The King of Pop has passed away. May he rest in peace, wherever he may be.

Talks of a memorial event hosted by the Viper Room have been made. If you are in the Southern California area, and would like more information, please follow The Viper Room's Twitter account here: The Viper Room. They should keep you posted about the memorial event they will host for Michael Jackson.

The Shins

So, I just got wind of an amazing opportunity. It reminds me of the Dandy Warhols concert I went to last year. You know, sometimes bands are not as popular as they once were, or as they never were, but in any case, it happens that at the last minute, before a concert, a lucky few can buy tickets at half the outgoing price, and this is ALWAYS a good thing. It is happening with the Shins, and Filter Magazine is the one giving you this chance. So, if you are in the Los Angeles area, check out this link because it shall save you a few bucks to a show at the Hollywood Palladium. The show is this Sunday, May 10th. HURRY! Check it out, and maybe even take your mom along. You never know, it might be the Mother's Day present she has been waiting for.


C.S.H.

Samantha Crain & the Midnight Shivers - Songs in the Night

Samantha Crain is back, and this time with a full time band comprised of talented musicians behind her. Songs in the Night is a great response to her solo EP, Confiscation, which only had five tracks, and shows her recent maturity in both lyricism and musicianship. As usual her unique and intriguing voice is what really draws you into the album. The accompaniments work well to highlight her voice without become overpowering, and still find a balance by using tasteful embellishments and solos. All of the tracks are great, and there's a good amount of musical diversity as well that will keep you interested the whole time. My only real critique is of track 8, Bullfight (Change Your Mind), which isn't necessarily bad, but seems like an awkward addition to the album, and is slightly out of place. Otherwise, the album is impressive, and worth your time.

Track List:

1. Rising Sun
2. Songs in the Night
3. Long Division
4. Get the Fever Out
5. Bananafish Revolution
6. Scissor Tales
7. Devils in Boston
8. Bullfight (Change Your Mind)
9. Calm Down
10. You Never Know
11. Dam Song

The album is set to be released on April 28th and you can preorder it here

-Clio

Jeremy Jay - Slow Dance

Los Angeles local Jeremy Jay, has recently released his new album, Slow Dance, on K Records. This album is full of catchy sythn arrangements and memorable guitar riffs. While it has a retro feel, Jay adds his own personality to each track with his haunting vocals, giving it modern appeal. Although most of the tracks are a moderate length, some have a tendency to become slightly repetitive, like most current pop music. Overall, this album is laid-back, but still entertaining.

Track List:

1 We Were There
2 In this lonely town
3 Gallop
4 Canter Canter
5 Slow Dance
6 Winter Wonder
7 Will you dance with me?
8 Breaking the Ice
9 Slow Dance 2
10 Where could we go tonight?

-Clio

Polka Dot Dot Dot - Love Letter to New Zealand

Polka Dot Dot Dot has recently released their first full-length album Love Letter to New Zealand. Their music is folk inspired with a twist, featuring instruments such as ukulele, banjo, glockenspiel, and other interesting percussion choices. Each song has it's own unique sound, but the album as a whole has a effervescent aesthetic, while still keeping your attention. The album kicks off with the track Small Words, Bigger Lessons, which is an acappella folk tune, that incorporates stomp into the mix. This is only a slight sampling of the innovative musical ideas this band presents. There is everything from jazz inspired tunes such as Gold Watch to another acappella piece, Rose Rose, which is sung in a round. This band is a testament to beauty that can be found in simplicity, but still adds unexpected elements to each song, that makes the album compelling and unique.

Track List:

1. Small Words, Bigger Lessons
2. Little Finger
3. Primordial Forest
4. Rose Rose
5. Gold Watch
6. Gramophone
7. Mrs. Restless
8. Ocean
9. Cherry Blossoms
10. Flying Fox
11. Cuba Street
12. Do the Bowl Step
13. Go To Work
14. The Letter
15. Wicker Frames
16. Blue Bottle
17. Bright Smile

-Clio

Jenny Jenkins - Oventoucher

I've been meaning to post this for a while, but Jenny Jenkins, a quirky rising singer-songwriter from Olympia Washington, has released her second full length album, Oventoucher. I was anxious to hear this album when I saw it was released by Bicycle Records, which is home to artists such as June Madrona, Polka Dot Dot Dot, and Yes Please. While this was my first introduction to Jenkins, I haven't been able to stop listening since. Jenkins lyrics are honest, and slightly raunchy (but not distasteful), discussing issues of love, sex, and everything in between. Each song is simple and composed primarily of charming ukulele accompaniments, with horns and light percussion sprinkled in during some tracks. Jenkins' wit is undeniable, and the frankness found in her lyrics makes this album irresistible. Each song is filled with passion, and this album is worth your time, so check it out!

Track List:

1.Therapy
2.Don't Break Up the Band
3.Birdwatchers
4.Bath
5.Last Time
6.I Won't Kiss You
7.Wish You Were Here
8.Bus Angel
9.Chance
10.What Goes Around
11.Pheonix
12.Darkness Like Sunshine
13.Hey Babe
14.Arrow
15.Sleep With Evil
16.River
17.Jacket

You can download her song Last Time, which is my favorite song off the album here

-Clio

The Felice Brothers - Yonder is the Clock

The Felice Brothers are an alt-country band with an edge. Lead singer Ian Felice's voice is raw and compelling, and allows the album to shine. This album has a strong blues influence, which fits well with Ian's vocal timbre, but keeps its twang with the instrumental arrangements. This is their fifth full length album, and it shows. Their sound has matured, without becoming cluttered, like many musicians as they attempt further their sound. Each track adds a new element to the album, adding different sounds, but the album still still has a consistent concept, and flows well from track to track.

Track List:

1. The Big Surprise
2. Penn Station
3. Buried In Ice
4. Chicken Wire
5. Ambulance Man
6. Sailor Song
7. Katie Dear
8. Run Chicken Run
9. All When We Were Young
10. Boy from Lawrence County
11. Memphis Flu
12. Cooperstown
13. Rise and Shine

-Clio

Swan Lake - Enemy Mine

Swan Lake is an indie super group, composed of Dan Bejar (Destroyer), Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown), and Carey Mercer (Frog Eyes), which has just released their second album "Enemy Mine." Because of this meshing of minds, the album introduces multiple concepts, with three very distinct voices that still manage to complement each other. Honestly, if you like Wolf Parade, the main influence of this album, you will like Swan Lake. On the other hand, if you hate Wolf Parade, don't expect anything to change. Personally, I have always been a fan of Krug's voice, and I feel that the arrangements in this album work will with his vocal timbre. Basically each song changes based on who's singing. For example, track 3 Heartswarm, is sung by Bejar, and as listeners, we can't help but associating it with Destroyer. Because each of the vocalists have such distinct styles that have been associated with their larger projects, these ideas are brought to the for-front when listening to this album. There's a lot going on in this album, and because of the mix of styles, it's difficult for them to have a comprehenisive sound, but on track-by-track basis, this album is pretty satisfying.

Track List:
1. Spanish Gold, 2044
2. Paper Lace
3. Heartswarm
4. Settle On Your Skin
5. Ballad of A Swan Lake, Or, Daniel's Song
6. Peace
7. Spider
8. A Hand At Dusk
9. Warlock

-Clio

And...

...I am back!

Spent a week in Poland. Came back a new man! No, a new woman! No, a new person! Yes, the last works best.

During this week I realized that I did not tell you about this:

1. The Dandy Warhols are set to release a limited remix EP of their newest album Earth to The Dandy Warhols; logically titled Earth To The Remix . The album will be available April 18th in stores and digitally. It is a tiny EP consisting of four remixed songs.

Earth to The Dandy Warhols has not been the greatest album they've released, but who knows, a remix might change my mind.

On another note:

2. Kasabian are set to release West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum the 8th of June. If you've not caught their new single, go here for the youtube version. I apologize for not giving you the heads up; Kasabian had three/four days where you could download "Vlad the Implaer"--the single--for free on their website, but I was in Poland, and unfortunately forgot to let YOU know, as well as to download it for meself. BUT, there is youtube, and you can in the meanwhile listen to it there, and wait for the album to come out when it does. If you are in the UK vicinity, they will be doing a 20-day tour, so, check these days out:

29-May: Leicester De Montfort Hall
30-May: Leicester De Montfort Hall
31-May: Leicester De Montfort Hall
2-Jun: Wolverhampton Civic Hall
3-Jun: Wolverhampton Civic Hall
9-Jun: Newcastle O2 Academy
13-Jun: Swindon Oasis
14-Jun: Bridlington Spa
16-Jun: Dundee Caird Hall
18-Jun: Glasgow O2 Academy
24-Jun: Nottingham Rock City
25-Jun: Liverpool University
29-Jun: Sheffield O2 Academy
30-Jun: Manchester Academy
2-Jul: Southampton Guildhall
3-Jul: Newport Centre
4-Jul: Cornwall Eden Sessions
6-Jul: Portsmouth Guildhall
7-Jul: Cambridge Corn Exchange
16-Jul: London Brixton O2 Academy
17-Jul: London Brixton O2 Academy



C.S.H.

Rainstick Cowbell - Fireants

Rainstick Cowbell is the solo project of Scott Arbogast, an ex-member of Creepy Old Trucks. Each song is only comprised of vocals and guitar, but Arbogast's unique and powerful voice that makes the album standout. Every track is charged with anger and passion, which is complemented by driving acoustic guitar arrangements. While this album is far from the normal image of alt-country or folk music, Arbogast has created a refreshingly different album that is worth a listen.

Track Listing:

1 In the September of My 35th Year
2 Stabbed in a Dream
3 Rainstick Cowbell Theme Song (I Don't Suck, I Chug)
4 Legg Perthes
5 For the Beatniks
6 Sun Tzu's the Art of War: Chapter 13 - Employing Spies
7 Mad At the Megalith
8 Somewhere, Right Now... It's Happening
9 What I Would Say to Le Corbusier
10 Burt Bacharach's Hands
11 The Waitress At the Diner
12 Ye Olde Future
13 Short, Quiet Spiritual
14 A Self-indulgent Song I Know, but I Want My Family to Hear This

-Clio