The only reason I left the Duke Spirit’s album, Cuts Across the Land, off my top 10 list this year is because their album’s been out across the pond for over a year now (I got it on my last trip to London in 05’). The Duke Spirit are one of the few rock bands worth caring about nowadays, so imagine my excitement when I found their new 7” at Rough Trade record shop in London 2 weeks ago complete with two cover songs. Recorded as a tribute to recently departed musicians, the Duke Spirit offer their interpretations of songs from Desmond Decker (“007”) and Love (“A House Is Not A Motel”).

Anyways, the 7” sold out super quick (only 300 copies were pressed), but lucky for you Rough Trade Records is offering it up for download online with 2 additional covers of another Love track (“A Message to a Pretty”) and one by Jessie Mae Hemphill (“I’m So Glad”).

You can find those bad boys here: http://www.roughtradedigital.com/product.php?cat=VELO001_DM

Happy New Year!

Tags: Band Spotlight, Duke Spirit by Alfie
No Comments »

On Christmas Day, James Brown, “the godfather of soul”, passed away at the age of 73 due to heart failure.

When I was in high school I was lucky enough to go to one of his concerts. He headlined a 70’s soul and R&B music festival with a bunch of forgettable artists from the time period like Ashford and Simpson. When James Brown hit the stage it was evident that he owned it from that moment on. He played an amazing set armed with his most powerful and inspiring songs ranging from “Say It Loud” to “Its A Man’s Man’s Man’s World”. Although he did not do any splits, something that I was very eager to see, it was still easily one of the best performances I had seen in my life.

James Brown has influenced many different artists and genres in his lifetime. His presence will be appreciated forever.

Tags: News by Matthew
No Comments »

Apparently, Paul Westerberg severely damaged his hand and won’t be able to play guitar for a year. Friend of Westerberg Jim Walsh had this to say:

“A week or so again he put a screwdriver through his left hand trying to get some wax out of a candle and cut some nerves and ripped some cartilage and hurt himself pretty bad,” Walsh says. “He’s in a cast. He’s seen a couple of doctors who say he won’t be able to play guitar for a year.”

Check out the story here

Tags: News by Matthew
No Comments »

1. Fucked Up - Hidden World (Jade Tree)
What else can I say about this album? It lived it up to all of my expectations. This will definitely be one of those albums that will get better with age as well.

2. Man Man - Six Demon Bag (Ace Fu)
The most consistent, weird, yet immensely entertaining album I’ve heard all year. Probably one of the best live acts around too.

3. Belle And Sebastian - The Life Pursuit (Matador)
Ever become obsessed with an album, forget about it for awhile then put it back on and it’s still just as good? Yeah, that’s this one.

4. The Draft - In A Million Pieces (Epitaph)
HWM may be gone for the foreseeable future, but atleast both parties are still making excellent music. I probably listened to this record more then any other this year.

5. Toys That Kill - Shanked! (Recess)
This album is fuggin’ addictive. True pop-punk at it’s best.

6. The Hope Conspiracy - Death Knows Your Name (Deathwish)
Lead singer Kevin Baker wasn’t lying when he said his band made their best album yet.

7. Marked Men - Fix My Brain (Swami)
Everyone told me I’d love this album. Cheers to that.

8. Riverboat Gamblers - To The Confusion Of Our Enemies (Volcom)
This one kinda caught on to me late despite being released in May. Cleaner then their previous work but still good ol’ get drunk and break shit punk ‘n’ roll.

9. The Lawerence Arms - Oh! Calcutta (Fat Wreck)
First song = thumbs down. The rest = pure gold

10. Jenny Lewis And The Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat (Team Love)
Please marry me.

Honorable Mentions: Armalite - Self-Titled (No Idea), Malajube - Trompe-L’oeil (Dare To Care), Fifth Hour Hero - Not Revenge..Just A Vicious Crush (No Idea) Converge - No Heroes (Epitaph), Pink Razors - Waiting To Wash Up (Robotic Empire), Sonic Youth -Rather Ripped (Geffen), Morrissey - Ringerleader Of The Tormentors (Sanctuary) Lucero - Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers (East/West), Appleseed Cast - Peregrine (Militia Group)

Best Shows/Concerts
1. Dillinger Four - The Fest V (But honestly…the whole thing was amazing)
2. Morrissey - SXSW 2006
3. Man Man - Spiegeltent
4. The Weakerthans - Webster Hall
5. Girl Talk - Mercury Lounge/CMJ 2006

Most Anticipated
Dillinger Four C I V I L W A R (Fat Wreck)
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists Living With The Living (Touch And Go)
Bloc Party A Weekend In The City (Vice)
Against Me! TBA (Sire)
Also…The Ergs, The Stooges, Modest Mouse, Jesu

Tags: best of, staff by Matthew
No Comments »

1. Fucked Up - Hidden World
Hardcore saviors. Not only is “Fucked Up saving the scene,” but they are saving music in general. With this release, Fucked Up managed to put excitement, danger, and creativity back into a complacent industry. They need to jump the border and play some U.S. dates soon!

2. Pink Razors - Waiting to Wash Up
This band deserves more attention.

3. Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!
There are some really catchy songs on here and some really weird ones.

4. Armalite - Self-Titled
There is no such thing as Dan Yemin or Atom Goren being in too many bands.

5. Matt and Kim - Self-Titled
Dance! Dance! Dance!

6. Black Keys - Magic Potion
There is nothing exceptionally unique about this release. In fact, all of the songs sound like Yardbirds covers. Maybe that’s why I like this so much.

7. Appleseed Cast - Peregrine
I let my friend borrow this CD and after one day she told me it was the best CD ever. I wouldn’t give it that much credit but it is interesting.

8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones
On this release everyone in the band started to hate each other. I think the bitterness stemmed from the fact that Nick Zinner is steadily becoming prettier than Karen O.

9. French Toast - Ingleside Terrance
I wish I didn’t catch on to this CD so late.

10. Morrissey - Ringleader of the Tormentors
The lyrics are a bit odd on this CD, even for Morrissey, but just I had
to put this on my list because of his beautiful voice and the ironic
photography used as cover art for all the album’s singles.

Anticipated Releases:
The Ergs -Upstairs/Downstairs
Grinderman(Nick Cave and 3 of the Bad Seeds)- Self-Titled
Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
The Stooges - The Weirdness
Blonde Redhead - Title TBA

Tags: best of, staff by Matthew
No Comments »