It’s that time of year again. The time of year when you make your list and plan which of your local record stores you’ll be lining up outside of early on April 16th hoping to get your hands on one of the many awesome limited and special edition releases that will be put forth as part of the fourth annual Record Store Day. Well, maybe that’s just me and my crazy enthusiasm for a) the reemergence of vinyl and b) supporting local businesses. Last year I spent Record Store day wandering around Philly with my vinyl tucked under my arm, passing others rushing to see if they could get a copy of a record that had already sold out one place and meeting all sorts of other dedicated music fans. There was a great spirit amongst the crowd that gave the entire event a certain aura of authenticity. These were all people who recognize this social and experiential aspect of music. Really absorbing music goes way beyond downloading an album. It is the process of combing through the racks for that LP you totally forgot you needed to have, counting the days until an album is released, talking to other record buying folks to find out what their into; it is going out and participating in the culture. So, this year I highly encourage you to join in and head to your local record store(s) to take part in the fun. This year’s list of releases is a nicely mixed bag of genres so there is something for everyone and f you’re lucky your local spots have cool in-store plans. You can check it all out over at www.recordstoreday.com
These are my picks, so far…
Wounded Lion were one of the bands I had the absolute pleasure of discovering -and interviewing- at SXSW. These guys get on stage and let it it all go and magically it sounds really good. Well, not magically, Wounded Lion succeeds sonically because they don’t give a shit they just want to make music and have fun. Theirs is a loose sound with eager guitars and unpretentious vocals with a thumping soul of tasty brash cymbals. After seeing them live I find a lot to appreciate in their recordings that I might not have noticed just giving it a cursory listen. So,if you get the chance to catch them live DO IT. But, if you can’t see them live then check this out then listen to this.
[MP3] Creatures In A Cave
I’ll be honest this is a band that should have been posted long ago seeing as I first heard their stuff in late January but thankfully they have risen to the top of the massive pile of music I’m trying to make sorts of after not staying on top of email for a month. Giving them a refreshed listen I think it is their pure enthusiasm for the classic folk pop music they’re playing. Their new album Wholesome is an absolute pleasure to listen to, definitely caught myself tapping my pen in time with it while listening on my headphones today at work. There is still room for them to grow towards a more distinct Hands & Knees “sound” but they’ve proven they have the assets to work with.
[MP3] Close Your Eyes
Ok folks, after what I think I can safely classify as the hardest and most surreal seven weeks of my life so far I am finally ready to get back to blogging. I figured I’d start with filling you all in a little on what went on over these past few weeks.
Meet Ernesto.
(actually pinata replica of Ernesto made by my fabulous sister)
Ernesto is the name I gave to the tumor that was discovered a little over 6 weeks ago in my chest. Continue Reading →
Well 2011 is certainly off to a rocky start. First, there was the major shift in responsibility at work that left me stressed and scrambling for free time to do TWIAPC updates not to mention time to see friend and family. Then this weekend I received some totally surreal news that will completely rearrange my life in the next few weeks and months. In the short time I’ve had since getting this news I’ve begun prioritizing things and realized I won’t have time to keep posting right now. Which really breaks my heart because this here little blog is something I really do enjoy; but, I’m going to need to spend my time and energy getting work, family and health sorted for a while. I am happy to say though this will only be temporary because on the flip side of all the chaos I’ll be laid up for a while with nothing else to do but listen to tons of music and pound out posts.
So, please hang tight and I’ll be back before you know it.
x
em
It’s been a while since a rap album really grabbed my attention and Beans’ new album End It All not only grabbed me it never let me go. Each track has a new angle on inventive and awesome beat making. A member of the iconic Anti-Pop Consortium it’s not terribly surprising that he brings this degree of intelligence to this album. He pushes himself to explore new sounds both in transforming his usual delivery – weightier drawn out phrasing – as well as partnering with some other creative musical minds like TOBACCO, Four Tet and Son Lux. End It All proves Beans dexterity as a rapper and as a man willing to consider new angles.
[MP3] Mellow You Out
Moon Women are yet another Philly group quickly grabbing the attention of a wider audience. A group that started rather informally when the opportunity to play a irresistible gig arose the three figured they give it a go. Turns out they sounded really good. Now, with the polish of some practicing and gigging, the praise is coming in waves. Moon Women push the echo effects to a point only the experienced can reach without crumbing apart. It’s charged and gritty and is only going to get better. Get in early .
[MP3] Listen Closely
Philly was the second stop of The Dismemberment Plan’s much anticipated reunion tour last Thursday and no amount of snow, ice, stress or unfinished work could have kept me from going. I’m not cool enough to say that I have been a D Plan fan since their beginnings (or even during the ten years they were together) but sometime over the last few years they popped up on my radar and it was love at first listen. So, when they announced that they would do a brief tour to support the rerelease of their legendary album Emergency & I on vinyl tickets were immediately acquired. That was some four months ago and when Thursday night came I could hardly contain my excitement.
The 2011 Shaking Through season has begun with the first selection from session 1 curator Elise O from Pixlehorse. She’s coming out strong with Italian group A Classic Education, a six piece long over due for wider adoraiton. During their Philly session at Miner Street – one crammed in to a whirlwind CMJ/NY recording trip last fall- they chose to lay down their song “Night Owl.” It should surprise no one that the track sounds fantastic and puts A Classic Education’s fabulous indie pop sensibilities on grand display.
They recently released a Hey There Stranger an EP of similarly smart tracks which is definitely worth your time but if that doesn’t totally scratch that itch then check out the many videos on the Shaking Through website capturing the entire process of creating and refining “Night Owl.” They’ll be back in the US this spring with a stop at SXSW so keep your eyes out for their names appearing on your local venue calendars.
[MP3] Gone To Sea
I’ve long thought there wasn’t enough support for the hip hop scene in Philly. There aren’t enough places hosting shows and not enough support for the hip hop acts developing under the surface of Philly’s music scene. Finally someone has made it their goal to change that with Boombox Collective. A monthly showcase of local hip hop talent upstairs at the World Cafe. Starting tomorrow local acts will get a chance to show their stuff and build the community that has produced some fabulous acts (ahem, the Roots) over the years.
Go check it out. It’s free - all ages – from 9pm to midnight. If you can’t make it tomorrow March 16th and April 13th are the dates of the next two.
Ok, so right before I sat down to start writing I managed to really burn the beejayzus outta two of my fingers which really makes typing painful and cumbersome. So, I’m gong the short but sweet on these three. All of them deserve much lengthier write ups but I’m leaving it up to you on this one.
There is something really delightful about this track. In fact the entirety of Ben Wilkins’ music is rich with good energy. Oh Canadians.
[MP3] Through To You
A reminder of how calming simplicity is and the cathartic power of a good cry.
Pandit – Pack Your Bags from Tyler T Williams on Vimeo.
Visually stunning, musically
[MP3] Artichokes
Strange name, yes but it makes a lot more sense once you start listening to this band of German teens. Whether you’re Mr Green or not you too will find yourself dancing. While the production on the first few tracks they’re sharing with the public leaves a lot of room for improvement the music lying underneath it suggests that in the right hands this band will be a force to reckon with. Ambition percussion and intelligent guitar and bass riffs place this fresh band ahead of some bands that have been at this for years. With a bit more finessing and some touring I have no doubt the future for Mr. Green Is Dancing is a bright one.
[MP3] What A Pity
Philly’s Work Drugs have but gone from still water to rapid boil in only a few months with their smooth sailing pop. Their chiller than chill beats have a nice pacifying effect allowing your mind to drift off into the dreamy other-worlds their floating vocals imbue. Put on a little Work Drugs when you need to escape and in no time you’ll find yourself yacht rocking along with them. As they continue to gather steam I am sure I’ll be getting news of an LP or EP soon. As soon as I do I’ll let you know. For now enjoy…
[MP3] Dog Daze
Yellow Ostrich is a pair of intensely focused musicians hailing from Wisconsin who in the last year have released 2 LP’s, a 7 inch and 3 EPs. There is a playfulness about their music making that I really appreciate; rich percussion share the rhythm with lush vocal loops and manipulations. “Whale,” the lead single off of The Mistress has a fantastic push and pull between the spare drum beat and vocals building to a calamitous burst of sound. The Mistress is up on YO’s bandcamp page now – for the price of your choosing- and will go wide on February 15th. Get in on these guys you’re ears will be made very happy.
[MP3] Whale