In addition to releasing a fabulous demo in 2009, the new Football, Etc. / Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) split 7″ is out now via Count Your Lucky Stars. Well worth checking out.
1. Tortoise – Beacons of Ancestorship
2. Sonic Youth – the Eternal
3. Owen – New Leaves
4. Mars Volta – Octahedron
5. Metric – Fantasies
6. Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3
7. Coalesce – OX
8. P.O.S. – Never Better
9. Age Sixteen – Open Up Finders, Please
10. Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
Alright everyone, I am taking this week off to enjoy the weather and concentrate on getting ready for some upcoming Beartrap projects. This is something that will probably happen a bit more frequently in ‘09. Ah, such is life, I apologize.
Also, I think I announced this on Twitter recently but not sure if everyone (or anyone) saw it. SAL will start to have genre-specific weeks more often in the future. And if you have been paying attention during the last two weeks you will notice the site has already gone in that direction. Upcoming, I have a singer/songwriter week planned out and pop/punk should be close behind. Granted, this will not happen every week but should be fun regardless. See you in a week.
Oh, here’s what I’ve been listening to lately…
Annabel
The Appleseed Cast
Brian Bond
PJ Bond
Neko Case
Cheap Girls (still!)
Joie De Vivre
Morrissey
My Heart To Joy
Oceans
The Reptilian
Tigers Jaw
Touch Committee
Chris Wollard & The Ship Thieves
People Got A Lotta Nerve
From the inbox:
Anti-Records has released a free download of “People Got A Lotta Nerve,” the first single from Neko Case’s new album Middle Cyclone (March 3), and for every blog that posts the song and iLike user who adds it to his/her profile, Neko Case and Anti- will make a donation benefiting Best Friends Animal Society.
The promotion will run from January 14 to February 3, 2009. Five dollars will be donated for every blog post and one dollar for every user of iLike that adds the song to his/her profile.
Click here for more details: http://www.antilabelblog.com/?p=1301
About Best Friends Animal Society: Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009, Best Friends Animal Society is one of America’s foremost animal rescue organizations. Founded in 1984, Best Friends advances nationwide animal welfare initiatives by working with shelter and rescue groups around the country. On any given day Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the nation’s largest facility for abused, abandoned and special needs companion animals located in southwestern Utah, is home to approximately 2,000 dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds, and other animals. The society also publishes Best Friends magazine, the nation’s largest general interest, pet-related magazine with approximately 300,000 subscribers. For more information, visit http://www.bestfriends.org.
I don’t usually post this kind of stuff but this was worthwhile to say the least. Not to mention I love me some Neko Case! – Will.
I guess it comes as no surprise that Ghost Buffalo’s second album, The Magician, is a bit of a different beast compared to the band’s self-titled debut. 3/5 of the band left after that album to pursue other interests. Vocalist/guitarist Marie Litton and guitarist Matt Bellinger (formerly of Planes Mistaken For Stars) were left to decide how to shape the next incarnation of Ghost Buffalo. The thought of doing an acoustic two-piece eventually took a backseat to the addition of a new rhythym section and a return to full-band mode. I would be lying if I failed to mention how incredible I think Litton would be in an acoustic setting. It is certainly something that I hope she considers in the future as her voice could truly be showcased. That is not to say that she does not shine on The Magician. Her strong, sultry vocals remain the focal point for the band as well they should. Musically, Ghost Buffalo are turning the knobs up and choosing to rock out a good bit more than they did on their alt-countrified debut. There is certainly more definition to the band’s darkening sound on The Magician. Whether people like the direction Ghost Buffalo are taking probably just comes down to a matter of personal taste. I might miss the twang, but there is no doubt The Magician is a confident step for a band that continues to evolve.
Genre: Alt/Rock
RIYL: Neko Case, Neil Young, Afghan Whigs
Label: Suburban Home
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