June Madrona - Battlegrounds

June Madrona's most recent release, Battlegrounds, is a folk inspired work, with diverse instrumentation that complements their stripped down acoustic style. The lead singer, Ross Cowman's, voice reminds me of Colin Meloy of the Decemberists, but with a less nasal sound. The album whimsical aesthetic that is accentuated by flute and melodica solos sprinkled throughout. Each track, while satisfyingly simple, adds a different element of subtly to the album, while flowing seamlessly into one another. This is the fourth release by June Madrona, and easily their best, as the band has been able to hone in on their craft, bringing a new level of musical maturity to their work.

Track Listing:
1. Battle Ground
2. Grandpaw Frank
3. The Football Dream
4. Trying to Sleep
5. Wolf Dream
6. Dandelion Seeds
7. Contents of a Bus
8. Long Distance
9. Love is Complicated
10. Transatlantic
11. Big Sur
12. California Highways

If you like what you hear, they're playing a show at the Echo Curio on March 21st as well.

-Clio

New!

(Weewerk) is 6!




This compilation features a diverse group of great artists, with everything from "indie folk" to standard Americana/country hits. Basically, there is something on here for everyone. It incorporates some bigger bands, such as Great Lake Swimmers, and introduces us to some that are new, like the Burning Hell.

-Clio

You Probably Already Know, But..

Here's the Coachella Line-Up.

It looks pretty decent, but it's still a little pricey, which is no surprise.

In other musical news, especially considering the fact that no one has posted in quite sometime, I have a couple artists/albums I would like to share.

1. Liz Durrett - Outside Our Gates



Liz Durrett is a singer-songwriter from Athens, Georgia, and her most recent album was released on Warm Records. With vocals that are reminiscent of Norah Jones (but better), this album is soothing, but still retains a dark undertone that keeps you interested. Each song is stripped down, but still complemented by haunting string arrangements that add to the feel of the album. Overall, "Outside Our Gates" helps Durrett standout in a sea of overly-commercialized singer-songwriters, and puts her at the level of a respectable musician. I recommend checking out the track "The Sea a Dream" first.

Matt & Kim - Grand




This album is straight-up pop/dance/musical greatness. Sure it has a cheesy undertone, but I guarantee that it's still worth a listen. Each song is jam-packed with heavy synth & drums, and all-around good time. So don't expect to hear the next great music duo of our generation, but take it for what it is, a lot of fun. Make sure you check out their song "Spare Change," it's short, but still good.

Dear and the Headlights - Drunk Like Bible Times




I still remember the first time I saw this band, it was October of 2006, and they had won a contest to perform at Bamboozle Left. The band performed an energized show for a crowd of about 20 people, and gave away their 5 track EP for free. To say that these guys have matures since their previous album, Small Steps Heavy Hooves, is a major understatement. While their lyrics can be a bit melodramatic, overall this album is a lot of fun, with plenty of catchy hooks that will be stuck in your head all day. And look at them now, they're one of the artists in the line-up for Coachella. Check out their song "Saintly, Rows (Oh Oh)."

-Clio

November's Almost Gone...

...where will we be? Hahaha. Sorry, I had to insert some Doors into it.

As you all know, we have not been updating as we should, but that is about to change, in one, two, three...NOW! My post, as you should know, will be short and sweet. ha.

In a couple of days, Thanksgiving will be reigning over us. If you would like to go to a show before Thanksgiving, you should go to this gig:

Gig: The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra
Bands: Princeton, Obi Best and i make this sound
When: Wednesday 26 November 2008 at 8:30pm
Where: The Echo
1822 West Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90026

If after Thanksgiving, you still want to go to another show, you should check this one out, but BEWARE, only 21+, I know, what a drag, but it happens...

When: Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 9:00pm
Bands: Elated Sob Story 9p, Downtown Union 9:30p, Collisions 10:15p, Seasons 11p, and Marvelous Toy 12a
Where: Crane's Tavern
1611 N. El Centro
Los Angeles, CA

That is all I have for you. Oh, no. If you are looking into catching Will Sheff, from Okkervil River, you should go to this gig:

Bands: Will Sheff, Tallest Man on Earth and Bird of Youth
When: Saturday 20 December 2008 at 8:00pm
Where: Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever

Alrite. Now, THAT is all I have for you.


-C.S.H.

Against Me! in Bus Accident

This morning, during their US tour, Against Me! hit a patch of ice while driving. Luckily no one in the band was injured, but the same can't be said for the equipment, which was thrown on the road. For more information you can read here.

-Clio

Marvelous Toy

I have been following a band called Marvelous Toy. They are a Folk, Los Angeles-based band made up of:

Jordan Hudock - Vocals, guitar, and keys;
Ny Lee - Keys, glockenspiel, and vocals;
Franck Fiser - Drums; and
Cody Hudock - Keys

I was listening to their EP All is Quiet the other day, but realized that the songs sound much better when played by themselves, alone, one at a time. They are nonetheless, a very talented group of musicians. They remind me of the earlier Okkervil River--I do not like OR's really old sound, though, they have grown instrumentally and lyrically, in a very good way. So, I type: look out for Marvelous Toy, for they are out there and they should be given a chance.

On Monday, October 27th, they will be playing a live set in DJ Hinterwelle's radio show Raucous Hedonism from KSPC 88.7 FM's basement (Claremont Colleges Radio Station); which you can stream online from here. They are set to play at 5PM. On Thursday, October 30th, they are playing a gig at R Bar, in Los Angeles at 8PM, if you are interested in seeing them live. Here, check out their myspace, and their website.

Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines

Okkervil River premiered their new video for Lost Coastlines, their first single off their new album the Stand Ins, today. Here it is:




-Clio

Human Highway - Moody Motorcycle

Do you like the Islands? What about the Unicorns? If you answered yes to one of these questions you should check out Nick Thorburn and Jim Guthrie's side project, Human Highway. Their most recent release is Human Highway, which I must admit, is pretty amazing. While all of the songs follow a similar format, the album doesn't become overly repetitive. Each song has differently elements that are subtly added, such as timpani solos or string sections, and because of this, each track still flows nicely into the next, creating a continuous album.

Here's the track listing:
1. The Sound
2. All Day
3. Get Lost
4. What World
5. Sleep Talking
6. Moody Motorcycle
7. My Beach
8. Ode To Abner
9. Pretty Hair
10. Vision Failing
11. Duties Of A Lighthouse Keeper
12. I Wish I Knew

Check out tracks 6 and 8, they're the stand outs of the album. Also, you can hear more at their myspace

-Clio

Travis Barker and DJ AM

Travis Barker (ex. Blink 182, Plus 44) and DJ AM are both in critical condition after their plane crashed today in South Carolina. They are the only two that survived. You can read more here. And to think, just yesterday I was driving around listening to old Blink songs.

-Clio

Sunny September

So, I know it's been a while since we've posted everything, but both CS H and I have been extremely busy. But back to music news, I want to talk about one of my new favorite bands called Princeton. They a local LA band, and while they are definitely more pop, they're damn good, and always add new and surprising elements to their music. If you want to check them out you can go to their myspace, which also lets you download one of their songs. So check them out, you wont be disappointed.

Here's their current tour schedule:

Sep 24 2008 8:00P
THE RICKSHAW STOP W/ RA RA RIOT San Francisco, California
Oct 4 2008 5:00P
EAGLE ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL Eagle Rock, California
Oct 10 2008 10:00P
CLUB FANDANGO @ THE WILMINGTON ARMS Clerkenwell, London and South East
Oct 11 2008 9:00P
MATTER w/ MARK RONSON, THE TEENAGERS, THESE NEW PURITANS London
Oct 12 2008 8:00P
THE WINDMILL Brixton, London and South East
Oct 16 2008 8:00P
THE LOFT San Diego, California
Oct 17 2008 8:00P
THE ECHO Los Angeles, California
Oct 22 2008 8:00P
CMJ NYC, New York
Oct 25 2008 8:00P
CMJ NYC, New York


-Clio