art is the new religion

More Team Love love

Two of my friends released records on Team Love last Tuesday.  Congratulations boys!  Now give 'em a listen:

<--- Craig Wedren Lapland

Listen to some songs here.  I've heard this album and I highly recommend it.  It's much mellower than Shudder To Think, but Craig's amazing voice and elastic melodies are still in full force.  Plus, the man can write.  Let's hope Team Love sends him out on tour.

David Dondero South of the South --->

Go download "Laying Low in Eli, Nevada".  I haven't gotten a copy of this record yet, but Dave's amazing and this record actually had a recording budget, so I have high expecataions for it.  You can listen to Dave talk about the record on this podcast with Garrison Reid (among other things, the interview reveals that Dave is one of those people who says bolth instead of both.  Sigh.  While you're at it, check out some other indie rock podcasts at Indie Interviews.com for NPR-style interviews with it-bands like CYHSY and Sound Team as well as coverage of more obscure artists like Bosque Brown.)

The 15 Minute Hipster also tipped me off that Tilly and the Wall has a blog for their new recording session.  Get all the latest tap-shoe mic-ing techniques and harmonizing hijinks at TILLY AND THE WALL'S RECORDING DIARY!

Speaking of Sound Team, my friend Mike has been telling me about them for over a year, since he produced their latest EP Work.  Lo and behold, they're now indie rock blog darlings!  Give them a listen.

Who else hates Daylight Savings Time?  Pitch black at 6pm.  Harumph.  (On the upside, today did seem like the longest. day. ever.)

WHASYHS!!!

Before our good man Alex Blagg leaves us for NYC, stop by Ye Olde Blagg Blogg to read this review of The WooHoo Awesome Sweet Yeah Holy Shits!!! debut record Extra Exclamation Point.

Silversun Pickups

My good man Ashod recently wrote in his LJ about a new Silversun Pickups video! 

Watch the video for Silversun Pickups' "Kissing Families"

Is it possible to have a crush on an entire band?  Their Pikul EP just might make it on to my Top 10 CDs of 2005, it's so damn good.  Despite my one degree of separation from them, and their residence in nearby Los Angeles, I have yet to see them live.  So the countdown is ON:

NOV 11th SAN FRANCISCO @ SLIM'S

Do yourself a favor and listen to Silversun Pickups on their website or Myspace and then follow my friendly link on the left column of this blog to purchase their EP. 

This is how The Constantines break my heart

Sometimes there is music that just resonates inside your body.  It agrees with your DNA.  It somehow makes you more you.

The Constantines do this for me.

Go here and listen to "Love In Fear" off their new album Tournament of Hearts.  I can't believe this album was released on Tuesday and I don't have it yet.  The Constantines are playing in SF at Great American either Tues or Weds (depending on which website you believe).  It'll be the first time I've seen them live, and I cannot wait.

Love In Fear
"On the weird winds of Ontario, came worry sailing strange and low. And we laid under heavy sheets to love to spite the strange winds blowing. To lust with raging lungs. What hangs above when we love in fear? Don't take me to the hospital. Don't tie me to the wires. Just kiss me on a rooftop. It's for us. It's a red light flashing under helicopters of desire. Red light: It's for us."

Imogen Heap

I saw the lovely Ms. Imogen Heap last night at Great American Music Hall as part of the Hotel Cafe tour.  Other performers included Butch Walker (great singer despite his '80s John Cougar Mellencamp look (faded jeans, bandanna around the neck, t-shirt with vest, asymmetrical dyed black mullet-shag)), Cary Brothers (which is just one guy, not two brothers named Cary), Gary Jules (of "Mad World" fame -- who I'd confused with the singer of The Jayhawks, Gary Louris.  Huh.)

Furthering the confusion of all those guys and guitars was the fact that they were all playing together in a loose round robin fashion.  I think that setup only works if you really like all the performers, otherwise it's annoying to ride the waves of interest and disinterest. 

Imogen kept the audience enraptured with her 6-foot style, shyness, interesting array of samplers and instruments and her gorgeous talent.  Clocking in at just around a half hour, her set was way too short, but it was a treat to see her.  She played songs from her solo record Speak For Yourself, including crowd favorite "Hide and Seek" plus Frou Frou's "Let Go".  RCA better treat her well in the States and bring her back soon for a proper set.

After Imogen's set was over, we left despite enticing mentions that she'd be back to play with the boys.  Listen to Imogen's brilliance here.