Archive for the ‘CD Releases’ Category

The Debut of Pop Empire

February 28th, 2010

Posted in CD Releases, Concerts, Local Music

For the second night in a row, a local music release show at the Southgate House brought in a sold out crowd, again turning away fans at the door. Friday night, 500 Miles to Memphis drew nearly a thousand people to the whole house show, which featured over ten bands on all three of its stages. Last night, Pop Empire made their debut upstairs in the tiny parlour, bringing in about one hundred and fifty people that filled the room wall to wall. I know one hundred and fifty people doesn’t sound like a whole lot compared to the previous night of a thousand, but if you’ve ever been in the parlour at the Southgate House, you can probably imagine exactly how it felt in this room last night.

The great thing about a show in the parlour is that it provides a much more up close and intimate concert experience, not just for the fans but for the band as well. I like to think that because of this, it’s easier for a band to feed off of the crowd’s energy, thus providing some of the most classic shows you’ll ever witness in the Cincinnati area. Last night was certainly one of those classic shows.

The night began around 8:30 pm in the third floor gallery, where several local artist’s displayed artwork inspired by the music from Pop Empire’s EP, Rainy Child. There was a lot of visually-stimulating pieces, and having already heard these songs, it was interesting to see how these artist’s interpreted the songs onto paper.

lions rampant

The music began just after 9:30 pm, with The Lion’s Rampant up first. Stuart, Nick and Nate are typically a rowdy bunch, perhaps captivating that rockstar persona the best among any of the area’s bands, but they seemed to tone down the wild mayhem last night. That’s not to say that it wasn’t a great performance (it certainly was) but they did have the same strong stage presence and the musical closeness to each other that still proves they are deserving of the title of best live act in the area. They covered older songs from their first two EP’s, like “Need A Man?” and new songs from their upcoming debut full-length, It’s Fun To Do Bad Things, which comes out next month. They kick off their midwestern Spring tour with the release party on March 13 at the Mockbee with The Guitars.

Up next was another one of the area’s best bands, The Seedy Seeds. Their set featured mostly new songs from their critically-acclaimed/local album of the year, Count the Days. With Mike switching back and forth between banjo and guitar, Margaret with guitar and accordion, and Brian Penick whose drumkit is fashioned with synchronized Christmas lights to his every beat, The Seedy Seeds will always make you feel good and put a smile on your face with their mix of electronica, folk and indie pop. They’re heading back to Austin’s South by Southwest Festival in a few weeks, and will celebrate with a send-off show March 12 at the Mad Hatter with MidPoint vets Loyal Divide, Peasant, and Ben Davis of Bad Veins and Yusef Quotah of You, You’re Awesome, both whom are also playing SXSW this year.

But the band everyone seemed overly anxious to see was Pop Empire, who were making their live debut. Most everyone seems to be familiar with Cam Cochran, whether it be his work as a solo artist, his time with The Lion’s Rampant and The Sheds, or even his work in the studio as a producer and engineer, Cam is certainly one of the most respected names in the Cincinnati music scene. But not everyone is familiar with the name Henrie Wilson and his work as a solo artist. I’m not sure how this collaboration came to be, but I’m glad that it did.

Pop Empire’s set last night was short, sweet and inspiring, with Cam handling the guitar duties and Henrie taking control of the keys/synth and all the samples and beats coming from his laptop. Both Cam and Henrie share lead vocal duties for the songs, and for the most part, it seems like they were out to bring a number of styles, influences and elements to the table, creating no two songs that sound alike. Like I said, it was a short and sweet set, and every song seemed to be better than the last. Before I knew it the show was over and everyone was left wanting more. We may not have gotten an encore from Pop Empire last night, but this is a band that you’ll be hearing a lot about this year.

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Some Albums to Look for in 2010

January 10th, 2010

Posted in CD Releases

Arcade Fire
Without a doubt, this Canadian indie rock megaband is by far the best of the younger bands I’ve seen in concert. Sure they’ve been around since ‘03, but have only released two albums, but those albums (Funeral, Neon Bible) are amongst the best albums of the past decade. And that’s not just my personal opinion. Look through all the online blogs and major music publications, and they will tell you the exact same thing. By taking years off in between albums, I’m led to believe that these guys and girls strongly believe in what they’re making, and work carefully on every detail at how they present these songs to their fans. The fans are starting to grow restless, and it shouldn’t be too long until we receive another masterpiece from the Arcade Fire. Expect the album, a U.S. tour and some festival dates this year.

The Black Keys
Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney may have some other things going on right now (Auerbach with his band the Fast Five featuring My Morning Jacket drummer Patrick Hallahan, while Carney plays bass in a band called DRUMMER), but these two guys from Akron, Ohio look to put the focus back into the Black Keys this year with the release of their eighth studio album (not yet titled). Looking back at their past two efforts (Magic Potion, Attack & Release, which both received massive critical acclaim), I’d say these two guys have their work cut out for them to produce another album that will follow or even surpass the past two. But if you’re familiar with the work of both Auerbach and Carney, both as musicians and producers, you know these guys will certainly do just that. They love to work, they love their jobs, and we love them.

Fleet Foxes
This five-piece, indie-folk band from the great music city of Seattle, immediately broke out not even two years ago with the release of their debut, self-titled album. They’ll look to follow that up this year with the release of their second effort (not yet titled). If vocals are your thing, just one listen to these guys and you’ll swear you haven’t heard such beautiful harmonies since the Beach Boys and CSNY.

The Gaslight Anthem
This New Jersey punk rock band is heading to the studio early in the year to begin work on their third studio album (not yet titled); the follow-up to the very successful, The ‘59 Sound. Who knows whether they’ll go back to the quick recording process and more punk sound of their first album (Sink or Swim) or if they’ll take things slow, churning out more traditional rock and roll sounding gems found on The ‘59 Sound.

Kings of Leon
I can’t think of anything better than to be declared the greatest rock band on the planet, especially when that band consists of your family. The Kings are made up of three brothers and one cousin; the Followill’s (Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew) were named the best band of 2009 by Rolling Stone Magazine. Most of the fanbase they’ve accrued over the past couple of years may not know that this band actually formed over ten years ago, or that they once had a pre-mainstream, unpolished sound, but with all of the hard work that the Kings have put in over the past decade, this title given to them by Rolling Stone was certainly deserving and a long time coming. The band looks to stay on top of the world this year with the release of their fifth studio album (not yet titled).

MGMT
Call them “M-G-M-T”, call them “Management”, call them what you will, but call them one of the hottest bands of the past few years. With just one album under their belts, this Brooklyn band has earned Grammy nominations and a nod by Rolling Stone Magazine as having the 18th Best Album of the Decade (Oracular Spectacular). They’ve appeared in all the major music publications, as well as having performed at nearly every major music festival all over the world, thanks to their sweet mix of indie rock, electronica, dance and synthpop. All eyes will be on them this year and the release of their second studio album, entitled Congratulations, due out early in the year.

of Montreal
I haven’t quite jumped on the bus for this indie, baroque pop band, but it does kind of feel like I’m running behind that bus, trying to catch up and hitch a ride with them. Maybe their tenth studio album, False Priest of the Controller Sphere (due out this year) will be that album that gets me a ticket onto that bus, or maybe I should just invest into their entire catalogue. After all, their last two efforts received high praises; Hissing Fauna at #72 and Skeletal Lamping at #38 on the US charts, so if the past few years are any indication, of Montreal looks to hit the charts high again in 2010. Get on the bus!

Spoon
I wasn’t at all familiar with this indie rock band from Austin, Texas, until their 2007 album, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. It was certainly one of the best albums of 2007 (perhaps one of the best from the second part of the decade), but it’s also my favorite from their entire catalogue. Their next album, Transference, comes out on the 18th on this month, and if they follow in the footsteps of their past few efforts, we’ll surely be getting another successful collection from Britt Daniel and company, and they’re mix of indie pop and experimental rock.

Vampire Weekend
The long-awaited second album of this indie rock band from New York comes out this week, but it’s already been streaming on their MySpace. Reviews are coming in, and many are already prediciting it as one of the best of the year. Sure, it’s early in the year, but come December, expect Contra to be on everyone’s “Best of” lists. Look for my review later in the week.

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Three Places To Be Tonight For Music

October 16th, 2009

Posted in CD Releases, Concerts, Local Music, New Music Releases

Northside Tavern
4163 Hamilton Avenue
(513)542-3603

Local alternative, folk-rock band, The Chocolate Horse, is throwing a vinyl release party for their second album, We Don’t Stand on Ceremony. Led by Jason Snell, the Horse creates a very unique sound with the use of both acoustic and electric guitars and basses, the banjo, various flutes, drums and percussion, and of course keys, which are played by the band’s newest member, Sharon Udoh. Also on the bill for tonight is Comet DJ, Bryan Dilsizian, and Me or the Moon, which features a cast of who’s who in the local music scene including Matthew Shelton, Victor Strunk (The Hiders, Ruby Vileos), Tony Franklin (The Hiders) and Joe Klug (Wussy). The party’s free and starts at 10 pm in the back room.

Southgate House
24 E 3rd St
(859)431-2201

Miami indie-pop buzz band, The Postmarks, have been getting a lot of attention since releasing their first EP in early 2007, and that attention has been building ever since. Not even three years after the fact, they have released a full length disc every year since (The Postmarks in 2007, By the Numbers in 2008 and Memoirs At The End Of The World in 2009). They’ve also racked up a lot of miles on the odometer, touring with bands like Smoosh and Memphis, and performing at festivals like Lollapalooza. They’ll be in the ballroom tonight with a couple of local buzz bands, Eat Sugar and You, You’re Awesome. The show starts at 9:30 pm and tickets are $10.

The Postmarks, “My Lucky Charm”

But that’s not the only show going on tonight at Newport’s historical, haunted mansion. They’ve got three rooms of music and an art gallery on the top floor. Go up the first flight of stairs to the parlour and you’ll find Americana/indie-folk band, Brad Hoshaw & the Seven Deadlies from Omaha, and psychedelic/soul group, The 1959 Hat Company, who have members from Toledo, Detroit and Seattle. If you walk out of the parlour, you’ll find another set of stairs leading to the top floor art gallery. It’s the 14th Annual Garage/Art and Horror Sale Part II, featuring fifteen local artists. If you take an immediate left as soon as you walk through the main front doors of the building, you’ll find Sean and Mike from local Americana/roots band, The Tillers, playing in Juney’s Lounge. For ticket information and show times, visit the Southgate House website.

Molly Malone’s
112 E 4th St
(859)491-6659

I hope the owners of Molly Malone’s know what they got themselves into. The third floor will turn into a madhouse tonight with the loud, guitar-driven rock from three great local bands: The Lions Rampant, who are up for a couple CEA’s this year including “Best Live Act” (they’ve also got their long-awaited debut full-length on the way), State Song, who have been nominated for a CEA for “Best New Artist” and also have their debut full-length on the way, and The Guitars (making their tenth public appearance), who are another great local band but somehow managed to slip through the cracks for a CEA nomination. Contact Molly Malone’s for ticket information and show times.

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Dave Matthews Band Releases Cincinnati Show

October 5th, 2009

Posted in CD Releases

My favorite band of all-time has long been the Dave Matthews Band. Love him, hate him, say what you will. I know plenty of people who get him but even more that don’t. They’re one of the most successful touring bands of all-time and you will never see the same show twice. You may think otherwise, but trust me, I’ve seen them nearly thirty times and have never and will never see the same show twice. Sure some things are the same like the crazy antics and guitar stylings Dave possesses, the roars that fill the amphitheater when either violinist Boyd Tinsley or drummer Carter Beauford takes on a solo, but they never play the same setlist twice. And that’s rare for a mainstream band, although I don’t exactly consider the DMB mainstream or pop. But that’s a completely different story.

One of the ways that the DMB has built their success is by constant touring. A lot they do is very similar to both the Grateful Dead and Phish; in the way they handle the business side of music. While you can find any Dave Matthews concert online, they also have a series called Live Trax. I’ve got over fifty bootleg shows in my collection, but obviously the soundboard recordings are the pristine recordings. Last month they released Volume 16 in the series, which is finally a long-awaited Cincinnati release from the June 26, 2000 show. It was actually a two-night stand here in town, a thing of the past. This was just the third time I saw the band, and while I don’t exactly have a photographic memory of that night, I’m sure when I put this CD on I’ll go back and revive those special memories.

Just looking at the setlist, I can already reimagine what a stellar show this was. The show started off with a ten-minute version of “#41″, followed by “Warehouse”, “One Sweet World”, “Say Goodbye”, “Jimi Thing” clocking in at sixteen minutes, the rare “Sweet Up and Down”, a near fourteen-minute version of “Typical Situation”, the rare “Little Thing”, “Grey Street”, a near twelve-minute “Bartender” followed by a near eleven-minute “Crush”, ”Drive In Drive Out”, a rare “Song That Jane Likes”, a rare “JTR” and “Too Much.” The encore consisted of a very rare “#40″, a new “Digging A Ditch” and one of the best closers, a near sixteen-minute “Two Step.”

My fellow Cincinnati DMB fans, order the CD here and relive the glory days of the Dave Matthews Band.

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October at the Southgate House: Shows to Know

October 5th, 2009

Posted in CD Releases, Concerts

The third edition of the Ten Out of Tenn Tour returns to the Southgate House this Tuesday, October 6. Trent Dabbs and K.S. Rhoads created the tour in 2005, which has featured a revolving cast of (usually) ten singers and songwriters from Tennessee. I’ve seen their Christmas show in the past, and the way this tour works is, you’ll have each of the artist’s playing solo, as well as playing as an entire group together. Only seven others will be joining Dabbs and Rhoads on this stop, and they are Madi Diaz, Kyle Andrews, Andrew Belle, Joy Williams, Ashley Monroe, Mikky Ekko and Sarah Siskind. The show is in the ballroom at 9 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Open to all ages.

Break out your leather jackets and grease up your hair because Friday, October 9 is going to feel like 1979. This night’s going to be all about loud and obnoxious vintage bands, including a couple of legendary local acts. The Cynics, The Customs and The Long Gones are taking over the ballroom at 9:30 pm, and it’s a celebration of The Customs’ Long Gone album, which actually inspired that last band on the bill. Get ready for a sick and sweaty drunken orgy of loud and perverse, pure rock and roll. Tickets are only $10 at the door but $8 if you purchase them beforehand. Ages 18 and up.

Only twenty years old and already an established folk singer/songwriter, Jessica Lea Mayfield got her start in music at the age of eight in her family’s bluegrass band, One Way Rider, who used to tour on Bill Monroe’s 1956 tour bus. A Kent, Ohio native, Jessica began writing her own songs at just eleven, playing open mics for tips and free pizza. Her first album, White Lies, was recorded at fifteen years old and only printed one-hundred copies. Fortunately, one of those copies fell into the hands of Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, whom she has collaborated and toured with, as well as recently going on the road with bands and artists like Ray LaMontagne, The Avett Brothers, Cake and Lucero. She’ll actually be playing the Southgate House twice over the next few months, the first on Saturday, October 10, with the second show supporting Dan Auerbach and the Fast Five and Justin Townes Earle. This month’s show starts at 8:30 in the parlour and is a steal, with tickets only $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Opening the show is an indie-pop quintet from Chapel Hill called The Old Ceremony.

It was just this year when Sara Watkins set out on the first solo tour of her career (and stopped by the Southgate House in May), but the eighteen-year vet formerly of the Grammy Award winning Nickel Creek has decided that Newport, Kentucky would be a well deserving place to stop on the second leg of her tour. That last show in May absolutely blew me away, despite a small crowd, but writing songs is certainly nothing new for Sara. I’d even go as far to say that her solo stuff is among some of the best material she’s ever created, but that’s just my opinion. She’s got the voice of an angel and will probably even stick around to talk to her fans. Be in the ballroom on Sunday, October 11. Eric Sommer, formerly of the ’80s psychobilly outfit, The Atomics, opens the show at 8:30 pm. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 at the door.

Although they’ve been around for nearly ten years, indie-folk rock group, Blitzen Trapper, has only been receiving the recognition they truly deserve for only a few years now. Signed to the highly respectable Sub Pop, Blitzen Trapper’s past two albums, Furr and Wild Mountain Nation, have both garnered massive critical acclaim landing on many indie “Best of” charts. Check out this band, but if it’s still not enough to convince you, then maybe you’ll be sold when you hear that a current emerging indie-folk rock band known as Wye Oak is opening the show. They’re only a duo but you’ll be amazed when you see Andy Stack peforming on both the drums and keys simultaneously. It’s in the ballroom on Wednesday, October 14 at 9:30 pm. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

Fran Healy and Andy Dunlop of the Scottish, alternative rock band, Travis, are heading out this fall on a tour dubbed “A Chronological Acoustical Journey Through the Travis Back Catalogue.” Travis formed in the mid-90’s, drawing inspirations and influences from heavy British hitters like The Beatles and Oasis, and often credited for having paved the way for bands like Coldplay, Keane and Snow Patrol. Sounds like it’ll be an interesting unplugged-type of show, and I can’t wait to hear the stripped down versions of songs from Good Feeling (“All I Want to Do Is Rock”), The Man Who (“Why Does It Always Rain on Me?”) and The Invisible Band (“Sing”). Travis was one of my favorite bands during the late 90’s/early 00’s, and although I’m not too familiar with their more recent material, I’m looking forward to hearing selections from their most recent three albums. In the ballroom at 9 pm on Wednesday, October 21. $15 in advance, $18 at the door.

After a brief hiatus, locals mallory are releasing their first album in seven years. Read about my thoughts of their recent MidPoint performance here. Joining mallory are two other exceptional local bands, State Song and The Sundresses. It’s been a great year for both of them (actually all three of them) but State Song is one of the hottest new bands in the area, while The Sundresses have put out one of the best local albums of the year, Barkinghaus. It’s on Friday, October 23 in the ballroom at 9:30 pm. $7 in advance, $10 at the door.

On Saturday, October 24, the ballroom will be owned by a couple of psychedelic indie rock bands, The Raveonettes and The Black Angels. The Raveonettes are a Danish duo, putting heavy emphasis on vocal harmonies, electric instrumentation, driving beats and dark lyrical content, which has drawn comparisons to both The Velvet Underground and The Jesus and Mary Chain. The Black Angels, named after a Velvet Underground song, formed in Austin, Texas about five years ago. They have drawn comparisons to the Velvet Underground as well, and The Warlocks and Black Mountain. Saturday, October 24 in the ballroom at 9:30 pm. $15 in advance, $18 at the door.

Just in time for Halloween, The Misfits are returning to one of their favorite venues, which they actually offered to buy the last time they were in town. There’s an incredible history to this horror punk band that was created by Glenn Danzig in the late 70’s, and their skull logo has become one of the most recognized symbols in music. The current incarnation of the band features original bassist, Jerry Only, and former Black Flag members, Dez Cadena and drummer Robo. I’m sure that the local bands opening the show, Banderas and The Frankl Project, are feeling pretty psyched to be opening for such a legendary band. Hopefully this will lead to some good things for both. It’s actually happening a few days before Halloween, on Tuesday, October 27 at 8 pm. $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

It’s getting late in the year, and that can only mean two things in the local music scene: the CEA’s and the BRINK Showcase. Information regarding this year’s CEA Awards show is still being put together but I can tell you that it will be taking place at the Madison Theater. As for BRINK, it features some of the best of the year in local music. I feel it’s been a strong year in the local scene; doesn’t it feel like every year just keeps getting better and better?! But the lineup for BRINK this month has yet to be announced and as I’ve already said, expect some performances from some of the year’s best in the local scene. Last year’s showcase featured performances from The Chauncers, Boss Monkey, The Tillers, Wonky Tonk and The Sweep. This year’s event takes place in the entire Southgate House on Saturday, October 31 at 9 pm. Only $5 in advance or $8 the day of the show.

Atlanta’s psychedelic, indie rock band, Gringo Star, is already returning to town, after a show not that long ago at the Northside Tavern with The Harlequins. They too will be playing, still out supporting one of the better local releases of the year (Baron von Headless), as well as being joined by The Shy Spots. It’s upstairs in the parlour on Friday, October 30 at 9 pm. $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

The artist in residency for October is Chick Pimp, Coke Dealer at a Bar, a undefinable experimental band combining elements of jazz, prog, jamgrass, hip-hop and pop and rock with the use of instruments like mandolin, keys, horns and turntables. It happens every Wednesday night at 9 pm in the lounge and is free.

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October in Covington: Shows to Know at the Mad Hatter and Madison Theater

October 3rd, 2009

Posted in CD Releases, Concerts

The Mad Hatter

Local indie, pop-punk band and CEA nominees of the past, A Decade to Die For, is set to release their full-length debut album, Best Laid Plans, this weekend. They’ve been working hard on this long-awaited album for well over a year now, so come out and show your support; it’s only a $5 show! Also on the bill are Louisville’s Sugar Spell It Out, Dayton’s The Paramedic and locals Counterfeit Money Machine. Doors at 8 pm.

The hottest thing to come out of Philadelphia since the cheese steak is the psychedelic, indie-rock band, Dr. Dog. The band has consisted of some twenty or so members in its ten-year career, who blend together elements of folk, blues, soul and bluegrass. They also put heavy emphasis on vocal harmonies, taking influence from The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Neil Young and Tom Waits, as well as Pavement, The Palace Brothers and Roy Wood. Opening the show is New York singer/songwriter and comic book artist, Jeffrey Lewis. He has worked with artists like Kimya Dawson and The Bloodsugars (who recently played MidPoint). His lyrics are very complex and depressing-yet-hopeful. Thursday, October 15. Doors at 8 pm. Tickets are $15.

One of the hottest sets at MidPoint 2008 was from Chicago indie-rock band, Oh My God. They’ve performing for nearly ten years and have released six full-length albums and an EP. They’re out on tour in support of their most recent release, The Night Undoes the Work of the Day. They’ve asked local electronica duo, You, You’re Awesome, to open the show. They’ll be fresh off of their first appearance at CMJ in New York, which happens the night before this show. This show at the Mad Hatter is on Friday, October 23. Doors at 8 pm. $8.

Chicago instrumental trio, Russian Circles, come to town on Wednesday, October 28. Call ‘em post-metal, post-rock, experimental or even math rock, but what these three guys do is create epic, atmospheric soundscapes going from heavy metal to soft and delicate much like you find in bands like Pelican and Minus the Bear. Opening the show are two bands from Louisville: Coliseum (Hardcore/Punk) and Young Widows (Noise Rock/Post-hardcore/Experimental). Doors at 7 pm. $12.

The Madison Theater

Mat Kearney, a former youth pastor turned singer/songwriter combines pop, melody, guitar and piano with rap rhymes which often ends up sounding like mellow Brit pop or even early Beck or Everlast (minus the scratchy vocals). His breakthrough came in 2006, when he toured with John Mayer. Opening the show is Diane Birch, who also comes from a religious background. She spent much of her childhood living in South Africa and Australia, before her parents decided to settle in Portland, Oregon. She was classically trained on the piano, learning just from ear at a very early age. She has attracted the attention of some Hollywood’s famous, and has jammed with Prince and his band at his house. The show’s this Wednesday, October 7 at 8 pm. $20.

Shooter Jennings is the son of one of country music’s greatest outlaws, Waylon Jennings. The first few years of his life were spent living on his parents tour bus, and by age five he was playing drums. He also took piano lessons and started playing guitar at age fourteen, where he sometimes played in his father’s band. He left Nashville for L.A. and assembled a band called Stargunn, who he described as “Lynyrd Skynyrd mutating into Guns ‘n Roses.” And did you know that he played his father in Walk the Line? Opening the show is JJ Grey & Mofro (Southern Rock/Blues/Funk) and Earl Greyhound (Indie Rock/Hard Rock/Garage Rock). Thursday, October 8. 8 pm. $17.

It seems pretty weird to think that moe. has been playing for nearly twenty years. They’re one of the more successful touring jambands, alongside the kings (Grateful Dead) and the more recent ones (Phish, Widespread Panic, String Cheese Incident). It often seems like the jamband scene is slowly dying off, but moe. is certainly in contention to carry the torch for the jamband leaders of tomorrow. And it’s pretty cool that guitarist Chuck Garvey calls Cincinnati home. Come on out on Saturday, October 17 and show them that you feel the jamband scene and community is just as strong as ever. 8 pm. $22.50.

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This Week’s CD Releases and Reissues

August 11th, 2009

Posted in CD Releases

Not much this week really interests me at all. I’ve been hearing some buzz about Cobra Starship recently, so I’d probably check them out. Other than that, the only thing I can really get half-excited about is Robert Pollard’s Elephant Jokes. For the record, I’ve never “gotten” Ween. I don’t know what it is about them, I just don’t understand them or their music.

Anna Ternheim: Leaving On A Mayday

Bombay Bicycle Club: I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose

The Bottle Rockets: Lean Forward

Box Elders: Alice and Friends

Buffy Sainte-Marie: Running For The Drum

Cobra Starship: Hot Mess (Deluxe – Amazon MP3 Exclusive Version) [Explicit]

Emmy the Great: First Love

The Herbaliser Band – Session 1 & 2

Imelda May: Love Tattoo

Jimi Hendrix: Live 1968 Paris/Ottawa – Fan Pack w/Extra Large T-shirt [Amazon.com Exclusive]

Kings of Leon: The Interview Sessions

Kites With Lights: The Weight Of Your Heart