New Song from Bright Eyes

A new song by Bright Eyes titled "Shell Games" is available as a free download at Saddle Creek Records website.  The song will be featured on the band's forthcoming album "The People's Key".  It's growing on me after only a few listens.  Personally I prefer the Bright Eyes releases as opposed to Conor's recent solo work so I'm very eager to hear this new album.  "The People's Key" will be released on February 15, 2011.  In the meantime give "Shell Games" a listen below:

Upcoming Release: "Kiss Each Other Clean" by Iron & Wine

On January 25th, Iron & Wine will release the much anticipated followup to their 2007 album 'The Sheperd's Dog'.  Titled 'Kiss Each Other Clean', this new release includes 10 new songs form Iron & Wine maestro Sam Beam.  You can hear 2 of the songs (Walking Far From Home & Tree By The River) now on their website.  The artwork for this album looks incredible.  It makes me think of Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' with the neon colors of the Vegas strip. 

Here's a recording I stumbled across of Iron & Wine's performance at Bonnaroo in 2008.  I was at the festival but missed Iron & Wine unfortunately because of conflicting times with Ben Folds & Jack Johnson's performances.  Hopefully I'll finally get to see them sometime this coming year!

Setlist:
1- Boy With A Coin
2- Sodom, South Georgia
3- House By The Sea
4- The Devil Never Sleeps
5- White Tooth Man
6- Peace Beneath The City
7- Pagan Angel And A Borrowed Car
8- Carousel
9- Cinder And Smoke
10- Upward Over The Mountain
11- Love And Some Verses
12- The Night Descending
13- On Your Wings
14- Woman King
15- Wolves (The Sheperd's Dog)
16- The Trapeze Swinger
Download - Iron & Wine - Bonnaroo 08

Concert Review: Freelance Whales - Johnny Brendas, Philadelphia 12/14/10

When I saw Freelance Whales last February at Johnny Brendas they were 3rd on the bill.  Less then a year later they headlined a sold out show at the same venue.  The band definitely seemed tighter this time around with a year of touring under their belts.  They treated the crowd to songs from their debut album 'Weathervanes' along with 3 new tunes including the song 'Enzymes' which I posted about a few weeks ago.  My only complaint was the lack of banjo inclusion.  It was featured much more predominantly at last February's show, this time being replaced by electric & acoustic guitar on several songs.  I'm sure they had their reasons for it but I preferred the banjos sound and the uniqueness it lent to the group.

Favorite Albums of 2010

Occasionally for work I'll have to drive up to 3-3/12 hours to get to a jobsite.  On those days music is a source of sanity for me.  It's espcially nice when you can sit back a listen to an album straight through rather then having to shuffle through songs every 5-10 minutes.  These albums got a lot of play on those drives over the past year.

10: “Together” by The New Pornographers
Highlights: ‘Crash Years’, ‘Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk’, ‘Up In The Dark’

9: “Teen Dream” by Beach House
Highlights: ‘Norway’, ‘Walk In The Park’, ‘Used To Be’

8: “Shame, Shame” by Dr. Dog
Highlights: ‘Where’d All The Time Go’, ‘I Only Wear Blue’, ‘Stranger’

7: “Broken Bells” by Broken Bells
Highlights: ‘The High Road’, ‘Vaporize’, ‘The Ghost Inside’

6: “Sigh No More” by Mumford & Sons
Highlights: ‘Sigh No More’, ‘The Cave’, ‘Little Lion Man’

5: “Weathervanes” by Freelance Whales
Probably my favorite newly discovered band this past year. An eclectic array of instruments and tight harmonies create a distinct sound for the band. I anticipate big things for Freelance Whales in the future.

4: “This Is Happening” by LCD Soundsystem
It took me a few listens to really absorb this album for what it is. Some of the tracks (Dance Yrself Clean, Home, I Can Change) are great on their own where as others (One Touch, Pow Pow) appeal to me much more when listening to the album as a whole. LCD mastermind James Murphy definitely knows how to get me grooving and dancing. Hopefully this won’t be the last we hear from LCD Soundsystem as rumored.

3: “Contra” by Vampire Weekend
Great follow-up to their brilliant debut album. I just wish Honda would stop using the song ‘Holiday’ in their car commercials; it’s quickly ruining the song for me.

2: “Brothers” by The Black Keys
TBK continue to grow both creatively and musically with each album they release. ‘Brothers’ is by far their most sprawling album to date throwing some more bass and organ into the mix. This was a turnoff to some fans that’d prefer they stick with their previous guitar and drums only format. I feel that it’s inevitable that their sound will change as they grow as musicians though. Whether or not that change ends up sounding good or not is what makes certain bands elite. I recall hearing drummer Patrick Carney say in an interview that this album has the sound they’ve been after since they first started recording.

1: “The Suburbs” by Arcade Fire
Filled with great songs that all fit together as a concept of the band’s feeling and experiences with suburban life. Arcade Fire has a knack for creating an entire album around a central idea (check out Funeral and Neon Bible). That’s something not often seen these days when bands release an album with a couple ‘hit’ singles and then filler songs to end up with 10-12 tracks.

Top Ten Songs of 2010 - Part 2

Here they are. The ones that got my toe tapping; that I couldn't get out of my head; that made it onto all my playlists; that got cranked up in the car. My favorite songs from the year that was.....2010.

5. "In The Sun" by She & Him –
This song reminds me of Summer so I've been listening to it a lot lately with these freezing temperatures

4. "Giving Up The Gun" by Vampire Weekend

3. "Home" by LCD Soundsystem -
Clocking in at 7 minutes and 52 seconds it's epic but still manages not to seem drawn out at the same time.

2. "Everlasting Light" by The Black Keys -
As the opening track on the album 'Brothers', the crunching guitar riff and Dan Auerbach's falsetto pulsate through your body as you try to wrap your head around what you're hearing.  "I'm a Shepard for you, and I'll guide you through.  Let me be, your everlasting light".

1. "On Melancholy Hill" by Gorillaz -
I'm not a huge fan of Gorillaz but this song had me hook line and sinker the first time I heard it.  The melody, vocals, and lyrics are so eerily beautiful.  "Cause you are my medicine when you're close to me".

Top 10 Songs of 2010 - Part 2 by Ledjam311

Here's the video for "On Melancholy Hill":

Top Ten Songs of 2010 - Part 1

Here they are.  The ones that got my toe tapping; that I couldn't get out of my head; that made it onto all my playlists; that got cranked up in the car.  My favorite songs from the year that was.....2010.

10. “Daisy” by Fang Island –
Mostly instrumental but fast paced and heavy hitting. Great song for the gym.

9. “One Short Night” by Grace Potter & The Nocturnals –
A live version but that's how Grace was meant to be heard.

8. “Nothing Like You” by Frightened Rabbit

7. “The Cave” by Mumford & Sons -
Little Lion Man could have easily been on the list but hearing "The Cave" was what first prompted me to go out and get their album.

6. “Modern Man” by The Arcade Fire


   Top 10 Songs of 2010 - Part 1 by Ledjam311 

John Legend & The Roots cover Arcade Fire

I was just about to get out of my car earlier this afternoon when I heard this song come on WXPN.  As soon as I heard David Dye say "John Legend & The Roots covering Wake Up by The Arcade Fire" I closed the car door, cranked up the radio, and jammed out for the next 6 minutes.  It's just an incredible cover, preserving the originals melody & theme while putting a touch of John's soul and The Roots funk onto it.  The breakdown/jam towards the end is as funky as it is beautiful.
 John Legend & The Roots - Wake Up (Arcade Fire cover) by Ledjam311

This Year's Christmas Spirit Provided By: My Morning Jacket

The Christmas Spirit has eluded me the past couple years and this year is going in similar fashion thus far.  The other day I rediscovered a radio interview that My Morning Jacket did on Christmas Day back in 2001.  They play some traditional songs along with some of their own.  Will this be the spark to bring the Spirit back for me? We shall see...enjoy the recording.
 06 - Christmas Time is Here Again - My Morning Jacket by Ledjam311

Setlist:
1- Introduction
2 - Santa Claus is Back in Town
3 - Xmas Curtain
4 - O Holy Night
5 - Interview w/ Jim James
6 - Christmas Time is Here Again
7 - Old September Blues
8 - I Will Sing You Songs
9 - Interview w/ Jim James
10 - Silent Night
11 - Come Closer
Download:  MMJ - Christmas on WFPK

Concert Review: Atomic Tom - Northstar Bar, Philadelphia 12/7/2010

It's funny the difference a couple months and a hit Internet video can make.  I saw Atomic Tom play at The M Room this past Fall on a weeknight with a dozen other people in attendance.  Their show at Northstar Bar the other night had an entire room full of people turn out to see them. 

If Atomic Tom had been waiting for their big break, it came a few months ago when they released a video online of them using their iPhones as instruments on a NYC subway.  The innovative video garnered worldwide attention on the Internet and landed them numerous TV gigs and radio play.  Speaking with lead singer Luke White after their set the other night, it's apparent that the group is very down to earth and embracing their success well.  He was very thankful and appreciative of our continued support.

The show itself was a total blast.  Opening band "The Dance Party" warmed up the crowd with catchy anthems very fitting of a band with that name.  Then it was Atomic Tom's turn to work the crowd.  They opened the show mellow with Luke playing keyboard on 'Maybe I'm Wrong'.  After that the floodgates were opened and they ripped through their debut album "The Moment" along with some well crafted covers.  Queen's "Tie Your Mother Down" in the encore was a delightful surprise.

As Atomic Tom continues to tour behind their new album and recent fame the crowds and venues are bound to get bigger and bigger.  They're great to see with a packed house surrounding you though so I say bring it on!  My prediction:  Trocadero within a year, Electric Factory with their next album.

New to Me: Tokyo Police Club

I discovered Tokyo Police Club by listening to a random session on Daytrotter.  They're an indie rock group from Canada.  This past June they released their 2nd album titled "Champ".  From what I've heard on Daytrotter and Myspace they definitely deserve further listening.  They'll be playing a show in the Philadelphia area this coming January that I'll get to check out hopefully.

Myspace - Tokyo Police Club

Tokyo Police Club Official Website

Music News & Notes

Here are a few stories I've come across recently that are worth mentioning:

• Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket is going to perform at the National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington D.C. this year.  The event takes place on December 9th at 5pm.  You can watch it online at http://www.thenationaltree.org/. 
• Rolling Stone's most recent Countdown/List is called "Fifty Artists Pick Their Personal Top 10's".  Artists pick their Top 10 in various musical categories.  I'm usually not a big fan of Rolling Stone but it's interesting to get some insight into our favorite musicians minds. 
• Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam is embarking on a solo tour of Australia in March of 2011.  Although tempting, that's a little far for me to travel to see him.  I was able to catch one of his solo shows in Philadelphia back in 2009.  Those in attendance will definitely be in for a good show which is bound to include some Pearl Jam rarities, Into The Wild tracks, and great covers. 
• I saw a post recently over at The Midnight Cafe about Iron & Wine's new album.  It's titled "Kiss Each Other Clean" and is due out on January 25, 2011.  Their last album "The Shepard's Dog" was fantastic so I'm really looking forward to this one.