LOCAL H IS… DESPERATELY SEEKING MICHELLE!
Is your name Michelle? Do you know a Michelle? Local H wants you to show the world why "nobody's got it like Michelle." Submit your photo to be used in their new "Michelle (again)" video from the “12 Angry Months” LP out now on Shout! Factory. Contest ends 12/5/08. Click the link below for details on how to submit your photo.
http://groups.myspace.com/michelleagainvideocontest
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Larry David on the election
AboutTheMusic's favourite comedian, Larry David, writes in the Huffington Post today about the suspense of waiting for the election, and taking out angst out on his ex-wife (which he quite enjoys). Poor Cheryl.Read the post here
Send an Amazon gift certificate by mail
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Ryan Adams - Cardinology - Rolling Stone review
Rolling Stone Magazine gives Cardinology 4/5!
Read the review here.
Read the review here.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Josh Rouse - The Best of the Rykodisc Years - Album Review
JOSH ROUSE - THE BEST OF THE RYKODISK YEARS
(RHINO RECRODS)
The first of this double disc anthology features 19 favourites from Rouse's first five albums and two EPs. They run chronologically and the the track list is no surprise - it opens with "Late Night Conversation" and "Dressed Up like Nebraska", easily the best songs from his debut record before moving through Chester, the Josh Rouse and Lambchop frontman (Kurt Wagner) EP, and onto "Home". Home contains the song "Directions", which helped him reach new audiences when it was featured by Cameron Crowe in his wonderfully sound-tracked movie "Vanilla Sky".
While these songs are good, the golden years of Josh Rouse came on his final three records for the label - "Under Cold Blue Stars", "1972" and "Nashville". "Under Cold Blue Stars" was the album which brought him attention in UK, being heavily promoted by Q magazine, amongst others. The concept album about a travelling mid-western musician adds four great tracks to disc 1. "1972" with its change of direction into white-boy soul on "Come Back" and "Love Vibration" (it really works) provides another 4 tracks and the remaining 4 are pulled from Nashville, his final record with the stand out "My Love Has Gone" before leaving Rykodisc, getting divorced, moving to Spain and setting up his own label.
Josh Rouse has the rare gift of effortlessly producing strong melodies, that, together with his warm, approachable voice, provides a strand of continuity throughout the anthology, despite his constant attempts to vary his musical style. With the possible exception of a couple of the earlier tracks, disc 1 makes a gem of an album and an absolute must for anyone who hasn't checked out Rouse before.
Disc 2 features demos and b-sides and the near obligatory unreleased tracks. it also features the limited edition bedroom classics EP, to provide it to a wider audience. The second disc is interesting for fans, and "Sunshine" and "Suburban Sweetheart" are good songs but it is the first disc that will linger in your CD player. When Rouse began there weren't many people making alt-country pop and he may come to be regarded as a bit of a pioneer. It has been a real pleasure to re-discover Josh Rouse through this best of, and hopefully through this release many more people will make his acquaintance.
Rating:
Download: My Love Has Gone, Feeling No Pain, Love Vibration
Listen to Josh Rouse live at the Shepherd's Bush Empire and other concerts at www.joshrouse.com or here
(RHINO RECRODS)
The first of this double disc anthology features 19 favourites from Rouse's first five albums and two EPs. They run chronologically and the the track list is no surprise - it opens with "Late Night Conversation" and "Dressed Up like Nebraska", easily the best songs from his debut record before moving through Chester, the Josh Rouse and Lambchop frontman (Kurt Wagner) EP, and onto "Home". Home contains the song "Directions", which helped him reach new audiences when it was featured by Cameron Crowe in his wonderfully sound-tracked movie "Vanilla Sky".
While these songs are good, the golden years of Josh Rouse came on his final three records for the label - "Under Cold Blue Stars", "1972" and "Nashville". "Under Cold Blue Stars" was the album which brought him attention in UK, being heavily promoted by Q magazine, amongst others. The concept album about a travelling mid-western musician adds four great tracks to disc 1. "1972" with its change of direction into white-boy soul on "Come Back" and "Love Vibration" (it really works) provides another 4 tracks and the remaining 4 are pulled from Nashville, his final record with the stand out "My Love Has Gone" before leaving Rykodisc, getting divorced, moving to Spain and setting up his own label.
Josh Rouse has the rare gift of effortlessly producing strong melodies, that, together with his warm, approachable voice, provides a strand of continuity throughout the anthology, despite his constant attempts to vary his musical style. With the possible exception of a couple of the earlier tracks, disc 1 makes a gem of an album and an absolute must for anyone who hasn't checked out Rouse before.
Disc 2 features demos and b-sides and the near obligatory unreleased tracks. it also features the limited edition bedroom classics EP, to provide it to a wider audience. The second disc is interesting for fans, and "Sunshine" and "Suburban Sweetheart" are good songs but it is the first disc that will linger in your CD player. When Rouse began there weren't many people making alt-country pop and he may come to be regarded as a bit of a pioneer. It has been a real pleasure to re-discover Josh Rouse through this best of, and hopefully through this release many more people will make his acquaintance.
Rating:
Download: My Love Has Gone, Feeling No Pain, Love Vibration
Listen to Josh Rouse live at the Shepherd's Bush Empire and other concerts at www.joshrouse.com or here
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Horse Feathers - House With No Home (album review)
HORSE FEATHERS - HOUSE WITH NO HOME
(Kill Rock Stars)
6 October 2008
House With No Home is Horse Feather's debut release on Kill Rock Stars and the follow up to their critically acclaimed "Words Are Dead".
Horse Feathers is lead by Justin Ringle and named after a phrase his Grandfather used. Horse Feathers share the same sparse sound and hushed, whispered vocals as Iron & Wine but aren't a derivative spin-off. They differ through the strong strings from multi-instrumentalist Peter Broderick and his sister Heather on cello and backing vocals.
The first album's strength was found in its minimalism - the songs were stripped down to nothing but the bare minimum, the space between the notes was as important as the notes themselves. Justin's vocal style is not so much about lyrics as the sounds the words make. If you liked Words Are Dead, you'll like House With No Home.
Initially I felt disappointed that "House..." appeared to start right where "Words.." left off. The same techniques, similar songs and melodies. Yet after a few listens, when you become more acquainted with it, House... reveals a personality all of its own. This happens around the fourth track - "Albina"; it feels arresting and heightened from the beginning developing into a powerful crescendo. The songs are more complex, featuring more strings and harmony vocals, yet retaining what made Words.. a great album. "Helen" is another highlight, featuring perfect orchestration and gorgeous backing vocals and the line:
Helen if you called my name you know I'd go
In much the same way the sun steals the snow
With House With No Home Horse Feathers show that they are still producing some of the best Americana out there.
Rating; 4/5
For Fans Of: Iron & Wine, Damien Jurado, Peter and the Wolf
(Kill Rock Stars)
6 October 2008
House With No Home is Horse Feather's debut release on Kill Rock Stars and the follow up to their critically acclaimed "Words Are Dead".
Horse Feathers is lead by Justin Ringle and named after a phrase his Grandfather used. Horse Feathers share the same sparse sound and hushed, whispered vocals as Iron & Wine but aren't a derivative spin-off. They differ through the strong strings from multi-instrumentalist Peter Broderick and his sister Heather on cello and backing vocals.
The first album's strength was found in its minimalism - the songs were stripped down to nothing but the bare minimum, the space between the notes was as important as the notes themselves. Justin's vocal style is not so much about lyrics as the sounds the words make. If you liked Words Are Dead, you'll like House With No Home.
Initially I felt disappointed that "House..." appeared to start right where "Words.." left off. The same techniques, similar songs and melodies. Yet after a few listens, when you become more acquainted with it, House... reveals a personality all of its own. This happens around the fourth track - "Albina"; it feels arresting and heightened from the beginning developing into a powerful crescendo. The songs are more complex, featuring more strings and harmony vocals, yet retaining what made Words.. a great album. "Helen" is another highlight, featuring perfect orchestration and gorgeous backing vocals and the line:
Helen if you called my name you know I'd go
In much the same way the sun steals the snow
With House With No Home Horse Feathers show that they are still producing some of the best Americana out there.
Rating; 4/5
For Fans Of: Iron & Wine, Damien Jurado, Peter and the Wolf
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - Fix It
"FIX IT" AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD ON OCT 7TH
"Fix It" will be available for digital download next Tuesday, October 7th. You can listen to a streaming clip of it now on ryan-adams.com.
The Cardinals have also added new tour dates with Oasis:Presale starts, Tuesday, Sept. 30 @ 10am.
Password: SPACEWOLF
December 3 - Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
December 4 - Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
December 6 - The Pearl, Las Vegas
December 8 - Broomfield Events Center, Denver, CO
December 10 - Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
December 12 - Allstate Arena, Chicago, IL
December 13 - Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit, MI
December 15 - John Labatt Center, London, ON (currently on sale)
December 17 - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
December 19 - Susquenhanna, Camden, NJ
December 20 - GMU Patriot Center, Washington DC
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Pesticides
They get a lot of stick these days and I think we've forgotten what Pesticides are good for.
I'm eating an organic apple and have just found that I'm not the only one. One bite revealed a worm also munching on my apple. I've let the worm finish it off.
I'm eating an organic apple and have just found that I'm not the only one. One bite revealed a worm also munching on my apple. I've let the worm finish it off.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
modern dayWilliam Tell
What a photograph. Thanks to the Guardian for this. Jeffrey R Werner uses a special Hulcher camera that takes 65 frames per second to catch a bullet shot by John Richmond, just as it pulverises a watermelon on top of his brother Ken's head.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Free Wilco song
All you have to do it pledge to Vote.
And in the spirit of giveaways that seem to be sweeping the nation, Wilco are giving away an an audio postcard of sorts from a summer's night in Oregon with the Fleet Foxes & a lovely Bob Dylan tune.
All we ask is you go to http://wilcoworld.net/vote/ and click the "I pledge to vote in the 2008 Election" button. If you can spare it, Wilco ask you to consider a donation to Feeding America http://www.feedingamerica.org/ . Happy listening
And in the spirit of giveaways that seem to be sweeping the nation, Wilco are giving away an an audio postcard of sorts from a summer's night in Oregon with the Fleet Foxes & a lovely Bob Dylan tune.
All we ask is you go to http://wilcoworld.net/vote/ and click the "I pledge to vote in the 2008 Election" button. If you can spare it, Wilco ask you to consider a donation to Feeding America http://www.feedingamerica.org/ . Happy listening
Friday, September 19, 2008
Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - Cardinology - New record!
Ryan Adams and the Cardinals release their new CD ‘Cardinology’ on October 27 and the Cardinals have announced a UK tour as follows. The current itinerary began August 23rd at the Fillmore in San Francisco and includes a series of Canadian shows supporting Oasis. Cardinals are Ryan Adams (vocals, guitar, keys), Neal Casal (guitar, vocals), Chris Feinstein (bass), Jon Graboff (pedal steel) and Brad Pemberton (drums).
November 10 - Manchester Academy
November 11 - Newcastle Academy
November 13 - Leeds Academy
November 14 - Edinburgh, Scotland - Picture House
November 16 - Cambridge - Corn Exchange
November 17 - Birmingham Academy
November 19 - Brighton Dome
November 20 - London Brixton Academy
November 22 - Southampton Guildhall
November 10 - Manchester Academy
November 11 - Newcastle Academy
November 13 - Leeds Academy
November 14 - Edinburgh, Scotland - Picture House
November 16 - Cambridge - Corn Exchange
November 17 - Birmingham Academy
November 19 - Brighton Dome
November 20 - London Brixton Academy
November 22 - Southampton Guildhall
Saturday, September 13, 2008
new Ryan Adams album and tour
NEW CARDINALS CD AND CARDINALS UK TOUR DATES
Ok this is quite exciting. Not too long since we had Easy Tiger and a new Ryan Adams & The Cardinals cd is on the way scheduled for release October 27 2008.
Ryan and the Cardinals are currently on tour which began August 23rd at the Fillmore in San Francisco and includes a series of Canadian shows supporting Oasis. Cardinals are Ryan Adams (vocals, guitar, keys), Neal Casal (guitar, vocals), Chris Feinstein (bass), Jon Graboff (pedal steel) and Brad Pemberton (drums). They will be playing some UK dates. I hope to see them this time around.
November 8 - Dublin, Ireland - Ambassador Theatre
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 10 - Manchester Academy
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 11 - Newcastle Academy
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 13 - Leeds Academy
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 14 - Edinburgh, Scotland - Picture House
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Password: SPACEWOLF
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 16 - Cambridge - Corn Exchange
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 17 - Birmingham Academy
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 19 - Brighton Dome
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 20 - Brixton Academy
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 22 - Southampton Guildhall
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
Ok this is quite exciting. Not too long since we had Easy Tiger and a new Ryan Adams & The Cardinals cd is on the way scheduled for release October 27 2008.
Ryan and the Cardinals are currently on tour which began August 23rd at the Fillmore in San Francisco and includes a series of Canadian shows supporting Oasis. Cardinals are Ryan Adams (vocals, guitar, keys), Neal Casal (guitar, vocals), Chris Feinstein (bass), Jon Graboff (pedal steel) and Brad Pemberton (drums). They will be playing some UK dates. I hope to see them this time around.
November 8 - Dublin, Ireland - Ambassador Theatre
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 10 - Manchester Academy
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 11 - Newcastle Academy
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 13 - Leeds Academy
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 14 - Edinburgh, Scotland - Picture House
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Password: SPACEWOLF
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 16 - Cambridge - Corn Exchange
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 17 - Birmingham Academy
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 19 - Brighton Dome
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 20 - Brixton Academy
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
November 22 - Southampton Guildhall
Presale starts Wednesday, August 27th here
Tickets go on sale to the public August 29th here
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Horse Feathers tour with Jose Gonzales
Horse Feather's first album - Words Are Dead was one of About The Music's top 10 records of 2006. A review of their second album will be appearing here soon. Meanwhile they've lined up a tour with José González, another great artist.
Horse Feathers will be releasing their second album, House With No Home, on Kill Rock Stars on 6th October. They will be supporting José González on tour.
Born and raised in Lewiston, ID, Justin Ringle has a natural affinity with the West. The band’s debut album, Words Are Dead, which was released on the local Lucky Madison label in 2006, and was nominated for the Plug Awards ‘Americana Album of the Year’.
On this, their second album, Horse Feathers have distilled their sound into a brilliant statement of minimalist Americana.
Horse Feathers will be supporting José González in October:
14th October - London, KOKO
15th October - Liverpool, Academy
16th October - Exeter, Lemon Grove
17th October - Canterbury Kent International Arts Festival
Horse Feathers will be releasing their second album, House With No Home, on Kill Rock Stars on 6th October. They will be supporting José González on tour.
Born and raised in Lewiston, ID, Justin Ringle has a natural affinity with the West. The band’s debut album, Words Are Dead, which was released on the local Lucky Madison label in 2006, and was nominated for the Plug Awards ‘Americana Album of the Year’.
On this, their second album, Horse Feathers have distilled their sound into a brilliant statement of minimalist Americana.
Horse Feathers will be supporting José González in October:
14th October - London, KOKO
15th October - Liverpool, Academy
16th October - Exeter, Lemon Grove
17th October - Canterbury Kent International Arts Festival
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