Having toured with Xzibit, The International Noise Conspiracy and Atmosphere among others the Looptroop Rockers are masters of bringing their unique sound, look and attitude to whatever stage they’re standing on. Good Things shows many sides in the evolution and maturity of Looptroop Rockers, the ever broadening musical explorations of Embee and the continuous message laden lyrical depth of Promoe and Supreme. Good Things features appearances by Rakaa Iriscience of Dialated Peoples, Mapei, and Timbuktu.
Their new song is called “The Building” and you can check out the mp3 and the video right here:
mp3(right click, save as): LoopTroop Rockers - The Building
Looptroop Rockers // The Building from Bad Taste Records on Vimeo.
CHICKENFOOT, the new supergroup featuring Sammy Hagar (Van Halen, Montrose), Joe Satriani, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers), and Michael Anthony (Van Halen), release their self-titled debut album today. Produced by Andy Johns, the album features the first single “Oh Yeah,” which you can check out below. Chickenfoot will be hitting the road for a tour starting in late June. The band will also be performing on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien tonight, June 5th.
To celebrate Chickenfoot’s release day, Amazon is offering the album for $3.99. Click here to pick up your copy! For all tour dates, check out the band’s official site, www.Chickenfoot.us
A severely underrated band… Nice to see them getting some attention!
Big Star released two albums in the early ‘70s, neither of which set sales records. Yet in the 35 years that have ensued, artists like R.E.M., Wilco, The Replacements, Teenage Fanclub, Primal Scream, Peter Holsapple & Chris Stamey, The Bangles and Steve Wynn have enthusiastically acknowledged the band’s influence. On June 16, Ardent/Stax Records through Concord Music Group will reissue Big Star’s #1 Record (1972) and Radio City (1974) albums, completely remastered with the never-before-released single mix of “In the Street” and single edit of “O My Soul.”
“In The Street” stream:
Additionally, Ardent/Stax has released #1 Record and Radio City on two separate vinyl LPs featuring faithfully reproduced artwork, including the original Ardent Records labels.
Big Star’s legacy has long outlasted its short tenure as a band. Led by ex-Box Tops singer Alex Chilton and including Chris Bell (vocals, guitar), Andy Hummel (bass) and Jody Stephens (drums), the group’s inspired mixture of ‘60s pop, powered interplay and irresistible melody was exciting and special: it was out of step with the mainstream rock sounds of 1972. Though Chilton had come off of a #1 blue-eyed soul hit, the Box Tops’ “The Letter,” Big Star’s music was a glorious mesh of British-influenced pop, Byrds-esque harmonies, taut edginess and studio expertise. Traces of the Beatles, the Kinks and Badfinger pulsate through their repertoire.
Big Star began as Alex Chilton, having left the Box Tops to forge a solo folk career in New York, returned to his hometown of Memphis, encouraged by guitarist and engineer Chris Bell, who led a local trio called Ice Water. Chilton joined the band, which immediately set up camp at the city’s Ardent Studio with aid from the studio’s owners/in-house producers John Fry and Terry Manning. The band’s name was changed to Big Star, after the supermarket chain prevalent in the South.
The band’s debut album, #1 Record, flew in the face of 1972’s abounding folk-rock and progressive-rock sounds. The album’s greatness was not lost on rock critics of the day, but in the end it did not sell particularly well, attributed in part to the piecemeal distribution network of Ardent’s distributor, Stax. Still, songs like “In the Street,” “Don’t Lie to Me, “Feel” and “The Ballad of El Goodo” became cult classics.
Tension began to mount within the band’s ranks as Bell saw his role as leader eclipsed by Chilton’s dominant personality. Bell preferred that Big Star remain a studio entity while Chilton was eager for the band to hit the live circuit. Around Christmas 1972, Bell quit his own band and Big Star soldiered onward as a trio.
In 1974, Ardent released Radio City, the second and (for the moment) final Big Star album. Its best-known song, “September Gurls,” remains one of pop’s classic songs with its mesmerizing chorus and Chilton’s ringing guitar break sounding like the Byrds fused with the venom of the Kinks. “O My Soul,” “Back of a Car” and “Mod Lang” are cut from a similar cloth while “Life Is White” and “Way Out West” show the band’s slower side. And as liner note writer Brian Hogg observed, there are times on this album that the tension within the group is plainly audible: “The ever-present aura of something gradually becoming unhinged, combined with masterly songs, somehow jells to create a remarkable collection and makes Radio City one of rock’s seminal albums,” he writes.
After Radio City, Hummel quit the band and was replaced by John Lightman on what was to become Big Star 3, shelved for years until the myth surrounding the band grew to titanic proportions. Tragically, Chris Bell died in a car crash in Memphis in December, 1979. Chilton went on to record inspired if sporadic solo albums while producing records by the Cramps and Chris Stamey. Jody Stephens works at Ardent Studio to this day and has been the sparkplug behind Big Star’s reunion tours, during which the band played on both The Tonight Show and The Late Show With David Letterman.
As the reissue’s other liner note writer Rick Clark observed, “It has been said that art should create the sense that time has stopped. Big Star transcended normal escapist pop convention by creating music that somehow froze moments that were concurrently vibrant and startlingly brilliant, yet oddly spent. Somehow Big Star could make you feel good in the face of dashed expectations and decay. It’s that realness, in the band’s lyrics and urgently bright sound, which has allowed Big Star’s vision to endure way beyond its brief lifespan.”
Tracklisting:
1. Feel
2. The Ballad Of El Goodo
3. In The Street
4. Thirteen
5. Don’t Lie To Me
6. The India Song
7. When My Baby’s Beside Me
8. My Life Is Right
9. Give Me Another Chance
10. Try Again
11. Watch The Sunrise
12. St 110/6
13. In The Street
14. O My Soul
15. Life Is White
16. Way Out West
17. What’s Going Ahn
18. You Get What You Deserve
19. Mod Lang
20. Back Of A Car
21. Daisy Glaze
22. She’s A Mover
23. September Gurls
24. Morpha Too
25. I’m In Love With A Girl
26. O My Soul
Official Site Link:
http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/artists/Big-Star
From NME.com:
Pixies have confirmed the release of ‘Minotaur’ after speculation mounted earlier today (April 21) that a new release by the reformed band was imminent.
Available to pre-order from June 15, ‘Minotaur’ is a luxury collector’s box set featuring a wealth of material spanning the band’s entire career.
The albums featured in the release are ‘Come On Pilgrim’ (1987), ‘Surfer Rosa’ (1988), ‘Doolittle’ (1989), ‘Bossanova’ (1990), and ‘Trompe Le Monde’ (1991).
‘Minotaur’ will see all five albums re-released in on 24k layered CD and Blu-ray format. The deluxe version of the package includes a DVD of Pixies legendary 1991 Brixton Academy performance, all the band’s videos, a 54-page book and reinterpreted artwork by Vaughan Oliver.
Oliver helped to design much of the original artwork for Pixies, and for the ‘Minotaur’ collection he has re-shot much of the material, along with photographer Simon Larbalestier.
Now a teacher at the University of the Creative Arts in Epsom, Oliver says he asked his students to help out on the new designs.
“I selected a team of students under my direction to work with the titles in the track listing, in a three dimensional way,” he said of the project. “Cutting the track listing out of cards, shining light through it, making the track titles from nails - all very organic.”
Meanwhile, a limited edition version of ‘Minotaur’ features everything in the deluxe edition plus all five Pixies’ albums on 180-gram vinyl, a Giclee print of Oliver’s artwork and a 72-page hardcover book.
Fans can pre-order the collection from Ainr.com.
April 20, 2009 — Burbank, CA — Reprise Records’ Grammy®Award winning rock band Green Day have announced that they will hit the road for their first proper tour of the United States and Canada in more than three years beginning July 3rd in Seattle, WA. The first leg of the tour will cross North America through the summer and finish up with two shows in Los Angeles on August 26th.
Green Day are touring in support of their long-awaited eighth studio album 21st Century Breakdown, which will be released globally by Reprise Records on Friday, May 15th, 2009. Singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool have been at work writing, arranging, and recording 21st Century Breakdown since early 2006 with producer Butch Vig (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins). The first single, “Know Your Enemy” was released to radio and digital retailers on April 16th.
Green Day recently performed 21st Century Breakdown in its entirety during a series of warm-up club shows for hometown fans in the Bay Area. In its review of a show at Oakland’s Fox Theater, Rolling Stone commented that the band, augmented by guitarists Jason White and Jeff Matika, and keyboardist Jason Freese, had the “Quadrophenia-like hang of 21st Century Breakdown’s classic rock melodies and lifetime-punk drive down solid” and that the album is “rock opera in which the rock always comes first.” “21st Century Breakdown is Green Day’s best album,” the reviewer concluded, “and at the Fox, they proved that the rock opera can be as punk as a Clash 45.”
21st Century Breakdown is Green Day’s first studio album since 2004’s two-time Grammy Award-winning punk-rock opera American Idiot, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart, spawned five hit singles, and went on to sell more than 12 million copies worldwide.
Green Day’s upcoming North American tour dates are as follows:
July
3rd Seattle, WA
4th Vancouver, BC
6th Edmonton, AB
7th Saskatoon, SAS
9th Winnipeg, MAN
10th Fargo, ND
11th Minneapolis, MN
13th Chicago, IL
14th Detroit, MI
16th Hamilton, ONT
17th Ottawa, ONT
18th Montreal, QUE
20th Boston, MA
21st Philadelphia, PA
22nd Pittsburgh, PA
24th Hartford, CT
25th Albany, NT
27th New York, NY
29th Washington, DC
31st Nashville, TN
August
1st Atlanta, GA
3rd Tampa, FL
4th Miami, FL
5th Orlando, FL
7th New Orleans, LA
8th Houston, TX
9th San Antonio, TX
11th St. Louis, MO
13th Omaha, NE
15th Denver, CO
16th Salt Lake City, UT
18th San Jose, CA
20th San Diego, CA
21st Las Vegas, NV
22nd Phoenix, AX
24th Sacramento, CA
25th Los Angeles, CA
NEW YORK, NY) Due to overwhelming demand from fans, the digital release of “Boom Boom Pow,” the new single from three-time Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum Interscope recording artists The Black Eyed Peas, has been moved up to Monday, March 30th, when it will become available through all digital accounts.
Fans have been clamoring to purchase the track ever since it impacted CHR/Top 40 Radio two weeks ago. “Boom Boom Pow” is currently No. 17 and the fastest moving song at the format (No. 1 Spin and Audience Gainer). It is the group’s eleventh CHR/Top 40 hit, tying them with the Backstreet Boys for most chart hits in this format by a group this decade. “Boom Boom Pow” is also a hit at Rhythm Crossover Radio where it has climbed to No. 13 and is the No. 1 Spin and Audience Gainer. A video for “Boom Boom Pow” — directed by Motion Theory (who lensed Weezer’s Grammy Award-winning clip for “Pork and Beans”) — will be released in early April. The song was written by The Black Eyed Peas, which is will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, and Fergie, and produced by will.i.am.
“Boom Boom Pow” is the first single from The Black Eyed Peas’ upcoming fifth studio album The E.N.D., which is due from Interscope Records on June 9th, 2009. The E.N.D. is the Peas’ first album of new material since 2005’s blockbuster Monkey Business, which sold more than nine million copies worldwide and spawned the Grammy Award-winning singles “Don’t Phunk With My Heart” and “My Humps.”
The Black Eyed Peas will perform at the Ultra Music Festival at this year’s Winter Music Conference on Friday, March 27th. For more information, please visit the band’s official website: www.blackeyedpeas.com.
Jack Black has told Entertainment Weekly that his two-man band with Kyle Gass, Tenacious D, is back in the recording studio. Since the band released their film, Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, the band has not come out with any new music. Their next foray in the studio, however, will likely not produce an entire album, and probably only one song. But, hey, it’s better than nothing. Read more…
Here we go once again… the season of “Best Of” lists! Here at SoundMojo I’ll throw my Top 20 Albums of 2008 into the never-ending pile of opinionated lists that inevitably feature a variation of the same 50 bands or so… Without further ado, here are the 20 albums that I enjoyed the most this year:
20. Metallica - Death Magnetic
It’s nowhere close to Metallica’s best album, but its Metallica back doing what they do best with long intro’s, long guitar solo’s and songs that are actually interesting! Finally.
19. Santogold -Santogold
Nothing this year sounded as varied as this album. Santogold had a bit of everything on this album and somehow it all sounds fantastic. An indie/new wave/rock/electro hybrid that does not disappoint. Check out LES Artistes.
18. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
Anthemic Scottish indie rock. Sad songs that make you want to raise your fists in the air. “The Modern Leper” is one of the best songs of the year.
17. Coldplay - Viva La Vida
I’ve had my complaints about Coldplay in the past… I was a fan of the first 2 albums, but things then took a turn for the worse… Chris Martin was in the spotlight as much as Bono and their music took a nose dive. Enter producer Brian Eno and whammy! the band has its creativity and inspiration back. Viva La Vida expanded their sound and still left it accessible to the masses… a great album from start to finish.
16. Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
Alright I’ll say it. Jack White is my hero. Consolers of the Lonely is a solid album of rock, hard rock, folk rock and garage rock. The band is somewhat of a side project from the White Stripes, but based on this album the Raconteurs are a force to be reckoned with and Jack could probably front another two bands.
15. Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
While not as immediately grabbing as their 2005 debut, Wold Parade have crafted another classic album in At Mount Zoomer. The album does seem more mature, but everything you loved about Apologies to the Queen Mary is still there, its just a little harder to dig into. Once you do dig in, everything makes sense.
14. Constantines - Kensington Heights
This album seems to explode with the opening song of “Hard Feelings” and then steadily slow down with each progressing tune, but rest assured this is some of the steadiest songwriting the band has recorded. This band deserves to be much bigger than they are. “Trans Canada” is one of my favorite songs of the year.
13. Shearwater - Rook
Shearwater is made up of parts of Okervil River and Kingfisher, but based on this debut album the bands vision is unified and the creativity and potential seems huge. Dramatic and theatric vocals stand out, but the layered sound is equally as impressive.
12. The Verve - Forth
Another comeback album, this one was probably my most anticipated, and while not as spectacular is their older albums, Forth is pretty damn enjoyable. There was the obligatory single, “Love is Noise” which tried to recapture the mainstream glory of “Bittersweet Symphony”, and while the song was actually pretty good, it seemed a bit out of place on the album. More interesting were the psychadelic, spacey, guitar epics.
11. Blitzen Trapper - Furr
Americana music with great story telling. This album sounds like it was recorded in the mid 70’s and tracks like “Furr” and “God and Suicide” are some of my favorite songs of the year. Sometimes it doesn’t get much better than acoustic guitars and tall tales.
10. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
This was one of those albums that was buzzed about so much that I thought for sure I would hate it. Afro-pop infused indie rock from preppy college kids? Ya right… It turned out to be one of the most enjoyable albums of the year and probably one of the most unique debut albums in a while. Quirky songs and memorable vocals mixed with strong melodies, I guess the hype has to be right sometimes?
9. The War on Drugs - Wagonwheel Blues
For me this band came out of nowhere to be one of my most consistent listens all year long. With vocals that are a dead ringer for Dylan circa 1965 and melodies that will embed themselves in your head for days, I found this band incredibly interesting. With equal parts folk rock shuffle and shoegaze shimmer, I can’t wait to hear what these guys do next. Check out the song “Taking the Farm“.
8. Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul
Comeback album #4 on this list… Ok, Oasis never really went away, but it seems that every album since “(Whats the Story) Morning Glory” has been a comeback album, and Dig Out Your Soul finally delivers. Gone are the acoustic guitars and blatant rips of classic tunes, but back is the intesity and confidence of a band that knows how to deliver rock and roll. Oasis won’t convert any new fans with this album, but they’ve realised that and its now one of their greatest strengths. Its also nice to hear Noel writing consistently and also have the rest of the band contribute quality tunes.
7. The Stills - Oceans Will Rise
The Stills have been up and down over the last few years. Their debut was acclaimed, the follow up was different and thus confused fans, so they had decisions to make for album 3. They either regress back to their initial post-punk sound, continue in the rootsy sound of their second album, or combine everything and hope for the best. I’ve enjoyed everything the band has released and thankfully they chose option 3. With Oceans Will Rise they’ve crafted an expansive album of sounds and styles that flows together very nicely. Check out “Hands on Fire” and “Everything I Build” for an idea of the bands current sound.
6. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
There is an interesting back story to this album that includes a secluded cabin in the woods, but I’ll let you look that up yourself. Whats important is that this is one of the prettiest albums of the year with falsetto vocals that should knock you flat. This is beautiful, melodic, acoustic-based music that you won’t soon forget. Listen to “Skinny Love” for an idea.
5. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Another album that rode the hype wave for a while before I finally listened to it. Another pleasant surprise. This one was hipster art students creating psychedelic electro indie-pop. Ya right again… wrong, awesome. The songs on this album are like an explosion of colour in your brain. Endlessly catchy, but at the same time interesting and layered this band is definitely on to something. “Time to Pretend” might be the song of the year.
4. Cut/Copy - In Ghost Colours
In Ghost Colours is an album that I slowly came to love over the year. One by one I would hear different songs on the album until I finally realized that all of them were fantastic. This is the best combination of Indie rock and Electro-dance music I’ve ever heard and fans of either genre would have no trouble getting into the album. Its like the band takes all the good parts of both genres and builds an exciting, creative and multi-dimensional style of their own. Check out “Feel the Love” or “So Haunted”.
3. The Black Keys - Attack and Release
God I love the Black Keys. Dirty, minimalist blues-rock from 2 dudes from Akron, Ohio that will make you wish you played guitar. Attack and Release sees the band fleshing out their sound with more texture and space as opposed to the blast of distortion that dominated their early music. Adding Gnarls Barkley mastermind Danger Mouse as the producer was a genius move and his hazy production elevates the Black Keys into new territory. A band that seemed so restricted by its 2 instrument delivery now seems like it has unlimited potential. Check out the song “I Got Mine“.
2. Plants and Animals - Parc Avenue
Is it possible for Montreal to continue producing such great bands at such a consistent rate? I was skeptical at first, but after one listen I was sold. Parc Avenue is a shambolic indie masterpiece of an album that takes cues from classic rock and progressive rock, folk and roots. Where this band goes next? I have no idea… but I’m looking forward to it. Check out songs like “Faerie Dance” and”Feedback in the Field” for an idea of the range on this album.
1. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
What is there to say about this band. If you haven’t listened to them then you have no idea what your in for. The song “White Winter Hymnal” stopped me in my tracks. Upon hearing it I had to immediately had to stop everything and find out more about this band. With nothing but an earlier ‘08 EP, the band is brand new. The music sounds like its from another era and the vocal harmonies are so rich and beautiful it will blow your mind. The band is drawing from a multitude of Folk and Rock influences, but its takes a fresh and direct vocal approach that fills the album with such grandeur that its hard to believe this is a debut album. Like I said, what is there really to say… listen to “White Winter Hymnal” and you should get it.
Thats it! On to 2009. Some notable bands releasing albums next year include:
- Midlake
- Arctic Monkeys
- Superdrag
- Phoenix
- Muse
- Grizzly Bear
- Beirut
- The Strokes
Maybes: Arcade Fire, Wilco, Daft Punk???
Check out the new video for “Locked Within The Crystal Ball” from Secret Voyage, the new album by Blackmore’s Night – the duo of award-winning singer/songwriter Candice Night and legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore available now.
“Locked Within The Crystal Ball” Audio Stream:
http://www.blackmoresnight.com/audio_clips/locked.mp3
Secret Voyage Listening Party:
http://www.spv.de/blackmoresnight/90s
Secret Voyage Widget:
http://www.spv.de/blackmoresnight/widget
SPV Records is proud to announce the U.S.A. release of Secret Voyage by Blackmore’s Night, the award winning band fronted by singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night with legendary lead guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Other members of the band include Bard David of Larchmont (keyboards/vocals), Earl Grey of Chimay (bass/rhythm guitar/vocals), Squire Malcolm of Lumley (percussionist), and Gypsy Rose (violin/vocals).
This kaleidoscopic musical journey through time and space incorporates traditional folk music from around the world. The album blends haunting ancient melodies with newly-written Night lyrics inspired by nature and fantasy, partially recorded on renaissance-period instruments, and arranged with a contemporary dramatic flair that features the brilliant acoustic and electric guitar stylings of Blackmore. This cd is sure to transport you to a simpler, more magical time, away from the stresses of modern day life.
“With Blackmore’s Night,” says Blackmore, “we have the creative freedom to play any style of music we want. We can play folk, rock, ballads, instrumentals, or tavern songs. I couldn’t do that in Deep Purple. Now I feel as if I’m not in a box anymore. ”
Inspired by their international performances, and assimilating the various melodies from the continents they’ve traversed, many of the 12 new tracks on Secret Voyage have been adapted from the folk traditions of numerous countries including France (“Gilded Cage”), Russia (“Toast To Tomorrow”), Germany (“Prince Waldeck’s Galliard”) and England (“Peasant’s Promise”). Add to that two stunning covers done distinctively in Blackmore’s Nights strongly identifiable style—the 1961 Elvis Presley hit “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and Rainbow’s “Rainbow Eyes”—and some entrancingly poignant originals.
In addition to creating the kind of haunting sonic soundscapes that captivate your mind like your fondest memories, Night and Blackmore also continue to work for the many causes they espouse. Together with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) they’ve helped plant 6,000 fruit trees in Borneo, donated time and money to help Siberian tigers, bats in Berlin, badgers in Great Britain and, at many of their concerts around the world, have established fund drives for “No Kill” animal shelters. When not touring they continue to sponsor shelter animals and even hold a private show at holiday time every year to raise funds for local animal charities. They have also banded together with C020L to help the environment by planting trees in Panama to reduce the toxins brought on by the bands touring.
Night stars as Princess Candice at the interactive theme park Magiquest, and Princess Amora at throughout U.S. and Japan. She has also been the reigning “Faerie Queen”, nominated by Faerie Magazine, at the Faerie Festivals throughout the USA and is much beloved by the children who travel miles to meet her in this role. Her film debut, House Of Eternity, is scheduled for release this fall.
Go here to buy:
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Voyage-Blackmores-Night/dp/B001932LMW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1217542784&sr=8-1
Official Site:
http://www.blackmoresnight.com
and on MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/blackmoresnight1
Candice Night Official Site:
http://www.candicenight.com
Like Music? Got 3 million dollars to spare? Check this out:
The Archive from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.
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