To Dylan

Two of my favorite artists, Sam Brown and Donny Miller, are showcasing work in Denver from June 30th to August 26th. It's at the Andenken Gallery (2110 Market St., Denver, CO, 80205). I think you'd like their stuff.

you bring me joy

Tribe

On my may to work this morning I happened to pick up the local Red Eye paper (before you knock the name, it's free side paper from Chicago Tribune) and I saw an article on the back stating that A Tribe Called Quest was reuniting and going on tour. I know we have joked about it before but it looks to be true.

Adult Swim & Stones Throw

Stones Throw Records announced Oct. 3rd as the release date for their colaboration with Adult Swim entitled Chrome Children. The CD/DVD will feature Quasimoto, Madlib, MF Doom, J Dilla and more. You can stream a mix of the disc at stonesthrow.com.

Recent Musical Acquisitions

Bears // Bears:
9/10 (buy)
You can read a previous post for more on Bears. I love this album. It's instantly likeable. In the same way that Jon Cusak turns to Jack Black in High Fidelity and says "I am now going to sell five copies of The Three EPs by The Beta Band." by simply playing the record over the store speakers, as soon as you hear Bears debut you will want to own the album. Highly recommended.

Camera Obscura // Let's Get Out Of This Country
6/10 (listen)
You have to be in the right mood to listen to this album. Even songs about heartbreak are overwhelmingly upbeat. If you like Belle & Sebastian pick up this record. If you hate Belle & Sebastian then leave it alone. If you've never listed to either then listen to Belle & Sebastian first.

Danielson // Ships
8/10 (buy)
If Sufjan Stevens and The Polyphonic Spree had a love child it may sound a bit like Danielson. In fact Sufjan is one of many guests on the album. Others include members of Deerhoof, Why?, Cloud and a bunch more. You'll find yourself smiling more than once while listening.

Destroyer // Destroyer's Rubies
7/10 (burn)
Dan Bejar's voice is recognizable from the New Pornographers. However, he doesn't consider himself an official part of that band. Destroyer is his number one focus. This album will be reviewed much higher by rock critics then it will actually be enjoyed by regular listeners. Not that it's bad, it's really good and worth downloading at least.

Islands // Return To The Sea
8/10 (buy)
Over the last several years there have been a ton of great bands coming out of Canada. Islands is another addition to the list. In fact two of the most prolific Canadian acts, Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade, guest star on this fantastic debut album.

Rogue Wave // Out Of The Shadow:
7/10 (burn)
I fell in love with Rogue Wave's sophomore album Descended Like Vultures so I decided to pick up their debut. It's growing on me and I recommend giving it a listen especially if you like The Shins.

Sunset Rubdown // Shut Up I Am Dreaming
7/10 (burn)
If you like Wolf Parade then buy this album. It's not as good as Wolf Parade's self titled album but it certainly establishes Spencer Krug as more than just a fluke. Slow and eerie melodies are punctuated nicely by his wavy high pitched vocals. Expect to see this album on a lot of year end lists.

TV on the Radio // Return to Cookie Mountain:
10/10 (buy!!)
When I first listened to Return to Cookie Mountain I got the feeling that I was listening to a very important record. The album is defined by beautifully layered vocals, intense percussion, intelligent ambient soundscapes and successful experimentation. There's even one track, Wolf Like Me, for the dance floor. Quite possibly the album of the year.

Zero 7 // The Garden:
4/10 (don't bother)
Not thrilling but not horrible. Simple things is their best effort so far; The Garden isn't as good. It's an unchallenging and pretty much boring listen. I can see why they get criticized as a band that makes soul music minus the soul.

Smiling Face

TV on the Radio ad

Tech Question

I'm in desperate need of an external hard drive (mostly due to the amount of music I now have). I'm running a Dell Laptop. Any suggestions? recommendations? Anyone already have one, and can comment on it? Anyone sell them for a living??

The one and only classic: Tunak Tunak Tun

Weezer is over

Lead singer Cuomo told MTV recently, "Really, for the moment, we are done. And I'm not certain we'll ever make a record again, unless it becomes really obvious to me that we need to do one." It's probably for the best as their last album was beyond horrible.

Turn Back The Clock

I wanted everyone to feel like the summer isn't just about half over. So, I thought I'd send you your June discs. I call it "puttin a little Junio in your Julio"

(I thought the Spanish version made it sound much more like a sexual innuendo)

Check out the comments for a breakdown of the music on your new disc

I also have a Word file with my comments, if it is easier for you to print and consult. Let me know.

"The Hoff"

bad news for concert goers

Live Nation (formerly Clear Chanel) the largest concert promoter in the country has just acquired House of Blues the second largest concert promoter in the country. Get ready for even more advertisements and corporate sponsors at concerts. The only good thing I can see coming of this is the fall of Ticketmaster. But who cares trading one corporate giant for another isn't necessarily a good thing.

2006*.5=1003

The year of the beast is half over. At first I didn't think I'd be able to come up with a decent list of the best albums thus far, but after investigating my iPod I've found 12 worth mentioning as contenders for album of the year. Of course there are plenty of good records I haven't heard yet and plenty still to be released. But for now...

Gnarls Barkley // St. Elsewhere
The Little Ones // The Little Ones
Belle & Sebastian // The Life Pursuit
Various Artists // Tropicália - A Brazilian Revolution of Sound
Built To Spill // You in Reverse
J Dilla // Donuts
Art Brut // Bang Bang Rock & Roll
Bears // Bears
Thom Yorke // The Eraser
Ghostface Killah // Fishscale
Cat Power // The Greatest
Arctic Monkeys // Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

(Oh, and TV on the Radio's new album comes out soon!!)

Bears

The next big indie-pop act hails from Cleveland, Ohio. From a declining industrial city known more for Trent Reznor, James Maynard, Marilyn Manson and Jeffery Dahmer it's hard to believe that the best Cleveland music sounds more like Belle & Sebastian than Tool; more like Elliott Smith or The Shins than Chimera and way more like Morrissey than Bone Thugs & Harmony. Bears self-titled/self-released debut is a indie twee pop masterpiece. You can learn more about Bears and have a listen at their website.

Crazy Tour

Some of you are lucky enough to have Gnarls Barkley visiting your cities this summer. Check it:

07-05 London, England - Carling Hammersmith Apollo
07-08 Brugge, Belgium - Cactus Festival
07-18 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
07-19 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
07-20 Costa Mesa, CA - Pacific Amphitheatre
07-23 Los Angeles, CA - The Avalon
07-24 Los Angeles, CA - The Avalon
07-28 Yuzawa-machi, Japan - Naeba Ski Resort (Fuji Rock Festival)
08-02 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
08-03 Chicago, IL - House of Blues (Private Q101 show)
08-05 Chicago, IL - Grant Park (Lollapalooza)
08-07 Detroit, MI - State Theater
08-11 Boston, MA - Avalon
08-12 Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
08-17 New York, NY - Central Park Summerstage
08-26 Liverpool, England - Creamfields Festival
09-03 Stradbally, Ireland - Stradbally Hall (Electric Picnic Festival)
09-09 Toronto, Ontario - Toronto Islands Park
09-15 Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Festival
09-17 San Francisco, CA - Golden Gate Park Amphitheater
09-23 Baltimore, MD - Pimlico Race Course