Elements: 13 tracks for ’13

As good of a time as any to note my fav tracks of the year. It’s become much easier for me than listing albums. Guess I must be on a quest for the perfect album because there haven’t been too many to impress me enough to go back and listen to over and over this year.

I know, you thought it would be a long list of shoegaze…but you’d be wrong (this time). 🙂 Enjoy it via spotify. (Hopefully the link will work, but who knows.)

1.  Snowblind (Suede) – Wow, Brett Anderson sounds amazing
2.  Hurricane (MS MR)
3.  What We Want (The Naked and Famous)
4.  Back to Land (Wooden Shijps)
5.  It’s Alright, It’s OK (Primal Scream) – I have to see these guys live again
6.  Early in the Morning (Heliotropes) – Thanks, Lu, for sending me the track
7.  All Day (Owl) – Had no idea Chris Wyse from The Cult had his own band – sure do now
8.  Voices (Alice In Chains) – My favorite track of the year by a long country mile
9.  Calm Now (Low Moon Low) – Thanks, Mike (The Big Beat)
10. Pumpin Blood (NONONO) – darned commercial was just too catchy
11. Shine My Shoes (Robbie Williams) – my weakness for Chambers/Williams tunage
12. American (The Wild Feathers)
13. Long Way to Go (Andrew Stockdale)

The need to rock

Have a confession of sorts. I didn’t listen to any Cult music in the weeks leading up to seeing the band play in Chicago recently. This tour was focused on playing their album Electric which I was really looking forward to, but didn’t want to think too much about it – if you know what I mean. I’ve seen them so many times that I just want to “live” the experience in the moment. Musically, the last couple of months I’ve been aching to hear some rock and roll. I’d been listening to Songza playlists featuring metal standards of the past few decades. Not exactly my usual early alternative fare, huh?

So I found it coincidental to read a Chris Wyse (The Cult’s bass player on their tours since about ’06) interview as he had been doing more press for this tour than Ian and Billy. And while reading I was reminded that he’d actually played bass on the 2001 album, Beyond Good and Evil (which to say I adore wouldn’t even come close to being accurate). Just then it dawned on me I should check out his other band, OWL. And guess what? It was exactly the type of ear candy I’ve been jonesing for – good rock and roll; a little heavy on the side. BAM! as some of my friends would say. 🙂

You should give them a listen.  Stream tunes directly from their site and then go out and buy it.  A few suggestions from their latest release, The Right Thing: “Taking Over”, “The Right Thing” and a Kinks’ cover, “Destroyer,” all fun tracks.

And side note:  Yes, The Cult were in top form. Wish I could hear them again on this tour.  Hearing one of my favorite lines “We are not chained to the wheel” always hits the right spot with me!

Back at it

Once again I abandoned my blog because I simply didn’t have time to keep up with it nor the interest at the time to write.  Luckily, some circumstances have changed in the last couple months.  And after a much-needed trip to get an injection of RnR (Rock’n’Roll) in Chicago and a visit from old friends over the holiday weekend, I believe it’s time to resurrect again.

Quick note about the subject of my last post was Carl Barat‘s upcoming album.  Recently the word is he has been holed up in California working on it with Joby Ford of The Bronx no less.  I dare say this will be an interesting match up.  Fellow Libertine, Pete, has a new one out as well called ‘Sequel To The Prequel’ by Babyshambles.  I’ve heard a couple tracks and it sounds very promising – be on the lookout.

Alright – new month, new week heading into Fall.  Carl and I are back at it.  Ready?  Break!   🙂

Carl Barat demo

Earlier in the week Carl took to facebook to field questions, survive accolades and pleading to visit everyone's town to play.  He posted a couple of pics and the link to his latest.  It's much more "Libertine-esque" than his last album.  Check it out:

www.soundcloud.com/carlbaratmusic/war-of-the-roses-demo

New Depeche Mode: Heaven

How do they remain so consistent?  Few artists who have existed as many decades can say as much.  Listen here and feel free to post your first impressions of the track.

Centerstage News: 1/14/2013

Here’s a broad look at recent music news for the middle of January:

• Jonesy to appear on ‘Californication’ [via K-Earth]
• Camper Van Beethoven’s 10th album + interview [via SPIN]
• You know ’em, you luv ’em – Get to know Japandroids [via Consequence of Sound]
• Sneak peek at The Replacements’ upcoming ep [via Paste Magazine]

I am looking forward to the ‘Mats material – especially ‘Everything’s Coming Up Roses’.  And here’s more new music to try out:

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ ‘Jubilee Street’

Johnny Marr’s ‘Upstarts’

Miles Kane’s ‘Give Up’

 

Billy Duffy Signature Gretsch

Luv the fact he referenced “Diary of A Rock And Roll Star”!  Billy, you’re aces.  🙂

Specs from the Gretsch site

Features video

Play it big.  Play it loud.  Just PLAY it!

New Tunes Test: The Bixby Knolls

When I read this statement I knew I had to check out this band:  “Our record reminds us of Bobby Gillespie and Joe Strummer in a fist fight.”

Not quite sure where the Joe Strummer part comes in, but this LA-area band definitely digs Primal Scream.  Think dirty, LA signature sound with a hint of the ‘Scream mixed in.  I listened to the full album (titled “Near & Undear”) tonight.   There are clear UK influences yet it contains more hard-edged rock than one would expect.  The band takes notes from their influences and makes them their own.

A couple of things worth noting -1)  I really like several songs deep into the tracklisting.  In fact, I would recommend “Waking Up The World” (via Spotify) and “Want It All” if you only listen to 2 tracks.  2)  Solid songwriting.  I think there’s some promise here.

If their vibe is a little too hard for your taste, give the track “Sister Anne” a try.

The Bixby Knolls on SoundCloud

The Charlatans to release documentary

Mountain Picnic Blues will be available in March (of course it’s going to be released in March along with every other cool album I’m looking forward to) and highlights all things related to their work on “Tellin’ Stories”.  Fifteen years on I’m sure the band’s perspective dealing with the loss of Rob and realizing what a once-in-a-lifetime album they had created will make for a great retrospective. Beautiful album that’s worth a full listen now and then.

Preview the documentary

Order the DVD

BTW, has anyone checked out Tim’s latest album?

BRMC’s December Gigs in CA

Feels good to be talking (and hearing) new Black Rebel Motorcycle Club music.  During my week off at the folks over the holidays I was excited to hear Robert’s Dad’s band, The Call on one of the hometown radio stations.  I think the last time I heard “Let The Day Begin” was when I had learned of Michael Been’s passing.  It was refreshing to hear the track.  As I got back to my place this weekend (and to my laptop rather than using Mom’s iPad) I was blown away to see the playlist for their recent Troubador show.  Top of the list was “Let The Day Begin!”

And it’s one of the tracks off the new album to boot.  Double treat:  Tom Ferrier of The Call guested on the song during their Santa Cruz gig.  I tell you, BRMC always hits it right.  I don’t know how they do it, but why question it.  Enjoy the tracks below and here’s a link to a blog review of the Slim’s show via 402 Productions.

The “Six Barrel Shotgun” performance 402 Productions writes about:

Cleanest version of “Let The Day Begin” I can find (Troubador):