The Musicmen Cometh!
This is the marriage of two musical minds, Josh Bain and Nolan Ross. Friends since high school, they've seen the seven wonders of the world, jumped from helicopters, hang-glided, climbed Mt. Everest, and even offered jokes over dinner with Bono, Springsteen, Clapton, and others.
Okay, none of that is true except the friends since high school part. Nonetheless, these guys love music and love talking about it. We hope you enjoy it.
Records I've Been Spinning
Har Mar Superstar - Dark Touches
Julian Casablancas - Phrazes for the Young
Griffin House - 42 and a Half Minutes with Griffin House
This is just epic. Sure, the cello player bangs his head at the end and makes me laugh uncontrollably, but oh well. Great song from an outstanding band!
Albums You Need to Get!
Swell Season returns again, following an amazing collaboration between Glen Hansard of The Frames and Markéta Irglová of Czechoslavakia. The country, not the name of a band. Just to be clear.
Anywho, Strict Joy will be available tomorrow everywhere and it’s good. I can attest, as I’ve heard most of it. My favorites thus far - “Low Rising,” “Feeling the Pull,” “Paper Cup,” and “High Horses.”
I’m a tad late on this band, but what do they say, umm, “better late than never?” Right. Let’s go with that. Check out the songs, “Enter Me, Exit You,” “Sticky Dew,” and “Nobody Knows You.” They are from Chicago, which means, they rule. I can’t think of too many bands from Chicago I don’t like. Actually, I could, but I don’t want to.
And on the pop side of things, I have to thank Jake Holman for mentioning Blake Lewis’ new record so much. Previously, I had only heard a few songs, most notably, “Gots to get her,” which I liked, but it didn’t make me purchase the album. However, his newest offering, Heartbreak on Vinyl is dark pop dripping wet with hooks and melodies that’ll make you wish you went on American Idol and learned a few tricks. I don’t know - but I like it and I think you will too. ”Sad song” is ridiculous, along with, any of the first three tracks.
The Temper Trap
If you watched any TV this summer, you heard the song, “Sweet Disposition” being played amidst the nostalgic and comforting trailer of, 500 Days of Summer and most likely, wondered, “What song is this??!” I will tell you. It was, The Temper Trap, a band from Melbourne, Australia whom I can’t seem to shake from my mind.
Their record, Conditions, is out now and ready for you to pick it up and enjoy. However, you will have to buy it from the UK store on Itunes. Or the Australian Itunes store. Your choice. But trust me, they are good and you will thank me later. You will move and be shaken, I guarantee it!
Check out the songs, “Science of Fear,” Down River,” “Fader,” and of course, “Sweet Disposition.”
They're Back!
Well, as far as I know, they probably never left.
I found out about The Films, through a wonderful friend of mine, whose essentially the coolest vagabond dweller I know, and I haven’t looked back since. He’s shown me a few good bands, a couple great bands, and The Films. I like these guys a lot. And I don’t know why.
The new record, Oh, Scorpio came out in June and I recently picked it up and have been enjoying it very much. If you hear the first song, “Completely Replaceable” and do not move, then you sir or ma’am, have no pulse or soul. It is extremely moving in the sense that Johnny Cash is moving. I know, I know. That might be a big statement and what am I smoking, but hey, look. These guys are writing good songs and what you are doing? Giving ear to “Paparazzi” or “Waking Up in Vegas”? Come on, lads! Get with it!
I highly recommend this record (and band), and if you find yourself moving all sorts of ways you never thought you had in you, well then, I do not feel sorry for you anymore. I greet this sort of behavior with all smiles and hugs. I’m that guy.
Enjoy!
Free song!
Thanks to a friend that I follow on Twitter, I now have Shiny Toy Guns’ cover of the Blue Oyster Cult song, “Burning For You,” that is apparently on a Lincoln commercial. Also, to be honest, I am not that familiar with. ”Don’t Fear the Reaper” being the only BOC song I know well. And that’s really just thanks to Will Ferrell’s spoof with ye ‘ole cowbell. Fun times.
Anyways, here’s the download link. Goes right into your Itunes!
And furthers my love for Shiny Toy Guns!
Songs I'm Loving (Pt. 1)
Plumb - God-shaped hole
Art Brut - DC Comics and Chocolate Milkshake
Jack Penate - Be the One
Friendly Fires - Lovesick
Lights - February Air
Eye Alaska - Good to Go
Phoenix - Lizstomanic (Classixx remix)
Owl City - Dental Care
Harry Nilsson - Everybody’s Talkin’
Stars of the Lid - Tippy’s Demise
fun. - Walking the Dog
Foals - Hummer
The Damnwells - Down With the Ship
Chromeo - Bonified Lovin
Cat Stevens - Don’t Be Shy
The Bens - Bruised
Jack Penate
I first heard Jack Penate’s song, “Have I Been A Fool?” and instantly fell in love with the retro british sound that he emits. He recently released a new record called, “Everything Is New” that I can only describe as perfect for this moment in the backbend of summer. It’s really a great, pertinent record to any fan of British writers a la, Ed Harcourt and also British bands a la, The Doves or Travis. Kind of happy, kind of sad, kind of wonderful altogether.
“Pull My Heart Away” is instantly great with it’s delay-driven guitar riff and heartfelt vocals from Jack. You can almost feel the intensity he’s singing about pulling his heart away from a situation. Then it leads into “Be the One,” which has a nice bounce and swagger to it that it may propel you to dance quietly in your room. Just like Tom Hanks character in That Thing You Do, saying, “I don’t want any of this lover’s lament crap. I want something peppy, something happy, something up-tempo. I want something snappy.” Jack, you’ve done just that.
