Top Ten
1. Coheed And Cambria "Here We Are Juggernaut"
2. The Whigs- "Black Lotus"
3. Shooter Jennings- "Triskaidekaphobia"
4. Hurricane Bells- "Winters In New York"
5. Love Is All- "Repetition"
6. Dustin Edge- "Human or Machine"
7. The Gaslight Anthem- "American Slang"
8. MGMT- "Flash Delirium"
9. Minus The Bear- "My Time"
10. Slow Club- "It Doesn't Have To Be Beautiful"
Recent Adds
The Hold Steady- "Hurricane J"
Jesse Malin- "Burning The Bowery"
The Black Keys- "Tighten Up"
River City Extension- "Adrianne"
The Dead Weather- "Die By The Drop"
Dr. Dog- "Stranger"
Kate Nash- "Paris"
The Henry Clay People- "Working Part Time"
Nada Surf- "Enjoy The Silence"
The Lions- "Roam"
Two Door Cinema Club- "Come Back Home"
Unkle- "Natural Selection"
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
IT'S A SHAME... (when bands end before their time) - BAUMER
By Alex Mayfield
Were It Not For You LP (2008)
Most have never heard of this Columbia, SC native band and it is a shame that most never will. Baumer, a band that started in 2003, showed a lot of talent in studio and on stage. Baumer brought forth an electronic style and merged it with smooth vocals and melodic guitars. Their last album, Were It Not for You, shows that pop music doesn’t have to be generic and filled with auto-tune. Songs like Lucky Strike and Make Way for the King, combine electronics with gritty guitars to create a unique experience different than anything heard before. This indie electro pop rock band ended way before it’s time after only releasing two studio albums with Eyeball Records. Other bands that were once on Eyeball include Murder by Death, The Gaslight Anthem, and My Chemical Romance. In November of 2008, Baumer disbanded and few know the reasons why. Though it most likely will not happen, maybe one day Baumer will return. But until then, It's a Shame.
Albums to Download: Come On, Feel It (2006) Were It Not for You (2008)
Songs to Download: “Were It Not for You”, “Take What’s Mine”, “Money Tornado”
Were It Not For You LP (2008)Photos from: Myspace.com/Baumer
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Artist You Should Know NOW!!! - The Features
By Alex Mayfield
The Features, though you probably have never heard of them, have been around for a while. Their first EP was self titled and released in 1997. However, the reason you should know these guys is not based on how long they have been around. It is based off their ability to play and how good they truly are. Their latest album, Some Kind of Salvation, shows an array of musical ability that is catchy while intricate, which they intertwine together quite well. This group of guys not only sounds amazing on this LP but they put on a live show that is entrancing. If you still don’t want to listen to them, just know that when Kings of Leon were able to choose a band for their record label, The Features were the very first band that they signed. These guys put together gang vocals, southern guitar riffs, catchy (yet not annoying) synthesizer, funky bass, and fast paced percussion to provide a story telling experience of a lifetime. Do not go another day not knowing these guys because they will become one of your favorite bands in your iTunes library.
Album to Download: “Some Kind of Salvation” (2009)
Songs to download: “Temporary Blues”, “The Gates of Hell”, “Blow It Out”, “Lions”, “The Drawing Board”…….Just download all of them.
Photos from
Some Kind of Salvation LP (2009)
Concert Review - Manchester Orchestra w/ The Features, O' Brother, and Eric Skelton
Columbia, SC - Jillian’s – April 9, 2010
By Alex Mayfield The weather seemed perfect for what I was hoping to be a great show. The original ticket was supposed to be Manchester Orchestra w/ the Features, O’ Brother, and Biffy Clyro who had to cancel for some reason. So Eric Skelton (one of the brothers behind the band Marry a Thief) filled in as the fourth band. Skelton started the show with an acoustic guitar and soft spoken lyrics. The highlight of his show had to be his cover of Coldplay’s Yellow, which was quite good.
Next came O’ Brother. O’ Brother is another band off of the Favorite Gentlemen label really delivers, but sadly not many people know about. They shared with the crowd their excitement of playing for such a large audience. If people didn’t know of O’ Brother, they do now. As many others that are apart of Favorite Gentlemen, O’ Brother throws together high energy with powerful lyrics and even more powerful showmanship. These guys are entertaining to say the least and put on a show that forces you to listen.
Following O’ Brother, came the band from Nashville, TN. The Features is a band that is hard to put into any category. If you had to classify this group of guys, I guess you would call them “Gypsy Indie Hipster Alternative Rock”? Where you would classify them doesn’t really matter because they are downright fantastic. You cannot take your eyes off of these Southern boys when they play. Each song was fun to listen to as well as to watch and they seemed to be having a great time, as did everyone watching them.
Finally it was time for Manchester Orchestra to take the stage. All I can say is that Andy Hull (front man) and the rest of the guys from MO put on a show that is unforgettable. Every song is played from the heart and they play as if each song might be the last song they ever performed. What puts MO above a lot of other bands out these days is their ability to make you feel exactly what they want you to feel, making their songs flow through the blood of everyone in the audience. Hull has an uncanny ability to connect with the audience on a personal level so that every single person feels like that song was written for them. If you ever have the chance to see Manchester Orchestra, I highly recommend that you do not miss that show. And for the Features and O’ Brother, it would be good for you to not miss those shows either. It was a phenomenal concert!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Album Review: Coheed and Cambria - Year of the Black Rainbow
by Alex MayfieldOnce again, CO and CA add another chapter to their confusing space epic known as the Amory Wars. YOTBR is supposed to be a prequel to the other chapters, taking place before Coheed’s first album Second Stage Turbine Blade. Though the story is filled with murder, deceit, and 72 planets, you will never be able to understand the plot by just listening to the albums. However, the story really doesn’t matter for this review because the music is still quite good. It will be very hard for Coheed to make a better album than In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3, but they still make some good music. With intricate guitars and heavy riffs, the album starts off with a little bit of chaos that, to me, doesn’t really work. However, once the album hits the anthem-like Here We are Juggernaut, the album starts to rise to a more likeable status. This album seems almost identical to No World For Tomorrow (their previous album released in 2007). When it comes down to it, the intricate guitars and powerhouse vocals present something that Coheed fans will enjoy. If you like No World For Tomorrow, you will enjoy this. If you were hoping for another In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3, I have a hard time believing you will find it here. Where does this fall in with the other Coheed albums? I’m so glad you asked. In my opinion...
1. In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 (2003) – 9/10
2. Second Stage: Turbine Blade (2002) – 8/10
3. No World For Tomorrow (2007) – 7/10
4. Year of the Black Rainbow (2010) – 7/10
5. Good Apollo I’m Burning Star IV (2005) – 6.5/10
To wrap up this review, the album is quite good with is use of crowd chants, good percussion, heavy guitar and is sure to please. Coheed is an acquired taste so for those who don't listen to Coheed, be weary trying to go into this album without starting with some more listenable tracks. Songs you might want to start with would be, “A Favor House Atlantic” (IKSOSE3), “Feathers” (NWFT), and “Welcome Home” (GAIBS4). So for Coheed fans, give it a listen. Others who aren’t as brave might want to stay away.
7 out of 10
Download tracks – “Here We Are Juggernaut”, “Made Out of Nothing”, “Pearl of the Stars”
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Track Reviews (The Black Keys, The Hold Steady, The Gaslight Anthem)
by: David Edscorn
The Black Keys “Tighten Up” (Brothers, May 18)- This track finds the Akron duo teaming up with Danger Mouse (of Gnarls Barkley) again to do production (he produced all of 2008's Attack and Release, but only this song on Brothers). It’s a strong track, with plenty of Dan Aurbach’s sinewy guitar lines and soulful vocals (the lyrics are typical blues futile-love fare, but good) and Patrick Carney’s relentless drumming. Danger Mouse adds in some whistling at the beginning, soulful organ stings, and his characteristic bright production. The result sounds like it could have belonged on Attack and Release, which I have to say disappoints me slightly. I like that album alright, but I really prefer the stripped down rough edges of the band’s previous works. We’ll see how it fits in with the rest of the album.
Listen at: www.myspace.com/theblackkeys
The Hold Steady “Hurricane J” (Heaven Is Whenever, May 4)- The Midwestern bar-rockers have said that their new album will be “less anathematic,” but it’s hard to see this from the new single, which features an extremely catchy chorus and the most anathematic bridge I’ve heard in a while. There are of course the familiar themes and self-references (“I see the crowd you’re hanging with and those kids don’t seem positive) and a new character, Jesse, that might actually be an old, previously unnamed character (the references to bars and harbors seems to point towards the girl in “Certain Songs” from Almost Killed Me). Besides having definite appeal to longtime fans, this might also be the most accessible THS song yet. Craig Finn manages to sing most of the song (his voice is also a big clearer and his vocal chords seem to be missing a little of their normal whiskey coating), the rhyme scheme actually makes sense, and there’s a recognizable song structure. The best Hold Steady song ever? Maybe not, but it sure is fun to sing along to.
The Gaslight Anthem “American Slang” (American Slang, June 15)- These blue-collar Jersey boys have only been together for less than five years, but they’ve already managed to put out two excellent albums and a strong EP, and now their third is on the way. The lead single and title track shows the group embracing a sound that’s a bit more of their own (and a little less tied down to their influences) in a way that’s both familiar and excitingly fresh. There’s another sing-along chorus, and a return of the church bells heard on “’59 Sound.” Also intriguing is the cover art, which features black and white photos of locations around NYC and New Jersey, as well as some vintage recording equipment, a straight razor, a root-beer float, and an image of brass knuckles. It’s all at once nostalgic and a little sinister, and reminds me (along with the “American Slang” lyrics such as “they cut me to ribbons and taught me to drive” and “here’s where the angels and devils meet”) a little of “The Navesink Banks” off Sink or Swim where the singer “carried faith and a switchblade tucked beneath my coat” and “ran with dirty angels.”
Monday, March 15, 2010
Concert Review - All Get Out w/ Weatherbox and Junior Astronomers
Tremont Music Hall - March 10,2010Charlotte, NC
By: Alex Mayfield
What does it take to make a fantastic show? In my opinion, there are certain aspects to a performance that can make it better than the rest. I really enjoy seeing high energy shows. I like when bands take time during the set to mingle with the crowd. I love when the band seems like they would rather be playing that show than be anywhere else in the world. When you take these three bands (that most of you probably haven’t heard of) that is exactly what you get.
The crowd on this Wednesday night in Charlotte seemed a little small (50-60 maximum), but for some reason that didn’t seem to matter at all. A lot of bands have a hard time feeding off such a small crowd, but this was no problem for opening act Junior Astronomers. These Charlotte locals seemed like they would be excited to play no matter how small the crowd. They showed their ability to be loud and in your face and they were excellent. With somewhat intricate guitars, a hyper bassist and a lead singer who leaves everything he has on stage, Junior Astronomers proved that they will be something to be reckoned with. As the finished up their set, Weatherbox took to the stage to follow up Junior Astronomer’s fantastic performance.
Weatherbox, a band out of San Diego (which I’m pretty sure translates into “A Whale’s Vagina) started off the show with a solo performance by front man Brian Warren. As the set started as haunting and captivating, the band joins in to bring a slightly more reserved feel to the show. Though not as hyper as Junior Astronomers, Weatherbox put together a show that was incredibly entertaining. Though the songs are powerful, the highlight of the night happened to be when Weatherbox stopped in the middle of their final song to crack some jokes. The main reason Weatherbox is entertaining is because they are engaging to those that watch them and it works in their favor. As they finished up their set, it was time for All Get Out to step on stage.
All Get Out has a style that is loud and gritty and the songs that they write are in your face, demand for your attention. I challenge every one of you to find a band that puts more energy and effort into every song that they play. I have never seen a band more engaging in my life. Whether it is drummer Gordon Keiter walking on top of his set, Guitarist Mel Washington flying around the stage, Bassist Mike Rogers moving with every note, or lead singer/guitarist Nathan Hussey screaming his lungs out, there is always something to be impressed by. Which brings me to their finale, a combo-finish of songs Let Me Go and Your Girl My Gun Her Ghost proves to be one of the most moving, powerful songs I have ever heard live. All Get Out is incredible and they put on shows that should not be missed. I highly recommend seeing anyone of these three bands when they come anywhere near you. You will not be disappointed.
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