Mike Doughty - Sad Man Happy Man

aka "Mike Doughty Rediscovers the Cello." This album has Doughty going back to his roots. And I mean that in 2 ways....his Soul Coughing roots are being revisited in the form of out-of-tune string instruments popping up on a bunch of songs. And also, this album sounds much more like Skittish than it does like either of his two newer albums...meaning it's a lot of (but not exclusively) just him and a guitar, no band. Which, in the end, makes this much less of a pop album than his previous two were. I gotta admire the effort by Mike, and this "progression" mostly succeeds. A few songs are strange just for the sake of it, and it's at those moments the album unfortunately stumbles a bit. But it wouldn't be a Mike Doughty album without those "experiments", so I've learned to expect them, if not embrace them. At least there isn't a "More Bacon Than The Pan Can Handle" track this time. *shudders*
(This review brought to you by your local Mike Doughty enthusiast. My apologies if you didn't follow what I was saying. I'm not usually this elitist.)

Built to Spill - "There Is No Enemy"

Here's Built to Spill's new album. I've only discovered these guys about 4 years ago, even though they were making music while I was in high school in the mid-nineties, their music doesn't feel old or dated to me. I'm not really able to tell you what this sounds like or if it's novel or anything, I just know I love their sound. This new album is quite fantastic, one of their better albums, so if you dig 'em, rock out.

Alice in Chains - "Black Gives Way To Blue"

Alice in Chains comes out with their first new album in over a decade. The new lead singer sounds a lot like Layne Staley (maybe too much like him?), but maybe that's just Jerry Cantrell's backing vocals making it seem closer than it really is. Either way, the Alice in Chains sound seems to be perfectly intact. I'm digging it.

Brother Ali – Us

Ali's fourth full-length album and his third with veteran Rhymesayers producer Ant. I haven't given this a proper listen yet so I can't give my full opinion. But you should already know this is worth downloading if not buying with your hard earned dollars. You can get it for just $7.49 over at LaLa. Support local Hip-Hop.

Enjoy.

The Baseball Project – Volume 1: Frozen Ropes And Dying Quails

In honor of the baseball season coming to a close and the Cubs telling Milton Bradley wear to stick it, I bring you The Baseball Project. The side project of a side project, The Baseball Project brings together Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, Linda Pitmon, and Steve Wynn. This album is for anyone who likes baseball history and/or the musical styling of bands like The Minus 5, REM, The Young Fresh Fellow among other 90s alternative college rock.

So, download, listen and think about America's pastime. And as long as the Cubs keep beating the Brewers, hopefully we won't have to see any more ridiculous stuff like this.

Enjoy.

Califone – All My Friends are Funeral Singers

All My Friends are Funeral Singers is a movie. All My Friends are Funeral Singers is an album.

All My Friends Are Funeral Singers Trailer from Califone on Vimeo.

Califone is a band from Chicago. You should already know that.

Enjoy.

Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons--Death Won't Send a Letter

One of my good friends went to school with Cory (he's a Wisconsin boy), and he's been trying to get me to a show in the Twin Cities for the last five years. Now that I've finally left, I regret I never went. This album is fantastic. It's moving up the ranks on iTunes (currently 39). Cory has a great voice, solid guitar work, and songwriting. There's a touch of the country music I like here (is that snobbish?). Check out the Born Again and My Heart Would Be There. And when they're in town next, hit up the show. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Blue Scholars - Bayani

After Kyle hooked us up with Blue Scholars' first album, I loved it, and so I purchased their follow-up album (on lala, which has the best prices for mp3 albums). If you liked the first, you'll like this one too.

Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

The Airbourne Toxic Event

Despite the horrible band name, I bought this album after hearing this one song. I haven't listened to the album much, I just got it, but it seems like they have a kind of "The Killers meets Jimmy Eat World" alt-anthem-rock type thing. Take a listen and see if it grabs you like it did me.

EDIT: Ya know guys, after further review, this album isn't very good. Other than 2 or 3 decent songs, it's actually kind of annoying. I'd still be interested to hear what you guys think of it though...

Blue Scholars - Blue Scholars

Blue Scholars brand of smart, positive hip-hop first caught my ear with their song Fire for the People. This 2004 self-titled album shows the potential of this Seattle based crew. If you like this, check out their 2007 release, Bayani.

Enjoy.

Greenhouse Effect - Columbus or Bust

Greenhouse Effect was Blueprint's hip-hop outlet prior hooking up with RJD2 and putting Columbus on the scene. Columbus or Bust is the 2005 reinvention of this Weightless Records crew since loosing fellow emcee Inkwel to God. Check this out if you like Blueprint, Soul Position or underground hip-hop in general.

Enjoy.

my fave three Stones albums for Kevin

every Stones fan has a favorite version of the band... the Brian Jones years, the Keith 'n' Ronnie playing tug o' war with the rhythm guitar years, the more recent Ameriquest and Budwesier-sponsored stadium tour years? well, maybe not that last one. my fave era is the heyday of the late 60s/early 70s when I think they really earned the honorary title of the greatest rock n roll band in the world. here are Let It Bleed (1969), Sticky Fingers (1971), Exile on Main St (1972)... posted per request from a burgeoning Stones fan.

a few borrowed words on each album...

"Let It Bleed" - An album on which the Stones recover from the death of Brian Jones, which turned out to be, at most, a minor setback. Mick Taylor lends a hand on "Live With Me," the hardest rocker on the album, and "Country Honk," a revival of "Honky Tonk Women" as hillbilly blues. Keith does just fine without the backup for most of the album, from the echo valley intro of "Gimme Shelter" to the extra funky rhythm work of "Monkey Man."

"Sticky Fingers" - Do we really need a seventh minute of "Can't You Hear Me Knocking"? I'll let you be the judge. But if the jamming feels a bit excessive in places, the writing ranks among their finest hours - "Moonlight Mile," "Brown Sugar," "Sister Morphine," "Sway," "Wild Horses," "Bitch," "Dead Flowers." Plus you've got the Andy Warhol conceived album cover with a working zipper that opened to reveal a crotch shot of whitie tighties. What more could you want in an album?

"Exile on Main Street" - That rare double album you wouldn't feel comfortable editing down to 90 minutes. The band has never let it loose with more abandon or authority showing their country, blues, and soul influences... "Let It Loose," a song that could have topped the R&B charts, is a soul ballad worthy of Otis Redding.

Atmosphere – LEAK AT WILL

"hello party people.
as we approach the launch of our new digital online store anthony and myself have put together another project that we are giving away for free to any of you who sign up for a user account on our online store www.FifthElementOnline.com. the project is a 7 song ep called LEAK AT WILL, and it was a lot of fun to make. nothing too serious, just smiles and cries.
consider it another "thank you" for all of the support you have offered us over the years.

and again, thank you very much. have a good summer. s"

fifthelementonline.com/leakatwill

Enjoy.

AC Newman - Get Guilty

no sophomore slump here. AC's second solo album builds on his strong first effort - The Slow Wonder from 2004. he and his band made a strong impression on me at the 400 Bar a few weeks back... lively stage show, entertaining between song banter, hot chicks in the band for admiring. also - if interested, the link below is video footage of a performance on Letterman back in May. enjoy.

AC on Letterman

Free Coldplay

http://www.coldplay.com/lrlrl/lr.html

Here is a link a 9 song E.P. from Coldplay. Its live recordings of familiar stuff, but free is good.

Grizzly Bear, Annimal Collective, Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse, Sonic Youth

Here is some music I have been listing to lately. If I don't post it like this I will never get around to writing a review for each album.

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
Animal Collective-Merriweather
Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse-Dark Night of the Soul
Sonic Youth-The Eternal

Prof and St. Paul Slim – Recession Music

There is no lack of fresh hip-hop coming out of the Twin Cities these days. I'm not too familiar with Prof, but St. Paul Slim has been known to associate with both Rhymesayers and Doomtree. The influences in this album are apparent, from Mos Def to Jay-Z, but the style is unique. And true to Twin Cities form, there are plenty of guest MCs including P.O.S. and Slug. Of course, this if just the free download. You'll have to shell out $5 if you want the whole thing.

recessionmusic.com

Enjoy.

Rilo Kiley – Take Offs & Landings

Just before I went to see M. Ward this past April, I was talking with a co-worker about being excited to see The Watson Twins who were opening. I was familiar with The Watson Twins from their album with Jenny Lewis, Rabbit Fur Coat. That got us talking about Rilo Kiley. I said I had heard much from Rilo Kiley so my co-worker lent me this album, Take Offs & Landings. It's all about traveling and riding in airplanes and such. Pretty good alt-country rock. The songs with Jenny on vocals are best. And I really like the album artwork. But then again, I'm a sucker for slide guitar and isometric technical illustration. Put the two together and you have a winner with me.

Oh, and for the recorder, The Watson Twins sucked.

Enjoy.

Silversun Pickups

Just got the new Silversun Pickups album, it's called Swoon. It's pretty solid. People have compared their sound to The Smashing Pumpkins, and while I can see the similarities, they do have their own sound going on.

I also uploaded their first album, it's called Carnavas. If this band is new to you, I would start with that first album. If you dig it, check out the follow-up.

EDIT: I realized a sample might be nice for you guys. This is Lazy Eye, which is off their first album: