thus spake drake: 09/01/2010

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Now Downloading: New Releases 09.28.10

If two weeks ago was Super Tuesday, this must be Ultimate Tuesday, as there are at least four albums likely to make more than a few year end top 10 lists (there are two likely to make mine -- I'll let you guess which ones). So you'll forgive me if this week's post is late, as the word count has spiraled out of control laying praise on the latest from The Posies, Deerhunter, No Age and Neil Young. Other notables this week include new releases from Abe Vigoda, Women, Glasser, Nellie McKay, Owen Pallet, Ben Folds/Nick Hornby, The Corin Tucker Band, Owen, Grandchildren along with a greatest hits comp from Soundgarden and a deluxe reissue of 2009's list topper Bitte Orca from Dirty Projectors.

Playlist: New Releases 09.28.10

The Posies - Blood/Candy
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

I've been a Posies fan going back to 1988, when you could catch them playing the occasional house party near the University of Washington campus. In terms of bias, familiarity can make a sub-par record seem better, but by the same token, it's also fairly difficult to be surprised by someone you've known for nearly 23 years. So when I say the greatness of Blood/Candy shocked me, it's not just hubris void of perspective.

Stringfellow / The Posies / Sasquatch 2010

Initially inspired by a 2009 performance of 93's Frosting on the Beater in it's entirety, B/C was going to be a 'return to roots' rock record for Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow. But a funny thing happened on the way to ~~the forum~~ recording the album... the songs just weren't going to cooperate with the initial box laid out for them. The restless Stringfellow has been harder to pin down creatively since the Posies first broke up (and thank God breaking up is the one thing The Posies are horrible at) and his song contributions here seem like they'd be especially difficult initially to button down. Witness the theatrical "Licenses to Hide," the zany Pet Sounds-inspired "Enewetak" - name for the Marshall Islands in the North Pacific which were abused by the US for nuclear testing - and the soaring "For the Ashes." Meanwhile, Auer had his own left-turns up his sleeve, unleashing the challenging "Accidental Architecture," after which it must have become obvious that this was not going to be a 'return to' anything album.

Auer / The Posies / Sasquatch 2010

Sure, there are a couple songs here that fall into the classic Posies sound, and those have always tended to be Auer's contributions, whose confidence in his McCartneyesque songwriting has made him Mr. Reliable (see "The Glitter Prize," "So Caroline" and "Notion #99"). But even the classic (and the almost nursery rhymish "Cleopatra Street") have so much going on that it begs, nay demands, repeat listens to get the full effect. To my ears Blood/Candy is the first album since Auer and Stringfellow's styles started more noticeably diverging (around 1996's Amazing Disgrace) where the potentially conflicting styles mesh in perfect harmony, with both artists reaching forward and out to each other, and it's a wondrous thing to behold.

Download: "The Glitter Prize" [mp3]

Their first ever performance of "The Glitter Prize" was capture on KEXP back in May:

Deerhunter - Halycon Digest
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

The slow and steady progression for Deerhunter from damaged art rock to accessible (yet still damaged) pop band has been fascinating to witness. In some respects, we've been witnessing frontman Bradford Cox's split personality gradually merging together, with the tripped-out art of Deerhunter now almost impossible to distinguish from the pop ambitions of his solo project Atlas Sound.

Cox / Deerhunter / CHBP 2009

Witness the Cox's cooing bedroom vocals on the pop nuggets "Revival" and lead single "Helicopter," two highlights from the album (that still don't eclipse Microcastle's "Nothing Ever Happens," but that's to be expected). Cox's lyrics are still kind of a downer and purposely obtuse, but on the final track, the sprawling 7 1/2 minute "He Would Have Laughed" (dedicated to the late Jay Reatard), he comes as close as ever to letting us inside this thoughts. Cox pleads "Where do your friends go?/ Where do they see you?/ What did you want to be? Ah shut the hell up... shut your mouth" and then the song peters out, ending mid-note, much like Reatard's life. It's a powerful coda to an endlessly fascinating release.

Free AOL Album Stream

No Age - Everything In Between
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Watching No Age play Bumbershoot a year ago, I got the impression that the duo (Dean Spunt on drums/vocals, Randy Randall on guitar) was perhaps a bit bored, drawing mostly from 2008's well-received Nouns. Everything In Between, the band's 2nd proper full length), kind of reinforces this opinion, with No Age mostly amputating nearly all the punk-fueled up-tempo elements ("Fever Dreaming" and "Shed & Transcend" remind us they still have that in their arsenal) that made their last album a dizzying affair.

Spunt / No Age / Bumpershoot 09

The aptly named "Positive Amputation" is a drum-less instrumental that explains this theory better than words can, built as it is from loops and sonic experimentation. Lead single "Glitter" is the perfect distilling of No Age's strengths, combining looping sonic landscapes with Spunt's simple repetition on vocals. The only weakness here for No Age (and it barely can be called that) is that with their leap forward in sonic sound, unfortunately Dean Spunt's vocals just don't seem strong enough at times to hold their end of the bargain. Spunt's laid back Cali skate punk feels at home riding the wave of their punkier numbers (again, see "Fever Dreaming"). Even with the tempo ratcheted down a notch, it's still another dizzying affair.

Download: "Fever Dreaming" [mp3]

Neil Young - Le Noise
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Neil Young is in the enviable position where he really doesn't need you to like him, which makes his album choices always an event of sorts. Take Le Noise, an album that is very recognizably a Neil Young joint (it's just Neil and his electric guitar playing within his idiom) and yet manages to be kind of out there through the funky mix job by Daniel Lanois. The result is a swirl of guitars and echoing vocals dancing around what are otherwise superb Young songs. Compare this with fellow rock legend Eric Clapton, who's vanilla offering this week challenges nobody, and we're reminded again why Young is such a treasure (I'd say national treasure, but some Canadians might scoff at the thought). In concert with the album, Young's YouTube channel is streaming the album as a short film, with artful black & white footage of Neil in the studio intercut with some crazy effects (much like the album itself) - see below:

Free AOL Album Stream

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Sons of Anarchy "Home": Like a Bird on a Wire

The headline here, musically speaking, is Katey Sagal lending her vocals to the ending scene, covering Leonard Cohen's "Bird on a Wire." In second place, for gritty HBO western fans anyway, was the mini Deadwood reunion, with Titus Welliver (I.R.A. Jimmy) and Paula Malcomson (Maureen) sharing some screen time. Those that had Silas & Trixie in their *Sons of Deadwood pool, congratulations.

*My money was on Calamity Jane (Robin Weigert) and Charlie Utter (Dayton Callie).

They took their sweet time getting SAMCRO on the Belfast trail, but now it gets real, right? If this was a Scorsese movie, The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" would be up in the mix right now, practically drowning out cries of "ABEL!"

Sons of Anarchy - Episode 3.04
1. "All You've Left" - Six Organs Of Admittance [download]
2. "Son of Shame" - Flatfoot 56 [download]
3. "I Took the Poison" - Mystery Girls [download]
4. "Spraypaint Backalley" - Damien Dempsey [download]
5. "Bird on a Wire" - Katey Sagal (iTunes exclusive)

Previously: "Caregiver" (Episode 3.03)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Glee "Britney/Brittany": Toxic

Similar to the problematic "Madonna" episode from last season, the sister episode "Britney/Brittany" was less an episode of Glee than an excuse to re-shoot Britney Spears videos (this time, each and every one got the Gus Van Zant's Psycho treatment). It was a nice showcase for Heather Morris (Brittany), putting her talents on full display, even if it meant enduring awkward moments with the real Britney Spears and her wooden acting skillz.

Glee - Episode 2.02
1. "I'm a Slave 4 U" - Glee Cast [iTunes]
2. "Me Against the Music" - Glee Cast [iTunes]
3. "Baby One More Time" - Glee Cast [iTunes]
4. "Sailing" - Christopher Cross
5. "Stronger" - Glee Cast [iTunes]
6. "Toxic" - Glee Cast [iTunes]
7. "The Only Exception" - Glee Cast [iTunes]

Previously: "Audition" (Episode 2.01)

Monday, September 27, 2010

Lone Star "One in Every Family": The Way the Wind Blows

UPDATE:
All the life has been officially choked out of Lone Star. FOX has pulled the series due low ratings and it will be replaced with Lie to Me, until Shawn Ryan's Ride-Along is ready to take over in January. Five episodes in total were produced, leaving three unaired. (Scroll down for music.)

So, one new show down, and it's the only new network drama I had found worth watching. (I've seen the Ride-Along pilot, and it's good. You better watch that one, you elusive Nielsen Ratings viewer!)

Of course, now who's going to sell all those Mumford & Sons and Jose Gonzalez/Junip albums now?

Lone Star - Episode 1.02
1. "Howl" - Junip (Jose Gonzalez) [download]
2. "Afraid of Everyone" - The National [download]

Previously: "Pilot" (Episode 1.01)

Chuck vs the Suitcase: Fashion is a Killer

"Beautiful women have a lot of baggage, you should be happy Walker's is just a suitcase."

Playlist: Chuck - Episode 4.02
1. "Flaunt It" - TV Rock
2. "I Like That" - Richard Vission & Static Revenger Starring Luciana [download]
3. "Feed My Frankenstein" - Alice Cooper [download]
4. "A Girl, A Boy, and A Graveyard" - Jeremy Messersmith [download]

Previously: "Chuck vs the Anniversary" (Episode 4.02)

Matador at 21: MySpace Streaming / Tix still available

The train has left the station for me as far as Matador @ 21 goes, but there's plenty of opportunities to get in on the action.

First, some tix are still available if you're game for the trip to Las Vegas.

For those stuck at home, it was just announced that MySpace will be streaming (most of) the entire event.

Here's the updated schedule (UPDATED AGAIN AS OF 10/1):

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1st

Chavez: 8:30pm - 9:10pm

Fucked Up: 9:35pm - 10:15pm

JUST ADDED: Sonic Youth: 10:40 pm - 11:30 pm

Pavement: 12:00am - 1:00am

(The entire night's stream will then repeat the next morning)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2nd

JUST ADDED: Girls: 4:40pm - 5:20pm

Come: 5:45pm - 6:25pm

Perfume Genius: 7:55pm - 8:15pm

JUST ADDED: Cat Power: 8:15pm - 8:55pm

JUST ADDED: Superchunk: 9:20pm - 10:00pm

Spoon: 10:25pm - 11:15pm

Belle & Sebastian: 11:45pm - 1:00am

(The entire night's stream will then repeat the next morning)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3rd

Shearwater: 6:30pm - 7:10pm

Ted Leo + The Pharmacists: 7:35pm - 8:15pm

New Pornographers: 8:40pm - 9:25pm

JUST ADDED: Liz Phair 9:50pm - 10:10pm

Guided By Voices: 11:30pm - 1:00am

Ear on TV: Week of 09.27.10: Scotland Rocks!

While nobody seems to be promoting it as such, this week is essentially Scotland Week on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, with appearances from fave Glaswegian bands Teenage Fanclub, Bell & Sebastian and the network television debut for recently reunited The Vaselines. Why Craig Ferguson didn't think of it first is anybody's guess. (Maybe because it's Scotland Week every week on The Late Late Show ?)

Fuzzed-out power poppers Teenage Fanclub kick things with a performance of "Baby Lee" on Tuesday, which also marks a notable date in Scottish history. The Battle of the Clans (aka Battle of the North Inch) happened on this day back in 1396, a senseless bloody battle that has little to do with the twee bands here representing their country, but I thought you should know. Belle & Sebastian bow on Wednesday, with a possible performance of the single "Write About Love," a song which features actress Carey Mulligan guesting on vocals. So let's keep fingers crossed for a surprise appearance.

Besides touring for their own forthcoming release (Write About Love), members of Belle & Sebastian are also supporting the reunited Vaselines, who'll be performing "Sex with an X" on Thursday night. Mostly known for being "that band that Kurt Cobain loved," Glasgow's Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee recently released Sex With an X, their first album of new material in 21 years. Beyond the grey hair and wrinkles, the spark that made them special all those years ago is still there.

Finally, with all the recent chaos in late night on NBC, it's easy to forget that Carson Daly is now in his tenth season. The affable host has been able to endure in the wasteland of a time slot by eliminating a set and filming great up and coming bands at clubs in Los Angeles like The Roxy and The Viper Room. In only its second week, the late night offering is definitely hitting its stride featuring Japandroids, Los Campesinos!, Menomena and The Morning Benders. Every night is a winner.

Picks for the week
Monday, September 27
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Runner Runner
FUEL: The Daily Habit: ASG
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Zac Brown Band
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Temper Trap
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Never Shout Never (REPEAT)
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Santana with Nas
Tuesday, September 28
ABC: The View: John Legend and The Roots
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Maroon 5
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: N.E.R.D.
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Hot Hot Heat
IFC: 360 Sessions: La Roux
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Teenage Fanclub
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Menomena
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Vampire Weekend
Wednesday, September 29
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Tired Pony
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Silverstein
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Seal
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Justin Timberlake, Belle & Sebastian
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Morning Benders
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Zac Brown Band
TBS: Lopez Tonight: FaR*eAst Movement
Thursday, September 30
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Avett Brothers
FUEL: The Daily Habit: In This Moment
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Rodrigo y Gabriela
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Vaselines
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Japandroids
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Seal
Friday, October 1
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Drake
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Cypress Hill
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Los Campesinos!
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Pete Yorn
Saturday, October 2
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show:
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Kanye West
PBS: Austin City Limits: Jimmy Cliff (SEASON PREMIERE)
Sunday, October 3
SUNDANCE: Let's Get Lost: Chet Baker

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Mad Men "Hands and Knees": Clearance Issues

Or, I could have easily titled it "Do You Want To Know a Secret," thanks to the use of The Beatles' song of the same name -- an instrumental cover version, of course, because Lionsgate/AMC likely couldn't afford the real licensing fee. This high cost of clearance fit in nicely with Don and his G.I.-man induced panic attack.

Of course we knew The Beatles would have to make an appearance in some regard (they were mentioned in passing earlier this season), and the first Shea Stadium show from 1965 is the obvious choice, occurring at the height of Beatlemania.

Mad Men - Episode 4.10
1. "Do You Want to Know a Secret" - Billy J. Kramer (in lieu of the instrumental version used on the episode)

Previously: "The Summer Man" (Episode 4.08)

Dexter "My Bad": Widowmaker

When Dexter concluded last season with that bloody bombshell, it was doubly incredible because showrunner Clyde Phillips was leaving the series. Anticipation this season was just as high for what how Dex would faire in new showrunner Chip Johannessen's hands as much as just to see how Dex handled the death of Rita. The answer to both is, in a word, compelling.

Dexter has always managed to keep things light despite the darkness of the subject matter, but occasionally, as in episodes like this, it's near impossible to make light. Early on, Vincent Masuka makes one of his usual inappropriate wise cracks at the scene, but this is family, and nobody is going to even crack a smile. That served as a nice set up to the tone of the episode, one where even the usual pastel colors of Miami seemed muted. How Johannessen handles the tone going forward remains to be seen, but 'handle with care' ruled the day on the premiere.

There's never really a lot of music to comment on for this series, which is fine and dandy, but for the premiere, I believe they called back to a song used from the pilot. Beny More's iconic "Conoci la Paz". A nod to the past as we move into the future with a new regime.

Dexter - Episode 5.01
1. "Conoci la Paz" - Beny More

Previously: Strange Times - Preview of Season 3 (it's been awhile, Dex)

Friday, September 24, 2010

Reminder: Flight of the Conchords (+ Glee) on The Simpsons Season Premiere

Since we can't get Jemaine Clement & Bret McKenzie to do another season of Flight of the Conchords, we have to make do with their hilarious guest appearance this Sunday on The Simpsons ("Elementary School Musical"). While not technically playing Bret & Jemaine, the characters were clearly molded from the same clay, struggling artists working as Art Camp counselors who make up kooky songs commenting on their surroundings.

Cast members of Glee (Lea Michelle, Corey Monteith and Amber Riley) also guest as fellow campers.

Previously: White Stripes on The Simpsons (Ep 1802)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Now Downloading: New Releases 09.21.10

This week's new releases is like honey spread between two big slices of 7-grain bread. Sandwiched between two high profile weeks, it's easy to get overlooked, but there is something sweet and sticky here. Or something. I'm grasping at straws, aren't I? This week features TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek and a slew of friends as Maximum Balloon along with the latest from Robert Pollard's Boston Spaceships, Swans, Sharon Van Etten, Margot & the Nuclear So & So's, Shit Robot, Michael Franti with Spearhead; a collaboration between John Legend and The Roots; and the sparkling debut from Frankie Rose & the Outs.

Playlist: New Releases 09.21.10

Maximum Balloon - Maximum Balloon
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Better known as TV on the Radio guitarist and producer Dave Sitek, Maximum Balloon at times sounds a lot like TVOTR, only without any left turns. Unlike Sitek's more challenging band, MB could find its way on to the radio, especially the opening number "Groove Me" (featuring some singing from rapper Theophilus London, see video below). TVOTR vocalists Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone lend vocals, along with David Byrne, Karen O, Holly Miranda, and Little Dragon. It's great at what it does, even if it might not end up being something you go back to over and over.

Boston Spaceships - Our Cubehouse Still Rocks
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

A release from Boston Spaceships has been closest thing to a Guided By Voices recording we've had since Robert Pollard broke up the legendary band. Perhaps it's fitting that with Our Cubehouse Still Rocks, we've got the best album since that breakup, and it coincides with a bonafide Guided By Voices reunion. From the chorus of "Bet he runs" in the opener, "Track Star," all the way to the sure to be live classic "In Bathroom (Up Half the Night)," Cubehouse aims to please even the most fair weather Uncle Bob fan.

Download: "Come On Baby Grace" [mp3]

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Frankie Rose & the Outs - Frankie Rose & the Outs / "Little Brown Haired Girls" [mp3]
Swans - My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky
Sharon Van Etten - Epic / "Don't Do It" [mp3]
Margot & the Nuclear So & Sos - Buzzard
Shit Robot - From the Cradle to the Rave
The Hundred In The Hands - The Hundred In The Hands / Free AOL Album Stream
The Black Twig Pickers - Ironto Special / "Don't Drink Nothing But Corn" [mp3]
John Legend & The Roots - Wake Up! / Free AOL Album Stream
Michael Franti and Spearhead - The Sound of Sunshine / Free AOL Album Stream
Darren Hanlon - I Will Love You At All / "All These Things" [mp3]
Fake Problems - Real Ghosts Caught On Tape
Matt Costa - Mobile Chateau / Free AOL Album Stream
Mackintosh Braun - Where We Are / Free AOL Album Stream

tags: music, album review, boston spaceships, maximum balloon, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Glee "Audition": Too uncool for school

The best thing about the season 2 premiere for Glee ("Auditions") was the self-mockery in the opening and bits sprinkled throughout. If it wasn't obvious before, school blogger Jacob Ben Israel is now officially a stand-in for TV critic and gossip bloggers -- JBI's like the bizarre lovechild of Alan Sepinwall and Perez Hilton. The meta-commentary and self-awareness was refreshing, something Ryan Murphy explored often on Nip/Tuck, and I hope they find a way to keep it part of the festivities.

But while Glee has started eating at the cool kids table in the high school lunch room of primetime television, New Directions has not moved one iota. In fact, by episode's end, they're possibly worse off than before. Placing last at regionals will do that to you. So even if the show is no longer an underdog, the characters remain so, making their eventual entry into nationals this year that much sweeter. Whoops! Am I giving away the season's plot already? I don't know for sure they make it to nationals, but they're already making a big deal about it being in New York city this year, and an episode featuring the kids in NYC is already being written in all of our heads. (Right?)

There's always a danger in introducing new characters for a 2nd season, but I'm down with the three we meet here - Coach Beiste (Dot Jones), the Bieber-like Sam (Chord Overstreet) and filipino exchange student Sunshine (Charice Pempengco, the former "most talented kid in the world" -- a titled bestowed by daytimers Oprah and Ellen).

Musically, it's become quite clear that if they're not going to surprise me with song choices by this point, it ain't gonna happen. That ship has sailed and it's auto-tuned it's way to middle-of-the-road + Broadway show tunes island.

Glee - Episode 2.01
1. "Empire State of Mind" - Glee Cast [Jay-Z version]
2. "Telephone" - Glee Cast w/ Charice Pempengco [Lady Gaga version]
3. "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" - Chord Overstreet (Poison)
4. "Billionaire" - Glee Cast
5. "The Power" - Snap!
6. "Listen" - Glee Cast w/ Charice Pempengco
7. "What I Did For Love" - Glee Cast

Previously: "Journey" (Episode 1.22)

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Sons of Anarchy "Caregiver": Stephen King's Bag of Bones

You don't want to miss tonight's Sons of Anarchy, as famed horror author Stephen King makes one of the most surreal guest appearances on a TV series that you'll ever thoroughly enjoy.

"Where did who go?"

Chuck vs the Anniversary: Motherland

There were three big questions for the series Chuck heading into this, the fourth season. What happens now that The Buy More has burned down? How can the series work if Chuck is no longer a spy? How high will the bar be this season for geek stunt casting?

All these burning questions were answered pretty quickly on "Chuck vs the Anniversary," with nearly all answers pointing to things returning to the status quo (with some minor changes). By rebuilding the Buy More as a fully operational CIA front, the Buy More and Spy worlds have now been nearly merged in full, with the exception of a Jeffster and Big Mike loose end out roaming the metaphorical Pine Barrens. Chuck, as expected, is back in the spy game and is just lying to Ellie again. And we get three geek casting gasms between having The Terminator's Linda Hamilton as Chuck's mom, G4 and ComicCon fave Olivia Munn, Rocky IV baddie Dolph "Ivan" Lundgren and Harry Dean Stanton (casted purely for Repo Man -- where is Emilio Estevez when you need him?). My reaction? We'll see... season three kind of burned me and I need some winning over.

Music is a part of the battle and any episode featuring Peter Wolf Crier deserves some attention (used to it's full extent here for some third act levity).

Playlist: Chuck - Episode 4.01
1. "Howlin' For You" - The Black Keys [download]
2. "We're Here to Save the Day (feat. Asher Roth)" - The Constellations [download]
3. "In Response" - Peter Wolf Crier [download]
4. "Generator ^ First Floor" - Freelance Whales [download]

Previously: Chuck vs the Ring, Pt 2 (Ep 3.18-19)

Monday, September 20, 2010

Lone Star "Pilot": What About Bob?

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on the stress level of your DVR), the new crop of fall TV series isn't that good this year. So, saying Lone Star is the best drama of the new season isn't the high praise it would be most years. The cast is littered with pretty people, like a CW show for adults, but it's also fairly ambitious for network television. James Wolk's Bob is like Kyle Chandler Jr (when he kisses Adrianne "Tyra" Palicki, it felt a little creepy) and Olympia-native Eloise Mumford is a breath of fresh air (a young Ellen Pompeo?).

Speaking of Mumford, one of the stars of the pilot is our old favorite indie English folk act Mumford & Sons, who have three songs in key places throughout the episode. Also gracing the soundtrack are Rogue Wave, Jose Gonzalez, Cold War Kids and the song HBO is currently using in promos, The Antlers' "Kettering."

Playlist: Lone Star - Episode 1.01
1. "Eyes" - Rogue Wave [download]
2. "The Cave" - Mumford & Sons [download]
3. "Little Lion Man" - Mumford & Sons [download]
4. "Hang Me Up to Dry" - Cold War Kids [download]
5. "Heartbeats" - Jose Gonzalez [download]
6. "When the Curtain Calls for You" - Jonathan Fire*Eater [album]
7. "Kettering" - The Antlers [download]
8. "Awake My Soul" - Mumford & Sons [download]

Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons at Sasquatch! Music Festival, 2010

Boardwalk Empire "Pilot": The Town Went Dry

It's not hard to tell that Martin Scorsese directed this new series from HBO -- in part thanks to a $20 million budget. The use of music, while from a different era than we're used to in Marty's toolbox, but songs move high in the mix for effect, like the use of Sophie Tucker's rendition of "Some of These Days" as Nucky Thompson peers through a boardwalk window. Tucker, in fact, is a character in the series, along with Eddie Cantor (shown on a marquee as a featured performer).

For the music to Boardwalk Empire, Music Supervisor extraordinaire Randall Poster utilized remastered 78s, and recreated music from nickelodeons making some of what you hear in the series recordings and compositions that have not been heard in a very long time. Prohibition era music is a bit of a blindspot for me right now -- but thanks to Boardwalk Empire, consider me in school.

"Some of These Days" - Sophie Tucker
"Avalon" - Al Jolson
"I Never Knew I Had a Wonderful Wife (Until the Town Went Dry)" - Eddie Cantor

Ear on TV: Week of 09.20.10: Pavement

Stephen Malkmus of Pavement at Sasquatch! Music Festival

Appetite for nostalgia seems boundless, as this week on talk shows makes perfectly clear. Nineties indie faves Pavement, Superchunk and Primus all perform this week, reminding us of the point in time when starting your band name with "the" became uncool.

Pavement announced their reunion last year, and have been both thrilling and disappointing audiences alike for a good chunk of 2010, just as it's always been. The sprawling guitar-heavy band move from chaos to pure pop climax at the drop of a hat, often requiring a few songs in the set to get 'loosened up.' They'll have to hit their stride a lot sooner this week, performing on both The Colbert Report (Monday) and Late Night With Jimmy Fallon (Thursday).

For the Fallon appearance, the indie rock legends held a contest for entrants to send in videos of them playing Pavement songs, with the winner getting a chance to play with the band on the set. The winner, Robert from Oklahoma, had the distinct advantage of his son dancing around in an ape suit. The father-son combo, shown in the video below playing "Grave Architecture," are kind of like Steven Malkmus and band mastcot/jester Bob Nastanovich when you think about it:

Meanwhile, in the other indie slack rock corner, North Carolina's Superchunk aren't so much reuniting as just deliberate in releasing their latest album, Majesty Shredding. It's been nine years since we had a Chunk joint, and even long since we've had one as unadorned and spunky as this one. The band is slated to pogo on the stage to "Digging for Something" on Fallon Monday night, and hopefully will sneak in a classic ("Slack MotherBEEPer" please?) for a web exclusive.

Finally, the wonderfully weird Primus have performing albums from their 90s catalogue in their entirety, like Frizzle Fry (1990), much to the delight of audiences. Last Wednesday in Los Angeles, the band taped a performance of songs of which a part will be used this Friday on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The small set included favorites spanning their career, including "Pudding Time," "Golden Boy," "Tommy the Cat," "Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers" and "Over the Electric Grapevine." If you listen closely, you can hear at least one person yelling out their classic call to arms, "Primus sucks!" (And no, they don't.)

Picks for the week
Monday, September 20
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Phoenix
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Chromeo
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Pavement
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Dam Funk (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: OK Go
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Superchunk
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Walkmen
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: OK Go
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Michael Franti & Spearhead
Tuesday, September 21
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Band of Horses
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Maroon 5
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Fang Island (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Sheryl Crow
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Merle Haggard
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Nas & Damian Marley
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Santana & India.Arie
Wednesday, September 22
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Tom Jones
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Sara Bareilles
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Cali Swag District (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Tommy Lee
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Alberta Cross
Thursday, September 23
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Trombone Shorty
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Bettye LaVette
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Vampire Weekend (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Pavement
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Janelle Monae
Friday, September 24
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Primus
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Jimmy Eat World
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Willie Nelson
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Jemima Pearl (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: John Legend with The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: La Roux (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Maroon 5
Saturday, September 25
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Katy Perry (SEASON PREMIERE!)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Them Crooked Vultures (REPEAT)

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Now Downloading: New Releases 09.14.10

This week is the Super Tuesday of indie rock releases for 2010. The embarrassment of riches includes the latest from The Walkmen, Of Montreal, Weezer, Chromeo, The Black Angels, Black Mountain, J. Tillman, Junip, Azure Ray, Blonde Redhead, Crocodiles, Cloud Cult, a second round of Nick Cave's Grinderman plus strong returns for both Superchunk and The Vaselines.

Playlist: New Releases 09.14.10

Superchunk - Majesty Shredding
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Don't call it a comeback, because the 'Chunk never left. Sure it's been nine years since their last release, but Merge Records' house band never called it quits, but instead were just taking their time. Musically, Majesty Shredding is a return to the spunky pre-Here's Where the Strings Come In days, before the days of embellishment (not that their later catalogue was bad, on the contrary). Throw in lyrics that folks in their 40s can identify with and it's the best of both worlds for an aging indie rocker like me.

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "Digging For Something" [mp3]

Grinderman - Grinderman 2
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Nick Cave's mid-life crisis disguised as a return to Birthday Party rawness back in 2007 gets a much welcomed sequel. More improvised lyrics over raw expositions result in another Nick Cave gem. He's notched three in a row (counting Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! w/ the Bad Seeds). Cave does the dirty old man bit to perfection.

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "Heathen Child" [mp3]

Of Montreal - False Priest
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Of Montreal has largely been a one-man effort over the years for Kevin Barnes, but False Priest sees the Atlanta native in a collaborative mood, with the band getting more credit along with some high profile guest stars. Jon Brion helps in production, while Solange Knowles and Janelle Monae join in for a couple duets. It's not as genius as Hissing Fauna..., but it's a step up from 2008's Skeletal Lamping.

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

The Walkmen - Lisbon
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

I've given up expecting The Walkmen to write another "The Rat," the best thing they've ever done. A funny thing happened on the way to waiting for another burner like "The Rat" to come along -- the band got better at writing spare and powerful songs that don't require the guitars at 11. Album highlight "Angela Surf City" is as close as they get, and I'm alright with that.

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

Junip - Fields
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Before Sweden's Jose Gonzalez achieved solo success, he was the frontman for this act. Reforming the band, you'd think that this would sound more like a band and less like a slightly more rocking Gonzalez solo release. Of course, that's a welcome outcome as well, and there's plenty to like here, especially if you're already a Jose fan.

Free AOL Album Stream

The Vaselines - Sex With an X
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Part of the magic in all these reunions is a return to youth, but sometimes you can't go back. Glasgow's The Vaselines were at their best juxtoposing innocence and sexual honesty, and occasionally the combination works with Sex With an X -- their first album in 21 years -- but they're in their 40s now and that formula doesn't have quite the same magic anymore. Belle & Sebastian help out backing the band and a few sparks fly, but after 21 years of waiting, don't you want a little more?

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "Sex With an X" [mp3]