Nov 29, 2012

VA - This is [PIAS] Nordic [2012]



Oh The Places We Go • 2012




Oh the places you'll go!

Dignan Porch [2012]






Optimism is infectious, and there can be few more optimistic statements than the title of the 2012 album from Dignan Porch, Nothing Bad Will Ever Happen. As you listen to the warm-hearted, weirdo pop within, as you re drawn into their world, you might be inclined to agree with them.

Nothing Bad Will Ever Happen is Dignan Porch's second album, though in many ways it's their first. 2010's debut, Tendrils, was written and recorded as a solo concern by singer Joe Walsh. Here, he's joined by the full band, comprising brother Sam Walsh plus close friends Ben Goodwin, Hayley Akins and Stephen Keane.

Recorded at Homerton s Sound Savers studio with Henry Withers (Lovvers / Sharm El Shakes) Mark Jasper (Bastard Sword) and Alex Clegg (Breathe Out), the album was taped live on reel-to-reel tape with minimal overdubs. The resulting album is a thing of raw beauty, its melancholy melodies shining through the fuzz and filth, singers Joe and Hayley crushing you with emotion throughout.

Nov 27, 2012

Santa is Coming to Town [2012]






Santa hits Montreal...

JJJ Like A Version Anthology - [Best Of Volumes 1 to 5]


"OMG! No WAY! Are you telling us that this CD actually contains THE VERY BEST of live music cover segment Like A Version from the years 2005 to 2009?! ... Ben Folds performs Such Great Heights with a piano and tin foil and a towel and spoons; Philadelphia Grand Jury makes Jay-Z go country; The Wombats put a banjo on The La's' There She Goes and The Herd compel us all to reflect with their profoundly stirring rendition of Redgum's I Was Only 19. We know the love that's out there for Like A Version is overwhelming, and it's a pleasure to reward that love with this compendium of classic LAVs for fans both old and new."

Track Listing
Disc 1:
Ben Folds - Such Great Heights
Sarah Blasko - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
The Kooks - Kids
TZU - Heavy Heart
Philadelphia Grand Jury - 99 Problems
Bob Evans - Not Fair
Crowded House - Everybody's Talkin'
Jamie T - Hoover Street
Katalyst - Hang Me Up To Dry
The Panics - Wide Open Road
PVT - Woman
Tegan and Sara - Dancing In The Dark
Lior - Needle And The Damage Done
Grinspoon - Drugs Don't Work
End Of Fashion - Quicksand
Missy Higgins - Moses
67 Special - Scar
The Tea Party - The Maker
The Cat Empire - Hotel California
Custom Kings - Boys Of Summer
Evermore - Relapse

Disc 2:
The Herd - I Was Only 19
Regina Spektor - Real Love
The Wombats - There She Goes
Sparkadia - This Boy's In Love
Hermitude - Joga
Bluejuice - Every Little Step
Lisa Mitchell - Romeo & Juliet
CW Stoneking - Seven Nation Army
Paul Kelly - Rehab
Eskimo Joe - Hey
Gomez - Breakfast In America
Angus & Julia Stone - Tubthumping
The Drones - Words From A Woman To Her Man
Whitley - Dancing Queen
The Magic Numbers - Crazy In Love
Little Birdy - These Boots Were Made For Walking
Kisschasy - Alex Chilton
Josh Pyke - The House At Pooh Corner
Liam Finn - Old Man
The Kill Devil Hills - Look At Miss Ohio
Willy Mason - The Way I Am

Nov 25, 2012

The Eastern Sea - Plague [2012]



“I used to hear the birch leaves rattle through my spine,” frontman Matthew Hines sings on the opener to Plague, his stunning full-length debut with The Eastern Sea, an eclectic rock band from Austin, Texas.

There’s never much ice in the band’s home state, but a glacial layer—engineered by Jeff Lipton, who has mastered recordings for Bon Iver and Andrew Bird—coats all twelve tracks. Plague‘s dense lyrics and denser arrangements seem to pick up somewhere between the space Explosions in the Sky and Death Cab For Cutie last left off. That’s a pretty cool place to be for a band this young.

As we all know, Austin is a giant arena for up and coming bands to make their names known, but in such a big scene, how do you stand out amongst the others trying just as hard as you? For The Eastern Sea, their delicately forceful rock, complete with some uniquely striking vocals sets them apart from the average bedroom rock band. Upon first listen, Plague gives off an illuminating quality that yields further listening and promises that this band has a lot to bring to the table.

Nov 24, 2012

VA – Mojo Presents: Rumours Revisited [2013]


Tracklist:
1. Yeasayer – Second Hand News
2. Pure Bathing Culture – Dreams
3. Slaraffenland – Never Going Back Again
4. The Phoenix Foundation – Don’t Stop
5. Dutch Uncles – Go Your Own Way
6. The Staves – Songbird
7. Liars – The Chain
8. The Besnard Lakes – You Make Loving Fun
9. Dylan Leblanc – I Don’t Want To Know
10. Mary Epworth – Oh Daddy
11. Julia Holter – Gold Dust Woman

Nov 21, 2012

The Babies [2012]


The weird thing about being in a band right now is you can record one song and then suddenly have all eyes on you at once. It’s made some band’s careers and destroyed others before they even had a chance to start. The Babies, which is made up of Woods’ Kevin Morby and Vivian Girls’ Cassie Ramone (they’ve since added bassist Brian Schleyer) had the luxury of beginning as a loose side project and avoiding some of that intense scrutiny. Though it’s their sophomore release, the upcoming Our House on the Hill, which is out November 13th on Woodsist, feels like their true arrival. The album is strong and tight, moving from uptempo jammers to more somber, mature tracks like album closer “Wandering,” which grapples with some pretty complicated emotions: Fall in love and then I hate everything I see, and this other time-bending nugget: Become what/ Become what/ Become who you are. As defeated as the song is, there’s some real life changing truth there too. But it’s not just a downer of a record—”Moonlight Mile” feels like an instant classic and a statement of purpose sung through gritted teeth: Isn’t that the train that I’m on?/ You don’t want on, then get off/ It’s just who I am. For a band with such casual beginnings, there’s plenty of artfully written songs and heavy moments to be found here. fader




Tour Dates

Wed-Nov-21    Des Moines, IA        Vaudeville Mews
Fri-Nov-23        Kansas City, MO        Riot Room
Sat-Nov-24    Denver, CO        Hi Dive
Sun-Nov-25    Salt Lake City, UT    Kilby Court
Mon-Nov-26    Boise, ID            Neurolux
Wed-Nov-28    Portland, OR        Holocene
Thu-Nov-29    Vancouver, BC        Media Club
Fri-Nov-30        Seattle, WA        Barboza
Sat-Dec-01    Olympia, WA        The Northern
Mon-Dec-03    Reno, CA            Holland Project
Tue-Dec-04    Sacramento, CA    Bows and Arrows
Wed-Dec-05    Oakland, CA        1-2-3-4 Go Records
Thu-Dec-06    San Francisco, CA    Bottom of the Hill
Fri-Dec-07        Santa Cruz, CA        Crepe Place
Sat-Dec-08    Pomona, CA        VLHS 
Sun-Dec-09    Los Angeles, CA        The Echo
Mon-Dec-10    San Diego, CA        Eleven  
Tue-Dec-11    Tucson, AZ        Topaz Tundra
Wed-Dec-12    El Paso, TX        Lowbrow Saloon
Thu-Dec-13    San Antonio, TX    Korova
Fri-Dec-14        Austin, TX            The Mohawk
Sat-Dec-15    Dallas, TX            Bryan St Tavern
Sun-Dec-16    Memphis, TN        Hi Tone Cafe
Mon-Dec-17    Birmingham, AL        Bottletree
Tue-Dec-18    Atlanta, GA        529
Wed-Dec-19    Durham, NC        The Pinhook
Thu-Dec-20    Richmond, VA        Strange Matter
Fri-Dec-21        Washington, DC        Comet Ping Pong
Sat-Dec-22    Philadelphia, PA        Kung Fu Necktie

Nov 20, 2012

Pascal Pinon [2012]





It was recorded and produced by Alex Somers (producer of Sigur Rós & Jónsi). The concept of 'Twosomeness' is thus, according to their label, the mighty fine Morr Music: "Pascal Pinon are about to enter adult life – a point usually associated with drifting apart, forgetting dreams. These girls, however, seem to be going the other direction instead: they appear to be closer, even more of an entity of its own, more of a two-headed being, less lonesome, but twosome, unified in sound."

Nov 16, 2012

Angus Stone - Blower's Daughter [2012]





"I'm actually mates with Damien, the guy who wrote it - I visit him in Ireland whenever I'm on tour and we go out on his yacht and go sightseeing, he's a cool guy."


Nov 9, 2012

Markarians - Move, Lord [2012]



The songs within the album are recorded sometimes with a lack of production, featuring canned beats, and simple electronic instrumentation.

Some records suffer from settings like this, but "Move, Lord" rises above it's humble means and captures a unique sound. Songs seem to jam along smoothly, and are always likeable. The non-electronic instruments are added to tracks along with samples and intimate vocals with eclectic lyrics, creating a heady mix.

At times the vocals seem to be little above a whisper, making them difficult to understand in the majority of the album, but the record seems to be centered more around creating an ambient and relaxing world than focusing on words too much. This album is best suited as music to chill out to, at the end of a long hard day.

Echo and the Bunnymen - Ballyhoo [Best of... 1997]


Always on the fringes of the pop music scene of the 80s Echo & the Bunnymen managed to deliver some great music while remaining relatively off the radar. Perhaps most comparable to Depeche Mode with the combination of dark synth music and gothic tones Echo & the Bunnymen were still a million miles from Depeche Mode's style. They carved their own path with Ian McCulloch's distinctive vocals adding to the band's uniqueness their post-punk sound was not easy to categorise and this lead to a string of top 40 hits throughout the 80s. All of which are collected here on "Ballyhoo" the best of Echo & the Bunnymen. There are some brilliant original songs here like "Silver" and "Seven Seas" and of course "The Killing Moon" plus their cover of the Doors hit "People are strange" recorded for "The lost boys" film soundtrack. This is a really great collection and shows just how talented this band is.

01 Rescue
02 Do It Clean
03 Villiers Terrace
04 All That Jazz
05 Over the Wall
06 A Promise
07 The Disease
08 The Back of Love
09 The Cutter
10 Never Stop
11 The Killing Moon
12 Silver
13 Seven Seas
14 Bring on the Dancing Horses
15 People Are Strange
16 The Game
17 Lips Like Sugar
18 Bedbugs & Ballyhoo

The Ocean Blue [1989]





Between Something And Nothing

Words that form a sentence
Words that form a phrase
In a poem or a letter
Could not convey the meaning
Of what this man has done
In a painting
On canvas

As the colors fading
They dictate my mood
Can you see me
Are you near me
I find myself on canvas
I find myself on stage
Can you see me
Are you near me

And I long to know you're real
And I long for you to be part of me
I long to know you're real
And I long for you to be a part of me

In the fading twilight
I sit and stare at her
In all her beauty
Her beauty
You know I have to wonder
Why all great men must die
And leave their treasure
They leave their treasure


At the suggestion of Sire's president and founder, Seymour Stein, the band began recording their first record, The Ocean Blue, in London in December 1988 with producer John Porter (Roxy Music, Billy Bragg, the Smiths), and finished in early 1989 with producer Mark Opitz (INXS, Divinyls). This record captures the youthful heights of the band - both good and bad - and contains the group's most masterful pop tunes. After releasing the record in late summer 1989, the band toured North America extensively, including a tour with label mates, the Mighty Lemon Drops. To the surprised delight of Warner Bros. (and the group) the band's first three singles, "Between Something and Nothing", "Vanity Fair" and "Drifting, Falling" were bona fide hits! on college radio, commercial alternative and modern rock radio stations.

Nov 7, 2012

Darwin's Ghost - The Origin of the Species Updated


"There are few better or more entertaining accounts of the evolutionary process in print today than Darwin's Ghost."
—The New York Times Book Review


The Go-Betweens - Quiet Heart [2012]



‘Quiet Heart: The Best Of The Go-Betweens’ is an eighteen-track compilation curated by past band members Robert Forster, Lindy Morrison, Amanda Brown and Robert Vickers to celebrate the work of the group. The album is the first retrospective to span The Go-Between’s entire working life. It is coupled with a bonus live disc, Vienna Burns, which captures The Go-Betweens on stage in 1987...

Nov 6, 2012

T's Photos [2012]







T. at play on the iPad

Ripple & Murmur - Reverie [2012]


The word Reverie is used to describe a daydream; to be pleasantly lost in one's thoughts. It is used in music to describe an instrumental piece that brings this dreamy and musing state to life. Reverie is also the aptly titled debut album from Stockholm based duo - Ripple & Murmur.

The songs, which were written using one guitar and two voices, gently paint an aural landscape that effuse solemn melodies and intricate harmonies. The music has quality's similar in vein to the movie soundtrack; stirring thoughts of the great Morricone conducting an orchestra full of American indiepoppers, half drunk country musicians, Balkan woodwinds and Mexican brass whilst a haunting harmony shimmers through all like a ghost from the distant past. Ripple & Murmur's soundscape tells the story of the contrast between city and nature; love and loneliness; dreams and reality; a musical microcosm mirroring what's happening out in the real world. info

Nov 5, 2012

Angus Stone - Hold On [Alabama Shakes cover]


Bless my heart.
Bless my soul.
Didn't think I'd make it to 22yrs old. There must be someone up above sayin' Come on Brittany, you got to come on up.
You got to Hold on...

So, bless my heart and bless yours too.
I don't know where I'm gonna go don't what what I'm gonna do.
Must be somebody up above sayin' Come on Brittany, You got to come on up!
You got to hold on...

YEAH! YOU GOT TO WAIT!
YEAH! YOU GOT TO WAIT!
BUT, I DON'T WANNA WAIT!
I DON'T WANNA WAIT...

So, bless my heart.
Bless my mind. I got so much to do, I ain't got much time
So, must be someone up above saying Come on girl! You got to get back up!
You got to hold on...

YEAH! YOU GOT TO WAIT!" I DON'T WANNA WAIT!
WELL, I DON'T WANNA WAIT! NO, I DON'T WANNA WAIT!

You got to hold on...

Nov 3, 2012

Pill-oh - Vanishing Mirror [2012]


"I just allow the splendor of the day to absorb the darkness. My own light doesn’t last for long."




A surface reflecting beauty through light. The eyes of someone reflecting your own inner soul. Images of a reality that exists only in wishes and dreams. We find ourselves when gazing into "mirrors", but we lose ourselves if we gaze too much. Originally from Athens, Greece, electronic artist Hior Chronik (presently based in Berlin, Germany) and classical pianist-composer Zinovia Arvanitidi have crystallized a representation of time and memory, where dreams and delicate hauntings from the past merge with the present. "Vanishing Mirror" is their debut album as Pill-Oh, embodying 13 mesmerizing tracks of filmic romanticism and compelling detail.

Nov 2, 2012

Imaginary Family - The Bird Watcher [2012]



Imaginary Family is the moniker of Joanna Isselé. Just a few years ago, Joanna was given an acoustic guitar as a present. She started writing songs, about delinquent cowboys, lonely neighbours and bird watchers. Being left-handed, she taught herself to play the right-handed guitar upside down. It defines her peculiar sound, which is delicate, unadorned and moving.

Together with Kristof Deneijs (Yuko), she just recorded her very first songs, featured on this debut EP. The first single, The Bird Watcher and its brilliant video already caused a modest stir online and the track has gained daytime rotation on both Studio Brussel and Radio 1. Imaginary Family will be presenting the Hidden Ep as a three piece live band.

Tough Knuckles - Vannawhite [2012]


Tough Knuckles was born out of the smoldering flames of Skull City, my first band, in 1994.  I was eight. My parents threw a christmas party and I was the opening act. We played “sleeping with the dead”. I still perform that song.

Afterwords we went to the basement and put marylin manson, turned off the lights, and concentrated on darkness and imagined what pot might be like.

Nov 1, 2012

Dntel - Aimlessness [2012]


Times changed; Dntel, less so. Aimlessness, his third album of new material, arrives without context, scene, or convenient narrative. Like Possibilities, the album is a mix of instrumental and collaborations with guest vocalists. In 2001, this meant artists like Gibbard, the dude from Beachwood Sparks, and Mia Doi Todd; now it means Baths and Nite Jewel-- probably the closest kin Dntel has in the contemporary landscape.
Here, though, it's the instrumentals that hold up best. Dntel's sound is of the Hummel figurine variety: highly detailed but essentially small. Adorbs, you might say. Jazzy, house-influenced tracks like "Bright Night"-- tracks that might sound huge in someone else's hands-- are recast as pocket-sized miniatures. About three quarters of the way through the overlapping, Philip Glass-style keyboard patterns of "Puma", the track drops into total silence for a few seconds, then flashes dramatically back to life with a Moog solo. It sounds sort of like a mosquito.