Thursday, January 26, 2012

I'm A Goddamn Coward, But Then Again So Are You...

It's gonna take a lot to top this album. Here's the title track from First Aid Kit's The Lion's Roar.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Unknown and Unheard Show 266!


First Aid Kit - Blue - The Lion's Roar (2011)
-          2nd full length.
-          Swedish folk outfit.
-          They also have one EP out and a DayTrotter session well worth your time.



M. Ward – Rave On – Hold Time (2009)
-          6th album and a 2009 Best of the U & U selection.
M. Ward - Magic Trick - Post-War (2006)
-          5th album
-          Also in the Monsters of Folk with Jim James and Conor Oberst.
-          a 2012 SXSW headliner.



Lucero - Sometimes - Women & Work (2012)
-          New album due out in March!
-          Ben Nichols, lead singer, has been working on solo stuff since this came out.
-          Best bar rock band going!



Craig Finn – Apollo Bay – Clear Heart Full Eyes (2012)
-          Opening track on The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn’s solo debut.
-          This seems to have a looser feel than most of what you get from the Hold Steady.



Brendan Benson – Bad For Me – What Kind of World (2012)
-          5th solo album
-          Co-leader of the Raconteurs with Jack White.
-          Polished power pop rock style, though this one’s more of a ballad.



Shearwater – You As You Were - Animal Joy (2012)
-          7th album
-          6th album, Golden Archipelago was out in Feb of 2010
-          they pack so much intensity in their songs. No one sounds quite like them.
-          Austin band with ties to Okkervil River
-          Almost a voice you’d expect at the opera
-          Palo Santo is their best album.
-          This is the most frantic track I’ve ever heard by them.
-          Almost sounds like the band Wilderness here which would normally sound like a ridiculous comparison. Hooray for the evolution and open mindedness of musicians.



Yellow Ostrich - Marathon Runner - Strange Land (2012)
-          2nd full length.
-          Debut full length was 'The Mistress' and made the 2011 Best of the U & U.
-          Sounds a bit like the Beatles and the White Stripes and even at times Menomena.



St. Vincent - Dilettante - Strange Mercy (2011)
-          2nd full length. Debut was out in 2009, Actor.
-          Was a member of Sufjan Steven's backing band along with My Brightest Diamond, arguably two of the biggest breakout female artists of the past couple years.



Tennis - Tears in the Typing Pool (Broadcast cover)
-          New album is on it's way.
-          Playing an Indy show in Feb.
-          Debut was out in very early 2011. 2010 Debut EP made the Best of the U & U.



Zoo Animal - Worker Bee - Zoo Animal (2010)
-          2nd album
-          debut out in 2008.



Delta Spirit – When In Roam - I Think I've Found It EP (2012)
-          One of two simultaneaously released free EPs. The Waits Room EP is the other.
-          New album is out March 13th.
-          debut album was 'Ode To Sunshine' and it exploded in 2008.
-          I admit to not being totally sold on these guys, but I've come around on them.
-          If you get into the Cold War Kids or the Strokes you should like this band.



Heartless Bastards – Late In the Night - Arrow (2012)
-          4th full length. Out on Valentines day 2012.
-          Powered by the big voice of lead singer Erika Wennerstrom and some big rock riffs
-          Out of Dayton



Eagle Eye Williamson - Black Gold / Comanche Peak - Black Gold (2011)
-          Debut album from hard blues rock one man band.



Dirty Three - Rising Below - Toward the Low Sun (2012)
-          Instrumental act that includes members of Nick Cave's bad seeds.



Cloud Nothings - No Sentiment - Attack on Memory (2012)
-          2nd album.
-          Band led by 20 year old from Cleveland.
-          Brooding, building track that starts like a Pixies song then explodes into something like that found on a raucous Nirvana track, or some other early 90's grunge act.


Thursday, January 19, 2012

The Unknown & Unheard Show 265!


King Khan & The Shrines – Bite My Tongue - Bruise Cruise Records Split 7" (2012)
-          latest single from King Khan. Split with Mikal Cronin.
-          Best album was 'The Supreme Genius of King Khan and the Shrines’



Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears – She’s So Scandalous – Scandalous (2011)
-          Second full length.
-          foul-mouthed soul/R&B frontman… reminds you a bit of James Brown
-          this track mixes in some talking blues and a bit of humor.



First Aid Kit - This Old Routine - The Lion's Roar (2011)
-          2nd full length.
-          Swedish folk outfit.
-          They also have one EP out and a DayTrotter session well worth your time.



Withered Hand - Religious Songs - Good News (2011)
-          Best of 2011 leftover.
-          Debut full length, but has two previously released EPs
-          Neil Young-heavy sound.
-          His best song and unfortunately very profane. The FCC would not appreciate it if I didn’t edit… or maybe they would because it would result in them getting more cash for no good reason!
-          Favorite new (to me) band!



He's My Brother She's My Sister - Escape Tonight - Escape Tonight Single (2011)
-          Latest single. Available on their BandCamp site.
-          One EP out in 2010 as well.
-          Catchy male/female folk pop group.



Thao & Mirah - Squareneck - Thao & Mirah (2011)
-          Best of 2011 leftover.
-          Debut collaboration between Thao Nguyen and Mirah
-          if you are unfamiliar with Thao you need to correct that quickly. Look up Thao Nguyen & the Get Down Stay Downs
-          Her last album, We Brave Bee Stings And All, was highlighted by the track 'Bag of Hammers."



Mikal Cronin - Am I Wrong - Bruise Cruise Records Split 7" (2012)
-          Solo debut
-          Album is produced by fellow west coaster, Ty Segall.
-          Also in a surf-punk band called the Moonhearts.



Diamond Rugs - Gimme A Beer - Diamond Rugs (2012)
-          Debut release from garage/folk supergroup featuring Deer Tick's John McCaualey and Ian Saint Pe of the Black Lips (that’s the guy who produced the Turf War debut album).
-          An appropriately titled first single from a band who says their name is a play on the phase ‘I’m on drugs.’



WU LYF – Such a Sad Puppy Dog – Go Tell Fire To the Mountain (2011)
-          Debut album.
-          ‘World Unite Lucifer Youth Foundation’ or ‘Love You Forever’
-          Sound like Wilderness or Explosions in the Sky with lyrics.
-          Cinematic pulses and swells of powerful spacey guitars.
-          RIYL: Explosions in the Sky, Wilderness or Lord Dog Bird



Spirit Family Reunion - When My Name Is Spoken - Spirit Family Reunion (201
-          New single.
-          Rolling style track from a moderately traditional folk band.



The Decemberists – Don't Carry It All – The King Is Dead (2011)
-          Best of 2011 leftover.
-          Colin Meloy, leader, said he had initially envisioned this album as a musical.
-          distinct folk band that at times brings in some Jethro Tull sounds
-          Headlined the NPR music stage at SXSW.
-          It will be tough to top their last album The Hazards of Love.



Delta Spirit – French Quarter - I Think I've Found It EP (2012)
-          One of two simultaneaously released free EPs. The Waits Room EP is the other.
-          New album is out March 13th.
-          debut album was 'Ode To Sunshine' and it exploded in 2008.
-          I admit to not being totally sold on these guys, but I've come around on them.
-          If you get into the Cold War Kids or the Strokes you should like this band.



Lana Del Ray - Video Games - Born To Die (2012)
-          Debut album that is already getting a ton of hype.
-          This is the lead single.
-          She just played SNL and got ripped for her 'terrible' showing. Craziness!



Sleigh Bells - Comeback Kid - Reign of Terror (2012)
-          2nd album.
-          HUGE hype engulfs everything this band does.
-          One of the biggest breakouts of 2010.
-          Debut full length was 'Treats' and featured one of the best tracks of 2010 'Rill Rill.'



NewVillager - Rich Doors - NewVillager (2011)
-          Best of 2011 leftover.
-          One of a couple singles they have out.
-          No full length out yet.
-          Eclectic dance pop that makes me think of Yeasayer quite a bit.


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The Unknown & Unheard Show 264!


WU LYF – Spitting Blood – Go Tell Fire To the Mountain (2011)
-          Debut album.
-          ‘World Unite Lucifer Youth Foundation’ or ‘Love You Forever’
-          Sound like Wilderness or Explosions in the Sky with lyrics.
-          Cinematic pulses and swells of powerful spacey guitars.
-          RIYL: Explosions in the Sky, Wilderness or Lord Dog Bird



Wilderness – Silver Genes - (K)no(w)here (2008)
-          3rd album
-          the vocals give this band their power… they are explosions in the sky with words
-          on jagjaguwar record label
-          Baltimore band



White Rabbits – Heavy Metal – Milk Famous (2012)
-          3rd album.
-          First two albums were big successes.
-          I think their music has gotten significantly better with every album.



Old Soul - Blackbird Calling - Old Soul (2011)
-          Debut full length.
-          You name the price download on their bandcamp site.



The Tallest Man On Earth – Weather of a Killing Kind - Adult Swim Singles (2011)
-          Latest release. 2nd album is just out as well.
-          Swedish singer/songwriter Kristian Matsson
-          Powerful voice.
-          2008 self-titled debut was very well received.



Quilt - Children of Light - Quilt (2011)
-          Debut Full length. 3 singles out as well.
-          Psychedelic ‘70s folk.
-          Reminds me of White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane.
-          BandCamp might be the greatest site for music in years. It offers artists and clean and simple presentation of their music. You could seriously get lost on here for days and days.



Auditorium - I'm the Enforcer - Be Brave (2011)
-          Debut Full length
-          Great sound captured here. Makes you think of T. Rex, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes.
-          Sweet music video for this track too.



Bare Wires - Back On The Road - Cheap Perfume (2012)
-          3rd album.
-          T. Rex styled, fuzzy, rolling, raunchy 70’s rock.



The King Khan Experience - Hammer Ich Vermisse Dich - The King Khan Experience (2011)
-          Latest solo album. Been a long time coming.
-          Long time collaborator with Marc Sultan (AKA the BBQ Show)
-          One of my all-time favorite artists. The Supreme Genius of King Khan and His Shrines is one of the greatest albums.
-          This one is in all German I believe.



Donkeys - Don't Know Who We Are - Born With Stripes (2011)
-          3rd full length.
-          Super catchy rolling track.
-          Makes me think of These United States.
-          Download a bunch of this music for free from their site!



Buffalo Killers - Jon Jacob - 3 (2011)
-          B-side from their latest album of 3.
-          Cincinnati band… psyched out 70's blues rock.



Conveyor - Mukraker - Mukraker (Single) (2011)
-          Debut single.
-          Sound a bit like Yeasayer.



Bright Eyes – Firewall - The Peoples' Key (2011)
-          Forthcoming full length and first 2007's Cassadaga
-          Been working on solo stuff as well as the Monsters of Folk.



Iron & Wine – Walking Far From Home – Kiss Each Other Clean (2011)
-          Latest full length.
-          Sam Beam: Singer/Songwriter from Florida
-          Graduated from Florida State Film School with a Masters and for a while was a professor of Cinematography at Miami International University.
-          All his music is great to hear on vinyl.



The Head and the Heart – Rivers and Roads - The Head and the Heart (2011)
-          Debut album.
-          Folk rock that amps up into something like Mumford & Sons who exploded last year.
-          Didn’t hear about a band more from this past SXSW.