“You Can Tell It To Everybody”, new from Air’s Love 2 LP released yesterday, sounds eerily (or coincidentally? or monotonously?) similar to the duo’s previous releases; ie: ethereal atmospheres , whimsical arrangements and a “delicate” vocal delivery. it does what Air do best, dig it dec
Air - You Can Tell It To Everybody
rating: 7
from their up and coming release 3, frenchies Nouvelle Vague enlist the pipes of the king bunnyman himself for a remake of the Bunnymen classic “All My Colours”. McCulloch’s vox add a stunning compliment to the delicate, loungy, bossa nova atmosphere that Nouvelle Vague create so well. we’re digging it, and feel the Vauge are one of the few acts that can actually do the “covers” thing right.
the new album also features tracks by the Sex Pistols, Soft Cell, Talking Heads, The Police and more. other collaborations include Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore, Terry Hall of The Specials and Funboy Three, and Barry Adamson (Magazine, Buzzcocks and Nick Cave to name a few). 3 drops in the U.S. via Peacefrog on Oct. 20.
Nouvelle Vague - All My Colours feat. Ian McCulloch)
rating: 8
“we share the same skies” has marr’s signature all over it. sure blahjohnny.blahblahmarr, but gotta hand it to the man.. he’s a barnacle when it comes to a good project. since his days with morrissey and co. he’s added his influence to projects with Talking Heads, Pet Shop Boys, Beck, Oasis, The Pretenders, Bernard Sumner, and Black Grape to name a few, in addition to current status as official member of Modest Mouse and now The Cribs. And until The Smiths get back together, which most likely won’t happen unless i win the lottery and offer them all my money, his work here with The Cribs will definitely suffice..
The Cribs fourth studio LP dropped last week in the UK and it will have an “official” US release mid-November (available now for download). it showcases Jarmen bros. and co. in fine form. “Cheat On Me” really grows. they’ll be in NY and LA for 3 days amidst their current tour schedule.. can’t, won’t, must-not miss them
The Cribs - “We Share the Same Skies”
rating: 8.3
“Come To Grief” is the first single off The Molotovs debut “mini” LP And The Heads Did Roll, due September 21 via Fierce Panda. these London lads make use of a punchy brass section to counter the track’s ironically positive-toned melancholy refrain. “City’s Guest” is unique in it’s own right as well, with one of our favorite vocal arrangements of ‘09. basically The Molotovs are both everything and nothing else happening in the indie rock world, with some of the best written songs we’ve heard yet this year..
The Molotovs - “Come To Grief”
rating: 8.7
why this dude is choking some chick, we have no idea. but we were like, shit if you’re gonna choke somebody, and have a picture of you doing it… on your bands myspace, then we’re posting it..
right. so, Adam Freeland is a DJ and producer from the UK, now based in LA. His new LP Cope is co-produced by Alex Metric and showcases a random hodgepodge of musicians including Joey Santiago from The Pixies, Twiggy Ramirez from Marlyn Manson, Tony Bevilacqua of Distillers/Spinnerette and yes the amazingly talented Tommy Lee from Motley Crue. BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE.. with guest appearences from Soundpool, Brody Dalle (Distillers/Spinnerette and does guest vox on “Borderline”) and DEVO’s Gerald Casale. haha all that and then he recruits some random named Kurt Baumann to front the thing. which is cool and good for that dude, it’s not like he sucks, but wtf?! either way, the result is some pretty dec electro rock… still every time that beat hits, just can’t help but think about Tommy Lee’s late 80’s arena drum masturbation
you like that shit huh tacoma? fuck it, let’s go all the way baby…
rating: 8.3
i CANNOT wait to hear this record, holy shit…
Cornershop - “Who Fingered Rock n Roll”
Cornershop’s new single poetically poses an honest question. and a good one it is, who the fuck did finger rock and roll? somebody had to do it.. was it this guy?? WELL to be honest there were many, but that cat definitely got maximum finger bang. either way, Cornershop’s sixth studio effort Judy Sucks A Lemon For Breakfast dropped this week. the single is a sitar flavored straightforward and soulful rocker - which makes its point at the very least..
Cornershop - “Brimful of Asha”
more as promised: off 1997’s When I Was Born for the 7th Time, “Brimful of Asha” became an international hit with a commercial friendly remix done by Norman Cook. here’s the lesser heard original version with all 5 plus minutes of jangly minimal pop goodness. the track was written as a tribute to the prolific Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle and the Indian music industry. “Candyman” gives some serious Band of Gypsies vibes but with an electro twist. the track regained some love in ‘08 for being in a Nike commercial featuring King James. man with Shaq attack in c-town there’s no way the Cavs can lose… AGAIN. Cleveland is way due for a title you know?!
rating: 7.3
cleaner than the prior live version, the first single “Circles” offers a glance into As Tall As Lions 3rd Studio LP dropping August 18. the band also has an additional track titled “In Case of Rapture” which explores some great instrumental ideas, only available on their myspace. you can’t take it with you is one of our most anticipated releases of the year, stay tuned..
rating: 8.7
YYYEs. The Red Rhythm is the debut full-length from atlanta’s Winston Audio. and slaves to rhythm they are on “hey ann”. mr writer why don’t you tell us like it really is???
rating: 9.3
Those Darlins - “Snaggle Tooth Mama”
an ode to snaggle tooth’s everywhere. you know who you are. my college roommate had a bad case of the snaggle tooth girlfriend. said it hurt like hell. from their June self-titled release, those darlins sound is unapologetic
rating: 7.5
Led Zepplin - “Going to California”
sounds exactly like something pj would rock nowadays. a catchy tune with a forced and fairly uncomplementary bridge. but there’s hints of improvement from their ‘06 self titled release..
so is anybody surprised that their new record Backspacer will be released exclusively through target? no?? are we suprised that there will be promotional commercials directed by none other than Cameron Crowe? nope, but we’ll definitely watch. now, are we suprised that the first we heard this song was 30 seconds during a commercial during the All Star game? nada. BUT are we surprised that this anti-establishment band hates BP Amoco. yes. my guess is that they didn’t give PJ free gas for their world tour. bastards. still, regardless of how you feel about them, eddie vedder is clearly one of the best frontmen and rock vocalists of all time. watch his performance of The Who’s “Love Reign O’er Me” on VH1 rock honors, and tell me he’s not a natural. btw anybody know if page/plant got royalties for “given to fly”?
rating: 7.5
As Tall As Lions - “Circles (Live In NY)”
As Tall As Lions - “Song For Luna”
the more i hear “Circles” (studio version here) the more it grows on me. ATAL third LP you can’t take it with you will be released on August 18. when they played Reggies in Chicago last year, we spoke about the new record as they were in the process of choosing a producer. they explained it was a tough choice because their songwriting process is an intricate one involving every member of the band. that, and the fact they were looking forward to exploring new rhythmic ideas, or better put… someone that gets “it” = right chemistry = right producer. i was the lucky LAST person allowed in the door at LA’s sold out Troubadour gig in February. they debuted some of the songs, and there were some great things taking shape. we’ll see. good things come to those who wait..
“Song For Luna” is a favorite off their last and self-titled sophomore ‘06 LP..
rating: 8.7
Foreign Born - “Early Warnings”
off their sophomore album person to person. indie rock and classic brit-pop influence can’t be missed in these tunes. LA’s Foreign Born give us an exciting follow up to their anthem steady on the wing now.
rating: 7.5
Portugal. The Man - “People Say”
a few from their fourth coming album The Satanic Satanist due July 21st. portugal. the man are a particularly prolific and consistent band.. four albums in four years is definitely an accomplishment, especially considering they’re all pretty dec. only US dates are lolla and outside lands this summer, stoked to hear the new stuff live. “what a lovely day yeah we won the war, we may have lost a million people but we got a million more… it’ll be alright… all the people they’ll see” you know, just telling it like it is..
rating: 8.2
Art Brut - Slap Dash For No Cash
Art Brut’s performance at Echo this past Friday was the final of 4 small Los Angeles club dates in support of their new third album Art Brut vs. Satan, which was produced by some Charles dude. The record title as front man Eddie Argos explains, “Satan is everybody that’s against us. If you are not for us, then you are Satan, and I am against you.” Well said Eddie.
And so, how was it? Well.. was their hour and a half set of 2-3 minute songs nice, tight and pollished? Fuck no, well it was kind of tight, but for the most part blaring guitars complimented everything genuinely dirty, loud, obnoxious and brilliant that is Art Brut. And aside from their self-righteous commentary “we are Art Brut” before, during and after almost every song, which had me laughing for the the first 40 minutes before I realised they might be serious, the British/German hybrid found themselves extra enthusiastic about their week’s LA theme. Guitarist Jasper “Jeff” Future’s white Telecaster sported a classy Amoeba Music sticker (although most likely from their recent San Francisco in-store..), and Eddie Argos wasn’t shy to let everyone know how he felt about their city “…move to la you know every body hates you… I bought all my clothing within two blocks of here [and] Paris and LA are my favorite places in the world”. All appropriate before their fine rendition of “Moving To LA”.
When Eddie wasn’t jumping in the crowd for poetic monologues, he was doing some standard band slagging. “My sex is on fire?” “Are we human or are we dancer?” … “I don’t need to tell you what’s wrong with those bands”. A personal favorite off the new record “Slap Dash For No Cash,” closed the set beckoning “Why is everyone trying to sound like U2? It’s not a very cool thing to do. Why would you want to sound like U2?”. A song calling out all that is wrong with contrived music. His passion for honest music continued, before “Formed A Band” he rallied “we need more records in record shops, start a band…start a band”. Agreed.
Other highlights from the set included new single and set opener “Alchoholics Unanimous,” another newbie “DC Comics and Chocolate Milkshake” and quite a few from their debut Bang Bang Rock and Roll, like “Emily Kane” and “Good Weekend”.
The night proved many things are admirable about Art Brut… the fact their drummer plays his full kit standing up, in what looked like boxer shorts, that they preferred to play a string of nights in packed intimate venues rather than 1 night at a less personable one, Eddie Argos will shamelessly throw handfuls of Planned Parenthood’s condoms into a crowd of horny youngins shouting “these wont work,” and most importantly that they are a no bullshit rock and roll band.. As they say “here’s one chord, here’s two more, now form a band”. If punk still exists, it exists in Art Brut.
