Monday, March 31, 2014

Dylan Cover #132 The Hollies "Quinn The Eskimo"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a live cover by The Hollies playing "The Mighty Quinn"

This month we are doing another special focus on Dylan covers, we have focused on The Byrds and the lesser known Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint. Now the spotlight shines on The Hollies and their Hollies Sing Dylan album.

Thoughts on Original:
Not officially released until 1970's audience and critic defying Self-Portrait "Quinn The Eskimo" first found life with Manfred Mann, before a lot of the world heard Dylan sing it himself. It had been on The Basement Tapes though and lots of bootleggers, underground fans and admiring fellow artists got to bask it its rollicking glory. A fun old ride that makes everyone from children to adults smile. A favorite purely because it is one of the plain funnest songs in Dylan's catalog one of my personal highlights regarding the song has nothing to do with the playing, it has to do with what Dylan himself wrote about it in Chronicles:  
"On the way back to the house I passed the local movie theater on Prytania Street, where The Mighty Quinn was showing. Years earlier, I had written a song called 'The Mighty Quinn' which was a hit in England, and I wondered what the movie was about. Eventually, I'd sneak off and go there to see it. It was a mystery, suspense, Jamaican thriller with Denzel Washington as the Mighty Xavier Quinn a detective who solves crimes. Funny, that's just the way I imagined him when I wrote the song 'The Mighty Quinn,' Denzel Washington."
Cover: 


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
I think we have said enough about The Hollies this month, if you want more, they have a robust Wikipedia page detailing their history and here is their current website.
Thoughts on Cover:
While the banjo takes the spotlight to start things on this live version it is the huge instrumental breaks that take over, in particular a flute rings through the orchestrated breaks. While the pomp that the Hollies have used on other Dylan covers this month really don't work very well, here on Quinn things are fine, let everyone in on the party. The shortness of the version helps too, things float right by with ease. Just try not to clap along with the Brits in the audience...no rhythm there, but killer hair cuts...

In retrospect most of The Hollies covers this month have been underwhelming, but different approaches to Dylan's tunes are always respected, thanks for producing this album all those years ago fellas.  

Happy Opening Day!

I see great things in baseball.  It's our game - the American game.  It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism.  Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set.  Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us.  
~Walt Whitman

Like last year, the year before, and the year before that we wish you a Happy Opening Day! We agree with The Wizard of Oz:

Then again baseball should cut out games in Australia if they want to make opening day even more special.
Some good ones today as our Mets take on the Nationals and for a second year in a row we will be eying that Cubbie Pirates match-up because of great fantasy implications (can't get enough of The Shark
and now Liriano joins the squad....oyevey!). We are ecstatic that baseball is back. To celebrate, how about a weird mix of some baseball tunes, also be sure to check out this list Nick Morrison put together for NPR a few years ago about the great mix of jazz and baseball. Have a great day:




Friday, March 28, 2014

Full Show Friday: Black Sabbath Live Paris 1970

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's.  These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Black Sabbath!
We are going to see Black Sabbath next week at Barclays and we know it won't be like this show from Paris in 1970, but we wanted to give some love to one of the first metal bands we really dug.  This stripped down live show really accentuates the power of the players, and of course Ozzy's vocals. Geezer Butler kills it particularly on bass...makes me want to go practice.

Pro shot and pro sounding for 1970. Highlights are the opening freight train energy of "Paranoid", the rifftastic "N.I.B" and the closing "Fairies Wear Boots". 
Enjoy:
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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Album Review: Wolfmother- New Crown

Wolfmother
New Crown
*** out of *****

The Australian throwback rock band Wolfmother has been going through rounds of lineup changes and solo tours but at the end of the day the band is the brainchild of frontman/axe slinger Andrew Stockdale. Stockdale is the only original member of the three piece which burst on the scene in the mid 2000's. Their sound borrowed heavily from the mid 70's hard rock groups and that trend continues here as Stockdale welcomes Ian Peres (Bass/Keys) and Vin Steele (Drums) into the fold for New Crown.  

Fans who have followed the band are in for more of the same, sludgy low end, fuzzy mega guitars and large vocal dynamics. Opening with "How Many Times" the band puts a punkish kick into things behind a catchy riff before a big breakdown/crash ending. "Tall Ships" has Stockdale wailing like a prime Ozzy Osbourne while the quick "Feelings" brings a drum driven fuzzy punk vibe to things.

The track "I Ain't Got No" feels like a middle of the road straight ahead rocker before the grooviest song here "My Tangerine Dream" rolls out. There is an odd ending tacked on to the track though that seems to have an Elvis impersonator singing things over acoustic guitars, strange all around. 

Beauty Queens, Radios and other touchstones get lots of love with the lyrics but the music is straight out of vinyl rock and wood paneled basements. During the track "Heavy Weight" Stockdale sings the line "Standing on the edge of a mountain/Thinking about yesterday", a perfect summation of New Crown.
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Another cool find on bandcamp. We have been fortunate to capture a bunch of good stuff there.

Support the band here, stream and grab the album (as well as a vid) below:




Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Album Review: The Men- Tomorrow's Hits

The Men
Tomorrow's Hits
***and1/2 out of *****

With each release The Men have been cleaning up their sound/production and formulating more straight ahead jams that indeed could become Tomorrow's Hits. If they just cleaned up (especially their vocals) a touch more, that tomorrow could easily change into today.

The fuzz and sputter of lo-fi can really be successful and this short collection of tunes has a distinct catchy direction. The first track "Dark Waltz" feels like a radio friendly number from 1974 with a groovy bass line and progression over the most clear and direct vocals on the disk. A buried guitar solo rings under the surface, gradually rising along with an engaging harmonica.

"Get What You Give" has a T-Rex feel and "Another Night" is swinging with a pumping sax like a lo-fi E-Street Band offering. The bands punkish roots are excellently elaborated upon with "Pearly Gates" which combines a Stooge like raucous swagger with rambling Dylan delivered lyric style; a true hoot.

If the vocals and lyrics only were given more detail and attention the group could easily rise above their current level as they continue to put out catchy riffs and beats. Perhaps their next release will combine all the bands influences but as it stands Tomorrow's Hits will do damn well for today. 
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We really like these guys, and feel like this is the kinda rock and roll band we can get behind. However this album felt like it was on the cusp of something much more and just never got there, but as you can see from the stars up there we still dig it but we can't wait to see what they have in store next go around.

Support the group here, buy the album here and peep some video below:


Tuesday, March 25, 2014

New Black Keys Song, New Album- Turn Blue Coming In May

In some surprising news the non stop rockers The Black Keys are coming out with a brand new album called Turn Blue in May.

You can get a preview of the new tune below:

Groovy but I am not a fan of the disco keys they put in there. I am sure the kids will love it, but I would have liked the dancey vibe a bit more if those cheap electro-key sounds were put on hold and Dan just chunked out riffs. That said, it is a pretty groovy tune, and when that band gets loose good things usually follow.

This Album Preview is straight up bad ass:

Here is the full on album listing minus the creepy:
1. Weight Of Love
2. In Time
3. Turn Blue
4. Fever
5. Year In Review
6. Bullet In The Brain
7. It’s Up To You Now
8. Waiting On Words
9. 10 Lovers
10. In Our Prime
11. Gotta Get Away

These guys never stop and the last 2 disks were both great, putting them pretty much on top of the American Rock and Roll list. We have covered them a lot and are excited to hear the disk.

Album Review: The Hold Steady- Teeth Dreams

Hey all,

Got a new review up on Glide.

You can read it Right C'here!!!

It is of The Hold Steady's Teeth Dreams.


This is a tough one to swallow, and review for that matter. We had high hopes for this disk, and they honestly weren't fulfilled, but in a strange way. The songs hold up really well and we loved them live and in their acoustic form, they are not at fault, but the production and final product of a disk just doesn't have the punch and energy I expected. I blame the producer but the final call is really with the band.

In no way is it a bad album, and we still get giddy over Finn's lyrics (every single one of them) but overall the final package of Teeth Dreams just feels a bit diluted and tame when we wanted bad-ass rock.

Anyway, we will excitedly see them again in April with friends and family upstate and we are looking forward to it. When ranking overall Hold Steady disks though I think this one goes towards the bottom...hmm that would make a great post soon...anyway, Support the band here, buy the disk here and peep some video below:

Monday, March 24, 2014

Dylan Cover #131 The Hollies "The Times They Are a' Changin'"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by The Hollies playing "The Times They Are a' Changin'"

This month we are doing another special focus on Dylan covers, we have focused on The Byrds and the lesser known Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint. Now the spotlight shines on The Hollies and their Hollies Sing Dylan album.

Thoughts on Original:
Short and sweet from the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
Well it is his most famous song for a reason, it is one of the greatest ever produced in any genre, ever.  
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
It is interesting that this album, Hollies Sing Dylan was the breaking point for Graham Nash, causing him to leave the group and form Crosby Stills & Nash. Dylan cause's yet more turmoil....Apparently he was the hippiest of the crew doing and the rest were stuck in the past drinking their beer. In retrospect the group doesn't like this album much and it is pretty easy to see why.
Thoughts on Cover:
Wow that is a lot of crashing drums. Well this is a different take on things as the band goes all out with jangles, crashes, and energy to match their trademark 3 part harmonies. The tempo changes are a bit harsh, but I do like the jam slapped in the middle. This one is weird but a bit off putting more like the first one we covered this month, I am having a hard time digging into it.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Full Show Friday: The Pogues In Paris 30th Anniversary Concert

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's.  These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...The Pogues!

Sure St Paddy's was Monday but we will keep it going. While this is just the first half of the show, it marks a special time, The Pogues 30th Anniversary Tour, we were lucky enough to catch the band a few times before this in NYC and we gotta say we think (with drunk ears) that Shane sounded better then he does here, MacGowan is in rough shape. This show is tough on the old drunk bastard, but the band sounds in top form so we will let them play us out of the Green Season and sing along with all the words...helping the old toothless pirate along....
Enjoy:
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Thursday, March 20, 2014

Allman's Brothers Calling it Quits

March calls to mind a few events, St. Patty's Day, March Madness, Spring Training and something that happens on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Peakin' @ The Beacon:
While the title of this post isn't breaking news we wanted to take a second to toast the Brothers band. We aren't mega-fans of the group but we have seen them live a bunch and have done a few posts on them in the past. This one is very video heavy so click that read more button, turn up your speakers and jump into things:

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Thurston's Favorite Tunes

We dig it when artists we love, talk about artists they love. Thurston Moore must have one of the best record collections out there as he has had an amazing career in music (we think he should get more respect).
Turns out earlier this year he chatted with the now defunct The Fly and Brooklyn Vegan reposted the list of his 38 favorite songs which you can see below. There are some obvious strong influences on him like No Wave bands and punk, but some classic surprises as well; with someone like Moore whose all over the musical map this varied list is semi expected.

Groups like Negative Approach who he recently played with Nirvana and his friends in Dinosaur Jr. but some unknown (to us) are on the list so we are excited to sift through record bins and youtube to hear them. Peep a few video samples of some songs after the list.

Thurston Moore's 38 Favorite Songs of All Time
Tapper Zukie - 'Man Ah Warrior'
Patti Smith - 'Godspeed'
Teenage Jesus & The Jerks - 'Orphans'
Mars - '3E'
Public Image LTD - 'Public Image'
The Slits - 'Love Und Romance'
The Raincoats - 'In Love'
Captain Beefheart - 'Electricity'
Alice Cooper - 'Is It My Body?'
T. Rex - 'Children Of The Revolution'
Archie Shepp - 'Blasé'
Billie Holiday - 'Gloomy Sunday'
Nirvana - 'Dive'
Mudhoney - 'In 'N Out of Grace'
Dinosaur Jr. - 'Little Fury Things'
Jackson C. Frank - 'Blues Run The Game'
Bush Tetras - 'Too Many Creeps'
The Germs - 'Caught In My Eye'
Boredoms - 'Born To Anal'
Lou Reed - 'Satellite Of Love'
Beach Boys - 'Hang On To Your Ego'
David Bowie - 'Five Years'
Sparks - 'Equator'
Siouxsie & The Banshees - 'Hong Kong Garden'
The Damned - 'New Rose'
The Mentally Ill - 'Gacy's Place'
Minor Threat - 'Out Of Step'
Black Flag - 'I've Got To Run'
The Untouchables - 'Nic Fit'
Iron Cross - 'Fight Em All'
The Faith - 'It's Time'
Void - 'My Rules'
Negative Approach - 'Nothing'
Youth Brigade - 'It's About Time We Had A Change'
State Of Alert - 'Gonna Haveta Fight'
Anne Briggs - 'Go Your Way'
The Fugs - 'Crystal Liaison'
Jimi Hendrix - 'Freedom'



Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Album Review: The War On Drugs- Lost In The Dream

The War On Drugs
Lost In The Dream
***and1/2 out of *****
The usage of the word "the" comes up right at the beginning when digesting the newest album from  The War On Drugs. Lost In The Dream is the the title as opposed to "a" dream, there is a communal sense of oneness inherent in that switch. Instead of inward looking loner tunes this album spaciously feels all connected  via dreamy pop and nods to radio influences of past days to accomplish that.  

That word pops back up forecasting the same thing in the opening "Under The Pressure" as if we are all experiencing that same push down. Drifting and escapist but grounded in a hook that reminds of a digitally aged Dire Straits track. Echos and drama color "Red Eyes" in shades of Arcade Fire but the group fronted by Adam Granduciel seems to be looking back to the neon inspired decade for more inspiration then anything happening today.

The pumping of "An Ocean Between The Waves" was made for early 80's rock radio in the vein of really hip Bruce Hornsby cut. It goes and goes for 7+ minutes on the back of keys and rising vocals/guitar lines. Maybe not as successful with it's 80's love is "Disappearing" which recalls When In Rome's "The Promise" only with spacier guitars. The dream pop combo in general though seems warmer then other releases of this genre.  

"Suffering" mellows things out with lyrics about "both of us faking it" while "I am here suffering" behind swirls and piano lines; a gorgeous downer.Vocally Granduciel stays mostly behind the music except on the title track which places his singing at the forefront putting his confusion and Hornsby tendencies on display plainly. 

"Eyes To The Wind" starts a linking of songs by a Jackson Brown like strum some acoustic guitars over a positive progression that swells to include an easy saxophone. All that melts into a warbling interlude titled "The Haunting Idle" which "The Burning" pulses out of. The last in this series never reaches the heights it strives for but is a fun ride anyway.

The songs are long here but there is palpable sense of pop work infused in them. While never overly joyous the group has layered this record for the listening on a larger scale; Lost In The Dream with everyone.  
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Interesting disk, we never got into the groups first release Wagonwheel Blues, but a friend just recommended we go back to give Slave Ambient a shot. This new one popped up first and the group has obviously improved, this is cool stuff.

Support the Band here, buy the album here and peep some video below:
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Monday, March 17, 2014

Dylan Cover #130 The Hollies "When My Ship Comes In" Live

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a live cover by The Hollies playing "When My Ship Comes In"

This month we are doing another special focus on Dylan covers, we have focused on The Byrds and the lesser known Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint. Now the spotlight shines on The Hollies and their Hollies Sing Dylan album.

Thoughts on Original:
One of our favorite songs from the early days of Dylan. The purest Irish Folk we felt he ever got, Joan Baez was a fan of this one and told a cool story during No Direction Home, about him being pissed at a hotel attendant and then having this song just spiral out of him. Images of the sea, the salt, the song, raiding a pirate song at heart. When we are looking for pure folk Dylan this one usually finds it's way to our ears.
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
The Hollies went through different members but they were known for sugary light pop and exceptional singing. Tracks like "Bus Stop" and "Carrie Ann" are quintessential 60's pop. Having not listened to any of their hits before this series it is fun to find so many good tracks.
Thoughts on Cover:
We chose "When My Ship Comes In" for posting on St. Patty's Day because to us it is the closest Dylan came to writing an old Irish Folk song. Sure he wrote a lot of timeless folk songs, but the Gaelic feel is here on this one and the Hollies keep it pretty simple, straight harmonies acoustic and focused on the tune during this live version. While not blowing us away it is a fair rendition of the tune. Happy Paddys!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wishing you all a happy St. Paddy's today!
We will be at the parade, with friends and rocking out with Black 47! Hope you are celebrating properly too, enjoy the day.
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Friday, March 14, 2014

Full Show Friday: The Clancy Brothers Live 1995

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's.  These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...The Clancy Brothers!
 Last year we had a special treat that was The Clancy Brothers telling stories from back in 1984...as well as singing some great songs.  This year we got a proper concert from 1995 (full setlist and info below) as we prepare to celebrate St. Patricks Day on Monday. You can't stop the blarney with the Irish though and the Brothers tell stories between almost all the songs, setting things up and adding spice to the musical dishes. You even get a Dylan Cover in this set, the show has it all. This is a joyous time of year for us, we hope you enjoy with your friends, loved ones and family.

Also a special treat if you are in in NYC tonight, come on out and see Angels &Vagabonds play a special acoustic set with Irish flavor, in fact you may even hear one or two of the tracks the Brothers play here!

Pro Shot, Pro Sound, Enjoy:
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Recorded live in the Regal Theatre Clonmel, Ireland 1995.

1. Mermaid
2. Shoals Of Herring
3. Mountain Dew
4. Roddy McCorley
5. The Old Woman From Wexford
6. Kilkelly
7. I'll Tell Me Ma
8. Rothse-O
9. Ride , Willie Ride
10. The Moonshiner
11. The Dutchman
12. Galway Races
13. Haul Away Joe
14. Leaving of Liverpool
15. The Irish Rover
16. Waltzing Matilda
17. Jug Of Punch
18. Finnegan's Wake
19. Holy Ground
20. Will Ye Go ,Lassie, Go
21. Wild Rover
22. The Parting Glass

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Album Review: Various Artists- Catch The Throne: The Mixtape

Various Artists
Catch The Throne: The Mixtape
*** out of *****
I bet George RR Martin never envisioned a world where Magazeen would drop a pronunciation of "Iron Thrannnne" like he does on his Reggaeton bumper "Iron Throne" but these are the days we live in...winter is coming.

The immense popularity of the excellent HBO series has given rise to tons of spin offs, events and promo work, this free mix-tape being one of the most inventive and will possibly open up the series to a new generation of fans. Catch The Throne mixes established and up and coming hip hop/reggaeton/experimental artists performing Game of Throne inspired songs.      

While the lyrics are the neat twist, the music all come straight from the show as well, weaving the score behind beats and intro clips that let us hear Tyrion Lannister quotes as well as a fire commands from Daenerys Targaryen. It is the combining of hip-hop boasting and the mythical struggle for power that meshes well. 

Big Boi's flow opens things up on "Mother Of Dragons" and it instantly brings a smile when he combines the world of Westeros with his own knee rehab; like most tunes here it is quick, clocking in and out before the idea becomes stale. As with any mix-tape some experiments (Snow Tha Product's "Fire", Bodega Bamz "Win Or Die") work better then others (Dee Goodz "The Parallel", Kilo Kish "Magical Reality"). Wale gets bonus points for incorporating the bad ass musical theme to the show into his "King Slayer" closeing a fun mix of styles.

Extra time and notes need to be given to one track in particular though, easily for fans of hip hop and the novels Dominik Omega gets the all-star nod with "Arya's Prayer". While the other artists combine snippets of the fantasy world into their tracks Omega seems to be a mega fan as he stays strictly with Arya dealing with her insane journey. His complete insertion into the realm is exhilarating and ending the chorus with "Valar Morghulis: All Men Must Die" makes it is impossible not to get juiced up a highlight of this pretty whacky/great idea.
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A neat combo. We just finished up  A Dance With Dragons and while we are invested heavily, we actually think HBO is doing a better job with the shows then Martin is doing with the books...but that is for a nerdy conversation at a bar over drinks. Today we got some cool hip hop with a fantasy mix.

You can hear the whole thing here:


and a bonus track from Dominik Omega who did a song before this came came out and it makes sense. He is great at this:
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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Album Review: no:carrier -The Confession EP

no:carrier
Confession EP
**and1/2 out of *****
In hearing the musical term "electro-noir pop" it helps that the duo comes from Germany and California, a perfect pairing for that style of music. The players that form no:carrier are Cynthia Wechselberger and Chris Wirsig who put together this 6 song EP in advance of their upcoming full length release.

The single mix of "Confession" starts things in a upbeat manner and "Hero To a Fool" fades out just when things start to get really groovy. There is a definite Depeche Mode vibe to things as dancey beats mix with darker undertones. "A Bright Room" puts industrial sounds into play as things clang and bounce around to end the short EP.

The title track "Confession" appears in two more forms, on the "1st in 14th" mix things are digital, sounding like a pulsing motherboard while on the "Inspired By F.P." mix things are more primal with a deep beat introducing the song before laser zaps. All three versions are interesting and fans of digital music will have the option to sample any of them to find their favorite.
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This genre of tunes is not really our cup of tea, but we are always down to check out new things.

You can stream the album for free here on soundcloud support the band here and peep some video below:

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Album Review: Drive By Truckers- English Oceans

Drive By Truckers
English Oceans
***and/12 out of *****
The consummate southern rocking songwriters are at it again on English Oceans. The bands 10th proper studio album finds the group still in fine form. The band has morphed over the years with various song writers entering and exciting like Jason Isbell and Shonna Tucker but now just Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley stand tall as original members and songwriters.

The most exciting new development is Cooley going toe to toe with Hood regarding the amount of tunes contributed on English Oceans. In the past Cooley always had 1-2ish songs per album with sly lyrics and fun picking, here he is full on equal if not forerunner writing 6 of 13 and hitting a special groove.  Cooley's "Shit Shots Count" opens things on the highest of notes with a fantastic horn outro but not before the classic couplet: "Pride's what you charge a proud man for having/Shame is what you sell to a whore".

The other obvious highlight is Hood's disk closer "Grand Canyon". Gloriously spacious, echo filled and touchingly dedicated (like the whole album) to the bands lost friend Craig Lieske. Apparently it was a last second decision to record and include the song but the album is much better off because of this captured moment.

In between these gems the DBT's do what they do best, craft cinematic tales around southern rock riffs and strums. Damaged politics, poisonous relationships, broken dreams and old age seem familiar territory for the group yet they still manage to mine fertile songs. The one downside (and it can be said for a lot of the bands output) is it feels almost too much for one disk, the band comes at you with interesting lyric after interesting lyric via the same guitar attack and at the end you feel wiped out.    

There are moments though like the piano/sustain combo in "Paulina Hawkins" where the beauty just rises amongst all the heartaches, headaches and broken dreams the band sings about. It is doubtful they ever stop and when they continue to put out this quality of tunes why would they even consider it?
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Great to see Cooley on even footing with Hood, his track "Cartoon Gold" was our favorite on Go-Go Boots. This band is really great, a southern version of The Hold Steady in our eyes, since we are NY'ers the Steady hit home more, but the Truckers are fantastic.


Monday, March 10, 2014

Dylan Cover #129 The Hollies "Just Like A Woman"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a live cover by The Hollies playing "Just Like A Woman"

This month we are doing another special focus on Dylan covers, we have focused on The Byrds and the lesser known Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint. Now the spotlight shines on The Hollies and their Hollies Sing Dylan album.

Thoughts on Original:
There are a lot of songs about the greatest muse known to man, woman. This one may top the 60's generation when it comes to dealing with Mars and Venus. Respectful in one breath and slightly mocking the next Dylan can sense the pain, and I think there is a clear honesty in there, well maybe "clear" is the wrong word to use, nothing is ever clear with this subject matter. Treating the subject honestly Dylan tackles the differences between the sexes and the difficulties of relationships. Bob nailed this one making it one of his all-time greats. 
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
So not knowing much of The Hollies before this month, I have been listening to them a lot and while they are not really my cup of tea there are some songs I like, mostly their early stuff. So far my favorite tune of theirs might just be "Look Through Any Window" as it has an obvious Beatles feel but also something a little deeper behind it. Give it a listen if you haven't and if you are a Hollies fan what is your favorite tune of theirs?
Thoughts on Cover:
Well the group amps up the drama again screaming a bit and banging on the drums. It fits better for "Just Like A Woman" then it did last week, and while I am not totally sold on the style, it is a unique way to tackle it. I do respect unique.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Full Show Friday: Lenny Kravitz Rock in Rio 2011

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's.  These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Lenny Kravitz!
Here is a pro-shot, pro sound full concert from Lenny Kravitz from Rock in Rio back in 2011. He is a great showman as his full band gets rocking and funky through out. Very impressed with his full band and genre defying sound. Makes he hope he plays Jazzfest one of the years in the near future as he would be a perfect fit.  
Enjoy:


Thursday, March 6, 2014

NYPL Blog Post: Black 47 Fire of Freedom

Hey all, we got our latest post up over on NYPL Blogs Channel. Read it Right C'here! It is our newest installment in the Great Albums You Might Have Missed series with a focus on Black 47's Fire of Freedom.
We love this album on so many levels and with the band ending their run this year we felt the fellas needed some love on their early 90's masterpiece.

We wrote a ton on it going into every song, and have a bunch of links so we won't do much more here, go read the piece. Pumped to catch them live with Ed and the crew come Paddy's Day and are looking forward to the new album. Cheers Fellas!

If you want to see more NYPL posts just go here.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Album Review: Biblical -Monsoon Season

Biblical
Monsoon Season
*** out of *****
The metal/hard-rocking quartet from Toronto Biblical, have put fourth an expansive album in Monsoon Season. Only 6 songs are here but the band feels confident mixing guitar solos, tight rhythms and mid range vocals.  Meshing up a two guitar attack with organs adding to the texture of things, the band has succeed in crafting some heavy soundscapes.

The first single and disk opener "Second Sight" is upbeat traversing lots of terrain. "All Justice, No Peace" puts a hangman to the forefront with a "Hey-Ho" chorus, Nick Sewell's vocals aren't your screaming variety (and also stay away from Glam excess) they are direct except in "The Quiet Crooks" where things get spacey and a touch falsetto before a noisy guitar injection.   

"Married Man" picks up the pace with a swinging drum beat as Jay Anderson puts the skins in the spotlight, providing a killer groove making it a highlight. The expansive title track closes things by pushing the boundaries at over 11 minutes as it ebbs and flows through a cosmic adventure.  For fans of hard rock and bands like Kyuss, give Biblical a listen.
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Interesting band, we dug this disk.

Support the group here, buy the album here and peep some video below:


Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Album Review: Karl Denson's Tiny Universe- New Ammo

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe
New Ammo
***and1/2 out of *****
Jambands bane of existence is a studio recording; the genre lives for the live show. Fans, promoters and artists alike all get rich in different ways off of those peaking communal moments late at night and when it is time to hit the studio that recording is mostly just fodder for better versions on the next tour.  New Ammo is more then that, sure it is new ammunition for Karl Denson's Tiny Universe to crisscross the country with, shooting the sounds into its fans ear holes but the band expanded its scope and sound. Having not recorded since 2009 KDTU has crafted an engaging mix of original funky workouts and unexpected covers that fans will want to hear as production and playing are top notch.

Denson and an expanded horn lineup are most successful when slapping their funky craft onto a wide array of covers. The groups unexpected outings into indie rock with the Cold War Kids "Hang Me Out To Dry" turns the Californian's storytelling original on it's ear, but it is the unique use of flute and Robert Walters key work that amplifies The White Stripes "Seven Nation Army" into a must hear. Jack White would have to admire the direction and it would be a treat to hear him contribute a jamming guitar to that track live but as is Denson and crew are having a blast, you can even hear Denson yelling into his flute towards the end of things. A tribute to the Beastie Boys via "Sure Shot" finds Denson's flute fronting a jazzy instrumental take on one of the legends best tunes, tastefully done.

Two covers the band kick major ass on are songs people probably never experienced before. "The Duel" is head banging, fist pumping and hip-shakingly fantastic all at once.  The original by Lenny Stack was for a soundtrack to 70's B-Movie CC and Company (starring Joe Namath!) sounds gloriously filthy here while (speaking of filthy) the slinky opener "Grenadiers" is the theme to Russ Meyer's Cherry, Harry& Raquel, va-va-voom indeed. Both are fantastic instrumentals that are the true highlights of Denson and crew; performers who can find the rarest of tune and make it their own.

Of course in Shane Handler's interview with Denson he stated "the band has finally figured out how to capture in the studio what the Tiny Universe does live" and he is certainly on the right path a bit more tightening could only improve things. For instance "My Baby" was Denson's first duet (with Nicki Bluhm) and it is a solid vocal take but trimming it from its 6:12 run time would yield better results.  "Odeyssus" brings things back to Denson's easy grooving roots but after all the new directions previous it feels just an average way to end things.

Really though it matters little for the groove hounds this disk is targeted for, when they can't make a live gig here's their New Ammo for staying in, turning it on and getting down
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We like Denson, seen him a bunch back in the day and loved his Stones tour with Anders, this surprised us a bit, not what we were expecting, in a good way. We hold Jack White, The Beasties and even that first Cold War Kids album in very high regard. While those covers were cool (especially the Stripes) it is the 70's b-movie tracks that are the real stars.

Support the Artist here, but the disk here, make sure to catch him live here, and peep some video below:


Monday, March 3, 2014

Dylan Cover #128 The Hollies "Blowin In the Wind"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by The Hollies playing "Blowin' In the Wind"

This month we are doing another special focus on Dylan covers, we have focused on The Byrds and the lesser known Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint. Now the spotlight shines on The Hollies and their Hollies Sing Dylan album.

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
The classic Dylan song, if you asked 100 people to name you the first Bob Dylan song they thought of, or his best known song, I am guessing 95-99 of them would answer "Blowin' In The Wind".  It is an epic, vital song in the history of recorded music. The lyrics tell a stirring tale, the melody is enchanting, it is pretty spot on perfect, and when it originally came out if announced to the world the greatness that was Bob Dylan. 
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
We come into this series knowing little about The Hollies, when I hear Holly I think Buddy. The one thing I do know off the bat is that they wrote "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress" and that was the first song Phish ever played live. There's some trivia for you....Other then that I am not sure how much I know or how many songs I have heard from the group. Guess I will dip into that over the month.
Thoughts on Cover:
What the hell is with the creepy couple semi getting it on in this video?!? Man the 60's were weird. That aside I guess (if I can put it aside) The Hollies get the couple off the screen and turn up the schmaltz with the horns an ooh and ahh's. The extended blooo-oh-oh-ing in the wind pushes it over the top for me to pure cheese ball. It is hard to get behind this one especially when the offending parts to these ears goes on for much too long, lets not talk about the return the freaky couple.