Sunday, December 24, 2006

MySplice.06 - A Mash for Friends (team9 + Stereogum)

team9 have gone and hooked up with the good folk at Stereogum (winner of Spin Magazines best blog no less) and created Mysplice, an albums worth of mash ups as a kind of year in review of our favourite indie tracks of 06. In amongst this lot you'll find Thom Yorke, Hot Chip, Cold War Kids, CSS and Peter, Bjorn and John.
+ Here ya go!

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Army of Anyone - Live from Toledo, Ohio - 12/12/06

Certainly one of the best moments of my life. Seeing again the DeLeo brothers together in action with this great band was surreal. Having the chance to chat with them afterwards made a very special memory to me. Here's what I have to share with you: Live pictures, videos and recording of this great gig! Happy Xmas!!!
+ Complete gig here (pass: onediedsimply.blogspot.com)
+ Check out those exclusive videos that I've recorded!

Friday, December 22, 2006

The Brother Kite - Waiting for the Time to Be Right (2006)

I wonder if Providence's The Brother Kite began crafting their shoegaze-inflected rock sound in 2001. After a split 7" with Vaguely Starshaped on Losing Blueprint Records, The Brother Kite released their first full-length album on Clairecords, a self-titled and self-recorded serving of layered guitars and buoyant melodies. With the success of thebrotherkite, the band was poised to take a bold step, but knew the restrictions of traditional studio recording wouldn't allow for the creative freedom they needed. So they did what any band would do: built their own studio! Waiting For the Time To Be Right is the long-awaited result of this endeavor, a brave new rock album astonishing not only for its depth and maturity, but also for its willingness to stray from the shoegaze sound that defined their previous works. Layered guitar textures remain an important ingredient, but Boutwell's impassioned vocals are now pushed to the forefront, showcasing a Brian Wilson-esque gift for melody hinted at in earlier songs. The result is an album of dynamically orchestrated pop, equal parts Loveless and Smile, Quadrophenia and The Soft Bulletin. With Waiting... The Brother Kite respectfully pays homage to some of rock's great achievements while carving out an innovative spot for themselves in the world of today's independent music.
+ Check it out
+
MySpace website

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Blur - Parklife (1998)

Although the album failed to chart in the US, "Girls & Boys" became a hit there, while Parklife became Blur's first UK #1 album, entering in the pole position upon its release, and staying there for one week. In fact, one of the most significant things that Blur (and the '90s Britpop movement, really) did was reintroduce the importance of the pop single. Blur realize that the A-side is as much an art as the album, and not just from a marketing sense. Pop singles are pop culture, and Parklife spawned four "proper" singles but probably three-quarters of the album could've easily fit in on the radio. Some might say that Parklife isn't for everyone -- too British, too lofty (or boring, to some) a concept, too poppy even. But no other album made me sit up and realize that pop music didn't have to be disposable -- didn't have to be about the MTV flavor of the month -- like this one did. And it still sounds just as good to this 29-year-old's ears as it did to that 18-year-olds ears.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Paul McCartney - The Official Unplugged Bootleg (1991)

Unplugged (The Official Bootleg) is a live unplugged performance by Paul McCartney, recorded and released in 1991. Following the enormity of his world tour recently captured on Tripping the Live Fantastic, McCartney relished the opportunity to strip back his songs and appear on the newly-launched acoustic-only show. Consequently, McCartney was among the first in a long line of artists to release an unplugged album.
Using the same line-up that recently backed him (save for Blair Cunningham who replaced Chris Whitten on drums more late), McCartney used the opportunity to dust off some of his more rare tracks, including three from his 1970 debut album McCartney, alongside some obscure covers amid a helping of familiar Beatles hits.

From the 90's - ARID - At the Close of Every Day (1998)

The Belgian rock group Arid consists of vocalist/guitarist Jasper Steverlinck, guitarist David Du Pré, bassist Filip Ros, and drummer Steven Van Haver. Although released two years earlier in Europe under the title of 'Little things of venom, its critical acclaim won the group a gig opening for Counting Crows on their 2000 European tour, around the time that the album made its U.S. debut.
In this debut album one could truly say that Jeff buckley lives on... It's never a rip-off, but it's impossible to escape from the Jeff Buckley-comparison in the delicate parts and the Freddie Mercury-colour in the louder passages. "At the close of everyday" and "Too late Tonight" shake you all up, then they calm things down with a mysterious ballad "All will wait".
+ Check it out here

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Radiohead back in studio - New Pictures and new songs!

Radiohead is back in studio! Check out other great pictures. And the good news is that sometime in 2007 we will be hearing their highly antecipated new album (unknown title). In the meantime, we are be pleased with several recordings of their new songs performed in the recent US Tour. Here are my favorites so far (thanks to Lders):
+ Down is the new Up
+ Videotape
+ Nude
+ The National Anthem
+ Spooks
+ House of Cards
+ 15 Steps
More information about their 7th new album here and here

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Pearl Jam - Live from Newcastle (11/19/06) - THE gig!

Without any doubts this is by far one of the best performances any PJ fan could ever hope to see. Opening with Alive is crazy! There are a TON of rarities. Insignificance, Brain of J., Red Mosquito, Daughter (War), Leatherman, Down, Undone (only second time played ever), Thumbing My Way, Masters of War, Footsteps, Alone, Ledbetter w/ Little Wing? What a perfect setlist and performance by Pearl Jam. Get this one! Thanks to Pearl Jam Evolution blog.

Main Set: Alive, Life Wasted, Severed Hand, Save You, Insignificance, Unemployable, Brain Of J., Red Mosquito, Given To Fly, Last Exit, Hail Hail, Small Town, Better Man, Daughter/(War), Whipping, Leatherman, Down, Do The Evolution, Undone, Rearviewmirror
Encore 1: Thumbing My Way, Masters Of War, Footsteps, Crown Of Thorns, Alone, Even Flow
Encore 2: Corduroy, f**k' Up, Rockin' In The Free World, Yellow Ledbetter/Little Wing
Pass: onediedsimply.blogspot.com

+ Download the last part here

Monday, December 04, 2006

(MPB) - The COMPLETE Sinatra-Jobim Sessions (1979)

Claus Ogerman, Frank Sinatra and Tom Jobim during the recordings

There is a lot of mystery and lore surrounding this mythological cart, but the story goes like this: All that was ever produced by this collaboration between Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim was a vinyl test pressing and 3,500 8-Tracks. After this Sinatra/Jobim collaboration was cancelled (for reasons unknown to me), a memo was issued by Warner ordering the destruction of all but three copies of the 3,500 8-track tapes that had been manufactured of this release. Warner sent this memo to all the retailers and distributors for all the unsold copies, and they even went so far as attempting to get back all the SOLD copies as well, by issuing a recall! Whether or not their efforts were successful are to this day unknown, but there are fewer than 5 copies of the tape known to exist.

This double LP album, published only in Brazil by producer Roberto Quartin, has never been released before either on vinyl or CD, and contains all the songs played during the recording sessions that Frank Sinatra did with Antonio Carlos Jobim.
Two of these songs, Bonita and Sabiá, were not included in any of the two previous records featuring Sinatra and Jobim, and confer to the "Sinatra-Jobim Sessions" album the status of a historic document, eagerly sought by Sinatra collectors all around the world.
Tracklist
1- Baubles, Bangles and Beads (Robert Wright / George Forrest)
2- I Concentrate on You (Cole Porter)
3- Dindi (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Aloysio de Oliveira / Ray Gilbert)
4- Change Partners (Irving Berlin)
5- Quiet nights of quiet stars (Corcovado) (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Gene Lees)
6- If you never come to me (Inútil paisagem) (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Aloysio de Oliveira / Ray Gilbert)
7- The girl from Ipanema (Garota de Ipanema) (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Vinicius de Moraes / Norman Gimbel)
8- Meditation (Meditação) (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Newton Mendonça / Norman Gimbel)
9- Once I loved (O amor em paz) (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Vinicius de Moraes / Ray Gilbert)
10- How insensitive (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Vinicius de Moraes / Norman Gimbel)
11- Drinking Again (Johnny Mercer / Doris Tauber)

12- One Note Samba (Samba de uma nota só) (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Newton Mendonça / Ray Gilbert)
13- Don't ever go away (Por causa de você) (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Dolores Duran / Ray Gilbert)
14- Wave (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
15- Bonita (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
16- Someone to light up my life (Se todos fossem iguais a você) (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Vinicius de Moraes / Gene Lees)
17- Drinking Water (Agua de Beber) (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Vinicius de Moraes / Norman Gimbel)
18- Sabiá (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Chico Buarque)
19- This Happy Madness (Estrada Branca) (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Vinicius de Moraes / Gene Lees)
20- Triste (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
21- Manhã de Carnaval - A Day in the Life of a Fool (Luiz Bonfá / Antonio Maria / Carl Sigman)

Noel Gallagher in the Media - Exclusive acoustic, documentary, interview and live performance

With a short set list including (It's Good) to be Free, Whatever and Slide Away, Noel Gallagher does this live and Un-Liamed acoustic set for AOL's Interface. Cool, check it out!

Most of you also heard that Oasis not only released a "best-of" collection of their songs (Stop the Clocks), but also an authoritative documentary - Lord Don't Slow Me Down - revealing Oasis as never seen before is also being released this month!

Other good links:

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Alice in Chains - Live from Emerald Theatre - Nov 7th 2006

It was an unforgettable experience for me and to anyone who made to this gig (completely sold out). Certainly one of the most intense experiences of my life. I've been a fan of AiC then since the early 90's and I never had the chance to see them live before... until that day. It was by far one of their best performances, with a HUGE acoustic set which brought the 3000+ fans literally to heaven!

Here are a few pictures and videos that I'd like to share with you.
+ Sea of Sorrow (the first song they played!)
+ Junkhead
+ Damn the River - wsg Vinnie Dombroski (Sponge) a post-grunge Detroit band

+ Nutshell - a masterpiece for me... sorry for the size (150 mbs), but the quality is great!
+ Would

From the 90's - Echobelly - ON (1995)

It's sad that Echobelly didn't crack America... Most critics point to Echobelly's first album, "Everybody's got one" as their defining moment. it was raw, angry, melodic, and trapped volatile lyrical messages in three-minute pop songs. The band's second album, "ON" lost a little bit of the former's bite (particularly in madan's decidedly feminist posturing), but it was still a huge album in many ways. Sonya's got this incredible voice, one that people compared to Morrissey, apparently because she wasn't afraid to hide her lovely British accent. Either way, she's terrific, and her voice combined with the crashing guitars by Glen Johanssen a superb musician stained backdrops for madan's otherworldly vocals. It was a nice marriage that fuled the Echobelly machine.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Ronaldinho Goal - Barcelona x Villarreal 4-0


A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Why couldn't he do a third of that play during the last World Cup?

Coldplay - Talk (the unreleased version)

This was one of the first songs leaked from last Coldplay's album X&Y. For a long time I got so used to this version that I just couldn't get use to the "officially released" version. It has more of the Echo & Bunnymen, Smiths kindda beat. I don't know... I just prefer this version. What do you guys think?
+ Check it out!

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Greg Laswell - Through Toledo (2006)

There will be always space for good new music. Greg Laswell's just finished touring with Sia and that's how I've got to know him. What an amazing talent, completely underrated. I'll leave these comments from another amazing blog (Chrome Waves).
"It's no secret that I can be a little tough on singer-songwriter types, so when I say that San Diegan Greg Laswell's new record Through Toledo really impressed on first listen, that's saying something. Written, performed and produced entirely by Laswell, Through Toledo is a lovely slice of adult-ish pop. Heavy on melancholy but also hooky and melodic and able to range from delicacy to rocking out without ever sounding forced or overwhelming Laswell's emotive, weary rasp. There's actually something very Coldplay-ish about this record, but only in a positive sense - replace Chris Martin's empty platitudes and arena rock gestures with real emotional depth and intimacy, for example. I'm actually somewhat surprised how much I'm enjoying this record, but I do/am/whatever the gramatically correct way to end this sentence is."
+ Sing, Theresa Says
+ High and Low
+ Through Toledo
Bonus song from Though Toledo:
+ Amazed
Bonus songs from Greg' debut Good Movie:
+ Bright Ideas
+ 7 am
+ Video: Greg Laswell - "Sing, Theresa Says" (MOV)

Friday, November 24, 2006

Blind Melon - Live @ Woodstock (1994)

This one we will never forget. Shannon Hoon and Blind Melon @ Woodstock brought their music to a different level...
01 - 2x4
02 - Tones of Home
03 - Soup
04 - Wilt
05 - No Rain
06 - Time
07 - I Wonder
08 - Paper Scratcher
09 - Change
10 - Deserted
11 - Soak the Sin
+ Download it here (alternative link)

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Army of Anyone - Rain Song (Boston,Ma 11/21/06) - Led Zeppelin Cover


Fantastic Dean DeLeo in this classic of Led Zeppelin! I can't wait to see them live!

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

VA - Rhythms Del Mundo: Cuba (2006)

This unique compilation project brings together the legendary musicians of the Buena Vista Social Club & some of today's most popular music stars Chris Martin (Coldplay), Dido, Franz Ferdinand, Sting, Bono, Radiohead among others, performing collaborations of some of their classic hits. Great to listen when you have friends over your place during T-Day, Xmas...
+ More info here!

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Keane - Live @ Hull Arena (UK) - 10/17/06

This one took me some time to get it, but totally worth it. Here is their first gig in UK after Tom returned from the rehab clinic. Although we're sad that the US tour is still cancelled, we're glad that at least we can hear their new songs in this GREAT A+ recording. This live CD was available 10 minutes after the gig!
Disk 1
01- Under The Iron Sea
02- Put It Behind You
03- Everything Changes
04- Leaving So Soon
05- We Might As Well Be Strangers
06- Nothing In My Way
07- Bend And Break
08- Try Again
09- Your Eyes Open
10- Hamburg Song
Disk 2
01- Can't Stop Now
02- The Frog Prince
03- Crystal Ball
04- A Bad Dream (with the WB Yeats poem read first)
05- The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore
06- Broken Toy
07- Somewhere Only We Know
08- Is It Any Wonder
ENCORE
09- Atlantic
10- This Is The Last Time
11- Bedshaped

pass: onediedsimply.blogspot.com
+ Alternative link

Friday, November 17, 2006

Jeff Buckley - Live at Sin-é (2003) - Extended version

Listeners shouldn't get too hung up about Jeff Buckley's bloodlines--although they're impossible to ignore. His father was Tim Buckley, one of the most poignant, enigmatic figures of the 1960s' folk scene; but young Jeff grew up with his mother and didn't even meet his father until one Easter when he was eight--two months before Tim Buckley's death. While the ecstatic, keening quality of Jeff Buckley's vocals recall the haunting timbre of his father's voice, there are also overtones of a young Robert Plant, Van Morrison, Delta blues legend Robert Johnson, Pakistani vocal master Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and something indefinable--the sound of an individual talent beginning to blossom. Originally released in 1993 and 4-track EP (year out from his death), this expanded version of the splendid live EP, LIVE AT SIN-E, we hear Jeff Buckley stripped down and raw... transmuting, transforming, and ultimately transcending his influences before an audience at a small Irish club in Manhattan's East Village. Standing there with nothing but his voice and an electric guitar, Buckley is simply mesmerizing. Buckley's Telecaster playing on "Mojo Pin" and "Eternal Life" is exceptional--orchestrating his vocals with a torrid stream of chords and melodic counterpoint, a la Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page. He never descends into stock licks or hackneyed accompaniment; his classical arpeggios on Edith Piaf's "Je N'en Connais Pas La Fin" impart a calliope-like grace to her tune. The ecstatic nature of Buckley's art is showcased on his extended journey through Van Morrison's "The Way Young Lovers Do," where the lyrics gradually dissolve into long scatting choruses of wordless moans and cries, as his voice and flamenco-styled guitar evoke an almost gospel fervor. Buckley's lyrics are just as personal as his voice. "Mojo Pin" is a dreamscape full of delirious visions and moody imagery of lost love, while on "Eternal Life," his rolling blues chords set the tone for nightmares about his own mortality, recalling the tormented hellhounds of Robert Johnson. A talent like Jeff Buckley's comes along once in a lifetime, and LIVE AT SIN-É certainly whets the appetite for his first group recordings, GRACE. (Big thanks to Sarajevo-x.com forum)
DISC 1:
1. Be Your Husband
2. Lover, You Should've Come Over
3. Mojo Pin
4. Monologue - (duane eddy, songs for lovers)
5. Grace
6. Monolugue - (reverb, the doors)
7. Strange Fruit
8. Night Flight
9. If You Knew
10. Monologue
11. Unforgiven (Last Goodbye)
12. Twelfth Of Never, The
13. Monologue - (cafe days)
14. Monologue - (eternal life)
15. Eternal Life
16. Just Like A Woman
17. Monologue
18. Calling You

DISC 2:
1. Monologue - (nusrat, he's my Elvis)
2. Yeh Jo Halka Halka Saroor Hai
3. Monologue - (I'm a ridiculous person)
4. If You See Her, Say Hello
5. Monologue - (Matt Dillon, Hollies, classic rock radio)
6. Dink's Song
7. Monologue - (musical chairs)
8. Drown In My Own Tears
9. Monologue - (walk through walls)
10. Way Young Lovers Do, The
11. Monologue - (walk through walls)
12. Je N'En Connais Pas La Fin
13. I Shall Be Released
14. Sweet Thing
15. Monologue - (good night bill)
16. Hallelujah

Susanna And The Magical Orchestra - Love Will Tear Us Apart

Susanna And The Magical Orchestra is in fact a duo with keyboard player Morten Qvenild and singer Susanna Karolina Wallumrød from Oslo, Norway. With Melody Mountain (new album) they have chosen to do an album of only interpretations, some quite radical, of mostly well-known songs, all personal and moving performances with Morten Qvenild´s naked and to the bone playing an important part in the overall soundscape. Full track list includes Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen), It´s A Long Way To The Top (AC/DC), These Days (Matt Burt) "Condition Of The Heart" (Prince), "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (Joy Division), "Crazy, Crazy Nights" (Kiss), "Don´t Think Twice, It´s All Right" (Bob Dylan), "It´s Raining Today" (Scott Walker), "Enjoy The Silence" (Depeche Mode) and "Fotheringay" (Fairport Convention).
What a beautiful interpretation of this amazing song by Joy Division!
+ Love Will Tear Us Apart
+ Check their MySpace website

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Foo Fighers (Dave Grohl) - Marigold (Live)

Written by drummer Dave Grohl, "Marigold" is very notable in that during their seven year tenure, it is the only song Nirvana officially released that was fully done by a band member other than Kurt Cobain. It is a b-side on the band's 1993 single, "Heart Shaped Box".
The version below is part of the new live acoustic album by Foo Fighters entitled "Skin & Bones". Enjoy!
+ Dave Grohl - Marigold (live from "Skin and Bones" new Foo Fighters album)

Bloc Party - A Weekend in the City (2007)

This leaked version just came out a couple days ago. According to Wikipedia, the whole album was leaked on November 10th 2006. This is the same link available on the band's message board. The first single off the album will be called "The Prayer" and is due for release 01/29/07.
Tracklist: (link corrected)
01- Song for Clay (Disappear Here)
02- Hunting for Witches
03- Waiting for the 7:18
04- The Prayer
05- Uniform
06- On
07- Where is Home?
08- Kreuzberg
09- I Still Remember
10- Sunday
11- SRXT

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream (1993)

This album changed my life... Writing this post here from Chicago, I wished for a moment I could go back in time and see them back live... Billy is trying though to get the band together.
I've found this great review of Siamese Dream that I'd like to share if you (thanks to The Breeze)
+ The review
+ The album

Friday, November 10, 2006

Bob Dylan - Sacramento, California - October 18th , 2006

Disc 1
01 - Maggie's Farm
02 - (Just Like) Tom Thumb's Blues
03 - High Water (For Charley Patton)
04 - When The Deal Goes Down
05 - Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum
06 - Tangled Up In Blue
07 - To Ramona
08 - It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
09 - Rollin' And Tumblin'
10 - Ballad Of Hollis Brown
11 - Highway 61 Revisited
12 - Nettie Moore
Disc 2
01 - Summer Days
02 - Encore - Audience
03 - Thunder On The Mountain
04 - Like A Rolling Stone
05 - Band Intros
06 - All Along The Watchtower
+ Complete set here! (thanks to Sarajevo-x.com forum)

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Army of Anyone - Upcoming new CD and live tracks!

Take the lead singer of Filter, add the guitarist and bassist from Stone Temple Pilots and bring in one of the leading session drummers around and what do you have? Those are the ingredients that went into forming Army of Anyone, which features vocalist Richard Patrick, Stone Temple Pilot founding members Dean and Robert DeLeo and seasoned drummer Ray Luzier. Between the years 1994-2002, Richard and Robert and Dean have shared many a stage and have crossed many a path. Each of them being fans of the others’ work, the guys would jam and hang out at any given opportunity. The foundation for the group was laid when Patrick enlisted the DeLeos to help him co-write a song for the Filter album he was working on at the time. The result, “A Better Place,” turned out to be prophetic, and the beginning of something new. Within a couple of days, the three musicians decided they would take this working relationship to the next level, and Army of Anyone was born.
+
Army of Anyone - Disappear
+ Army of Anyone - Goodbye
+ Army of Anyone - It Doesn't Seem to Matter
+ Army of Anyone - Leave it (exclusive from DC101 - live performance on 10/12/06)
+ Army of Anyone - Interstate Love Song (exclusive from DC101 - live performance on 10/12/06)
+ Listen here to snippets of all the tracks for the upcoming album
+ Official website

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Friday, November 03, 2006

Staind - Nutshell (cover) @ Stripped


Great vocals by Aaron Lewis. Staind deserves all the respect for covering this masterpiece by Alice in Chains. Listening to this gave me goose bumps!

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

The Silent Years - So good from so close!

I am gladly surprised to hear such great band from here (Detroit)! The Silent Years manage to craft an indie pop soundtrack that could be anyone’s soundtrack to their life. Catchy melodic hooks that delve into ranges usually reserved for a select cast of Elliott Smith, Radiohead, My Morning Jacket, and Wilco; this is an album of the year runner-up for sure. They are currently touring the US supporting the release of their self-titled album released on Oct 24th. Check it out!
+ No Secrets
+ Someone to Keep Us Warm
+ Someday
+ Sharks
+ Other great previously unreleased songs @ Garage Band website
+ Official website
+ SPIN reviews the new video - check it out!

Friday, October 27, 2006

Eric Clapton - Live in Munich, Germany - 07/22/06

Eric Clapton continues to amaze me with every performance he makes. In this great audience recording, from his European Tour in Munich- Germany on July 22nd 2006, Clapton compilates classics like Crossroads and Old Love (with Robert Cray).
SETLIST
01-Pretending
02-I Shot The Sheriff
03-Got To Get Better In A Little While
04-Old Love (with Robert Cray)
05-Everybody Oughta Make A Change
06-Motherless Children
Sit down set
07-Back Home
08-I Am Yours
09-Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
10-Running On Faith
11-After Midnight
12-Little Queen Of Spades
13-Further On Up The Road
14-Wonderful Tonight
15-Layla
16-Cocaine
Encore
17-Crossroads (with Robert Cray)

+ Direct Link! (corrected link)
+ Check it out those reviews

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Keane - Live @ Kesselhaus in Berlin, Germany - 05-17-06

Fantastic recording. A+ quality!
1: The Iron Sea
2: Atlantic
3: Put It Behind You
4: Everybody's Changing
5: Bend and Break
6: The Frog Prince
7: Nothing In My Way
8: A Bad Dream
9: This Is The Last Time
10: Hamburg Song
11: Somewhere Only We Know
12: Is It Any Wonder?
13: Try Again
14: Leaving So Soon?
15: Bedshaped
16: Crystal Ball
+ Complete concert here!

Voxtrot - Live at Mercury Lounge (NYC), April 9th 2006

Voxtrot comes from Austin, Texas. Their first EP, a self-made CD-R, was produced in 2003 and sold at a few independent record stores in Austin. Despite not having released yet a full-length album, Voxtrot has received praise and mention from online and print publications.
Check out this perfect live gig @ Mercury Lounge (NYC)!
01. Unrecorded Song (3:21)
02. Raised By Wolves (4:31)
03. Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives (3:42)
04. Monday (1:57)
05. Rise Up In The Dirt (3:54)
06. Long Haul intro (0:47)
07. Wrecking Force (4:24)
08. Long Haul (3:47)

09. Chivalry (0:50)
10.New Song (4:04)
11. Twee (0:18)
12. Fast Asleep (2:50)
13. Monday (Part 2) (0:56)
14. Soft & Warm (4:08)
15. Voxtrot - 11 Missing Pieces (5:07)
+ Review by stereogum / Review 2
And a few bonuses, great covers they have done so far:
+ Voxtrot - Heaven (Talking Heads cover)
+ Voxtrot - Love Vigilantes (New Order cover)
+ Voxtrot - Shayla (Blondie cover)

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Mason Proper - Check them out!

Hailing from Ypsilanti, Michigan this indie band just signed recently to Dovecote Records. After checking the few songs available on the website, you can tell they are 10000 time better than a band once called Jet. According to their website, their upcoming album in the new label "There is a Moth In Your Chest" will be coming up in the winter of 2007. Check them out!
+ The World is Smaller Than You Think
+ My My Bad Fruit
+ A Chance Encounter
+ Mr. Charm
+ Chemical Dress Eliza
++ Performance @ WOXY Fm
+ Offical website

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Jeremy Enigk - World Waits (2006)

(***** out of 5 stars)

Jeremy's new album (World Waits) has been playing in my mp3 player almost non-stop. This is just a small way to acknowledge the admiration I have for his work. Return of the Frog Queen blew me away when it was released, and recently the (unreleased) soundtrack of United States of Leland had those 3 beautiful songs I didn't get tired listening to them.
I recently saw Jeremy live in Cleveland, OH (3 parts) and it was one of those unforgettable moments I will always carry with me. Growing up in Brazil, I really had a hard time getting the hands on the Sunny Day Real Estate Records. Playing their classic Seven with my band is something that I will never forget. He was gladly surprise to know the extension of his music when I mentioned that to him. What a great genuine person he is!
Having heard this CD a few times, I few comfortable commenting on a few highlights. Certainly it is the more accessible of the two solo albums. Jeremy Enigk, through many avenues, has paved a road for many a band, and continues to set the bar higher and higher in regard to what it really means to write an album that is not only relevant, but also tugs at the emotions of the listener in ways few artists and bands can do today.
Damien Dreams", the album's centerpiece, yields the greatest rewards, achieving the same spine chilling effects as Sunny Day's most grandiose moments. The near cathartic choruses that Enigk is able to conjure are perhaps his signature, the stylistic element that unifies Enigk's recorded output. Sonically, there is a similar element throughout: the quiet to loud, the majestic choruses, Enigk pushing his range, highlighting the timbre of his upper register. It is not a light album by any means, but it does sound like his first attempt to conciously reach for a larger audience, despite its indie-label release. Other standout tracks are easily “Cannons”, “Hard To Explain” (probably the best song on the album), and even the hidden track, which emotionally, yet perfectly, brings the album to a close.
A few things I'd like to share with you:
+ AOL - The Interface (exclusive acoustic set with classics such as Explain and new tunes!)
+ Jeremy Enigk - Been Here Before
+ Jeremy Enigk - River to Sea
+ Jeremy Enigk - Damien Dreams (from House of Blues, Cleveland, OH)

Sunday, October 15, 2006

GO TIGERS - ACLS Champions!!!!!!!!!! After game party with Kid Rock

It was UNBELIEVABLE! What a game! What a celebration! Tigers fans who watched their team clinch a World Series spot at Detroit's Comerica Park screamed, shouted, hugged, high-fived, honked their horns, danced and called everyone they knew to share the good news... We don't care who we play we SWEEEEEEEEEP them!
+ Go Tigers! Make Up Some Noise - Game 4 - ALCS
+ Tigers the ALCS Champions!!!!!! Comerica Park Celebration
+ Crowd of Fans Outside Comerica Park

The after game party was next to the stadium where they had a tent with a band playing rock and roll classics. Things got really crazy when a special guest - Kid Rock - showed up playing "The Joker" and "Rock and Roll". A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
+ Kid Rock - Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin cover)
+ Kid Rock - The Joker - Tigers after game party!

Friday, October 13, 2006

Chasing SNOW PATROL Cars - Live from Scotland - BBC Big Weekend - 5/13/06

It's not that easy to find live recordings of this great band! It's true that Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars has probably being overplayed given the success of Grey's Anatomy, but hey it's not their fault. Their last album (Eyes Open) indeed deserves a lot of respect. They combined great pop-rock elements creating songs like "You're All I Have", "Hands Open", "It's Beginning to Get to Me" and so many others. Enjoy this direct live recording broadcasted by BBC Radio 1 FM from Dundee, Scotland!

SETLIST
01 Intro
02 Spitting Games
03 It's Beginning To Get To Me
04 Chocolate
05 Hands Open
06 How To Be Dead
07 Chasing Cars
08 Make This Go On Forever
09 Run
10 Tiny Little Fractures
11 You're All I Have
+ The complete concert
+ Official website

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Chris Cornell - Unplugged in Sweden (2006) and his new 007 track!

Chris Cornell has always surprised me when he decides to persue his solo projects. Euphoria Morning was a great example of that. More to come soon, as he recently just got back in studio for the recordings of a new solo CD (date/name TBD).
In this exclusive performance (thanks to audioslavelatino.com) recorded in Sweden, he explores not only great acoustic versions of Soundgarden classics (Black Hole Sun, Feel on Black Days, Be Yourself) but also exposes his versatility covering from Bob Marley (Redemption Song) to Michael Jackson (Billie Jean) passing through the an obvious big influence in his guitar playing and singing - aka Mr Robert Plant (Thank You by Led Zeppelin). A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
And, if you liked it, please leave your comments...
+ Download the complete concert here!
+ Chris Cornell - You Know My Name (007 soundtrack)
+ Chris Cornell in the next 007 Soundtrack

Thursday, October 05, 2006

My Brightest Diamond - Bring Me the Workhorse (5 STARS!)

(***** over 5 stars)
Aside from being the Sufjan Stevens opening band, MBD deserves a big applause for their last album. Imagine Jeff Buckley vocal's meeting with Sonic Youth's guitars-drums-n-bass filled with great arrangements' orchestration of the string quartet. Certainly, the band's sound is way beyond this mix description, and you'd have to listen to come up with your on conclusion. The bottom line is that it is enjoyable to listen to such great record which creates a very promising distinct mix.
+ Something of an end
+ Riding Horses
+ Freak Out
+ Golden Star (the most "Sonic Youth" song of the album)
+ We Were Sparkling
+ Full Album Streamming
+ 5 Questions to MBD (thanks to Muzzle of Bees)

Monday, October 02, 2006

New Release - Robin Thicke - The Evolution of Robin Thicke

(***** over 5)
"One year ago Pharrell Williams asked Jimmy Iovine, CEO of Interscope, “What are you doing with Robin Thicke?” A few months later, Robin was recording his first single “Wanna Love You Girl” with Pharrell in Miami, as a newly signed artist on Pharrell’s label, Star Trak Records. This explosive, smash single immediately attracted the attention of radio and club DJs across the country.
"With a voice of purity, passion and soulfulness, Robin brings to life the stories and emotions of the last two years of his life. Admittedly, those two years have been a tumultuous ride of ups and downs. The Evolution of Robin Thicke is filled with incandescent magic. It is an album that tells the tales of love, loss, temptation, redemption and finding hope when all the odds are against you. “My greatest desire with this album was to write songs that were completely honest and sing them with the emotion I was feeling when I wrote them, so that whoever listens to my music is brought as close to my experiences and life as possible.” (thanks to TV.com)
This album indeed marks an evolution and it's a timeless work of art. This album is full of soul (clear influences of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Prince, to name a few) and some bossa-nova/lounge flavor combined with amazing vocal arrangements and great production. Check it out!

New Release - Jet - Shine On

(***/5)
I don't see anything wrong with copying popular references. The australian band comes back after 6 months of intense production and having to choose from more 40 songs they put together. The "Oasis factor" is all over the place as RS said, a direct influence from the time Jet used to be the opening act for them. Also a lot of Redd Kross (where are they?) and a mix of the commom new pop-rock. Nothing creative or new, which is disappointing. However I didn't say that this was their objective. Perhaps they were aiming just for a dance-floor CD and if that's the case they've got one.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

New Release - Lenine - MTV Unplugged

Singer, composer, arranger, musician and producer - few artists are acknowledged talents in so many differnt areas. The Recife-born Lenine has become one of the stars of Brazilian popular music, acclaimed by the public, the press, his fellow artists and tastemakers alike. He is considered one of the standard bearers of the Brazilian scene for the 21st century, combining original music with the rhythm of Northeast Brazil over a base of rock, pop and electronica. He has been influenced and inspired by everything from pop and rock to Massive Attack and Gilberto Gil.
This MTV Unplugged (only available in Brazil for now) has been just released. To me, hearing such beautiful unplugged versions of his classic songs, it's amazing... it literally gave me goose bumps. Lenine FOR ALL... Musically speaking, he's way beyond anyone in Brazil now.
+ Hoje eu Quero Sair Só
+ Paciência (Cristina Braga plays harp)
+ Jack Soul Brasileiro

"New" Release - KLEE - Honeysuckle

(***/5)
Klee hails from Cologne, Germany and this is her first album. It came to my attention after visiting SPIN's service for emusic. I though it was a cool cover, so I checked it inside... I was gladly surprise by the combination of electro-pop+feminine german vocals and amusical cascade of guitars and synthesizers showcases extraordinary beauty not unlike a Paul Klee masterwork (which the band's name is derived from). Fans of Depeche Mode, Camera Obscura. Check out this great review.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

U2 - ZOO TV Tour Live From Sidney (DVD)

Although I haven't seen this DVD yet, it's promising to be another great release by U2. They have always been on the top 5 favorite bands for me and it's great to see The Zoo TV on DVD and the nice work to put up this one together.
+ U2 - "One"
+ U2 Live 1993 - Royal Dublin Showground (from Zooropa tour)
+ Check it out the trailer!