Only 56 Days till the New Weakerthans Album Comes Out

July 31, 2007 at 11:08 pm | Posted in mp3, Music, The Weakerthans | 4 Comments

Originally my plan was to wait until the actual date the album comes out to pick it up. I was going to see if I had the will power to wait for what will most likely be the best album of 2007. There is just something about picking up an album in a record store on a release date that you’ve been anticipating for months that simply cannot be matched by simply downloading it as soon as your friend instant messages you with “DUDE!!! NEW WEAKERTHANS JUST LEAKED! OINK THAT SHIT RIGHT NOW!”. But after hearing the studio version of “Night Windows” on Stereogum, I’ve realized that I just don’t have it in me to wait that long.

I definitely will still go to a record store on September 25 and pick up a tangible copy of Reunion Tour, but I will already be aware of how much the album rocks. So instead of counting down the days to the release date, I’ll just remain on the edge of my seat waiting for that life-changing instant message.

For now, be sure to check out the live versions of some of the new Weakerthans songs off the upcoming album that I’ve re-posted (for maybe the 12th time) below. Also, check out this in-studio video with a few seconds from every song on the album.

Lastly, be sure to stayed tuned as I plan to do at least one more post in the next couple days, and hopefully start posting regularly again.

(via Stereogum)MP3: The Weakerthans – Night Windows (Album Version)

MP3: The Weakerthans – Night Windows (Live)
MP3: The Weakerthans – Sun in an Empty Room (Live)
MP3: The Weakerthans – Utilities (Live)

POSTED BY: Chris

Live Covers

June 15, 2007 at 12:38 am | Posted in mp3, Music, Music I Love | 6 Comments

Yeah, I know. I never update this thing anymore. All my recent posts have included promises that I’ll get back on the ball and start posting regularly again. I’ve broken those promises, so I won’t make any crazy claims this time. It’s not that I don’t want to post; it’s just that I’m lazy and my computer is too far away from my bed. Understandable, yes? I really prefer to post themed playlists over posting music news or reviews, so I’ll probably be doing that more often than I used to. This post is one of those playlists.

There are few greater feelings in this world then being at a concert and out of nowhere the band you’re seeing busts out a great version of a song you by another band that you love. At least I love that feeling. So, I’ve decided to throw a few choice live covers that I have in my collection. Admittedly, I don’t have an extensive amount of live shows on my computer, but the few that I do have I love. Now, I know that no one’s reading this and just came here via elbo.ws or the like simply to gank these mp3s from me, so I’ll keep this short and save my long-winded writing for the song explanations.

MP3: Kevin Devine – Black Sheep Boy (Okkervil River Cover)
@ Schubas in Chicago, IL 05/13/2005
Anyone who reads this blog knows how I feel about Kevin Devine. He is definitely one of my favorite contemporary song writers. This is him covering a song written by another formidable talent. I first got into Okkervil River when I bought their albums Don’t Fall in Love With Everyone You Meet, and Black Sheep Boy. After my first listen to both albums I wasn’t as into it as I thought I would be. Recently, however, I’m really starting to rediscover those albums and I’m starting to recognize what makes them awesome pieces of work. KD covered this song opening for Okkervil on a tour sometime last year. I missed the Boston date of that tour because public transportation is unreliable, but finding the live set online that this track comes from was some consolation. As a side note: If you go to a concert, please respect the opening act and be quiet. The rude crowd almost ruins this track.

MP3: David Bazan – The Man in Me (Bob Dylan Cover)
@ Somerville Theatre in Somerville, MA 05/17/2007
I got this track and the following Ben Gibbard one from the fantastic blog Bradley’s Almanac, where both artists full Somerville sets were posted. Ben Gibbard and David Bazan at the same show is the stuff of legends. When I went to buy tickets and found out that it was sold out I almost lost it. Seeing the unbelievable set lists that both of them had sent me right over the edge. If I could’ve seen David Bazan cover Dylan’s “The Man in Me” live, I could have died happy.

MP3: Ben Gibbard – All Apologies (Nirvana Cover)
@ Somerville Theatre in Somerville, MA 05/17/2007
The fact that I missed this is painful, and frankly I don’t want to talk about it. So moving on…

MP3: Pearl Jam – Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding Cover)
@The Murphy Athletic Center in Murfreesboro, TN 3/26/1994 (thanks Lin)
I don’t care what anyone says, Pearl Jam is a great band. I know they don’t fit the typical “indie” vibe of this website but I really don’t care. I’ve seen them live a couple of times and they always blow me away. This cover is awesome. I’m pretty sure it was recorded for an official live album, but I’m not sure which one, or where/when it was recorded. Help would be appreciated.

MP3: Apollo Sunshine – Can You Get to That? (George Clinton and The Funkadelics cover)
@ Olde Town Hall in Andover, MA 05/21/2006
I was at this show. Apollo Sunshine can hold it down in any genre, including funk. Unfortunately the quality of this recording can’t quite highlight the energy they brought to this number, but believe me, they rocked it.

MP3: Apollo Sunshine – I’ll Come Running Back to You (Sam Cooke Cover)
@ The Paradise in Boston, MA [Date unknown – again, help would be appreciated]
This is the first track off of Apollo’s live album. The live album has a lot of good tracks on it, but it’s another case of the crowd being way to loud. I was not at this show, so I unfortunately couldn’t tell them to shut up. Still, if you can find Apollo’s live album (good luck) definitely pick it up [EDIT: Ok, so apparently finding Apollo’s live album is very easy. It’s on iTunes (thanks Alex). Check it out].

Well that’s that. I’ll leave you with a video of what was perhaps the best live cover I’ve seen. I was at this show and when he broke into this song it blew my mind in the best possible way. I posted this a while ago, but it’s definitely worth the repost.

POSTED BY: Chris

We’re Back – Decemberists, Cassino, etc.

April 8, 2007 at 10:07 pm | Posted in Concert Reviews, mp3, Music, Music I Love, News, Video | 1 Comment

Wow, it’s been a while. My apologies. It’s been a pretty crazy few weeks so unfortunately we haven’t found the time to post as regularly as we had been. Those weeks have been pretty eventful and productive, though. We’ve done some recording with our band Giraffe (we’ll hopefully be finishing something up and posting it soon), made a short film for CampusMovieFest (also will be posted soon), went to a few concerts, and got some new albums.

First, I’d like to say a few words about The Decemberists concert at the Avalon on March 24. I’ve no intention to write up a full review of the show, but suffice it to say it was a little disappointing. They played entirely too much off The Crane Wife and too little from anything else. Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of their latest album, but I’m also a fan of their earlier ones, and a lot of my favorites were absent from the set list (not a single song off of Her Majesty…). Also, Colin Meloy appeared to have developed some sort of rock star syndrome and his ego seems to have swelled significantly from the last time I saw The Decemberists. All that aside there were a few standout moments, including the opening tune “Oceanside” from the Five Songs EP – which I got on video and have provided below – and the closer “Sons and Daughters”.

Next I want to talk a bit about Cassino. Their debut album Sounds of Salvation has finally come out and I couldn’t be more into it. I promise I’ll have a full album review up later this week. All I’ll say is that it’s my favorite album of the year so far, and I think few bands even stand a chance of topping it, save maybe for The Weakerthans fourth album which may or may not be coming out this fall. I’m not going to put any of the album mp3s up because I want to encourage you to BUY this album, not just download the tracks. It was self-released by the band without any label representation, and the guys really need the money.

Here are a couple of the old demo versions of their songs. Both of these have been redone for the album and both definitely for the better. You can check out the amazing new version of “New Jerusalem” and buy the entire album on their MySpace page.

PLEASE buy their album. It rocks.

MP3: Cassino – American Low (Demo)

MP3: Cassino – New Jerusalem (Demo)

POSTED BY: Chris

Concert Review – Kevin Devine @ Great Scott 2/22/07

February 23, 2007 at 9:42 pm | Posted in Concert Reviews, mp3, Music, Reviews, Video | 2 Comments

Last night I saw one of the defining shows of my show-going career. Seriously. I’d been pretty excited for this show since I first heard of it, and was expecting greatness. Usually having high expectations for a concert tends to be a bad sign; rarely can bands live up to my own self-made hype.

This show, however, did not disappoint. In addition to Kevin Devine, Pablo, a new favorite of mine was set to open the act. And, as if that weren’t enough, Jennifer O’Connor, and artist whom I had heard many good things about was also playing. Pablo, fronted by singer/songwriter Paul Schalda, started off the night with a great set spanning the majority of their fantastic debut album Half the Time (BUY). Highlights of their performance included the bombastic rendition of the opening track on the album “Wall Street,” as well as the stand-out track from the album “Loser Crew” (which I captured on video and is posted at the bottom of this review).

Next up was the rather forgettable, but local Choo Choo La Rouge. They struck me as the type of band that would shine more on record rather than live, so I’ll have to give their album a shot. Jennifer O’Connor then took the stage and lived up to the hype with a mixture of somewhat-grungey songs and more delicate numbers. There was one song thrown in there that made use of what was hands down the most badass violin riff I’ve ever heard. If any readers know what song that is please help me out and let me know the name of it and where I can find that song / album. Her set finished with both KD and most of Pablo taking the stage for an awesome group song. I got a picture of this moment and it happens to be the only picture from the night that came out semi-decent.

Next up was the main event. Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band; the GDB on this tour being mostly made up of the members of Pablo. KD’s set started out solo and acoustic with “A Billion Bees,” one of the softer tracks on his latest album Put Your Ghost To Rest (BUY). After the acoustic intro the band took the stage to get to the more meaty rocking songs from his catalog. Most of the songs he played were off the newest album, but he did mix in a bunch of songs off of his last two releases Split the Country, Split the Streets and Make the Clocks Move (BUY & BUY, respectively).

Kevin played quite a long set, clocking in at almost 90 minutes. Near the end of his performance the band walked off stage and Kevin went acoustic again to finish the set with a few solo songs, including an awesome cover of Sinead O’Connor’s song “Black Boys on Mopeds” and a throwback to KD’s old band Miracle of ’86 with the song “Every Famous Last Word.” Kevin ended the night with a sing-along version of “Ballgame” from his second album Make the Clocks Move.

All in all, it was a fantastic night for live music. Stand out songs from KD’s performance included “Me & My Friends” (video posted below), “Noose Dressed Like a Necklace” – one of my favorite songs ever (album mp3 included below), and “The Burning City Smoking” (arguably the best song on PYGTR). I have to say, however, that the highlight of the night for me was not one of these three. During the latter acoustic portion of the set, Paul Schalda of Pablo joined KD on stage to sing for the song “Lord, I Know We Don’t Talk.” I wish I still had room on my camera to capture this moment, but in retrospect I should have just deleted the video for “Me & My Friends” to get this. Paul’s voice worked so beautifully with Kevin’s on this song, it was almost surreal. All I can really say is “wow.” Hands down one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen.

Pablo – Loser Crew

Kevin Devine – Me & My Friends

Photos (Click for Larger Image):

MP3: Kevin Devine – Noose Dressed Like a Necklace | (Buy – Make the Clocks Move)

MP3: Kevin Devine – Brooklyn Boy | (Buy – Put Your Ghost To Rest)

MP3: Kevin Devine – The Longer I Lay Here (Pedro the Lion Cover)

POSTED BY: Chris

Songs to Break Your Heart

February 14, 2007 at 1:50 am | Posted in mp3, Music, Valentine's Day | 4 Comments

Happy Valentines Day. For those of you celebrating the “holiday” without any special someone this year – this post is for you (and coincidentally, me as well). So, grab that bottle of whiskey you’ve been saving for an emergency, plug in your headphones and drink until you don’t miss her (or him) anymore. Here’s a collection of great songs to break your lonely heart. Enjoy, and hang in there big guy; there’s always next year.

MP3: Apollo Sunshine – U & I
This is a great track from one of this blog’s cornerstone bands. I’ve posted this song a couple of times, but it was worth reposting for this event. The mixture of ukulele and vocals on this one gets me every time.

MP3: Death Cab For Cutie – What Sarah Said | (Buy – Plans)
I’ve been a big Death Cab fan for quite some time and still love them regardless of how big they’ve gotten. I honestly believe Plans was one of their best efforts to date and this song is definitely one of my favorites from their entire catalog. It won’t just break your heart, it will violently rip it out and tear it to shreds.

MP3: Elliott Smith – I Didn’t Understand | (Buy – XO)
My respect for this guy runs pretty deep. This is one of those songs that makes you feel bad for having ever smiled even once in your life.

MP3: Okkervil River – Red | (Buy – Don’t Fall In Love With Everyone You See)
I’ve only recently started to get into Okkervil River, and I’m beginning to get what the hype was about. This song is about a different kind of heartbreak than most songs, but equally as crushing.

MP3: Pedro the Lion – Bad Diary Days | (Buy – It’s Hard to Find A Friend)
David Bazan has a knack for writing great tunes. This is one about a guy suspecting his girl is cheating. I don’t really know why but the line that kills me the most is this passive denial the narrator offers after finding some clues: “I probably shouldn’t ask, it sounds so accusing.”

MP3: Leo Blais – You Just Sigh | (Buy – Beethoven Never Heard This)
Leo Blais is a Boston local. I got his demo outside of a Ben Kweller Concert in 2004 and this song was on it. I picked up his debut EP as well which is also very solid. This is probably my favorite song of his.

MP3: The Weakerthans – Slips and Tangles | (Buy – Left and Leaving)
I posted John K. Samson’s original solo version of this song about a couple weeks ago here. As much as I appreciate that version, nothing can beat the beautiful sadness of the album version. If you don’t yet own this album, make it your next purchase.

POSTED BY: Chris

I’m From Barcelona – We’re From Barcelona

February 13, 2007 at 2:23 pm | Posted in mp3, Music, Video | Leave a comment

My friend Dave showed me this video for the song “We’re From Barcelona” by the band I’m From Barcelona two days ago and the song hasn’t left my head since. It might be the happiest and catchiest song I’ve ever heard and I can’t get enough of it. They have that same kind of cult-feel that the Polyphonic Spree has (boasting 29 members!), but minus all the creepy Christian undertones. I get a pretty strong Sufjan Stevens feel from this song as well. They use a variety of instruments and use them well much like Sufjan.

Basically, what it boils down to is that I want to be in this band. It looks like so much fun. The lyrics in the song promise, “you’ll be one of us when the night comes.” That’s kind of an eerie reminder of the whole cult-vibe, but what can I say – I’m down for it. Also, the best part is this band is from a town in Sweden that’s almost 1500 miles from Barcelona. Weird, eh?

Here’s the mp3 of the song too, make sure to buy their album.

MP3: I’m From Barcelona – We’re From Barcelona | (Buy – Let Me Introduce My Friends)

POSTED BY: Chris

Happy Valentine’s Day From The Postmarks

February 13, 2007 at 12:33 am | Posted in Holiday, mp3, Music, Valentine's Day | Leave a comment

Glasgow, Oslo, Reykjavik, or maybe even Montreal… but not Miami! Those cities being my guess of where The Postmarks called home upon a first listen. I just feel like they have that Northern European vibe going for them and that Florida has such an emo vibe going for them. My general rule of thumb was usually that the further North you go the better the music but of course there are always exceptions to the rule. This is not to say people in the South suck at making music or that they are not as creative as us Northerners it’s just that how could they be with such great weather all the time. No seasonal depression, no 4:30 sunsets, no wind chill… the list could go on.

Well, anyway I guess it would be of no surprise that our ambassadors from the South will be the ones we here at aSNM choose to help us ring in the holiday of love (a.k.a. St. Valentine’s Day). The band’s label World’s Fair’s blog has posted a special unreleased track from the band for the special event. I will be posting the track below in the form of a youTube video:

If this song is at all pleasing to you, check out the band’s debut album, and by check it out I mean buy it. The self-titled disc “The Postmarks” is beautifully crafted and catchy as hell. I’m all the bloggers out there have been using the Belle & Sebastion, Camera Obscura comparisons but the lofty female vocals seem to remind me more of less poinent version of Mirah… or even a little purrrrrr of Cat Power. Whatever, make your own comparisons and let us know.

For now I will be leaving you with some other tunes from The Postmarks and a song that I always seem to think about when February 14th rolls around.

MP3: The Postmarks – Let Go (buy)

MP3: The Postmarks – Weather the Weather (buy)

MP3: The Postmarks – Goodbye (single) (buy)

**VDay special**

MP3: Kevin Devine – Not Over You Yet (you should be ashamed if you don’t own this album already – (buy) – )

Posted By:

ALEX

 

New Music Friday – McAlister Drive

February 9, 2007 at 10:50 pm | Posted in Boston, Local Bands, Music | 1 Comment

 

McAlsiter Drive

Well, It’s Friday and the weekend is finally rolling around… not sure about any of you guys but I felt like it was never going to come. In welcoming in the next few days or stress-free, work-free, R&R we’re going to introduce you to an up and coming local band with a bright future. As you may have guessed from the title of the post, the band’s name is McAlister Drive.

I found out about the band last summer when I met the lead vocalist, Christoph, at Guitar Center (where I was employed for the time being). The band’s Myspace page claims they’ve been at this a while, but only became serious about getting their music out there recently. The band is set to release an album in the coming weeks entitled “Something To Sleep With” but, if you’re really anxious you can find more material on a compilation disc called “Claws For A Cause” in which the procedes go to local charities all over the state.

The music might be a little more radio-friendly then some of the stuff you might be used to hearing on this blog but HEY… that’s not a bad thing. It’s just bands like Nickleback and Evanescence that give it a bad name. The songs come at you with the pop/rock flavor much to the likes of Brendan Benson and the lyrical vulnerability of a Damien Rice … yet the singers voice is eerily reminiscent of Saves The Day’s Chris Connelly (circa Stay What You Are). Check out the tracks below and let us know what you think.

I have tremendous respect for this band and really any local bands from the greater Boston (which seems to be polluted with too many metal acts to wrap my head around). I used to play in a band back in high school, and believe me, it’s a lot more work than it seems. If you like what you hear you can check these guys out at Bill’s Bar towards the end of Lansdowne Saturday night (Feb. 10th). They will be playing with Pop/Punk locals New Hip Stereo as well as Six Day Slide (celebrating their CD release party). Also, I will be selling merch for McAlister Drive so come say hi, if you make it!

MP3: McAlister Drive – Drowning

MP3: McAlister Drive – The Lasting Word

Posted By:

ALEX

New Feist Album Details

February 8, 2007 at 12:49 am | Posted in mp3, Music, News | Leave a comment

According to Pitchfork, Feist has announced some details on her follow-up album to 2005’s Let it Die (BUY). The album will be titled The Remainder and will hit shelves and be in my hands on May 1st. It’s getting released to rest of the world on April 23, but we unfortunate collection of people who call North America our home will have to wait over a week after that to get our hands on it. Not fair, if you ask me.

Damn, she’s attractive. And that voice… just wow.
You should already have the Mp3 I’m including here, but if you don’t, you’re welcome. It’s off Broken Social Scene’s B-Sides album Bee Hives (BUY), and it’s Leslie Feist’s rendition of the BSS song “Lover’s Spit”. Too awesome for words, so I’ll let the song speak for itself.

MP3: Broken Social Scene – Lover’s Spit (Feist Version) | (Buy – Bee Hives)

POSTED BY: Chris

YACHT, and I don’t mean the boat

February 6, 2007 at 2:58 pm | Posted in experimental, mp3, Music | 4 Comments

MP3: YACHT – Music by Friends for the Radio in France

 

YACHT

Alright, first off, before you read a word of this (which I guess you already have) click on the link above this text and start listening. Believe me, it will just be more beneficial if you are hearing while you’re reading.

 

Sadly, I heard about the blow only recently last year when their song “True Affection” was featured as iTunes’ free download of the week. I know, I know, that’s a pretty lame way to find out about a band, it would be a lot cooler if I had said I’ve known about them since Khaela Maricich’s days as a ukulele player for her old band Get the Hell Out of the Way of the Volcano. But, that isn’t to say I like them any less then you old school listeners.

So, what does this talk about The Blow have to do with this post??? Well, the other member, Jona Bechtolt (thats the guy) has his own band called YACHT and has just released a track for airplay in Europe.

Here you are about a minute or two (depending on how fast you read) into the song and you’re thinking, ‘ok, yeah, this is a little odd, but like the rest of The Blow’s catalog it’s super catchy and saturated with synth blips and beeps’. Well, my friend keep listening, your in for a change.

See, from reading a post on their MySpace page, I understand that this is an hour long segment Jona created for their label to play in France. The label, Tomlab is based in Germany and urges bands to try and play something in a different manner than they might normally do. So I’m sure you are starting to notice this is a strange song(?) album(?) dance mix(?) collection of dance mixes(?).

 

The track goes from sampling his band’s own songs (The Blow – Babay) to a whole slew of others, most of which are already remixes in their own fashion. My favorite is the mash-up of Notorious B.I.G.’s Juicy with Elton John’s Tiny Dancer (46:40 minutes into the song). If there was any song that would most definitely be on my Memory Lane it would be Juicy, (a little nod to Chris’ last post). You can find the complete track list here.

See now to me this is more what taking drugs is like. Most people claim it’s more like a Grateful Dead album or an Animal Collective type song, something real droney and euphoric, but to me it would be more like this song. A roller-coaster. At some points hectic and maniacal and then at others placid and calm but extremely strange through and a sense of “What?! Is this really happening” throughout. Well anyway that’s my story and I’m sticking to it, sorry if this write-up didn’t take you through the whole song… I still suggest listening to the rest of it, maybe play a game of snood or something.

Posted By:

Alex

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