Now Downloading: New Releases 04.27.10

This week merely serves as a stop-gap before May's bonanza of anticipated releases. But there's still a few releases that of note, like the self-titled debut from Avi Buffalo, Gogol Bordello, Unnatural Helpers, Emily Jane White, Frog Eyes and the train wreck that is Courtney Love's Hole (previewed on Monday).

Playlist: New Releases 04.27.10

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Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Sub Pop is at it again... with their latest find, Avi Buffalo, it's almost as if they cloned label stars The Shins and Band of Horses, and had them raised by The Danielson Family. Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg and his fellow 19-year old band mates have released a debut that's wide-eyed and brimming with obvious talent. Given how young the band is, there's understandably some consistency issues, swinging from beautiful pop to head-scratching weirdness, but when they balance the two, like they do with standout tracks "What's it in For?," "Jessica," and "Remember Last Time", they can do no wrong. It's a great introduction to a band I expect great things from.

Download: "Remember Last Time" / "What's It In For" [mp3]

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Gogol Bordello - Trans-Continental Hustle
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Eugene Hütz and co.'s major label debut doesn't sway too far from what got them on Rick Rubin and American's radar. The band does, however, attempt to expand their gypsy punk sound to include some Brazilian fervor into the action ("In The Meantime In Pernambuco"), and with Rubin behind the board, the band occasionally achieves the frenetic loud punk sound of their live act ("Immigraniada"). If there's one drawback it's that after awhile, it's difficult to distinguish one song from another, but at least it's a good energy that's being replicated here.

Free AOL album stream

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More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Unnatural Helpers - Cracked Love & Other Drugs / "Sunshine / Pretty Girls," "Girl in the Window" [mp3]
Emily Jane White - Victorian America / Free AOL album stream
The Boy Least Likely To - A Fairytale Ending
Frog Eyes - Paul's Tomb: A Triumph / "Lear in Love," "Flower in a Glove" [mp3]
Hole - Nobody's Daughter
Balkan Beat Box - Blue Eyed Black Boy / Free AOL album stream
Ariel Pink'S Haunted Graffiti - Round and Round
Piebald - Volume 1
The Black Swans - Words Are Stupid
Bullet For My Valentine - Fever / Free AOL album stream
The Mynabirds - What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood / "Numbers Don't Lie" [mp3]
Naked On the Vague - Heaps of Nothing

REISSUES
Big Audio Dynamite - City of Daughters (Bonus Tracks)
Ane Brun - Sketches
Ane Brun - Live in Scandinavia
Ane Brun - Spending Time With Morgan

tags: music, album review, avi buffalo, gogol bordello, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Glee "Home": Recliner Whiner

Too busy to write much tonight... I just can't stop singing to this chair.

Good news, though. Next week is scheduled to feature "Physical" (with guest Olivia Newton-John), "Total Eclipse of the Heart," and "Lady is a Tramp," all of which, quite honestly, have me excited -- despite the fact the three episodes since the return have rubbed me the wrong way.

Playlist: Glee - Episode 1.16
1. "Heart of Glass" - Blondie
2. "Fire" - Glee Cast with Kristen Chenoweth [Bruce Springsteen]
3. "I Melt With You" - Nouvelle Vague
4. "A House is Not a Home" - Glee Cast
5. "One Less Bell to Answer / A House Is Not a Home" - Glee Cast with Kristin Chenoweth
6. "Home Sweet Home" - Carrie Underwood
7. "Beautiful" - Glee Cast [Christina Aguilera]
8. "Home" - Glee Cast [from The Wiz]

Previously: "The Power of Madonna" (Episode 1.15)

Chuck vs The Honeymooners: Handcuffed No More

One of the main complaints against Chuck has been that so much effort has been put into keeping Chuck and Sarah apart, which wouldn't be such a problem if they'd found a way to do it organically. But instead we get characters and scenarios that are constructs with the obvious purpose of keeping our heroes apart.

This season the series was handcuffed by Shaw (Brandon Routh), an obvious obstacle that we never really got to know at all before he flipped. Now that Shaw is gone and there are no more obstacles placed in front of the pair, the series feels suddenly lighter. In an ironic twist, Chuck and Sarah had to work together in actual handcuffs, making it a tool that keeps them together, for once, instead as an obstacle to keep them apart.

Playlist: Chuck - Episode 3.14
1. "Holiday" - Vampire Weekend
2. "Four by Four" - Shout Out Louds
3. "Leaving on a Jet Plane" - Jeffster unplugged
4. "Light & Day" - The Polyphonic Spree
5. "Feeling Good" - Nina Simone

Previously: Chuck vs the Other Guy (episode 3.13)

Ear on TV: Week of 04.26.10: Courtney Love's Hole

Adding weight to my theory that we're re-living 1994 all over again*, Courtney Love's band Hole is back with their first album (Nobody's Daughter) in over a decade, and their first relevant album since 1994's Live Through This. Of course, it's a bit of a misnomer calling this a Hole album, given that co-founder Eric Erlandson is absent, along with fan fave Melissa Auf Der Maur. Love is taking a page out of album collaborator Billy Corgan's book, banking on the band name without any of the other actual band members. Like Smashing Pumpkins, this is now about Love and Love alone.

* Seriously... Pavement, Soundgarden, Sebadoh, Dinosaur Jr,, Sunny Day Real Estate, Alice in Chains and host of others are all in min-comebacks. I even took part in my first full blown show in over 16 years.

Love recently declared that the 'Love' name should be dead anyway, looking for a fresh start. As expected, that turned out to be just Courtney talking out of turn (surprise, surprise) as her management have clarified that statement for Love, calling it a metaphor. Is that what they're calling talking out of turn days? Instead of a trip to rehab, artists can blame their English teacher. Courtney Love (or whatever she wants to call herself) and Hole will be performing twice this week, first on Letterman Tuesday, and then on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, The Hold Steady is also coming back with a slightly revamped line-up, having lost keyboardist (and resident mustache) Franz Nicolay, who's moved on to solo endeavors. The resulting product, Heaven is Whenever, still has Craig Finn's beer-soaked observations, but is less anthemic and more spacious, which is not a bad thing. I'm still missing those Springsteen-like fills on the keys that Nicolay would sprinkle liberally throughout, though. Maybe Paul Schaffer can do the job when they stop by Letterman to likely perform the song "Rock Problems" on Friday.

Elsewhere, IFC's Dinner With the Band is back and getting a full 13 episode season with corresponding premiere. Rufus Wainwright sings for his supper Tuesday night (video below), which consists of Schnitzel, Spaetzle and Sauerkraut. Achtung, baby! Looking over the artists listed, it looks like the mini season we enjoyed late last year is being folded into this season. Besides highlights Les Savy Fav, Final Fantasy and Sharon Jones, chef Sam Mason welcomes The Mountain Goats, My Brightest Diamond, Andrew WK and The Murder City Devils.


Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, April 26
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: David Sanborn
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Gogol Bordello
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: OK Go, Paolo Nutini
Tuesday, April 27
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Hole
IFC: Dinner With the Band: Rufus Wainwright
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Whigs
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Citizen Cope
Wednesday, April 28
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Dr. Dog
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: OK Go
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Aqualung
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: RJD2
Thursday, April 29
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Hole
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: OK Go
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Holly Golightly
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Paramore
Friday, April 30
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Hold Steady
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: The Killers, Florence and the Machine, Chairlift
Saturday, May 1
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Vampire Weekend (REPEAT)
Sunday, May 2
HBO: Treme: Kermit Ruffins, Dr. John

Treme "Right Place, Wrong Time": People want to see what happened

Treme, I'm coming to believe, is a bit like a stripper on Bourbon St. She gives you all kind of reasons to lust after her, but you'll always be kept at arm's length. The final scene, with the Katrina tour bus and the Indians practice, is a good example of what I'm talking about. Albert and the tribe do a rendition of the prayer "Indian Red," a song sacred to the traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians, when the tour bus breaks the spell, and angers the chieftains. It's a reminder that as an average viewer, we're tourists here as well, and we'll never be fully accepted here in this TV relationship. "People want to see what happened," is the tour guide's explanation for what they're doing there, but that's also a good reason why Treme series got the green light in the first place.

*Dr. John performs in the song earlier, in its "My Indian Red" form, and Donald Harrison's version plays over the credits. Lyrics in the song parallel Albert's quiet pride:

He won't bow down, down on the ground
Oh how I love to hear him call Indian Red

A few of the songs from tonight's episode (full listing in the morning)
Playlist: Treme - Episode 1.03
1. "Lake Charles" - Lucinda Williams
2. "Think Deep" - Coleman Hawkins
3. "La Vie en Rose" (linking to famed Edith Piaf version here) - Sonny (Michiel Huisman) and Annie (Lucia Micarelli): talks to Tom McDermott
4. "Toulouse St Blues" - Black Dogs, Sonny (Michiel Huisman) and Annie (Lucia Micarelli)
5. "Right Place, Right Time" - Dr. John (Sonny looking at wine)
6. "My Indian Red" - Dr. John (in studio practicing for Lincoln Center benefit concert)
7. "Dawg Days" - Little Queenie
8. "(I Don't Stand) a Ghost of a Chance" (links to Billie Holiday version) - 9. Sonny (Michiel Huisman), Annie (Lucia Micarelli) and Antoine (Wendell Pierce)
10. "Funky Liza" - New Orleans Nightcrawlers
11. "Ace in the Hole" - The Radiators
12. "A Certain Girl" - Ernie K-Doe
13. "Strippers" - Davis (Steve Zahn)
14. "King Porter Stomp" - Tom McDermott & Annie (Lucia Micarelli)
15. "Angel Eyes" - James Booker
16. "New Orleans Blues" (link to Jelly Roll Morton version) - Tom McDermott & Annie (Lucia Micarelli)
17. "Tipitina" (links to Professor Longhair version) - Davis (Steve Zahn) piano lessons
18. "Hey Pocky Way" (links to Wild Tchoupitoulas version) - Albert (Clarke Peters) and the Mardi Gras Indians
19. "Indian Red" (linked to The Golden Eagles version) - Albert (Clarke Peters) and the Mardi Gras Indians
20. "Indian Red" - Donald Harrison Jr.

Essential reading: NOLA.com's Treme explained blog entries

Previously: Episode 1.02 - "Meet de Boys on the Battlefront"

Now Downloading: New Releases 04.20.10

This week is again a bit thin, but there's some gold to be found in reissues, with Merge Records releasing early recordings from Dan Bejar's Destroyer, including the 2001 classic Streethawk: A Seduction. Elsewhere, there's new releases from Caribou, Plants & Animals, The Apples in Stereo, Roky Erickson with Okkervil River, The Radio Dept., Kate Nash, Aqualung, Rufus Wainwright, The Pipettes, Cypress Hill, Trans Am, Willie Nelson, and a greatest hits comp from Doves.

Playlist: New Releases 04.20.10

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Caribou - Swim
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Dan Snaith's music, first as Manitoba and now as Caribou, has always been adventurous, ranging just about as far as you can go within the electronic genre. With 2007's Andorra, Snaith put it all together, garnering critical acclaim, and Swim does well to build upon that feat. Helped by Four Tet's Kieran Hebden, Junior Boys' Jeremy Greenspan, and Born Ruffians' Luke Lalonde, Swim is a bit darker, and after a few listens, even more addictive. Highlights are the incredibly accessible opener "Odessa," "Kali," and "Found Out."

Download: "Odessa" [mp3]
Free Album Streams from Merge Records

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Destroyer - City of Daughters / Thief / Streethawk: A Seduction
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

This week Merge Records is reissuing the Vancouver trilogy from Dan Bejar's Destroyer, three albums released from 1998 to 2001 that take Bejar from a lo-fi Bowie fan to the Destroyer that we know and love to this day. Streethawk: A Seduction is a recognized classic, and still sounds great to this day, but if you're a fan of that album (and if not, why??), the other essential if for no other reason in that they show the progression that Bejar makes as an artist. And even if you already own them, the remastering done for these reissues makes them that much better (Thief, for one, was originally in Mono). Highlights? From City of Daughters you have "No Cease Fires," from Thief there's "Destroyers the Temple" and Streethawk is 100% highlight (but pressed, "Sublimation Hour" is the obvious choice).

I still find myself going back to this Bejaromatic, Destroyer lyric generator.

Free Album Streams from Merge Records

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More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Plants & Animals - La La Land
The Apples in the Stereo - Travellers in Space and Time / Free AOL album stream
Roky Erickson with Okkervil River - True Love Cast Out All Evil / Free AOL album stream
The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a Scheme
Aqualung - Magnetic North
Kate Nash - My Best Friend is You
Rufus Wainwright - All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu
The Pipettes - Stop the Music
Cypress Hill - Rise-Up
Gotan Project - Tango 3.0 / "Tar and Pine" [mp3]
Doves - The Places Between: The Best of Doves / Free AOL album stream
Trans Am - Thing
Taylor Hawkins & the Coattail Riders - Red Light Fever
Willie Nelson - Country Music / Free AOL album stream
Night Driving In Small Towns - Serial Killer / "Come & Tell Me" [mp3] / "Barstool" [mp3]
Glee Cast - Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna / Free AOL album stream
Shelby Lynne - Tears, Lies, and Alibis / Free AOL album stream

REISSUES
Destroyer - City of Daughters
Destroyer - Thief
Destroyer - Streethawk: A Seduction

tags: music, album review, destroyer,, caribou, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Lost "The Last Recruit":

"Looks like someone got their voice back."

Oh, Frank... you usually do so well with your economical dialogue. Why so corny?

Previously: Lost "Everybody Loves Hurley"

Glee "The Power of Madonna": No so Madge-ical

What that an episode of Glee, or a creative infomercial to promote the sales of the music of Madonna? It's debatable, really. Sure, there was some fine musical moments (like use of marching band and Cheerios for "4 Minutes"), but at what cost to the story? The shot-for-shot remake of "Vogue" was also kind of cool outside the episode, but it kind of loses its luster in the context of the episode (which, in turn, made it the perfect clip to pull and promote the series this past week). An artist-centric episode isn't the problem here, though. It's the shoe-horning of the artist into the plot that makes this episode fall kind of flat. The girls aren't feeling good so let's give them Madonna?

As far as the music goes, Madge recordings are actually a good fit, in part because Madonna already uses blending and auto-tune on her vocals, so the processed sheen that is associated with Glee's production feels right at home. FOX and Columbia Records are on the spot releasing an EP of the songs this week (Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna), instead of the usual weekly singles.

Playlist: Glee - Episode 1.15 ("The Power of Madonna")
"Ray of Light" - Madonna
"Express Yourself" - Glee Cast with Jonathan Groff
"Burning Up" - Madonna
"Borderline / Open Your Heart" - Glee Cast
"Frozen" - Madonna
"Vogue" - Glee Cast
"Like A Virgin" - Glee Cast with Jonathan Groff
"4 Minutes" - Glee Cast
"What It Feels Like For A Girl" - Glee Cast
"Like A Prayer" - Glee Cast with Jonathan Groff

Previously: Episode 1.14 ("Hell-O")

Ear on TV: Week of 04.19.10: MGMT

The Grammy nominated MGMT, aren't at ease with being a popular band, or with having 'Grammy nominated' defining them. The duo wasn't comfortable at all at the glitzy ceremony. As Andrew VanWyngarden recently told the UK's Daily Mirror, "It almost feels like it's a giant marketing campaign for five or six bands. We just kind of felt like, 'What are we doing here?', like, 'Wow, we've infiltrated this kind of upper-level mainstream and we're so weird.'"

The electro-pop purveyors of strange headlined Coachella this weekend to record crowds, and made headlines by not even bothering to play their Grammy nominated song, "Kids," seemingly trying to distance themselves from the Grammy nomination even more. Instead, they concentrated the set on their sophomore release, Congratulations, which was unleashed on the world last week. Fans expecting another "Time to Pretend" or "Kids" are bound to be disappointed, as this album ups the weird quotient exponentially -- at the expense of there being any hits. In fact, when MGMT play Saturday Night Live this week, they might rival Sun Ra (May 20, 1978) and Captain Beefheart (November 22, 1980) for the weirdest musical performance that the sketch comedy series has had in it's long 35 season run. Far be it for me to recommend illegal activity, but recreational medication might be warranted.

Speaking of recreational drugs, 90s rap stars Cypress Hill are back with a new album after a six year hiatus, and the time is indeed ripe for the pot promoters' return. Since their last album, 15 states have legalized marijuana for medicinal use, and more are on the way, including an initiative on the November ballot for full legalization in the rap group's home of California. This will be the first release since Sen Dog (aka Senen Reyes) suffered a heart attack in 2007, and he's not backed off extolling the virtues of his favorite plant. "Smoking marijuana actually helps lower blood pressure," he tells the Daily Mirror. "Nothing's changed, we have our beliefs as a band and people. If anything, we've learned even more, so we are still dropping facts." Cypress Hill perform twice this week, first with Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello on Jimmy Kimmel Live Monday, then on FUEL's The Daily Habit on Tuesday.

Finally, it seems weird that Broken Social Scene haven't released an album since 2005's Broken Social Scene, but that's because they've been a part of so many releases in the interim. Between solo releases from Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning (both released with a "Broken Social Scene presents" tag), there's also been the higher profile releases by acts with revolving members, Feist (Leslie Feist), Metric (Emily Haines), Stars (Evan Cranley) and Do May Say Think (Ohad Benchetrit, Charles Spearin). On May 4, the band will finally be front and center again with the album Forgiveness Rock Record, and they'll anticipate the release with a performance of the song "Forced to Love" on Letterman Thursday.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, April 19
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Cypress Hill featuring Tom Morello
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Phoenix
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Weezer (REPEAT)
Tuesday, April 20
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Devo
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Cypress Hill
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Smashing Pumpkins
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: New Kids on the Block (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Circa Survive (REPEAT)
Wednesday, April 21
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Jakob Dylan
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Natalie Merchant
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Silversun Pickups (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lisa Hannigan (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Annie Lennox
Thursday, April 22
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Taylor Hawkins
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Broken Social Scene
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Gorillaz
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Surfer Blood
FUSE: Green Day Earth Day: Green Day (video, interviews, career recap all day)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Maxwell
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: David Gray (REPEAT)
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Ozomatli
Friday, April 23
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Local Natives
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: Antony and the Johnsons, The Enemy
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lily Allen (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Norah Jones
Saturday, April 24
NBC: Saturday Night Live: MGMT
Sunday, April 25
HBO: Treme: Dr. John, Kermit Ruffins

Treme "Meet de Boys on the Battlefront": Pride on Bourbon St

"Hey, which way to Bourbon Street, lil' buddy?"
"Uh... walk out those doors marked exit. Yeah, that's why they call it the Inn on Bourbon Street."

The second go'round for Treme had a theme of the divide between how residents view New Orleans, and how they view the tourist's New Orleans. It requires a certain amount of pride to be swallowed to work on Bourbon Street. "There's pride on Bourbon Street," everyone tells Antoine, to which he dryly responds "that's what I hear." Street performers Sonny and Annie (played by New Orleans violinist Lucia Micarelli) exhibit similar pride swallowing in performing for tourists, going down smoothly with Annie, and regurgitated several times by the 'principled' Sonny. Even a native son like Delmond is given a bit of tourist treatment by New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint, as Delmon is considered more a New Yorker now, as far as everyone else is concerned. That scene was a bit of a re-enactment of the sessions that occurred in New Orleans with Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint in the aftermath of Katrina.

Meanwhile, the hotel, the church and parents set off a panic button when the Wisconsin youth don't show up in their hotel room.... contrast that against the foot-dragging in the search for David. Folks care about New Orleans music... and the people of New Orleans?

Here's a few of the songs that were played in the episode. As usual, I'll add more when the light hath been shown upon them (or something).

Playlist: Treme - Episode 1.02
1. "Walking with the Spirit" - Coco Robicheaux
2. "Meet the Boyz on the Battlefront" - Anders Osborne
3. "Careless Love" (Sonny Terry version) - Michiel Huisman & Lucia Micarelli
4. "When the Saints Go Marching In" (Rebirth Marching Band version) - Lucia Micarelli & Michiel Huisman
5. "When the Saints Go Marching In" - Dr. John
6. "Brandenburg Concerto No. 5" - Cologne Chamber Orchestra
7. "Waltz For Pud" - Tony Green
8. "I Hope You're Coming Back to New Orleans" - target="_blank">New Orleans Jazz Vipers - live at the Spotted Cat
9. "Long Hard Journey Home" - The Radiators
10. "Ya Ya" - Lee Dorsey
11. "Tears, Tears And More Tears" - Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint
12. "Delores' Boyfriend" - Allen Toussaint
13. "Up for the Downstroke" - Parliament (Baptiste playing with JT Ka-Nection Band at Bourbon St strip club)
14. "Blackbird Special" (Rebirth Brass Band version linked here) - Galactic
15. "Little Old Money Maker" - The Meters
16. "Tremé Mardi Gras" - Kermit Ruffins
17. "Go Go" - Galactic
18. "Moore Women Shuffle" - Joe Krown
19. "St. Louis Blues" - The Boswell Sisters
20. "Shallow Water, Oh Mama" - The Golden Eagles (Clarke Peters & friend during practice)
21. "New Orleans" - Willy DeVille (Gary U.S. Bonds live version)

Previously: "Do You Know What it Means" (Episode 1.01)

Now Downloading: New Releases 04.13.10

Playlist: New Releases 04.13.10

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Kaki King - Junior
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Kaki King's guitar and songwriting degree of difficulty has often drawn comparisons to Jeff Buckley's chops, and with good reason. With her fifth album, King swings a bit more commercial, easing back a bit on the finger flourishes while pushing her vocals. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, in theory, but it does serve to amplify the difference in strength of guitar versus her vocals. Because, while King has Buckley's chops, she doesn't have his voice... her vocals are more akin to Laura Veirs -- strong enough for folk rock, but a bit too wispy for the soaring terrain she carves out on guitar. Highlights are the opener, "The Betrayer," and "Falling Day."

Free AOL Album Stream

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MGMT - Congratulations
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

On one hand, I have to applaud MGMT for sticking to their pysch-pop guns and not attempting to mimic another "Time to Pretend" or "Kids." On the other hand, a good chunk of their uncompromising ends up being pretty aimless and disjointed. Considering the aforementioned fans' favorite songs were written five years ago, and everything since has been more of the meandering psych pop variety, we really shouldn't be too surprised.

Free AOL Album Stream

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More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt / "King of Spain" [mp3]
Rafter - Animal Feelings / "Paper" [mp3] / "Beauty, Beauty" [mp3]
Dosh - Tommy / "Number 41 (feat Andrew Bird)" [mp3]
The Nels Cline Singers - Initiate / Free AOL album stream / "Floored" [mp3]
Freelance Whales - Weathervanes / Free AOL album stream / "Generator 2nd Floor" [mp3]
Natalie Merchant - Leave Your Sleep
Subhumans - Same Thoughts Different Day
Carrie Rodriguez - Love and Circumstance
Sightings - City of Straw / "Tar and Pine" [mp3]
Raul Midon - Synthesis
Antena - Bossa Super Nova
Bobby and Blumm - A Little Big

REISSUES
Devo - Duty Now for the Future (Deluxe Edition)
Iggy and the Stooges - Raw Power (Legacy Edition)
Braid - Frankie Welfare Boy Age Five

tags: music, album review, mgmt,, kaki king, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Lost "Everybody Loves Hurley": Wondrous Boat Ride

One of my favorite things about this last season of Lost, oddly enough, is the music backing the previews for the next week's episodes. Previously, we've heard Leonard Cohen's "Bird on a Wire" and this week it was "Wondrous Boat Ride" from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, a scene that used to give me nightmares* as a kid:


Its inclusion here probably speaks to the recent chatter that Jacob's adventurous search for an heir was a lot like the one Willy Wonka put on in his factory.

There's no earthly way of knowing
Which direction we are going
There's no knowing where we're rowing
Or which way the river's flowing

Some may remember that the original cut of the film had headless chickens that were understandably edited out later thanks to the reaction from kids like me.

Previously: Happily Ever After

Glee "Hell-O": And Goodbye

It might just be a fools errand now to even bother giving much critical analysis to Glee, as it's moved into where it's almost critic-proof. I guess it's best to enjoy this week's, because it at least involved plot advancement and utilized songs that mostly contributed to the story. Next week, all bets are off, as demonstrated in the shot-for-shot remake of Madonna's "Vogue" we got a preview of.


Glee - Episode 1.14
1. "Hello, I Love You" - Glee Cast (The Doors original)
2. "Gives You Hell" - Glee Cast (The All-American Rejects original)
3. "Hello Again" - Neil Diamond
4. "Hello" - Glee Cast w/ Jonathan Groff (Lionel Richie original)
5. "Highway to Hell"- Glee Cast w/ Jonathan Groff (AC/DC original)
6. "Hello, Goodbye" - Glee Cast (The Beatles original)

Previously: Sectionals (Episode 1.13)

Treme "Do You Know What It Means": Don't Ask Me About My House

New Orleans done right.

“That boy named Elvis?” Kermit Ruffins says pointing at Elvis Costello.
“You’re just standing there telling me that all you want to do is get high, play some trumpet, and barbecue in New Orleans your whole damned life?” says an exasperated Davis.
To which Ruffins replies: “That’ll work.”

Off to catch at least a couple hours sleep, but I'll leave you with some music selections from tonight. Comments coming later, but I'll chime in first on the Louis Prima inclusion. Not only was Prima a native son of New Orleans, but it was also rumored he was associated with the mob, so it ties in with Davis' rant about wanting the mafia to supervise the rebuilding of New Orleans.

Treme - Episode 1.01
1. "Nolia Clap" - Juvenile feat. Wacko, Skip
2. “Feel Like Funkin' It Up” - Rebith Brass Band
3. "Treme Song" - John Boutte
4. "All Over Now" - Rebirth Brass Band
5. "Mama Roux" - Dr. John
6. "I'll Fly Away" - Rebirth Brass Band
7. "The Hook and Sling" - Eddie Bo
8. "Big Chief" - Professor Longhair (Steve Zahn plays on piano)
9. "Bouncin' Back" - Mystikal
10. "Shake Ya Ass" - Mystikal
11. "Gottschalk Symphony: Romantique No. 2" - Hot Springs Music Festival Symphony Orchestra
12. "Solace" - Scott Joplin (Sofia Bernette)
13. "For Brenda (Brenda Hearing)" - Tom McDermott
14. "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans" - Fats Domino
15. "Christopher Jr" - Donald Harrison
16. "Gatur Bait" - The Gaturs
17. "Buona Sera" - Louis Prima
18. "Somewhere Listening for My Name" - The Zion Harmonizers
19. "'Gardez Donci (Look at that!)" - Beau Jocque & the Zydeco Hi-Rollers
20. "West End Blues" - Louis Armstrong
21. "Whirlaway" - Allen Toussaint
22. "Skokiann" - Kermit Ruffins
23. "Swing This" - Kermit Ruffins
24. "Tetherball" - Henry Butler
25. "Flame On" - The Iguanas
26. "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" - Treme Brass Band
27. "My Dawlin’ New Orleans" - Little Queenie

HBO's tracklisting is now up as well

Ear on TV: Week of 04.12.10: The Specials

For having released only two albums, ska pioneers The Specials have had an influence on modern music that is both deep and wide. 30 years later, the rude boys are back together and touring North America, including a performance at the Coachella Music Festival later this week -- joining freshly reunited acts Pavement and Faith No More shepherding us down memory lane.

Jerry Dammers, besides being keyboardist and chief songwriter for the ska pioneers, also founded the indie label 2 Tone Records, home to not only The Specials, but also Madness and The English Beat (or, as their known back home, the Beat). When the band plays on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, it will also mark the 30th anniversary of the act's memorable appearance on Saturday Night Live back in April of 1980. Besides the skinny tie fashion, worth watching for Neville Staple's machine gun entrance.


Elsewhere, singer/songwriter/guitar goddess Kaki King has come a long way since her days busking in the New York subway. She releases her fifth album, Junior, this week, and will be promoting it with an appearance on Fallon the night after The Specials. Besides performing with her band, it's rumored that King will also be sitting in with The Roots, playing several songs with the greatest band in late night (an added treat, to say the least).

Other notable appearances this week include Led Zep/Foo Fighters/Queens of the Stone Age supergroup Them Crooked Vultures appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live two nights in a row (Monday and Tuesday); Spoon hitting the same stage two nights later (Thursday), and The Flaming Lips end the week on Fallon with a cover from Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, April 12
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Them Crooked Vultures
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Spoon (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Kandi Coded
IFC: Dinner With the Band: YACHT (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Sade
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Grizzly Bear (REPEAT)
Tuesday, April 13
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Them Crooked Vultures
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Kandi Coded
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Specials
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: La Roux
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Cyndi Lauper
Wednesday, April 14
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Kaki King, The Roots, Green Day (discussing their musical American Idiot)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Gossip
SYNDICATION: The Bonnie Hunt Show: Backstreet Boys
Thursday, April 15
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Spoon
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Sade
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Violent Soho
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Unseen
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: She & Him
Friday, April 16
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Sarah McLachlan & Emmylou Harris
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Willie Nelson
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Flaming Lips
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Collective Soul
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Xx
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: Gossip, The Mars Volta
Saturday, April 17
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Ke$ha
VH1: Behind the Music Remastered: Motley Crue
VH1: Behind the Music Remastered: Metallica
Sunday, April 18
HBO: Treme: Kermit Ruffins, Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint, Rebirth Brass Band

Now Downloading: New Releases 04.06.10

Another shallow week for releases... pretty soon, the floodgates will open again, I've assured. This week features an interesting new collaboration between David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, along with new releases from Dr. Dog, Sigur Ros' Jonsi, Robyn Hitchcock, Harlem and Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings.

Playlist: New Releases 04.06.10

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David Byrne and Fatboy Slim - David Byrne and Fatboy Slim - Here Lies Love
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Is a musical concept album telling the life story of Imelda Marcos ambitious or foolish? I was leaning toward the latter until I heard the opening title track, "Here Lies Love," which had me thinking this collaboration between David Byrne and Fatboy Slim might just be genius. But there's not enough in the double-CD of material that lives up to that opening salvo. In the end, there's about an EP's worth of good-to-great songs here, and the rest miss the mark on those of us that have only minimal knowledge of the widow of former Phillipines President Marcos.

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Dr. Dog - Shame, Shame
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

With their sixth album, Philly's Dr Dog are hitting their stride, due in small part to finally bringing in an outside voice to help with production (Rob Schnapf). Even with a fresh ear on the proceedings, this is still the kitchen sink classic rock that Dr Dog has been churning out for the past decade. The 3 B's still rule the day (The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Band), all with Dr. Dog's unique spin on it. Highlights include lead single "Stranger," "Unbearable Why"
and the Flaming Lips-ish "Where’d All The Time Go."

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "Stranger" [mp3]

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More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Jonsi - Go
Harlem - Hippies / Free AOL album stream / "Friendly Ghost" [mp3] / "Gay Human Bones" [mp3]
Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3 - Propellor Time
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Medicine County / Free AOL album stream
The Wedding Present - Live 1988
Melissa Auf Der Maur - Out of Our Minds / Free AOL album stream
Solomon Burke - Nothing's Impossible / Free AOL album stream
Black Prairie - Feast of the Hunters' Moon
Javelin - No Mas
Awesome Color - Massa Hypnos / "Transparent" [mp3]
Monster Movie - Everyone is a Ghost
Peter Wolf - Midnight Souvenirs
Patrick Park - Come What Will
Growing - Pumps! / Free AOL album stream
Murder by Death - Good Morning, Magpie / Free AOL album stream
Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can / Free AOL album stream
BoDeans - Mr. Sad Clown
Communist Daughter - Soundtrack to the End / "Not the Kid" [mp3]

REISSUES
David Bowie - David Bowie (Deluxe Edition)
Julian Cope - Peggy Suicide (Deluxe Edition)
The Slits - Cut (Deluxe Edition)

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