Review | The Technicolors - The Listener
[P]hoenix, AZ rockers The Technicolors newest album The Listener is the slickly-produced follow up to the band’s 2010 breakout album Who Are You and builds upon the foursome’s ability to take the classic rock sound and convincingly mix it with 90’s Britpop attitude to create their own rhythm heavy style.
When the opening track “Again” kicks in the listener of The Listener might think they were listening to the love child of Oasis and Supergrass, and would not be too far off. The 70’s guitar riff laden track “Sweet Time” stays on the same classic rock meets Britpop course and feels like it could be their arena anthem, hence why it was chosen as the album’s first single. A fine choice if I do say so myself. The album’s rock n’ roller is the almost 6 minute long “Hollywood,” which blends sounds and styles from all over the musical map and is tailor-made for throwing fists in the air when played live. The album’s closer is a cover of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” and highlights lead singer Breenan Smiley’s impressive vocal range.
All in all The Listener is a good album and is sure to bring more fans to the fold. The Technicolors do rely heavily on influential bands from the past, but it is clear that they are paying tribute to that sound while defining and shaping their own.
Buy Listener
Photos | Shovels & Rope @ Johnny D’s
Photos by Boston Concert Photography
Shovels & Rope - Birmingham
Shovels & Rope - Boxcar
[W]e spent Saturday night at the early show at Johnny D’s eagerly awaiting the husband and wife duo of Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent, also known as Shovels & Rope. We’ve already mentioned how much we love their record, we’ve posted videos, waxed poetic and just gushed again and again as we listened to the records. All that aside, Saturday night was a great night, and although they seemed to be a little tired, a little whisky and a crowd that was hanging on their every word seemed to warm them up into a fantastic night which even included a cover of Marty Robbins’ “el paso”. Their set consisted mainly of their new material from their most recent record O’ Be Joyful, with standout songs like “Birmingham,” “O’ Be Joyful,” and “Shank Hill.” It was as billed, an anything goes kind of set, and Cary Ann and Michael’s stage presence is completely endearing as you can see the chemistry between the two of them.
Check out our photographic evidence of a very special band that is extremely dynamic, fun to watch and a couple of awesome songwriters and if you’ve got the opportunity, I highly suggest checking out this band, they are one of the truly special bands to see live, and you will not regret doing so.
[gallery link=”file” columns=”4” orderby=”post_date”]
New Music | Twin Oaks - Not an Exit
[soundcloud]http://soundcloud.com/twinoaks/not-an-exit[/soundcloud]
[T]win Oaks is the dreamfolk duo of Aaron Christopher and Lauren Brown. The pair started playing together back in ‘09 but ultimately didn’t start the Twin Oaks project up until last year. Check out their single “Not an Exit,” a track that feels like it could have been Sharon Van Etten inspired, it’s a minimal, serene, guitar and key based dream pop / folk song featuring Lauren Brown’s lovely and soothing vocals.
The Not An Exit EP is scheduled for a November release and is the band’s first self-release tracked and mixed at Aaron’s home studio.
The Bynars - How Does it Feel to Be In Love
[T]onight, Boston’s The Bynars (named after the Star Trek species) will be in town to both premiere their new music video for single, “Every Little Thing You Love,” as well as a special show at the Arts at the Arsenal in Watertown, MA. Their synth pop style is super catchy, fun, light and highly repeatable. I’ve been a big fan of these guys for a few years now and I’m happy to go and see them tonight for the debut of the new video as well as the show. The last time I saw them at the Arts at the Arsenal they had designed a full stage of handmade props, shelled out goodie bags, and played a fantastic set, so I can imagine the fun might be ramped up even higher tonight.
Check out the Video Teaser, grab some tickets: , read all about the Event, oh and check out some behind the scenes photos of the video.
Tix are $12. See you there. Oh and there may be free snacks. :)
[M]enoma’s album is upcoming, and they’ve released (mp3 for email) another gem from their upcoming album Moms. The record is out September 18th, and will coincide with a mega North American Tour featuring an October 13th date here in Boston. The new single, “Capsules,” follows the Menomena script, employing experimental sounds from a vast amount of influences, they have crafted another fine sounding with a really dirty fuzzy sounding guitar riff that pervades the song along with steel drum samples, ornamental keyboards and a whole slew of other sounds that will take you 3 or 4 listens just to pull out.
Check it out, and grab a pre-order of Moms.
Menomena Tour Dates:
9/1 - Wild Goose Festival - Corvallis, OR
9/7 - Musicfest NW - Portland, OR +
9/25 - Catalyst - Santa Cruz, CA %
9/26 - Bimbo’s 365 Club - San Francisco, CA %
9/27 - El Rey - Los Angeles, CA %
9/28 - Casbah - San Diego, CA %
9/29 - Crescent Ballroom - Phoenix, AZ %
10/2 - Granada Theater - Dallas, TX %
10/3 - Parish - Austin, TX %
10/4 - Fitzgerald’s - Houston, TX %
10/5 - One Eyed Jacks - New Orleans, LA %
10/6 - Masquerade - Atlanta, GA %
10/9 - Black Cat - Washington, DC %
10/10 - Union Transfer - Philadelphia, PA %
10/11 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY %
10/12 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY %
10/13 - Brighton Music Hall - Allston, MA %
10/16 - La Sala Rossa - Montreal, QC %
10/17 - Horseshoe Tavern - Toronto, ON %
10/18 - Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, OH %
10/19 - Metro - Chicago, IL %
10/20 - Triple Rock - Minneapolis, MN %
10/23 - Neurolux - Boise, ID %
10/25 - Biltmore - Vancouver, BC %
10/26 - Showbox at the Market - Seattle, WA %
+ - with Beirut, Gardens & Villa
% - with PVT
Video | Sean Bones - Hit Me Up
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQxQ01qcDFA[/youtube]
[S]ean Bones recently released a video for his superbly chill track “Hit Me Up,” off his most recently released album, Buzzards Boy. It’s a breezy track that makes us all beg the summer to last just a little bit longer as the steel drums reverberate, and the synths wash over this track.
Buy Buzzards Boy
New Music | Goodnight, Texas - Jesse Got Trapped in a Coal Mine
[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/goodnight-texas/jesse-got-trapped-in-a-coal/[/soundcloud]
[I]t’s no secret that I’m truly in love with the ramshackle sounds of folk music, the collaboration between San Francisco’s Avi Vinocur and North Carolina’s Patrick Dyer Wolf, aptly named Goodnight, Texas, the geographic midpoint between the two’s hometowns, who are creating a stylistic late nineteenth century folk music around the traditions of blue collar America.  Sans fluff, I’m really digging the sound they are putting together feels authentic, gritty, this Appalachian folk style was highly regarded last year when Southeast Engine released Canary, and this seems to be another similar project.
Check out the first single “Jesse Got Trapped In a Coal Mine,” a song brings the story of a young man trapped in a coal mine and doomed to die in the pitch black without ever getting to marry his fiancee. The dusty, mandolin driven track is morose, and quite sad, as the narrative of the track puts into reality the struggles and hardships of yesterday.
Look for Goodnight, Texas’ upcoming record A Long Life of Living October 2nd.
New Music | Bird By Snow - Grace
[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/gnomeliferecords/03-grace[/soundcloud]
[S]ongs that feel this mysterious feel as though they give us wisdom passed down from the trees, something primordial and all together larger than the sum of us. That is the feel that Bird By Snow seems to be going for on their upcoming album titled, Offering. Check out this single, “Grace,” which seems to elegantly fill your ears with the inspiration of Fletcher Tucker’s home in Big Sur, CA.
Look for Offering on LP + digital (out Sept 15th, 2012)
New Music | Team Spirit - Phenomenom
[soundcloud]http://soundcloud.com/goteamspirit/04-phenomenon[/soundcloud]
[P]assion Pit’s former keyboardist, Ayad Al Adhamy, is leading a new band called, Team Spirit, and they’ve got a self-titled debut EP. Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t sound much like Passion Pit, but that shouldn’t dissuade you, “Phenomenom,” is a guitar driven, powerpop track with a whole lot of, well you guessed it, spirit. It’s got a freewheelin, energetic vibe, and an instantly likeable feel to it.
Look for their EP on the band’s bandcamp page.
Blonde Summer - Robots on Command
[M]ore summertime music is never a bad thing. These guys seem to have this style on lockdown. I practically lose all care as soon as I hear their music. Check out Blonde Summer’s second single, “Robots on Command,” a fuzzed out, guitar heavy song. The sundrenched sound and the bands pop sensibility stands out on this track as they wax poetic about robots, young love and care-free vibes.
Their latest EP Slow Daze, released July 31st. Get it here.
