The Company We Keep

I'm currently obsessed with this song called "Steadfast Strine" by The Company We Keep. The Company We Keep was started by Brian Southall, formerly of Boys Night Out and The Receiving End of Sirens.

The song "Steadfast Strine" is a cover of Seattle band Seaweed's original version. I don't know too much about Seaweed, however, I have heard their version of this song and The Company We Keep's cover is vastly different, mixing elements of the electronica and ambient genres, with Kenny from Moneen lending himself for the vocals. This version is definitely if not in the same vein, an artery close by, of Thrice's Alchemy Index Volume 2 (Water)...which rules!!!!

"Steadfast Shrine" can be found in the player to the left. Hope you enjoy!

JMMP.

Keep It Slow

I feel like it is time to slow it down.  Keep it slow, if you will.  I'm not talking about slowing it down for the ladies; I'm talking about slowing it down for yourself...and if you are a lady, well, this notion still applies.

I, personally, am all for rocking out, as if the bands I have previously posted aren't enough evidence.  It's not even that I like rocking out just in the car, or at the gym...I like rocking out at work.  Whether it's to drown out that one co-worker who eats lunch at their desk, chomping, with an open mouth, or not, it's just how I do it.  However, there comes a time when I like to get my ambient on.  

Here are some of my favorite slower songs and the bands that write them.

Jimmy Eat World - Table for Glasses: when people hear or read the name Jimmy Eat World, they immediately think about this band's absurdly catchy pop hits.  What many people don't know is that before the Bleed American album (you may be used to hearing the song "The Middle" in your favorite bar), Jimmy Eat World was gaining a cult flowing for their raw, indie records.  The song Table for Glasses is my favorite song of all time, and their album Clarity is my favorite album of all time.  It is only fitting that I start this post with this song.  I urge you to pick up this album.

The Postal Service - Recycled Air: Death Cab for Cutie's front man Ben Gibbard's electronic side project.  Think Death Cab, but slower and electronic.  How can it not be good?

Sunny Day Real Estate - Tearing in My Heart: Sunny Day Real Estate is considered one of the bands that started the emo movement back in the early '90s.  After a short break up in the mid '90s and a line up change, Sunny Day came back with a couple albums in 1998 and 2000, including The Rising Tide, where Tearing in My Heart was plucked.

Modest Mouse - Blame It On The Tetons: I have a very fond memory of driving to Vegas while I was living in LA with this album, Good News For People Who Love Bad News, on repeat.  It does have some songs I feel don't really fit, nonetheless, it is a really good album.  An interesting side note: I heard the lead singer of Modest Mouse is kind of a masochist.  Apparently during a show, he cut himself on stage.  Weird.  Can you say veiled emo?  Just listen to the lyrics...

The Most Serene Republic - Stay Ups: I am really into this band right now.  They are a seven piece band comprised of 3 guitars, trombone, piano, violin, bass, drums and a couple vocalists...they provide an interesting, intricate sound.  I wouldn't go as far as saying their music is very accessible, but give it a chance.  It'll grow on you for sure.

Thrice - Silver Wings: I've made it a point to mention Thrice's Alchemy Index albums, so I'm not going to go into a lot of detail here.  Just check this song out, it's amazing.

Right Away, Great Captain - Right Ahead, Young Sailor: RAGC is the concept side project of Manchester Orchestra front man, Andy Hull.  If you don't know Manchester Orchestra, you will.  I have a song coming from them shortly.  This band was contrived as a three part story, told over three albums, about a mid-17th century fictional sailor.  Andy Hull explains the whole story here if you care to find out more.  Anyways, it's very interesting and creative. 

The Sound of Animals Fighting - The Heretic: I love this band.  Unfortunately they aren't a full-time band.  TSOAF is comprised of members of Circa Survive, RX Bandits, Good Old War, Chiodos, Finch, The Autumns and others, each contributing various songs, melodies, and instrumentals.  Originally inspired by the Mars Volta (= awesome), The Heretic is taken from the band's second album, Lover, The Lord Has Left Us.  This is a stunningly dark and beautiful song.  If you decide to listen to the rest of the album, be prepared...let's just say it is experimental.

Yo La Tengo - I Feel Like Going Home: I'm not really sure what to say about these folks.  They have a really interesting sound and been around forever, so they must be doing something right.  I Feel Like Going Home is my favorite song by far on the album I'm Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass.  Possibly the best album name ever.

Manchester Orchestra - Sleeper 1972: We're back to Manchester Orchestra.  Once of the reasons I like this band is the song writing is completely anecdotal.  No metaphors, no bullshit, and it is depressing to boot.  Sleeper 1972 is a sad one.

The Winston Jazz Routine - Sospiri: I really want to like this band, but every time I come away from listening to them, the only adjective I can think to describe them is boring.  I really like this song though.  There isn't very much to it, just a simple melody.

You can stream all of these songs in the player on the right side of the page.  If you like any of them, leave a comment and I'll see what I can do about getting you a copy.

Keep it slow.

JMMP.

Bamboozle Preview

Normally I cringe when a read about an upcoming music festival...waiting for the one or two bands you want to see come on, drunken youngsters, drunken oldsters (which are actually hilarious) and shitty just about everything.  Most of you have probably been to one in your life: Warped Tour, SXSW, Bonnaroo, etc.  The list goes on.

Now, I find myself going to my second festival in the last year.  The first was the Reading/Leeds Festival in the UK last August.  God bless Brand New, Sparta and Jimmy Eat World for being there because the "popular" bands in Britain at the time, Kings of Leon and the Klaxons were abysmal (see my previous post "Listen with Conviction", the part about good indie bands).  

The second will be the Bamboozle Festival in NJ this weekend.  Holy crap.  Whoever put this bill together deserves a high five.  Allow me to run down the bands I'll be checking out (w/ set times and stages!):

Saturday

4:15 - 4:45 As Tall As Lions (Bamboozle TV Studio)

4:45 - 5:15 Dr. Manhattan (The Aquarian)

7:25 - 8:00 The Bravery (Nowwhat.com)

8:45 - 9:30 Jimmy Eat World (Nowwhat.com)

Sunday

2:40 - 3:10 Circa Survive (Asbury Park)

2:45 - 3:15 The Dear Hunter (MLB)

5:00 - 5:30 The Fall of Troy (Rebel Youth Records)

5:10 - 5:45 Anthony Green (Bamboozle TV Studio)

6:15 - 6:50 Thrice (Nowwhat.com)

6:30 - 7:00 The Receiving End of Sirens (Nokia Ticket Rush)

7:30 - 8:00 Good Old War (The Aquarian)

8:40 - 9:30 Coheed and Cambria (Nowwhat.com)

9:30 - 10:30 Panic at the Disco (Asbury Park)

A quick overview:

The Bamboozle has brought together who I consider to be some of the most talented progressive rock bands out there right now:  Circa Survive, The Dear Hunter, The Fall of Troy and The Receiving End of Sirens.  Not to mention, those that side with the indie/straight rock persuasion: Dr. Manhattan, Good Old War, Jimmy Eat World and Coheed and Cambria.

There are a couple artists/bands that deserve special attention:

1. Thrice.  If you haven't heard The Alchemy Index Vol. I & II Fire & Water, do yourself a favor and download it.  The Water section of the CD (the last 6 songs) is a truly beautiful piece of song writing.  Pretty slow, partially electronic.

2. Anthony Green/Good Old War. You may know Anthony Green from Saosin (ex-lead singer), The Sound of Animals Fighting (part-time lead singer) and Circa Survive (current lead singer).  He's decided to record a solo album with the help of a couple friends in the band Good Old War (ex-Days Away, Unlikely Cowboy members).  GOW is also writing their own album.  Be sure to check those guys out.  They are writing some awesome stuff right now.

3. The Receiving End of Sirens.  Sadly, the Bamboozle show will be their last.  Tear drops. 

Now if I can only avoid the scenester army that I'm assured will be in attendance.

JMMP.