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In the Mix

TICKET GIVEAWAY: The Wombats @ Troubadour – Los Angeles, Wednesday June 1

the-wombats-this-modern-glitch

Do you live in Los Angeles? If so, then we’ve got some good news for you! The Wombats will be in town for a show at the Troubadour this Wednesday, June 1st, and we’re giving away a pair of tickets! Get your dance-on to witty alt-pop from Wombats’ latest This Modern Glitch LP as well their UK platinum-selling debut The Wombats Proudly Present: Guide to Love, Loss And Desperation. Just email us HERE and we’ll enter you to be our lucky winner for a drawing this Tuesday. Get into it!

The Wombats: (Official) (Twitter) (Tix @ Troubadour)

reviewed by
05-29-11

RAVES FAVE’S: My Morning Jacket – Outta My System

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My Morning Jacket are one of the few bands who truly master any style they wish to pursue. While I don’t think of them as a pop band, they deliver several melodic entries on their new “Circuital” album, which drops next Tuesday May 31. Similar to the title track which deals with life’s journeys, “Outta My System” address’ crossroad questions such as whether to smoke drugs and whether to remain single. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this track getting a fair amount of radio play. Contributed by Bruce Rave

My Morning Jacket – Outta My System

My Morning Jacket: (Official)

Catch Bruce on Moheak Radio Fridays 1-3pm PST

Rating: 8.5
brown8

reviewed by
05-26-11

RAVE’S FAVES: The Wombats – Schumacher the Champagne

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Contributed by Bruce Rave

With iconic UK hits like “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” in their past, it’s almost hard to believe this is only the second Wombats album. Their cool melodies and humorous lyrics return, but the musical edges are smoother on the follow-up. “Schumacher the Champagne” is nothing like what you’d expect from them. The frenetic synth intro moves into a cool groove, sing-along choruses, a metal riff, and more. Definitely worth a listen, and it just might become a current fave for you. The entire album is one of my tops in 2011 so far.

The Wombats – Schumacher the Champagne

The Wombats: (Official) (Myspace)

Catch Bruce on Moheak Radio Fridays 1-3pm PST

Rating: 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
05-12-11

RAVES FAVE’S: She Wants Revenge – Take the World

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Contributed by Bruce Rave

I really liked She Wants Revenge’s 2005 debut album, and it had the killer hit “Tear You Apart”. Things got quiet for the boys after that, but they’re rebounded really nicely with their “Take the World” single. The song has thedarkness we expect them them, but it’s less clubby than we might have anticipated. The groove might not have torn me apart, but it definitely has sucked me in.

She Wants Revenge – Take the World

She Wants Revenge: (Official) (Myspace)

Catch Bruce on Moheak Radio Fridays 1-3pm PST

Rating: 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
05-06-11

THROWBACK SATURDAYS: Steely Dan – Do It Again

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You go back, Jack, do it again. Track numero uno from the godlike Can’t Buy a Thrill LP.

Steely Dan – Do It Again

Steely Dan: (Official) (Myspace)

reviewed by
04-30-11

RAVE’S FAVES: The Airborne Toxic Event – Welcome to Your Wedding Day

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Contributed by Bruce Rave

The Airborne Toxic Event just conducted a clinic on how to avoid a sophomore slump. They’ve evolved, but not so much that they sacrificed their base. This album sounds bigger and they’re already had airplay success with their “Changing” song. The band decided to explore deeper topics this time around, after band members lost loved ones and had sick parents. “Welcome to Your Wedding Day” has nothing to do with the big day in the UK. It’s a killer tune that condemns drone bombing.

The Airborne Toxic Event – Welcome to Your Wedding Day

The Airborne Toxic Event: (Official) (Myspace)

Catch Bruce on Moheak Radio Fridays 1-3pm PST

Rating: 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
04-28-11

Virgin Mobile House @ SXSW 2011!

Virgin Mobile Live House @ SXSW 2011 from blahblahblahscience on Vimeo.

..and it was still cooler than it looks! Virgin Mobile Live held fortress in Austin this year to deliver some of the most live exclusive moments that we experienced all of SXSW! And if you look close – like Where’s Waldo close – you might just catch a glimpse of team b3sci getting into it.

Listen to Virgin Mobile Live

reviewed by
04-25-11

THROWBACK SATURDAYS: Patti Drew – Hard To Handle

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Patti Drew’s timely take on the Otis Redding penned top 50 hit. It somehow makes you feel like this tune still has more to offer.

Patti Drew – Hard To Handle

Buy It: (Amazon)

reviewed by
04-16-11

RAVE’S FAVES: Skybombers – Lies

skybombers

Contributed by Bruce Rave

Skybombers’ 2008 “Take Me to Town” was one of my favorite albums of the last decade, but the punk/garage influenced record came out when people were far more interested in folk and electronic. Some of the swagger is gone from their new “Black Carousel”, but there’s still plenty of energy and melody as this band aces it hard, medium, or soft. Their “Lies” single is a great choice that’s both hard and soft, and it nicely shows the talent of lead singer Hugh Gurney.

Skybombers – Lies

Catch Bruce on Moheak Radio Fridays 1-3pm PST

Skybombers: (Myspace) (Facebook)

Rating: 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
04-14-11

D’Angelo – Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine (No I.D. Remix)

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Keith Murray, Jodeci, LL, and now D’Angelo, it’s been an Erick Sermon kind of weekend. Brown Sugar 1996.

D’Angelo – Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine (No I.D. Remix)

reviewed by
04-10-11

RAVE’S FAVES: PJ Harvey – The Words That Maketh Murder

pj

PJ Harvey said that at 41, she wasn’t going to write in the same way she did years ago. In her case, I’d say time is treating her well. “The Words That Maketh Murder” is my fave song of hers to date, and what takes it over the top for me are the killer backing vocals. (Program note: My weekly Go Deep show on Moheak Radio returns Friday, April 22 after a two-week hiatus.)

PJ Harvey – The Words That Maketh Murder

Catch Bruce on Moheak Radio Fridays 1-3pm PST

PJ Harvey: (Official) (Myspace)

Rating: 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
04-07-11

THROWBACK SATURDAYS: Ace – How Long (Has This Been Going On)

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Billboard #3 in 1974. One of the coolest chorus hooks ever.

Ace – How Long (Has This Been Going On)

Buy It: (Amazon)

reviewed by
04-02-11