MP3: “Conscience Killer” – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
At 4am with a wicked case of insomnia, there was nothing more refreshing than this new single from BRMC. I was on a serious Clash and Rolling Stones stint before I heard this and I swear I could smell the leather jackets (not that it’s a good thing). “Conscience Killer” is the second single released from the upcoming “Beat The Devil’s Tattoo” LP and definitely follows suit with dirty garage rock, albeit a bit more of a straight-forward rocker than the earlier southern twang of the title track.
I like that fact that BRMC is featuring their female percussionist a bit more . . . Leah Shapiro’s vocals shine through a bit more in the background of “Conscience Killer”. I can definitely see this track gracing a skate video or two in the future.
- BRMC Official Site
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MP3: “The Ghosts That Wake You” – Follow That Bird!
I’ve been reading a lot of stuff online about how great Follow That Bird! is. I’ve seen a few pictures of the above ladies, sitting quietly by themselves, painting a content little pop-band. I definitely thought I was about to hear another synth-pop band. Fortunately, I was wrong.
Follow That Bird! is a dirty, bluesy, rock band that reminds me of B.R.M.C. and even has elements of old David Bowie riffs. Great song and a great band that I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on.
- Follow That Bird on Myspace
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With a rather late showing of support for their self-titled, 2009 release, Them Crooked Vultures graced the SNL state this past Saturday. Could a few lackluster performances pull their “aging supergroup” status out of the gutter (at least in my mind)? We’ll see.
TrendRobot Rating: 8/10
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Listen to “Beat The Devil’s Tattoo” from the forthcoming LP, due out March 9, 2010
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club always seem to be just what rock n roll needs. A gypsy band of guys in leather jackets, doing garage-rocking, jangles with very very lo-fi production. “Beat The Devil’s Tattoo” takes rock n roll back to it’s dirty, Rolling Stones, roots.
From the forthcoming LP, Beat The Devil’s Tattoo, the title track is an ode to every influence that the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club has ever had. With a touch of southern voodoo and flair, this track is really as much of a party-stomper as it is a preview track.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Site
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TrendRobot Rating: 8/10
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Listen to “1999″ from Work, to be released Feb. 23, 2010
The Shout Out Louds have always had an air of panic about them. On 2005’s outstanding debut, Howl Howl Gaff Gaff, the band found a popster niche with bright melodies and a subdued new wave sound that immediately made them noticeable. Followed in 2007 by the equally great Ill Wills, the band had made two records that forcefully pushed you out the front door and into the great unknown. Whatever stood between you and your dreams was a matter of experience . . . the band and listener were both young, ecstatic about art and love, and wouldn’t settle for a life in the slack tide.
mp3: Walls
TrendRobot Rating: 9/10
Listen to “Walls” from the upcoming (February 23, 2010) Work
There are few bands that I get downright excited about receiving an advanced copy from these days. The Shout Out Louds, after taking a short hiatus in the latter months of 2008, returned to Stockholm to re-invent themselves on an upcoming project. Later, turning a barn into a full-on, musical temple, the band mixed-down what would become Work, to be released this February.
Work finds the Shout Out Louds in a different mode than they were on Our Ill Wills, but still as vibrant and angsty as ever. This track, “Walls”, has been on constant repeat since I received the advance. Review soon to follow.
- The Shout Out Louds
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Listen to “Trouble Comes Running” from Transference
Spoon has become the stuff of legend. Throwing together post-punk/R & B styled rock ‘n’ roll from the 70’s, Spoon rode what was arguably the longest winning streak in modern rock history. From the storied battles with A&R managers nearly a decade ago, to their rise from Saddle Creek records, Spoon has always found a place in indie critic’s hearts despite being one of the most recognized bands in pop culture. A catalog of records on “best of” lists, the world over, Spoon was the band that could do no wrong. However, on their latest record, Transference, the band seems to be throwing the creativity-transmission into neutral and chose to cruise with what they’ve got. This isn’t a bad thing . . . it’s Spoon for god’s sake . . . but at some point, we’re going to get sick of listening to Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.
Whether or not 2010 will be the untimely end of the wonderful Yeah Yeah Yeahs remains to be seen. Recently the video for “Skeletons” has been making the rounds on the internet and has the band showing at least a little bit of life, despite rumors of recent, in-house squabbles.
“Skeletons” is a great, artsy, jaunt through a graveyard. Karen O and Co. haunting the graves as they triumphantly play their tune. Great imagery. Great video.
- Support the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and purchase this video on
TrendRobot Rating: 8/10
I simply had to designate Spoon as the bearers of today’s Track of the Day. With somewhat of a disappoint showing on their latest, Transferrence, I had to put a nod in to the great work on prior albums.
Albeit a pop supergroup of sorts, Spoon was always innovative in that everything was stripped down to it’s bare, raw, lo-fi essence. Sounding like a garage recording from the 70’s, Pitchfork once described Spoon’s early sound as “just swinging by the studio to drop off some tunes”. I couldn’t have summed it up any better.
Playful and exuberant, Britt Daniel stretches his rasp beyond key every opportunity he gets on A Series of Sneaks. The band, on this album, really established their forte in creating brit-rock infused R&B, playing through grooves and rhymes as only white men can.
For those of you who enjoy Bombay Bicycle Club, Two Door Cinema Club, The Maccabees or really any of the music that is coming out in the UK, this band is for you.
These lads are from London and have a unique sound about them; catchy guitar riffs, solid drums, and earthy vocals all make your feet tap, and head bob to the rhythm. What’s impressive is that the band is still in school working on their A-levels; junior or senior year in high school for most of us states-side kids. It’s impressive to see such mature music coming out of such young musicians. They have only released a couple EPs and singles however The Flashguns are already on the ears and minds of thousands of listeners. They have already toured with the likes of Pete and the Pirates and Bombay Bicycle Club. Keep an eye out for this band, they’re going somewhere.
