Duke Boys
The Return of Whitman @ Emos Lounge
Local band Whitman sees a triumphant return to the stage this Friday (June 6th) at Emo’s Lounge in Austin Texas. Whitman will be playing with well known bands Sybris & Unwed Sailor. Prepare to have your faces melted! For tickets Click here. Or just buy one at the door for only $8! Doors open at 9pm, show starts at 10.
More info/song previews for each band can be found here:
Whitman
Sybris
Unwed Sailor
Hear “The Drifter” off Whitman’s new album Torch Songs
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/08-the-drifter.mp3]
Download: thedrifter.mp3
New Albert Hammond Jr.
I’m sure most of you have already heard this song from somewhere or another but I wanted to post it anyway. If you’re like me, you are chomping at the bit waiting for Albert’s new album to come out later this summer. After the huge success of his first album “Yours to Keep”, I’m betting this album won’t let us down either. The new single is called “GFC” off Albert Hammond Jr.’s new album ¿Cómo te llama?.
Download: gfc.mp3
American Princes – Other People
Rating: 
Long ago, in a land quite our own, we weren’t really concerned with sound oddities or atmospherics; we liked our rock n’ roll straight up. Pour it in a glass and drink it down–then again, I was really young. Nonetheless, American Princes are that band serving up a tall glass of straight-forward rock–the kind I miss the most.
I think the first notice of this is comes across immediately upon the first listening of the voice. There is a sincerity in the fact that you can identify with the vocalist and the scratchiness accompanying his vocals–see Arts and Crafts band, The Constantines for a reference point. I like sincerity–not to mention minimal production.
Now, if I were to pick a radio single, and I like to pretend that I could, I would easily put “Real Love” on my set list. The chorus alone is enough for me to purchase this album. Its got the hook one needs to keep coming back.
One song that I didn’t expect from this veteran band, “Wasted Year,” doesn’t have any of the post-punk reference points of their other songs, but in fact, its this freshness that makes this an album worthy of repeated listens. Not to mention they toss me a ballad–clearly I am a sucker for such things–in the beautifully written “Don’t Ever Promise.” I must say, I appreciate differentiation in regards to albums.
Now, this band could have stuck to their guns, maintaining varied success as a solid post-punk outfit from Arkansas, but they pushed themselves. In that act, they push their fans–like me–to ask for more from their rock music. No longer can we settle for oddities and atmospherics, for, in fact, the simplest approach is quite possibly the one we love the most.
Hear “Real Love” off Other People:
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/05-real-love.mp3]Download: reallove.mp3
The Toadies in Austin
The Toadies are coming to Stubb’s in Austin on Sep. 3rd. Tickets go on sale this Friday (June 6th) at 10 a.m. Go here to get tickets and party like it’s 1994!
New Sigur Ros Single
Sigur Ros just released a single off their forthcoming album with a title so long I won’t even attempt to reproduce it here. Apparently the album is being produced by Nine Inch Nails producer Flood? Go figure… The new single “Gobbledigook” isn’t like anything you’ve heard the band do before. Go here to pre-order the brand new album out June 23rd.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/gobbledigook.mp3]
Download:Gobbledigook.mp3
Spiritualized–Songs in A & E
Rating: 
What else can I say to you that you haven’t already heard about this record? Probably not much, but I’ll give it a solid go.
You guessed it, this record deserves all the credit and applause that people have thrown its way. In fact, “Soul on Fire” will probably make my Top 5 Songs of 2008, and I can honestly say I am reserving it a place.
What on Earth is wrong with this record then? Very little. But, if I must give those that wish to find faults with the world something to enjoy, it is that the repetition of the word “fire” becomes a bit redundant, and in fact, makes the album disappear at various times. At points, during my listening pleasure–and I do mean pleasure–I found myself scrambling to find out which song was which.
Now, you combine that with the unnecessary atmospherics–yes, I realize that is a J. Spaceman staple-and you have some weak moments on this record. You, depending on your taste-those atmospherics pop up at least six times- will find something to dislike.
But hey! I love this album. Its got real slow burners like “Sweet Talk” and “Don’t Hold Me Close,” along with the aforementioned “Soul on Fire.” Then toss in a solid stomper like “Yeah Yeah” or the gaze-able “You Lie You Cheat”; this pretty much rounds out all angles necessary on a solid album.
This album gives you something to think about, by way of some in depth thinking, but it also lets you indluge that darker vein of rock n’ roll that we all have-or at least I suggest purchasing one. You can’t ask for more from this album, which is why I suggest you go out and get your hand on it–NOW!!
May I also suggest “Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space” for those unaware of the history of this band.
Hear one of the best tracks of ’08 “Soul on fire”:
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/05-soul-on-fire-1.mp3]
Download:Soul on Fire.mp3
Islands – Arm’s Way
Rating:
Immediately, I want to say that this record is probably worth the purchase–albeit one when there isn’t much else out there to buy. Initially, I listened to this album four or five times in a single day, but therein lies the problem–I can’t recall great moments about this one–I can’t recall the shapes of the songs, give or take one or two. Care to explain you ask? I do indeed.
For starters, this album is far too long to listen to in one sitting, and if you do, you will find it does nothing more than blend into the background as you and your buddies make dinner–steaks right? By my count, 8 of the 12 songs go over the 5 minute mark. Sorry, Nick Thorburn, I just don’t have that sort of time these days. Sure, they dabble in length, but not quite like this.
Now, is the music worth it? Yes-but not like you want it–not like your “Rough Gem.” The closest Islands come to replicating that playfulness is on the 4th track “Creeper,” and it doesn’t quite hit its mark. Here is our problem listeners: the affinity for clever, circus-laden melodies is gone. But, on the plus side–so are all those faux hip-hop moments. I miss the former–its always been the attraction for me.
What I do like about this album, especially apparent in the last three tracks, is the new darker side of this band, and I don’t mean that in regards to lyrics–I mean it in reference to the somber mood apparent in these tracks. We all know that Jaime Thompson is no longer a member, and this is really apparent, or at least to me, in these lyrics. I could be off, but, whatever the cause, it makes for some of the more special moments on this record. Like I said–I bought it. I listen to it from time to time, but I can’t tell why. Maybe you can?
Islands is playing Emos Austin on June 23rd. Click here to purchase tickets for da show.
Hear “The Arm” off the brand new album:
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/islands-the-arm.mp3]
Download: Islands – The Arm [MP3]
Texan Edition
We’ll be regularly offering up a new comic by our wonderfully talented cartoonist Ed Booth. If you’d like to see a larger version of any comic, just click on the image… and you can always click on the Comics category up top to check them all out at once.
Car Stereo (Wars) at Beauty Bar
Be sure to catch the car stereo (wars) “farewell” show at Beauty Bar this Saturday night from 10:00-2:00. Christopher Rose (the brains behind CSW) will be leaving for Europe soon, so this will be the last time in a while to catch him in Austin. Beauty Bar fills up quick, so we would recommend getting there early and staying put.