Jack and Brendan

In case you don't know, Jack White and Brendan Benson are in a new band with two of the members of the Greenhornes. It's called The Raconteurs. The have a new record out called Broken Boy Soldiers and it's something to behold. I always describe it as Deep Purple/Led Zepplin meets the Beatles. Which makes total sense, since Jack and Brendan rep both of those camps on thier own records all the time. Together they bring a pretty unique take on rock music and while I think it's great, I also think it's going to be a bit hard for most people to like. It's a bit too heady for most folks. I give the record an 8 so consider that a recommendation to buy it.

Now for some songs:
The Raconteurs- Bane Rendition (this is an instrumental UK b-side courtesy of iguessimfloating blog)
The Raconteurs- Store Bought Bones (my fave on the record)

And in case you don't know him-
Brendan Benson- Tiny Spark

And in case you don't know them-
The Greenhornes- Pattern Skies

Crazy talk

You have probably already read about Gnarls Barkley. If not, the basics are:

1. It's a duo: Cee-Lo of Atlanta's Goodie Mob/Dungeon Family and Dangermouse (of Grey Album and Gorillaz fame).

2. The single is the first digital-only release to top the UK singles chart ever.

3. The single "Crazy" could be 2006's "Hey Ya."

As much as I like the fact that none of tracks ever really go for the over the top pop hook that will bludgeon you into submission from beginning to end (like "Hey Ya"), it's also the problem with most of the tracks. They build to a point, but don't deliver that one killer break. I think it will be tolerable for longer, but it's not the next Purple Rain or anything. "Crazy" and the rest of the record get a respectable 6.5 out of 10.

Gnarls Barkley- Crazy

The girls...

I may have mentioned these kids to you and I may not have. A couple of years ago, a gal I knew went to Australia, and saw this band called the morning after girls. She handed me a CDR with 4 songs and the one of the band member's email. I loved it, so I sent Martin and email, basically saying that if they ever needed anything in the US, to let me know. From there, I was introduced to their manager, and the rest of the band (Aimee is the only actual girl and yes she's beautiful. So are the boys). I saw them about a year after beginning this email trail at SXSW, and it was like meeting long lost friends. Thereafter (at CMJ, a BRMC tour, another SXSW) we have become good friends and to this day, even with the friendship clouding things, I can still wholeheartedly say that their music is some of the best being made right now.

The Girls are currently recording their first LP. Some of it was recorded at the Dandy Warhols' Odditorium and some in Philly, where BRMC recorded their latest, Howl.

They have one CD out in the US now, Prelude: EPs 1 and 2, and on a scale of 1 to 10, it gets a 10.

Start here, in this order please:
the morning after girls- run for our lives
the morning after girls- lazy greys
the morning after girls- hi skies

Quick note

Just an fyi, some of these links (the yousendit links in particular) only last about a week. So they may be dead if you don't check the site more often than once a week. Just a heads up.

The return of Mikey Skinner

I am a total apologist for a few act (as many of you know), Oasis, The Strokes, etc. The Streets is one of those acts. Even when I cringe at first listen to one of their tracks, I know that given enough time, I'll love everything they do/he does. I guess I just really find Mike Skinner hilarious. And interesting. And unique. No one sounds like him that's for sure. He's a love him or hate him kinda guy, and you have to repsect that. But I also understand that all the things I love about him (his over the top Britishness, his very loose flow/timing, his subject matter) are also reasons to hate him. I get the hate. It's just right for me. So judge this one with a grain of salt.

The new Streets record just came out. It's good. It's still growing on me, but so far on a scale from 1 to 10, it's already a 7. Which will probably get better with age. Here's the first single:

The Streets- "When You Wasn't Famous"

Mas Sexy

Since I mentioned them in a previous post, I figured you kids might not be acquainted with Goldfrapp, so I should fix that.

Goldfrapp is a duo, Alison Goldfrapp and her producer, Will Gregory. They have put out a few records, but I really didn't pay much attention til the second to last release, Black Cherry, that included the smokin singles "Strict Machine" and "Train." (Seek out the T. Raumschmiere remix of "Train"... it slays.) But they just released their new cd, Supernature in the states (after releasing it in the UK about 6 months ago). It's good, not as good as Black Cherry but does have some sexilicious singles, like:

Goldfrapp- Ooh La La

It also helps that Goldfrapp's videos are totally on the cutting edge of what the "hot animal" of the moment is evverytime. When it was deer/antlers, she as there. Owls, she go there too. Even poodles. And in concert she sticks a theremin in her lady parts! Hotttt.

As a full record, Supernature gets a 6. As singles, "Ooh La La" and "Ride A White Horse" both get a 9.

You want pics?

So I was thinking about the site today and I wondered... Do you folks want to see what these record covers look like? or band pics? Does that make a difference at all?

Let me know how you feel and if you want pics, I'll add them from now on. But if you dont care, I won't bother.

Give the people what they want!

As good as Oasis?!

Ok maybe not as good as all that. But I do love me some Arctic Monkeys. Yes, the band name is totally pants. But the band is totally hyped for a reason: they deliver. The record is fab and the live show is spot on. They are tighter sonically than most bands I seen (mind you they arent even 20 yrs old yet), and have the banter and attitude to challenge even the Gallagher brothers. But in the end, F the hype and the articles and the claims that they are the voice of a generation.* Their songs are great. Their debut, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I Am Not gets: 8.5 out of 10.

Try this one to start (but buy the record for sure):
Arctic Monkeys- A Certain Romance (demo version)

Field Music

OK here's a British one for you. From Sunderland (home of the soon to be relegated Blackcats FC) comes Field Music. I just wrote a short review of this for Anthem. With members and former members of The Futureheads and Maximo Park, this 3-piece (incl. 2 brothers) churns out the same post punk angular guitar blah blah that their peers do. But they also write pop songs. Not in the Ashlee way but in the Beach Boys/Madness way. It's a bit bed-wetter at times, but its good for a Saturday morning. Everything has its place. Toss a few of these into your shuffle rotation and I'm sure that after a while they'll be stuck in your head.

For that, on a scale from 1 to 10: 7.

Field Music- You're So Pretty

Field Music- Shorter Shorter

Field Music- You Can Decide

Field Music- I'm Tired

Fave new song

So I have this dream. It's more of a wish. I wish that there was this happy place that not only had great looking strippers (obviously all brunettes) but painfully cool music. The music would be limited to the best tunes that were just made for stripping, but also aren't just limited to faves from the hair metal canon. (Not that there's anything wrong with those.)

In this fabulous strip club you'd probably hear lots of Danzig, The Cult, Goldfrapp, Primal Scream, Revolting Cocks, and this:

Eagles of Death Metal- Don't Speak (I Came to Make a BANG!)

On a scale from 1 to 10, this track is a bonafide 10

Mission Statement

This is not an exercise in self-indulgence. In a small way, yes, it is a bit pompous, but honestly my voice means no more than a simple vox clamantis in interneto. Listen if you like and disagree just as much. I'm all for dialogue.

This is an attempt to both keep my chops sharp, and an attempt to keep connections alive. Now the usual glut of small talk and pointless conversations do have their strong suits, but I think the most rewarding way I keep keep some connections alive may be to focus on a service I can perform, and on things I can give to those who might want them.

So here you go...