This is fine.
LA band The Smiles have just released their new Hermosa EP, and we’re trying to help spread the word about this great group of dudes. It’s everything you want for a nice summer drive along the coast, or in our case, along the I-35 corridor. There’s sunny melodies, quick turns in direction, and infectious bass work. Songs this catchy deserve a little love, so here’s to you fellas, and your damned hooks!
Download: The Smiles – Cala Cola [MP3]
| Date | 8/31/10 |
|---|---|
| Location | Threadgill’s |
| Doors | 8:30pm |
| Tickets | $20 @ Frontgate |
The always solid Ben Kweller has a show planned Tuesday night at the Threadgill’s south location. It doesn’t look like any opening act is in store so it’ll be all Ben all night. Make it out if you’ve been living under a rock for the last 10 years and haven’t seen Kweller live.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/05-ballad-of-wendy-baker.mp3]Download: Ben Kweller – Ballad of Wendy Baker [MP3]
Man, I wish I could find out more about this band right now. Searching the Internet, you can’t really find much on Fossil Cities, and their myspace page seems to have vanished. Putting that aside, their sound is absolutely great, and this track from their new Stoners EP is solving my Sunday doldrums. At first, I fell in love with the simple guitar strumming in the background, and then I fell madly in love with the track as a whole. Maybe you’ll feel the same as you try to gather your energy up on a Monday morning.
Download: Fossil Cities – Stoners [MP3]
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What can we expect when our favorite artists fall in love and write music together? It didn’t work for Yoko and John, but would it work for Rilo Kiley songstress Jenny Lewis and her beau, Johnathan Rice? Well, I’m Having Fun Now, the first album under the Jenny and Johnny moniker, really sums up the attitude of the duo, as that spirit, at least musically, embodies everything about the album. Honestly, you’ll probably be having a lot of fun as well listening to this record.
When Johnathan Rice‘s voice kicks in on “Scissor Runner,” it’s a warm entry, and you begin to wonder when Jenny will show up. Seconds later she greets her man with her distinguished vocals, sounding a little bit more like the Jenny Lewis of yesteryear. Beginning at this point launches the record in the perfect direction, exhibiting a duo completely comfortable with one another, both in and out of the studio. They even stop to incorporate some of the current California jangle pop with “My Pet Snake,” the first track that really features Jenny. Her voice hasn’t sounded this great and confident in years, which may surprise some, as Rice helped her produce the much lauded Acid Tongue. So far, so good.
“Big Wave” is another one of the record’s great tracks, and it’s one of those tracks that really takes you back. Jenny sounds a lot fresher with her vocal performance, and while many love her country-fied leanings, she can still carry a solid pop tune. It’s not the most incredibly innovative songwriting, but the casualness on display suits the duo perfectly; it’s like they were both born to write I’m Having Fun Now. Even Johnathan sounds great when he takes the lead role, such as on tracks like “Animal.” There’s a hint of devil-may-care in his delivery, yet there is a certain sense of confidence, perhaps from knowing his lover/best friend is by his side, as Lewis really brings her powers to the chorus here.
An edgier Jenny Lewis, who still writes her lyrics in much the same fashion as she always has, is on exhibit with songs like “Straight Edge of the Blade,” transporting listeners back to the days where she seemed so care-free. This is perhaps the best accomplishment of Jenny and Johnny, bringing the best out in each other, supporting each other and uniting in strength. “New York Cartoon,” much like parts of “Scissor Runner,” uses vocals from both parts singing in unison. It’s the perfect accompaniment, and you can clearly see why they’re such a match. These touches of balance and harmony lie in wait for listeners throughout the album.
In conclusion, you couldn’t really ask form more from the two songwriters here. There’s hints of both their passion in these songs, sometimes edgy, sometimes mellow and warm. Perhaps you won’t find the music the most innovative out there, but occasionally its those groups who clearly know each other so well that they bring the best out of one another that really hit home for us. Jenny and Johnny have shown us just that with their organization of I’m Having Fun Now; the record shows the two having fun playing together, which leads to fun for us. The ball is in your court Ben and Zooey.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Jenny-and-Johnny-Scissor-Runner.mp3]Download: Jenny and Johnny – Scissor Runner [MP3]
You can always count on this lady to bring hip-hop and dance to the ATH table. This round of picks was inspired by a comment @DaveRupert made on one of my past articles, Songs That Make You Dance. He said a good follow up would be about the songs that make you rap, and here we are. These are a few of the rap songs we all love and know most of the words to. You may not know all of the lyrics, but when that chorus line approaches, dayum you’ve got it down. No matter your race, ethnicity, age or level of hip-hop knowledge, you know these songs (or at least that hook line).
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Over the last decade, Mike Kinsella and his project known as Owen has been one of the mainstays on the awesome indie label Polyvinyl. While some bands jumped ship to get on the big label band wagon, Kinsella has stuck around with other label mates like Joan of Arc, Aloha, and the recently broken up Rainer Maria. So while writing new material for yet another new album, Owen is planning to release a new 7″ entitled Abandoned Bridges on September 28th. Prior to that release, the title track from the 7″ can be streamed and downloaded below. Maybe some day this guy will gain some much deserves popularity.
Download: Owen – Abandoned Bridges [MP3]
Christian Bland and the Revelators is a little known Austin band, but we all know Christian. He’s the guy shredding guitars and spreading the noise for The Black Angels. Recently, he uncovered an album’s worth of recorded material, and will be releasing it as The Lost Album on September 1st. It’s going to be super limited to 333 copies, and will include a poster designed by Christian himself. This is a wonderful glimpse into the mind of one of Austin’s leading musicians.
Download: Christian Bland and the Revelators – I See You [MP3]
Tuesday night one of our newest writers Mairin Heard made it over to Stubbs for a set by electro-duo Chromeo. Apparently the show was a hit as most people had nothing but good things to say. Mairin has a review and some fancy photos after the jump. Check it out.
| Date | Sunday, August 29th |
|---|---|
| Location | Mohawk |
| Doors | 1000p |
| Tickets | $? at the door |
It seems that Texas’ Dignan has been rocking around the state for years and years, and we’ve grown quite fond of their explorative alternative rock. Their newest tunes show a great deal of attention being given to every minor detail, which works out great for the group’s sound. You’ll get a chance to see them Sunday night in all their glory, accompanied by Farewell Flight and Burgess Meredith. Make sure you make it out, as we hear school’s back, so you might not get out on too many more Sunday nights.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/04-Two-Steps.mp3]Download: Dignan – Two-Steps [MP3]
Our From the Closet feature this week involves one of those bands I’ve been jamming to for quite some time, and it’s a band that recently made news this week, as it was announced that Domino Records would be releasing Coals to Newcastle on October 9th, a six disc box set including all sorts of work from Orange Juice. Personally, I first got into the band via Belle and Sebastian, who I feel the band used a lot as a reference point in their early songwriting. Singer Edwyn Collins sort of distanced the band from the rest of the post-punk bands in the early 80s by taking a more direct, almost tongue-in-cheek, approach to writing songs–as opposed to political minded lyrics. Their combination of R&B, funk, soul and punk always made them a lot more danceable, and a hell of a lot more endearing than many of their peers. If you like anything involving twee, you need to visit this band, and if you just like great music, then you need to check this group out. The following track isn’t my personal favorite (“Love Sick” is), but it’s a good starting point for casual listeners. Can’t wait to get our hands on all the gems from the newest box set.
Download: Orange Juice – Rip It Up [MP3]
