Has every possible band name based on the English language been used already? Probably not yet, but the tipping point may be coming soon. This series of posts is being created to ensure you can tell the which from the what.
Crocodiles are a much-buzzed-about band from San Diego who put out a little album called Summer of Hate. Flaunting influences like Jesus & Mary Chain and Echo & the Bunnymen on their sleeves instead of hearts, the band sounds like fuzzy joy that all the cool kids can like. Free mp3s for ya here courtesy Stereogum.
Alligators is a Seattle band coming at things from a much more smooth, dreamy hyper-melodic pop angle - sounds a bit like the pop genius of Nada Surf. Free mp3s here courtesy of Largehearted Boy. Unfortunately, there's another band called The Alligators that has received some attention. The band from Provo, Utah includes a female frontperson and is a little more herky-jerky indie pop than my Seattle pals. You grab some free mp3s here or here courtesy of You Ain't No Picasso and Skatterbrain.
Sterogum is now sharing the Eels' eerie/silly new video for "Fresh Blood". Here's part of the introduction:
"[T]he name of the new album Hombre Lobro means "werewolf." Continuing directly along that dark, creepy, and hairy course, the video for "Fresh Blood"'s shot at night with a red haze that looks bloody in the Carrie sense. The clip features an extremely bearded, lycanthropic E -- nice wolf walking stick...".
I like the song, it's menacing but tuneful. The video's fine too if you like watching music (not Scruffy's preferred ingestion mode). But wolves and werewolves seem to be everywhere these days. Blitzen Trapper's Furr is often playing in my vehicle or mp3 player, and somehow Wolf Parade and Sea Wolf have invaded my ears in the last week- I can't even keep track of all the other bands with wolf in their name or album title. What gives?
Okay folks, for your Valentine's pleasure, here's a short list of favourites's I've been listening to for the past year. Almost all of them are available for free download at Stereogum - coool, huh? Just go to their mp3 downloads page, view by artist, and scroll down to the artist you want.
Blitzen Trapper - Furr - A mix of Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, and indie folk/alt country would not be the thing I would expect to love - but I do.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Counting Crows - 1492 - I know, I know,Counting Crows! The band's been slagged beofre, especially Adam Duritz - his voice on their live album was hilarious. However, this song is not wimpy music fopr coffeeshops, but a noisy barrage of welcome oddity. Including Duritz taking a self-deprecating jab at himself: "I'm a Russian Jew American/Impersonating African Jamaican".
Friendly Foes – Not free on Stereogum, but free on rcrdlbl.com, this noisy pop band will give you good music. All short tunes full of piss, vinegar and melody. Free. Full Moon Morning is a great tune, as is Get Yr Shit Together.
The Broken West – Perfect Games & Auctioneer. I couldn't just pick one song from this band, they are my new favourites hands down. ___________________________________________________________________________________
Old 97’s - Ride - Taken from their fine album Blame it On Gravity.
Rowdymen – Rode Hard (and put away wet)- Still unreleased, this country gem sounds like Yoakam, Springsteen, and Steve Earle got drunk and then got lost and left a tune in the back of a taxi for a former rockabilly hero to resurrect. Will it come out this year? Ask Jason "Axl" Allen.
Western States – The Road is Dark as the Night - Okay, this isn't officially out until sometime in the near future, but you can hear a couple of new one's from our cosmic Canadian purveyors at their MySpace page. Full review to follow nearer to release date.
mp3s will be posted for a limited time and are for promotional purposes only. If you like it, buy the albums, go to the shows, buy the t-shirts - support the artist so they can keep on keepin' on. Artists - if you would like an mp3 or video removed, please contact me directly at chrisyakchart@hotmail.com.
If you've got something Scruffy should hear, same email. Snail mail is cool too.
Scruffy the Yak 34 Allenby Cres Winnipeg Mb R2C 3J4
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