Thursday, April 30, 2009

I'm Ok You're Ok

Jason Falkner - I'm Ok You're OkGood news from the world of Jason Falkner from his Yahoo! Group:

Jason's latest solo effort, "I'm OK You're OK," is set for a U.S. release in early August 2009. It will be available digitally, on CD and double-vinyl. The domestic release features several differences from the Japanese release; most notably the lead track, "This Time," beinga completely different version, and "This Time" has a new mix. Jason is also near completion of a brand new record which he hopes to have out at the very end of the year or early next. Upcoming tours are expected, with a summer date in Japan already confirmed.
I'm OK You're OK came out in Japan nearly two years ago! I broke down and bought the very expensive import and considering how long it has taken for a domestic release, that was a good decision. If you can't wait, you can pick up the import through Amazon here. Not Lame has carried it before but they are currently out of stock.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

No No No, Don't Pass Me Over

Dos De Mayo Block PartyIowans, your attention please (but please not your sympathy).

Dos Rios Cantina & Tequila Lounge is hosting the first annual Dos De Mayo Block Party in downtown Des Moines on Court Avenue. When, you may ask? For those not hip to the Spanish lingo, "dos de mayo" does not translate to "dose of mayonnaise" in English, comprende?

BoDeans are headliners - Bo-fucking-Deans people! Envy Corps are the local draw - Envy-fucking-Corps people! Spiffy other local acts round out the bill. Cheap food and booze and the weather should be perfect. $15/$20 tickets. What's not to love?

Buy your tix at IowaTIX.

You Know It's Not Real

Stereogum has the new video for Eels' Fresh Blood. It's an appropriately red piece of work. Red for blood, see. Fresh blood. Here, let me explain. Fresh Blood is the name of the new Eels song. Fresh blood (note the lower case b) is usually red - in people anyway. So E artfully hued his new video with red.

Got it? How werewolfy.


New album out 6/2. Fresh Blood is already on iTunes.

Previously...

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Brushing the Hands of Time Away

The La's to return?

With Pete Doherty and Babyshambles?

No no no. Leave the La's alone and start fresh. The album is a classic and the mythology around it makes is that much more interesting. First Stone Roses and now the La's? Leave it.

Try To Be Sweet

Mandy Moore - Amanda LeighAs previously noted, Mandy Moore's new album Amanda Leigh is due out May 26. Ever since she decided to put her pop starlet days behind her, she's been working with some of the best popsters in the business. Mike Viola produced and co-wrote the new album and they're playing together this Saturday at Largo in LA. His pop cred is inarguable.

Here's the video for the I Can Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week, the title for which was likely inspired by Kelly Clarkson. Honestly, it doesn't do much for me. I hope they'll be some gems on the rest of the album.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Shake Up Your Whole World

With representatives of Fountains of Wayne, Cheap Trick, Smashing Pumpkins, and Hanson, Tinted Windows is bound to be something special.


Your summer soundtrack arrives next Tuesday.

Tinted Windows "Kind of a Girl"


Full of Inner Light

Out June 16, a full-career retrospective of George Harrison.

All the tracks on Let It Roll will be digitally remastered and assembled in deluxe packaging with rare and unseen photographs. The album will also be released digitally. According to the press release, Harrison’s solo hits “My Sweet Lord,” “Isn’t It A Pity,” “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)” and “Got My Mind Set On You” will all be included on the set, and you can assume the collection’s namesake track, All Things Must Pass‘ “Let It Roll,” will also make the cut. Three of Harrison’s most popular songs that he penned for the Beatles are also on the track list: “Something,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Here Comes The Sun” from Harrison’s 1971 Concert For Bangladesh from New York’s Madison Square Garden. The full track list is expected to be announced soon.
Pure quality.

I Got a Crush On You

Mandy Moore talks hubby Ryan Adams, Fleet Foxes, and her new album Amanda Leigh due out May 26.


Yes. Mandy Moore.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Like a Magic Lantern Beaming With Projection My Reflection

Excellent new album news from Brandon Schott:

Am currently 1/2 through mixing my 3rd full length record, DANDELION, which was recorded almost exclusively at St Mark's Episcopal Church in Glendale, CA over 6 sessions between November 2008 and January 2009. The record primarily consists of material written and assembled during my treatment for cancer during the winter of 2007-2008, and was recorded as "live" as possible with the core talent of Billy Hawn on drums, Jesse Stern on Bass & Acoustic Guitar, Steve Barton on Electric Guitar and James Tan on violin. The glorious acoustics of the church play a big part in the collection, and three songs feature a full string section (arranged by my good friend Greg Jamrok). Hope to get you all more details about the release of this project soon, but for now we're hoping for a mid to late summer 2009 release.
Don't forget to download his cover of Michael Penn from Homegrown Recordings Vol. 3!

I Get Whatever I Need

In the 90s I saw Garbage open up for Smashing Pumpkins. Garbage was as tight and competent live as they are on disc and Shirley Manson was dead sexy. I could have done without Billy Corgan's masturbatory guitar work throughout the Pumpkins' overlong performance, but it was nice to see them at their peak.

Metric - FantasiesI reminisce because I guess today is retro day in the new release bin. Metric releases Fantasies, which includes Help, I'm Alive - an incredibly catchy tune that successfully straddles the line between Garbage and Breeders and would have been right at home on any 90s alt-pop radio station (like my 107dot5 in Des Moines). Likewise, Silversun Pickups obsess over Smashing Pumpkins with Swoon. If you're looking to take yourself back a decade or so, these new releases might be for you.

Want to go back even further? Simon & Garfunkel release Live 1969, which is chockfull of some of their best tunes (I Am a Rock, For Emily Whenever I May Find Her, The Boxer, Kathy's Song). Something for every retro taste today!

Metric - Fantasies (iTunes / Amazon)
Silversun Pickups - Swoon (iTunes / Amazon)
Simon & Garfunkel - Live 1969 (iTunes / Amazon)

Crap, now I'm broke.

Monday, April 13, 2009

There Will Be An Answer

Phil Spector is guilty of murder.

Just a Pocketful of Hope

Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs are donning their Sid 'n' Susie outfits yet again for Under the Covers Vol. 2, set for release in July. This time they're doing the 70s with help from Dhani Harrison, Lindsay Buckingham, and Steve Howe.

• Sugar Magnolia (The Grateful Dead)
• Go All The Way (The Raspberries)
• Second Hand News (Fleetwood Mac)
• Bell Bottom Blues (Derek & The Dominoes)
• All The Young Dudes (Mott The Hoople)
• You’re So Vain (Carly Simon)
• Here Comes My Girl (Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers)
• I’ve Seen All Good People: Your Move/All Good People (Yes)
• Hello It’s Me (Todd Rundgren)
• Willin’ (Little Feat)
• Back Of A Car (Big Star)
• Couldn’t I Just Tell You (Todd Rundgren)
• Gimme Some Truth (John Lennon)
• Everything I Own (Bread)
• Maggie May (Rod Stewart)
• Beware Of Darkness (George Harrison)
Sweet!

If This Will Make You Happier

Guster is making the summer festivals rounds:

6/19/09 - Jackson, MS @ Jubilee Jam Festival
6/20/09 - Atlanta, GA @ MidSummer Music Fest at Candler Park
6/21/09 - Birmingham, AL @ City Stages
7/02/09 - Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest
7/04/09 - Chicago, IL @ Taste of Chicago
7/05/09 - Rothbury, MI @ Rothbury Music Festival (exact show date TBA)
7/19/09 - Denver, CO @ Mile High Fest
7/25/09 - Bridgeport, CT @ Gathering of the Vibes
8/07/09 - Newport, RI @ Newport Yachting Center
8/08/09 - Portland, ME @ Baystock Festival
Me gusta Guster.

Friday, April 10, 2009

EXCLUSIVE: BRANDON SCHOTT - HOMEGROWN RECORDINGS VOL. 3

Brandon Schott - Homegrown Recordings
Vol. 3: "Perfect Candidate"

Brandon Schott covering Michael Penn? What's not to love?!

PERFECT CANDIDATE was recorded in the summer of 2006 for a Michael Penn tribute compilation organized by the yahoo Pennlist, a message board I've been a member of for some time now. I've met some truly wonderful friends on that list, as well as some great musical minds as well. I was honored to be in such enthusiastic company wfo this project. This track was also special as it gave me an opportunity to collaborate with my friends from the board Steven Wilson (of Plasticsoul) & Jake Gideon (of The Breakups) in the context of the very music that brought us together in the first place, the sorely under-rated and under appreciated Penn. Recorded and mixed by Marc Bernal (also of Plasticsoul) at the Toluca Ranch. Thanks to everyone on Pennlist for inspiring this cover, and to Steven & Jake for adding your priceless $.02. Oh, and do look up Mark, Jake and Steven's respective bands - you won't be sorry! Cheers, guys! See you next month, if not sooner! :)

MP3: Brandon Schott - Perfect Candidate
Video: Brandon Schott - Too Far Gone



SHOWS:
Cafe Muse
Brandon Schott & Friends
*featuring a rare LA appearance by NYC's own Brooke Fox!
Friday, April 24 2008 9 PM
6547 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, California 90038

An Evening in the Courtyard - CHARITY EVENT!!
Brandon Schott w/ Strings!
Saturday May 2, 2009 8PM
St Mark's Episcopal Church
1020 N Brand Blvd
Glendale, California 91202

Cancerpalooza 2009!!
Tuesday May 19, 2009 - 8PM!
575 South Fairfax
Los Angeles, California

BMI Showcase
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 @ 8PM!
Genghis Cohen
740 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA

All of Brandon Schott's singles and albums via iTunes
Brandon Schott - RELEASE (2003) via iTunes, Not Lame, CD Baby
Brandon Schott - Golden State (2007) via iTunes, Not Lame

Brandon Schott MySpace
Brandon Schott Official Site

Previously...

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

I Want You So Bad

The Beatles catalog is getting the full remastered treatment - uh, except no digital release. Full announcement:

We are delighted to announce the release of the original Beatles catalogue, which has been digitally re-mastered for the first time, for worldwide CD release on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 (09-09-09), the same date as the release of the widely anticipated "The Beatles: Rock Band" video game.

Each of the CDs is packaged with replicated original UK album art, including expanded booklets containing original and newly written liner notes and rare photos. For a limited period, each CD will also be embedded with a brief documentary film about the album. On the same date, two new Beatles boxed CD collections will also be released.


The albums have been re-mastered by a dedicated team of engineers at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London over a four year period utilising state of the art recording technology alongside vintage studio equipment, carefully maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the original analogue recordings. The result of this painstaking process is the highest fidelity the catalogue has seen since its original release.


The collection comprises all 12 Beatles albums in stereo, with track listings and artwork as originally released in the UK, and 'Magical Mystery Tour,' which became part of The Beatles' core catalogue when the CDs were first released in 1987. In addition, the collections 'Past Masters Vol. I and II' are now combined as one title, for a total of 14 titles over 16 discs. This will mark the first time that the first four Beatles albums will be available in stereo in their entirety on compact disc. These 14 albums, along with a DVD collection of the documentaries, will also be available for purchase together in a stereo boxed set.


Within each CD's new packaging, booklets include detailed historical notes along with informative recording notes. With the exception of the 'Past Masters' set, newly produced mini-documentaries on the making of each album, directed by Bob Smeaton, are included as QuickTime files on each album. The documentaries contain archival footage, rare photographs and never-before-heard studio chat from The Beatles, offering a unique and very personal insight into the studio atmosphere.


A second boxed set has been created with the collector in mind. 'The Beatles in Mono' gathers together, in one place, all of the Beatles recordings that were mixed for a mono release. It will contain 10 of the albums with their original mono mixes, plus two further discs of mono masters (covering similar ground to the stereo tracks on 'Past Masters'). As an added bonus, the mono "Help!" and "Rubber Soul" discs also include the original 1965 stereo mixes, which have not been previously released on CD. These albums will be packaged in mini-vinyl CD replicas of the original sleeves with all original inserts and label designs retained.


Discussions regarding the digital distribution of the catalogue will continue. There is no further information available at this time.

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Cough Up The Bucks

Neil Young - Fork in the RoadStream Neil Young's new album Fork in the Road free at HisSpace before its official release on 4/7.

Fork In The Road is a new series of songs inspired both by the world economic and climate change crises, as well as by Neil Young's well-documented obsession with cars — specifically the LincVolt, a 1959 model Lincoln that Young has restored and converted into an electrically powered hybrid. Many of the songs were first performed live during Young's world tour last year.
via Blogcritics.org

Genuflect Beneath the Starry Skies

Billboard.com:

The Jayhawks, the lauded Americana band originally from Minneapolis, are reuniting their mid-90s line-up for a pair of summer shows, with plans to play together more next year.
So there you are. Read more details here. I'm a huge fan of Smile - one of the albums without Mark Olson. I do remember a great deal of controversy around its release that it was TOO POPPY! Gasp! As if there's such a thing.
Mark Olson & Gary Louris acoustic tour dates:

April 6: Seattle, WA (Triple Door)
April 7: Portland, OR (Aladdin)
April 9: San Francisco, CA (Great American Music Hall)
April 10: Santa Cruz (The Crepe Place)
April 11: Los Angeles, CA (Largo At The Coronet)
April 12: Solana Beach, CA (Belly Up)
April 13: Tucson, AZ (Club Congress)
April 15: Santa Fe, NM (Santa Fe Brewing Company)
April 17: Dallas, TX (Sons Of Hermann Hall)
April 18: Austin, TX (Antone's)

The Jayhawks tour dates:

May 30th: Barcelona, Spain (Primavira Sound '09 Festival)
July 10: Minneapolis, MN (Basilica Block Party)

Who Knows What Tomorrow Might Bring?

CancerpaloozaOur good friend Brandon Schott (and others) will be appearing at Cancerpalooza LA '09 on May 19 at Molly Malones in LA (that's Los Angeles, not Louisiana).

Cancerpalooza is about empowering young adults affected by cancer and raising awareness for the cause of "cancer under 40" through an artists showcase featuring musicians diagnosed in the prime of their lives who chose to get busy living by expressing themselves and sharing their story through the art of their survivorship.
More info here. I can't be there so you should.

We Gotta Make It Happen

Wow, it's nice to stumble upon stuff like this. Too Poppy favorite and power pop staple The Candyskins have a (very sparse) Facebook page with 4 unreleased songs - Get A Lot Done, Make It Happen, I Remember You, Stars Shine. Listen here.

It's nice to hear their distinctive sound again as it has been awhile for me. This means I'll be listening on the way home today.


Too Poppy Must-Have Album: The Space I'm In
Too Poppy Must-Have Song (if you don't buy the album): I Never Will Forget You

Facebook
TheirSpace
iTunes
Amazon


Related: Mark Cope from The Candyskins also has a 'new' band - Nine Stone Cowboy. While I haven't had a chance to listen to more than a handful of 30 second clips in iTunes, they at least seem to have the same 'feel' as The Candyskins. The vocals are certainly familiar.

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

So Tired of the Same Ol' Crud

EELS - Hombre LocoHere's some Fresh Blood via EELS at TheirSpace. Sounds Folk Implosiony.

HOMBRE LOCO out June 2.

Always Has a Replay

On May 5, The Smithereens continue their long avoidance to releasing new original material with The Smithereens Play Tommy, a tribute to the classic Who album that turns 40 this year.

The Smithereens decided to make a proper, all-out studio version of one of the albums that inspired their rock dreams of becoming a band in the first place for this 40th anniversary tribute. The Who's unique sound will never be duplicated, but then again neither will The Smithereens' sound that has made them enduring rock icons over the past 25 plus years. The result is part Who, part Smithereens. Part totally familiar, and part unexpectedly unique... and 100% tour de force. The Smithereens' "musical dreams ain't quite what they seem" -- the result is more than a loving tribute and much more like an inspired re-imagining. After listening to this album a few times, you may never hear any of The Who's versions of Tommy the same way again.
Oh, and they promise a new original album later this year - after they release their re-imagining of More of the Monkees and an acoustic remixed live version of their Meet the Smithereens Beatles tribute.

I kid. I kid.

A Welcome Arrow Through the Heart

Snow Patrol announced this week they will be supporting Coldplay on the North American leg of their tour, which includes Des Moines. This will make my June 12 so much better - a twofer!

Why do I feel guilty about liking Snow Patrol? A Hundred Million Suns has yet to wow me, though.