dubs

"Why don't you all just come on out, and we can tear it all down."

From the forthcoming album Supply and Demand (Blue Note), I'm all too happy to present Amos Lee's new single "Shout Out Loud". We get to see a whole new side of the down to earth, blues songster on his latest effort. Instead of focusing on delicate acoustic melodies, Amos throws at us a feel-good radio anthem that I can't imagine being anything but a hit. It's a great track. I've yet to really dig much into the whole cd, but it doesn't come out until October anyways. You know I'll keep you updated.

Amos Lee - Shout Out Loud

more info...
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"Our horse is fast and first from the gate."

...and on a completely different note, it's time you got down with mewithoutyou. Similar situation - I've got an advance single to share with you all. The band is getting set to release their third studio album Brother, Sister in October as well. The conversational tone of lead singer Aaron Weiss's vocals makes for an interesting track. I'm ready to hear more. I'll have to take a listen to the rest of the disc and keep you in the know come October.

mewithoutyou - Nice and Blue (pt. 2)

more info...
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The Alarmists

"We like playing songs, we'll help you sing along - if you know it."

Minneapolis's very own the Alarmists have been causing a ruckus here in the Twin Cities over the past year. As a result, they've been getting some great reviews from some of the area's most reputable critics. I've yet to see these boys play live, so I can't quite attest to their on-stage abilities. However, it's hard to imagine this band being anything but exceptional. Their debut EP, "A Detail Of Soldiers", should be able to carry them out of the cities and at least garner for them some good regional attention.

The Alarmists - New Romans
The Alarmists - Coming To Meet Me

more info...
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I Trust You To Kill Me

My love for Kiefer Sutherland is no secret. So, after getting this particular e-mail, I was pretty enthused. Enthused enough to share it with you all at least. For all practical purposes, Kiefer is what I would call a "rock star". He not only has his own recording studio, but he owns his own independent record label called Ironworks (marry me, please?). His first signing was Rocco DeLuca, who you've hopefully heard of by now. Anyways, it looks like both Kiefer and Rocco and his boys are the stars of the new documentary called "I Trust You To Kill Me."

Straight from the press release...

Special Ops Media is proud to announce the First Independent Pictures’ theatrical release of I TRUST YOU TO KILL ME. The film is a rock documentary, following “24” star, Keifer Sutherland, as he takes his indie record label act, Rocco DeLuca & the Burden on their first international tour through London, Dublin, Reykjavic and Berlin. Directed by Manu Boyer, the rockumentary chronicles a highly personal journey of a rock band & their less than qualified road manager (Sutherland), and shows the hopes, successes and disappointments of a band trying to find their audience. Shot guerilla style in High Definition color and black and white, the multi-camera crew intermingles real-life characters and captures the excitement and commotion of staged and un-staged performances, improvised interactions between the band, fans and locals.

It will only be playing in the upcoming month in NYC, San Fran, and Los Angeles, which is slightly disappointing. They plan on releasing it to DVD for the rest of us.

more info...
Official Site

Gliss

"Love down by the water's edge, you're kissing the blvd."

Why hipsters (and bloggers alike) haven't been singing this band's praises for the last year or so is remarkably puzzling. Coming out of Los Angeles, it seems like Gliss should have built up a nice little buzz. While they're still flying relatively below the radar (at least in the states), I think that's all about to change. The UK has certainly taken notice, and in the process the band has landed themselves not only a record deal, but also some fairly extensive international touring. They've got a knack for creating lush, and often cryptic, indie-rock tracks. Included is a track from the band's previous EP to get you interested before they release their new full length - which doesn't hit shelves until October. While the band's press company did send me a copy of the new disc, management wasn't too keen on me posting the whole track (lame, I know). While I normally wouldn't post just a clip, I like this band enough to do so.

Gliss - Kick In Your Heart
Gliss - Kissing The Blvd (advance clip)

more info...
Official Site
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Elias

"You were busy sinking ships inside my dreams..."

I did indeed feature Canada's indie-rock rookies Elias back in March, but the band has since sent me their newly finished EP - which is wholly deserving of it's own post. The band's new self-titled EP features not only the tracks I previously posted, but also a few new ones that I very much adore. Last time I wrote, "Keep your eyes peeled, I think Elias might do some pretty considerable things in the near feature." I still completely stand by that statement. The band gives obvious nods to bands like Muse and early Radiohead, but is still able to retain the sound that is intrinsically their own. Nice work, boys.

Elias - Sinking Ships
Elias - Thicker Skin
Elias - Blow Away (Reprise)

more info...
Official Site
Myspace

The Noises 10

"You don't have to lie, you don't have to tell me nothing's wrong."

There's something about those dulcet Southeastern vocals. I kid you not. Every (there is room for argument, I suppose) artist I listen to from the Southeast has a very similar smooth, tonal quality to their voice - I 'm such a sucker for it. Charlotte's the Noises 10 are no exception. Their sweet- tempered brand of pop music is one that you certainly shouldn't have a hard time affixing yourself to for one reason or another. After hearing "Death To The Voices", I can't pretend like I didn't develop a little crush on frontman Jason Scavone (the vocals alone are enough...).

The Noises 10 - Death To The Voices
The Noises 10 - The Fix
The Noises 10 - Everyday

more info...
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The Damnwells, Air Stereo

"I never wanted to get you down or start you up."

No qualms, and no arguments: the Damnwells are my favorite band. The past month of so has consisted of me not only listening - and loving- but reeling with the fact that I couldn't share this with you all. Now, I can. Air Stereo came out yesterday, and quite a pleasant little surprise it is. While Bastards of the Beat tended to root itself in all things Americana, Air Stereo is undoubtedly more pop-oriented. At first, I was a bit wary. Bastards... was the reason I fell completely in love with this band, and any deviation from their strong suit seemed to me a little unsettling. After hearing some of the tracks live a couple of times, I knew there was more in store for me. The disc opens with "power" ballad "I've Got You", and leaves in it's wake a couple of tracks that, honestly, have a hard time measuring up to the rest of the album's good repute. All complaint(s) totally and completely end there. This band's talent is effortless, they're a great group of completely first-class musicians. The way that they can ceaselessly roll from tracks like "I've Got You" and "Golden Days" into songs like the heart-wrenching "Heartbreaklist" and extended jam "God Bless America" always leaves me singing their praises. Air Stereo should absolutely be a part of your collection. Jump on board before all your hipster friends start blowing about it.

The Damnwells - Heartbreaklist
The Damnwells - Louisville

more info...
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The Making of Air Stereo...

Autovaughn

"We don't call shots but we've all tried to cover the shame."

I don't know how else to say it - Autovaughn is a band I want to know. Why? I'm not entirely sure. They just seem like a incredibly confident, first-rate band. Nashville's new wonder boys know exactly what is popular these days. It's evident. However, they don't take it over the top. They play a somewhat quintessential, albeit stylish, brand of pop/rock music. Though they're not making the ground move beneath my feet (and who really is, right?), they sure do what they do exceptionally well. Labels, why aren't you jumping on this?

Autovaughn - Hold On Tight
Autovaughn - Rock Your Body
Autovaughn - Everybody

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase (highly recommended)

Emma Burgess

I posted on Emma Burgess last March (original post) on Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good on the basis of a myspace submission. Usually, when artists submit their music to me on myspace it completely sucks. This is a huge expection because I really enjoy the demo tracks Emma had up. "Best Thing: is a jumpy pop tune and "Mass." is a gorgeous little folk ditty. Recently she put up a wonderful cover of The Outfield's Your Love and a couple other demos, but you'll have visit her myspace to listen to them.

MP3 Best Thing
MP3 Mass.

Website
Label Site
Myspace

Side Note: Is it just me or does she sound alot like Gwen Stefani on Best Thing?

-Taylor

Ill Lit

The first band that I'm featuring on this site is one I've very recently heard about, Ill Lit. -

I was never into country growing up. Maybe it was rebelling against my Texas upbringing or maybe I just can't get into those twangy guitars and shaky voices. In the last year though, I discovered Wilco (about 5 years late), and then I started to listen to Neko Case, and Jenny Lewis began leaning towards alt-country also. Basically this is the perfect time for me to get Tom Cruise (the album not the person), which sounds like all the best of Americana and alt-country put together with a little electronica to back it up. "The Bridge in Tracy" is one of the grandest songs I've heard all year.

MP3 The Bridge in Tracy
MP3 Satan's doing fine without me

Buy Tom Cruise
Myspace

-Taylor (Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good)

Livin' La Vida Loca

Hi, this is Taylor from Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good. Liz is in DC for few days and for one reason or another I've been allowed to go loose and wreak havoc on her blog. I thought about posting the whole Gnarles Barkley album or putting up alot of pictures of Latin sensation Ricky Martin. But more sensibly, I think I'm going to feature a couple bands and artists that I've talked about on my site, that I think you guys would enjoy. First off, here's a song that both is about DC and gives a very fitting and comforting lyric for my stay - "I am a visitor here, I am not permanent".

MP3 The District Sleeps Alone Tonight (DJ Downfall Remix)

-Taylor

the District

"You can keep all your culture."
The Voom Blooms

I leave again, sorry. You'll be in good hands, though. My buddy Taylor from MFKWCRG will be doing a couple of posts while I'm enjoying our nation's capital for the third time. I'm heading out to Washington DC today. Why? No reason, I just absolutely LOVE it there. It's arguably one of our country's most beautiful cities. Chicago and the District will have to duke it out for where I'll end up living for a bit after school is over. It could go either way...
Anyways, I grabbed a few Washington "inspired" (or at least related) tracks representing both the good and the bad.

The Voom Blooms - Politics and Cigarettes

An Angle - White House
Death Cab For Cutie - President of What?
The Lonely Hearts - Love and Politics
The Envy Corps - Prisoners of War
Piebald - American Hearts
Hope of the States - George Washington
The Betes Noires - My Political Friend

Chicago, take me back.

"You'll see how hard it can be to keep your side of the deal."

The Frames

This is my official Lollapalooza 2006 recap:
let me be brief

I am still head over heels in love with Ryan Adams. Also, it seems that the Frames and the Redwalls were the reason for my existence this past weekend.
It was a little bit too much fun. I will be going back next year.

Ryan Adams - I See Monsters (live)

Ryan closed his set with a really bad ass rock n roll version of this song. this isn't it, though.

The Frames - Pavement Tune

The Redwalls - Deep In The Heart

Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza 2006

"No one leave the lights on in a house where nobody lives anymore."

I'm heading out for the big weekend in just a few hours here. I have no intention of bringing me computer with me, so I'll try to do a weekend recap when I get back late on Monday...maybe. I am preparing a couple of normal posts in advance, so you won't be missing out. Because of the insane amount of good artists that are going to be there, I decided to only pick a a few favorites and some new bands I'm looking forward to seeing.

Ryan Adams - When Will You Come Back Home (live)
Mute Math - Chaos
Death Cab For Cutie - I Was A Kaleidescope (this song never gets old)
Cold War Kids - Hospital Beds
The Redwalls - Hung Up On The Way I'm Feeling
Office - Bar Yellow
The Frames - Perfect Opening Line
Wilco - Box Full Of Letters

double feature

"Well I guess you've got a lot of life to live..."

You can't teach talent like this. The customary stylings of many of today's singer/songwriters are so tired and worn. Chase Pagan is that breath of fresh air we've all been waiting for. He breathes new life into a genre much in need of revival. Though it hasn't been announced, Chase has been picked up by a great label. Therefore, this won't be the last you hear of him.

Chase Pagan - Waltzing In The Sky

more info...
Official Site
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"The city lights at best are portraits of my friends."

I was immediately impressed upon hearing a few tracks from John Mark McMillan's "The Song Inside The Sounds Of Breaking Down." After John was kind enough to send the whole disc over, I can only reiterate those first impressions. The disc is wonderful.
RIYL: Pete Yorn (Sorry John, I'm sure you get this a lot. It's a good thing.)

John Mark McMillan - Setting Suns

more info...
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