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Rave's Faves

Review: Rah Rah @ The Bootleg Bar in Los Angeles on Wednesday 11/28/12

It’s no surprise that Canada has treated this 6-piece from Regina, Saskatchewan so well. Having been crowned “Best New Canadian Band” and “Best New Alternative Band” by iTunes Canada in 2009, Rah Rah recently released their new album The Poet’s Dead in the US and it’s an album I’ve spent some time with. For several band members, their last week’s visit to LA for a small handful of shows was their first trip ever to California. As with other folk-flavored rock bands that veer between a harder and softer dynamic, I’d hoped this live show would rock (rather than put me to sleep). I’m glad to say this band not only rocked it, but exceeded lofty expectations. Rah Rah can play. Literally, band members often switched up on instruments, between tunes or even sometimes mid-song. They perfectly nailed their tempos and crescendos bringing select highlights to a supreme level of intensity.

Rah Rah’s set opened with their infectious song, “Art & A Wife”. This track reminds of New Pornographers around the time of their Twin Cinema album. Throughout the song, and even the set, Rah Rah feature male-female vocal exchanges. In general, four band members in Rah Rah provided lead vocals with Marshall Burns handling most of them. Marshall’s voice sounds a bit like Neil Young — more so live than on the recordings. His vocal on “Dead Men” was a highlight that night, as was “Prairie Girl” sung by Erin Passmore. And some locally Regina-flavored humor was found in the set’s finale, “Duet For Emmylou And The Grievous Angel”.

Rah Rah obviously enjoy playing, and they have a down to earth, winning way in their stage manner. Still building their loyal L.A. following the comfortable crowd was responsive and offered them a very warm encore. By Bruce Rave

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

Rah Rah (Facebook)

reviewed by
12-03-12

Rave’s Fave: The Record Company – Tallahassee Lassie (Freddie Cannon)

The Record Company has been one of LA’s fastest rising bands with their blend of blues and Americana. They kill live, and just concluded a successful November residency at The Satellite. It’s their tradition to end with a rocking cover, and last Monday’s show concluded with “Tallahassee Lassie”, which was a 60’s hit for Freddie “Boom Boom” Cannon. The crowd was all over this one, singing along with the chorus. The band recorded an EP of cover songs including this one, so check out their Facebook page for more info. By Bruce Rave

The Record Company – Tallahassee Lassie (Freddy Cannon)

The Record Company (Official)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
12-02-12

Rave’s Fave: Madness – Never Knew Your Name

A new Madness album is always good news, and yet again the dudes have dropped a good one on us. “Death of a Rude Boy” is the cool single from OUI OUI SI SI JA JA DA DA and album goes quite a bit deeper than that. My favorite is “Never Knew Your Name” because it has a softer touch, with smooth melodies and some nice strings. By Bruce Rave

Madness – Never Knew Your Name

Madness (Official)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
11-26-12

Rave’s Fave: Gary Clark Jr. – Ain’t Messin ‘Round

Gary Clark has become one of the most buzzed about live artists on the road, and he just sold out three killer shows at The Troubadour here in LA. I like him best when he is uptempo, and he ain’t messin’ ’round with this new track that opens his Blak and Blu CD. It’s the kind of generational party song that’s perfect for this coming holiday weekend. By Bruce Rave

Gary Clark Jr. – Ain’t Messin ‘Round

Gary Clark Jr. (Official)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
11-18-12

Rave’s Fave: Drawn From Bees — Whistling Bone

These Brisbane, Australia talents do well in their home country but are still largely undiscovered in the US. They did play at SXSW, 2011 and their stunning harmonies had people outside, on 6th Street in Austin, literally stopping in their tracks. The band’s new album is The May King and His Paper Crown, and “Whistling Bone” has emerged as a lead track. It’s got a mid-tempo drive that sticks to your… bones. The animated video features a sweet little girl who is adopted into a house of hell, and is worth checking out as well. By Bruce Rave

Drawn From Bees — Whistling Bone

Drawn From Bees (Facebook)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
11-11-12

Rave’s Fave: Breaking Laces – Mr. Curry Is A Cop

My latest fave is dedicated to those of you in the US who will be voting on marijuana initiatives in the this election. This track is in the vein of Weazer’s “Hash Pipe”. A fun tune about the cool new teacher Mr. Curry, who is actually a narc. Breaking Laces formed in Brooklyn and have released 5 albums and 5 EP’s since 2003. By Bruce Rave

Breaking Laces – Mr. Curry Is A Cop

Brick & Morter (Facebook)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
10-31-12

RAVE’S FAVE: Brick & Morter – Bangs

This song makes me think of Placebo’s “Pure Morning”, but it’s a little heavier. I was sure these dudes had to be British but no, they’re from New Jersey. Over the next few weeks, they will be playing dates around the eastern third of the country. By Bruce Rave

Brick & Morter – Bangs

Brick & Morter (Facebook)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Also, for the benefit of you Europeans the show will now be replayed Wednesday mornings 2-4a Pacific/5 -7a Eastern, so they too can hear it at a civilized time. Listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
10-22-12

RAVE’S FAVE: San Cisco – Awkward

This near-perfect garage pop tune stormed Australia last year and wound up #7 for 2011 on the highly-watched Triple J Hottest 100. San Cisco are uber-young and come from the Aussie town of Freemantle. If you are hooked on hooks, you will probably love the clean guitar intro as well as the boy/girl interchange on the vocals. Awkward is the title of their EP, which drops in the US October 23. They will be at CMJ this week and then will celebrate their record release next Tuesday at The Echo in Los Angeles. By Bruce Rave

San Cisco – Awkward

San Cisco (Facebook)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Also, for the benefit of you Europeans the show will now be replayed Wednesday mornings 2-4a Pacific/5 -7a Eastern, so they too can hear it at a civilized time. Listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
10-15-12

RAVE’S FAVE: Citizens! – (I’m In Love With Your) Girlfriend

This new UK band just emerged from the studio with Alex Kopranos of Franz Ferdinand. Their Here We Are album will be out in the US this coming week. This fun tune is retro, dancy, and hooky. The title alone got me. Haven’t we all really wanted to be with the significant other of a good friend? By Bruce Rave

Citizens! – (I’m In Love With Your) Girlfriend

Citizens! (Facebook)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Also, for the benefit of you Europeans the show will now be replayed Wednesday mornings 2-4a Pacific/5 -7a Eastern, so they too can hear it at a civilized time. Listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
10-10-12

Rave’s Fave: Muse – Panic Station

Muse’s new The 2nd Law album drops next week. The guys have been telling us that this is the beginning of a new era stylistically for the band. That’s somewhat true on this album but Muse will always be Muse. For me, that’s a good thing. Their “Madness” single is doing very well, and “Survival” was named the Olympics theme. Both of course are on the album. “Panic Station” is different for them. It feels like if Nile Rodgers met up with Queen in the 80’s. By Bruce Rave

Muse – Panic Station

Muse (Buy The 2nd Law) (Facebook)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
09-27-12

RAVE’S FAVE! Tilly and The Wall – Heavy Mood

Just as summer comes to end, Tilly & the Wall are back with another party record to keep things festive. This is like a triple espresso. It’s got the riff from Deep Purple’s classic metal song “Hush” mixed with modern electronics. “Heavy Mood” is the album’s title track, and it will probably leave you in anything but a heavy mood.

Tilly and The Wall – Heavy Mood

Tilly and The Wall (Facebook)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
09-17-12

RAVE’S FAVE! Diamond Rings – I’m Just Me

Diamond Rings has been around a few years, and has also graced these B3Science pages. This just might be tune to take him to the next level. The retro-leaning “I’m Just Me” is an ideal combination of melody, dance, and a a serious chorus. I’ve been spinning it on my show and getting strong reaction, so I think theres a good chance you’ll feel the same way.

Diamond Rings – I’m Just Me

Diamond Rings (Facebook)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
09-10-12