Posts Tagged ‘rock ‘n’ roll’
New Track: Allah-Las
Over the weekend some friends and I celebrated the holiday together, not that any of are particular serious about celebrating Easter. It was more just a time to get together, eat some good food and laugh. It was an amazing time. We have all known each other for a while and it’s kind of like family now. As I get older I’ve realized the importance in having a few good friends vs. a lot of okay ones. I’m truly blessed to have such amazing friends here in SF.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, they’d all be rolling their eyes at this point. 
The point of this post is that one of my dear friends turned me on to some great new music this weekend. Namely, the Allah-Las.
This California band has a sound that is so incredibly unique and unlike anything I’ve heard a modern band produce before.
Right?! Listen to it again. Right now. Just listen.
They’ve got a total California vibe with that classic old school, 60′s, rock ‘n’ roll sound. Reminds me of one of my all time favorites; yes, The Doors.
The whole album is pretty incredible so it was hard to pick just one song. I chose “Catamaran” because it represents some of the classically cool lyrics the Allah-Las have produced.
They’ve apparently been around for a while but haven’t gained much in popularity. I see that changing. Soon.
I can seriously put on this album and it brings me a new perspective to life. I know that’s dramatic, but it’s true. For some reason the whole album just makes me relax and think about the bigger picture. The music relaxes me and the lyrics speak to me.
Music is different for all of us, but even if the Allah-Las self titled album doesn’t change your perspective on life, I highly recommend you download it.
New Track: Gus + Scout
This was another gem I came across when researching SXSW bands. Gus + Scout have an awesome sound.
While this song was put up over a year ago, I’m just hearing the band for the first time and am clearly hooked.
I like this slow rock and roll jam that really lets Scout’s voice be emphasized. I think her sound is totally unique and incredibly powerful. Both are extremely talented and create an awesome blues-ey/rock ‘n’ roll sound. Powerful vocals mixed with some heavy guitar and some almost Mo Town-inspired instrumentals. Into it.
Plus their story just makes me dig them even more: (From Nylon magazine) “Gus + Scout has been a long time in the making. Gus Wenner and Scout Willis (yes, their parents are Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner and Bruce & Demi, respectively) met while growing up in Hailey, Idaho, but lost touch until the were re-introduced as students at Brown University.”
The article goes on to explain how their first self-titled LP was created at Brown as an independent study project. Their story is adorable. The Nylon article is well worth a read.
New Music alert: Divine Fits
I heard this track by the Divine Fits a few weeks back…
“Would that not be nice,” sprung up on a new music Songza playlist and satisfied the new rock ‘n’ roll itch I tend to get form time to time.
The lead singers voice instantly reminded me of the lead singer from Spoon. Turns out, it is the lead singer from Spoon. The Austin, Texas indie rock group consists of former members of Spoon and Wolf Parade.
The song reminds me of other favorite bands such as The Strokes, Spoon (obviously) and the Arctic Monkeys. They have what I like to call a “chill rock” vibe. Perfect for tapping your foot to at your desk, turning up and running around town to or just walking from spot to spot ever so cooly to.
It’s the perfect amount of edgy vocals mixed with a driving rock beat and electric guitar. What I always loved about Britt Daniel’s vocals is that they are so sharp they just cut through the rock ‘n roll for a too cool for school track. Love, love, love. Leather jacket and Ray Bans on when listening, duh.
New Music Monday: The White Buffalo
As much as I often reference my Bonnaroo experience as overstimulating and claustrophobic, I was introduced to some seriously great music that has stayed with me since my visit to Tennessee about a year and a half ago and am forever grateful for the trip.
The White Buffalo is one of those musicians that continues to be a reoccurring favorite of mine first heard underneath the beating southern sun.
This past weekend was the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival here in San Francisco. While I was a little spread thin with everything going on in the city this weekend (Fleet Week, the America’s Cup, a much anticipated Patriot’s football game and the festival) I was able to catch the end of the White Buffalo’s act at the festival yesterday. I’m pretty sure this is the song he ended with:
I had forgotten about how great this cowboy of a musician is. I was introduced yesterday to his latest album, “Once Upon a Time in the West” and this track, “Good ‘ol day to die.” Unfortunately there aren’t really any good YouTube clips of the song so I had to go with this live version, but you get the idea.
The White Buffalo perfectly captures two of the elements I love most about music: passion and truth.
He creates an awesomely authentic sound that reminds me of modern day cowboys, biker gangs and whiskey. His music is best described as truthful lyrics about life and love sung with an even raspier and passionate voice over a driving rock beat and an enthusiastically strung guitar.
I imagine lead singer Jake Smith to be like a big ‘ol teddy bear that would hug ya and love ya- unless you crossed him. In which case he could easily flatten you.
The White Buffalo epitomizes that little part of us that kind of wants to be an outlaw. You gotta love him.
New Music Monday: Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
This past week was my last one at the Bistro. It certainly was a good and memorable one with lots of pleasant and familiar customers saying goodbye and some good laughs with near and dear coworkers.
One of the unexpected highlights was a surprise appearance at the bar from Grace Potter and her boyfriend/band member! The two were in town for the Grace Potter & The Nocturnals performances at the State Theatre.
I saw Grace Potter at Bonaroo last summer and was totally taken away by how hard she rocks on stage. Not only can she belt out tracks, she does so while running around on stage in 3-inch heels. It’s insanely impressive.
This is the title track off her latest album, The Lion The Beast and The Beat:
It’s kind of a new sound for the band, but that only adds to my interest in them. On each new album, they seem to constantly be evolving and reinventing their sound while keeping rock at their core.
Grace Potter rocks a unique bohemian look, can kill it on the piano while belting out lyrics or rock ‘n’ roll around stage and keep up with the rocking drive from the band. She’s multi-talented and her, not surprising, enthusiastic, fun-loving personality only adds to her charm. She’s a total rock star in my book!
The rock ‘n’ roll fix you need…
The new Gaslight Anthem album, which debuted on Tuesday, is number 2 on the iTunes chart! I was totally bummed that I couldn’t financially swing attendance to either one of their live performances this past week (The Middle East this past Sunday night in Boston or the Webster Hall performance on Tuesday in NYC).
However, I have been awaiting a new Gaslight Anthem album for some time now and am eager that it has finally arrived and is playing on repeat in my headphones.
Lead singer/heartthrob Brian Fallon. Please note the Boston-based Johnny Cupcakes tee!!! (photo compliments of Rolling Stone)
I never thought I’d see the day this band made the iTunes chart.
This has been one of my favorite bands since my early days of working at McGreevy’s (circa fall of 2008). #nojudgement
I was introduced to a lot of my now favorite bands at that bar, as well as a lot of my now favorite people.
The Gaslight Anthem and their “’59 sound” album spoke volumes, literally, to me at the time, and still does!
Through the years I found myself relating with lead singer Brian Fallon’s lyrics and unwillingly tapping my foot to the driving guitar and drums that make up the GA sound as I cruised down from Mission Hill on the 59 bus to my various classes at Northeastern and restaurant jobs throughout the city of Boston.
I am really into their new album, but I think their debut, Sink or Swim, will always be my favorite. If you’re looking to scratch the I-need-some-new-original rock itch, this is your album. Check it.
Two of my favorites…
Shepard Fairey does the Rolling Stones’ 50th Anniversary logo…and it’s awesome.
I first saw Shepard Fairey’s work at the IFC in Boston several years ago and was blown away. I’m generally not a fan of modern art and tend to prefer the classic impressionist and Renaissance artists, but I love a political uproar. I remember his work being über controversial at the time. Very 1984-esque, I love it!
The Rolling Stones, a favorite from an early age many thanks to my dad, made a wise choice in selecting Fairey to do their art work. I love the vintage-y look of the red color of the tongue. Very reminiscent of a lot of Fairey’s work that was exhibited at the IFC.
I never would have imagined the two collaborating but it’s absolutely genius. I think you can really grasp the connection the two artists have as well. They both are heavily attracted to rebellion, naturally, I adore them.
I grabbed the image and Fairey’s response to the design work (below) from Rolling Stone magazine. I love that Fairey too was introduced to the Stones by his father…
“I’ve been a big fan of the Rolling Stones since my dad introduced me to “Satisfaction.” Tattoo You is one of the earliest albums I bought with my own money and I studied the album package obsessively … you may notice how its color scheme and iconic art could have inspired me? The Rolling Stones have had a lot of great art over the decades, but nothing can top their tongue logo, originally created by John Pasche in 1971. In my opinion, the Stones’ tongue logo is the most iconic, potent and enduring logo in rock & roll history. I think the logo not only captures Mick Jagger’s signature lips and tongue, but also the essence of rebellion and sexuality that is the allure of all rock & roll at its finest.
I first worked with Mick Jagger and Dave Stewart on their project SuperHeavy. Mick and Dave were great to work with and I became at ease with our creative rapport despite their stature as musicians. However, when Mick Jagger reached out to me about designing a logo to mark the Rolling Stones’ 50th anniversary I was quite overwhelmed. Mick said he was open to any of my ideas. One of the first things I asked Mick was, “Don’t you think the tongue HAS to be included?” He responded, “Yeah, I guess it ought to be.” Case closed. I was very humbled and honored to be asked to work on the 50th logo, so my objective was to service and showcase the Stones’ legacy rather than try to make my contribution dominant.
I worked on this project as a fan knowing that the Stones’ tongue was the focus and the starting point. With that in mind I set out to integrate the 50 in a creative and memorable way. I think the solution speaks for itself in celebrating the Stones’ trademark icon and historical anniversary. I’d like to thank the Rolling Stones for all their great music that has impacted my life and for allowing me to make a small contribution to their 50th anniversary.
Cheers!” ~Rolling Stone magazine
New Music Monday: Jack White
I first heard this song in the “Great Gatsby” trailer that I posted a few weeks back. Jack White’s cover on the classic U2 song, “Love is Blindness” totally rocks it, and, in my opinion, is better than the original version.
Jack White’s cover was on the album of U2 covers that was created in celebration of the band’s 20th anniversary of their classic album, “Achtung Baby.” Personally, I like Jack White’s version better than the original U2 version.
I love the emotion and pure rawness in Jack White’s voice. The revved up drum and over exaggerated guitar in this version give the song a more of a raw rock feel as well. Jack White’s touch is so rock ‘n’ roll and so special, everything he does is gold.
He is an amazing musician and while was most well known for the White Stripes, has done some amazing solo work and group work since. For example, if you have never heard of the Dead Weather, I suggest you check out THIS heavy rock song and download the rest of the album immediately.
New Music Monday: BRMC
Yes it’s 5:30 am and I’m blogging. Moving on, I have finally really gotten into the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. It’s long over due, I know. I’ve heard their name suggested to me on numerous occasions, and am a fan of their popular “Ain’t no Easy Way Out.”
But it wasn’t until I recently purchased the split BRMC and, long time fav, Kings of Leon EP that I really was influenced to give them a go.
I love this song! It’s definitely been a repetitive driving force for my springtime runs recently. It’s got that original Johnny Cash rebellious rock attitude that, though, no longer an anti-establishment 16-year old, that I still really connect with. This song has that driving, rock ‘n’ roll that just kind of creeps up on you and grabs a hold and pushes you to the edge of your mind.
Their sound reminds me of the harder rock bands of the 1970s like Black Sabbath. It’s a refreshing change from some of the slower, indie rock I’ve been listening to recently and has me, inevitably, listening and envisioning myself on the back of some beard rocking, leather jacket wearing rebel’s motorcycle tearing up the coast leaving all my troubles behind.
New Music Monday: Lucero
This week’s track is off of one of my all time favorite band’s latest CD; Lucero‘s “Women & Work.” I’ve been rocking this album basically non-stop since I got myself a copy when it came out a month or so ago.
I love every part about Lucero: their tatted up, southern trucker look, their just don’t give a damn attitude and their music, singing about the everyday troubles of the rebel figure on the road over some unique rock ‘n’ roll tunes. They recently just celebrated their 14th year anniversary!
Their music can be upbeat with that classic country rock style mixed with an impressive horn selection, even occasionally mixing in that old time saloon piano or it can be slow and steady when front-man Ben Nichols (HEARTTHROB! Ben if you’re reading this, I was the girl in the red dress and cowboy boots that met you, lost backstage, at the Boston show a few years ago. I love you.) sings about girls- past and present, his mom and lonely nights headed towards the midlife. Their website describes their new album as a “love letter from Lucero to its hometown, Memphis, Tennessee.” And it most certainly sounds like it! I highly recommend listening to all of Lucero’s work, old and new, but here’s their title track, “Women & Work” :
I’m going to a few shows this week on my days off, however I won’t be attending Lucero’s show in Boston on Thursday. If you are kicking it in the bean, make sure you hit up the Paradise Rock Club and check these guys out!
I’m looking forward to the Avett Brother’s performance tomorrow night in New Hampshire with Amber, as they have been on my bucket list of must see shows in my lifetime for a few years now and I seem to keep missing them. However, given how much “Women & Work” ROCKS, I’m kind of bummed I’ll be missing Lucero this week.
