BlogSession

Criminally Overlooked: Très Bien

2008-11-03T15:23:00.001-08:00

There is precious little rock and roll on TV anymore.

Music channels are all about "reality," which leaves no time for live performances. So when the folks at American Idol ventured into a new format that featured full bands, live rock and roll was on TV again, at least in the form of a short-term replacement series. The series "Next Great American Band" featured formats other than rock, but the most exciting band in the series was Très Bien, a hard-charging act that channels 60's era rock and pop through 21st century guitars, bass, and drums. Their newest release, Meet Your Maker, belongs in any collection that contains the Kinks, Animals, or even Three Dog Night.

Très Bien has managed to create a sound that is both familiar yet fresh. From the first opening guitar blast of "Seeing Me, Seeing You," the sound is in your face and features an infectious chorus. Songs like "Right and Wrong" and "Imma Man" would have been huge on the AM radio in the late 60's. This is not to say that Très Bien is a nostaliga band, because this young group understands what happens when a clever vocal hook is joined by hyper-kenetic percussion and surf-rock inspired guitar riffs. The album's set piece is the 1-2 punch of the instrjmental track "If You Want Me to Stay" and the title track. An insanely melodic guitar riff is joined by a wall of brass horn that vaporizes into a bit of subtelty, An organ riff provides the first layer for the vocals and guitars in the stunning title track.

Très Bien is a band that deserves a large audience. Some may be tempted to dismiss this band because they were part of the American Idol promotion machine, but please take some time to sample their music. You will not be disappointed.

Andrea Plamondon - "I Still Remember"

2008-10-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

Ranging from hard-charging rock and roll to wildly experimental west-coast psychedelic music, the new album by classically-trained vocalist Andea Plamondon is both wonderful and annoying. I Still Remember, A Collection of Songs from San Francisco's Underground 1989-2006 is an anthology of music that was recorded by several bands that Plamondon fronted. Containing 14 tracks by five different bands, I Still Remember is a mixed bag.

Plamondon echoes Patti Smith or Siouxsie and the Banshees in her recordings with Joy Fm, the most commercial band on this collection. Slashing electric guitars clash with trumpets in "Devil of Darkness". A punk-rock tempo provides fuel for "No More Silence" while big drums, shoegaze-style guitar, and Plamondon's clear voice combine to make "Chosen Secrets" a track worth hearing.

Palmondon's work with Satyrica would be best described as "expermential opera," as the typical rock elements have been thrown out in favor of tribal rhythms and challenging vocal melodies.

Sounding like a terrifying nightmare, "Invisible Animals" is the first of four tracks by Lucid. The tempo moves forward like a one-legged zombie, lurching and crawling and eventually driving the listener temporarily insane. "Desert March" has a Nick Cave vibe to it, as a menacing tempo and stark vocal melodies succeed at creating an attitude of fear and desparation. Lucid continues with haunting music suitable for the next 10 Saw films ("Gypsy Moon" and "Chant of the Flower").

Sometimes the experimentation runs awry on I Still Remember, but it's hard to deny that Palmondon has the vocal skills to front any sort of band she desires. My vote is cast for the retro-style of Joy FM, because the experimental tracks push the envelope a bit too far.

Concert Review: Great Lakes Myth Society, 7/17/08

2008-07-18T05:25:00.001-07:00

If you were fortunate to be at the Owosso, Michigan amphitheater last night (July 17), you saw a very special performance by the Great Lakes Myth Society. This young band from the Ann Arbor area performed folk-rock songs that echoed the lush melodies of 70's folk acts like the Fairport Convention or Steeleye Span.

Performing 17 songs from their self-titled debut and their newer Compass Rose Boquet, The Great Lakes Myth society held the audience in rapt attention as brothers Timothy and James Monger traded tales of growing up in their beloved Michigan. While one of the Mongers stroked a vintage accordian and played electric guitar, the other Monger demonstrated his skills on the mandolin and guitar. Guitarist Gregory McIntosh, bassist Scott McClintock, and drummer Fido Kennington all contributed to the bands majestic sound, with all five members of the band joining in multi-part harmonies that sent chills up and down the spine of the listener. Even though the evening was hot, the rain stayed north as the Great Lakes Myth Society played for an audience of several hundred fans. Those who began the evening unfamiliar with the band showed their appreciaton as they lined up to purchase CD's and t-shirts.

The next time the Great Lakes Myth Society performs in your area, make sure you make the effort to see them. You will not be disappointed.

Set List:

Brablec Farms
Across the Bridge
Love Story
Novi
Bright Phoebus
Stump Speech
Michigan & Trumbull
Isabella County
Summer Bonfire
T&J Set
Sebutante
Heydays
Lincoln
Eastern Birds
Northern Lights
March Barley Fool
Big Jim Hawkins

Recent Discoveries: Earlimart, Beck, The Hold Steady

2008-07-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

Earlimart

I don’t know how this band evaded my consciousness, but I’m pleased that I finally stumbled upon them. The music is very indie-pop oriented, with frequently slow-burning tempos, lush guitar-centric music, and stunning male/female vocal interplay. This isn’t music for head bangers (although interesting electric guitar heroics do show up from time to time) . It’s music for a Sunday morning stroll along the river. Their newest album, Hymn and Her, is earning rave reviews all over the ‘web, but you should also check out their earlier releases, especially Treble and Tremble and Mentor Tormentor.

Beck

I never got into Beck back in the 90’s when he was played every hour on the hour on the local college radio station. For some reason, I thought he wasn’t for real. I guess I was wrong, because after several albums, he’s still around and has released a gem. Modern Guilt is melodic, energetic, and expertly produced by Danger Mouse. Those who like to rock will find enough her to enjoy, but the lonely housewives will really dig this record. It’s dark in spots, but the melodies and beats do plenty to alleviate the depression.

The Hold Steady

If you are a fan of Springsteen or The Killers, you might like the Hold Steady. The music is big, but the vocals take a bit of getting used to. Front man Craig Finn doesn’t even try to sing. Instead, he rants and raves about summer, religion, magazines, even Jamaica on their new album Stay Positive. It’s hard to say if this music has the lasting value of Springsteen, but it’s great that a modern band is reaching for the big brass ring.

Siggy, Jake Pashkin

2008-06-23T05:16:00.000-07:00

Siggy – “The Absinthe Effect”

Channeling the vocal style of Tom Verlaine and the guitars of The Feelies, Siggy manages to sound fresh and compelling. The ten tracks on The Absinthe Effect are driven by a rhythmic mix of acoustic and electric guitars. Galen Buckwalter’s quivery voice is not American Idol material, but that’s not the point. His sound is unique and memorable.

Tracks to check out are “Remember,” a mid-tempo track packed with melody, or “Mediterranean,” which sounds like The Velvet Underground on steroids. Siggy is not a band focused upon singles though, they rely instead on creating an album that is best enjoyed in one complete listening session.

Jake Pashkin – “Prequel”

It’s not often that you discover a six-string shredder from Russia, but the search is over. Jake Pashkin is an amazingly talented guitarist in the Joe Satriani/Steve Vai vein. Prequel contains ten very self-indulgent instrumental tracks that rely upon a techno-based rhythmic background. Occasional synthesizer melodies provide a counterpoint for the raging guitar solos, but the problem lies in that the melodies don’t tend to stick in your mind for very long. The best instrumental guitar music is able to convince the listener that vocals aren’t a necessary component, yet Pashkin doesn’t manage to pull off the deception.

From a technical standpoint, Pashkin is a guitarist to be admired. While Prequil will be enjoyable to those who found Jeff Beck’s Guitar Shop to be a masterpiece, others may find the album to be worthy of only a momentary diversion.

Robin Mookerjee - "All By Myself"

2008-04-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

The music industry has always released music by singers with an "interesting" vocal styles. Throughout the history of rock and roll there have been some very strange sounding vocalists, (Bob Dylan, Robert Smith, Tom Petty), but these artists were able to sing in key and present their songs with passion and energy.

Even though this critic tries very hard to find a positive side to every review, Robin Mookerjee does not offer much to be positive about. Oh, the recording is crisp and clear, thanks to modern digital equipment. But Mookerjee doesn't provide even a hint of vocal melody or passion on his songs. His digital release, "All By Myself," contains twenty tracks of drum machines, totally strange guitar work, droning keyboards, and Mookerjee's bizarre singing.

If you like music that completely lacks melody and song structure, then give Mookerjee a spin in your browser. Somewhere in Internet land, there has to be an audience for Mookerjee's music.

Freedom People: "New (R)Evolution"

2008-03-23T07:32:00.000-07:00

It's a damn shame that there really hasn't been a powerful musical protest movement against the Iraq war. Ever since the Dixie Chicks were vilified for daring to challenge the Bush administration, other modern recording artists seem to be afraid to get overly political. While important artists like Steve Earle have dared to speak out against the war, the vast majority have decided that it's best to avoid controversy.

The Freedom People are Brad Stanfield & Periel Marr, who apply their vocal and instrumental skills upon the ten tracks on their album New (R)Evolution. Musically, the album assembles guitars, percussion, and Stanfield's and Marr's vocals into a crisply recorded folk-rock style that will sound familiar to fans of John Mellencamp or, to go back a few years, the Mama's and the Papas.

The lead-off track, "New (R)Evolution" is the most overt call for the end of the Bush Doctrine and an end to the war. Stanfield and Marr plead for a "sit in on the White House lawn," to an accompaniment of vibrato-charged guitars. Stanfield's guitar chops are solid, as he uses a wah-wah to great effect in the hard-charging "People Let's Stop the War." The duo shows off a funky side with Marr on lead vocals in "Say Love," then enters Stevie Nicks territory with the mid-tempo number "Be Here Now."

New (R)Evolution offers a good bit of varitety. The duo's voices are engaging and effectively compliment each other ("Hologram"), they know how to rock ("The Earth is My Church"), and Stanfield demonstrates his guitar chops ("Free").

The modern rock audience may find the Freedom People to be overly nostalgic, with their message of peace and love. But Stanfield and Marr are sincere in their beliefs, even if sometimes the album hearkens back to a time when people were actively engaged in demonstrating their disdain for the politics of the time.

Bud Buckley: "It's About Time"

2008-03-16T15:23:00.000-07:00

Listen to this album while reading this review!

It's comforting to know that while Americans are facing tough times, one can always turn to music to provide relief.

Bud Buckley, along with several talented Woodstock, NY musicians, has cooked up an album full of AOR tracks that succeeds on a lot of different levels. Sometimes the album is perfect as a Sunday morning soundtrack, other times a song will grab your attention with a clever hook or a sense of urgency.

Buckley's honest voice is accompanied by a lush production of strings, guitars, and percussion. The lyrics are often poignant and occasionally humorous, as in the track "Tatoo": "Bad ideas seem so perfect when they first inflame your mind - Possibly they'll show no mercy, going from cool to lame in time."

Buckley can also rock in a rootsy, earnest manner that will be familiar to fans of Tom Petty or Bruce Springsteen ("Underground"). His quieter efforts resemble Crowded House, as acoustic guitars are deployed in an unusually effective manner ("Keeping Secrets").

It's About Time is an eclectic collection of songs that also manages to achieve a level of cohesiveness often lacking in 21st century pop and rock. Give Bud Buckley a listen, it's well worth the time.

Blackmore's Night: "Paris Moon"

2007-11-22T07:30:00.000-08:00

There are two distinct schools of thought when discussing the career of Ritchie Blackmore. Either you are totally ambivalent and only remember him for playing the ultimate guitar riff in "Smoke on the Water," or you are a total Blackmore nut who collects everything he's ever recorded.

If you are in the latter group, you are probably already aware that his renaissance-revival band, Blackmore's Night, is not in the same league as his hard-rocking electric bands Deep Purple or Rainbow. Instead of pummeling a Stratocaster, Blackmore delicately strums acoustic stringed instruments. The band's lead vocalist and lyricist, Candice Night, is a lovely yet slightly cloying lady who could be the daughter of actress Barbara Eden. Night completely immerses her lyrics in medieval imagary, which is easily absorbed in small doses. The entire Blackmore's Night catalog represents a solid body of work that will satisfy a narrowly-defined audience.

The new DVD set from Blackmore's Night, "Paris Moon," is a live concert of the band performing in a mid-sized theater in Paris in 2006. For this concert, Blackmore and Night lead the band (bass, drums, keyboards, two lovely background vocalists) through a lively set of highly melodic medieval songs. blackmore is in charge, but he is not the star of the show. Instead, he lurks in the background, demonstrating complete command of his guitars and mandolins. His band is given plenty of room to demonstrate their chops in a variety of complex interplay that resembles classic progressive rock at times. The melding of "Past Times With Good Company" and the Jethro Tull track "Rainbow Blues" is a brilliant opening to the set, but the momentum is lost as the band seems to be unsure of their set-list. The audience is eager for the band to increase the energy level, but Blackmore resists and instead plays the uninspired instrumental track "Durch Den Wald Zum Bachaus." Fortunately, the lively tempo and solid musicianship of "Under a Violet Moon" and a creative re-visioning of the Rainbow track "Soldier of Fortune" resurrect what could be a fairly dull concert. Candice Night does her best to entertain, and she sings with precision and perfect pitch. She also plays a variety of woodwinds, which successfully add to the texture and dynamics of the songs.

"Paris Moon" is a very nicely packaged product. Along with the DVD is an 11-track companion CD of songs from the concert and two bonus studio tracks. An earlier Blackmore's Night DVD release (2003), "Under a Violet Moon," contains a livelier performance of the band at an outdoor renaissance festival. Fans of the band should consider adding the earlier DVD to their collection before purchasing "Paris Moon."

Review: Good Morning Maxfield

2007-08-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

Bursting from ear buds in a glorious wall of post-pop extacy, the opening track of Good Morning Maxfield's debut CD, "Bound to Fly," evolves from a sweeping bell-infused instrumental passage to a high-energy vocal romp that stands up to the best modern indie music. Combining elements from 70's radio pop and modern-day acts like the New Pornographers or even the Polyphonic Spree, Utah's Good Morning Maxfield show that they have the chops to stand out in a crowded market.

It's difficult to explain why the album takes such a different turn on the second track with an indifferent sounding ballad ("Somehow") that one would expect from an American Idol runner up. Lead vocalist Stewart Maxfield possesses a very nice voice, but he sounds better when surrounded by a more energetic mix. Fortunately, the next track, "Lovers Past," with its lively tempo and stellar, melodic guitars, has a hook-laden chorus that will sound familiar to fans of classic rock acts such as the Moody Blues or ELO. The tempo slows as the band veers into Semisonic territory with "Running Again," a quiet little number that possesses a suitably pleasant melody, bells, and subtle string production.

"Spinning Wheel," one of the albums strongest tracks, finds the band cranking up the creativity, but not the volume. Opening with barely audible electric guitar, Maxfield's voice lays out fully on top of the mix. Suddenly the energy level is increased as the guitars and percussion kick in, then it's back to the haunting intro melody, and the song finishes with a solid burst of six-string magic and wall-of-sound vocals. The album continues with a mid-tempo guitar ballad ("Lovely Way to Go"), then offers up a power ballad ("Song for the Wind") that justifies its existence with a ending that blends whistling, heaps of guitars, and heartfelt singing. "Steeples" continues the formula, starting slow but finishing loud. The pace slows a lush ballad ("Julie Julia") and ends with the "Wrath to Come," another Moody Blues inspired slab of orchestral rock.

Good Morning Maxfield (the band) have the chops to create provocative, interesting modern rock music. The albums many ballads, while pleasant, do nothing to separate the band from the competition. One would expect future releases from Maxfield to offer a more challenging collection of songs.

Review Briefs: Sue Brescia, Aether, Treven Kraus

2007-06-17T06:49:00.001-07:00

Regular readers of HitSession know that this site isn't known for reviews of adult contemporary music. HitSession is largely fueled by a passion to seek out and identify the best new independent rock and pop artists.

Which brings us to Sue Brescia, an artist who bathes her lovely voice in lush acoustic guitar and keyboard arrangements that leave very little to the imagination. Brescia, from Rhode Island, plays most of the instruments on her nine-track cd, Hope Rising. The lyrics can be poignant, as Brescia gently rants about the current state of affairs in our country in the track, "On the Way to Finding Peace:" "There's a cancer in this country, fueled by fires of greed and hate, you can feel the earth stopped breathing, as human hearts begin to break." She speaks the truth, but the listener wishes the music had more impact. Perhaps Brescia was hoping that by disguising a protest song as a middle-of-the-road track, she'd win over more listeners. It's pretty much the same formula for her other tracks ("You And I," "Passage In Time," "Stepping Stones"): Combine a sweet voice with lush arrangements, and win over fans of adult easy-listening music. Maybe it will work for Brescia, but it doesn't work for this critic.

Things are looking up as a wall of steady-downstroke shoe-gazer guitars introduce the Ohio indie band Aether. Updating the dense style of Joy Division, Aether successfully combines aggressive guitars with whispy keyboards, insistently pulsing percussion, and completely melodic yet unintelligible vocals. The result is music that is meant to be absorbed, not just simply enjoyed. Relying upon nondescript titles such as "Milk," "Alabaster," or "New Sound," Aether force the listener to form their own opinion about what the music represents. Case in point: A pulsing bass line introduces the track "New Sound." Then, zooming in like an out-of-control motorist on a busy highway, the guitars jar the listener into consciousness. There is something in the song that resembles singing, not unlike Thom Yorke's Radiohead moaning. Yet it is all completely enjoyable and bears repeat listening.

Aether are a band that deserves to be heard by a large audience. Don't pass this band up.

Treven Kraus is a guy who knows his way around the neck of an acoustic six-string guitar. His nimble fingers are capable of nearly anything, so he uses his super-powers to record solo guitar and voice recordings that sound like they belong on 20-year-old Allman Brother's albums. Kraus is the kind of guitarist that makes the rest of us drop our jaws in wonder.

"The Old Guitarist" is three and one half minutes of amazing, melodic acoustic guitar picking. This isn't masturbatory neck wanking, it's more along the lines of what you used to get from Dickie Betts and Duane Allman. "I Keep A Rollin'" is an up-tempo Delta-blues rocker that skillfully combines a couple of acoustic guitars, blues harp, and Kraus's convincing voice. The production on these tracks is stark and unpolished, and may ultimately only appeal to other guitarists. Hopefully Kraus will find a band to accompany his talents and bring his music to a larger audience.

Scissors For Lefty: "Underhanded Romance"

2007-05-20T07:25:00.001-07:00

Even though the mainstream music industry has pretty much given up on developing and promoting new artists, there are still bands out there who are capable of pulling off an important new recording all on their own. Scissors For Lefty, on Eeeny Meeinie Records (Los Angeles), are a foot-stomping amalgamation of modern dance rock and indie pop. Blessed with instrumental skills and a keen sense of melody, the four lads toss off slick keyboard and guitar riffs with glee. Lead vocalist Bryan Garza sounds like Jarvis Cocker on a speed binge, as he easily frolics his way through the albums eleven tracks.

A fluttery-sounding piano is quickly trounced upon by a massive bass beat and stuttering multi-tracked guitars that would have made INXS cry in the opening track, "Nickels and Dimes." The chorus is a HUGE, Killers-style blast of volume and energy, determined to increase the pulse of even the most jaded listener. The band switches to a light and bouncy mood with "Next to Argyle," which is similar in scope to the Cure's "Lovecats" but possesses a whole lot more "oomph." Synthesized blips and bleeps introduce "Lay Down Your Weapons," a track that eventually manages to use every instrument and production trick that in the modern-rock handbook.

Underhanded Romance continues with pounding dance rock ("Ghetto Ways"), lushly romantic ballads ("X's Are Forever"), Pulp/Cure inspired pop heroics ("Wandering Arms"), big music that's comfortable in any Killer's fan's iPod ("Save it Cory"), and simple yet lovely modern-pop ("Marsha").

Scissors For Lefty will satisfy any fan of the bands mentioned in this review. Underhanded Romance is a fun and memorable. Even though the band obviously embraces the recent dance-pop trend, the record manages to sound fresh and original.

Surviving the daily commute - on a bicycle

2007-05-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

HitSession is skipping the usual music review for this blog to offer some advice of a different nature.

With gas prices rising over $3 per gallon, a lot of folks are considering ways to save money at the pump. One of the most obvious ways to reduce your weekly transportation expense is to ride a bicycle to work as much as possible.

Besides saving gas money, bicycling to work has other advantages:

You won't contribute to greenhouse gas and global warming.
You'll burn calories.
You'll arrive at work full of positive energy.
You won't have to fight for a parking space.
You might actually save time.

I've been a bicyclist since getting out of college 25 years ago. It's not unusual for me to ride 120 miles per week, riding for fitness or training for the occasional road or mountain bike race. So I have one advantage in my daily commute - I'm already in shape. For those readers who are a bit soft around the middle, it will take several hours of bicycling to get in condition. Your butt will hurt, your legs will ache, and you may experience some lower back discomfort if your bicycle isn't properly set up for you. As always, see a physician before embarking on any strenuous exercise program.

My ride to work is 10 miles of rural and small town riding. I've heard of insane individuals who ride 30 miles or more, one way! On a good day, a fast cyclist is able to average 18 to 22 MPH, depending on the wind. The good news is that if you have headwind in one direction, you'll have a sweet tailwind in the other direction!

Here are some bicycle commuting ideas that I've come up with over the years:

Ride a good bike. The Wal-Mart "special" in your garage isn't going to be reliable or comfortable. It boggles my mind that people spend tens of thousands on their cars, but they won't spend $5oo to 1500 for a decent bicycle. The professionals at the local bicycle shop will help you select a bike that's perfect for your needs.
Minimize the load. There is always at least one day each week when I have to drive to work. I take a week's worth of clothing so that I don't have to cram my work clothes in a backpack. I also leave my notebook computer at work, because the dang thing just weighs too much.
Wear comfortable clothes. For commutes under 5 miles, you may be able to wear your work clothes on your bike. I find that I am much more comfortable with cycling shorts and a jersey on for my ride.
Clean up at work. The morning's are cool in Michigan, so I don't get too sweaty. But I do clean up in the sink at work with a wash cloth when I feel grungy.
Park your bike inside. These days, most employers are aware of the need to secure your bike indoors. Ask if there is somewhere you may put your machine, and they'll usually say yes.
When you need to park your bike outdoors, make sure you have a good lock.
Be in tune with the weather! I don't ride in rain unless I am caught in it unexpectedly. Typically, this means that I get wet once or twice per season. Internet weather websites are a bicyclists best tool.
Speaking of tools, carry a spare tube and pump. Flats suck, but not being able to fix a flat sucks even worse.

For my 10 mile commute, I leave for work 25 minutes earlier than I would if I were driving. The first 7 miles are rural. I start out easy, and let my body get used to the bike. Usually I am feeling fine after the first 1 or 2 miles. I wear bright clothing and avoid busy roads. Of course, I wear a helmet and often use a rear flasher for additional visibility. I ride very defensively, not allowing motorists to put me in a position of danger. Sometimes this means taking ownership of a lane. When traveling through busy intersections, I make sure that everyone sees me. I've ridden over 4,000 miles each of the last several years and have not had any serious incidents with motorists. I won't say I haven't had any close calls, but I have enough riding skills to get myself out of trouble in case an emergency maneuver is needed (mountain biking helps build these skills).

You'll find that having your bicycle with you at work makes you more productive through your increased fitness and stamina. Need to go out for lunch? The bike will get you there faster than a car.

Best of all, each time you ride you'll remember that you've saved hard-earned cash that you would have spent on gasoline!

The Kings of Leon: "Because of the Times"

2007-04-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

Forget what you read about this album on Pitchfork. Those guys wouldn't know a good album if it snuck up and bit them in the ass. Because of the Times, the outstanding third recording from this talented southern family (three brothers and a cousin), mixes southern rock lyrical ideas (mostly hot cars and equally hot chicks) with modern garage-rock guitar heroics.

The epic opening track, "Knocked Up," is similar to "Free Bird" only in length. The Kings of Leon rely on atmosphere and texture to get their point across. You won't find five minutes of guitar soloing, but you will hear harmonics juxtaposed with an insistent yet simple rhythm. The guys in the background chant their "oh oh oh's" while the lead singer tells us about how he got his girlfriend pregnant and he's going off to marry her, no matter what his mother thinks.

The volume get's kicked into high gear on the wild cut, "Charmer." Imagine what Modest Mouse would sound like if they really cranked up their guitars and you have this track. The vocals are screachy and annoying, but fit the track perfectly. The love song "On Call" demonstrates the boy's ability to knock out a fairly standard modern rock tune, with its chunky guitars and melodic vocal hook. The album continues with a surprisingly adventurous mixture of angry guitar rock, especially on the tracks "True Love Way" and "Camaro."

Because of the Times is so good that it encouraged me to check out the other albums from this band. I encourage any fan of modern rock to do the same.

Patrick Cornell: Left Coast Modern Rock

2007-03-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

For a few seconds the opening track ("Dies Irae") on Patrick Cornell's mini-CD, This Much is True, sounds like it's going to be another stab at merging laid-back soft rock with country music. But when the electric six-string guitar kicks in, hold on, because you just might suffer from whiplash.

Cornell, from Los Angeles, is a singer-songwriter who favors a loud jangle-rock style. Not unlike fellow jangle rocker Tommy Keene, Cornell's voice is clearly placed in the upper register without sounding wimpy. He makes no excuse of loving the sound of a well-played electric guitar, which is always placed in the front of the mix.

Cornell demonstrates the ability to bleed the life out of one steady chord in "Silently Insane," then offers a welcome melodic shift just before the massive chorus. Acoustic guitars are a wonderful tool for any serious guitarist, so he turns down the volume on "Black Beauty," which has adult-contemporary crossover potential. "Vanessa" begins as mildly romantic radio-friendly fare but is resurrected by a blast of jarring electric guitar. The tempo and temperature are kicked up a notch in the hard rocking "Laurel Canyon Strut," which surrounds a melodic chorus with angry and jagged guitar riffing. "Blessings" closes the CD, and its slow-tempo would be the perfect set-closer after a long night at the club.

This Much is True is a solid introduction to this new talent. Cornell isn't an innovator when compared to indie contemporaries, but when he's playing modern rock, he's more than capable.

The Chameleons UK: "This Never Ending Now"

2007-03-19T18:46:00.000-07:00

During the later half of the 80's and deep into the 90's, a virtually unknown band from Manchester, England released a nearly perfect series of atmospheric modern rock recordings. Possessing a uniquely English vocal style and an extremely processed electric guitar style, the Chameleons UK always maintained a death-grip upon the most important musical element: melody.

Their songs aren't of the typical verse-chorus-bridge-chorus variety. Instead, the tracks often start with an eerie electric guitar riff, then the singing by Mark Burgess (also on bass) adds to the texture. The Chameleons UK released one brilliant CD in 2001, Why Call it Anything? This album is a must-have for those who are intimate with their music. Others may wish to start with the harder rocking Strange Times.

In 2003, the band decided to enter the studio and re-imagine their favorite tracks in an acoustic setting. Even though their previous studio records were heavy on production tricks, the songs chosen for This Never Ending Now are every bit as powerful as the original recordings. The standout track on this record is the epic "Second Skin." Beginning with a lovely acoustic guitar pattern, Burgess' quiet vocals ride above the instrumental melody. The aching beauty of his singing the lines "I realize the miracle is due...I dedicate this melody to you...but is the stuff dreams are made of..." actually transports the listener to a melancholy state of consciousness. Suddenly, the percussion and guitars collide into a wondrous cacophony of the best that modern rock is able to offer, leaving you drained of energy and ambition.

Other amazing tracks populate this recording: There's a brilliant cover of Bowie's "Moonage Daydream," the insistent melodic riffing on "Swamp Thing," and a stunning version of "Miracles and Wonders," which features a strange bit of toasting from Kwasi Asante.

This Never Ending Now is available now from Emusic.com. The album is free of all digital rights management software (DRM). I hope you are able to hear this beautiful recording.

Anticipating the new Modest Mouse Release

2007-03-13T19:06:00.000-07:00

It's still early in the 2007, but already I'm bored with this year's new releases. With the exception of the new Arcade Fire album, there has been a shortage of important music. Hopefully, things will get more exciting when the new Modest Mouse record, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank hits the retail outlets on March 20.

The last Modest Mouse record, was a good release when compared against the competition, but as a MM record, it wasn't really wasn't up to the standard set by earlier releases The Moon and Antarctica or The Lonesome Crowded West. Once you become enamoured with MM, you begin to expect certain things of the music: warped, highly textured guitar patterns, oddly off-kilter vocals that sometimes tell strange stories ("Cowboy Dan"), and a show-stopping crescendo that knocks your socks off while spinning provocative lyrical concepts ("The Stars are Projectors").

Fortunately, lead vocalist and guitarist Isaac Brock realized that the band needed help if they were to grow. With the radio hit "Float On" from the last album behind them, it was time for the band to embrace their roots and go back to the edgy style that won them their fan base in the first place.

Enter guitarist extraordinaire Johnny Marr. At first, it seemed very odd that this elder statesman from The Smiths would be a bad fit for the band. If you can find a leaked copy of the new song "Spitting Venom," your doubts will be dashed.

The song begins with a simple acoustic guitar pattern and the repeated lyric "Let it drop... let it all drop." Suddenly, the guitars enter the scene like a semi-truck running on fuel made from chemically refined Fender Jazzmasters. These guitars are completely removed from anything that Marr ever attempted in the Smiths or his other recordings - they are brittle, molten shards of sonic glass. But this is an epic MM tune, and a stunning trumpet melody enters the theme as the guitars spin a magnificent melodic pattern while the vocals layer smartly within the mix.

Yes, Modest Mouse are back with a vengeance. We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank won't be a record that your mom will like. It's entirely too edgy and dissonant.

Which is exactly what we need right now.

The 10 Best Albums at Emusic.com (Part 2)

2007-03-09T20:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we covered 5 of the best recordings that you can download from Emusic.com. Today we finish the list with 5 more albums that every fan of classic or modern music should own:

The Delgados: Hate

Representing a slightly edgier side of indie-pop, The Delgados are a band that mixes male and female vocals with cleverly orchestrated song structures. The band could be a modern version of ELO (they cover "Mr. Blue Sky" on the EP All You Need is Hate), as a full string section provides a counterpoint for driving guitars and percussion. The lyrical component is quite visionary, yet the songs are still melodic enough to sing along with. Sadly, Hate was the bands equinox, as their next record, Universal Audio, tossed the strings in favor of a stripped-down sound that failed to capture the band's full capabilities.

The Great Lakes Myth Society: S/T

Being a born and bred Michigander, I had no problem connecting with this album of songs about my home state. This recording falls somewhere between folk and rock, as banjos collide with guitars while the lyrics tell of journeys across the Mackinac Bridge, mining, Marquette County, and lake effect snow.

Neko Case: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

Neko Case represents all that is good with female Americana. As a singer in The New Pornographers, Case gets to show her pop/rock chops. But as a solo artist, her reverb-drenched voice echoes the great female country singers of the 50's. One song, "Hold On, Hold On" is worth the price of admission, but the entire album is a stunner. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this record.

The New Pornographers: Twin Cinema

This band is a Canadian indie-rock supergroup made up of people that no one has ever heard of. Neko Case is the most recognizable name, but every member of this amazing band does their part. The songs are crisp and bright sounding, full of crashing guitars and odd tempo changes. Fans of the early Kinks, the Db's, or even The Shins will enjoy this hooky, energetic romp.

Wake Ooloo: What About It

After the seminal 80's band The Feelies crashed and burned, the lead guitarist and singer Glen Mercer formed Wake Ooloo. Still plying a similar territory to The Feelies, What About It may be one the best unknown albums of its era. While the electric guitar is the main instrument, the band fully understands the importance of texture and dynamics. Songs like "Anything" are emotionally powerful, while other tracks are examples of near-perfect six-string American rock and roll.

The 10 Best Albums at Emusic.com (Part 1)

2007-03-08T17:34:00.000-08:00

I've been an Emusic.com subscriber for about three years. Emusic isn't a typical music download site: The music is all independent. You won't find the latest from Gnarles Barkley, but for those who are passionate about music, there is plenty here to be discovered.

In the early days, Emusic charged a flat subscription fee and you were allowed to download everything you wanted. This system encouraged experimentation, allowing the music consumer the opportunity to download complete albums without any financial penalty. A couple of years ago, Emusic changed their policy to allow a fixed number of downloads, depending on how much the consumer was willing to pay. Now the music fan has to do some research to make sure that each download is worth the money. My subscription allows me to download 60 tracks each 30 days. But I am a completest - I only download full albums, as I want to hear every track, not just the hits. So I snag 5 or 6 albums each month for about $15. Not a bad deal!

Today I'm going to offer up five of my favorite all time Emusic albums. Tomorrow I'll give you another five. Enjoy!

The Arcade Fire: Funeral
The Arcade Fire: Neon Bible

One pop music trend in the 21st century involves the creation of complex, orchestral rock music. It's typically referred to as "indie pop," as the bands that create it are independent of any large corporate label, which allows the freedom to create music without preconceived boundaries. The Arcade Fire, who are a multi-piece outfit from Canada, put together a heavenly sounding mixture of guitars, strings, percussion, and vocals that bring to mind XTC or The Talking Heads. The music is powerful but not indulgent. The lyrics actually mean something, but it's the melodies and hooks that will keep you coming back.

Belle and Sebastian: The Boy With the Arab Strap

Admittedly not every one's cup of tea, Belle and Sebastian represent a more gentle side of the indie pop scene. The vocals are often rather "twee" sounding- light and airy, but repeated listening does uncover an underlying tension and sincerity. The instrumentation is mostly acoustic, but the music is quite lively, This is pop for fans of The Housemartins or The Beautiful South.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch: Hedwig and the Angry Inch Soundtrack

How about a concept album about a guy who suffers a botched sex-change operation? This soundtrack was taken from the indie film of the same title (often played on IFC). The music is 100% glam rock. You'll hear echoes of Bowie, T-Rex, and Mott the Hoople as you cringe to lyrics that discuss the loss of a favorite male appendage.

Ian Hunter: Rant

After quitting his job as the front man of Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter released a fairly successful batch of solo records. Rant finds Mr. Hunter in a dour mood as he discusses the condition of his home country England and the morons that surround him. This is a nearly perfect classic rock album - there are songs with raging guitars, there are tender ballads. Hunter was never the best singer, but he knows how to use his voice and lyrics to really get at the emotional core of an issue.

Tomorrow: Five more from Emusic

The Clash: Sometimes you need a kick in the head

2007-03-07T19:31:00.000-08:00

There's quite a bit of punk rock represented in my music collection. Back in the late 70's, before most of you were born, my listening preferences were moving away from corporate rock in favor of new wave and punk rock. Imagine hearing the first Ramones album right after listening to Journey or Ted Nugent. It was a complete trip, one that I really didn't "get" at the time. I thought that The Ramones were sophomoric retards who had no idea how to play their instruments. I was so wrong about this that I have probably never been so wrong again in my entire life.

Even though I didn't appreciate the Ramones, I did fall in love with The Clash. Here was a band that sorta understood their instruments, but they also offered a lyrical component that wasn't available from anyone else. Songs like "Janie Jones," and "I'm so Bored with the USA" crept into my band's set list. But it was the seminal album, London Calling, that had the most impact upon my young life. There are so many treasures on this album ("Guns of Brixton," "The Card Cheat") that each listen still to this day causes chills to run up and down my spine. For a few years, the planets were aligned for Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, and Topper Headon.

Last night, VH1 played the Joe Strummer video for "Redemption Song," and I nearly broke out in tears as I thought about the joy that Mr. Strummer brought to so many of us. Strummer's solo records were the work of a man who'd seen a lot in his life. He became a father, and became to realize that a lot of people depended upon him. This must have been contrary to his London squatter beginnings, where one only worried about the next meal. A heart attack took Joe Strummer from us in 2002.

For those seeking some modern adult punk, I recommend T.V. Smith (formerly of the early punk band The Adverts), or New Model Army. These artists create passionate, political punk that will be appreciated by fans of The Clash.

The Kaiser Chiefs: "Yours Truly Angry Mob"

2007-03-06T19:06:00.000-08:00

The second album from this energetic young band finds the guitars cranked to the max and the melodies fully intact. You don't listen to a band like The Kaiser Chiefs because you're searching for a message, you listen because you want to forget your problems and have some fun.

Yours Truly Angry Mob begins with "Ruby," a light-hearted romp that echoes Morrissey in the vocal department while offering plenty of energy from the guitars and percussion. "Heat Dies Down" is a high-speed mosh pit favorite, but it's "Love's Not A Competition (But I'm Winning)" that demonstrates the band's ability to concoct a radio-friendly indie-pop tune. The song is a nice acoustic ballad that is certain to be a favorite for female listeners. Another powerful track on the album is "Thank You Very Much," a track that packs enough heat to raise the global temperature all on it's own. Surging guitars are abruptly forced to a sudden change of tempo in what has become a staple in The Kaiser Chiefs' bag of tricks before the band kicks back in with a full-bore chorus.

Yours Truly Angry Mob will be appreciated most by fans of Franz Ferdinand or Killers. Packed with vocal melodies and impressive musical energy, this is an easy album to like.

Recent film music spotlights Donovan, King Crimson

2007-03-05T06:22:00.000-08:00

Chills ran down my spine as the first strains of "The Court of the Crimson King" played during an intense moment in the movie Children of Men. This harrowing film about a future Earth without the ability to reproduce children chose some very interesting songs for its soundtrack. But it's the King Crimson song, with its melancholy melody, that made the movie work for me. I am always amazed that film producers are so clever at finding obsure yet wonderful tunes for their soundtracks. Remember how a cover of the Tears for Fears track "Mad World" transformed Donnie Darko?

This weekend, I had another amazing movie-song experience. This time it was hearing Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" in Zodiac. This film about finding a serial killer was very, very well made. Even at 2 hours, 30 minutes, the movie's fast pace kept me rooting for the good guys to catch the monster that took lives for several years beginning in the late 60's. Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downy, Jr. were expertly cast as investigative newspaper reporters. Even though I was never a huge fan of Donovan, hearing "Hurdy Gurdy Man" in Zodiac makes me want to sample more of his music.

Note for younger music fans: King Crimson were a progressive rock band that featured the phenomenal guitarist Robert Fripp on guitar. Their best album, In the Court of the Crimson King, featured Greg Lake on vocals before he left to join Emerson, Lake and Palmer. You may have heard "20th Century Schizoid Man," which is considered by many to be the best progressive rock song of all time. If you play guitar, you need to hear this album.

Rory Gallagher, Blue Oyster Cult

2007-03-04T17:21:00.000-08:00

Sunday is a great day to dig into the music archives. On the way to the ski slopes, I pumped a Rory Gallagher's "Live in Montreux" through the car stereo. Released last year, this live concert showcases the legendary Irish blues and rock guitarist at his finest. The recording, which sounds thin at first but acquires more sonic depth as the live mix improves, is a terriffic starting point for anyone who wants an introduction to Gallagher's music. With his perfectly destroyed Stratocaster and whiskey-infused voice, Gallagher plays like a man possessed on "Laundromat," "Shin Kicker," and his masterpiece, "Philby." He plays the blues straight on "Tore Down," and tosses us an acoustic track, "Out On the Western Plain." Gallagher's life was cut short, but the man left behind a legacy of music that is still inspiring young guitarists.

Anyone who claims to enjoy hard rock needs some Blue Öyster Cult in their collection. Start with their third studio album, "Secret Treaties," which contains the amazing tracks "ME-262" and "Astronomy." These two tracks defined hard rock in the 70's, fusing a heavy-metal guitar onslaught with comic book and sci-fi lyrics. Jump forward to their next studio album, "Agents of Fortune," and you'll get their biggest hit "Don't Fear the Reaper." I recommend staying away from the many compilations that are avaialble and instead grabbing their first 5 records, which is an amazing body of work with very little filler material. If you haven't heard "Last Days of May," "Cities On Flame," "Hot Rails to Hell," "Dominance and Submission," or "Harvestor of Eyes," then you are not a true rock fan.

The Arcade Fire, Explosions In the Sky, Celibate Rifles

2007-03-03T04:25:00.000-08:00

The new album from the Arcade Fire, "Neon Bible," has been getting plenty of airtime on my MP3 player. Like its predecessor, "Funeral," the new album is full of reverb-drenched indie pop that finds a way to embed itself upon the listener's soul. The songs are BIG sounding, almost achieving a Phil Spector "wall of sound" effect.

If you dig the music from the film "Friday Night Lights," you can download the songs from the Texas indie band that creates the beautiful instrumental guitar soundscapes, Explosions in the Sky, from Emusic.com. The songs follow no pre-ordained structure, but they are always very interesting.

I always thought that Midnight Oil were the best band to come out of Australia, but since I've discovered The Celibate Rifles, I'm beginning to change my mind. Similar in style to early Skids or Radio Birdman, The Celibate Rifles have a very diverse and interesting catalog. Check them out if you are in the need of some melodic high-energy guitar punk.

Looking for some cinematic weirdness? Check out the new DVD, "The Science of Sleep." It's made by the same guy (Michel Gondry) who made "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," so it's quite a mind-bender. Packed with strange yet cool animated dream sequences, the story is about a very odd young man's attempt to win over the girl next door. This is a difficult movie to fall in love with, but it is clever and fun to talk about among your friends who've also seen it.

I finally got around to seeing "Garden State." Wow, what a cool film. If you haven't seen this yet, move it to the top of your list. Zach Braff of "Scrubs" wrote it and stars in this quiet indie film about a guy who goes home for his mother's funeral. The plot is quite complex, and the soundtrack features The Shins. This one is worth owning.