GIVEAWAY: A King in Wait - Take the Throne

Upload your music for free at ReverbNation.com

We cover a decent deal of local Massachusetts music on the blog, mostly from the Boston and Amherst area. One area that doesn't get a lot of looks, however, is Worcester proper. Worcester has had a pretty solid music scene for a number of years, but, especially in the last decade, the hard rock and metal scene has surprisingly held firm in the city, with most important metal acts making it a point to come through The Palladium during their tours, and a lot of local music hitting the scene.

A King in Wait is one of those bands that is coming up in the ranks and getting some attention. Around since 2011, they released their first album last year and, especially as someone who really generally likes the lighter side of music, it's pretty good. Musically they're on point, the melodies are catchier than you'd think ("All for Granted" was floating around in my head all weekend again), and I'm told they put on a pretty decent live show as well.

The band released a new single on their Reverbnation site recently, and they offered up a giveaway to readers of this blog. Take a listen above, and if you're interested in a free CD copy of their debut album, enter the contest by emailing us on the right hand side of the page with "KING" in the subject line and a mailing address in the body to enter. Even if metal isn't your general genre, this is worth taking a flyer on - you might surprise yourself. Entries should be in by April 1.

Meanwhile, you can find more from the band at Reverbnation or on Facebook.

Salem Wolves - Black Books

A band being named Salem Wolves from Salem, MA with a song called "There Be Wytches" could be horribly, horribly wrong. Luckily, Black Books, the new EP from Salem, MA's Salem Wolves, is a solid release. It's garage rock tinged with a slightly poppier sound, but a lo-fi vibe, which gives it a Sebadoh meets garage rock sound. That fits my taste perfectly. "I Saw Hell" is a Rocket From the Crypt style rocker with a touch of glam. "Rumblr" is the thrash rock version of "I Want Candy." Black Books comes highly recommended.

Black Books is currently available through Salem Wolves' Bandcamp at the beloved "name your price" option. I don't believe they have a website, but you can like them at their Facebook page. If you're in the Boston area, they have a show coming up on April 4th at The Beachcomber in Quincy, and May 3rd at O'Brien's Pub in Allston. You can watch the video for "Rumblr" below.

The Prefab Messiahs - Keep Your Stupid Dreams Alive

Coming 32 years after their break up, Worcester, MA's Prefab Messiahs are back with a new album, Keep Your Stupid Dreams Alive. Reunion albums are usually pretty dubious, especially when a band hasn't released one in three decades. In the wake of a universally loved 30th anniversary tour, the band decided to give it another go in the studio. The Prefab Messiahs have this great unique sound, a blend of garage rock, psychedelic, and punk. They might be the only band to equally mix psychedelic and punk since the early days of The Stooges. 

"Weirdoz Everywhere" is a standout track, with it's power pop chorus and guitars over a surf rock base. "College Radio" is an homage to how college stations are eager to give younger bands a chance. I think that's one thing that works about this new album. It's almost a concept album about not giving up on your hopes and dreams, no matter how ridiculous they may sound. Most people don't reform their bands from their youth to give it another go. Keep Your Stupid Dreams Alive is the most fitting title for an album ever. If the results are as great as this album is, maybe we should all listen.

Keep Your Stupid Dreams Alive is out now on Burger Records and KYLAM Records. You can order it off Bandcamp. If you happen to be outside of Boston, they're playing at Ralph's Diner in Worcester on March 20, and March 21 at Modern Gypsy in Manchester, NH.

First Listen 2: Electric Boogaloo

As promised, here is the second batch of new releases for this week. It's still a pretty dodgy week on a whole, unfortunately.

Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield - Sing Elliott Smith: Jessica Lea Mayfield is a favorite of mine, and the Avett Brothers are always a good time, so with one of them teaming up with the other for Elliott Smith songs in a more rootsy style? Sign me up. I'm not the biggest Elliott Smith fan, but the covers are distinctive without being different for the songs I did remember and recognize, and that's both interesting and refreshing. Worth a listen on a number of counts, definitely a solid release this week and probably my favorite.

Anna & Elizabeth - Anna & Elizabeth: A debut folk album, the best way I can describe this is if you wished First Aid Kit or Lily & Madeleine sounded more like Gillian Welch. This is a high compliment from me, as a fan of all of those acts, but the strong parts of this specific album comes from how it sounds like an old folk recording that was dug out of someone's collection, but still manages to sound new and fresh at the same time. It's a very different record, to be sure, but one that's worth a spot in your rotation this week. If you like a lot of the music we feature here, this will absolutely be down your alley.

Modest Mouse - Strangers to Ourselves: I didn't realize it had been so long since we got new music from Modest Mouse, so there we go. If I have a complaint about the mainstreaming of Modest Mouse, it's that they got progressively less weird. Strangers is weirder than Good News for People Who Love Bad News, which might be welcome except it doesn't seem to have the weight or energy that the earlier albums had as a result. You expect a band to change over 15 years, never mind the 8 since "Dashboard," and Modest Mouse is at the point where it's hard not to do continual comparisons. The album itself? It's good. It's not great, but a few songs stick out to start ("Lampshades on Fire" being an early favorite) and it's one I'll be giving more time to.

Mark Knopfler - Tracker: Mark Knopfler, former lead of Dire Straits, put out a new solo album this week. I have been a fan of his solo work for a while now, and... well, you know what you're going to get with a Mark Knopfler solo record at this point, and I'll ultimately leave it up to you as to whether you think that's a good or bad thing. This album doesn't have anything jumping out as special for me, but it's not bad, either. Take that as you will.

The King Khan and BBQ Show - Bad News Boys: King Khan does throwback guitar rock as well as anyone, and this latest album is another solid entry. I can't say I have a ton to say about it on first listen (except that the way the album ends is super annoying), but I loved the last King Khan record and, while the BBQ Show collaborations haven't grabbed me yet, this one is my favorite so far. Worth a listen.




Also out this week:

* Olafur Arnalds and Alice Sara Ott - The Chopin Project

Fury Things/Brilliant Beast - Split EP

Last year we wrote about the great Minneapolis shoegaze band Brilliant Beast. Last week they released a split EP with fellow Minnesota natives Fury Things, and it's a fantastic pairing. For their 2 songs, Fury Things wrote the songs on a Friday and recorded on Sunday. "Some Things" was recorded in just one take, which gives it this perfect feel of urgency and fun. Their tracks don't feel like Minnesota, but are what shoegaze would sound like if it was created by indie rock loving southern Californians. It's just the finest droney power pop you can imagine.

Brilliant Beast are just the slightest opposite of the same coin as Fury Things. "No Fate" the extreme poppy end of the shoegaze spectrum, but they definitely rely more on the spacey, fuzzed out sounds of the genre, but with a strong 90s alternapop base. "Heaven" is a droned out as can be power ballad, the kind that would be a hit at a prom if high school kids had access to better drugs.

Split EP is out now on Guilt Ridden Pop. You can download it for free on Bandcamp. Of course you're going to want more info on both of these bands. Go here for Fury Things, and here for Brilliant Beast.

First Listen Part One: New Releases for March 17

This might be the biggest new release list for us since the blog started, so I'm going to break these highlights up into two chunks for us this time. The rest of the new releases will be covered tomorrow.

The Pine Hill Project - Tomorrow You're Going: This is an album of covers by a folky supergroup that, unfortunately, didn't work for me at all. The album felt a little more meandering than I was looking for, and some of the choices (most notably "The Sweetest Thing") felt a little weird. People really into folk music (which I don't qualify for) might find more to enjoy from this, but I wouldn't recommend it for the more casual listener overall.

Houndmouth - Little Neon Limelight: Houndmouth is a band we've talked about here before, and while they're really not quite my taste, this album is absolutely a step forward for them as an overall sound. The songwriting feels sharper, the instrumentation solid, and if I have a complaint from a technical standpoint it's that I wish the production didn't sound so muddy to me in parts. Overall, not a bad listen on a whole.

Stone Jack Jones - Love and Torture: We discussed Stone Jack Jones's lead song from this album previously, and I can see why Ken is into this. A sort of southern gothic sound, but it doesn't feel so southern, and the darkness is there but it isn't overwhelming. Stone Jack Jones is providing something that sounds both familiar and unique, and that's rare, especially in this sort of genre. It's not going to be for everyone, for sure, but something this different deserves a listen.

Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly: A surprise release this week, there's nothing I could possibly say about Kendrick Lamar or this album that isn't already said by people who are more familiar with Lamar, with rap music in general, or his overall place in the rap pantheon currently. I'm more of a Kanye/Jay-Z guy myself, and Kendrick Lamar has never really caught my ear outside of "Backseat Freestyle," and the best thing I can say is that this album feels as epic and important as it's coming across in the popular media. Is it any good? I'll listen to it again, and I think it's better from a musical point of view than his previous album, but that's about all I can say. Chances are you've already made a decision on this one anyway.

Glen Hansard - It Was a Triumph We Once Proposed... The Songs of Jason Molina: When Jason Molina of Magnolia Electric Company/Songs:Ohia passed a few years back, tributes came far and wide, musically and otherwise. Glen Hansard (Once, The Frames) offers up an EP of five of Molina's songs, and it's a pleasant affair but one that, ultimately, will only really resonate with fans of Molina or of Hansard at the end of the day.

Allison Moorer - Down to Believing: When I listened to this album, I kept asking myself why Allison Moorer isn't a megastar. I never hear her name mentioned in folk or country or alt country circles in any significant way, and I don't know if she doesn't make too many waves or what, but I've loved everything I've ever listened to from her and this album is no different. Perhaps a little more produced and polished than I would go for regularly, this is still a song with some great songwriting and solid moments throughout. Definitely worth a listen, and go back in her catalog if you haven't. You'll find some things to love.

Marina and the Diamonds - FROOT: I'm an unabashed fan of Marina and the Diamonds, and I understand I'm about 15 years too old for that to really be true, but so be it. With that said, Marina's third album is a massive disappointment for me. I love her fun, infectious songs, and this album feels like a downer on first listen. Nothing jumps out, it just feels very straightforward and rote. Maybe something will grab me in future listens, but I really had high hopes for this one on a whole.




We'll be back tomorrow!

The Huntress - "Call to Arms"

I have no idea how this one slipped by me, but over the summer MorganEve Swain of Brown Bird released the first song under her new project, The Huntress. "Call to Arms"  is the first song she wrote after losing her husband and band mate, Dave Lamb, to leukemia last year. It was inspired by a friend of theirs who helped her through her grief. Obviously, it's a painfully dark song, with Brown Bird's Eastern European folk sound, and just a peek into their metal influences. It's a beautiful tribute, and inherently a must listen for all Brown Bird fans.

Brown Bird's final album, Axis Mundi, will be released April 28. In the past months, MorganEve Swain has toured with Joe Fletcher, and is currently on the road with The Devil Makes Three in Europe. Rhode Island Monthly just came out with a fabulous interview with her. I highly recommend checking it out here. To listen to the debut song from The Huntress, make sure you head over to her Bandcamp page, and also Brown Bird's website.

Peach Kelli Pop - "Plastic Love"

Photo by Kelsey Reckling

Based out of Ottawa, Peach Kelli Pop started in 2009 when drummer Allie Hanlon started writing some of her own songs about video games, conspiracy theories, and the challenges women face. "Plastic Love" is the first I've heard of the band, and it's completely up my alley. It's just fun, poppy, and catchy as all hell. It reminds me of Bis mixed with Letters to Cleo. At just over two minutes long (which is all they really need) it's an alternative pop song in line with the Ramones.

Peach Kelli Pop's third album, obviously called III, will be out on Burger Records April 21st. You can listen to "Plastic Love" below, and below that find some of their current tour dates. You can pre-order the album from Burger Records here, and check out some older songs on their Bandcamp page. I don't believe they have an official page, but they do have a Blogspot, so check that out.

Fri. March 27 - San Diego, CA @ Hideout  

Sat. March 28 - Orange County CA @ The Observatory (Burgerama 4) 

Mon. March 30 - Santa Cruz, CA @ Crepe Place 

Tue. March 31 - Santa Rosa, CA @ TBA (Early show, presented by Pizza Punx Crew with White Fence)  

Tue. March 31 - San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern (Late show)  

Wed. April 1 - Eugene, OR @ The Barn Light 

Thu. April 2 - Olympia, WA @ Deadbeat 

Fri. April 3 - Vancouver, BC @ The Cobalt 

Sat. April 4 - Tacoma, WA @ Bobs Java Jive 

Sun. April 5 - Seattle, WA @ Black Lodge  

Mon. April 6 - Portland, OR @ The Know 

Tue. April 7 - Boise, ID @ Neurolux  

Wed. April 8 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Diabolical Records 

Thu. April 9 - Denver, CO @ Rhinoceropolis 

Fri. April 10 - Omaha, NE @ O'Leavers 

Sat. April 11 - Minneapolis, MN @ Hexagon Bar (w/ Frankie Teardrop) 

Sun. April 12 - Milwaukee, WI @ Cocoon Room (presented by Hey Tonight Productions) 

Mon. April 13 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle Chicago (Free Show Series) 

Tue. April 14 - Detroit, MI @ Lager House 

Wed. April 15 - Toronto, ON @ Smiling Buddha  

Fri. April 17 - Ottawa, ON @ Gabba Gabba Hey 

Sat. April 18 - Montreal, QC @ l'Escogriffe Bar Spectacle  

Sun. April 19 - Boston, MA @ TT Bears (Matinee show) 

Mon. April 19 - Brooklyn, NA @ Palisades (Night show) 

Tue. April 20 - Philadelphia, PA @ Golden Tea House 

Wed. April 21 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery 

Thu. April 22 - Asheville, NC @ Tiger Mountain 

Fri. April 23 - Atlanta, GA @ 529 

Sat. April 24 - New Orleans, LA @ Siberia 

Sun. April 25 - Houston, TX @ House of Creeps 

Mon. April 26 - Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas 

Tue. April 27 - Dallas, TX @ Three Links 

Wed. April 28 - El Paso, TX @ Monarch  

Thu. April 29 - Las Vegas, NV @ Bunkhouse 

Jacco Gardner - "Find Yourself"

For the most part, psychedelia gets a bad rap. The entire description has been taken over by bands who twiddle along for 20-60 minutes on one song, doing virtually nothing. Personally, I prefer back when the Beatles were considered psychedelic with great, tight, trippy pop songs. If you prefer that, you'll definitely want to check out this song by Jacco Gardner. Coming in at 3:37, it's hardly what most people would consider to be in the genre, but this is pure 60s psychedelic pop throwback here. It's more on par with Donovan than Phish. I'm thrilled I discovered this, and  can't wait for the full length album, Hypnophobia, due May 5th.

You can watch the video for "Find Yourself" below. Below that are Jacco Gardner's current tour dates (minus SXSW). You can pre-order Hypnophobia on Polyvinyl's website. For more information on Jacco Gardner as an artist, check out his website or find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Wed. March 25 - San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel *
Thu. March 26 - Santa Cruz, CA @ Catalyst Atrium *
Fri. March 27 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah *^
Sat. March 28 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo *%
Sun. March 29 - Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory (Burgerama IV)
Tue. April 21 - Cologne, DE @ Studio 672
Wed. April 22 - Paris, FR @ Point Ephemere #
Fri. April 24 - London, UK @ 100 Club @
Wed. April 29 - Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso at Tolhuistuin #
Thu. April 30 - Zwolle, NL @ Hedon #
Fri. May 1 - Gronigen, NL @ Vera #
Sat. May 2 - Utrecht, NL @ De Helling #
Sun. May 3 - Nijmegen, NL @ Doornroosje #
Wed. May 6 - Tourcoing, FR @ Grand Mix
Thu. May 7 - Luxembourg, LU @ Floor
Fri. May 8 - Lyon, FR @ Epicerie Moderne
Sun. May 10 - Brussels, BE @ Les Nuits Botanique
Mon. May 11 - Bordeaux, FR @ Barbey Rock School Club
Wed. May 13 - Barcelona, ES @ Le 2 De Apolo
Thu. May 14 - Valencia, ES @ El Loco
Fri. May 15 - Madrid, ES @ El Sol

Sat. May 16 - Lisbon, PT @ Music Box
Sun. May 17 - Porto, PT @ Hard Club
Mon. May 18 - Orense, ES @ Auditorio De Orense
Tue. May 19 - San Sebastian, ES @ Intxaurrondo
Thu. May 21 - Capri, IT @ Mattatoio
Fri. May 22 - Ravenna, IT @ Hana Bi
Sat. May 23 - Padova, IT @ Mame
Sun. May 24 - Vienna, AT @ Arena
Tue. May 26 - Munich, DE @ Kranhalle at Feierwerk
Wed. May 27 - Berlin, DE @ Private Club
Thu. May 28 - Hamburg, DE @ Molotow Club
Fri. May 29 - Copenhagen, DK @ Loppen
Sat. May 30 - Oslo, NO @ Revolver
Sun. May 31 - Stockholm, SE @ Strand
Thu. June 4 - Rotterdam, NL @ Rotown
Fri. June 5 - Eindhoven, NL @ Psych Lab at Effenaar
Sat. June 6 - Maastricht, NL @ Muziekgieterij
Wed. June 10 - Philadelphia, PA  @ Milkboy
Thu. June 11 - Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade (Northside Festival)
Fri. June 12 - Brooklyn, NY @ Northside Festival
Sun. June 14 - Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Upstairs

Tue. June 16 - Montreal, QC @ Bar Le “Ritz” P.D.B.
Wed. June 17 - Toronto, ON @ NXNE
Thu. June 18 - Toronto, ON @ NXNE
Fri. June 19 - Cleveland, OH @ Happy Dog
Sat. June 20 - Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
Sun. June 21 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
Tue. June 23 - Missoula, MT @ Stage 112
Wed. June 24 - Seattle, WA @ The Sunset Tavern
Thu. June 25 - Vancouver, BC @ The Fox Cabaret
Fri. June 26 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
Mon. June 29 - Costa Mesa, CA @ The Wayfarer
Thu. July 2 - Tucson, AZ @ The Flycatcher
Fri. July 3 - El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace
Mon. July 6 - New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jack’s
Tue. July 7 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
Thu. July 9 - Asheville, NC @ New Mountain Theatre
Fri. July 10 - Indianapolis, IN @ Joyful Noise Records
Sat. July 11 - Columbus, OH @ Seventh Son Brewing Co. (Community Music Fest)

$ w/ Roky Erickson
* w/ Ultimate Painting
^ w/ Broncho
% w/ White Fence, The Entrance Band, Twerps, Happyness, Endless Bummer
# w/ Eerie Wanda
@ w/ Venn

Lydia Loveless Covers Prince's "I Would Die 4 U"

Any semi-regular reader of this blog is going to know that we're pretty much obsessed with Lydia Loveless. Since one of my more long term musical obsessions is Prince, I'm beyond thrilled that Loveless is covering "I Would Die 4 U." Last year, Bloodshot Records announced a 21 song Prince tribute album. Apparently lots of people didn't realize it was an April Fool's Day prank, and they were pissed. To make that up to fans, they're releasing a split 7" for Record Store Day this year featuring the aforementioned cover of "I Would Die 4 U" with Cory Branan doing "Under the Cherry Moon." You can listen to Loveless's cover below. If you've heard her cover of Echo & the Bunnymen's "The Killing Moon," you'll know she can reach way out of her country/rock/punk range. "I Would Die 4 U" is incredibly true to the original, with just slight hints of indie rock with her country drawl. "I Would Die 4 U" is one of those great Prince songs you kind of forget about until you hear it again. And then it becomes one of your favorites.

As always, for more information on Lydia Loveless, check out her webpage. To find out about the split 7", head on over to Bloodshot Records' site.