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.
Some notes
The new Wilco record is really good. More on it later. But, it’s really good. It’s gritty, smart, vivacious, and of course, professional. Wilco just gets better and better, and their newest record, releasing June 30th, is a mix between A.M. and Being There with a little A Ghost Is Born. I think the experimental Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is long gone. At least you know they’re always going to produce something with style and class, no matter which record you, as a fan, cling to.
Kasabian is one of those bands that came on the scene with their self-titled debut album in 2004 and blew my mind. They look promising, indeed. Empire wasn’t really what I wanted it to be, but I still liked the lads’ work. But listening to their newest effort, releasing on June 9th, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, makes be think they got their act together for their third record. There’s songs that grow on you, songs that are instant loves, and a few that fall short of being “great.” I like it a lot though.
Tomorrow’s a big day for music. The new Dave Matthews Band record comes out. I’ve listened to most of it, and I just can’t decide if it’s relevant or not. I know that I shouldn’t concern myself with relevancy (especially since I’m no judge), but I just can’t help wondering if Dave, with the band, can produce what they use to do and reach the peoples of his audience like he once did. I mean, in my opinion, Before these Crowded Streets was truly their last “epic” record made. The records there after have all steadily declined. Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King comes out tomorrow and has already had the single, “Funny the Way It Is” available for download. I will say some positive notes. I really like the song, “Lying in the Hands of God” with the folk tendencies of it and the ever-faithful saxophone usage, yet now, sans Leroi Moore. It almost comes across as homage for the band’s veteran and old friend. ”Spaceman” is also a fun track. I mean, there’s some good songs here. But when relevancy comes into question, I think it’s tough to tell.
The Eels also have a record coming out tomorrow. Haven’t heard it yet, but I need to. Oh! Butterfly Boucher has one out tomorrow! On CD that is - the record’s been on Itunes for a week. Her debut record I really liked. Great vocals, fun songs, perfect for summer. Nothing too technically impressive about her, but I like the way her songs are written and they’re usually extremely catchy. I’m a fan of hers. And she was on the Ten out of Tenn tour over the last few months. So I’m sure she’s ready to finally release, Scary Fragile.
That’s it for Monday. Just some notes.
