Bumpin’ and Groovin’

My internet died today.
Before the resurrection, I checked my mailbox to be surprised by a CD.
My internet came back to life.
Now you get to check out the inbox friendly band Bump.

I was talking about Bonnaroo today with someone, which brought up memories of summer and jamming music. Well, right now it is pretty damp and gloomy outside, so I was relying on music to combat the negative effects of Mother Nature. You know.. That music you might listen to with the windows down on a summer day? Bump could easily become that type of music. When I put in Bump’s latest album, Incredible Consequence, I found myself in one of those Corona commercials on a white beach thinking… “Miles away from ordinary.” Perhaps that’s the best description for their music. A hodgepodge of jamming rock and psychedelic indie make their music a perfect blend of beach side bar meets a rock and roll festival meets (their hometown) Detroit Rock City.

[MP3] Bump – Don’t Be The Sunrise
[MP3] Bump – I Must Say
[MP3] Bump – Last Chance

Check out their MySpace and be ready for their debut album that releases on May 2!

Completely off topic to anything musically related, I found myself using the word “hodgepodge” in the above description. I’m not sure how many of you have seen the hilarious Honda Element commercials, but there is one with a platypus that cracks me up. As soon as I typed the word “hodgepodge”, I knew I had to expose you to this bit of humor.

Thursdays and Covers

It’s been awhile since I did one of these. Absence makes the ears grow fonder, eh? Anyways, on with the show!

[MP3] Xiu Xiu – Fast Car
I love this song. It’s hard not to enjoy the original version of this song by Tracy Chapman. I’ll go ahead and say that Tracy Chapman is one of the most talented female artists.. ever! Xiu Xiu’s version is one lined with simple guitar and even simpler vocals. The cover only gets better and better as the song progresses.

[MP3] Aria – Clocks
Here is a tribute to my diversity in the field of music. It’s a good thing one of my good friends loves the hardcore stint, because I sure as hell don’t enjoy words that I can’t distinguish from primal mating calls. Regardless, this song is actually pretty clever in the fact it’s a Coldplay piano ballad played to roaring guitar and vocals, for that matter.

[MP3] Cat Power – Wonderwall
I’m sure this is one of the most covered songs of all time, no doubt. Enter the eerie vocals of Chan Marshall and exit the angst laden voice of Liam Gallagher. Result = sdfkghiwfkgh!! I liked this cover a ton when I first stumbled upon it a few years back and had recently lost it amongst various HDs. Now it’s found and I am very very happy.

Enjoy the covers…when they’ll be back…nobody knows. Literally, I don’t even know.

The Stills – New Songs

Before they get any more overposted, I’ll put up a few tracks from the upcoming Stills record, Without Feathers. I loved their last album and have been looking forward to hearing what they have in store for us. This album sounds a lot different than The Stills Version 1.0, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. I have a strong feeling that a lot of these songs are gonna grow on me and you too.

[MP3] The Stills – Oh Shoplifter
[MP3] The Stills – Destroyer

The album isn’t releasing until May 9, meaning you can go ahead and pre-order it or just surf around their site until it releases and you get your paws on it.

And, what about that contest? Holy BeJesus.. 72 comments = 72 bands worth listening too. Whoever wins should get more than album, more like… Insert something creatively humorous and well deserving here. Yeah, you get that. Seriously though, it’s Connor’s contest and I’ll be the first to say you all responded in one hell of a fashion. Rock onward.

The Lovely Feathers | Contest!

I know I just posted on these guys about a week ago (see here), but now I’ve got even better news to report: a spiffy contest for an equally spiffy band. If you haven’t heard, The Lovely Feathers are another amazing band from north of the border, down [up] Montreal ways, and actually feature members from both The Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade! There’s nothing about this band that’s not to love…and logically speaking, that means you should just about love everything about this band. Check out these tracks:

[MP3] The Lovely Feathers – In The Valley
[MP3] The Lovely Feathers – Frantic
[MP3] The Lovely Feathers – Breakfast Cake

THE CONTEST:

It’s hard to be a blogger. I’ll rephrase… it’s hard to constantly find awesome new music to post for you guys… so, this contest is simple! All you have to do is give me the name of a band that I haven’t heard of, and whichever band I like the most will win! I would appreciate it if along with the band name you could post a link to where I could find their music, but it’s not essential…just the band name is fine for contest entry.

THE PRIZE:

Up for grabs is a copy of The Lovely Feathers amazing debut album, Hind Hind Legs, which officially hits stores 4/18…so if all goes well, you just might hold bragging rights over owning the album before everyone else!

Don’t Weep!

The Weepies is an interesting name for a band. Many may roll their eyes at the possibility of yet another band sulking through musical chords and notes. When I first saw their name, I thought of that ridiculous children’s show…only to realize they’re called The Weebles. Regardless, don’t judge a band by it’s a name…That’s a lesson you tend to learn early on in the musical world.

After getting past the amusement of their band name, I was really pleased with their sound. The story behind this band is rather interesting and (yes!) romantic. Read it for yourself:

Deb Talan and Steve Tannen began writing together the first night they met and soon formed The Weepies. We were fans of each other. When we met, there was an electric connection that made us both nervous. After the show, when everyone went home, we stayed up all night playing songs for each other, drinking a bottle of wine and trading an acoustic guitar back and forth in a tiny apartment,” says Talan. “That night has lasted four years so far,” adds Tannen.

Maybe like an acoustically driven Mates of State?? They remind me of a lot of different bands, but they don’t resemble any of them enough for “pegging” sake… And that’s a rare/good find. They’re melodies are fantastic! The simplicity of the music that compliments their tremendous vocal ability is very enjoyable to listen to. Maybe I am just in that elegantly crafted acoustic melody driven music type of mood, who knows but I am loving this band. Check out the MP3s and let The Weepies put you in a good mood too.

[MP3] The Weepies – World Spins Madly On
[MP3] The Weepies – Take It From Me
[MP3] The Weepies – Gotta Have You (Loving this track)

They’re starting to get some major playage on various TV shows and soundtracks, most notably the upcoming Sundance release Friends With Money, starring Jennifer Aniston. Their album just released so buy it or at least check out their site and MySpace for some upcoming tour dates!

Death Ships

I usually don’t have an addictive personality, or if I do it’s only at intermittent times. Everyone goes through their phases of different addictions (love, alcohol, sex, whatever..), my only constant addiction being music. Over the past month, that addiction has been with two songs from one band: Death Ships.

Blossoming from the seed of a one-man band, Death Ships has been in the works since early 2001. Like bundles of other collegiate students, Dan Maloney started making some music while an undergrad at the University of Iowa and opening for local bands and regional bands alike. Soon enough, Death Ships numbers grew from 1 to 4 and recording sessions ensued. With their fan base steadily growing in the Chicago/Iowa City area, Death Ships has plans to release a full album titled Seeds of Devastation sometime this year (with a full scale tour to follow).

Their sound is centered around singer/songwriter Maloney, and with good reason. His simple guitar chords escalate into a crescendo of looming vocals and a potpourri of keyboards, bass, and guitar. Keyboards are an essential part of this band, like harp is to Joanna Newsom. Blending elements of indie pop and jazz influenced folk music, Death Ships is convincing many (including myself) that their debut album is gonna be loaded with great music.

[MP3] Death Ships – Little Mystery (Warning! Awesome guitar, here!)
[MP3] Death Ships – Symmetrical Smiles (Jazzy?)

If you’re a record label looking for a hot new artist, I’d check these guys out since they haven’t committed to any labels just yet. In the meantime, check out their MySpace and official site.

I Heart Huckaby

Some will argue that musical tastes may be a genetic predisposition. I am not sure where I stand on this argument, but my Dad had, and still has, a great taste in music. Whether I picked this up or not may be left for geneticists to figure out, however every now and then my Dad still manages to give me some good music that I don’t know about. So, since my Dad sneaks a peak at the blog every now and then, thanks for Rick Huckaby.

Normally I am very partial to country influenced music, most of the time snarling my upper lip at the lyrics of cowboys, breaking hearts, and what Jimmy did with Sally down on the farm/in a pickup truck. However, Rick Huckaby is an artist that takes the best of the soulful country rock sound, blending it seamlessly with classic American Folk. His true talent doesn’t lie within his simple chords and melodies, but his lyrics which are meaningfully handcrafted stories that are as addicting as Kelly Clarkson’s ear candy. Go on, eat it up.

[MP3] Rick Huckaby – Coming Of Age (This Song = Instant Classic)
[MP3] Rick Huckaby – Call Me Huck
[MP3] Rick Huckaby – Breathe

There isn’t a whole lot of information floating around on the internet about Mr. Huckaby, but from what I have gathered: he is working on releasing a full album, he hails from West Virginia, he has a few tour dates coming up (including KY!!), and Warner Bros. picked him up a few years back. It’s hard to imagine how a very talented ex-Tracy Lawrence backup singer, much like that of Huck, isn’t more widely known among the masses (being on a major label, especially).

Check out his site and listen to some other songs here.

Oh Heather, Fuel My Fire!

The conversations that I and Ms. Heather Browne have are beyond amazing. We’re so witty that we speak a near foreign language. Yeah, just kidding. Although she can flock to the nifty city of Denver, she remains much like myself – not close enough to a bustling coast overflowing with talented musicians and artists. But hey, us secluded primitive bloggers can hold our own, we ain’t afraid of no coast!

Anyways, Heather writes great great stuff over at her blog (i.e. List of Best Protest Songs) I Am Fuel, You Are Friends. This time, Heather posted herself some awesomeness. She has a knack for The Boss and, well…who doesn’t want some Springsteen covers?

CHECK IT OUT!!

You Want More Springsteen? @ I Am Fuel, You Are Friends

Great post my Coloradian Cohort. Now, get your ass to Lollapalooza and we’ll have us a grand ole’ time.

A song or two, in honor of those out west (but not on a coast)!

[MP3] Bright Eyes – June on the West Coast
[MP3] Grandaddy – El Caminos In The West

The Little Willies

It’s a beautiful day, here in Lexington KY. The weather has an odd effect on my musical selection. Trying to find a soundtrack to match the mood of Mother Nature is (sometimes) difficult, yet so much fun. With the sun shining and the temperature rising, The Little Willies are the perfect band to listen to.

Here is a little dosage of this super group straight from their site:

The Little Willies formed for purely practical reasons. In 2003, the group of five friends, who were all individually involved in other projects, booked a gig at The Living Room on New York’s Lower East Side as an excuse to spend an evening playing music together. They soon discovered that they shared a deep musical vernacular.

Richard Julian, who I just posted on, is playing/singing alongside Norah Jones, Lee Alexander, Jim Campilongo, and Dan Rieser. They’re music is very jazzy; each musician bringing their own unique sound to the record.

[MP3] The Little Willies – Roly Poly
[MP3] The Little Willies – I’ll Neve Get Out Of This World Alive

You have to be happy after these songs! Make the Willies happy, head over to their MySpace and buy their newly released (March 6) album.

The King Of France

Considering that every blogger on the planet has already blogged the shit out of this band, I figured I’d jump on the bandwagon. The King Of France, once known for his raping and pillaging of nobles and dissenters alike, has left his aging cliché of a profession for something a little more…entertaining. While there’s nothing like a good, wholesome plutocracy to feed the 18th century hipsters’ cry for “more Gluck!”, I hope I’m not in the wrong by saying “It’s about damn time!”

I really like TKOF because I get the impression that they could care less about what I have to say about them. And it’s not because what I have to say really, in fact, doesn’t matter too much. It’s more to do with an air of confidence I sense in their music…and rightfully so; their music is fun, poppy, light-handed, and the singer’s got a voice that for some of you (I hope) will make you want more. It’s a good story telling voice.

[MP3] The King Of France – Mexico
[MP3] The King Of France – Watch Out For The Man
[MP3] The King Of France – White Confection

More King Of France here.