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DYS with Antidote, Face Value, Hands Tied and Mindset – Ottobar (Baltimore) – April 9, 2011
Please see my full review here.
Vivian Girls – Share the Joy (Polyvinyl)
Please see my full review here.
The Fresh and Onlys – Play It Strange (In the Red)
I’m still enjoying this one months after its release and looking forward to seeing them play here on Sunday night with Crocodiles.
The dB’s – “Picture Sleeve” EP (Orange Sound)
When one stops to consider that this is the first dB’s record since 1994’s Paris Avenue and the first to feature Chris Stamey since 1982’s incredible Repercussions, the mind boggles. In fact, since their reformation in 2005, they’ve only released a free mp3 of a song called “World to Cry” and a cover of “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted” (proceeds of the download of the song went to relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Katrina). Until now, though, no physical product was issued and these two songs (the titular A-side and the B-side “Write Back”, released on a 45 for Record Store Day), add nicely to the dB’s legacy. The A-side is a Chris Stamey composition and the B-side a rare tune written and sung by drummer Will Rigby. Neither are as strong as “World to Cry”, but both are pretty good. Also, both are set to appear on the allegedly complete new album that the band will release next year.
The Joy Formidable – “Whirring” EP (Atlantic)
This is another Record Store Day 7”. Honestly, I love The Joy Formidable and of course the A-side is amazing, but it’s also on both A Balloon Called Moaning and The Big Roar, their terrific new album. The B-side is a slow version of the A-side, but in Welsh and titled ““Chwyrlio”. If you’re a huge fan and/or completist, you should pick it up, but others can avoid this one.
Wipers – Silver Sail (Tim/Kerr)
Originally issued on the Tim/Kerr labe in 1993 and reissued on vinyl recently by Jackpot Records (who also just reissued the 1996 album The Herd), this one is (at least for the most part) more pensive, slower and prettier than most Wipers records. In fact, its sound hews closer to Greg Sage‘s 1984 solo record Straight Ahead. Like every Wipers record, though, it’s a complete keeper full of highlights. Our own Jack Rabid‘s review nails it better than I ever could. You can read it here.
The Raveonettes – Chain Gang of Love (Columbia)
The first full-length album by The Raveonettes is still far and away my favorite release of theirs and also, in my opinion, a progenitor for lots of similar artists like Vivian Girls, Dum Dum Girls (in fact, The Raveonettes’ Sune Rose Wagner produced their last EP), Crystal Stilts, et al. Almost 8 years after it came out and after I first heard it, I still love it.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Daytrotter Session (no label)
If you’re a fan of this amazing indie-pop band, you’ll enjoy this. It’s as simple as that. There are a few songs from their new Lp Belong (including the amazing title track and “Heart in Your Heartbreak”), “Belong”‘s B-side “I Wanna Go Along the Way” and the first Lp’s “Come Saturday” mixed in here. You can download and listen to it here.
Best Coast – Daytrotter Session (no label)
It’s interesting that though this session was recorded earlier this month, Best Coast chose not to play anything from its amazing debut Lp Crazy for You (which they’re still touring for, including an upcoming opening slot for The Decemberists). Instead, the focus here is on song that appeared on their pre-Lp singles like “Make You Mine,” “The Sun was High (So Was I)” and even their cover of The Beach Boys‘ “In My Room”. Still, I’m not complaining, though, as Crazy for You was one of my favorite releases of last year and any new material (even in this guise) from them is cause for celebration. You can download and listen to it here.
That Metal Show (VH1 Classic, Saturday)
I have to admit that though I don’t really share the other hosts’ liking for much ’90s and ’00s metal and my overall musical tastes are obviously very different, I love this show because it’s the only show left on VH1 Classic or really any Viacom station that caters to real music fans. Eddie Trunk is simply a walking encyclopedia of all things classic hard rock and heavy metal and his fandom during interviews and during the “Stump the Trunk” rounds where audience members get to ask him a question is entertaining as us fanatics can definitely see a little (or a lot) of ourselves in him (except that we don’t have TV shows, alas). Furthermore, his utter love of ’70s hard rock means that guests like Cherie Currie of The Runaways (featured in this week’s episode) will show up and that’s A-OK with me.
