Thursday, April 03, 2008

Brostash


So it's been a while since my last post. I've been busy with a few other "projects" but I'm hoping to get back on track with the weekly podcasts soon. Although I've been busy I have picked up some new music recently and wanted to pass some of it along for your listening pleasure. Big thanks to NYC Ian for sending me a solid mix by mail, it's been in heavy rotation in the car all week and a few tracks are present in the mix below.
And now.... the breakdown.

Dope Fiends and BoozeHounds - the Inbreds (Rheostatics Tribute, the Secret Sessions)
Covering a song isn't an easy thing to do when the band you are attempting to cover is one of the most original Canadian rock bands of all time. The Inbreds were very much up to the task with their interpretation of this Rheostatics classic. The track is from one of the better tribute albums I've heard in a long time titled "Rheostatics Tribute - the Secret Sessions". Fans of the Canadian idie rock scene will no doubt recognize several of the bands who appear on the album. Download it for yourself over at zunior.com

Beautiful Sorta - Ryan Adams & the Cardinals (Cold Roses)
From my favorite Ryan Adams record, one of three albums he released in 2005 alone, this track finds RA & the Cardinals working out their rock & roll chops like only they can.

Man-Sized Wreath - R.E.M. (Accelerate)
R.E.M. is BACK! Their new album 'Accelerate' is a true return to form with the band turning up the volume and rocking out HARD on this new release. They haven't sounded this good since 1996's 'New Adventures in Hi-Fi'. Buy this record, you won't be disappointed.

All Over Town - No North (Beyond the Black)
This is an excellent track NYC Ian put on a mix for me recently. It's a straight up shot of indie/garage rock with hints of the VU and the Black Keys. For a live version of this track click here

Down - Ben Kweller (On My Way)
No stranger to the podcast, yet another solid tune from Ben Kweller.

Ain't It Strange - Dr. Dog (We All Belong)
Stewart Mason described the band best when he said "Philadelphia indie pop act Dr. Dog is part of a long tradition of D.I.Y. pop oddballs who blend unapologetic '60s pop worship with lo-fi recording techniques and a complete disregard of current trends". They combine the pop sensibilities of the Beatles with the sonic experimentation of the Velvet Underground, and throw in a touch of 2007 for good measure. My favorite band of the moment.

Lowdown - Tom Waits (Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards)
This guy is about as original as they get. With a career spanning over 35 years, and roughly 33 albums to his credit, Tom Waits is an artist in the truest sense of the word. I am by no means a devout follower, but the stuff of his that I have heard is incredible. This track is from a compilation of rarities and unreleased songs titled 'Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards' released in 2006.

I Burn Today - Frank Black (Honeycomb)
One of my all-time favorite recording artists, Frank Black is both incredibly talented and prolific (an excellent combo if there ever was one). After disbanding the Pixies in '93 he changed his performing name from Black Francis to Frank Black and a solo career was born! He has a sometimes backing band called "the Catholics", but this track finds him performing with ace Nashville session musicians Steve Crooper and Spooner Oldham to create a more intimate sound.

Unless It's Kicks - Okkervile River (the Stage Names)
These guys are one of MANY great acts recording for the Jagjaguwar label

Andy Warhol - Danny Michel (Loving the Alien)
Danny Michel's album of Bowie covers is one I go back to time and time again. So good.

Open Doors - Josh Ritter (The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter)
I picked up this album on a tip from my brother a few months back and it's been in steady rotation ever since. Judge for yourself.

If You Gotta Go, Go Now - Bob Dylan (Bootleg Series Vol 1-3)
In honor of Bob's recent announcement that he'll be touring the Maritimes this spring I thought I'd feature one of my favorite Dylan tunes. Originally recorded during the 'Bringing it All Back Home' sessions, this track was only ever officially released as a single in the Netherlands in 1967 (backed w/ the b side 'To Ramona') before appearing as part of the Bootleg Series Vol 1-3. Definitely one of the funnest songs from the Dylan catalogue.

Baby Come On Home - Baby Eagle (No Blues)
Fans of the Constantines will want to check out this interesting Steve Lambke side project. Recorded in Sackville & Toronto with members of Shotgun & Jaybird, this album is very much a departure from the Constantines sound and showcases Lambke's chops as a singer/songwriter.

While You Were Sleeping - Elvis Perkins (Ash Wednesday)
Here's another song that was sent my way from NYC Ian. It's a nice little tune that just keeps building, layers and layers of instruments are added with every verse, combined with Perkin's voice this makes for a sweet closing track for this week.

Adios

MD

tracklist
1. Dope Fiends and Booze Hounds - the Inbreds 0:00
2. Beautiful Sorta - Ryan Adams & the Cardinals 4:42
3. Man-Sized Wreath - R.E.M. 7:40
4. All Over Town - No North 10:13
5. Down - Ben Kweller 13:49
6. Ain't It Strange - Dr. Dog 17:56
7. Lowdown - Tom Waits 22:21
8. I Burn Today - Frank Black 26:34
9. Unless It's Kicks - Okkervile River 30:35
10. Andy Warhol - Danny Michel 35:12
11. Open Doors - Josh Ritter 37:48
12. If You Gotta Go, Go Now - Bob Dylan 40:22
13. Baby Come On Home - Baby Eagle 43:13
14. While You Were Sleeping - Elvis Perkins 45:20

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