Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer

Blitzen Trapper's 2008 "Furr" is a great album, it combines folk, rock and a nice layer of soothing keyboards. Their sound reminds me of the photo above... when i listen i see images of cowboys in space or scenes from the movie West World (yes the one with Yul Brenner).

Luckily we can picture more of these images as Blitzen Trapper recently released a 7 song EP titled from the single- "Black River Killer".

Total of 6 previously unreleased songs (tour CD only).

Love these guys.
Here are my two favorite songs from the new album..

Big Black Bird.mp3
Preacher's Sisters Brother.mp3

Grizzly Bear meets Michael McDonald

I love Pizza and I love wedding cake. I could potentially eat pizza daily if forced to and I probably like wedding cake more than most folks. I often think about wedding cake for dessert even when weddings are not anywhere in the near future. I also love Nachos and I love Crème Brulee, I sometimes think about making a monster plate of nachos (using an entire bag of chips) at my house while I watch TV, and at other times I think about being able to make a delicious Crème Brulee, with the crusty burnt coating on top. I currently do not own one of those little torches, but will put on my "to purchase list".
I could carry on all day about my favorite entrees vs. desserts….

Here is the thing; I like these things completely separate from one another. I don’t like my wedding cake icing on top of my pizza. I don’t want to dip my nachos in my crème brulee. For one, my chip would not be able to penetrate that crispy carmel coating, but mainly it’s because I don’t like the combination of the two tastes together. It’s unsettling, its awkward, and I dont think those tastes belong together (Kettle corn on the other hand is a completely different story)

The unsettling taste of mixing salty and sweet foods together is how I feel about Michael McDonald singing with Grizzly Bear on “While You Wait for the Others” from 2009’s Veckatimest. Those that know me know I have a strange love for Michael McDonald. Part of it is probably some reminiscence of my childhood, but the other part is pure enjoyment. I even listed McDonald's “Sweet Freedom” as my favorite song from 1986. Some find his voice painful and nothing short of music only to be played when riding an elevator, but I truly do find pleasure in his work.

Grizzly Bear, in my opinion, has released one of the best albums of the year. I cannot get enough of them. When I heard McDonald was singing this song I thought it was a joke, but then I purchased the EP and sure enough, it’s the real McDonald. I have to give it a few more listens to see where I will finally land on this. Either way I can say I applaud GB for going for it and experimenting with such a genre opposite artist.


Next, I want to hear Grizzly Bear cover Sweet Freedom or maybe a Genesis song…say “No Reply at All” off of Abacab.

Here is the song for streaming pleasure -
Grizzly Bear - While You Wait for the Others feat. Michael McDonald.mp3
Also, a Grizzly Bear (sans Polar Bear) -
Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
And a McDonald (without Grizzly Bear) -
Michael McDonald - Sweet Freedom.mp3

Holiday Shores

What do you think of when you hear Holiday Shores? Do you think of sandy beaches along a Northeastern coastline? Do you think of 50's style bathing suits or a boardwalk with roller coasters? Are there Beach Balls and images of coneys floating in your head? Maybe Cape Cod or a small beach community in Maine.

These are the things i used to think. But now when i hear the name Holiday Shores I think of of a jangly poppy guitar with distorted 60's style keys. I think of worry free timing and rough yet easy listening vocals. However, I will always continue to follow-up these thoughts with coneys.

This 5 piece band calls Tallahassee, FL home which was somewhat surprising when I first read just because no other band that I recall was from Tallahassee, but really good music can come from anywhere. Their new 10 track album "Columbus'd the Whim" was released on August, 4th. At times its a very familiar sound, but its also not really directly comparable to another band either. As mentioned above the style is reminiscent of the 60's low fidelity type of sound. I would definitely encourage people to buy this album. I can easily see this being on some "best of '09" lists.

The summer is still among us for at least a few more weeks, so relax, flip on the bbq and enjoy the remaining sunny days while you can with the Holiday Shores.

Below are three songs off the new album which you can stream. Listen and remember to purchase. available via Itunes.

Holiday Shores - Days Drag.mp3

Holiday Shores - Phones Don't Feud.mp3

Holiday Shores - Bradley Bear.mp3

Fleet Foxes (revisited)

2008 was quite a year for the Fleet Foxes, they were part of the folk / indie explosion which i love. I was suddenly reminded of their beauty this past weekend while doing some outdoor painting. Thats right...painting outdoors. Manly work...I mean real manly stuff. I'm talking- sweat was on the brim, had to have a cold beer to cool me off, shirt off cause I'm in the backyard where the neighbors cant see me, type of work. Anyway, the ipod was on shuffle and the Double F's came on (Fleet Foxes)

The song that came on wasnt from their 2008 album. The song i heard was "She Got Dressed" off their 2006 EP. Its a very good EP and...it actually made me think of "In the Hot, Hot Rays" off the same album and how appropriate that song was for the current outdoor painting situation. So, i decided to listen to the entire album and was surpised by how much i love it...to me its completely different than their 2008 breakthrough.

It seems to be a bit more Rockin' (if thats an appropriate word to use with the Fleet Foxes) or maybe its just more jammin'?

This six song EP isnt available on Itunes and i dont know exactly how i have a copy, but its definitely worth tracking down.

Here are two songs from Fleet Foxes 2006 EP

Fleet Foxes - She Got Dressed (mp3)
Fleet Foxes - In the Hot, Hot Rays (mp3)

We Are Country Mice

We are Country Mice formed in Brooklyn just a very short time ago, but hearing WACM perform live you would think they've been playing and writing together for years.  Last night I had the pleasure of seeing WACM in Kansas City (Davey's Uptown) which was their 2nd stop of their midwest tour.  Not that any band should be described, but  here I go...I would say they're classic rock & roll meets a rodeo.  Or Imagine Neil Young bumping into Wayne Coyne at a bbq joint, followed by a hug, a slab of ribs, ice cold margaritas under the stars on a park bench out back.   However, just typing a bbq situation or Rock & Roll meets a Rodeo isn't fair, because they're much more than those things.  They have something all of their own which needs to be seen and heard individually to grasp.  

I should also say, I not only had pleasure of getting to watch a great band, but I was also lucky enough to hang out with who I consider two very good friends and experience them doing something they love and do very well.  

I will continue to post about WACM as they continue to play and create.   

We are Country Mice have 7" titled "Make Your Own Damn Fun" available through Insound, but copies are limited.  Purchase HERE

AND, For any music lovers in Chicago this evening.  Check WACM out at Cals.

Then Sunday they will be in Madison, WI at the Frequency.

After that they will be back home in NY and will be the a resident band at Pianos each Thursday night for the month of September

You can listen to both songs at their myspace page.  And of the two songs is available here for your listening pleasure. 

Ballad of John.  

We Are Country Mice - Ballad of John (mp3)

Deerhunter- Rainwater Cassette Exchange

It’s only a five song EP, but the punch it packs is harder than an asphalt sandwich.
The opening title track bounces in and out like a beach ball in the Atlantic. Disappearing Ink is a more up tempo and a jarring bass line. My personal favorite off the 15 minute album is the fun yet ghostly whimpering Famous Last Words. Kind of repetitive, but it makes the song so appealing. Game of Diamonds may be the Debbie downer of the 5 songs, but it’s still good. It’s just a little slower but a nice segue to Circulation which jumps right on track with the first three songs.

Listen…buy, etc.

Deerhunter- Circulation.mp3

Deerhunter- Famous Last Words.mp3

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

I am really enjoying the new Grizzly Bear album this on this beautiful Saturday. Just got it this morning and have listened to it three times. This is a band that is able to take 50'sish music and make the hair on my neck stand. Truly timeless. I dont play guitar, but if i did i would want it to sound like this. Its beautiful. The stands out for me are "Two Weeks", "While You Wait for the Others", "Ready, Able" and "About Face", but they're all extremely great and the standouts could change as i continue to listen. I thought Yellow House was a good album, but wasnt crazy about it like i know others were. I'll definitely be going back listen.

Buy the album. Two tracks to wet the appetite

TBY denim!

Grizzly Bear- Two Weeks.mp3


Grizzly Bear- While You Wait for the Others.mp3