Shitting on the little guy…

Tapes ‘n Tapes
The Loon
[Ibid; 2006]
Rating: 8.3

As I’m sure you’ve all heard, today Pitchfork decided to bestow “Best New Music” honors on Tapes ‘n Tapes‘ The Loon. We all knew it was spectacular, we all already bought it, and we all at least would have liked to see them in concert. But as the devilish giant emerged from its ignorant slumber to listen to “10 Gallon Ascots,” another devlish giant emerged…Pitchfork’s readership. Gone is the true indie status, the holier-than-thou shtick, and showing up to see them by paying at the door.

This just in: The Loon just sold 132,479 copies, Manitoba was on the OC last night (twice), and TnT is opening for Staind next fall….goddammit.

If you have no clue what I’m talking about, listen to these songs:

[MP3] Tapes n’ Tapes – Insistor
[MP3] Tapes n’ Tapes – Manitoba
[MP3] Tapes n’ Tapes – 10 Gallon Ascots

Overdose on Lovedrug

There is a concert tonight that I am very distraught about not being able to attend. Fortunately, I know about half of the people that are in the audience, so a plethora of (hopefully) pictures and snipets of personal reviews shall be shared. Although, I’m not going to hold my breath.

Lovedrug is a band coming from the controversial state of Ohio. Despite all the political racket that the state has been making in the past election, there has been one band capable of overcoming the noise of blue versus red, making music that had me mesmerized the first time I listened. Being from Northern Kentucky, I’ve been exposed to the 2-year touring machine known as Lovedrug. Making headway in the (somewhat) music deprived Mid-West, Lovedrug’s hard work and amazing music has been turning heads and record labels nationwide.

Their lyrics (“And I don’t think we’ll get out of this hell/But the time here with you has been nice.” -Angels With Enemies) tell guileful stories, much like that of their influences: “I’m a big ‘90s rock guy,” says Shepard, insisting he’s more influenced by the Pumpkins, Soundgarden and Nirvana than fashionable reference points such as Coldplay, Radiohead or Muse. “It just seemed a little more pure than today’s music, where everything is so pop and packaged. It’s like music lost some of that raw emotion.”

[MP3] Lovedrug – Down Towards The Healing
[MP3] Lovedrug – Angels With Enemies
[MP3] Lovedrug – Spiders
[MP3] Lovedrug – Candy

Their constant touring and solid debut album has been slowly racking up accolades such as Entertainment Weekly’s “Download This”, Spin.com’s “Band of the Day”, and recently being featured on the front page of MySpace’s weekly featured bands, along with The Arctic Monkeys and The Takeover UK.

If such a description as “somewhere between ’70s-style guitar-rock grandeur and pre-weird Radiohead lives this inebriated, quasi-hallucinatory tale,” doesn’t implore you to check them out, then head over to their official site and MySpace to poke around for yourself.

Rachael Yamagata

Disappointed with Fiona Apple’s latest album? Can’t get enough of it maybe? Can’t get enough of the latest from Cat Power? If you affirmed any of those, come with me back to 2004 and say hello to Rachael Yamagata. She’s got a little bit of both of the singers in her, and while her sound is definitely more pop-oriented, it’s still just as enjoyable and impressive. Here are a few tracks off 2004’s Happenstance:

[MP3] Rachael Yamagata – Letter Read
[MP3] Rachael Yamagata – Be Be Your Love
[MP3] Rachael Yamagata – I Want You

You can listen to more from Rachael over at her official site. You can buy Happenstance and other merch here.

Sea Wolf

I’m not quite sure how to describe how much I’ve been enjoying the album of the up and coming artist Sea Wolf. Little has been posted of this artist around the internet, but this band deserves their own blog. I’ve been in contact with the frontman (and technically only man) of Sea Wolf and he gave me the skinny on his band:

“Sea Wolf is me, Alex Church, and rotating members of the Ship Collective community. Sea Wolf was officially formed 2 1/2 years ago, had a handful of LA shows, and spent the last year recording a record, Leaves In The River. Currently Sea Wolf is unsigned, but now that the record is done, we’re sending it out and playing shows again. I’m also a member of the LA indie-pop band Irving, but I don’t consider Sea Wolf a side project at all. Sea Wolf is a very separate project, that has a life of it’s own, and I’m far closer to it than Irving.“

Like so many musicians in the independent music scene, Church is heavily involved with two bands that make equally great music. Many of you, I’m sure, are familiar with Irving, but in my opinion his true talent shines through in Sea Wolf. Their new record, co-produced by Phil Ek (Modest Mouse, The Shins, Built to Spill, etc.), is difficult to find unless you hail from the LA area (although a new website is under construction). In the meantime, you can look forward to some amazing music.

[MP3] Sea Wolf – You’re A Wolf
[MP3] Sea Wolf – Black Dirt
[MP3] Sea Wolf – Middle Distance Runner
UPDATE: Alex Church aka Sea Wolf has decided it’s better for you check out the other songs at his MySpace.

“Also, I don’t consider myself a singer/songwriter (though I do both in Sea Wolf). In my mind, Sea Wolf is a band. I suppose it could be considered a band in the way that Cat Power, Iron & Wine, and Bright Eyes are bands. But I have no interest in playing shows without a band, it’s just not me. To me the music is just as important as the singer, and I love having other musicians contribute.“

Band or no band, Alex Church is more concerned with the process of creating music than amassing a following, which is probably why his music is great instead of stereotypically danceable and trendy. Job well done, Mr. Church.

New Songs from The Black Heart Procession

Listening to The Black Heart Procession’s new album, The Spell, really does set a scene only to be rivaled by an actual funeral procession. It’s dark, moody, haunting even…like the music of a traditional New Orleans funeral, only this time the wailing brass has been replaced with the equally painful cry of violins, cellos, and your obvious rock instrumentation. With 2005 right behind us, the effects of Katrina still poignant (whether the media [goverment] wishes to broadcast [exploit] them or not), an album like this is just what we need…and may be one of the most relative albums of the year, depending [unfortunately] if Pitchfork likes it or not. Check out a few tracks for yourself:

[MP3] The Black Heart Procession – Tangled
[MP3] The Black Heart Procession – The Letter

The Spell will hit stores on May 11th, but you can reserve a copy now!

Assortments and Rumors

When looking at the top entertainment news stories of today, I noticed that the lead story was involving Howard Stern announcing his own version of XXX Sundance Film Festival. As interesting/stupid/amusing as that ravishing news story is, I’d say it’s about time for a farrago of MP3s and morsels of information to be posted in no specific manner.

Stemming from the same company that let me know about Brandi Carlile, I somehow overlooked an email we received no less than a week ago. Some of the United Kingdom faithful may know of Mull Historical Society, but the one man band has recently replaced his stage name with his real name: Colin MacIntyre. I’m sure a many readers and bloggers alike will soon be buzzing about this artist even more so, as he is pretty talented and crafty when creating his own tunes.

[MP3] Colin MacIntyre – Peculiar
[MP3] Colin MacIntyre – How Bout I Love You More

Also in our inbox was another British band simply named Tigs. Much like the above posted MP3s, Tigs is also a one (wo)man band that blends punk-pop with country. When I first read about the blending of two such genres, I must admit, I thought it was going to be an awful clash. However, she managed to produce two very different and good tracks. I’m looking forward to see what her full LP will consist of, but in the meantime you can have these.

[MP3] Tigs – Don’t Tell Me
[MP3] Tigs – Something New

Elsewhere in the blogs, my insatiable love for covers has been somewhat fulfilled thanks to GvB and berkeleyplace. It’s always good to see great artists covering other, equally as great, artists.

[MP3] The Magic Numbers – Take Me Out (Franz Ferdinand Cover)
[MP3] Final Fantasy – Peach, Plum, Pear (Joanna Newsom Cover)
[MP3] Joanna Newsom – Peach, Plum, Pear (Compare & Contrast!)

Aside from all of the musical news, how about the nearly 100% confirmed rumor that Arrested Development (one of my favorite) shows of all time is going to get picked up by Showtime?!

Last, but not least, is a great documentary that I had a chance to watch over Christmas Break. Before you roll your eyes at the idea of another 9/11 film, let me assure you that this one is damn good. Loose Change was created by Dylan Avery and is a very meticulously researched piece of work. It almost confirms my personal speculations of what happened on that September day and it may open your eyes to a new way of thinking. If you got the hour to spare, you can watch it or download it here, for absolutely free and full of information.

New Songs from TV On The Radio!!!

Today’s a great day. TVOTR’s currently untitled upcoming release has leaked…and the result is stunning. I can’t imagine the repercussions for what I’m thinking and feeling right now, but something is telling me that 2004’s Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes may get a run for its money. Some of the songs I’ve been hearing off this new LP sound without a doubt like TVOTR’s best work yet. The songs sound much fuller this time around…like they were produced by an actual band, something I think their debut lacked a little. Check out a couple of the new tracks, they’re all wildly recommended:

UPDATE: Band requested that I remove the songs, as they are unmastered cuts! Sorry!

[MP3] TV On The Radio – Province
[MP3] TV On The Radio – Playhouses

I can already feel this release latching onto my ears…an obsession is developing…DUH! There’s no release date for the album, but look for it soon as the leak could easily spur a speedier delivery!

Steve Burns – From Blue Clues

I’m sure many of you are semi-familliar with the owner of the infamous blue dog that hit its peak of child stardom nearly a decade or so ago. You know, Blue’s Clues?

Like many without day jobs may know, Steve Burns was the producer and host of the children’s television show Blue’s Clues. In 2002, Burns decided that children’s TV was getting boring and that it was time for him to get out of the business. His all but sudden vanquish from the show led to speculation of drug overdose, suicide, and many other rumors that would all but destroy his reputation as a children’s show host. Fortunately for him, those rumors are all but buzz words in an alternate entertainment industry; the scene of rock and roll.

Shedding his green striped shirt and buoyant smile, Burns started the journey into his own realm of musical creativeness. Who better to help him out than The Flaming Lips? Possibly The Beatles or Jesus Christ, but The Lips are right up there. Gaining the help and approval from Lip’s drummer Steven Dozd, and long time producer of Flaming Lips albums, David Fridmann, they helped to complete the songs written by Burns. Songs For Dustmites was the title of his debut release, and quite frankly…it’s pretty damn good.

[MP3] Steve Burns – Mighty Little Man
[MP3] Steve Burns – Troposphere
[MP3] Steve Burns – Maintain

My good friend put this album on an MP3 CD (as a big joke) that just happened to spawn a really great album. I must admit, I was shocked when Hype Machine yielded only 2 posts on Burns, but it’s better late than never to check out the Blue’s Clues host singing something other than kid tunes. Check out his official site and buy the album.

The Pine Club – Good/Bad News

In less than 24 hours, The Pine Club will be no more.

I’m sure many of you aren’t too terribly familiar with the Kentucky (woo!) based band, but the three piece from Louisville sent me an e-mail letting me know they’re officially breaking up. Straight from the band:

“As of the end of February we will no longer be a band. Long story short, we were a Louisville, KY based band that had some regional success with touring behind our previous album release. Due to band members moving, etc, we have decided to call it quits.“

News of a band breaking up is always something that leaves bitter tastes in people’s mouths, however unlike many other artist The Pine Club have given us all a pretty delicious chaser to the bitter shot of breaking up. A month before the news of their end, they managed to record a brand new CD, Last Frame, that is up for download on their site. The best part: it’s FREE!

[MP3] The Pine Club – Lovers
[MP3] The Pine Club – Vampire
[MP3] The Pine Club – The Last Frame Of The Film

Their final show is tomorrow night at The Rudyard Kipling, so any of my fellow Kentuckians nearby the L’Ville area should really try to catch their final act, I’m sure it’ll be worth it. To hear some older tracks, check out another KY Blogger, Dodge’s post. Check out their site for the rest of the album.

New Songs from Ambulance LTD!!

So the other day, in a random scan of indie music-related news, I discovered that Ambulance LTD have a new EP coming out very shortly…The New English EP! I’ve only managed to listen to a couple tracks off of it, but I’m really impressed by what I’ve heard so far. Check it out:

[MP3] Ambulance LTD – Sugar Pill
[MP3] Ambulance LTD – New English

Pre-order the EP now!!!

Docopengahen reminds us that the newest video in Death Cab For Cutie’s video series has been posted…this one is for I Will Follow You Into The Dark.

Mocking Music has a really cool post on scary songs and videos, including the king of that shit, Aphex Twin! Here’s a new song from AFX’s upcoming album:

[MP3] Aphex Twin – Batine Acid