One of my favorite "new" bands is Blitzen Trapper out of the Pacific Northwest. They're readying release of their next album - "VII" and have just released a teaser track to RollingStone.com.
Their new record company Vagrant tells me this is NOT the "single" - and Blitzen Trapper told me earlier today on Twitter the single is actually "fonkey" ;)
But this is strong stuff all the same - on the twangy side, but it's my kind of twang!
On an old Eldred world, Alibi, Kit and Piccolo have freed kidnap victims from the alien ship that brought them to the outpost. Dimitri Masakov has been performing bizarre medical experiments on some of them – can they find him before he escapes? Piccolo has also been lying to them this whole time – can they trust him at all any more? Mike Luoma narrates from his novel – hear Alibi Jones Chapter Eleven part two on this episode, as The Adventures of Alibi Jones continue on Glow-in-the-Dark Radio – Free Audio Science Fiction!
Searching an old Eldred outpost world looking for kidnapped friends, Alibi, Kit and Piccolo try to find the alien ship that brought the kidnap victims to the outpost. A former low-level criminal, Dimitri Masakov, has been performing bizarre medical experiments on them there. Piccolo is hoping they can find his kidnapped sister before Masakov puts her under the knife! Mike Luoma narrates from his novel – hear part one of Chapter Eleven of Alibi Jones on this episode, as The Adventures of Alibi Jones continue on Glow-in-the-Dark Radio – Free Audio Science Fiction!
Alibi, Kit and Piccolo explore the laboratory building they've discovered on the old Eldred outpost world. Will what they're about to find answer – or raise more – questions? The Adventures of Alibi Jones continue on Glow-in-the-Dark Radio!Mike Luoma narrates from his novel – hear Chapter Ten of Alibi Jones on this episode – free Science Fiction Audio Adventure!
My post on favorite music from the first half of 2013 has been kind of popular... thanks for checking it out! There was also a second post - if you missed it, that continuation of the list is here: http://glowinthedarkradio.blogspot.com/2013/07/couple-more-from-first-half.html. Third time's the charm, they say. Since I'm up late watching the Red Sox on the left coast...
Night Beds - Country Sleep
Night Beds is Winston Yellin and his band. Country Sleep is their debut. Just saw them at the Monkey House in Winooski a week ago Saturday. It was an uneven set, with flashes of brilliance and annoying moments of technical adjustments. The crowd was small but enthusiastic. Made me happy. Winston came over after the set and gave me a hug, thanked me for the vibe! He's kind of a quirky genius. "Ramona" has been getting some radio play (yeah, wonder by who...):
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - "Let The Day Begin"
As a big fan of The Call way back when, I loved the original take on this tune. Michael Been of The Call had been working with his son Robert Levon Been's band - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - doing sound for them on tour in 2010, when he collapsed and died. Extremely sad. If any band has a right to perform this song in tribute, it's BRMC. They put their own spin on it... has a bit more thunder and fewer "blessings from above":
Natalie Gelman - "The Lion"
This song has kind of stuck with me since I first heard it earlier this year on her Streetlamp Musician. I like cats, what can I say? There's something to this... she's got a lot of potential. No video, though. You can hear it on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/nataliegelman/the-lion
Couldn't contain myself. You know, once you start making these lists, it gets a little addictive. Plus, I did remember some more stuff I should mention.
LORDE - The Love Club EP
When I first heard "Royals" I almost dismissed it as simple techno pop... but found I couldn't turn it off. And when I paid attention to the lyric, I began to really love it. Then it got stuck in my head. So i began to play it for people. And they liked it. So I brought it into our Music Meeting at The Point and told Zeb, "You know, I'm not usually into stuff like this..."
I left "Royals" off the first list because the song has taken off - figured it didn't need my help. But I've reconsidered, because it is one of my favorites from the first half of 2013. If you haven't heard it yet? Enjoy!
Stars "Hold On When You Get Love And Let Go When You Give It"
Besides having the longest title for a pop song in quite some time, this tune also has a sort of 80s New Wave vibe that works in its new, contemporary setting. They just put out a video for it - it's kind of a drag... heh:
Boards of Canada - Tomorrow's Harvest
A recent acquisition I've been listening to a lot in the car. Should be on the list. Though the album is called Tomorrow's Harvest, I like it in part because it reminds me of Tangerine Dream's late 70's - early 80's work. Those of you who might remember my show Headphones Only won't be surprised that this is in my wheelhouse!
This album took me completely by surprise. I look at local album sales figures as part of my job, and this debuted pretty high in Burlington in first week sales. Stuck around in the top 30 or so the next week. I was curious, so I checked out samples at emusic - not what I expected at all! And? I liked it! This is a whole album experience - feels like instrumental science fiction. I'd recommend getting the whole thing - but to single out a track, here someone has uploaded one of my choices - "New Seeds":
Been seeing "Best Of 2013 So Far" lists and got inspired to offer my own personal list. Some of these you may have heard on the radio - especially if you listen to The Point, the independent radio network here in Vermont where I'm the Music Director (http://pointfm.com). Some of these tunes didn't get any airplay - I just love 'em! Love my job, too - get to hear soooo much new music. The shear amount being released and sent to radio stations in The Point's format - "AAA" - Adult Album Alternative - is staggering. And awesome!
Really Love this new album from Frank Turner! "Recovery" is all over the airwaves - but these two - "The Way I Tend To Be" and "Plain Sailing Weather" - are my favorites. At least, for now!
Wake Owl - Wild CountryEP
Wake Owl was one of my first favorites this year. A minor confession: "Wild Country" - the EP's title cut - actually crossed my desk in promo form in late 2012... but, it makes this list as the official release didn't come until this year. When I first heard "Wild Country" it gave me chills...
The Lone Bellow - "You Never Need Nobody"
This Brooklyn-based trio came to my attention with this song. Heard it for the first time just after Christmas. There's a power here...
Phosphorescent - Muchacho
Speaking of chills... "Song For Zula" has to be on this list. Wish I could find the version he did on Jimmy Fallon's show... instead, here's a cavewoman, I think:
Shout Out Louds "Walking In Your Footsteps"
A bit of pure power pop rock from Sweden. Yeah, it's got flute.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - "No Need For A Leader"
Holy Psychedelia, Batman! Do I know much about Unknown Mortal Orchestra? No. Do I know a great riff and rhythm when I hear it? Oh yes.
Arctic Monkey "Do I Want To Know"
Cruised through my watch history on You Tube as I was putting this list together. Had almost forgotten this new tune from Arctic Monkeys! It's probably sacrilege to say it reminds me of Muse, but I've always been kind of a heretic...
The Lonely Wild "Everything You Need"
This up-and-coming band has an interesting mix of influences, kind of Tex-Mex, sort of a high lonesome sound... or maybe that's the influence of the band's name... No official video for the song, but this one is fun!
That's all for now... if I think of others, I'll post 'em!
Red Hot is trying to figure that out. He's new at the hero biz - though it is his family business! You can now enjoy the first issue of his adventures via Comixology - read the comic on your phone, tablet or computer: http://www.comixology.com/Introducing-RED-HOT-1/digital-comic/41610
