Category → New Music
New Releases of Note 4/13
In the first few months of 2012 we’ve seen a rash of insanely good new releases… here are a few of the latest and greatest to whet your musical appetite!
M. Ward – “A Wasteland Companion”, April 10
M. Ward’s carefully placed voice and interlocking use of language is pristine on this record, his eighth solo offering. His lyrics always fascinate, unencumbered by fuzzy guitar or overridden drums here, laid out like a storybook. The bits of found sound like a clinking piano, creaking door or the punchy jangle of percussion lend a bit of real life to this smoothly produced album. As always, he borrows little snippets, as if from a skipping radio dial, of music from decades before; southern blues, lo-fi rock, lilting pop. Peppered with better-than-usual Zooey Deschanel chorus coos, “A Wasteland Companion” is a surprisingly breezy and satisfying record, nodding fiercely to American dirt rock, smooth 60s R&B and jaunty indie.
M. Ward with Lee Ranaldo Band (of Sonic Youth) at Higher Ground tickets here.
The Black Seeds – “Dust and Dirt”, April 10
This eight member dub afrobeat outfit has been around since 1998 but hasn’t put out a proper album since 2008′s “Solid Ground”. With their newest album just out on Easy Star, they have taken chill to a whole other level. The base of their sound is essentially reggae, which has been morphed/harangued and all around brutalized in the past by less-than-reverent utilizers, but sounds fresh and pleasantly infectious here. Intricate and interlacing keyboards and precise percussion provide the backdrop for samples of jazz, trip-hop and downtempo amid the groovin’ dub background.
Get tickets to their Boulder, CO show here.
Schoolboy Q – “Habits and Contradictions”, January 14
Schoolboy Q has had an interesting life… born in Germany, grew up in LA, joined gangs and sold a LOT of Oxycontin. He’s been AROUND. And while “Habits and Contradictions” is a filthy-mouthed rap album and gritty as all get-out, the beat is oh so salacious. Seductive saxophones make a surprising appearance (very Morphine-esque) in “There He Go” and new fave A$AP Rocky steps in on the supremely catchy “Hands On The Wheel”. This album is moody and dark, laced with the intense and emotional flow of Schoolboy Q, fettered only by the electro-introduced interlude skits so prevalent in hip hop. His rhymes are quick-witted and tempo-pushing, strange at times but irresistibly compelling.
Catch Schoolboy Q at Higher Ground May 4th and at the Fox Theatre May 12th.
Scope other recent new releases sure to tickle your ear-fancy…
- Alabama Shakes- “Boys & Girls” ———-> Tickets
- Bassnectar- “Vava Voom” ———-> Tickets
- Bear in Heaven- “I Love You, It’s Cool” ———-> Tickets
- Hoodie Allen- “All American”
- Miike Snow- “Happy to You”
- Of Monsters and Men- “My Head is an Animal”
- Rusko- “Songs”
- Sucre- “A Minor Bird” ———-> Tickets
- The Shins- “Port of Morrow”
New Releases of Note 9/27
“New Releases of Note” is back again! This week there was a walloping number of highly anticipated new releases, and we’ll walk you through a few of our absolute faves. From Wilco to Dum Dum Girls to Spank Rock and every musical nook and cranny in between…
(this is by no means a comprehensive list of releases)
Wilco – “The Whole Love”, Sept. 23
I’ve been a steady Wilco fan for a long time. “AM”, “Summer Teeth” and “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” are albums I go back to TIME and time again, listening from start to finish, savoring each bit. “A Ghost is Born” didn’t grab me though, and I’ve struggled to love them as much for their newer stuff as their older albums, but I’m just not there yet. However, this new release does find Wilco at a bit of a turning back point. There are the slow introspective hushed tracks and the breezy Americana-inlaid songs that have become Wilco mainstays. Take a listen or five… you might just find yourself falling in love with them all over again.
Dum Dum Girls – “Only in Dreams”, Sept. 26
The lead off track to this album, “Always Looking” utilizes a sound I would not have previously associated with Dum Dum Girls: a rockabilly-influenced steely guitar sound. It fits their raucous sound quite well and is evidence that this release may be a bit more polished than “I Will Be”. It’s strong, confident and well… a bit produced. I’m enjoying the heck out of it thought. It blazes in, strong with female vocals and wa-waing guitars. A good power rock offering from this blossoming Sub Pop signee!
Apparat – “The Devil’s Walk”, Sept. 26
Apparat’s Sascha Ring is one busy dude. He’s been working away at the DJ-Kicks sets and his Moderat project, but really hasn’t released a true Apparat album since 2007′s “Walls”. On that album he took a turn away from the glitchy electro dance of his past work and started writing hooks. Vocal pop harmonies were abound, real spoken emotion was evident in his work, and it looks like “The Devil’s Walk” is furthering that idea. His voice is whispery and his arrangements are downright stunning… but I can’t help but feel that there is a little “oomph” missing from this album. Maybe that was his WHOLE point though, a lightening of the load persay.
Spank Rock – “Everything Is Boring and Everyone Is An F—ing Liar”, Sept. 27
Spank Rock is fun. I’ve seen him live and his performance directly related to the feeling you get when you’re listening to his records: PARTY DIRTY FUN TIMES. He knows how to lay down a flow, invite the best of the best to flow right along with him and create an aura of down-low club fun. This album is no exception. It’s brimming with great collabs, like the track “Nasty” with Big Freedia. Fans of Spank Rock will most certainly will not be disappointed.
The Stepkids – “The Stepkids”, Sept. 27
The Stepkids are from Connecticut and they make soul-infused cleaned-up funked-out 70s Captain Beefheart + Geoge Clinton-style jams. Their brand of slow soul-funk is easy on the ears, and appropriately focused on all things supernatural sounding. Slap on the tunes, imbibe in your beverage or drug of choice and enjoy the psychedelic ride.
Kidstreet – “Fuh Yeah”, Sept. 27
Kidstreet is three siblings hailing from Ontario, Canada. They’re an electric/acoustic dance band, and their sound is oh so sugary sweet. With song names like “Birthday Boy”, “Penny Candy” and “Fuh Yeah” it’s fair to say they’re angled towards the cute twee dance pop crowd… and they do so remarkably successfully. Fun, buoyant and playful, this album sneakily creeps up on you. Before long you’ll be chair dancing and completing choreographed dance moves like whoa.
Sarah Siskind – “Novel”, Sept 27
Sarah Siskind’s voice and songs have been hailed by such Americana/folk greats as Allison Krauss and Tim O’Brien. Krauss adored her sound so much she even recorded two of them for herself, both going on to garner a lot of airplay as well as correlating music videos. Grounded in the all-so-familiar topics of love, loss, family and relationships, her words seem to soar right out of the music. Her voice is down-to-earth and unwaivering, and her lyrics are intensely emotional and poignant. This lady is going places.
And… some more:
Youth Lagoon – “The Year of Hibernation”
Romantic Comedy – “Big Troubles”
Daryl Hall – “Laughing Down Crying”
Lords of Acid – “Little Mighty Rabbit”
What’s making your music tastes perk up these days?
Spotify Playlist feat. Passion Pit, Dodos, Milk Carton Kids and more
Round two of our Upcoming Shows Preview Spotify Playlist is up and ready to wow ya! If you aren’t digging the Spotify yet and want to, let us know! We’ve got a few invites to spread around.
The tracks on this playlist feature artists that are performing this week (that Front Gate Tickets is ticketing). For more information on when and where these artists are playing, go to our Front Gate Tickets home page and search for the specific artist. Enjoy, disburse, give feedback! We want to know if you love (or hate) this list, and what YOUR suggestions would be.
LISTEN > SHARE > REPEAT.
“Hanging On” – Active Child
“Don’t You Want Me” – Human League
“The Reeling” – Passion Pit
“I’m Afraid I’m Gonna Die Here” – Tim Kasher
“Shake It Out” – Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
“Iso-Residue” – Centro-matic
“Good” – The Dodos
“Your Rocky Spine” – Great Lake Swimmers
“Eyes on the Prize” – Carrie Rodriguez
“Undress the World” – The Milk Carton Kids
“Laredo” – Band of Horses
“Darkness On the Edge of Gastown” – Japandroids
“Want Some Mo’” – Turbo Fruits
NEW Spotify playlists of upcoming shows
We wanted to introduce you to one of our newest, semi-regular features at Front Gate Tickets: the Spotify playlist. Spotify is blowing up in the music industry, and for good reason. It allows streaming of thousands of albums and a way to easily share those playlists that you so lovingly create. Now don’t lie… we know you spend hours babying your music playlists, making sure each track is in its right place and that it’s segwaying into the next track pleasantly, waffling about the supposed “theme” of your list and the clarity of said theme to your audience upon first listen. Or maybe that’s just me.
{ click on the image above to directly to the playlist }
So behold… a Spotify playlist, “Shows This Week Preview”. If you’re already a Spotify-er then just click the link to subscribe to the playlist. If you aren’t digging the Spotify yet and want to, let us know! We’ve got a few invites to spread around.
The tracks on this playlist feature artists that are performing this week (that Front Gate Tickets is ticketing). For more information on when and where these artists are playing, go to our Front Gate Tickets home page and search for the specific artist. Enjoy, disburse, give feedback! We want to know if you love (or hate) this list, and what YOUR suggestions would be.
“The World (is going up in flames)” – Charles Bradley
“Our Hearts Are Wrong” – Jessica Lea Mayfield
“Be My Thrill” – The Weepies
“Magic” – Leagues
“When I Get Back” – Handsome Furs
“We Want Our Things” – Nite Jewel
“Will Do” – TV On the Radio
“Shift Operator” – Obits
“My Only Swerving” – El Ten Eleven
“Song 3Three Blues” – Alberta Cross
“Freak Out” – Tapes ‘n Tapes
“Born With a Broken Heart” – David Wax Museum
“Cartooon Gold” – Drive-By Truckers
Chromeo Announces World Tour With Stops in Austin and at Lollapalooza!
I have talked to a number of people who have no clue who Chromeo is, and this is a real travesty. I’m not saying that they should be pushing out songs and playing for crowds like someone with the awe inspiring talent of Justin Bieber or the Jonas Brothers, but seriously these guys have a niche audience and you should probably get in on this dance party. The band has released two studio albums, 2004s In Control and 2007s Fancy Footwork, both of which are consistently in my playlist.
They are currently polishing off work on their third studio album, Business Casual, and are celebrating by throwing a nationwide party, also known as a tour. The Business Casual Tour Runs from June 11 with the band appearing at Bonnaroo to the end of August with a date at the Hollywood Bowl with Chemical Brothers and YACHT. What a lineup. However, if you are not going to be present at either of those shows, then you should definitely check out the band at one (or more) of their other dates, particularly at Stubb’s or Lollapalooza!
Tickets for the Stubb’s date are on sale here and Lollapalooza tickets here.
Complete listings for the tour can be found here.
Also, check out a couple of videos from the band below. One is for their newest track “Night by Night” and the other is from the band’s appearance on Yo Gabba Gabba! Enjoy.
M.I.A. Album Release Date (Via Blimp?!) and Tour Announcements + New Video + New Album Tracklist
M.I.A. used an unconventional method over the weekend to announce her forthcoming third album. During Jay-Z’s Coachella set, she had a BLIMP fly over the crowd advertising a cryptic message of “New Album 6.29.10″. This is welcome news for all of us M.I.A. fans, especially those lucky individuals who will get the opportunity to see her live this summer performing the new material.
She currently has two live dates on her schedule, both appearances at HARD Fest that will take place in July, one in New York and the other in L.A. I speculate (and granted this is speculation) that she will not be done there. With a new album on the horizon and a couple of in-demand dates on the books, I imagine that she will be showcasing her verbal skills at least a few more times this year for eager crowds to enjoy. Also, if you remember, she did cut her last tour short for various personal reasons and to continue work on this forthcoming album.
The new record will see the aforementioned June 29 release in the US, but will be released one week earlier in Japan via Sony Japan. Artists such as Switch, Rye Rye, Blaqstarr, Diplo and Sleighbells are all speculated as contributors to the new album. This should make for an intriguing comeback for M.I.A. who has largely been out of the public eye following her Grammy performance back in 2009. I know that I am eager for her return in 2010!
Cheers.
UPDATE:
Check out the new MIA video for ‘Born Free’ right here – not for the faint of heart.
M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.
Also, just released – here is the tracklisting for MIAs new album:
1. The Message
2. Born Free
3. Meds and Feds
4. Lovealot
5. Tequila
6. It Is What It Is
7. XXXO
8. Tell Me Why
9. Story Told
10. Space
Stream the Full Slash Album Now
Slash is set to release his self-titled solo album May 10, but the kind folks over at Aol. and Spinner have made it available for your listening pleasure now. Slash enlisted the aid of numerous musicians for this effort including Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, Ozzy Osbourne, Chris Cornell, Andrew Stockdale of Wolfmother, and Lemm from Motorhead.
That is a pretty impressive list, but it grows even more interesting when you add in the likes of Iggy Pop, Kid Rock, Dave Grohl, Duff McKagan and Maroon 5′s Adam Levine, all of whom appear on the album. Even if you are not a Slash or Guns n’ Roses fan, I would check out this album. I am not a huge fan of either but am intrigued to hear what will come out of a collaboration of these artists with the legendary guitarist. I am currently giving the album my first listen, and I have to say that its got Slash’s fingerprints all over it thus far, but it does not seem stale or lackluster, and his use of the albums’ guests thus far has been impressive.
To listen to the album for yourself, just head on over here.
Album Tracklist:
‘Ghost’ (featuring Ian Astbury)
‘Beautiful Dangerous’ (featuring Fergie)
‘Nothing To Say’ (featuring M Shadows)
‘Crucify The Dead’ (featuring Ozzy Osbourne)
‘Promise’ (featuring Chris Cornell)
‘By The Sword’ (featuring Andrew Stockdale)
‘Doctor Alibi’ (featuring Lemmy)
‘Saint Is A Sinner Too’ (featuring Rocco De Luca)
‘Watch This’ (featuring Dave Grohl and Duff McKagan)
‘I Hold On’ (featuring Kid Rock)
‘Gotten’ (featuring Adam Levine)
‘We’re All Gonna Die’ (featuring Iggy Pop)
‘Starlight’ (featuring Myles Kennedy)
