Category Archives: Spanking New Music

Say Hello and Goodbye to The Blacks

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The Blacks “Sunday Boys”

The Blacks bowled me over when I stumbled across them at SXSW a couple of years ago.  The San Fran/NYC based band has one of the most raw, energetic live shows I’ve ever seen.  Featuring guitar (Luisa Black), drums (Gavin Black) and wild-eyed tambourine player JDK Blacker, their sound has been described as the love child of Karen O. and The Jesus and Mary Chain.  They flat out rock.  And tambourine man JDK Blacker is a sight to behold.  He plays like he’s exorcizing demons and it’s absolutely spellbinding.

In a bittersweet moment last week, The Blacks released their third and final album, Tiger Songs, on Tricycle Records.  Turns out the band is calling it quits after two and a half years.  Death by tambourine, they reported. They’re breaking up because tambourine man JDK Blacker is quitting and the band wouldn’t be the same without him.  True that.

Buy Tiger Songs now through iTunes.

Stuck in My Head – JJ, “Ecstacy”

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JJ – “Ecstacy”

It seems the Swedes have cornered the market on ambient electro pop.  This latest track from JJ’s new album entitled, JJ No. 2, is yet another example of their mastery in the genre and has been stuck in my head all week.  And no, I didn’t misspell the song title.

Andrew Bird Fans: Meet The Miserable Rich

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The Miserable Rich – “Monkey (Grape Authority Version)” “Pisshead”

Sticking to the folk theme today, here’s a UK chamber quintet I quite like listening to, The Miserable Rich. I don’t know if they’re rich, but they look pretty miserable in this photo, don’t they?

All kidding aside, the band – whose name was inspired from an experience they had playing at the wedding of two ultra-rich aristocrats in Rome – has an orchestral folk sound that evokes qualities of Andrew Bird.  It’s beautifully sweet, tender and easy on the ears.  Their 2008 release “Twelve Ways to Count” is a home recorded gem and one of my go-to ‘wind down’ albums at the end of the day.  “Monkey” is an acoustic version of the one of the tracks off the album released earlier this year. Enjoy.

The Dodos New Album “Time To Die” Now Streaming

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The Dodos – “Fables”

The Dodos, one of San Francisco’s finest, has a follow up release to their acclaimed debut “Visiter”in the works, entitled “Time To Die.”  Reports from @TheBayBridged and @DodgeMOKB indicate the album has already been leaked.  Poor guys.  In response to the debacle, the band has set up a website to stream the entire album, pre-order it and receive free downloads.  The physical release remains set for September 15, but the digital release of the album will be available for purchase/download through Amazon MP3 on July 27th for either $2.99 or $3.99. Goodness!

Visit TimeToDie.net for more info.

Wake Up and Be Happy with AM

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AM: “Grand Opinion”

It’s Friday, be happy! So get up and try this sunny, retro psychedelic pop groove on for size. The Los Angeles-based indie songwriter AM is gearing up for the release of his sophomore album, Future Sons & Daughters, due August 11th, 2009 on Filter US Recordings. Recorded in L.A. and produced by Charles Newman (Magnetic Fields), this release follows his debut, which earned him the title of “Best Singer Songwriter of The Year” by the LA Weekly.

Alberta Cross Debut LP Announced [Free MP3]

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Alberta Cross – “Leave Us and Forgive Us”

File this under “Bands to Watch.” Alberta Cross is poised to release their much anticipated full length debut, Broken Side of Time, on September 22.  Their EP, The Thief & The Heartbreaker, was on heavy rotation for me all last year. I was immediately attracted to lead singer/guitarist Petter Ericson Stakee’s Kurt Cobain-like desperation and Neil Young Americana rock vibe.  Their set at SXSW this year was one of my favorite live performances as well.

Stay tuned for tour dates.  In the meantime, you can download a free copy of the MP3 for “Leave Us and Forgive Us” on their website now.

Concert Pick O’ The Week: Ty Segall Tonight at The Hemlock

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Ty Segall – “It #1”

San Francisco’s one-man band, garage punk rock extraordinaire, Ty Segall, is having a CD release party tonight at The Hemlock.  I fell in love with him the first time I heard him play, which was opening for Girls at the very same venue a year ago. Watching him sing, play guitar, drums and tambourine by himself was truly  a sight to behold.

His new album, Lemons, is out July 14.  Get into it!

2009 Polaris Prize Short List Announced; Handsome Furs Snubbed Again

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The acclaimed Canadian Polaris Music Prize committee has announced their short list for the 2009 awards. And shockingly, The Handsome Furs get snubbed again. Balls! What’s wrong with you Canuks?  Well, needless to say, I’m disappointed.  I thought this year would be their time to shine.  And with all do respect to the nominees that did make the cut, sorry for the rant and congratulations. I’m going to cast my vote for Chad VanGaalen, but my guess is Metric or K’NAAN or Great Lake Swimmers will win.

Artist: Elliott BROOD
Album: Mountain Meadows
From: Toronto
Listen: “The Valley Town”

Artist: Fucked Up
Album: The Chemistry Of Common Life
From: Toronto
Listen: “No Epiphany”

Artist: Great Lake Swimmers
Album: Lost Channels
From: Toronto
Listen: “Everything is Moving So Fast”

Artist: Hey Rosetta!
Album: Into Your Lungs (and around your heart and on through your blood)
From: St. John’s
Listen: “I’ve Been Asleep for A Long, Long Time”

Artist: K’NAAN
Album: Troubadour
From: Toronto
Listen: “If Rap Gets Jealous”

Artist: Malajube
Album: Labyrinthes
From: Montréal
Listen: “Porte Disparu”

Artist: Metric
Album: Fantasies
From: Toronto
Listen: “Help, I’m Alive”

Artist: Joel Plaskett
Album: Three
From: Halifax
Listen: “It’s Catchin’ On”

Artist: Chad VanGaalen
Album: Soft Airplane
From: Calgary
Listen: “Willow Tree”

Artist: Patrick Watson
Album: Wooden Arms
From: Montréal
Listen: “Tracy’s Waters”

The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney Has Band: Drummer

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Drummer “Feel Good Together”

Not to be outdone by Dan Auerbach, the other half of The Black Keys – drummer Patrick Carney – now has his own side project aptly named Drummer. Their debut album, Feel Good Together, is set for release September 29 on Carney’s label, Audio Eagle.

Carney, who plays bass for the group, joins up with four long time friends—all Ohio-based drummers—to bring the project to life. Drummer is rounded out by: Jamie Stillman of Teeth of the Hydra, formerly of Party of Helicopters (guitar),Jon Finley of Beaten Awake, also formerly of Party of Helicopters (vocals, guitar), Stephen Clements of Houseguest and Six Parts Seven (keys, vocals) and Greg Boyd of Ghostman and Sandman (drums). The band will embark on a fall tour in support of the new album.


Frankel – “Anonymity Is The New Fame”

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Frankel, “Anonymity is the New Fame”

I’m obsessed with this track from LA-based Frankel, the brain child of Michael Orendy – singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Given the celebrity centered lifestyle of that city, it’s not hard to imagine how an album and song with such a title could come to exist.

Anonymity is the New Fame, is Frankel’s sophmore release out now on Autum Tone Records. I’ve enjoyed everything he has put out so far and this is no exception.  His sound is decidedly low key and easy-going, like a sunnier, happier version of Elliott Smith.

Go get it on iTunes or Autumn Tone Records and enjoy.