Brain drain -- True story: I am sitting, arm outstretched, ready to have blood drawn for my annual cholesterol test. As the phlebotomist is tapping my vein, she asks, "Are you heading to work?"
"I am."
"What do you do?" she asks.
"I work for The Providence Journal. I run the Web site."
"You must have a big brain."
The only response I could come up with was, "Well, yes, I guess on some days I do." In the split second before those words departed my mouth, I figured that was better than, "Well, you know what they say about big brains...." (12.10.2004)
Jen Chapin -- I'm not much of a Harry Chapin devotee, but I like what his daughter is doing musically. "Me Be Me" is a soulful and spunky tune with an almost Bill Withers-like riff in the background (think Use Me) . The other songs on her "MbM" EP have traces of Fiona Apple, while still rooted in a more traditional singer-songwriter mode (i.e. not overproduced). After downloading Me Be Me I immediately bought the EP, and it exceeded my already high expectations. I am eager to check out the just-released full album. (3.13.2004)
Curtis Eller's American Circus -- I am increasingly paying attention to Joan Anderman's reviews in The Boston Globe. This one in particular caught my eye because of accompanying photo's cutline: "Curtis Eller started his showbiz career in the circus at age 7, and the influence has stuck with him." I don't hear a lot of calliope in the clips I downloaded. The album title Banjo Music for Funerals was enough to further intrigue me. Now, while I have been expanding my bluegrass horizon, I am still leery of anything featuring a banjo. But a sad banjo? Too tempting. My first impression after downloading Alaska was that Steven Stills had strapped on a banjo for this song. Last Flight of the Pigeon Club is more dirge-like. Dry Lightning is low-key cool, complete with a yodel midsong. All in all a fun find. (2.21.2004)
Abercrombie and Fitch: Music -- I can't figure out if I'm hip for stumbling on this site (I suppose if I have to ask myself, I very likely am not), or just lucky. I unearthed it while searching for samples of Sun Kil Moon. They apparently featured Carry Me Ohio a couple of weeks ago, and have many more mp3s there from what seems to represent a wide variety of genres. Bookmarked for further exploration. (2.21.2004)
Barn Burning -- Rick Massimo's Dec. 18 review in The Providence Journal got me jumping to the Web to find some samples of this group. Turns out they've got a nice collection of a half dozen mp3s that live up to Massimo's billing: "The influence is not from country, but from the country; not of Nashville-inspired Southern country music (although Weatheredbound is on Catamount, a Nashville label), but of the rural spaces of New England." My first listen to Windshield conjured up an audio imprint of The Marshall Tucker Band jamming with a bluegrass ensemble. The other clips lean more toward traditional roots and Americana, but trust me when I tell you this is not straight out of Deliverance or Grand Ole Opry. It's a far more eclectic blend of bluegrass, rock and folk. Who knew this kind of music was bubbling up in Providence. Perusing the Barn Burning site showed me to learn there's a regular music series featuring this kind of music: Your Roots Are Showing. I really need to get out of the office more. In the meantime, this band's CD is en route to my mailbox. (2.21.2004)
The Stereophonics -- Brandy pointed out that my music entries have been sorely lacking lately, especially given all of the music we've been enjoying. So a flurry ensues.... Once again, she has turned me onto a band, although this time I am surprised I hadn't added them to our collection before she did. It's much more upbeat and rockish than she usually buys. There are lots of Beatles /Wings overtones on their latest album, You Got to Go There to Come Back. Good driving music. As an aside, check out the band's Feb. 18, 2004, journal entry, leading with a tidbit about the Orpheum Theater in Boston. Odd comments blaming the venue for a sedated crowd. We've seen Martin Sexton at the Orpheum, and most were not sitting for large portions of that show. Go figure. (2.21.2004)
The Thorns -- Bought their CD for Brandy for Christmas, but it has turned out to be a gift for both of us. The combo of Shawn Mullins, Matthew Sweet and Pete Droge most oftens sounds like CSNY. In fact, there are songs on the album (Think It Over) that you'd swear are a CSNY cover. Also, the one cover song on the album, The Jayhawks' Blue, is so dead on that when I heard it on the radio I didn't realize it was a different band. Now, all these likenesses would lead you to believe there's no originality, but the debut album never seems that way. It's simply good music. The nice thing about the bonus CD version is there is a neat Quicktime bio included, plus a second CD of an acoustic set done live in a studio after the band's tour. It's well worth the bigger price. (1.10.2004)
(Buy CDs at Amazon.com)
Wheat -- I found this band while doing a bit of stream-of-consciousness Web surfing, and feel fortunate to have done so. I downloaded the first mp3 on their audio page -- "I Met A Girl" -- and found it to be among the best audio treats I've sampled this year. The vocals are familiar, with shades of Bono and Apartment Three. But the composition is distinct. Halfway through the song, the changes are suprising, welcome and exciting. I am downloading more clips now, and am certain to purchase a CD. How refreshing that this band has its roots in Taunton! This is why supporting local music can be so rewarding. (12.7.2003)
The Ticks -- I'm late to this female punk bandwagon, apparently. I first learned of this Cape group through an SGR e-mail, and then saw them featured on Chronicle a few days later. A week later, Tim Miller asked me if I'd heard of them (he'd seen them at The Prodigal Son in Hyannis, I believe). That was enough of a virtual sledgehammer to get my butt in gear to check them out. I started downloading some tracks from SGR tonight. Wouldn't you know, Mason right away said, "What's that?!" and jerked his head around toward my computer as the first strains of Oo-Oo-Oo blared through the speakers. Within a minute, he was rocking his head, kicking his feet and singing along. What's good for our 2-year-old is good enough for me! Seriously, he's got his mom's instinct for good music. Among his other favorites are The Chandler Travis Philharmonic singing That's What She Said and Five for Fighting singing The Hoppity Song on For The Kids. (8.8.2003)
Alexi Murdoch -- Again my ears have been treated to my wife's inate ability to tune into good music. We listened to a sample, and immediately ordered the CD. A definite Nick Drake-like sound, but still unique. (7.9.2003)
Switchfoot -- If you're able, have a listen at the broadband, Flash-enabled version. The clean, crisp audio samples enticed me to park on the site for the full cycle. The music is a cross between early Stone Temple Pilots (makes sense; Switchfoot is also from San Diego) and Dada. I was having trouble listening to the streaming sample at MP3.com on my older desktop. The band's site -- which I later viewed on my laptop -- makes it easy to get a broad-based sample of the its material. (6.26.2003)
Nickel Creek -- This writing is overdue, given that Brandy bought their Grammy-winning CD, This Side, a few weeks ago, and I haven't stopped raving about it. Many CDs fade into the background as you listen to them for the first time, and multiple listens are required for the full effect. This CD, however, grabs your attention with the introductory song, and keeps it throughout. The songs are just different enough to generate excitement with each new track, and the simultaneous cohesion gives this band a distinct, identifiable sound. Call it a more contemporary O, Brother, Where Art Thou with a little spunk thrown in. (4.15.2003)
(Buy CDs at Amazon)
Matador Records -- On Sunday, both the Boston Globe and Cape Cod Times had pieces on Cat Power, so I took the hint and checked her out online. Yesterday, I read a recommendation for Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks in Men's Health magazine. Turned into my second visit to Matador this week. That coincidence inspired further exploration of the record company's site, where I found a mass of mp3s -- and a pretty funny Easter egg. If you're looking for me after hours, I'll be playing in that sandbox for a while. Incidentally, the Cat Power mp3 was OK. I liked the rawness of it. But I preferred the Malkmus samples -- "(Do Not Feed The) Oyster" and "Us". Regardless, both have nifty Web sites worth visiting. (4.9.2003)
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Offshore Cycle Band -- I've only heard one song, and I'm craving more. No CD info on their site. I've got an e-mail query pending. (3.23.2003)
The Clarks -- Got to credit the Martin Sexton newsletter for this find. He (or rather, his people) describes this band as a cross between Tom Petty and Barenaked Ladies. I'm not really a fan of either (like the latter more than the former), but any band recommended by Martin Sexton is worth a listen. The comparison is a little off. It would be more accurate to say they are a hybrid of BNL and Big Head Todd and the Monsters. (2.11.2003)
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wmvyradio.com -- Never mind that they're one of the only stations left with a Webcast. They also have a whole bevy of mp3s from local musicians in the Local Music Cafe. I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring their eclectic collection. Just downloaded Mike Benjamin's Never Too Late. I love his clean sound. (1.22.2003)
Jabe -- More in the continuing effort to support local music. Steve Morse described this sound as "Americana party music, tailor-made for sweeping your cares away." That's why Morse gets the big bucks. He nailed the description from what I've heard so far. Crazy Anne Marie combines some subtle rockabilly guitar (ever imagined rockabilly being subtle?) with some rapid-fire percussion so as to feel more like bluegrass on speed than surfy. (1.18.2003)
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Lead Belly -- Brandy is rapidly broadening my musical horizon. She bought a CD from the Museum of Fine Arts Outlet Store recently, and it has yet to leave our CD changer. Given the number of recordings out there, we should have learned about him sooner! (For the curious: Couple of Lead Belly mp3s available at Amazon)
We seem to be increasingly in search of folksy, rootsy music, usually for a background when reading, doing crosswords, sitting in front of the fire or entertaining (or even while either or both of us are working from home). Another recent CD acquisition that fits that bill: A Celebration of the American Farm. I found myself trying to play guitar along with the lead piano piece last night... very soothing on many different levels. (1.7.2003)
Martin Sexton -- Went to the show at the Orpheum last month. My wife has been raving about his talent and stage presence for years. So much so that I was afraid she'd overhyped him. Not so. Was the most amazing performance I've seen. Ever. I gave Brandy his latest live CD for Christmas, and am enjoying reliving the experience every time I use her car.
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The Push Stars -- Addendum to above. These guys opened for Martin Sexton. Nice, clean sound. Loved Drunk is Better Than Dead and Boston Girl. (1.2.2003)
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Patriotic Music Online -- For when you feel like firing up some red, white and blue audio, there's some great, unique downloads here. Plus there are links to some more online USAF Heritage of America Band music. (9.12.2002)
The Porch Ghouls -- According to the Inside Track (a guilty pleasure), this Memphis-based band caught Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry's ear and are his newest project. He describes them as "O, Brother Where Art Thou?" on speed. I wouldn't go that far, but they are a more-caffeinated folksy blues. You can hear four cuts at their mp3.com page. No album out yet, but Perry told the Track that Sony is on board for distribution. (8.21.2002)
Keep Left -- Once played on the same bill with these guys (in the early 1990s, there were a few of us bands from USC making frequent appearances on and near Sunset Strip). I'm pretty sure it was the show we played at The Whisky-A-Go-Go or but it might have been another venue (sure wish I had some of those brain cells back...). Found out from the DT alum mailing list today that they are still at it! (7.1.2002)
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Chin Ho! -- They'd hate to hear me say this, I'm sure, but I'd actually forgotten about these guys for a while. I was turned onto them a while back thanks to Cat, but their mp3s had lain dormant in my collection until recently. When I played them for one of my co-workers, he was instantly tapping his feet. So I went out and added to my mp3 collection.... (5.30.2002)
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Michigan Blacksnake -- Back in the day, I booked this group for the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod's Concerts in the Park summer series. Fast forward to last night, and wouldn't you know, these guys were setting up at The Rack in Boston, where Mason, Brandy and I were taking advantage of a restaurant gift certificate. I was pleased to see that they were still together! You can sample their music at mp3.com. (4.4.2002)
Cathie Ryan -- Not usually my speed of music. But my wife heard one of her new songs on WUMB-FM in Boston, and pointed it out to me. Found it growing on me the more I listened to it. (10.18.2001)
UPDATE: We saw Cathie perform at the National Heritage Museum in Lexington. A delightful show at a delightful venue. (3.23.2002)
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Apartment Three -- Eclectic music from a Boston band that my friend Cat at WKPE-FM enlightened me about. (10.18.2001)
The Orb -- An old favorite recently rediscovered, especially because it makes for great driving music. (9.25.2001)
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Soulhat -- How can you not love a band that has a song called "Stink Pot"? Actually, my favorite by them is "Bonecrusher", but almost anything they do is good. You can listen to them here.
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Terrell -- I've always loved his stuff, but now my 3 1/2-year-old son is really into the "Terrible Side of Madness" CD.
Cliff Eberhardt -- My wife is a huge fan, and now having seen at least a half dozen shows myself, I am too.
(Buy CDs at Amazon)
