Album Review: th1rt3en - A Magnificent Day For An Exorcism

 th1rt3en

A Magnificent Day For An Exorcism

*and1/2 out of *****

The new trio th1rt3en is the brain child of Queens rapper Pharoahe Monch as he pairs up with drummer Daru Jones and guitarist Marcus Machado for what is being billed as a rock/rap hybrid but is more experimental hip hop with random guitar solos. Things don't pan out for the trio over the course of the album, only few successes and a number of skippable tracks lead to a less than ideal debut.

The best complete offerings are the opening two songs which are laid back grooves with tripped out sounds sprinkled in. "Cult 45" delivers razor cut downs from Monch towards organized religion with great closing guitar work from Machado while "Triskaidekaphobia" is an existential dilemma wrapped up in modern confusion.  A Magnificent Day For An Exorcism is the first release from Monch in seven years and "Triskaidekaphobia" feels custom made for these crazy times.

Cypress Hill arrives to help out on the racially aggressive "Fight" with more rapid fire riffs from Machado while the drumming on the album rarely skips away from the constant boom bap throughout. "The Exorcist" is the most interesting offering progressing through Black Sabbath inspired riffs but the disjointed style smacks hard as the next song shifts into the get down jam "Amnesia" which is a total mess. 

That shifting of sonic gears continues between the minimal programmed beats of ball of fury "Racist" into the odd love song "Oxygen", putting these songs next to each other on the album dilutes both. "Goats Head" displays a Jimi Hendrix tone while stuttering and going nowhere while the dystopian Wizard of Oz inspired "Scarecrow" is bizarre. The rapid fire rhymes in the middle of "The Magician" don't pair with the arena ready rock, while "666 (Three Six Word Stories) sums up the album with a good groove but the minute the energy ramps up the trio never lock in, moving in three unique directions. 

Monch and crew try everything, even an oddball techno upbeat closer titled "Kill Kill Kill", but the final results are muddied at best with the focus seeming to be on style (great album art, the band looking like post apocalyptic motorcycle outlaws) over cohesive substance. A Magnificent Day For An Exorcism never lives up to the talents of the artists involved.        

___________________________________________

Support the artists, buy the album, stream it on bandcamp and peep some video below:

Live Streams: Bon Bon Vivant @ NOLA Jazz Museum Balcony

With live music on lock down (like everything else currently in New York City) live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. While this current state of pandemic separation is in order we will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and you can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past. Please support the artists any which way you can.

Today we highlight: Bon Bon Vivant

In just a little bit (5pm CST to be exact) Bon Bon Vivant is playing live from the New Orleans Jazz Museum's Balcony. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bon Bon Vivant (@bonbonvivant)

To get in the mood, here is the band:

Album Review: George Porter Jr. & Runnin' Pardners - Crying For Hope

Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!

It is of the George Porter Jr. & Runnin' Pardners newest release Crying For Hope.

Porter is a LEGEND on the bass and one of RtBE's personal favorites. Excited to say that this record holds up with any of his past as the funk is thumping. The album art is cool as hell, the production is excellent and all the Pardners are top notch. A really cool studio full length from the band. 

Support the artists, buy the album, read the review and peep some video below:

Dylan Cover #472 Backwoods Jupiter "Romance In Durango" 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 Backwoods Jupiter playing "Romance In Durango"

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover version of this song:
Containing the best opening line of any Dylan song (which places it high on the list of best opening lines of any song ever) "Romance In Durango" is a movie played out over violins, words, dead bodies, love, adventure and life. A western tinged Dylan tune that talks about a horse taking him to Durango. A fantastic burst of creative songwriting and exhilarating playing it is a timelessly fantastic tune.
Cover:

Thoughts On Cover Artist:
RtBE is first finding out about Backwoods Jupiter but they may show up again in this series as they cover Dylan often.

Thoughts On Cover:

A full on band with accordion, mandolin, washboard and more make this a very faithful cover, but also lets the players express themselves and get down. 

Full Show Friday: The Indigo Girls 10/02/94 - Shoreline Amphitheatre

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 Indigo Girls!

Some months our Full Show Friday's will focus on specific artists, years, venues, festivals or some combo of it all. 

This months Full Show Friday Series is brought to you by the letter I.

Today we go out west to Shoreline Amphitheater and back to 1994 for a set from The Indigo Girls. Pro shot, pro sound, full set list and info below. Enjoy:

Live Streams: Billy Strings Night 2 of 2 at Tipitina's

 With live music on lock down (like everything else currently in New York City) live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. While this current state of pandemic separation is in order we will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and you can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past. Please support the artists any which way you can.

Today we highlight: Billy Strings

Tonight ends the Billy Strings take over at Tipitina's in New Orleans:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tipitina's (@tipitinasuptown)

To get in the mood here is a tune from the band:

Live Streams: New York Night Train Soul Clap and Dance-Off's

With live music on lock down (like everything else currently in New York City) live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. While this current state of pandemic separation is in order we will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and you can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past. Please support the artists any which way you can. 

Today we highlight: New York Night Train Soul Clap and Dance-Off's

This is part of the Summer Stage Anywhere series and this show was from 2019 and features Irma Thomas, Archie Bell and more, it is kicking off at 7 pm tonight:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SummerStage (@summerstage)

To get in the mood here is Archie Bell and the Drells doing their most well known tune "Tighten Up":

 

Live Streams: Matt Sucich’s Album Release

With live music on lock down (like everything else currently in New York City) live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. While this current state of pandemic separation is in order we will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and you can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past. Please support the artists any which way you can. 

Today we highlight: Matt Sucich’s Album Release Livestream

Coming from Levon Helm Studios, tonight they showcase Matt Sucich’s Album Release Livestream:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Levon Helm Studios (@levonhelmstudios)

To get in the mood here is a tune from Sucich:

Album Review: Ghost of Vroom - Ghost of Vroom 1

Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!

It is of the Ghost of Vroom debut album Ghost of Vroom 1. 

Support the band, buy the album, read the review, peep some video below:

Live Streams: Billy Strings Night 1 of 2 at Tipitina's

With live music on lock down (like everything else currently in New York City) live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. While this current state of pandemic separation is in order we will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and you can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past. Please support the artists any which way you can.

Today we highlight: Billy Strings

Tonight starts the Billy Strings take over at Tipitina's in New Orleans:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tipitina's (@tipitinasuptown)

To get in the mood here is a tune from the band:

Album Review: Boise Cover Band - Unoriginal Artists

Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!

It is of the Boise Cover Band debut Unoriginal Artists. 

This is a Built to Spill spin off cover record that is pretty solid from start to finish. 

Support the artists, read the review, buy the album peep some video below:

Dylan Cover #471 Matthew Crosby and Danica Dora "Mama, You've Been On My Mind" 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 Matthew Crosby & Danica Dora of "Mama, You Been On My Mind"

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
An early hidden gem of Bob's writing "Mama, You Been On My Mind" finds him getting poetic, melodic and rhythmic with his words. From the opening 'Sun Cut Flat' phrase Dylan is in top gear, talking to the woman he is thinking about with clarity, fleeting desire and a smirk. Often performing the tune with Joan Baez in those early days the tune took on an add dimension as a duet. A great song that should get even more love then it does.

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
This is the first time RtBE is checking out Matthew Crosby & Danica Dora.

Thoughts on Cover:

Excellent duet with harmonies and soft direct instrumentation focusing on the excellent vocals of Dora and Crosby. Simple and great recalling Dylan's duets with Baez. 

Live Streams: East Coast Jazz Festival 2021

With live music on lock down (like everything else currently in New York City) live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. While this current state of pandemic separation is in order we will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and you can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past. Please support the artists any which way you can. 

Today we highlight: East Coast Jazz Festival 2021

A host of great venues are teaming up for tonight'ss East Coast Jazz Festival. A break down of what is happening: 

On March 20, six legendary jazz clubs host the first-ever East Coast Jazz Festival. Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, Smalls and Birdland in New York, Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia, Keystone Korner in Baltimore, and Blues Alley in Washington, D.C. will be capturing a collection of performances from more than 60 highly acclaimed jazz talents, including Alex Claffy, the Ari Hoenig Trio, Orrin Evans, Nicole Glover, Warren Wolf, Obasi Akoto Oceanic Jazz Orchestra, Cyrus Chestnut, Miki Yamanaka, Yoko Miwa, Christian Sands, Veronica Swift, and so much more!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @east_coast_jazz_festival_2021

To get in the mood here is Nicole Glover Trio:

Live Streams: Big Night: Soul Rebels, Esperanza Spalding

With live music on lock down (like everything else currently in New York City) live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. While this current state of pandemic separation is in order we will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and you can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past. Please support the artists any which way you can. 

Today we highlight: Big Night: Soul Rebels, Esperanza Spalding

The Chicago based People's Music School benefit Big Night is happening tonight:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Soul Rebels (@thesoulrebels)

To get in the mood here is Esperanza Spalding playing live from 2009:

Live Streams: Samantha Fish Guitar Box Festival

With live music on lock down (like everything else currently in New York City) live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. While this current state of pandemic separation is in order we will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and you can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past. Please support the artists any which way you can. 

Today we highlight: Samantha Fish Guitar Box Festival 

A great guitarist is putting a smoking spin on things as Samantha Fish hosts her Guitar Box Festival today and tomorrow in New Orleans and virtually.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Samantha Fish (@samanthafishmusic)

To get in the mood here is Fish ripping away on a cigar box guitar for a dynamite version of "Shake'em On Down".  

Full Show Friday: The Irish Rovers 1989

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 Irish Rovers!

Some months our Full Show Friday's will focus on specific artists, years, venues, festivals or some combo of it all. 

This months Full Show Friday Series is brought to you by the letter I.

With St. Patrick's day happening this week we went with The Irish Rovers for our Full Show Friday. Pro Shot, Pro Sound, more info on this show below. Enjoy:

The Irish Rovers (Will Millar, George Millar, Jimmy Ferguson, Joe Millar & Wilcil McDowell) celebrated their 25th year together with a Silver Anniversary CBC SuperSpecial in 1989 in their pub The Unicorn in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. They reminisced and sang favourite songs as well as a couple of new ones like the finale written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and performed on stage with Randy Bachman (BTO) and Bill Henderson (Chilliwack), John Reynolds, and with comedian Jimmy Kennedy in comedy sketches. Cameo appearances included Anne Murray, Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, Vera Lynn, B J Thomas, Lonnie Donegan, Waylon Jennings, Carl Perkins, Roger Whittaker as well as Lambchop (Shari Lewis), Pat Boone and Tanya Tucker. If you look closely during "Let's All Sing Together" at 9:00​, you'll see guests The Clancy Brothers, Brenda Lee, John Davidson, Rita Coolidge, Jim Stafford, Andy Stewart,, Frank Ifield, Janie Fricke, Tom T Hall, Catherine McKinnon and Glenn Yarbrough. NOW WASN'T THAT A PARTY!

Live Streams: Keep Music Live Washington #Bandtogether

With live music on lock down (like everything else currently in New York City) live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. While this current state of pandemic separation is in order we will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and you can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past. Please support the artists any which way you can. 

Today we highlight: Keep Music Live Washington #Bandtogether

Sir Mix-A-Lot, Neko Case, Pearl Jam and more will be partaking in this virtual event tonight:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Keep Music Live WA! (@keepmusiclivewa)

To get in the mood here is Neko Case:

Album Review: Thurston Moore - screen time

Thurston Moore

screen time

** out of *****

Sonic Youth was an outfit that would release major label noise rock offerings throughout their career and then indulge their more avant-garde side with smaller projects that explored less mainstream ideals on their own label. Thurston Moore has continued this trend with his solo work, albums like Rock N Roll Consciousness and By The Fire were both followed by experimental works like Spirit Counsel and now screen time.

This instrumental offering consists of various string plucking as more layers get added and subtracted from Moore's guitar. The first three tracks all have the same motif with clanging unsettling strings getting grated at various rates of irritant. "the station" begins with the most angular sounds while "the town" is still unsettling but introduces swelling chimes while "the home" delivers tense twinkling with success.

"the view" shift gears and the result is the best of the instrumental offerings presented on screen time. The chilled out nuanced vibe makes for gorgeous cinematic scope with delicate playing and vibrant essence. 

Most of the songs however fit the same clanging string formula and offer little in way of nuance, the tracks tend to run too long and never deliver much direction. Closer "the realization" attempts to sum everything up with repeating scratches, loops and sonic chimes and while meatier than what has come before, never illuminates fully.  

As a whole the screen time is an interesting listen but one many fans will probably not spend a lot of time with as songs like the ominous vibrating clanging of "the upstairs", the minimalist strums of "the dream" and the demo sounding "the park bench", are all fine for the moment but (like the album as a whole) remain one note in tone, leaving no visceral lasting imprint. screen time feels more sketch than finished product, but with Moore, all guitar phases and releases are worth checking in on.   

_________________________________________

Support the artist, buy the album, stream it on bandcamp or below and peep some video: