Saturday, February 27, 2010

Ha Ha Tonka - "Caney Mountain"

"Caney Mountain" is a song by the band Ha Ha Tonka, and even though was on their debut, which came out 2 1/2 years ago, I felt the need to post about it. It's an absolutely blistering piece of southern rock, but with a unique touch that Ha Ha Tonka always bring to their songs. My favorite version comes from a Daytrotter session they did back in '08.
Caney Mountain (Daytrotter Session) - Ha Ha Tonka

That ain't all. They made a video for the song, and it has some of the coolest animation I've seen in a music video for quite some time (beat only by this one), in addition to just being downright creepy.


Here's the link on iTunes in case you want to pick up the album version of the song, or check out more of their stuff.

Also, if you like what you're hearing, check back tomorrow, I'm gonna review New Sounds From the Noveau South, their 2009 (and best) album.

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The New Pornographers - "Hands (Together)"



I've heard the name thrown around a lot, so it pains me a bit to admit that I know exactly nothing about The New Pornographers and their music. That said, I am familier with A.C. Newman and Neko Case, who are apparently members. As for their music, my knowledge is limited to this song, the first sample of their upcoming album. It's called "Hands (Together)", and it's the best sounding piece of prog-rock to come out since The Hazards of Love. The center-piece of the song is a crunchy power chord guitar riff straight out of the 70's, and its topped with some great layered vocals from the band's dual vocalists. It rocks big time, and it makes me want to go listen to Jethro Tull, Thick as a Brick perhaps. The album, titled Together, drops this May. I'm for sure gonna check it out, and on the strength of this track, so should you.
Hands (Together) - The New Pornographers

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Thursday, February 25, 2010

Weekend Concert Preview

These are this weekend's shows in the Davis and Sacramento area. Recommended shows are in bold. Descriptions of the bands are in the order that I listed the bands. All shows are all ages unless otherwise noted.

Friday:

Pistol Pete, NoBunny, The Ponteens. I'm busy tonight, but if I were around, this is definitely the show I would be at. Pistol Pete has a real heavy blues sound, with some almost metal sounding virtuoso guitar, a la Stevie Vai and Joe Satriani. No Bunny plays extremely catchy upbeat pop-punk, very reminiscent of The Ramones. He's from Oakland, and he's embarking on a national tour, so catch him now. The Poonteens are a pretty traditional punk 3-piece, with serious chops and some catchy songs. Highly recommend that you get to this show.The Hub @ Sol Collective (Sac), 8:30. $5.

Sea Of Bees, Early and Often. If the other show wasn't your bag, this one will be pretty decent too. Good folk rock/indie rock, and some kinda whiny grunge/indie rock. 16th Street Cafe (formerly the Java Lounge, Sac), 8pm. $6.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Psychedelic alt-rock, done very well. Harlow's (Sac), 9:30. $20, 21+.

Moomaw, Jay Shaner, Magic No. 9. Spacey Americana/folk, and some pretty run of the mill guitar folk. Fox and Goose (Sac), 9pm. $5, 21+.

Saturday and Sunday's shows after the jump!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

More Morning Benders!



Somehow I missed the release of another track from the upcoming Morning Benders album, but luckily You Ain't No Picasso included it in their best songs of February post. The more I hear of Big Echo, the more excited I get. The new song, "Excuses", further shows The Morning Benders really expanding their sound in some really exciting directions. I loved Talking Through Tin Cans, but I think Big Echo is really going to be their breakout record. Album drops March 9th, and you can pre-order it here.
Excuses - The Morning Benders

Here is a previous post about "Promises", the other sample track from the album.


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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Whoo!

I am pumped, I just got a review of Boat Boat published on Indieshuffle.com, a relatively big time indie music website. Check out my review, and check out the website in general, its a fantastic site that writes about a lot of great music.

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Monday, February 22, 2010

Horse Suit



"We got rose colored glasses/We got cops on our asses/We're not traditionally attractive/but that's okay/We got somethin' to say/at least we will someday"
Love the way the song lumbers along, accordion and acoustic guitar driven. Catchy and fun.
Horse Suit - S. Rich (and the K.N.O.)

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Totally Nebular



Florida band Totally Nebular don't just have an awesome name, they make some really awesome, exuberant music. They sound like a combination of Animal Collective circa Feels and a carnival. The music lays a pristine bed of synths and assorted noises, and then weaves in distorted vocals that sound like they're being shouted from a little distance away. It's not terribly melodic, usually a requirement for me to enjoy it, but Totally Nebular pulls it off in a fashion that is very unique and very enjoyable. The album (entitled Boat Boat) is an almost mesmerizing, but extremely joyous experience, and you can get it right here for free! It's a trip, a very happy trip.

Fred & Doe - Totally Nebular
Captain Benson - Totally Nebular
I Saw Four Deer - Totally Nebular

Exactly what I needed on a day when I was really feeling dissatisfied with the sameness of all my music. Thanks I Guess I'm Floating for the discovery.



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Thursday, February 18, 2010

Awesome White Denim Live Jam

I was on a quest yesterday to find some good blues to play along with (I'm just barely starting out on guitar), and I came across this fantastic jam from White Denim. It was caught of them live at Antone's in their hometown Austin last Saturday. I've always wished they did a little more jamming on their album, I feel like they have the chops, so this was great so see.


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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

New Feature: Weekend Concert Preview

This marks the first installment of a weekly feature which will come out each Thursday, a round-up of the weekend's (that includes Friday) live music in the Sacramento/Davis area. Shows in bold are ones that I recommend, and I'll also have a top show for each weekend, which will get a more in depth write up. All shows are all ages unless noted. Here goes.

Friday:

Sister Crayon, Whats Up, Chelsea Wolfe, The New Humans, Pregnant, Ross Hammond, Two Sheds, Thousands. SN&R holds a benefit concert for Doctors Without Boarders in Haiti at 6pm at Luigi's Fun Garden (Sac). Musically, it's all over the place, but it'll be a good show. $10.

Rudresh Mahanthappa, Mark Dresser and Gerry Hemingway (jazz combo) at the TCS Building on the UCD campus. Free.

Garage Jazz Architects, Tin Can Notes, Noland Ford. Some jazz, some pop. Luna's Cafe (Sac), 8pm. $6.

Lots more after the jump!

Straight White Lines



Straight White Lines are one of the few fruits of my weekend's search for unsigned bands, and they were worth the looking. According to their Myspace, the band was "born out of the darkness of a power outage in the mountains near Guatemala City." They play Americana twinged folk, with influences from 90's alternative. The combo works well for them, and their singer has a very compelling voice, I'd suggest you check them out. If you're in the midwest/south, they may be coming near you pretty soon, so take a look at their tour dates.
Myspace
Free album download (old stuff)
iTunes (new stuff)
American Jesus - Straight White Lines
Wedding Song - Straight White Lines

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Potential New Blog Header



What do you guys think?
If you've already given me feedback, don't feel the need to tell me again.

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Monday, February 15, 2010

Bonnie "Prince" Billy announce their new album in style

Longtime readers (by which I mean those of you who have been reading for 2+ weeks) know that Bonnie "Prince" Billy, aka Will Oldham, is one of my favorite folk artists. Well, he gives us this Valentine's Day announcement.

(via YANP)

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Friday, February 12, 2010

New The Very Best - Mulomo, and more Ambling Alp News

The Very Best have a new track on the internets, and their label, Green Owl is giving it away for free! It's "remix" of Yeasayer's "Ambling Alp", a song I happen to love. I put that in quotations because what they've done is taken the vocals off and Esau has thrown on a melody of his own, vastly improving an already fantastic song. They gave a couple songs, including "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" and "Paper Planes" the same treatment on their mixtape (it's in the player on the right) in '08, but this is even better than any of those.
Mulomo (Ambling Alp - Yeasayer) - The Very Best (still available at the link above!)

In more "Ambling Alp" related news, Yeasayer played it on Jimmy Fallon Wednesday night, and it's a fantastic performance.


For some reason I love watching the singer, he's very entertaining.


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Thursday, February 11, 2010

TiRon



Over the past 6 months, I've started to become a big fan of hip-hop, but seeing as I'm still fairly new to the genre I'm still trying to build up a base of artists that I enjoy. One blog that's been helping me a lot with this is Passion Of the Weiss. Yesterday, at their direction, I found a guy by the name of TiRon. He's out of LA and currently he is still unsigned, but has 2 mixtapes out with another one coming later this month. I really can't think he's gonna stay unsigned for long, he's got some real talent and some great songs. The first one, Handshakes & Pounds doesn't have a super original sound, reminds me a lot of Talib Kweli circa Reflection Eternal, but I'm not complaining, Reflection Eternal is one of my favorite albums of all time. The beats are laid back, often pretty jazzy, with a good deal of horn use. Overall, it's giving a pretty strong late 90's vibe, and done very well.

Ketchup has a much more diverse sound. The beats feel a little more contemporary, and it's got a lot of collaboration. In general, I'd say it's a better listen than Handshakes & Pounds, which drags on a bit towards the end. If he can keep up what he's got going, he's got a career ahead of him. Overall verdict: Ketchup is a fantastic listen, and if you're into it, give Handshakes & Pounds a listen as well (especially if you're a Kweli fan).

Vacay - TiRon (from Handshakes and Pounds)
Download the full mixtape here.

So Called Twenties - TiRon (feat. Ayomari) (from Ketchup)
Still Never Happy - TiRon(from Ketchup)
Download the full mixtape here.

Also, check out the Passion of the Weiss post, which features the first leak from Mustard, and I will be sure to let you know when Mustard drops in full.

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Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Concert Saturday! Nat is Playing!



If you're in the Davis area, and you're in the mood for some fine folk music, make your way down to the Shack (213 C St.), on Saturday night at 7pm. Technically, the headliner is Aaron Godwater, but we all know that the star of the show is going to be this blog's favorite singer-songwriter, Nat Lefkoff. Just in case you've somehow managed to miss my previous rants about him, Nat is a high school sophomore, and one of the most talented folk singer-songwriters I've had the pleasure of hearing. Check the link above (click his name), for more info about him and some mp3s, but if you can, come see him live, he's awesome.

Other acts include:

Aaron Godwater. He's got a bit of a Kermit the Frog thing going with his voice, but he uses it well, and he's got real solid songs, so he should be very enjoyable.

Tambourine Shoes. Tambourine Shoes is Marissa Moriel, another Davis native. Sadly, the Myspace page has no songs, so I can't really comment on the quality of the music. However, her page lists her as "Folk Rock/Experimental/Indie", so her sound should be fairly in keeping with the rest of the show.

John Fern. He is from Chico, and has a somewhat similar sound to Nat, but almost kinda show-tuney (and not as awesome). Overall pleasant; good voice, decent songs. Should be good to watch.

Here is the Facebook Event page for those of you who would like to see that. Nat is always amazing live, and Aaron Godwater seems pretty cool too, so if you're in town or nearby, get down to The Shack!

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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Titus Andronicus


(image via Myspace. Don't mess with Abe Lincoln.)

I am unfamiliar with the band, but this song is awesome, and I will definitely be checking them out in the near future. It's got some americana influence, but above all it rocks. The song is from their upcoming album The Moniter, a Civil War concept album. Due March 9th on XL Recordings. You can pre-order the album here.
Four Score and Seven - Titus Andronicus


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Monday, February 8, 2010

The Devil Makes Three



While I'd definitely say they've got some heavy bluegrass influence, Santa Cruz, CA band The Devil Makes Three are nothing like my other favorite modern bluegrass band, The Avett Brothers. They're rougher, tougher, rowdier, and even perhaps drunker (in sound of course). Rather than the sometimes fragile beauty that The Avett Brothers convey, they have a certain gruffness and swagger that is very reminiscent of Flogging Molly. They aren't exactly new news, but I found them over on Indie Shuffle, and they're semi-local, with a local concert coming up. "All Hail" is from their 2009 album, Do Wrong Right, and it's got a great, chugging old-timey sound, as does title track "Do Wrong Right", which cautions, "You wanna make a little mess, you wanna make a little crime, if you're gonna do wrong buddy, do wrong right". If you like what you're hearing, check out the album and take a look at their back catalog as well, particularly their self-titled debut, which includes crime ballad "The Bullet", and Jack Daniels love song "Old Number Seven". Frontman Pete Bernhard is at the Blue Lamp in Sacramento this coming Saturday, so if you have the good fortune of being over the age of 21, you should get down there.
All Hail - The Devil Makes Three
Do Wrong Right - The Devil Makes Three

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Sunday, February 7, 2010

New Album News: Tunng



In my head, I tend to lump Tunng together with Freelance Whales, and while they're hardly identical, it seems to me like a fair comparison. Both of them focus on a folk sound, but with heavy use of synthesizers, as well as almost chorus like vocals. At any rate, they're awesome, so it's exciting to hear that they've got a new album coming out. It's called ...And Then We Saw Land, and it's due March 1st on Full Time Hobby (home of blog favorites White Denim). There's some pretty cool options if you pre-order the album, including shirts, a 4-minute album teaser mix, and most excitingly a DVD of Tunng live with Tinariwen, another blog favorite. I will definitely have to see that DVD, Tunng and Tinariwen sounds like a killer combo.

As for the album itself, I can't speak to it beyond the sample track they're providing. It's called "Don't Look Down Or Back" and it's a pretty standard Tunng song (by which I mean it's amazing). The synths aren't quite as prevalent as is some of their earlier work, but it has the the signature fingerpicked guitar, the distinctive voices, and some very rich interaction and harmony between the singers. It's a very solid track, and it's got me very excited for the album. Also, look out for the lead single, "Hustle", which is out February 22nd.
Don't Look Down Or Back - Tunng
Pre-order(CD, LP, FLAC, or MP3)

If you like that, be sure to check out their 2008 album, Good Arrows, a must have for anyone who even thinks they might like experimental folk music.
Amazon MP3

(News via Stereokill)

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Saturday, February 6, 2010

Sorry for the lack of posts

I'm not sure if it's me or just chance, but I really haven't been finding much music worth posting about lately. Hopefully the flow will re-open soon, and as soon as I find some good stuff, it'll be on here.

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Friday, February 5, 2010

Bone - Map of Africa



I don't really know anything about this band, information is very scarce, but this song was on Aquarium Drunkard a while ago and it's awesome. It somehow manages to give a feeling of both return and discovery, all with a big heap of mystery. And it rocks. If anyone knows anything more about these guys, please comment or email me.
Bone - Map of Africa


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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

The Rest



I'm gonna postpone my post on last night's show, as some KDVS people were taking some video, and I'm gonna wait until I can post that. So, today I bring you The Rest. They have an epic feeling sound, with anthemic vocals and a dense, cinematic musical bed. While this is hardly a unique sound, they pull it off much better than most, and it is well worth a listen. They've just released a book/EP, called Cried Wolf, and it's a pretty cool concept. You can download the EP and read the book here. Also, on March 15th, they have a full length, Everyone All At Once coming out on Something In Construction. I personally find it much stronger than the EP, and has a much more diverse range of sounds. If you like music that is full of reverb and would not be out of place in a movie, these guys are definitely for you.
Coughing Blood - The Rest
Sheep In Wolves Clothing - The Rest

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Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Show was awesome!

The show was awesome! I'm off to bed for now, but expect a full wrap up tomorrow.

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Monday, February 1, 2010

Weaver



Weaver is one of the two bands playing at the Villanova House tomorrow night, and I feel like in my excitement over Ohioan, I didn't give them enough attention, so I'm remedying that today. It would be an oversimplification of his sound, but a lot of his music really feels to me like indie rock/folk songwriting with country instrumentation. They also have a hushed sound which sort of reminds me of Calexico. Information is scarce, but from what I can tell from their Myspace it's just one dude. Check out the track below, and if you are liking it, you can download a whole album from them here. They also have an EP called I Am a Flower coming, which you can preview a track from here. That song, "Prarie", is my personal favorite, and has a much more country sound than anything on their album. And if you're in Davis, come out and see them tomorrow! Details here.
Glory (Glory) - Weaver

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