Your favorite alt/psych/country/rock band The Sadies have a new LP out May 18th via Yep Roc titled Darker Circles. This is their follow-up to 2007's critically acclaimed New Seasons LP and it finds the band once again collaborating with producer Gary Louris (Jayhawks).
There's a fancy little widget below that'll let you stream four new tracks from the album, and I must say this stuff sounds like classic Sadies.
You can pre-order the LP from Yep Roc HERE, or ask your local record shop if they can stock it, you know it's gonna be worth $20.
If your musical listening tendencies have ever leaned towards the country side of things, if your ears perk up when you hear a pedal steel, or if you like your music with a side of REAL, then this band is for you.
One Hundred Dollars have recently issued the 2nd installment of their Regional 7" Series via Vancouver based Deranged Records and it's a barn burner. The idea behind the series is to write a song about the area from which the record label is based, in this case Vancouver's lower east side is the setting and life on its streets is the subject. Heavy stuff to say the least, and Simone Schmidt's vocals paint a grim picture. This is something this band does really well, their subject matter is often dark and deals with the not-so-sunny side of life, as I mentioned earlier ..... REAL. There's nothing overly flashy about the playing on this single, the music serves the song the way only true country can. Stew Crookes is killer on pedal steel and the rhythm section holds down a steady groove. What really makes this band unique is Simone Schmidt's vocal delivery, no one sounds like this girl, her voice is instantly recognizable and suits this genre incredibly well. Venture over to exclaim! to hear this tune then order yourself a copy of this single, you'll be glad you did. If you like what you hear you can also grab the first installment of the Regional 7" Series over at the Blue House.
The band released a full length album titled Forest of Tears on Blue Fog Recordings back in 2008 which is a great album in it's own right, although it's odd it hasn't received a vinyl release considering it's on the Blue Fog label. Hopefully that's in the works for a future release. Check out the band in action at Rick White's elder schoolhouse during the recording of their lp.
When searching for new music I often find myself browsing the rosters of the record labels of bands that I really like. A perfect example of this is my fairly recent discovery of Andre Ethier's music. I've been a fan of Rick White for some time, and the label he's called home for the past decade or so has been Blue Fog Recordings. After visiting their MySpace page I quickly realized that they had a spectacular back catalog with artist such as the Unintended, One Hundred Dollars, Castlemusic, and several others including our subject for the day Andre Ethier.
Andre is the former lead singer of seminal Canadian garage rockers the Deadly Snakes. Upon that bands demise he started releasing solo records and although he still has some bite to his vocals the music itself is a little more laid back, much the same way Dylan pulled back the reigns after Blonde on Blonde. He has four solo albums to his credit, the first of which Andre Ethier With Christopher Sandes Featuring Pickles and Price was released in 2004 while he was still with the Deadly Snakes. 2006's Secondathalam, 2007's On Blue Fog, and 2008's Born of Blue Fog all followed with each record being better than the last. Acoustic guitars, keys, percussion, and horns can all be found in Ethier's mixed bag of tunes, his melodies and earnest vocal delivery always giving each track their own unique flavor.
His albums are available on CD from Paper Bag Records and Sonic Unyon, but finding some of his music on vinyl has proven to be a difficult task. He put out a ltd 7" single on Dull Knife last year which sold out very quickly from what I've read, and recently Les Disques Steak issued a 4 track 12" EP compiling songs from his Blue Fog releases. As far as I know this is a Euro release only, but thanks to the wonders of the internet buying a copy shouldn't be too hard so long as you act quickly, they're ltd to 500 copies. I received my copy this past Friday from Germany's X-Mist mail order shop and the sound quality is nothing short of stunning.
For your listening pleasure I present to you Pride of Egypt, a track that appears on the s/t 12" EP and originally released on the On Blue Fog album. Following that is a live version of Cop Killer.
You've Changed Records is one my favorite labels going. It's an artist run indie label who prides itself on quality, not quantity .... as evidenced by their 3 official releases over the past year. I count each of their releases among some of the best music I own, which is why I'm VERY excited about news of an upcoming tour by Daniel, Fred & Julie!!!
Daniel Romano is one of the artists behind You've Changed Records, you may know him from his stellar band Attack In Black. He had an idea to record a few new songs and some old standards in an old school way, one microphone, a four track tape machine, and some acoustic guitars. The making of the record was detailed nicely by Daniel over on the Hero Hill blog, check it out, it's a nice little read. Recorded in Fred Squire's garage with a some vocal assistance by Julie Doiron, this album is a real slow burner and very easy on the ears. I find myself listening to this record in the morning while making breakfast, or sitting on the back porch. It's just an all around great listen with an old time vibe.
The video below is from a club date the trio did in Berlin last fall. Runnerwas penned by Romano and is one of the stand out tracks on the album. Do yourself a favor and catch these guys live if you can, tour dates below.
MP3 the Gambler & his Bride - Daniel, Fred & Julie
I've decided to attempt a revival of this blog. It's not going to be a full podcast as I just don't have the time to put one of those together each week, but what I will be doing is posting songs I like along with a little blurb about the band and where to buy the music (vinyl anyone?!?!).
I stumbled across this tune last week and cannot get it out of my head! It's straight-up power chord rock with a chorus that rejoices in all things SUMMER. Unnatural Helpers are from Seattle and are on Hardly Art, a Sub Pop subsidiary label chalk full of cool little bands.
This tune is from their soon-to-be-released 'Cracked Love & Other Drugs' lp, and it's also getting a 7" single release. Only 500 hand numbered copies of the 7" single are being pressed so act fast if you want one. (pre-order HERE).
So I was skimming my favorite music blogs this morning and came across the wonderful sounds of Hacienda. This band needs a moment of your precious time so they can proceed to blow your mind. This San Antonio quartet have found just the right mix of roots/indie rock to keep you locked into their fantastic little groove. Their new album was produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, and they're currently touring with one of my current favorites, Dr Dog.
Use the interactive play list below to sample the tracks, or just click HERE to stream a few choice cuts form their new album, you'll be glad you did.
So, David Byrne and Brian Eno made a record, and they want you to hear it (what a concept!!). Click the PLAY button below to listen to the album. Enjoy!
1. Orphans - Beck 0:00 2. In Field & Town - Hayden 3:17 3. Modern Music - Black Mountain 7:08 4. Singing to the Earth - Apollo Sunshine 9:53 5. Language City - Wolf Parade 13:13 6. Bangers & Mash - Radiohead 18:18 7. Broke - Beta Band 21:38 8. Take the Bench - Sloan 26:19 9. Dead Flowers - the Rolling Stones 39:10 10. Record Body Count - the Local Rabbits 43:15 11. Oceans & Stream - the Black Keys 47:21 12. Top Yourself - the Raconteurs 50:47 13. All Passed By - the Unintended 55:13 14. Darkness on the Face of the Earth - Willie Nelson 59:29 15. Perfect Day - Lou Reed 1:03:13
