Friday, February 27, 2015

Full Show Friday: The Beach Boys 3/14/64

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 Beach Boys!
We wrap up Feb with an eye towards summer, because it has been too damn cold this winter. What better way then with the classic beach crooners, The Beach Boys.

This show is from 1964 and while we personally have never dug all that much on the BB's this show is a fun little jaunt through the past. Pro Shot and Pro Sound, enjoy the brief concert and lets all hope summer is right around the corner.

Enjoy:


Beach Boys The Lost Concert
Intro 0:00-0:46, Fun, Fun, Fun 0:47-2:57, Long, Tall Texan 2:58 - 5:11, Mike Love introduces the boys 5:12-6:00, Little Deuce Coupe 6:00-7:44, Surfer Girl 7:48-10:19, Surfin' USA 10:20-12:36, Shut Down 12:47-14:20, In My Room 14:21-16:38, PaPaOhMauMau 16:40-18:50, Hawaii 19:12-20:48

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Album Review: TOMBTHEMUSICIAN- Hot Minute

TOMBTHEMUSICIAN
Hot Minute
**and1/2 out of *****
TOMBTHEMUSICIAN finds Tom Brent going off as Mike Shawcross drums behind him in a stream of punk angst, while the duo are credited here, Brent is the pushing force as a front-man from the name down to his style. The seven track Hot Minute has a distinct DYI feel that seeps through the headphones and places you in Brent's world for just over 15 minutes of feedback, strums, skin slams and righteous vocals. 

TOMB isn't grungy punk but more odd and engaging as Brent works up a lather over dead kings and queens in the opening "We Are The Villains" before offering up his best track in "Throw It All Away". The tune is a winner as the beginning finds Brent strumming an acoustic guitar proclaiming that he doesn't want to talk about war, just love but that doesn't last one line as something is clearly haunting him. An excellent track that builds over multiple guitars/rhythm patterns and drums, highlighting the release as a whole.    

The heaviest/thrashiest the duo becomes is on the quick burning "Matryrs" which flashes with angry pride and even manages to slam in a descending guitar solo. Brent pulls it back into more of his wheelhouse though with the Minutemen sounding closers of "Awakening" and "I Am The Anti-Christ",  and like those Californians from decades ago, Brent seems to be searching for his own voice which is refreshing.   
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Again we were digging into bandcamp and we came up with a pretty quirky and catchy release from TOMBTHEMUSICIAN. Felt it was worth highlighting.

Find more of the artist here on twitter, facebook page here, stream/buy the album here or below:

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Album Review: Murder By Death- Big Dark Love

Murder By Death
Big Dark Love
** out of *****
The theatrical tendencies of Murder By Death mix with a production of restraint on their newest offering Big Dark Love. Don't be mistaken Adam Turla and company are still flamboyant in their indie rock ways but there is breathing space between instruments that goes against the groups grandiose feel.

Opening with "I Shot An Arrow" Murder By Death takes clipped beats and horn fills to a precise pace before a spastic over driven ending muddles things; and this is Big Dark Love in a nutshell. The title track starts with a muted production gimmick then focuses in on an iffy lyrical direction, with spitting on someone leading to a greater understanding.  

There aren't any sing along choruses which this style calls for and Turla's voice is more deadpan then can be asked for. The lack of emotion mixed with the dramatic writing can grind, no place more obvious then "Send Me Home" which mixes cheesy keyboards with picking strings for an unsavory finish.

The best offering here is the straight ahead "Last Thing" which seems honest and urgent but still struggles to breath behind an opening keyboard padding that is unnecessary. It just feels like the band over-saturated things on Big Dark Love, shooting for the moon and falling short..
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Support the artist here, buy the album here Catch the band in NYC at our favorite venue Bowery Ballroom on 2/28 and peep some video below:


Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Album Review: Sonny & The Sunsets Talent Night at the Ashram

Sonny & The Sunsets
Talent Night at the Ashram
**and1/2 out of *****
Sonny & The Sunsets are the creation of Sonny Smith who dabbles in art, film and for our purposes, music. His newest release Talent Night at the Ashram is an engaging mix of folkise indie rock and light Americana.

The DIY recording effort is apparent and adds to the charm. Opening with "The Applications" Smith shows off his style with a mix of Beach Boy self harmonies, easy strolling acoustic strumming and a grasp for the lazy in a good way.

"Cheap Extensions" is driven by a bass line that is pulsing in front of disengaged vocals. The title track focuses on Smith's lyrics and a pump organ sound, leading to a disk highlight.

There is a dreamy floating quality to "Alice Leaves For The Mountains" that sums up this release nicely. Things aren't taken at to quick a pace, there is relaxing sense but a creative urge that filters through. Talent Night at the Ashram isn't mind altering, but it is a great easy listen and that is all Sonny & The Sunsets seems to be shooting for. 
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Can not say enough about bandcamp and just finding new artists to listen to.

Support the artist here, buy/stream the album here and peep some video below:

Monday, February 23, 2015

Dylan Cover #177 Holly Henry "Make You Feel My Love"

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 Holly Henry of "Make You Feel My Love" 
Thoughts on Dylan Original:
From our first take on a cover of this tune:
There is something about this tune that always felt off to me, it doesn't strike me as a Dylan song (which makes it an excellent candidate for covers). Perhaps it is just too Broadway or schmaltzy but the tune never really felt like his to me. Simple and direct in it's lyrics and sparse with a piano for the tune, it should be a simple pleasure, but it always felt forced to me coming out of the bard's mouth.  The fact that he has never played it live perhaps gives some indication to his feelings on the song as well. Or maybe he just hasn't found a way to re-work it yet....
Cover: 


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
I had never heard of Holly Henry before today's cover, but a quick search unearths that she was apparently a contestant on The Voice and has already had a successful singing career at such a young age. Congrats to Holly.      

Thoughts on Cover:
As we have said, this is a perfect candidate for covering from Dylan and Holly does a fantastic job as she just lets her voice shine with little else too it. Excellent work.  

Friday, February 20, 2015

Full Show Friday: Bob Marley 1979 Harvard Stadium Boston, MA

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..Bob Marley!
This show comes from 1979 and it has a full intro in the video and a Dick Gregory introduction that puts you smack back in that year, lasting until 15:10. This was Bob and company's first show on their 1979 Survival Tour and it took place in early October up in Boston.   

The video comes from a VHS tape, it is pro sound and pro shot, but a bit weathered in this digital age, still great though. The setlist from this show is also a bit different then others on this tour so this is fun experience on this freezing Friday.

Let the "Positive Vibrations" flow with songs like "No More Trouble", "Lively Up Yourself" and my personal favorite Marley tune, "Exodus" which here features Babatunde Olatunji the Nigerian drummer/activist. The rally was a political ones though so songs like "Slave Driver" Wake Up & Live" and "Them Belly Full" with a nice guitar solo, all get featured.

Really cool time capsule show. Enjoy:

1.opening announcer (Mel King)
2.Dick Gregory talk
3.Dick Gregory introduces Bob Marley Bob talk
4.Positive Vibration
5.Slave Driver
6.Them Belly Full
7.Running Away
8.Crazy Baldhead
9.The Heathen
10.War
11.No More Trouble
12.Lively Up Yourself
13.No Woman No Cry
14.Jammin'
15.Get Up Stand Up
16.Exodus (with Babatunde Olatunji)
17.encore break
18.Zimbabwe
19.Wake Up & Live
20.band intros by Junior Marvin
21.credits & announcer
22.end

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Live Review: The Hold Steady 2/13/15 Bowery Ballroom, NYC

The Hold Steady
Bowery Ballroom, NYC
2/13/15


Thank God for Charity. 

Matthew Bonner threw an Alt Star Party in NYC this year and I am hoping all the money went to people who need it. That and the The Hold Steady’s playing is all the good I can say about Friday night in NYC.

Mr. Bonner may have good intentions but his execution is pitiful. When you come to New York and host a party, with the literal statement of providing to the paying crowd new beer brewed specifically for the event, fresh gear and a “Music extravaganza In NYC” you should probably do better research, especially during a party packed NBA All-Star Weekend.

STRNGRS opened the night with their boring take on indie-gospel. A less than captivating front man with no soul? Check. Shitty engagement from the crowd? Double check and it only got weaker from there. After an hour delay and a clear breakdown between staff and Bonner’s team there was a only a slight hope that things would improve during the set break. They didn't.

No chance to sample the new beer, which was only in the VIP section, no “fresh gear” to be found, no idea from the Bowery Ballroom Staff (who are fantastic usually) what was even going on.

A supposed DJ set from Win Butler (Arcade Fire), Chris Tomson (Vampire Weekend), Dapwell (formerly of Das Racist), was next and all three (to their credit) looked like they wanted to be anywhere else but here, standing in a semi circle playing records awkwardly. Playing questionable tunes for an hour and a half does not make you a DJ, and they all knew it.

When the pain receded the Hold Steady did what they could to quell the growing frustration. They blasted out straight ahead and started with a "Positive Jam" playing a set of their old favorites. With oldies like "Sweet Payne" mixing with "Spinners" as the home town team took to the court with ease. “Constructive Summer” was a set highlight but for a band who prides themselves on a Unified Scene they looked less engaged then in the past and perhaps this  year break from playing live is needed.

Fans were their normal raucous selves tossing glitter and singing along as the group bet on horses, held a conference at “The Ambassador”. Some nights are massive and we were all told how a resurrection really felt to close the night. 

It is too bad that this is the only show that The Hold Steady have booked for 2015 with what proceeded them and we have certainly caught better shows from the band. As the group are all going on to perform individually this year, perhaps the breather will inspire for future greater returns.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Album Review: Colleen Green- I Want to Grow Up

Colleen Green
I Want to Grow Up
*** out of *****
Colleen Green has made a career of quirky stoner rock that sounded like (and often was) recorded in basements and garages, anywhere accessible. She takes a musical step up on her second album for Hardly Art as the Massachusetts native gets the help of Seattle based friends and the end result is a record that winningly recalls a mid-nineties mellow vibe in the vein of toned down Veruca Salt or easy-breasy Breeder tunes.

The slacker aura goes against Green's album title, which sounds great to anyone under 15 years old and idiotic to anyone older then that, but her sly simplistic tone hints at a sarcasm beneath the surface. That Generation X questioning feeling of drugs and isolation is addressed on the combo of "Things That Are Bad For Me (Parts I & II)" which builds to a screech and then seems to get summed up simply on "TV". That zoning out and bored nothingness is fostered wonderfully throughout by fuzzy guitars and Green's mid range vocals.

The full band backing Green includes Casey Weissbuch of Diarrhea Planet and Jake Orrall from JEFF the Brotherhood. That added punch pushes the poppy punk dial up just enough to infect these tracks with ear catching style and cracking drums when needed such as on "Pay Attention" and "Grind My Teeth". Orrall takes over production that sits firmly in 1997 land which matches Green's aesthetic perfectly.

The decades shift to the 80's for the drum machine led closer "Whatever I Want" and "Deeper Than Love" which gets extremely personal lyrically, but drifts repetitively, musically, at over six minutes. The questioning upbeat heartbreak of "Some People" shows off Green's knack of singing heartfelt and removed at the same time, doing it over an accordion is a nice trick as well.   
   
Green's lyrics have the journal entry vibe of distracted/disaffected teenagers and while not reinventing anything they get the point across with a tender air, while remaining aloof. Her personal injection mixed with the production/playing form her most complete work with I Want to Grow Up.  
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A cool little release after a bigger one yesterday. Both are good to great in their own way.

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

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Album Review: Father John Misty- I Love You, Honeybear

Father John Misty
I Love You, Honeybear
****and1/2 out of *****

In a recent review we made mention to the tough notion of recognizing a wink in the Harry Nilsson musical vein or sincerity in today's artist. We should have saved that comparison because it is almost impossible to tell when the smirks end and the heartache begins on I Love You, Honeybear and the most beautiful thing? It doesn't matter at all.

This is the second album from Joshua Tillman (former drummer for the Fleet Foxes) under the Father John Misty name and while Fear Fun had its moments, I Love You, Honeybear is where Tillman has really found his stride. The mix between whining, self-absorbed first world issues and true desperation is vital, it could even act as a metaphor for (gasp!)...the real world!

The winks and absurdity starts before the album even rolls out with the cover art as Tillman has made himself in a bizarre Jesus manger setting on the cover. When the music rolls out it is gorgeously played and produced. Every sort of style, instrumentation and sound slapped in, sometimes in the same measure; there are no limits sonically here. He places simplistic country work like "Nothing Good" right smack next to bizarre overly dramatic and produced drug overdose numbers complete with beehive guitars, "Strange Encounter". 

Taken thematically the album works oddly well as a relationship arc with meeting and lusting during the opening title track, complete with its mind sticking lyric, "Mascara, blood, ash, and cum/on the Rorschach sheets/Where we make love". Then progressing through trumpet filled unorthodox proposal songs ("Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)") beyond to happy dance numbers ("True Affection") before turning to everyone's favorite self loathing and picking apart your lover phase ("The Night Josh Tillman Came to Our Apartment").

Tillman as a songwriter mixes that fear of self doubt about moving to adulthood with a yearning for love and release that is honest and open, even at times laughable. It could all be a game with snarky feelings as liberal doses of humor are present but things end on such an engaging run of songs that its hopelessness/hopefulness needs to be appreciated.  

"Ideal Husband" is the culmination of the adolescence to adulthood fear around a driving rhythm section allowing chaotic guitars to soar up  to an overloaded climax. The album could have stopped there but it only improves with "Bored in the USA" which takes the whole "is he serious?" to a new level and looks inward even with a laugh track inserted; the pun title/chorus puts things over the top.

Finally "Holy Shit" looks outward away from the chaos of self to the chaos in the world, wrestling with bigger issues and huge problems. Pianos and acoustic strumming cuts to the truths quickly as Tillman's vocals and lyrics shine brightest; this is a fantastic song on its own but places the album in context and raises the whole work of art.

The coda of  "I Went to the Store One Day" just proves we are on a spinning circular object and are bound to do it all again, a challenging exciting album that nails the current ethos, time and place of modern America with a pomp, absurdity and honesty that is extremely rare these days.  
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An album that is both challenging and surprising, easily the best we've heard of the year so far because we enjoy music that challenges and succeeds. Not sure we will love the album forever, but certainly respect it greatly and I have a sense it will grow even more with repeated spins.

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


Friday, February 13, 2015

Full Show Friday: David Gilmour Live in Gdansk 2008

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..David Glimour!

Here is David Gilmour from 2008 touring behind his On An Island project. This is pro-shot with pro-sound crisp and clear to play loud on big speakers with good visuals...duh, It's Pink Floyd...light. Oh if you want to just get to the Floyd, you can skip ahead. The setlist is below.

Enjoy:

Setlist:
  1. "Castellorizon"
  2. "On an Island"
  3. "The Blue"
  4. "Red Sky at Night"
  5. "This Heaven"
  6. "Then I Close My Eyes"
  7. "Smile"
  8. "Take a Breath"
  9. "A Pocketful of Stones"
  10. "Where We Start"
  11. "Astronomy Domine"
  12. "High Hopes"
  13. "Echoes"
  14. "A Great Day for Freedom"
  15. "Comfortably Numb"

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Album Review: Steve Earle & The Dukes- Terraplane

Steve Earle & The Dukes
Terraplane
**and1/2 out of *****
Steve Earle is one of the first people thought of when the term singer/songwriter is mentioned. He is so much one that he hosts his own singer/songwriter camp every year and will talk at length about it. His newest release Terraplane is still an album in this vein but it dips heavier into the blues than Earle has ever done before with pretty standard results. 

Earle has taken a long and winding road through his career, (been in and out of jail, deals with substance abuse, recently broke up with Allison Moorer) so he has lived his share of blues and that feeling is palpable yet he doesn't wallow in the negative as might be expected. These songs feel like they could have been covers from the early 1900's but they are all Earle originals, in that sense they are timeless, but they are also fairly bland and unmemorable.

The opener "Baby Baby Baby" is straight ahead boogie and Earle is upbeat throughout, these aren't downtrodden blues but celebratory and The Dukes instrumentation is lush and pulsing. Earle turns his most poetic on the devil at the crossroads "The Tennessee Kid" number getting his wordiest and this type of tune fits him best. Another highlight is the duet with Eleanor Whitmore on "Baby's Just As Mean As Me" that has the swagger of New Orleans old-time party spot Storyville flowing through it.

There are a few fine numbers like "You're The Best Lover I Ever Had" and the folksie "Ain't Nobody's Daddy Now" but none are really engaging or linger past a listen or two. His only misstep is the odd "Go Go Boots Are Back" which goes for the lustful area of the blues and misfires.

Earle's vocal work on the disk is pure, rich and robust, some of his best to date, that the songs never soar seems to be fine with him as he is just singing the blues in his way. Terraplane is a sufficient ride, but it doesn't move you to an otherworldly place.   
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We dig Earle.You can support the artist here and buy the disk here. Also peep some video below:


Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Bob Dylan's MusiCares Speech

Bob Dylan has been in a lot of old people's news lately with his AARP interview and his appearance at The Grammy's. A whole generation, or three at this point, don't give two shits about the Grammy's and they shouldn't, but they should go ahead and give Bob's MusiCares acceptance speech a read
MusiCares is a solid organization and Bob was magnanimous to accept and be as honest as he may have ever been in regards to his songs and partly the music industry in his speech.

The gossip will make the headlines, but it was the tying of his songs to their, perhaps, original inspiration which was really great for RtBE (who are massive fans of Dylan's in case you are new here) to read.

Johnny Cash "Five Feet High and Risin'" soaked its way into "It's Alright Ma"

and Big Bill Broonzy's "Key to the Highway" burning itself into "Highway 61"


That kind of open honesty is rare from Dylan, I wish someone would get him to talk about all of his songs, especially his underrepresented late 70's to now period, but this may be the best we get from the Bard. Who knows we may even get a Gospel album out of him:


Our editor and Cougar fan loved the shout out to Mellancamp, and I dug finishing up with a bad joke, but everyone should enjoy this slice of history and give "Red Hot" a listen...watch, now Dylan will get Bill Lee Riley into the other Old Man institution, the silly rock and roll hall of fame.  

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Album Review Natalie Prass- Natalie Prass

Natalie Prass
Natalie Prass
**and1/2 out of *****
One of the deeper and intricate releases to come out and receive mass attention in early 2015 is Natalie Prass self-titled debut album. It is an extremely easy album to listen to but not the simplest to parse for a review. Genre wise the album floats between 70's LA pomp, Nashville based blues, and indie-pop, the song writing is both scattered and yet calm, but the real issue lies in the matching of the instrumentation and Ms. Prass vocals.

Off the bat for a debut everything is pretty impressive but in the past when we reviewed some retro-soul albums we talked about the band and singer not matching up with talent or styles and it happens here.

The music is, simply put, magical. Big strings, lush warm horns a bubbling bass, things are alive and can sound huge. Produced by Matthew E. White things flow along absolutely gloriously, it is one of the best produced albums in some time.

The quirky opening "My Baby Don't Understand Me" is the best song here that, even though it sticks around a minute and a half to long (running 5:10), it is hard to mind in the slightest. Along with the opener the closing Disney-like pop ballad "It's You" pair the music and vocals most successfully, but when "It's You" closes the disk it is hard to tell if the track is serious or Harry Nilsson tongue in cheek?   

It comes down to the fact that Prass sticks to her lithe falsetto through scorching horn swell, rhythm shake or string climax to her determent. For "Your Fool" and especially in it's accompanying "Reprise" her clipped phrasing is more distant and cold then heartbroken and challenged; Natalie does not sing the blues.

A track like "Christy" plays like a modern day "Jolene" but without the burning intensity from it's vocals. "Bird of Prey" is a song focused around stalker like obsession but the sweet tone of Prass bird like flutter juxtaposes the lyrics and the drop on a dime perfect instrumentation of horn work, sparse drums and swelling soft soul.

Basically if you enjoy Natalie's voice this album could be one of the betters of 2015, but for us the matching didn't work, but we will certainly be waiting to see where White puts his producing talents next.
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A little surprised this disk is getting as much love as it has, but to each their own.

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


Monday, February 9, 2015

Dylan Cover #176 Marc Dobson: "Knockin' On Heavens Door"

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 Marc Dobson playing "Knockin' On Heavens Door"

Thoughts on Original:
The song that seems to have been covered by anyone, but when originally recorded it it was on one of Dylan's oddest releases yet. A straight ahead mournful number that just seems to work, it has invaded culture (possibly because of all the covers) and I would wager is one of Dylan's most widely known tunes...
Cover: 


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
I have never heard of Marc Dobson before but a quick search reveals that he is a performer from Florida.
Thoughts on Cover:
This looks like it is going to be whacky cover due to "The One Man Bands" setup but Dobson plays it fairly straight ahead. A fine cover from an innovative performer.

Friday, February 6, 2015

Full Show Friday: The Police 1983

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 Police!
After the frigid January Jazz month we usually like to go popular for February. The Police aren't our favorite rock band, but there is no doubting how popular they are.  Here is a show from 1983 and from the comments it seems to be one of their better ones off of the Synchronicity tour.

Enjoy:


01 Voices Inside My Head
02 Synchronicity I
03 Synchronicity II
04 Walking In Your Footsteps
05 Message In A Bottle
06 Walking On The Moon
07 O My God
08 De Do Do Do De Da Da Da
09 Wrapped Around Your Finger
10 Tea In The Sahara
11 Spirits In The Material World
12 Hole In My Life/ Hit The Road Jack
13 One World
14 King Of Pain
15 Don't Stand So Close To Me
16 Murder By Numbers
17 Every Breath You Take - Roxanne
18 Can't Stand Losing You/ Jamaica Farewell

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Album Review: JD McPherson- Let The Good Times Roll

JD McPherson
Let The Good Times Roll
**** out of *****
The excellent sophomore release from JD McPherson is a rollicking retro ride through Americana sounds via crisp songs backed by clearly produced instrumentation; it sounds like a simple formula but the results are anything but common.

McPherson is not breaking any new ground here, even naming it the over used Let The Good Times Roll, but his blues based rock combo works all over, sometimes surprisingly well. The title track is a perfect intro with strumming guitars, rolling, piano, bumping bass and a sense of smiling in the production; instant winner in our book.   

Backed by his band: Jimmy Sutton (upright bass), Jason Smay (drums), Ray Jacildo (keys) and Doug Corcoran (saxophone, guitar, keys) McPherson strolls through the late 50's/early 60's rock and roll touch points. The blues gospel mixing of "Bossy" is paired with the sax rock bop of "It's All Over But The Shouting".

When listening to a track like the ballad "Bridgebuilder" you get the sense that McPherson has written the perfect sound track to the Enchantment Under The Sea Dance from Back To The Future.   

All of these tracks fit that vibe as the eleven tracks play just over a half hour. "It Shook Me Up" rambles proper while "Head Over Heels" plops down some muddy bass behind hand claps. "You Must Have Met Little Caroline?" and "Precious" are shaggy burners that show off the guitar work and great retro sound. "Shy Boy" gets minimalist leaving some open space for the crisp clear drumming before track closer "Everybody's Talking 'Bout The All American" ends the disk on a rave up.    

There really isn't much to dislike here as McPherson and crew use a throwback formula in fresh ways and makes you want to join in on the fun and simply Let The Good Times Roll.
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This one really hit home. Nothing earth shattering just great tunes from JD McPherson, excited to catch him live hopefully later in the month.

Support the artist here, buy the album here, stream it here on NPR for a limited time and peep some video below:

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

New Screaming Females Contest Is a Doozy

The good people over at Guitar World partnered with one of RtBE's Favorite bands the Screaming Females to help promote their upcoming release Rose Mountain and their 10th Anniversary.
You should go here and enter today. Winners will get a full setup for an electric guitar, and not just any, the same one the fabulous Marissa Paternoster uses when she shreds. We had the privilege of interviewing Marissa about her Noun project a few years ago and we are very happy for her and the rest of the bands sustained success.  

They kick ass, simple as that.

We are very much looking forward to Rose Mountain. Until then here are some great older tracks to hold you over:



Live Review: Jack White NYC, MSG 1/30/15

Hey all got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!!
It is of the amazing Jack White show from last Friday at MSG. 2015 isn't even a month old and we already got a solid contender for show of the year.

Before he even came out Run The Jewels put on a great set, with DJ Trackstar actually being a DJ and guests like Boots and the killer Zack De La Rocha providing more flavor.
We really love the duo's disk as we stated in our review and reiterated in the year end rankings so it was mind-blowingly-awesome to catch two of or favorite 2014 artists live from only a few feet away on the floor of the worlds most famous arena...with a surprise from a favorite artist of ours from say...1991, Q-Tip.
Unreal, and he did "Excursions" it doesn't get more Boosh then that. Well we don't want to rehash the whole review...go read it here. Also through the magic of the interwebs you can check out the full show (probably for a limited time) right here streaming on Pandora.  What an amazing night of music, thanks to all involved.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Album Review: Hanni El Khatib- Moonlight

Hey all got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!!
It is of Hanni El Khatib's newest release Moonlight. We dug his last album greatly but saw the obvious Black Key's connection 6 miles away. Unfortunately, this one didn't do it for us and we were rooting for him/it.
Nothing about Moonlight hits home the way Head In The Dirt did. We ranked that one in the top ten in 2013 and this one won't make that list. That said you can check it out for yourself as the artist has it streaming over on bandcamp.

Support the artist here, buy/stream the disk here and peep some video below:


Monday, February 2, 2015

Dylan Cover #175 Paul Sonnenberg "Isis"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune comes from Paul Sonnenberg and is a live cover of "Isis" 
Thoughts on Dylan Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune in the series:
Desire is such a thick album, Dylan's most complex story songs seem to hover in and around it, and not all are winners...."Isis" is though.  A great song that manages to engage even without a chorus, it is one of Bob's more "mystical" tunes and lures most people in the first time they hear it...before the mp3 age it came right after the powerful "Hurricane" and transforms the album from timely to timeless. 

Cover:
Thoughts on Cover Artist:

I have never heard of Paul Sonnenberg before but he has two youtube channels of music, his cover channel and his other channel.  

Thoughts on Cover:
AN excellently sung run through the tune with an airy acoustic breeze, after last months jazz inclinations a straight ahead crisp live cover does this song justice on this Monday morning.