Thursday, September 13, 2007

The Honorary Title - Scream and Light Up the Sky (2007)

So the members of Brooklyn, New York, pseudo indie-rockers the Honorary Title really, really like Elvis Costello and Jeff Buckley. Or at least both their official web site and MySpace pages like to think so. Where they push it is where they claim to actually sound like both of those legendary artists. That’s a bit of a stretch.
“Untouched and Intact”, their first single from Scream and Light Up the Sky, is the best thing the 1980s didn’t produce. There seems to be a driving force behind many of the tunes that will have you tapping your feet (not good when you’re driving your car). A great surprise for this month of september!
Rate: A-
+ Untouched and Intact
+ The City's Summer

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Chris Cornell - Live @ The Fenix - Seattle, WA (05/08/07)

This was the MSN concert broadcasted a while ago. Here's THE COMPLETE SET including what I'd call "The Best of" of his career. You'll hear classics from Temple of the Dog (Say Hello to Heaven and Hunger Strike), Soundgarden (Outshined, Jesus Christ Pose, Spoonman and so many others), Audioslave - not included in the webcast (Conchise, Like a Stone) plus several songs of his solo career (including a live version of Seasons!).

For us fans, a delightful gift brought you by Chris Cornell Nation website.

+ Check it out (It requires pre-registration, totally worth it!).

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Cary Brothers - Who You Are (2007)

A college mate of Zach Braff (indie film director, and star of comedy series, Scrubs), Brothers’ career got a leg-up when one of his songs (Blue Eyes) was used in the show and onto the Grammy-winning soundtrack to Braff’s movie, Garden State.
Who You Are
is an impressive debut. There are moments when his self-confessed Brit-pop affections jar with the LA sun-soaked melancholy permeating his more mature material. “Who You Are” for example borrows Snow Patrol’s chugging introspection. Give it some play time and pretty soon you'll be singing "it's my jealousy/creepin' up on me" over and over… and over again.
Rate: A+
+ Jealousy
+ Ride
+
Who You Are
+ Loneliest Girl in the World

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Jeff Martin's Kingdom



Well, since I haven't blogged anything here for awhile, I figured I'd make two entries today. Another artist that I don't think has had a fair shake in America is Jeff Martin, or his previous band, the Tea Party. They put out 7 very good CDs off their label and 1 previous to being signed. The unfortunate turn of events that led to the band's demise will, I'm sure, never be fully realized because I'm sure all three of them have varying stories as to why exactly it happened. The main reason seems to be that Jeff wanted to get back to the roots of what his music (and, ultimately, the Tea Party's music) was all about. His first outing as a solo artist brings us Exile and the Kingdom, a sweet blend of his Rock-meets-World music stylings of the Tea Party with the acoustic leanings that he has expressed in interest in as of late. With the first song on the disc being the orchestral 'The World is Calling', one might be questioning whether it was a departure from the Tea Party's music Jeff needed or just a departure from his bandmates, as this stands up with the best of what the Tea Party offered (and feels like a continuation from their 4th CD, Triptych). Indeed, even the bluesy 'Black Snake Blues' feels like a throwback to their 2nd disc, Edges of Twilight. But anyone who's heard Jeff in interviews will know that's what he was going for in the first place. The songwriting on the rest of the disc is very fresh -- a logical growth between their rock opus, Seven Circles, and this record. The fact that it's a great mix of electric and acoustic numbers and the fact that Michael Lee (of Page and Plant fame) is on drums makes this CD even better.

Martin talks about the next CD being completely acoustic, but he said that about this one as well. The good thing about Jeff is that he's constantly evolving and that will always be his greatest strength. It will also be why he will remain at the forefront of iconic musicians of this age.

Queensryche - the Forgotten Genius


One thing I've noticed with a lot of my musician contemporaries is that most of them are afraid of change (which, to me, says 'oxymoron' about a musician); they don't step out of their protective and secure boxes to attempt anything that's outside of their realm of influences.
You see this of a good deal of music fans as well, unfortunately. I recently read a blog about Queensryche singer Geoff Tate and how QR's new CD (their follow-up to Operation: Mindcrime II, shown at right) will be 'a big surprise' to QR fans and that they would be touching on new areas of music writing. The fans were noticeably, for the most part, disturbed by this. In fact, the major debate for this particular set of QR fans was when they started to go downhill. Was it Empire? Promised Land? Hear in the Now Frontier? Q2K? None of them could decide. Very few of the fans actually acknowledged that they listened to the CDs that QR's been putting out since HITNF. A shame, really. Queensryche was always a band I felt akin to, musically. Not because I write in their vein of music (if you could even hold it within a catagory), but because they are CONSTANTLY trying to grow as musicians between releases. Even with OMC II, the sounds on the CD may have linked with the first CD (which, if you're a musician worth your salt and trying to produce an audio sequel, you need to accomplish for continuity purposes at least!), but their growth as musicians is apparant in every song on the disc. A lot may argue that OMC II isn't as good as the original (movies and music alike, I would assume, fall into the sequel syndrome of being compared instead of taken as a separate entity), but I say the CD, sitting on it's own, is just as great an achievement as any of their greatest work.
I, personally, am looking forward to a new QR CD. Actually, writing this has given me the ambition to complete my QR catalog. Oh, and if you are a fan and don't have the updated CDs with the extra tracks and the updated sound quality, I highly recommend them.
Cheers,
Luke

Friday, August 17, 2007

So Real: Songs From Jeff Buckley (2007)

Buckley was never interested in selling out or shooting to the top of the charts, and that’s part of why his music seems so raw, so real, so untainted by corporate bigwigs with dollar signs in their eyes. He was a visionary, and through posthumous releases like So Real and whatever comes next, his voice remains a gift that keeps on giving. This compilation ncludes two rarities, 'So Real' (Live and Acoustic in Japan - non album version/ promo single) and 'I Know it's Over' . (Previously Unreleased - Smiths cover from a session at Sony Studios that was edited for broadcast on WNEW on April 6, 1995. It was not included on the radio broadcast.) Other highlights include 'Last Goodbye', 'Forget Her', 'Everybody Here Wants You' and more.
+ Dream Brother (alternative take)
+ I Know it's Over (which resambles a lot of Hallelujah!)

++ Look here previous posts on Jeff Buckley

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Jeremy Enigk - New single and CD!

This guy never stops! Jeremy Enigk returns with the quick follow-up to last year's highly acclaimed World Waits with The Missing Link (to be released August 21st), which features brand new material along with acoustic versions from World Waits. The first single, John, is available for free download at the Insound website.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Radiohead - Live in Seine Festival (France) - 26-Aug-2006

This one was probably the last concert for their tour before the long-waited upcoming unknown release date/name album. Thom Yorke's band did not disappoint. Great performance!
SETLIST
01 Intro
02 Airbag
03 2+2=5

04 The National Anthem
05 My Iron Lung
06 Morning Bell
07 Fake Plastic Trees
08 Videotape
09 Nude
10 The Gloaming
11 Paranoid Android
12 All I Need
13 Pyramid Song
14 Lucky
15 The Bends
16 I Might Be Wrong
17 Idioteque
18 Everything In It's Right Place
Encore:
19 You And Whose Army?

20 Bodysnatchers
21 There There
22 Karma Police
+ Download the complete set here! (Link fixed)

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Eddie Vedder - Early Demos (1998)

This tape was sent by Eddie to the guy who lived downstairs from he and Beth (long time girlfriend and ex-wife) in San Diego when he moved to Seattle. A collective group of fans, purchased this from Eddie's neighbor/friend.

Tracklist
01 - One Step Up (Bruce Springsteen's cover)
02 - Crossroads
03 - Believe You Me
04 - Reggae Woman
Date: Summer 1988
Sound: A+
+ Link 1
+ Link 2

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

The Cinematics - A Strange Education (2007)

Formed in Glasgow not so long ago, the group has enjoyed critical praise and this debut album Strange Education, is a long-awaited affair for new fans who first saw them support the likes of The Editors. Powered by tight grooves that demand movement and passionate, powerful and thoughtful vocals, the Cinematics also bring emotion and warmth. The end result is music that transcends any trends or underground niche. Of particular note is the ripping cold-war guitar solo on “Keep Forgetting” – reminiscent of The Edge’s Unforgettable Fire-era work… more of this will earn The Cinematics some respect, if not Top 40 status.
Grade: A-
+ Race to the City

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Interpol - Our Love to Admire (2007)

Give New York-based post-punk outfit Interpol credit, then, for consistently living up to expectations. Though recorded for the first time with an outside producer - Rich Costey, the man who ramped-up Muse's space-rock aspirations on 'Black Holes & Revelations' - 'Our Love To Admire' is not exactly a departure. Instead, the band's third album plunges straight back into a world of brooding nighthawks, seedy streets and dark corners lit by violent neon blasts.
Fantastic and delicious!
Grade: A-
+ No I In Threesome
+ The Heinreich Maneuver
+ Who Do You Think

Monday, July 30, 2007

Portugal, The Man - Church Month (2007)


Portugal the Man's second full length album "Church Mouth" was released July 24th 2007. The album leaked over many peer to peer networks. This is what the band members had to say about the issue, "Go Download it. Give yourselves taste. Feel free." So here's your taste of Church Mouth the first track off the album. Although the band was so nice as to say it was "O.K." to download the new album illegally we still encourage you to support the band here. This bands mysterious sound and melodic vocals are truly what their music is all about. Church Mouth is tremendously consistent and one of the premier rock albums of the year.
Rate: A+
+ Church Month
+ My Mind

Sunday, July 15, 2007

John Mayer - Live @ Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit/MI - 7/5/07

This is a GREAT night to remember!!! Live from The Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit/MI. Perfect recording. Thanks to Sam Lincoln for this.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Jeff Buckley - Live from Phoenician Theatre, Sydney, Australia (09/06/05)

Great registration of this brief tour Jeff Buckley did with his band back in 1995 to promote their album Grace through Australia. In fact, it's the first recording that I know from them in Down Under. This is a live broadcast from Triple J Radio from Sydney, Australia. Kudos to Indie Waves blog.
For fans like me it's a great documentation of two great songs (Dream Brother and WWYS) that we cover with my band - Garden of Souls!

Tracklist:
01. Dream Brother
02. Mojo Pin
03. So Real
04. Last Goodbye
05. What Will You Say
06. Grace
07. Lover You Should've Come Over
08. Eternal Life

Keane - The Theft of Octo (2007)


This is a 2nd compilation of outtakes and b-sides made by Keane fans. Fantastic material! Enjoy!

+ Link 1 (re-uploaded!)

>> Check what has been posted about Keane on this blog

Monday, July 02, 2007

Smashing Pumpkins - Zeitgeist (Full Album)

And they are back!! Check out the new SP's album being which is being streamed live through AOL's website through this week.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Ben Gibbard - All Apologies (Live at Showbox, Seattle, 5/20/07)

A very nice tribute to Nirvana in this cover by Ben Gibbard. For the full concert please check ÜberDrivel blog
+ Check it out

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Jose Gonzalez - Down the Line (mp3) and Tour Dates

In Our Nature is to be released in September 25th. Down the Line is a song the he has been playing for quite some time. Here is a very good quality live recording of it.
Check out the new tour dates in September!

In Our Nature tracklisting:
1. How Low
2. Down The Line
3. Killing For Love
4. In Our Nature
5. Teardrop
6. Abram
7. Time To Send Someone Away
8. The Nest
9. Fold
10. Cycling Trivialities

Tour Dates:
09-27 New York, NY - Gramercy Theater *
09-28 New York, NY - Gramercy Theater #
09-29 New York, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
09-30 Boston, MA - Paradise #
10-01 Philadelphia, PA - World Café #
10-02 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club #
10-04 Chicago, IL - Park West #
10-05 Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater #
10-07 Seattle, WA - Showbox #
10-08 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall #
10-09 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall #
10-10 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre #
10-12 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre *
10-13 Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Café *

* with James Blackshaw
# with Savath & Savalas

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Lifehouse - Who We Are (2007)

Like Lifehouse's previous three albums, Who We Are contains lyrics that relate to both spirituality and romantic love - most of the band's songs are open to interpretation, making them applicable to many types of audiences. This time around, though, Jason Wade drew upon personal experiences that make the songs a little more obvious. Wade has also a terrific rock voice, and it's never sounded better ranging from heavy growls to soft-spoken falsetto—he even goes a cappella for the impressive start of "Storm". Who We Are is a good album, full of very catchy songs.
Grade: A-
+ Disarray
+ Who We Are
+ Storm
+ MySpace Website

Maps - We Can Create (2007)

Maps is essentially a Northampton U.K. gent named James Chapman. “We Can Create” would be his first album, although he has released a handful of eps that has created quite the buzz in certain circles. The record was co-produced by Valgeir Sigurdsson (Bjork) and mixed by Ken Thomas (Sigur Ros), so you can surmise the songs will have a layered sonic depth, while having a glossy major label type of feel to the songs. The record melds this sweet combination of My Bloody Valentine, Sigur Ros and Postal Service. The best electronic album I have heard so far this year! A terrific debut album more resplendent with each listen.
Grade: A-

Garden of Souls - CD Release Party this Saturday (June 30th)!

We are really pleased to join great local and national bands in the upcoming Sunburn Festival, and to release our new 2nd album - Screaming Down from Heaven. This will take place @ The Shelter on June 30th (this coming saturday)

Click on the poster to get your tickets. Only $10! (Please indicate Garden of Souls, when answering the Question 1 ( Which band sent you to this page?)

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THE SUPPORT! SEE YOU AT THE SHOW!!

Garden of Souls
www.myspace.com/gardenofsouls

Thirteen Senses - Contact

With producer Danton Supple at the wheel it is always going to be hard not to make comparisons between Thirteen Senses and Coldplay – a marketing gamble choosing this producer or mere coincidence. There is a lack of uniqueness in their sound... Undoubtedly Thirteen Senses are talented musicians but the edge is diluted underneath the schmaltzy big production making Contact an album full of rich gestures but hard to connect with. Maybe they used too much of the Coldplay Kit.
Grade: B-
+ Follow Me (do you remember the Hammond organ used in "Fix You"?)
+ Spirals (nice bass line, and guitars a la The Edge)
+ MySpace website

Monday, June 25, 2007

Army of Anyone - Stop, Look and Listen (Unofficial Video Clip)

Please check this beautiful piece of artwork! Although it's non-oficial video clip, it totally make us think about this world and where we are leading to. Fantastic!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Smashing Pumpkins - Live @ The Grand Rex (Paris) - 05/22/07

And they are finally back! Fantastic recording with Billy Corgan, Jeff Schroeder (guitar), Ginger Reyes (bass) and Jimmy Chamberlain (drums). Thanks to El Mundo de Mimi

Set List:
01 (Intro)
02 United States
03 Today
04 Stand Inside Your Love
05 Bleeding the Orchid
06 Doomsday Clock
07 Home
08 Hummer
09 Starz
10 Tarantula
11 Bullet with Butterfly Wings

12 Gossamer
13 [Fade Out]
14 [Fade In]
15 (Billy talking)
16 For God and Country
17 Thirty-three
18 Rocket
19 Winterlong
20 To Sheila
21 Glass and the Ghost Children
22 Cherub Rock

23 1979
24 Tonight, Tonight
25 [Fade Out]
26 [Fade In]
27 Neverlost

28 That's the Way
29 Disarm
30 Zero
31 Untitled
(Encore Break #1)
32 Shame
33 Silverfuck > The End [The Doors] (tease)
(Encore Break #2)
34 Annie-Dog
35 Muzzle

+ Link

Sunday, June 10, 2007

R.E.M - Out of Time (Outtakes/Demos)

Date: 1990-07-16
Venue: John Keane's Studio
Location: Athens - GA - USA
Event: Demo Session
Format: CD Cover
Notes: Throughout July and August, many sessions were attended at John Keane's studio. These demos can be found on the CD bootlegs 'Outtakes Of Time' and 'Slightly Out Of Time', and on the vinyl bootleg 'Peace and Love, Anyone?'
(Thanks to Live Bootleg)
+ Check it out

Monday, June 04, 2007

Fiction Plane


Just wanted to let you all know about Sting's son's great band, Fiction Plane, and their 2nd Release entitled Left Side of The Brain. Truely great music . . .
Cheers,
Luke

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Screaming Trees - Sweet Oblivion (1991)


Screaming Trees [ST] have a unique 90's grunge/60's hippy sound that blends so perfectly together, to create this amazing upbeat feel-good rock vibe, and yet still have the powerful angst in there. For once it's nice to hear a band that isn't singing about how sad their lives are, and when ST does sing about it, it sounds great without the depressing feeling. Mark Lanegan has a very unique, brisk voice that manages to create that awesome sound of his music. It's a shame ST never scored it huge, but their hit "Nearly Lost You" (which isn't near the best from this amazing album) will probably seal them immortality in the heavens of 90's rock.
+ Check it out (pass: dosisgrunge.blogspot.com)

Monday, May 28, 2007

Satellite Party - Ultra Payloaded (Full Album)

Perry Farrell is back with his great supporting band which includes the guitarrist Nuno Bettencourt. Stay tunned for my band - Garden of Souls - covering their 1st single - Wishing Upon a Dog Star

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Velvet Revolver - Live from Royal Oak Music Theater, Royal Oak, MI - 05/12/07

Great performance with few covers! Thanks to All Night Thing.
1. Introduction
2. Let It Roll
3. Do It For the Kids
4. Sucker Train Blues
5. Superhuman
6. The Last Fight
7. She Mine
8. Big Machine
9. Get Out the Door
10. Fall to Pieces
11. Vasoline
12. Just Sixteen
13. She Builds Quick Machines
14. Set Me Free
15. Wish You Were Here
16. Used to Love Her
17. Psycho Killer
18. Slither

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Paul McCartney - Ever Present Past (New Single)

It's not very hard for one to not enjoy the work done by Paul McCartney. He continues to prove to the world (and to himself I would say) as one of the greatest modern songwriters. I'm not judging this entirely based on his lastest single - Ever Present Past. What intrigues me is his musicality - his ability of recreating new music and melodies that are NEVER a "commom place". There are certainly so many recent examples of bands that we could think of... but with 'Macca' is a little different... he never repeats himself.

"Ever Present Past" comes as tasty a fresh Mocha (no association here with the fact his new album will be released by Starbucks label with distribution by Universal Studios). Lots of keyboards layers with an upbeat tempo and melody. Very appropriate for this coming summer... The full album (Memory Almost Full) will come out on June 5th.

+ Link 1
+ Link 2

Monday, May 14, 2007

Rage Against the Machine - Coachella 2007

What a great reunion!!! Short set but here we go! (link corrected)

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Captain - A great surprise for the weekend!

It always feels great when I can find a band that just hits me for their sound. That's the case with Captain. Hailing from UK, they have recently participated in the Mojo Magazine's Sgt Pepper's tribute CD covering "A Day In The Life".
What a great combination of vocals, keys and great melodies that don't get out of your mind. Do I need more? Well, I guess it's time to hit the sack now... That's it for tonight.

Happy Mother's Day!

+ Glorious
+ Frontline
+ A Day In The Life
+ Official Website

Stone Gossard Demo '91 - aka the Gossman Project (early Ten demos)

This tape is the earliest evidence of Pearl Jam around. Mike McCready, Stone Gossard, and Jeff Ament recorded a set of instrumental demos during the Temple of the Dog sessions with Matt Cameron (then with Soundgarden) in 1990 with the intention to find a new drummer and vocalist for this musical project.
This tape would eventually find its way to Eddie Vedder via Jack Irons (ex-RHCP) who used to play basketball together.

The band:
Stone Gossard: guitar
Mike McCready: guitar
Jeff Ament: bass
Matt Cameron: drums
Chris Friel: drums on tracks 4 and 10

Track List:
1. The King (would become Even Flow)
2. Dollar Short (would become Alive)
3. Richard's 'E' (would become Alone)
4. 'E' Ballad (would become Black)
5. ? (Untitled - never released)
6. Weird 'A' (would become Animal)
7. 7Up (would become Pushin' Forward Back)
8. Doobie 'E' (would become Breath)
9. Agytian Crave (would become Once)
10. Times of Trouble (would become Footsteps) (this song also appears on Temple of the Dog with the same title)
11. Evil 'E' (would become Girl)
12. Folk 'D' (never released)

+ Get it here

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Arctic Monkeys - Live from Astoria, London - April 13th 2007

GREAT concert! Thanks to Musecology
1. If You Found This It's Probably Too Late
2. Brianstorm
3. Still Take You Home
4. From The Ritz To The Rubble
5. Dancing Shoes
6. Balaclava
7. I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
8. Teddy Picker
9. Do Me A Favour
10. Mardy Bum
11. Fake Tales Of San Francisco
12. This House Is A Circus
13. If You Were There, Beware
14. The View From The Afternoon
15. You Probably Couldn't See For The Lights But You Were Looking Straight At Me
16. When The Sun Goes Down
17. Leave Before The Lights Come On
18. A Certain Romance

+ Get it here
+ Check out the review

Morrisey - Live @ Wembley Arena - 2006-12-08

Thanks to B.O.O.T.L.E.G.S for this one!
01. Panic
02. First Of The Gang To Die
03. The Youngest Was The Most Loved
04. You Have Killed Me
05. Disappointed
06. Ganglord
07. I'll Never Be Anybody's Hero Now
08. William, It Was Really Nothing
09. Irish Blood, English Heart
10. I Will See You In Far Off Places
11. Girlfriend In A Coma
12. Everyday Is Like Sunday
13. In The Future When All's Well
14. I've Changed My Plea To Guilty
15. Let Me Kiss You
16. The National Front Disco
17. Dear God, Please Help Me
18. How Soon Is Now?
19. I Just Want To See The Boy Happy
20. Life Is A Pigsty
21. Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want
22. Don't Make Fun Of Daddy's Voice
+ Get it here

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Chris Cornell - Live @ Much Music (Toronto, CA) and Yahoo! Music

This recently recorded acoustic performance brings 3 new songs of upcoming's Chris Cornell release - Carry On. Credits to Eduardo (orkut)

Arms Around Your Love
Black Hole Sun
Hunger Strike
No Such Thing
Outshined
Safe And Sound
Spoonman

Monday, April 30, 2007

Jose Gonzalez - Remain (Live)


Although this might be an overplayed song, it still amazes me... the beauty of such guitar playing and singing by Jose Gonzalez. I can't wait for his new album.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Greatest Bassists - Part 1 - Willie Weeks - Giving the Bass Guitar a Life

This weekend I'm starting a section which I'd love to get your feedback. Every week I'll cover a different bassist that I admire and inspires me on their playing. Although James Jamerson would be the ultimate Number 1 for me, I'm still gathering more data to write that one up.

This week the spotlight is on Willie Weeks:

Born in Salemburg, North Carolina, Weeks grew up working in the fields and listening to country, pop, and R&B on the radio. At age 12 he started singing and then playing guitar in a gospel group—learning on a homemade axe strung with fishing line—and when the group began performing alongside big-time acts, he got his first glimpse of an electric bass. “It was a Fender Precision,” Weeks recalled in a May ’90 Guitar Player interview. “I said, ‘Man, that’s it!’”
In the 30 years between Donny Hathaway’s Live and John Scofield’s That’s What I Say, Willie Weeks has played on more than 200 albums. Here’s a partial list of artists whose tracks his grooves have graced: Billy Joel, Chaka Khan, Michael McDonald, Buddy Guy, Aretha Franklin and so many others.
Currently his is touring with Eric Clapton. The snippet below that I took from Clapton's last performance in Detroit on April 5th, illustrates a little bit what Willie is able to do with the bass.


Check out these other two great links:
+ Willie Weeks does it all (Bass Guitar Magazine Interview)
+ Willie Weeks unforgettable bass solo on “Voices Inside (Everything is Everything) from Donny Hathaway’s Live album

Sara Tavares - BalancĂȘ (2006)

First there was Cesaria Evora, Then Lura, and now, the Portuguese/Cape Verdean singer/composer/guitarist Sara Tavares. The title of this CD (pronounced bal-on-SAY) refers to the equilibrium necessary for balancing her mixed, Crioulo culture that stretches from Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Blessed with an angelic voice, and a knack for writing accessible compositions that are global, yet ancestral, Tavares is closer to Les Nubians than to Evora, as the title track makes clear. She's more about adapting her homeland's musical conceptions to include Angolan sembe Afrobeats on "Poka Terra," with rapper Melo D, reggae, and Cape Verdean coladeira rhythms on "Planeta Sukri," co-starring vocalist Boy Ge Mendes. Fadista Ana Moura helps Tavares tell her soulful story on "De Nua." With this heartfelt, autobiographical work, Sara Tavares emerges as a new dark and lovely diva for this decade. --Eugene Holley, Jr.
+ Check it out (thanks to Sarajevo-X forum)

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Satellite Party - Perry Farrell's new super band

Judging by their first single - Wish Upon a Dog Star - Perry Farrell's new band is very promising. Later you learn that he has paired with Nuno Bettencourt (ex-Extreme) and this musical partnership not only defined sound but crystalized the band.
The debut album - Ultra Payloaded (to be released on May 29th) - features a host of guests participating in the recording. That includes The Red Hot Chili Peppers Flea and John Frusciante, UK production duo/beat-makers Hybrid, New Order/ Joy Division bassist Peter Hook, down tempo pioneers Thievery Corporation, Porno for Pyros' guitarist Peter DiStefano, Black Eyed Pea's Fergie, film composer Harry Gregson-Williams (Chronicles of Narnia, Kingdom of Heaven), and a 30-piece orchestra.
According the Perry's own words "Our album, 'Ultra-Payloaded,' is a story expressed through music. The story centers around a group of people known as the Solutionists. They're a brain trust of artists, musicians, technology cats and fashionistas that plan these wonderful underground parties. They become experts at the art of public display. All the songs on the record tie into the story line, but here are some excerpts that go along with each song."
Stay tuned for more...
+ MySpace website
+ Wish Upon a Dog Star (1st single)

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Chris Cornell - Live in Denver (02/12/00)

01. Sunshower
02. Can't change me
03. Flutter girl
04. Mission
05. Preaching the end of the world
06. Seasons
07. Fell on black days
08. Disappearing one
09. Moon child
10. Sweet Euphoria

+ Check this out

Block Party - Black Session (Live from Paris - 01.22.07)

Waiting For The 7.18
Positive Tension
Banquet
Hunting For Witches
This Modern Love
The Prayer
Uniform
I Still Remember
So Here We Are
Little Thoughts
Helicopter
Sunday
+ Check it out

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Muse - Live from Reading Festival (08/26/2006)

01. Knights Of Cydonia
02. Hysteria
03. Supermassive Black Hole
04. Showbiz
05. Map Of The Problematique
06. Forced In + Bliss
07. Butterflies and Hurricanes
08. Feeling good
09. Invincible
10. Starlight
11. Plug In Baby
12. New Born
13. Time is Running out
14. Stockholm Syndrome
15. Take a bow

Password:
sgeltoob
Quality A+

+Link 1 (thanks to Some Bootlegs)
+ Link 2

Under the Ironed Sheets - A Fan Tribute CD to Keane

Every time a tribute album comes out we have the probably of the quality inconsistency amongst the bands contributing to the project. This one follows the same rule. I would say that Tom's voice is probably one of the key elements of Keane's sound, which becomes quite evident listening through this sub-par tribute CD. I know that no one here is an accomplished musician, but just a die hard fan... Hamburg Song is probably one of those interesting and worth listening to.
+ Under the Ironed Sheets - Keane Tribute CD

Friday, April 06, 2007

Norah Jones - Live from Paris (Maison de la Radio)

A GREAT radio broadcast. Thanks to Some Bootlegs
01. Cold cold heart
02. Sunrise
03. Thinking about you
04. Sinkin' soon
05. Not too late
06. Not my friend
07. Humble me
08. Wake me up
09. Broken
10. Until the end
11. Creepin' in
12. The long way home
13. Little room
14. My dear country
15. Rosie's lullaby
16. Be my somebody
17. Don't know why
18. Come away with me
19. Encore, applause
20. Lonestar
RS1 - RS2
password: sgeltoob

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Jeff Buckley - Live @ Sproul Plaza - Berkeley, CA - 5/5/95

This was a free acoustic show recorded on May 5th 1995 in the infamous Sproul Plaza (a major center of student activity at the University of California, Berkeley)
Set List:
1- Last Goodbye
2- Lover you should have come over
3- So real
4- Mojo pin
5- Grace,

+ Link 1