This is fine.
Usually on the weekends I browse the net for new tunes to bring your way, and I found this little gem from Phantogram to share with you. It was the killer bass groove that initially got me hooked here, but after awhile, the fuzzy female vocals just kept getting stuck in my head. You’re sure to dig on this track, and we’ll keep you posted on more news from the group.
Download: Phantogram – When I’m Small [MP3]
| Date | Monday, October 19th |
|---|---|
| Location | Emos |
| Doors | 900p |
| Tickets | $14 @ the Door |
I’ve been in love with Pinback since I was a young budding music fan, so now that the band is older, as am I, I always take in a chance to go see one of my favorite bands play a solid set. Their intricate maneuvering behind their songs always gets me moving, so maybe since there wasn’t much going on last week, you’ll jump at the chance to catch a great band tonight. Bellini, the opener, will hit the stage at 10 PM.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/10-Seville.mp3]Tim Williams has a slew of releases under his belt, and the acclaim he earned off the last album left many lying in wait to get their hands on Careful Love. It’s hard to classify the man and his tunes, but press releases lean towards the description of coffehouse pop meets classic singer/songwriter. This is a fairly solid description, but you can see flourishes of musicianship that push beyond those stereotypical boundaries.
When you listen to the first track, it seems at first as if the vocal inflection of Tim is leading you towards a stronger identity. “I Hit the Wall” lies somewhere in the vein of Telekinesis or Spoon, catching you with a bobbing hook. This all leads you into “Ozone Street,” which sounds an awful lot like a cleaner version of Tim Kasher’s early work with The Good Life. By this point, one thing that is disappointing is the lack of realism that stems from the recording of the drums. Sure, programmable drums are easy to do, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go get some solid work from somebody in a studio.
Still, if you can step aside from that factor, you’ll find some songs on here that definitely grab your ears, due mostly to the gentle voice of Tim Williams. Sure, it sounds awfully clean and polished, but with the rest of the musical accompaniment, that works to great effect here. Songs like “Oceans”or “8 x 10” have infectious grooves and tonality that find a way to lodge them inside your head. The latter track is probably one of the most exceptional on the album, but you’ll find me yearning for a stronger drum track to back this. A crashing cymbal here or there could have made this song brilliant; instead, it’s just pretty damn good.
Listening to Tim Williams new album, you find something for almost every taste. Slow moving songs with touches of piano and female backing vocals are abundant, as are the pop gems that most people associate with Tim’s work. This is just another solid example of a man who is crafting his own path, and what a bright path that proves to be when listening to Careful Love.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ihitanotherwall.mp3]Download: Tim Williams – I Hit Another Wall [MP3]
After being underwhelmed (and I’m the only one) by Them Crooked Vultures, I began to look ahead to the Supergroups that I would create. Sure, this is all conjecture, and some are jaded by my own personal tastes and connections. It’s an interesting topic. Who is your favorite musician, and who would you like to see them playing with? Make your own supergroup, and tell me about it. While I wait, I’ll throw out mine. And, I apologize for my lack of originality in naming bands.
Incredible singer songwriter Lissie Maurus, known simply as Lissie, has a new song floating around the inerwebs today that we’ve taken a liking to. It’s called “Little Lovin” and will appear on Lissie’s upcoming EP Why You Runnin’ which is due out Nov 10th on Fat Possom. This woman can really sing. Damn.
Download: Lissie – Little Lovin’ [MP3]
| Date | 10/18/09 |
|---|---|
| Location | La Zona Rosa |
| Doors | 8pm |
| Tickets | $27 from Gettix |
So how does a band take a break for close to 30 years and then make a comeback with a tour and brand new album? Who knows. I guess people really did like the 60s that much. If you’re one of those 60s lovers, head down to La Zona Rosa on Sunday night for a set by Brazilian psych-rockers Os Mutantes. Opening support will provided by Deleon.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/02-A-Minha-Menina.mp3]Download: Os Mutantes – A Minha Menina [MP3]
Not sure how I missed this last month, but one of my favorite acts, American Princes, have tossed up some new songs on their site, which leads us to anticipate a new album coming out sometime in the near future. If it’s anything like Other People, I think we’ll all be quite pleased with the output. Here’s one of those new tunes to get you excited, but be sure to check out the other one on their site as well.
Download: American Princes – Rock And Roll [MP3]
Veteran Canadian pop hit makers Sloan are back with some more music to make your ears happy. This tasty little jam is called “Take it Upon Yourself” which will appear on an upcoming EP with an as of yet named release date. Let’s hope this tune puts a little pep in your step.
Download: Sloan – Take It Upon Yourself [MP3]
Really what can I say about Jawbox? If you are familiar with the seminal Washington D.C. band then you understand why one can fall short on words to describe such an influential group. If you are not familiar with them, well, then I feel sorry for you. You need to go out now and pick up their near perfect album, For Your Own Special Sweetheart. Seriously, go.
I’ll wait.
I had never before heard a blend of driving rock mixed with noise. It was beautiful and dangerous. The video for Savory, blew my young mind making me a lifetime fan of this band. I am not even taking into account the sheer greatness singer/guitarist J. Robbins has imparted on the scene through his production work, as well as his time spent in the bands Burning Airlines and Channels.
Jawbox, to celebrate the re-release of For Your Own Special Sweetheart, on their own label, Desoto Records, will be playing live together for the first time since 1997 on December 8th, 2009 on the Late Show with Jimmy Fallon, of all places. Truly an occasion to look forward to!
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/02_02_-_Savory.mp3]Download: Jawbox – Savory [MP3]
| Date | 10/16/09 |
|---|---|
| Location | Red 7 |
| Doors | 9pm |
| Tickets | $10 from Frontgate |
Blogger favorite fuzz-pop band Vivian Girls are stopping in town at Red 7 on Friday. Support for this one will be provided by Yellow Fever, Deskonocidos, and Cowabunga Babez. Not so sure how Vivian Girls will be live so someone check it out and let us know what you think.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/03-Cant-Get-Over-You.mp3]Download: Vivian Girls – Can’t Get Over You [MP3]
