Steamroller Music Blog

James and Danger Mouse Make a Love Child

matt — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:25:57 +0000

Some may claim that they would like The Shins more if they didn’t know it was The Shins, and some may pretend to not like Gnarls Barkley at all, yet while at the same time of their supposed claim you might find this so-called pretender dancing and even singing along with Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo’s music as “Crazy” is unleashed in the basement of the cool girl’s party. So if you fall into either one of these categories or don’t really know what I’m talking about in the first place then there’s no need to worry, because the new collaboration of Broken Bells and their self-titled album has finally arrived. This duo consists of The Shins’ front man James Mercer and Danger Mouse (a.k.a. Brian Burton). An album that can deliver the fun and sorrow filled tunes from The Shins and bring the intrinsic and eclectic fun from the one half of Gnarls Barkley.
It begins with their single “The High Road,” which creepily yet poetically gears the album toward the entrancing side of things, otherwise known as pop, but good pop music. It’s very catchy and after hearing the warbling twangs of Mercer’s voice rolling from one song to the next you can hear the Shin-sier side of things but almost with a cool funk to it, which means that Danger Mouse is doing his job. And he’s doing an excellent job. Brian, if I may call him Brian, does fantastic work with his multi-instrumental talents and skills as a producer. (Do producers do things still?)
As a whole the album works very well and can become quite addicting after a few listens. So now you don’t have to be ashamed of singing in the cool girl’s basement to the new product of Danger Mouse and you can tell you’re friends that you actually like Broken Bells for who they are. All is well and if you haven’t seen the session video for their first single “The High Road” posted earlier, do so now! Or in the meantime check out the creepy and mesmerizing music video for the single below:

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Broken Bells is out now via Columbia Records.

New Here We Go Magic, “Collector”

jamison — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:21:51 +0000

MP3: Here We Go Magic – Collector

Here We Go Magic’s debut record was on repeat for most of my last summer. The combination of sampled, distorted loops, and genuine folk songwriting made a perfect soundtrack for hazy summer afternoons at the beach, or falling asleep on my patio sofa. The band is set to release their next record, Pigeons, in June, and the first single is an absolute gem. The band’s debut record was written and recorded by band leader Luke Temple, and this song is already showcasing a more full, polished sound. In some cases this may be a bad thing, but with “Collector”, you can tell that the band’s talent is undeniable, and that their lo-fi sound wasn’t the only redeeming factor. So listen to this track with some headphones, you’ll thank me later.

Pigeons is out June 8, by way of Secretly Canadian.

My Nipples Hurt

Robins — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:05:33 +0000

I had a pretty exciting experience today — well, exciting as much as interesting, or gruesome as much as exciting. In any case, it was an experience. I shaved 90% of the hair off my body. No, I wasn’t in an acid induced craze. No, I’m not a self hating wretch struggling with self image issues. Yes, I did enjoy it — a little.

Why did I do this to myself? My girl friend is a make-up artist and I’m hair newest project; she will be turning me into a Ninja Turtle this Friday. In order for the air brush paint to properly adhere to my skin there can’t be any hair getting in the way. Therefore, I shaved.

Your next question will probably be “What the fuck does this have to do with music?!?” My answer: while shaving my chest, ahhmmm, I nicked my nipple and noticed that it began to bleed a little — you should know where I am going with this by now. Obviously you should be recalling a scene from a movie in which Bob Gueldof os shaving his own chest with a complete disregard for the sanc– “titty” of his nipples (oh fuck I’m a whitty bastard!)

The scene from Pink Floyd’s The Wall is one of the most memorable of the entire movie. Not only does the scene represent the severity of Pink’s psychological state and transformation, and not only is the scene foregrounded by the lack of music, which draws particular focus towards Pink’s actions — but it is also rumored that Geldof actually went ahead and sliced up his nipples for the sake of the shot (I smell devotion!)

So, to the delight of us all, let’s get our rocks off one more time watchin ol’ Sir Bob give his nips a trim. (If you don’t feel like watching the whole 9 mins, then just skip about 3 or 4 mins in

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If anyone else would like to share some thoughts about this scene, I’d love to hear them — this is by far my favorite movie to share thoughts and criticisms with other people.

Introductions.

Colin Ablitt — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:25:36 +0000

Hello everyone, my name’s Colin Ablitt, and I’m a new blogger here on Steamroller. I am currently getting myself entrenched into the world of music; I am studying it + some theology at a local bible college. I’m also trying to set up a band with a good friend of mine from said college. We’re still in the writing stage right now, and we only have like, half a song, but we will be the next Coldplay. Watch out.

My love affair with music started in my early teens. Don’t ask me what bands I was into at that time. It’s rather embarrassing, as it often is for those of us looking back to those years. But I got my first electric guitar for my 13th birthday. That was the catalyst for me falling down the rabbit hole of music(an appropriate metaphor, yes?).

Since then, I have also fallen in love with songwriting. It became a great outlet for me, as I could freely express myself through melody and lyric. As I wrote more, each song became even better than the last. I might put up some how-to’s, or simply some Chicken Soup for the Songwriter’s Soul. We’ll see.

Now that I have introduced myself, let me introduce you to someone else. His name is Jeremy Larson, and he hails from Springfield, Michigan. He plays piano-heavy pop music with classical influences, or classical music with pop sensibilities. Take your pick. Either way, he’s awesome, and a brilliant songwriter.

Here’s him with an excellent loop-heavy performance of his song, “Today.”

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Cheers,

colin.

edit: Link is now embedded.

Battle Studies, John ” The Mayer of Blues”

Jennifer Evans — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:31:46 +0000

I doubted the ambition of John Mayer, sincerely, since the release of “Room for Squares” and “Heavier Things”. Not that they were not good but he was young! What the hell does this kid know about the blues? Coming to the southern US after being born and raised in Bridgeport, CT and then attended COLLEGE in Boston..sounds eerily reminiscent of the screenplay of the movie Crossroads with Ralph Macchio. If you haven’t seen that movie, you should. It comes down to a duel between the devil’s guitarist, Stevie Via and this kid. Filled with great music and musical history. Anyway….this kid comes out with Platinum in 2003 after being in the south, Alabama, since 1997.

Now, let me explain my take on this as a Southern Lady. Bullshit! That just don’t happen that way down here. You EARN the right to play the blues! You gotta live it. The south still holds a grudge…we are known for that, ha ha! What came from here, we hold very dear to our hearts because since the end of the Civil War the South has supposed to been the asshole of the world and we’re all backward ass hillbilly’s. Well, we got your backward ass hillbillies eating up some charts and awards so we got a little sumpin sumpin;} going on for ourselves for being so genetically altered;}

Some people are just born with it, John Mayer was born with it. I believe that some souls come out with the blues already. Well I actually know it because I was born with the blues. We have some amazingly young and amazingly talented blues players in the US right now and have earned the respect of Slow Hand (Eric Clapton for the unknowing), B.B. King and many other blues greats.

So he has had an awesome career, giving his fans exactly what they need when they are searching for a fix. I am speaking today of the CD release of Nov 09, Battle Studies. Very aptly named, it could even be called Battle Buddies because you feel you aren’t in any situation alone, he covers it all. This is a CD that you have not wasted a dime on because every track is raw John Mayer who is so pristinely accurate at what he does because it is IN him, not just from training. He CAN make folks cry when he plays and sings. He paid his dues, he can moan those blues and damn sure bend them guitar strings. Now that’s what the OG blues man says about it!

I have listened, and enjoyed this CD, over and over. My dog is so sick of it I had to play some folk and country for her and me to dance to the other night, ha! Yeah, she’s spoiled, but she knows her music too;} I just can’t get over this entire CD. It is most likely the stage of life I’m in right now. Empty Nest Syndrome, lost my dad 3 mos ago (he was only 63) and have been single and alone for a year. So yeah, I can totally relate to EVERY beat, strum, word, cymbal, bass thump and it wells up inside you and explodes through your auditory senses and gives you a truly awesome musical orgasm! Not to mention ladies that, yes he’s a babyfaced cutie, but under that shirt he is a full blown HOTTIE!! Love his half sleeve tatt!! He’s got the tatt, the tude, the look, the sound and my total attention to his career that can only get better. This is just tapping into the talent that is John Mayer!

Playing at the Crossroads Guitar Festival, 07

twitter.com/johncmayer

He is also a kick ass columnist! He is art in everyway. www.johnmayer.com

Another well known association with the Mayer is his Fender Strat, Sweetness! and the John Mayer Trio.

Apr 1 2010

7:00P

General Motors Place

Vancouver, British Columbia

Apr 3 2010

7:00P

Pengrowth Saddledome

Calgary, Alberta

Apr 4 2010

7:00P

Rexall Place

Is his line-up for CA, I highly recommend if you have the chance to go see him that you do.

Free Fallin

I guess I am doing my Spring Purge, of mental torture, emotional healing and this change in my life. Showing my age but by 40, which I am, you know that every 10 yrs or so you’re gonna have some changes about your life that are just life, suckish as they may be sometimes, we go through it. There is a time for letting go and healing and a time to feel okay about being pissed at the world. This story, Battle Studies is just that, the battles we face everyday and this music isn’t for the weak, you gotta know that pain to get some meanings and this is where I say he has earned his dues. There is no way he can write and compose like that and NOT know.

I’ll end this with my favorite on the whole CD is Freinds, Lovers or Nothing and he throws a wiced rendition of Crossroads in there also!!

Broken Bells – The High Road

Courtney — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:58:54 +0000

Brand new video for a great song:

broken bells, the high road, video, music

Tweet and Get a Free Deftones HD Video Download

Courtney — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:41:03 +0000

The brand new, hot off the press video for the Deftones new single, Rocket Skates, is available for free download right now with one simple tweet. Check it out and tell me what you think: Rocket Skates Video

deftones, rocket skates, video, twitter, free, download, high definition, music

Against Me! / Against You! (Rarities, review and interview…for you!)

Steve Roland — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:41:18 +0000

With their sixth studio effort forthcoming—and a recent stop at Vancouver’s Rickshaw Theatre—I thought I’d offer as much of a preview of the album that I can, while highlighting past hidden gems (most in high contrast to their current offerings). Not only was I privileged enough to interview Andrew Seward from Against Me! and review the show (with pro-shot photo gallery); Warner / Sire sent me a secure digital advance of White Crosses. A couple decent YouTube live clips of new songs can be viewed below at the base of my chronologically ordered b-side / rarities list—showcasing their evolution from anarchy to acclaim.

Two Man Band Era (1997-2001)

“Wagon Wheel” (A moving Bob Dylan cover)
“Walking Is Still Honest” (Quite possibly my favorite song from the band—this version specifically.)

Reinventing Axl Rose era (2002)

“Baby, I’m An Anarchist” [live]

(Witness the band playing, immersed in its crowd with a room full of chanting patrons. Believe it or not–this camaraderie was almost recreated at Rickshaw the other night.)

As The Eternal Cowboy era (2003)

“Sink, Florida, Sink” (electric)
“You Look Like I Need A Drink” (acoustic)

Searching For A Former Clarity stolen demos (2004-2005)

“Clap Clap”
“Take Aim”

The New Wave of Against Me! (2007)

Full Sesh (killer “White People for Peace” b-side)

Against Me! – Full Sesh

Found at abmp3 search engine

Upcoming White Crosses era (2010)

“Because of the Shame” [live] (Likely my favorite song on the new album. It’s quite strong lyrically and has fantastic melodies during its chorus.)
“White Crosses” (live)

(Title track and one of the catchiest songs of their career with very intriguing subject matter.)

Well, there you have it: a rare selection of tracks chronicling their 14 year career. While arguments and criticisms exist for a band who grew out of anti-authority anthems towards catchy pop-punk hooks; Against Me!’s material—whether it be new or old—still ranks as some of the best rock music out there today. At least that’s my take. To read more about the album, Punk rock bowling and more—read my interview with Andrew here. My show review with pro-shot photo gallery can be seen here.

These reviews and more can be seen at www.westcoastweasel.com:

TomMcRae – The Alphabet of Hurricanes
Alkaline Trio – This Addiction
Alkaline Trio – Live at Neumo’s in Seattle

Steve “Weasel” Roland

KO – Capable

Courtney — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:21:49 +0000

I heard this song on the Peak the other day, as their “check this out” tune. I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since. Is it just me or is it totally reminiscent of Everlast’s What It’s Like, but far better. Is it weird that KO stands for Knock Out and Everlast is a boxing equipment brand? A little hip-hoppy, a little folky, a lot good. Check out the video, Capable by Toronto’s KO:

KO, capable, video, music, toronto

Oscar Night, More of the Same and One not so Lame

Robins — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:12:14 +0000

I know this is kinda cheezy, but I figured what the hell, lets get nitty gritty about the Best Song Oscar nominations. Personally I’m not a big fan of this category; a song written for a movie is usually a lame attempt to tag something obtusely generic to moving pictures. Many of these songs bear my prejudice, but the winner, however, offers a little more than blaring horn sections and cutesy voices. The Weary Kind, best original song by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett, combines folk simplicity with emotive orchestration to produce something that works as well on its own as it does with the movie. but don’t take my word for it. Give all the Oscar nominees a listen and tell me what you think.

The Weary Kind – Crazy Heart

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Almost there – The Princess and the Frog

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Down in New Orleans – The Princes and the Frog

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Loin de Paname – Paris 36

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Take it All – Nine

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