HANK AND CUPCAKES - Hank and Cupcakes EP

From Brooklyn by way of Israel (not something I get to type everyday), Hank & Cupcakes are here to entertain you/rock you/move you. Cupcakes sings and plays drums while Hank lays down the bass. The EP kicks off with two songs sure to get you out on the dance floor, "Ain't No Love" and "Pleasure Town". Cupcakes is cool and confident as she delivers her lyrics. The third track, "Roses", shows her as more emotional and vulnerable and is more the type of song where people will wave their lighters (or cell phones these days) than shake their booty. The album closes with a cover of Joy Division's "She's Lost Control". I've heard a number of bands try this cover, often with disastrous results. H&C keep it together, though, and manage to deliver an interesting take on the song. The EP is just a brief introduction to the band but shows them in fine form.

From what I've heard, the duo are a great live act and they will be embarking on a Fall 2010 tour this November, with dates along the East Coast. Check their Myspace for more details and shows near you.

www.myspace.com/hankandcupcakes
www.hankandcupcakes.com

MATT & KIM - Sidewalks

Matt & Kim, the too-cute couple duo from Brooklyn, present their third full-length album. Their sound hasn't changed too much from their previous albums: upbeat indie pop/rock with nerdy male vocals. Fans of previous albums should be pleased. I'm personally not as crazy about this as I was for their first two albums, but I could see this growing on me if I give it more spins. I don't think it's as immediately catchy as their previous releases, but it seems to have more potential for staying in rotation. The songs seem to have more happening and won't wear thin after a few plays. So for that, it could very well end up being my favorite album by these two kids. For those that are curious, "Cameras" is the album's first single and "AM/FM Sound" is my favorite track after my first play of the album in its entirety.

www.myspace.com/mattandkim
www.mattandkimmusic.com

WEEZER - Hurley

Weezer's eighth studio album. I remember back in 2003/2004 when Weezer fans wondered if there would even be a fifth album (eventually, 2005's Make Believe solved that dilemma). Now, Weezer has released three albums over the past three years, and by the few recent interviews with frontman Rivers Cuomo that I've read, they aren't planning on waiting multiple years between albums anymore. We'll see how that works out, though.

Anyway, Hurley is named after Jorge Garcia's character from the show LOST and features Mr. Garcia on the cover as well. I guess no one knows what this has to do with the album itself, so we'll just continue on our merry way. I've listened to this album a few times now and I guess the best way to sum it up is that it sounds exactly like how a Weezer album is supposed to sound these days. Alternative pop. Just the typical upbeat power-pop/rock sound that we've come to expect from these guys. I mean, it's not bad, but it's not all that memorable either. I know that a lot of people, myself included, listen to new Weezer albums when they come out for catalog completion's sake. But after that, we rarely return, instead opting for Weezer classics like "Blue" or Pinkerton. So, thanks, Hurley, it was kind of fun while it lasted -- now go back in your case.

www.myspace.com/weezer
www.weezer.com

GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY - Codename: Rondo

The duo from Austin, Texas returns with their fourth studio album. These two dudes, Aaron Behrens and Thomas Turner, have got to be some of the most likable weirdos in the musical world right now. Their weirdness continues on this album. The title track involves the narrator instructing someone who has the codename of "Rondo" to purchase him a Slurpee, amongst other tasks. This whole idea would seem preposterous for most bands, but Ghostland pulls it off without a hitch. "Kick Clap Speaker" features a computer voice that sounds eerily similar to the one in Radiohead's "Fitter Happier". There's not really a lot of Behrens' natural high-pitched vocals on this album, which I am a bit disappointed by. Other than that, though, the songs all have a good beat and I'm sure people at parties would love to dance to this while swirling their glow sticks in the air. Yet another inherently odd album from these guys, but it's still interesting stuff. Dirty electro/rock/dance/wtf from these dudes. This album officially comes out on October 26th, on the duo's own Trashy Moped Recordings. Dig it.

SEE THE SNEAK PEEK FOR THE NEW ALBUM HERE: http://www.youtube.com/trashymoped

www.myspace.com/ghostlandobservatory
www.ghostlandobservatory.net
www.trashymoped.com

PERSONAL AND THE PIZZAS - Raw Pie

As I've discovered, the summer months are not the optimal time for me to review music. Swimming, running and biking, baseball games, and more means I'm not spending a lot of time indoors to listen to some tunes. I've got a huge backlog of music to listen to, and Personal and the Pizzas certainly haven't helped when I do get a moment to put on an album. Why? Because when I do have time to listen, all I want to put on is Raw Pie.

I happened onto this New Jersey band by accident, but I stuck around after hearing "I Don't Wanna Be No Personal Pizza". Once I heard the rest of the album, I knew these guys would forever hold a special place in my music collection. They wear their musical influences (Do I even have to spell them out? Ramones, Stooges (love the album's title nod to the Stooges' third album), etc.) on their sleeve but they are smart enough to know how to do it right. The spoken intros to some of the songs, the high percentage of songs devoted to pizza, and of course, the tight garage rock playing all combine to make one gloriously fun album. This should be the next soundtrack to your late night parties; if it isn't, you're just not doing it right. Happy Pizza Pie Friday, or more appropriately, Happy Personal and the Pizzas Friday!

www.myspace.com/personalandthepizzas
They are members of the 1-2-3-4-GO! Records family: www.1234gorecords.com

RA RA RIOT - Boy EP

Ra Ra Riot were formed in Syracuse, NY, so I always feel a sense of hometown pride when I hear them mentioned (even though I'm not from Syracuse and most people from Syracuse probably have never heard of the town where I grew up or the town where I now live). Nonetheless, their ascent to the indie rock royalty throne is certainly a story that will inspire kids from these parts for years to come. You could even call them a comeback story. At any rate, this band is a major player in the indie scene and beyond - but we're all wondering, can they repeat the success of their debut, The Rhumb Line?

The initial response to that question comes in the form of Boy, a quaint EP of three songs that clocks in at just over 10 and a half minutes long. The first song, the title track, is the only one that will also make an appearance on The Orchard, RRR's sophomore album that is scheduled to be released on August 24."Boy" is also the best track on here; hopefully, it is an indication of what the full-length album will be like. It's got great drums and an upbeat tempo. Our favorite string instruments give the song texture that most bands could only dream of. Love the bubbling bassline and that quickie guitar solo. Fantastic.

The other two songs on this ("Saccharin and the War" and "Keep It Quite (Bear)") didn't strike me as immediately as "Boy" did and while they would be at the top of the output heap for many other bands, I know Ra Ra Riot can do better. These songs are "growers" and maybe I'm just being too judgmental - I didn't have to wait for "Ghost Under Rocks" or "Dying is Fine" to grow on me since I was instantly attracted to them! I am enjoying these other two the more I listen, but still. I have very high standards here and hope for more instant attraction with the rest of the new material.

Definitely looking forward to The Orchard based off the strength of "Boy". August 24, here we come.

www.myspace.com/rarariot
www.rarariot.com

THE LOVE LANGUAGE - Libraries

Libraries is North Carolina's The Love Language's second album. I liked their first album and I like this one, too. I like the faster songs the most - they are at their best when they get the tempo cooking and the instruments rocking and everyone singing and yelling and making noise all at once. File under: indie/college pop/rock.

www.myspace.com/thelovelanguage
thelovelanguage.com

THE WAVES - Shock Horror!

The Waves were the predecessors to Katrina and the Waves. Shock Horror, their 1983 debut EP, was recently re-released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the hit single "Walking On Sunshine" which was found on 1985's Katrina and the Waves. Shock Horror is chock-full of guitar-driven pop and New Wave music. I like it a lot. It has a "We recorded this in our garage and it still sounds awesome" vibe to it and it just seems really badass. I also have to mention the fact that there is a song on here called "Strolling On Air" - I guess it just didn't have the right ring to it to be a hit song but at least they tried again.

www.katrinaandthewaves.com/

TEEN INC. - Fountains / Friend Of The Night

From Los Angeles, Teen Inc. was formed by the sibling duo of Daniel and Andrew Aged. They were both studio musicians (apparently for big-name artists like Pharell and Raphael Saadiq) so we know right off the bat that they've got the playing chops, but can they write their own stuff? I decided to give this single a listen after hearing it being compared to Prince. I suppose the vocals do have a Prince-like feel, but they're buried so far in the mix that they don't have the same confidence attached to them that Prince puts on his. The music does have a funk appeal to it but I'm not impressed yet. I could see myself giving a Teen Inc. full-length album a spin to see what happens to them, but it's not going to be on the top of my list.

www.myspace.com/teenincstuff
www.teen-inc.net

THE DRUMS - The Drums

The Brooklyn quartet finally releases their first full-length album, after tempting us constantly with singles and an EP. They sound like they came straight out of the 1980's post-punk/indie scene. I'm shocked they're not British. Their music is great and if they're not huge by the time I post this review then I am sure they will blow up soon. Recommended if you like The Smiths, Voxtrot, that sort of thing.

www.myspace.com/thedrumsforever
www.thedrums.com

TOKYO POLICE CLUB - Champ

I've been holding off on writing about this album for a few weeks now because I haven't been sure just how to describe my feelings about it. I don't have a lot of time right now to wax poetically, so here's the shortened review: My favorite new release, so far, of 2010.

www.myspace.com/tokyopoliceclub
www.tokyopoliceclub.com

STARS - The Five Ghosts

Fifth full-length from Canada's Stars. For me, this band is the perfect soundtrack to cold winter nights spent dreaming of your crush. I've always described them to others (okay, maybe just myself) as having a romantic sound. Their sound is just so warm and welcoming and Amy Milan's angelic voice plays perfectly off of Torq Campbell's. Great for indie kids to make out to and fall in love to. They also have their fair share of songs that will be great background noise for you while cry over the fact that you've broken up with said indie kid counterpart.

Anyway, I'd file them under Canadian-romantic-indie-synthpop-pop-rock (not that I actually WOULD file them under that, because that would just be a ridiculous way to organize my music collection). The Five Ghosts starts off strong with "Dead Hearts" which is followed by a few great songs (I especially like "I Died So I Could Haunt You"). But by the time I've gotten through the fifth track, "We Don't Want Your Body", I feel like they've spent their tank of gas and are just running on fumes. I think the material on this album could have made for a killer EP. As a full-length album, it just doesn't hold up - especially when we know what Stars are capable of from their past releases.

www.myspace.com/stars
www.youarestars.com

DEVO - Something For Everybody

DEVO!!! How could you not be excited? This is their ninth studio album and first since 1990. It's fantastic, ridiculous new-wave pop music. Great lyrics. Catchy stuff. It's DEVO! How could you not like it?

www.myspace.com/devo
www.clubdevo.com

BORN RUFFIANS - Say It

Second full-length from Toronto's Born Ruffians. Another exercise in well-crafted indie-pop that jangles along the way. Luke LaLonde continues his yelp-laden, marbles-in-mouth-sounding vocals. I think he sounds more confident on this release. I'd still recommend this band for fans of cutesy pop music, Vampire Weekend, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Not too much has changed.

www.myspace.com/bornruffians
www.bornruffians.com

RATATAT - LP4

The duo of Evan Mast and Mike Stroud returns with their aptly-titled fourth album, LP4. I learned that this album is best played loudly on a decent stereo system. Your computer speakers just will not do. I also learned that I still think Ratatat's first two albums are their best efforts. Sure, LP4 is good ("Drugs" is pretty great) but nothing on it holds a candle to previous songs like "Loud Pipes" or "Breaking Away". There are many people who say that this newer, more mature Ratatat is better but I simply cannot agree. Ratatat, we can still be friends, but my fondest memories of you lie in our past adventures together.

www.myspace.com/ratatatmusic
www.ratatatmusic.com

THE GET UP KIDS - Simple Science EP

The Get Up Kids were formed in Kansas City, Missouri, in the mid-1990s and released their debut album, Four Minute Mile, in 1997. They went on to become one of the torchbearers of the late '90s "emo" movement. But unlike Jimmy Eat World, who broke out in a big way in 2002, GUK never really achieved what I would consider mainstream success outside of the emo realm. The band broke up in 2005 with the members going on to pursue other projects (The New Amsterdams, Koufax, Blackpool Lights, Reggie and the Full Effect) but they got back together in 2009. Simple Science is their first new studio recording in six years (the last being 2005's The Guilt Show). With four songs clocking in at just over 16 minutes, it almost feels like they are testing the waters first before jumping in and releasing a new album. The music also feels like it's testing the waters. Not enough energy to really get into and not enough emotion to actually sit back and listen. Sounds very middle-of-the-road to me.

www.myspace.com/thegetupkids
www.thegetupkids.com

THE MOONDOGGIES - You'll Find No Answers Here EP

New 5-song EP from this Seattle (technically, Everett, Washington, but who likes technicalities these days) band who released their debut album, Don't Be A Stranger, in 2008. Their sophomore album, Tidelands, comes out on September 14th. Until then, if you see the Moondoggies on their tour with Blitzen Trapper, you can pick this up. The songs on here won't be appearing on the new album so you don't even have to worry about overlap. This is indie folk-rock with a heavy dose of country injected into the mix. Very laid-back stuff. Check out the vocal harmonies. I'd recommend it if you like bands like the aforementioned Blitzen Trapper or Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, and the like.

www.myspace.com/themoondoggies
http://moondoggiesmusic.com

WE ARE SCIENTISTS - Barbara

Fourth album from these guys. They've got a new drummer - Andy Burrows, formerly of Razorlight - for this release. Barbara is definitely a return to form for We Are Scientists. It may be just as good, if not better, than their debut album With Love And Squalor. We all know how many times I've played that record, so this isn't a compliment to be taken lightly. The songs on here are catchy and are prime examples of what danceable rock and roll party music should sound like. I especially enjoy this line in "Break It Up": "If no one wants to be up all night, what's the point in even going out?" Amen, brother, amen. Now let's drink up and dance.

www.myspace.com/wearescientists
www.wearescientists.com

[[Their website is awesome. The "Advice" section is inspiring.]]

BOUNCING SOULS - Ghosts On The Boardwalk

Eighth full-length studio album from this band from New Brunswick, New Jersey. Last year, the band celebrated 20 years together by releasing a new song every month. This album collects those 12 songs so you can keep them all in one place. It's hard for me to believe that the band is actually that old because their music has such a youthful, energetic sound. Put punk, rock, pop, and fun in a blender and you will get The Bouncing Souls. They're definitely one of the best bands on the Warped Tour lineup - anyone want to take me?

www.myspace.com/bouncingsouls
www.bouncingsouls.com

THE BLACK KEYS - Brothers

I've liked the Black Keys since at least my freshman year of college. I may have heard them before then, but I can't be sure. I have no idea what song I heard by them first but I do know that "Set You Free", off of Thickfreakness, is a song that goes on just about every mix CD I make. I saw them play to a packed house at Emo's on Sixth Street in Austin during SXSW 2008. My friend had never heard them before that night and left with a new favorite band. Just a few weeks ago I ran into an old acquaintance who mentioned seeing them just recently, opening up for Pearl Jam. He also had never heard of them before the show but left with a copy of Brothers and nothing but positive words to say about them. What doesn't shock me is that everyone I know who has heard the Black Keys loves them. What shocks me is that, back in 2008, my radio DJ buddy had never heard of them and two years later, there are still people who haven't heard of them. How a band this good slips under the radar of so many music fans is something I simply cannot comprehend.

I've made it pretty apparent where my feelings lay with this band but to sum it up: I dig how the Keys are combining blues with rock and garage. Every song on Brothers is great. Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach have done it again - they keep putting out fantastic records. If you like the Black Keys, you ought to love this album. If you've never heard of the Black Keys, there's no better time to start listening than the present. If you don't like the Black Keys, please, slip quietly out the back door. You're not welcome at this party.

www.myspace.com/theblackkeys
www.theblackkeys.com

Follow The Yellow Brick Road!

Yesterday I went to the Oz-Stravaganza festival in lovely Chittenango, NY. Chittenango was the birthplace of L. Frank Baum, the writer of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Along Main Street, the sidewalks are made with "yellow bricks". The signs welcoming you to the village have Oz characters on them that tell of Baum's relationship to Chittenango. Every year, the relatively small town throws a party to celebrate him and the story he created. Despite living near Chittenango my entire life, I have never gone to the festival until now. I hope to make it a yearly appointment from now on; it was a lot of fun. Here are some images of the festival's parade!


I love the old police cars in Chittenango. They remind me of The Blues Brothers.


Basically anyone dressed up as a Wizard of Oz character can march in the parade. This "Tin-Man" here was actually a "Tin-Woman". I saw her wandering around the vendor area after the parade.


This girl was dressed as Miss Gulch. While her bicycle wasn't period-appropriate, her costume was still very good and I have to give her her well-deserved kudos.


The Tin Man sat down after they passed us; he could hardly move under his bulky costume.


This was amazing.


"Big Bad Ben The Blonde Belgian" is a massive horse. Big Bad Ben lived up to his name when he left his own souvenir on the street some ways down from where we were.


The highlight for many festival-goers is seeing the actors who played the munchkins in the 1939 Wizard of Oz movie. Sadly, many of the "Munchkins" are no longer alive. There are only a few left and the parade was lucky enough to have a couple of them make appearances. One of the actors in the parade was Margaret Pellegrini, who played the "Flower Pot" Munchkin. She passed us on this golf cart, in fine spirits. Just reading her biography on the festival webpage gave me the feeling that she is an extraordinary woman.


One of the Scottish Bagpipe bands in the parade. I saw them last weekend in a Memorial Day parade but I don't think I could ever tire of seeing them. Bagpipe music reminds me of curling and I get a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.


I listen to B104.7 on the radio a lot. They play country music. Several floats used the concept of the house crushing the wicked witch but I liked this one.


I adore the King from the Burger King commercials so seeing him come walking up with Dorothy was hysterical. They were wearing signs on their backs as well. The King's read, "There's No Place Like Burger King" while Dorothy's said, "I Have A Feeling We're Not in Burger King Anymore". Cheesy advertising taking advantage of the parade? Sure. Awesome anyway? Very much so.


More guests in the parade were L. Frank Baum's great-grandson, Bob Baum, and Bob's wife, Clare.


The beginning of another bagpipe band. They were led by Dorothy and the Scarecrow. Note Dorothy's lack of ruby-red slippers.


Another guest of the parade: Caren Marsh-Doll. She was a movie actress in the 1940's, performed on Broadway, and appeared in the parade because she was Judy Garland's stand-in for the movie. I won't tell you how old she is because that wouldn't be polite, but I will say she looks decades younger than she is!


Dunkin' Donuts truck. They had nothing to do with the Wizard of Oz but I did like their characters.


Several people came out dressed up to promote next weekend's Civil War Weekend in Peterboro, NY.


The Basset Hound Rescue group was at the parade, and there were so many Basset Hounds that marched!


Not a Basset Hound; it's a Toto look-alike!



My souvenirs from the festival. The U.S. Postal Service was there offering special Oz-Stravaganza-themed postal cancellations so I got one of each.


For more information on Oz-Stravaganza, they have a website:
www.oz-stravaganza.com

From The Archive...

I have a few posts on here that never got published and are labeled as "Drafts". I deleted the ones that will never see the light of the day but this one seems to be worth posting. When I was a DJ at a college radio station, I spent a lot of time (too much time) reviewing CDs for airplay. The reviews were supposed to be short yet informative. These three reviews are ones I did for the radio station back in March of 2009. Here they are, direct from the "archive".

____________________________________


THE BRAN FLAKES - I Have Hands
Cut-and-paste laptop music created with samples. Audio collage is a very good way to describe this. They're on the same label as Girl Talk (Illegal Art), but they don't use very much mainstream stuff, opting for samples that create somewhat of a child-like experience. Truly, this is music for the ADD generation.

YOUTH GROUP - The Night Is Ours
They're Aussies and this is the band's fourth full-length. This was recorded on a boat that was turned into a recording studio. Soaring indie-pop, like if U2 crossed with Death Cab For Cutie. "What is A Life?" was on the TV show Gossip Girl and they had a song on the now-defunct The O.C., so with that in mind, we can safely assume who their target audience is.

PANSY DIVISION - That's So Gay
Formed in San Francisco in 1991, this is their eighth studio album and first since 2003. This is their second record for the Alternative Tentacles label which is run by Jello Biafra. Biafra contributes vocals to the song "Average Men" on here which is one of the best tracks on the album. If you don't know, Pansy Division plays poppy punk-rock. Most of the songs are dirty and can't be played on the radio though!

PHILADELPHIA GRAND JURY - The Good News EP

To start things off, they have a misleading name (apparently it's from a Fiery Furnaces song) since they are actually from Sydney, New South Wales. The band's lineup currently consists of Berkfinger, MC Bad Genius, and Calvin. I'm not making these names up. The sound mixes together pop, rock, punk, soul, indie, garage, and whatever other genres you can think of. These four songs are totally kickass.

Here are some reviews of the individual songs on the EP:
1. "The Good News": Kickass.
2. "Ready To Roll": Kickass.
3. "Going To The Casino (Tomorrow Night)": Kickass.
4. "Wet Winter Holiday (Mike FWD Remix)": Kickass.

"The Good News," the title track, is my favorite. Don't take my word for it though, listen to these guys. They are awesome.

www.myspace.com/philadelphiagrandjury
www.philadelphiagrandjury.com

AGAINST ME - I Was A Teenage Anarchist EP

As a prelude to the June 8th release of their latest album, White Crosses, Against Me! give us this four-track EP. Two of the songs, "I Was A Teenage Anarchist" and "Rapid Decompression" are from the album and the other two, "One By One" and "Bitter Divisions", are B-Sides. I love the energy of this band and the grit in Tom Gabel's voice. They play (punk) rock that could fill up an arena, with everyone in attendance yelling the choruses out together with their fists in the air. I dig these guys a lot and am definitely looking forward to the new album. 2010 is shaping up to be a great year in music!

www.myspace.com/againstme
www.againstme.net

THE POSTELLES - White Night EP

This is the best music the Kooks have released since their debut album!

Except, uh, this isn't the Kooks. This is the Postelles. They are a quartet from New York City and two of the songs on this EP were produced by Albert Hammond, Jr. Garage pop meets British Rock. Fantastic stuff. In fact, this is the best new music I've heard in a while and you can thank it for me coming back from my self-imposed hiatus. The only drag is that the EP only consists of three songs. The whole album is set to land on July 27th, keep your eyes and ears peeled for that one!

www.myspace.com/thepostelles
www.thepostelles.com