November 5, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
tumblr_lbfizg0bOH1qb97ja The Jayhawks – “Save It For A Rainy Day” Recently, when Guster was featured on this blog, we made a remark about how some voices were meant to go together. The same could be said for Gary Louris and Mark Olson of the Jayhawks, to the point that neither artist has managed much success… Read more »
November 4, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Beck – Think I’m In Love Beck – “Think I’m In Love” This song, from Beck’s tenth record The Information, was part of an album that was described as “painful” to make. While Beck and producer Nigel Godrich re-recorded the entire record several times before arriving at the finished product, it remains one of his… Read more »
November 3, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
The Orbans – When We Were Wild The Orbans – “When We Were Wild” This track, from the debut album of the same name shows off the rootsier side of Fort Worth band The Orbans. The band, formerly called Lifters, have received heavy airplay on KXT 91.7 for their track “Like A Liar”. Recorded in… Read more »
November 2, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
tumblr_lb9gf3Bfu91qb97ja Gomez – “Get Myself Arrested” This British group’s diverse sound has gained them a loyal following from blues revivalists as well as jam band fans and the indie rock set. This track, from their 1998 record Bring It On shows the breadth of their sound, beginning with a reggae-tinged verse that leads to a… Read more »
October 27, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Garbage – Only Happy When It Rains Garbage – “Only Happy When It Rains” In 1994, superproducer Butch Vig (Nirvana’s Nevermind, Smashing Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream) teamed up with fellow Wisconsin musicians Steve Marker and Duke Erickson to form a new group. They had written some solid songs, and had the studio experience to make them… Read more »
October 26, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Corinne Bailey Rae – “Is This Love” British singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae burst onto the music scene in 2006 with her self-titled debut album, and her delicate voice and soulful pop tunes quickly captured the hearts of critics and fans alike. After the tragic death of her husband in 2008, Rae took a two-year break,… Read more »
October 25, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Elvis Costello – National Ransom Elvis Costello – “National Ransom” This title track from Costello’s new record once again teams the singer/songwriter with legendary producer T-Bone Burnett for a rocking good time. The song’s lyrics rail against the government, Wall Street and other frequent targets of Costello’s angst, amid a backdrop of screaming guitar and… Read more »
October 20, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Freelance Whales – “Hannah” Freelance Whales might be the best band to ever come out of Craigslist. After connecting through the community bulletin board site, they honed their sound on subway platforms in New York City before releasing Weathervanes, their 2009 debut record. This song’s whimsical blend of electronic music and indie pop made for… Read more »
October 19, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Camper Van Beethoven – “Pictures of Matchstick Men” This California band formed in 1983 and put out four criticially-lauded albums before their initial breakup in 1989. Fronted by bassist/vocalist David Lowry, the band signed to Virgin Records in 1987 and put out Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart, followed by Key Lime Pie, which featured their highest-charting… Read more »
October 14, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Drive-By Truckers – Danko / Manuel Drive-By Truckers – “Danko/Manuel” On their somewhat overlooked 2004 release The Dirty South, the venerable Athens, Georgia sextet produced this ballad that pays tribute to two departed members of legendary group The Band. Rick Danko, who died of a heart attack in December 1999, was a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist… Read more »
