RIP - Jerry "The Guitar Man" Reed

so Jerry "The Guitar Man" Reed recently kicked it.   

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/arts/music/03reed.html

i had a short term fascination with Jerry a few years back... so this news got to me a bit.  and since my record player is temporarily out of service, i found myself trying to dig up digital versions of the songs i've only ever heard on scratched and poppy vinyl.  although i'll admit that  stylistically JR laid down more than his fair share of questionable material, as a guitar man his chops are bordering on unbelievable.  and when you combine his fretwork with his down-home Southern boy persona and that voice, he is in rare company.   but still few seem to know of him beyond a few hit songs from the early 70s or his cameo roles in the Smoky and the Bandit movies.  so i thought i'd take this opportunity to honor the memory of JR by sharing five tracks that I feel well represent him and his guitar.  

Ra Ra Riot "The Rhumb Line"

I often run at the YMCA and read Rolling Stone and Spin magazines looking for reviews of new, unfound records. Last week, I read about a Syracuse, NY band called Ra Ra Riot.  The review really got my attention with this paraphrased quote, "Ra Ra Riot combine Arcade Fire's Orch Pop sound  with Vampire Weekend's pop sensibilities creating an album that is both effervescent and heartbreaking." That was enough for me to download it. Check out tracks 1, 5, & 6. 

Doomtree

After numerous solo releases and pseudo-official compilations, the Doomtree collective has released their first official full length album. Self titled, this album features the best of the Twin Cities underground punk and hip-hop scene. If you are a fan of Atmosphere or P.O.S., then check this out.

Pretty Things - Parachute

Here is another album from the late 60's early 70's. The Pretty Things, Parachute was named "Album of the Year" in 1970 by Rolling Stone Magazine. It beat out: Let it Be by the Beatles, Layla by Derek and the Dominoes, Morrison Hotel by the Doors, Pearl by Janis Joplin, After the Gold Rush by Neil Young, Moondance by Van Morrison, and Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel. The melodies and guitar work are excellent. Give it a listen and tell me what you think.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow was an underrated '60s psych-pop band that was a cross between Barrett-era Floyd and the Beatles Revolver period. With quirky English characters, backwards tapes, Eastern modalities, baroque keyboard touches, and trippy british lyrics, it is vintage psychedelia. Tomorrow had some well known musicians: John Adler (The Pretty Things), Steve Howe (Yes), and Keith West. Tomorrow never really made it big. This is their one and only album.

David Byrne and Brian Eno, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

The new album is now posted. There is a good review on the TIMESONLINE site.

Ben Folds Way to Normal

Ben's forthcoming album is set to be released on 9/30/08. He has been playing songs off his new album for the couple of months during his live shows. A few weeks ago a member of BenFolds.org. Said he had 9 tracks off the studio album, and was very down on the album. This is what Combing the internets this is what I have found out:

New Ben songs leaked, by somebody, maybe Ben himself. There are songs with the same names of the new songs that he played live this year, but they are different songs. There are other new songs. There are songs that aren't on the album. There are possibly real songs.

That's it. Everybody is speculating. The only truth right now is that 9 songs that are definitely Ben were leaked.

So there you have it. Other things I know is the cover art with these tracks are is not the cover art that was listed in Stereogum's recent article.

Unfortunatly the concenus between the internets fans is that the 9 songs are blotted self referential pop music that is more akin to Weezer then anything else. I have to disagree,the songs are good, not great, but very very catchy. Are these the real tracks? Are these fake tracks? Are they a mix of both? I guess we will have to wait until 9/30 to find out.

Also for you is the video for Hiroshima


On a side note Stereogum is a great place for all kinds of music news, and free mp3s. Check it out.

That is all


***************Update***********************************************

Ben admits the album is fake. He leaked it himself. Totally Awesome

Read it here in Rolling Stone

*****************end of update*************************************

Yes Fragile

In the pantheon of 70's prog rock Yes has stood the test of time. Their albums still have the great hooks of a well crafted pop song still remaining true to the essence of prog.

The band's breakthrough album, dominated by science-fiction and fantasy elements and new member Rick Wakeman, whose organ, synthesizers, Mellotrons, and other keyboard exotica added a larger-than-life element to the procedings. Ironically, the album was a patchwork job, hastily assembled in order to cover the cost of Wakeman's array of instruments. But the group built effectively on the groundwork left by The Yes Album, and the group had an AM-radio sucker-punch, aimed at all of those other progressive bands who eschewed the notion of hit singles, in the form of "Roundabout," the edited version (sort of "highlights" of the album version) of which pulled in millions of young kids who'd never heard them before. The single clicked, most album-buyers liked the long version and all of the rest of what they found, and the band was made.

That is all.

Hold Steady-Stay Positive

Brooklyn's super cool Minnesota band The Hold Steady just released their 4th album entitled "Stay Positive."  Here in the cities the Hold Steady are praised as rock royalty; what I can't figure out is why.  I have three theories: 1) they are a good band, 2) some of the members of the band are from the Twin Cities (and Minnesota LOVES to celebrate its own) or 3) its cool for hipsters outside Minnesota to listen to music about another town.* 

Nevertheless, the Hold Steady's 4th record is much like their previous three. Its Bruce Springsteen's E-Street band playing blue-collar rock n roll while a guy in a Twins jersey talks about the relationships of made-up people.  The Current is playing tracks 1, 2, & 8 as the singles. Enjoy because I like the Hold Steady.

Final thought: The Twin's catcher Joe Mauer (from MN) should be nicknamed Hold Steady. He, like the band, is from Minnesota,  catcher's help to "hold" runners on base, and finally, Joe takes pitches and is a very consistent or "steady" presence in the middle of Gardy's line-up. 

*Steal.this.song founder Kyle came up with this theory. 

Sigur Ros: Part Deux

Reuploaded the Sigur Ros file. Sorry for any frustration. It's worth the wait.

If the .Mac file isn't working, give this link a try:

Sigur Ros

Happy Listening.

Dengue Fever-Venus on Earth

Here are some reviews for this album.
http://www.realworldrecords.com/catalogue/venus-on-earth

Beck teams up with Danger Mouse to create an interesting record that has rich electronic texturing, subdued baselines, funky beats, 1960s sound, and happy/sad lyrics. Turn it up and give it a listen.

Sigur Ros: Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust

These guys never disappoint. Paul was talking up track one, but I love me some track two. It's much less their typical speed and I dig it. There are themes that run through their music, and I'd like to see them rock out a bit more on this album, but the vocals are great and I love that I can't understand the lyrics. This means these guys get heavy play while I slay the dissertation monster. Enjoy.

Listening Party, Pat Boone, Scarlett Waits?

Okay , first I think it is awesome that my Itunes library classifies Listening Party as "folk". I mean I guess. But they are not James Taylor or Iron and Wine. Anyhow cool band from Canada that is touring with Wolf Parade and that Paul, Greg, and myself took a shining to. This album is called "Who are we missing?"

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=74527025


The second album I posted is an oldie but goodie, prolly all but forgotten Pat Boone album of 80's metal covers, "In a Metal Kind of Mood." It rocks.

Third, at first I thought to myself: "How long have I been sleeping to not know that there is an album on which Scarlett Johannson does Tom Waits covers?" And then I heard it. Two rights do not make another right in this case. It's awful. Luckily I heard before I bought it on some strange combination of impulse and amorousness. Here is a link:

http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/04/scarlett-johann.html

Arthur Brown The Crazy World of Arthur Brown

Weird late 60's British Psychedelia. Drop a tab and sit back and listen. I am the god of hell fire and I bring you FIRE!

For your pleasure there is this:

the heavy - great vengeance & furious fire

the Brits have done it again.  the Coleen single got my attention with it's 70s soul funk throwback sound (curtis mayfield mostly comes to mind)... and dare i say it, the infectious grooves wouldn't leave me alone (ok said it).  I was pleasantly surprised to find the album didn't disappoint.  i give you... the heavy.

Wolf Parade-At Mount Zoomer

As much as I, a Minnesotan, enjoys make fun of Canada (our maple leafed friends to the north rank slightly lower then Wisconsinites) their brand of indie rock is currently the best in the world. Next year when the best of the decade lists start to show up many Canadian bands will be ranked near the top. Think about this list of currently great bands: Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, and the New Pornographers. 

Wolf Parade must be placed on this list. 

Their debut "Apologies to Queen Mary" should be on constant rotation in everyone's iTunes. Trying to avoid a Vs. or In Utero (yes, a throwback to grunge rock) Wolf Parade's sophomore record will, inevitably & unfairly, be labeled as a sophomore slump record. Its not as good as their first, but still a very good record. I am excited to see them at First Ave. on July 9. As for recommended tracks...after one list try 1, 2,3, & 7 to start. 

The Swell Season - Live in Madison, WI at Overture Hall 6/16/08

A year ago, I took Kristen to see the movie Once on it's opening weekend, because it starred Glen Hansard, lead singer of The Frames, a band that she unequivocally worships. It was a wonderful little movie that contained some wonderful music, and it did really well for a tiny little independent Irish movie. Later that year, it started gaining steam as an award contender, getting nominated for a couple Grammys, winning Best Foreign Film at The Independent Spirit Awards, and culminated with a Best Music Oscar win for Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Truly, an "out of nowhere" movie if there ever was one.

Soon after their Oscar win, they announced a tour in support of the film and the music within it, and lo & behold they had a Madison date. Of course Kristen and I went, and it was a spectacular show.

This upload is that concert. Highlights for me were "Seven Day Mile", Glen's completely unplugged version of "Say It To Me Now", and their beautifully layered climax "Fitzcarraldo." Enjoy.

P.S. If anyone wants the actual soundtrack to Once, just leave a comment. Also, I uploaded the original .zip file I got, instead of archiving it myself. Let me know if there's any problems with downloading it.

P.P.S. I noticed some of you are uploading stuff but not blogging about it. C'mon, let us know it's out there! I don't open the drive unless I see something on the blog about it.

Tapes N Tapes "Walk It Off"

New Tapes N Tapes.

Its an OK record. 

Cloud Cult-Feel Good Lost

This is the new Cloud Cult record "Feel Good Ghosts." I am excited to see them at the Walker in on the 21st. The first 2 tracks are a great example of the busy, yet, genuine Twin Cities Rock n Roll. On the way to a Hulk screening, Greg and discussed if they are Christian rock band. If anyone knows or has a theory-please share.  

Finally, if people want I can post their previous release "The Meaning of the 8" I will post that.