In Rotation 2 : The Kills - Blood Pressures

Releasing next Tuesday, Blood Pressures is sure to satiate any Kills fan who has been impatiently waiting for new material.  As the album is so aptly named, Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince have found a way to get the blood pumping once again with their dark, bluesy garage rock, hard hitting sound.  Opening up the album, "Future Starts Slow" has a familiar musical quality to material in The Kills' last album Midnight Boom as if it were a bridge from their past to present sound.  Cue to "Satellite," the sickest, most seductive song ever created (although a few tracks later "DNA" gives it a close run).   There are just no other musicians around that have been able to harness the bluesy power, dark intrigue, and all-consuming air that surrounds The Kills' music.  Although I didn't think possible, Blood Pressures definitely goes a step beyond its predecessors; its an album that is not only musically strong but also explorative.

Notable Tracks:
1. "Future Starts Slow"
2. "Satellite"
4. "Nail in my Coffin"
6. "DNA"
9. "Damned If She Do"
11. "Pots and Pans"


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Song of the Week 3/20

Rotation 1

Wild Flag - Wild Flag, "Glass Tambourine"

There is no sweet back-up girl tambourine shaking with this song.  Wild Flag releases "Glass Tambourine" with thick drum beats, heavy guitar and psychedelic overtones. Newly formed Wild Flag is an indie rock powerhouse of Carrie Brownstein, Janet Weiss (Sleater-Kinney), Mary Timony (Helium), and Rebecca Cole (Minders). Due out this April, they will release a 7" single to be followed by an album this fall.

Rotation 2

The Strokes - Angles, "Machu Picchu"

Five years since their last album, The Strokes are back with a new record  Angles.  Kicking it off with "Machu Picchu," there is an instant flashback to the infectious new wave hits of the 80's.  By the time the song hits the bridge, The Strokes return to their past guitar sound that we all know and love.  Bouncing between the different aspects of sound, its a very playful track, finally reaching full potential near end when Julian takes his vocals up a notch and gives the song some real power.

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In Concert - The Dodos @ Record Bar

Fresh off the release of their fourth album No Color and an attention grabbing appearance at SXSW, The Dodos showed up to Kansas City ready to be heard. As drummer Logan Kroeber channeled some Charlie Sheen energy in a tiger blood tee and Bengayed his arm muscles down, I knew it was about to get serious, seriously good that is.  The duo with help from a third musician, kicked it off with the energy charged tune "Good."  Using every inch of the drums, rim and all, plus a tambourine strapped to his foot, Logan kept up a raging stream of beats throughout the night. All the while, Meric Long was relentless on guitar and provided magnetic vocals pulling the crowd in closer and closer to the stage.  With all the energy, power, and musicality, The Dodos are a band worth hearing for yourself. Check out their spring tour dates, see them live, listen to No Color, repeat.

Notable Tracks:

1. "Black Night"

2. "Going Under"

3. "Good"

5. "Don't Try and Hide It"

9. "Don't Stop"

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In Rotation 2 : Warpaint - The Fool

The chill California vibe is ever so present on the all female, experimental rock band Warpaint and their debut album The Fool.  These LA ladies have mastered the perfect psychedelic blend of bass, electric guitar, and drums to create a vivid dream state of sound.  With intoxicating vocals that float out and seemingly melt away, there is a calming force that flirts with eerie darkness on the record.

Notable Tracks:
2. "Warpaint"

3. “Undertow”

4. “Bees”

6. “Composure”

8. “Majesty”

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Song of the Week 3/13

Rotation 1

The Dodos, No Color - "Black Night"

Heading out for SXSW this week, the Dodos open with their fourth studio album release.  "Black Night" offers a good foot-stompin' beat, perfect for your spring break road trip (perhaps a stop in Austin is on the map).













Rotation 2

Oh Land, Oh Land - "White Nights" Twin Shadow Remix

Back in January, my ears were introduced to Danish singer Oh Land.  This week she is back in the forefront with the release of her full length LP.  The album carries over all four tracks from her EP and nicely merges them with some new ones. "White Nights" shows the lighter, fun side of the album, while tracks like "Lean" and "Wolf and I" have a more mysterious, hypnotic quality that pulls you in.







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In Rotation 2 : DeVotchKa - 100 Lovers

100 Lovers is a sweeping musical adventure into the life of a modern day gypsy.  The album starts with a delicate piano that slowly builds until it is flooded by the epic vocals of lead singer, Nick Urata.  From there, its hard not to get seduced by the hypnotizing power and emotion that are in the songs.  The album definitely has a progression into the more exotic Slavic folk, mariachi sound that has made DeVotchKa unique.  Unfortunately for me, I'm just not as deeply drawn to this side of their music, which probably polarizes alot of other listeners too.  Since I don't think they should abandon who they are as a band, I'll settle with an excellent four song opening.

Notable Tracks:
1. "The Alley"
2. "All the Sand in All the Sea"
3. "One Hundred Other Lovers"
4. "The Common Good"


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Song of the Week 2/27

Rotation 1

Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues - "Helplessness Blues"

In 2008 Fleet Foxes stepped out onto the scene with their debut album, Fleet Foxes.  It was a fresh revitalization of story-telling, vocal harmonies, and instrumentation that had been missing in the recent years.  Since then many bands, such as, Mumford & Sons and Local Natives have emerged rounding out the spectrum with their own flavor.  Due out in May, Fleet Foxes will release their follow-up album, Helplessness Blues.  I am amped!






Rotation 2

Alexander, Alexander - "A Million Years"

You might recognize the voice of Alexander Ebert, lead singer for breakout group Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, as he released his solo album this past week. Listening to his songs, it is hard not to just feel good. I'm also enthralled by his song "Truth."

"Like a rainbow crash
As we bow and swirl
Been a million years full of tears
But I found my girl

Like exploding sun
Let the light unfurl
Been a million years full of fears
But I found my girl"

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In Rotation 2 : The Cave Singers - No Witch

Although No Witch is The Cave Singers third album, it is the band's first with recording label Jagjaguwar and has the potential to launch a breakout year for this trio.   The group has a duality that balances between  the freshness of indie folk and ruggedness of Americana rock.  No Witch opens perfectly with "Gifts and Rafts," a natural wonder that almost mimics the sun rising to start the day.  Going between their softer, more relaxed songs and the fast, unrestricted tracks, the band has a seamless transition that lets their duality never overpower the sound of the album.

Notable Tracks:
1. "Gifts and the Raft"
2. "Swim Club"
5. "Outer Realms"
7. "All Land Crabs and Divinity"
12. "No Prosecution if We Bail"

So many great songs on this record, I couldn't even find videos of my personal favorites.




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