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Cold Specks – Reeling The Liars In (Swans Cover)

Cold Specks’ cover of Swans “Reeling The Liars In” has found some heavy rotation since we got our hands on her recent Dancing Coins RSD release. Get familiar below.

Cold Specks – Reeling The Liars In (Swans Cover)

Cold Specks (Facebook)

Rating 8

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reviewed by
06-10-12

Lucy Rose – Lines

“Lines” plays true to the sweet sounding sparseness that we’ve all come to know and love from the young UK based singer-songwriter Lucy Rose, but more so, the song branches into new musical territory where a mix of instrumentation, syncopation and counter-melodies clearly share in the greater vision. It’s a substantive vision of an artist who clearly has lots (and lots more) to say. Lucy Rose’ debut album Like I Used To will be released on September 24. Mark it down.

Lucy Rose – Lines

Lucy Rose england (Facebook) (Twitter)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
06-06-12

Zella Day – 7 Nation Army

The seventeen years young song-stress Zella Day recently dropped this hauntingly delicate twee folk rendition of the White Stripes standard. We’re sure it does Jack proud. #RADAR

Zella Day – 7 Nation Army

Zella Day arizona (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
06-05-12

Zella Day – No Sleep To Dream

“No Sleep to Dream” is a record for those moments you didn’t know that you wanted to hear something like it, let alone any record. Got that? Not sure we do either but check out “No Sleep To Dream”.

Zella Day – No Sleep To Dream

Zella Day arizona (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
05-30-12

Euros Childs – Spin That Girl Around

There’s something reborant about Welsh songwriter Euros Childs new recording of “Spin That Girl Around”. There’s a whimsical quality to it, something intoxicating that we just can’t get out of our heads. As Euros puts it “… it was bugging me that there wasn’t a studio recording of the band version, so for peace of mind I recorded this version and thought it would make a good single”. And indeed it does. You can download the track over at his site here. Also worth noting, the former Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci frontman is currently putting finishing touches on his 8th solo album Summer Special which is expected this August on his own label, National Elf.

Euros Childs – Spin That Girl Around

Euros Childs wales (Official)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
05-30-12

Spiritualized / Nikki Lane Live @ The Wiltern 5-22-12

Nikki Lane graced the stage at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on Tuesday night while opening for headlining act Spiritualized. The match was complimentary. For one, like the bluesy and soulful veins that flow through Spiritualized, Nikki Lane too has an appreciation for classic, early rock and roll music, so early that it’s more country and bluegrass influenced. The Nashville singer-songwriter, who had been performing solo for most of the tour, had pleasure of pedal steel and guitar accompaniment that night.

In this time, of what feels like, Zooey Deschanel mania, how could Nikki Lane not translate to the masses? Her Americana blend has a country twee flavor that’s as classic as apple pie, early Jenny Lewis and, still at moments, is as much Elvis Presley as anything (#TLC baby). For example, the way that Lane chooses to keep the botched guitar lick on her recording of “Thousand Dollar Hound” because (we’d like to think) it has the right feel (which it totally does). Still there seems a coincidental appreciation of a contemporary flare, like something musical which writers like brit pop-father Noel Gallagher and even someone ilke Willie Mason might relate. In between tracks like “Lies” and “Sleep For You” Nikki proclaimed that she ‘fucking loves Los Angeles’. Feelings seemed mutual.

“Sleep For You” by Nikki Lane tennessee (Facebook)

The stage curtain was set before Spiritualized took stage. Hanging on the curtain to the 80+ year old art deco Wiltern Theater was an aptly sponsored advert for snacks in the lobby. That’s right, this was no ordinary rock show, this was an event. The house lights went dark and the curtain rose to Spiritualized ripping into “Hey Jane” from their most recent Sweet Heart Sweet Light LP release. It was pretty epic stuff.

Noteworthy things about Spiritualized include their volume threshold. At even the lowest of volumes Spiritualized seem able to ringingout something on a guitar, but unlike many of their brit-guitar drenched peers, Spiritualized have achieved a savvy and certain level of critical success. Perhaps it’s because of their ability to work outside a box of repressed experimentation. That combined with an occasional freeform song structure which can come off as conductorial at times. Call it whatever you like but Spiritualized are musicians before they are rock stars. They finesse pentatonics with a variety of musical styles and tempos, and their jams can be something to watch.

Spiritualized performs in a half circle arrangement on stage. Almost like they’d prefer to be submerged in each others sound more than anything having to do with putting on ‘a show’. The near capacity venue (stiff competition that night from Lianne La Havas, Beck and more) absorbed every swell from a band who’s experiencing something new (live, recording, collaboration, etc) from the band at times can feel like discovering a rarely seen jungle flower (or something like that). Standouts from the set like “Soul On Fire” served a perfect fix. As did the classic refrain in “Ladies and Gents..”.

“Out of Sight” by Spiritualized (Official)

reviewed by
05-27-12

Kevin Kirker – People Grow From Trees

It’s not every day that you come across a singer-songwriter who can write with a harp. Even more surprising, is how great of a song “People Grow From Trees” is. Multi-intrumental and Californian artist Kevin Kirk evokes something soothing with this ode to, what seems, a real love. Take a peep.

Kevin Kirker – People Grow From Trees

Kevin Kirker california (Official)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
05-23-12

The Tallest Man On Earth – 1904

Previewed from his forthcoming release There’s No Leaving Now, The Tallest Man On Earth continues a streak of great songs titled “1904”. The track debuted today at Rolling Stone as a free download. It’s a celebratory track that ponders life and death, check it out!

The Tallest Man On Earth sweden (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
05-15-12

Jake Bugg – Country Song

Jake Bugg tells us all story with “Country Song”. And does so, as he best puts it, “from the heart”.

Jake Bugg england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
05-14-12

Benjamin Francis Leftwich with Imagine Dragons, and The Jezabels LIVE at The Troubadour in LA, 5/11/2012

Opening the evening and armed with only his six-string, Benjamin Francis Leftwich brought a sold out crowd to a stand-still at the legendary Troubadour in West Hollywood on Friday night. The York based singer-songwriter and recent Vagrant signee held the captive audience for his brief 35 minute set.

Fans sang along to Leftwich’s inquisitive lyrics and distinctive voice. I’ll admit, I was interested to hear the hushness and subtle rasps of his vocals in a live setting. Could someone actually sing like that? They can and Leftwich serves an example. Perhaps the smokes help, as Ben asked the audience to ‘crash’ a cigarette between one song. The banter was casual as the atmosphere and songs were dedicated to executives that were, as he put it, “half man and half dragon”, and tales of getting approached by hookers while on tour in NY. Ben sang his way through a short set material including “Maps”, “Is That You On That Plane”, and closed things with “Atlas Hands” leaving on lookers with an invitation come catch him at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood this coming Wednesday night.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich england (Facebook)

Next on the stage were Imagine Dragons who performed with the tightness and showmanship of a summer festival band. They have the sort of energetic sound medly that has become synonymous with the modern rock charts over the last twelve (or so) years. Frontman and singer Dan Reynolds wailed on a variety of percussion intermittently throughout the set, including one seriously gigantic mounted kick drum, some floor-toms, shakers, etc. His extra percussion role seemed to border the space between what constitutes things that make for added-depth or gimmick in any band. Either way, the role fills out the fullness of a big sound that many fans become familiar with on record. I’ve seen bands able to swing both ways on this sort of element. Recent single “Radioactive” especially drove home to the capacity filled Troubadour. Imagine Dragons rounded out a lengthy set with an appropriate shout out to local radio for all of their recent love.

Imagine Dragons nevada (Official)

The Jezabels are a band that give off a nostalgic wash somewhere in the midst of their atmosphere of delay guitar driven, synth fueled dance rock. Singer Hayley Mary has a charisma, it’s a bit of a star quality that’s not without its own critique, she also has an impressive vocal range that can maneuver with the best of them. The reference list could go from Stevie Nicks, to Benatar, and Hynde to even contemporaries like Karen O and (dare we say) Hayley Williams (add a little Chris Martin like diction). Combine it all with her confident and free-spirited stage presence, and we have the one and only Hayley Mary. As for the band members, the guitar work particularly weaves well throughout the layerings of keyboards courtesy of Heather Shannon. If you like your guitar pop bands served with a lush side of uptempo and well-informed indie rock, then catch Jezabels live and spin a few tracks off of their new debut Prisoner LP.

The Jezabels australia (Facebook)

reviewed by
05-13-12

Tamar Kaprelian – All Or Nothing

“All Or Nothing” is a catchy new number from songstress Tamar Kaprelian. It’s a commercial friendly track that showcases the evolving pop artist in a fashion that plays true to her roots and strengths of piano and song. “All Or Nothing” will be available this June on her new EP titled California. Preview it below.

Tamar Kaprelian california (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
05-10-12

TICKET GIVEAWAY! Benjamin Francis Leftwich w/ The Jezabels and Imagine Dragons at the Troubadour this Friday in Los Angeles !

benjamin-francis-leftwich

If you’ve been reading B3SCI for a minute then you know we could not be more psyched to catch Ben Leftwich at the legendary Troubadour this Friday (5/11)! The UK based singer-songwriter is rolling through Los Angeles, as part of his debut US tour, and will be performing to a sold out crowd with The Jezabels and Imagine Dragons. We’ve got an extra pair of tickets to this don’t miss show that we’d like to give away to one lucky reader that’s as excited to see him as we are! To win just email us here and say that you want to see Ben Leftwich this Friday. We will pick our winner at random day of the gig. You can get additional details on Friday’s show at the Troubadour website.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich – Ticket To Ride (The Beatles Cover)

Benjamin Francis Leftwich england (Facebook)
The Troubadour california (Info)

reviewed by
05-07-12