Courtney Barnett Covers The Grateful Dead

I hate The Grateful Dead. Literally everything about them. I've never liked their music and have always found it grating. I hate that they're more of a merchandise brand than a band. I hate the cult that's formed around it (they're like OG emo kids.) I hate that they duped their fans into traveling across the country to Chicago and buying overpriced concert tickets for their "final" show, only to schedule another "final" show in San Francisco. I hate that after their "final" shows they booked a "final" tour with John Fucking Mayer of all people replacing Jerry Garcia (I don't care what anyone says, I've never heard a shred of this amazing talent Mayer allegedly has, especially when he pulls garbage like this,) and then booking yet another "final" tour this summer, thereby skull fucking any credibility they might have ever had into the ground.

Despite all this, I'm excited for the upcoming 59 song Day of the Dead tribute album. It's curated by members of The National, and it features some of my favorite artists, like The Flaming Lips, Lee Ranaldo, Lucinda Williams, Wilco, Jenny Lewis, and more. They've previewed a few of the tracks, my favorite of which is Courtney Barnett's version of "New Speedway Boogie." Further solidifying her status as the Queen of the Cover, it's a rollicking, groovy track that would have fit perfectly on last year's Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit. Even if you also hate The Dead, you'll want to hear this cover.

Day of the Dead will be out May 20th on 4AD. It's also a benefit for The Red Hot Organization. You can pre-order a copy here, and listen to Courtney Barnett's cover of "New Speedway Boogie" below.

Charles Bradley Covers Black Sabbath

Charles Bradley is one of those artists I've been meaning to check out for years, but for no real reason I just haven't. I've known he is great for a few years now. I just haven't listened to him yet. In what is an obvious attempt to get If It's Too Loud... to finally give him a shot, he's released a cover of the iconic Black Sabbath song "Changes."

A classic-style soul singer that's been at it for 50 years covering a song by the originators of heavy metal is a bizarre one, to say the least. In theory, at least. Sure, "Changes" is a ballad, and it's not like Charles Bradley chose "War Pigs" or "Fairies Wear Boots." This cover of "Changes" works far better than it should. Listening to it, I'm shocked that I never picked up on the soul of the original. This could be the rare time a cover ends up becoming more meaningful than the original, like Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt." It's just that good.

Charles Bradley's third album, also called Changes, is due out April 1 on Daptone Records. You can watch the video for his cover of "Changes" below. For more information, check out his website.

Guerilla Toss - Eraser Stargazer

Eraser Stargazer marks a departure not only for Guerilla Toss, but for noise punk as a whole. Noise punk is typically always in your face, loud, and obnoxious. Eraser Stargazer is less punk and more pop. By pop, I don't mean it's a Katy Perry song with a few bleeps, although there is a heavy electronic element. It's not digital hardcore, either, although singer Kassie Carlson's voice does remind me of Hanin Elias of Atari Teenage Riot. 

Guerilla Toss are carving out their own path here. It's almost like dance music that isn't even coming close to trying to be enjoyable. It's not a very pleasant listen, but it's not overpowering you. It's the musical equivalent of when Lisa and Maggie kept poking Bart's bandage after he had his tattoo removed. A song like "Grass Shack" truly reflects this. You might want to try dancing to it. It does have a groove, after all. But you'll have no idea how. I would call it noise punk for a generation raised on American Idol and The Voice, but I think the element that shows the most here is their fandom for The Grateful Dead is finally showing. 

Eraser Stargazer is available now on DFA Records. You can get more information on Guerilla Toss, and get your own copy of the album, on their Bandcamp.

Charming Disaster - "What Remains"

The first line describing Charming Disaster on their Bandcamp is "Murder ballads and love songs involving death, crime, and the supernatural." For me, that's kind of my dream description for just about anything. Their new single, "What Remains," fits that description perfectly, and is absolutely haunting in how sparse it is. What is truly interesting is how much dissonance they muster using traditional instruments. It evokes the feelings of not just a song but an old fashioned radio play, with some of the instruments so far in the background that they almost feel like sound effects and are ingrained in the story itself. 

"What Remains" will be officially released on April 1. Between now and then, you can download a copy for free (or name your own price) through their Bandcamp. For more information on Charming Disaster, check out their website. Listen to "What Remains" below, and check out their upcoming tour dates below that.

Wed 4/6, 7pm: It’s Modern Art (Lancaster, PA)

Thu 4/7, 8pm: Blue Moon Diner (Charlottesville, VA)

Fri 4/8, 9pm: Slim’s Downtown with Drowning Lovers + Curtis Eller (Raleigh, NC)

Sat 4/9, 6pm: French Broad Brewery (Asheville, NC)

Sun 4/10, 8pm: Red Light Café with Joe McGuinness (Atlanta, GA)

Tue 4/12, 7pm: The Nest at Songbirds Studios with The Lady Comes First (Gastonia, NC)

Wed 4/13, 8pm: Common Grounds with Eric Sommer (Greensboro, NC)

Thu 4/14, 7pm: Work | Release (Norfolk, VA)

Fri 4/15, 7:30pm: Germano’s Piattini & Cabaret (Baltimore, MD)

Sat 4/16, 3pm: Private House Concert – by RSVP (Philadelphia, PA)

Sun 4/17, 9pm: Pete’s Candy Store (Brooklyn, NY)

First Listen: New Releases for March 18

What a strange week this one is.

Album of the Week:

Artist: Steven Page
Album: Heal Thyself Pt I: Instinct
Quick Description: Latest solo album from the ex-Barenaked Ladies singer/songwriter.
Why You Should Listen: Page always has a knack for a good melody, and this album is full of them.
Overall Thoughts: I'm not sure Page will ever be able to shake the hows of his split with BNL (a drug arrest, lawsuits on royalties, and so on), but while Page One from nearly six years ago made a pretty good effort, this album, which has a bunch of songs that bits and pieces of have been floating around for ages, is a pretty solid unit on a whole. Songs like "Manchild" and "Linda Ronstadt in the 70s" feel like classic Page, and the rest shows a continuing evolution. I expected to enjoy this, but I didn't think it would be quite this good, so it's definitely worth a spot in your rotation this week.
Recommendation: Best release of the week, you're almost guaranteed to find something you'll love.

Artist: Dog Chocolate
Album: Snack Fans
Quick Description: Noisy British punk rock.
Why You Should Listen: You miss mclusky.
Overall Thoughts: Ken wrote about them earlier this year, and I can't say he's wrong. Whatever you're expecting, throw it out the window before firing this one up. It has a lot of interesting moments throughout, and while I didn't love this, it absolutely has the sort of sharp punkish vibe that I don't hear enough of.
Recommendation: Might not be for everyone, but worth a spin.

Artist: Sean Watkins
Album: What to Fear
Quick Description: Nickel Creek guitarist's latest solo effort.
Why You Should Listen: Anything Nickel Creek-adjacent is worth the time, and this is maybe Watkins's best solo effort yet.
Overall Thoughts: I sometimes feel bad for Sean Watkins. His sister has a successful solo career, his bandmate Chris Thile has his hands in a dozen things, and he's the undeserved odd man out. I didn't love love his solo album from last year, but this one is more beautifully complex with a lot going for it. The title track sets the tone well, and the whole thing is a pleasant listen overall. I look forward to spending more time with this, but it's absolutely one of the better releases this week.
Recommendation: Worth a listen no matter what.

Artist: Underworld
Album: Barbara, Barbara, We Face a Shining Future
Quick Description: Sixth album (and first in six years) from the electronica legends.
Why You Should Listen: You're a big Underworld fan...
Overall Thoughts: ...because, truly, this isn't great. Underworld has some true classics, and they're generally at least on top of things, but this feels like a dated, plodding piece that doesn't quite work for me. In an era where there's a lot of interesting things happening in this genre, Underworld isn't updating itself the way, say, The Prodigy or Crystal Method or The Chemical Brothers have. Pretty disappointing.
Recommendation: Only if you're a huge fan.

Artist: Damien Jurado
Album: Visions of Us on the Land
Quick Description: New album from the singer-songwriter.
Why You Should Listen: Damien Jurado sounds a lot different than many of the singer-songwriters out there.
Overall Thoughts: I'm not a huge fan of Jurado, but I've always found his music to be that sort of off-center thing that defies description even though it's pretty melodic and straightforward. No one else is quite like Damien Jurado, and this album feels a little bit like a step back for him. It's a little gritty, a little slow at times, and there's not a ton that's memorable from it on first listen. If you're new to Jurado, I'd throw Maraqopa out there first before this, but we'll see if this sticks with me on future listens.
Recommendation: Not a recommendation, but not terrible, either. Be wary.

Artist: Folly and the Hunter
Album: Awake
Quick Description: Radio-friendly folk-rock.
Why You Should Listen: This ever-popular genre explosion has been working for you.
Overall Thoughts: I listen to a lot of new music for this blog, and what's interesting/unfortunate about Folly and the Hunter is how similar it sounds to so much of what I've heard and featured up to this point. This is definitely becoming a genre of sorts all its own, and so many of these groups sound the same that Folly and the Hunter can't begin to break out of. You've heard this album before in a lot of different ways, and, unless this is the best thing you've ever listened to, you'll find nothing new or exciting here.
Recommendation: Skip it.

Artist: Bent Shapes
Album: Wolves of Want
Quick Description: Second album by the indie rock favorites.
Why You Should Listen: Bent Shapes does a fun style of indie rock that demands a listen.
Overall Thoughts: Ken saw Bent Shapes live last year, and we're both fans, so the new album was something I was excited to hear. While I didn't feel like it broke any new ground on first listen for them in comparison to their previous album, they didn't exactly have to. I'll need to spend more time with it to see if there are true highlights here like with their first album, but a good listen nonetheless.
Recommendation: A highlight of the week, check this one out.

Artist: Eliza Shaddad
Album: Run
Quick Description: Ethereal indie singer-songwriter EP.
Why You Should Listen: Another becoming-standard genre, this from a voice that may get some buzz.
Overall Thoughts: It's one thing for me to complain about the pseudo-adult-alternative stuff two entries earlier, but be okay with this, but... I'm okay with this. Shaddad has an interesting voice, the EP is drenched in great production, and songs like "Run" and "Wars" give a taste of what might be coming. It's a good listen, and worth 15 minutes of your time.
Recommendation: A solid, quick listen.

Artist: Winterpills
Album: Lovesongs
Quick Description: Latest album by the enigmatic indie rockers.
Why You Should Listen: Winterpills does some interesting stuff and it always feels like they're changing things around.
Overall Thoughts: This album feels a little more conceptual than their other stuff, perhaps, and the stark nature of a lot of these songs might be a turnoff, but this was definitely one of the more interesting releases of the week for me. I don't know how to describe this except that it's something that deserves a listen as some interesting indie rock.
Recommendation: A good listen, and worth a shot in a weird week.

Artist: Cullen Omari
Album: New Misery
Quick Description: Ex-Smith Westerns frontman goes solo.
Why You Should Listen: You're looking for some more straightforward stuff.
Overall Thoughts: I wasn't ever a big Smith Westerns fan, so I can't say how this might compare to his old band, but what I find interesting about this album is how it's trying for that retro thing that's so in right now, but still sounds more like The Killers at times anyway. It's a different album in that it's a pleasant listen and gives off a good, enjoyable listen, but I found it to be kind of forgettable by the time I was moving onto something else. This might resonate with some listeners, but it didn't work for me.
Recommendation: Give it a try, you'll know fast if it's for you.

Artist: The Bonnevilles
Album: Arrow Pierce My Heart
Quick Description: Awesome blues/garage rock.
Why You Should Listen: You wish old White Stripes were still a thing, but The Black Keys never do it for you.
Overall Thoughts: MAN, this is good. I kind of saved the best for last here because this was such a good listen, some just really nice, grungy guitar-based blues rock. I can't even say more about it except that it's an album I didn't know I wanted until I heard it, and it needs to get into your rotation as soon as possible.
Recommendation: One of the best of the week.



Also out this week, albums that I mostly couldn't get through. Some weeks I can do it, but wow, some of these...:

* Iggy Pop - Post Pop Depression (collaboration w/Josh Homme and others, it's...weird)
* Joell Ortiz - This is Hip Hop
* The Body - No One Deserves Happiness
* Soul Asylum - Change of Fortune (yes they still exist)
* James - Girl at the End of the World (these guys too)
* Primal Scream - Chaosmosis
* Baauer - Aa (the "Harlem Shake" guy)
* Grant-Lee Phillips - The Narrows

Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts - "Strangers"

Photo courtesy Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts

I always try to make it a point to listen to a song that's sent to us before reading the accompanying press release and band bio. While listening to "Strangers" by Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts, I started making connections, like we music reviewers do. You know what I'm talking about. "It sounds like Band X hung out with Band Y at a drugged up rave," etc. The comparison I made for this song was that it sounds like Cheap Trick meets the current crop of more pop Americana that's all the rage these days. Turns out Miles Nielsen is the son of Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, so maybe some things are just hereditary.

All family connections aside, you should give "Strangers" a chance. It's a great blast of pop Americana, but more in line with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers than The Lumineers. It's a confessional song about being able to open up to strangers instead of close friends and family. 

Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts' new album, Heavy Metal, is due out April 29 on Rotown Records. You can listen to "Strangers" over on Soundcloud. For some more information on the band, you can find their website here, and find some tour dates below.

4/15 - Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge
4/16 - Champaign, IL @ Cowboy Monkey
4/29 - Rockford, IL @ Memorial Hall
4/30 - Mineral Point, WI @ Mineral Point Opera House
5/5 - St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
5/6 - Green Bay, WI @ Lyric Room
5/7 - Maquoketa, IA @ Codfish Hollow Barnstormers
5/13 - Memphis, TN @ Lafayette's Music Room
5/14 - Knoxville, TN @ Jig and Reel
5/18 - Nashville, TN @ The Basement
5/20 - Newport, KY @ The Southgate House Sanctuary
5/21 - Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar 
6/19 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
6/21 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
6/22 - Cambridge, MA @ Club Passim
7/28 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Tip Top Deluxe
7/29 - Three Oaks, MI @ Acorn Theater

The James Rocket - "We Are Here for You" b/w "Derby Girl"

Brooklyn's The James Rocket are back with their first release since 2012's Launch. It's just a 7" single and not a full length album, but new music is always welcome. The A-side is "We Are Here for You" is 90s style power pop at it's finest, with the sweet melodies of Big Star mixing with the fuzzy guitars of Guided By Voices. The B-side, "Derby Girl," is an ode to roller derby girls, possibly the best kind. It's all just power pop perfection, highly polished with just enough grit to make it interesting. Hopefully they won't be waiting four years between releases for the next one.

"We Are Here for You" b/w "Derby Girl" is available today. You can download a digital copy for free on The James Rocket's Bandcamp. You can also order a physical copy there, too. If you live in or around NYC, the band is playing a release party tonight at The Bitter End on Bleeker Street. For more info, check out their website. 

Mr. Lif featuring Del The Funky Homosapien - "World Renown"

Considering 90% of what I listened to in high school was hip hop, I'm always a little disappointed by how little I listen to now. Del the Funky Homosapien was huge for me back then (I still want to refer to him as "tha Funkee,") so I'm thrilled that he's still making quality music, which is more than I can say for most old school rappers. Also, I know I'm old because I also consider this a collaboration with one of my favorite "new" rappers, who I've been listening to for at least 14 years now. 

"World Renown" is taken from Boston based Mr. Lif's upcoming LP, Don't Look Down. Both MCs' styles mesh perfectly well. I never noticed how similar their flows are, with that laid back but intense delivery. Plus, musically the track has that slightly futuristic sound that both Lif and Del have made careers on. This is a true duet, not just a quickie guest appearance. This song will have you dreaming of an entire collaborative album and tour.

You can listen to "World Renown" below. You can download it for free on Mr. Lif's Bandcamp, where you can also preorder Don't Look Down,  which is due on April 15.

KOLARS - "Beyond the World of Man"

Photo via Facebook

It's been a while since we've heard from He's My Brother She's My Sister. In the meantime, Rob Kolar and Lauren Brown (aka the married couple in He's My Brother She's my Sister) have started a new project called KOLARS. They've released a video for their first song, "Beyond the World of Man." We obviously have to compare them to their other band, so here goes! While HMBSMS are the rootsier sound of more mainstream neo-folk acts like Houndmouth and The Felice Brothers, KOLARS seem to be a more rootsy version of a dance pop Americana act like Lucius. "Beyond the World of Man" is just pure laid back California pop glory, in the best way it could be.

For more information on KOLARS, including their California and Nevada tour dates, check out their Facebook page. You can also watch the video for "Beyond the World of Man" below. 

First Listen: New Releases for March 11

A solid week on a whole.

Album of the Week:

Artist: Aurora
Album: All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend
Quick Description: Gorgeous, addictive Nordic synthpop.
Why You Should Listen: Straddles the line near-perfectly on traditional pop and strange synthpop.
Overall Thoughts: I first learned of Aurora via "Running With the Wolves," and this has been a long-awaited full-length from her for me. I'm liking where the style is going, here - it's very accessible, but doesn't try to push the pop angle too too much. It means that it doesn't work 100% of the time, but when it does, it's memorable. This won't be for everyone, but those who love pop music will find a lot to love here. And she's only 19?!
Recommendation: Best release of the week, so it's worth a spin.

Artist: Lucius
Album: Good Grief
Quick Description: Second album by the throwback band.
Why You Should Listen: Lucius likes to ape certain musical eras, and they do so better than most.
Overall Thoughts: If Wildewoman was a love-letter to girl pop groups from the 1960s, Good Grief is saturated in 1980s nostalgia from top to bottom. While I was a little skeptical hearing the lead single, "What We Have (To Change)," hearing it in context of the full album makes a lot more sense and provides a good baseline for the entirety of what they're looking for. If you're looking for more stuff along the lines of "Turn It Around," you might be disappointed, but don't keep your mind closed. There's a lot to love here.
Recommendation: A good listen.

Artist: Little Green Cars
Album: Ephemera
Quick Description: Second album from the Irish rock group.
Why You Should Listen: You like some radio-friendly rock.
Overall Thoughts: I enjoyed the first album from this group, and the second album is a pleasant return for the group. While this feels a little adult alternative at times, there's plenty here to enjoy, especially if you're looking for more traditional stuff this week.
Recommendation: Worth a spin if you have the time.

Artist: The Wild Feathers
Album: Lonely is a Lifetime
Quick Description: Second album by the buzzworthy act.
Why You Should Listen: The band pivots from more roots-oriented rock to a more classic rock tone with ease.
Overall Thoughts: This is an album that is both Very Good and Not For Me. Definitely nodding to a lot of 1970s rock acts, this ends up being a solid listen that might have a lot of appeal to people looking for this sort of thing, they're a very well-tuned band that might make a breakthrough this year.
Recommendation: If you're into what they offer, it's worth a listen.

Artist: Emmy the Great
Album: Second Love
Quick Description: Latest album by the favorite singer-songwriter.
Why You Should Listen: Emmy the Great is a favorite here, and should be your favorite, too.
Overall Thoughts: I don't know why Emmy the Great hasn't become, like, the biggest singer-songwriter going right now. Her songs are accessible, her lyrics fun, her musicianship top-notch. Second Love is her first album since landing the Mystery Show theme (and why that's not on here, I don't know), and hopefully this will be the deserved breakthrough for her we're waiting on.
Recommendation: One of the top listens of the week.

Artist: Pete Yorn
Album: ArrangingTime
Quick Description: First album in six years from the singer-songwriter.
Why You Should Listen: Pete Yorn is always above-average if not better, and it's been far too long.
Overall Thoughts: When I first started reaching out on music beyond what's on the radio, I hit upon Pete Yorn. I've seen him live a few times, and he's put out a lot of good music over the years. This album is just as high quality as some of his other stuff even if this isn't quite to the heights of his debut or his work with Scarlett Johanssen. Overall, a good listen, though.
Recommendation: A solid release this week.

Artist: Shooter Jennings
Album: Countach (For Giorgio)
Quick Description: The legendary Shooter Jennings does a tribute to Giorgio Moroder?
Why You Should Listen: It's going to be the most interesting thing you'll hear in a while.
Overall Thoughts: I mean, the idea of a country rock disco tribute album is insane on its face, and this mostly doesn't work. The cover of the theme for The Neverending Story is maybe the most redeeming part, but it's still so weird. This needs to be heard, but I know I won't be listening to it again.
Recommendation: One and done. It's a curiosity piece.

Artist: Jeff Buckley
Album: You and I
Quick Description: Another vault release from Jeff Buckley.
Why You Should Listen: Jeff Buckley's legend has only grown since his passing 20 years ago, and this is the first release of newish material in some time.
Overall Thoughts: At this point, we know how we feel about Jeff Buckley from a musical standpoint, so your interest in this release is going to be based solely on that. As a fan of Buckley's work, there are some true gems in here, with his haunting voice on "Everyday People" in particular being an enjoyable experience, but this is not what I'd call essential in the way his first two albums are. So this does exist, though, and may be of interest.
Recommendation: Probably a fans-only affair, but worth noting.

Artist: Star & Micey
Album: Get 'Em Next Time
Quick Description: Latest album from the roots-rocky indie band.
Why You Should Listen: Star & Micey definitely sounds different than most of the stuff we feature in this genre, and they're worth a listen.
Overall Thoughts: I first found Star & Micey some time ago with their song "Salvation Army Clothes," a song that takes a quick residence in my head every few months. I was surprised to see a new album if only because I hadn't heard from them in so long, but their continued consistency is a plus for this group. Songs like "#1" and "Lucky" were standouts for me, and I'm glad to hear they're still trucking along.
Recommendation: Worth it if you have the time.

Artist: Glint
Album: Inverter
Quick Description: Electro-tinged rock.
Why You Should Listen: Definitely an interesting listen on the stranger side of things.
Overall Thoughts: If Aurora is handling the pop side of this genre, Glint comes across as someone pushing the envelope into a rock side. It doesn't always work, and it's not always the sort of electro-rock stuff you expect (like with "Daydreamers"), but, when it does, it's spot-on, and those who like the more electronic rock stuff will find a lot to like here, but I recognize it won't be for all. For me, though, this really works well on a whole. Reminds me of Vast, for those who remember the mid-1990s.
Recommendation: Not for everyone, but worth a look.


Also out this week:

* Information Society - Orders of Magnitude
* Holy Wave - Freaks of Nurture