Archive for the ‘New Music Releases’ Category
Bonnaroo Compilation for Climate Change
March 1st, 2010
Posted in New Music Releases
Want to relive great moments from Bonnaroo’s past AND preserve the planet for the future? Well check this out…
For the first time ever, a climate change-related bill has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. Now, it’s up to the U.S. Senate to vote on similar legislation. That’s why it’s never been more important for elected officials to hear from citizens on this issue. With that in mind, HeadCount and the NRDC Action Fund have teamed up with the Bonnaroo Music Festival to offer a free “Best of Bonnaroo” download compilation.
Download the free compilation here and learn about pending legislation and email your elected officials.
Official Track List:
Wilco – “Bull Black Nova”
Pearl Jam – “Animal”
Jack Johnson – “Inaudible Melodies”
Dave Matthews Band - “Rapunzel”
Death Cab for Cutie – “Cath…”
Ani DiFranco – “Fuel”
Phish – “Kill Devil Falls”
Gov’t Mule – “Banks of the Deep End”
O.A.R. – “Delicate Few”
moe. – “Not Coming Down”
Raphael Saadiq – “100 Yard Dash”
Bob Weir and RatDog – “Throwing Stones”
The Disco Biscuits – “And the Ladies Were the Rest of the Night”
The Decemberists – “The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid”
My Morning Jacket – “Oh! Sweet Nuthin’”
Guster – “Happier”
Phil Lesh and Friends – “Box of Rain”
Weekend of Local CD Releases
February 25th, 2010
Posted in Concerts, Local Music, New Music Releases
Rarely is there a time when a handful of some of Cincinnati’s finest musician’s are hosting releases parties all on the same weekend.
First, there’s 500 Miles to Memphis. Led by a Cash/Ramone-like Ryan Malott, the country-punk outfit recently released the highly-anticipated/long-awaited We’ve Built Up to NOTHING, which sees the addition of a backing orchestra to their sound this time around. They’re taking over the entire Southgate House this Friday, with a big list of bands like the Kentucky Struts, duppy a jamba, Shotgun Lover, Underground Saints, De Los Muertos, Six Nights Alone, The Mudpies and Paul K. I’ve heard that over a hundred tickets have already been sold, but there should be plenty left at the door. A hundred tickets may not sound like much, but keep in mind that most people buy their tickets at the door. Get there early, as I’m expecting a couple hundred more to show up. Doors open at 8 pm and the music begins at 9 pm.
That very same night, at Covington’s Mad Hatter, the young seven-piece rap-rock band, Small Time Crooks, are releasing their second full-length album, along with metal/hardcore six-piece, I Am the Messenger, who are releasing their second EP, Humans. They’re bringing along their friends Pilot Around the Stars, Let It Happen, All Out Best and Conditional Comprimise. Again, here’s another show that should be packed wall to wall. Doors open at 7 pm and it’s only $5 to get in.
Lastly, there’s Pop Empire. They’re a duo that I’m still trying to figure out, because the songs from their debut EP, Rainy Child, jump back and forth from garage blues, to indie rock to electro-synth pop. The band consists of newcomer Henrie Wilson and longtime local musician and producer, Cameron Cochran. Cam’s done everything from the solo acoustic singer/songwriter thing (Diary, A Days is one of my all-time favorite local releases), to working in and with The Lion’s Rampant, to leading The Sheds on a short-but-sweet ride with Chris Haubner. After hearing these new songs, it should be quite interesting to see how they translate in the live setting.
And as if the show couldn’t get anymore interesting, it certainly does indeed. Not only will the Southgate House’s Art Gallery feature the work of local artists, who were inspired by the songs of Pop Empire, but both The Seedy Seeds and The Lion’s Rampant will be performing. Did I mention this show is taking place in the parlour? Yeah, that’s right. Get there early, not just to check out the artwork upstairs, but you’re going to want to grab a good spot up close, as I’m sure this room will fill up fast. The art show starts at 8:30 pm, and the music is scheduled to begin around 9:30 pm. $5 for 21 and up, $8 for 18-20.
Make sure to keep The Lion’s Rampant on your mind too. They’ll be releasing their highly-anticipated/long-awaited debut full-length, It’s Fun To Do Bad Things, on Saturday, March 13 at the Mockbee with The Guitars, DJ Gerald and DJ Iceburg.
Cincinnati Music News and Local Releases
February 16th, 2010
Posted in Local Music, New Music Releases
Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore
Dear Companion
Cold Spring’s very own Daniel Martin Moore has teamed up with renouned cellist Ben Sollee (of Abigail Washburn’s Sparrow Quartet), for a collaboration seemingly sent from the heavens above. Recorded close to home, the two focus on “the problem of mountaintop removal coal mining and its impact on the people and heritage of central Appalachia.” A portion of the proceeds will benefit Appalachian Voices, an organization devoted to putting a stop to mountaintop removal. The album was produced by another Kentucky native, Jim James of My Morning Jacket. They’re currently out touring the material, and have assembled a live band including Dan Dorff on percussion and Cheyenne Marie on violin and electric guitar. They’ll tour all thru the midwest and all over the east coast, which include stops locally at Shake It Records and the Northside Tavern on Friday, February 19, and an in-studio performance on the World Cafe in Philadelphia with host David Dye. Have a listen to a track from the album below.
500 Miles to Memphis
We’ve Built Up to NOTHING
The Cincinnati country/punk outfit has released the long-awaited follow-up to 2005’s Sunshine In A Shotglass. I haven’t heard the new album yet, but I understand the songs have “dramatic differences” from their previous record, which include a full orchestra. The album is being “shopped to major record labels” and is onsale right now only on their website. Make sure to check them out February 26 at Newport’s historical Southgate House. Also on the bill that evening are The Kentucky Struts, duppy a jamba, Nashville’s Shotgun Lover, Pennsylvania’s Underground Saints, De Los Muertos, Six Nights Alone, The Mudpies and Paul K.
Pop Empire
Rainy Child EP
Make sure to return to the Southgate House on the following night (February 27) where the newest band in town, Pop Empire, will release their first collection of songs. Cam Cochran (The Sheds/Lion’s Rampant) unveils a different side of his musical persona in this band, leaving behind the folky-storyteller songs for alternative, electro pop. Also on the bill are a couple of Cincinnati’s most popular acts, The Seedy Seeds and The Lion’s Rampant. The Seeds are set to return to Austin’s South by Southwest Festival next month, while the Lion’s will release their long-awaited debut.
Related show
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
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.
Weekly Music Releases
September 24th, 2009
Posted in New Music Releases
The week’s only halfway over, but it already feels like it’s one of the best weeks I’ve had (as a music fan) since Bonnaroo back in June. Putting MidPoint aside for a moment, this week was literally stacked full of releases from amazing bands. Topping this week’s new releases (for me) is the long-awaited Monsters Of Folk
If the year ended today, I would have to say that my favorite musical discovery of 2009 was Justin Vernon and his band, Bon Iver. Although their highly acclaimed debut (For Emma, Forever Ago) was released in 2008, it wasn’t until earlier this year when I fell deeply in love with their sound. We didn’t get another release from Bon Iver this week, but Justin released a new album called Unmap
Another album that I’m really excited about is the double-album, Draw The Line,
Bands You Might Not Know But Should
Amy Millan of Broken Social Scene and Stars, released her second solo effort, entitled Masters Of The Burial
Basement Jaxx, the electronic duo that rose to fame in the late ’90s, released Scars, their first album in three years
American rapper/producer, Brother Ali, unveils his fourth full-length album entitled Us
Award winning Canadain electronic musician/producer, Deadmau5 (pronounced “dead mouse”) released For Lack Of A Better Name, his sixth album of the past three years
Bloomington, Indiana’s Early Day Miners released their sixth album, entitled The Treatment
Spin Magazine recently dubbed San Francisco quartet, Girls, the “Best Band of 2009.” Hear why on their debut album, entitled Album
Hallelujah the Hills, the pop band from Boston, not the comedy film directed by Adolfas Mekas in 1963, released their second effort, entitled Colonial Drones
Canadian indie rock band, Islands, released Vapours, their third album
25-year old poet and folk musician, Joshua James, released his third full-length album, entitled Build Me This
Self-taught multi-instrumentalist, Julie Peel, unveiled Near The Sun, her debut album
Lisa Germano, a multi-instrumentalist and session musician who has worked with everyone from John Mellencamp and Sheryl Crow, to David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Simple Minds and Liam Finn, released another solo album, entitled Magic neighbor
I hope some of these find a spot in your music collection!
Interesting Weekly Music Releases
September 8th, 2009
Posted in New Music Releases
Boys Like Girls – Love Drunk
The Cribs – Ignore The Ignorant
Howie Day – Sound The Alarm
John Mayall – Transatlantic Blues
Os Mutantes – Haih or Amortecedor
Phish – Joy
Polvo – In Prism
Rodrigo y Gabriela – 11:11
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers – The Bear
Vivian Girls – Everything Goes Wrong
Yo La Tengo – Popular Songs
Weekly Releases, Reissues and Vinyl
September 1st, 2009
Posted in New Music Releases
New
(Critic’s Pick) A.A. Bondy: When The Devil’s Loose
(Critic’s Pick) Allen Toussaint – Saint Of New Orleans
(Critic’s Pick) Apples In Stereo: #1 Hits Explosion
(Critic’s Pick) The Black Crowes: Before The Frost…Until The Freeze
Brandi Shearer: Love Don’t Make You Juliet
Chuck Ragan: Gold Country
(Critic’s Pick) David Bazan: Curse Your Branches
The Entrance Band: The Entrance Band
George Usher: Yours & Not Yours
(Critic’s Pick) Juliette Lewis: Terra Incognita
(Critic’s Pick) Liam Finn: Champagne In Seashells EP
Love of Diagrams: Nowhere Forever
Lovvers: OCD Go Go Go Girls
Madlove: White With Foam
Richard Lloyd: The Jamie Neverts Story
Robin Guthrie: Carousel
Sleepthief: Labyrinthine Heart
(Critic’s Pick) These United States: Everything Touches Everything
9 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Mark Ronson Presents – Man in the Mirror
(Critic’s Pick) The Roots Of Led Zeppelin
Sorority Row Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Explicit]
Willard Grant Conspiracy: Paper Covers Stone
Reissues
Alice Cooper: Killer
Kath Bloom: Finally
The Pretenders: Pretenders
Serge Gainsbourg: Aux Armes Et Caetera, Confidential
Vinyl & Vinyl Reissues
(Critic’s Pick) The Black Crowes: The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion
(Critic’s Pick) Drive-By Truckers: Fine Print: A Collection of Oddities and Rarities
Farmer Dave Scher: Flash Forward to the Good Times
Lullabye Arkestra: Threats/Worship
mewithoutYou: It’s All Crazy! It’s All False! It’s All A Dream! It’s Alright
(Critic’s Pick) Miles Davis: Ascenseur Pour L’Echafaud, Cookin’ with the Miles Davis Quintet, Steamin’ with the Miles Davis Quintet, Working
(Critic’s Pick) Nina Simone: Little Girl Blue
(Critic’s Pick) Pete Yorn/Scarlett Johansson: Break Up
Peter Broderick: 4 Track Songs
Queen: Flash Gordon, Innuendo, A Kind of Magic, News of the World, Queen
(Critic’s Pick) Reverend Horton Heat: Laughin’ and Cryin’ with Reverend Horton Heat
(Critic’s Pick) Street Sweeper Social Club: Street Sweeper Social Club
The Used: Artwork
Definitive Jux Presents, Vol. 4
Porno Groove: The Sound of 70’s Adult Films
Ze 30: Ze Records Story 1979-2009
Releases, Reissues and Vinyl Out Today
August 25th, 2009
Posted in New Music Releases
I’m a sucker for live music, so the in-studio performances that took place at Seattle’s KEXP absolutely thrill me. It’s got so many great bands, it has to be nearly impossible to find something that doesn’t interest you. Among those bands included on the various KEXP volumes are The Shins, Belle and Sebastian, Ben Lee, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Sonic Youth, Air, The Flaming Lips, Josepeh Arthur, My Morning Jacket, Snow Patrol, Interpol, Rilo Kiley, Ben Gibbard, Vampire Weekend, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, The National, Elbow, Fleet Foxes, The Hold Steady, British Sea Power, Les Savy Fav, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Avett Brothers, Andrew Bird, The Kills, of Montreal, DeVotchKa and MGMT.
I would also highly recommend some comedy, with Patton Oswalt’s new disc. This past weekend he appeared on Comedy Central sampling most of the material from the new album, and I have to say that he is much funnier than I had imagined. I really enjoyed his bits on Whiskey, Weed and LSD and Obama and Time Travel.
Others that are already drawing rave reviews include Blitzen Trapper, Imogen Heap, Jet and The Postmarks.
Some other notes: Radiohead is releasing a few of their great albums of the past, but this time they’re not giving them away and the Taking Woodstock soundtrack is out today, with the film being released in theater’s this weekend. It features mostly bands who performed at the 1969 festival like Richie Havens, Crosby, Stills and Nash, the Grateful Dead, Country Joe McDonald, Canned Heat and Janis Joplin, and also includes another great band of that era, who turned down the invite to play the festival, the Doors.
Arctic Monkeys: Humbug
Asobi Seksu: Transparence
The Beach Boys: Christmas Harmonies
Bela Fleck: Melody of Rhythm: Triple Concerto & Music for Trio
Blitzen Trapper: Black River Killer EP
Cheap Trick: Sgt. Pepper Live
Imogen Heap: Ellipse
Jet: Shaka Rock
Matisyahu: Light
Ingrid Michaelson: Everybody
Patton Oswalt: Weakness Is Strong
The Postmarks: My Weakness Is Strong
Radiohead: Amnesiac
Various Artists: Halloween 2
Various Artists: Live at KEXP Volume One
Various Artists: Taking Woodstock
Willie Nelson: American Classic
Woody Guthrie: My Dusty Road
This Week’s CD Releases and Reissues
August 17th, 2009
Posted in New Music Releases
New
65daysofstatic, the instrumental, post-rockers from England known for their live visuals, are releasing their first live album, the two-disc Escape from New York
New York indie-rock band, As Tall As Lions, are releasing their first album in three years. Although You Can’t Take It With You
Blind Man’s Colour: Season Dreaming
That other guitarist from The Raconteurs, Brendan Benson, releases his fourth solo album, My Old, Familiar Friend.
Calvin Harris, the 25-year old Scottish singer/songwriter and producer, who has written hits for Kylie Minogue and collaborated with Dizzee Rascal, has just released his second album, Ready for the Weekend
Choir of Young Believers: This Is For The White In Your Eyes
Christopher O’ Riley: Out Of My Hands
Church: Song Force Crystal
Grammy Award-winning blues musician, Delbert McClinton, releases his twentieth-something album Acquired Taste
Erick Copeland: Alien In A Garbage Dump
Farmer Dave Scher: Flash Forward 2 the Good Times
Fell: Incoherent Lullabies
Final: Reading All the Right Signals Wrong
Lust in Space is the eleventh studio album from the comedic, shock-rockers GWAR. The album, which sees the return of bassist Casey Orr, is said to be a story about how the band finally leaves Earth, only to return because they miss smoking crack.
Helena Espvall & Masaki Batoh: Overloaded Ark
Hidden Cameras: Origin: Orphan
Jack Penate: Everything Is New
Jeff Merchant: City Makes No Sound
Two-time Grammy Award-winning bluegrass/country musician, Jim Lauderdale, releases his tenth album of this decade, Could We Get Any Closer?.
Joey Degraw: Say Something Strong
English electronic-indie rockers, Kasabian, are releasing the third single (“Where Did All The Love Go?
The Lovely Feathers: Fantasy Of The Lot
Mark Mallman: Invincible Criminal
Mungolian Jetset: We Gave It All Away…And Now We Are Taking It Back
Fans of MUTEMATH, who thought their debut album was perfect, may hate the follow-up, Armistice. The band thought they had been writing the album for the past two-and-a-half years while on the road, only to find out that they weren’t, saying they just started three months ago.
Richard Thompson is releasing another greatest hits compilation, entitled Walking on a Wire: Richard Thompson (1968-2009). 
The Rolling Stones: Jump Back: The Best of the Rolling Stones 1971-1993
Sister Hazel, the radio-popular, post-grunge band from the mid-90s are releasing their seventh studio album, Release.
Six Organs of Admittance: Luminous Night
Reissues & Vinyl
The Antlers: Hospice
The Cult: Love (Expanded Edition)
The Doors are re-releasing 
The Flaming Lips: The Soft Bulletin (2 LP Vinyl with Bonus CD)
Jeniferever: Choose a Bright Morning
Modest Mouse: No One’s First, and You’re Next
Muse: Absolution
New Tales to Tell: A Tribute to Love and Rockets
Celebrating the 40th anniversary, Woodstock is releasing a five-disc box set entitled Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace and Music. Among the thirty-seven tracks you’ll get in this set are Crosby, Stills and Nash’s “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”, The Who’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, a Sly and the Family Stone medley and Jimi Hendrix’s “Jam Back At The House.” I should mention that the box set is dominated by tracks from Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
This Week’s CD Releases and Reissues
August 3rd, 2009
Posted in New Music Releases
Amanda Blank: I Love You [Explicit]
Brian Wilson: What Love Can Do
Critic’s Pick:
Cale Parks: Swift Mars EP
Catie Curtis: Hello, Stranger
Critic’s Pick:
The Duke & the King: Nothing Gold Can Stay
A new roots duo consisting of the Duke (Simon Felice of the Felice Brothers) and the King (Robert Burke – multi-instrumentalist who has worked with George Clinton and Sweet Honey in the Rock). The name comes from ”The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, and the songs have a sound of early 70’s folkies like Cat Stevens and Neil Young. Recorded in a cabin-turned-studio near Woodstock, these songs are hushed, paced acoustic music perfect for sitting around a fireplace.
Japandroids: Post-Nothing
Critic’s Pick:
Kings of Leon: Notion EP (Incl. B-Sides and Live Tracks)
The Kings of Leon now have a fifth single (“Notion”) from the critically acclaimed Only By the Night. This five song EP also includes a live version of “Notion”, a live version of “Sex on Fire” and a CSS Remix of “The Bucket.”
Critic’s Pick:
Medeski, Martin & Wood: Radiolarians III
The third installment of the Radiolarian series finds the trio doing what they do best. Maybe their strongest and most cohesive album of the entire Radiolarian series.
Miles Davis: The Classic Prestige Sessions, 1951-1956
Critic’s Pick:
Modest Mouse: No One’s First, And You’re Next EP [Explicit]
B-sides from their two previous releases (Good News… and We Were Dead…), this collection is filled with the influence of both albums, but also explores territories previously unexplored. Familiar grooves, instrumental jams, chaotic layered vocals making for a brilliant mix of indie and Dixieland.
Watermelon Slim & the Workers: Escape from the Chicken Coop
Critic’s Pick:
Yim Yames: Tribute To
When My Morning Jacket’s Jim James found out that George Harrison passed away in 2001, he was inspired to record a handful of his compositions. After being tucked away for many years, James has decided that now is the right time to release these cover songs into the world. Although short, this EP contains just six songs; four of those are from Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, including “My Sweet Lord” and “Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)”, while the other two are Beatles compositions: ”Long, Long, Long” from the White Album and “Love You To”. Recorded with just acoustic guitar and vocals, and occasionally the piano and banjo.
