The Rake Song
I'm hard at work trying to complete the belated list of our 20 favorite albums of 2008, so I'll keep this brief.
The forthcoming album from The Decemberists The Hazzards of Love will be released on March 24 via Capital Records and right now you can download The Rake Song form the album free or charge. Just pay a visit to decemberists.com.
It's time to get back to work, I must get this list done before February strikes.
The Decemberists- The Rake Song
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Show Alerts for MLK Weekend
This weekend is choc full of quality Live shows. Sure the tempertures are in the negative, you could read that book by the fire or you can get out and catch some great bands playing your town this Martin Luther King Weekend.
Tonight finds The Paradise hosting three of Boston's finest, Faces on Film, AGP favorites Hallelujah The Hills and Aaron Perino's Dear Leader.
Saturday brings North Carolina's The Rosebuds to The Middle East, downstairs with support from The Love Language and Boston's popsters Fatal Flaw.
This Sunday marks The return of Selkirk Scotland's Frightened Rabbit to Boston. The band has continued to recieve critical acclaim for there sophomore album The Midnight Organ Fight, deservedly so. You may have noticed that they've been named in just about every year end list worth a damn. Frightened Rabbit play Great Scott with David Karsten Daniels and Pants Yell!. The Show is sold-out so if you're lucky enough to hold a ticket enjoy.
Frightened Rabbit - Heads Roll Off Live on WOXY.com
Finally on Monday the weekend will be put to rest with a band who has me reliving my Hardcore days as of late with there excellent The Chemistry of Common Life. Toronto's Fucked Up play The Middle East Upstairs with Clouds and Viva Viva
The book and your DVR will still be there on Tuesday I promise.
This weekend is choc full of quality Live shows. Sure the tempertures are in the negative, you could read that book by the fire or you can get out and catch some great bands playing your town this Martin Luther King Weekend.
Tonight finds The Paradise hosting three of Boston's finest, Faces on Film, AGP favorites Hallelujah The Hills and Aaron Perino's Dear Leader.
Saturday brings North Carolina's The Rosebuds to The Middle East, downstairs with support from The Love Language and Boston's popsters Fatal Flaw.
This Sunday marks The return of Selkirk Scotland's Frightened Rabbit to Boston. The band has continued to recieve critical acclaim for there sophomore album The Midnight Organ Fight, deservedly so. You may have noticed that they've been named in just about every year end list worth a damn. Frightened Rabbit play Great Scott with David Karsten Daniels and Pants Yell!. The Show is sold-out so if you're lucky enough to hold a ticket enjoy.
Frightened Rabbit - Heads Roll Off Live on WOXY.com
Finally on Monday the weekend will be put to rest with a band who has me reliving my Hardcore days as of late with there excellent The Chemistry of Common Life. Toronto's Fucked Up play The Middle East Upstairs with Clouds and Viva Viva
The book and your DVR will still be there on Tuesday I promise.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
January Goes Pop
The New Pornographers frontman Carl Newman aka A.C. Newman is set to return with his second solo album Get Guilty. The album's release is set for this Tuesday, Inauguration Day via Matador. Get Guilty was recorded last summer at Brooklyn's Seaside Lounge with Phil Palazzolo. Some notable guests show up on the new album including Jon Wurster (Superchunk), Nicole Adkins and Mates of State. Newman is streaming two of the albums tracks, Submarines of Stockholm andThere are Maybe Ten or Twelve over at his Myspace page.
On February 20th A.C. Newman will kick off a tour in support of Get Guilty in Vancouver before playing two Boston area shows in March.
A.C. Newman Tour Dates
* 2/20 Vancouver, BC The Biltmore*
* 2/21 Seattle, WA Neumos*
* 2/22 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge*
* 2/24 Sacramento, CA Harlow’s*
* 2/25 San Diego, CA Casbah*
* 2/26 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour*
* 2/27 Santa Barbara, CA Club Mercy*
* 2/28 San Francisco, CA The Independent*
* 3/1 Eugene, OR John Henry’s*
* 3/10 Ithaca, NY Castaways*
* 3/11 Toronto, ON Lee’s Palace*
* 3/12 Montreal, QC Il Motore*
* 3/13 Providence, RI Club Hell*
* 3/14 Boston, MA Paradise*
* 3/15 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom*
* 3/17 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s**
* 3/18 Washington, DC Black Cat **
* 3/19 Chapel Hill, NC Cat’s Cradle**
* 3/20 Atlanta, GA The Earl**
* 3/21 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge**
* 3/22 St. Louis, MO Blueberry Hill**
* 3/24 Minneapolis, MN 400 Bar**
* 3/25 Chicago, IL Logan Square Auditorium**
* 3/26 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room at The Crofoot**
* 3/27 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop**
* 3/28 Pittsburgh, PA Andy Warhol Museum**
* with Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele
** with The Broken West
A.C. Newman performing Like a Hitman, Like a Dancer from Get Guilty on Pitchforktv
The New Pornographers frontman Carl Newman aka A.C. Newman is set to return with his second solo album Get Guilty. The album's release is set for this Tuesday, Inauguration Day via Matador. Get Guilty was recorded last summer at Brooklyn's Seaside Lounge with Phil Palazzolo. Some notable guests show up on the new album including Jon Wurster (Superchunk), Nicole Adkins and Mates of State. Newman is streaming two of the albums tracks, Submarines of Stockholm andThere are Maybe Ten or Twelve over at his Myspace page.
On February 20th A.C. Newman will kick off a tour in support of Get Guilty in Vancouver before playing two Boston area shows in March.
A.C. Newman Tour Dates
* 2/20 Vancouver, BC The Biltmore*
* 2/21 Seattle, WA Neumos*
* 2/22 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge*
* 2/24 Sacramento, CA Harlow’s*
* 2/25 San Diego, CA Casbah*
* 2/26 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour*
* 2/27 Santa Barbara, CA Club Mercy*
* 2/28 San Francisco, CA The Independent*
* 3/1 Eugene, OR John Henry’s*
* 3/10 Ithaca, NY Castaways*
* 3/11 Toronto, ON Lee’s Palace*
* 3/12 Montreal, QC Il Motore*
* 3/13 Providence, RI Club Hell*
* 3/14 Boston, MA Paradise*
* 3/15 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom*
* 3/17 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s**
* 3/18 Washington, DC Black Cat **
* 3/19 Chapel Hill, NC Cat’s Cradle**
* 3/20 Atlanta, GA The Earl**
* 3/21 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge**
* 3/22 St. Louis, MO Blueberry Hill**
* 3/24 Minneapolis, MN 400 Bar**
* 3/25 Chicago, IL Logan Square Auditorium**
* 3/26 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room at The Crofoot**
* 3/27 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop**
* 3/28 Pittsburgh, PA Andy Warhol Museum**
* with Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele
** with The Broken West
A.C. Newman performing Like a Hitman, Like a Dancer from Get Guilty on Pitchforktv
Friday, January 9, 2009
Merriweather Post Pavillion
Animal Collective - My Girls
On January 20th Animal Collective will release there new album Merriweather Post Pavillion. To say there's a bit of a buzz building around this release is putting it mildly. With a 9.6 review over at Pitchfork and Stereogum hailing it as a masterstroke, bloggers and critics alike are working themselves into a lather with excitement over an album that won't see the light of day for two more weeks. Animal Collective are a band that have lived up to there hype in the past and judging by My Girls, the track streaming over at there Myspace page they're poised to do it again and quite possible exceed all expectations.
The vinyl enthusiasts will get first crack at hearing the new album as it was released this past week in limited quantity. When I stopped by local Newbury Comics they had not received any copies of the album. I guess that's the price I pay for living in the sticks.
Here's the run down from the bands label,Domino Animal Collective’s 9th full length album, Merriweather Post Pavilion, will be released early on deluxe 2xLP 180 gram gatefold vinyl with full album download (WAV or MP3) January 6th, 2009 in North America. The CD & digital release date will remain January 20th (Jan. 12 UK/Europe).
Animal Collective - My Girls
On January 20th Animal Collective will release there new album Merriweather Post Pavillion. To say there's a bit of a buzz building around this release is putting it mildly. With a 9.6 review over at Pitchfork and Stereogum hailing it as a masterstroke, bloggers and critics alike are working themselves into a lather with excitement over an album that won't see the light of day for two more weeks. Animal Collective are a band that have lived up to there hype in the past and judging by My Girls, the track streaming over at there Myspace page they're poised to do it again and quite possible exceed all expectations.
The vinyl enthusiasts will get first crack at hearing the new album as it was released this past week in limited quantity. When I stopped by local Newbury Comics they had not received any copies of the album. I guess that's the price I pay for living in the sticks.
Here's the run down from the bands label,Domino Animal Collective’s 9th full length album, Merriweather Post Pavilion, will be released early on deluxe 2xLP 180 gram gatefold vinyl with full album download (WAV or MP3) January 6th, 2009 in North America. The CD & digital release date will remain January 20th (Jan. 12 UK/Europe).
Friday, January 2, 2009
News from Northridge
Six releases in 12 months, maybe more
It's fitting that our first post of the new year is an update on not only our favorite artist but the namesake of this blog, Robert Pollard.
We also have some audio to share, a sneak preview of two tracks from the upcoming releases.
According to our friends at Magnet Magazine Pollard has six albums in the can and set for release this year. Things will get started later this month with the release of his new solo album and coming in May we will be treated to Cosmos Jar of Jam Ton of Bricks a postal collaboration with Richard Davies (Cardinal & Moles). As per the norm with these collaborations Pollard provides lyrics and melodies over the Davies supplied instrumentation. We can also expect hear Davies providing vocals on four of the albums tracks. Let's just say were awful excited to hear these, but were especially giddy about the soon to be released 2nd album from Boston Spaceships The Planets Are Blasted.
6 Robert Pollard Releases for 2009 (so far)
January 20th Robert Pollard The Crawling Distance
February 17th Boston Spaceships The Planets Are Blasted
April Circus Devils Gringo
May Cosmos Jar Of Jam Ton Of Bricks
June Robert Pollard Elephant Jokes
September Boston Spaceships Zero To 99
All releases will come via Pollard's Guided By Voices, Inc.
Check out these sneak previews from Boston Spaceships & Circus Devils!
Thanks to Nina Sabatino for the use of her Live shot of Boston Spaceships.
Six releases in 12 months, maybe more
It's fitting that our first post of the new year is an update on not only our favorite artist but the namesake of this blog, Robert Pollard.
We also have some audio to share, a sneak preview of two tracks from the upcoming releases.
According to our friends at Magnet Magazine Pollard has six albums in the can and set for release this year. Things will get started later this month with the release of his new solo album and coming in May we will be treated to Cosmos Jar of Jam Ton of Bricks a postal collaboration with Richard Davies (Cardinal & Moles). As per the norm with these collaborations Pollard provides lyrics and melodies over the Davies supplied instrumentation. We can also expect hear Davies providing vocals on four of the albums tracks. Let's just say were awful excited to hear these, but were especially giddy about the soon to be released 2nd album from Boston Spaceships The Planets Are Blasted.
6 Robert Pollard Releases for 2009 (so far)
January 20th Robert Pollard The Crawling Distance
February 17th Boston Spaceships The Planets Are Blasted
April Circus Devils Gringo
May Cosmos Jar Of Jam Ton Of Bricks
June Robert Pollard Elephant Jokes
September Boston Spaceships Zero To 99
All releases will come via Pollard's Guided By Voices, Inc.
Check out these sneak previews from Boston Spaceships & Circus Devils!
“Canned Food Demons” from Boston Spaceships’ The Planets Are Blasted:
“Every Moment Flame On” from Circus Devils’ Gringo:
Thanks to Nina Sabatino for the use of her Live shot of Boston Spaceships.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve
It was shortly after being introduced to U2 when I first heard Driving to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. A friend had given me a cassette copy of this recording and it instantly became a tradition to play it every Christmas Eve. Usually my brother and I would lock ourselves in our room, wrap gifts and press play on the tape deck. The years have passed pretty quickly and we have our own families and traditions to keep up with, but this year I found myself thinking of those Christmas Eve's. It always brings back great memories when I hear this recording. After a little searching I was able to find a digital copy because that old cassette is long gone, probable lost in the great basement flood of 1991. Merry Christmas to you all and as always thanks for supporting The Ash Gray Proclamation.
On this rare track Bono recites a poem by John F. Dean. Recorded for Dublin radio and first broadcast on December 31st 1983.
Driving To Midnight Mass On Christmas Eve mp3
Five-thousand million years ago, this earth lay heaving in a mass of rocks and fire
Wasting, burdened with its emptiness
Tonight, when arthropods and worms and sponges have given way to dinosaurs
And dinosaurs to working, wandering apes
Homoerectus have given way to sapiens, and he to
Homosapiens(alias Paddy Mack)
Look down on Dublin from the hills around
And lights could be a million Christmas trees
Still firs standing, while in the sky a glow as if of dawn
This day a light shall shine on us
The Lord is born within our city
Look along to the river toward O'Connell Bridge
The lights, the neon signs, all stream on water like breathed-on strips of tinsel
All is still...
Eleven-thirty, pubs begin to empty
Men stop to argue, sway and say the name of Jesus
For those who have known darkness
Who have now seen a wonderous light
Those who have dwelt on unlit streets
To them the light has come
Tonight, few cars go by
The blocks of flats with windowed-plastic trees
And fairy lights stand, watching for a miracle
Here are no dells where fairies might appear
Out from the dark an ambulance comes speeding
Sickly blue lights search in siren-still
The mystery of the night ticks slowly on
It will pass and leave memories of friends and small, half-welcomed things
In Him was life
In Him, life was the light of man
For neither prehistoric swans nor trilobites, the mesozoic birds
Neanderthal, nor modern man had ever dreamt or seen what was our God
The shops are gay with lights and bright things
All save funeral homes, they dare not advertise their presence
As midnight peels and organs start to play
Two cars meet headlong in a haze of drink
The crash flicks into silence
Pain crawls like a slime through blood and into limbs
God is revealed, a baby naked, crying in a crib
In the church porches and out along the grounds
Teenagers laugh and swear, smokin', watchin' girls
So, once more, Christmas trails away
Its meaning moves back into the mist and the march of time
written by: John F. Dean
It was shortly after being introduced to U2 when I first heard Driving to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. A friend had given me a cassette copy of this recording and it instantly became a tradition to play it every Christmas Eve. Usually my brother and I would lock ourselves in our room, wrap gifts and press play on the tape deck. The years have passed pretty quickly and we have our own families and traditions to keep up with, but this year I found myself thinking of those Christmas Eve's. It always brings back great memories when I hear this recording. After a little searching I was able to find a digital copy because that old cassette is long gone, probable lost in the great basement flood of 1991. Merry Christmas to you all and as always thanks for supporting The Ash Gray Proclamation.
On this rare track Bono recites a poem by John F. Dean. Recorded for Dublin radio and first broadcast on December 31st 1983.
Driving To Midnight Mass On Christmas Eve mp3
Five-thousand million years ago, this earth lay heaving in a mass of rocks and fire
Wasting, burdened with its emptiness
Tonight, when arthropods and worms and sponges have given way to dinosaurs
And dinosaurs to working, wandering apes
Homoerectus have given way to sapiens, and he to
Homosapiens(alias Paddy Mack)
Look down on Dublin from the hills around
And lights could be a million Christmas trees
Still firs standing, while in the sky a glow as if of dawn
This day a light shall shine on us
The Lord is born within our city
Look along to the river toward O'Connell Bridge
The lights, the neon signs, all stream on water like breathed-on strips of tinsel
All is still...
Eleven-thirty, pubs begin to empty
Men stop to argue, sway and say the name of Jesus
For those who have known darkness
Who have now seen a wonderous light
Those who have dwelt on unlit streets
To them the light has come
Tonight, few cars go by
The blocks of flats with windowed-plastic trees
And fairy lights stand, watching for a miracle
Here are no dells where fairies might appear
Out from the dark an ambulance comes speeding
Sickly blue lights search in siren-still
The mystery of the night ticks slowly on
It will pass and leave memories of friends and small, half-welcomed things
In Him was life
In Him, life was the light of man
For neither prehistoric swans nor trilobites, the mesozoic birds
Neanderthal, nor modern man had ever dreamt or seen what was our God
The shops are gay with lights and bright things
All save funeral homes, they dare not advertise their presence
As midnight peels and organs start to play
Two cars meet headlong in a haze of drink
The crash flicks into silence
Pain crawls like a slime through blood and into limbs
God is revealed, a baby naked, crying in a crib
In the church porches and out along the grounds
Teenagers laugh and swear, smokin', watchin' girls
So, once more, Christmas trails away
Its meaning moves back into the mist and the march of time
written by: John F. Dean
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Micro-news
In this edition of Micro-news we go a bit old school with news from two artists we grew up as well as an update from a band that continues to impress us. In this edition we catch up with The National, Morrissey, and The Cure. I'll try to keep this brief as I need to use this day to get my ass to the stores to start and finish my Christmas shopping.
According to a recent fan club e-mail The National are in the early stages of writing there next record. The band plans on entering the studio in April to start recording. The follow up to last years acclaimed Boxer(our #1 album of 2007) is expected to be released sometime in 2010.
In other National news Aaron and Bryce Dressner have produced a charity record for the Red Hot Organization. Dark Was The Night will be released on February 17th via 4AD. All profits from the sale of the record will go to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The album features 32 exclusive tracks and will be released as a double CD and on triple Vinyl. The National wrote and recorded a new song for the album called So Far Around The Bend. The Dressner brothers have assembled an impressive line-up for the album that includes tracks from The Decemberists, Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear, Ben Gibbard (DCFC), Spoon and that's just a partial list.
The National will play The 19th Annual Tibet House Benefit Concert on February 3rd at Carnagie Hall.
Morrissey is set to release his first new recording since 2006's Ringleaders of The Tormentors. Years of Refusal will be released on February 17th via Atack/Lost Highway here in America. The Moz will be supporting the albums release with a US tour that will include rare club appearances. The tour kicks off on March 1st in Orlando, FLA. For more tour information be sure to check out itsmorrisseysworld. There is no sign of a Boston area show, but we'll be sure to post an update if that changes.
The Cure have been making the rounds on the late night TV circuit over the past couple of weeks promoting there new release 4:13 Dream out on Geffen with recent appearances on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live as well as another on tap tomorrow night on Last Call with Carson Daily.
Also on Friday tune into your local NPR affiliate to hear The Cure's World Cafe session. Here in the Boston area you can catch the program on WUMB from 7pm to 11PM.
The Cure - The Perfect Boy on The Tonight Show 12/11/08
In this edition of Micro-news we go a bit old school with news from two artists we grew up as well as an update from a band that continues to impress us. In this edition we catch up with The National, Morrissey, and The Cure. I'll try to keep this brief as I need to use this day to get my ass to the stores to start and finish my Christmas shopping.
According to a recent fan club e-mail The National are in the early stages of writing there next record. The band plans on entering the studio in April to start recording. The follow up to last years acclaimed Boxer(our #1 album of 2007) is expected to be released sometime in 2010.
In other National news Aaron and Bryce Dressner have produced a charity record for the Red Hot Organization. Dark Was The Night will be released on February 17th via 4AD. All profits from the sale of the record will go to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The album features 32 exclusive tracks and will be released as a double CD and on triple Vinyl. The National wrote and recorded a new song for the album called So Far Around The Bend. The Dressner brothers have assembled an impressive line-up for the album that includes tracks from The Decemberists, Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear, Ben Gibbard (DCFC), Spoon and that's just a partial list.
The National will play The 19th Annual Tibet House Benefit Concert on February 3rd at Carnagie Hall.
Morrissey is set to release his first new recording since 2006's Ringleaders of The Tormentors. Years of Refusal will be released on February 17th via Atack/Lost Highway here in America. The Moz will be supporting the albums release with a US tour that will include rare club appearances. The tour kicks off on March 1st in Orlando, FLA. For more tour information be sure to check out itsmorrisseysworld. There is no sign of a Boston area show, but we'll be sure to post an update if that changes.
The Cure have been making the rounds on the late night TV circuit over the past couple of weeks promoting there new release 4:13 Dream out on Geffen with recent appearances on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live as well as another on tap tomorrow night on Last Call with Carson Daily.
Also on Friday tune into your local NPR affiliate to hear The Cure's World Cafe session. Here in the Boston area you can catch the program on WUMB from 7pm to 11PM.
The Cure - The Perfect Boy on The Tonight Show 12/11/08
Thursday, December 11, 2008
I've been home sick for the last two days and I've seen as muchLaw & Order as one man can take. So I thought I'd type. I really need to get focused on our year end list, but for now I'll share some news. I for one will be looking forward to two releases from Robert Pollard in early 2009.
The Crawling Distance will drop on January 20th. The album consists of 10 tracks, most of which clock in at between 3 and 4 minutes. All instruments and production were provided by Todd Tobias with Bob providing vocals. The Crawling Distance is the follow up to the 2008 solo offering Off to Business.
Robert Pollard - Imaginary Queen Anne mp3
On February 17th Boston Spaceships will release The Planets Are Blasted. Five months after releasing there sparkling debut, Boston Spaceships are set to return with another set of Pollard classics.
On December 30th Boston Spaceships will release the first single from there sophomore album. The Headache Revolution 7" single features 3 non album tracks. This release is limited to 500 copies and are only available at Rockathon.
Headache Revolution B- Sides
1) Demntia Is Rising
2) Take That Off (And Put This On)
3) 7 Is The Hot Noose
Both albums will be released via Guided By Voices, Inc.
Pre-order information for The Crawling Distance and the Headache Revolution 7" can be obtained at rockathon records
"Pollard is sort of the Grateful Dead equivalent for people who like Miller Lite instead of acid." - The Washington Post
The Crawling Distance will drop on January 20th. The album consists of 10 tracks, most of which clock in at between 3 and 4 minutes. All instruments and production were provided by Todd Tobias with Bob providing vocals. The Crawling Distance is the follow up to the 2008 solo offering Off to Business.
Robert Pollard - Imaginary Queen Anne mp3
On February 17th Boston Spaceships will release The Planets Are Blasted. Five months after releasing there sparkling debut, Boston Spaceships are set to return with another set of Pollard classics.
On December 30th Boston Spaceships will release the first single from there sophomore album. The Headache Revolution 7" single features 3 non album tracks. This release is limited to 500 copies and are only available at Rockathon.
Headache Revolution B- Sides
1) Demntia Is Rising
2) Take That Off (And Put This On)
3) 7 Is The Hot Noose
Both albums will be released via Guided By Voices, Inc.
Pre-order information for The Crawling Distance and the Headache Revolution 7" can be obtained at rockathon records
"Pollard is sort of the Grateful Dead equivalent for people who like Miller Lite instead of acid." - The Washington Post
Monday, December 8, 2008
Show Alert
Band:Crystal Stilts
Date: Tonight
Tonight Brooklyn's Crystal Stilts bring there gloomy garage pop to Great Scott in Alston. The band is out on tour supporting what can only be described as my sleeper album of the year. Alight of Night is equal parts Velvet Underground, Joy Division, Jesus & The Mary Chain as well early Flying Nun bands like The Chills. A dark brooding pop record and one hell of a debut.
Formed in 2003 by Brad Garret and JB Townsend, Crystal Stilts recorded there first single as a duo. However over the past couple of years they've expanded the line up adding Kyle Forrester (Keyboards), Andy Adler (Bass). Alight of Night is the follow up to the self titled EP and is the first to feature new drummer Frankie Rose formally of Vivian Girls.
Crystal Stilts - Crystal Stilts (2:56).
Crystal Stilts- Shattered Shine (2:51)
Streams courtesy of Last.fm
Take a look at the band performing in New York back in October.
crystal stilts at 92Y tribeca (nyc) october 11th, 2008 from marshmallowacid5 on Vimeo.
Crystal Stilts Myspace
Slumberland Records
Band:Crystal Stilts
Date: Tonight
Tonight Brooklyn's Crystal Stilts bring there gloomy garage pop to Great Scott in Alston. The band is out on tour supporting what can only be described as my sleeper album of the year. Alight of Night is equal parts Velvet Underground, Joy Division, Jesus & The Mary Chain as well early Flying Nun bands like The Chills. A dark brooding pop record and one hell of a debut.
Formed in 2003 by Brad Garret and JB Townsend, Crystal Stilts recorded there first single as a duo. However over the past couple of years they've expanded the line up adding Kyle Forrester (Keyboards), Andy Adler (Bass). Alight of Night is the follow up to the self titled EP and is the first to feature new drummer Frankie Rose formally of Vivian Girls.
Crystal Stilts - Crystal Stilts (2:56).
Crystal Stilts- Shattered Shine (2:51)
Streams courtesy of Last.fm
Take a look at the band performing in New York back in October.
crystal stilts at 92Y tribeca (nyc) october 11th, 2008 from marshmallowacid5 on Vimeo.
Crystal Stilts Myspace
Slumberland Records
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wilco Down Under
I thought I'd share a quick post before the mass exodus begins. Weather it's tofu turkey or the real thing the small staff at The Ash Gray Proclamation wishes you a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
Just one quick news update before we punch the clock.
As Wilco continues to tour the country supporting Neil Young the band has reported that In December Jeff Tweedy, John Stiratt, and, Glen Kotche will travel to Auckland, NZ to record at Roundhead Studios with Neil Finn's Seven World's Collide Project with proceeds from the album going to Oxfam International. The album will also feature appearances by Radiohead's Phil Selway, and Ed O'Brien, as well as Johnny Marr and Liam Finn.
Wilco will play The DCU Center in Worcester on Saturday December 13th.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Micro-news
A long overdue visit to the news department has hatched a new edition of Micro-news. In this long overdue update we catch up with Los Campesinos, Belle & Sebastian, Animal Collective, and Margot & The Nuclear So & So's.
The Welsh seven piece Los Campesinos are about to release there 2nd full length of the year. We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed will be released in the US on next Tuesday November 27th.We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed will be a limited release. The band has posted the details of this release as well as the bonus material on there official site, loscampesinos.com.
Here's the rundown:
- There will be no singles released from this RECORD.
- This RELEASE is going to be limited. There will be one, worldwide run of CDs, and then it will be out of print. Done with.
-The package comes in a 14cm by 19cm by 2.5cm two-piece card box. That makes it rectangular in shape.
- The CD will be accompanied by a self-made DVD documentary of our weekend at Oya festival and SummerSonic in August of this year.
- It also includes a 30+ page 'zine, including the record's lyrics and contributions by artists including Xiu Xiu, Grandaddy, Tender Forever, Menomena, Parenthetical Girls and Paul Heaton, based around the title 'We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed'.
- Also each box comes with an exclusive poster drawn for us by Jeffrey Brown.
WAB,WAD follows up the bands excellent debut Hold On Now, Youngser, released back in February. Both releases come via Wichita Recordings and Arts&Crafts. Los Campesinos will play The Paradise on February 13th. While we wait for the new disc to drop take a look and listen to one of my favorites tracks from Hold On Now, Youngster
Los Campesinos- Death To Los Campesinos
I'm glad to see a little activity out of the Belle & Sebastian camp. The just released BBC Sessions compiles tracks from the bands in studio sessions recorded at the BBC between 1996 to 2001. An obvious must have for the B&S obsessive. The expanded version of this release includes 4 tracks recorded in 2001 that never saw release on any subsequent album and the last to feature former vocalist Isobel Campbell. The BBC Sessions also includes the 2001 Christmas gig in Belfast. It's going on three years since the band has released new material. Lets hope the activities surrounding this release will spark the band to get back in the studio.
Belle & Sebastian have posted this interview to mark the release of The BBC Sessions. Stevie Jackson and Chris Geddes, with their recollections of the various trips to Manchester and London to perform at The BBC.
On January 20th Animal Collective will kick of the year of the ox, otherwise known as 2009 with there next long player Merriweather Post Pavilion. The bands label Domino Records recently sent out an angry letter to music writers that recvieved advance copies of Merriweather Post Pavilion when they were informed that one those writers was responsible for leaking three tracks from the album to the internet. No more advances for you dude!
Merriweather Post Pavilion Track Listing
In The Flowers
My Girls
Also Frightened
Summertime Clothes
Daily Routine
Bluish
Guys Eyes
Taste
Lion In A Coma
No More Runnin
Brothersport
Animal Collective-Brothersport @ The Gargoyle St. Louis, MO 9/24/07
Indianapolis, In's Margot & The Nuclear So & So's released two albums last month and there both receiving equal playing time around here. The band had to delay the album's release due to some disagreements with Epic over what material would be included on there next album. Animal is the bands preferred version of the album and is available only on vinyl and digital format, Not Animal is Epic's version and is available on CD, Vinyl, and digital formats. Confused yet? You can learn more as well as hear both albums by visiting the bands site Margot & The Nuclear So & So's. The band asks that you listen to Animal before the major label approved Not Animal.
Margot & The Nuclear So & So's- As Tall As Cliffs (Not Animal version)
Monday, November 10, 2008
Tickets to Give
Due to a work commitment tonight, I will be unable to attend the Deerhunter show with Times New Viking and Vivian Girls at The Paradise. So I figured I would spread some good will. The first person to send an e-mail to ashgrayproclamation@yahoo.com will win a pair of tickets to tonights show. Please send all entries by 4PM.
Good Luck.
Friday, October 31, 2008
New Audio
It looks like I'm on candy duty tonight.
While I have a few minutes I thought I'd share some tracks that have caught my ear lately. An Ash Gray top 5 if you will. There goes that door bell again. Enjoy the music.
From Snowflake Midnight
Mercury Rev- Dream of a Young Girl as a Flower
From the Always a Bridesmaid: A Single Series
The Decemberists-Valerie Plame
From Dual Hawks
Centro-Matic- Rat Patrol And DJ's
From Microcastle
Deerhunter- Agoraphobia
A new song by Wilco recorded last night Live on The Colbert Report
Wilco- Wilco The Song
It looks like I'm on candy duty tonight.
While I have a few minutes I thought I'd share some tracks that have caught my ear lately. An Ash Gray top 5 if you will. There goes that door bell again. Enjoy the music.
From Snowflake Midnight
Mercury Rev- Dream of a Young Girl as a Flower
From the Always a Bridesmaid: A Single Series
The Decemberists-Valerie Plame
From Dual Hawks
Centro-Matic- Rat Patrol And DJ's
From Microcastle
Deerhunter- Agoraphobia
A new song by Wilco recorded last night Live on The Colbert Report
Wilco- Wilco The Song
51 Candles
Happy Halloween to our loyal readers and happy 51st birthday To Robert Ellsworth Pollard
I'll be hitting the streets tonight with the little ones and trying to avoid our yearly candy induced stomach aches. A night out with a Clone Trooper and Darth Vader, what could be better than that?
We've been waiting patiently to get this story up. We wanted to ensure that we had the facts straight. This news involves Bob as well as Guided By Voices. According to Variety as well as countless other sources, Steven Soderbergh is planning to direct a 3-D, action, rock-n-roll musical about Cleopatra. The project is in it's early stages but word around Hollywood is that Catherine Zeta-Jones will play Cleopatra and Hugh Jackman will play Marc Antony. The films music will be provided by Robert Pollard and his former band Guided By Voices. That's right kids GBV & Bob will be rocking the big screen. The script was written by former GBV bassist and author Jim Greer. You may recall that Robert Pollard provided the music for Steven Soderbergh's 2005 film Bubble, officially released as Music for Bubble under The Fading Captain Series.
Happy Halloween to our loyal readers and happy 51st birthday To Robert Ellsworth Pollard
I'll be hitting the streets tonight with the little ones and trying to avoid our yearly candy induced stomach aches. A night out with a Clone Trooper and Darth Vader, what could be better than that?
We've been waiting patiently to get this story up. We wanted to ensure that we had the facts straight. This news involves Bob as well as Guided By Voices. According to Variety as well as countless other sources, Steven Soderbergh is planning to direct a 3-D, action, rock-n-roll musical about Cleopatra. The project is in it's early stages but word around Hollywood is that Catherine Zeta-Jones will play Cleopatra and Hugh Jackman will play Marc Antony. The films music will be provided by Robert Pollard and his former band Guided By Voices. That's right kids GBV & Bob will be rocking the big screen. The script was written by former GBV bassist and author Jim Greer. You may recall that Robert Pollard provided the music for Steven Soderbergh's 2005 film Bubble, officially released as Music for Bubble under The Fading Captain Series.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Vic & The Elves
Two of our favorites artists here at the AGP have teamed up for one of the years most anticipated releases around these parts. Recorded at Vic Chesnutt's home studio with Elf Power, Dark Developments marks the first collaboration from two of Athens, GA's favorite citizens. With Elf Power's well crafted psych-pop and Chesnutt's bleak world view there strengths blends perfeclty together for a rewarding listen. The album will hit the brick and mortar shops on Tuesday 10/28 Via Orange Twin and a tour in support of Dark Developments will start on November 29th at Proud Larry's in Oxford, MS.
Vic Chesnutt & Elf Power- Stop The Horse 9-18-08 Barcelona
Two of our favorites artists here at the AGP have teamed up for one of the years most anticipated releases around these parts. Recorded at Vic Chesnutt's home studio with Elf Power, Dark Developments marks the first collaboration from two of Athens, GA's favorite citizens. With Elf Power's well crafted psych-pop and Chesnutt's bleak world view there strengths blends perfeclty together for a rewarding listen. The album will hit the brick and mortar shops on Tuesday 10/28 Via Orange Twin and a tour in support of Dark Developments will start on November 29th at Proud Larry's in Oxford, MS.
Vic Chesnutt & Elf Power- Stop The Horse 9-18-08 Barcelona
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Five Years
I can remember the first time I heard the music of Elliot Smith like it was yesterday. I was in Stinkweeds in Tempe, AZ and Needle in The Hay was coming out of the speakers. My jaw was on the floor, I didn't know who or what it was but I knew I had to have it right then and there. Within a few minutes I was walking out of the store with Elliot Smith, his 1995 self titled release. I always think about that day when I think about Elliot's death, probable because his music meant a lot to me and I was crushed when I got the news. The Cobain suicide struck me as tragic but Elliot's passing put actual tears in my eyes. Five years have passed since that tragic day in Silverake, but Elliot's genius remains in the recordings that he left us. He's was one of those rare artists that can stump me when a friend asks for a starting point I have no idea where to point them. From Heatmiser to his posthumous released Basement on The Hill, all of his recorded work is essential and required listening.
Elliot you are missed.
Elliot Smith- Needle in The Hay
I can remember the first time I heard the music of Elliot Smith like it was yesterday. I was in Stinkweeds in Tempe, AZ and Needle in The Hay was coming out of the speakers. My jaw was on the floor, I didn't know who or what it was but I knew I had to have it right then and there. Within a few minutes I was walking out of the store with Elliot Smith, his 1995 self titled release. I always think about that day when I think about Elliot's death, probable because his music meant a lot to me and I was crushed when I got the news. The Cobain suicide struck me as tragic but Elliot's passing put actual tears in my eyes. Five years have passed since that tragic day in Silverake, but Elliot's genius remains in the recordings that he left us. He's was one of those rare artists that can stump me when a friend asks for a starting point I have no idea where to point them. From Heatmiser to his posthumous released Basement on The Hill, all of his recorded work is essential and required listening.
Elliot you are missed.
Elliot Smith- Needle in The Hay
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wilderness
Baltimore, MD
USA
On November 4th Wilderness will release there third full length (K)no(w)here via Jagjaguwar. Inspired by there collaboration with visual artist Charles Long,which was exhibited at The Whitney Museum earlier this year. (K)no(w)here was originally conceived as one large musical piece and as a reslut the albums eight tracks flow into one another seamlessly. On(K)no(w)here Wilderness retain the sounds that occupied there previous two records with one notable change James Johnson is occasionally joined on vocals by Colin McCann aka The Lord Dog Bird. We dig these guys and we are eagerly awaiting the release of album #3, or to put it another way we're as giddy as couple of school girls.
Check out The Strands of Time from the forthcoming album (K)no(w)here.
Wilderness - (K)no(w)here
Jagjaguwar 11/4
High Nero
Strand the Test of Time
(p)ablum
Silver Gene
Own Anything
Chinese Whisperers
Soft Cage
<....^....>
The unconvential band from Baltimore will be hitting the road in support of (k)no(w)here in mid-November. I'm holding out hope for a Boston show to be added soon.
Wilderness US Tour
11/19 New York, NY @ Cake Shop
11/23 Pittsburgh, PA @ Brillobox
11/24 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
11/25 Chicago, IL @ Schubas
11/26 Bloomington, IN @ Jake's
11/29 Asheville, NC @ Harvest Records
11/30 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
12/1 Birmingham, AL @ The Bottletree
12/3 Houston, TX @ The Mink
12/4 Austin, TX @ Emo's
wildernesssounds.com
jagjauwar.com
Baltimore, MD
USA
On November 4th Wilderness will release there third full length (K)no(w)here via Jagjaguwar. Inspired by there collaboration with visual artist Charles Long,which was exhibited at The Whitney Museum earlier this year. (K)no(w)here was originally conceived as one large musical piece and as a reslut the albums eight tracks flow into one another seamlessly. On(K)no(w)here Wilderness retain the sounds that occupied there previous two records with one notable change James Johnson is occasionally joined on vocals by Colin McCann aka The Lord Dog Bird. We dig these guys and we are eagerly awaiting the release of album #3, or to put it another way we're as giddy as couple of school girls.
Check out The Strands of Time from the forthcoming album (K)no(w)here.
Wilderness - (K)no(w)here
Jagjaguwar 11/4
High Nero
Strand the Test of Time
(p)ablum
Silver Gene
Own Anything
Chinese Whisperers
Soft Cage
<....^....>
The unconvential band from Baltimore will be hitting the road in support of (k)no(w)here in mid-November. I'm holding out hope for a Boston show to be added soon.
Wilderness US Tour
11/19 New York, NY @ Cake Shop
11/23 Pittsburgh, PA @ Brillobox
11/24 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
11/25 Chicago, IL @ Schubas
11/26 Bloomington, IN @ Jake's
11/29 Asheville, NC @ Harvest Records
11/30 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
12/1 Birmingham, AL @ The Bottletree
12/3 Houston, TX @ The Mink
12/4 Austin, TX @ Emo's
wildernesssounds.com
jagjauwar.com
Monday, October 6, 2008
Boston Spaceships with Big Dipper
Tuesday September 30, 2008
The Paradise Boston, MA
All the good kids(and old men) came out for the return of Robert Pollard to Boston. After a two and a half year hiatus from touring Robert Pollard hit The Paradise stage fronting his new project Boston Spaceships for a nearly three hour set. First off this band might just be the finest Pollard has assembled to date. With Chris Slusarenko and John Moen as well Jason Narducy and power pop luminary Tommy Keene filling out the touring line-up Boston Spaceships ran through a tight and excellent set which focused on material from there debut Brown Submarine, Pollard's latest solo release Off To Business as well as few tracks off the Guided By Voices rarities box sets Suitcase & Suitcase 2 respectively. Tracks like Dorothy's a Planet and Headache Revolution take on new life when given the full band treatment. As per the norm Pollard had plenty to share in between songs including the reason for tapping our city for the name of his latest project. "I always wanted to be in a Boston band.... but I never wanted to be in the band Boston".
It's amazing to me that the bulk of the main set was culled from the material that Pollard has released in the last 12 months. Prior to the launching of this tour Pollard had mentioned that there would not be the usual onslaught of GBV hits, however there had been some rumors that he may pull out some surprises for the encores,but I didn't want to get my hopes up. That is until they ended the first encore with Game of Pricks. I have to admit my usual subdude concert demenor was out the window and my fist was in the air. After the band left the stage the lights went up and the house music came on so I assumed that I would be heading home exhilarated from a great Live show, but before I knew it they were back on stage and launching A Salty Salute and followed that a handful of classics. I won't bore you with more song titles but think Bee Thousand and Alien Lanes era GBV.
Robert Pollard has released two superb records in the last few months and this tour finds him in great vocal shape. Get out and see this band in your town, that is if you like to get your rock on.
I was bummed out when I missed the chance to see the Big Dipper reunion shows a few months back so I was especially excited when I found out that Robert Pollard had tapped them to open the Boston show. Due to some parking issues I ended missing the bands first two songs but what I did get to see was impressive. From Faith Healer to Ron Klause Wrecked his House Big Dipper proved be to worth the 20 years I've endured waiting for there return.
Thanks to Tim Bugbee for the use of the band shots.
Check out Tinnitus-Photography to see more of Tim's photos.
Tuesday September 30, 2008
The Paradise Boston, MA
All the good kids(and old men) came out for the return of Robert Pollard to Boston. After a two and a half year hiatus from touring Robert Pollard hit The Paradise stage fronting his new project Boston Spaceships for a nearly three hour set. First off this band might just be the finest Pollard has assembled to date. With Chris Slusarenko and John Moen as well Jason Narducy and power pop luminary Tommy Keene filling out the touring line-up Boston Spaceships ran through a tight and excellent set which focused on material from there debut Brown Submarine, Pollard's latest solo release Off To Business as well as few tracks off the Guided By Voices rarities box sets Suitcase & Suitcase 2 respectively. Tracks like Dorothy's a Planet and Headache Revolution take on new life when given the full band treatment. As per the norm Pollard had plenty to share in between songs including the reason for tapping our city for the name of his latest project. "I always wanted to be in a Boston band.... but I never wanted to be in the band Boston".
It's amazing to me that the bulk of the main set was culled from the material that Pollard has released in the last 12 months. Prior to the launching of this tour Pollard had mentioned that there would not be the usual onslaught of GBV hits, however there had been some rumors that he may pull out some surprises for the encores,but I didn't want to get my hopes up. That is until they ended the first encore with Game of Pricks. I have to admit my usual subdude concert demenor was out the window and my fist was in the air. After the band left the stage the lights went up and the house music came on so I assumed that I would be heading home exhilarated from a great Live show, but before I knew it they were back on stage and launching A Salty Salute and followed that a handful of classics. I won't bore you with more song titles but think Bee Thousand and Alien Lanes era GBV.
Robert Pollard has released two superb records in the last few months and this tour finds him in great vocal shape. Get out and see this band in your town, that is if you like to get your rock on.
I was bummed out when I missed the chance to see the Big Dipper reunion shows a few months back so I was especially excited when I found out that Robert Pollard had tapped them to open the Boston show. Due to some parking issues I ended missing the bands first two songs but what I did get to see was impressive. From Faith Healer to Ron Klause Wrecked his House Big Dipper proved be to worth the 20 years I've endured waiting for there return.
Thanks to Tim Bugbee for the use of the band shots.
Check out Tinnitus-Photography to see more of Tim's photos.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tonight at The Dice
Tonight the inaugural tour of Robert Pollard's new project Boston Spaceships hits The Paradise with support from Boston's own and recently reformed Big Dipper. We are giddy with excitement to put it mildly. Doors are at 7:00.
Boston Spaceships - Andy Playboy from the excellent Brown Submarine album recorded on 9/26/08 at The Grog Shop in Cleavland, OH.
Tonight the inaugural tour of Robert Pollard's new project Boston Spaceships hits The Paradise with support from Boston's own and recently reformed Big Dipper. We are giddy with excitement to put it mildly. Doors are at 7:00.
Boston Spaceships - Andy Playboy from the excellent Brown Submarine album recorded on 9/26/08 at The Grog Shop in Cleavland, OH.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Archers of Loaf
White Trash Heroes
It doesn't happen often but every now and then I put the new releases aside and go back into the music collection and find something that's been collecting dust for a few years. This exercise can sometimes prove risky as some albums don't always age as well I expect them to. However in the case of White Trash Heroes the swan song from Archers of Loaf I find the opposite to be true. Can it be that this record is better than I remember it? Normally when I have the urge for some Archers I usually go with Icky Metal or my personal favorite Vee Vee but White Trash Heroes deserves some love too.
By the time this album was released the band had shed some of the chaos of there early records in favor of a more complex and refined sound. Released on Alias in 1998 this album found the N.C. darlings going out at the top of there game. It also gave a hint of what we could expect next from Eric Bachman and his post Archers of Loaf career.
For fans of Archers of Loaf, Barry Black, and Crooked Fingers.
Archers of Loaf resources
Alias Records
Archers of Loaf MySpace page
White Trash Heroes
It doesn't happen often but every now and then I put the new releases aside and go back into the music collection and find something that's been collecting dust for a few years. This exercise can sometimes prove risky as some albums don't always age as well I expect them to. However in the case of White Trash Heroes the swan song from Archers of Loaf I find the opposite to be true. Can it be that this record is better than I remember it? Normally when I have the urge for some Archers I usually go with Icky Metal or my personal favorite Vee Vee but White Trash Heroes deserves some love too.
By the time this album was released the band had shed some of the chaos of there early records in favor of a more complex and refined sound. Released on Alias in 1998 this album found the N.C. darlings going out at the top of there game. It also gave a hint of what we could expect next from Eric Bachman and his post Archers of Loaf career.
For fans of Archers of Loaf, Barry Black, and Crooked Fingers.
Archers of Loaf resources
Alias Records
Archers of Loaf MySpace page
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