Only Takes A Day - "Reach"

It seems odd to me that the current resurgence of acoustic music/Americana hasn't been combined with hip hop, since the kids seem to be into both. It surprises me more that a great example of how well this can work is coming from England. Only Takes A Day combines hip hop beats with an acoustic guitar. Their latest single, "Reach," is a laid back song with an intense rhyme provided by Shaanvir Rehal. It reminds me of The Streets meeting the folky side of G. Love & Special Sauce. It's a sound that works surprisingly well even though the combination does have some coarse moments, but those are some of the best parts.

You can watch the video for "Reach" below. For more on Only Takes A Day, check out their Facebook and Twitter.

First Listen: New Releases for May 11

A slightly calmer week.

Artist: Illuminati Hotties
Album: Kiss Yr Frenemies
Quick Description: Alt-indie debut from a buzzworthy act.
Why You Should Listen: You wish your indie music was a lot more fun than it has been lately.
Overall Thoughts: This is one of my most anticipated releases of the spring, having been addicted to “(You’re Better) Than Ever” since I first heard it. The album is a fun, raucous debut with plenty of alt-rock notes to go with an indie, almost DIY sensibility. The band isn’t breaking any new ground, but it’s good to hear a band come into the conversation seemingly fully formed. And they have maybe the best band name I’ve ever heard, so there’s that, too.
Recommendation: My favorite this week.

Artist: Aiden Moffat and RM Hubbert
Album: Here Lies the Body
Quick Description: An artsy collaboration from some Scottish music icons.
Why You Should Listen: You're a fan of Arab Strap or contemplative folkish stuff?
Overall Thoughts: This is a collaboration between Aidan Moffat of Arab Strap and another Scottish musician, and it is interesting that it comes out the same week as a Mark Kozalek record, ad there are enough similarities to turn me off, but hardcore fans of either act will likely find something to enjoy.
Recommendation: Not for me, but it might be for you.

Artist: Marian Hill
Album: Unusual
Quick Description: Danceable third album by an established act.
Why You Should Listen: This is an album that isn't afraid to stretch the boundaries of its genres.
Overall Thoughts: This duo is one that’s been on my radar for a bit, and this album has a bit of a mix of radio-friendly electronic/R&B stuff combined with a lot of thoughtful and challenging choices. This won’t be for everyone, and even all of this is not especially for me, but there are some really bold moments here that deserve your attention.
Recommendation: Give this a shot this week.

Artist: Luke Winslow-King
Album: Blue Mesa
Quick Description: Rootsy singer-songwriter stuff.
Why You Should Listen: Luke Winslow-King has been solid so far.
Overall Thoughts: I enjoyed Luke Winslow-King’s previous album, and this feels a little more energetic and fun in a lot of ways. As with many albums in this genre lately, it’s not doing anything new, but there’s an unforced ease and comfort with this record that sets it apart.
Recommendation: A solid listen.

Artist: The Lied To's
Album: The Lesser of Two Evils
Quick Description: Solid roots duo with a familiar yet unique approach.
Why You Should Listen: The energy and enthusiasm behind this shines through.
Overall Thoughts: An interesting rootsy record in the vein of Brown Bird, Shovels and Rope, and the like. A little on the inconsistent side at times, but then you hear songs like “Windtalker” and you realize that there’s something special here. This is something longtime readers here will probably love, and it’s one of the better releases of the week.
Recommendation: Make time for this.

Artist: Jess Williamson
Album: Cosmic Wink
Quick Description: Gritty, compelling country folk.
Why You Should Listen: It's going to command your attention from the first few notes.
Overall Thoughts: Music that feels like it belongs in a dark, smoky bar. A total and complete mood piece that just grabbed me from the start and wouldn’t let go. Williamson has a haunting voice with instrumentation that matches the tone and quality perfectly.
Recommendation: A must listen.

Artist: The Sea and Cake
Album: Any Day
Quick Description: Latest from the indie rock legends (of a sort).
Why You Should Listen: I suppose the Sea and Cake are important enough to always give a shot.
Overall Thoughts: I remember when The Sea and Cake were the big indie act that was who indie kids who were “in the know” paid attention to. They never really grabbed me as a band, and this works more of a time capsule of a band from another time than something new and vibrant.
Recommendation: Not really worth it unless you're a big fan.

Other releases of note:

* Simian Mobile Disco - Murmurations (It’s great when it picks up, but fails in getting off the ground a good amount of the time.)
* Wajatta - Casual High Technology (Ken sent this over as Reggie Watts is apparently involved with this. It’s weird and different, but basically an electronic record with some interesting beats and choices.)
* Las Rosas - Shadow By Your Side (A solid indie rock record with hints of a lot of things I love. A good listen overall.)
* Ament - Heaven/Hell (Another Pearl Jam side project, this is frankly just okay, with a couple moments that shine a little brighter.)
* La Luz - Floating Features
* Beach House - 7

EPs:

* Sarah Louise - Deeper Woods
* Andre Costello and the Cool Minors - Resident Frequencies
* The Ballroom Thieves - Paper Crown

Also out this week:

* Dog Chocolate - Moody Balloon Baby
* Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino (wow this is not good)
* Mark Kozalek - Mark Kozalek

Porchfest 2018 Begins This Weekend

This weekend in the Boston area, and in a bunch of weekends to come, Porchfest arrives! Porchfest features local artists - musical and non-musical alike - performing in yards and porches in various Boston-area neighborhoods. I don't know if I'll be able to make any of them, but the lineups are stacked with so many acts that, if you have an afternoon to stroll around town, you're bound to find something you enjoy.

Porchfest kicks off in Somerville this weekend with dozens of acts all over the place. Friend Of The Blog Travels With Brindle will be performing tracks from her Alex Lahey ukulele cover album, a video from which is below:


The whole idea of a Porchfest is new to me and kind of neat, and I would personally love to see one happen in the Worcester/Central Mass area in the future. Maybe next year?

Porchfest dates are below:

May 13: Somerville, MA
May 19: Plum Island, MA
June 2: Newton, MA
June 9: Arlington, MA
June 9: Brookline, MA
June 16: Boston Fenway, MA
June 23: Quincy, MA
July 7: Jamaica Plain, MA
Sep 8: Belmont, MA
Sep 8: Hull, MA
Sep 15: Roslindale, MA
Sep 22: Milton, MA

You can find more information on each Porchfest at the official(?) site.

The Beths - "Future Me Hates Me"

Photo by Mason Fairey

I have no idea what is going on in Australia and New Zealand, but those two countries just keep on giving us amazing 90's inspired guitar bands. The latest is The Beths, who hail from Auckland. Their new single, "Future Me Hates Me," is the perfect song to drive around to in the summer. It's energetic, bouncy, and has some of the most perfect fuzzed out guitars you've heard in ages. Of course, there is the title, so that means it's a fun song about sadness, which is my favorite kind of song. As singer Elizabeth Stokes says: " There’s a lot of sad sincerity in the lyrics... That relies on the music having a light heart and sense of humor to keep it from being too earnest."

You can watch the video for "Future Me Hates Me" below. The Beths' debut album also called Future Me Hates Me will be out August 10 on Carpark Records. It can be pre-ordered here. For more on The Beths, check out their website. Their current tour dates can be found below the video.

May 12th - London, UK - The Victoria Dalston
May 14th - Bristol, UK - The Louisiana
May 15th - Manchester, UK - 57 Thomas Street
May 16th - Newport, UK - Le Pub
May 20th - Exeter, UK - The Cavern
May 21st - Leeds, UK - Wharf Chambers ^
May 22nd - Glasgow, UK - Bar Bloc ^
May 23rd - Edinburgh, UK - Henry's Cellar Bar ^
May 24th - Durham, UK - Empty Shop ^
May 25th - Portsmouth, UK - Wave Maiden ^
May 26th - Paris, FR - Le Popin
May 27th - Lille, FR - CCL
June 1st - Berlin, DE - Bei Ruth
June 3rd - Langnau im Emmental, CH - Kaeptn Holger
June 6th - Munich, DE - Kulturstrand
June 7th - Hamburg, DE - Astra Stube
June 9th - Kiel, DE - Secret Lake House Party
June 11th - Brooklyn, NY - Alphaville *
June 13th - Philadelphia, PA - Ortlieb's
June 14th - Washington, DC - Loves Me Not
June 16th - Chicago, IL - Charm School
June 20th - San Francisco, CA - The Battery
June 22nd - Los Angeles, CA - Make Out Music
 
^ w/ Fresh
* w/ Peach Kelli Pop

Photo Gallery: And the Kids, Nu Muse Festival, Nashua, NH 5/5/18

Normally I would do a decent write up for a live performance I attended, but I wasn't able to stay for a huge chunk of And the Kids's set during the Nu Muse Festival in Nashua, NH last Saturday night. I had my daughter with me, and it was a late night for her. Plus, kids these days aren't used to being subjected to smoking, so she started to feel a bit nauseous. If you're curious how they are live, I go into much more detail with my review of their double bill with Lucy Dacus last month. But, I took some pretty great pictures Saturday, so please check them out.

Nikkie McLeod - "Deep Cry"

Photo by Liz Maney

For white Americans, Nikkie McLeod's "Deep Cry" is going to be an interesting listen. The most prevalent instrument is a steelpan, and when we hear the steelpan we reminisce about Caribbean vacations and happy times. Nikkie McLeod is originally from Trinidad & Tobago, so they don't have the same connections. "Deep Cry" is an intense song about the loss of McLeod's mother. The feeling the song captures is the duality of celebrating and grieving life at the same time. "Deep Cry" isn't a quiet, reflective song about loss and death. At times, it is deeply noisy, and almost violent. But that's how grief can work. It's a beautiful song about an intensely personal and difficult time in McLeod's life. It's a song we all need to truly listen to.

You can listen to "Deep Cry" below. Quarrel, the new EP from Nikkie McLeod, will be available on October 30, their mother's birthday. For more on Nikkie McLeod, check out their Facebook.

Andre Costello and the Cool Minors - "Kinda (Makes You Feel Good)"

Photo by Kathryn Stabile

The latest single from Andre Costello and the Cool Minors is the perfect song just as we start summer. "Kinda (Makes You Feel Good)" is drenched in lazy summer vibes. It has a retro cool classic rock feel, in that southern California 1960's way. That gives it a little bit of a folk texture, but in the way that Neil Young can be kind of folk. You also get some soul in there, but mostly in singer Andre Costello's vocals. Slowly the song builds, while keeping its laid back feel, and starts going into indie rock territory, in the Wilco way. It goes into some great melodic noise, and some absolutely killer guitar solos. All while remaining completely chilled out.

You can watch the video for "Kinda (Makes You Feel Good)" below. Resident Frequencies, the new album from Andre Costello and the Cool Minors, will be out on May 11 on Misra Records. You can pre-order a copy here. For more on Andre Costello and the Cool Minors, be sure to check out their website.

Kinda (Makes You Feel Good) (Official Video) by Andre Costello and the Cool Minors on VEVO.

First Listen: New Releases for May 4

Just a lot out this week, so we'll do highlights.

Artist: Skating Polly
Album: The Make It All Show
Quick Description: New album from the indie rockers.
Why You Should Listen: Skating Polly is similar to Speedy Ortiz in some regards, and they are poised to break out.
Overall Thoughts: I liked Skating Polly’s last effort, which was a sort of car crash of musical sounds and styles that had me hooked. Even still, it wasn’t without its flaws, but that was more than okay – it was still a great listen. This new album feels a lot more organized and structured, and the result (while a little less chaotic) is something that really shows growth as a band without losing the sort of manic quality that sets them apart.
Recommendation: A favorite this week.

Artist: Parker Milsap
Album: Other Arrangements
Quick Description: New album from a favorite here.
Why You Should Listen: You're looking for a little more adult alternative in your life.
Overall Thoughts: We’ve liked him so far, but this feels very adult alternative, and his voice has a real Paul McCarthey flair to it on this effort that just sat the wrong way. Not a bad listen, but definitely not the compelling effort I had been hoping for.
Recommendation: Maybe give it a listen, but it's far from essential.

Artist: Jessica Risker
Album: I See You Among the Stars
Quick Description: Light, airy folk music with a distinct sound.
Why You Should Listen: You're looking for something more along the lines of early Marissa Nadler.
Overall Thoughts: At only eight tracks, this mini-album feels less like a complete piece and more like a sampling, but if this is the Jessica Risker sample pack, sign me up for a subscription. It’s stark, distant folky music with a super-compelling feel to it that reminds me of why I fell for the music of people like Laura Veirs and the like early on.
Recommendation: Really solid listen.

Artist: Trampled by Turtles
Album: Life is Good on the Open Road
Quick Description: New album from the favorites of the newgrass set.
Why You Should Listen: TBT is finally finding its footing.
Overall Thoughts: This is a group that, for a time, was bluegrass for people who weren’t so into bluegrass. They’ve toned down their sound a bit, and while it’s still not traditional at all, it is definitely more accessible, and I feel like this might be the first album in a few years where it’s truly come together in a cohesive way. Really enjoyed this listen, and I see myself heading back to it sooner rather than later.
Recommendation: A must-listen.

Artist: Kitten Forever
Album: Semi-Permanent
Quick Description: Noisy, sloppy punk of the best kind.
Why You Should Listen: You need a little angst in your afternoon.
Overall Thoughts: I unabashedly love this group, and it’s just loud and brash and fun the way this type of music should be. It’s not going to work for everyone, and the presentation/band name almost feels like they could be dismissed as some sort of adorable Whirlwind Heat or Oh-OK, but they deserve more than that. This is a solid, enjoyable listen and one of my favorites this week.
Recommendation: You should make time for this.

Artist: Joel Levi
Album: Joel Levi
Quick Description: Perfectly cromulent alt-country.
Why You Should Listen: You're looking for that early-2000s era alt-country revival.
Overall Thoughts: Joel Levi absolutely comes from the Ryan Adams school of alt-country, and it’s pretty solid. He’s not reinventing the wheel, and perhaps we can fault this record a bit for not taking many (if any) risks, but that's not a terrible thing overall. It's a decent record, it just won't blow your mind.
Recommendation: Worth finding some time if you're into this.

Artist: Belly
Album: Dove
Quick Description: The highly-anticipated return of the early-1990s alt-rock act.
Why You Should Listen: Truly, we shouldn't have to hype you up for this.
Overall Thoughts: Belly was great. We all know and accept this. Reunion records can be a crapshoot, though, and this one? A winner by all accounts. I was on board early on with "Shiny One," and the whole record just delivers. Great return, great entry point, great everything.
Recommendation: Nearly my album of the week. Rock solid.

Artist: Frank Turner
Album: Be More Kind
Quick Description: Latest from the English folkie.
Why You Should Listen: If he's been a little too aggressive for you so far, this might be the record for you.
Overall Thoughts: We're fans here, but Ken is about ready to jump off the bandwagon. For me, this album lost me at "Make America Great Again," not because it's a protest song or because I have any issue with the message, but because this is such a bland, on-the-nose attempt at protest music that it just feels sanitary. Folk punks shouldn't be boring, but I fear Frank Turner has turned a corner.
Recommendation: It's unfortunately not worth it.


Quick Hits:

* Tropical Fuck Storm – A Laughing Death in Meatspace: Not the sort of sound you’d expect from a band with this name, but it is kind of a messy rock effort that some will love but didn’t work for me.
* Matt and Kim – Almost Everyday: They have always tried to balance the indie with the big sound of the moment, and this does the same, but I really felt this didn’t work. Weird fake drops, odd electronic stuff. It has its moments, but…
* Venetian Snares + Daniel Lanois – Venetian Snares x Daniel Lanois: Weird, ambient, off-center electronic music. Has a movie score feel to it. Kind of an unexpected turn from Lanois, perhaps best known for his production work with U2.
* Leon Bridges – Good Thing: We enjoyed Bridges’ debut, and this is a great modern soul record that deserves a more mainstream look than Bridges has been getting so far. Rock solid.
* Shakey Graves - Can't Wake Up: An interesting shift in musical tone for Shakey Graves. I don't know how well this will hold up, but if you're a fan you owe it to yourself to give this a try even if you don't end up liking it.

Other Highlights:

* Lake Street Dive - Free Yourself Up
* Horse Feathers - Appreciation
* Black Moth Super Rainbow - Panic Blooms
* Eleanor Friedberger - Rebound
* Holy Now - Think I Need the Light

EPs:

* Johnnyswim and Drew Holcomb - Goodbye Road
* Mr. Tophat - A Memoir From the Youth

Also Out:

* The Goldberg Sisters - Home: A Nice Place to Visit
* Gaz Coombes - World's Strongest Man
* Missy Higgins - Solastalgia
* D.O.A. - Fight Back
* Tove Stryke - Sway

Wicked Good Festival is Simply a Must Attend for Everyone in Boston

Boston used to be a great city for free live music. Back in the 90's, both modern rock radio stations, WFNX and WBCN, used to host free shows at the Hatch Shell and City Hall Plaza multiple times each summer. There was the notorious Green Day show in 1994, and shows featuring Letters to Cleo, Folk Implosion, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Amazing Royal Crowns, and more, all for free. The last big free show was the Outside the Box Festival back in 2013 that featured Buffalo Tom, The Lemonheads, and Mighty Mighty Bosstones. There have been a few smaller free live shows since then, but those have been pretty sparse, and have featured bands like Smashmouth. It's made me dream of cities with great, free live music like NYC, or even Portsmouth, NH's Prescott Park Art Festival.

Thanks, to WERS, free live music is coming back to Boston this summer. Somehow a college radio station has put together the show of the summer, all for free on the Boston Common. They've announced four bands so far, and all four are fantastic. For newer artists, they have Bleachers and Air Traffic Controller. For vintage, classic alternative, they've booked Buffalo Tom and Juliana Hatfield. Yes, that's right. Bleachers, Buffalo Tom, Juliana Hatfield, and Air Traffic Controller. All for free on Boston Common this summer. Seriously, what more could you want? Oh, and there will be more, because the show is running eight hours.

A Wicked Good Festival will be held August 18 from noon to 8:00 on Boston Common for free. For more information, check out the festival's website.

Gabriella Cohen - "Music Machine"

Our newest favorite Australian export, Gabriella Cohen, has released the latest single off of her upcoming album. "Music Machine" isn't quite as much fun as "Baby" was, but we're still digging it. Cohen's 90's slacker style vocals are even more monotonous on "Music Machine," and we mean that in the most complimentary way possible. The part that will suck you in is when the backing vocals, which have been merely peeking in here and there throughout the song, come in full force in the second half of the song. I could describe the song in more detail, but I think Cohen's words about the song basically nail the vibe:

"'Music Machine' was born about the time when I came back from my first U.S tour and found myself down and out crashing on a friends couch in West Brunswick, Melbourne. It was a strange patch of time, where I felt comically displaced, coming from the glitz and glamour of New York straight to desolate suburbia and Centrelink queues.

"Maybe it was the weather, or the jet lag, but in that short time I felt drugged, hazy; I got lost far too many times on bike paths, dry gusty December heat blowing me through parks and scrubland.... In my delirium, I went on my first Tinder date and, thank g-d, because I made a very good friend who led me to a farmhouse where I would record Pink Is The Colour Of Unconditional Love. All in all, "Music Machine" was written out of a delirious boredom, and in turn became a song I'm grateful to have written."

You can listen to "Music Machine" below. Gabriella Cohen's new album, Pink Is the Colour of Unconditional Love, will be out June 1 on Captured Tracks. You can pre-order it here. For more on Gabriella Cohen, check her out on Facebook and Twitter.