This is fine.
I’d like to take a minute this week to pay homage to one of the great soul voices of our time. Sure, you’ve heard this sweet voice several times in your life, but does it make Wilson Pickett any less powerful? Absolutely not! I’m throwing a tune your way, just as an example of the great voice that stems from American soul. See that smile?
Option numero dos for Friday shows sees new local favorite Shearwater returning to town for a show at The Mohawk. Tickets are very cheap, running at only $8. Doors for the show open at 8pm and music starts shortly after with sets by Black Before Red followed by Brazos. We’ve given this band all kinds of praise this year (including sneaking into the top 10 albums of the year) so we of course think this will be a good one.
Download: Shearwater – Rooks [MP3]
One of our favorite bands who we haven’t heard much about recently, Koufax, just recorded a 3 song Daytrotter session. Head over to the Daytrotter site to download/stream all the songs. We’ve also got “Roll the Dice” which appeared on the band’s 2008 release Strugglers. Horray Koufax!
Download: Koufax – Roll the Dice (live) [MP3]
Friday night in Austin is going to be full of some tough decisions for you music lovers and option numero uno is Los Campesinos! at The Parish. These masters of dance infused pop music and year end list makers will be joined by buzz worthy band Titus Andronicus. Doors for the show open at 8pm and you can get yourself some tickets for only $14. If I was you, I wouldn’t pass up this rare to chance to catch this Welsh band state side.
Download: Los Campesinos! – Don’t Tell me to Do the Math(s) [MP3]
Black Keys front man Dan Auerbach just released a brand new single from his upcoming solo effort Keep it Hid due out Feb. 10th via Nonesuch records. The new tune is entitled “My Last Mistake”. What’s your take on the famous front man’s new solo project? We dig it.
Download: Dan Auerbach – My Last Mistake [MP3]
Rating: 
Let’s face it, Franz Ferdinand, though extremely enjoyable, has never been breaking a lot of ground with their push to get you to dance. Comparisons to various bands crossed all over their debut, and this album is no different. But, approaching the end of the day, you’ll still find that another solid record from this Scottish group, Tonight Franz Ferdinand, is not necessarily a bad thing.
“Ulysses,” the opening track surfaced a few months back, and it offered promise of a more dance-worthy set of tunes. The problem with that approach to a description of this album is that the band has always been a dance-laden band. Sure, they took a slow dance approach last go-round, but they’ve always encouraged you to dance, since their inception!
Sure, a song like “Turn It On” definitely will make you hit the dance floor a little harder, as the beat entices you to grab your friend and head straight for the floor. In fact, all the songs, excluding “Send Him Away” and “Katherine Kiss Me” have a danceable quality, and even those two aforementioned songs will allow you sway with your partner in a reasonable fashion.
Once again, the band succeeds on various levels. Somehow, singer Alex K is capable of crafting lyrics, accompanied by harmonies of course, that suggest involvement from all parties, listener and band member alike. This is perhaps the best modern approach to dance music, as everyone loves a little participation. Then you have to add the increasingly steady rhythm section, which always manages to create songs that make you want to stomp around. In addition, they sound tighter than ever before. It’s the same stylistic approach as previous efforts, but small changes have pushed the band further than before.
One thing is clear here, the production has changed on this album. The vocals sound a lot clearer here, and the music just seems to have a more straightforward clarity. Increased synth or keyboard elements have also given the band a stronger edge in their overall appeal, at least when that pertains to dance floor ready tracks. They don’t seem out of place on the record, rather an expected progression from a group that seems to clearly be searching for a new direction. Another noticeable change appears in Kapronos’ voice. There is a bit of a croon here, that visited at times in the past, but was never as prevalent.
At the close of the album, you aren’t blown away. You probably can’t decipher every single song from those before it. You can, however, say that you thoroughly enjoyed your listening experience. You will look forward to cleaning your house with this playing loudly in the background. It’s a good album, and you’ll enjoy it, you just won’t adore it.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/1-01-ulysses.mp3]Download: Franz Ferdinand – Ulysses [MP3]
As a part of their Next Big Thing series, 101x is bringing you a solid show this Thursday evening with Tapes ‘n Tapes, Wildlight & Harlem at The Parish. Tickets are still available for only $16. Doors are set to open at 8pm.
Download: Tapes ‘n Tapes – Hang Them All [MP3]
Several months ago word got around that Appleseed Cast were finally planning to release a follow up to Peregrine of 2006. These rumors were confirmed when we found a little demo of a new song called “Road West” way back in September. A few months later, the band offered up finished track “Raise the Sails” which got even more positive buzz going around the music world. Today we offer another sneak peek of the new album with a track entitled “As the Little Things Go”. The new song is another instrumental oriented tune that seems to hark back to the days of Low Level Owl 1 & 2. You’ll be able to pick up Appleseed Cast’s new album Sagarmatha on February 17th and catch one of their stellar live shows at the Mohawk on the 7th.
Download: Appleseed Cast – As the Little Things Go [MP3]
After much buzz in the internet world, The Wrens are finally confirming that an album is indeed in the works and being recorded as we speak. The band has also just offered up the first sneak peak MP3 of the album with an as of yet titled song. The new track is apparently a rough cut of better things to come, but we couldn’t resist the first taste of new material since 2003s Meadowlands.
Download: The Wrens – New Song [MP3]
Jason Chronis spends a good deal of his time in Austin band Voxtrot, but this Tuesday night he’ll be gettin’ down solo like at Mohawk. Jason will partner with other up and coming local acts Low Line Caller & Musse Mecanique. Tickets for the show will be sold at the door for $6 if you’re over 21 and $8 for you underage types. Doors open up at 10pm.
