Now Downloading: New Releases 03.30.10

It's another not-so-deep week of new releases, featuring the debut on Sub Pop from Dum Dum Girls, plus the latest from The Living Sisters, Angus & Julia, Annuals, Holly Golightly, Black Francis and a great reissue of the recordings of Black Tambourines.

Playlist: New Releases 03.30.10

---

Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Originally envisioned as a soundtrack to an imagined 1960s Italian prison movie, I Will Be turned out, in the end, to be a fairly accessible debut for Dee Dee (aka Kristin Gundred) and her Dum Dum Girls. With Go-Go's and Blondie producer Richard Gottehrer twiddling the knobs, perhaps it shouldn't be too surprising. The one song left over from the prigione concept is undoubtedly the best track, "Jail La La La," fittingly sounding like the long forgotten Halifax band Jale -- like some cross between 60s girl groups and Magnetic Fields.

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "D.A.L." / "Jail La La" [mp3]

---

The Little Black Bottles - Werewolf of Moncton
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

With horror mainstreaming right now, you have to go out of your way to avoid hearing about vampires, zombies and the like in your popular culture, From Twilight to Pride Predjudice and Zombies, the world of monsters is your door. The Little Black Bottles must have some sense of this, as their debut release might just be indie rock's answer to this interesting trend. Fronted by the married couple Jackie and Myke Fedyk, TLBB mixes the folk-y quirkiness of Neutral Milk Hotel with some of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's bite in their freakshow. "Ginger Snaps," is a sonic highlight, referencing the werewolf-centric horror series of the same name, and "The Devil Takes a Girl" is a fun take on Demon-human romance. Worth checking out, if you can handle the horror.

---

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
The Living Sister - Love to Live
Angus & Julia Stone - Down the Way / Free AOL album stream
Annuals - Sweet Sister / "Loxstep" [mp3]
Holly Golightly & the Brokeoffs - Medicine County / Free AOL album stream
Black Francis - Nonstoperotik
Method Man-Ghostface-Raekwon - Wu Massacre
Wooden Shjips - Vol. 2
Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part 2: Return of the Ankh
The Go Find - Everybody Knows It´s Gonna Happen Only Not Tonight
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Dirty Shirt Rock 'n' Roll: The First Ten Years / Free AOL album stream
Stax Number Ones

REISSUES
Black Tambourine - Black Tambourine
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - The Good Son
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Henry's Dream
Jawbreaker - Unfun

tags: music, album review, she and him,, annuals, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Chuck vs the American Hero: Time to Order more $5 Footlongs?

Prior to NBC's Jaypocalypse and the resulting extra six-episode pickup for Chuck, "Versus the American Hero" was set to be the penultimate episode for season three, setting up a finale. Knowing that, the stakes should've been higher, I think, and it just didn't feel like a series heading to a season finale. Neither does it look like it in the ratings, where, even against reruns of HIMYM and House, the series is not performing well -- even against NBC's very low bar.

Does this mean folks need to start eating Subway again? That won't work twice, just ask Jericho. No, we just need the series to get back on track, pronto. Right now there are too many plot constructs leading us on, like Sarah's requirement that Chuck not be capable of killing someone, even in self-defense, while not having an issue with dating Shaw. And don't get me started on Shaw -- even more than Bryce, this character's purpose is as an obstacle, and now with the revelation of who killed his wife, his storyline is even more laughable.

Musically, there was only The Temper Trap's "Down River", which had some interesting lyrics to back Chuck laying it all on the line for Sarah:

I, don't, understand / How this world will work
Cause time will tell us nothing / I'll take a chance on something

Chuck - Episode 3.11
1. "Down River" - The Temper Trap

Previously: Chuck Vs the Final Exam

Ear on TV: Week of 03.29.10: She & Him

When Zooey Deschanel and M Ward first collaborated as She & Him with the album Volume One, the actress/singer was too busy with her film career to give the release much support. This time around, with Volume Two (released last week), the indie film darling is taking a year off* to give She & Him her full attention, with a full-blown tour and a tidy schedule of television appearances, including one this Friday on Letterman.

*After the film Your Highness (scheduled for October release), it's possible we won't see Deschanel on the big screen until 2012.

Volume Two is surely deserving of the attention, improving upon the well-received debut, with Deschanel honing her songwriting craft even more. This is certainly no vanity project, like the forays into music by Bruce Willis, Don Johnson and the more recent Scarlett Johansson. The songs instead remind one of Harry Nilsson, Roy Orbison and classic Brill Building songwriting, made complete with M Ward's timeless sounding production and backing. And could the two be any more adorable than they are in this first video from the release, "In the Sun"?



Meanwhile, someone who should put their acting career on permanent standby, Madonna, has a new concert DVD. Madonna: Sticky and Sweet (debuting on VH1 Friday, the night before its physical release), features guest appearances from Justin Timberlake, Kanye West and Britney Spears. But mostly, this just reminds me that Glee comes back next month with an all new episode featuring the songs of Madonna, and the supporting EP (The Power of Madonna) already has a tracklisting of songs, which includes "Express Yourself," "Borderline," "Vogue," "Like a Virgin," "4 Minutes," "What it Feels Like For a Girl," and the episode closer, "Like a Prayer." Apparently Sue is singing "Vogue" (hooray!), Emma and Will are singing "Like a Virgin," and smart money's on Kurt for "What it Feels Like for a Girl," just because it seems like a song he'd sing to himself in front of the mirror.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, March 29
FOX: Lopez Tonight: Foreigner
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Julian Casablancas
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Fanfarlo (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who: The Who
SUNDANCE: A Skin Too Few: The Days of Nick Drake: Nick Drake
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Sade (REPEAT)
Tuesday, March 30
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Erykah Badu
CURRENT: Embedded (x2): The Decemberists, Passion Pit, Bon Iver, Amanda Palmer, The Delta Spirit (REPEAT)
FOX: Lopez Tonight: Ludicris
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Angels & Airwaves
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Keane
Wednesday, March 31
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Matisyahu
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Whigs
FUEL: The Daily Habit: John Butler Trio
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Drive-By Truckers
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Doves
Thursday, April 1
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: OK Go
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Patty Loveless
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Kottonmouth Kings
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Mishka
Friday, April 2
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: She & Him
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Liquid, Liquid
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Surfer Blood
VH1: Madonna: Sticky and Sweet: Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Britney Spears
Saturday, April 3
PBS: Austin City Limits: Allen Toussaint (REPEAT)
VH1: Purple Rain: Prince, The Time

Caprica "End of the Line"

The first half of Caprica's first season ended on a sublime note, with an episode that dragged a bit like the previous couple have. But one thing that didn't disappoint was the work of composer Bear McCreary, who went as far as to write an opera for the mid-season finale.

Jokingly titled Capricoperatica, McCreary wrote it with his mother, novelist Laura Kalpakian. But while moms is an interesting addition to the proceedings, it's the male voice that comes later that's really of interest. Alessandro Juliani, aka Gaeta on Battlestar Galactica, lent his voice to the scene where Amanda's on the bridge.


Bear McCreary gives the low down on its creation, complete with audio and photos on his blog.

Now Downloading: New Releases 03.23.10

Busy week, being a post-SXSW release week, but I'm still looking ahead to future dates, so we'll keep it short and sweet. Highlights this week are the latest from She & Him, Love is All, Serena-Maneesh, Radar Brothers, Goldfrapp, Archie Bronson Outfit, Jenny Owen Youngs and the film composing debut for James Murphy with the soundtrack to Greenberg.

Playlist: New Releases 03.23.10

---

She & Him - Volume Two
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

When Zooey Deschanel and M Ward's collaborative debut, Volume One, came out a couple years back, several magazines and blogs tripped over themselves trying to crown it album of the year. It's interesting to see how things go down now that they've released a stronger album in Volume Two. Ward has proved to be the perfect collaborator for Deschanel's taste, being timeless in his playing and production, and this time around, more influences are unfolding. You can add Roy Orbison and Harry Nilsson to the more obvious hints of Patsy Cline. Fr a sophomore release, it's a slump breaker, and should easily stand the test of time more than the first.

---

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Love is All - Two Thousand and Ten Injuries / "Kungen" [mp3]
James Murphy - Greenberg Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Serena-Maneesh - S-M 2: Abyss in B Minor / Free AOL album stream
Radar Brothers - The Illustrated Garden / "Horses Warriors" [mp3]
Goldfrapp - Head First
Archie Bronson Outfit - Coconut / Free AOL album stream / "Shark's Tooth [mp3]
The Bird and the Bee - Interpreting the Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates
Jenny Owen Youngs - Transmitter Failure / Free AOL album stream
Mux Mool - Skulltaste / Free AOL album stream
Dead Meadow - Three Kings
Roadside Graves - If Shacking Up Is All You Want To Do / "Liv Tyler" [mp3]
Drink Up Buttercup - Born and Thrown on a Hook
Bettie Serveert - Pharmacy of Love
Seabear - We Built a Fire
The Unthanks - Here's the Tender Coming
Bonobo - Black Sands
Lets Wrestle - Black Sands
The Weakerthans - Live at the Burton Cummings Theatre
Hot Tube Time Machine: Music From the Motion Picture

tags: music, album review, she and him,, love is all, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Lost "Ab Aeterno" - I see your Black Rock and raise you a white one

Mind officially mushy.

More later, but:
1) Loved the white rock point score was resulted from the "Black Rock." The boat's name was probably a big reason why Jacob chose that boat.

2) The Island as the cork in a bottle preventing evil to spread is brilliant. The Man in Black has been plotting escape for a loooooong time.

3. Was interested in revisiting Luke 4:37, which Richard (Ricardis) had open while hoping for absolution (and awaiting execution). The passage in the Bible shown is the Gospel of Luke, chapter 4, verse 37, which occurs shortly after Jesus has returned from being tempted by the devil in the desert, and then performs a sort of exorcism on a man, not unlike Jacob does removing the Man in Black's sway over Ricardis. Then word of Jesus spreads throughout the area, much like the jug of wine uncorked and poured out.

Previously: Lost "Recon"

Chuck vs the Final Exam: The Naked Spy

The continued 'changed man' theme continues with "Final Exam," with Chuck at the precipice of spyhood, and Casey changing under the tutelage of Big Mike-ness.

Something about this episode felt like a betrayal, like machines are in motion to make sure that Chuck and Sarah have further 'trials' before finally getting together. For three seasons now, it's worked like clockwork. Chuck gets close to Sarah and something stops them before words and/or action occurs. Then a bigger obstacle is thrown in their path. Rinse and repeat. At this point, I could care less if they get together, I'm just annoyed that we're expected to keep caring when 'Lucy's got the football' ("poor, Chuck" as Peppermint Patty might say).

There were some odd homages thrown into the mix, like the Eastern Promises reference (fighting in a steam room with Russian gangsters and their tats), and the odd Rocky IV villain toss in reference that even offended Chuck ("Ivan Drago? Seriously?").

Musically, Rogue Wave gets mentioned for a second time in 24 hours (on Fallon tonight). That's it, though... just a mention. Read earlier piece if you want more... sheez!
Hunter Perry

Chuck - Episode 3.11
1. "Private Eyes" - Hall & Oates
2. "Permalight" - Rogue Wave
3. "In My Sleep" - Austin Hartley-Leonard

Previously: Chuck vs the Tic Tac

Nurse Jackie "Comfort Food" / United States of Tara "Yes": Too Good to be True

I've had a chance to see most of the second seasons for both Nurse Jackie and The United States of Tara, and while both good shows with their share of problems, it's becoming more obvious that Tara has hit its stride, while NJ still is having problems overcoming its issues from the first season.

As far as the premieres go, it might be harder to see, because "Yes," Tara's season premiere, was more of a setup episode, bringing in characters (gay neighbors & classmates, Pammy the bartender) and a setting (the Hubberd house) that will help propel things going forward. The opening montage was great, done to The Zombie's "Care of Cell 44," a love letter to a prisoner who's soon to be released, which fits nicely with Tara getting out of rehab and the family having a couple months free of the alters. Then the gunshot shattered that moment and brings us back into reality... and slowly pushes Tara back towards the net of her alters. Buck to the rescue, sort of.

Nurse Jackie's premiere also had a sort of feel good intro where the ugliness of reality broke us back to the dark truths from the end of Season one. The happy family montage to Aretha Franklin's "I Say a Little Prayer" is disrupted by a rotting raccoon head on the beach -- kind of serving as the metaphor for the discarded Eddie.

Nurse Jackie - Episode 2.01
1. "I Say a Little Prayer" - Aretha Franklin
2. "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" (Reprise) [from the musical Annie]

United States of Tara - Episode 2.01
1. "Care of Cell 44" - The Zombies
2. "Tidal Wave of Sound" ? - Craigslist
3. (referenced) "Jai Ho" - A.R. Rahman
4. "Broken Heart for Sale" - Heather Myles

Previously: Nurse Jackie "Tiny Bubbles"

Ear on TV: Week of 03.22.10: Rogue Wave

If a band could be the poster child for Health Care reform, it might just be Oakland's Rogue Wave. In the past few years, frontman and songwriter Zach Rogue (aka Zach Schwartz) has gone through a career-threatening spinal injury (which he still has a numb right hand from) and drummer Pat Spurgeon has had to deal with kidney failure. The band toured with Spurgeon getting twice a day dialysis, while waiting for a kidney with grim prospects. The whole experience was documented in the documentary D Tour (scroll down for clip). Spoiler alert: a match miraculously came, but the uninsured Spurgeon still has to take ridiculously expensive anti-rejection drugs for the rest of his life.

And here lies the double-edged sword for Rogue Wave. If they finally break through and become successful, it may be great for Zach Rogue, but Spurgeon would be in trouble, as his prescriptions would no longer be covered thanks to his poverty standing. With the recent release of Permalight, the band still looks to expand on its current fanbase, and are playing Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Monday to do the same. With the passing of the Health Care Reform bill last night, the band has even more to look forward to, albeit four years down the line.



Speaking of health coverage, Inara George will be performing with The Bird and the Bee on The Ellen Degeneres Show this Tuesday while 8 months pregnant (she's due April 30). Prior to the newborn, the band will be delivering Interpreting the Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates, which is as it sounds: an album of Hall & Oates covers. At a recent show in Los Angeles, a mustache-less John Oates made a surprise appearance, so there's definitely a possibility we might see one or both of Philly's favorite blue-eyed soul duo join the young group when they (please!) do "Private Eyes.".

Elsewhere, Montreal’s The Besnard Lakes will be building a sonic landscape when they play Fallon on Tuesday night. Led by husband-wife duo Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas, the band is playing in support of the recent release The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night. Joan Jett is back plugging The Runaways as well as her greatest hits, this time on Letterman (Wednesday). And while we're on the subject of <The Runaways, we're reminded of a similar rise and fall story involving an all-girl band: Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. IFC's giving the Roger Ebert-penned, Russ Meyer-directed camp-classic another look, thanks to The Runaways, and it's worth the DVR space, if only for dialogue like: "You're a groovy boy. I'd like to strap you on sometime." (Also look out for psychedelic rockers Strawberry Alarm Clock playing at a groovy party.)

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, March 22
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: k.d. lang
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Rogue Wave
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Grizzly Bear (REPEAT)
Tuesday, March 23
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Neon Trees
FOX: Lopez Tonight: Trey Songz
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Rodrigo y Gabriela
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Besnard Lakes
SUNDANCE: Grand Theft Parsons: Gram Parsons
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: The Bird and the Bee
Wednesday, March 24
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Mishka
CURRENT: Embedded: Thievery Corp, Amanda Palmer, Delta Spirit, Common (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Clientele
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Raveonettes
SUNDANCE: The Devil and Daniel Johnston: Daniel Johnston, Gibby Haynes, Thurston Moore, Kathy McCarty, Jad Fair
Thursday, March 25
FOX: Lopez Tonight: Rodrigo y Gabriela
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Robert Randolph and Sacred Steel
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lupe Fiasco
VH1: Tupac: Resurrectino: 2pac
Friday, March 26
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Daniel Merriweather (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Ludacris
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Black Lips
Saturday, March 27
IFC: Beyond the Valley of the Dolls: Strawberry Alarm Clock
PALLADIA: Woodstock: Three Days of Peace & Music: Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Canned Heat, The Who, Richie Havens, Joan Baez, Ten Years After,

Cold Case "Flashover": Comfortably Dumb

Roger Waters has long held out on the music licensing front, so it's interesting that it was Cold Case, a bubble CBS show, that broke Pink Floyd into the realm of Music on TV.

As far as I can tell, it's a pretty typical Cold Case story, with nothing in the mystery lining up in any obvious way with themes of isolation from The Wall (which got four songs, including the episode opening number "Comfortably Numb"), or other themes that Roger Waters was known to deal with. By the time the final montage to "Wish You Were Here" passed, one thing was clear: Pink Floyd added nothing to the episode, and the episode added nothing to Pink Floyd.

If you're looking for a Pink Floyd-themed event, better to make the trek to Bonaroo this year to see The Flaming Lips perform PF's classic Dark Side of the Moon in it's entirety.

Playlist: Cold Case - Episode 7.17
1. "Comfortably Numb" - Pink Floyd
2. "Hey You" - Pink Floyd
3. "Mother" - Pink Floyd
4. "Marooned" - Pink Floyd
5. "Time" - Pink Floyd
6. "The Thin Ice" - Pink Floyd
7. "Wish You Were Here" - Pink Floyd

Now Downloading: New Releases 03.16.10

The week of SXSW always ends up being a bit thinner. This week sees the latest from Drive-By Truckers, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, The Whigs, Devon Sproule, Neon Trees, The Disco Biscuits and the soundtrack to the live concert film for the White Stripes.

Playlist: New Releases 03.16.10

---

Drive-By Truckers - The Big To-Do
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

The title, The Big To-Do, is a bit of a misnomer, as this might be the smallest record that Drive-By Truckers have released. Calling it a 'smaller to-do' isn't meant to be critical, more that there's no concept, no double-album and nothing terribly difficult to get into. Supposedly, DBT have a double-album worth of material but instead chose to release the more accessible half now, with the rest coming either later this year or early 2011. I think it's a wise choice, as this collection of songs works well together and might do well to expand their listener base beyond their current cult circle. Of course, there was still room here for the difficult highlight “The Wig He Made Her Wear," which deals weaves a tale of spousal homicide.

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "The F**king Job" [mp3]

---

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
White Stripes - Under Great White Northern Lights / Free AOL album stream
Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Rush to Relax / "Anxiety" [mp3]
Devon Sproule - Don't Hurry For Heaven
The Whigs - In the Dark / Free AOL album stream
The Disco Biscuits - Planet Anthem / Free AOL album stream
Neon Trees - Habits EP
Gin Wigmore - Holy Smoke
Flobots - Survival Story
The Mannish Boys - Shake For Me
I Am Robot and Proud - Uphill City Remixes & Collaborations
Dropkick Murphys - Live On Lansdowne, Boston MA (Deluxe Version) / Free AOL album stream

REISSUE
Lou Bond - Lou Bond / "To the Establishment" [mp3]

tags: music, album review, she and him,, white stripes, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

March Sadness: Alex Chilton, 1950-2010

It's nearly 24 hours after learning that Alex Chilton has died, and I'm still stuck in the denial stage. Much like his music, the frontman for Big Star always seemed like he would live forever. Back in 2005, during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Chilton had disappeared, and we'd feared we had lost him then. When he finally showed his head, no worse for wear, I just assumed he'd outlive us all.

Chilton spent over 40 years of his shortened life as a professional, and his work can easily be divided into four distinct periods. The Box Top Years (1966-1970), Big Star (1971-1974), Solo (1976-1995), Revival (1993-Present). While he continued playing solo shows, the big draw at the end of his career was the reformed Big Star, with original drummer Jody Stephens along with The Posies' Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow (lineup was scheduled to play this Saturday at SXSW). He started out playing bluesy songs that were written by someone else (with The Box Tops) before moving on to innovating both rock and the recording studio with his original work in Big Star. His solo career was an odd mix of the two, with Chilton bouncing between artsy studio originals and interpretations of rhythm & blues nuggets from the past.

It was his work in Big Star, though, that really demanded our attention. The songs were equally wide-eyed and wise, sloppy and precise, ultimately suggesting that anything was possible. Much like The Velvet Underground before them, they didn't sell a lot of records, but a good percentage of those who made a Big Star purchase went on to form a band. I was exposed early, but didn't grasp their greatness until college, when bands like The Replacements, R.E.M., Teenage Fanclub and The Posies made it easier to hear why. Saw Chilton play a solo show in '95 on his A Man Called Destruction Tour, and he was cool, charming and even a bit sleazy... exactly how I imagined him. Saw him again a couple more times with Big Star (thank you Posies) over the years, but haven't had that itch scratched since the Katrina scare. Now we'll just have to make do with the recordings.

There's yet to be a definitive collection of Chilton's work, both for the number of labels and genres it encompasses, so I thought I'd put together a double CD of his work going from the Box Tops all the way to his fairly recent live solo album (Live in Anvers).

Playlist: Essential Alex Chilton (tracklisting)

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee) did his best to pay tribute to Chilton on the House floor today as well.

Previously: Power Pop 1966-1978 - Pioneers / Big Star - Keep an Eye on the Sky (Review)

Lost "Recon": Can you Con a Con (in a Canoe)?

All I know at this late hour after watching "Recon" is I would totally watch a Lost spinoff series featuring LA Detectives SawyerJames Ford and Miles Straume.

The title of "Recon" is a nice turn on season one's title of "Confidence Man," with both getting a secondary capitalization of the "CON" part. Smokey's been working the world's longest con, but he's now dealing with the king of con's in Sawyer, who seems to be playing FakeLocke by... um... telling the truth? Genius.

And whodathunk that Lost would reference Little House on the Prairie, of all shows?

"And know that people aren't really gone when they die. They've all the good memories to sustain us until we see them again."

Mmmm... it might just be that it's 3AM, but it seems like that has a bit extra levity in the midst of this limbo-like 'sideways' storyline on Lost.

Previously: "The Substitute"

Chuck vs the Tic Tac: Smart Alex

The back story for Adam Baldwin's John Casey has been a weird piecemeal of mystery and general badassery. We already knew that he was a soldier, but between the Sensei episode and now, there's only been hints as to his 'origin story.' Our Sopranos friend 'Paulie' thought he might have recognized him as an old army buddy named Alex, and "Angel de la Muerte" had him as a black ops assassin. Between the two lies Colonel Keller (Robert Patrick, Terminator II), who turned Alex into the John Casey we know and love (and fear).

It's worthy to note that Alex Coburn was a green, scrawny 20-something with love in his heart (a weakness that proves to still be intact) and lots of self-doubt, not unlike a season one Chuck. So perhaps it's no wonder that Casey has such a brutal paternal relationship with Chuck. He sees himself in the intersect, both what he was and what he could become, if given his own Colonel Keller. The parallels of seeing both nearly strangle their adversaries was not lost. It might be too late for Casey* ("what's dead is dead," he says, bringing forth Lost goosebumps), but for Chuck, his Colonel Keller was a pill that would wear off (or be counter-acted with one word from his Sarah). The only thing keeping Chuck from turning into Casey is, in fact, Sarah, and we're led to believe that she might not come back -- a plot device supposed to make us fearful, but rest assured, just like Ellie & Awesome taking up with Doctors without Borders, that isn't going to happen. Funny, though, that the writers thought that we'd believe, even for a second, that Chuck could continue on without Casey, Sarah, Awesome & Ellie.

*I have the feeling that if his ex-fiance had recognized him as Alex, it immediately would've been a different story for Casey. She doesn't see Alex, though, reinforcing Casey's belief that the Alex part of him is dead.

In the music department, Frightened Rabbit sprint into the lead in having the most songs appear on Chuck, this time with Winter of Mixed Drinks highlight "Swim Until You Can't See Land". The song asks, "Are you a man or are you a bag of sand?" Time will tell, but smart money's not on the emotionless bag of sand.

Chuck: Episode 3.10
1. "You Know You Want It" - Green Go (MySpace) - Chuck, Sarah & Casey do security sweep
2. "Black and Blue" - The Maids of Honor - Chuck battles Keller's team
3. "Swim Until You Can't See Land" - Frightened Rabbit - Chuck talks to Ellie

Previously: "Chuck vs the Beard"

Ear on TV: Week of 03.15.10: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction

After all the pomp and circumstance surrounding The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert back in November (on HBO), tonight's induction ceremony might seem a bit tame, but don't tell that to Iggy Pop and his newly inducted Stooges. The legendary proto-punkers had been nominated seven times without success before finally getting the call, and they don't intend to enter quietly. The still wiry frontman even hints that it could all be taken away. "Okay," jokes Pop, "now what are they going to do to kick us out?" The Stooges will be inducted by Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, and will play what Iggy calls "our two big hits."

Meanwhile, the two biggest names entering into the hall -- Genesis (inducted by Phish's Trey Anastasio) and ABBA (inducted by The Bee Gees) -- aren't expected to be performing, thanks to key members declining to be in attendance. Original Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel is too busy readying himself for a world tour, and ABBA still vows to never reunite, so half the group is staying home. However, there appears to be a Faith Hill-fronted version of ABBA in the works, as Benny Andersson has said "I may play something on the piano, with someone else singing," and Faith Hill is supposed to be in attendance and rumors abound she's been practicing ABBA songs -- so her and my Mamma Mia-loving 5-year old at least have that in common.

The highlight of the night may not be the recording artists, though, as many legendary songwriters are getting the call this year as well, a list that includes the still alive Jeff Barry, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, along with since deceased writers Ellie Greenwich, Jesse Stone, Mort Shuman and Otis Blackwell. Fefe Dobson is scheduled to kick things off with the Barry/Greenwich/Phil Spector composition “River Deep, Mountain High," Eric Burdon (The Animals) will sing Mann and Weil's "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place," Chris Isaak will perform Blackwell's "Don't Be Cruel," Nick Jonas will sing "Teenager In Love" (by Shuman and already inducted Doc Pomus), Ronnie Spector will sing her familiar "Be My Baby" (a Barry/Greenwich/Spector collaboration), and Peter Wolf (J Geils Band) will sing Stone’s "Money Honey." FUSE's telecast begins at 8:30 PM on Monday, March 15, 2010.

Elsewhere, some of the bands on the calendar this week look like proposals for a green initiatives -- Free Energy and Air. The Philadelphia five-piece Free Energy can pack more 70s-era arena rock cliches into a song than you'd think possible. Lets just say you won't need to ask for "more cowbell" when they make their network television debut on Letterman Wednesday night. Friday night sees the French duo Air taking the stage on Fallon, generating rumors that The Roots might be providing some added instrumentation (something the band is sure to do on Monday for fellow Philly rapper Freeway). Maybe if we help spread the rumor, Questo will make that jam happen.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, March 15
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Galactic with Cyril Neville (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: ASG
FUSE: 2010 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: Genesis, The Stooges, ABBA, Jimmy Cliff, The Hollies
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Ziggy Marley
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Freeway, Jake One, The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Phoenix (REPEAT)
Tuesday, March 16
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Sade (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Bee Gees
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Paolo Nutini
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: La Roux
Wednesday, March 17
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Free Energy
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: Snoop Dogg
IFC: Dinner With the Band: Final Fantasy (REPEAT)
NBC: The Bonnie Hunt Show: The Swell Season
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Xx
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Metric
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen [Pt 2] (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: One eskimO
Thursday, March 18
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Ryan Bingham (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Fanfarlo (REPEAT)
FOX: Lopez Tonight: Lucrecia with Andy Garcia
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Kandi-Coded
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Wild Light
Friday, March 19
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Jonny Lang (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Sade (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: OK Go (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Year Long Disaster
IFC: 24 Hour Party People: Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays
IFC: Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten: Joe Strummer
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Barenaked Ladies
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Air
Saturday, March 20
IFC: Kurt Cobain About a Son: Nirvana
NBC: Saturday Night Live: The Ting Tings (REPEAT)

Now Downloading: New Releases 03.09.10

Damn you week of March 9 new releases.... why must you have so many noteworthy so as to make me choose just a couple. Because there are so many, I'm profiling more and giving less space to each as a result. There's a greatest hits release from the newly reunited Pavement; the Danger Mouse/James Mercer collaboration debut Broken Bells; along with new releases from Ted Leo, Liars and a crazy interpretation of Orpheus from Anais Mitchell. Other new releases I would have profiled nearly any other week include ones from Gorillaz, The Besnard Lakes, Frightened Rabbits, Jason Collett, Miles Kurosky (ex-Beulah), White Hinterland, jj, Titus Andronicus, The Morning Benders, The Whigs, Free Energy and the subject of Heavy Metal in Baghdad, Acrassicauda.

Playlist: New Releases 03.09.10

---

Pavement - Quarantine the Past: The Best of Pavement
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

While the band of the 1990's only released five albums and a handful of EPs and never technically had any hits (save "Cut Your Hair," which was at least a hit in circles I traveled), Quarantine the Past: The Best of Pavement gives the (correct) impression of a much deeper career. You'd be hard pressed to pick a better track list for the band. I"m sure there's a song or two that some wish were on here, but it's hard to argue with early cuts like "Box Elder" and b-sides like "Unseen Power Of The Picket Fence".

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: Pavement - "Gold Soundz" [mp3]

---

Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

It makes sense that Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) and James Mercer (The Shins) hit it off, given their mutual admiration of sixties pop. References abound to The Zombies, Love, Pet Sounds and even famed Italian film composer Ennio Morricone. The two sound comfortable together -- perhaps too comfortable.

Free AOL Album Stream

---

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - The Brutalist Bricks
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

It may be Ted Leo's Matador debut, but it's still the same old brainy-angsty-power-pop-meets-punk sound that he's been crafting since he began in the mid-nineties. If you're a fan already, you already know you love it. As an introduction to TL&TP, it's a fine first impression.

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "The Mighty Sparrow" / "Even Heroes Have to Die" [mp3]

---

Anais Mitchell - Hadestown
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Mitchell created this "folk opera" based on the old Greek myth of Orpheus rescuing Eurydice, bringing it up to modern times. The music and lyrics are fine enough, but throw in the cast, and it moves into the you have to hear it category. Hadestown features Mitchell as Eurydice, Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) as Orpheus, Ani DiFranco as Persephone, Greg Brown as Hades, Ben Knox Miller (The Low Anthem) as Hermes, and the Haden Triplets (Petra, Rachel, and Tanya) as the Fates.

Free AOL album stream

---

Liars - Sisterworld
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

An album from Liars requires a certain length of time to sit in your head before it opens up and lets you in. After taking up residence in Berlin (Drums Not Dead) and Salem (They Were Wrong, So We Drowned), Sisterworld is the product of Los Angeles, albeit, a paranoid and colder version of the city than many might recognize. The band has fine-tuned their tribal and creepy take on the rock genre, but are still light years from mass appeal -- something that's never seemed to be in their interest. Upon first listen, it'd be hard to convince the listener that the album has a 'catchy' bone in its body, but after living with it for a month, I can attest that the bones are there. Just have to pick away at the meat for awhile... so only approach with great patience.

Free AOL album stream

---

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night / Free AOL album stream / "Albatross" [mp3]
Titus Andronicus - The Monitor / Free AOL album stream / "A More Perfect Union" [mp3]
Frightened Rabbit - The Winter of Mixed Drinks
Jason Collett - Rat a Tat Tat / Free AOL album stream
Miles Kurosky - The Desert of Shallow Effects / Free AOL album stream
White Hinterland - Kairos / Free AOL album stream / "No Logic", "Icarus" [mp3]
The Whigs - In the Dark
jj - no 3 / "Let's Go" [mp3]
Lawrence Arabia - Chant Darling / Free AOL album stream
The Knife - Tomorrow, In a Year / Free AOL album stream
Aloha - Home Acres / Free AOL album stream
The Morning Benders - Big Echo / Free AOL album stream
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach / Free AOL album stream
Black Rebel Motorycycle Club - Beat the Devil's Tattoo / Free AOL album stream
Josh Rouse - El Turista / Free AOL album stream
Free Energy - Free Energy / Free AOL album stream
Alberta Cross - Broken Side of Time / Free AOL album stream
The Steel Wheels - Red Wing
Acrassicauda - Only The Dead See The End Of The War / "Garden of Stones" [mp3]
Jimi Hendrix - Valleys of Neptune
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts - Greatest Hits

tags: music, album review, pavement, liars, ted leo, anais mitchell, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody