Clichés are basically the exact opposite of a box of chocolates: you always know what you’re gonna get next. The key to making clichés work in songwriting is to couch the clichés in a bunch of other interesting stuff so that they’re not all that important to the song, in the end. This is a lesson I learned last night, watching Jason Isbell give a fantastic performance upstairs in Whelan’s. Supporting act for the night…
“It just dawned on me that this is our last show ever in the United States. Don’t be sad. I’ll keep going. But I think I’m going to lose my mind if I keep doing this, and I have to stop.” Don’t be sad my ass. How would you react, if the frontman of a band that basically has a cult following revolving around it announced the dissolving of over 20 years of musical genius?…
The album art for TMV’s upcoming album, Octahedron – out June 23. A few months ago I talked a bit about The Mars Volta’s latest up and coming record, titled “Octahedron,” and how glad I was to hear that we’ll be finally dealing with a more cohesive and unitary record, seeing how supposedly the whole band is now creatively involved. Well, time’s past and we’re now only one week away from Octahedron’s release date. Consequently,…
Album name: The Great Disruptors EP Artist name: Sweethead Genre: Rock Released: July 13 2009 Label: Strange Addiction ZME Rating: 8/10 Website: sweethead.net With PJ Harvey taking various detours away from her intelli-punk rock of old, Brody Dalle’s Spinerette sounding less like the Distillers than a slightly more modern No Doubt, and Courtney Love continuing to disappear into a putrid puddle of confused irrelevance, there’s a gaping hole in the rock industry, just waiting for…
Awesome news for Flaming Lips fans and neo-psychedelia aficionados alike, as the Oklahomians are set to return with some new material this fall in the form of a double-LP (like x2!). That’s twice as much music, twice as much Wayne Coyne and twice as much fun! Don’t get too eager now, fellas, since although the album is titled, namely “Embryonic,” and quite a great deal of material has been recorded in Steven Drozd’s house, the…
Album title: West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum Artist name: Kasabian Genre: Rock/Psychedelia Released: 5 June 2009 Label: Columbia ZME Rating: 7/10 Website: kasabian.co.uk When one of rock’s popular young pretenders attempt a concept album inspired by LSD-infused 60s psychedelia in 2009, it is difficult to know whether to commend British exports Kasabian or rip them apart. Upon a first spin of West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, one thing is for sure – this is not…
I think Headlights do not need any long introduction anymore, as they have been one of the most active members of the indie pop scene for 5 years now. I’m sure the ones who have been listening to their music are very excited to see this. If you think that you’re in a blur, however, just take the time to listen to “Cherry Tulips” or “Market Girl” on their MySpace or look for “Get Your…
We’re three songs into Ham Sandwich’s set in Whelan’s, and the entire crowd is already covered in confetti and there are maybe ten beach ball-sized balloons being batted between audience and band. Everyone in the venue is either grinning madly or openly laughing. Ham Sandwich are clearly here to have some fun. But wait: like a bunch of drunks in charge of a time machine, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. (That’s an old Mr. Biffo…
Did I happen to mention how much I love Twitter? I’m sure I have, nonetheless it never hurts reminding people how remarkable this social media giant is. Everybody’s using it. Now, it’s really easy for people to feel more connected, and a lot of boundaries between people have been eliminated, whether they were of physical or social nature. One of my favorite duos, surf rock outfit The Raveonettes have been sturdy supporters and compuslive users…
I’m really a big fan of Vincent Moon and his La Blogotheque sessions. The spontaniety of the show, how you can watch your favorite indie band playing in the street, even with ‘house hold’ instruments, all from the confort of your own home is amazing for me. However, I nearly can’t believe it how a big of fool I’ve been for missing out Delta Spirit’s Blogotheque session, where the San Diego soulful musicians just killed…
Al Byrne
Tibi Puiu
Lisa Hughes
Alex Petrache