uncover" on the greatest college radio station in the country, Impact89 FM. I managed to write down their name for further research, all while dodging orange barrels and orders from ornary, middle-aged "ruffers" at Michigan State University last summer.

The Little Ones - Lovers Who Uncover

Scott Matthews: More Than "Passing"

2007-06-01T08:53:00.000-05:00

One of the best songs of last year was finally rewarded for its excellence. It wasn't a Grammy or American Music Award, it was an Ivor Norvello award. Until today, I had never heard of the awards, but it is well deserved in this instance. "Elusive" by Scott Matthews was given the prestigious British award for merit in songwriting and composing.

Scott Matthews is part of the wave of singer/songwriters from across the pond and has shown he can craft a great song in a variety of styles. His debut album, "Passing Stranger", covers America-esque storytelling ("Elusive", "Earth to Calm"), experimental rock ("Dream Song", "Eyes Wider Than Before", "City Headache") and even some bluegrass ("Passing Stranger", "Sweet Scented Figure"). The effort is very much worth checking out.

"Elusive" is a bare-bones tale of a woman who always seems to be just out of reach. Matthews' chilling voice reverberates over the subtle guitar strums and elevates later with the background vocals that could easliy be mistaken for a string section. On the chorus he states "She's elusive and I'm awake,/You're finally real, there's nothing fake./A mystery now to me and you, /Open my eyes and I'm next to you./She said my destiny lies in the hands that set me free." But he later realizes his love interest is only part of his past and may only be accessible through memories.

Scott Matthews will open for Snow Patrol at Freedom Hill Ampitheatre in Sterling Heights on August 6th.

Scott Matthews - Passing Stranger

**I posted both a zshare link and an audio player your your listening pleasure. Any comments as to your preferences would be greatly appreciated.

The Hood Internet: "Doe Boy" With A Backpack

2007-05-25T09:32:00.000-05:00

I have to admit, I wasn't a huge fan of the rap/rock infusion craze that took over the past few years. The Linkin Park/Jay-Z collaboration was fine ("Points Of Authority/99 Problems" was my favorite) and the unauthorized Nine Inch Nails/50 Cent "In The Club/Closer" mash-up was a crowd pleaser, but neither were ground-breaking (see trendsetters Run DMC & Aerosmith).

But last week, on two occasions, I read about a forum where indie rock was blended with rap. My new musical passion, combined with the genre I grew up with and promoted countless times, no way? I thought I might have accidentally fell into the rabbit hole and was being messed with. With all the buzz, I had to check out the Hood Internet website. I found that all the hype was justified. Not only do most of the tracks intertwine perfectly, but there are Photoshopped pictures of these supergroups together (Whats not awkward about Project Pat standing next to The Avalanches?). So even if a Modest Mouse/Lil' Wayne album doesn't happen in the near future, at least you can imagine what it would be like if it did.

My personal recommendation (Three 6 Mafia hasn't sounded this classy since the Academy Awards):

Three 6 Mafia & The Hold Steady - Doe Boys And Fresh Girls In America

Common: Top Of "The Game"

2007-05-22T09:44:00.000-05:00

I have pretty much abandoned rap on this blog. Frankly, there isn't much to get excited about anymore. There are an abundance of great producers, old (Timbaland, DJ Premier, Neptunes, Just Blaze, Kanye, etc.) and new (9th Wonder, Danja, RJD2, Hi-Tek, Cool & Dre), who craft eclectic and head-nodding beats, but there is a lull in the MC department.

The past favorites that I grew up with are still around, but their output has waned tremendously. Kingdom Come was better than most of 2006's offerings, but was nowhere near Jay-Z's best. 50 Cent has been basically phoning in his bars since his debut and his G-Unit cronies are just as bad (Lloyd Banks' The Rotten Apple was self-explanatory). Eminem has fell off the map (but due for a comeback), trading in lyrical lessons ("Stan" and "Renegade" to name a few) for club songs ("Smack That" and "Shake That"). Little Brother broke up after knocking out two classic hip-hop records (The Listening and The Minstrel Show). OutKast decided to make movies, instead of groundbreaking albums. Andre 3000's verse on "Walk It Out" is the best guest appearance in years, but just makes me want more. Lil' Wayne, TI and Kanye are leading the charge by gaining credibility and stellar album catalogues. The Carter III, TI vs. TIP and Graduation should only bolster their resumes in 2007.

The new crop of commercial rappers doesn't seem to bring much hope. Young Jeezy is a poor man's TI, with amazing production, but a horrible lyricist. Rich Boy was blessed with hit single (although overshadowed by Kanye's hilarious remix), but the album failed to yield the same results. The only bright spot is Lupe Fiasco, who had one of the best albums of 2006 with Food and Liquor. He is currently crafting the follow-up, with hopes of collaborating with Kanye and Pink Floyd (what?).

But is that it? Was Nas right when he titled his gem of 2006, "Hip Hop Is Dead"?

Fortunately, there is one rapper who has consistently defied that statement, and continues to impress with age. Common, one of Chi-Town's finest, has been on fire since hooking up with fellow Windy City alumnus, Kanye West. Their work on 2005's Be, resulted in one of the best hip-hop albums in years and best of any genre that year. Favorably, they decided not to mess with a good thing and continued their relationship on Finding Forever. Guest includes British songstress Lily Allen, D'Angelo, Will.I.Am, Dwele, posthumus production by JDilla. If the first single, "The Game", is any clue as to what is to come this summer, Common's 7th album could be his best.

Here is the first single and one of my all time favorite songs from Be:

Common ft DJ Premier - The Game

Common - Be

Feist: A Welcome "Reminder"

2007-05-16T09:56:00.000-05:00

Feist The Reminder - 4/5 Narks

Whether she meant to or not, Leslie Feist's The Reminder is more than just a random album title. Budding songstress Feist, more than adequately makes a suggestion as to what mainstream music could be: clever, catchy, thoughtful songs, breezily sung over passionately arranged instrumentation. It doesn't even have to be classified as "indie". With her jump from a small, independent label to Interscope, it could easily be great pop music.

"1 2 3 4" (and its great video) has already jump-started the buzz with a persuasive plea to a past love. With folk guitar (maybe banjo) chords, jazzy piano and choir backing, Feist does her best to playfully woo her admirer. She explains why the relationship didn't work before with the old saying "put the horse before the cart." "The Park" sounds like it was genuinely recorded at that exact location featuring cricket chirps, a subtle wind, and slight vocal distortion (but never threatens the quality), as if you were hearing a well-trained street performer. The bluesy, "Sea Lion Woman" potently tells the story of a lady who has two sides to her, a shady temptress and an ideal wife. Feist's narrative is backed by hand claps and gospel-inspired chants of "She lied" and "She loved" after each bar that serve as warnings to potential suitors.

Feist is at her best when the tempo picks up on"I Feel It All" and "My Moon My Man". On "I Feel It All", her breath-filled approach at singing various lengths of stanzas relates to the moody subject matter (a uneven, if not hurtful relationship). This technique intertwines with the syncopated acoustic strums and returns unconventional, but welcome results. "My Moon My Man" uses the same intermittent, fluttering singing procedure, but with a hauntingly low-keyed piano and bass. Feist cleverly narrates this ode to a beau who has similar habits to a certain celestial body ("Take it slow/Take it easy on me/Shed some light/Shed some light on it please").

Feist's airy vocals are refreshing and a perfect fit for this folk and jazzed-infused treasure. The Reminder should be a hint to the mainstream of what pop music could be.

Feist - I Can Feel It All

Jack Penate - Soon To Be "Star"

2007-05-15T10:47:00.000-05:00

Jack Penate is an up and coming musician from Blackheath, London and is gaining steam as he moves up the British music charts. His first single, "Second, Minute or Hour" lead the charge as an introduction to Penate's ska-inspired riffs, intertwined with tales of young love. His latest release, the exceptional Spit At Stars EP, and lively tour across England, continues to ensnare fans and followers (including BBC Radio One DJ Zane Lowe) along the way. The lead track, "Spit At Stars" frantically brings Penate's flair for rockabilly tunes to the mainstream. A jolly keyboard and kinetic guitar strums characterize this catchy ode/warning to pessimists.

Jack Penate - Spit At Stars

Larrikin Love - "Spark" Lost

2007-05-10T21:03:00.000-05:00

London based rockers, Larrikin Love exploded into the indie realm in 2005 and quickly gained recognition for great live performances and strong singles ("Happy As Annie", "Six Queens"). It wasn't long before Larrikin Love was snatched up by Warner Bros. and released the debut album "The Freedom Spark" in September 2006. Their blend of rock, punk, and bluegrass is refreshing and easily keeps the attention of listeners with music ADD. Unfortunately, after a splattering the British music charts throughout last year, the band "amicably" has decided to call it quits.

"Happy As Annie" is quite memorable, as a story turned melancholy warning about a child rape victim. Lead singer, Edward Larrikin spouts off his disturbing findings while on a seemingly meaningless journey turned sour. The violinist (special guest Rob Skipper of the Holloways) steals the show, as this "gypsy-punk" tale echos "Children please beware!/I'm choked with fear/Oh children please beware! /I'm choked with fear." After only one listen, its hard to dissect the social commentary in this jolly tune, infused with bluegrass and punk rock, but well worth it.

Larrikin Love will be missed.

Larrikin Love - Happy As Annie

Editors: Summer Jump-"Start"

2007-05-07T10:30:00.000-05:00

The Editors are back with the lead single from their sophomore album, An End Has A Start. The stellar "Smokers Outside Hospital Door" is sure to build anticipation and lure new fans with its grandeur sound and heartfelt lyrics. Similar to "Camera" and "All Sparks" off The Back Room, lead singer Tom Smith commands attention with his larger than life voice that reverberates the speakers over a heavenly beat.

I am interested to see the Editors growth over the past year and am anxious for June 25th, when An End Has A Start is released in the U.K. (a U.S. date hasn't been issued yet). They are one of the first bands I heard when I began my new music quest and was immediately hooked. I was fortunate enough to check them out at The Magic Stick in Detroit last summer and it only furthered my appreciation of their immense talent. Hopefully, they don't avoid Michigan like many of the other bands I have wanted to check out in 2007 (see The Decemberists, Arcade Fire, Kaiser Chiefs, Kings of Leon, etc.).

The Editors - Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors

Amy Winehouse: "Back" to the Future

2007-05-03T09:10:00.000-05:00

Amy Winehouse Back to Black - 4.5 /5 Narks

I first heard English songstress, Amy Winehouse, on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio One show (where I have found more gems than not), but not because I was interested in her. Ms. Winehouse's breakthrough single, "You Know I'm No Good", featured the only and only, Wu Tang Clan member, Ghostface Killah (the best rap name ever!). Of course, Ghostface held his own in a story of lovers that aren't meant to be, but I was eager to find more from this soulful newcomer.

On Amy Winehouse's sophomore album, "Back to Black", Winehouse elicits her listeners attention with a style that is reminiscent of a '60's girl group with tales of modern frustration and angst. Production was done with the help of her past executive producer, Salaam Remi and renowned DJ Mark Ronson. Ronson's pop appeal (past work includes Lily Allen and Nikki Costa) seems have been the perfect complement to Winehouse's jazz background.

"Rehab" has the kind of sarcastic humor that U.K. belle counterpart, Lily Allen, would be proud of. But this is where the similarities should end. Amy Winehouse defiantly belts out her protests to the call and response chorus, whereas Lily Allen's soft, airy voice would lightly spit this tongue-in-cheek anthem. The song is also fitting with Winehouse's recent allegations of public drunkenness and brushes with the law. The previously mentioned track, "You Know I'm No Good" (sans Ghostface Killah), shines on the album with the Brit's warning to her suitor as to what to expect. Seductively, she states "I cheated myself/like I knew I would/I told ya, I was troubled/you know that I'm no good" over a jazzy, brass-filled backing.

The reoccurring theme throughout the album is relationships gone sour, and Winehouse knows exactly how to evoke those emotions through music. "Me and Mr. Jones (F***ery)" is a rant about an on-again, off-again exchange complete with a Supremes-style doo wop effect. "Back to Black" shines as a scathing jab at a former lover, who ended their affair by returning to his former partner. The track has a menacing bass line with a pulsing piano that effectively supplements the despair she feels. Winehouse hauntingly details her fall into the break-up abyss with the lyrics "We only said good-bye with words/I died a hundred times/You go back to her/And I go back to." The gem of the set has to be "Love Is A Losing Game". With eloquently arranged string and piano sections, you can almost see her pouring her heart out in a swank jazz lounge, under a bright spotlight, while onlookers sip gin and cognac.

The only drawback to "Back to Black" is the short run time of 35 minutes (10 tracks + "You Know I'm No Good" remix). The listener will be asking for more of Winehouse's ability to lace jazz + girl-pop influenced rhythms with stunning vocals and pure emotion (Someone should call Kanye West to arrange a Lauryn Hill/Amy Winehouse duet). Look to hear Amy Winehouse's name come up as one of the starlets of 2007.

My personal favorite:
Amy Winehouse - Love Is A Losing Game

Arctic Monkeys: Far From A "Nightmare"

2007-04-27T08:30:00.000-05:00

Arctic Monkeys Favourite Worst Nightmare - 4/5 Narks

The Sheffield, England-based Arctic Monkeys stormed onto the indie rock scene last year with an unprecedented amount of internet/myspace buzz and a party-starter single, "I Bet You Look Good On the Dance Floor". The success translated into a #1 album ("Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not") in the U.K., the coveted 2006 Mercury album prize, and the crown of "fastest-selling debut album in British chart history." The Arctic Monkeys quickly gained buzz as "the next great Brit band" in the U.S. and the pressured mounted for their stateside arrival. Surprisingly, the album failed to match the commercial splash it made in the U.K. (debuted at #24, 34,000 copies), but was still revered by critics, bloggers, and fans alike. Wasting no time, the Arctic Monkeys are back (less than 6 months later) with the solid sophomore effort "Favourite Worst Nightmare".

"Favourite Worst Nightware" is hardly a bad dream but showcases a faster, louder, more focused sound, that shows the band's growth over the past year. The race begins on "Brainstorm" with adrenaline-laden guitar strums that could be mistaken for a tornado. This ode to a fashion conscious, Cassanova-type bloke named "Brian", easily matches the intensity of "I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor", while painting a telling portrait of the main character. The tales of infidelity and romance gone awry continue on as the album progresses. "The Bad Thing" sounds like a story the aforementioned "Brian" might use to entice an an engaged female into trouble at an upbeat tempo. "Do Me A Favour" starts slow, incorporating a surf-like beat on the road to impending doom. It is very effective in making sure the listener takes note of the story that unfolds and ends with a bang (as a bad break-up would).

"Nightmare" only drifts into the shadows in a few places, on the psychedelic, but bluesy "Only Ones Who Know" and "This House Is A Circus" (skippable, but not terrible). "Only Ones Who Know" seems out of place, but gives the listener a chance to breathe before the next hit parade.

"Teddy Picker" shines as a criticism of reality stars trying to steal the spotlight from talented performers the easy way over a bouncy beat. Lead singer, Alex Turner, questions their motives and asks " D'you reckon that they do it for a joke?/D'you reckon that they make 'em take an oath?." "505" fittingly ends with a "nightmare", as Turner leaves heartbroken without the person he longs for. As a send off, the song shouts "I'm going back to 505/If its a 7 hour flight or a 45 minute drive/In my imagination you're waiting lying on your side/With your hands between your thighs and a smile."

The Arctic Monkeys have made of what could have been a sophomore slump, into a solid follow-up to a great debut. Turner is great at weaving interesting tales of faltering relationships and vulnerable situations over more than complimentary Brit rock. He has a penchant for making the listener think they are actually in a dim-lit bar watching these events take place. The Arctic Monkeys should easily shed the "nightmare" of being labeled the latest "over-hyped" British band in 2007.

Arctic Monkeys - Do Me A Favour

Jenny Owen Youngs: Hot In Herre...As In Michigan

2007-04-24T20:31:00.000-05:00

A new artist I found out about yesterday is folk/indie rocker Jenny Owen Youngs. I was referred to her by the amazing weekly podcast, Pop Candy. The podcast is written by USA Today blogger Whitney Matheson and covers everything in pop culture ("Lost", "30 Rock", concerts, movies, etc.) and she usually gives some good music recommendations as well. I was particularly impressed with Jenny Owen Youngs with her earnest approach and pop potential (and lets face it, I've been a sucker for a lot of singer-songwriter types lately).

Jenny Owen Youngs has some great songs (especially "Drinking Song" and "F*** Was I") on her myspace page and I hope to hear more ("Voice On Tape" is very Rilo Kiley-esque = a good thing). The tracks seemed accessible and easy to relate to (especially for college-age listeners). Her latest album, "Batten the Hatches", was re-released on April 10th. The album was previously self-released by Youngs in 2005 and seems to have stood the test of time.

Although I won't be able to attend, she is the opener for the talented Vienna Teng tonight (4/25) at The Ark in Ann Arbor and I advise anyone in the area to check out both musicians. There are two shows listed (7 pm & 10 pm), but it isn't clear if Youngs will be performing at both, but 7pm for sure.

Listen to Jenny Owen Youngs have a little fun with a classic from a few years ago. I don't usually like rap/hip-hop covers, but this one is worth a listen...or seven (pardon the sound quality).

Jenny Owens Young - Hot in Herre (Cover)

Winterpills: Pleasantly "Light"

2007-04-20T12:28:00.000-05:00

Winterpills The Light Divides - 4/5 Narks

An afternoon nap on a warm day. A relaxing, gradual boat ride down a narrow waterway. Being read to by the perfect story teller. These are all calming ways to unwind after a busy day/week. Using a mixture of acoustic folk/indie rock with subtle fabling, these are the same feelings evoked the Winterpills sophomore album, "The Light Divides".

The Winterpills are fronted by guitarist and lead singer Phillip Price along with keyboardist Flora Reed. The duo's chemistry elevates the quartet's "The Light Divides" with constant, layered male/female harmonies, which increases the fragile feel of the album. The album begins with the airy, lovestruck "Lay Your Heartbreak" about a person longing to be with another (perhaps without words). Simply, the acoustic fare states "she may never take the cure/she’s been through that/she would rather not be pure/than to be alone." The Winterpills effectively layer Price and Reed's vocals on the gem, "Hide Me". It is the story of a heartbroken person who subconsciously may or may not want to be noticed. With the chorus "hide me/Tell everyone where I am but please hide me/Tell everyone where I am but please hide me/sell everyone the map's to what's inside me," the song is very accessible and relatable.

Rarely does the tempo move past coasting, but when it does, it is a welcomed change of pace. On the upbeat but melancholy "Broken Arm" (look for the under appreciated reprise that closes the album), the Winterpills masterfully compliment precise acoustic guitar strums with an equally crisp electric guitar appearance. They also give a throwback to '60's folk-pop by beginning the song with the chorus rather than a verse (a welcome surprise). "July" also shines as a mid-tempo lesson in dejected foreshadowing. The song is wary about an impending, post-winter break-up and fears "and i have to face July with two holes in my heart/and i have to face this life with two hearts."

Most of "The Light Divides" tracks ("June Eyes", "Shameful", "Folded Cloth", etc.) all move at a snails pace, but succeed with Price and Reed's voices intertwined over light guitar strums and delicate percussion. The Winterpills soothe every ache and stress of their listeners like a trained masseuse with melodies that are effortless to listen to but poignant enough to keep your attention.

The Winterpills - Hide Me

The Klaxons: 'Myth'ilogical Ravers

2007-04-19T11:39:00.000-05:00

The Klaxons Myths of the Near Future - 2.5/5 Narks

Another Brit import entered Stateside airwaves in late 2006 and early 2007, ushering in a new form of music, "new rave". The Klaxons have managed to infuse elements of electronica, disco, and punk with tales of fantasy and the supernatural on their 1st album, "Myths of the Near Future" (released in January '07 in the U.S.). The album was highly revered in their homeland, entering the UK charts at #2, and is building steam indie circles abroad. Their success was sure to only continue with a schedule tour of the U.S., but has reportedly derailed due to problems obtaining visas.

The first single I heard, the disco anthem "Golden Skans", and all of the hype made me very intrigued for the rest of the album. "Myths of the Near Future" has some stand out tracks that feature heavy bass lines ("Gravity's Rainbow", "As Above So Below") mixed with catchy futuristic hooks ("Golden Skans") and creepy love stories ("Isle of Her").

Unfortunately, the rest of the album tries to cover too much ground at one time. "Four Horsemen of 2012" awkwardly sets the stage for a freaky apocalypse, while "Atlantis to Interzone" tries to mash-up techno with surf rock unsuccessfully. It sounds like an emergency system programmed by a raver being backed by a cult-choir.

Either way, the Klaxons are very much worth checking out. When they are inspired and focused, they are stellar. When they have a barrage ideas, they leave songs that sound like a garbage truck full of instruments. Hopefully, more experience will make the The Klaxons more than 'Myths'.

The Klaxons - Golden Skans

Tilly and the Wall: Tap Your Pants Off

2007-04-12T10:25:00.000-05:00

One thing about music that made me panic at first, is how there is so so so much of it. Some of you have expressed the concern to me on many occasions. It is hard to keep up. Just when you think you found an amazing new band, Rolling Stone or SPIN or a random blog throw another artist in your face. I have come to embrace this fact as of late. Especially, the more you branch out and are open to new artists and genres of music. A song could be 15 years old and still make you want to dig in the crates to find more.

Tilly and the Wall were a prime example of music overload for me. I heard about them at a time when I was listening to new albums by Arcade Fire, Kings of Leon, Bright Eyes and more than a handfuls of new singles. As I shuffled through the numerous files, "Bad Education" (released in May 2006) immediately stood out of the crowd.

The song begins with a mix of stomping and handclapping, while propelling to a flamenco trumpet, that brings to mind a bull-fight and a marachi band in the hottest part of Mexico. They even use tap dancing as a percusion instrument (genius!). The song is about a person with split-personality disorder, which the music reflects by stripping the sound down to choir-like vocals and light percussion by way of tambourine. The chorus is filled with enough anxiety to make an OCD sufferer pass out. "Tugging at the seatbelt/I’m jumping out the saddle/I’m shuffling my feet around/I’m kneeling at the steeple/When will my heart teeter, tatter?/I‘m a believer, I’m solid matter."

Tilly and the Wall was formed in Omaha, Nebraska and recorded their first release, "Woo", in Bright Eyes' Connor Oberherst's garage. They have released two records so far and frequently collaborate with Saddle Creek artists (Bright Eyes, Park Ave...). They performed at SXSW in Austin, TX and should be rounding out the festival circuit through out the year.

Here is a taste of Tilly and the Wall:

Bad Education

Modest Mouse: "Ship" Far From Sinking

2007-04-12T09:08:00.000-05:00

Modest Mouse We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank - 4/5 Narks

First and foremost, I am not a sailor. When I am on a boat, I am usually sitting back, relaxing with a cold beverage, while the "Captain" is leading the charge through channels and small lakes. The able seaman of Modest Mouse, Isaac Brock, had been chartering the indie-waters for years, until their breakthrough single "Float On" in 2001. With the mainstream success of "Good News For People Who Love Bad News", cruise ship-size pressure is on for the band to match that voyage on "We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank." Modest Mouse easily proves they could man any vessel when it comes to keeping an album afloat.

Much of the hype that has accompanied Modest Mouse's latest album is the addition of a new crew member, Johnny Marr. It was first rumored that former Smiths' guitarist was helping produce and write songs for "Sank". Brock has recently confirmed Marr as a "full-blown member." Marr's presence is felt immediately on the hit 1st single, "Dashboard". The song's rapid-fire chorus easily keeps up with the speedy guitar licks on this apocalyptic tale on a journey gone bad, but "still have the radio."

The voyage begins on the triumphant lead track, "March Into the Sea". Brock snarls and cackles his way through the track bouncing off the wavy atmosphere the percussion creates. It comes off perfectly as though a drunken fearless pirate is waging war with a stormy sea. One of the strengths of the album is how Brock can make any noise he wants to mimic the music his band members arrange and it is a testament to their chemistry (also see "Steam Enginius" and "Spitting Venom"). The mix of wails and shouts continues on "Invisible", where the crew of Modest Mouse defiantly stands there ground against the sea. The paranoia-filled song reaches its peak at the end by repeating the "We'll get crushed by the ocean/But it will not get us wet" in unison.

Even a surprise guest pops up on "We've Got Everything" and the wistful tale about the tides of life, "Missed the Boat" is James Mercer, of the Shins. Mercer doesn't steal the show from his Northwest associates, but adds a nice touch with faint back up vocals.

The album doesn't wade through calm waters often and the results are mixed when it does. "Parting of the Sensory", a rant of sorts about an argument with a superior and is one of the gems of the album. The last :30 are the most impactful with the militant send off "Someday you will die somehow and somethings gonna steal your carbon." The increase in percussion sounds like an exultant march off the ship in mutiny. On "Little Motel", the pace is slowed to a crawl and is one of the few spots "Sank" feels anchored to the dock. The tale of a bitter ex-lover seems forced and attempts to capsize the effort, but unsuccessfully.

"We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank" proves that Modest Mouse is neither "dead" nor have they "sank". Whether it was intended or not, it has many of the attributes of a concept album, and a very good one. If there were more albums like this, maybe the music industry could keep afloat...

Modest Mouse - Spitting Venom

Timbaland: Shockingly Good Pt. II

2007-04-03T18:50:00.000-05:00

Timbaland - Timbaland Presents...Shock Value 4/5 Narks

On Shock Value, Timbaland experiments more than ever with new twists on familiar territory (Hip-Hop and R&B) and uncharted waters (New Wave and Rock). No matter the musical flavor, the production is solid on all fronts. Most of all, Timbaland sounds like he is having good time doing it. He does everything from beatboxing to crooning to rapping seamlessly without a care.

The all star line-up of guests do most of the lyrical work and Timbaland, similar to Rick Rubin and Dr. Dre, gets the most of his artists. The album starts with the only solo of the album, "Oh Timbaland". The song finds the super-producer spitting boastful rhymes like "Now I'm in a whole 'nother zone/you can let me do me/u can do u" aimed at copycats. The disses continue on the 1st single "Give It To Me". With assistance from frequent collaborators Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake, Timbaland fires a light-hearted shot at Scott Storch ("I'm a real producer and you just the piano man/your song gonna top the charts,I hear'em, I'm not a fan-n-n-n-n"). JT shows up again on "Release" which should heat up the charts/dancefloors just in time for the summer. Of all the features on Shock Value, newcomer Keri Hilson shines on 3 tracks, especially the syntisizer/beat box friendly "Miscommunication." Look for Mosley Music Group artist to have a big year in 2007 with her Timbaland executive produced album due.

The album only falters in a few spots and it isn't for lack of good production. "Bounce" looks like a sure-fire hit when Dr. Dre, Missy Elliot and JT show up on the liner notes, but falls flat with a senseless command to "Bounce that ass like you've got the hiccups" (filthy!). "Kill Yourself" features a particularly disturbing message to haters, but has a hauntingly good beat that would have been much better served with a verse from Eminem (Sebastian and Attitude don't cut it). 50 Cent sounds like he phoned in a recycled verse on "Come and Get Me" over the militia-like beat with choir-backing (how many times can 50 say the same thing over and over before the rest of the world figures it out?).

The second half of the album is especially diverse with Middle-Eastern samples ("Bombay"), punk rock (the Hives assisted "Throw It On Me"), and power pop on "The One & Only" (You have to love Timbaland's attempt at a Fall Out Boy impression with lead singer Patrick Stump already on the track). "Time", a tale about a love that can't be trusted by either party, stands out from the crowd on this stellar compilation. Up and coming new wavers She Wants Revenge help out one of their mentors on this 80's inspired tale full of exact snare drum, layered with synthesizers Duran Duran would be jealous of.

The only knock most naysayers have on Timbaland is his rhyming skills, but if you are looking for mind-blowing lyrics, you don't understand a Timbaland album. He won't blow your mind with 16 bars of philosophy (mostly bravado and partying), but he will by supplying the soundtrack to an album without musical barriers.

Timbaland ft She Wants Revenge - Time

Timbaland: Shockingly Good Pt. 1

2007-04-03T15:35:00.000-05:00

Part I

One of the most anticipated albums of the year for me has finally arrived, Timbaland Presents...Shock Value, and it not so "shock"ingly, it delivers. I have been following Timbaland's production career since the Ginuwine and Aaliyah days and it is amazing how he created so many unique sounds and create new trends over and over. From the use of animal noise to bringing back the human beat box to overpowering synthesizers, Timbaland has amassed a number of copycats (which he addresses on "Give It To Me"). Somehow he has mangaed to stay consistent in the most fickle musical genre there is, rap.

To name a few:
-Ginuwine "Pony", "Whats So Different"
-Aaliyah "One In A Million", "Are You That Somebody", "Try Again"
-Missy Elliot "The Rain", "Get UR Freak On", "Work It"
-Jay-Z "Big Pimpin'", "Dirt Off Your Shoulder"
-Bubba Sparxxx "Deliverance", "Ugly"
-Justin Timberlake "Cry Me A River", "Sexyback", "My Love"
-Nelly Furtado "Promiscuous", "Say It Right", "Maneater"

Only Dr. Dre and the Neptunes come close when you look at his resume over the last 10 years. Timbaland's resurgence (w/ the help of co-producer Danjahandz) by way of Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake has only bolstered his pop presence. He is reportedly working with Coldplay, 50 Cent, Bjork, Britney Spears, TI, Duran Duran and Jay-Z in the next few months.

Check back for the full review later. For now, here's a preview of my bet for the next single:

Timbaland ft Justin Timberlake "Release"

Eclectipus: The Bees

2007-04-02T19:48:00.000-05:00

The Bees - Octopus 4/5 Narks

Another band I have been listening to as much as possible (Spring = album release fiesta) is The Bees. Straight outta the British Isles, this band quickly became every indie critic's darling in 2002 with Sunshine Hit Me, which was reportedly recorded in lead singer, Paul Butler's garden. The band gained praise for its eclectic sound and was nominated for a prestigious Mercury Award.

Three years later, The Bees continue their genre-bending (ha!) resume with their third release, Octopus. The album kicks off with an exploration in bluegrass on the stellar "Who Cares What The Question Is?" and fall back into the '60's with the Allman Brothersesque "Love In The Harbor." The journey continues on "Leftfoot Stepdown" (which eerily sounds as though it was taken from The Haunted Mansion ride at Disney World) and reaches its peak on "Got To Let Go". The jazz-influenced track (no, I don't mean the so-called "jazz" that my dad, dentist, pharmacist and elevator musician enjoy) catches the listeners ear with the under-used electric organ (not to be confused with the pipe organ) and a horn section that steals the show on the chorus.

The album only falters on the final track, "End Of The Street", which sounds like a drunk teenager got a hold of a sound effects closet and had to try each sound three times to make sure they worked (or didn't in this case).

With only 10 songs on the album, The Bees either make a bold statement or just don't care what listeners think. By refusing to be pigeon-holed by one sound, the result is the former. The Bees prove the theory of "quiting while you're ahead" and successfully acheive in making a concise and eclectic album.

The Bees - Got To Let Go

The Kooks: "A Good Thing to Me"

2007-03-28T17:37:00.000-05:00

Another great import from the U.K. that I have been listening to lately is The Kooks. They first caught my ear with the catchy single "Naive". It had some success here in the States on college radio, but were a staple on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio One show. Their follow-up, "Ooh La", is just as addicting with precise guitar strokes and a hummable chorus about a past love (who doesn't like the word petticoat?). Look for The Kooks to make some noise on the festival circuit this year starting with Coachella (An insane lineup already).

The Kooks - Ooh La

8Ball & MJG: Southern Legends

2007-03-22T22:14:00.000-05:00

8Ball & MJG "Ridin' High" 3/5 Narks

Two guys that have been consistently heating up the underground in South are 8Ball & MJG. I first heard about them in middle school and have always appreciated the way they verbally spar with each other on their albums. With each album (9 so far), the duo has been just short of worldwide acclaim (one solo was even titled, "Almost Famous"). 8ball & MJG gained more pop-cred when they joined their Tennessee counterparts Three-Six Mafia & Young Buck on one of last years classics "Stay Fly". Their tireless effort finally caught the eye of Diddy and he signed them to Bad Boy a few years ago. "Livin' Legends" went gold in 2004, which was solid for the group, but didn't make the noise BBE expected.

Their latest effort, "Ridin' High", was just released with almost no promotion (sales of 45,000 in the 1st week), but shouldn't be ignored. Fans familiar with the group will love the bass heavy tracks, filled with the usual bravado and clever word play 8Ball & MJG always deliver. It may be devoted mostly to trunk rattlers ("Turn Up the Bump" and "Cruzin") and strip club anthems ("30 Rocks"), but many of the rappers in the industry could learn a thing or two from these legends as to how to make solid albums.

The highlight of the album is the title track, "Ridin' High". 8Ball & MJG spit their southern drawl with ease over a futuristic beat that could have been on "the Fifth Element" soundtrack. Its nice to hear the duo flow on a track that is more musically diverse than their usual fare.

Although they have rarely pop up on mainstream radio, 8Ball & MJG continue to make their presence known in knowledgable rap circles. Not by using lyrical genius or high-profile producers, but by consistently solid at showing the rest of the industry how Southern hip-hop is done.

8Ball & MJG - Ridin' High

Arcade Fire: Hauntingly Good

2007-03-21T11:35:00.000-05:00

Arcade Fire "Neon Bible" 5/5 Narks

Though I haven't heard their 1st album, the heavily lauded "The Funeral", Arcade Fire's latest album has been so highly anticipated I couldn't ignore it. I heard about it since last year on every blog, column and radio show imaginable. At first, I was a bit hesitant to check out Arcade Fire. I thought they would be a bit too dark for my taste, but that happens to be one of the band's strong points. Albums that have this much to live up to usually don't quite deliver the goods (see The Killers "Sam's Town" and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's latest), but "Neon Bible" sets the tone for the rest of 2007.

Recorded throughout last year in an old church, Arcade Fire uses instruments like the piano, violin and organ to evoke a sermonly/orchestral feel. "Neon Bible" commands you attention from the start with the anthemic "Keep the Car Running". With a fist-pumping chorus and instrumentation that could rival an '80s The Cure song, it could easily move from indie to mainstream rock playlists. The album builds steam with a darker tone on songs like the haunting "Black Mirror" and "Oceans of Noise". Lead singer Win Butler, uses a unique singing approach filled with wails and shouts that layer precisely within the creepy landscape.

The stand out cut has to be "Intervention" (one of the best performances in years on SNL). Paranoia filled lyrics such as "Been working for the Church while my family dies/Your little baby sister's gonna lose her mind/Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home/Hear the soldier groan "We'll go at it alone.. '" cover everything from war to religion. The menacing organ sounds straight out of a horror movie (its a good thing, trust me).

Lyrically, Arcade Fire has been criticized for being not overly articulate. I would agree, but it is only because they didn't need more than basic language to get their point across. Tracks like "Windowsill" lure you in with shouts against capitalism that are self-explanatory (Don't wanna live in my father's house no more/Don't want it faster, I don't want it free) and don't need words from an overused Thesaurus to tell the story. The main draw to "Neon Bible" is an encompassing, haunting sound and for that, Arcade Fire has created a masterpiece.

Arcade Fire - Intervention

Recovery Post: 'Bright'en Up

2007-03-19T18:04:00.000-05:00

What can I say, an insane week in Acapulco followed by a birthday bonanza/St. Patty's Day extravaganza doesn't leave a lot of brain cells left for blog material. Here's the recovery post...

For the most part, there are some artists that you love or hate. There isn't an in-between. You either check for everything they put out or avoid it. Bright Eyes had previously fell into the "hate" category for me. Although I applaud almost anyone who tries a variety of different of sounds and is constantly evolving, I found his music a little too quirky for me. While I haven't been as impressed with Bright Eyes as most of the past reviews I have read, six news songs might have changed my mind.

Bright Eyes aka Conor Oberst just released an EP, entitled "Four Winds", March 6th. The 6-song set is a collection of b-sides, rarities and the first single of the band's next album (title track "Four Winds"). The songs have a folky sound interwined with a country tinge (I'm always down for harmonica) that should be welcomed by past fans and maybe bluegrass listeners. The disc is intended to (and should) tide over fans until the full length album, "Cassadaga", is released on April 9th.

Here is the first single "Four Winds". Its hard to imagine hes talking about the Apocalypse with the breezy-feel of the song.

Bright Eyes - Four Winds

Spring Break '07: Ann St. Takes Acapulco

2007-03-01T16:53:00.000-05:00

Its officially, I have almost no motivation left for work now. My colorful flowcharts are beginning to take the form of a bright yellow sun (print buys), a crisp dark blue ocean (outdoor boards) and a cool, tan glass of Corona (direct mail campaigns). The endless lines of numeric code all seem to read like flight numbers and times in the billing system. My Designated Marketing Area map in my cube seems to have morphed into the shape of Mexico. This can only mean one thing....Spring Break in Acapulco with Drew, Laura, Gigs, Philbin and Bohnerface (Face for short). I expect to hear more of Daddy Yankee's "Gasolina" than Millhouse could ever handle. Sunshine.....87 degrees.....Clubs 'til 5AM.....Modelo.....Here.We.Come.

Hear are a few other songs that I expect to be in heavy rotation in every corner of Acapulco, Mexico:

Rihanna ft Sean Paul-Break It Off

Young Jeezy ft R Kelly-Go Getta

DJ Khaled ft TI, Birdman, Lil' Wayne, Fat Joe, Rick Ross and Akon-We Takin' Over

Rich Boy-Throw Some D's