New Music: Drowners

There always seems to be a "next big band" out of New York and it's hard to really get excited about many of them. However, when I first heard of Drowners a few months ago and heard comparisons to The Strokes and The Smiths, I knew I should check them out. At that point they only had a short three song EP called Between Us Girls, but all three songs were incredibly catchy and really pretty great.

Now the band is poised to release their first full length and self-titled LP on Frenchkiss Records.

You can check out two videos below. The first one is for the newest single they've released, 'Luv, Hold Me Down' and the second is one from their first EP 'You've Got It All Wrong'

Drowners - 'Luv, Hold Me Down':



Drowners - 'You've Got It All Wrong':

New Album: Moonface - Julia With Blue Jeans On

One of my all time favorite songwriters & musicians of the past 10 years or so has been Spencer Krug. Best known for his time as co-leader of Wolf Parade, he's also been busy with side projects such as Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake and Moonface. Of all the aforementioned bands, Moonface has always been the project I've had the hardest time getting into. That's seemed to change pretty quickly with the release of the newest Moonface LP Julia With Blue Jeans On.

Krug's music has always had many layers to unwrap and his lyrics can tend to be cryptic and really strange at times, so this new album is quite a departure. The music is sparse as it's just Krug's vocals and a piano and the lyrics are the most straightforward love songs he's ever written. Those combined make for one of the most gorgeous albums I've listened to this year.

Check out the video for 'Barbarian' below.

Stream New Arcade Fire Album: Reflektor

I know I'm a day late on this, so if you're hearing this first from me you must not frequent too many other music sites! Either way, the new Arcade Fire album leaked yesterday, so the band did what many now do in that situation and stream it online themselves.

Listen to the full album below:

New Album: Ha Ha Tonka - Lessons

Well, my blogging hiatus was much shorter than I anticipated. Partially because of some nice feedback I got and partially because there is just too much good music out right now. Even if I'm updating the blog less frequently than normal, I'm still going to try and update when I can.

Let's start with what is quickly making it's way to the top of my favorite albums of 2013 list: Ha Ha Tonka's fabulous new album Lessons. Ha Ha Tonka originated in the Ozark region of South-Central Missouri, but since they're close enough, we like to claim them as locals. I've been a fan of theirs since the debut album, Buckle In The Bible Belt, came out in 2007 but Lessons, the band's 4th full length, is definitely their first GREAT album. Whether it's the poppy, bouncing 'Colorful Kids'; the Fleet Foxes-esque 'Arabella' or the dark & groovy title track, there are more fantastic moments on this album than I can count. 

Although the band just came through Lawrence in the last few weeks, you KC folks will have another opportunity to see them next month. The band will be playing a show in KC at the Record Bar the night before Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 27th. This show usually sells out pretty quickly so I'd jump on tickets sooner, rather than later.

Update

If you're reading this, thank you, you may be one of the last few readers of this fine blog. I haven't been good about updating this recently because of the birth of my first daughter. It seems with work and a baby, updating the blog takes a clear backseat.

I probably won't be updating this very often going forward. I might post a year end best of albums list each year and a few one-off posts if I feel motivated to do so, but for the most part, this is the end.

I still love & listen to music on average for at least 4 or 5 hours each day (my job allows me to strap on headphones for most of the day) so my opinions and suggestions on music and shows is not dead. In fact, the best place to get updates on what I'm listening to and what I'd recommend would be to follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MattSchram.

Thanks for reading!

-Matt

Recommended Shows This Week (8/11 - 8/18)

I'm a few days late with this post for the week, but since all three recommended shows are this Friday night, I guess it's okay that it's already Tuesday.

Friday: Sleepy Kitty @ Czar Bar

Although the Czar Bar website has KC's Gentlemen Savage headlining this show, the band I recommend checking out is St. Louis's own Sleepy Kitty. Sleepy Kitty plays loud, awesome garage rock with great vocals and crashing drums. Their live shows have earned quite a reputation as well, so don't miss this show. Their sophomore album, Projection Room, will be out in early 2014, but you can hear a taste of their stuff here from a single off their first album 'Speaking Politely'.

Friday: Kurt Vile & The Violators @ The Granada

The show I'll be attending on Friday will be Kurt Vile in Lawrence at the Granada. Vile is touring behind his excellent new album Wakin On A Pretty Daze, and will be joined by Sonny & The Sunsets.

Friday: Bob Mould @ The Bottleneck

If I have time after the Kurt Vile show, I'll be heading down the street to The Bottleneck to check out Hardcore/Punk legend Bob Mould. Best known as one third of Husker Du, Mould's music has since gotten more accessible in his old age with bands Sugar and his solo career. His last solo effort, Silver Age, was excellent and this should be an outstanding show.

Recommended Shows This Week (8/5 - 8/11)

Monday: Smith Westerns/Wampire @ The Riot Room

Both recommended shows for this week are on Monday night and are good headliners paired with good openers. Chicago's Smith Westerns are continuing to gain notoriety with their third (and best) album, Soft Will. The band is fantastic live so don't miss this one. Portland duo Wampire will open the show with indie rock clearly influenced by the likes of Ariel Pink.

Monday: Naam/Radkey @ Czar Bar

Also on Monday, Brooklyn psyche/drone rockers Naam will be at Czar Bar. With songs that can exceed seven minutes regularly and sometimes in the fifteen minute range, Naam could be the second coming of Black Sabbath. Local favorites Radkey will not only be opening this show, but will be opening most of Naam's nationwide tour dates in August. Congrats to them!

Recommended Shows This Week (7/29 - 8/4)

Tuesday & Wednesday: The Postal Service @ The Midland

The Postal Service reunion tour will finally make it's way through Kansas City. After initially adding the Wednesday show and it selling out immediately, they've added a second show on Tuesday and tickets are still available. Local success story Mates Of State are opening and Jenny Lewis is a member of the touring band if you needed any additional reasons to attend.

Wednesday: Atmosphere @ CrossroadsKC

I refuse to acknowledge that Atmosphere isn't headlining this show. Instead of talking about the generic headliner, I'll focus on three fantastic indie rap artists you can see the same night instead. Slug (of Atmosphere), The Grouch and Eligh are all world class hip-hop MC's and you rarely get a chance to see The Grouch and Eligh in KC. Hopefully they come back through sometime on their own tour.

Saturday: Queens Of The Stone Age @ Sandstone

Another buzz show where they bring in a band I'd love to see but pair them with a really bad headliner. Queens Of The Stone Age are sandwiched between the fun live band Gogol Bordello and the really overrated headliner The Killers. I'd love to see QOTSA play their own show at The Uptown, but I should just be thankful they're coming to town at all I suppose.

Sunday: Frank Smith @ The Replay

Frank Smith are a band, not a man, from Austin, Texas who will be playing a show at The Replay in Lawrence. They're touring behind their new album, Nineties, which is a fantastic mix of alt-country, rock and indie music. They sound like a really great, polished bar band which is my favorite type of band. Opening the Replay show will be Jordan Geiger (of Hospital Ships).

Concert Announcement: Built To Spill

One of the bands at the top of my "haven't seen them live but really want to" list is Boise, Idaho's Built To Spill. Guitar virtuoso Doug Martsch has been the creative force behind the indie rock band for over 20 years now. They've got a couple of new band members and will be bringing their show to The Bottleneck on Saturday, October 19th.

A bonus is that Lee Ranaldo, formerly of Sonic Youth, will be opening the show with his new project Lee Ranaldo & The Dust.

Built To Spill - 'Carry The Zero' (live)
Built To Spill - 'Car'

New Song/Video: Volcano Choir - 'Bygone'

I'm a couple of weeks late on this, but Justin Vernon (from Bon Iver) is back with another one of his bands Volcano Choir. They recently announced their upcoming sophomore album, Repave, which will be out September 3rd on Jagjaguwar. They announced tour dates as well (no KC date currently) in addition to the first single 'Bygone'.

Check out the video below.