Minus The Bear have remained on my radar ever since I came across the Menos El Oso recording, and as much as I want still be a big fan of the band, some of the singles that they have been releasing lately, just don’t seem to have the same hold on me as some of their earlier work.  I’m still holding out for the full recording though, before I jump to any conclusions.

The band recently signed to the Dangerbird Records label, and have a newly recorded album to set loose May 4th, titled Omni. The release was recorded with Grammy Award winning producer Joe Chiccarelli (The White Stripes, My Morning Jacket). My least favorite MMJ album.

MP3> Minus The Bear ‘My Time’

SXSW Dates:

March 18th            Filter Showcase @ Cedar St Courtyard (3:30pm)
March 19th             Relix Magazine Party @ Antones (3:20pm)
March 19th            Musebox @ Rusty Spur (1am)
March 20th            Stubbs (9pm)
March 20th            Dangerbird Records @ Mellow Johnny’s (11:20pm)

The thought of what song(s) that you might want played at your funeral was brought up today by a friend, and as I found myself searching through my completely unorganized collection of music for a specific Uncle Tupelo song, I pleasantly revisited “Fatal Wound”.

For those of you not familiar with Uncle Tupelo, the band played a large part in fusing traditional country sounds with a rock approach, fueling the alt-country movement in the early 90’s. Hands down, one of my favorite bands of all time. The band achieved a reasonable amount of commercial success signing to Sire records for their final release, only to disband at the height of their career due to internal issues. Founding members Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar soon found themselves at odds personally as well as musically. Tweedy went on to form the group Wilco, and Farrar forged ahead in his outfit Son Volt, both achieving a level of success with their own unique style.

“columns of sunlight
and glorious cities
oceans of opportunity
and all your decisions seem ancient
but you wait around until
you’ve received that fatal wound” – Uncle Tupelo “Fatal Wound”

MP3> Uncle Tupelo ‘Fatal Wound’

I’ve had this record, Exploding Head, in my dirty grimy paws for months now, and each time I put it on for listen, it reveals something more mystical and intriguing than the previous spin. The drive home tonight with “Ego Death” playing on the stereo, accompanied by the 3/4 moon all dark yellow and jaundice looking,  hanging low on the horizon and peeking through the low tree branches and power lines, felt the soundtrack of someone’s life, possibly my own.

The album is appropriately titled Exploding Head, and if you have ever been to a live show of A Place to Bury Strangers you would understand how relevant that is. The band will bring it’s beautiful destructive dissonance to the Parish next month performing opening duties for The Big Pink.  A visual and auditory assault is in-store for those scampering in early for the Euro pop-synth sounds of The Big Pink, and “Dominos” will fall…

I chatted with Oliver from APTBS awhile back..

A Place to Bury Strangers and The Big Pink @ The Parish 4/8 Tickets

MP3> A Place to Bury Strangers ‘Ego Death’

The headlining act for Wednesday night’s bill may be Akron Family, but my curiosity is fixated on the mostly female band that is opening the show, Warpaint. I can’t really remember where I first heard the band, but my interest in them has been borderline obsessive at times, and I figured out why recently. Shortly after releasing their debut EP Esquisite Corpse the California based band signed to Rough Trade, which is part of the Beggars Group. I have a relationship with music that is a bit more lengthy than some, and there was a time period that a majority of my music consumption was fueled by the innovative sounds by many of the bands were on the 4AD label which is part of the Beggars Group.  Back then Cocteau Twins, Wolfgang Press, Pixies, Throwing Muses, Bauhaus, and many other great artists were a part of this label, and I loved it all. It’s taken me a bit to put 2 and 2 together, but Warpaint takes me back to this time, while still remaining fresh and functional in the current scene.

History provided, and now we have Wednesday night at the Parish which is the near future. A near future you should engage in, if possible. The members of Warpaint cautiously spin a seductive style of music that dances with psychedelic lush arrangements, and lyrical temptations. Stick around for Akron Family as well.

Warpaint @ The Parish 2.24 BUY TICKETS

The band will be back in March for SXSW, so stay tuned….

MP3> Warpaint ‘Beetles’

The reunion story of the year (technically last year), if you haven’t caught wind of it yet, is Pavement. The 90’s art-rock, indie/alternative band that influenced many a band you have spinning on your iPod these days are doing what all the “cool” kids do these days. A year full of tour dates including some essential festival stops will be accompanied by the release of  the best of Pavement album titled Quarantine The Past. Now, I’m not usually one that recommends “best of” albums, but the band has a pretty lengthy catalog of material, and being the creative edgy art rockers that they were, it would take a bit of work to sort through some of the material that at some times can test the listener. The band’s label Matador has compiled a pretty comprehensive collection of tracks from the band, that really does capture the “best of” Pavement.

Quarantine The Past sees release on March 9th, and is well worth the time it takes to make your way through the 23 tracks on the album. Have I mentioned yet, that Pavement is one of my favorite bands of all time? Yepper, I dig these kids.

The remastered “Gold Soundz”

MP3> Pavement ‘Gold Soundz’

Tour dates as of now: Read more

With the sophomore release appropriately titled 2, the Alan Sparhawk (Low) fronted Retribution Gospel Choir channel their inner sonic guitar child and let loose a series of songs that you feel Sparhawk has been itching to set free. From the 43 sec guitar thrash of  ‘68 Comeback”, to the anthemic “Working Hard”, and the closing prayer “Bless Us All”, 2 covers a lot of solid ground in a mere 33.8 minutes.

Retribution Gospel Choir return to Stubb’s on Thur night 2.11 with the new songs in tow, and a show that is surely to only breathe more life and meaning into them. Bless us all.

Buy Tickets HERE. 8 bucks early or 10 for procrastinators

MP3> Retribution Gospel Choir ‘Poor Man’s Daughter’

There must be something in the water in Athen’s, because the music that is coming out of that city continues to impress along with it’s rich history, and Twin Tigers have quickly become my latest Athen’s crush (sorry DC). The bands debut album Gray Waves, which had a digital release on Jan 19th, will see physical on March 2nd. Picking a single to release from this album surely has to be a challenge as this thing is solid from front to back. Amazon has it available for $5 now, if you haven’t gotten you paws on it yet.

I stress, and I mean STRESS..this album is the tits!

And…Twin Tigers are preparing their schedule for SXSW 2010 as well, and I’ll definitely keep you updated on these gigs.

MP3> Twin Tigers ‘Passive Idol’

Quite simply, Retribution Gospel Choir is a welcomed and what seems to be an inevitable extension of the slow-core outfit Low. Consisting of Low founder Alan Sparhawk and current Low bassist Steve Garrington, the only lineup difference is Eric Pollard on drums. Low percussionist/vocalist Mimi Parker isn’t completely out of the picture, as she makes her appearance on the sophomore release from the band, chiming in vocally.

I’ve always been somewhat of a casual fan of Low for a few years, latching on to the occasional song over the course of their quiet career, but recently became more intrigued with the band and it’s existence. The interest was sparked by the documentary of the band titled You May Need A Murderer released in 2008. It is an examination of a band, and a man that wrestle with the same demons that each of us endure while justifying a life in conflict with some religious leanings. A film that I highly recommend. In this film there is a scene where Sparhawk, who is married to Parker, is in what appears to be the basement of his house, practicing with what would seem to be Retribution Gospel Choir, while Parker attends to household chores and their children play outside. And while we may have seen glimpses of Sparhawks sonic tendencies in Low and even on the debut Retribution Gospel Choir record, this scene reveals Sparhawk’s electric guitar inner child, and it’s intriguing. Something inside me ached to see that come to fruition. To hear Sparhawk let loose on the electric outside of the pace and level of Low. And that is what 2 delivers.

The guitar reminiscent of Neil Young and Crazy Horse at times, while Sparhawk continues with the lyrical fodder that defines his unique views, opinions, and conflicts within the world that not only he lives in, but the one that we inhabit as well. It’s a quick 34.5 minutes of hearty, gritty rock in a time when many of us are dazzled by the bells and whistles of technology wearing the face of music.

Retribution Gospel Choir’s 2 out 1/26 on Sub Pop!

Shearwater have established themselves as a band who make beautiful music that is more cerebral and less inviting upon first listen, but always delivers upon time committed. The third release from the band The Golden Archipelago is already being pitched as “not an easy or immediate record”, confirming that the band is staying true to the musical path that they have chosen.

The Golden Archipelago is set for release digitally on Feb 16th and will see physical, both shiny and waxy, on Feb 23rd.

Released MP3 from upcoming album

MP3> Shearwater ‘Black Eye’

Shearwater tour dates Read more

Matador Record’s and current Austin resident, Gerard Cosloy has pieced together a compilation of Austin artists and their songs to be released on Jan 26th. Casual Victim Pile seems a likely title taking into consideration Cosloy’s loss last year when his Austin home burned to the ground. In addition to the release, Matador, WOXY, and The Austinist have put together a string of shows featuring artists from the recording.

The track from a band currently on my radar, Follow That Bird!

MP3> Follow That Bird! ‘The Ghosts That Wake You’

Cosloy’s own words in regards to the release and show(s) details after the… Read more

It’s been just over a year since Athen’s GA’s Dead Confederate released their debut album Wrecking Ball, and album that made the WOXY year end top 97 album list of 2008 coming in at #6, if you hadn’t heard. With the band coming off a year of constant touring and plans to hole up in the studio soon for the follow-up to Wrecking Ball, a live LP just made itself available for fans itching for something new from the band. Dirty Ammo contains previously released material in it’s intense live presentation as well as the band’s un-released “Guns” along with covers of Elliot Smith and Officer May. The album was recorded @ The Earl in Atlanta GA, May 27th 2009.

And there’s more..

If you choose, you can get the album download for free, but I hope that at the least, you choose to donate $1 to help rebuild the historic Georgia Theatre which was destroyed in a fire in June of this year. There are several levels of donations available, with each level getting you more Dead Confederate Dirty Ammo paraphernalia. $1, $21, and $41 are the magic numbers and you can check out the goods @ dirtyammo.com. It’s the holidays folks, dig deep, help out a good cause, and get some great tunes.

MP3> Dead Confederate ‘Start Me Laughing (Live)’ Dirty Ammo

Dirty Ammo Track List

Side A
Get Out
Start Me Laughing
Shadow The Walls
Roman Candle*

Side B
Smoke A Minor**
Guns
Tortured Artist Saint

* Elliott Smith cover
** Officer May cover

Upcoming shows:

December 19, 2009 – The 2009 Festivus of Bands at Sky City – Augusta, GA

January 7, 2010 – Tasty World – Athens, GA (with Futurebirds)

January 8, 2010 – The Earl – Atlanta, GA

Known for sharing more than he might have cared to at times, Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox is sharing willingly a 2005 recording by his band Deerhunter. Maybe it’s the holiday spirit that moves him to share. Cox posted a link to download the band’s 2005 recording titled Carve Your Initials Into The Walls Of The Night on his blog with an explanation of his reason for doing so, and the nature of the recording. Click the image of the cover art or any of the links found in this post to get there and get the download.

Sample the tunes…

MP3> Deerhunter ‘But I’m A Boy’ Carve Your Initials Into The Walls Of The Night

In related news…I’ve been really diggin Atlas Sound’s (Cox solo) latest offering Logos.

A Place to Bury Strangers

So, the show isn’t happening until March of 2010, but A Place To Bury Strangers @ The Parish is a show that you should mark down on your calender now. The last appearance in town, albeit always enjoyable to see the band, was a bit of bust as a result of having to play inside @ Mohawk because of rain. I’m just now familiarizing myself with the United Kingdom outfit called The Big Pink, but they are stirring the buzz pot here in the states after just completing their first North American tour, and with the Sept 2009 release A Brief History of Love on the 4AD label. You know I love me some 4AD..don’t you?

If you were hoping to catch either band @ SXSW 2010, the chances might be slim with a performance scheduled so close, and the tour ending on the 4/15. Don’t miss the opportunity.

The Big Pink w/A Place to Bury Strangers @ The Parish 4/08/10. Advance tickets on sale 12/12/09 right HERE

MP3> A Place To Bury Strangers ‘In Your Heart’

MP3> The Big Pink ‘Velvet’

And pardon me for just a second, but..HOW in the HELL is this @ 101x show??!!?? They don’t play the cool music but they want to put their grubby hands all over the shows?? Play some A Place To Bury Strangers guys!! And not just on the Next Big Thing.. stop playing the Toadies for crying out loud and get with the program. (for the record, I have nothing against the Toadies, other than the fact that are borderline Classic Rock at this point). Actually I don’t listen to 101x enough to know that they don’t play A Place To Bury Strangers, but I would be willing to bet…..

The Big Pink w/ A Place To Bury Strangers Spring Tour dates Read more

I love the cycle of discovering new music. It seems when I really am craving something new and interesting, it’s a barren desert of a musical landscape I find myself scouring, and when I’m not really paying attention, I get slapped up aside the head with tiny little gems of sweet sounds. One of the most recent sweet sounds I’ve come across is the mostly female outfit Warpaint, based in Los Angeles. The bands originally self released debut EP Exquisite Corpse was re-released on this past October on Manimal Vinyl, and the band has recently signed with Rough Trade Records.

Warpaint and Exquisite Corpse sound a bit darker than what you get from this foursome. It’s delicate echo and reverb drenched pop psychedelia, that at times reminds me of some early Cocteau Twins. Something in the vocal delivery I’m feeling. Song titles like Elephants, Beetles, Stars, and Burgundy are found on this debut EP which I highly recommend.

In a time when the music scene is mostly dominated by Prozac junkie, slag, watered down versions of The Arcade Fire, Warpaint are a welcomed soft glow of feminine comfort.

The band will be hitting the road with Akron Family early 2010 and finds the Parish stage here in Austin Feb 24th. You know who will be there….

MP3> Warpaint ‘Elephants’

Jawbox is one of those bands that I have always been clearly aware of their existence and the fondness that many of my friends harbored for this D.C. post punk band that found the heart of it’s success in the early 90’s. The D.C. scene a proud breeding ground for many a D.I.Y. band in the 80’s and 90’s. A proud label for many fans that led to the unfortunate backlash when Jawbox left the indie label Dischord for the major Atlantic to record the 1994 release For Your Own Special Sweetheart. Now that we’ve all grown up a bit, and sold a bit of our souls to some corporate entity, the band re-releases it’s heartbeat album For Your Own Special Sweetheart on DeSoto records in the fall of 2009. It’s remastered and sounding as sweet as ever.

You can purchase the remastered release @ DeSoto or @ iTunes

MP3> Jawbox ‘Savory’

The only live performance in celebration of this release will be on the Jimmy Fallon show, Tuesday Dec 8th. Set your DVR, TiVo, whatever, or just tune in like we used to do in the old days.