New Music Tuesday Sept 25th

Oh Love from Green Day's 9th album Uno!
Green Day is a love/hate band for me.  I think they are fabulous when they get it right.  They are from California and haveb been working together since 1987.  Hard to believe, huh.  Named after the green plant that makes people happy, but these guys ain't airheads.  The videos they produce are stuning (American Idoit, Wake me up when September ends, and this track I picked from their latest album.  This is the first of three installments Green Day is planning for this album release.  Yep, the second and third are Deux and Tres.  lol...   

I'm tired from Bettye Lavette's album Thankful N Thoughtful
Since 1962, Bettye has jazzed, bluesed, and and rocked out world.  From Michigan,Ms Lavette has worked with the greats, from Otis Redding, Ben E King and Jon Bon Jovi.  This badass feline has got her own hell to raise. Google it. 

Battle Scars from Lupe Fiasco's 4th album Food and Liquor II
Wasulu Muhammad Jaco from Illinois has been hip hopping me to boredom sine 1999.  I know, he is probably brilliant in the ears and eyes of the hip hop world I am not a member of, but I DO like the song Battle Scars.  
Looking Hot from No Doubt's 6th album Push and Shove
Also from California, since 1986 have played a ska version of pop rock that is candy to the MTV crowd and beyond.  This album is different from their past records, perhaps a matured version of their previous Grammy award winning selves.  Therefore, who knows where this record will go since awards tend to either be handed out to the newcomer, or the very old comer.  After all, Bob Dylan Bruce Springsteen, and Madonna have released albums this year.  It was difficult to just pick one track for my playlist this week.  Please check this album out.  



Lover's Eyes from Mumford and Sons 2nd album Babel
Grammy nominated band off their first album, this band started in 2007.  From the United Kingdom, this is only their second album but have been guests on SNL, Letterman, and many others.  Lots of hype and certainly from me as well.  Raising a glass to these folking rockstars.  

Telemiscommunications featuring Imogen Heap from Deadmau5's album Goes Here
A DJ from Canada,  Joel Thomas Zimmerman started mixing in 2005,  I am confused, bewildered, and bothered with his history of discography and tracking when he is Deadmau5 or someone else. 

  
I put a spell on you featuring Emma-Lee from Jesse Cook's album the Blue Guitar Sessions
Born in France and raised in Canada, Jesse was exposed to many music genres growning up.   His parents split, dad stayed in France and his neighbor happened to be the lead singer of the Gipsy Kings.   Jesse started in 1995 and this is perhaps my favorite release this week.  Hard to beat No Doubt, Green Day, et al, but what can I say?  He put a spell on me,  

New Music Tuesday September 18th 2012

Lots of 4th albums this week.  lots of exciting new releases. ENJOY!!!!

Rude from Dinosaur Jrs 10th album I Bet on the Sky
From Amherst Massachusetts, this is a very unique band.  Since 1984 and 10 albums of entertainment, Dinosaur Jr show up at your local music fests all year around. For example, headlined Musicfest NW Sept 8th at the Roseland.  If you missed them you can drive to Eugene 10/11 to the WOW hall to see them... 
A lil rock, a lil roll, and lots of rare usages of instruments.  I had no idea this bands new album would blow me away, nor did I have a clue how long they've been around.  I'm a fool for you, Dino

Crazytown from Aimee Manns album Charmer
I get Aimee mixed up with Allison Kraus all the time.  I think I finally know the difference.  Aimee is a songstress from Virginia who produced the whole soundtrack to the film Magnolia (suicidal).  Allison is a country girl who is on the soundtrack to O Brother Where art thou.  Ok ok.  I like Allison better, but Aimee wowd me with Crazytown as well as the title song Charmer.  The rest of her latest album is a little sad for me right now.  I want gusto and jazzy rock.  You can go to the Aladdin Theater 10/2 to hear Aimee yourself. 

Waterfalls from Dwight Yoakams 13th album 3 Pears
First, I saw that Dwight was releasing a new album and thought I'll probably skip reviewing him (like I did Kanye West and Kiesha this week).  His acting bothers me and I've heard stories about how he's kind of a jerk to deal with (could be an isolated situation, who knows).  He gave me the creeps in the Panic Room with Jody Foster, but then his role called for that character.  Not only do I love most of these songs, but I love his album art and title. Well done, you made me a country fan this week, Dwight.

Walk of Shame from Pinks album Truth about love
From Pennsylvania, Pinks been coloring our world with her music since 1995.  Alecia Beth Moore is known for her womans liberating kick your ass pop rock hip hop tattoos and pink hair.  I am sure Pink wouldn't wan't to be entirely remembered for her stint at the Moulin Rouge, but it's hot.  And Pink is a badass.  I think she's fantastic, and so should you.  

Miss Atomic Bomb from The Killers 4th album Battle Born
From our very own Vegas, The Name "The Killers" is derived from a logo on the bass drum of a fictitious band portrayed in the music video for the New Order song "Crystal" so says Wikipedia.  I love Brandon Flowers band.  Live I have had the pleasure of hearing them twice.  They evolve into their destined being, and I love it each time they produce a masterpiece for me to enjoy.  I love his voice...Formed in Las Vegas, this quartet has been entertaining my life since 2001 (actually 2004 when Hot Fuss was released in the US). They're Grammy nominated and NME award winning, collaborated with Tim Burton for their video Bones, and have entertained me live TWICE. I love this band, I love Brandon Flowers, and I've got soul AND I'm a soldier. Just sayin.

Dumpster World from Band of Horses 4th album Mirage Rock
Sounding like the 70's group that made you want to smoke weed, irocinally I think this band shoulda been a apart of the late 60's Lalapoloza bs.  
Since 2004 Band of Horses have been struggling with bandmates and direction, but have managed to continue hype and recognition. They are originally from Seattle Wa. But I got bored trying to track who are original members and who aren't. 

High Life from Nelly Fertado's 5th album Break Through
Well Nelly takes the bs away from the bullshitters this week with her High Life. Canadian, this Grammy winning songstress has been performing since 1996. I love Turn out the Lights no matter how over-played. Don't underestimate Nellys talents, she has produced a whole album in Spanish, which is impressive. You go Furtado. 

Symphony for the Devil from Rickie Lee Jones album Devil you know
Born in Chicago, made her way to Venice Beach CA by 19 and collaborated with a song writer, future chart toppers written. She's been singing since 1978, is a Grammy award winning and quite sought after in her emerging years. I had no idea she was with Tom Waits romantically. I feel like I've been missing a piece in music history not knowing that. Of course Chuck E's in Love may be her most well known hit... I downloaded this version of The Stones hit already because it would even impress Mick. 

Speakin Rounds from Grizzly Bears 4th album Sheilds
From Brooklyn, NYC and have been jammin as Grizzly Bear since 2002.  
I think I've seen them live but I just can't remember

Do It Anyway from Ben Folds Five 4th album Sound of the life of the mind
These North Carolinas crack me up! Formed in 1993, consider themselves an alternative rock band. I picked this track prior to the knowledge that the Fraggle Rock muppets are in the video!!!! Sweet Jesus!  

New Music Tuesday September 11th...

Heartache in Blue from ZZ Tops 15th album La Futura
You may not know ZZ Tops been around since 1969. From Houston Texas the same 3 headliners have been growin beards together and making guest appearances in films and tv shows alike. "Gibbons has also commented during live performances while playing the string-bending intro to 'Foxy Lady' that Hendrix taught him how to play the song when Gibbons was 'about 17'."  Their look is known around the world, which is why I'm posting their rad album cover:

Blue Stockings from Sea Wolfs 4th album Old World Romance
From LA, California, this indie rock band has been rotating band members since 2003.  If you want to see their current line up, go to the Doug Fir 11/3.   Truth be told I thought Sea Wolf was trying to hard to sound like Coldplay and only chose Blue Stockings because of the bookstore in NYC I thought was pretty killer. 

Duquesne Whistle from Bob Dylans 35th album The Tempest
Robert Allen Zimmerman from Duluth Minnesota.  Yep, this rolling stone is your average hippie American starting in '61.   My biggest respect to Bob is his album in 2006 'Modern Times' kicked ass and he's still writing poetry and makin thunder on the mountain.  Bob you're a genius. Thank you. 


February Seven from Avett Brothers 7th album Carpenter
The two boys are from North Carolina but created this band in Cali in 2000, bringing the folk rock Cali natives can't produce. I love this band.  




Dinner for two from David Byrne and St. Vincents album Love the Giant
Miss Annie Clark (St Vincent) is from Oklahoma, has her own 3 albums, and has been singing since 2003.  I love her music.   
"Her stage name is a reference to Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center where the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas died in 1953. 'It’s the place where poetry comes to die,' she has said. 'That’s me. ' However, in another interview she claimed that it was to honor her grandmother, whose middle name was also St. Vincent."
As for David Byrne, he's from Scotland, you know him since 1974 TalkingHeads as well as books, solos, and performing at the Oregon Zoo in 2004 (well I saw him then).   So these two collaborated and created an indie rock organism. 

Puerta from Calexico's 8th album Algiers
From Tucsan Arizona, these guys have been crazy busy since 1996.  Collaborating with other high profile indie musicians, producing EPs, and recording for many film soundtracks.   
  
October from Helio Sequence's 5th album Negotiations
How did I miss this band is from Beaverton??? For those of you who don't know, Beaverton is a suburb of Portland, Oregon.  I didn't think anything original has been produced from Beaverton in the last 15 yrs... They got Nike, Techtronix, Resers Fine Foods... But music? Errrr, nada.  Let's go --- Beavers!!!!  

I don't dance from DMX's 7th album Undisposed
I want to do a 'mash-up' of I don't dance by DMX and I won't dance by Frank Sinatra.  With that off my chest, Earl Simmons (dba DMX) came to Yonkers from Baltimore and created the artist known as DMX the  "Divine Master of the Unknown".   I had to ask my much more savvy to the rap/hiphop music industry friend why the hell should I know DMX? Her reply? :"You all gonna make lose my mind up in here up in here?".  I googled it... Earl started in 84 but only has 7 albums. Write, produce, record carefully my friend.  But you still aint my type.


Sing what you can't say from Hoobastanks 5th album Fight or Flight
I had a hard time googling Hoobastank til I realized I was googling 'Hoobaskank'.  Hahahaha... So this Cali metal ska band formed in 94. Not at all what I expected to hear. Half the album is absolutely ska metal, the other half is rock and roll.  





Sweet from Dave Matthews Band's 8th album Away from the World
From Virginia, Dave added select musicians for their immense talent, hence his quote to potential band mates: "I know this is a song I wrote and I like what you guys play, so I want you to play the way you react to my song." 
I've heard the band live twice and love them.  I'll like to travel the the Gorge Amphitheater some September for their annual End of Summer show one day.  I love their Live at Red Rocks album.  I believe even if you hate Daves voice, that live album will rock your socks off.  I had to travel to Ameoba in San Fran to find it.  Worth it. 


Winner from Pet Shop Boys 11th album Elysium
Apparently this band is UK's top selling duo ever.  Guess they didn't have their own versions of Hall and Oats, Simon and Garfunkel,  Salt n' Pepa.  This powerful duo started in '81 and created a remix for the hands down best tv show that started in the 90's  Absolutely Fabulous 

New Music Tuesday September 4th

Devils Dance from Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy's 8th album Rattle Them Bones
This Cali swing band started in the late 80's but didn't get their big break until appearing in the movie 'Swingers', also on the soundtrack. I bought said album in 96 when the film came out, falling in love with VooDoo's sass and sound. Totally thrilled am I that they are still writing music.

Manhattan from Cat Power's 9th album Sun

Charlyn Marie Marshall, known to the music industry as Cat Power, is from Georgia. I heard her interview on NPR (LINK) and learned Charlyn is terrified of singing in public. She can't relax her voice but has taught hersself a plethera of instruments. One piece of info I found quite fun is she babysat here in Portland. odd...

Need You Tonight from Richard Cheese's album Back in Black Tie

I love Mr Cheese. Thats all. Mark Jonathan Davis is from LA and adopted the name Richard Cheese in 2000. If you aren't familiar with his take on music, Richard likes to take well known hits from the rock, metal, and pop genres and lounge them up. You can see him live here in Portland in August of 2013, locale TBA.

Justin Bieber from Smashmouth's 6th album

This California band likes to poke fun, have fun, and be fun. They brought I'm a Believer back to popularity which I love.

Javelina! from The Sheepdogs 4th album The Sheepdogs
These Canadian dogs are my favorite release this week. They started in 2006 and had a hell of a time picking one song. will definately be downloading and checking out their older music.

The Heart has its reasons from Azure Ray"s EP As Above So Below

Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink met at art school and formed Azure Ray in Georgia circa 2008. They've been wishy-washy on keeping the band together from '04-'09. In 2010 they made an album. This is their 'dreampop' fifth album. I got a little depressed while listening to this, a bit like Sarah Mclachlan. I like it however....

How Long from Matchbox Twenty's 4th album North
These guys are from Florida, and started in 1995. I loved their overplayed radio hits of the 90's. 'Damn' is still a personal favorite. Plus you have admit Smooth is smooth. This album has potential to be a winner and I hope it is. Completely rooting for them.

 

Rosie Oh from Animal Collective's 9th album Centipede Hz
I didn't need to listen to the rest of the album after hearing this track. I didn't know what to expect, 9 albums since their '99 as Animal Collective of Maryland. Feel like should know this band but don't. I plan on it though. Got 8 other albums to edumacate myself now. Looking forward to it.