Stereo Typing

Stream: Unknown Mortal Orchestra + Videos

2012-01-27T17:11:00.000-05:00

I'm playing catch up with this release. Unknown Mortal Orchestra were featured on a significant amount of year-end lists for 2011 yet I managed to elude them until now. This is definitely a case of better late than never. To be quite honest, the lo-fi production approach was starting to wear on me until I heard these guys. Unknown Mortal Orchestra utilizes grainy production in a way where it almost seems like a member of the band. On tracks like the irresistible single "Ffunny Ffrends", there is an odd cohesion created by the murky sound that holds all the elements together. The guitar playing is impressive throughout with some solos even poking out in songs like the amusing "Thought Ballune". Perhaps my favorite, "Jello and Juggernauts" stands out from the rest because of it's ability to let the vocals take charge. The melody makes it sound like an R&B song from another planet. "How Can U Luv Me", another highlight, is an upbeat yet confessional 70s style jam that contains clever lyrics like "How can you love me / When you don't like me, baby / How can you look at me / And not see I'm lonely". Elsewhere, the stuttering beat and funky rhythm of "Strangers are Strange" makes you want to stop what your doing and dance awkwardly around the room. They also have some entertaining music videos that fit perfectly with their lighthearted sound. Don't hesitate on this release like I did!

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New Track Rundown

2012-01-26T20:18:00.001-05:00

I haven't covered much new music this year but that doesn't mean there aren't already some great songs circulating. Below is a new track rundown of everything I have been listening to lately. The first track is the newest from Brooklyn up-and-comers Conveyor. It is a captivating journey through spacey melodies with slow building acoustics and well placed electronic flourishes. "Stay Useless" is the perfect introduction to Cloud Nothings' buzzworthy new effort Attack on Memory. It makes great use of the raw Steve Albini production and brings to mind the guitar-driven slacker anthems of the 90s. Mathew Dear's track "In the Middle (I Met You There)" shows how well he can mesh funky rhythms with memorable keyboard lines. It comes from his excellent four song EP, Headcage. Sonic Youth may be finished but that isn't going to stop guitarist Lee Randaldo from writing innovative guitar lines as you can hear on "Off the Wall", the first taste of his upcoming debut album. Scottish shoegazers The Twilight Sad are set to release No One Can Ever Know, their third album, on February 7. If "Another Bed" is any indication, they are leaning towards a synth-laden sound that borrows more from punk and new wave than their previous two efforts. Check out all these and more after the jump. As always, I have included the dates when these great artists are playing in the Boston area.

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Album Review: The Big Pink - Future This

2012-01-25T20:16:00.001-05:00

The new year has begun and avid music fans have been left in purgatory. With the promise of so many big names and long-awaited albums, the first quarter of the year probably seems duller than it actually is. Some anticipated albums have already hit shelves, and none have fans more split than The Big Pink’s sophomore album, Future This. While not entirely avoiding the sophomore slump, the album shows flashes of brilliance in between some inopportune and lackluster moments. The duo consisting of Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell have crafted a record that relies much heavier on pop structures than their highly lauded debut, A Brief History of Love.

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Stream: Zammuto – Idiom Wind Single

2012-01-17T23:08:00.000-05:00

Sound collage innovators The Books have released some of my favorite records of all time, so I was overjoyed to hear that Nick Zammuto, one half of the duo, was working on a solo project under his last name. The Idiom Wind single serves as the first taste and is three tracks full of the innovation and creativity you would expect. It is the precursor to a full-length scheduled to be released in the spring on Temporary Residence. You can order the single here via Make Mind. The 7″ is limited to 500 copies and there will be a digital option made available as well.

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Stream/Download: Speedy Ortiz - The Death of Speedy Ortiz

2012-01-17T19:05:00.000-05:00

In yesterday’s post, I briefly mentioned my affinity for Sebadoh. What I didn’t mention was my love for Guided by Voices, but you know those go hand-in-hand. Speedy Ortiz, the solo project of Quilty's Sadie Dupuis, perfectly captures the spirit of both those bands with battered songs of lo-fi excellence. Each song on The Death of Speedy Ortiz was written in 30-50 minutes and home recorded the same day with Sadie playing all roles. It is an impressive feat, especially given the results in tracks like “Cutco” which bring to mind the best slacker anthems of the 90s. The chorus of “All my friends want to cut me into bits / They should throw me on a skillet / Make dinner of what they get” has a downtrodden yet infectious melody that is hard to forget. The ingenious bedroom album is available for free so don’t forget to download yourself a copy.

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Year-End Report: 2011 Odds & Ends

2012-01-16T16:38:00.000-05:00

I hope you enjoyed Stereo Typing's Top 50 Albums of 2011 and explored all the featured bands. It's now time to take a look at the other aspects of 2011 which made it a special year. Below are a few lists of my favorite EPs, 7"s, reissues, shows, disappointments, comedies, movies, and some other categories of interest. I've included a few quick words and plenty of media where available. Check it all out after the jump.

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Year-End Report: Top 50 Albums of 2011 10-1

2012-01-05T13:45:00.000-05:00

It was quite the undertaking counting down my Top 50 Albums of 2011 but I came out unscathed. There is plenty to be excited about in the world of music; not just these albums, but also the fact that music sales are up for the first time since 2004. The times they are a-changin': digital sales finally beat out physical music sales for the first time. Additionally, vinyl sales are up a whopping 39%! I purchased a great deal of this Top 50 on vinyl and if you have a record player, there is nothing like it. Whatever your medium, I encourage you to purchase anything you have discovered here. I hope you've enjoyed the countdown so far. The Top 10 is an unpredictable list full of great albums you need to hear. Give everything a spin and let me know what you think! With further ado, I give you my favorite albums of 2011:

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Year-End Report: Top 50 Albums of 2011 20-11

2012-01-05T12:49:00.000-05:00

The Top 20 has finally arrived after a short intermission. I know that you have probably been dying with anticipation. These ten records include many psychedelic rock bands and singer/songwriters. Although 2011 wasn't a particularly good year for heavy music, some hardcore/metal bands did manage to stake a claim in the Top 20. Also, everyone's favorite band that set the bar too high for themselves. Read all about it and listen to some fantastic tunes after the jump.

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Year-End Report: Top 50 Albums of 2011 30-21

2012-01-04T11:14:00.000-05:00

I hope you are enjoying our Top 50 Albums of 2011 so far. The trend of looking back to the 90's for inspiration is finally starting to appear in these next ten. Along with those, there are some polarizing artists and several that are just plain out there. Also, some old school veterans that I wasn't expecting to have as great of a comeback album as they did. Sample everything below and check back tomorrow when the Top 20 starts.

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Year-End Report: Top 50 Albums of 2011 40-31

2012-01-03T16:22:00.002-05:00

The beauty of piecing together a year-end list is the spread of various genres that have managed to capture your interest. With this installment of our continuing Top 50 Albums of 2011, there is much more diversity than the first ten which resulted in an interesting sampling of the previous year's music. These ten albums collectively have influences from styles that include indie rock, classic rock, country, world music, rap, soul, and post-rock. I urge you to check them all out because it's often surprising what you end up liking.

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Year-End Report: Top 50 Albums of 2011 50-41

2012-01-02T21:07:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year! Stereo Typing is proud to ring in 2012 with a look back at the albums that made 2011 a memorable year for music. I'll be revealing my Top 50 Albums of 2011 by releasing ten each day this week. Along with a description as to why you need to hear each one, I will include the track that made the biggest impact on me. I am posting these tracks for sampling purposes so that listeners can understand why I am obsessed with these records. If there is something that should not be featured here, email me and I will take it down ASAP. As always, I encourage you to purchase anything you have discovered and liked. I have gone over this list an obsessive amount of times and it is truly a testament to how much I love music. Please take the time to look it over and enjoy discovering some great new tunes!

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Ugh God Pile on the Tunes at Kung Fu Necktie

2011-12-08T15:00:00.001-05:00

Last week, I went on quite the adventure to see Boston powerhouse Pile perform at Kung Fu Necktie in Philadelphia. I was in northeast PA for the holidays and had the simple plan of driving down with a friend to see the band perform alongside Psychic Teens and Ugh God. In typical fashion, my friend bailed and my car broke. After unsuccessfully trying purchase a bus ticket, I was starting to give up hope that I would be able to witness the excellent bill. With nothing to do the next day, my dad offered to drive me there and back. After hearing about the last minute to trip to Philly, my mom decided she wanted to tag along as well. It was evident from the start that this was going to be one of the more interesting concert experiences I’ve had in a while and a strange family outing on top of that.

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New Track Rundown

2011-12-01T14:01:00.001-05:00

It’s been awhile since I posted anything in this space. The holidays had me traveling a lot and I wasn’t even by a computer long enough to jot down more than a thought or two. That doesn’t mean I haven’t been keeping up with music and discovering new and exciting tracks. Below you can find a rundown of what I have been listening to in my two week absence. I was probably the most excited about the news that Guided by Voices are reuniting with their classic lineup and have a new album coming out in January. If the single “The Unsinkable Fats Domino” is any indication, it’s going to be quite enjoyable. The new records from Tom Waits and Richard Swift, Bad as Me and Walt Wolfman respectively, have dominated my listening habits which I’m sure you will understand why after listening to the songs in the playlist.

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Stream: Widowspeak - Widowspeak

2011-11-18T01:15:00.001-05:00

I've been meaning to write about Widowspeak for a while now. On Wednesday, I was overly excited when their song "Harsh Realm" was played during the new episode of American Horror Story. It is one among a sea of standouts from their 2011 self-titled debut. The Brooklyn trio crafts a sound that is certainly indebted to Mazzy Star yet maintains its own unique intricacies. On songs like "Gun Shy", guitarist Robert Thomas generates some spellbinding leads that slowly creep up on you and take a spot in the back of your mind. The whole album is engulfed in a thick atmospheric haze that leaves the feeling that you are gently drifting out to sea. "Limbs" could easily serve as the soundtrack to smoke billowing out of a slow burning cigarette as you stare into the void. Vocalist Molly Hamilton has a seductive voice that moves between a whisper and an arresting croon. The melancholy air the group creates together is seasoned with the delicate percussion of Michael Stasiak. Rich arrangements and some hypnotic feedback keep things interesting the entire length of the album. There is nothing too fancy and there are no bad tracks; it's just a straightforward transmission of their stunning sound. The only negative I could find is that it is over too soon. You can listen to the whole thing after the jump …and then immediately listen to it again because it’s that good.

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Hallelujah the Hills Unveil Holdover Single “Amateurs”

2011-11-17T20:56:00.001-05:00

On their bandcamp, Hallelujah the Hills have a quote from Havelock Ellis stating "The world's greatest thinkers have often been amateurs; for high thinking is the outcome of fine and independent living, and for that a professional chair offers no special opportunities.” It’s a lot to take in and sets up the mindset of the group for their recent “Amateurs” single. It is no surprise that Hallelujah the Hills respect the potential of the common man given their support of Occupy Boston. The anthemic ode to the plight of amateurs features lush instrumentation, sing-along vocals, and thoughtful lyrics. Listen to it alongside the equally impressive B-side “The Girls Are Here”. These tracks are exclusive and will not be featured on their upcoming third album. The band will be performing at the Milky Way in Jamaica Plain tomorrow (Friday, November 18) with Hilly Eye and Big Digits. Don’t pass up the opportunity to see such a great line-up; I know that I won’t be missing it.

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Listen to Michael Kiwanuka‘s New Song "Home Again"

2011-11-17T20:15:00.001-05:00

Michael Kiwanuka is making a name for himself as one of the more promising new soul artists. One listen to “Home Again” and names like Bill Withers and Otis Redding are bound to arise in your mind. It is the ideal song to listen to on a chilly autumn night where you are spending time inside your head contemplating the future. The wistful new track comes from an upcoming new EP of the same name to be released January 1st on Polydor Records. It is the precursor to an album coming in March 2012.

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Stream: Quilty – Strange Matter

2011-11-17T19:38:00.001-05:00

Quilty have made available a three track EP titled Strange Matter for free download at their bandcamp. It perfectly showcases their ability to juxtapose sweet melodies with crunchy distortion on songs like “Cult of Ego”. The highlight is the title track which finds frontwoman Sarah Dupuis gently picking notes on her guitar before it deconstructs into grungy chaos. The final track, “Carnivale,” is a dark, brooding waltz that leaves the listener in a hazy dream. Hear all three tracks after the jump and don’t forget to grab it at their bandcamp.

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Stream the New J Mascis B-side from the “Circle” Single

2011-11-17T19:10:00.001-05:00

Sub Pop has released a stream of the soothing, moody new song “I’ve Been Thinking” from Dinosaur Jr. mastermind J Mascis. It is the B-side from the “Circle” 7” which will be issued on November 22. The A-side is an Edie Brickell & New Bohemians cover that has been a staple of Mascis’ live shows. It was also a Japanese bonus track on J's solo full-length, Several Shades of Why, one of the year’s best records. After the jump, you can stream the song and watch a performance of “Circle” courtesy of Pitchfork . I have also included the 1988 music video for the original song.

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New Track Rundown

2011-11-10T13:50:00.001-05:00

The wonderful Parts & Labor are no longer with us but they left behind the fantastic swan song “No Nostalgia.” It showcases the creatively rich mixture of lo-fi electronics and rock that they have become known for over the past decade. It is also a perfect lead into this week’s new track rundown. If you enjoy the song, I would also urge you to pick up their excellent 2011 album, Constant Future. Following “No Nostalgia” is Craig Wedren’s “I Know” from Wand, which is only his second solo album behind 2005’s Lapland and his first album since Shudder to Think reunited. It’s all over the place in the most glorious way and features his signature vocal acrobatics. “Come to Me” is not necessarily a new track; it comes from We Were Exploding Anyway by 65daysofstatic and features The Cure frontman Robert Smith. The album was released last year in the UK to stellar reviews and has finally received a US release this week which is why it is featured here. All this and more can be heard after the jump.

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North Mississippi Allstars Shake Paradise Rock Club

2011-11-09T18:17:00.000-05:00

Sometimes being a blogger pays dividends. I received an email a couple of weeks ago saying that I could cover The Smashing Pumpkins show with Light FM at The Orpheum Theatre on October 21. I was stoked as The Smashing Pumpkins were playing material from Gish and Siamese Dream [two of my favorite albums ever] in celebration of their upcoming reissues and Light FM is a fine up-and-coming band. At the time, I was arranging plans to catch some of the free shows at CMJ that weekend but I decided to cancel those plans and stay in town. As often is the case, there was a miscommunication within the PR company and my ticket was not waiting for me at the venue. With nothing to do that night, I called some Boston venues looking for something else to see. I was pleasantly surprised that North Mississippi Allstars were playing with one of my absolute favorite emerging talents, Alabama Shakes at Paradise Rock Club.

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Braids Pepper the Audience with Gold

2011-11-07T16:48:00.002-05:00

In my opinion, a bill is always best when it includes a diverse array of bands that play a wide range of styles. I was treated to quite an eclectic lineup when I caught Born Gold, Pepper Rabbit, and Braids at Great Scott on October 20th. All three bands have enjoyed steadily rising buzz throughout the year. This made the show a must-see for anyone looking to catch a performance from the best of new and emerging artists.

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Pile Reveal New Tour Dates and Single

2011-11-02T21:01:00.000-04:00

In addition to their recent signing with Exploding in Sound Records, Pile have announced a string of east coast dates. If you have the chance to see this band live, do not miss it as they are one of the best live forces currently tearing through the country. The band also have a new single called "Pigeon Song" that is available on a compilation from fellow Boston bloggers, Boston Hassle. You can purchase the compilation on a wearable button here. That's right, it's on a friggin' button! The compilation features other Stereo Typing favorites from the Boston area like Doomstar!, Fat History Month, Big Digits, Skimask, and Kal Marks. But really, the whole thing is great so give it a spin below.

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Stream: The Soft Moon - Total Decay EP

2011-10-31T21:23:00.001-04:00

If you are searching for some spooky tunes to accompany your Halloween night, look no further than The Soft Moon. Luis Vasquez already established his ominous droning style on The Soft Moon's self-titled debut album last year. Now, he is unleashing the Total Decay EP on the world which finds him delving even further into the darkside. The four tracks go by in a flash but still leave quite the impression. They couple piercing electronic noise with pulsing rhythms in a manner that suggests Suicide and Joy Division as definite influences. Give it a spin after the jump and watch the eerie video for the title track if you dare .

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Girls Gone Wild Flag

2011-10-31T16:05:00.000-04:00

When writing about Wild Flag, it seems like the critic is obligated to talk about their past projects and the fact that the band is comprised entirely of women. By now, everyone and their mother knows this band is a supergroup featuring singer/guitarist Mary Timony (Helium), singer/guitarist Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney, Portlandia), keyboardist Rebecca Cole (The Minders), and Janet Weiss (Sleater-Kinney, Quasi, Stephem Malkmus & The Jicks). So while I’m supposed to be talking about age, sex, and past projects, I want to focus on the fact that they simply make great rock and roll music. No matter which way you cut it, their 2011 self-titled debut is one raucous artifact and a damn near instant classic. I had the opportunity to see if they could reproduce the exuberant energy from their debut on stage when I caught them at Paradise Rock Club on October 14th.

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PS I Love Suuns

2011-10-31T13:18:00.000-04:00

I've been fairly obsessed with Suuns (pronounced “Soons”) ever since I saw their mesmerizing video for “Pie IX.” They are one of the more unique musical entities coming out of the great white north. On their debut, 2010’s Zeroes QC, they managed to establish the perfect dichotomy between eerie noise and accessible dance music. I’m writing this on Halloween and songs like “Gaze” could serve as the perfect soundtrack to your night. Having been impressed with their performance at this year’s SXSW, I was happy to once again catch the exciting live act with Valleys and PS I Love You on October 7 at Great Scott.

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Stereo Typing is Proud to Announce: Exploding in Sound Records Sign Boston's Pile

2011-10-26T20:19:00.000-04:00

Every blogger has probably thought about starting their own record label at one point. I've been talking about it since I started writing about music in high school. Starting a record label > Talking about starting a record label. That simple equation explains why I am so excited that this dream is coming to fruition. Exploding in Sound Records is a new label co-founded by Dan Goldin of Exploding in Sound, Ty Griffin of Escaping the Ordinary, and yours truly. Together, we make a passion team of innovative thinkers who are ready to make an impact in the ever-changing music industry. We all have extensive experience in the industry [myself holding a degree in music industry] and the hunger to make a difference. I am proud to announce that our first signing is none other than Boston's finest, Pile. I have ranted and raved many times on this blog about the potential the band possesses and now I am ready to do my part in helping them reach it. The full announcement is after the jump along with all of the details.

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New Track Rundown

2011-10-26T17:53:00.000-04:00

I'm surprised more bloggers aren't going wild for Dreamers of the Ghetto. At least, they aren't going wild yet. This band has one of the most captivating and anthemic sounds I have heard in 2011. Last week, I put their grandiose Springsteen-esque track "Tether" on the New Track Rundown and this week their song "State of a Dream" is headlining. The band is playing at TT The Bear's tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 26) so any Bostonians reading this before then sound be making the trek over there later. Their set starts at 9:40. I'll be in attendance so you can say hi to your [least] favorite music blogger. Some other exciting new tracks include "Don't Move" from Phantogram which matches the high bar they set with their debut, last year's Eyelid Movies. For the more adventurous listeners, there is the "Mladek," a hefty helping of epic post-rock bliss from Russian Circles. Listen to those songs along with a slew of great new artists after the jump.

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Marnie Stern Brings Joy to The Middle East

2011-10-26T16:00:00.000-04:00

The queen of perplexing finger-tagging guitar magic, Marnie Stern, once again stopped by The Middle East Upstairs on September 30th to astonish an audience of adoring fans. This time around, she brought up-and-coming shoegazers No Joy along for the ride. This was an intriguing combination as No Joy would provide a steady entrancing groove in contrast Marnie Stern’s controlled chaos. For those unfamiliar, Stern is not only the premier female guitar virtuoso but she can also outplay anyone currently making their rounds through the music circuit.

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Fucked Up Wavves of Sound at Royale

2011-10-26T15:42:00.000-04:00

Fucked Up put on one of the more memorable performances when I caught them earlier this year. In fact, they are simply one of the best live acts currently touring. There was no way that I was going to miss them when they made their second stop through Royale this year on September 23rd. I was especially interested in the show because of opener Wavves featuring notorious stoner Nathan Williams. He and his band have gone from a musical entity that I absolutely despised to one whose praises I have been singing as of late. It’s rare that a band is able to turn me around so drastically and I wanted to see if I could be won over by their live show as well.

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Nothing Gross about Yuck's Performance at TT's

2011-10-26T15:27:00.000-04:00

Yuck’s self-titled debut was my favorite record at the halfway point of the year and has managed to maintain that position ever since. Anyone who has read this blog in the past knows my affinity for 90s alternative and no one captures the golden age of that sound like Yuck. Having seen an impressive set at SXSW earlier in the year, I was ready to see them in a more intimate setting at TT The Bear’s on September 22nd. The group just released the deluxe version of their debut which includes a disc containing six additional tracks. They played several of these at the show and left a permanent impression on everyone who was in attendance.

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Hooray for Cymbals Eat Guitars at Brighton Music Hall

2011-10-26T15:08:00.000-04:00

It had been over two years since I had seen Cymbals Eat Guitars. At the time, the band stood out as one of the groups that were carrying the torch for 90’s indie rock bands like Pavement and Built to Spill. The same is true today except with their latest release, Lenses Alien, they are able to take a few steps out of the shadow of those two bands. The record presents a more mature group of musicians who have honed their craft and formulated a voice of their own. It is one of the standout records of 2011. It is also the reason I was so excited about catching their show on September 20th at Brighton Music Hall.

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Hallelujah the Hills Occupy Boston

2011-10-18T14:56:00.001-04:00

Since last I checked in with Occupy Boston, the movement faced some serious trials and tribulations. I stopped by again on Saturday, October 15 and caught a moving performance from Hallelujah the Hills. The people at the occupation were as jubilant as ever and seemed to have only become stronger and more organized. What better way to keep spirits high than a riveting performance from one of Boston’s finest? Hallelujah the Hills were the perfect accompaniment to the breezy autumn night and the kindred spirits fighting tirelessly for a more equitable future. Music and important societal movements have always gone hand in hand and I couldn’t be more grateful that artists like Jeff Mangum, Amanda Palmer, and Hallelujah the Hills have performed in solidarity with the Occupy protesters. It is shaping up to be one of the most important movements of my lifetime with a chance to establish real progressive change.

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New Track Rundown

2011-10-18T12:57:00.000-04:00

It seems like every year Los Campesinos! release an album that goes largely unnoticed. They have been one of the most consistent bands and have maintained their creativity across all albums. “By Your Hand” was released last month as the first taste from their latest effort, Hello Sadness, to be released on November 15. The catchy little number is laced with their signature dry wit and is the perfect lead-off track for this week’s new track rundown. It is followed by one of the year’s best singles in “Dawned on Me.” Wilco’s newest album, The Whole Love, was a stunning surprise when it was released. It strikes the perfect balance between accessible songs like the aforementioned track and the big, bold Americana sound that we have come to love from the group. It lives up to the hype of being their best effort since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Speaking of a big and bold sound, one of my favorite new bands, Dreamers of the Ghetto, have quite the anthem in “Tether.” Let me say that if you long for epic folk rock anthems of Bruce Springsteen, you may have found your new favorite band. These guys may be taking cues from The Boss but they aren’t slaves to one particular sound. With “Tether,” they are able to display strong songwriting skills while morphing their noticeable influences into a unique voice of their own. All this and more can be heard in the playlist below.

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Amanda Palmer Occupies Dewey Square in Boston

2011-10-07T00:39:00.000-04:00

Many people have been asking where the music has been for the Occupy protests. As you can see from my previous post, Jeff Mangum took everyone by surprise when he performed at Occupy Wall Street on Tuesday night. Today, Occupy Boston had their own special guest in the form of Amanda Fucking Palmer. She performed several songs with her trusty ukulele and it was quite a special moment. Her wit and charisma shined as she ran through songs with her shadow cast below signs that read “Have fun” and “We are the 99%.” In honor of Jeff Mangum’s performance, she began with a cover of Neutral Milk Hotel’s “Two-Headed Boy.” The set also included a “reimagining” of Rebecca Black’s “Friday,” the clever innuendo-laden “Map of Tasmania,” a unique take on “Free Bird,” and a rendition of Billy Bragg’s “The World Turned Upside Down.” The highlight of the set, though, was a new song tentatively titled either “The Ukulele Anthem” or “Play Your Ukulele”. It suggested that many of the world’s problems could be solved by picking up the ukulele and learning a few songs. Let the ukulele revolution begin!

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Jeff Mangum Occupies Wall Street

2011-10-05T00:45:00.000-04:00

The other day when discussing the Occupy Wall Street movement, I was saying that some musicians need to get onboard and start performing in the crowd. As anyone who knows how to use the internet is now aware, our national media outlets have failed us and have been ignoring what may be one of the most important protests of our time (at the very least, it is certainly a newsworthy event). Shortly after stating that musicians may give the movement the attention that it needs, the internet was abound with rumors that Radiohead would be performing. Those rumors, of course, prove to be false. But on Oct 4th (Day 18 of the occupation), in one of the more surprising stories, Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum performed a set for the activists. The notoriously reclusive musician put on a rare performance of favorites while surrounded by adoring fans who were singing along. Although not the best quality, the video below is still a power watch and an absolutely beautiful moment.

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On the Rise: Conveyor Unveil Two New Tracks

2011-10-04T16:09:00.001-04:00

Conveyor became one of my favorite new bands with their debut release, Sun Ray, which topped all EPs I heard so far in 2011 in my Mid-Year Report. Their live show further impressed me and established the band as one to watch. The performance matched the energy of the songs on the Sun Ray EP but also left me craving new material. I got my wish as Conveyor recently released two new songs, “Ellery (Carol No. 4)” and “Rosacea (Carol No. 2)”. The tracks find them further exploring folk influences and are draped in gentle acoustic guitars and dreamy harmonies. You can stream them below and also purchase a limited edition handmade cassette package with the aforementioned songs and the exclusive track “Snow Bank (Carol No. 6)”at their bandcamp.

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Get to Know Alabama Shakes

2011-10-04T15:07:00.002-04:00

I already named Alabama Shakes a must hear and things seem to be moving quickly for the young group. I can’t think of a band that deserves it more. Their revival of old school blues and soul is simply unmatched by their peers. Every song sounds like the kind of heart-wrenching confessional that a band would save until the very end of a set. I’m not sure there is anyone else currently making music that projects such unbridled emotion as Brittany Howard does in “You Ain’t Alone”. The group has posted their first official release on bandcamp and it is well, well… WELL worth your $4. C’mon, that’s the price of a beer, people. Check out some live performances as well as an interview and introduction to the band after the jump. Press play and get ready for the chills take over your body.

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Stream: Male Bonding - Endless Now

2011-10-04T14:02:00.000-04:00

Sub Pop has been on the cutting-edge of indie rock since their inception in the 80s. This year has added countless highlights to their catalog. Last year, the label released Nothing Hurts, a noisy little dream pop album by Male Bonding that hinted at bigger things. That promise come to fruition with their sophomore offering, Endless Now. With this release, Male Bonding have turned down the distortion and turned up the accessibility. There is plenty of fuzz, irresistible hooks, and singalong melodies to be found in the grooves of this record. It starts with the the sun-drenched jangle of "Tame the Sun". The centerpiece, "Bones", shows the group expanding their sound, giving it room to breath and grow while drawing you in as each minute passes. Sub Pop has offered up a full album stream on YouTube which can be found embedded below. It's a fitting way to take in the album since it flows effortlessly from track to track.

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Stream: LaFaro - Easy Meat

2011-10-03T16:29:00.000-04:00

On the heavier side of the musical spectrum, I'd like to introduce LaFaro from Belfast, North Ireland. Last year, they released the unrelenting assault of an album that was their self-titled debut and they are already set to batter audiences with another slab of noisy rock and roll. Easy Meat doesn't hold back with it's post-hardcore attack and it is full of bear-soaked metallic riffs and crude observations. The band can churn out some memorable licks and get in a serious groove as evident on the title track. At their catchiest, they recall bands like Queens of the Stone Age and at their angriest they are reminiscent of Helmet or even Shellac. If your looking for music to let out some of that pent up aggression, you'll find the perfect anecdote after the jump.

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Stream: Dum Dum Girls - Only in Dreams

2011-10-03T15:05:00.000-04:00

Dum Dum Girls immediately made a name for themselves with their 2010 debut, I Will Be. The album highlighted lead singer Dee Dee's ability to write catchy lo-fi bedroom rock. The simple tunes had a punk kick but also embraced the melodies of girl groups from the 60s. With their second offering, Only in Dreams, Dum Dum Girls takes this pairing to a whole new level. Filled with punk, surf, and rock influences, the record presents a much more mature approach to songwriting. The production shines as it allows Dee Dee to showcase her vocals more prominently and on tracks like the ballad "Coming Down", it is clear that she has some serious pipes. The album may not be as gritty as the first but songs like "Always Looking" and "Wasted Away" still have plenty of drive. Comparisons to the Pretenders and Mazzy Star are very much warranted. Give it a spin after the jump.

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New Track Rundown

2011-09-20T18:39:00.000-04:00

Returning readers (I’ve been told there are a few of you), you’ll notice that Stereo Typing has been given a much needed facelift. What better way to celebrate than to post another new track rundown? There were a lot of big names to release free tracks over the last month or so (Feist, Okkervil River, Girls) and although they are all excellent, Future Islands has me the most excited. It’s been a little over a year since they gave the world In Evening Air, one of Stereo Typing’s favorites of 2010, but they are already geared to release On the Water to their adoring fans on October 11. Another amazing Richard Swift song was released along with news of a new EP, Walt Wolfman, which is set to strike awaiting eardrums on October 18. Among the aforementioned songs are a slew of new tracks that have been spinning endlessly on my playlist. There are plenty of artists that people are not acquainted with, so familiarize yourself and enjoy!

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Japandroids Spark Fire at The Middle East

2011-09-16T18:29:00.000-04:00

In my opinion, Japandroids and Bass Drum of Death is an unbeatable combination of garage rock prowess. Knowing this, I really had no excuse for not getting a ticket in advance to their show at The Middle East yesterday. It was the day of the show and I was scrambling to find a ticket. Thankfully, they released some in the afternoon and I hopped on the opportunity to get one. Japandroids’ previous shows in Boston were among the more memorable I have seen and I was not about to miss this one.

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JEFF the Brotherhood Shred and Rip at Great Scott

2011-09-16T18:12:00.000-04:00

I saw JEFF the Brotherhood open for Fucked Up earlier this year. After witnessing their dynamic performance, there was no way that I would miss the band if they came around again. I had the chance to catch their live show at Great Scott on September 4th and did not forgo the opportunity. After unsuccessfully trying to convince my friends that they needed to see the band live, I made my way over to the venue. It was the night before Labor Day and people were ready to get down. This was one of the wildest shows I had seen at Great Scott in some time. Maybe it was the perfect storm of the holiday and students returning to Boston, but whatever it was, it made for a great time.

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Pile Gives Another Explosive Performance

2011-09-16T17:56:00.000-04:00

September 1st is a nightmare in Boston. It is moving day and thousands of students flood the streets with U-Hauls. At once, the population of Boston seems to double and everyone appears in your way. After a few years in the city, it becomes tiresome. Naturally, you want something to take your mind off the chaos and I found a perfect solution in the show I saw at Great Scott presented by Exploding in Sound. Moving day is also known as Allston Christmas around here due to the abundance of free, albeit bedbug ridden, furniture and other goodies. It certainly felt like we were getting a Christmas present at Great Scott with the array of amazing and diverse bands.

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Conveyor Bring a Ray of Sunshine to McGann's

2011-09-16T17:41:00.000-04:00

In my Mid-Year Report, I mentioned that Conveyor’s debut effort, Sun Ray, is my favorite EP so far in 2011. The young band finally made their way out onto the road and I was excited to be able to catch them at McGann’s Pub in Boston on August 26. I had not previously been to the venue but the space seemed like a great place for the show and the staff was friendly which always adds to the experience. Conveyor sat curiously amongst a lineup of post-rock/emo bands but they were still ready to deliver a captivating show.

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Young Adults Make An Impression at Great Scott

2011-09-16T17:25:00.001-04:00

I’ve been meaning to write a review for the incredible line-up I saw on August 20 at Great Scott. On that Saturday, I spent a good portion of my night watching a who’s who of up-and-coming bands. The lineup consisted of Shores (Grand Rapids), Quilty (Brooklyn), Creepoid (Philadelphia), and Young Adults (Boston). Each band had their own unique style and presentation and did not hold back as the performances got better and better.

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New Track Rundown

2011-08-23T21:54:00.004-04:00

Next Tuesday marks the release of the much anticipated album, Tripper, from math rock titans Hella. In celebration, give their track “Yubacore” a spin below alongside many other tunes that have captured my interest in this week’s new track rundown. Two of my favorite modern songwriters, Jens Lekman and Richard Swift, have teased fans with new material and they are both still on top of their game. I hadn’t heard much from Gauntlet Hair but their single “Top Bunk” is very impressive with its reverb-drenched breezy sound and has me anxiously awaiting their self-titled debut. One of the best band name changes in history, Born Gold used to be known as Gobble Gobble and although they sport a different moniker, the electropop band still retains the feel-good, party-ready sound that fans have come to love. We also have the pleasure of hearing the first track from the obviously awesome collaboration between Doom and Ghostface Killah under the name Doomstarks. To round things out is an amazing remix of one of the year’s best singles (SBTRKT – “Wildfire”) featuring the unstoppable hip-hop duo Shabazz Palaces and another new track from Zammuto (Nick Zammuto of The Books).

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Must Hear: Alabama Shakes

2011-08-22T17:37:00.000-04:00

Alabama Shakes (formally The Shakes) play a rare breed of music that can instantly move you. They take the soul revivalist movement to the next level showing that have their ears deep in the roots of genuine blues and the most sincere soul. This is the sound of raw emotion being projected from your stereo. The swampy guitars and heartwrenching vocals of Brittany Howard are the driving force of the group. The easiest comparison would be to Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings but the band definitely stand out with their own panache. If you are a fan of classic R&B and soul, the five tracks below are going to have you absolutely melting. The pure unadulterated talent kind of makes you feel silly for listening to most other modern music.

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The Demise of Doomstar!

2011-08-22T16:56:00.000-04:00

Last week, Doomstar! quietly played their last show ever much to my dismay. One of Boston’s most explosive and energetic live bands, Doomstar! will be missed and I am saddened by the fact that I will never get to see them live again. I still can’t listen to their song “Lily Face” without picturing the band freaking out during the bridge. They have released some of my favorite music in recent memory and have put on several very memorable shows I have attended. With that said, I'm glad the band called it quits when they felt it necessary instead of going through the motions and letting the music go stale. I look forward to hearing future efforts by members of the group. The band has left us with a video of "Sea Gull" performed during their last show at the Middlesex Lounge via The Boston Phoenix. Watch the video below and stream Rainbow Bloodsucker, one of last year's best releases.

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Gross Magic - Teen Jamz

2011-08-22T15:52:00.000-04:00

Teen Jamz is the debut EP from 90s revivalist Sam McGarrigle who records under the moniker Gross Magic. Gross Magic has been a frequent addition to my new track rundown segments due to the unique mixture of 90s influences the band successfully employs. Start with a dose of lo-fi singer/songwriter, add a dash of Beck, sprinkle in some grungy riffs, and you have Gross Magic. Listen to the five catchy and unique tracks that comprise Teen Jamz below.

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Danny Brown - XXX

2011-08-22T15:14:00.001-04:00

Danny Brown has been making huge waves in the hip-hop world as of late. It's easy to see why with his latest release XXX. The rapper’s nasally vocals and unique flow make XXX an intriguing breath of fresh air. From fuzzy electronic beats (“Monopoly”) to spaced out jams (“DNA”), the album does not tire from track to track. The title is more of a reference to Brown turning thirty than it is a statement about the content. He has a lot to say on this release and isn’t afraid to get personal while referencing everything from 2Pac to Nintendo. Mtv has a great piece on the buzz-worthy rapper that covers the trials Brown faced including drug addiction and a failed G-Unit deal that fell through because he didn't fit their look. The album is available for free courtesy of Fool's Gold and can also be streamed after the jump.

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Radiohead The King Of Limbs From The Basement

2011-08-22T13:04:00.004-04:00

In case you missed it, Radiohead gave the world another free gift last week in the form of a live performance streaming in it's entirety on YouTube. It features the band playing all eight tracks from the underrated [I never thought I would be saying that about a Radiohead album] The King of Limbs as well as "Staircase" and "The Daily Mail". The performance is available for a limited time so don't miss out! Watch it after the jump.

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New Track Rundown

2011-08-10T16:48:00.003-04:00

Holy smokes! Since, the last time we ran through the internet’s latest tracks, there has been a buffet of jams released from my most anticipated albums. Through a clever tweeting campaign, St. Vincent has launched the first single from Strange Mercy, “Surgeon”, into the blogosphere. Girls show that they will not shy away from their Pink Floyd influence on the sprawling “Vomit”. The biggest story, however, might be the addictive “Midnight City”, the first single from M83’s upcoming record, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. Dum Dum Girls' epic slow jam “Coming Down” has me speechless as far as a band progressing and maturing in a short amount of time. The Drums continue their streak of writing irresistible pop gems with “Money”. “Rifle Eyesite” is apparently the album opener from Cymbals Eat Guitars latest, Lenses Alien. That is one hell of a way to open an album! Scotland’s We Were Promised Jetpacks display their penchant for epic songwriting brimming with emotion on “Act on Impulse”. To close things out are The Shakes with “You Ain’t Alone”. A big shout out goes to Aquarium Drunkard for discovering that one. It is one of the finest soul/R&B revival songs I have ever heard. All these can be found below alongside a whole heap of other great tunes.

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Grass is Green Hammer Away at Wadzilla

2011-08-10T16:20:00.000-04:00

There was a period of time last year where I was going to a basement show at least once a week. One of my favorite DIY venues was Wadzilla Mansion. It was subsequently shutdown since it was operating as a venue without the necessary permits. On July 23, 2011, I had the chance to once again experience an intimate performance at the excellent DIY spot when Grass is Green and Hammer No More the Fingers treated the crowd to some mathy alternative jams.

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Torche Mean Business at The Middle East

2011-08-10T16:13:00.002-04:00

I feel like solid metal shows are getting fewer and fewer in Boston these days. That’s why I jumped on the opportunity to see Helms Alee, Big Business, and Torche when they came to the Middle East in Cambridge, MA on July 21, 2010. All three bands are all signed to Hydra Head, a label that has a never-ending streak of releasing the most creative records in heavy music. I have written about Torche on this website numerous times and they never disappoint. Helms Alee and Big Business both have new releases that have more than exceeded my expectations. Together, these bands put on a memorable show of earsplitting goodness.

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The Way You Wish You Could Watch Moonface at Great Scott

2011-08-10T16:01:00.001-04:00

Moonface’s album Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I’d Hoped is extremely hit or miss. An album comprised of vocals, drum machines, and synth isn’t exactly most peoples’ thing. I am a fan of the weird, the strange, the peculiar and thus had no probably being immersed in the rich organ-centric sound. I also never miss a chance to see a Spencer Krug project (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown) when it comes to town. On July 19, 2011, I had my first Moonface experience at Great Scott in Boston, MA and it was quite a memorable one.

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New Track Rundown

2011-07-19T15:01:00.005-04:00

It’s time once again to dive into the vast sea of music available on the web with a new track rundown. The first track comes from garage rock mastermind Ty Segall. “Goodbye Bread” is the title track of his new album and showcases his more refined approach to songwriting which even invokes the brilliant simplicity of The Beatles. The album’s cover is featured above and I highly recommend picking it up, especially on vinyl. The warm sounds featured within are meant to be played from a turntable.

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Bill Callahan Quietly Rocks Brighton Music Hall

2011-07-19T13:59:00.000-04:00

Bill Callahan has been one of my favorite singer/songwriters since his days performing as Smog. His material under his actual name has gotten better and better culminating in his 2011 album, Apocalypse. It stands as one of the most creative and moving releases this year. There was no way that I was going to miss his performance at Brighton Music Hall in Allston, MA on July 10, 2011. It would have been really depressing if I missed the show. Usually if I’m staying home, my go-to activity is listening to Bill Callahan and Smog records on vinyl. Thankfully, I got my ticket to the sold out show in advance and was able to catch the stirring performance.

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Out from the Inbox: 10 Bands That Didn’t Make Me Want to Tear Out My Eardrums

2011-07-14T12:42:00.000-04:00

I once again combed through the musical wasteland that comprises my inbox and found a few hidden treasures. I wish PR companies actually read my blog or at least skimmed through it so they would know that I am not going to write about their shitty honky-tonk country band. Going through hundreds of emails of bands trying to get your attention inevitably sends you on an emotional roller coaster. Just when you think their is no hope for music, you get hit with something that completely amazes you. These are the 10 bands that didn’t make me want to tear out my eardrums.

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Mid-Year Report

2011-07-10T15:31:00.001-04:00

It's already July and it seems like the first half of the year went by in a flash. It's time to look back at the last six months and examine the albums that had the biggest impact on me. Narrowing the list down to 20 was harder than I thought it would be as 2011 has been an exceptionally good year for music. The year has been full of surprises both good and bad. I never could have predicted half the bands and albums that appear in the list below.

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Royale Gets Fucked Up

2011-07-07T20:44:00.001-04:00

Last time I saw Fucked Up was at the Middle East Upstairs and they put on one of the craziest shows I had ever seen. At one point, lead singer Damian “Pink Eyes” Abraham tried to hang on a pipe that was attached to the ceiling and ended up ripping in down. With such a notorious live show, you never know what’s going to happen and that’s why I made sure to catch their performance at Royale in Boston, MA on June 24, 2011. With buzzworthy openers JEFF the Brotherhood and Iceage in tow, it was one that no one should have missed.

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Dinosaur Jr. Bring Bug to Paradise

2011-06-29T19:35:00.004-04:00

Last Wednsesday (June 22nd), I had the chance to catch one of those once-in-a-lifetime concerts when Dinosaur Jr. performed their landmark album Bug in its entirety at Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA. Dinosaur Jr. is certainly in the running for my favorite band and although Bug isn’t my favorite album of theirs, it is still an epic record to see performed live. To make things even more exciting, Henry Rollins was interviewing the band onstage beforehand and confrontational hardcore punks Off! were opening the gig. Henry Rollins is a personal hero of mine and one of the last true renaissance men so watching him interview one of my favorite bands was a special moment in my concert attending history.

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Review: Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver

2011-06-29T18:32:00.001-04:00

Most are well versed in the back story of Justin Vernon and his musical vehicle Bon Iver. For those who aren’t, it goes like this: A man takes his quite, heartbroken voice to the woods and records an album that the whole world falls in love with. It’s inevitable that Justin Vernon can no longer be that man. After receiving notoriety and the attention of a certain boisterous hip-hop star, Vernon has undergone a metamorphosis of sorts. The question that plagues everyone who still hasn’t listened to Bon Iver, Bon Iver is “How has it affected his music?”

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New Track Rundown

2011-06-29T01:13:00.005-04:00

It’ been some time since I had a proper update. I figure the best way to go about things is to post a new track rundown that covers everything I have been really into during the month of June. This starts with one of my favorite songs of 2011. Every year since 2005, an album featuring Spencer Krug has made my top 10. I thought this would be the year to break the chain, but then Moonface released “Fast Peter”. The song embodies everything I love about the prolific indie songwriter. It harnesses a fast, steady beat accompanied by experienced storytelling and emotive delivery. As typical, it is a composition that immediately strikes the listener and is full of creativity. It comes from the brilliantly titled Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I’d Hoped. The album - the cover of which is above – will be out on August 2, 2011.

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SXSW 2011 Recap: Day 6, March 20

2011-06-23T17:06:00.013-04:00

Sunday was to be my final day in Austin, TX. It was not an “official” day of the SXSW festival but there were still places with showcases the entire day. It was a calmer affair and the perfect way to send off an incredible week of music. I was unfamiliar with most of the bands so it was also an enjoyable day of discovery. There were some truly great acts that I was able to catch and I would recommend staying the extra day for anyone considering it next year.

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SXSW 2011 Recap: Day 5, March 19

2011-06-23T17:06:00.012-04:00

Saturday is the last of “official” day of SXSW and mine turned out to be a disaster after starting out so strong. Some of the best, most memorable sets during the day were tainted by my infuriating night. This was a vastly different experience than the previous day. Again, I learned that SXSW is an unpredictable rollercoaster ride.

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SXSW 2011 Recap: Day 4, March 18

2011-06-23T17:06:00.011-04:00

Friday was up there with Wednesday in terms of sheer awesomeness. All of the prior day’s mistakes were rectified. I saw so many great bands that are just now beginning to make noise in 2011. It was also one of the days where I participated in everyone’s favorite SXSW pastime: drinking. Before hitting up the first set, my friend and I fueled up on some delicious Texas BBQ at Iron Works which I can now highly recommend. While eating, we were able to spot Billy Gibbons and Devin the Dude. You know it’s good BBQ when those guys show up.

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SXSW 2011 Recap: Day 3, March 17

2011-05-25T13:24:00.003-04:00

Today, I was listening to the WTF podcast with Marc Maron from SXSW - which was seriously hilarious; I totally wish I was there - and I thought to myself, “Didn’t I start doing a recap of MY experience at SXSW?” Why yes I did. Then I realized it is now two months later and I haven’t finished the damn thing. There are still plenty of photos, videos, and stories I would still like to share with you few lucky readers. I know I left ya hanging but I’m still finishing it - wanna fight about it?

Anyway, my third day at SXSW was to be one of the most frustrating days of the festival. The morning was filled with incredible sets brought about by the Exploding in Sound showcase at Friends of Sound Records. However, the night was filled with epic fails as I tried to see big name acts. The whole experience was definitely a learning process of what to do and not to do during SXSW. This particular day did involve some of my more memorable and hilarious adventures as you will soon read.

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SXSW 2011 Recap: Day 2, March 16

2011-04-27T22:05:00.004-04:00

The second day of SXSW was much more enjoyable: I actually got sleep the night before; I was more prepared for how to get around; and I didn’t forget my camera. Not only was I in good spirits because of these things but it was also the day where I would see many of my most anticipated sets.

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SXSW 2011 Recap: Day 1, March 15

2011-04-26T17:53:00.003-04:00

A little over a month ago, I made the fateful decision to drive to Austin, TX for SXSW 2011. I decided it was high time I finally sat down and wrote about my experience. The week before SXSW, I had been mentioning that I was seriously considering making the trek down to Austin but that I would have to drive in order to be able to attend the festival due to money and planning constraints. On Sunday the week of SXSW, my good friend Dan Goldin from Exploding in Sound gave me a call to say that if I were willing to drive, he would accompany me. After not-so-careful consideration I decided that I would do it even though it meant leaving a few hours after making the decision. I had a “last supper” of sorts with my roommates, prepped my car, and was off.

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New Track Rundown

2011-04-01T19:02:00.001-04:00

No, this is not an April Fools' joke; I am actually updating this blog. As usual, I bailed right as it was gaining momentum. I am also still running on a 56k modem and it takes me 24hrs to upload one song and if someone picks up the phone I have to start all over again. This time I actually had another excuse as I traveled halfway across the country to this year's South by Southwest festival and it was one hell of a treat. I should have some updates about the event posted over the weekend. Be patient, I will be posting day by day and I attended six days of nonstop music.

In the meantime, I present another New Track Rundown. I have scoured the internet to catch up with everything I had missed in March and compiled my favorite 40 tracks (35 songs, 5 videos). This list covers everything from extremely anticipated releases (TV on the Radio, Battles, Man Man, Okkervil River, Fucked Up) to artists I previously hadn't heard of (A Grave with No Name, Niteflights, Luke Rathborne, Angel Olsen, Tristen). Needless to say, there is quite a range of stuff to explore. Above is the cover for TV on the Radio's Nine Types of Light which is slated for release on April 12th. Go buy that shit when it comes out! It's good and they put on one hell of a show at SXSW. The music is below along with dates when you can catch the artists in the Boston area. Enjoy!

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Benjamin Grenville Back in Roman Traffic

2011-03-16T12:54:00.000-04:00

Roman Traffic made the announcement this week that singer Benjamin Grenville is back with the band. I always had a hard time picturing Roman Traffic without Ben so I am excited to see the immensely talented vocalist is now back in the fold. Best of all for you readers, their material with Ben is available for free download at their bandcamp site. You can also stream some tracks below. This also gave me the opportunity to dig up a demo for their track "Breach" which I recorded with the band back in 2007 as some pre-production work. You can hear my questionable recorded skills below. As typical, I didn't have to ask for many takes from Ben; the vocal tracks speak for themselves.

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Marnie Stern and Tera Melos Finger Tap Their Way Through The Middle East

2011-03-11T20:41:00.002-05:00

On March 6, I had the privilege to see one of my favorite modern guitarists when the lovely and talented Marnie Stern played The Middle East Upstairs alongside Boston up-and-comers Drummers and insane technical wizards Tera Melos. It was to be a night of mind-blowing guitar wielding and complex musical arrangements. This was not one to see if you were looking for a typical show or accessible music. Most of what was presented that night would probably make the casual listener uneasy but it sounded ideal to my ears.

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Rival Schools Teach Brighton Music Hall How to Rock

2011-03-11T19:08:00.002-05:00

Around the time of its release in 2001, United by Fate, the debut from supergroup Rival Schools, was my absolute favorite record; I couldn’t get enough of it! As the years went by, I was left waiting for the follow-up and subsequently my listening habits took me away from the group. A decade later, Rival Schools have finally released their sophomore record, Pedals. It is an excellent return to form and besides contributing new favorites to my rotation, it had me revisiting the excellence of United by Fate. When I heard that the band would be touring, I knew I had to catch their live show when they came to town on March 5 to play at Brighton Music Hall. I almost skipped the show since I didn’t have a ticket and I was kicking ass at pool next door at The Silhouette but I decided I would see if there were still tickets available at the door before their set. I could not be happier that I did.

Grass is Green Rock Sidehatch and Release Chibimoon

2011-03-11T18:01:00.003-05:00

On March 4th, I had the chance to catch Grass is Green when they performed at Sidehatch’s complex for a pre-SXSW party. The group was hot off their east coast tour and you could hear that they were now a road tested band. They played a tight set of tunes from their debut, Yeddo, which was one of my favorite releases of 2010, but the highlights came from watching them perform new songs from their recently released record, Chibimoon. Below is a video of the band performing "Ste 007" from Yeddo as well as a stream of Chibimoon. You can catch them at SXSW this year if you are lucky enough to be making the trek down to Austin, TX. God knows, I wish I were going...

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Out from the Inbox: DOOMSTAR!, RIBS, The Devil Whale, and Eksi Ekso

2011-03-11T15:25:00.002-05:00

I've largely ignored the inbox associated with this blog (sorry, bands and PR folk!). Today, I took the time to skim through what I have been sent thus far in 2011 and there is some excellent stuff that needs to be heard (and a lot of crap that I'm ignoring - sorry again, bands and PR folk!). Below are some up-and-coming bands that I think are worth giving a spin. The image above, which I find to be quite awesome, is the cover to Eksi Ekso's new album, Brown Shark, Red Lion.

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Cave In Strip Down at Great Scott

2011-03-11T14:15:00.001-05:00

Keeping with the theme of seeing my all-time favorite bands performing special sets, I had the extremely rare opportunity to watch Cave In play a stripped down set at Great Scott on February 10. They were a last minute, surprise addition to the Wino / Scott Kelly show but they definitely stole the spotlight for me. This was quite the treat since they played "The Calypso" and "Everest" from the Tides of Tomorrow EP. These are songs that I never thought I would see live since the band returned to their metal roots and never play material from that era, which is much more accessible. The delicate versions of the aforementioned songs sounded incredible and the group did an excellent job of creating a full and captivating sound with the minimal approach. The set was preceded by a short, three song set by frontman Steve Brodsky. He began with an impressive cover of Still Life's "Sometimes". He then played an excellent new song called "Muddy Jar" and a Willie Nelson cover before bringing the band on stage. Videos of the event are below.

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The Dismemberment Plan Confront The Ice of Boston

2011-03-11T13:46:00.003-05:00

I thought I would write a few words about some of my favorite concerts so far in 2011. The first one of significance is The Dismemberment Plan on January 28 at Paradise Rock Club. The Dismemberment Plan has long been a favorite of mine and I was not about to miss the rare opportunity to see them live on their reunion tour when it stopped in Boston. The show had long been sold out but I was determined to get tickets. This meant spending the entire week frantically searching for tickets on craigslist that fit my modest budget. It was tough going but I found someone that wasn’t trying to capitalize on the high demand and just wanted to sell the tickets to a fan for face value. I made the voyage to pick up the tickets mid day and gratefully exchanged the cash for tickets for myself and a friend. The anticipation for the show was almost unbearable for the rest of the day.

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Remembering The White Stripes

2011-02-25T20:36:00.001-05:00

The White Stripes broke up this month (Wednesday, Febuary 2) and I would be remiss if I didn't post anything about such a significant loss in the music world. It may have passed over the heads of some but The White Stripes have established themselves as one of the biggest bands in the world and a dominant creative voice in their 13+ years of existence. The band has release some of my all time favorite songs, music videos and albums. I especially have to mention White Blood Cells which was a pivotal album in the evolution of my musical tastes and still holds true as a modern classic. The White Stripes were a testament to the fact that a band can reach the mainstream and still remain innovative album after album. They were also a crucial element in bringing blues back to mainstream radio which is something we should all be thankful for. The announcement was made on Jack White's Third Man Records with a graceful statement which can be found below along with some of my favorite songs and videos.

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Exploding in Sound Issue Wax Unwound for Free

2011-02-25T18:08:00.001-05:00

If you are still hungry for new music after riffling through the 2010 Year-End Report and the New Track Rundown, my friends over at Exploding in Sound have their latest compilation, Wax Unwound, available for free download and it is packed to the brim with awesome new tunes. This latest entry represents my favorite in the consistently excellent series of compilations coming from the Exploding in Sound camp. It contains two of my absolute favorite tracks from last year (Pile - "Don't Touch Anything", Black Mountain - "Old Fangs), great female-fronted bands (She Keeps Bees, Sky Larkin), some of Boston's best (Young Adults, Nassy), and several masters of noise (Zach Hill, Ty Segall). As always, Zach Hill's song "Total Recall" is an incredible testament to how much distortion the human ear can take in. Really, there is something for everyone on this compilation - everyone who likes rock music at least. The press release and download link are below. Go get it!

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New Track Rundown

2011-02-25T17:20:00.004-05:00

It's been a long time since I did a new track rundown. There is way too much amazing music coming out right now to let it go any further. Below are my favorite songs and videos that have been floating around in February. There were a few big surprises like Poor But Sexy, a band that features Jason Caddell who is the guitarist of The Dismemberment Plan. The group has influences from 70s soul/R&B mixed in with a little P-funk, something not enough bands are doing these days. After much speculation, The Strokes finally released a new song and it definitely surpassed my expectations. J Mascis is already wowing me with his new track "Is It Done" off of Several Shades of Why; the cover of which is above. Also of great note, I can't get enough of the new Cold Cave song, "The Great Pan is Dead." Wes Eisold has come along way since his days with Give Up The Ghost [one of my favorite hardcore bands of all time which will always be known as American Nightmare to me] but he is still churning out some pretty fascinating and remarkable music. Everything can be heard below and I am also including dates for when you can catch the artists that are coming to Boston.

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Radiohead Unleashes The King of Limbs Today

2011-02-18T18:38:00.002-05:00

It seems improbable that I would be listening to a new Radiohead album today but, it is winding to a close as I finish this sentence. You can get The King of Limbs here or stream it below. At the present moment, I am absolutely in love with "Morning Mr. Magpipe" and "Lotus Flower." "Give Up the Ghost" also has me under its enchanting spell with its slow, dreamy progression. The album is on the short side and the syncopated beat found on closer "Separator" is guaranteed to leave you wanting more. I'm hoping Thom Yorke's haunting bellow of "If you think this is over, you're wrong" on the final track is a hint that there is more to come. That's probably just wishful thinking. The video for "Lotus Flower" can be found after the album stream. Fans of funky Thom Yorke dancing will be pleased. Enjoy!

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2010 Year-End Report

2011-02-10T15:50:00.001-05:00

It is now apparent that the inspiration I spoke about in my previous post was only to be had on that fateful Friday, as I did not follow up on my promise of show/record reviews to be posted. The truth is that blogging had turned out to be a much more exhausting and time-consuming endeavor than expected. It was hard to keep up while I was working fulltime and I put my priorities where they needed to be. Alas, this year has brought me a new challenge in that I have lost said job. Although I have scrapped the notes from the shows I had attended, I decided to give something to readers who have been asking me what has been on my playlist.

I have taken it upon myself to compile this monstrous recap of everything I had enjoyed in 2010 in order to present the artists who have made my year that much better. It was a daunting but fun task. It’s also interesting to compare it to my Mid-Year Report and see how my tastes had evolved throughout the year. The run-through includes a link to my favorite track from each of my top 40 albums as I count them down so you can indulge in the experience of each release. In this way, the top 40 album countdown also doubles as a Top 40 songs countdown as well. There is also a short write-up included with each one so you can get the full effect of why the album had such an impact on me. You don’t have to (and probably won’t) take it in all at once, but it is worth your time to go through this list and check out each artist so you don’t miss one that you’d enjoy if they came to your town.

I own almost every album on this list (just waiting to get a few on vinyl) and have seen most of these bands live. As always, I urge you to purchase anything that you have discovered here. There is plenty to take in and I tried to make it as interactive as I possibly could but you’re going to have to do some research if you want to check it all out (i.e. movies). A big part of why I thought this might be a fun project is feedback, so if there is something you like or anything you have to say about the post, do so in the comments! Everything is below starting with my Top 40 albums. Just hit play on the first track and it should play sequentially as you read. Enjoy!

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I Don't Know Shit Mix

2010-10-08T14:42:00.003-04:00

If you are reading this, it means you have probably enjoyed this blog in the past and have subsequently been disillusioned by my inconsistency. Well, you know what they say, bloggin' ain't easy. I was thinking about giving it up for awhile hence the lack of updates. Inspired by this post by a fellow Bostonian at Tongs and the article it linked to by none other than the great Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), I found myself fully engulfed in the futility of being a music blogger. This coupled with mounting personal and work related issues, my notes on shows have been piling up and review requests have been left entirely unanswered.

Today, I am feeling a bit more inspired; although, I'm not quite sure why. It probably has something to do with my acknowledgment that this blog is probably the best use of my free time. Since, I have stopped writing, I find myself gawking at the television as a self-loathing punishment to my intellect. This definitely needs to stop so I am taking all my notes and turning around some show reviews. I will also have some record reviews up shortly as well.

In the meantime, I present the I Don't Know Shit mixtape. If Sharon Van Etten can admit "I don't know shit" in the showstopping, heart-wrenching opener "I Wish I Knew" from her 2009 album Because I Was in Love, I figure I can confess to a sympathetic feeling. Besides the aforementioned track, there are some real gems to be found here. "The Story of Hip-Hop" is a must-hear sound-collage/trip-hop mix that shows why The Books are one of the most brilliant groups of our time (more on their latest and possibly best album, The Way Out, to come...). I also can't get enough of Menomena and the very underrated new album, Transit Transit, by Autolux, who I will be posting a show review for in the very near future. I should probably apologize in advance for "I'm All Fucked on Beer". You know how those songs from the loudness war get... One more thing, buy these damn albums! The vinyl edition of The Books - The Way Out in particular is well worth your dollar. Below is the mix so stream/download and enjoy:

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What They Missed: Pitchfork's Top Tracks of the 1990s

2010-09-16T12:10:00.003-04:00

Pitchfork’s list covered a lot of ground but it was almost entirely missing punk, hardcore, emo and metal which, in my opinion, had greatly impacted and progressed music in the 90s. To supplement my examination of the 90s (via Pitchfork’s Top Tracks of the 1990s), the following is a list of my top 100 of my favorite tracks that they missed. It features some songs that I would consider glaring missing entries. Keep in mind when reading this list that they gave a spot (not even the last one) to “The Humpty Dance”. The cover for the article is from the forgotten classic I am an Elastic Firecracker by Tripping Daisey. The list was compiled as I thought of them so don’t look too much into it. A player with all the songs is below followed by the full list.

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Best of Pitchfork's Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s: 20-1

2010-09-09T02:46:00.006-04:00

There isn’t too much to say about the tracks that made the top 20 in Pitchfork’s Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s. It is a solid group of songs and I enjoy every one of them. There were some very cool surprises among the bunch like Belle & Sebastian’s sad-bastard-music classic “The State I Am In”. I also like the choice of My Bloody Valentine’s “Only Shadow” which certainly influenced countless future shoegaze bands. However, there were some selections seemed very suspect. The fact that Nirvana’s seminal 90s benchmark “Smells like Teen Spirit” didn’t crack the top 10 seemed like it was simply Pitchfork sticking their noses out at all the similar lists that had the track at #1.

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Best of Pitchfork's Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s: 50-21

2010-09-09T00:44:00.004-04:00

The artists featured in tracks 50-21 of Pitchfork’s Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s have the best music videos of the bunch. This harkens back to when Mtv actually played music videos and they still made an impact on the success of an artist. I know, it’s hard to imagine! As testiment to how great these music videos truly were, many of the directors (Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry) went on to become some of our greatest cinematic directors today. Some of the best of the best music videos can be found below.

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Best of Pitchfork's Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s: 100-51

2010-09-07T20:24:00.004-04:00

Songs 100-51 from Pitchfork’s Top Tracks of the 1990s have some of my favorite picks on the entire list. The first one that jumped out at me was “Start Choppin” by Dinosaur Jr. Not only is this one of my favorites but it is indisputably one of the greatest guitar-rock songs ever written. The solo that J. Mascis pulls off in the track is nothing short of astonishing and is sure to impressed anyone who considers themselves an admirer of guitar solos.

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Best of Pitchfork's Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s: 150-101

2010-09-02T14:29:00.003-04:00

Here is the second part of my coverage of Pitchfork’s coverage of the best tracks of the 1990s. This installment has a much better selection of songs and features many that I constantly keep on my playlists. The first of note is “Good Morning, Captain” by Slint. From the very first time I heard it, the song became one of my all-time favorites. Nothing sounded like it before and not much has sounded similar since. It’s unique in it’s spoken-word style telling the story of a sinking ship which is paired with a dark, ominous post-rock accompaniment. The breakdown includes what I consider one of the greatest screams in the history of rock when vocalist Brian McMahon cries out “I miss you!” in the song’s climatic peak. The lyrics alone make for a nice little narrative. The image above is the cover to Slint’s 1991 masterpiece, Spiderland.

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Zuzu Reveals Doomstar!

2010-09-01T16:25:00.003-04:00

I had never been to Zuzu, which rests between The Middle East upstair and downstairs, but I was anxious to check it out. It was an unusual space for a performance by energetic rock bands but worked out pleasantly. It was small and had no stage so the performances were quite intimate. The left wall was lined with mirrors which made for interesting effect and there was a bar located on the right. There was not much else to speak of in the small venue. It seemed more fit for DJs and dance nights which I was told is exactly the primary function of Zuzu.

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Best of Pitchfork's Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s: 200-151

2010-08-30T12:27:00.003-04:00

I have always been a big fan of lists that contain the top songs from an era. I may not always agree with the lists that Pitchfork posts but they always get a good discussion started. Their latest staff list, Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s, is of particular interest to me. I have been on a huge 90s kick and consider myself somewhat of an aficionado when it comes to a diverse knowledge of music from the period.

I have made my own best of the best list comprised of my favorite tracks from Pitchfork’s. This way you can weave through the obscure electronic crap and get right to the real gems. The 90s had a lot of blood-pumping, anthemic music and that’s definitely what stands out the most for me out of all the songs they have listed so far.

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Getting Over The Hump

2010-08-25T16:18:00.004-04:00

It's hump day and if you also live in Boston, you know it's a particularly miserable one. The sky has been a dark, ominous mess and rivers of rain have spilled from it for the past three days straight. It's the kind of weather that definitely affects your mood. Here are some videos that have kept my spirits up and hopefully will help you get over the hump as well.

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Raising My Hands for New Sufjan Stevens

2010-08-20T14:45:00.002-04:00

Today, Sufjan Stevens came out of nowhere to release an incredible 60 minute EP called All Delighted People. I don't want to ramble on about it too much but it is sure to elicit responses of "wow". The title track is a song of epic proportions that contains a refrain of "all delighted people raise your hands". I'm certainly raising mine. Note: this is well worth the $5 if you are willing to shell it out to show your support for this extraordinary artist. Listen below:

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Take on the World Mix

2010-08-20T14:38:00.002-04:00

Music can serve as the soundtrack to any moment. I needed a playlist for those moments when you look the world in the face, say "fuck it", and do your own thing. I had one of these moments when I recently climbed Mount Washington in New Hampshire on a whim. Probably not the smartest decision for my physical well-being but still one of the more rewarded endeavors I took on this summer. The whole time I couldn't help but think that I needed some music to accompany the 4+ mile hike into the sky and, sadly, I didn't have any. Still, it was tranquil to just listen to the sounds of the nature so maybe it is better that I compiled this after the fact.

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For Your Precious Film

2010-08-20T12:19:00.000-04:00

I recently watched a movie based solely on the description called Mr. Nobody and it turned out to be one of the best films I have seen in some time. Not many people know of it yet but it is bound to gain recognition as a cult classic in the years to come. Featuring a standout performance from Jared Leto and some talented young actors, the story is a mind-bending glance at life that blends sci-fi, fantasy, drama, and romance to come up with something completely original. My hat goes off to Jaco Van Dormael for the intelligent script and breathtaking direction. The strikingly beautiful scene below helped me realize what an incredible performance is given on Otis Redding's "For Your Precious Love". From the passion in his voice to the warm guitar solo, I don't know how anyone could listen to this without getting chills. Paired with the gorgeous cinematography, it is one for the ages.

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Crystal Castles Shatter Expectations at House of Blues

2010-08-20T01:49:00.003-04:00

The House of Blues is the Coldplay of the venue world. That is to say, the ones you love to hate. But sometimes, quietly, when no one is around, you admire what they have done. I hate venues that have seats and I can appreciate that House of Blues Boston gets the bigger acts who would otherwise play Agganis Arena or the Orpheum Theatre and allows them to performance in a space where the audience can dance and thrash about. This was abused to the full extent when I caught Rusko and Crystal Castles there on August 17, 2010.

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Maps & Atlases are on Solid Ground at The Middle East

2010-08-20T01:13:00.004-04:00

In my Mid-Year Report, I mentioned that Maps & Atlases had one of the most impressive full-length debuts to come out in 2010. I also mentioned that the lists featured were going to dramatically change. With the performances I witnessed by Russian Circles, Cave In, and Boris, I knew that my list of best shows had already changed. However, an unexpected entry has emerged into the top 5 shows I’ve seen this year. This one is brought about by the compelling performance I witnessed by Maps & Atlases at The Middle East upstairs on August 11, 2010.

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An Explosive Showcase

2010-08-20T00:45:00.002-04:00

On Sunday, August 8, 2010, I went to Church to pay homage to the gods of rock n’ rock and hops n’ barley. My friends at Exploding in Sound put on a showcase featuring some of my favorite up-and-coming bands and it was not to be missed. Grass is Green, RIBS, Solar Powered Sun Destroyer, and The Dirty Dishes came together to celebrate Sunday in the most blasphemous of ways: by playing the devil’s music. Seeing that it was my birthday, the only praying I did was to make it to the end of the show.

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Boris Invades The Middle East

2010-08-20T00:23:00.001-04:00

If you are a fan of progressive metal of any kind, I hope you were at the show on August 7, 2010 at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. The lineup consisting of Russian Circles, Cave In, and Boris covered much of the metal landscape. Russian Circles impressed with their mathy post-rock onslaught; Cave In mesmerized everyone with their mix of space rock and technical metal; and Boris brought their distinctive noise rock and sludge from Japan.

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Getting the Royale Treatment with The Rapture

2010-08-06T16:47:00.002-04:00

Hey guys, remember The Rapture? Did you know they were still together? No, well, me neither. Apparently the band everyone was going apeshit over in the early 2000s and then subsequently forgot about is still together. Echoes was a staple of my listening back when it was released and established the band as one of the elite dance-punk bands when the genre was just beginning to boom. I actually loved their much less lauded second album, Pieces of the People We Love, where they began their decent off the face of the earth. It was a no-brainer that I was going to attend their free performance at Royale on August 4, 2010. The concert was sponsored by Amstel Light but I wasn't expecting the unlimited free Amstel Light that I was greeted with at the venue. The beer snob in me wanted to scoff at the fact that it was Amstel Light but I'd be a real asshole if I complained about free beer so I kept it to myself (until now). Surely, I thought the free beer was a recipe for disaster but it simply ended up being a really fun and interesting night.

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