Tag Archives: white stripes

Album of the Week: Band of Skulls

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Artist: Band of Skulls
Album: Baby Darling Doll Face
File Under: Indie Rock
Recommended if You Like: The Kills, anything Jack White influenced – White Stripes, Raconteurs, Dead Weather
Featured Tracks:

“I Know What I Am”:

Boy, catching up on the mountains of email in my mailbox really paid off this weekend.  Namely in the discovery of this hot little London-based three piece calling themselves Band of Skulls and their debut album, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey.  It’s been on heavy rotation ever since.  Their sound smacks heavily of that stripped down garage rock sound, tinged with a little of that 70s inspired rock vibe I love so much.  And the vocal play between Russell Marsden (guitar & vocals), Emma Richardson (bass & vocals) definitely evoke images of not only the White Stripes but also Jack White’s new venture, Dead Weather, featuring The Kills’ vocalist Allison Mosshart.   Especially on tracks like ‘Death by Diamonds and Pearls‘, ‘I Know What I Am’ and ‘Blood’.

Luckily for all of us San Franciscans, Band of Skulls will be performing at this week’s The Rumble on June 3 at Harlot.  Oh, and did I mention it’s free?  Just RSVP here.

San Francisco Bands You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of – Part 5

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Leopold and His Fiction

Do you like bluesy, southern fried garage rock in the style of The Black Keys, White Stripes and Kings of Leon? Then I think you’ll like this San Francisco trio called Leopold and His Fiction. I sure do.  Their self-titled debut is out now and are expected to release a new album early 2009.

Listen to ‘Come Back (Now That I’m Here)’:

 

 

Okay

I was taken the first time I heard Fremont-based band, Okay.  Mostly by Marty Anderson’s voice, which is strange, compelling and beautiful all at the same time.  His sound may not resonate with everyone but I find his songs with simple lyrics and sparse instrumentation achieve something bigger.

Listen to ‘My‘:

 

 

Port O’Brien

Oakland-based Port O’Brien has received critical acclaim for their autobiographical second album, All We Could Do Was Sing. Their ragtag indie folk/rock sound evokes the sounds of Neil Young and Bon Iver at times and back porch, drunken singalong sessions at others.   

Listen to ‘Pigeonhold’:

 

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Black Keys [Black Crystal Bands, Part 3]

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Artist:  Black Keys
Album:  Attack & Release
File Under: Lo-fi Indie Rock
Recommended if You Like:  White Stripes, The Raconteurs, The Black Angels
Featured Track:  Psychotic Girl

I had all but given up on the Black Keys.  I’ve followed them since their debut and loved their bluesy minimalist sound.  (I’ve always described them as White Stripes meets Stevie Ray Vaughn.)  But each successive album seemed to be just more of the same and less creative.  I don’t think I would have bothered to pick up their new album, ‘Attack and Release’, if it weren’t for an interview I saw of the duo on Pitchfork.tv that completely cracked me up. 

I’m glad I did because it’s become one of my favorite albums this year…like reconnecting with an old friend.  The album is dark and moody for sure, but oh so sexy.  Their collaboration with Danger Mouse on this album adds subtle layers of complexity to give it a more ethereal and eerie sound than their prior releases.

Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

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