Category Archives: new albums

December 9, 2009 · 11:46 am

Upcoming: US Album Debut

The Uncomfortable Truth

With two albums out since 2007, Nneka is already an established singer, songwriter and rapper…in the UK. But, this powerful woman with roots in Nigeria and Germany is ready for the States to hear her roar.

Nneka has been compared to Erykah Badu, Mos Def, and Lauryn Hill. She’s played with The Roots, and toured with Lenny Kravitz. Her US album debut, Concrete Jungle, is set for release February 2, 2010. The album is full of soulful, meaningful and catchy songs that can’t be ignored. Her voice is “located between a place of yearning and rage.” Nneka addresses important issues through her music, and still manages to keep her audience entertained. To me, she’s the breakthrough voice we need for the new generation.

Her first released single from Concrete Jungle is “The Uncomfortable Truth.” Have a listen, you might hear something you didn’t expect and have a new favorite female vocalist.

MP3: The Uncomfortable Truth

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October 15, 2009 · 3:32 pm

No Tigers and Bears

Just lions. Hundreds of them.

EM

Erin McKeown’s new album Hundreds of Lions just became available on Tuesday.  She’s been described as a quirky folky singer kind of gal. Think Ani DiFranco (who she’s toured with).

After having a listen to the album, I have decided (as usual) to share my favorites with you! First is “The Foxes” which I’ll be posting up a video for it shortly. I also really like “The Boats” and “The Rascal”. Oh, and “28” is a really pretty song.

She’s currently on tour with Jill Sobule. Check out this list of where they’ll be…as you can see it’s a busy schedule!

10/17: Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall  
10/19: Vienna, VA @ Jammin’ Java
10/20: Easton, MD @ Coffee East
10/21: Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern
10/22: Charlotte, NC @ The Evening Muse
10/23: Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle
10/25: Nashville, TN @ The Basement
10/26: Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone Cafe
10/27: Birmingham, AL @ The Bottletree
10/28: Decatur, GA @ Eddie’s Attic 
10/29: Athens, GA @ The Melting Point
10/30: Louisville, KY @ Jim Porter’s Good Time Emporium
11/01: Lexington, KY @ Al’s Bar
11/02: Lexington, KY @ Kentucky Theater
11/04: Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark
11/05: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern 
11/06: Buffalo, NY @ The Ninth Ward 
11/07: Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel Club Lounge
11/08: Chicago, IL @ Old Town School of Folk Music
11/09: Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon 
11/10: Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Centre
11/12: Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
11/14: Portland, OR @ The Woods
11/15: Ashland, OR @ Stillwater
11/17: Santa Cruz, CA @ The Crepe Place
11/18: San Francisco, CA @ Cafe du Nord
11/19: Stanford, CA @ Stanford Coffee House – Stanford University
11/20: Santa Monica, CA @ McCabe’s Guitar Shop 
11/21: Santa Barbara, CA @ SohO Restaurant & Music Club 
11/22: San Diego, CA @ Casbah 
11/27: Denver, CO @ Walnut Room 
11/29: Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar 
11/30: St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway 
12/03: Asbury Park, NJ @ The Saint 
12/04: New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
12/05: Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
12/06: Goshen, MA @ The IMA Big Barn
12/10: Portland, ME @ One Longfellow Square
12/11: South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Lounge
12/12: Becket, MA @ Dream Away Lodge
12/13: Providence, RI @ The Speakeasy @ Local 121
12/17: Arlington, VA @ IOTA Club & Cafe

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September 29, 2009 · 3:17 pm

45:33 Remixed

4533

Almost 2 years ago, LCD Soundsystem came out with their album 45:33. The first 6 tracks were known only as Part 1, Part 2, Part 3…, with the last 3 tracks (which were originally only available in the UK) having actual names.

Now, they’ve got a whole list of DJ remixes for the release earlier this week of 45:33 Remixes.

4533R

I’d take a listen on Amazon before purchasing it, though. I’m a big fan of LCD Soundsystem, but I didn’t find this album worth the $10 mp3 album download.

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September 23, 2009 · 11:40 am

Debut Historics Album

Historics

Strategies for Apprehension is the Historics new debut album. The band includes many a musicians, including Mickey Madden of Maroon 5. If that doesn’t amuse you, let me ask you to forget I just said that and give the Historics a listen, anyway. Their track “Skin Orders” has nothing Maroon 5-ish about it.

The album is as eclectic as it is distinct, featuring art-rock soundcapes and bittersweet melodies. It’s experimental, catchy, and never boring or similar. For instance, after hearing “Skin Orders” you think you’ve got an idea of the band’s sound. Then, you hear “Two Tons” and most everything you previously thought gets thrown out the window. It’s full of rock with an electronic twinge you didn’t hear in the other song.

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Click on the banner above, and if you’re a member of Amie Street — preview the album (particularly “Fanfare” and “Taverns” and DOWNLOAD IT!!!! I am!

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September 18, 2009 · 3:53 pm

Shwayze Next Month

This month, new artist Anjulie has began her tour with Shwayze. Her music video for her smash dance hit “Boom” was up for nomination for “Breakout Video” at the MTV Video Music Awards. Her songs have also been featured on shows like “The Hills” and “The City”.

But, I’m more excited to share that Shwayze (Aaron Smith) will be performing with Anjulie in Pittsburgh on October 3rd, at Diesel in the Southside.

buzzworthymtv

Did you hear his hits “Buzzin” and “Corona and Lime” last summer? I did, and I immediately liked this California chill-hop rapper. He works a lot with Cisco Adler, too, who you may (or may not) remember as being an old flame of Mischa Barton’s.

In March 2009, Shwayze released a non-album track called “Rock n’ Roll” for free download on his MySpace page. They also released a music video on YouTube. The new album, Let it Beat, will be released November 3rd.

Anjulie / Shwayze Tour Dates:
9/15: Houston, TX @ House of Blues
9/16: Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
9/17: Lawrence, KS @ Grenada Theatre 
9/22: Milwaukee, WI @ TBD
9/23: Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
9/24: East Lansing, MI @ The Small Planet
9/25: Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s Concert Club
9/26: Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero Theatre
9/28: Norwalk, VA @ Norva
9/29: Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
9/30: New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place 
10/1: Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
10/2: South Hackensack, NJ @ School of Rock
10/3: Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel
10/4: New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
10/6: Providence, RI @ Lupo’s
10/7: Boston, MA @ Harper’s Ferry
10/9: Buffalo, NY @ Frightworld Buffalo

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September 2, 2009 · 10:48 am

Break Up

Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson

A few years ago, Pete Yorn recorded some duets with Scarlett Johansson. September 15, the album Break Up will finally be released!

Click here to watch the exclusive video for “Relator”.

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September 1, 2009 · 3:47 pm

Subcontrario (In Stereo)

subcontrario

Last month, Dovecote Records released a debut album from Trevor Giuliani called Subcontrario (In Stereo).

Trevor’s music has been compared to Andrew Bird and Sufjan Stevens. It’s  experimental folk-pop music that soothes ya to the core.  Giuliani has been sharing the stage with the likes of Cass McCombs, Papercuts, Richard Buckner, and more.

Check out his song, “Wasting Your Town” by clicking here.

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August 4, 2009 · 1:33 pm

Massive but Random

I’ve got loads of music news today; but it’s all going to be quite random…so brace yourselves.

FIRST of all, I’d like to mention that Modest Mouse is releasing an 8-track EP today called No One’s First, and You’re Next. They aren’t totally new songs, but rather new versions of outtakes from previous albums. Probably a good thing for anyone that isn’t very familiar with MM’s older stuff. Yes, they did exist before “Float On”.

Next, but of little importance, is the “comeback” of Limp Bizkit. I really have nothing to say about it, I’m only mentioning it because I just read a brief article of their reunion. If YOU are interested in reading more about it, then here’s the link I was looking at: “Limp Bizkit to Make U.S. Comeback, For Some Reason”

RATATAT will be releasing a new album sometime soon, though at this time, I don’t know when (and it’s bugging me!). What I DO know, is that Kid Cudi (the guy that does that song “Day n’ Nite”) is a fan. I like Kid Cudi’s popular single, but I did do a run through on his album and I think it might be the only song I really like. BUT, that’s not to say that others will like it. Plus, who knows? Maybe it’ll grow on me. I will say that Kid Cudi is much cooler than I originally thought just because Ratatat is an inspiration to him. And that the duo collaborated on Cudi’s debut Man on the Moon: The End of the Day (release date: September 15).

Other albums coming out in the near future:

August 18th – Cascada, Sean Paul, and Division Day (which I will be reviewing)

August 24th – David Guetta

August 25th – Imogen Heap, Matisyahu, Mew, Arctic Monkeys, and Jet

September 1st – Datarock

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July 8, 2009 · 2:21 pm

Sunset Rubdown’s Dragonslayer

Dragonslayer

Dragonslayer is Sunset Rubdown’s (technically) fourth album, but I’d consider it their third because their first LP was more of a solo project by lead singer Spencer Krug released in 2005. Their second album is when the project became more of an actual band, with their album Shut Up I Am Dreaming. Despite their status as comparatively venerable on tributes to the indie scene, Sunset Rubdown doesn’t get very much attention.

I wasn’t sure what I thought about the album when I first listened to it. Actually, I’m still not sure. I enjoy it, and there’s no doubt that it’s good, but it isn’t likely to fall into my music rotation this summer.

The first song, “Silver Moons”, features a piano and is a good starting point. “Idiot Heart” is quickly becoming one of the most listened to tracks on Dragonslayer. It’s one of the better songs on the album, and some parts even remind me of The Cars. Tracks three and four both sound the same to me and I can skip over them without hesitation. “

“You Go on Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)” is another very likeable song that’s worth mentioning, but my favorite is “Nightingale/December Song.” It begins with drums and sounds just like Mahjongg.

Then, we get a few electro-pop sounds before Krug’s voice bursts onto the scene. You’d never expected this sound to emerge when the song began. At the end of the second verse, Krug croons, “You need the one who slowly burns/and burns to stay alive/In this way you will come find me in December.” Then, we have an instrumental intermission before the third verse that is so riveting you’ll want to play it over and over.

Another point to mention that may (or may not) draw you to have a listen, is that Spencer Krug is also the lead singer in the more widely-known band, Wolf Parade. If you’re a fan of Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective, you especially should give Sunset Rubdown a chance.

 

 

*This article is also found at Pop Damage

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June 30, 2009 · 3:55 pm

NEW Moby Album Out TODAY!


Here’s the video for “Pale Horses” from Moby’s new album Wait for Me.

If you’re interested in purchasing the whole album, please do so from Humane Domain. All purchases made through the site help farm animals, which is also a cause Moby cares about deeply.

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