F*ck You, It’s Friday! Boom! Labor day weekend. Boom! We win.
I’ll keep it short and sweet. Enjoy yourselves, break some stuff this weekend, and download our tunes. I really think you’ll dig this collection. It’s got some loud, some soft, some new, some old and some unknowns. It sure beats the hell out of Labor Day weekend radio, right?
There’s a pretty interesting story behind this here review you’re about to read. We got an email about a week ago with the first single from this album, John Lennon. I was so impressed with the track that I asked for the whole album as I was certain these Canadians could provide some real rocking. Upon uploading the album into my iTunes, I noticed that I already had it. Weird, right? I had this jewel in my library since it’s release in Canada back in 2008 and hadn’t even listened to it. Well, it’s a good thing we got that email because I probably wouldn’t have ever known.
So, as I mentioned, this thing came out in 2008 in Canada, and just hit the States last month. These guys do a lot of great things really well, and I get a sort of British feel from them. Think of a combination of The Whigs and The Stereophonics. This is the five piece’s first full-length release in the states, and I think anywhere for that matter, and I think it’ll get some great traction judging by the fact that they’ve performed with folks like the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, Pearl Jam, and are currently rolling with Tokyo Police Club on their North American Tour.
The album starts out with Deadlines which is a great soundtrack to starting off a hectic ass day and getting shit done. Dark scratchy guitars and some good hyped-up vocals turn into a great toe-tapping break before a really powerful ending. Deadlines
The Ballad of Hugo Chavez is probably my favorite track on the album. The catchy “hey, hey, hey” will get stuck in your head, and the consistent rhythm created by the drums and the guitar serve well to amplify the chorus. It’s got a real cool party feel to it too, makes you want to dance a bit. The Ballad of Hugo Chavez
Speaking of getting you moving around, Heart of The City is another track that’ll do that. This one is a little more rowdy than The Ballad of Hugo Chavez, and the screaming guitar at the end cements this thing into my brain, and I should also mention the really strong and welcoming vocals. Heart of The City
Lastly, since this is the track that got me into these guys in the first place, you’ve got to hear John Lennon, the first single from the album. The opening line “head on the wall, and my piss hardly makes the stall” serves it’s purposes perfectly by letting you know where this one is starting out. We’ve all been there, and we’ll all probably be there again. Anyhow, this is a great choice for a single, and you’ll be able to hear the keys, some horns, and some great guitar work come together for a catchy little number that’ll stick in your head for days. John Lennon
As I mentioned earlier, these guys are currently doing a lot of touring up in the Northern Parts, so click here to see what that’s all aboot. See how I did that?
Finally, make sure to buy the album here. There’s not a bad song on it, and I’ve been enjoying it daily for the past week or so. It’s poppy enough to keep you interested, and ballsy enough to get you a lil pissed off, and that’s a great combination for me.
Oh yeah, here’s the official video for Pullin’ Punches.
There are a lot of perks living in San Francisco; good music scene, bar scene, the Giants, the Niners, and other cool junk like that, but Summers here ain’t exactly paradise. The weather is cold as shit, the beaches are never utilized, and you rarely see women running around in bikinis. But hey, we made the most of it, saw some good punk and country shows, and definitely got liquered up. I guess my point is the Summer has come and gone and we’re now officially in Fall. And, I’m sure wherever you guys live the weather is going to start cooling down a bit so it’s time to whip out the Fall tunes. I have always thought fall music is a little bit of Summer and Winter Music in one; a little Jack and Diane and Two Live Crew if you will. So with that said, I’ll just get right to it and introduce you to The Dark Leaves by Matt Pond PA, a damn good Fall album.
So yeah, mpPA is kind of a one trick pony; he writes his standard Fall/Winter melodies and calls it day. But its cool, The National, Frightened Rabbit, The Counting Crows all do the same shit and they are some of my favorite bands. Its a good recipe and I’m sure none of us want him to change it up. The Dark Leaves kicks off with “Starting” a great indicator of what the album will sound like. Drivin by Ponds smooth lyrics accompanied by a subtle orchestra that gradually builds into a sound for a large amphitheatre. Then Pond quickly changes gears into “Winter” mode on the track, “Remains,” a gut wrenching track about being remembered after death. But like I said, Fall music has a little bit of that Summer pop sensibilities and “Ruins” is just that. Holy smokes, this song rips. An upbeat track that ditched the orchestration and decided to drive this number with keys, guitar, drum machines, and other cool indie shit these kids are using these days.
I really don’t know what album this is for mpPA, the guy has a lot of them, but like his other albums, The Dark Leaves is ace. I really respect a guy who isn’t afraid to just make one quality album after another but never really experiment with new sounds. We like his music for that very reason and if mpPA continues to make this same type of album we’ll continuously be on board. So take a listen, buy his tunes, go to his shows, and dont be a buster.
Our fellow SF Americana blogger/buddy, Twang Nation, is putting on a showcase highlighting some of the best Americana acts in the Bay Area. The Jamboree will be taking place at Red Devil Lounge on Polk Street and will be featuring Pork Chop Express, Mars Arizona, and Jenny Kerr Band. We have had the pleasure of hearing their music, and I can tell you, this is going to be one hell of a night. So no excuses, get to this damn show tomorrow!
F*ck you, It’s Friday! Done, it’s been said. Yeah, we have been out of pocket for a while, and we apologize. It’s the same ol’ story; we’re a bunch of dings and Skeet carries around a Yoda stuffed animal. Yes, I’m serious, I’ll say it again, Skeet carries around a stuffed animal. Hahha, It’s so fucking weird, but man, it sure makes us laugh. Anyway, I want to give you guys some tunes because you’re good people. Hell, I appreciate you coming to this site after “another hiatus.”
1. Dinosaur Jr – “Feel The Pain” – Everytime someone opens up a bottle of wine and makes that cork sound it immediately reminds me of this song. Cork sound or no cork sound, this doesn’t take away from it being one of my all time favorite Dino Jr. songs.
2. Life At Sea – “Your New Constitution” – Chris Broach, ex Braid guitarist, Firebird Band frontman, started a label called, Lucid Records and they released this bad ass EP by this bad ass band called, Life At Sea. Broach played in the band and they made good music. I haven’t heard about these guys since I purchased their full length in 2004.
3. Kevin Devine – “Ballgame” – Another bad ass who has been killing it for the last decade. This is probably my favorite track by the dude.
4. Mariachi El Bronx – “Cell Mates” – Stupid good song. My blurb wont give this song justice. Just take a listen.
5. The Holy Mess – “The Goodbye 3713″ – One of my favorite punk bands today, The Menzingers, cant stop tweeting about how good this band is, blah, blah, blah…yeah, I agree.
6. The Band – “The Weight” – I FINALLY saw the documentary, “It Might Get Loud” with Jack White, The Edge, and Jimmy Paige. Holy smokes this doc was awesome. The cover they did of this song at the end of the doc was so damn cool. I cant stop listening to it.
7. Local Natives – “World News” – Yup.
8. Kasey Anderson – “Walls” – Weird. Another Kasey Anderson song on the playlist. Sorry fools, we just dig his shit. Take a listen of this Tom Petty cover and try to think of a better cover. Yeah, I dont know who else covers it, but you get my point.
9. State Champion – “Bridgetown” – We have hooted and hollered about this bands 2010 album, “Stale Champion” for quite some time now. Well, their previous album, “Light Blues” has some monster jams as well. This track just flat out hurts feelings.
10. Foundation – “If I can say Goodbye” – Another ex punk guy going country. I have been jamming this album a lot lately and I think you should too.
11. Dusty Rhoads and The River Band – “Leaving Tennessee” - We saw these dudes open for Jason Isbell about 3 years ago and they absolutely brought it. Im not really sure where they are currently with the band, but I would be all about seeing these dudes play live again.
12. Big Star – “September Gurls – No question, Alex Chilton was such an influence to musicians everywhere. Its great to have a guy like Micah Schnabel carry on the Big Star torch on one of his new Two Cow Garage tracks, “Jackson, Dont You Worry.” Take a listen and you’ll get what I’m talking about.
Boom!
Oh yeah, here’s a video my co-worker showed me. It made me chuckle.
You dudes kill fools. RT @theriotbefore: Our record has been repressed and is available again! Order from P+P or No Idea! Stoked.about 14 hours agofrom Echofon
