“In the midst of all the stillness there’s a new kind of knock.”

I’ve been meaning to sit down and write about this album for awhile now but I’ve lacked the proper motivation I felt it deserved. Sadly, I still do. However, I’m enjoying it this afternoon and who knows when I’ll really feel like giving my all to writing about it so today’s the day I talk about the band with the crazy name and their new album, Myth Takes. The boys in !!! (Pronounced chk chk chk) are said to have come up with the name after watching the 80’s cult classic “The Gods Must Be Crazy” and making note that the clicking sounds of the bushmen were subtitled as an exclamation point and not an actual word. Different? Absolutely. And as indefinable as the band’s name is their sound. Their influences are wide and varied and their music seems to be a collective interpretation of the many decades, stages and phases of song. Ranging from 70’s disco, 80’s industrial pop and the aggressive longing of the 90’s to funk infused soul over smooth riffs and charismatic house beats their tunes are the perfect compliment to any punk dance party. This is an awesome album to throw on as you prepare to embark on a wild weekend evening of club hopping.

Boasting 8 members, !!! were actually formed from the ashes of several other bands (Black Licorice, The Yah Mos and Popesmashers). After the groups toured together in 1995 they decided that the sum was greater than its parts and !!! was born in '96. Oh how right they were! Nomads it seems, the band has divided their time between the east and west coasts evenly throughout their career and found themselves settling on Nashville of all places for the production and rehearsals of the new album. Anything but ordinary, they either fit in or stick out like a sore thumb wherever they go and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Their whirlwind worldwide tour in support of the album that drops on March 6^th kicks off in the UK on February 20^th with an already sold out show at Northumbria University and wraps up in Cologne, Germany on April 25^th. Whew! I’m tired just thinking about all that traveling but I still have enough energy to pop in my copy of Myth Takes and dance, dance, dance. Press play on the tracks below and shake your ass. But watch yourself…these songs are as addictive as crack so consider yourself warned.

A New Name

Myth Takes

Heart of Hearts

"Less yesterday, and more today...yeah I gotta start living that way."

I’m a little late on this one and I’ve nobody to blame but myself. I received the album late last year and never got around to putting it into rotation and for that, I’m ashamed because it was one of the better albums of 2006 and probably should have made my contender list. C'est la vie. Ya can’t hear ‘em all I guess and better to have heard it late than not at all.

Upon first listen of Kevin Devine’s Put Your Ghost to Rest one is sure to discern that he’s a big fan of the late, great Elliott Smith but what probably isn’t expected is that Nirvana and Guns ‘N Roses are also huge favorites and cited as two of his biggest influences. But then again they’re some of my favorites as well and yet my current playlist would never indicate such. I digress. I’ll start by stating for the record that I’m all about the parental advisory sticker…I’m a big fan. As a Mother I know what to listen to before I allow my daughter to and personally it’s my big red flag to check out an album for myself. But I must say that I was super surprised to see it adorn the face of this…Devine’s fourth solo effort but his first after being signed to the Capitol label. Even after repeated (and I do mean repeated) listens I’ve yet to determine aside from a few stray expletives peppering the album what could possibly be so offensive as to warrant the warning. My point in mentioning the caution symbol is to let those consumers who might not be as adventurous and brazen as I know that they shouldn’t be turned off by the little black and white mar. They could have left it off but since they didn't, consider it a slight blemish on what is actually a beautifully compiled collection of music. You'll hear more cursing on Top 40 radio during your morning commute...trust me.

With tracks like “A Billion Bees” and “Less Yesterday, More Today” that range from introspective and biographical to the political and social “The Burning City Smoking” and “Heaven Bound & Glory Be”, the disc is a bit heavy handed lyrically but the melodies are sweet and sincere throughout. Country and folk fans will appreciate the nakedness of the majority of the album and Devine proves with this effort that the market isn’t cornered on sensitive, intellectual singer songwriters. Not yet anyway. There’s still more than enough room for someone of his caliber on the record store shelves. Those who read and know me fully understand how much I love lyrics…especially those that tell a story or make me think and Kevin’s lyrics are descriptive and engaging at all times. Uniquely, his songwriting style diverges from most in that he detours from the ordinary verse-chorus-verse mold by taking out the chorus altogether leaving room to allow for the free flow of the song which is brilliant and personally preferred on every track. Devotees of Indie darlings Josh Rouse, Elliott Smith, Ben Gibbard and Conor Oberst will without a doubt appreciate the intimacy and emotion of Put Your Ghost to Rest.

I’ll say this for the guy...he’s got amazing taste in tour partners. Fresh off his stint on the road with one of the MOST outstanding artists of 2006, KT Tunstall, Devine is like a machine and can presently be seen on the road for the entire month of February with some new favorites... Pablo and Koufax. This Spring, he’ll kick it up a notch by opening with Manchester Orchestra (have you seriously not given them a listen yet??) for Brand New through April. He’s all over the place this year so there’s absolutely no reason for you not to check him out. Scope out when he’s coming to a venue near you here and have a listen to some of my favorite songs from Put Your Ghost to Rest while you’re at it.

Billion Bees
Less Yesterday, More Today
Heaven Bound & Glory Be
The Burning City Smoking

"For The Sake Of The Song"

Over the weekend I watched Margaret Brown’s documentary film “Be Here To Love Me” about the brilliant but deeply troubled singer songwriter Townes Van Zandt and was truly taken with his story; a story that so few people…even those who love his songs…have ever known. Touched by his journey…his battle with drug and alcohol addiction, his deep mental anguish, his self imposed solitary confinement, his amazing ability to pen a tune…and disappointed in all the ways he let his children down for the sake of the song, I thought I’d share a bit about him today.

Born in 1944 to an affluent Texas oil family, Townes carried the burdensome weight of the family’s political aspirations squarely on his shoulders and marched with it straight into a military academy. Later he would carry it into a Colorado college where he was a gifted all around athlete and very well liked before he opted to quash the familial dream and drop out of college after growing increasingly bored with his station in life. Plagued by severe emotional and mental distress throughout his youth, Townes was subjected to insulin shock therapy during his 20’s to treat what was later diagnosed as manic depressive disorder. Not only was the treatment unsuccessful at curing his condition, it caused him a great deal of anxiety and all but eradicated his long term memory...making remembrances of his childhood impossible to recollect.

The reclusive and alcoholic Van Zandt spent an exorbitant amount of time in complete and total solitude seeking solace in music and was inspired by the likes of Hank Williams, Bob Dylan and Lightnin’ Hopkins to focus his isolation and emotion into crafting mournful songs for the soul and he did so until he died on January 1, 1997 due to complications arising from a hip surgery. Townes never achieved any commercial success on his own but is revered among his peers as one of the greatest song writers of all time and while he spent his life living on the edge of despair his sorrowful spirit impacted and inspired many of today’s gifted and successful artists like Bonnie Raitt, Ray LaMontagne, Lyle Lovett, Meat Puppets and Cowboy Junkies to carry the torch he lit and continue writing songs that tell tales, break hearts and mend fences. Townes began his career the same way he ended it…humbly, with a drink in his hand. The unassuming and puzzling Van Zandt would surely be surprised to learn that in the years that followed his death there would be 13 posthumous album releases as well as 3 books and 2 films dedicated to dissecting the man and his music. He never expected to live long and in fact states in the film, "I don't envision a very long life for myself. I've kind of designed it that way." but little did he know his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of solitary songwriters forever.

Full of interviews with family, friends as well as Townes himself, for anyone searching for insight into the life and times of the beleaguered genius, this is one movie not to be missed.

Pancho & Lefty

If I Needed You

Don't Let The Sunshine Fool Ya

You Are Not Needed Now

“If you're born a lion don't bother trying to act tame.”

I heard some happy news today about one of my favorite artists...the anything but tame...Ani DiFranco so I thought I’d share. After announcing last July that she and boyfriend Mike Napolitano, producer of one of my “contenders”, last year’s Reprieve,were expecting a child while accepting the Woman of Courage award from NOW at their 40^th Annual Convention, the couple welcomed their daughter into the world last Saturday. The 36 year old rockin’ first time Mom delivered 7 pound, 8 oz. baby girl Petah Lucia at home in Buffalo after what has been described as a very long delivery. Both Ani and Petah are reportedly doing very well. How kick ass would it be to have Ani DiFranco as your MOM?!?! Seriously. Just, wow. I'm betting Petah will outgrow the blech name and become a phenomenal woman one of these days.

As a working Mother and a fan I can’t help but be excited to see how this new life experience will shape Ani’s songwriting and given her history of steady touring, I’m also curious to see if she’ll be able to maintain the schedule that her admirers have grown accustomed to. Spurred on by her tenacious spirit, enormous talent and deep dedication to her audience, I’ve no doubt she will find a way to strike the healthy balance of meeting personal and professional obligations that we all strive to achieve. And for those fans that might fear her new dive into motherhood might soften the razor sharp edge they’ve come to know and love, I laugh and remind them that being a Mom is the toughest gig there is.

A few aptly titled Ani tunes for the occasion…a few of my favorites from the vault:

Born A Lion

Joyful Girl

Bliss Like This

Cradle And All

Rockabye

Oh That I Were A Voting Member, Part 2

Not that anyone cares what I think of the Grammy nominations or the Golden Globes or the Oscars but…

The Oscar nominations for best song are in and I have to strongly disagree with their choices. Yes, “Dreamgirls” had some great songs and yes it was a musical but c’mon…three noms? Pick one song and let someone else have a chance! The Golden Globes had the right idea with the variety of their choices. Sadly they all missed out on the greatness that is Jack Johnson’s “Curious George” soundtrack and it upsets me not to see Ben Folds get some recognition for his work on “Over The Hedge” as well but I’m glad to see Melissa Etheridge get a nomination for her contribution to the BRILLIANT documentary An Inconvenient Truth and it warms my heart that my very favorite tune from the “Cars” soundtrack has been recognized by the Academy after it was snubbed at the Golden Globes...Randy Newman and James Taylor’s “Our Town” is perfect in the film.

Oh…but were I a voting member, of the 56 songs that were eligible and available for consideration, these would have been my 5 choices…

“The Book I Write” performed by Spoon from “Stranger than Fiction”

“Our Town” performed by James Taylor from “Cars”

“Star Mile” performed by Joshua Radin from “The Last Kiss”

“Til the End of Time” performed by DeVotchka from “Little Miss Sunshine”

“Upside Down” performed by Jack Johnson from “Curious George”

Must. Get. Tickets.

There's no news like good news!

Thanks to her outspoken nature, lovely voice, relevant lyrics and fun sound, Lily Allen was one of my favorite artists last year. In fact, her debut album, Alright, Still made my contender list for best albums of 2006. I found out last week that she’s coming stateside and will be the musical guest on SNL February 3rd with none other than Drew Barrymore who will undoubtedly be plugging her new romantic comedy Music & Lyrics in which she stars with Hugh Grant. It actually looks cute so it could be our Valentine's Day flick this year. But, as usual, I digress. Scheduled to perform “Smile” and “LDN”, Miss Allen is sure to be a huge crowd pleaser and I'll go ahead and predict right now that sales of her HIGHLY anticipated (by me!) U.S. release of Alright, Still on January 30th will SKYROCKET after her appearance.

Did I post just to tell you she's going to be on SNL? Well, no...duh! I noticed on her news pages that she's been scooped up by those kind folks who've been bastardizing music for the masses and ruining it for the rest of us for over a quarter century...your friends and mine...MTV. It seems they've finally taken notice of Lily and other new (new to who?!?!) artists like Mika, Silversun Pickups, Gym Class Heroes, Robin Thicke and have chosen her to kick off their Discover & Download Tour series next month. Playing 7 dates in several major cities...L.A., San Francisco, Chicago, NYC, Philadelphia, D.C. and Boston...Allen will head back overseas at the end of February to perform lots of European dates before returning to the states for SXSW in mid-March. Check Pollstar for her complete schedule and if you're fortunate enough to attend any shows, please do and then let me know how the hell it was!

Knock 'Em Out

Not Big

And a taste of what you can expect on SNL…

“LDN”

“Smile”

“If you never lose, how you gonna know when you won?”

“If it's never dark, how you gonna know the sun when it shines? You've got to let it shine.”

Jackhammers, horse hooves, violins, bells and children’s voices greet you on the first few tracks of what is Patrick Wolf’s winner...the genius musical mixture of The Magic Position. Having missed out on Wolf’s previous efforts, 2003’s Lycanthropy and 2005’s Wind in the Wires, I had absolutely no clue what I was in for when I put his upcoming release on and quite honestly, I still don’t know what to make of it. A virtual child prodigy, Patrick spent hours taking violin lessons and at age 11, armed with a four track tape recorder set about experimenting with other instruments and objects to create original and inventive music. After a few extremely tumultuous and unconventional adolescent years Wolf left home at the age of 16 and set about on his own path becoming something of a gypsy…performing with this group and that…wandering even into college for a year.

From the sound of The Magic Position, Wolf’s nomad spirit paid off in a big way and his music is definitely influenced by all he has experienced during his very short 24 years on the planet. Most impressive is certainly his talent with the many, many instruments he skillfully plays but I was also taken with the vivid imagery present in his songwriting. The album is full of the ebb and flow of emotion…both dark and light…and showcases beautifully the natural progression of human nature. The songs range from lively and upbeat to despondent and full of shadow…a brilliant assortment through and through. Without being able to pigeon hole him into a genre, you’ll have to decide for yourself if it’s your particular brand of ear candy but overall, it’s definitely mine. I've received conflicting release information but you can snag The Magic Position as an import release from Amazon.com on March 1st and I highly suggest it.

The Magic Position
Accident & Emergency
Enchanted
Overture

Patrick Wolf in action...the video for "Accident & Emergency"

Everything old is new again!

I first heard Erin McKeown in 2003 while perusing the selection of new hardcover releases at my very, very, very, very favorite store in the world, Barnes & Noble. Oh yes, if heaven could be a B&N, I might straighten up my act just to get in. But I digress. After hearing her album showcased on the loud speaker as I thumbed the spines and sniffed the pages of all the lovely new arrivals, I immediately went to the music section (also known to the music addict in me as Crack Corner) to investigate. I went home that evening with The Kite Runner, The Fortress of Solitude: A Novel, The White Stripe’s Elephant and Erin McKeown’s Grand in hand. I recommend them all. I enjoyed Grand…not as much as I thought I would but it certainly didn’t collect dust right away.

Flash forward to last week when I saw her again (I somehow missed her ’05 release We Will Become Like Birds but I’ll check into it eventually) atop a record store shelf. With one look at the album art and track listing I realized this wasn’t her typical Indie folk record but instead something altogether different that a lover of jazz and standards like me would most assuredly enjoy. So, I bought it. And again, money well spent. Recorded live in only four days with Erin flying solo on her first attempt at the production helm a home run was hit with Sing You Sinners. Putting a delightfully playful, swingin’ spin on some of the great American standards originally recorded by celebrated artists like Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and personal favorite Blossom Dearie as well as others, Erin and her trio have created a brilliant compilation. The one and only McKeown original on the album, “Melody”, is perfectly nestled among the other timeless tracks and solidifies Erin as a versatile and talented songwriter. It’s beautiful to see a young artist embrace the classics and pay homage to the amazing performers who paved the way for them. This, my friends is what it means to keep music alive…to make it the ever changing art form that it is.

The album is in stores now and I’d highly suggest it as the soundtrack for your next dinner party or intimate social gathering…or just pop it in on a lazy weekend afternoon for a quick trip back to a time when things were simple and fun and good. These are my favorites...especially her cover of the Frank Sinatra classic “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” which happens to be one of my all time favorite songs. Enjoy!

Don't Worry 'Bout Me
Rhode Island Is Famous For You
I Was A Little Too Early (You Were A Little Too Late)
Melody

“Feel it fresh and new…I'm getting myself in love with you.”

I got myself in love with this band awhile ago but the flame's still burning strong. I was first introduced to Nizlopi in early 2005 thanks to my London dwelling friend Samantha she who runs & moderates a few boards for some of my favorite artists including Nizlopi’s Fine Story To Tell and Amos Lee’s All My Friends, shares my love of killer music and who has instilled in me a strong devotion to the UK music scene. It really is an AMAZING habitat for creativity in the art form over there, people. Nizlopi is one of those bands that I instantly connected with and despite my love of music in general that happens so seldom for me anymore. I’ll never forget where I was when I first heard them. I’d just put their debut album onto my mp3 player and headed off for a lake walk…there’s no better way to experience fabulous music for the first time than by taking it for a walk alone in nature…f’real…and from the moment I first heard “Well, well, well fine story to tell this lovemaking was heartbreaking…” I was struck by how British they sounded, how interesting it was to set the song to the beat they did and how wild it was that this song had a rap inspired breakdown in the middle.

As the album went on I became completely spellbound by the perfect blend of music, lyric and emotion in every single track. I was blown away by how interesting their sound was…how different it was than anything else I’d heard before…how it went from tender to angst riddled and back again effortlessly…how I was openly dancing as I walked along not realizing or caring that there were others around on their morning journeys surely making fun of me. It is utterly impossible to define these guys…there just aren’t words. They incorporate every imaginable genre into their unique and unduplicated sound…every single one. That album has been one of my touchstones ever since. I have taken it with me on every trip I’ve been on in the years since and I even introduced the UK smash hit “JCB” to a bus full of my daughter’s Kindergarten classmates on a zoo trip. That moment will stick in my mind for an eternity…30+ children and 4 adults singing “I’m Luke, I’m 5 and my dad’s Bruce Lee…drives me around in his JCB” over and over laughing their heads off not knowing what the hell it meant was priceless, I gotta say.

I told ya all of that to tell ya this…

You can imagine my delight when I learned that on the heels of releasing their Extraordinary EP last year and supporting Christina Aguilera in November, Luke and John are heading back into the studio this month to record the much anticipated follow up to 2004’s Half These Songs Are About You…one of my all time favorite albums. I am beyond stoked to hear what they come up when the album drops in the UK sometime this summer and I anxiously await news of them bringing their dynamic live show stateside for a possible tour while I’m still able to walk upright without aid but until then, I’ll keep myself more than entertained with their previous efforts at making marvelous music because these songs NEVER get old.

Fine Story
Love Rage On
Faith

The completely charming video for the ridiculously heartwarming aforementioned “JCB”

And the interesting video for their second UK single, “Girls”

Brief Interviews With Hideous Men

This IS music related...I swear...but ya gotta wait for it.

The ANYTHING but hideous John Krasinski (Who I love and adore and just cannot get enough of in that giddy, school girl poster-on-the-walls kinda crush sorta way) who plays the endearing and charming Jim Halpert that all the girls wanna date and all the guys wanna be on my other favorite show, NBC’s The Office is taking the bull by the horns as far as his movie career is concerned. He’s recently played opposite Hollywood heavy hitters in Dreamgirls, The Holiday and For Your Consideration and will star with George Clooney and Renee Zellweger in 2008’s Leatherheads, with Robin Williams in this year’s License To Wed and joins the voice talent as Sir Lancelot in the much anticipated and sure to be Summer blockbuster Shrek the Third in addition to filming The Office so one would think he’d be ready for a bit of a break but oh no…not by a long shot.

Tackling what many sane and seasoned professionals would not; John’s adapted the brilliant collection of short stories in Brief Interviews with Hideous Men by David Foster Wallace into a screenplay and is making his directorial debut with the film's release slated for later this year. Currently in post production and starring a menagerie of players including Timothy Hutton, Bobby Cannavale, Josh Charles (another one of my geeky crushes), Mila Kunis, Julianne Nicholson, on and off screen Krasinski love interest Rashida Jones (damn her!) and most interesting to me…you waited for it…Death Cab For Cutie front man Ben Gibbard.

Be on the lookout for the release of this film as I doubt it will get the type of buzz and hype that it deserves. Having so many of my favorite people and things all blended up together in one little package has me SO EXCITED! Like Pointer Sisters excited, people! I offer you some music related goodness that I find fitting for this post…enjoy it!

The Pointer Sisters - I'm So Excited
Death Cab For Cutie - A Movie Script Ending
Death Cab For Cutie - This Charming Man

And just because I love these and it’s my blog so I can!

“I read somewhere what you like you’ll find again…you’ll find it again.”

Over time you’ll come to see that Grey's Anatomy is my very favorite show and that I have a deep dedication to collecting the music they play on the show. Sometimes I can swear they are peering at my playlist behind my back while picking the songs and I LOVE it. Oh to have that job! Anywho…the Grey’s music gurus played a song called “Through The Backyards” during the ridiculously intense first episode of the season two finale that I fell in LOVE with by a band I didn’t know. So I did some looking into it and discovered the goodness that is Au Revoir Simone. The fully female Brooklyn trio appeared again this season on Grey’s in the form of their tune “Back In Time” and it got me even more jazzed about them.

So…enjoying them like I do, when they came up on my shuffled playlist last week I thought I’d check in on the ladies and get the lowdown on what’s new with them. Much to my delight and surprise I discovered that Moshi Moshi will release Au Revoir Simone’s sophomore album, The Bird Of Music in the UK on March 5^th. Lucky enough for me, I know some folks who know some folks who know I love music and I was able to snag an advance copy of it and it really is impressive. Full of things you expect from chicks (like songs about all the L’s…life, love, loss and longing outlined in emotional and intelligent lyrics) packaged in a way you never dreamed, the album starts off delicately with the almost childlike lullaby style of the touchy feely goodness in “The Lucky One” but that track doesn’t lend any indication of what’s to come as the album progresses…it’s beautiful, believe me; but it’s far from their signature synth sound. They immediately break into “Sad Song” which is a total paradox. Melancholy lyrics against an up-tempo pop beat and the inclusion of horns? My brain can’t take the confusion and yet I can’t turn it off either…and then I repeat it. A lot. Songs like “Dark Halls” and “Night Majestic” are attack of the 80’s in full effect as they sound like something straight out of a John Hughes film. And I mean that in a good way…Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink…definitely meant in the best way.

The album maintains its strength throughout and by that I mean that it stays on a safe, even keel. Having said that, I hate to say this…the even keel can, at times, be a bit repetitive. However, overall it’s great and it totally works. Perhaps the girls decided not to fix something that wasn’t broken? This effort is anything BUT broken but I’d have enjoyed it more had they mixed it up a little and really come out swinging with their follow up to the super duper Verses of Comfort, Assurance & Salvation. These are probably my favorite tracks but I certainly don’t hate any of them. In fact, even some I wasn’t crazy about on first listen have actually grown on me. See what you think…

The Lucky One
Stars
Sad Song
Don't See The Sorrow

“At last the secret is out…”

“as it always must come in the end,
the delicious story is ripe to tell
to tell to the intimate friend;
over the tea-cups and into the square the tongue has its desire;
still waters run deep,
my dear, there's never smoke without fire.”

I stumbled upon a new release by an artist named Carla Bruni and for the life of me could not recall where I knew her from. Carla Bruni. Carla Bruni. Where the hell have I heard that name? I’m always so good with names and faces…one look at the cover for her latest album No Promises and it hit me. The 90’s super model sensation, Carla Bruni! Are you kidding me?!?! Nope…not a joke. The Italian heiress turned super model turned love interest to some of the wealthiest, sexiest, most talented men in the world (Kevin Costner, Vincent Perez, Donald Trump (I said wealthy!), Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger) is now a songstress. Heiress, super model, former lover of Eric Clapton…I hate her. Let me rephrase that. I hated her, past tense. Once I took her record for a spin I couldn’t hate her. Nope…just couldn’t do it. I WANT to hate her, really…I do; but, I can’t. She’s lovely, dammit. From the outside in she’s just lovely.

After leaving the catwalk behind and deciding to follow her heart into the world of music, Carla released a French album, Quelqu'un M'a Dit (Someone Told Me) in 2002 to critical acclaim. Her follow up to that successful overseas release is No Promises. An album based purely on inspiration, Bruni has spent a great deal of time delving into some of the best pieces of many of the greatest poets of all time… Emily Dickinson, William Butler Yeats, Wystan Hugh Auden, Walter de la Mare, Christina Rossetti and Dorothy Parker and has breathed new life into them by offering her musical interpretation of their work. The lyrics are of course borrowed from the authors but the music is all her own. With a stunning voice and wonderful phrasing, she captures the essence of these poems in a way that I wouldn’t have thought possible. If like me you are a fan of poetry and/or literature, I’d urge you to pick this up when it drops nationwide January 25^th. Until then, it’s just cold enough outside to let Carla’s warm, soft, whispering voice on these tracks envelope you like a blanket...go ahead, curl up with them and see.

Those Dancing Days Are Gone
I Felt My Life With Both My Hands
Promises Like Pie Crust
If You Were Coming In The Fall
Ballade At Thirty Five

"Shine your light on me and I'll shine my light on you."

And we all shine on! And Aqualung perhaps shines brighter than most. Back at it with his newest effort, Memory Man, due to be released in the U.S. on March 6^th, Matt Hale enlisted the help of his brother Ben and wife Kim Oliver to make it a family affair and together they created what might be one of he best albums of the year. This eagerly awaited follow up to 2005's smash hit Strange And Beautiful doesn't disappoint fans of the melancholy melodies offered on the debut but on songs like "Black Hole" and “Cinderella” a bit of an edgy departure is taken as well. The brothers' Hale together in conjunction with Dan Swift began work producing these 11 original tracks in their London studio last May after a series of intense songwriting sessions. Lyrically, I think this album is much stronger than the first and with a new, updated sound and the addition of heavier guitars and drums as well as a bit of experimentation with other sounds previously not heard from Aqualung, I think most people are in for a real treat.

Aqualung kicks off his nationwide tour in support of Memory Man opening for Pete Yorn at a venue near you next month. Check ‘em out!

Pete Yorn and Aqualung on Tour:
2/6 - Boise, ID - Big Easy
2/9 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
2/10 - Seattle, WA - Showbox
2/12 - Sacramento, CA - Empire
2/13 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
2/15 - Las Vegas, NV - House Of Blues
2/16 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern Theatre
2/17 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues
2/19 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
2/20 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre
2/22 - Park City, UT - Suede
2/23 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
2/24 - Lincoln, NE - Rococo Theatre
2/26 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theatre
2/27 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
2/28 - Indianapolis, IN - Music Mill
3/2 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
3/3 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre
3/4 - Madison, WI - The Palace
3/6 - Covington, KY - The Madison Theatre
3/7 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall
3/9 - Cleveland, OH - House Of Blues
3/10 - Grand Rapids, MI - Intersection
3/11 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre
3/13 - Albany, NY - The Egg
3/16 - New York, NY - Roseland
3/17 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
3/19 - Boston, MA - Avalon
3/20 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
3/24 - Atlanta, GA - EarthLink Live
3/25 - Charlotte, NC - Amos' Southend
3/31 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues

Have a listen to a few of my favorites from the album and pick it up in March!

Pressure Suit
Outside
Broken Bones

"Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?"

I don't typically wax political and I like to keep things light for the most part but I feel compelled to share my thoughts and so, I will without apology.

Many people will enjoy a long "holiday" weekend by taking the day off work Monday in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. However, how many will actually pause to reflect on the man and his teachings while enjoying that extra day of rest? How many will ponder the impact that Dr. King had on the history of our country; on his contribution to the world? How many will bother recalling the prolific leader and his message of peace, unity and equality? I would hope that every one of us will . . . regardless of the color of our skin because to quote Dr. King, "We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now."

If you think you're unaffected, think again. Hatred, inequality and unrest among and between any groups of people only serve to poison the whole of humankind. It is my sincerest wish that the legacy of this great man not be lost in the mire of racial and political tension and that one day his dream will finally be fully realized so that we ALL can look back and say with complete certainty that we too were influential in effecting positive change in the world around us for if we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem.

Some of the most inspirational quotes of all time have fallen from the lips of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and I find it fitting to retrieve them from the vault of history today in celebration of his life. The world could certainly use a voice like his during these uncertain and tumultuous times in which we live. Where are the Dr. King's of our generation? Who among us could stand up in the face of great adversity and violent opposition to speak our truth with such conviction? I wish I knew . . . for all our sakes. The following words resonate so strongly within me and I hope that anyone else who may happen upon them receives the same inspiration I feel when I read them.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.

The art of acceptance is the art of making someone who has just done you a small favor wish that he might have done you a greater one.

Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.

Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.

Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.

We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows.

And speaking of war…King’s 30 year old words from "Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence" are perhaps even more potent today in the face of our own Vietnam. And who could ever write about or speak of Rev. King and not mention his famously stirring, spine tingling, inspirational "I Have A Dream" speech?

Martin Luther King, Jr. - "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence"

Martin Luther King, Jr. - "I Have A Dream"

And my two very, very favorite Dr. King inspired tunes…

Dion - "Abraham, Martin & John"

Nina Simone - "Martin Luther King Suite: Why (The King of Love Is Dead)"

Finally...New Norah!!

In her most personal work to date, Norah Jones shows her fans that it’s not too late to get to know her. Having taken on the majority of the songwriting responsibility by either writing or co-writing every track on her latest album Not Too Late Norah once and for all defines herself as an enduring artist. After the massive success of her 2002 debut Come Away With Me, many hailed the Grammy darling a flash in the pan and chalked the sensation up to beginner’s luck. Jones quieted the majority of those critical of her achievements when Feels Like Home was greeted with the same fervor by fans and critics alike and she continues that winning streak here with Not Too Late.

While she has taken a more personal approach to her writing style, her sound is the same. Full of the soft ballads that showcase Norah’s smoky vocals, fans of her previous work will not be disappointed. Produced in New York in between breaks on the set of the new film My Blueberry Nights which Norah is starring in with Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Rachel Wiesz the songs are engaging and heartfelt and all of her influences are prominently on display throughout the course of the record. Everything from country and jazz to pop and soul are honored here. The biggest surprise for me with the album (and I don’t know why since I just mentioned in an earlier post how politically focused music is during this time of war) is that even Norah’s gone political! On “My Dear Country” she sweetly sings of her confusion and frustration with the political process “I love the things that you've given me, I cherish you my dear country…But sometimes I don't understand the way we play.” See, even a sugary songstress can get fed up now and again. On the jazziest tune on the album, “Sinkin’ Soon”, another of my favorite artists M. Ward shows up to offer Norah a little vocal accompaniment on her love letter to New Orleans. With the title of singer/songwriter firmly in hand and star actress fast approaching it appears as if Miss Jones is poised to be a double threat and a force to be reckoned with in the music and film industry...much like another Hollywood 20-something, Justin Timberlake. As far as critical acclaim is concerned, I expect we can see a repeat performance of her past endeavors…this Grammy sweetheart’s done it again with Not Too Late and it came not a moment too soon.

After several spins, I’ve yet to hear a track I don’t like but these are a few favorites…

Sinkin' Soon with M. Ward
Not Too Late
My Dear Country

“I know you’re barely listening…”

When I come across a great album that’s been out for awhile I always feel like an ass…like I missed the boat somehow…like I’ve been barely listening at all. At some point along the way last year I missed Into the West by Pilot Speed but as you can tell with one glance to the right of this post they were my #1 love affair last week. I’m making up for lost time. Transporting you straight back to the 90’s while sounding like a mix of Coldplay, U2, and Snow Patrol the boys in the band formerly known as Pilate (they changed the name due to legal trademark issues they faced in the U.S.) made a record that in a word, rocks. Deciding that change was the name of the game they opted to re-title and re-issue their Canadian released Sell Control for Life’s Speed, include an extra track from their ’03 debut and call it good. Good, indeed.

While their influences are obvious throughout the album they still manage to maintain a solid sound that’s all their own. If I had to make a prediction, I’d say that this Canadian quartet with the New Zealand front man is just on the verge of breaking out big and finding their way onto the next hipster soundtrack which will in turn guarantee that their song will be played and overplayed so many times you’ll want to scream because they ruined it for you but hey…at least they’ve got a great collection of songs you can scream to. A few to love before you’re forced to hate…

Barely Listening
Knife-Grey Sea
Alright
Over-Ground

“As luck would have it just so happens that there’s nothing I’d rather do…”

There’s just about nothing I’d rather do today than listen to Ben Taylor sing. While Ben has been a favorite of mine for many years now, I just got a chance to break out my copy of his most recent release Deeper Than Gravity for a proper listen this morning and have had it on repeat along with his older work all day. Recorded on the fly in hotel rooms and kitchens all over Europe with a few good friends, his laptop, a shoebox for percussion and little else, this EP is Ben in his truest form…just a guy playing some tunes. He began uploading the tracks to his Myspace page last year as they were recorded and the response from fans was so positive they decided to make an EP of them. The disc is comprised of six tracks…two stripped down versions of Ben’s own songs in “Digest” and “Nothing I Can Do” from one of my top albums of 2005, Another Run Around The Sun and the previously unreleased extra funky fresh “Lady Magic” as well as a mix of covers from Macy Gray’s “I Try” and Portishead’s “Glory Box” to the 50’s classic "You Belong To Me". Ordinarily I’m not a fan of artists who cover other people’s songs but with Ben I’ve never minded. He won me over when he refused to take a male perspective and alter the lyrics to Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” and I never doubted him again.

After his 2002 attempt to deny his roots and create an Anti-Taylor sound on his first release Green Dragon, Name A Fox Ben decided to incorporate as a band the very next year and released a follow up and The Ben Taylor Band’s Famous Among The Barns was born. Deciding to go the way of his elders he opted to fly solo for the aforementioned Another Run Around The Sun and struck the perfect artistic balance for himself. His voice and playing style both bear the mark of his father, the incomparable Mr. James Taylor but mom Carly Simon’s influence is ever present and can be best displayed in Ben’s lyrics. Although a beautiful blend of both their styles is evident in his sound, Ben has his own unique way of creating music and his personal style outweighs both the amazing musical influences he was blessed to have been so massively exposed to throughout his life. His ability to set emotion to music is, for me, second to none and I’m always in awe at how he can take any song (his own or otherwise) and make you literally feel it.

In honor of his 30^th birthday on the 22^nd of this month, take a listen to a few of my favorites from Deeper Than Gravity and decide for yourself if he has stepped out of the shadow of his parents and come into his own…you might just agree that he has.

Nothing I Can Do
You Belong To Me
Lady Magic

And a bonus song, one of my very favorites...

Ben's cover of Nothing Compares 2 U

And a YouTube gem for good measure-"Nothing I Can Do"

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame finally gets “the message.”

25 years after releasing their visionary song, "The Message", Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five have just become the first ever rap group to be inducted into the illustrious Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Once 25 years have passed since an artist or group released their first work they become eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame. Each year a voting committee comprised of rock historians make nominations on who they believe should be inducted. They then send out ballots to over 1,000 participating “experts” worldwide. Of the artists listed on each ballot, those who receive the most votes and more than 50% of the total vote are chosen as inductees. The Hall of Fame chooses between five and seven performers or groups each year and rounding out the top five who will be inducted along with Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five on March 12, 2007 are a few favorites of mine from my own time in Van Halen and R.E.M. as well as some oldies but goodies in Patti Smith and The Ronettes.



Van Halen is one of the first bands I can truly recall being a fan of in the late 80’s when I was finally old enough to sneak around and choose my own music style. I’ve blogged about them in the past so I won’t go into anything too terribly lengthy here but suffice it to say that their induction was a very nice surprise. Much to the chagrin of my Dad I never got over Diamond Dave’s departure and Haggard Hagar’s arrival in the band I loved back then but I never stopped loving Eddie. Eddie Van Halen is one of the most dynamic and talented guitarists of all time. Yes, I said ALL time. I’ll be the first in line to grab a ticket for the DLR/Van Halen reunion tour (‘cause you KNOW it’s gonna happen sooner or later) and until then I’ll keep myself occupied with these gems…

One of my favorite videos…it’s a total transporter in that I can recall my exact placement on the couch at my friend Stephanie’s house when I first saw it.

Van Halen-Right Now

And because I’ll always adore Crazy Dave and this seemed SO completely scandalous to me at the time…

David Lee Roth-California Girls

Jump
Panama
Right Now

My first exposure to Indie rock came in the form of R.E.M.'s Green album courtesy of my California cousin Eric when I was just passing through my one decade mark. “Stand” was an immediate favorite and I played it over and over until I thought his ears would bleed or he’d drown me in my Grandmother’s pool…whichever came first. R.E.M. went on to hit the mainstream which made it easier for me to keep up with them and they’ve never looked back. Hailed as one of the greatest bands of our time they have suffered through more trials than I care to relay here and have never for one moment left their music to suffer because of it. Michael Stipe is a musical genius and they definitely deserve this induction.

A little trip down memory lane, shall we?

R.E.M.-Losing My Religion

R.E.M.-The One I Love

Begin the Begin
It's The End Of The World As We Know It




Known to many as the Grandfather of rap and hip-hop, the greatest DJ alive and a true musical innovator and pioneer, Grandmaster Flash teamed with The Furious Five in the late 70’s and rode the wave of success created by the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” all the way to the bank. Signing with the now famous Sugar Hill label in 1980, the group went on to spawn a plethora of hits that took their samples from major pop stars of the time like Queen and Blondie.

Flash and The Five put their personal success to good use and chose to utilize their music as a platform to expound on issues like social injustice and drug abuse…leading many other generations to follow suit. After establishing that not only were rap and hip-hop indeed viable genres but could also be a fierce voice of the African American community not to be ignored, it’s nice to see them get the recognition they deserve.

Take a look back at the groundbreaking work that changed the face of modern music forever…

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five-The Message

Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel-White Lines

White Lines
The Message





Along with Diana Ross and The Supremes, Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes reigned as the queens of the 60’s girl group invasion. Comprised of Veronica Bennett (Ronnie Spector), her sister Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley, The Ronettes originally called themselves The Darling Sisters and that was the name the performed under when in just their early teens they won amateur night at the Apollo. The girls went on to perform as the showcase act after a case of mistaken identity got their feet in the door of the Peppermint Lounge in New York City and went through a laundry list of management and moniker changes including Murray the K's Dancing Girls, Ronnie and the Relatives and ultimately The Ronettes before finally teaming up with Phil Spector in 1963.

Under Spector’s direction, the ladies released the smash hit “Be My Baby” to glowing reviews from not only the industry but fellow artists as well. Beach Boy Brian Wilson hailed it “he most perfect pop record of all time.” The Ronettes went on to release many more successful singles in “Baby I Love You”, “Walking In The Rain”, “Born To Be Together” and “Is This What I Get For Loving You” all under Spector’s Philles label. Disbanding the group in 1966, Ronnie chose to marry Phil in 1968 and was forced by him into retirement. Save a few insignificant collaborations with various producers, Ronnie remained unhappy with Phil until they divorced in 1973. Free to forge a solo career post divorce, Ronnie collaborated over the years with many artists whom she admired and trusted including Bruce Springsteen, George Harrison, Steve Van Zant, Billy Joel, Eddie Money and Joey Ramone to name a few.

Ronnie, Estelle and Nedra filed suit against Phil Spector in 1998 for breach of contract, lost and future earnings and possession of their original recordings and were finally awarded a settlement of 3 million dollars in 2000. Three years later Phil Spector was arrested and charged with the killing of actress Lana Clarkson after her body was found in his home. Ironically, his trial will be taking place at the same time The Ronettes are being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. How’s that for just desserts? To see just why The Ronettes were nominated and chosen this year, take a look back…

The Ronettes-Be My Baby

And for most people my age, this is what we know of Ronnie Spector…her ’86 collaboration with Eddie Money that showed she still had it.

Eddie Money with Ronnie Spector-Take Me Home Tonight

Be My Baby
Baby I Love You




For the 80’s babies, “Because The Night” was a Natalie Merchant tune famously performed on an episode of MTV Unplugged. We can’t help it, what’d we know? In actuality, it was legendary punk rock poet Patti Smith that originally penned the tune with Bruce Springsteen in the late 70’s. A punk pioneer, Smith has remained anything and everything BUT conventional throughout her lifetime and is one of the most difficult artists to describe or define. Her work spans an amazing four decades and is filled to the brim with music, poetry, art, literature, acting, journalism and most recently political activism.

Having lived a life less ordinary Patti is nothing short of an enigma. After giving birth to a child she immediately put up for adoption she dropped out of high school in New Jersey and moved to New York where she set up house with artist Robert Mapplethorpe in 1967. Despite his homosexuality the two were lovers until Patti moved to Paris in 1969 and upon her return to the states later that same year it was Mapplethorpe’s room at the Chelsea Hotel she arrived at and stayed in. Mapplethorpe shot the photo of Patti that graces the cover of her debut album, Horses in 1975 and they remained close friends until his AIDS related death in 1989. As the era of excess, drugs, distortion and creativity that was the 70’s came to a close and her fourth studio album was released, Patti had gone through a metamorphosis, worn many hats and had a string of lovers. She finally settled on Fred “Sonic” Smith of MC5 to play house with and together they spent the 80’s raising their daughter and son, Jesse and Jackson respectively, in a Detroit suburb. She released Dream of Life in 1988 and in spite her notable absence from the music community it was the most mainstream album she’d created to date and therefore well received. She remained happy in suburbia until 1994 when she was rocked by the death of not only her dear brother but her husband Fred as well. After seeking counseling for her grief, she was encouraged to return to the road toured briefly with Bob Dylan in late 1995.

My graduation year found her channeling her grief and frustration into her art again and she created the heartbreaking album Gone Again that features “About A Boy”, a tribute to one of her favorite artists (and mine), Kurt Cobain. Since 1996, Patti has worked tirelessly as a recording artists and political activist and has been nominated for induction into the Hall of Fame a staggering seven times and FINALLY received enough voting percentage this year. Sincere congratulations are in order all around and how fitting that she’d be inducted with her friend and collaborative partner Michael Stipe…how sweet it is.

Patti Smith-Dancing Barefoot

Patti Smith-Time Is On My Side

People Have The Power
Because The Night