This is fine.
Another good local band show is going down Friday night at The Mohawk with The Midgetmen and The Calm Blue Sea teaming up for a sure to be rockin’ show. Music should start around 10pm for this one. Preview the show with a track from The Calm Blue Sea entitled “We Happy Few”.
Download: The Calm Blue Sea – We Happy Few [MP3]
Swedish rock band, Soundtrack of Our Lives, have been hard at work on a new double LP (that’s right, double LP) and are streaming new song “Flipside” from the album on Rollingstone. The huge new album is entitled Communion and is due out digitally on January 6 & physically March 3rd. Anyone else remember the lead singer running out into the crowd at the band’s early ACL set several years ago?
The 101X Independent Worforce is putting on quite the show at Emo’s this Thursday evening and we’re here to give you the details. First off, the lineup is outta site with The Ting Tings, Black Kids, Eagles of Death Metal, Airborne Toxic Event, and even local boys The Black and White Years on the bill for the event. Showtime is set to kick off at 9pm. Unfortunately, tickets have been sold out for quite some time so try searching craigs list for a bargain.
When a band is discovered by Tegan & Sara, you probably know that ATH is going to jump all over them. Such is the case with Australian act An Horse. Apparently the story goes that the Quin sisters met the duo while on tour in the land down under and brought them back to tour the states. After the band’s first stint in the US, the media has been hot on their trail to tag them as the next big thing. Big time or not, An Horse have one EP already in stores and their debut LP Rearrange Beds is available for purchase now via iTunes. The physical release of the album won’t be until mid March, so if time and money are an issue, let us hook you up with new song “Postcards”.
Download: An Horse – Postcards [MP3]
The year of 2008 is winding to a close, so it’s only appropriate that we wrap it up with our year-end albums list. We don’t expect many to necessarily agree with our list, but we worked really hard to make sure we had what we thought were the best thirty albums of the year. These are the records that spun over and over again in our heads and stereos, so this list is dedicated to their longevity in 2008. We’ve conveniently broken it down into two segments, with albums 30-16 after the jump. Read more
Local bands are getting down with some great shows this week and The Lemurs are getting in on the fun tonight at Lamberts. The Austin act is joined by St. Louis band Gentleman Auction House during the evening’s events. Tickets will be sold only at the door with music getting started around 8pm. Here’s a sweet little Christmas themed track from Gentleman Auction House called “Home for the Holidays”.
Download: Gentleman Auction House – Home for the Holidays [MP3]
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Tom Gabel has made his fame as the voice behind americana-punks, Against Me; this time he decides to step outside his typical arena for a solo affair. His stellar performance at Fun Fun Fun Fest this year with the Revival Tour led us to check out his latest solo release.
“I Can’t See You, But I Know You’re There” opens the album, and it’s a pleasant enough song. The straining vocals known with Against Me fans is still pretty evident,and the entire song revolves around loose acoustic guitar, with the focus resonating with the lyrics, which appear to discuss the loss of a dear friend.
He follows this up with “Anna is a Stool Pigeon.” This is the acoustic guitar work that one would expect from Tom, and its definitely more reminiscent of his performance at Fun x 3. It’s got some harmonica accompaniment, and overall it’s taking a more country approach, though the lyrical content is a little bit lacking. He continues in this vain for the most part, though there is a misstep in the middle.
“Random Hearts” is a song that recalls the most recent effort of his main band, New Wave. It’s electric guitar work and percussion samples don’t come across with the usual sincerity that is associated with a Tom Gabel song. Sure, the album offers you an acoustic version, but the version here definitely sticks with you; the case is the same with a song like “Amputations,” where the electric guitar just doesn’t seem to benefit his style at all, although the lyrical content here is definitely one younger crowds could get behind.
That being said, the album does have one of the better songs he’s written, “Conceptual Paths.” Sure, there are some minor drum samples in the background, but the strumming of his acoustic guitar recalls those special moments he is capable of creating. It’s easily the strongest song on the record.
All in all this is a decent offering from one of punk’s great voices. It would be nice to seem take a few more leaps towards a direct country approach, but that’s probably just wishful thinking. One can’t be too disappointed to have this set of songs to add to their collection.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/02-conceptual-paths.mp3]Download: Tom Gabel – Conceptual Paths [MP3]
Local Austin act, Till Were Blue or Destroy, are playing a set at The Mohawk on Tuesday evening. The band will be joined in the night’s events by The Ugly Suit out of Oklahoma. Things are set to start at 10pm with tickets being sold only at the door. Preview the show with a new track from the Ugly Suit called “Chicago”.
Download: The Uglysuit – Chicago [MP3]
Daytrotter brings us even more goodness this week with a live recording of a set by Damien Jurado. You can stream or download each song right this very second. If time is limited for you, download or stream the song “Ohio” below. It’s a beauty.
Download: Damien Jurado – Ohio(live) [MP3]
Brooklyn band Dirty on Purpose have quietly been one of those great bands that filled my heart with joy. Their combination of noise and warm pop won me over every single time. Sadly, the band has decided to call it quits, playing their last show this New Year’s Eve in New York City. You can download a few of their amazing tracks, as well as their final EP, by visiting RCRDLBL.
Download: Dirty on Purpose – Audience [MP3]
