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I’ll post more here about The Ribeye Brothers “New Ways To Fail” release here later. For now, just know that it rocks. Not much does these days. There’s a lot of good new music out there, but rock is rare. Some of the best garage rock I’ve heard in ages. Outstanding!!!
check’em out here www.myspace.com/theribeyebrothers

The Mackrosoft "S.E.M.E"

The groove is strong with Mackrosoft, the 27 piece project that evokes 70’s keyboards, horns, and wah-wah peddle guitar. Much thanks to Wax Poetics magazine for hipping me to this disc.
give it a listen, then pick it up here at amazon music downloads

Boston Spaceships “Brown Submarine”

Rob Pollard of Guided By Voices continues to put out more tunes than any other human. Pollard is always hit or miss, there’s some hits here.

The Dirtbombs “We Have You Surrounded”

This came out earlier this year — nobody told me. If a garage band can evolve, then these guys are evolving. Some good rockin’.

Kaiser Chiefs “Off With Their Heads”

“Never Miss A Beat” is the infectious single here.

The Hold Steady “Stay Positive”
Doesn’t grab me like their last release “Boys and Girls in America” but a few good tunes.

Hercules And Love Affair
So I like overtly gay dance music — I’m man enough to admit it. Very Bronski Beat sounding.

My Morning Jacket “Evil Urges”
I’m not sure what to make of this. At first I hated it. Now I merely dislike it. But a few songs are growing on me.

The Magnetic Fields “Distortion”

Oddly enough, I’d been playing older songs by The Magnetic Fields around the house the past week or so, because our friend Kate told my wife it was her favorite band. My wife, Judie had never heard of them and quickly became a fan. So the discovery of this release was rather serendipitous.

For some, this new release “Distortion” may be a tough listen. Truth in advertising be told; the unifying sound here is distortion. The whole record sounds recorded in the red. This sound can be fatiguing, but I’ve always enjoyed my Magnetic Fields in small doses, sprinkling their cuts in mixed tapes or iTunes equivalents. For me, even a distorted Magnetic Fields record is a welcome gift. There’s a sarcasm in their songs that seems like it can only come from my corner of the world — and I appreciate it.

Radiohead “In Rainbows”

I’ve owned this for some time now, but this is a sneaky record. It didn’t grab me like “Kid A” or “OK Computer” once did. This is more placid, almost background music. The lyrics don’t seem to jump out. Usually, when I take the train into Manhattan, I’ll listen to something that’s not distracting so I can read, but also drown out the incessant banter of inane cell phone users. “In Rainbows” has done the trick. But I need to actually start paying more attention. My friend Adam tells me there are some brilliant tunes here.

Working For A Nuclear Free City – “Businessmen and Ghosts”

Clocking in at 1.7 hours, Businessmen and Ghosts is all over the modern British music musical map. This Manchester band is one part Fluke, one part, Stone Roses, a touch of Ride, some Radiohead, a little ambient, a pinch of low-fi, groove, experimental, and a whole lot more – hell, there’s 29 songs on this release. At times, I’m not sure it’s the same band from one track to the next. I’m not even sure if I like the whole thing – but that’s not the point of this entry – it’s just what I’m listening to this week. If I were to give them a grade, I would say A for Ambitious, but D for Don’t Know Which Way To Go.

Calvin Harris – I Invented Disco

UK Producer Calvin Harris’ cock-sure title “I Invented Disco” is a tongue in cheek send-up of the dance floor culture. Harris channels everyone from Bootsy to Rick James to Cerone, sprinkled with the most vapid, cliché lyrics inspired by the golden days of 70s disco. It’s all good fun and great for parties. But “I Get All The Girls” is the best tune by far – a really funny take on the self-absorbed strutting disco dandy.

The fact that I’m listening to Bruce Springsteen at this point in my life comes as quite a surprise even to me. (more…)

Okay, so I bought “Cookies” by The 1990’s a few weeks ago, but I was too busy to post. A fun record even if I don’t understand the band’s name. They’re more late 70’s than 1990’s with touches of Richard Hell, Dead Boys and a pinch of Dictators. “My Cult Status” and “You’re Supposed To Be My Friend” are humorous romps.

“Challengers” - The New Pornograhers

In an age of bland, unispired, unorginal “music” this band continues to deliver the goods. While not as stunning as the previous “Twin Cinemas”, this is a solid effort. “Here’s the munity I promised you, and here’s the party it turned into” on the track “Mutiny, I Promise” is the best line I’ve heard in a song in a long time.

“The Con” - Tegan and Sara

This is a huge disapointment. I generally don’t like to write bad reviews — just ignore works I don’t care for. But I waited a long time for a follow-up to the 2004 surprise “So Jealous.” The “Con” is aptly named; I was conned into thinking this was worth buying. Over produced and myopic in subject matter, one listen was painful, a second was torture.

Soul Fire: The Majestic Collection

60’s and 70’s inspired deep groove sound, this record represents some of best work on the Soul Fire label. Released in 2005, but I just got around to picking it up this week. Only drawback: these double CD jewel boxes always break the minute I open them.

Electrelane “No Shouts No Calls”

I’m a sucker for Sterolab, and the Farfisa organ thing. This is right in that nieghborhood.

Sea Wolf “Get to the River Before It Runs Too Low”
“You’re A Wolf” is one of those songs that just burrowed into my skull and now I’m stuck with it. I sing it day in and day out. I sing it to my dog. The rest of the E.P. is pretty good as well.

I Went to Sirius Satellite’s studio friday. I was invited to watch the Kaiser Chiefs one of my newer favorite bands from England. The boys did an interview and played live in the main stage area — an impressive glass-enclosed area to promote their upcoming new record “Yours Truly, Angry Mob.” They performed their 2005 UK hit “I Predict A Riot” as well as new songs “Ruby,” Everything Is Average Nowadays” and the cleverly titled “Love Is Not A Competition (But I’m Winning).” It was difficult to not clap after each song, since I was sitting right in there with the band. One of the best bands to come along in years — Brit Rock is alive and well! That’s me in the middle.