2014 Music Thread

[Ebby Calvin]

Damien Jurado - Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Sun
Pretty great stuff.

[drew corleone]

Thanks for starting. I was looking around for new stuff the other night and gave Mogwai a listen. I think I was as indifferent to it as I was to their their older stuff.

[drew corleone]

That was really good, EC. Appreciate the rec.

[Ebby Calvin]

Glad you liked it.  I'm going to give the Mogwai a few more listens, but I agree mostly.  I really loved last year's Les Revenants.

[NeilT]

http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2014/01/song-premiere-st-paul-and-the-broken-bones---call.html

Only one song, but fantastic.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2014/01/song-premiere-st-paul-and-the-broken-bones---call.html

Only one song, but fantastic.

A friend of mine's brother is in that band.  Cannot wait for their full LP.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Nickel Creek is getting the band back together. No Texas dates yet, but surely they're coming.

[Bench]

Nickel Creek is getting the band back together.

Is this code?

[Ebby Calvin]

I originally read Nickelback in GBB's post.  Had to replace a window after that.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Broken Bell's new album, After The Disco, is pretty good.

[Ebby Calvin]

Broken Bell's new album, After The Disco, is pretty good.

Still waiting for Spotify to add this one.
In the meantime I'm really enjoying a few singles that tease upcoming albums from artists I like:

Wye Oak - "The Tower"
St. Vincent - "Digital Witness"
Real Estate - "Talking Backwards"
Cheatahs - "Cut the Grass"

Edited to add the most important one of them all:
Beck - "Blue Moon"

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Cheetahs really impressed me.

The new Robert Ellis is the tits.  I want to take a drive to Big Bend and back with it on a loop.

[Ebby Calvin]

The new Robert Ellis is the tits.  I want to take a drive to Big Bend and back with it on a loop.

Which one is this?  The Lights From the Chemical Plant?
Good stuff either way.  Thanks.

[Bench]

FSPS lineup:  Jack White *Vampire Weekend *Zedd *Ms. Lauryn Hill *Above and Beyond (NC) *Wu-Tang Clan *Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros *Dwight Yoakam *Childish Gambino *Deftones *Cage The Elephant *The Kills *Die Antwoord *Big Gigantic *Chvrches *DMX *The 1975 *tUnE-yArDs *Laidback Luke *Rebelution *Washed Out *The Naked and Famous *Adventure Club *Drive-By Truckers *Lord Huron *Ying Yang Twins *Sky Ferreira *J. Roddy Walston and the Business *First Aid Kit *Mariachi El Bronx *Paper Diamond *King Kahn & The Shrines *Flatbush Zombies *The Oh Hellos *Wildcat! Wildcat! *Shakey Graves *Poolside *Robert DeLong *The Orwells *Anamanaguchi *Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors *The Chain Gang of 1974 *William Fitzsimmons *Destruction Unit *White SeaUh Huh Her * Jana Hunter * The Tontons *Syd Arthur *Lizzo *Benjamin Booker *Bagheera *Wild Moccasins *Ishi *Feathers *Fistful of Soul *Yung Slutty *Eagle Claw *Venomous Maximus *Wild Party *Carnival Talk *Driver Friendly *BLSHS *The Caldwell *Pleasure 2 *Children of Pop *Los Skarnales *New York City Queens *De’Wayne Jackson *Make *Another Run *Gracie Chavez *Pinkish Black * Dead Roses *Grand Old Grizzly *Ill Liad

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Cibo Matto has a new album out, Happy Valentine. It's currently down streaming here. They fuse Bitches Brew era Miles Davis, The Talking Heads, Hip-Hop, and Avant Garde, like no-one else. Anyway, it's their first in 14 years and it's really great. Don't know if Yuka's husband Nels Cline plays on it or not.

[Ebby Calvin]

Cibo Matto has a new album out, Happy Valentine. It's currently down streaming here. They fuse Bitches Brew era Miles Davis, The Talking Heads, Hip-Hop, and Avant Garde, like no-one else. Anyway, it's their first in 14 years and it's really great. Don't know if Yuka's husband Nels Cline plays on it or not.

Wow.  Thanks for this.  Completely off my radar and the description sounds amazing.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Wow.  Thanks for this.  Completely off my radar and the description sounds amazing.

Hope you like it.

[drew corleone]

New favorite album of the year so far... Temples, "Sun Structures." Four brits that were transported from the late 60s to modern-day England via some magical mystery tour.

[Ebby Calvin]

Phantogram - Fall in Love

Great song.  I'm still getting through the album.

Also, Broods - s/t gets fun after a few listens.

[drew corleone]

Appreciate the Phantogram heads up. I just noticed that my Spotify closely resembles yours.

Not necessarily 2014, but I saw Neutral Milk Hotel last night. Was a really great show. I was about 6 years late on In the Aeroplane Over the Sea and I think my disdain for the Hornfans.com pre-hipster mentality made me spitefully not get into it (that album was a trendy fave on their music board for the better part of three years, it felt).

Yesterday I gave it another whirl before the show and realized I liked most of it a lot, and after seeing them live I'm sold.

[Ebby Calvin]

Appreciate the Phantogram heads up. I just noticed that my Spotify closely resembles yours.

Not necessarily 2014, but I saw Neutral Milk Hotel last night. Was a really great show. I was about 6 years late on In the Aeroplane Over the Sea and I think my disdain for the Hornfans.com pre-hipster mentality made me spitefully not get into it (that album was a trendy fave on their music board for the better part of three years, it felt).

Yesterday I gave it another whirl before the show and realized I liked most of it a lot, and after seeing them live I'm sold.

I see your Spotify is as big as mine.
I really, really liked Neutral Milk Hotel about five years ago, but it wore off rather quickly.  I know people who are obsessed with them though.

First Listens:

Beck - Morning Phase (once again teaming up with his dad for orchestration)
St. Vincent - s/t

I've been looking forward to these two for quite some time.

[Dark Star]

New release by Hatcham Social

[Ebby Calvin]

St. Vincent - s/t
Real Estate - Atlas

Really, really, really, really good.

I've been a bit underwhelmed with the new Beck, but I'm not giving up.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

New Drive-By Truckers is solid, but still lacks the punch of having Isbell in the fold.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Phantogram - Fall in Love

Great song.  I'm still getting through the album.

I really like this.

[Ebby Calvin]

The Music Hipster Index

It's science, people!

[NeilT]

If Vampire weekend is a hipster band, then I'm a hipster, and it's not because I like Vampire weekend.  Or something.  Even asking that question is just wrong.

I surely did like Phosphorescent though. 

[HudsonHawk]

The Music Hipster Index

It's science, people!

On that list of 20 "non-obscure" bands, I've heard of two of them, Justin Timberlake and Kanye West, but could not name one song either have ever done.  I've never heard of any of the "obscure" ones.  Does that make me even hipper than hipster?

[NeilT]

On that list of 20 "non-obscure" bands, I've heard of two of them, Justin Timberlake and Kanye West, but could not name one song either have ever done.  I've never heard of any of the "obscure" ones.  Does that make me even hipper than hipster?

I think it means that you're a hipster/geologist, which is a very particular niche.

[Limey]

Does that make me even hipper than hipster?

You're so unhip it's a wonder that your legs don't fall off.

[HudsonHawk]

You're so unhip it's a wonder that your legs don't fall off.

I need hipster replacement surgery.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'm a mother fucking contrarian. I don't acknowledge any jackass fuckin' hipstery shit, but I do know art when I hear it.

[austro]

I need hipster replacement surgery.

Unrelated, but noteworthy: my wife had to make a visit to the emergency room last weekend, and while she was in there a former Marine came in. He had had recent hip replacement surgery, but had fallen and dislocated the implant. The nurses were asking him about pain on the 1-10 scale, and when he said 10, the nurses really started scrambling. If a Marine says the pain is at 10, you can bet it's bad.

[Ebby Calvin]

The nurses were asking him about pain on the 1-10 scale, and when he said 10, the nurses really started scrambling. If a Marine says the pain is at 10, you can bet it's bad.

My wife works at a hospital (physical therapist), and the 1-10 scale is used at our house for anything pain-related.  Stub your toe?  That's a 3 but it wanes quickly.  Step on an action figure?  Maybe a 2.  Catch a knee to the throat from a bouncing 4-year-old? An 8.
It was new to me when we started dating.  In my house growing up we used the "This FUCKING HURTS" scale.

[Duman]

I know it is off last year's album but Lone Bellow just released a video for Green Eyes & A Heart of Gold that was partially filmed in the streets of my hometown of Opelika, Alabama.  The filming took place outside a music venue (Cottonseed Studios) that a guy I went to HS with opened. It is a converted cotton warehouse.

[Ebby Calvin]

War on Drugs - Lost in the Dream came out today.  If you like Springsteen and/or Dire Straits, this is worth a listen.  If you don't like those bands, what is wrong with you?

[NeilT]

War on Drugs - Lost in the Dream came out today.  If you like Springsteen and/or Dire Straits, this is worth a listen.  If you don't like those bands, what is wrong with you?

They're not nearly hip enough for me.  These days I only listen to retro-glam. 

[Duman]

NPR did a story this morning on a new band out of Birmingham.  St. Paul and the Broken Bones.  Retro R&B from a bunch of young white guys.  I have enjoyed listening to this feed all morning.  I have always been a sucker for music with horns.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

   I have always been a sucker for music with horns.

Shit yeah!

[chuck]

NPR did a story this morning on a new band out of Birmingham.  St. Paul and the Broken Bones.  Retro R&B from a bunch of young white guys.  I have enjoyed listening to this feed all morning.  I have always been a sucker for music with horns.

I'd always imagined that Sam Moore's son would look a little different.

[Ron Brand]

I have always been a sucker for music with horns.

Me too!

[Ebby Calvin]

I'm still stuck in the St. Vincent/Real Estate/War on Drugs rotation.  Anybody have anything new they like?

[NeilT]

I'm still stuck in the St. Vincent/Real Estate/War on Drugs rotation.  Anybody have anything new they like?

I'm listening to St. Vincent, which I like more than I thought I would.  There's something very 80s new wave about it.  I'm also listening to Sarah Jarosz, who was on Austin City Limits recently.  The first few songs are quite good, but about what you'd expect, but the latter half seems surprisingly jazzy.  I like it a lot.

If you're not getting the weekly videos from Postmodern Jukebox, then you foo'.

[Ebby Calvin]

I'm listening to St. Vincent, which I like more than I thought I would.  There's something very 80s new wave about it. 

That song 'Bring Me Your Loves' is bat-shit crazy and I love every second of it.

If you're not getting the weekly videos from Postmodern Jukebox, then you foo'.

No idea what this is.

[NeilT]

No idea what this is.

Postmodern Jukebox is the creation of a pianist named Scott Bradlee, who assembles a variety of fine jazz and near-jazz players in his living room to make a weekly video of a song that has nothing to do with jazz.  This is one of my favorites:

http://www.postmodernjukebox.com/2014/03/08/variations-on-careless-whisper/

They are always outstanding.  This week's song was a Rihanna song, and the cover is so much better than the original that it almost justifies the original. 

[Ebby Calvin]

Postmodern Jukebox is the creation of a pianist named Scott Bradlee, who assembles a variety of fine jazz and near-jazz players in his living room to make a weekly video of a song that has nothing to do with jazz.  This is one of my favorites:

http://www.postmodernjukebox.com/2014/03/08/variations-on-careless-whisper/

They are always outstanding.  This week's song was a Rihanna song, and the cover is so much better than the original that it almost justifies the original. 

That's fantastic!  I always thought Wham! had a Dave Brubeck influence.
Subscribed.

[NeilT]

That's fantastic!  I always thought Wham! had a Dave Brubeck influence.
Subscribed.

They did a year-end mash-up for Cosmopolitan last year that's hilarious, and the Klezmer version of Talk Dirty To Me is spectacular.  They really can do no wrong.

[Ebby Calvin]

They did a year-end mash-up for Cosmopolitan last year that's hilarious, and the Klezmer version of Talk Dirty To Me is spectacular.  They really can do no wrong.

The giant clown singing 'Royals' slayed me. 

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

The new one from The Hold Steady is solid.  After the last two albums, where you got 3-5 good songs and a bunch of filler, they were due for a solid full record.

[NeilT]

The giant clown singing 'Royals' slayed me.  

Mark actually posted that a couple of weeks ago, when he posted about Puddles being back in Austin.  I gotta post one more link though, just because it's so fantastic.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZY9_Xr5XPA  

It's also a Mr. Happy kinda tune. 

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'm still stuck in the St. Vincent/Real Estate/War on Drugs rotation.  Anybody have anything new they like?

New albums by Beck and Mac DeMarco are sounding pretty nice. Children of Pop is interesting.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Also like the debut album by Dutch garage pop band, Mozes and the Firstborn.

[Ebby Calvin]

New albums by Beck and Mac DeMarco are sounding pretty nice. Children of Pop is interesting.

I need to give the Mac DeMarco a few listens.  I've only read great things about it.  And thanks for the Mozes and the Firstborn rec - not on my radar at all.

[Ebby Calvin]

Also like the debut album by Dutch garage pop band, Mozes and the Firstborn.

Sphinx this is really, really great.  Thanks.

[Dark Star]

Going to see the Dandys on Uno de Mayo at Fitzgerald's. Wish BJM would be there, too, but ... oh well.

[Ebby Calvin]

Wye Oak - Shriek is pretty interesting.  No more guitar - all bass/drums and synths.  The title track and "The Tower" stand out on early listens.  "Schools of Eyes" is good too.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Wye Oak - Shriek is pretty interesting.  No more guitar - all bass/drums and synths.  The title track and "The Tower" stand out on early listens.  "Schools of Eyes" is good too.

Agreed.  I was a little worried about the "no guitar" thing, but this album is great.

[drew corleone]

I need to give the Mac DeMarco a few listens.  I've only read great things about it.  And thanks for the Mozes and the Firstborn rec - not on my radar at all.

Listening to your Spotify 2014 list with this one it. Really solid stuff.

[Ebby Calvin]

Chet Faker - Built on Glass  I've gone back this so many times this year and it gets better with each listen.  "Talk is Cheap" is such a great, great song.  I have no idea who the guy is other than he's a bearded Australian dude and he once sang "No Diggity" for some reason.  But the whole album is worth a listen.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

A few weeks back I had been wondering what Angel Deradoorian was up to and googled her only to find she is now working on a project with a guy from Animal Collective. The result is pretty good. Avey Tare's Slasher Flicks. Here's the video for the single, Little Fang.

[Ron Brand]

I'm at a new music and sound festival and I just met J G Thirlwell, whom I'm here to see. I live a charmed life.

And Noveller is hot as hell.

[Ron Brand]

45 minute performance was enthralling. Somewhat like Tangerine Dream's soundtrack to Thief, only performed live in a small room. Tomorrow I'll see him with a string quartet.

[NeilT]

This is kind of fun.  The Notwist is worth a listen.

http://www.npr.org/2014/06/27/323539972/heavy-rotation-our-panels-10-favorite-songs-of-the-year-so-far?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20140628

[Ebby Calvin]

I'm rarely accused of listening to "fun" music (or the band, .fun), but I think these guys are fun: Lake Street Dive - Bad Self-Portraits.
If you like Alabama Shakes give it a listen.

"You Go Down Smooth"

[Ebby Calvin]

The Hotelier - Home, Like Noplace Is There

Rock 'n roll.

[Duman]

NPR did a story this morning on a new band out of Birmingham.  St. Paul and the Broken Bones.  Retro R&B from a bunch of young white guys.  I have enjoyed listening to this feed all morning.  I have always been a sucker for music with horns.

Here is their SXSW 2014 session on Spotify

[Ebby Calvin]

Weird "Al" Yankovich is releasing eight music videos over eight days.  Today's was incredible.

[JimR]

Weird "Al" Yankovich is releasing eight music videos over eight days.  Today's was incredible.

awesome

[Bench]

Weird "Al" Yankovich is releasing eight music videos over eight days.  Today's was incredible.

I love it, but I will defend the oxford comma until my death.

[Ty in Tampa]

Weird "Al" Yankovich is releasing eight music videos over eight days.  Today's was incredible.

That Jarrett Heather is one talented individual. "Weird Al" is a national treasure.

[Taras Bulba]

I'm rarely accused of listening to "fun" music (or the band, .fun), but I think these guys are fun: Lake Street Dive - Bad Self-Portraits.
If you like Alabama Shakes give it a listen.

"You Go Down Smooth"

I went to the taping of the 40th anniversary of ACL show a few weeks back.  Lots of talent on stage that night but that big girl from Alabama Shakes stole the show--she is a force of nature.  Also, Gary Clark, Jr. tore it up.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I like this song off of Future Islands' newest album. The other songs don't do a lot for me but I dig the 80s synth pop vibe and the singer's got a very unique, almost too idiosyncratic, voice.

[Ebby Calvin]

Inventions - Inventions
Collaboration between Explosions in the Sky and Eluvium.  Great album.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Inventions - Inventions
Collaboration between Explosions in the Sky and Eluvium.  Great album.

This. 

The new Weezer single is goofy fun.

[Dark Star]

If someone has mentioned it already, I apologize. But suprisingly (to me, anyway), the re-formed Afghan Whigs latest (Do To The Beast) is really pretty good.

[hostros7]

The Hamilton Leithauser concert available on NPR is a highly enjoyable listen, IMO.

[Ebby Calvin]

Good news/bad news:

Good: Spoon - They Want My Soul

Bad: Civil Wars officially broken up

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Bad: Civil Wars officially broken up

Odds that John Paul ever joins another touring band are looooooooow.

[NeilT]

I liked the Civil Wars' first album a lot, and saw them in concert and thought they were great.  That last album was one of the strangest things i've ever listened to--just this weird combination of commercial overproduction, dominance by Joy Williams, and hostility.  I'm still not sure if I liked it.

I've heard some of the Spoon on the All Songs Considered podcast, and I really liked what I've heard.

[chuck]

Odds that John Paul ever joins another touring band are looooooooow.

What's this guy's problem, Cliffs Notes version?

[NeilT]

What's this guy's problem, Cliffs Notes version?

The girl, apparently.

[Ty in Tampa]

What's this guy's problem, Cliffs Notes version?

It's shrouded in mystery but I'm pretty sure it involves a wife and children.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

It's shrouded in mystery but I'm pretty sure it involves a wife and children.

Pretty much this.  Doesn't like touring.  So he's going to hang around Muscle Shoals and be a session guy and produce other people.

[Ebby Calvin]

Pretty much this.  Doesn't like touring.  So he's going to hang around Muscle Shoals and be a session guy and produce other people.

Didn't he scoff at Joy wanting to team up with Taylor Swift and that crowd?

[NeilT]

Didn't he scoff at Joy wanting to team up with Taylor Swift and that crowd?

Somehow it seems hard to imagine a bit of scoffing at Taylor Swift causing such a full-blown brouhaha, but if he'd scoffed at Emmylou I'm there.

[Ty in Tampa]

Didn't he scoff at Joy wanting to team up with Taylor Swift and that crowd?

I've only seen speculation but that could fall under "differences of ambition" from their hiatus statement.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

We went to Saturday's portion of Whatever Fest.  For the 13th consecutive year, Andrew W.K. is campaigning on a pro-party platform.

And the Hold Steady put on a great show even without a keyboard player.

[Ebby Calvin]

And the Hold Steady put on a great show even without a keyboard player.

Nice.  Mostly new stuff?

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Nice.  Mostly new stuff?

Yeah.  "The Ambassador" was particularly good live.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I'm not really enjoying the new Gaslight Anthem.  Too 90's for me.

[Bench]

If you are looking for a rambling, semi-coherent, navel-gazing pointless ranking of the "greatest" American bands from 1964 to 2014, here it is.

[subnuclear]

If you are looking for a rambling, semi-coherent, navel-gazing pointless ranking of the "greatest" American bands from 1964 to 2014, here it is.

I was just thinking about this the other day for some reason, so I guess Grantland can anticipate my pointless ranking needs now.

[Bench]

I was just thinking about this the other day for some reason, so I guess Grantland can anticipate my pointless ranking needs now.

It's what they do best.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Twin Peaks is a young garage pop band out of Chicago. Their second album Wild Onion, released earlier this month is sounding real good. You can stream it here. Check it out.

[Ebby Calvin]

Nickel Creek Tiny Desk Concert (mostly for GBB's wife)

[Ron Brand]

Here's a free stream/download of one of the last Alejandro Escovedo and the Sensitive Boys shows for a while, as he goes back into the shed to work on some new things.

Jon Dee Graham is in the middle of a project so the postings are slight right now, but this is a fantastic show from earlier this year, also a free download/stream.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Nickel Creek Tiny Desk Concert (mostly for GBB's wife)

I don't know when Sarah Watkins got hot, but it was almost distracting at the Austin show we went to.

[chuck]

Here's a free stream/download of one of the last Alejandro Escovedo and the Sensitive Boys shows for a while, as he goes back into the shed to work on some new things.

I've been meaning to tell you (and this is as good a place as any) that Jon Sanchez is one of my favorite guitarists. Not as in one of my favorite local guitarists, just one of my favorite guitar players anywhere. I've seen a few people who play like him before but not very many. He does this weird, snaky, Richard Lloyd thing but weaves in into whatever he's doing rather than simply assume that the rest of the band is going to meet him wherever he is. Anyway, I really hope he keeps playing with Alejandro and that I get to see them together some time.

[Ron Brand]

I've been meaning to tell you (and this is as good a place as any) that Jon Sanchez is one of my favorite guitarists. Not as in one of my favorite local guitarists, just one of my favorite guitar players anywhere. I've seen a few people who play like him before but not very many. He does this weird, snaky, Richard Lloyd thing but weaves in into whatever he's doing rather than simply assume that the rest of the band is going to meet him wherever he is. Anyway, I really hope he keeps playing with Alejandro and that I get to see them together some time.

I was surprised at how good he is - he's damned good and is always a crowd favorite. As to that last thought...well, there's a show in Midland September 20. Other than that there isn't much I'm aware of.

[NeilT]

I don't know when Sarah Watkins got hot, but it was almost distracting at the Austin show we went to.

Sarah Watkins hot?  That would be like Chris Carter being a good hitter.

[Ty in Tampa]

I don't know when Sarah Watkins got hot, but it was almost distracting at the Austin show we went to.

I don't know if hot is the word I'd use but I noticed a distinct difference myself.

[NeilT]

I know that I've linked these guys before, and I know it's old news, but this is so fantastic, forgive me:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyTTX6Wlf1Y

[Ebby Calvin]

Continuing the old news theme, I'm probably very late on these guys but the Goat Rodeo Sessions are worth a listen if you have any interest in music at all.

Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thale, Edgar Meyer and Stuart Duncan.
The album is great, too.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Continuing the old news theme, I'm probably very late on these guys but the Goat Rodeo Sessions are worth a listen if you have any interest in music at all.

Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thale, Edgar Meyer and Stuart Duncan.
The album is great, too.

Wow! Ma and Duncan together, and Meyer, and Thile. That was great.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

There are two new Prince albums out today.  That is all.

[Dark Star]

Going to see the Allah-Las in November? Yes!

[Ron Brand]

Wreckless Eric tomorrow night at Guero's, 9pm, just before Jon Dee Graham and James McMurtry at the Continental, and Eric is at the Hole in the Wall Friday night.

[jbm]

You often jog my substandard memory. Wreckless Eric?  I google it, and the song about the girl in Tahiti comes up.  Love that song.

[Ron Brand]

That's him. He's doing a couple of solo shows, neither his wife nor the Len Bright Combo will be accompanying him.

[Ebby Calvin]

Alt J - This is All Yours
Great stuff.  I like it much more than their debut, and that album wasn't half bad.  They got weirder, which I think was a good move for them.

Mina Tindle - Parades
French singer, beautiful voice.  My first exposure to her (via NPR), but I really like what I hear so far.

[Ron Brand]

What I'm listening to.

[Dark Star]

What I'm listening to.

Dead Skeletons

[Ron Brand]

Dead Skeletons

You're right! There's no fucking reason for me to be here at all.

[Dark Star]

You're right! There's no fucking reason for me to be here at all.

Yep!

Yep!!

Yep!!!

[Ebby Calvin]

Elvis Costello, Jim James, Rhiannon Giddens, Taylor Goldsmith, T Bone Burnett, Marcus Mumford & The New Basement Tapes
Album: Lost On The River: The New Basement Tapes

AVClub:
After a tension-filled tour and a life-threatening motorcycle accident, Bob Dylan famously holed up in his Big Pink home near Woodstock, New York in 1967. There, with his backing group The Band—then known as The Hawks—he recorded over 100 songs, officially releasing the final, 24-song product in 1975. The album, The Basement Tapes, would go on to be considered one of Dylan’s best works, a wholly compelling if messy document of rustic American music.

Now, 47 years later, unused lyrics from those sessions have fallen in the hands of producer T Bone Burnett (Inside Llewyn Davis, True Detective). With approval from Dylan himself....

On my first listen, but this could be cool.

[NeilT]

http://www.incrediblethings.com/video/chinese-music-video-every-kind-wtf/

[Bench]

http://www.incrediblethings.com/video/chinese-music-video-every-kind-wtf/

On my first listen, but this isn't cool.

[NeilT]

On my first listen, but this isn't cool.

I think it's outstanding.

ETA: and I bet you don't watch it just once.

[Ron Brand]

I'll see your Chinese whateveritis and raise you the latest by the legitimately awesome Peelander-Z.

[NeilT]

I'll see your Chinese whateveritis and raise you the latest by the legitimately awesome Peelander-Z.

Well that's certainly something.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Chuck Prophet's new album, Night Surfer, is excellent. Favorite track so far, Countrified Inner-City Technological Man. All the tracks are outstanding.

Hal Ketchum's first new album in years, I'm The Troubadour, is pretty fucking good too. The title cut.

[NeilT]

Two things from NPR, first, a 2014 year in review. I only listened to two of them.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2014/12/04/368054358/all-songs-considered-the-year-in-music-2014?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=202604

Second, some stunning transcriptions of Phillip Glass string quartets for a classical guitar quartet:

http://www.npr.org/event/music/368263184/dublin-guitar-quartet-tiny-desk-concert?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=202604

[austro]

I was listening to Deep Tracks on XM this afternoon, and Mediterranean Sundance came on. They always say it's Al Di Meola, but I think they're saying that just to preserve NeilT's cover.

[Ron Brand]

Jon Dee Graham's new album is out. It's a live retrospective, taken from fan-sourced and radio recordings of his performances over the last 18 years, solo and with different sidemen, recorded all across the country. There's a digital download available online, and he's also selling CDs at that link as well as at his shows. He's making a Midwest run right now.

If you're unfamiliar with his work, this is a fine article about him.

Full disclosure: I am Jon Dee's archivist, and this was my project. It took a lot of twists and turns along the way, but we both are very happy with the results.

[NeilT]

I was listening to Deep Tracks on XM this afternoon, and Mediterranean Sundance came on. They always say it's Al Di Meola, but I think they're saying that just to preserve NeilT's cover.

That guy owes me.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

If you're unfamiliar with his work, this is a fine article about him.

Nice article, thanks Ron. I liked this: ... “You’re gonna love being 50, man,” he said. “Your give-a-shitter just stops working.”

That's so true.

[Dark Star]

Encrypted Bounce

I am liking this band more and more.