Howdy guys. I'm still trying to find the way to post audio to the site. For now, we'll just have to do with the Amazon widget. There were just a few that didn't have any clips for me to post. I also linked to Myspace pages and websites at the end of entries where applicable. You can goto Amazon to buy the full album by clicking the album art or title, but I've included a widget after what I have to say about the music, where you can get MP3s and hear samples sometimes. Anyways, here it is!
It's Not Me, It's You
Lily Allen
Sunny, meaningful, sweet, heavy, funny. Lily Allen literally says "Fuck You" in a flirty enough way that you might find yourself absentmindedly singing the song around your mom. I wish more pop music was as smart and quirky as Lily Allen. She's found a great balance of significant subject matter, while never losing the entertainment value of her radio-friendly melodies (however her lyrics are far from radio-friendly), or the exactness of her hooks. I hate to bring up her colorful, paparazzi captured couple years, but they seemed to have really molded the direction of Allen's sophomoric attempt to top the charts. By indirectly addressing everyone who is trying to drag her down the red carpet, she has built her best defense, and produced a truly substantial album. The full album is available to listen to on Lily's Myspace page.Lily Allen's Myspace
Keep It Hid
Dan Auerbach
Black Keys' vocalist and guitar player is all over the place her his solo debut. Country, bluegrass, psychedelic, and just experimental elements are sprinkled throughout the album, making it a little disjointed. My favorite track, "Whispered Words (Pretty Lies)", makes my slightly nostalgic from the '90s Modest Mouse. Another favorite is the super bluesy title track, "Keep It Hid." The only thing from keeping all the songs from feeling incohesive is the warm lo-fi hum from the analog recording equipment used for most of this project. Black Keys Myspace
Way To Normal: Stems and Seeds
Ben Folds
"Way To Normal" to normal was originally released back in September. In true Folds fashion, it was chock full of of narrative songs told with unconventional piano power ballads. "Stems and Seeds" is in response to a demand of a alternate release of a less compressed version of "Way Tp Normal." The release consists of two discs. The first being made up of a remixed and remastered version of "Way To Normal" with a couple extra tracks. When you out the second disc into your computer, it will open in Garageband, so that you could mix the album yourself. Which means you could record a session of karaoke with the tracks, or maybe put in your own trace beat to a song. They've "included extra loops with the song 'You Don't Know Me' hoping someone could maybe come along and make a hit out of this fucking song." Ben Folds Myspace
The Happiness Project
Charles Spearin
If you're familiar with Broken Social Scene, you might recognize the name Charles Spearing as one of the founding members of the band. This experimental project uses recordings from Spearin's neighbors as they talk about happiness, or things that make them happy. After recording these conversations he listened to and distinguished different melodies, cadences, and inflections in each of the individual voices. Then he went back and matched the melodies of the voices with different instruments. Very... interesting. Charles Speain Myspace
Citizen Boris
Golem
If I told you to think of a band with 5+ members, that had a lead vocalist with a handlebar mustache, was known for their crazy, with a name that starts with a "G", out of control live shows, and gypsy punk sound , I bet the first thing to come to mind, if any, would be Gogol Bordello. I also bet Golem would really like people to stop immediately identify them with Gogol Bordello, but it sure is hard not to see the likenesses between the two. Really, all I have to say is, if you love Gogol, you'll probably really dig Golem too. Golem Mspace
First Love
Emmy the Great
Man, I can't believed I overlooked this act at last year's SXSW! I keep hearing something about an "anti-folk" scene in relation to Emmy the Great, and to be honest, I have no idea what that's in reference to. What I do know is that "girl-with-with-a-guitar" act is something I will be keeping my ear to the ground for more releases. When you see the title for the track, "We Almost Had a Baby," you can't help, but wonder, "Is this a song about an alternate reality Juno?" Then the song opens up with, "Well, you didn't stop, when I told you to stop," and you can't help, but grin. Despite this being Emmy the Great's first release she has gained an impressive reputation from collaborating with Fyfe Dangerfield and Lightspeed Champion, and touring with Tilly and the Wall, and Mystery Jets. Unfortunately, for me, it doesn't look like she'll be making her way back to Austin this year for SXSW. Emmy the Great Myspace
I Got Two Wings
Utah Smith
This actually came out in November, but for some reason, was on this week's list of new releases. This was way too cool to pass up writing about though. Rev. Utah Smith was a traveling tent evangelist out of the Churches of God of Christ who brazenly played the electric guitar during a time when the black community looked up it as an "agent of Satan." Not sure how much truth to this there is, but his daughter believes he could be the first black person to ever even own a guitar. He eventually found himself in New Orleans where he found Two Wings Temple. "Two Wings" became his theme song, and he would often wear the wings while singing the song which can be seen on the cover. Considering he did this over a decade before rock n' roll, these recordings are that much more extraordinary. Utah Smith Rhapsody
Songs of Leaving
Niela Miller
During the best of QT Fest I attended, Quentin Tarantino told us about regional movies where a group of buddies would go out and make a balls out movie that would only get distributed at the drive ins and grindhouse theatres in that region. Something similar happened in the independent music scene around the same time. Numero Group is a label on a mission to bring those lost '60s and '70s gems to us. "Songs of Leaving" is the first inaugural release of their sub-label Numerophon. Niela Miller is best known for her song "Baby Don't Go To Town" which was *ahem* "borrowed and rewrite by, then boyfriend Billy Roberts. The song has been covered by countless bands under the name "Hey Joe." This is only available on vinyl or vinyl from the label's website. Numero Group Website
Irish Pirate Ballads and Other Songs of the Sea
Dan Milner
I don't know about you, but I love a good sea chanty. Admittedly, I don't know any traditional pirate or sea songs, but I do love the idea of them. Dan Milner, none the less, knows quite a bit about that sort of thing. Milner has a great history peppered with knowledge of Irish immigration and traditional folk music. My favorite example of a modern sea chanty is the Fiery Furnaces' "Sing For Me." Dan Milner Myspace
Aboa Sleeping
Burning Hearts
Will Scandinavian pop music ever cease to amaze and entertain? This dizzy, dreamy debut from Burning Hearts will surely cause a clamor for more material. Who knows when we'll hear more though. Both members of this band have previous projects, Cats On Fire and Le Futur Pompiste, that are still in commission, with Le Futur possibly having a new release this year as well. Another great twee pop album to add to your collection. I love Shelflife. Burning Hearts Myspace
Chocolat (EP)
Chocolat
This Montreal band is a mixture of fuzzed out blues, psychedelic, and folk. This EP is whole lot of fun. I love how they integrated harmonica, organ, and xylophone into their garage sound. Although I don't know any French, it adds to the appeal. I can't wait to hear the full length album supposedly coming out this September. Chocolat Myspace
The Love Language
The Love Language
The recent surge of lo-fi produced music has been so refreshing. Lately, because of the accessibility to recording software like Pro Tools and even Garageband, music has been so heavy handed, and over tweaked. There's a familiarity to the low buzz of something like Vivian Girls, and now The Love Language that somehow makes you wistful even on your first listen. I just want to drive some back road on some misty night with the windows down with this going full blast. The Love Language Myspace
Next week will be Morrissey (who I get to see live in April! Swoon!), Beirut, And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, and the compilation, "Dark Was The Night." Until then...
Peace Out
Rage Here
