Track Reviews Archives - Page 549 of 568

The High Wire – Odds and Evens

“Odds and Evens” is the first single off The High Wire’s full-length debut The Sleep Tape which drops march 2010. this shoegaze inspired, dreamy psych-pop group must not be fond of pictures (hence this shot we found of Philippe Petit.. who by the way, actually crossed a high wire between the NY twin towers 8 times in a row in 1974?! dude is beast), in addition to their apparent lack of fondness for record producers. with glowing reviews from the likes of Chris Martin and major british press, a dec producer wouldn’t be too hard to come by. and while typically we like to believe that self-produced albums are a death sentance for any band, the arrangements and melodies in “Odds and Evens” go some distance to make us think twice for The High Wire. although we should add, the band did recieve production guidance and mixing from Rik Simpson of Blur, Portishead, Coldplay and PJ Harvey fame. in conclusion, The High Wire is on the b3sci radar, we’ll keep you posted..

The High Wire – Odds and Evens

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rating: 7.5

reviewed by b3

11-24-09

The Bixby Knolls – Bombs On LA

Track Reviews Videos!

new from one of LA’s hottest up and coming groups, “Bombs On LA” is off The Bixby Knolls debut EP Love to Hate Today which drops early 2010. their sound is best decribed by the band as:

The north of England and the west of America meet at The Bixby Knolls. A blistering blend of British northern grit with a prevailing nod to great Western Americana. The aural pleasures of Arthur Lee and Love with Joy Division, The Clash with The Beach Boys, The Smiths and Oasis with Link Wray…

The Bixby Knolls will be headlining the Spaceland in LA tomorrow, Tuesday, November 24th. and needless to say, we’ll be there.

The Bixby Knolls – Bombs On LA

myspace
purchase info

rating: 8.6

reviewed by b3

11-23-09

Ian Brown – Just Like You

Track Reviews Videos!

“Just Like You” is the new single off Ian Brown’s sixth solo effort My Way. like the LP, his new video for the track nods inspiration to Michael Jackson’s Thriller.. the madchester pioneer stated, “we mastered it (LP) on the day that Michael Jackson died, so I’m taking that as a good omen.”

similar to My Way lead single “Stellify,” synth driven melodies and attitude take control in “Just Like You,” further separating the musical boundaries that define pop stars in the UK and the US. check that swagger in the video, it says it all…

Ian Brown – Just Like You

myspace
getitgetitgetit

rating: 8

reviewed by b3

11-22-09

Dan Black – Yours

Track Reviews

best put, london’s Dan Black = pop done dec!! the single “Yours” is included on Dan Black’s debut LP Un, which drops official, in the US, November 23 on The Hours label.

Dan Black – Yours

myspace
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rating: 8.0

reviewed by b3

11-20-09

Airship – Kids

Track Reviews

new music from manchester uk band Airship. the song “Kids” is excerpted from a new compilation out jan 11 from the Love and Disaster label. the compilation, focused on manchester artists, also includes tracks from Jo Rose, Delphic, and Dutch Uncles. “Kids,” featured here, is an excellent piece of brit guitar pop boasting both strong vocal and instrumental hooks. the tune breathes a verve and vitality that leaves us only wanting more. Airship are a band that we certainly will be watching..

Airship – Kids

love and disaster compilation information. can stream all tracks! purchase info coming soon!
airship on myspace

rating: 8.3

reviewed by b3

11-19-09

Colin Munroe – Material Girl (Feat. Drake)

Track Reviews

what up, hosers, we’re on some new shit from the great white north. t.o. cool guy colin munroe comes correct on this brand new track, “material girl”. the song features tha bizness on the boards; with dude dropping a pretty fresh accurate beat. and oh yeah, wheelchair jimmy is on the track too! we’ve been bouncing to this much all morning! get into it!

Colin Munroe – Material Girl (Feat. Drake)

d/l colin munroe music
myspace

rating: 8.0

reviewed by b3

11-17-09

Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar – These Roads Don’t Move

In the Mix Music News!Track Reviews

Gibbard’s gone country on “These Roads Don’t Move” for the soundtrack to the documentary film One Fast Move or I’m Gone, about Jack Kerouac’s time spent at Big Sur. Joined on the tunes by folk rocker Jay Farrar, the two created all of the music for the documentary; and the melody on this track particularly stands out in the collection. both the documentary and soundtrack dropped October 20th, in memory of the 40th anniversary of Kerouac’s death. and if you haven’t yet, get familliar..

Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar – These Roads Don’t Move

get the soundtrack here

rating: 7.5

reviewed by b3

11-16-09

yep friday.

Track Reviews Videos!

VIDEO: Public Enemy – Don’t Believe the Hype

Cold War Kids – Audience Of One (myspace/ buy it)
The Fucking Eagles – Gentlemen’s Blues (myspace/buy it)

so we’re kicking off the weekend with an unlikely variety. but why not, right?! after catching the legendary Chuck D, Professor Griff and DJ Johnny Juice of Public Enemy at the Viper Room last night, i feel like anything goes. and this video is all the CLASS you need to pick up what i’m puttin down.

so speaking of hype, how about that last Cold Ward Kids record.. eh? kind of makes you understand why this new EP came out so fast. or simply put, “Audience of One” does everything that “Something Is Not Right With Me” didn’t.

now, The Fucking Eagles are the type of band one could picture clawing the Cold War Kids to death if they ever crossed paths. off their latest LP Midnight Sour on Gaptooth Jukebox Records, they throw down some proper raw fucking rock and roll on “Gentlemen’s Blues”. The Fucking Eagles are a band that truly have no shame. seriously though. they really dont, check their myspace page. anybody who publishes hate mail as part of their press credits gets the nod from us…

“The Fucking Eagles are a spin off from Seaweed? Man, I didn’t know that. Seaweed treated me like dogshit on a project I worked on for them. It was a HORRIBLE experience. They actually left messages on my phone calling me names. Their production artist re-designed a cover I did for them and it turned out lousy. They wanted their money back. Their response was to blame me for their guy’s incompetence. I played that tape for friends for a long time as proof as my experience with them. Man, I didn’t know. I don’t think I’ll be bothering with the Fucking Eagles, now.” – Art Chantry, www.artchantry.com – 3/3/08

rating: 8.2

reviewed by b3

11-13-09

The Cribs live @ The Roxy Monday November 9, 2009

Live Show Reviews Track Reviews Videos!

The Cribs – Last Year’s Snow
The Cribs – You’re Gonna Lose Us

The Cribs tore through a classic energy induced set at The Roxy this past Monday, with new fourth member, legendary guitarsmith Johnny Marr. and while he may be almost old enough to be their pops, the chemistry between marr and the other cribs was no less notable. sporting t-shits, leather biker jackets and early Richard Hell vs. current Kings of Leon butch haircuts, The Cribs wasted no time bashing out some brash gritty rock n roll.

the set was bold, unabashed. there was no banter between songs; aside from a request from Ryan Jarmen, that the lights be turned off in between songs (so the band could “look like rockstars”). and after their full-on feedback masterpiece of an ending to the set, there was no encore. and why should there have been? The Cribs had already put it all out front and on the table, the set being everything rock n roll and right fuckin classy. this was a classy fuckin’ show. fuckin’ class rock and roll.

kicking off on a high note with a new stomping anthem “We Were Aborted” from their latest release Ingnore the Ignorant, The Cribs then rolled straight into fan favorite and a somewhat ironic West LA theme on the night, “Hey Scenesters”. from there things soared, as the 4 piece performed a diversed set from their entire catalogue including favorites as “Men’s Needs,” “What About Me,” “Things Aren’t Gonna Change” and new favorites “Last Year’s Snow” and the single “We Share the Same Skies”. i found myself reflecting on a few things throughout this set:

1. these guys are fucking punk rock
2. this band belongs in clubs absolutely packed with 200 drunks spilling beer, slamming into each other, shouting at the stage and throwing their fists in the air..
3. Marr is a perfect addition, wayyy more appropriate than that Modest Mouse thing.
4. are those two really twins?
5. how do they keep doing that shit with their voice?!

In conclusion, The Cribs are the type of band that is imperfect in all the perfect ways. the groups fourth studio LP Ignore the Ignorant, released yesterday November 10th in the states, has shaped to be one of our favorites of the year. if you haven’t checked it out yet, then get familliar. also, stay tuned to b3science for an exclusive interview with the band..

myspace
buy Ignore the Ignorant