CMJ....i am so not there. i am so going to bed.

Girl you know it's so new.

Eddie Vedder: "Goodbye". Never before released solo track from Eddie Vedder on...ukelele? From the soundtrack to A Brokedown Melody, a film about surfing out on Brushfire, November 14. listen HERE or HERE.
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Riding Paper Airplanes: "Homecoming Weekend in a Small Town" (New Wine) record released September 19, 2006. many positives for this solo project from John Wu. he's based in Seattle, WA, the name he goes under rules, and he applies the familiar warm synth we all love. this track is to 2006 like Dream Academy's "Life in a Northern Town" was to 1986.

Mahogany: Connectivity! (Darla)
release: October 30, 2006
styles: Ethereal Ambient Pop
similar: Pale Saints, Lush, early Sigur Ros, Flowchart, Serena Maneesh
rating: ****

That exclamation point at the end of the title to Mahogany's long, LONG, awaited follow-up to its debut deserves to be there. Although Memory Column, a compilation of EPs and singles, held many of us over for a little while, it is Connectivity! that is a pleasure to finally experience as well as to compare to My Bloody Valentine's Loveless, if only for taking so long to record. There hasn't been any earth-shattering changes in Mahogany's sound, which is just fine. All the familiar elements are here: delicate male-female vocals, twinkly guitar and synth-electro percussion. What's most welcoming, however, is a slight departure into a frolicking, almost folk-electro-rock piece that could be Belle & Sebastian backed by, um, Mahogany. La la love it. A second disc includes three remixes (one with Robin Guthrie!) and three videos. Goody. -Kenyon

girl you know it's NEW.

the Horrors. EP out today. garage-punk-goth-noise-rock n roll.

today is my birthday. and on MY BIRTHDAY it's a pretty terrible day for record releases. so far it looks like the best thing out today is the Horrors. aside from the Blow (K records) just look at what we've got:

My Chemical Romance - please, enough promotion for this already
Brooke Hogan - daughter of Hulk Hogan. no really.
Skid Row - no really. so serial. but without Sebastian Bach. those idiots!
Winger - also serial.

damn, thank goodness for some terrifying, abrasive garage rock people from the UK.

Your Black Star at Masonic Temple, Smithtown October 22. They're from Louisville, Kentucky, so naturally they know My Morning Jacket. In fact they went to high school with Jim James. These guys don't have Southern accents though. We agreed that was just a stereotype. I agree with myself that the bass and some of the guitar pedals rock like Swervedriver.

the exciting life of college radio dj

u2 photo

Klaxons: Xan Valleys EP (Modular)
release: October 17, 2006
styles: rock n rave
rating: **

A dance rock band from the UK that encourages use of glowsticks at shows. Maybe this will work in the UK but glowsticks haven't been out of fashion long enough for a comeback. The only track of the six that deserves a spot in a DJ's set is the remix of "Gravity's Rainbow", though it's an additional copy of Daft Punk. Given they want to "invent a genre that was shorter-lived than electroclash," the Klaxons are a very British party band that is too aware of where its from and where it wants to go and so set on a masterplan that it could kill the whole party by midnight. Snore. -Kenyon

girl you know it's NEW

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…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead: "Wasted State of Mind". record out November 14, 2006. ASX or RAM. rock it.
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Faces on Film: "Famous Last Words"
Built to Spill meets the Gandharvas with a wack marching band. oh you never heard of Gandharvas? whoops, sorry!
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TV on the Radio: "Province"
"just like autumn leaves we're in for change"...lyrics...not bad. TV on the Radio has been one of the more overrated buzzy bands the last few years. when i saw them open for interpol i didn't think it was a big deal. "Province" has got soul, sensitivity and...David Bowie. yes, David Bowie.
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speaking of Bowie, he will be voicing a character on Spongebob. there has got to be a humorous blurb to write here.

Ima Robot: Monument to the Masses (Virgin)
release: September 12, 2006
styles: hand clappy electro dance rock
similar: Public Image Limited, Hot Hot Heat, the Futureheads, the Bravery. rating: ****

According to the press release, record labels who originally took interest in the fun, peppy Ima Robot didn't know what to do with them. It's unexpected that Virgin is still holding on to them, given that they don't sell anywhere near a million records. Ima Robot, after rocking people's socks off while touring with the Raveonettes, seemed destined to move to a small indie label despite a debut with more energy than most of Virgin's current roster. The band--who have since modified its line-up--were quiet long enough to think they were now waiting tables at the local hipster restaurant. So it's with happy happy joy that the Los Angeles group finally got around to releasing another record with dance-party written all over it. Although "Creeps Me Out" is the first single, opener "Disconnect" is as lively and memorable as the debut record's "Alive." Even though some of Monument to the Masses (not to be confused with Depeche Mode's Music for the Masses) contains just a couple lyrical themes we've heard enough times, Ima Robot has so much punky spunk that it never ever is an issue. After the slower, romancing "Lovers in Captivity," Monument proves to be a worthwhile sophomore effort that is able to replicate the excitement of the debut. Let's hope Virgin records is good to them. -Kenyon

Depeche Mode: Touring the Angel- Live in Milan (Sire/Reprise)
release: September 26, 2006
rating: ****

It was around 1993-4 that Depeche Mode went through some major changes- Alan Wilder left the band after Songs of Faith and Devotion, Dave Gahan was dealing with personal issues (drugs), Martin Gore picked up guitar and they brought in live drums. Andy Fletcher was...well, you know. While Depeche Mode 101 was the group's defining concert moment, Touring the Angel captures the band comfortably adjusted to the changes from years ago, as well as proving them to still be a significant veteran artist that can fill an arena (in Milan I'm sure they are more appreciated than the US by more people). With a stage lighted mostly with deep, darkish muted (hey, first time i'm using that word) reds, blues and greens, the three original members, along with a live drummer and additional keyboard player, made the right choices for the setlist. I wouldn't want to know the setlist before a concert even if it's a dvd, so I'm not going to spoil anything. Let's just say that the first half, while it features a few of their best songs, is worth the wait to get to the second half, which is full of non-stop hits. This includes a couple of surprise, lesser-known songs sung by Martin Gore, who isn't the best performer due to his weird, unexciting hand movements, but has a beautiful voice to make up for it. Having seen them on this tour nearly a year ago, I felt a little disconnected from the show, but that was probably because my seat was so far away. I started feeling the same way when this video started (mainly because of the editing and effects) but because of their original sound and fantastic songs, it wasn't too long until DM reminded me why I liked them so much in the first place and why they are one of the best and most longlasting bands to come out of the new wave era. -Kenyon

and now for those like me yearning for the Mode's heyday, here's "Everything Counts" from 101 (1988).

classic vintage video.
Juliana Hatfield- "Everybody Loves Me But You" (1992)

How could you not have a crush on Juliana Hatfield. Especially after she was in the Christmas episode of My So-Called Life. The person she's singing about doesn't have a crush on her or love her. Perhaps we should meet and greet this individual.

we make ritual noise. Covenant and lots more at Third Ward in Brooklyn, 9.30.06.


Covenant- Swedish EBM band. not metal, not a movie

all night three-plus rooms of underground club type things in the middle of an industrial-storage-Judgement Night-type area in Brooklyn. Aside from some technical issues in rooms 2 and 3 and the three flights of tedious stairs, the night appeared to be succesful. 10-2 was solid as Shannon got the dance party started in room 3 and Rotersand lead off in the big "main chamber." I spun 11-12 to a very receptive and knowledgeable crowd, who actually danced to Gary Numan "Are Friends Electric", Interpol "PDA" and Merge "Lost in Eternity." I had missed Imperative Reaction (another Metropolis band) while DJing, but got to see most of Covenant's set, which included Call the Ships to Port, Dead Stars, Ritual Noise, Stalker. After the trio's main set I finally got to see in person what bands do before they come back for an encore. Not much, they chill for a minute and wipe their head with a towel. -Kenyon

Rotersand- exterminate, annihilate, destroy.

Kenyon- dance, dance, dance

Sprites: Modern Gameplay (Darla)
release: September 18, 2006
styles: Cutey indie pop inspired by 1980s culture
similar: Barcelona, March records, Small Sins, Tullycraft, Papas Fritas
rating: ***1/2

Like Sprite soda, Sprites are bubbly. Oh good one! high five! But seriously, folks, this is some sweet innocent indie pop with bops of electronics from ex-members of Barcelona. Except for the song about blogs, called "I Started a Blog Nobody Read." A lot of us can identify with this, it hits close to home. It's real sad when no one reads your blog. Going through the rest of Modern Gameplay, it's apparent that Sprites are more about the '80s than anything else. The best thing is that it's not obvious, they don't talk about cliche things like hairstyles and clothing. The title track refers to video game systems back in the day and "Me and the SYSOP" is about system operators and BBSs. I can identify with that too. -Kenyon
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Chris Van Cott: Happy Again (self-release. local!)
styles: happy posi singer songy lite rock
rating: ***

Chris Van Cott doesn't want to grow up (good!). On the record's cover, he's on a swing, looking back and smiling. He could have written today that fan letter he has to Michael Jackson on the back of the cover. His third solo record is just as solid as the other two and full of fun-in-the-sun acoustic-based slices of his life. Whether uptempo or ballady, Van Cott knows what he's doing. If the countries at war would just look to the music of CVC, there'd be peace! -Kenyon

Heller Mason: Minimalist & Anchored (Silber)
released: September 2006
styles: country slowly indie rock
similar: Mark Kozelek, Band of Horses, Beachwood Sparks, Pale Horse and Rider
rating: ****

The vocals of Heller Mason's main person, Todd Vandenberg, are tearjerkingly soft and weepy. It leads the way for M & A's thoughtful country-esque slowcore, which measures up to similar artists any day. The cello, piano and trumpet that is scattered over the record fleshes out the mature lyrics and comforting acoustic guitar. Apt for campfires at 1am, or quiet mornings in your kitchen in the country at 5am. -Kenyon
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Black Happy Day: In the Garden of Ghostflowers (Silber)
release: September 2006
styles: experimental
similar: Handsome Family, the Liars' They Were Wrong
rating: * 1/2

One of the stranger records of the year. Black Happy Day--members of Stone Breath and dream-gothics Lycia, go from vocal exercises to a medievel version of Beat Happening within the first few minutes, burning with self-indulgence. The third track, called (gasp!) "Whore," features disembodied vocals atop sounds delivered straight from an old sci-fi film, while wierd ones such as "A Lyke Wake Dirge" are just a mystery, with an Asian-music banjo and the many vocal efforts of unusual baritone Timothy Renner. A challenge and a half. -Kenyon
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Robin Guthrie: Everlasting EP (Darla)
release: September 18, 2006
styles: instrumental ethereal
similar: early Cocteau Twins, later Slowdive
rating: ****

You can yearn for the Cocteau Twins getting back together or you can immerse yourself in the lastest from visionary member Robin Guthrie, who, on this supplement to his LP released earlier this year, provides us with another work of sheer beauty. His trademark guitars shimmer, sparkle and fade. Dreamy swirlyness is all over the place. -Kenyon
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girl you know it's new.

Scissor Sisters: "I Don't Feel Like Dancing". awesomely awesome Bee-Gees-esque. record out today. date in New York sold out. son of a bitch.
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Okkervil River: "The President's Dead" (single out in December on Jagjaguwar) I've seen the name Okkervil River many times. And I always want to pronounce it "Overkill River." Not that I think the music is overkill, but because I don't read good. In fact I have never heard the their music, until now. this is a song about a President being dead. new york dates with the nite: October 14, 15 - Bowery Ballroom.
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Goes Cube - guys, change that press photo on myspace and make yourselves look tougher! Goes Cube song number 30 kicked my ass twice and stepped on my foot and then i saw the video for song 26 with the flying fish and i was all like WHOA! new york dates with the nite:

9/26 with You Say Party We Say Die and The Blow at Sin-e
10/16 with Valient Thorr and The Giraffes at Trash
11/2 CMJ, The Delancey
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Hedley- pop-punk band released this junk today on Capitol. oh, those major labels. can you even take this band seriously? oh i better relax, i mean, i shouldn't take them or myself too seriously. it's all about having fun, you know!

Classic vintage video
Simple Minds: "Alive and Kicking" (1985)

Thanks to "Don't You Forget About Me" (also a pristine video in its own right), other hits by Simple Minds are largely forgotten. The positive-minded "Alive and Kicking" is next in line of their hits, and features some pristine (my new favorite word, sorry) landscape. You can't go wrong with waterfalls either. Only thing is the bassist standing on the edge of cliff makes me nervous. At the end, they're stuck on an island.

new Rapture. US dates late Oct-Nov

Professor Murder: Professor Murder Rides the Subway EP (Kanine)
release: July 25, 2006
style: funkie anti-post punk
similar: LCD Soundsystem, !!!, The Rapture
rating: ***1/2

Other reviews can mention the cowbells. The real highlight is that there's no guitars. Professor Murder of NYC (of course!) is so fantastic with the multitudes of percussion, funk bassy bass and a little synth that the guitars aren't missed. Dance, dance dance. -Kenyon
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Planes Mistaken for Stars: Mercy (Abacus)
release: October 3, 2006
styles: loud rock
rating: **1/2

PMFS was smart moving to Denver. Aside from never having to drive across the country to tour, they got out of their frustrating suburban town. The angst from that town stays with them. A pounding of hardcore, post-hardcore, metal and emo, Mercy was at first an engima, in part due to the scruffy, unintelligible vocals. By track number six, something pulled me in. The music still doesn't make any sense to me--the vocals, the riff-roaring guitars, and the unidentified song structure all have something off-kilter about them. But there is something here, if you search. -Kenyon
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Tim Williams: Merchant Heart EP (Dovecote)
release: September 22, 2006
styles: Soft Indie Rock
rating: ***

"Out There," the last song on this quiet EP, is a demo recording that most everyone can identify with. "We run to wait in line and drink to pass the time...we sit in cubicles and wait for dust to fall we try to make our lives worthwhile" and so on. The spacious guitars and keyboard and Tim Williams' softy vocals provide shelter from the storm. -Kenyon
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Katamine: Lag (Tinstar Creative Pool)
release: ???
styles: acoustic singer-songy
rating: *1/2

The sparse instrumentation (mostly acoustic guitar, which starts to feel repetitive) carries this record, while the vocals feel sleepy and held back. What is this? We need more passion here. Or something. -Kenyon

The Brother Kite: Waiting for the Time to be Right (Clairecords)
release: September 12, 2006
styles: dreampop with some Pet Sounds
similar: Dirty on Purpose, Fleet Foxes, Brian Wilson, High Water Marks
rating: ****

I don't know if vocalist Patrick Boutwell is making a conscious effort to sound like Pet Sounds-era Brian Wilson or he just naturally sounds that way. Either way, he's doing a fantastic job of it, while re-inventing the Brother Kite's ethereal rock. Waiting for the Time to be Right is a big step up in production and songwriting for the Rhode Island band, who on the debut were satisfactory as one of many early 90s shoegaze emulators. It's scary sometimes how much the vocals resemble Brian Wilson. The solid guitars and prominent percussion, however, keep the uplifting songs anchored in atmospheric modern pop. A few selections, such as "Hold Me Down," is less Beach Boys and more driving indie rock. Waiting remains consistent even through the eleventh track, which is bursting like a neo-psychedelic firework. -Kenyon