Thursday, March 31, 2016

New Frightened Rabbit Album April 8th Painting Of A Panic Attack

One of RtBE's most anticipated 2016 releases comes out in a few weeks as the Scottish band Frightened Rabbit will be releasing the excellently titled Painting of a Panic Attack on April 8th.
A few years back when we were rounding up our favorite albums of 2013 in our Best of list, Frightened Rabbits last release, Pedestrian Verse took the top spot (and honor I am sure the band holds near and dear to their heart, quick side note we still listen to all of those albums regularly).

In our review of that album on Glide we mentioned the group really felt like a band, so we are excited to see how much better things have become with this next release. You can pre-order the disk and get a preview of some of the new tracks below:  


Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Album Review: Bombino- Azel

Bombino
Azel
**** out of *****
Bombino has been on the western music scene for some time now (RtBE caught him and his band back in 2011) and his 3rd solo album Azel finds the players collectively happier and brighter than they have been previously.

Working with Dave Longstreth from The Dirty Projectors the Tuareg musicians went to upstate New York and returned with looser more flowing work then their fuzzed up blues predecessor Nomad which was produced by Dan Auerbach.  Bombino himself was more at ease with the open approach and calls this record a "Tuareggae" disc where he incorporates Caribbean rhythms with his languid playing, a new twist and trick for him.

The songs here all go long (most well past four and a half minutes) as loops and riffs swirl around like desert night breezes. The opener "Akhar Zaman (This Moment)"  has a message of informing Tuareg people about losing their culture, but to these ears the playing feels liberated, upbeat and clean. "Inar (If You Know The Degree Of My Love For You)" bases itself around Bombinos acoustic fret work that scurries all over while "Tamiditine Tarhanam (My Love, I Tell You)" is a great excursion based all around the drums with the band locked in from the jump.

The intricate guitar work on tracks like "Naqqim Dagh Timshar (We Are Left In This Abandonded Place)" and "Igmayagh Dum (My Lover)" is blinding and it is easy to see where the lofty comparisons come from regarding Bombinos style. "Timtar (Memories)" plays strong with his newest Tuareggae motif as it incorporates clear reggae and female vocals from Mama "Mahassa" Walet Amoumene.

"Iyat Ninhay/Jaguar (A Great Desert I Saw)" combines all of Bombino's past and current loves as it amps up the rock riffs, while skewering the tempo and still managing to find an easy air thanks to a repetitive beat and groove; a real winner and an excellent summation of his career to this point.

While Bombinos lyrics directly address issues in his world, those not speaking the language will still enjoy this as a whole. Azel has once again raised the bar for Bombino and players whose engaging music and style will speak to everyone.    
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This one almost got 4 and a half up there it is that good. We have dug Bombino ever since our friend Rob from NOLA turned us on to him, and this is probably his best work yet.

Buy the album, stream it for a limited time on NPR and peep some video:



Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Album Review: Bleached Welcome The Worms

Bleached
Welcome The Worms
**** out of ***** 
While the title of Bleached second album has a decomposing ring to it, the band has actually improved their upbeat pop punk from their excellent first release. Welcome The Worms was written during some difficult times and lyrically that shows, but the music (moved along by top notch production) can't help but shine through and elevate the outfit.

The LA based trio of Micayla Grace, Jessie and Jennifer Clavin were experiencing personal turmoil in various forms when this record was written and recorded, a track like "Wasted On You" directly spells out a break up in direct format. It calls out both parties but still displays a power beat, deft background vocals and a killer "oo oo oooo" repeating that is dynamite; even during broken hardheartedness the pop/punk magic wins out.  

Opener "Keep On Keepin' On" sets the tone completely with a straight ahead beat, surviving lyrics and organ influx that twists the dynamics while "Trying To Lose Myself Again" hand claps and wishes for simpler times. "I'm All Over The Place (Mystic Mama)" gets its groove on and closer "Hollywood, We Did It All Wrong" confidently closes things with an eye forward. 

"Sleepwalking" is all about the beautiful bass runs that Grace manages to intertwine with the other players and "Chemical Air" is a showcase for guitarist Jennifer Clavin. A sugary sweet drug trip (complete with bong rip intro) is swayed to during the 50's by way of the Go-Go's "Sour Candy" and while there isn't a clunker in the bunch "Desolate Town" is confused as it goes grungy then tries a mid tune uplift that never really takes off.   

A shining gem of a song is the Joan Jett influenced "Wednesday Night Melody" that puts a positive spin on it all via a feel good, life affirming track that can't help but make a listener smile and shake a tail feather. Welcome The Worms is a great album from a band that only seems to be getting better. 
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RtBE enjoyed the bands first album, but this is a step up and an all around excellent release. Grab it and peep some video below:




Monday, March 28, 2016

Dylan Cover #227 Trevor Willmott "Let Me Die In My Footsteps"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is by Trevor Willmott and it is a cover of "Let Me Die In My Footsteps"


Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this track:
A Dylan track that for once you don't have to wonder what he is singing about. This is Dylan's reaction to nuclear war and the cold war scare that was happening, "Let Me Die In My Footsteps" is a defiant statement against to the idea of bomb shelters and fear. A proud American song that still resonates today and an early Dylan track we go back to periodically. Also sounding a whole hell of a lot like "Long Black Veil" helps things out too. Quick side note, it was the first Dylan song we put on the morning of September 11th 2001.   
Cover:

Thoughts on The Cover Artist:
Trevor Willmott is a Nashville based singer songwriter. Can't find too much more about him online.   
Thoughts on Cover:
A really solid cover, sung well, close to the original, a stout acoustic take on a powerful track. 

Friday, March 25, 2016

Full Show Friday: The Milk Carton Kids- Live From Lincoln Theater

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 Milk Carton Kids!
This is a full hi def video from the fantastic Anti Records of The Milk Carton Kids live show from Lincoln Center on 4/29/14. It is sad to say that we had not heard these guys before, the vocals and playing is really top notch, we will be on the look out for their next album. An easy going, incredibly funny Full Show Friday that is gorgeous and reminds of Simon and Garfunkel only with amazing acoustic guitar playing.

Pro shot and pro sound, Enjoy:

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Album Review: Batu Kura Kura- Circle of Stars EP

Batu Kura Kura
Circle of Stars EP
**and1/2 out of *****
Batu Kura Kura is  a psychedelic rock outfit from Oakland whose first offering is this four song EP that plays with heavy riffs, spiritual flights of fancy and an overall sense stoner rock of wonder.

The title track "Circle of Stars" swirls between the earphones as the band moves through different iterations before hand drums take over leading a searching instrumental section to end. "She's A Killer" follows up with some sludgey stoner grooves that finds the percussion dip in and out while "Ouroboros" thankfully increases the riff-age and eventually the energy, kicking into a higher gear with a powerful closing.

The EP wraps up with  the marching "Mars Is Rising" that rumbles with a brutal bass line for a long intro before the echo laden vocals come in. The most complete and confident offering here, the group ends Circle of Stars on a high with the power and experimentation that leads to repeated late night fuzzy listening sessions. 
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Another bandcamp find. Support the group, buy the album and stream it below. 



Monday, March 21, 2016

Dylan Cover #226 Jeremy Loops "Shelter From The Storm"

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 Jeremy Loops of the Dylan tune "Shelter From The Storm"

 Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover version:
An epic track, feeling simple and etched in history at the same time. Religious overtones, passionate asides all mix within the confines of the illustrious/mysterious "She" who is bringing us all in. A gorgeous song and one of my favorite odd phrases Dylan has ever recorded, "Hunted like a crocodile/Ravaged in the corn".  I have no idea what it is supposed to mean and I don't care, it is perfect.  One thing that may bring this one down a peg overall is the connection to another great song "Up To Me" which is basically the same tune...hearing one always makes me want to hear the other.  
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artists:
Have never come across Jeremy Loops before but he is a South African Folk Singer. More info can be found here.
Thoughts on Cover:
While Loops cuts out over half the verses, and even moves two in reverse order, the cover still somehow works. That can be traced directly to his upbeat strumming making this a quick Monday listen. 

Friday, March 18, 2016

Full Show Friday: The Dubliners Live 1984

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 Dubliners!
With St. Patrick's Day being yesterday we will use that as an excuse to post a full show from The Dubliners from their home town back in 1984. Full setlist and info is below. Raise a pint, enjoy the pro shot, pro sound (with a weird tape issue, but who cares) and sing along.

Enjoy:

Recorded at the National Stadium, Dublin.
The Dubliners:
Ronnie Drew: Guitar, Vocals
Barney McKenna: Banjo, Vocals, Mandolin
John Sheahan: Fiddle, Whistle, Background Vocals, Mandolin
Seán Cannon: Guitar, Vocals
with
Jim McCann: Guitar, Vocals
Eamonn Campbell: Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Background Vocals
Paddy Reilly: Guitar, Vocals

Songs & Tunes:
Fairmoye Lasses and Sporting Paddy — Instrumental
McAlpine's Fusiliers — vocals - Ronnie Drew
Banks of the Roses — vocals - Seán Cannon
Come Back Paddy Reilly — vocals - Paddy Reilly
Four Green Fields — vocals - Jim McCann
The Town I loved so well — vocals - Ronnie Drew
Selection of Reels — Instrumental
The Crack was 90 — vocals - Paddy Reilly
Carrickfergus — vocals - Jim McCann
The Midnight Oil — Instrumental featuring - John Sheahan
Marino Waltz — Instrumental featuring - John Sheahan
Molly Malone — vocals - Jim McCann
Lovely Rose of Clare — vocals - Paddy Reilly
Finnegan's Wake — vocals - Ronnie Drew
Rose of Allendale — vocals - Seán Cannon
Selection of Reels — Instrumental
I Loved the Ground — vocals - Jim McCann
Fields of Athenry — vocals - Paddy Reilly
Dicey Reilly — vocals - Ronnie Drew

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Wishing everyone a happy safe and fun St. Patrick's Day from RtBE and we might as well throw in a self plug.


Here is Angels & Vagabonds Irish inspired tune, "Queens Boulevard Serenade":

The story goes; in the lead up to our first St. Paddy's Day gig we were working on some traditional Irish songs to play and our lead singer/keyboard player Don McNally realized they were basically all the same chords just re-arraigned.

So the Irish American from Woodside, NY dug into his past and crafted QBS. He brought it to the group and after a few tweaks it was ready for prime time, we actually played it only about a week after it was written. There is a little inside baseball into our process, now go celebrate by hoisting a pint....Happy St. Paddy's!

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Bob Dylan PreSale Info For Forest Hills Show 7/8/16

This summer Bob Dylan and His Band return to Forest Hills Stadium with special opener Mavis Staples. It should be a great Friday Night of tunes on July 8th and you can grab your tickets now.
From TicketFly, here is the information regarding the presale:
Use promo code TICKETFLY until 10pm Friday for first dibs on this legendary night.
It should be a great night of tunes. so grab your tickets today.  Here is a funky Mavis Staple cover and some Official Live Bob Sanctioned Music, man I wish he would break out a live version of "Most Of The Time" in Queens, this one cooks:



Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Album Review: M. Ward- More Rain

M. Ward
More Rain
***and1/2 out of *****

The opening of M.Ward's new release does exactly what the title says: it is a natural wind driven, rain soaked, experience before keeping the rain drop background for the searching "Pirate Dial". This acoustic number and the mellow feel sets a melancholy mood over Ward's thematic offering as More Rain avoids all the puddles on its easy going path. This is Ward's eighth solo effort and he is incredibly proficient with loads of side projects (She & Him, Monsters of Folk) but all that work hasn't dampened his talent as More Rain is engaging throughout.

"Slow Driving Man" continues the title-is-what-it-says motif as Ward crawls along with vocals and sweet guitars, his playing is fine but it is his warm voice that latches onto the ear. "I'm Listening (Children's Theme)" is another more delicate offering if a touch saccharin but the energy and power gets revved for the Peter Buck aided "Temptation" which fires up the six strings.

More guests arrive to help out as Neko Case provides backing vocals on the driving/pleading "Time Won't Wait" which features a winning piano break while k.d. lang is also in the backup mode for "Little Baby". That track and a host of others have a 50's malt shop vibe that is mixed with an indie rock twist; a combo is successful throughout. 

That early-rock-meets-indie-gloom becomes most evident on Ward's lone cover, The Beach Boy's "You're So Good To Me". It warbles around with backing vocals, needle like guitar work and takes a more world weary approach to the Brian Wilson penned tune sounding fuller and modern with retro roots. 

One song that didn't seem to jive was the muddled "Girl From Conejo Valley" with its odd lyrics and moog solo, out of place with the rest of the disk. While there is a clear mood on the album their are bright spots with the excellently produced sound of "Confession" complete with great bass line and trumpet work before the upward looking disk closer "I'm Going Higher".

The ever moving Ward is probably already eyeing a new solo release and more side projects but with the quality and output this high he should keep on keepin' on; through More Rain, sleet or snow.
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We loved M. Ward's contributions to Monsters of Folk, and still dig that album (when is the next one?!?!), but never really dug that much She and Him. This solo release is great top to bottom though.

Support the artist, buy the album, peep some video:

Monday, March 14, 2016

Dylan Cover #225 Barnyard Tea "Maggie's Farm"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a live cover from Barnyard Tea, their take on "Maggie's Farm"

Thoughts on Dylan's Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
"Maggie's Farm" is classic Dylan, everyone thinks they know what it's about and they are sure they are right, but they all think different things. I will confess I like the sped up Electric version from Newport Folk Festival that caused the end of popular folk music (in theory) and really solidified Dylan's pop music career. It is a great tune and really flows in lots of forms making it perfect to cover. 
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Taken directly from their youtube page, Barnyard Tea is a bluegrass band from Amsterdam. More info here: Bluegrass from Amsterdam! Barnyard Tea performing Bob Dylan's song Maggie's Farm at Westerpark, Amsterdam. More info and bookings:
www.barnyardtea.nl
www.facebook.com/BarnyardTea
Thoughts on Cover:
While truncated it is a fun sped up ramble through the song. A fun way to start off this week. 

Friday, March 11, 2016

Full Show Friday: Jimmy Buffett Live in Anguilla

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..Jimmy Buffett!

With a vacation to Key West coming up soon for the full RtBE team we got Buffett on the brain. While not a huge fan of the man, our good friend Ed has been sharing some songs to get us in the proper Hawaiian Shirt for the festivities. He also suggested this concert for the Full Show Friday and it is a fun one. The transition from acoustic beach setting to full blown concert during "One Particular Harbor" is a really cool touch.   

If Buffett does one thing, it is set the tone of a lazy, drunk, sunshine day. This show has it all. Enjoy:


Thursday, March 10, 2016

Yuppicide Dub Remix: "Ghosts"

This week has had some world class twang on RtBE lets mix things up a bit. Last month we shared our review of the excellent Yuppicide release Revenge Regret Repeat.
Now the producer of that album Glen Lorieo along with Tom Murphy shared with RtBE a dub remix of the bands song "Ghosts" It is great, give it a listen:

A really cool mix and one we wanted to share. Glen does great work (we can attest first hand) and this was a great way to kick off this Thursday.

Now here's some old school Yuppicide track to get the energy back up...

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Album Review: Loretta Lynn- Full Circle

Loretta Lynn
Full Circle
**** and *****
Full Circle is the first album from the country legend Loretta Lynn since her acclaimed Van Lear Rose back in 2005 and while her time away has been long, the quality of songs, production and singing has truly aged gloriously.

While the last album was produced by Jack White, now her daughter Patsy Lynn Russell and John Carter Cash take over producing and recording. They know something about dealing with country legends and take a smart stripped down basic Appalachian roots/country approach. Lynn and the team re-imagine tracks from her back catalog as well as country classics and a few new offerings with sparse yet precise backing instrumentation that never gets in her fantastic vocals way.

The album opens with a perfect intro as Lynn talks about the first song she ever wrote, "Whispering Sea", calling that full 12 song album "a hit mess" before doing an excellent version of that original tune. "Secret Love" is accentuated by a weeping guitar line while the mournful "I Never Will Marry" uses a mandolin to provide the same neat trick.

The bad ass "Fist City" contains just as much spunk and fire from the 83 year old as the original did back in 1968 while "Everybody Wants To Go Heaven" actually picks up the tempo with some snappy snares and a pedal steel, bettering the 1965 release. The great songs are everywhere as "Band of Gold" takes up a lounge/barroom feel and "Black Jack David" is a breezy picking old time get down.  "Whose Gonna Miss Me?" is another standout with crisp as hell vocals, banjos, strings and a well timed low end injection that rings true.

Not everything is perfect as "Always On My Mind" feels over produced and cheesy compared to the other tracks and "In The Pines" is an easy waltz and instantly forgettable. It turns out though Russell and Cash have been recording Lynn since 2007 and like John Carter Cash's father a bunch of late career releases could be in order; if they are as half as solid as this one listeners are in for a treat.   

There are only two guests on the disk as Elvis Costello adds backing vocals but little else to "Everything It Takes" while Willie Nelson shows up to close out the offering with the emotionally resonant duet of a new track "Lay Me Down"; a number that will live on forever.

While Van Lear Rose opened up Lynn to a whole new generation and fan-base, Full Circle does what its title states, staying firmly planted in those smokey foothills filled with back porch strum sessions and warm swimming holes. Staying grounded proves Lynn can still soar among the stars. 
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A stone cold winner from the classy Coal Miners Daughter. Support her, buy the album and peep some video:

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Live Review- Jason Isbell 2/25/16 Beacon Theater

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
2/25/16
Beacon Theater, NYC
In early February one of or favorite song writers played a new favorite venue of ours, now another favorite song writer plays an old favorite venue of ours with Jason Isbell putting on a stellar show at the Beacon Theater.

Isbell is riding a high after winning two Grammy's, having his albums praised and clearly madly in love with his wife, violinist Amanda Shires, and his newborn baby. The glowing Isbell played songs from all aspects of his career and each one shows pieces of what makes him a great songwriter/singer/player and most songs are the complete package, dropping jaws with their nuance power and style.

His transformation into a Southern Springsteen took another step as he was clad in all black and looked in top shape as he and the backing 400 Unit took the stage to the closing strains of "Promised Land" a fantastic omen. The band tour into "Palmetto Rose" and the night never looked back, great tune after great tune followed.

Some highlights to point out were the huge tom drums that put a cap on emotional "Cover Me", the Rolling Stones licks/vibes that were injected into "We Ain't Ever Gonna Change" and the twangy pop of "Takes A Lifetime" which received a huge cheer and showed up around the same time on Late Night TV having been recorded earlier in the day.  

 The solo "Dress Blues" was spine tingling in its cinematic scope, as was the film titled "24 Frames". "Something More Than Free" was the only tune that didn't seem to soar as high (or higher) then the original while the solo to close out the set during "Children of Children" prove that Isbell is as good a lead guitarist as he is songwriter. 

The band plays with plate glass shaped lighting fixtures turning the Beacon into a beautiful church. This whole environment captures things perfectly as Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit is a religious experience, one RtBE wants to return to again and again for musical inspiration and salvation.  
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Amazing show from an amazing artist who is better than he ever has been with a band who is lock and step with him. Quick apology to Shovels and Rope who we missed unfortunately.  Support him, see him live and peep some video from the show and the full setlist below:

"Cover Me Up" (The toms come in so loud they distort the recording...it sounded great from the loge)



Setlist:
Palmetto Rose
Stockholm
Decoration Day
Alabama Pines
The Life You Chose
Traveling Alone
24 Frames
Dress Blues
Never Gonna Change
Different Days
Something More Than Free
Cover Me Up
Flying Over Water
Speed Trap Town
If It Takes a Lifetime
Children of Children
 
Encore:
Flagship
Codeine


Monday, March 7, 2016

Dylan Cover #224 Arsonists Get All The Girls "Masters of War"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by Arsonists Get All The Girls playing "Masters of War"

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
Ranking as one of his most accusatory and cutting tracks Dylan condemns the whole "war machine" on this classic and vital song (the "hope that you die" line is so facking cold, it is brutal). Often misrepresented as an attack on war itself (Dylan always said he wasn't a pacifist) this track calls out the government for using war-as-business (the Cold War in Particular) and business-as-war models when lives are put on the line for meaningless reasons. As alive and burning now as it was in 1962 when he wrote it.
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
I have never heard of the cleverly named Arsonists Get All The Girls but a quick search proves they are a California based Metal Band who are no longer active but had been the last few years. 
Thoughts on Cover:
It is interesting, the first sentence on their Wikipedia page states "Arsonists Get All the Girls was an American band that infused multiple styles of heavy metal". This cover is Example A of that statement. From speed to thrash to death to industrial to sludge to any other sub genre the band plays a stanza of Dylan's song in that style. The shift is jarring, this cover is all over the map, but it is intriguing and it will sure as hell wake you up this Monday. This week we prove once again Dylan is literally for everyone.  

Friday, March 4, 2016

Full Show Friday: Sly & The Family Stone, Harlem, 1969

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... Sly & The Family Stone!
This is week is amazing. It feels like this was home video, or an unreleased recording/movie of Sly & The Family Stone live at the Harlem Cultural Festival, Mount Morris Park, Harlem, NY June 29th, 1969, only a few months before the band played their faces off at Woodstock. Really fantastic to dig into this funky offering to start this Friday series for March.

The recording isn't perfect, but this one feels a bit more like a bit of history rescued and the performance is kick ass. Enjoy:

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Professor Longhair Live in Chicago, Long Lost Recording Surfaces

Our proud poppas @glidemag and particularly Neil Ferguson wrote up a spectacular article highlighted by a killer premier of live track from Fess. Professor Longhair is captured getting loose on his seminal song "Big Chief" from the soon to be released Live in Chicago:

Neil covers everything excellently, we will just add our personal two cents...RtBE can not wait to head down for Jazzfest this year. It can NOT come soon enough.

Here are two more tracks from this fantastic release coming April 12th from Orleans Records.


And to finish up today, here are some videos of the Professor in action, with The Meters no less:


RtBE would have loved to have caught him back in the day, what a performer. His songs live on virtually everywhere in that town...les bons temps rouler...


Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Live Review: Soul Rebels Brass & More 2/26 Brooklyn Bowl

Hey all got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!!
A fun (all be it short) set from The Soul Rebels Brass Band who only played a few songs without any guest on stage as the Brooklyn MC's kept things moving. Kirk Knight, Talib Kweli, Smif-N-Wessun and more were on hand to perform in front onf the band. While we would have liked a full set of SRBB, and then the guest laden cover set, it was still fun to see the NOLA boys.

It is really great to Brooklyn Bowl and other venues and promoters for bringing up so many NOLA artists and their live shows are obviously appreciated as these shows were not sold out but still well attended over three nights. 

Support the headliner (and of course all the rest) read the review and peep some video from the show below:

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Album Review: Heron Oblivion- Heron Oblivion

Heron Oblivion
Heron Oblivion
**** out of *****
Heron Oblivion finds the four members coming from a few other long time bands (Espers, Comets on Fire) and producing their debut album in a whirlwind of psychedelic fury, layered slow builds and ethereal vocals that haunt. From the opening crawl of "Beneath Fields" to closer "Your Hollows" the band is confident in the tone, delivery and mood.

While the sonics get twisted in gloriously fuzzy ways one constant is lead vocalist and drummer Meg Baird whose singing takes on an other worldly feel; she could take over the saloon singer for True Detective 3 if the show stays in that tortured haunted route.  

"Sudden Lament" is one of the more direct songs with the melody and beat staying fairly straight (with a roaring guitar solo dropped in) while "Rama" rolls our for over ten minutes setting a dramatic scene that soars and chugs at different times making for a harrowing ride.
 
The energy gets ramped up for "Oriar" which finds guitarists Charlie Sauffley and Noel Von Harmonson screeching and clawing at the wails in exhilarating fashion. "Faro" also lets the six strings and their pedals/effects loose on the ears with power and gusto. "Seventeen Landscapes" opens with a bass line and walks around the dark forest of sound off putting at times but in the best of ways.

One issue with the disk can be tied to Baird's singing. Her unique voice makes actual lyrical content secondary to the tone and feel, but for this kind of rock and roll sometimes style over substance can work wonders. 

An excellent first release from a band that feels lived in and fresh all at once, Heron Oblivion does what adventurous rock and roll should do.   
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A few weeks back we previewed one of these tunes, and we were looking forward to the full length. It did not disappoint, this is some cool Psych/Noise Rock and right in our wheelhouse.

Support the band, buy the album and peep some video: