Let's All Geek Out Now

LOTS AND LOTS OF MUSIC..... OK, lets' all geek out for a little bit, and think about some recent music that is damn good. I think this list has something for everyone....











First up is The Keene Brothers' "Blues and Boogie Shoes", a collaboration between Bob Pollard and his new guitar player, Tommy Keene. Pure pop-rock bliss with some great guiatr work. Get on this above link to check out "Death of the Party". http://robertpollard.net/music.html. I can't stop playing this CD-there are lots of good tunes on here, and it all has some balls, too, which doesn't hurt. If you have been worried about the glut of Bob side-projects that past few years, and are hesitant to check any of the Fading Captain Series out, I don't blame you. But this one is a keeper, on par with "Speak Kindly of Your Volunteer Fire Dept." and "Soft Rock Renegades". Check it out, send Bob your 11.99, and be a happier person for the experience.

Dirty Pretty Things' "Waterloo to Anywhere" is the album from ex-Libertines Carl Barat...tired of reading about Pete Doherty's drug fueled nights in London? Then listen to this ROCK album by Carl. If you dig old Clash and wanna get back to that loose, rough and tumble, punkish rock n roll, then check this out...a winner.


http://www.dirtyprettythingsband.com/










Jon Auer used to be in a band called The Posies, an overlooked pop/rock band from the late 80's/90's..."The Year of Our Demise" is a great pop album, that just might be considered "adult alternative", but for a sunny afternoon on the porch, it just might be perfect. Great songs, great craftmanship. A good, mellow, album with some great melodies.


http://www.jonauer.com/members/profile/184469/Jon%20Auer.htm





The Twilight Singers' new album, "Powder Burns" has some great slow-burn, soulful, songs. This is ex-Afghan Whigs singer, Greg Dulli's band. Apparently this is his "get straight" album, and is a great late-night album for people trying not to get straight. A little histrionic at times, but the man has got some heart. I might be at the show tonight just for kicks.

http://www.thetwilightsingers.com/











If yer looking for some singer-songwriter music, with laid back acoustic guitars and soulful vocals, but without all the damn whining that goes along with it, then Ray Lamontagne's "Trouble" is for you. Some great songs, with low-key arrangements, and intelligent lyrics, and he sings likes he means it. This has been on constant play for me in the cd player.

http://www.raylamontagne.com/listen.php





Do you like to rock? I mean, really, balls-out, muther-fuckin' rock, MAN?!? Well, Wolf Mother is your band. Take all the best bits from 70's styled metal, and send it to Australia to bake in the sun, and this is the album you get. Holy Shit, this album rocks! And it actually has some melody, too, which makes all the rockin so much better. Again....ask yourself. "Do I want to fuckin ROCK IT OUT?". If yes, get this album immediately.

http://www.wolfmother.com/2005.html




Gnarls Barkley's "St Elsewhere" is a collaboration between Cee-Lo Green (from the totally underrated Goodie Mob), and Danger Mouse, the man behind Gorrilaz's last one, "Demon Days". This album is not only funky, soulful, wickedly weird, and totally original, but it will get yer booty movin. (sorry, I don't have any cool hip-hop vernacular to further decribe this album). What? They also cover the Violent Femme's "Gone Daddy Gone" on this album? Why yes, they do-you gotta hear it to believe it.

http://www.gnarlsbarkley.com/








XTC - "Drums and Wires"..... Finally, here is something of a lost classic. Ever wonder what all this talk of "post-punk" in the music press is all about? Ever wonder who the Futureheads are ripping off? (god bless 'em, though, really). Well, this album from '79 (i think) will set your mind straight. Once you have listened to this album, you will be able, with all the certainty a rock snob can muster, be able to discuss "jerky guitars", "quirky pop songwriting", and "dance beats". Always go to the source, I say. http://www.xtcidearecords.co.uk/audio/audio_1.htm









Well, that's all the geekin out I have in me for now....hopefully you can find something here to turn you on.....Also, is everyone as excited about "Nacho Libre" as I am? http://www.nacholibre.com/site/index.php