In our New Releases post last Monday, we were remiss in not mentioning the new EP from former Tympanogram giveaway and New Jersey’s own, The Static Jacks.
Laces, a 5 song, 15 minute slice of updated garage rock, is a big step forward for the band. Working with Andrew Maury of the Remix Artists Collective on this most recent effort, their sound is updated and far more polished than their previously released EPs.
For a band that’s never sounded their age, it’s refreshing to see them honing their craft. Gone are the rough edges that hallmarked their last releases. There’s more to sing along with, and a bright future to look forward to.
High Fidelity is for me, like I imagine it is for most audiophiles, a definitive piece of work in either book or movie form. It’s comforting to know that – even if everything else is fucked in my life – at least I know what the hell I’m talking about when it comes to music. And not just that, but that it’s a worthwhile thing to be a little bit manic about whatever it is we’re all a little bit manic about. I have music (and possibly baseball) to fall back on. But while the Mets may fail me year after year, music as a whole never has. That’s comforting.
Anyway, there’s this band I just heard named The Aliens, which is why I bring up High Fidelity. As it turns out, The Aliens are some of the former members of The Beta Band, whose work I am almost wholly unfamiliar with – except for their use in High Fidelity.
(The scene where The Beta Band is used starts about 1:34)
The Aliens are kind of an updated take on the psychedelic pop of the 1960’s – all harmonies, sing-a-long songs, blissed out rock. Have a listen to “Sunlamp Show” from their most recent album Luna, and compare it with the electro-folk of their former band.
No inspiration struck this morning when trying to put out some more of my 1000 minutes so I’ve prepared a backup. My wife and I bought a new car a few weeks ago now, and I’ve been driving it and enjoying our free subscription to XM/Sirius satellite radio. I’ve heard a few songs I’ve enjoyed that I had not heard before, as well as other undiscovered songs from bands I know. Well that and a lot of Sonic Youth. Here are two songs you may enjoy.
And I’ll try to get two done next week so Andy doesn’t get too far ahead.
Taken By Trees is the solo project of one Victoria Bergsman, previously of The Concretes. Ms. Bergsman crafts pretty little pop songs, the following two of which are particularly good. The first is a witty reinvention of one of the year’s biggest songs. On the second she receives some vocal assistance from the very man who sings the original tune she has reinvented in the first. Just try to get the chorus of Anna out of your head.
This is not some cruel cosmic joke. This is, in fact, the final mp3 Smörgåsbord. While we certainly enjoy putting up remixes and other various forgotten gems week after week, we’re aiming to provide some more substance along with the music, so starting next week, we’re going to up the ante.
We haven’t hammered out the details of how exactly we’re going to fill the Wednesday space, but we think you’ll probably like it. At least we hope that you do. And, if we can’t figure out something else, maybe we’ll fall back to this. So, think of this as your last meal – except that you don’t get to choose the menu, and you might be granted a stay. We think we’ve picked out something you’ll enjoy anyway.
NOTE: Concerts are in Rochester unless otherwise noted.
2/22: William Fitzsimmons
2/24: Mike Doughty
2/25: Charles Bradley (Buffalo)
2/29: Summer People
3/3: Matthew Good
3/5: Evening Man
3/23: The Men
3/30: tympanogram’s 3rd Birthday with Born Gold, Old Tapes, TBA
4/20: fun.
4/23: Cults (Buffalo)
5/6: Bear In Heaven (Ithaca)
5/7: M83 (Buffalo)
an examination used to test the condition of the middle ear and mobility of the eardrum, and the conduction bones by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal.
Basically, it sounded like a cool name for a blog intended to be primarily about music. We’d both had other blogs previously, but over beers it was decided that more damage could be done as a joint venture. And here we are.
We share a passion for the undiscovered and under-appreciated, and hope that you’ll be able to find something you love as well.
Disclaimer
The music offered on this blog is for sampling purposes only. If you enjoy something you hear here, please go out and buy the music, see a show, or purchase some merchandise. Posted mp3s are available for a limited period of time only.
If there are any materials featured here that are your intellectual property, and you would prefer them removed, please notify us and we will be happy to oblige.
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About the Author: Dave
I like music. I can't describe how I came to like the music I do, because I don't know how or why, I just do.
Many years ago, Napoleon's brother, my great-great-great-great-great-great Grandfather, came to America. He was asked his name on Ellis Island while being processed as an immigrant. Not understanding English, he was under the impression that he was being asked how he had arrived in the new land. So he turned around and pointed at the sea vessel and said, 'LaBarge.'
About the Author: Andy
I come by my music taste of my own free will. My friends listened to 2Pac, my parents to contemporary Christian and me? Sunny Day Real Estate. I can’t explain it.
“Music, true music, not just rock ’n’ roll, it chooses you. It lives in your car, or alone, listening to your headphones…” - Lester Bangs
In our New Releases post last Monday, we were remiss in not mentioning the new EP from former Tympanogram giveaway and New Jersey’s own, The Static Jacks.
No inspiration struck this morning when trying to put out some more of 
This is not some cruel cosmic joke. This is, in fact, the final mp3 Smörgåsbord. While we certainly enjoy putting up remixes and other various forgotten gems week after week, we’re aiming to provide some more substance along with the music, so starting next week, we’re going to up the ante.
