Some nice new sounds...

Lindsey Buckingham-Under the Skin...one the most prolific yet underrated singer songwriters and guitar virtuosos of the past 30 years emerges from the ashes of Fleetwood Mac with a stunning & stripped down collection of songs, maybe his finest work to date...here's his site, his myspace and a cool little page from amazon that lists some of his musical tastes.

www.lindseybuckingham.com

www.myspace.com/lindseybuckingham

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R1VBY0YE08Q5IP

Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins-Rabbit Fur Coat...probably my favorite female vocalist (not to mention I've had a crush on her since she was Shelly Long's girl scout daughter in "Troop Beverly Hills", this disc is just about perfect...from her amazing originals to her take on the Traveling Wilburys' "Handle with Care", this is definitely one of the most assured debuts by a female performer this year. Here's her myspace, her imdb page and her cool little cover...Enjoy.

www.myspace.com/lewiswithwatsons

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0507343/

http://rapidshare.com/files/18799568/Jenny_Lewis-Handle_with_care.mp3.html

Nellie Mckay-Pretty Little Head...you probably heard a little about how she got dropped by her label for the familiar "I don't hear a single..." complaint, but it's a damn shame for them b/c she is truly one of the most unique and vibrant singing and songwriting talents around...I've seen her play a few times and she never does a song the same twice. Here's a few links and a cool tune she does with Cyndi Lauper on her new album.

www.myspace.com/prettylittlehead

www.nellimckay.net

http://rapidshare.com/files/18799946/09_-_Bee_Charmer__feat_Cyndi_Lauper_.mp3.html

Happy Easter...or holidays or whatever to not offend anyone...

Hey there...I know it's been awhile...I apologize and will make up for it with a plethora of material and new useless info in the near future...
First some new notable and exciting releases in music...


The Drive-by Truckers have been at it for almost a decade now, with their 2001 magnum opus masterpiece Southern Rock Opera setting the new standard for the state of southern rock music. With that, they were christened as a new Skynerd or Molly Hatchet. Luckily, they didn't didn't go down from there. Instead, they have extended out in so many different directions, on 2003's Decoration Day and 2004's The Dirty South. With their new A Blessing and a Curse, out this Tuesday, they continue their exploration of not just the underbelly of southern life, but of any life that has had it's share of more hard luck than good fortune. And the southern rock tag has been pushed to the side more than ever. Opener "Feb. 14" sounds like a lost Replacements track while "Aftermath USA " shows their Stonesy side. The three guitar and singer-songwriting assault of Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley & Jason Isbell (whose "Daylight" is my personal fave) share duties perfectly, balancing straightforward balls out rock with heartwrenching slow burners. They are one of, if not the most consistent and hard working American rock bands out there so do yourself a favor, go out and get this album, but if you don't trust me, you can stream it here first...
www.blessingandacurse.com/mediaplayer/
www.drivebytruckers.com

In my eyes, Josh Ritter can do no wrong. His first two discs, The Golden Age of Radio and the masterpiece Hello Starling established him as an heir apparent to the Leonard Cohen/Jeff Buckley/James Taylor school of singer songwriting. But he has truly bucked any comparisons to anyone who has come before him and carved out his own place very definitively with the new album The Animal Years. He wears his heart and his politics on his sleeve and it shows right away. Opener "Girl in the War" literally brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it, while the 10 minute closer "Thin Blue Flame" will make you think about everything in the world and in your own life that is right and wrong. There's something to be said about a singer songwriter who stirs that much emotion with his words and music. I've seen him live and he is one of those performers that knows how to wrap the audience around his finger...catch him at World Cafe Live in Philly on April 27th...check it out.
You can also stream his album here...but trust me, you'll want it before you're done.
www.flashenhanced.com/joshritter
www.joshritter.com

Nice old timey sounds from not so old voices...

It seems like yesterday I was putting together a top 10 list of best cds for 2005 and already I believe I have one for '06 and we are only in March. As I'm still enjoying stellar releases from veterans such as Rosanne Cash, Beth Orton, Jenny Lewis and Willie Nile, a few new discs this week keep up the quality of great new sounds so far this year...

When someone says blue eyed soul, who comes to mind? Van Morrison maybe, for the more classic minded...or remember the Commitments, for the more obscure...Rick Astley if you're just cheesy and pathetic (come on, you know you belt out "Never Gonna Give You Up" with the windows up in the car by yourself)...but how about James Hunter? Who?
Maybe when you first hear his voice, you swear it's some lost Sam Cooke or Otis Redding song. But no, this fortysomething English born singer and guitarist has been cutting his musical chops almost two decades, first backing up Van Morrison in his band in the early 90's and then cutting a few albums himself. But his new disc People Gonna Talk is a breakthrough, chock full of a timeless sound that harkens back to classic 50's and 60's R&B soul. It's funny that it's not that the "retro" thing is coming back, to him it's never gone away. Each track sounds so fresh and live, it sounds as if he's brought a party right into the room. He says, "It's simple really--it's music you can groove to." Trust me, I had it on at a party last weekend and it really takes a lot for people to dance, but this sure did it. www.jameshuntermusic.com

Onto more mellow sounds, Neko Case is a voice you will also remember when you first hear it.
She gets compared to 60's crooners like Patsy Cline and Dusty Springfield, but I definitely think she has a unique quality all her own. Like her indie rock contemporary Jenny Lewis, Neko likes to spread herself over many different projects and sounds at once. But in this case, it's the songs themselves, for she writes and sings like she means it. On her new solo album Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, she's been through the ringer, and makes you know it. The songs are sad in words, as has been many of hers over four solo albums, but she also seems to benefit from her alter ego as a member of the indie rock band New Pornographers. She's kind of their Stevie Nicks in that when she stands to the side, she seems happier, just to be along for the ride. But when she is front and center, you can feel your heart break with hers. But the songs' timeless qualities make them go down so much easier. She also plays with a virtual all star assembly of talent, including Garth Hudson of the Band, Calexico and the Sadies, creating so many layers and textures of atmosphere, you can see the pictures her songs paint for us. Tracks like "Star Witness", "That Teenage Feeling" and "Hold On, Hold On" are just a few of the gems on this near masterpiece of Americana. Definitely worth the attention...aren't those redheads always? www.nekocase.com

So here is a so far best of list of '06...

Rosanne Cash-Black Cadillac
Beth Orton-Comfort of Strangers
Cat Power-The Greatest
Willie Nile-Streets of New York
James Hunter-People Gonna Talk
Neko Case-Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Jenny Lewis-Rabbit Fur Coat
Rhett Miller-The Believer (we'll talk about next time)
The Little Willies-self-titled (also next time around)

Also, still can't get enough of the Clap Your Hands Say Yeah record and also Wilmington's own Spinto Band...check 'em out if you can.

If only SNL did all Digital Shorts with white raps...

If you didn't stay up late enough to watch SNL last weekend with Natalie Portman, you missed a good one...well the first half of the show was as normally uneven as usual, but alas, another digital short film (I think Andy Samberg and his writing pals have single handedly saved SNL) to the rescue...now we all know what Natalie wants...but take small children out of the room first...check it out at www.stereogum.com

R.I.P...the Old Man and Mr. Furley

"That night, after everyone had gone to bed, the old man went and and buried the leg in the backyard next to the shed...I swore I heard the sound of taps being played..."

This weekend, the world mourns the loss of two legends of Hollywood. Darren Mcgavin, with a career spanning 60 years, died at the age of 83. He starred in numerous movies and TV shows but will forever be remembered each and every Christmas on TBS as "the Old man" who loved his lamp more than anything...I'll never say "Sons of bitches...Papa says!" again without thinking of him.

"Anyone up for last call at the Regal Beagle...I hear it's swinger's night!"

Don Knotts, portrayer of two of the most lovable fools in TV history, Barney Fife and Ralph Furley, also past away at the age 81. Who knew Three's Company could survive without the Ropers? Shame on them for thinking they could have a successful spin-off...but great for us b/c we were treated to some of the best lines and silk scarves ever used on television...they'll truly be missed.

Dylan...Springsteen...Willie Nile...Who?

Dylanesque...the next Springsteen...who says these things? Those terms should have been banned from the English language long ago b/c it's not only unfair to those two legends, it's more unfair to be compared to them and have to live up to that media created status when you are just starting out. Willie Nile is one of those guys, that just never has gotten the respect or recognition of some of his contemporaries. When he broke onto the music scene in the early 80's, he got the inevitable kiss of death, being tagged those comparisons. His debut and three more albums sustained him over the course of over 20 years or so, but now after a six year absence, he returns with his finest yet. Streets of New York (www.2minutes59.com) is not just a love letter to his lifelong surroundings, but to everyone and everything that makes the center of the world just that, from his unique and poetic point of view. His weary but exhilarant voice and poignant lyrics paint so many pictures of the place him and so many others have called home. You can tell he's been around the block a few times on tracks like "Back Home" and the title track, but he turns back his own clock to get rocking on "Game of Fools" and wear the heart of a young punk on his cover of the Clash's "Police on our Back". Willie and his fine new album go hand in hand with the unofficial capital of the world, much like the Boss to New Jersey, who invited Willie onstage with him & the E Street band at the Shea stadium shows to close their 2004 World Tour. Little Steven Van Zandt even says, "He's so good...so good, I can't believe he's not from Jersey...", and we all know, what Silvio says, goes. Or else.

This week's rotation of what to see and hear...

I've had a problem with the new Jenny Lewis album...I just can't seem to get it out of my cd changer, or her out of my head for that matter. Backed by the Watson twins (probably the best
background harmonies you'll hear this year), the leader of hipster indie rock band Rilo Kiley purely nails it in recording the best white girl soul-country-folk album in awhile (yes, a new but old emerging genre...think what Joni Mitchell or Dusty Springfield would sound like today if they didn't smoke so much)...check it out if you can...www.JennyLewis.com

It almost lets you forgive her for her child acting career...what, you don't remember her legendary turn as Shelley Long's daughter in "Troop Beverly Hills"?

I'm happy that she stuck to music...but between you and me if she ever decides to go back to the scouts, I'd buy as many cookies as she wants...

Okay, easy now...I've had my fun...now onto movies...I just got to catch "Junebug" on DVD this week. A very cool little low key indie flick about an art dealer (Alessandro Nivola from "Laurel Canyon") who decides to bring his new artsy English wife back home to small town North Carolina to meet his quirky dysfunctional family. Ben Mckenzie (from "The OC") perfectly plays his angry redneck brother who seems to resent anyone and everything, except his sheltered pregnant wife, pricelessly played by Amy Adams. The whole cast shines, especially Adams, who deservedly got an Oscar nomination (and in my mind, should win)...and for all you indie music snobs, Yo La Tengo composed the beautiful score for the soundtrack...

Now something a little more obscure but just as much fun...with all the hubub over the SNL "Lazy Sunday" video, I did a little research on the "new guy" Andy Samberg...

He and his two writer friends Jorma and Akiva (who help him write much of his stuff on SNL) had a pilot for FOX a few years back that never got picked up called "Awesometown"...that and a bunch of other great little bits of comedic genius are on their website, "the Lonely Island"...oh and if you can, watch THEIR cut of the pilot, not FOX's...unedited, that is, and probably why FOX didn't air it...and hey, they figured the OC would maybe face some stiff competition from "The 'Bu"...www.thelonelyisland.com

Sorry Johnny, you'll have to wait until 2010...

Hey everybody...sorry about the lack of posts this week...some personal issues to take care of, and frankly, the astonishing drama that is the figure skating of the Winter games has kept from doing much else. But sadly, Delaware favorite flamboyant coverboy Johnny Weir missed out on a medal...lessons learned I hope, and I hope that now the Golden Girls and Linda Richman (of SNL's legendary Coffee Talk) can have back their clothes...

Tocchet traded from the Coyotes to the Sopranos...

First of all, kudos to Ryan Cormier, arts and entertainment reporter extraordinaire from the News Journal for helping me get some welcome exposure to my recently launched blog...
I may never be as great as his blog Pulp Culture, but I'll die trying...thanks Ryan...





Hey Ya...well "Operation Slap Shot" has finally been released...it's about time they came out with a decent sequel to the 1977 Paul Newman hockey fighting classic...












I was hoping Newman and the Hansons could come out of retirement to beat the crap out of Stephen Baldwin for making "Slap Shot 2" so memorable...

No, no if we were only so lucky...actually this operation was done by the NJ state police in order to show that not just two of my boyhood hockey idols, being Rick Tocchet and Wayne Gretzky, are in some pretty deep s****, but that also Mrs. Gretzky is involved. Yes, Janet Jones, star of such 80's classics as "The Beastmaster", "American Anthem" & "Police Academy 5" (why would she do Playboy, her career seemed to be fine)...could've been involved in placing bets on behalf of her husband, the Great One...

Ok the thing that really is quite amusing about all this is that the state police released this diagram linking all the involved parties together, or as some would call the "Operation Slap Shot Axis of Evil"...
Now is it just me, or do you think that the illustrators were trying to achieve a certain effect with purple and turquoise uniforms on the players? Maybe trying to make Delaware olympic figure skating hopeful Johnny Weir a tad jealous? Hmm...or is it the other way around? You be the judge...

Just kidding there Johnny, we all love you, and we thank you and all the other winter athletes so much for giving us a two week reprieve from Jay Leno...

Ok, so the Grammys are a bit of a drag...ok, they SUCK...but why, do you ask?
Hmm, maybe starting with the fact that Madonna can't dance with anyone her own age, so they have to send in the cartoons...

Or maybe the fact that the ever more preciously annoying Kelly Clarkson thanks Jesus, God and her fans all in the same sob-filled sentence (some may find that moving, but personally I just can't stand the sight or sound of her)...

Or maybe the ever more growing ego machine to end all annoying ego machines, Kanye actually saying and acting surprised that he won, and then pulling maybe the most pretentious move in acceptance speech history...

But folks, the cake would have to go to Mr. Sly Stone, who I had actually been tuning in especially to see, disappearing before you had a chance to grasp the fact that a 61 year-old recluse felt the need to don a blonde mohawk that would make even Green Day feel old...

But wait, a highlight! An actual moment worth remembering...

Ok, so I'm a bit of a Bruce fan, well actually, a huge fan, so what...so he doesn't exactly approve of the current political administration...he can do whatever the hell he wants in my book...his 5-10 minutes of stage time almost made the other 3 gut wrenching hours worth stomaching...

So wow, thank you Grammys...can't wait until next year, but we don't have to wait that long considering we have the American Music Awards, Billboard music awards, MTV awards, People's Choice Awards, Latin Music Awards...thank you so much, because what would our lives be without them?

A few chick singers, freaks & some geeks

Hey yall...how's it going? What a week...what a Super Bowl...the dramatics, the Stones, the commercials...ok, I actually didn't watch it but caught up on all the good commercials online in the past 2 days...never thought I would have the "Benny Hill" theme stuck in my head, ever...

But hey, onto more pressing issues, there is some cool stuff in the music world this week...







Beth Orton-Comfort of Strangers...the English singer-songwriter returns with her fourth album, a much more stripped down affair than her previous. I must say, I'm listening to it right now, and it is downright comforting...very earthy sound, will remind you of great country folk rock albums of the 70's and it is no accident. Beth says, "I wanted to make an album that sounded like the stuff I grew up listening to...a folk-gospel-soul record with a country tear dripping down it's cheek." She has truly succeeded with this ambitious and mature recording, and this should appeal not just to her longtime fans, but also to a wider audience. Check it out if you can...
www.bethorton.mu
www.bethorton.astralwerks.com



Sarah Harmer-I'm a Mountain...this Canadian singer-songwriter has been making music for almost a decade now and her third album is, like Orton's, very stripped down and bare but powerful nonetheless. Go out and get one her first two if you want a good taste of her more "upbeat and rocking" side, but then definitely take the time to get into this. A little more country bluegrass flavor, but very warm, wonderful spare accompaniment and one of the most soothing voices out there...be like me and when you have a good rainy day to just stay in & relax (like I did last Saturday hungover) sit down with a nice big cup of coffee, something to read and either one (or both) of these discs and just take it all in, you won't be sorry...and hey, you might just get as much of a crush on Sarah as I do...www.sarahharmer.com


I must also let you in about a somewhat new discovery that I became somewhat obsessed with the past few weeks...about 5-6 yrs ago, NBC did what most major TV networks do when they have a fresh new show that :
a) critics raved about
b) had a modest following (that has turned into cult status today)
c)a nice looking young up & coming cast
d) but an absolutely mortal sin of a timeslot (Friday 8pm if I remember correct)

They cancelled it after one season.
Freaks and Geeks, from the brilliant comedic minds of Judd Apatow (directed the 40-year-old Virgin), Paul Feig and Mike White (The Good Girl, Chuck and Buck) was a nearly perfect slice of life hour long comedy (yeah if you weren't Ally McBeal or on the WB, you didn't have a chance back then) centering on the title outsiders, following their day to day exploits in freshman and sophomore year of high school in suburbia circa 1980-81. Going chronologically through the year and centering on the kids "left of the dial", the show captured so much of the angst, emotion, embarassment, exhilaration and downright hilarity that went with trying to "fit in" and find your place in high school.
With future stars like James Franco (Spiderman, Annapolis), Linda Cardellini (Brokeback Mountain and as Velma in the Scooby Doo movies), Jason Segel (CBS's How I Met Your Mother) and Seth Rogen (The 40-year old Virgin), this show was ahead of it's time while reaching so far back in time. The soundtrack also is so perfectly dead on with music of the time that we love or would like to forget about (from the Joan Jett sung theme to Styx to XTC to Bob Seger to yes, "Funkytown") If the OC or One Tree Hill were as well-written and hilarious as this, I would maybe tune in...and if John Hughes was still making great teen movies instead of kid's crap, I think he would be envious of this show...hell, as painful as high school was for many of us, this may just make you want to make you want to go back through the yearbook and remember...find it on DVD if you can, or be like me and check it out from your local library (I'm not kidding)...www.freaksandgeeks.com

Ok, my time is up here but next time I promise some more good sounds and sights (Belle & Sebastian, the Grammys) but maybe also some political commentary (I doubt it), or some deep thoughts and religious meditation (ok, I'm f***ing with you now)...but seriously, enjoy it and hope to talk again soon.

Frank & Frank

Another rainy Saturday in DE...

Ahh...more rain, just what we need...awoke nice and early to take the dogs out for a stroll through the neighborhood and got utterly drenched. It's been such a Seattle like winter, I'm starting to believe all this hubub about global warming...I work outside for a living, so it has been somewhat pleasurable having more 50 plus degree days than I can remember in one winter, but it would be nice to at least get one good snowstorm...I hate to say it, but I kind of miss late night drunken sledding in Rockford park after last call at Scratch's...

Some good sounds to catch this week:

Rosanne Cash-Black Cadillac...she should no longer just be referred to as Johnny's daughter b/c she not only has been making consistently wonderful music for over 25 yrs., but this is by far her best, a poignant collection of songs written during the grieving of the death of her parents and stepmother June...www.rosannecash.com...

John Mayer Trio-Try...Ok, I know how probably many of you feel about this guy...Your body is a Wonderland over and over again, but trust me, give him another chance, especially w/this new disc. It's a live recording of him and his blues trio doing a mix of great covers (Hendrix and ray Charles included) and some new stuff that definitely shows his influences and great chops on the guitar...take a listen to it if you can, you won't be disappointed...www.johnmayer.com...

Cat Power-The Greatest...the enigmatic Chan Marshall returns in wonderful form showing off her somewhat happier side...a little horns, some Memphis soul, some amazing songs...definitely good stuff, and one of the best album covers of the year.... www.catpowerthegreatest.com...

Also wearing out an early Bruce Springsteen bootleg...The Saint, the incident & the E Street Shuffle...a show that was recorded 2/2/75 at the legendary Main Point in Bryn Mawr, PA (the cover shot of Bruce on his Tracks box set was taken on a couch there), this 2 cd set is a great collection of Bruce right before Born to Run was released...awesome soundboard quality, great song selection (check out Thunder Road in it's early forms w/ different lyrics) and the fact that Bruce went from playing this little coffeehouse on the Main Line to the Spectrum in about a year's time is really interesting...find it at www.springsteenliveinconcert.com.

Some good DVD's this week..."Waiting", you know the little movie that will make you laugh out loud but never want to go to Bennigan's ever again? Preview it at www.waitingthefilm.com
Or maybe "The Squid and the Whale"...Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney and William Baldwin (what the?) in a perfect little slice of 80's era comedy that gets all the details right, even the silly Burger King glasses we all had back in '85...it makes us want to go back to when our own parents got divorced...http://www.squidandthewhalemovie.com
Ok, it's time to wrap it up...oh before I forget, who's going to be watching the Super Bowl? I will, but without Janet Jackson or Justin or Paul Mccartney or TO or Tom Brady or...it's gonna be a little boring...I think they need to put SNL's "Lazy Sunday" on there if the game is a blowout...oh well, enjoy and drink responsibly (I don't why I just said that)...
Coming next time, a full review of new Beth Orton and the Freaks and Geeks series DVD set...enjoy the rest of your wet weekend and talk to you soon.