Posted in: August 2006

Album art

An astounding three weeks ago, I got an e-mail from the drummer for Chicago’s The Interiors, talking about his band (obviously) and how I should give them a listen. Like any other self-respecting music blogger, I was morally obligated to oblige (alliteration unintended) and found myself enjoying their rocking songs thoroughly. If you’re one of those intrepid souls who downloads and listens to songs in the order they’re given, don’t let I’m So Happy throw you for a loop, since while that song is overtly bluesy rock, the rest aren’t. Something that shows up throughout all their tracks, however, are some of the most socially conscious lyrics outside of vintage punk rock. On You Should Have Known, they sing “Never thinking what’s it for / You’re only thinking the pay is so good.” Modern times just got zinged.

This is another instance of a band without a released album and, as such, no album art. So, enjoy the live photo that is used in its stead. I should mention that while they’re using Let Us Crazy! as a tentative album title, it should be used as T-Rex would be pleased. I don’t need to mention something about enjoying the music because you’ll do that on your own.

Downloads

From Let Us Crazy!

I’m So Happy – (MP3, 3 MB)
You Should Have Known – (MP3, 4 MB)
The Bug – (MP3, 3.7 MB)

Album art

I find myself stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place; there are several bands/musicians that I would love to write about, but lack the album art to do so. While it’s not an absolute necessity, the posts look naked without it (and not in a good way). Either I’ll post them without album art or I’ll find something that’s suitable since otherwise there will not be much posting in the near future. Dire words for our three readers, indeed.

None of that has anything to do with The Ebb And Flow, of course; they are an exceedingly awesome band hailing from San Francisco, specializing in equally rocking tunes. Framer Framed is particularly rocking, even more so when it slows it down. Since I don’t have anything else to say, I’ll conclude with these are all killer tracks and certainly worthy of downloading.

Downloads

From Here Are Caught
Alaska: Lost And Found – (MP3, 3.7 MB)

From Time To Echolate
Framer Framed (MP3, 7.8 MB)
Country Verses – (MP3, 6.2 MB)
See You In The Fjords (MP3, 3.6 MB)

Album art

If you’ve heard the music of Pete Krebs, then you’ll know what Jake Mann sounds like and can skip straight to the downloads. If you’re part of the 99% of the people who haven’t, then imagine a catchy rock song with high-quality guitar riffery and you’ll be somewhere in the neighborhood. His (Mann’s) voice is deeper and his songs less poppy than Krebs’, but, as I said, they’re in the same neighborhood. If you like one, you’ll like the other; at least, that’s how it worked for me.

He even did a cover of Nu Shooz’s I Can’t Wait, which, while sounding nothing at all like the original, is certifiably awesome, and arguably better than the original. I like it more, and if you prefer rock to dance music, you’ll think so too.

Downloads

From Solo Electric
Take You For A Ride – (MP3, 4.7 MB)
I Can’t Wait – (MP3, 3.2 MB)

Album art

If you were even vaguely aware of Reel Big Fish around their Why Do They Rock So Hard? era, this band may seem quite familiar (almost startlingly so, at times), what with their electric guitars, bombastic horn arrangements, and tongue-in-cheek outlook. This may or may not interest you; if not, perhaps I should add that their horn section also performs choreographed dance moves while playing.

In effect, their live show serves to enhance their appeal, which already is quite expansive. Additionally, their lyrics leave little to be desired: “I can’t believe we look so totally bitchin!” and “Rump Shaker / Heartbreaker / Don’t be a faker come on be my baby maker,” for example. You cannot get any deeper than that.

But what really made me sweet on this band was their closing number when I saw them play in Asbury — they pulled out a positively skanking cover of Under the Sea. Yes, that version, what with the singing crab? I believe I should’ve mentioned earlier that it might take a particular humour to dig these guys. Ska purists will hold their noses and get crabby, but I am doubtful any of those folk visit here anyway.

Note: I am simply ganking samples from CDBaby. All of their music can be sampled there.

Downloads

From Rump Shaker
High Fives – (M3U, sample stream)
Bright Spring Morning – (M3U, sample stream)
Blingity Bling – (M3U, sample stream)

Album art

In the olden days (known as two months ago), I didn’t want to post about Bishop Allen because it seemed everyone else already was. In modern times (known as today), it seems that if I don’t, we’ll be the only blog that hasn’t written about them. While uniqueness is usually a good thing, being uniquely demented never is. Not mentioning Bishop Allen would put us in this uniquely demented category, and what a shame that would be!

While their debut album Charm School is full of catchy pop hooks sweeter than your neighborhood candyshop, their EP-a-month project has usually culminated songs that are somewhat slower. The notable exception to this “rule” is the track they offered from their latest EP, Click Click Click Click. Though the introduction reminded me of John Vanderslice, it kicked into high-energy, catchy-as-all-hell Bishop Allen mode soon enough. It’s my favorite from their EPs as of yet, but they’ve got five more months to get through and so there isn’t any definitive answer to be had yet. They have five more free songs from their older EPs, which you can get if you’re so inclined.

Downloads

From EPs
Click Click Click Click – (MP3, 4.1 MB)
The Same Fire – (MP3, 6.4 MB)

From Charm School
Busted Heart – (MP3, 5.3 MB)
Things Are What You Make Of Them – (MP3, 4.5 MB)

Album art

Although they’re originally from Denver, The Minders have been in Oregon long enough for me to consider them a local band. After releasing six CDs, they’ve finally gotten around to posting an MP3 and thus I’m obligated to inform the uninformed about them. The cruel irony of this particular tale is that the song they released is from their latest album, It’s A Bright Guilty World, the only album of theirs that I don’t have. Though I saw them in concert a few months ago, my memories have faded enough to make them, in a word, useless. However, unless The Minders have taken a large departure from their previous work, they play retro-pop the way it should be: catchy, with nary a hint of annoyance. From the sound of Accidental Joy, they’re still up to their old, and thoroughly enjoyable, tricks.

Downloads

From It’s A Bright Guilty World
Accidental Joy – (MP3, 3 MB)

Album art

For the longest time, I rather inexplicably had the idea that Mirah was a British pop singer and so never bothered to listen to her songs. In reality, she is a lovely Jewish lady (with an even lovelier voice) living in Washington. Perhaps to complement this certifiably angelic voice, more than a few of her songs feature a harp. Just in case the description up to now sounds like she sings church hymns, let me regale you with some lyrics from Dreamboat – “How about some of that lubrication / ’cause this motor’s gettin’ ready for some fornication.” I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine those lyrics being sung in any church… ever.

Downloads

From Advisory Committee
Cold Cold Water – (MP3, 4.1 MB)
Light The Match – (MP3, 2.7 MB)

From You Think It’s Like This But It’s Really Like This
Sweepstakes Prize – (MP3, 1.9 MB)

Album art

From my previous posts, one would conclude that I am not, in fact, a ska-whore, which would be incorrect. I will attempt to remedy this by actually posting ska bands.

The Parka Kings are like a basket of fun. Bouncy guitars, lots of horns, fun lyrics. The vocals are right on the edge of sloppy, though leaning more towards passionate, which is just the best way to have them. They slow things down a bit for some dub, but generally their pace is just right.

They have dissolved long ago, but all of their music can be downloaded from their site — be warned though, it is a Geocities site, and it has background music. Of course, after you listen to to Slow Me Down or the piratey Midnight Sails, you will be willing to deal with any number of animated gifs.

Downloads

From Bienvenidos!
City Limits – (MP3, 2.2 MB)
Midnight Sails – (MP3, 3.1 MB)
Slow Me Down – (MP3, 2.4 MB)
One by One – (MP3, 3.3 MB)

Album art

Let’s tie things in together, shall we? This 10 minute long collaboration between Guignol and Nanuchka does a good job of sounding a lot longer. Plus we’ve got Jack Terricloth (of World/Inferno, et al, though his real name is Pete) sounding in for a duet on Captain Sensible Calling.

Anyway. This kicks off with a familiar Guignol tune, but with some delicious female vocals (in Hebrew) laid over it. This works surprisingly well, though it’ll confuse your friends if you put it on in the car (I know this from experience). We then get some random instrumention, a right rocking track, and the duet of which I have already spoken.

Nanuchka claims to have a more reasonable length record out, but damned if I’ve been able to find a way to get it. They’ve got some other tracks available at their site, but they are mostly embedded in flash, so good luck! Since Red is one of them though, I have kindly provided you with a tasting right here.

Downloads

From Drink the Best Wine First
Red – (MP3, 2.9 MB)

Album art

During a moment of recent self-reflection brought on by little more than boredom, I realized I’m not posting enough music from Oregon. Goodness knows we make enough of the stuff. First up is Pseudosix, a three-piece lo-fi indie band from Portland, who recently played a free concert with both Quasi and The Minders. The last (or should I say only?) time I saw Quasi and The Minders, the opening band was Pan Tourismos, who, while not bad, were not nearly good as Pseudosix. And I had to pay for that concert! I am consoled with both their lovely tunes and the idea that three great bands have gotten together and played a free concert.

Downloads

From Days Of Delay
Run Rebel – (MP3, 3.7 MB)
Center, Empty Circle – (MP3, 2.2 MB)
Hey Revenge – (MP3, 2.8 MB)
Hollow Abyss – (MP3, 3.4 MB)