Category Archives: New Release

Country, Download This!, Festival, Live Shows, Music, New Release, Rock, Solo

Drive-By Trucker’s Patterson Hood Takes The Wheel For A Solo Journey

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When you partake in a festival with hundreds of bands sometimes it is easy to miss someone you really wish you could have seen perform. With Bonnaroo that was all too common for me as I felt like I was in a relay race going from one tent to another taking in what performance I could before heading to the next stage for a new fix.

I missed a lot of acts because of the favoritism and just plain old bad timing.

Patterson Hood sadly was one of the acts I missed at Bonnaroo.  I just was unable to fit him in to my personal schedule on the second day of the festival.  The lead man of the Drive-By Truckers played a small stage at Bonnaroo showcasing some of his new material from this second solo release Murdering Oscar (and other love songs).  I am sure it was amazing.

I have not heard any of his new solo material yet so I was left with an empty feeling of how great it could have been to be in the crowd listening to him play.  I would also have loved to have seen Sugar‘s bassist David Barbe play along side the country/rock artist.  I used to be a huge Sugar fan in the 90’s.

Luckily the good folk at Thirty Tigers sent me an email with infor about Patterson Hood’s latest release along with a MP3 of one of his new songs to share with all my wonderful readers.

Download This! – Patterson Hood – “I Understand Now”

PATTERSON HOOD TO RELEASE
MURDERING OSCAR (and other love songs)
June 23, 2009

“For more than a decade, Hood has been transforming all that preys on him into songs that are loud, rowdy, and angry, but also humorous, intelligent, and compassionate.” – Pitchfork

“Hood is a supremely talented songwriter.” – Popmatters

Athens, GA – Patterson Hood will release Murdering Oscar (and other love songs) on June 23, 2009 on Ruth St. Records./Thirty Tigers.  The second solo record from the leader of the Drive-By Truckers has been 15 years in the making. The album was produced by Hood and long-time DBT producer David Barbe (Sugar). Most of his DBT band mates join him on the album as well as Don Chambers, Will Johnson and Scott Danbom from Centro-matic/South San Gabriel. This is also the first time Hood’s father David Hood, famed Muscle Shoals bass player, joins him on a record.

The album was recorded at Chase Park Transduction Studios in Athens, GA and will also be released on 180 gram vinyl. The vinyl release will include three exclusive bonus tracks.  An a cappella version of “Range War” will also be available exclusively with iTunes. “Pollyanna” and “Pride of the Yankees” are available to preview on his Myspace page: www.myspace.com/pattersonhood.

Tour dates:

Joining Hood on tour will be Brad Morgan (drums), John Neff (guitar/steel), Scott Danbom (keys/fiddle), Will Johnson (guitar) and David Barbe (bass), who has not toured since his days with Sugar. Will Johnson will open the shows.

June 12 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo
June 18 Nashville, TN Grimey’s in-store
June 18 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
June 19 Louisville, KY Headliner’s
June 20 Chicago, IL The Metro
June 22 Philadelphia, PA World Café Live
June 23 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
June 24 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
June 25 Washington, DC The Black Cat
June 27 Athens, GA AthFest
July 8  San Francisco, CA Independent
July 10 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom w/ The Gourds
July 11 Seattle, WA No Depression Festival

Advance tickets are on sale at  http://pattersonhood.baselineticketing.com

Track listing:
1. Murdering Oscar
2. Pollyanna
3. Pride of the Yankees
4. I Understand Now
5. Screwtopia
6. Granddaddy
7. Belvedere
8. The Range War
9. She’s A Little Randy
10. Foolish Young Bastard
11. Heavy and Hanging
12. Walking Around Sense
13. Back of a Bible

BONUS TRACKS (on vinyl only):
Uncle Phil and Aunt Phyllis in the Month After the Election
Playboy Mansion
Sam’s in the Ground

www.myspace.com/pattersonhood
www.pattersondhood.com

Download This!, Music, Music Video, New Release, Punk, Review, Ska

Left Alone – Left Alone – CD Review

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Street punk shows it has a nicer side thanks to Left Alone, a Wilmington, CA act on their latest self-titled album Left Alone released through Hellcat Records.  On the band’s third release they continue to play street punk material but incorporate elements of pop punk, reggae, and ska making for a real fun listen.

Opening track “Spiked With Pain” was a full punk rock track with sing along abilities and guitar and bass riffs suggestive of Rancid.  There is a reason why this band was signed to Hellcat and perhaps Tim Armstrong enjoyed the similarities of Left Alone and the band he fronts.

“Branded” follows with the same energy as the first track with front man Elvis Cortez’s raspy voice just appealing to my ears.  As if that was not good enough, the bass lines were sick throughout and overall the song is just screaming to be released as a single.

Almost sounding like the Madness meets Operation Ivy was the brisk “Sad Story” with a more ska approach that is easily likable and surly makes you want to skank away.  The song was easily one of my favorites on the entire CD.  See below for the music video of the song.  Good stuff.

The catchy “3 Bottles Of Wine” and “Porcelain” both seem more pop punk tracks. They seem to escape the street punk image held by the band but still are enjoyable for what they are worth.

“Bombs Away” sounding a lot like The Clash’s “Police And Thieves” carries on just fine as the song is not a direct rip off but more so a compliment to the UK grandfathers of punk.  “Brindle” starts off with a strong bass line that strays right into a fast paced track sure to be a hit at one of their live shows as it makes you want to swing your arms and dance around carelessly.

I loved “Self Made” with the more so 90s punk feel and an organ playing in the background.  “Wishing Well” continued that feeling with a simple yet catchy punk track with some group vocals.  These are the kinds of songs that turned me into a punk rock fan in the first place.

It’s nice to see a band like Left Alone not label themselves as one specific genre of music and experiment with their talent.  This album is full of tracks with sing along qualities that span back to their previous releases but add a more fine tuned effort making for a good listen if you find yourself a fan of punk rock.

Left Alone is far from a commercial pop punk act and thanks to their recent release they should be grabbing some attention.  Perhaps it is a good thing they stay away from the mainstream though as they have too much talent to be considered just another pop-punk act out there.  Having already been fans of their previous releases Lonely Starts and Broken Hearts and Dead American Radio I can honestly say this CD is just as good of a listen if not better.

Download This! – Left Alone – “Sad Story”
Download This! – Left Alone – “3 Bottles Of Wine”

(I would totally let the girls in this video kick my ass)

Live Shows, Music, New Release, Outlaw Country, Vinyl

Those Darlins + BluBlocker Sunglasses + First Vinyl Saturday

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As if I don’t talk about these lovely ladies enough, I have some more Those Darlins news…

THOSE DARLINS ANNOUNCE RELEASE TOUR & BLUBLOCKER SUPPORT FOR FIRST VINYL SATURDAY

(RECORD STORE DAY PRESENTS)

Those Darlins and drummer Sheriff Lin are hitting the road in support of Those Darlins debut album release.  Release shows include special guests The Black Lips, Heavy Trash (Jon Spencer), The So So Glos and We Are Country Mice (details below).  Other performances include a KCRW sponsored event, Bonnaroo, Mountain Aid, and Bristol Rhythm n Roots Festival.

This release tour is in part sponsored by BluBlocker Sunglasses.

(You remember Blublockers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHM-hWYuVS4) Not since the Oak Ridge Boys has Blublockers supported a musical act.

Whether fishing, trying to imagine what the 70’s looked like (from behind the glasses), or playing state trooper; Blublockers are affordable sunglasses that provide a one of a kind visual experience and role-playing fun…!

Those Darlins and Blublockers first endeavor together is to provide fans who buy the vinyl at select indie retailers a free pair of the sunglasses.  This offer begins on the first Record Store Day Presents Vinyl Saturday happening June 20th.

The Darlins during their recording of the album with Kelley and Nikki Darlins wearing Blublockers:

TOUR DATES

5/29: Los Angeles, CA @ House of Campari $$
6/5: Florence, AL @ Mobile St.
6/11: Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo
6/16: Columbus, OH @ The Basement *
6/17: Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Café  *
6/18: Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar  *
6/19: Bristol, VA @ Border Bash
6/20: Pittsboro, NC @ Mountain Aid
6/20: Asheville, NC @ BOBO Gallery
6/25: Atlanta @ Drunken Unicorn
6/26: Athens, GA @ AthFest
6/27: Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge $
7/7: Arlington, VA @ Iota Club & Cafe
7/9: NYC @ Mercury Lounge +
7/10: Brooklyn @ Southpaw  **, ++
7/11: Philadelphia @ Johnny Brenda’s
7/13: Pittsburgh @ Club Café
7/14: Cleveland @ Beach Land Tavern
7/15: Pontiac, MI @ The Pike Room
7/16: Indianapolis @ Radio Radio
7/17: Chicago @ Schubas
7/18: Minneapolis @ 7th St. Entry
7/20: Rock Island, IL @ Rock Island Brewing Company
7/21: Omaha, NE @ Slowdown Front Room
7/22: Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
7/23: Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar
7/24: St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
7/25: Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone
9/18 & 19: Bristol, VA @ Bristol Roots & Reunion Festival

$  W/The Black Lips – VINYL RELEASE PARTY
*  W/Elvis Perkins
+  W/Heavy Trash (Jon Spencer) CD RELEASE PARTY
$$ W/Jason Eldredge of KCRW, Paper Magazine, and MOCA Contemporaries (RSVP)
** W/So So Glos BROOKLYN RELEASE PARTY
++ W/We Are Country Mice BROOKLYN RELEASE PARTY

ALBUM COVER ART & TRACK LIST

1–RED LIGHT LOVE

2–WILD ONE
3–MAMA’S HEART
4–HUNG UP ON ME
5–THE WHOLE DAMN THING
6–WHO’S THAT KNOCKIN’ AT MY WINDOW
7–GLASS TO YOU
8–SNAGGLE TOOTH MAMA
9–CANNONBALL BLUES
10–222
11–DUI OR DIE
12–KEEP MY SKILLET GOOD AND GREASY

PRE-SALE NOW at WWW.THOSEDARLINS.COM
Record Store Day presents Vinyl release date: June 20th
Official Vinyl Release Date: June 23rd
CD: July 7th

Motown, Music, Music Video, New Release, R&B, Reggae, Review, Ska

Westbound Train – Come And Get It – CD Review

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Boston’s Westbound Train are back with an all new album following their impressive 2006 debut Transitions.  This time the seven man crew completely outdo themselves in every way possible with Come And Get It.  The album was once again released on Hellcat Records and proves to be one of my favorite releases to date this year hands down.

Think ska music infused with jazz, reggae, and heavy doses of R&B and you have the perfect blend of what Westbound Train specializes in.  Not to be compared with Motown, although close at times, the band remains a ska act throughout this release but keeps a soulful attitude.

I had the pleasure of reviewing the band’s last CD a while back and was impressed with every moment of it.  This time I am back to that same level of excitement with Come And Get It.  I must say that I am pretty sure that this CD will be my soundtrack for this summer hands down.

As soon as the CD started with “I Don’t Belong Here” lead singer Obi Fernandez’s voice seems to sooth the soul and set the mood.  With horns, a groovy rhythm, and even some background harmony the song immediately put me in the most relaxed of states as the song reminisces about the good times.  Almost reminding me of a Smokey Robinson song, “Ain’t Gonna Be Easy”, was a full forced R&B track sure to please any listener one way or another.

“Why You Cry” was an amazing ska soul track with ear catching singing thanks to King Django and also amazing tenor saxophone solos.  “Come And Get It” featured some sick organ playing throughout the song with even more impressive singing.

“What You Need”  was one of the more diverse tracks on the CD thanks to The Sweet Divines adding their classy soulful backup singing.  If that was not good enough they return on “So Many Things A Man Can Say”, one of the albums more Motown inspired songs.  If there is any track on this CD that proves this band has soul, this is the track.

“Critical Ska” was just that; a fine instrumental ska track from start to finish with an array of guitar, piano, and sax solos perfect for playing in the background of any outdoor party.  “Cheers! The World’s Almost Over” ended the CD but not without leaving a good feeling.

Westbound Train is a ska band that has some serious soul playing abilities and Come And Get It proves it.  I’m not saying this album is pure Motown but I am saying this comes very close and Westbound Train does it well.  Fans of The Slackers, The Pietasters, and just good soulful music will enjoy this CD over and over as did I.  Look for the band this summer at the 2009 Van’s Warped Tour.

In the event that you have not heard these guys it is only right for me to post some videos of material from their previous releases:

Westbound Train in Mainz (2007-04-30)