Jon Brion. Total badass. The name probably isn’t ringing a bell, but trust me, you’ve heard him. He’s the man behind the scene, the silent assassin if you will. JB is most credibly known as the well respected composer on numerous movies: Magnolia, Punk-Drunk Love, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I Heart Huckabees, Step Brothers, Synedoche, New York, etc. Its apparent he only does the cool ass flicks. He has also produced on some of your favorite artists albums; Rhett Miller, Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann, Spoon, Kanye West (post Kanye falling off his rocker), etc. I think what I’m trying to spit out is this dude is outta of this world talented. As an multi-intstrumentalist, singer, songwriter, composer and record producer he’s pretty much locked down every aspect of composing music. And what’s really cool and refreshing is you can see Brion showcase his skills almost every Friday night at The Largo in Los Angeles. I wish I could go into detail about his show but every show I have seen is different from the next. One night I saw Kanye West on stage with him bumping beats, then the next night he was trading licks with Nels Cline of Wilco. It’s very unpredictable but entertaining like a mother effer.
Alright, so now that I have given you a little background on JB, you’re probably thinking he’s a talented guy who is all over the map. Which is a good assessment. And any band or artist attempting to cover any of his projects would be completely stupid. Hell, Rhett Miller attempted “I Believe She’s Lying” and he definitely missed. Then recently our friends, The Michaels posted on their site they were gonna cover Jon Brion, and as you guys know we’re huge supporters of the band, but I saw this as a death wish. I know JB is a huge influencer for The Michaels but I just didn’t know how they would put it together. So after I gave it a listen I was pleasantly surprised these guys exceed expectations. For how complex JB is I was surprised to hear the band not only emulate the song but also stay true to their own sound. I’ll even go on a limb and say I dig The Michaels versions of The Same Mistakes and Here We Go over JBs. Bias? fuck yeah!
So I’ll let you guys be the judge on this one, no need to go into detail on the tracks. Take a listen to JBs version, then follow up with The Michaels cover, and let us know what you think.
Next week one of my very favorite bands, The Whigs, will release their third album “In the Dark.” I’ve been so excited for their latest offering and my expectations were pretty goshdarn high for this record. After my first listen, I absolutely hated it. The band spent a lot of dates with mega-stars Kings of Leon the past few years and much of “In the Dark” was influenced by these tours. The Whigs are going for a “bigger” sound and I’ll be honest, it took a few listens getting used to. At one point, I even texted Keith saying that “I hated it” and he responded that he couldn’t get through it as it was too “KROQ” for him. (Modern Rock station in Los Angeles that plays a lot of Foo Fighters, Phoenix, etc.) However, I’m really glad that I (and Keith) gave this another listen. After dismissing “In the Dark” it has become one of my favorite releases of the year. Frontman Parker Gispert writes a batch of songs that show some real growth from the simple pop of “Give ‘em All a Big Fat Lip” and the garage punk-rock of “Mission Control”, and I think “In the Dark” has the potential to help the band achieve some more commercial success.
The album opens with The KOL-esque “Hundred / Million” which features some sick drumming by the ridiculous Julian Dorio behind a throbbing bass line by Tim Deaux. The soaring track feels like the perfect concert opener and I can see them opening with it tomorrow night at Slims here in San Francisco to whip the crowd up into a frenzy. A few big pop gems follow with “Black Lotus” and “Kill Me Carolyne”, two songs that would fit nicely on many playlists throughout rock radio. ”Black Lotus” is currently one of my favorite songs from the record, and the drumming combined with Parker’s infectious chorus is a hyperactive version of their hit “Right Hand on My Heart” in my opinion. ”Kill Me Carolyne” is a bit too “Sex on Fire” for me, but the there is no denying the radio potential and the tendancy to turn the volume up REAL loud when you hear it. I think that is a pretty good sign that you’ve got a hit on your hands, right?
My favorite track is the dark, “I Am for Real”. Highlighted by a prodding bass line with lyrics like “I don’t need to kill anyone to let ‘em know I am for real / I don’t need to walk in your backyard to let you know just where I stand” and the the song reminds me a bit of another Athens act, R.E.M. Elsewhere you find a lot of what has made The Whigs so much fun. ”I Don’t Even Care About the One I Love” and “Someone’s Daughter” would have fit nicely on 2008’s “Mission Control”, and the closing “Naked” feels like a b-side from their “…Big Fat Lip” debut.
All-in-all, this is a very solid record and it has been a lot of fun diving into this one. If you are a big Whigs fan, you may need a listen or two to adjust to this one but trust me, it is worth it. And hell, if you’re not a Whigs fan yet, “In the Dark” is a good way to get introduced. This is a very strong release from a band that is really hitting their stride.
See them on tour in a town near you as they are touring the nation right now in support. And pre-order their vinyl at www.thewhigs.com and get the deluxe package because it looks really sweet.
See ya,
Skeeter
Stream some tracks!
“Black Lotus”
“Kill Me Carolyne”
“I Am For Real”
See them on tour!
Mar 9 2010 8:00P
Slim’s w/ Black Rebel Motorcycle Club San Francisco, California
Mar 10 2010 8:00P
Slim’s w/ Black Rebel Motorcycle Club San Francisco, California
Mar 11 2010 8:00P
Echoplex w/ Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Los Angeles, California
Mar 12 2010 8:00P
Echoplex w/ Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Los Angeles, California
Mar 13 2010 8:00P
House of Blues w/ Black Rebel Motorcycle Club San Diego, California
If you’re a big bluegrass fan, you’ll really like this album. If you’re a fan of folk music, you’ll also be quite pleased by this album. If you like strong vocal harmonies, there’s something here for you too. If strings are your thing, you’ll enjoy the tracks that The Steel Wheels have put together here as well. I’m running out of ways to say likewise, and I don’t want to sound repetitive, so I’m going to start writing this post.
The Steel Wheels are the offspring of the musical chemistry that was developed between Trent Wagler and Jay Lapp. They make their home in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains where Lapp grew up and derives most of his inspiration from the music he heard in church and among local gatherings. Jay met Trent, who had been anchored in the Virginia music scene while touring, and the rest, as they say, is history. They added Brian Dickel on upright bass and Eric Brubaker on the fiddle to complete the Shut Eye Records foursome. When you listen to their first full-length album “Red Wing,” you’ll be taken on a very diverse journey that harkens comparisons to Old Crow Medicine Show with their strong fiddle backbone and amazing four part vocals. They also manage to strip down the music and create slower, romantic songs that have earned comparisons to Langhorne Slim. Surprisingly, they’re also really good at incorporating the blues into each of these styles, which is something you don’t see everyday. Call it what you will, this album has something in it for everyone.
The album opens with an amazing instrumental piece called “At Long Last.” I’m usually not a big instrumental guy, but this is one of the best fiddle songs I’ve heard in quite some time. Backed by some very subtle and soft banjo, this song really makes you feel like you’re in the mountains, and it makes me want to grow a really long beard and distill my own moonshine. The guys do a great job of backing up their obvious instrumental talent with some great lyrics on “Long Way To Go,” which I would describe as a mix of OCMS bluegrass, with good ole southern blues. Similar styles are on display in “Nothing You Can’t Lose,” but they create funkier chain-gang feel that’d make The Soggy Bottom Boys listen twice. Their creativity and vision is beautifully on display in the title track “Red Wing.” The song has been played among musical circles for generations, and Wagner decided to slow it down and re-write it. I mentioned earlier that their four part vocal harmonies will please some folks, and there’s no better track to do so than “Surround Me.” The four voices compliment each other amazingly well, and it’s hard to believe at times that this song is essentially all vocals. Pure gospel. There are a total of 14 tracks on this album, so you’re getting more than your money’s worth. “Valley” is a beautiful track that perfectly displays all of the positive elements previously mentioned into one smooth, soothing love song.
At Long Last
Long Way To Go
Nothing You Can’t Lose
Red Wing
Surround Me
Valley
This album was released in January of this year, and has seen some serious action on the East Coast, and Mid-West. It definitely deserves a listen out West as well though. These guys will be touring around the aforementioned regions throughout the year so make sure to check the dates on the link to their site below. Speaking of below, check out the video here of the 7 day, 7 show tour that they did a few years ago. You’re probably thinking “big deal Brain, tons of bands play 7 shows in 7 days.” First of all, don’t be such a jerk. Second of all, how many of those bands travel through that whole tour by bike. How rad is that?
I talk a lot about local act Leopold and His Fiction on this site, and for good reason. The blues-rock outfit has been a favorite of mine since their debut EP five years ago, and it has become a great “music experience” to watch them grow and become the wrecking ball that they are today. This week, I was given their latest offering, the single “Golden Friends” from their as-of-yet untitled third record. This is the first recording I’ve heard from the group since they became a three-piece band and I was pretty darn excited to see what they cooked up in the studio with Producer Thom Monahan (Devendra Banhart, Little Joy, Vetiver).
Without a doubt, “Golden Friends” is the strongest tune I’ve heard from Leopold. The dark, brooding track screams and echos like a mashup of The Doors and Wolfmother. Frontman Daniel James’ poetic approach to songwriting creates a complex and complicated late-night lament that plays in your head like a movie, showcasing his strength as a songwriter. The story is a familiar one. Guy likes girl, girl is hot and cold. Yet, James’ imagery behind the dark blues makes it sound a whole lot more important…
“you pray now that you are gone another chance will be rest upon your fate
when the morning time does come and still youre unsure what you desire
you fall down onto your knees this is your kingdom these are your dreams, aint that right?
you come around to hold my hand but i cant ever be what you require”
It would appear that if “Golden Friends” is any indication of what the record sounds like, we are all in for a real treat. Leopold and His Fiction has become one of the very best bands in San Francisco and are gaining some serious momentum after some hardcore touring schedules that have turned the group into a powerful live act. This is a song that will surely help launch them to wider recognition. The track will be available for purchase in April but the band has been cool enough to stream it for you guys so you can hear it. We’d love to hear what ya’ll think about the single and of course, we’ll let you know when the full-length street day is announced. And be sure you check them out when they come to your town soon…
Mar 5 2010 8:00P
Ghost Town Gallery oakland, California
Mar 16 2010 8:00P
Art Disaster no.10 Austin, Texas
Mar 18 2010 1:00P
Bay Area Takeover @ Beauty Bar Austin, Texas
Mar 18 2010 4:00P
Gueros -Mike Galaxy Presents Austin
Mar 25 2010 8:00P
Highland Inn Atlanta
Mar 27 2010 8:00P
Favorite Things Records Greensboro, North Carolina
Mar 28 2010 8:00P
The Milestone Charlotte, North Carolina
Mar 30 2010 8:00P
The Nightlight Chaple Hill, North Carolina
Mar 31 2010 8:00P
TBD Washington DC, Washington DC
Exebelle and the Rusted Cavalcade have quickly become one of my very favorite country acts. These Virginia natives have already released two superb EP’s and this last month they dropped their latest seven-song offering “Vivement l’Automn.” Man, this record is effin’ badass.
I finally got to this one last night on my drive home to visit my family down in Bakersfield, and I was so jacked up when I heard the second track, “Rosasharn”, which is written about the book “Grapes of Wrath.” If you aren’t familiar with the story, it tells the tale of the “Oakies” as they travel through the Dust Bowl on their way to Bakersfield. It was pretty cool to hear some of the stories of my city’s past in a rumbling, hell-raising country song. From there, Exebelle slows things down a bit and the following tracks really play like a country-Pink Floyd. Kind of a weird description, but that’s the best I can do. I was jamming down I-5 in the dark night and when “Lithium Smile” came on, I hit repeat about six times. It put me in a complete trance and I was really taken by the vocal harmonies and weeping steel guitar in the background. This is a truly epic track. By the end of the EP, I was jonsen’ for some more upbeat music from the band and they absolutely delivered with the perfect pop song “Harboring The Tygers.” Again, the vocal harmonies and track production on this song are incredible. Exebelle really pays attention to detail when they are in the studio and because of that, they are able to create some of the very best country songs I hear.
So guys, don’t sleep on this EP. It can be easy for us to ignore small offerings from bands as we wait for a full-length. Exebelle seems happy putting out new EP’s for us to hear every few months, and I’ll tell you, I really enjoy that about them. Besides, with three releases in less than three years, put ‘em all together and you have a nice double-album! Whoop whoop! I should also tell you, the cats in the band are absolute studs and really nice doods all-around. We’re hoping for some tour dates out West at some point and you can bet your bottom dollar that we’ll be there.
The group is cool enough to give their records away at a cost of $2-3 dollars, so make sure you head over to their pay site and throw ‘em some love.
Jon Brion. Total badass. The name probably isn’t ringing a bell, but trust me, you’ve heard him. He’s the man behind the scene, the silent assassin if you will. JB is most credibly known as the well respected composer on numerous movies: Magnolia, Punk-Drunk Love, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I Heart Huckabees, Step Brothers, Synedoche, New York, etc. Its apparent he only does the cool ass flicks. He has also produced on some of your favorite artists albums; Rhett Miller, Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann, Spoon, Kanye West (post Kanye falling off his rocker), etc. I think what I’m trying to spit out is this dude is outta of this world talented. As an multi-intstrumentalist, singer, songwriter, composer and record producer he’s pretty much locked down every aspect of composing music. And what’s really cool and refreshing is you can see Brion showcase his skills almost every Friday night at The Largo in Los Angeles. I wish I could go into detail about his show but every show I have seen is different from the next. One night I saw Kanye West on stage with him bumping beats, then the next night he was trading licks with Nels Cline of Wilco. It’s very unpredictable but entertaining like a mother effer.
