Beware, dog lovers. The Belle Brigade (who we profiled about a month ago) just released a video that takes their anthem “Losers” to another personal level. The optimistic doctrine, via soft harmonies building up to a crash of drums and a triumphant chorus, has become the favorite closing number for fans at live shows with […]
Like a lot of good, Britpop-inspired rock, the music of the Boxer Rebellion can feel larger than life. The London-based quartet (with an American frontman, Nathan Nicholson) makes swoon-worthy anthems that recall Editors or a more virile Coldplay, songs that have attracted U.S. fans in droves. The band went the independent route, self-releasing their third […]
Of shows big and small and in between: ‣ Dirty Beaches, whose spooky, minimalist synth-pop has gotten a lot of love in the blog world, visits the Echo, with Bell Gardens and Neverever supporting. That’s the video for Dirty Beaches’ “Lord Knows Best,” above. ‣ Prince resumes his run of shows at the Forum. ‣ […]
If there’s anyone who does acoustic melancholy properly with depth and sincerity, it’s doe-eyed Irish artist Conor O’Brien. After the demise of his former band, the Immediate, O’Brien went on to release music under the moniker Villagers and the reception has been positive with 2009’s “Becoming a Jackal” (released on Domino Records) earning a shortlist […]
An outrageous video – it’s what’s for breakfast. That it comes from the slightly warped imagination of OK Go bass player Timothy Nordwind is no surprise. The appetizing clip for “Peace and Quiet” – the fourth song from People, Nordwind’s bedroom recording project – was directed by Trish Sie and filmed with iPhone. Chow down. […]
Midweek fare that’s better than fair: ‣ Australia-bred Andy Clockwise’s long-awaited album “The Socialite,” a genre-hopping collection of biting, wry and occasionally hilarious rockers, came out this week. [You can stream the album here.] His trio headlines the Troubadour tonight, with Robotanists and George Stanford supporting. ‣ The Airborne Toxic Event plays the third of […]
Coming from an artist who knows his way around the kitchen, Spirit Animal’s visually appetizing video for “Broken Paradise” is no surprise. “A macabre tale told in the shadow of a shrimp cocktail,” Spirit Animal frontman Steve Cooper says of the Ben Fee’s video, which is as likely to get a rise out of foodies […]
Tonight’s touts: ‣ Back in November, right before the Vaccines’ hype washed ashore, the trusted Guardian tipped us to another up-and-coming “savior of rock ’n’ roll – Brother. Like the Vaccines, the London quartet already has a big-label deal and a boatload of buzz despite the fact that for now you could fit their musical […]
Nice missive from Sub Pop this morning (no, the venerable Seattle label didn’t sign six more bands or anything): Sebadoh’s 1994 album “Bakesale” is getting the deluxe edition treatment. The remastered gem from Lou Barlow and crew will be out June 14 on vinyl (with digital downloads), as well as a double CD, the second […]
Big week ahead for shows, starting tonight: ‣ The Airborne Toxic Event, the L.A. quintet that broke big out of Silver Lake in 2008 and went on to sell 208,000 copies of its debut album, brings it back home this week. The band, whose sophomore album “All At Once” comes out Tuesday, starts a week […]
