Top Five Stellar Albums of 2009

Last week I blogged a list of 25 Stellar Albums of 2009 (and purposefully left out the last five). I saved the remaining five because they deserve the respect of a more focused blog post.

For this mix, I included 2 songs from each album. Enjoy!

5. "Reservoir" by Fanfarlo. In October of last year I traveled to New York for some job searching/networking. The week I went just so happened to be during the CMJ Festival. The College Media Journal week-long event is for college radio where "indie" bands (large and small) play showcases hosted by blogs, labels, promotion companies, etc. I saw Fanfarlo at a pre-CMJ party, and they blew my mind somewhere between the well organized songs and passionate singing. I swiftly went to find a copy of their debut album "Reservoir." It did not let me down. Some "indie" bands have this very egotistical "we're so much better than you and we're just in it for the money and the fame and the Pitchfork street cred." I didn't get that vibe from Fanfarlo's live show or from their album. The album sounds like the members put forth a passionate effort to make music they believe in, and the result is an album that sounds like they didn't have to try hard to make quality music. Fanfarlo can best be described as a more soothing, less chaotic, European Arcade Fire.

4. "Broken" by Soulsavers. Soulsavers first caught my ears with "It's not how far you fall, it's how you land" which included the beautiful single "Revival." "Broken," Soulsavers' third album and second to feature Mark Lanegan on vocals, was created in an attempt to create the live sound the band discovered when touring with Lanegan to promote "It's not how far..." The album continues the same dark path in the previous albums with even deeper journeys into folk, rock, gospel, trip-hop, and soul. Mark Lanegan is featured on most of the songs, but the album also features contributions from Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Jason Pierce, Mike Patton, Richard Hawley, Gibby Haynes, and a few songs featuring the beautiful voice of a young Australian singer who goes by the name "Red Ghost." The Soulsavers duo keeps the music tight, lush and incredibly well mixed with beautiful instrument production while Lanegan maintains a nice balance by adding his raspy, dark disposition.

3. "200 Years of Bad Luck" by Crippled Black Phoenix. CBP is composed of members of Mogwai and Electric Wixard. While the members come from a post-rock background and CBP is considered post-rock, the album has a few progressive rock elements thrown in. The songs range from sort of short to really long, and all are top quality. Songs like "Burnt Reynolds" and "Rise Up and Fight" have an epic, soulful rock sound while other songs like "Time of Yer Life / Born for Nothing / Paranoid Arm of Narcoleptic Empire" and "Wendigo" reflect the post-rock background with slow, icy strings and swirling guitar. In between songs there are also occasional Monty Python-esque circusy songs to balance out some of the darker tones.

2. "Cheer Me, Perverts!" by Flat Earth Society. I stumbled upon FES while looking for modern groups that reflect Frank Zappa-like personalities. Flat Earth Society is a jazz orchestra from Belgium. Unlike a lot of avant-garde jazz, Flat Earth Society is highly listenable, and nowhere as freaky as Sun Ra or John Zorn. The pieces are well arranged, making chaos sound like clockwork with the tight relationships between all of the instruments. It's an instrumental album, but you can tell that there is a sense of humor involved with the songwriting. The music is lighthearted yet incredibly cerebral. While this album may not be appreciated on the first listen by those unaccustomed to this style of jazz, it is definitely something that can grow on the active listener and very deserving of the #2 slot.

And finally... drumroll please...

1. "Troubadour" by K'naan. Somalian rapper K'naan blew me away with his incredibly raw and angry debut "The Dusty Foot Philosopher." "Troubadour" finds K'naan covering the same topics of the troubles of Somalia and mainstream rappers who act like gangsters but don't know shit. The difference between the two (fantastic) albums is that "Troubadour" has a much softer, more-produced sound. Now, there is a difference between a more-produced sound and an over-produced sound (cue anything T-Pain or the like). The difference with the two K'naan albums is that "Troubadour" reflects a more optimistic light than "Dusty Foot." It's a much happier sounding album, yet it is still addressing the issues K'naan is passionate about (like the Somalian pirates, growing up in a violent place as a kid, leaving his family behind, etc). I don't like one album over the other, but "Troubadour" definitely stands out as 2009's top album. K'naan sings beautifully and many different styles are explored along with other featured musicians such as Mos Def, Damian Marley and Kirk Hammett (Metallica's guitarist with a stunning solo featured in the re-working of "If Rap Gets Jealous" from K'naan's first album). The thing I probably love the most about "Troubadour" is that it sounds like a fantastic mainstream hip-hop album, yet it is socially, politically and culturally aware. It's real. Proving that music can be mainstream and can have some sort of fiber unlike 99% of music currently on the pop/rap charts.

I hope you get a chance to sample the 25 albums I've posted, and I hope I provided you with some new music to fall in love with.

Local Music Mini-Mecca: 7th Annual Double Barrel Benefit - Feb 5th & 6th

Presented by NCSU's 88.1 WKNC, The Pour House in downtown Raleigh brings us the 7th Annual Double Barrel Benefit, featuring a two-night local music extravaganza type thing.

On Friday night, Max Indian will headline, with opening acts including Bellefea (pronounced Bella-fay-ah), Veelee, and The Light Pines. I'm particularly excited to see Bellefea, with a lead singer, Heather McEntire, who's gorgeous voice breaks and melts depending on the agression and intensity of their often bipolar setlist. I pretty much got hooked on her when I saw her perform an amazing show with Mount Moriah several months ago at Duke Coffeehouse. I'm also looking forward to checking out Max Indian for the first time (who will also be playing at The Light House on February 19th with The Light Pines and Ryan Gustafson, btw).

Saturday night, the headliner is Roman Candle, but I'll be showing up to see Midtown Dickens, my one of my favorite NC bands, leading the anti-folk/punk folk scene in Durham. Midtown Dickens are lead by best friends, Kym and Katherine. They always play a hugely creative (read: improvised, different every time) and lively set. There is a great, light-hearted dynamic between Kym and Katherine, who keep the audience laughing in between tunes with humorous stage banter and a performance that never fails to leave you sweaty and tired of so much smiling. The Tender Fruit and Spider Bags are also big names in the Triangle and are known for putting on fantastic live shows.

Come out and fill your live music quota, locally!

The Double Barrel Benefit will be going down at The Pour House in Raleigh both nights. Tickets: $7 in advance (online), or $9 at the door (add $5 if you're under 21). A $14 2-night pass for both nights is also available.

Doors open at 8pm so you can grab a couple beers before the first band takes the stage at 9pm.

Performing Friday, Feb 5th

Max Indian - southern rock/folk rock

Bellafea - rock/punk/folk
Veelee

The Light Pines - indie pop/rock

Performing Saturday, Feb 6th

Roman Candle - indie rock/folk rock

Spider Bags - indie rock

Midtown Dickens - punk folk/anti-folk ....SOO GOOD

The Tender Fruit - indie folk/americana

25 Stellar Albums of 2009:

Greetings! I know it has been a while since the last time I posted, and for this I sincerely apologize. My blogging efforts found themselves in political angst.

Anyways, you may be asking yourself "why the hell is he writing a 2009 list? that was so one month ago." Well, in answer to your question, I absolutely hate the rush of lists that come out (sometimes even before the year ends).

These lists are typically generic across the board and I suppose are just for one blog or magazine to compete with another. I wanted to take my time to find some incredibly solid albums that may not have received the attention and recognition deserved. Good albums need time to sink in, and usually I discover awesome albums a year after they're out. I'm glad I waited because I didn't listen to the #1 and #2 albums until January of this year.

Disclaimer: If you're expecting Animal Collective's M.P.P. to be on this list, stop reading.

Oh, and before I start, there are absolutely NO local albums on this list. There were so many fantastic releases, and I didn't want to order them into a list. You can see a far-from-complete, yet still incredibly long list (and mix, yay!) on the dotmatrix project's blog.

This post will focus on 20 albums (with small blurbs) and later this week I'll post the final 5 with more detailed reviews.

Below, for your listening pleasure is a mix of the first 20.




25. Pure Reason Revolution - Amor Vincit Omina: PRR's sophomore album is an evolution from their debut "The Dark Third," an astral folk/new prog concept album with a continuous flow, brilliant layering of three guitars and some incredibly dynamic vocal harmonies. "A.V.O." examines a harder, more techno/electronica driven sound. The band had label problems and several member changes, but the intricate vocal harmonies are still present as you can hear on "Deus Ex Machina."

24. These days it's pretty hard to find good rock & roll. Well, The Discipline's "Smoking Kills" hits the nail on the head. Just listen to "Yours for the Taking" and you'll see what I mean.

23. Remember the 90's alternative band Toad the Wet Sprocket? Ever wonder what happened to lead singer Glen Phillips? No? Well, you should probably start wondering now. In his new folk-rock band, Works Progress Administration, Glen works with members of Nickle Creek, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello & The Impostors, and Fiction Family.

22. John Vanderslice is one of those people in "indie" rock who lurks in the shadows. He's one of the nicest people I've ever met, he is involved with many other band's projects and he's well known in many music circles, yet his albums never really get the attention they deserve for their innovation and careful production. Vanderslice is in love with analog recording and his albums are well produced, lyrically sad and musically upbeat. "Romanian Names" is a fantastic pop rock record that demands multiple careful listens.

21. Music in foreign languages can bother some people. You spend more time trying to figure out what they're saying and not enough on the music. I have no idea what Kent is saying, but the way the lyrics blend with the dance beats and swirling keys. I have no problem understanding the message.

20. Remember how I mentioned good rock is hard to find? Well, really fun, smart rock is harder to find. The Rifles' sophomore album "the Great Escape" is straight up fun, and everything we loved about British rock from the 90's.

19. Like John Vanderslice, Andrew Bird has a tendency to release fantastic albums, yet is overshadowed by Pitchfork's Animal Collective wet dreams. There is no doubt that Bird is one of the most talented, versatile violin players (and one of the best professional whistlers around). "Noble Beast" is full of feel-good songs laced with quality musicianship.

18. Punk is one of those genres that started with purpose and then turned into immature, middle school level crap with absolutely nothing to say. The Riverboat Gamblers take their sound where punk should be: intelligent and to the point. "Underneath the Owl" is a solid album and it will make you want to jump up and rock out.

17. The Protomen are known for their rock operas about Megaman. And since I am completely uncultured in the video game world, I really had no interest. This is until I heard "Breaking Out" off of "Act II: The Father of Death." I still don't know anything about Megaman, but the passion and careful production echo what Bruce Springsteen would be like if he really loved video games.

16. I say Wasilla, Alaska and immediately Sarah Palin comes to mind. Now (depending on your politics) your opinion of Wasilla might change when you hear Portugal. The Man's new album "The Satanic Satanist." PtM dabbles in progressive rock with poppy-hooks and political intelligence. "People Say" hooked me on the band, and for good reason. I hope it does the same for you.

15. Aviv Geffen is loved and hated in Israel. He has the bi-sexual stage attitude of David Bowie and a political spirit that we saw in American protest singers in the 70's. "Aviv Geffen" is his first album in English. It's sad, passionate and beautiful. "Cloudy Now"-a song previously written in English for Blackfield, a project with Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson, and reworked for this album-is a fantastic representation of Geffen's work.

14. I admire instrumental bands who can create captivating music. Today our attention spans tend to require lyrics or else we'll get bored. Album Leaf's "A Chorus of Storytellers" will not leave you bored. It's especially good music to put on as you lay down and relax.

13. Bomb the Music Industry! likes to release their albums for free. And no, they don't suck. They're raw, but the production isn't lacking. They're sarcastic and they're angry and "Scrambles" is a solid album. Get it, it's free!

12. I'm a sucker for really good folk-rock that takes a soulful direction. Canada's The Wooden Sky released a beautiful album last year entitled "If I don't Come Home You'll Know I'm Gone." It's in the same musical vein as The Snake The Cross The Crown and you will want to listen to it on repeat.

11. William Elliot Whitmore makes you want to drink whiskey. "Animals In the Dark" is a more than just a man-and-guitar folk album. Whitmore's voice has so much to say and you can tell he's putting his soul into these songs.

10. When I heard that the Black Keys were doing a hip-hop album (entitled Blackroc) with some well known rappers, I became very excited. The album is exactly what I expected, except for the tracks featuring Nicole Wray. Her voice is gold and it fits perfectly on her two featured tracks. The rest of the album is solid, but Wray is what takes this album to another level. Honestly, I hope the Keys and Wray write an album together.

9. Metric has an ability to make fantastic synth and guitar hooks that support the dark mind of singer Emily Haines. "Fantasies" is no exception, and is a top-quality pop-rock album.

8. Lucero is one of those bands that you might not know of, but probably should. "1372" Overton Park" is one of the few really talented bands keeping alternative country alive and well.
It rocks and it has soul and it's an album you want to throw on when you're going for a drive.

7. "Kingdom of Rust," is the latest album from UK band Doves. Overshadowed by bands like Radiohead and Muse, Doves are lost in the spotlight. Their latest is absolutely beautiful, which was expected since it took them forever to release it.

6. Porcupine Tree is starting to build a strong reputation for fantastic, evolving song-craft. The Incident is a continuously flowing album (with the exception of 4 bonus tracks on a separate disk) that looks at various different "incidents" in life, good and bad. There are elements of PT's softer-poppy elements, industrial creepiness, and hard-driving metal in "The Incident." It's an overall solid album, but it still has nothing on the likes of "In Absentia" and "Signify." Side note: I included 2 songs from the album because they're short and fit together seamlessly.

5. You'll have to wait and see!!

Local NC Bands playing "Save the Arts" benefit show 1/29!

Midtown Dickens, Megafaun, The Beast, Hammer No More + more will be playing a "Save the Arts Education for the children" benefit show in Durham NEXT FRIDAY 1/29!

These artists, spanning genres such as indie/folk/alternative/rock/rap/experimental, represent the amazingly talented and diverse mixture of sounds coming out of the raleigh/durham/CH area these days. This show is sure to be the greatest performance from the brilliant NC local music scene of the decade [thus far]!!

6pm, $10 suggested donation

Friday, January 29, 2010

401 West Geer St., Durham, NC

come out and show your support for arts education in local public schools. enjoy the sounds. great times are guaranteed.

http://cpsfcsaveourarts.weebly.com/

http://www.myspace.com/midtowndickens

http://www.myspace.com/megafaun

http://www.myspace.com/thebeastreality

Free Show Tonight

FREE SHOW TONIGHT!

Matt Douglas of Raleigh band the Proclivities and The Small Pods (with Whiskeytown co-founder Caitlin Cary) will be playing a free solo show at the Lighthouse tonight at 9pm. It's free so you have no excuse to miss it!

The Proclivities
The Small Ponds

More Troika!!

Want more Troika! Check out this awesome video from BrickStyle's own Christine Mallia!

Troika Music Festival 2009 from mallia on Vimeo.

Feature Friday: Troika Music Festival!!

So, it's been a while since I've updated the music section here at Brick Style. There has been a lot going on in North Carolina's music scene. The Beast released a new album along with Ryan Gustafson, I Was Totally Destroying It, Birds & Arrows and Luego. In addition, a handful of NC bands had the opportunity to play CMJ this week (a big music festival in NYC for college radio).

There is more excitement in the distance. November 5-7 marks this year's Troika Music Festival. A huge music festival in Durham, NC featuring over 65 bands (most of them from NC and a few out-of-towners).

For the next two weeks, up until the festival, I will have mini-features of bands playing at Troika. So make sure you stay tuned!

$8 gets you into all of the venues each night, or you can pay $20 for a 3-day pass.

Name another festival where $20 bucks will get you 65+ quality bands. I don't think one exists.

You can stay informed on the Bullbot Troika blog and follow them on Twitter. Also, check out their website for the schedule of bands.

There is a promo video on its way!

So keep checking back here on Brick Style. In addition to featuring the bands, I might also feature the Triangle Brewing Company. Their beer is awesome.

Do. Not. Miss. This. Show.

I probably say this a lot. But hell, why shouldn't I?
Four fantastic bands will be playing Lighthouse on Friday the 25th (that's this Friday for those of you who are deathly afraid of calendars)... and a Magician.

The show starts at 9pm and it costs $3 to get in if you are over 21 and $5 to get in if you're under.

Five dollars. That is ONE dollar per act (if you are under 21). Deals like this don't come around that often.

So let us get to the meat of this post.

My Name is John Michael comes from New Orleans. When a band comes from New Orleans, you know they will be good. And they are. I can't describe them, they have their own full, happy sound. Just listen!


Shine River brings the rock. Think Black Keys and White Stripes. It's melt your face blues-rock. How can you go wrong with that? You can't.

The Tipsy Bacchanals are Elon's favorite student band. Bringing you best classic rock, grunge and original heavy metal tunes. "Medicine Woman," that's rock.

Red Collar. I have said all that I needed about Red Collar. Truly one of the most rocking, energy-filled live shows. Here, at Elon.

Finally, this brings me to Magician Michael Casey. Magic Mike is pretty much the resident local music magician here in North Carolina. You can catch him rocking out at shows and you can catch him making shit disappear at shows. Now, he does not get on stage since he is a close-up magician (as opposed to one of those showy, egomaniac, look at me I can freeze myself, magicians), so you need to look for the circle of people crowding around while bands switch and set up. Mike does things with cards that you have never seen before. He will blow minds.

So you're not doing anything Friday night except coming out to The Lighthouse. Got it? Good. You'll thank me later.

Feature...Thursday?: The Pneurotics

Band: The Pneurotics
Style: Alternative Rock
Albums: "Forty" and "Second Skin"
From: Chapel Hill, NC
For Fans Of: The Replacements, Pavement, Soul Asylum

The Pneurotics will be releasing their second album "Second Skin" tomorrow at the Local 506 with Rat Jackson and the Travesties (Hence the advance notice of a feature Thursday instead of Friday).

"Second Skin" is an appropriate follow up to "Forty." The trio has come into their own and the sound is more together. Rich Mclaughlin's vocals and guitar style really define the band's raw and real sound. There are elments of punk, alt-country, and garage rock throughout the album offering a decent amount of variety.

If this album was released in 1992, I would not be surprised. It has that 90's alternative/grungy feel.

So if you want to go see some live local music, check out the Pneurotics tomorrow at the Local 506. $8 gets you in and Rat Jackson (another must see band) will hit the stage at 9:30pm.

Air from Second Skin

While I ain't Ryan Sweeney...

I do have a "WSOE Wednesday" themed post! LiveNation is partnering with WSOE again (mainly via the vehicle that is my show, Venus Rising) to give away tickets to a concert at the Fillmore of Charlotte. This time, it's folk-rock duo the Indigo Girls (Amy Ray and Emily Saliers).



The Girls have been active in the music scene for nearly 25 years, and put on a heck of a live show (listen to their album 1200 Curfews for all the proof you'll ever need). The tickets are general admission (valued at $29.50, but go up in price the day of the show), so not only are you getting a pair of free (barring travel expenses) tickets, you've also got the opportunity to be in the front "row" (the main floor is all standing but there are chairs and accommodations made for folks with disabilities). My show with Paul Mirek, Venus Rising, will hopefully be the main vehicle for this giveaway, but if any new ideas come up, you'll hear all about it here. Good luck everyone!

Concert Details

Who: Indigo Girls w/ Maia Sharp
When: Friday, 18/09/2009 @ 7 pm
Where: The Fillmore in Charlotte (directions here)
What if I don't win?: Tickets aren't sold out yet, so don't fret! Also, if you order within the next 24 hours only, there are discounted tickets at LiveNation.com for $20 with no service charge. So if you don't think you are going to be able to call in or otherwise snag the pair in the giveaway, now is the time to buy the tickets.

Feature Friday: The Beast

Band: The Beast
Style: Jazz based Hip-Hop
Albums: "Belly EP," "Catalyst EP," and "Silence Fiction"
From: Durham, NC
For Fans Of: A Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, Nas, Earth Wind & Fire, Jamie Cullum

Believe it or not, Durham is a mini oasis for underground Hip-Hop. The home of Little Brother (Phonte, Big Pooh and 9th Wonder) is also the home to a lot of emerging artists. One of these hip-hop groups is about to release their first full length album "Silence Fiction."

The Beast is composed of Pierce Freelon, MC; Eric Hirsh, keys; Pete Kimosh, bass; Stephen Coffman, drums. Pierce is the son of Grammy nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon (also appearing on at least one track in every Beast release) whose vocal tallent definitely did not skip a generation. Hirsh, Kimosh and Coffman are all jazz majors from UNC-CH and their education shows.

I recently sat down with Pierce for a WSOE interview (which will be broadcast sometime next week). As I have said in every (or almost every) post, it is hard to pigeonhole bands from North Carolina. The Beast is no exception as it was verified in the interview.

To argue that The Beast is more jazz than Hip-Hop could actually be a valid statement, especially when the band plays live. Jazz is all about improvisation, something Hirsh, Kimosh and Coffman are well versed in, and so is The Beast. By this I mean that Pierce Freelon can freestyle. About anything.

When not free styling on audience suggested topics, the lyrics cover topics from social change and racism as well as songs about love for women, love for people, love for music and love for life. If you're listening to The Beast for "I popped a cap in that po-po's ass like a motherf***er" or "slap that b*tch round and round" or "get crunk and grind on my d*ck", you won't find it. Sorry.

A Tribe Called Quest comes to mind with the jazz beats, yet there is a newer and more refreshing jazz sound. Instead of just jazz beats and three MCs, it's the real thing with beautiful jazz complexities.

Beyond playing music, the group also leads workshops on African-American music culture, free styling, etc.
If you're going to Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival (which you should), you'll be able to see The Beast before their CD release party at the Duke Coffee House on October 16th. Stay tuned to WSOE 89.3 FM The Only Alternative for The Beast and my interview with Pierce.

Also, go to their website and download the Catalyst Ep for free! The guitar on "come up, come down" might blow your mind.

Below are some of the new tracks you'll hear on "Silence Fiction."

Translation from Silence Fiction

Get Gone from Silence Fiction

Feature Friday: Midtown Dickens

Band: Midtown Dickens
Style: Anti-Folk, Punk, Bluegrass
Albums: "Oh, Yell!" and "Lanterns"
From: Durham, NC
For Fans Of: Kimya Dawson (from the Juno soundtrack), Bon Iver, The Mountain Goats

Once again we find Feature Friday featuring another impossible-to-pigeonhole Durham band. Midtown Dickens started out as Kym and Katherine, growing since their inception and the release of their first full length "Oh, Yell!" the band has grown to a quintet upon the release of "Lanterns."

Midtown Dickens falls into a unique category called "anti-folk." Anti-folk takes folk traditions and twirls them around with a mocking, punkish attitude. The instrumentation is a bit more elaborate (with saw, horns, accordions, banjos and other instruments the members taught themselves to play) and the lyrics seem more innocent as they range from topics like Tetris and "The Best Summer Ever." While the lyrics may sound like something from an innocent child, there is so much more depth to the writing as simple metaphors become complex analogies for more major life issues and observations.



Their second album "Lanterns" was recorded by Scott Solter (The Mountain Goats, Pattern is Movement, John Vanderslice, Bombadil) and features a more "together" production. The album flows incredibly well and the band members come together to really add depth to the songs.


"Lanterns" will not be officially released until September 15th (as a CD, mp3 download and vinyl package), however they will be playing an album release party at Duke Coffeehouse next Friday (August 28th). The event is free and you can get a copy of the new album early. Opening for Midtown is Mount Moriah and Des Ark (solo).

Old Dogs from the album Lanterns

What a Bore from Oh, Yell!

WSOE Wednesday: A (Free) Show You Must See

There will be a free, local show in Chapel Hill tomorrow. The show features The Love Language and Lost in the Trees with local music scene's Magic Mike opening with an awesome can't-miss magic show.



The thing you need to understand about this show: Two fantastic bands. For Free. These bands are pretty big deals. The show is: Free.


Also, local restaurants will be selling food. So, yay local food! Yay local music!

Click here for times, directions and more info.

You should not miss this show. It's free. You will not regret it.

Feature Friday: Hammer No More The Fingers

Band: Hammer No More The Fingers
Style: "indie" rock
Albums: "Hammer No More The Fingers" and "Looking For Bruce"
From: Durham, NC
For Fans Of: Weezer, Pavement, The Pixies and Superchunk

Following the release of their self-titled EP, Hammer No More The Fingers was featured as a "Band To Watch" on the music blog Stereogum. HNMTF is still a band to watch with the brand new full-length"Looking For Bruce," they released last spring.

Just like the other bands on Feature Friday, Hammer can't really be pigeonholed. A lot of comparisons have been drawn between classic alternative 90's bands Weezer and Pavement. But, by pigeonholing, that makes them sound like their music is not fresh. Hammer quite possibly has one of the freshest sounds in the scene. It has an attitude, it's fun, catchy, smart and you can dance to it.



While they have only been Hammer for a little over two and a half years, the three members have been playing music together since their childhood. Their early years consisted mostly of Pavement and Archers of Loaf (an old-school NC band) covers. Duncan went to school in New York where he formed a band with the daughter of proto-punk legend Patty Smith (and wrote "Shutterbug," a track that appears in a new form on "Looking for Bruce").

If you have a spare 7 minutes, watch this clip:


Upon returning from college, Duncan and the trio formed Hammer. Two and half years have passed with an EP and a full-length between them. The band now packs the house at local shows and has been building up quite a following in the D.C. area.

Hammer is another one of those N.C. bands you must see. Their live show is very high energy, and so is the audience. In fact, there are rumors that Viking Storm will become an annual event. Viking Storm was the name of their "Bruce" CD release party. At the show, the bands and fans were encouraged to dress up as Vikings. Triangle Brewery made a special "viking" ale for the show (they did this for Red Collar's release as well with "Pilgrim" ale) and there were Viking decorations all over the place (including a huge wooden viking ship Duncan's parents made).


The following is the theme for Viking Storm co-written by Hammer and heavy-metal band Tooth (both on Churchkey Records):


The members of the band are serious musicians, but they don't take themselves too seriously. They allow themselves to have fun and you can definitely tell they achieve that. Not if, but when, you go to a show you'll find Duncan, Joe and Jeff walking amongst the crowd catching up with as many people as they can.

Black Harmony from their EP

Nobody Knows from Looking For Bruce

Mix Monday: Songs That Make You Want to Dance

You can listen to the latest Lil Wayne song and grind up on someone, or you can actually dance. Meaning, the music (instead of primal lust) inspires you to move your body.

This Mix Monday is composed of well written songs from North Carolina musicians that will make you want to move and shake. The last song is for those who want a something to bump & grind to.




The Playlist:

1. "Getting Over Your Love" - Holy Ghost Tent Revival
2. "I Am A Train" - Hotel Lights
3. "Sparxxx" - The Love Language
4. "I Found A New Baby" - The Firecracker Jazz Band
5. "Vibe So Hot" - Benji Hughes
6. "Papers in Order" - The Old Ceremony
7. "Now I Know" - Max Indian
8. "Dancing Daze" - The Avett Brothers
9. "Hell" - Squirrel Nut Zippers
10. "Black Harmony" - Hammer No More the Fingers
11. "Incest" - Juan Huevos

Feature Friday: Red Collar

Band: Red Collar
Style: Classic Punk/Working Man's Punk
Albums: "Hands Up EP", "Pilgrim"
From: Durham, NC
For Fans Of: The Clash, Bruce Springsteen, Fugazi, Against Me!, The Hold Steady, and Jawbreaker.


If you want a band that really defines today's music scene in North Carolina, it's Red Collar.

I hate saying the typical comparison of "Red Collar is like Fugazi fronted by Springsteen" for two reasons. 1) It makes them seem like they are one of the many bands jumping on the "lets sound like Springsteen" bandwagon and 2) Red Collar does what Fugazi nor Springsteen could do; which is creating consistently well rounded sound and attitude.

Fugazi is rough and edgy and Springsteen has (had) the working man's voice. Red Collar not only has something to say, but when they say it through their music it is incredibly well rounded. So, to avoid throwing Red Collar in specific categories that very few NC bands seem to be able to fit in, I'm going to say that Red Collar is the perfect soundtrack to a 9-5 job.

When you go to a Red Collar show (and you need to, more on that down the line) you can see that these people love what they are doing. They feel called to play music, for them, it is a release from the rat race.

Their debut album released this year, titled "Pilgrim," flows like a 9-5 job and an entire life. "Commuter" opens with a sound resonating early excitement and passion with an eagerness to tackle what is ahead. It continues throughout the album flowing towards restlessness by the time it gets to the title track in the middle. Finally, the album flows towards frustration and defeat.

While the lyrics about hardships endured in a blue-collar world may seem depressing, there is an incredibly optimistic cheer in the songs. The general feeling is "this job (or lack of) may be getting me down, but at least I'll get through it through the help of music." And that's what Red Collar does.

Moving beyond "Pilgrim" (produced by Brian Paulson - Wilco, Beck, Superchunk, etc) and the fact the band is releasing it on vinyl, I must focus on the live show.



I have had many conversations with Jason Kutchma (guitar & lead vocals) where he talked about how, for them, the album is the musical promotion for a show. The band wants you to come out to a show and become a contributor. Beyond the fact they put on a constantly energetic (even for three people in the audience) show, the band values its audience members.

As one of the most notoriously kind bands in the Triangle, Red Collar wants to share what they have to say. They want to help you relieve that 9-5 stress with a fantastic rock show so anthemic it can give you an euphoric out-of-body experience similar to that of a tribal seance.

In addition, they don't pack up their stuff and leave as soon as they get off stage. The band hangs around to chat before and after the show in order to get to know those around them.

Even if your preferred music is silence, I can guarantee you will have a fantastic experience at a Red Collar show.

Below you can download "Pilgrim" and "Used Guitars" for your listening pleasure. Just be sure to catch them at a show when they come around!!

Pilgrim

Used Guitars

WSOE Wednesday: B-54's Giveaway

WSOE has two pairs of tickets to the B-52's show on August 11th in Charlotte for all of you Love Shackers. Since we have two pairs, there will be two ways to win! The first way to win is by answering the B-52's trivia in this post. The second way to win is to listen to WSOE 89.3 FM. DJ Paul Mirek (the music director for WSOE) will be hosting a radio show sometime in the next few days in order to give the tickets away. Be sure to follow the WSOE twitter to find out when the show will air so you can call in!

The first person to email me (rsweeney2@elon.edu) with the most correct answers will win two tickets:

1. Which 90s show featured the B-52's singing the theme song?

2. What instrument did Keith Strickland play in the band prior to 1985?

3. Which founder members of the band were siblings?

4. Which Beatle once proclaimed that the B-52's were his favorite band?

5. What is the band named for?

6. In which R.E.M. video did Kate Pierson appear?

7. Members of the B-52's did voice acting for what 1998 animated film?

8. Which famous crossdressing diva made a cameo in the "Love Shack" video?

9. Which animated sitcom featured the lead character performing an abbreviated version of "Rock Lobster"?

10. What is the lyric shouted in the "break" during "Love Shack"?

Mix Monday: Tracks for Traveling

Yes, it is Tuesday. However, poor internet has prevented quick mp3 uploads for this week's mix!

August consists of driving for that final trip before school, and finally the trip back to school. Thus, this week's mix is to serve as a soundtrack for this restless time of year.



1. "Some are Love" - Des Ark
2. "Blue Ridge Cowboy Church" - Aminal
3. "Game" - Bull City
4. "Canterbury Road" - Down By Avalon
5. "Summertime" - Lonnie Walker
6. "Headlights" - Mingus Young
7. "The Show is On the Road" - Paleface
8. "Pilgrim" - Red Collar
9. "Laurinburg" - Rat Jackson
10. "All Dressed Up" - Joe Romeo & the Orange County Volunteers
11. "Pennsylvania" - The Old Ceremony

Floss and Heartbreak

The Paper Heart post inspired me to create two playlists of my own. Love (floss) and Heartbreak. I tried to make playlists that featured songs not commonly found in movies but still do a good job of expressing the two emotions. I didn't submit this to the contest because I'm going to be in Paris starting the 28th of August, so a movie ticket wouldn't be of much use to me. But I thought it would be fun to think about what songs I'd want in a movie...enjoy!

FLOSS

1. Thinking of You - Katy Perry
2. Somewhere Only We Know - Keane
3. Upside Down - A*Teens
4. Falling Down - Avril Lavigne
5. You Drive Me Crazy- Britney Spears
6. All I Need Is You - The Click Five 
7. Doctor- Cute Is What We Aim For
8. You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) - Dead or Alive
9. Stuck On You- Elvis Presley 
10. Breathe In - Frou Frou 
11. Head Over Heels - The Go-Gos 
12. Always In Love- Graham Colton
13. Burnin' Up - Jonas Brothers
14. Who'd Have Known- Lily Allen
15. Sunday Morning- Maroon 5 

HEARTBREAK

1. One More Sad Song - The All-American Rejects
2. Whatever Breaks My Heart- Graham Colton 
3. Re-Offender - Travis
4.. Congratulations- The Traveling Wilburys
5.. I Hate Everything About You- Three Days Grace 
6.. Sick Of Love- The Takeover U.K.
7. Another One Bites The Dust- Queen 
8. You Left Me- The Maine
9. F**k You - Lily Allen 
10. How Do You Sleep - Jesse McCartney 
11. Heartless (Swinghouse Sessions) - The Fray 
12. I'm Not Over- Carolina Liar
13. Can't Let Go - Landon Pigg
14. Lounge Act - Nirvana

Feature Friday: Bombadil

Band: Bombadil
Style: International Folk / Pop Rock
Albums: "Bombadil Ep", "A Buzz, A Buzz" and "Tarpits and Canyonlands
From: Durham, NC
For Fans Of: The Beatles, The Shins, Paul Simon, and happiness

Bombadil is one of those bands that is easy to fall in love with (yes, their name does come from Tom Bombadil, the poetic character they left out of the movies). Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on who you are) their lyrics are not about LotR but rather the songs deal with topics such as the relationship of innocence and maturity ("Jellybean Wine"), the realities of marriage, as well as other dark topics disguised as really happy songs (i.e. "Johnny" a very happy sounding song about about a cutter).

Bombadil will make you smile and keep you smiling long after you've listened. The quartet of Duke grads uses a variety of instruments and all four members have main vocal parts. Their first full-length, "a buzz, a buzz," has a strong international folk element as well as down home NC mountain style folk and blues.

This Durham band is our Feature Friday this week because of their new album "Tarpits and Canyonlands." "Tarpits" is a strong follow-up to "a buzz" as it focuses on beautiful vocal harmonies, fantastic layered production (produced by Scott Solter who has also produced The Mountain Goats, John Vanderslice, and St. Vincent) and experimentation ("25 Daniels" uses 25 layers of saxophones to immitate the sound of bagpipes).

Bombadil In the WSOE Studio

I don't want to risk sounding too bold with this statement, but "Tarpits" is the "Sgt. Peppers" of North Carolina, in it's own special Bombadil way.

Since there is really no easy way to explain the band, here are some songs to listen
to:

"Honymoon" from "Tarpits and Canyonlands"

"Johnny" From "A Buzz, A Buzz"

Peace, Love and Choose Local Music!
-Ryan