The Royal Army Recording Company – Mary, Your Ghost is Showing
In the summer of 1998 I convinced somebody to trade a copy of Beck’s Odelay for a pair of sunglasses with yellow lenses. I lost those glasses, and ended up buying Odelay again when I was in college. I have a very good feeling The Royal Army Recording Co. are Beck fans, too. Except they didn’t trade Odelay for a pair of shitty sunglasses.
I’ll be 100% honest here and tell you that I’ve never actually heard “Sea Change” but somebody told me it’s Beck’s country album. If this is true, The Royal Army Recording Co. are fans of that album. Singer K. Tompkins has just enough of his influence in there to be reminiscent, but not enough to be a rip off.
Some people singing voice sounds the best right at the tip of it’s range when they’re giving it shit like it stole its bike. K. seems to shy away from this and play it safe. The melodies are there, and the musicianship is there, but I would consider bringing the key up a half a step or a full step just to strain that voice enough to make sound like ya mean it.
A catchy little ep, “Mary, Your Ghost is Showing” is a great precursor of what’s to come from this Maryland based “community” of musicians. Indie/pop/country-delica. Sweet! I invented a genre!
http://www.myspace.com/theroyalarmyrecordingco
Monday, March 31, 2008
Hi, we like Jesus AND U2!
The Blackstones – Self-Titled EP
If I had my way, U2 would have one record. It would be side one of The Joshua Tree, and a few other tunes. Especially that “Discotheque” song from that record nobody likes. Redundancy will prevail here and I will say it again in plainer language. I’m not a big U2 fan. I’m not a Bono fan. And any man who calls himself The Edge, and looks like my Uncle Paul is probably a douche.
Regardless of my head-in-ass opinion of U2, it cannot be denied that they’ve had a huge influence on today’s rock landscape. Everywhere you look, so-called modern rock bands are ripping off U2’s sound left and right. People about 5 to 10 years my junior may argue and say most bands are ripping off Coldplay’s sound. These are the same people who think Green Day started the punk rock revolution.
I’m kinda proud of Bono, though. A lot of people in his position play the “I didn’t ask to be a role model” card and continue about their ridiculous behavior. I’m on the fence about that myself. If you’re famous, you’re a role model regardless of whether or not you asked for it. So you need to clean up a bit. But on the other hand, and I say this as a father, parents need to monitor what their children are doing a lot more closely. Bono, though, has completely embraced being a role model. He’s an advocate for change. That I dig about him. His annoying voice, and shitty records after The Joshua Tree, I can do without, though.
The Blackstones from Washington State in the U.S. are one of those many bands who have been influenced by U2. They’re mixing U2’s songwriting craft, with a bit of Sonic Youth lite guitar noises to make a an album that’s a bit hard to get through, but once understood is a nice little piece of music.
The album is a bit murky in sound. A lot of guitar noises, and muddy sounds, and very sparse drums for the most part make it a bit hard to appreciate the quality of songwriting, but once you get passed this, you start to see and hear the talent these young men have.
Atmospheric and partly about Jesus, The Blackstones EP is a great little record for fans of good music.
http://www.myspace.com/theblackstones
If I had my way, U2 would have one record. It would be side one of The Joshua Tree, and a few other tunes. Especially that “Discotheque” song from that record nobody likes. Redundancy will prevail here and I will say it again in plainer language. I’m not a big U2 fan. I’m not a Bono fan. And any man who calls himself The Edge, and looks like my Uncle Paul is probably a douche.
Regardless of my head-in-ass opinion of U2, it cannot be denied that they’ve had a huge influence on today’s rock landscape. Everywhere you look, so-called modern rock bands are ripping off U2’s sound left and right. People about 5 to 10 years my junior may argue and say most bands are ripping off Coldplay’s sound. These are the same people who think Green Day started the punk rock revolution.
I’m kinda proud of Bono, though. A lot of people in his position play the “I didn’t ask to be a role model” card and continue about their ridiculous behavior. I’m on the fence about that myself. If you’re famous, you’re a role model regardless of whether or not you asked for it. So you need to clean up a bit. But on the other hand, and I say this as a father, parents need to monitor what their children are doing a lot more closely. Bono, though, has completely embraced being a role model. He’s an advocate for change. That I dig about him. His annoying voice, and shitty records after The Joshua Tree, I can do without, though.
The Blackstones from Washington State in the U.S. are one of those many bands who have been influenced by U2. They’re mixing U2’s songwriting craft, with a bit of Sonic Youth lite guitar noises to make a an album that’s a bit hard to get through, but once understood is a nice little piece of music.
The album is a bit murky in sound. A lot of guitar noises, and muddy sounds, and very sparse drums for the most part make it a bit hard to appreciate the quality of songwriting, but once you get passed this, you start to see and hear the talent these young men have.
Atmospheric and partly about Jesus, The Blackstones EP is a great little record for fans of good music.
http://www.myspace.com/theblackstones
Joseph Edgar
Joseph Edgar – Oh Ma Ma
When I first moved to Moncton, all I knew about the music scene was The Monoxides and Eric’s Trip/Elevator to Hell/Elevator/Elevator Through etc. Then after a while of being here, I started stepping out every once in a while to different shows and jam nights and whatnot. This was my first introduction to the real Moncton music scene.
A few people I met along the way introduced me to the different aspects of this scene. I met the hippy jammers, the metal heads, and a few punk rockers. I also met a few great singer/songwriters. One of the first of those artists I heard of and met through mutual acquaintances was Marc “Joseph Edgar” Poirier (pronounced pouArier). Marc is a singer/songwriter in the style of “proper” singer songwriters, (see: Bob Dylan, Neil Young, etc.) except, you know… French. He’s a scene veteran having played with “Zero Degrees Celsius” and done the solo thing for a while.
Listening to a record in a foreign language is hard on some people. You feel a bit out of the loop. You want to understand what the singer is going on about, but at the same time you ask yourself “is it really worth learning a new language just for this?”
If you want to know the answer, in short, it’s yes. If you’re listening to “Oh Ma Ma” that is. This is a great record. If this album were English, it would be all over the goddamned place. Brilliant songwriting by PouArier, a great back up band in Moncton “French-Jam-Rock” mainstays Les Paiens, and great production by Chops make this a disc worth picking up and a disc worth listening to repeatedly.
www.myspace.com/josephedgar
When I first moved to Moncton, all I knew about the music scene was The Monoxides and Eric’s Trip/Elevator to Hell/Elevator/Elevator Through etc. Then after a while of being here, I started stepping out every once in a while to different shows and jam nights and whatnot. This was my first introduction to the real Moncton music scene.
A few people I met along the way introduced me to the different aspects of this scene. I met the hippy jammers, the metal heads, and a few punk rockers. I also met a few great singer/songwriters. One of the first of those artists I heard of and met through mutual acquaintances was Marc “Joseph Edgar” Poirier (pronounced pouArier). Marc is a singer/songwriter in the style of “proper” singer songwriters, (see: Bob Dylan, Neil Young, etc.) except, you know… French. He’s a scene veteran having played with “Zero Degrees Celsius” and done the solo thing for a while.
Listening to a record in a foreign language is hard on some people. You feel a bit out of the loop. You want to understand what the singer is going on about, but at the same time you ask yourself “is it really worth learning a new language just for this?”
If you want to know the answer, in short, it’s yes. If you’re listening to “Oh Ma Ma” that is. This is a great record. If this album were English, it would be all over the goddamned place. Brilliant songwriting by PouArier, a great back up band in Moncton “French-Jam-Rock” mainstays Les Paiens, and great production by Chops make this a disc worth picking up and a disc worth listening to repeatedly.
www.myspace.com/josephedgar
Jinder
Jinder – I’m Alive
When I was growing up my Mom listened to a lot of country music. She was a big Willie Nelson fan. She LOVED George Jones, and was also a Kris Kristofferson fan before it was cool to be a Kris Kristofferson fan. So because of that, I listened to a lot of country music as a child. But, just like every kid does, I “rebelled” against my Mom and started listening to rock and roll music. It wasn’t cool to like country music when I was in high school. But when I got older, I discovered a “new” country. Whiskeytown, Wilco, and The Drive by Truckers. Bands who were fans of that outlaw country, but were able to make it just modern enough to catch the ears of indie hipsters everywhere.
Jinder’s Mom and mine probably have a lot in common because if I were to write some sad bastard country influenced music, this is the record I would have written. Chock of full of sippin’ whiskey pity songs, “I’m Alive” is what to listen to if you’re reminiscing about your younger years. (Which is exactly what I did a couple of times with the record)
It’s the mundane in life that makes life so important. Beat up guitars, traveling, cheap wine, and your heroes are all the things that make the world go around. With songs about each of these (see “Travellin’ Song”, “Townes Blues” and “Train in Your Voice”) Jinder has made a record about his life, and subsequently about yours, and mine too. And keep an ear out for an homage fellow Brits “MYE” on the traditional track Jinder arranged for this record.
Now that I’ve been over all the good of this album, there is a slight hint of bad. While his slow, and sad bastard traveling songs kick more than the llama’s ass, his upbeat numbers sometimes sound a bit corny, or cheesy. But considering there are really only two songs on the record that fall into that category, we’re still at a batting average well above the major league average.
When you’re reviewing records, some of what lands in your mailbox isn’t very good, and a lot of the time it’s a record that you listen to for the review and throw it in the pile. “I’m Alive” doesn’t fall into that category. This is a record that is on my top 10 list for 2006. This is a record I’ll listen to again. Often. Go buy this.
www.myspace.com/jinder
When I was growing up my Mom listened to a lot of country music. She was a big Willie Nelson fan. She LOVED George Jones, and was also a Kris Kristofferson fan before it was cool to be a Kris Kristofferson fan. So because of that, I listened to a lot of country music as a child. But, just like every kid does, I “rebelled” against my Mom and started listening to rock and roll music. It wasn’t cool to like country music when I was in high school. But when I got older, I discovered a “new” country. Whiskeytown, Wilco, and The Drive by Truckers. Bands who were fans of that outlaw country, but were able to make it just modern enough to catch the ears of indie hipsters everywhere.
Jinder’s Mom and mine probably have a lot in common because if I were to write some sad bastard country influenced music, this is the record I would have written. Chock of full of sippin’ whiskey pity songs, “I’m Alive” is what to listen to if you’re reminiscing about your younger years. (Which is exactly what I did a couple of times with the record)
It’s the mundane in life that makes life so important. Beat up guitars, traveling, cheap wine, and your heroes are all the things that make the world go around. With songs about each of these (see “Travellin’ Song”, “Townes Blues” and “Train in Your Voice”) Jinder has made a record about his life, and subsequently about yours, and mine too. And keep an ear out for an homage fellow Brits “MYE” on the traditional track Jinder arranged for this record.
Now that I’ve been over all the good of this album, there is a slight hint of bad. While his slow, and sad bastard traveling songs kick more than the llama’s ass, his upbeat numbers sometimes sound a bit corny, or cheesy. But considering there are really only two songs on the record that fall into that category, we’re still at a batting average well above the major league average.
When you’re reviewing records, some of what lands in your mailbox isn’t very good, and a lot of the time it’s a record that you listen to for the review and throw it in the pile. “I’m Alive” doesn’t fall into that category. This is a record that is on my top 10 list for 2006. This is a record I’ll listen to again. Often. Go buy this.
www.myspace.com/jinder
Does anybody say "That's how I Roll" anymore?
Jesse Cox and the Hooch – That’s How we Roll
A few years ago, when I was in the middle of a long distance relationship and a dead-end job at a bookstore, I decided to go back to college. Looking back on it, it was a stupid idea, and I regret it. I mean, education is a great thing, but not for a guy like me. I suck at learning in a structured environment.
Anyhow, there were a few guys in the class that played music, just like me, so we got along straightaway and started jamming every once in a while. That didn’t really last long because college didn’t last long.
After I quit college, I got out of that long-distance relationship (read: I got dumped) and started another dead-end job at an electronics store, and eventually started my own band. One of the guys I was in the band with knew a guy I went to college with, and these guys knew another guy who would eventually start his own band. (What?)
I’m listening to a debut record by a band called “Jesse Cox and the Hooch”. One of the Hooch is that guy that those other two guys know. (What?) He brought me a copy of the CD one night when I got off work. I was trying to eat a burrito, and I kept looking out the window expecting him to show up and interrupt me.
“That’s How we Roll” is a record that pays homage to the bands it’s members are fans off. I hear a lot of classic rock stuff, like Skynyrd, Tom Petty, The Stones, and other radio staples. The shining point of this band has got to be its namesake, Jesse Cox. It’s a very soulful, whiskey-tinged voice. Which is odd, because according to the liner notes, his favorite drink is rum and coke. I’m not a big rum drinker, but I would imagine copious amounts of any hard liquor will rough your throat up pretty good.
If I could change anything about this band, I’d make them a little more ballsy. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and blame some of the lack of balls on the production of this debut. But a lot of it I think has to do with songwriting. Case in point, Sam Beam of Iron & Wine fame, or Japan’s Guitar Wolf. Balls isn’t about sound quality as much as it’s about attitude. There are a lot of spots on this record that could use some really heavy dirty guitar leads, but are filled in by, well, nothing.
All in all, “That’s How we Roll” is a great little record. When I listen to this record, I picture what I think the band wants me to picture. A bonfire at the beach, a whole lot of booze, and hot chicks in bikinis. And for that picture, Jesse Cox and the Hooch, I thank thee. Especially the bikini part.
A few years ago, when I was in the middle of a long distance relationship and a dead-end job at a bookstore, I decided to go back to college. Looking back on it, it was a stupid idea, and I regret it. I mean, education is a great thing, but not for a guy like me. I suck at learning in a structured environment.
Anyhow, there were a few guys in the class that played music, just like me, so we got along straightaway and started jamming every once in a while. That didn’t really last long because college didn’t last long.
After I quit college, I got out of that long-distance relationship (read: I got dumped) and started another dead-end job at an electronics store, and eventually started my own band. One of the guys I was in the band with knew a guy I went to college with, and these guys knew another guy who would eventually start his own band. (What?)
I’m listening to a debut record by a band called “Jesse Cox and the Hooch”. One of the Hooch is that guy that those other two guys know. (What?) He brought me a copy of the CD one night when I got off work. I was trying to eat a burrito, and I kept looking out the window expecting him to show up and interrupt me.
“That’s How we Roll” is a record that pays homage to the bands it’s members are fans off. I hear a lot of classic rock stuff, like Skynyrd, Tom Petty, The Stones, and other radio staples. The shining point of this band has got to be its namesake, Jesse Cox. It’s a very soulful, whiskey-tinged voice. Which is odd, because according to the liner notes, his favorite drink is rum and coke. I’m not a big rum drinker, but I would imagine copious amounts of any hard liquor will rough your throat up pretty good.
If I could change anything about this band, I’d make them a little more ballsy. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and blame some of the lack of balls on the production of this debut. But a lot of it I think has to do with songwriting. Case in point, Sam Beam of Iron & Wine fame, or Japan’s Guitar Wolf. Balls isn’t about sound quality as much as it’s about attitude. There are a lot of spots on this record that could use some really heavy dirty guitar leads, but are filled in by, well, nothing.
All in all, “That’s How we Roll” is a great little record. When I listen to this record, I picture what I think the band wants me to picture. A bonfire at the beach, a whole lot of booze, and hot chicks in bikinis. And for that picture, Jesse Cox and the Hooch, I thank thee. Especially the bikini part.
harps, bitches
Flotilla – Disaster Poetry
At one point in my life I used to wish I were Rob Gordon. Do you remember him? He was character John Cusack played in High Fidelity. I identified with this character so much that I thought I could do no wrong, and I was justified in my actions because Rob Gordon did the same thing. I worked at a record shop. I was going through a nasty break up. I failed out of college. I called that girl every night for months hoping she would not break up with me until she eventually just did it. But it was ok for me to do that, and to call her and get mad at her, because Rob Gordon did that to Laura.
Enough of that, though. One of the best things about High Fidelity, other than Lisa Bonet, was the soundtrack. There were two bands that I was REALLY introduced to from that record. The Beta Band (Who’s this? The Beta Band. They’re Good! I know) and Stereolab (Rob, phones for you. Take a message. It’s your GIRLFRIEND!)
I bought the Beta Bands “3 EP’s” and I was terribly disappointed. So when it came time to get into Stereolab, I balked. I downloaded “Emperor Tomato Ketchup”. It fucking ruled.
This review has nothing to do with either of these bands. It has to do with a Montreal band called Flotilla. The reason I mention these other two is cause I’m long winded, and Flotilla reminds me of Stereolab. The same sort of awkward melodies, the beautiful high-pitched voice of a French girl. At least, I think Veronica Charnley is French. It doesn’t matter, cause she sounds like Laetitia Sadier, and that rules.
Some more things that rule about Flotilla are as follows:
1. They have a harp.
2. Their bass player Geof is a classical music composer.
3. If you play your cards right, you can get laid while this record is on. It’s very sexy.
It’s a good record. It’s a cute record. The harp is noticeable, but not overbearing like some bands with weird instruments tend to do. It’s tasteful. There’s a pretty good chance if you don’t like this record, you have bad taste in music. Or you’re a metal head. They pretty much mean the same thing though, don’t they?
www.flotilla.ca
http://www.myspace.com/flotillamontreal
At one point in my life I used to wish I were Rob Gordon. Do you remember him? He was character John Cusack played in High Fidelity. I identified with this character so much that I thought I could do no wrong, and I was justified in my actions because Rob Gordon did the same thing. I worked at a record shop. I was going through a nasty break up. I failed out of college. I called that girl every night for months hoping she would not break up with me until she eventually just did it. But it was ok for me to do that, and to call her and get mad at her, because Rob Gordon did that to Laura.
Enough of that, though. One of the best things about High Fidelity, other than Lisa Bonet, was the soundtrack. There were two bands that I was REALLY introduced to from that record. The Beta Band (Who’s this? The Beta Band. They’re Good! I know) and Stereolab (Rob, phones for you. Take a message. It’s your GIRLFRIEND!)
I bought the Beta Bands “3 EP’s” and I was terribly disappointed. So when it came time to get into Stereolab, I balked. I downloaded “Emperor Tomato Ketchup”. It fucking ruled.
This review has nothing to do with either of these bands. It has to do with a Montreal band called Flotilla. The reason I mention these other two is cause I’m long winded, and Flotilla reminds me of Stereolab. The same sort of awkward melodies, the beautiful high-pitched voice of a French girl. At least, I think Veronica Charnley is French. It doesn’t matter, cause she sounds like Laetitia Sadier, and that rules.
Some more things that rule about Flotilla are as follows:
1. They have a harp.
2. Their bass player Geof is a classical music composer.
3. If you play your cards right, you can get laid while this record is on. It’s very sexy.
It’s a good record. It’s a cute record. The harp is noticeable, but not overbearing like some bands with weird instruments tend to do. It’s tasteful. There’s a pretty good chance if you don’t like this record, you have bad taste in music. Or you’re a metal head. They pretty much mean the same thing though, don’t they?
www.flotilla.ca
http://www.myspace.com/flotillamontreal
Saturday, March 22, 2008
this is pretty amazing...
the website itself sux some serious balls, but this kid might be on to something here...
http://www.jz-dc.net/
http://www.jz-dc.net/
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
this would make nascar cooler
Well, Nascar is kinda boring, and here's why. They just keep turning left, and not enough crashes. So, here's what we can do.
Two tracks. Side by side. And every 10 laps, you switch to the other track. 10 laps of turning left, and 10 laps of turning right. This switches it up to keep it interesting, and it increases the chance of crashes.
Fuck I rule.
Two tracks. Side by side. And every 10 laps, you switch to the other track. 10 laps of turning left, and 10 laps of turning right. This switches it up to keep it interesting, and it increases the chance of crashes.
Fuck I rule.
C-Note Bitches!
I doubt Corey remembers this, but one time he was drunk and told me a story about being in a big city some gangsta's. He was really scared of them until they nick named him. "C-Note". Cause his name is Corey.
Corey has a band now called Percolator and their record is being mixed and mastered right now, and I was asking Kyle Mac (THE BAND!!! MEN!!! HAI!!!) how it was going.
Kyle says:
that album is going to bust everyones balls
joe says:
serious business?
Kyle says:
fuck dude. no kidding. you're going to poop a few logs, let me tell you.
joe says:
sweet. i love pooping.
Kyle says:
it's the best if you're constipated. throw this on, get on the toils. bam! game over!
Corey has a band now called Percolator and their record is being mixed and mastered right now, and I was asking Kyle Mac (THE BAND!!! MEN!!! HAI!!!) how it was going.
Kyle says:
that album is going to bust everyones balls
joe says:
serious business?
Kyle says:
fuck dude. no kidding. you're going to poop a few logs, let me tell you.
joe says:
sweet. i love pooping.
Kyle says:
it's the best if you're constipated. throw this on, get on the toils. bam! game over!
do you like free music?
i know i sure as fuck do.
zunior.com has a section called "free stuff". there are a couple of samplers, most notably, one by a lable out of fredericton called "forward music group". it has the likes of grand theft bus (i still don't like them), sleepless nights (i like them), share (he has a ukelele) and a few other bands associated with that "scene".
you have to sign up for zunior, but it's pretty painless.
DO IT!
zunior.com has a section called "free stuff". there are a couple of samplers, most notably, one by a lable out of fredericton called "forward music group". it has the likes of grand theft bus (i still don't like them), sleepless nights (i like them), share (he has a ukelele) and a few other bands associated with that "scene".
you have to sign up for zunior, but it's pretty painless.
DO IT!
FEE FI FO FUM!
Man Man has a new record out. It's called "Rabbit Habits". You can get it here.
if you've never heard them, you can see them here. they're really good. if i had to describe them it would be "If Tom Waits 'Blood Money' spent more time at the circus."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)