Mt. Sims
Happily Ever After (Hungry Eye)
release: October 21, 2008
style: gothy electronic plop
similar: Cruxshadows, She Wants Revenge, dark Bloc Party
[rating: **1/2] Back in 2002 (wow, life was sure different then huh), Mt Sims aka Mount Sims aka Matt Sims, revealed himself and his stage dancers as an absurd, sexually-charged electro act. Like the second album in 2005, Happily Ever After is a much different Sims, though just as peculiar. Sinister and less robotic, Happily favors live instruments over electronics. Along the lines of dark cabaret and goth/post-punk are "What's the Big Deal?" the revengeful "The Bitten Bite Back" and the Bauhaus-like "Window Window." Sims will hopefully grow tired of this direction, cause boy, i am yearning for his catchier "Black Sunglasses" right now. There is HOPE. Either X-files style or Obama style. -kenyon

These Arms are Snakes: Tail Swallower & Dove (Suicide Squeeze)
release: October 7, 2008
style: post hardcore
similar: Uncut, Blood Brothers, Russian Circles
[rating: ***] You seriously don't mess with a band named These Arms are Snakes. The band has been hot for a few albums via Jade Tree and now Tail Swallower is here to attack, sting and burn. The band continues to break down the walls of rock using complex drum patterns and tongue tied guitar swoops. -Kenyon

Johnny Cash Remixed (Compadre)
release: October 14, 2008
style: disasterous
[rating: *] Johnny Cash has got to be rolling in his grave right about now. Not exactly "remixes," these are more like "songs" that sampled Cash. The worst offender is first: Snoop Dogg of all people ruins "I Walk the Line" for one of the most pointless reworkings ever. A couple of efforts are effective, namely the Midnight Juggernauts' mix of "Port of Lonely Hearts" and maybe the Wolf take on "Rock Island Line." Some of these other ones would make sense in a Fatboy Slim or Crystal Method big-beat track in the late 1990s, but the only level it works on is to introduce the uninitiated to Cash in general, which the recent film already accomplished. Try the originals instead. -Kenyon

Cineplexx: Picnic (Portia)
style: exotic singer-songwriter lounge pop
similar: Air, Serge Gainsbourg, European dudes named Sebastian
[rating: **1/2]
Picnic is sung in Spanish and acts like French pop for the hipstees. Sebastian Litmanovich's easy-going vocals are replaced only once in English by veteran Euro indie pop guy Duglas Stewart, one of a few notable guests. "Belle & Sebastian" shows one of Litmanovich's influences, one that i'd rather be listening to right now. Oh snap, no i didn't. -Kenyon

Pee-Pee
Castile Jackine is Vooded at Broonus: Volume 1
(Helmet Room)
release: November 11, 2008
style: indie folk freakout
similar: Moldy Peaches
[rating: **1/2] Despite this Denver band's name, Pee-Pee doesn't have its head completely in the toilet bowl. Lead by Doo Crowder, the ensemble's simple psychedelic folk grabs a load of instruments causing a Brian Jonestown Massacre filtered through naive fifth-graders. This is mainly a positive thing on wholesome, slightly charming songs such as "I Hope My New House Feels Welcoming for You." In a short while the roving tracks wear out their welcome. This includes "Pee-Pee Song" and of course the 10-minute, self-explanatory "Freakout Jam." -Kenyon

Northern Valentine
The Distance Brings Us Closer (Silber)
release: November 4, 2008
style: cold ambient
[rating: ****] Lead by a married couple from Philadelphia, Northern Valentine glides through definitive icy spells that are remarkably created by guitars and no post-production. Having already set a mood by placing a photo from Iceland on the album cover, Amy and Robert (along with two other guitarists and a bassist) easily evoke any kind of wintry, arctic imagery. These are also some of the most haunting ambient sounds put to tape, some of which play like the soundtrack for a crumbling and crashing ice sheet. -Kenyon

they're actual size and now we are even older
they might be giants
live at the crazy donkey. farmingdale long island NY. October 23, 2008


set included (not in order) : don't let's start, ana ang, the guitar, spider, they might be giants, birdhouse in your soul, new york city, polk, racist friend, dinner bell, fingertips, istanbul, the sun, the revised updated sun, particle man, doctor worm, experimental film, mesopotamians, seven, older, cyclops rock, take out the trash.


clicky on photos to make bigger.

International Jetsetters [Oxford]

similar: Monster Movie, Snowpony, BRMC

"Inside Yourself" - [mp3]

While Andy Bell is still getting his kicks as a member of Oasis, his bandmate from Ride, drummer Loz/Laurence Colbert, has a new band along with singer/guitarist Mark Crozer (who played in Jesus and Mary Chain), bassist Bert Audubert, guitarist Paul Crozer and vocalist Fi McFall. Their Heart Is Black debut EP hit the ground a couple weeks ago through Planting Seeds records, and it's got the goods you'd expect from people who have played in JAMC and Ride. "Inside Out" uses the same type of noise-pop as Yo La Tengo's "Sugarcube" and "Inside Yourself" motors down the highway wearing black sunglasses and a leather jacket. -Kenyon

The Divys
[New York City/Philly]
Similar: Foxglove Hunt, Book of Love
Undeniably indebted to vintage new wave pop, the Divys (William Rule and Kliff Ritz at the core) play the kind of tunes that would have been in a low-budget 1980s romantic-comedy. The Divys' "Sloppy Kiss," "Damaged Goods" and "Freak Boy" have an 80s-cheese awareness. These are songs that seem impossible to have been written after the year 2000. Which only makes the Divys incredibly joyous and in a wierd way, respectable. -Kenyon

http://www.thedivys.com/
www.myspace.com/TheDivys

The Bolts [California]
Similar: Weezer, Fountains of Wayne
If i was a high school kid in this band's town, there would be excitement in the air when they play small local shows. Three brothers and two friends get the party started (they say they are available for school dances, company parties, weddings, etc) with the funfilling, catchy harmony-driven pop rock of "Like a Fantasy", "Dead of the Night" and "Hero in Disguise." They also do a cover of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme song. i bet these guys get a lot of girls. dang. They're playing at freaking Disney Land tonight. geez. -Kenyon

www.myspace.com/theboltsmusic

Caw! Caw! : Wait Outside EP (Slant Shanty)
release: September 23, 2008
style: lo-fi indie rock
[rating: *1/2] Lo-fi recordings are great but this Chicago band needs the tunes to go with that. "Organisms" could have been an early practice session from No Doubt when they were 15, as there is a sax and a generic ska-like guitar chugging. The drums are higher in the mix than the nasally vocals, which aren't the kind of vocals that are supposed to be suppressed. If this was recorded in the late 1980s when indie rock was in its early days, then fine, Caw! Caw! might be something to make a small shout about. Otherwise, Wac! -Kenyon

classic vintage video.
The Alarm- "68 Guns" (1984)

The still shot you see above and at 1:48 appears
to be Joe Elliott of Def Leppard.

Past Lives: Strange Symmetry EP
(Suicide Squeeze)
release: November 4, 2008
style: indie art rock
[rating: ***] For whatever reasons they had, the Blood Brothers broke up and most of them continued as Past Lives. Now, i can understand the transition of a band like Slowdive. They evolved from something that arguably peaked in the early 1990s to the simpler Mojave 3, which shed all the guitar effects and ethereal vocals. But Past Lives? Where's the evolution? It's most of the Blood Brothers and there is little change to the sound. Well to be fair, Past Lives doesn't scream and sound like they're wrecking their instruments. They brought the volume and intensity down a few notches, perhaps cause they're older now. -Kenyon

Other Lives: Other Lives (tbd)
release: October 21, 2008
style: lilting organic folk
[rating: ***] Until they are able to make a name for themselves, Oklahoma group Other Lives are going to be known as the band who had the second release from tbd records. The first of course being Radiohead's In Rainbows. Other Lives does resemble some Radiohead, specifically the quietness of, say, "The Tourist." Piano and cello stand-out as the focal points, taking over by the time the last track is heard. -Kenyon

More Amor - "Same Damn Song" [mp3] Doesn't start out too promising, but chill cause it improves. The melty "bah bah" harmonies wrap around the fluttering synth. This cancels out the detection of emo pop-rock type vocals.

dates with the nite
10/10 - The Electric Theater - St. George, UT
10/13 - Modified Arts - Phoenix, AZ
10/14 - Burt's Tiki Lounge - Albuquerque, NM
10/15 - The Black Sheep - Colorado Springs, CO
10/18 - Mojoes - Tinley Park, IL
10/21 - Rehab - New York, NY (CMJ)

Antony and the Johnsons new audio + video. "Another World"
From EP out October 7 on Secretly Canadian. Full album in January. The song touches from a distance, the interpretive dance is a snoozefest.


Live Dates
10/14 Walt Disney Concert Hall Los Angeles, CA
10/16 Apollo Theatre New York, NY
10/30 The Barbican London, ENG
10/31 The Barbican London, ENG

An Albatross
The An Albatross Family Album (Eyeball)
release: October 21, 2008
style: over the top post-hardcore prog noise
similar: Man Man, the Blood Brothers
[rating: ****] So named for including all band members of the past decade, the dizzying Albatross Family Album may be one of the most sprawlingly noisy concept records ever conceived. Saying Family Album is like carnvial music moving at light speed would undermine this ambitious outing, though it is a good place to start. This fantasy concept effort about a tribe of voyaging pilgrims finding the framework for peace hits its climax with "The Electric Proletariat Rides a Velvet Chariot" prior to completing the mission with the rumbling "3000 Light Years by Way of the Spacehawk." -Kenyon

into>>the>>future. El Goodo

There's been many recent artists that use the blueprint of 1960s psychedelia. Welsh band El Goodo (not to be confused with El Guapo) is one of the most authentic-sounding of the bunch. It's a result of using the appropriate instruments (vintage Hofner bass, vintage Ludwig drums, Vox Continental, etc) and reverberated vocals. Super Furry Animals took them under their wings, bringing them on tour and in 2005 releasing El Goodo's first album under their Placid Casual label. El Goodo's second album will be on Grease records in January 2009. The first available cut, "Feel So Fine," is HERE.

TK Webb and The Visions get to play with Secret Machines.

October 16 - 9:30 Club - Washington, DC *
October 17 - The Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA *
October 18 - Webster Hall - New York, NY *
October 20 - Middle East - Cambridge, MA *
October 21 - Les Saints - Montreal, QUE *
October 22 - Lee's Palace - Toronto, ONT *
October 24 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY #
# Kemado CMJ Showcase (w/ Dungen, Marissa Nadler)
* w/ Secret Machines

Ten Kens: Ten Kens (FatCat)
release: September 23, 2008
style: reverbed avante rock
similar: Elbow, TV on the Radio, Black Mountain
[rating: ***1/2] The previous Ten Kens record took a year to record. On this one they spent two weeks, albeit all day and night. Before burning out, the Toronto band was able to mount an album loaded with loneliness and sorrow. The band's earlier available track, "Y'all Come Back Now," was quietly lilting, so most of Ten Kens is an eye-opener. "Bear Fight" and "Spanish Fly," for example, are louder on guitars and percussion, though the vocals remain skeletal in the mix. Actually, "Spanish Fly" borders on early Nirvana. On some of the later tracks, the band is heard at its most complex and focused, resulting in some of the best dreariness this year. -Kenyon

Letters to Cleo to play first shows in eight years.

What an unbelievable year of re-united groups. the Verve- yes! mbv- yes! Swervedriver- yes! New Kids- ummm...yea sure! Letters to Cleo.... yea dude, Letters to f-cking Cleo! They had one hit song ("Here and Now") on the heels of the grunge era and the video was on Beavis and Butthead. And then they fizzled, later playing cover songs in the terribly unrealistic 10 Things I Hate About You. So, first shows in eight years. Ha, eight years, thats all? -Kenyon

November 8 - Los Angeles CA - The Roxy
December 8 - Boston MA - Paradise Rock Club
December 9 - Boston MA - Paradise Rock Club
(New York tba)

New animated humor show the Life and Times of Tim
debuts tomorow nite on HBO.

The lead character looks molded from Zach Braff, the simple animation has a sense of Home Movies and the tone is comparable to the Office, Dilbert and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Basically, Tim gets into one awkward situation after another. A lot of clips for individual "scenes" are up on youtube. Here's the "sneak peak". Poop jokes are never mature, but Tim's response of "this is New York, it's fast-paced" to people believing he dropped one on the floor is classic. -Kenyon

Legendary Pink Dots
Plutonium Blonde (ROIR)
release: October 7, 2008
style: abstract ghostly gloom
similar: IAMX, Bauhaus, Tear Garden, the Residents
[rating: ****] A longtime cornerstone of underground gloom, the Pink Dots have released dozens of albums while musical trends of the past few decades have come and gone. On Plutonium Blonde, Edward Ka-Spel and company have created a mad world of odd lyricism and warped, imaginative sounds. Blonde is chilling ("Rainbows Too") and other times relatively down to earth ( "A World With No Mirrors" trades in surrealism for acoustic guitar, flute and Ka-Spel's aching vocal). "My First Zonee" is one of the stranger excerpts - "milking the cow with my first zonee/out on the trail i'll spank the pony," which actually seems to be a song about a cell phone. "Oceans Blue" follows through on its title, an ambient piece that surfaces from dark waters. This outsider band is miles away from the mainstream. So far away that they could be from another planet. -Kenyon

Takka Takka: Migration (Ernest Jenning)
release: July 29, 2008
style: soft space indie rock
similar: Elbow, Ten Kens, Thee More Shallows
[rating: ***] Produced by Sean of Clap Your Hands Say Yea, Migration opens like the avant-gardeness of a Laurie Anderson record. The ambience unravels towards new age space rock, where the soft spoken vocals get treated to delay and looping. The guitars and drums carefully choose their own stream of consciouness without stepping on any toes. Not enough to lose my mind in, but still a nice listen. - Kenyon

drive it all over me OR soft as snow (but loud as hell)
my bloody valentine
live Roseland New York 9.22.08

clicky on images to make bigger.
---------
It has already been an incredible year of concerts, with bands regrouping after an extended hiatus (The Verve, Swervedriver) and the Cure playing Radio City. my bloody valentine, the band that we always hoped and dreamed would finally be active, blew away everything in 2008's path like a damn tsunami. For the countless bands they influenced, mbv showed them all how it's done. And how you do it LOUD AS SHIT, which i think for many people will be the most memorable element.

mbv live was nothing short of a religious experience. Unreal and surreal. So mind-blowing that the two shitty opening bands would be forgotten five minutes into mbv's set. And what the hell was up with those openers? jesus. mbv, one of the most important bands in rock history could have chose anyone they wanted. Instead they make us sit--no, STAND--for over two hours of boringness. Thanks for warning us there would be two generic opening bands! i still don't know the bands' names and i don't care. i think the first one, at least the singer, was French. They were OKAY. But the second band, ugh. When the girl appeared with a flute, i was like, oh ok cool, the flute is for mbv. But no. Even with J Mascis jamming with them at the end it was still the most monotonous time-waster in history. Sorry guys, but you really were not appropriate for this show. Congrats though anyways!


As far as the actual songs/music from mbv, it was off the charts. The vocals, especially Bilinda's soft voice, were way buried, as it should be. Colm was sick on drums and Debbie was pounding on the bass. Kevin Shields was Kevin Shields, werd. Loveless being the hailed album, the ones they definitely played from that were (not in order) --- only shallow, soon, come in alone, to here knows when, when you sleep, i only said (opening song). i'll wait to find a setlist before i mangle what was played from Isn't Anything, but they did play one of my favorite pre-Loveless songs, "slow." Songs i wanted to hear, didn't play - blown a wish, things i miss, can i touch you.

*update* official set list- i only said, when you sleep, you never should, when you wake, cigarette on your bed, come in alone, only shallow, thorn, nothing much to lose, to here knows when, slow, soon, feed me with your kiss, you made me realise. [blown a wish and sueisfine was on list but crossed out].



And i know we will never forget the 15 minutes of rumbling jet-engine level noise they had the balls to unleash on us. You could feel the air vibrating, no shit. Does someone have the exact timing of it? i say 15 minutes. my friend says it was only 7. felt like 30. i think the concept of time was disabled during that moment. wow.

nick from yeah yeah yeahs was there. second time we've met!

Brian Jonestown Massacre live
September 19, 2008 Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn.


This was my second time seeing BJM and dammit again, no Joel on tambourine. According to Anton he was in Hawaii getting married and something about the ATP gig. Frankie Teardrop established himself as the coolest member on stage and he and the other guitarist were awesome enough to remain on stage making noise long after Anton had left. Speaking of Anton leaving, he left the stage a few times for unknown reasons while the rest of the band played some apparently impromptu jams, which did kick ass but got boring after a while. Anton talked a lot about politics and economics and "i don't want a fucking mormon president" and "fuck you i'm fucking sick." Willie Caruthers, formerly of Spacemen 3, is the current bassist, although now he can only speak like a pirate. The drummer, who is also the quietest, was solid the whole night.



It was dissapointing that Joel didn't show up, but i was damn happy about the song selection and a two hour-plus set. They played a lot of early stuff and nothing from the new album (pretty sure), which i just don't see going over too well in a live setting cause it's a wierd psyched-out album. Songs of note that i could identify: Whoever You are, When Jokers Attack, Sailor, Who, That Girl Suicide, Servo, Evergreen, She Made Me. Songs they didn't play that i wanted to hear- Last Dandy on Earth, Wasting Away, Love.


The High Dials were much better than expected. i remember them being just another psych-garage band on Rainbow Quartz records but they were actually impressive and professional. The only real complaints for the night--aside from no Joel--are that BJM still doesn't have their own personalized stage lighting, though that is tough to do when things are only semi-planned. It would make a huge difference. Oh and sorry, but the crowd gave off bad vibes. Not to the band but in general. Lots of snobs. Except for that one kid with the Wolf Parade shirt. You know who you are!

High Dials \/

new audio and junk.

The Golden Hands Before God [Montreal] - "Blood of November" [mp3] from debut album Here (Pop Echo). so actually the full name of the band is The Golden Hands Before God Conducts Incredible Magic Band & The Spirits. The reverbed vocals are key on this peaceful track from an otherwise country-garage psych group. "One Fine Morning" is out of the Brian Jonestown lesson plan and not just cause i saw them last nite.
----
Atomic Tom - [NYC] - new tracks, including "Take me out" (not the Franz song) are at their myspacey. The pop-rock is more than accessible and the heart-on-sweater sleeve lyrics are easily identifiable.
-----------
Camphor - [Upstate NY] - Camphor "has historically been used in religious ceremonies, as a moth repellent, as an ingredient in fireworks, for the embalming of the dead and for medicinal purposes." The songwriting of Max Avery Lichtenstein harnesses the meaning. The dark, pirate chant of "Castaway," from the album Drawn to Dust (Friendly Fire records) comes with a brilliant video.

stellastarr* is working on its third album, due out next year. They're restless, so they are playing soon at small venues to get comfortable with the new songs.

November 5th Boston @ Great Scott Doors 8:00 PM
November 9th Washington DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel Doors 7:30 PM
November 10th Philadelphia @ Johnny Brenda’s Doors 8PM
December 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th NYC @ Pianos Doors 7PM

Talkdemonic set fall tour; new music from Eyes at Half Mast,
available today from Arena Rock.

"March Movement" [mp3]
Although it is vocal-less and brief (almost criminally so), this track is reason enough to find more from this Portland, OR duo.

tour dates
9/20: Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
9/30: Seattle, WA - High Dive
10/1: Missoula, MT - Crystal Theater
10/3: Fargo, ND - The Aquarium
10/4: Minneapolis, MN - 400
10/7: Chicago, IL - Schubas
10/9: Somerville, MA - PA's Lounge
10/10: Philadelphia, PA - Khyber
10/11: New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
10/12: Washington, DC - The Red and the Black
10/13: Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
10/14: Mt. Pleasant, SC - Village Tavern
10/15: Atlanta, GA - The Earl
10/17: Tampa, FL - Crowbar
10/18: Gainesville, FL - Common Grounds
10/21: Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon *
10/22: Austin, TX - Mohawk
10/24: Tucson, AZ - Plush
10/27: San Diego, CA - Casbah #
10/28: Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland
10/29: San Francisco, CA - Cafe du Nord

* = w/ Born Ruffians and Plants & Animals
# = w/ Jeffrey Lewis

Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright dies.
Founding member of band died today at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer.

O'Death announces tour dates.
Broken Hymns, Limbs and Skin out October 28, 2008

Another band from New York that could have been grown in the woods down South, the O'Death has seen the light through its assembly of buckets, banjos, and fiddles. Third album will be released by Kemado in late October 2008.

October 30 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY
October 31 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA
November 1 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA
November 2 - T.T. The Bears - Cambridge, MA
November 3 - II Motore - Montreal, QUE Canada
November 4 - El Mocambo - Toronto, ONT Canada
November 5 - Mohawk Place - Buffalo, NY
November 6 - Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, OH
November 7 - Jakes Nightclub - Bloomington, IN
November 8 - Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL
November 9 - Hideout - Chicago, IL
November 10 - 7th Street Entry - Minneapolis, MN
November 11 - The Picador - Iowa City, IA
November 12 - The Jackpot Saloon - Lawrence, KS
November 13 - Waiting Room - Omaha, NE
November 14 - Larimer Lounge - Denver, CO
November 15 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT
November 17 - Media Club - Vancouver, BC Canada
November 18 - High Dive - Seattle, WA
November 19 - Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR
November 20 - Jambalaya - Arcata, CA
November 21 - Bottom of the Hill - San Francisco, CA
November 22 - Spaceland - Los Angeles, CA
November 23 - Casbah - San Diego, CA
November 24 - Modified Arts - Phoenix, AZ
November 26 - The Mohawk - Austin, TX
November 28 - Marquee - Tulsa, OK
November 29 - Off Broadway - St. Louis, MO
November 30 - Hi-Tone Café - Memphis, TN
December 2 - The Earl - Atlanta, GA
December 3 - Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC
December 4 - Black Cat Backstage - Washington, DC
December 5 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY

SHOUT OUT OUT OUT OUT - the electronic, vocoder-abusive band going on tour tour tour tour. ha that was so funny i forgot to laugh. The Canadian group had one of the coolest releases of 2006 and the Shouts got new sounds on the horizon. Check new track at the myspacey.
www.myspace.com/shoutoutoutoutout

NEW YORK, NY: CMJ, October 22-25
LONDON, ON: Call the Office, October 26 w/ Stereo Image
WATERLOO, ON: Starlight, October 27 w/ Stereo Image
OTTAWA, ON: Barrymores, October 28 w/ Stereo Image
MONTREAL, QC: Les Saints, October 29 w/ Stereo Image
TORONTO, ON: LeeÕs Palace October 30 w/ Stereo Image
CHICAGO, IL: TBA, October 31 w/ San Serac
MINNEAPOLIS, MN: TBA, November 1 w/ San Serac
WINNIPEG, MB: Pyramid, November 2 w/ San Serac
SASKATOON, SK: Louis Pub, November 3 w/ San Serac

The Subways
All or Nothing (Sire/WB)
release: September 9, 2008
style: immense daring rock
similar: JJ72, Von Bondies, Muse
[rating: ***1/2] Don't let the record label name fool you. The UK rock trio's second album, piloted by producer extraordinaire Butch Vig, holds nothing back. The metal riffs of "Girls & Boys" (not the Blur song) will throw some of us off, though leaves no question that the band isn't playing around. "Kalifornia" continues with big riffs, though adds harmonies that should be expected from a song with that title. Just when the towering wave of rock threatens to engulf the young Subways, a handful of unplugged songs enter, such as "Move to Newlyn," which reflects on life in the UK. Aside from some hideous screaming in "Turnaround," not a moment is wasted. If All or Nothing doesn't establish them as a serious rock band (in the UK at least), nothing will. -Kenyon

new audio + video.
Bloc Party - "Talons"

physical release of album October 27, 2008.

into>>the>>future.
Minty Fresh will release the solo debut of The Album Leaf's
guitarist Drew Andrews on November 4, 2008.

Andrews has dates with Magnetic Morning. Again with the Magnetic Morning. okay okay we get it, you guys have TWO BANDS now.

Thur. Oct. 30 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
Fri. Oct. 31 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
Sun. Nov. 2 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent
Mon. Nov. 3 - Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy
Tues. Nov. 4th - San Diego, CA - The Casbah

"I Could Write A Book" [MP3] from the upcoming album Only Mirrors.

The Verve: Forth
(On Your Own records)
release: August 26, 2008
style: The Verve
similar: The Verve
[rating: **1/2] The Verve--who, like Radiohead, doesn't need a big record label anymore--could do no wrong up through Urban Hymns. One of the two new songs revealed on the past tour set a possible new direction while retaining the group's unique electricity. The album cover of Forth is perfect and so is the label name ("On Your Own" is a song from Northern Soul). As one of the most anticipated releases this year arriving 10 years after their break-up, Forth--comprised of ten lengthy tracks--is unable to match up to the psychedelia of Storm in Heaven and Northern Soul or the mainstream breakthrough of Hymns. A couple of great new songs from the Verve is better than nothing. But at what cost, people? At what cost?

1- "Sit and Wonder" - more guitar from Nick McCabe than most of Hymns and the straightforwardness of the song meets the requirements to have been on that record. Good sign so far.
2- "Love is Noise" - there was excitement in hearing the new material at the show with this one. But the rest of the album fails to follow its natural flow. The looped vocal hooks and steady groove from bassist Simon Jones and drummer Peter Salisbury works perfectly with the refrain "love is noise, love is pain, love is these blues that I'm singing again". YES! And we can actually dance to this too, like we dance to the remix of London Suede's "Everything Will Flow."
3- "Rather Be" - Though it abrubtly slows the pace, the low octave piano, gospel vocals and guitar effects are welcome.
4-5-6- "Judas," "Numbness," "I See Houses" - Ugh. It's not a problem that it's slow. The Verve have done great things with slow tempos. But these three drag. The worst part is that McCabe sounds held back, as there are no good riffs and just average interludes. You're killing me.
7- "Noise Epic" - no focus on guitar and doesn't live up to title. Noisy at end. Epic? no. What a mess.
8- "Valium Skies" - finally! The lullaby pace and rich, flowing vocals are as good as the b-sides from Hymns. And yes, that is saying a lot. Those b-sides were superb. i see a disco ball and slow dancing.
9- "Columbo" - Peter Falk? no. average psychedelia.
10- "Appalachian Springs" - slow again, with acoustic guitar and ala Hymns' "Weeping Willow."

Now to sit and wonder. - Kenyon

Sam Champion. The name sounded familiar. Sam Champion is a weatherman on TV. Sam Champion the band is from New York. Sam Champion that's on TV is gonna be pissed. It took days for him to come up with that name. As for this indie rock band, "Like a Secret" is bound to receive comparisons to Pavement and--not just cause of the song title--Built to Spill. Their second album, Heavenly Bender, was released a few days ago via North Street. www.myspace.com/samchampion

tour dates:
September 14 DC9 - Washington, DC
September 15 Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC
September 16 Village Tavern - Mt. Pleasant, SC
September 17 Café Eleven – St. Augustine, FL
September 19 Emo’s – Austin, TX
September 24 Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
October 2 Mercury Lounge - NYC (w/Hymns)

Great Lake Swimmers upcoming album and tour dates.

Forget BSS. GLS is where it's at in Toronto. Following a gig in Toronto opening for Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, ethereal country-folk ensemble Great Lake Swimmers will release their fourth record through Nettwerk in early Spring 2009.

September
25 - Northampton, Mass. @ The Iron Horse Music Hall *
26 - New York, N.Y. @ Mercury Lounge *
27 - Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. @ Common Ground Coffeehouse #
28 - Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Union Hall *
October
3 - Montreal @ Sala Rosa **
16 - Hamilton @ Pepper Jack Café +
17 - London @ Aeolin Hall +
23 - Peterborough @ Montreal House ^
24 - Wakefield @ Blacksheep Inn ^
25 - Toronto @ Lee's Palace ~
w/ Jennifer O'Connor *
w/ Patrick Porter #
w/ Akron/Family & Herman Dune **
w/ Kate Maki & Timber Timbre +
w/ Timber Timbre & Don Brownrigg ^
w/ Kate Maki & Sandro Perri ~

From the upcoming album Perfect Symmetry. October 14, 2008.

XX Teens
Welcome to Goon Island (Mute)
release: September 30, 2008
style: rudimentary art rock
similar: Art Brut, Louis XIV, Arctic Monkeys
[rating: *1/2] There's little charm and little to love here from the XX Teens (formerly Xerox Teens), whose half-singing half-yelping and clamor of guitar, bass and drums qualifies them as rebellious sons of veteran post-punk band the Fall. Lyrically and CD booklet-wise, the U.K group borders on the territory of the Residents. "B 54" is as strange and experimental as the lyrics: "the amputee!/she's got five legs/six legs and a croissant." The short and quirky "Only You" (not the Yaz song) is relatively accessible and will pull in some new followers, though it doesn't have enough lasting-power to be of importance by next year. The last four tracks are the only ones that go over four minutes each, including "Darlin'," where steel drums appear from nowhere and the semi-singing is all over the radar. It's not until the last two songs, "Sun Comes Up" and "For Brian Haw" (he's a peace activist) that XX Teens show potential for ditching half-conceived ideas. -Kenyon

The Meadows [Los Angeles] - They sold me when i heard their cover of the Posies' "Dream All Day." Their version as well as the originals showcase the LA artists' Americana-Country-Pop. The pop side was pop enough to be on that Lifetime show Army Wives very recently. www.myspace.com/themeadows

ForceField On - [Long beach, CA] - The trombones are the centerpiece of this chamber-indie band, whose members have a wild range of credits with other artists (Calexico and Lampchop to All American Rejects and Neville Staple of the Specials.] they're true. honest. not trying to be the latest thing. it's on! www.myspace.com/forcefieldon

Mike Keane - [Milwaukee] On his website it reads: "Mike Keane allows taping at virtually all of his live performances." He is that cool. The songwriter is currently kicking the asses of coffee shop folk in Milwaukee Wisconsin with his sax-player friend. He's got no myspace. Now that is impressive. http://www.mikekeane.net

Millsted - [New York, NY] I'm thinking Hot Hot Heat meets Fishbone here. Hot! Millsted's assault is tight and professional, soon to be a band to watch on the NYC circuit. Make me wanna pogo. www.myspace.com/Millsted

classic vintage video
Tears for Fears - "Sowing the Seeds of Love" (1989)

Following a synth-heavy debut and their pop breakthrough Songs from the Big Chair, Tears for Fears went out on a limb. Though it owes much to latter-day Beatles psychedelia, the ambitious "Sowing the Seeds of Love" proved to be handled with care.

Stars announce North American tour. New EP, Sad Robots, is out today September 1 exclusively through www.sadrobots.ca.

9/17/08 – Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street *
9/18/08 – Providence, RI @ Lupo’s *
9/19/08 – Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero *
9/20/08 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5 *
9/24/08 – Chicago, IL @ The Riviera *
9/25/08 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pagaent *
9/26/08 – Lawrence, KS @ The Granada *
9/28/08 – Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits
10/1/08 – Los Angeles, CA @ Avalon ^
10/2/08 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues ^
10/3/08 – Santa Barbara, CA @ UC of Santa Barbara ^
10/4/08 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Rio Theatre ^
10/6/08 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore ^
10/7/08 – Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall ^
10/8/08 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom ^
10/9/08 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox ^
10/10/08 – Bellingham, WA @ Viking Union/Western WA Univ. ^
10/29/08 – Fredericton, NB @ SUB Ballroom/Univ. of NB %
10/30/08 – Moncton, NB @ The Manhattan Club %
10/31/08 – Charlottetown, PEI @ The Wave/Univ. of PEI %
11/1/08 – Halifax, NS @ The Marquee Club %
11/3/08 – St. John’s, NF @ Club One %

* w/ Bell X1
^ w/ Think About Life
% w/ Hey! Rosetta

september is go!