If you are ever looking for relatively unknown bands of high caliber, Miles of Music has a qualification where they stamp albums with an “It’s a Cracker” label. This is a guarantee that if you don’t like the music you can send it back no questions asked. I’ve found that in the space of indie […]
Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter, Album Due
Coming soon to record stores (Feb 6.) and SXSW (March 14-18), check out Seattle-based Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter. The album will be called Like, Love, Lust & The Open Halls of the Soul and out on Barsuk Records. Fans of Kristen Hersh and Neko Case will likely enjoy album track “LLL” (MP3), available […]
Best of Winter 2006, a Playlist
The bar has been set high! I’m astounded by the number of great albums that have already surfaced this year. Will Hoge shunned traditional record promotions by leaning heavily on juggernauts MySpace and Purevolume all the way to offering up a free download from the album once every week. Josh Rouse travelled to Spain offering […]
Mayer’s Playlist for February & March 2006
Sure, I know that March is nearly over. Between my day job and my preparations for SXSW, however, time got away from me. Stay tuned for the complete SXSW recap… Feb. 14, Drive-By Truckers (from the forthcoming A Blessing and a Curse) A fine preview that proves the band’s legendary triple guitar attack remains intact. […]
Notable Releases: March 7, 2006
Its a big week for releases and here are a few top picks… Centro-matic, Fort Recovery Will Johnson could be rock’s most prolific songwriter. He has consistently put out several albums each year under his own name and with the bands South San Gabriel and Centro-Matic. Its the last incarnation that is behind this new […]
Notable Releases: February 21, 2006
Although winter is still upon us, the spring release season kicks off with a bang this week. Check out these great releases, plus a few re-releases. Willie Nile, Streets of New York This is my pick of the week. Its hard to believe that its been over six years since Willie’s last release. It was […]
Check out City-State
Every now and then I run into someone I work with living my own dream, to play in a band. This time around its John Mahlinha drummer of DC act, city-state. The band lists The Cure, Interpol, Joy Division, Radiohead, Versus, British Sea Power and Coldplay as influences on their MySpace page. I can’t help […]
Mayer’s Playlist for January 2006
1. A Way to Say Goodbye, Mike Viola (from the album Just Before Dark) An achingly beautiful ballad recorded live in an LA club, with captivating vocals from Inara George. 2. You Made Your Bed, Daddy (from the album Daddy at the Women’s Club) Featuring the mighty Will Kimbrough and partner in crime Tommy Womack, […]
Notable Releases: January 24, 2006
Patty Hurst Shifter, Too Crowded on the Losind End (Evo Recordings) The first of several anticipated releases this quarter, North Carolina’s Patty Hurst Shifter deliver solid rock and roll with a touch of the South. The band delivers some tear-stained ballads but is at its best with in-your-face rockers. (See my earlier preview here.) Cat […]
New Releases from Robert Pollard & more
The beginning of the year, new release yawnfest tapers down this week with a few new releases. — T.O. My hopeful pick of the week for January 24, 2005: Robert Pollard From a Compound Eye (Merge) indie, rock Other notable releases include: Patty Hurst Shifter, Too Crowded on the Losing End (Evo) alt-country The Gourds, […]