Author: Lee

[MP3] Club 8: “Shape Up!”

Club 8, another in the long line of excellent Swede pop purveyors, just released one of my favorite tracks off their latest album, The People’s Record, for free download. (We’re so used to getting tracks before the album release nowadays that this technique seems archaic, but hey, why not?). It’s titled “Shape Up!” and doesn’t follow… Continue reading [MP3] Club 8: “Shape Up!”

Spring Summer

I’ve had this one sitting around for a little while, but now that we’ve received 100 degree weather and cooling thunderstorms on back-to-back days I figured it was a good time to post about an artist named “Spring Summer”…don’t you agree? What can I say, I’m a man with a plan! Spring Summer, aka Jennifer… Continue reading Spring Summer

[MP3 + Video] Marina and the Diamonds covers 3OH3! and Katy Perry’s “Starstrukk”

Stirring, raw piano rendition of the mega-popular song. Marina’s having a hard time doing much wrong in my book (plus her book – nice publicity stunt). Do I need to write more here? Does it matter? Will you read my writing? How much can I describe a song, much less a cover, without getting over-the-top?… Continue reading [MP3 + Video] Marina and the Diamonds covers 3OH3! and Katy Perry’s “Starstrukk”

[MP3] Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin: “Sink/Let It Sway”

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, from Springfield, Missouri, and a favorite of mine for several years now, released the first single, “Sink/Let It Sway”, off their forthcoming album, Let It Sway. Let It Sway, the band’s third full length, is due August 17 via Polyvinyl (pre-order), and if the title track is any indication,… Continue reading [MP3] Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin: “Sink/Let It Sway”

The Gentle Guest

It’s been a while since I’ve given you guys some rocking alt-folk/americana, hasn’t it? Well let’s change that with The Gentle Guest, five (sometimes as many as ten) talented fellas out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Frontman Eric Rykal brings his raspy vocals to a burst of horns and stampeding percussion (among other conspicuous instruments, including… Continue reading The Gentle Guest

Marching Band’s Pop Cycle is more reserved than Spark Large

I don’t usually mention previous albums in the title of album reviews; I like to wait until the review to touch on context and from where the current album stems. However, Marching Band’s Spark Large, released in 2008, was a diamond in the rough for me – I hadn’t heard a thing about them before… Continue reading Marching Band’s Pop Cycle is more reserved than Spark Large

[MP3] Light Pollution: “Oh, Ivory!”

Chicago’s Light Pollution released a new mp3, “Oh, Ivory!” in support of their forthcoming debut full length, Apparitions, which drops June 15 via Carpark. Musicians love the ghost themes and apparently Light Pollution is joining the crowd with the title to their debut. But they’ve certainly got a unique blend of instruments, mixing in soft… Continue reading [MP3] Light Pollution: “Oh, Ivory!”

In Case You Missed It: Week In Review

The Celtics are playing. Can’t talk, sorry. Monday: Ticket giveaway and interview with Greg Laswell [MP3] Marching Band: “Another Day” Tuesday: [Review] The National provide another stunning effort with High Violet [Review] Woods’ At Echo Lake is pleasant but inconspicuous [Review] The Dead Weather improve, make good rock music on Sea of Cowards Wednesday: [MP3]… Continue reading In Case You Missed It: Week In Review

[MP3] Ian McGlynn & The Dead Radio: “Digital Killed the Record Store”

In honor of the return of the DC Record Fair tomorrow next Sunday (May 23) at the Black Cat (Noon – 6 pm, check out The Vinyl District for more info), I present to you this song. It was written to lament exactly what the title implies, and the lyrics discuss how record stores make for… Continue reading [MP3] Ian McGlynn & The Dead Radio: “Digital Killed the Record Store”