*SIXEYES: Bright Eyes: Free MP3s

Bright Eyes free and legal mp3s...

+ going for the gold
+ lover, i don't have to love
+ something vague
+ take it easy (love nothing)
+ gold mine gutted
+ from a balance beam
+ a line allows progress, a circle does not
+ haligh, haligh, a lie, haligh

JF Robitaille: The Blood In My Body EP: Review

JF Robitaille
The Blood In My Body EP
[Rhythmbank Records - April 2006]
*Sixeyes Score: 7.5 out of 10

A Review by David Reis

JF Robitaille was heading Montreal's The Social Register (*Sixeyes previous post on The Social Register) and after he had won a Montreal International Music Award, JF decided to sign a solo record deal with Rhythmbank Records. Apparently he made the right choice. Musically it's dulcet and remarkable. The songs are composed immovably in the typical tradition, easily recognized songforms delivered by his acoustic guitar, evoking Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Nick Drake. They're fertilized by an unlimited melodic invention and meet an emotional essence in Robitaille's warm, lugubrious vocals. It is also an uncommon occasion when a record can be both intensely wistful and inspiring at the same time. The Blood In My Body has it all. Of course Robitaille´s poetic skills remains the preponderant ingredient, but when a female voice in "Love the Lie" and "Morning after Morning" softly breaks through it gets unexpectedly more intense and addictive. Audaciously catchy, lyrically loaded and penetrating, this elegiac set of songs are the sweet proof of an elegant marriage of poetry and refined folk.

+ love the lie

*Buy the EP here*

---

David Reis, or Sabas, is an indie music messiah. The worst Portuguese messiah you've ever heard of. Bastard!

KEVIN TIHISTA'S RED TERROR

photo by jim newberry

Kevin Tihista is described as a reclusive genius, well, he's pretty damn reclusive to me - I've never seen the guy once! The genius half of the description may be apt, but I tend to follow the axiom it takes one to know one, so here I am flapping in the wind on this one.

Tihista has released the album, Wake Up Captain, under the name Kevin Tihista's Red Terror, although it is mostly just him and him alone. Listen to this track a couple of times at least... it's stirring up some memories in me, of other songs I mean, but for the life of me I can't put a finger on what those songs are.

from the album Wake Up Captain
+ oh [mp3]

Wake Up Captain and more can be downloaded at eMusic and you can get 25 free downloads right here.

The Theater Fire: Everybody Has A Dark Side: Review

The Theater Fire
Everybody Has A Dark Side
[Undeniable Records - August 2006]
*Sixeyes Score: 8 out of 10

Review by David Reis

All the way back to 1995, North Texas, we found Vena Cava. A band formed by Don Feagin and bassist Mark Castaneda with a couple of friends. Years later, same place, we discover renewed, talented Theater Fire. An outstanding work of country, gospel, pop and mariachi sounds (no,wait... yeah, mariachi) that are both familiar and brand-new, an attractive combination of classic Americana and folk sophisticated instrumentation. Piled high with exquisite strings, trumpets and banjos ("Fiddleback Weaver" and "I Heard about You") trace Theater Fire's intimacy and elegance. Amply orchestrated, "These Tears Could Rust a Train" and "Everybody Has a Dark Side" transpire beauty but also a surprising lyric agitation... Don Feagin (lead vocals) blends an unusual sense of phrasing and doleful humor, with his songwriter friend Curtis Heath, that is both deeply literate and inspiring. This is a record that impels you to lean closer to your speakers in order to fully hear everything that is being played and sung. Details -- a trumpet here, a guitar there, a violin that appears out of the surrounding air, sounds poking in and out -- fill every cleft in the sound. For all its musical complexity and inherent melancholy, Everybody has a Dark Side (Undeniable Records) over time proves an ingenious masterstroke. Heartbreaking, gorgeous, sharp-witted and fetching, this record unifies the different, but complementary beauties of post country and sweet mariachi weirdness.

+ these tears could rust a train
+ everybody has a dark side
+ fiddleback weaver
+ i heard about you

---

David Reis, or Sabas, is an indie music messiah. The worst Portuguese messiah you've ever heard of. Bastard!

Released: June 27th

Some of the releases for June 27th via insound.

06/27 An Albatross
Blassphemy
06/27 Baby Ray
Low Rises
06/27 Balun
Something Comes Our Way
06/27 Bittersweets
The Life You Always Wanted
06/27 Bjork
Surrounded (Box Set)
06/27 Broken Bottles
Suburban Dream 7"
06/27 Carina Round
Slow Motion Addict
06/27 Celladour
Enter Deception
06/27 Cephas and Wiggins
Shoulder To Shoulder
06/27 Chris Thomas King

VIA CMJ.COM...
AN ALBATROSS Blessphemy (Of The Peace Beast Feastgiver And The Ace Fu
BABY RAY Low Rises Effin
BITTERSWEETS The Life You Always Wanted Virt Records
BROKEN BOTTLES "Suburban Dream" [7-Inch] TKO
CARINA ROUND Slow Motion Addict Interscope
CELLADOR Enter Deception Metal Blade
CEPHAS AND WIGGINS Shoulder To Shoulder Alligator
CHRIS THOMAS KING Rise 21st Century Blues
CIRIL "Pink Cave" [7-Inch] TKO
CITY DRIVE Always Moving Never Stopping Columbia
CLASSIC CANADIAN SONGS FROM SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS Various Artists Smithsonian Folkways
COCK SPARRER Runnin' Riot Across The USA TKO
DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL Dusk And Summer Vagrant
DEADSOIL Sacrifice Lifeforce
DIRTY ON PURPOSE Hallelujah Sirens North Street
DIRTY RIG Rock Did It Escapi
DJ SPINNA Intergalactic Soul Shanachie
FALL OF SERENITY Bloodred Salvation Lifeforce
FIEND Addiction Fiend
FINGLETOAD, STRANGE AND SIHO Mazzola Shadoks
FOUR TET DJ Kicks !K7
FRANCOIS K Frequencies Wave Tec
GOOD RIDDANCE My Republic Fat Wreck Chords
GRANT LEE PHILLIPS nineteeneightees Rounder
HECTOR BUITRAGO Conector Nacional
INDIA.ARIE Testimony: Vol. 1 Life And Relationships Motown
JEFF LANG Prepare Me Well Telarc
JOHN LEE HOOKER JR. Cold As Ice Telarc
JOHN MAUS Songs Upset! The Rhythm
JONAH SMITH Jonah Smith Relix
JURASSIC 5 Feedback Interscope
LI'L ED AND THE BLUES IMPERIALS Rattleshake Alligator
LIVIN'S EZ: HAWAIIAN TRIBUTE TO SUBLIME Various Artists CMH
LORD JAMAR The 5% Album Babygrande
MARVIN GAYE Can I Get A Witness Starbucks
MUSIC OF ALBERTA Various Artists Smithsonian Folkways
PERSON Entitled Echelon
PHIL AIKEN It's Always the Quiet Ones Gentlemen's
PURIFIED IN BLOOD Reaper Of Souls Abacus Music
PUTUMAYO PRESENTS: MUSIC FROM THE WINE LANDS Various Artists Putumayo
RAY CASH C.O.D. Sony
RAY WYLIE HUBBARD Snake Farm Sustain
RED CHORD Clients Metal Blade
SAMMIES The Sammies MoRisen
SHIRTS Only The Dead Know Brooklyn Stereo Society
SLEEPTHIEF The Dawnseeker Neurodisc
SLIGHTLY STOOPID Live In San Diego Shout! Factory
SLIGHTLY STOOPID Winter Tour '05-'06 Shout! Factory
SUNI PAZ Mi Bandera Smithsonian Folkways
TEADA Inne Amarach Gaelinn
THEBLEEDINGALARM Beauty In Destruction Immortal
THEO ANGELL Dearly Beloved Amish
TO THIS DAY Chapter 1: Between The Bridges 1981
TOUCH 25 Various Artists Touch
WALTER TROUT Full Circle RUF

The Scourge of the Sea: Make Me Armored: Review

The Scourge of the Sea
Make Me Armored
[Alias Records - July 2006]
*Sixeyes Score: 7.7 out of 10

The Scourge of The Sea are from Lexington, KY. A trio of Andrew English, Justin Craig and Robby Cosenza who are currently awaiting the thrill of seeing their debut, Make Me Armored, on once renowned and now re-born, Alias Records, upon the shelves of local stores and, with any justice, stocked on shelves around the country. On first listen, especially upon first listen of the opening track "Out Of The Trash", you know something special is happening. A slow and sticky pop refrain sung in the memorable voice of English, who resembles, in an enviable way, John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats in Darnielle's gentler and quieter moments. But don't let this distract you; while English's vocals ooze with character, the songs match in arrangement, performance, and melody. And while most of the songs tilt towards the softer edges, when English inhales a touch more deeply and then exhales more forcefully, that voice has the power to induce shivers. This is quietly sunny, acoustic-pop, framed in shadow, which has apparently eschewed watches, calendars, and clocks... for it's timeless.

+ out of the trash
+ water wings

These Hands: "Selfish Acts Of The Average"

Song Review by dylan mckeever

The eerie magic of this song is all rooted on that slithering drum beat. Hear it slink and push and inch forward, clearly propelling the song without becoming overbearing. But can drums really slither? Apparently they can because the rest of the instruments use them like great bendy stilts to make their way across some ghostly bog. Slide-stepping across in a carefully cadenced hop-swing. Save the violin, of course, which makes its squeaky entrance wobbling through the air on a single leathery wing. Unfortunately, the train-wreck of an accordion soon arrives, knocking all else into the muck. And all this in only the first half of the song.

These Hands is a small parade of mandolins, accordions, and pianos all headed by one Saskatchewan native, Michael Hanson. The band makes more of this kind of swampy-sweet experimental pop, which can be heard on their latest release The Golden Touch EP, available on their website, or myspace.

You can also contact Michael at thesehandsmail@gmail.com

+ selfish acts of the average
[you will find more downloads at the artist's myspace page]

---

dylan mckeever writes music and was raised by wolves.

Sufjan Stevens: 'The Avalanche' Stream Part 2 and Free MP3s

Part 2 of the streaming party for Sufjan Stevens latest album on Asthmatic Kitty, The Avalanche [July 11th], can now be heard here. Just look for the picture below on the main page and follow the link on Asthmatic Kitty's page.



Here are some mp3s for those uninitiated in the sounds of Stevens.

+ the henney buggy band - from The Avalanche
+ the man of metropolis steals our hearts
+ casimir pulaski day
+ holland *
+ year of the dog*
+ jason *
+ niagara falls
+ lord god bird

*The three mp3s marked with an asterisk can be streamed off this page, although to download these you will have to go to Stevens page on the label site, you can download the songs there.

OF course, Stevens can be found at eMusic through their free trial offer of 25 downloads. Or search for more songs here.

The Coup: Pick A Bigger Weapon: Review

The Coup
Pick A Bigger Weapon
[epitaph - April 2006]
*Sixeyes Score: 7 out of 10

Review by Thomas David

West Coast revolutionary funk-hoppers The Coup released a new album, Pick A Bigger Weapon, on April 25, 2006 through like-minded Epitaph Records and I can't get it out of my CD Player (that's right...CD Player…I'm still into albums not MP3s). Boots Riley makes the beats and raps while Pam The Funkstress occasionally hits the ones and twos. Boots' goal is to make you dance and have a good time while trying to persuade you that it's time for a lot of change. "Laugh/Love/Fuck" is a fun funky jam proclaiming Boots' interest to "laugh/love/fuck and drink liquor/and help the damn revolution come quicker". "I Just Wanna Lay Around All Day In Bed With You," Mindfuck" and "BabyletshaveababybeforeBushdosomethingcrazy" are just a few of the love songs turned anthems of revolution and rebellion. Someone has to pick up the torch for Marvin Gaye! Root's mouthpiece Black Thought and Talib Kweli kill the mic with Boots on the incendiary single, "My Favorite Mutiny", that is getting nowhere near the airplay it deserves. Concept songs like "Ass-breath Killers" and "I Love Boosters" are informational tracks over decent beats…but ultimately not something I want to listen to repeatedly. I find the majority of this album interesting enough for repeated listens though like most hip hop albums it is a bit too long and, pardon me but, skits suck.

+ we are the ones
+ my favorite mutiny
[mp3s courtesy of epitaph records]

Sufjan Stevens: 'The Avalanche' Stream Part 1 and Free MP3s

Stevens latest album on Asthmatic Kitty, The Avalanche [July 11th], can now be streamed here in the first of four parts. Just look for this picture on the main page and follow the link on Asthmatic Kitty's page.



Here are some mp3s for those uninitiated in the sounds of Stevens.

+ the henney buggy band - from The Avalanche
+ the man of metropolis steals our hearts
+ casimir pulaski day
+ holland *
+ year of the dog*
+ jason *
+ niagara falls
+ lord god bird

*I'm no techie, so I'm not sure why the three mp3s linked from Stevens label can't be downloaded from this site. But if you go to Stevens page on the label site, you can download the songs there.

OF course, Stevens can be found at eMusic through their free trial offer of 25 downloads. Or search for more songs here.

Revisiting The Past

The other day something I was reading reminded me of something I wrote. And that led to another thing I had written a while back. So, here they are, the two pieces from the past, a couple of song reviews... perhaps you missed them. The first was written a couple of weeks after my father spent some time in hospital and when released was on some heavy-duty heart drugs. Enon's song stirred up memories of the many hours I spent in hospital during that time. And the Empress review? I don't know where that came from.


Enon: "Kanon"

3 am, irregular heartbeat has stabilized, blood thinned by rat poison--dreams keep breaking loose like dreaded clots might without the Warfarin. Monitors beep, a gurney clicking and clacking on the hard floor, wheeled up to my quasi darkened room--like a snowy moonlit night--pushed by two men with shaggy hair. They are directed by a tiny woman, a nurse who begins to sing in my drug muffled ears--calming and frightening at turns. We stop in a quiet dim lit hallway as she injects me with something... I think it was called 'Kanon' or Enon.
I can see lights, colours, although my eyes are closed, I think. I can hear unfamiliar names called, strange names, and then, and then.... my own. I blink awake in Emerg with the dream nurse's song still swirling in my ears; I keep thinking Blonde Redhead, Blonde Redhead with American blood and electronic rhythm, but that's not right--trying to find a name, but none comes to mind... none... nonE....Enon. Walking towards the triage nurse who called my name, I almost hope they can't get my cd player earphones, some bastard krazy glued into my ears, loose.

+ kanon

* * * * * *

Empress: "Vodka and Verlaines"
A slowly picked guitar and pecked out piano notes lay atop what a warm summer wind sounds like as you float with your ears submerged, your hair fanned like silky seaweed behind your head, in your neighbors pool. Your neighbor is in Arizona or Saskatchewan (you forget which) for an estate auction. Still you float, half in and half out of the leaf strewn pool, half in and half out of sleep -- and you have all you need: a warm pool, the keys to your neighbor's house, and the Empress song, "Vodka and the Verlaines", playing in your head. You don't know the song or the band, but somehow they are playing away somewhere behind your sun-stroked eyes, between your water logged ears. You hear a country tinged melody without the pedal steel, or Cat Power without the naked vocal emotion. You hear Empress, as a floating Smirnoff bottle flashes in the sun... just before it cracks against your skull.

+ vodka and verlaines

Tobias Froberg

Sweden's Tobias Froberg is such a pleasant surprise. I'd heard the name a few times before, but this was the first chance to actually hear him. And what I heard was the kinetic percussion of "When The Night Turns Cold" and the bedroom strum of "Love and Misery". Both of these tracks rise above the teeming indie rabble on the masterful arrangements (aided by his partner in music, Linus Larsson) and Froberg's voice alone. Froberg's voice a sound I want to describe using the oxymorons, soft steel, or sharp feather, but I will settle on 'liquid needle'. He cuts through the music and he comes close to cutting through the words in the songs, but he takes their shape and flows from letter to letter, syllable to syllable, from word to word.

from Somewhere In The City [2006]
+ when the night turns cold

first album, For Elisabeth Wherever She Is [2004]
+ so i
+ grace
+ what are you gonna do - part 1
+ see what we do to us

Kyle Andrews: 'Amos in Ohio' National Release

Luckily I came across the quirky pop of Kyle Andrews back in the midst of a summer heat wave last year. I still feel a little thrill when I hear great songs by a musician of high calibre and low exposure. It feels good to give them a smidgen of the music blog limelight in the hope (re: dream) that it will lead to good things. Andrews put out his debut, Amos In Ohio, on Fictitious Records, but now he's getting a national release on Badman Recording Co [June 20th]. Now more ears will be hooked by the music and that can only be good for Kyle Andrews and you, the listener.

Here's the post I did last summer and some MP3s to whet your appetite.

+ amos in ohio
+ sushi

* * * * * * * *


Chicago native, Kyle Andrews, makes 'hook heavy' indie pop. You will listen and wonder why you haven't heard this music before, or at least someone saying you should hear Kyle Andrews... uh, you should.

I'd also say that from the clever wordplay, the light idiosyncratic touchs that pop up now and again under the weightier, but far from heavy instrumentation; and Andrews distinctive pronunciation of some words, that he has a very clear picture of where he want his music to go. And he's having a lot of fun 'making it up'.

His first full-length work is titled Amos In Ohio on Fictitious Records. And it is some fine music, catchy as hell; I'm still trying to shake the 'viral' verses and contagious chorus of "Sushi". By writing about it here I hope to launch a Kyle Andrews pandemic, this is one malady... uhh, melody... that would be good to catch.

*Sixeyes asked Kyle some questions and he answered from Nashville.

*************

*SIXEYES: How long have you been writing and performing your own songs?

KYLE: My curiosity for recording started out in the sixth grade. I couldn't play or sing, but I was in love with the idea of making an album. I would plug a pair of headphones into the mic input on a friends boom box and then wear the headphones with the earpiece snuggly on my mouth. I would hit record, improvising cassettes full of new "songs". I eventually upgraded to a 4-track cassette machine, which opened me up to the world of overdub. Now I work on Protools and do drum programming with reason software, but its all the same process as I originally started out, just hit record and make something up.

*SIX: Where did you record, Amos In Ohio, and who helped you out?

KYLE: Amos in Ohio was recorded in my bedroom. My roommate and band member, Neil Mason, played the live drums, which consist of maybe half the record. We just put one mic up in the hall way and recorded him playing to tracks I had already started. Most of his takes were the first or second time he had heard the song.

*SIX: Nashville is so identified with country, how is the indie pop/rock scene in town?

KYLE: There are a lot of great bands. I'd say Nashville rivals just about any place. Music row, the business side of town is mostly country but in the venues, its more rock.

*SIX: I'm not going to ask your influences, but I will ask... what inspires you?

KYLE: I love enthusiasm, I get inspired watching or listening to any band that has passion for what they are doing. I rarely can sit through another artist's show, with out suddenly wishing I was at home writing a new song, or that I was playing my own show. You see something great and you want to be contributing.

Licks of Love

by Chris Cummins

Pretend for a second that it’s around 3:30 in the morning and you’re wide awake. Every nerve ending in your body seems to be on red alert, every sense is ultra heightened, caffeine urgency running through your veins. You hop in your car, taking the tunnel you’ve driven through a million times before on your way into the city. But something's different, something's off. The normally dull lights from above seem blinding tonight and the concrete seems to cocoon you with its cold greyness. Off in the distance, you see lights flickering, getting closer until you are back onto the open road--a metropolis ahead of you ready for whatever you can throw at it. If you were Charlie in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, it would be at this very second that you feel infinite.

These feelings of charged emotion are what Licks of Love are all about. Consisting of keyboardist/singer Daniel DaSilva, drummer/programmer Rui Guerreiro and bassist Ron Pastore, the Brookyln based group were originally named Poleposition, but were forced to change their name for a variety of reasons too complex/boring to get into here. They’ve settled upon the name Licks of Love in order to musically recreate the bruises we all take from romantic entanglements. Sleek, sexy and scary, their sound offers the perfect soundtrack to your own late night adventuring. Until their debut under the new name is completed, you can check out a demo of “Places in Wrong Places” at their MySpace site and here's some more mp3s.

Poleposition MP3s
+ we live in cities
+ the nerve
+ o mar

Dirty On Purpose

Vocals floating like feathers, guitars fuzzy as moldy bread (and isn't that how penicillin was discovered), Dirty on Purpose have a dual purpose and you know the first... the second is to cure your sorry ass, just like penicillin. So, drop trou and take the shot.

In other words, this Brooklyn quartet is well above the norm (and if any of you hear Sam, Cliff, and Diane shouting "NORM!" right now, then you've probably got less hair on your scalp and more in your ears than the average Joe... unless you're a girl of course, in which case you look GREAT!).




MP3s
from Hallelujah Sirens (release date June 27th), their debut full length...
+ light pollution [that's Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Jaymay adding her voice to this track]

from 2005's Sleep Late For A Better Tomorrow...
+ mind blindness

* * * * *
TOUR DATES
Jun 29 2006 8:00P CD Release Show @ Mercury Lounge New York, NY
Jul 5 2006 8:00P First Unitarian Church w/ Hidden Cameras Philadelphia, PA
Jul 7 2006 8:00P The Century Lounge Providence, RI
Jul 8 2006 8:00P Great Scott Allston, MA
Jul 9 2006 8:00P Bar Nightclub New Haven, CT
Jul 15 2006 12:00P Siren Music Festival New York, NY
Jul 18 2006 8:00P Andyman's Treehouse w/ Say Hi To Your Mom Columbus, OH
Jul 19 2006 3:00P WOXY.com Lounge Act (Live In-Studio Performance!) Cincinnati, OH
Jul 19 2006 8:00P Southgate House w/ Say Hi To Your Mom Newport, KY
Jul 20 2006 8:00P Firehouse w/ Say Hi To Your Mom North Manchester, IN
Jul 21 2006 8:00P Beat Kitchen w/ Say Hi To Your Mom Chicago, IL
Jul 22 2006 8:00P 7th Street Entry w/ Say Hi To Your Mom Minneapolis, MN
Jul 23 2006 8:00P The Aquarium (Dempsey's Upstairs) w/ Say Hi To Your Mom Fargo, ND
Jul 26 2006 12:00P KEXP.org (Live In-Studio Performance) Seattle, WA
Jul 26 2006 8:00P Paradox Seattle, WA
Jul 27 2006 8:00P Town Lounge Portland, OR
Jul 28 2006 8:00P Bottom of the Hill w/ Say Hi To Your Mom, Irving San Francisco, CA
Jul 29 2006 8:00P Spaceland Los Angeles, CA
Jul 31 2006 8:00P Kilby Court w/ Say Hi To Your Mom Salt Lake City, UT
Aug 1 2006 8:00P Hi-Dive w/ Say Hi To Your Mom Denver, CO
Aug 5 2006 8:00P San Diego Street Scene Festival San Diego, CA
Aug 6 2006 8:00P Solar Culture Gallery Tucson, AZ
Aug 11 2006 8:00P Local 506 Chapel Hill, NC

* * * *

Myspace
North Street Records

Released: June 20th

This week's releases via insound.com.

06/20/06 Awesome Color Awesome Color Ecstatic Peace
06/20/06 Black Helicoptors Invisible Jet Ecstatic Peace
06/20/06 Brightblack Morning Light Brightblack Morning Light Matador
06/20/06 Caribou Start Breaking My Heart [Deluxe Reissue] Domino
06/20/06 Caribou Up In Flames Domino
06/20/06 Fatboy Slim Why Try Harder - Best of Astralwerks
06/20/06 Frank Black Fastman/Raiderman Back Porch/EMI
06/20/06 Keane Under The Iron Sea Interscope
06/20/06 Kyle Andrews Amos In Ohio Badman
06/20/06 Smoosh Free To Stay Barsuk
06/20/06 Submarines Declare A New State Nettwerk
06/20/06 Tam Tam Ecstatic Peace

Canada

All I can say is, 'Thank God, a band that calls itself Canada is as good as this one is' (I'm Canadian, doncha know?). These seven musicians make a sweet sound, weaving a warm quilt of organic thread (cellos, glockenspiel, accordion, piano, guitar, melodica, percussion, boots, seven voices, and more) into songs that exude a warmth. And that warmth may be partially from the goodwill of it's members, for they are Americans (from Ann Arbor/Ferndale, Michigan), paying tribute to their neighbours to the North (well, in this instance, the North and East) by simply naming their band Canada. But that cozy heat is also most certainly from the music they generate when they come together and play. It may be the size of the outfit, but I am hearing a tiny echo at times that brings to mind Arcade Fire unplugged (especially the song "Record Function").

Recording for compact indie label Quite Scientific, they've released an EP and are now touring their first full length, This Cursed House. Here's some music... and some up to the minute tour dates below.



+ record function
+ hexenhaus
+ beige stationwagon

Another song on their myspace page

June 15th - Brooklyn, NY - Northsix w/Saturday Looks Good To Me, Tiny Amps
June 16th - College Park, MD - U of Maryland - w/SLGTM
June 17th - New York, NY - East River Park Amphitheater w/ SLGTM
June 25th - Lansing, MI - Mac's Bar w/ Cex, Javelins, Love of Everything
June 29th - Detroit, MI - The Lager House w/ The Pantones, Speakerphone, The Flouride Program

Buy their music here.

New downloads at eMusic

Some very good indie stuff has appeared on the eMusic site.

Tapes 'n Tapes - The Loon
Islands - Return To The Sea
Josh Ritter - The Animal Years
Forward Russia - Give Me A Wall
Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out Of This Country
The Futureheads - News and Tributes
Vetiver - To Find Me Gone
John Ralston - Needle Bed

Give some of this a listen by downloading for free through eMusic's 25 free downloads offer - look into it and sign up here.

Released: June 13th

This week's releases via insound.com...

06/13/06 2up/Yip-Yip split 7" Strictly Amateur
06/13/06 Dabrye Two/Three Ghostly
06/13/06 Foundry Field Recordings Prompts/Miscues Emergency Umbrella
06/13/06 Futureheads News and Tributes Vagrant/StarTime
futureheads + skip to the end [mp3]
06/13/06 Good Riddance TBA Fat Wreck Chords
06/13/06 Hot Chip The Warning Astralwerks
06/13/06 Mae Shi To Hit Armor Class Zero 10" Strictly Amateur
06/13/06 Replacements Bastards of Young: The Best of The Replacements Rhino
06/13/06 Scanners Violence Is Golden Dim Mak
06/13/06 Sonic Youth Rather Ripped Geffen/Goofin
06/13/06 T-Tauri Infinite Motion Strictly Amateur

Tomihira: Play Dead: Review

Tomihira
Play Dead
[self-released - March 2006]
*Sixeyes Score: 8.1 out of 10

Review by Alan Williamson


to-mi-hi-ra (toe-me-he-rah) n. blues for shoegazers; sonic melancholia

The sound of this recording blossoms and spreads out of the speakers; a sad sky filled with melodies burning holes in the ozone and Dean Tomihira's voice soaring and gliding softly, a sleek hawk casting fleeting blue shadows. The omnipresent emotional guitars offer a perfect foil to the smooth vocals – and the effortless vocal delivery contributes to the dreamy aura of the music. An aura generated by the space in the songs and the crisp production by the three band members, Dean Tomihira (vocals/guitars), bassist Jeff Kay, and drummer Markkus Rovito. I'm sure that when most trios get in the studio they want to fill up all that space, but it's not dead air, that's living breathing ambience, and these musicians add little flourishes that only enhance the music and space. Talented, thoughtful musicians expressing themselves through lovely and sad melodies… take special note of this band, Tomihira, and their full length debut, Play Dead... in fact, buy it and Play Dead loud.

+ world class
+ color of destroyed

SKIRTING THE DARK FRINGES with Devastations: An Interview

Interview by Alan Williamson


The music of Australian-bred trio, Devastations, is akin to nights when you're so tired you can't sleep--those sleepless nights when you see and hear things in a different way and they stick with you because of that fact. 3 a.m. is a different world for those who rise at 7:30 each morning and the music created by Devastations is from that dark of night, that dark of dreams, and the darkness within us… the 3 a.m. of the soul.

Formed from the core of Melbourne rock band, Luxedo, in 2002, Tom Carlyon, Hugo Cran, and Conrad Standish, have always kept moving, either creatively, or geographically. Critical acclaim befell the trio after the release of their self-titled debut in 2003--a recording ripe with promise, one that easily demonstrated the talents of the band, especially through the songs, "Loene", "We Will Never Drink Again", and "Previous Crimes". The songs have a smeared European decadence shrink-wrapped about the brooding talents of Carlyon, Cran, and Standish. If you find the intelligent music authored and essayed by Brooklyn band, The National, to be moving, then I highly recommend you seek out Devastations. They have a more sparse sound, three members in comparison to The National's five, but the songs of both outfits skirt the dark fringes. And each boasts a singer whose tobacco-stained throat curls up from the words like smoke, smoke that attempts to obscure the ache and yet only shrouds it in the vocal charisma of the singer. It's a cultural crime that more have not had the opportunity to discover them, although the crime fighting indie record label, Brassland, has taken the proper steps to right this wrong… they've signed Devastations and will give their latest disc, Coal, a Stateside release late summer/early fall.

MP3s
from Coal...
+ sex and mayhem [full length]
+ coal [sample clip]

Video
+ Take You Home - live footage 'SKC', Belgrade, Serbia. (windows media file)

from s/t debut...
+ loene [full length]
+ we will never drink again [full length]
+ previous crimes [sampleclip]


(An interesting tidbit: vocalist and bassist, Standish, is a childhood friend of Angus Andrew of Liars and he contributed three songs and guested on the Liars latest album.)

I'd like to thank Devastations guitarist, Tom Carlyon, for taking the time to answer these interview questions.



* * * * * * * * *

*Sixeyes: I’ve got to start by saying that the Nick Cave comparisons I repeatedly find in album reviews are getting tiresome. All harping on the same things: the vocals, song subjects, and that both singers are tall. Okay, it's a lazy comparison, and they are favourable comparisons, but do you see the similarity others cite so often?

Tom Carlyon: Comparisons full-stop are pretty limiting. I’m not sure what it achieves. It’s like palm-reading – I don’t believe any of it. It’s probably more apt to say The Devastations share similar influences. But then again, maybe we don’t. I just don’t know.

*Six: ...or, is it taken as a compliment and let go? Has there been a comparison you found much more apt, or even incomprehensible?

TC: Well, Nick Cave is no schmuck. Better being compared to him than, say, Donny Osmond. Someone once compared us to the sound of a meteor cooling in the cut grass. That’s far more appealing.

*Six: If you had the luxury of providing the press with a brief description of the band and it's sound, which the press would have to use, what short, succinct phrase would you give them?

TC: Tropical Goth.



*Six: Coal was recorded in Berlin, Melbourne, and Prague, and I hear that the Berlin location was formerly the East German headquarters for radio and television... is this also where Radiohead have recorded? How did you choose this location and while I'm on this subject, who produced the record?

TC: Not sure if Radiohead recorded in the same Berlin Studio. Quite possibly – it’s an immense compound with many studios under the one roof. We chose the location on the advice of our friend Alex Hacke who recorded these sessions. We were living in Berlin at the time, had just finished 4 months of fairly solid touring and had the opportunity to begin a new record (Coal) – it seemed like a good idea at the time. As far as production goes, we (as in Conrad, Hugo and I) produced Coal.

*Six: What outside force had the greatest effect on Coal?

TC: When we left Melbourne in 2003 we were elated at the prospect of leaving home for an eternally prosperous future on the road! This feeling was undoubtedly delusional but it had a large influence on what songs we chose to record, how we decided to arrange them and where we would record them etc… We also toured solidly for 4 months before recording began. This put us in the same car for a long time so we were forced to talk about our next record. Unfortunately we screwed up the Berlin sessions due to our own inept playing (too much prep) and had to re-start nearly everything again in Prague. In the end, time became the biggest factor. Having abandoned the Berlin sessions and re-started everything in Prague some months later we then finished Coal over 8 very long months in Melbourne - due largely to financial restrictions, engineer illness and touring commitments. This lengthy process actually opened the door for collaborations with both Padma Newsome (Clogs) and Bic Runga.

*Six: Like several prominent Australian bands before you, you've made a long distance move to the 'old country'. Where does the band now call home, or even feel at home? And why did you leave Australia?

TC: We left Melbourne because it takes 23 hours in the air and another 10 in transit just to get to London Koko in Camden to play with The National on May 31st. Now, we’re just trying to keep on the move – like gypsy’s or something. After the UK tour Conrad and Hugo will move back to Berlin for a while and I’m going to set up a duchy somewhere in Moravia – put the wife and kid in a castle and find some subjects. Actually, there’re plenty of castles in Ireland. I shall book a flight to Cork.

*Six: What strengths and weaknesses do you feel that working as a trio brings to Devastations music? Also, I believe the band expands to a quartet when on the road, who is it you rope in for this position?

TC: Working as a trio is my favourite format for watching other bands and playing live because every aspect of a band and it’s music is visible. The musicians look naked and the sound is right in front of you. Also, you can hear the fuck ups and you can see any chemistry between the individuals – if it exists.

Having said that, if (as we have) you write songs that have string arrangements, piano choirs and go-go dancers, you can’t fairly represent them as a three piece. ‘Sex & Mayhem’ as a 3-piece is akin to hearing ‘Sexual Healing’ played on trombone. One other down-side of a three piece is that the guitar becomes the instrumental centrepiece and that can get a bit tiresome after a while.

On piano, we initially roped in Kiernan Box. He’s been with us for 2 years now. When he’s not available we are lucky enough to have Nigel Yang to fill-in.

*Six: Even before your signing to US indie Brassland, I heard a similarity to former Brassland artists, The National: in the baritones of the singers, the way both bands aren’t afraid to veer off the ‘rock’ roadmap and take less traversed pathways. And I’ve learned that both have also utilized the talents of instrumentalist Padma Newsome. Was Padma, or The National, a factor in your choosing Brassland, and how do you know Padma?

TC: Conrad told me Brassland was a cool label in NY releasing interesting music and getting good feedback from all corners. So, some months later, I just sent a copy of our first record – expecting to hear nothing more. Months later we were on tour in Europe when we got an email from Alec saying he’d seen our itinerary and we should hook up with Clogs in Paris. We duly hooked-up meeting Padma as a result. A few weeks later we were sound checking in Bra, Italy and Alec conveyed his intention to sign us – I think he even used the term ‘against my better judgement’. We were ecstatic.

Padma’s incredible contribution to Coal came about some months later when we were all back in Australia. He lives in Mallacoota. We would send song files there and receive back from him incredible pieces of music that stand up in their on own right. Padma is a genius.

*Six: Much of what I've read online mentions the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Karen O and the wonderful compliment she paid your self-titled debut album when she said… 'The Best Thing I’ve Heard All Year' [MOJO Magazine Dec, 2003]. Have you ever met her, or wanted to seek her out to thank her? And have you seen any positive effects from her kind words?

TC: I think she saw us play in Berlin once. I didn’t meet her although I will definitely thank her for her kind words when/if I ever do. Con met her in Melbourne when the YYY’s toured Australia and stayed in touch to some degree. They eventually did some recording together in LA a while back.

Some people definitely took a bit more interest in us after Mojo. Even we did. It was the first time our name had appeared in a UK publication. Afterwards we were inundated with weird emails from record companies saying how much they love us and would we be interested in private helicopters etc. At the time we were touring Germany and selling CD’s out of a 2-door hatchback. So we said ‘yes, we would like a private jet’ – then never heard another word from any of them. Strange people.

*Six: What about the song writing – is it a group effort, or individual? And who is penning the lyrics? There is some wonderful imagery within the songs.

TC: It’s a group collaboration. The songs are inspired by and therefore written for this band. The imagery comes from the dubious poet hiding inside us all.

*Six: Finally, what does the rest of 2006 hold for the band? Any plans to tour North America in the near future?

TC: Well, right now we’re on tour in the UK. ‘Coal’ is coming out in US through Brassland in July and in the UK/Europe through Beggars Banquet in August. We will definitely be touring the US at some stage this year. We’ve never been. I hope you like us.

* * * * *

Devastations website
Myspace
Contact the band: thedevastations@yahoo.com

femme generation

FEMME GENERATION (yes, another Toronto band), have made me feel just a tad unsure. No, not unsure about my sexual orientation, or even about day to day decisions like what colour socks will I wear and the ongoing debate: toast vs. bagel? More unsure of my memory, I would have sworn like a sailor on a stack of bibles, that I had done a post on this band... ages ago. But I can't find it. Of that I'm sure (maybe I should look again because of this I am now becoming usure). Surely I jest, you say... well, I sure as hell don't. Not when I tell you that Femme Generation are a damn fine post punk band. One which succinctly captures their essence simply by generously offering these influences: The Stooges, Esquivel, Talking Heads, The Smiths, and Curtis Mayfield. There is a rawness via The Stooges, and caffeinated polyrhythms via Talking Heads, but the high creamy soul of Curtis Mayfield and The Smiths mopiness is not as apparent. But make no mistake this band is right up there with the best of the post-punk bunch in 2006, due to the band's sense of humour and history melded with vocalist Kadosh's familiar and pleasing yelp.

Bernard Kadosh - Vocalist/Guitarist
Aaron Hutchings - Keyboardist
John Rivera - Bassist
Paul Filippelli - Drummer

Brothers And Sisters, Alone We Explode (2005 - Permafrost)
+ semper fi, little guy
+ the good life '77
+ heart in stitches

Circle Gets The Square (2004)
+ emergency
+ seas like stars

East Hundred: 'East Hundred': Review

East Hundred
East Hundred
[Blue Green Records – April 2005]
*Sixeyes Score: 8 out of 10

By Thomas D. Williams

East Hundred is an electronically textured pop band from Philly. Their lush little 7 song EP has been one of the high points of the last few months for me. No matter my mood it’s hard to be anything but stunned by the beauty of these songs; a remedy for any bad day at the office.

Beryl Guceri’s voice is breathtakingly beautiful; a sung “sweet nothing” whispered at just the right moment. The Brothers Blair are a potent songwriting duo. Will’s drumming and programming play off of each other creating a hypnotic rhythm while Brooke’s guitars are layered thick and sweet like honey in tea. Ultimately their secret weapon is their subtlety. Almost no single part of any song overwhelms the listener yet their perfect combination is able to capture and maintain the listener’s attention every time.

The overarching sound is a juxtaposition of their digital pop flair and Beryl’s soft voice. Blonde Redhead is an obvious influence. Album opener “Leave It” calls distantly from a fog (the same fog they are shrouded in thanks to Pamela Kim’s design?) before hitting with its ultra catchy guitar hook. “Acquaint” uses a jagged programmed rhythm that I feel takes away from some of Will’s best drumming and one of Beryl’s strongest vocal performances. “Numbers” is perfect and would be a candidate by any label for a first single. “Ruzgar” is able to overcome the (self-inflicted) Turkish language barrier and capture most anyone’s ear, a testament to their marvelous musicianship. Closer “Current Company” is a semi-acoustic piano-driven ballad, tissues not included. If any negative feelings remain I suggest a repeat listen.

+ leave it
+ numbers [courtesy www.labelworthy.com]

East Hundred myspace

Dancing About Architecture

Popmatters has recent interviews with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah leader Alec Ounsworth and Mission of Burma. And going back a couple of weeks there's an interview with Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt.


* * * * * * * * *

Daniel Smith of Danielson talks with CMJ.

* * * * * * * * *

Harp Magazine does the interview thing with Raconteurs and with Television's Tom Verlaine and Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore.

Revolution Void: Effects of Elevation: Song and Remix Review

Revolution Void
Effects Of Elevation

Review by Thomas David

Jazz musicians that make electronic music walk a tenuous path for a creative outlet. The risk of being labeled a smooth jazz musician must be considered for it can be the death of you. Smooth jazz doesn’t appeal to dancing young kids and adults, OR any jazz aficionado. Jonah Dempcy is a jazz trained musician attempting to walk that tenuous path while also committing what many would consider a marketing mistake... he’s giving away his music. Society derives value from what something costs (not my theory, talk to my economics teachers) so giving away these three songs says they are worthless. Wrong. There is nothing that breaks any boundaries in these three songs but the first two songs are good dance music and the last song was a surprising twist. The first track, the original, features pedigreed jazz bassist Matthew Garrison who drives the track with a fairly lyrical rhythm for what is basically a break-house beat. The drum programming sounds are clean and crisp but some parts sound cliché. The rest of the song jams around those parts, mostly, with talk-box and piano leads. This makes me want to see them live at a festival so I can dance with a sarong-wearing dready girl. The second remix is a harder house version by Citizen Prime. The beat hits pretty hard but not mind-numbing hard-house style. It’s a remix of the other so piano leads and talk-box return to whirl around the beat. I picture hearing this at a club with someone like Scott Henry DJing and me dancing with a dready girl in really big pants. The last version is by Sevenless. It starts with a dark, slow hard-house beat which leads into TDS-era Nine Inch Nails-sounding synths that fill any empty space. The beat shuffles and deconstructs itself continually until the song ends with a floor-tom and kick-drum lead into a quiet piano epilogue. Its danceable “industrial” that I hope to hear at a fetish party while dancing with some multi-pierced dready girl. Notice the pattern? Dance music that makes me want to dance (i.e. good).

+ effects of elevation [get the other tracks here]

Revolution Void homepage

Doveman Hit The Road!

For the first time the band Doveman will tour as headliners and they want you to come and listen. Opening for Doveman, who will be performing as a trio except for the New York dates when it will be a full band, will be critically acclaimed (Pitchfork gave his EP an 8.4!) British 'experimental folkie' type guy, David Thomas Broughton.

They start tonight in Montreal and move on from there... where?... here:

Wed June 7: Montreal, QB The Green Room
Thu June 8: Boston, MA PA’s Lounge
Fri June 9: Northampton, MA GalleryTK
Sun June 11: NYC, NY Joe’s Pub
Mon June 12: Washington, DC The Red and the Black
Wed June 14: Chicago, IL Subterranean w/ Roommate
Thu June 15: Des Moines, IA Vaudeville Mews
Fri June 16: Casper, WY Metro Coffee
Sat June 17: Missoula, MT House Party
Sun June 18: Clarkston, WA Muddy Water's Coffee House
Mon June 19: Portland, OR Towne Lounge
Tue June 20: San Francisco, CA Cafe du Nord
Wed June 21: LA, CA Tangier
Fri June 23: Phoenix, AZ Modified
Tue June 27: NYC, NY Tonic


Here's some Doveman...
+ teacup
Find more songs.

and here's some David Thomas Broughton...
+ ambiguity

Here are some previous posts on Doveman...
interview
album review

The Walkmen: A Hundred Miles Off: Review

The Walkmen
A Hundred Miles Off
[Record Collection - May 23]
*Sixeyes Score: 7.8 out of 10


It's hard to measure this new album, because their first full length, Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone, often played in my ears a few years back while I trudged through the Canadian snow on a 45-minute walk several times a week. All those songs became ingrained and now when heard they stir images of winter, images that gain beauty through the 'soundtrack' and the music gains beauty through memory. Now how can a new recording compete with that? It can't. So, I will measure by this rule, 'Do I want to hear this album again?' If the answer is a simple 'yes', it's a good album. Then I must pose this measuring query, 'Do I want to hear this album again and again?' If the answer is 'Yes, Yes', it's a very good album (can you see the genius of my madness?). And if I want to still listen to this record six months from now, it may just be brilliant, but I can't see that far into the future (YET, although I am working with Dr. NakaMats on that problem). And, at this time, the answer to the question, 'Do I want to hear this album again and again?' is ... 'Yes, Yes!'

+ louisiana
+ brandy alexander

Find more songs

The Golden Dogs

Toronto's The Golden Dogs have been riding the songs from their album, Everything In 3 Parts, for around 3 years now... and that's a shame. A shame because the recognition they deserve hasn't been there, because this is fantastic stuff, because these are great songs, with great harmonies, sung by a front man whose voice sounds better the closer to a yowl he gets, because this is some of the best music I've heard in a long while. And that music is somewhere in the power pop camp, but not quite. "Bastards" rings with New Pornos harmonies and melody, and then "Yeah" gives Dave Azzolini a chance to exorcise the Iggy Pop trapped within. This one will get you pumped, your nostrils flaring, and your pants tighter than is advisable. YEAH! (that 'YEAH!' is in reference to the song, not the tight pants... just want to be clear on that... are we? Good.)

Dave Azzolini [lead vocals, guitar], Jessica Grassia [keyboards, vocals], Taylor Knox [drums], Neil Quinn [guitar, vocals], and Stew Heyduk [bass], comprise the quintet, but according to the Funzalo Records site (the band's American label) the drummer is Beau Stocker and the guitarist, Carlin Nicholson... either way this band is one to watch. Their new record, Big Eye Little Eye, out in Canada August 15th, 2006, is highly anticipated by me. Here's a preview of the upcoming release (listen and begin anticipating highly)...

+ 1985 - from Big Eye Little Eye
+ runouttaluck - from Big Eye Little Eye

And here's a taste of Everything In 3 Parts... (which was just recently released in the US on Funzalo Records)
+ yeah - this one get's six eyes out of six
+ elevator man - i love the way this song twists from their take on elevator muzak into the spirited, high octane, power pop chorus.

Other great tracks from Everything In 3 Parts are "Birdsong", "Can't Get Your Face Out of My Head", "Bastards", and... oh, hell, my fingers are getting tired... lotsa great stuff on here.

Canadian label: True North Records
US label: Funzalo Records
The Golden Dogs on myspace - (mp3 downloads and streaming)

Find more songs.

TODAY'S TOP NEW ALBUMS at eMusic

Today's list...

1. Peeping Tom
Peeping Tom
2. A Misra Sampler
Various Artists - Misra Records
3. Anti Records Sampler
Various Artists - Anti Records
4. West of the West
Dave Alvin
5. It Came From Memphis Too
Various Artists - Memphis Industries
6. Gulag Orkestar
Beirut
7. Right on Time
The Brought Low
8. Steppin Out
Diana Krall
9. Play
Moby
10. The Surfdog Sampler
Various Artists - Surfdog Records

Check out these and more on the eMusic site -- and get 25 free downloads by signing up here.

The Futureheads: New Album, Tour Dates, and MP3s

Britain's rambunction and precocious Futureheads have a new album and tour coming up. News and Tributes on Vagrant/ Startime will arrive in the US, June 13th... tour dates are below.

+ worry about it later
+ skip to the end

Here's a link to video of "Skip To The End".

Here's the ecard for the band's upcoming album, News and Tributes:


Here's the tour dates:
w/ French Kicks
6/15/06 Vancouver Commodore
6/16/06 Seattle Neumo’s
6/18/06 San Francisco Fillmore
6/19/06 Los Angeles Henry Fonda Theatre
6/23/06 Dallas Gypsy Ballroom
6/24/06 Austin La Zona Rosa
6/26/06 Atlanta The Loft
6/27/06 Chapel Hill, NC Cat’s Cradle
6/28/06 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
6/30/06 NYC Webster Hall
7/1/06 Boston Paradise

w/ Tapes N' Tapes
7/25/06 Philadelphia Starlight
7/26/06 Toronto Phoenix
7/27/06 Detroit Magic Stick
7/28/06 Columbus, OH Newport
7/29/06 Chicago Pitchfork Festival
7/30/06 Minneapolis Varsity
8/2/06 Denver Bluebird
8/3/06 Salt Lake City Club Sound
8/4/06 Las Vegas Jillians
8/5/06 San Diego Street Scene