4.30.2007

Soular


Soular was formed in 2002 when longtime friends Marsh Shamburger (keys, guitar, tambourine, vocals) and Jared Ashcraft (bass, vocals) began a musical collaboration. Adding versatile drummer Ian Byrd in 2003 and releasing their first album, Time and Space, the band reached a new level of creativity and exposure. Around this time, guitarist Brian Lee joined the band.

Their upcoming new release, Love Crash Heal, is brimming with pushing, driving songs that will keep you in awe of Soular’s skills, as well as make you want to move your feet. One minute you’ll be hearing powerhouse rock, then a beautiful love serenade. Whether you are listening to their albums or rocking out at a live show, Soular is not to be missed.


So This is the Way it Feels to listen to Soular

Local Woman Has Onion Breath


A local woman was spotted (or smelled) today with onion-breath in the Gramercy section of Manhattan. 29, the woman left a trail of a putrid-smelling onion odor as she rounded the corners of this toney neighborhood. Please be advised to be on the lookout for an extremely attractive woman who appears 10 years younger than her age. However, be warned her breath is dangerous and likely deadly.


A bystander who was familiar with the woman (but refused to reveal her identity) stated, "Well, that doesn't surprise me. Actually, she is often oniony."


Another bystander and proclaimed mutual acquaintance announced, "Stinky's done it again!"

More Kings No (My Brain Hurts)


Just when you thought you didn't have enough Karate Kid-related pop culture references in your life, along comes No More Kings' "Sweep the Leg" video. You have to see it to believe it. Definitely filling that Ralph Macchio void we all, collectively feel. REBEL!
And you can do so here.

4.25.2007

THE OVERLORD (I just like how that looks in caps)

Seamlessly interweaving archival war footage and a fictional narrative, Stuart Cooper's immersive account of one 20-year-old's journey from basic training to the battle front lines at D-day brings all the terrors and isolation of war to its viewers with jolting authenticity. Overlord, impressionistically shot by Stanley Kubrick's longtime cinematographer John Alcott, is both a document of WWII and a dreamlike meditation on man's smallness in a large, incomprehensible machine.

Overlord is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1. On widescreen televisions, black bars will appear on the left and right of the image to maintain the proper screen format. Supervised by director Stuart Cooper, this new high-definition digital transfer was created on a Spirit Datacine from a 35mm fine-grain master positive. To further enhance the image. The MTI Digital Restoration System was used to remove thousands of instances of dirt, debris, and scratches. Apple Shake software was utilized to reduce film jitter. To maintain optimal image quality through the compression process, the picture on this dual-layer DVD-9 was encoded at the highest-possible bit rate for the quantity of material included. The soundtrack was mastered at 24-bit from 35mm magnetic tracks, and audio restoration tools were used to reduce clicks, pops, hiss, and crackle. The Dolby Digital 1.0 signal will be directed to the center channel on surround sound systems, but some viewers may prefer to switch to two-channel playback for a wider dispersal of the mono sound.

4.24.2007

Happy Release Day, Lisa Paleschi


Happy release day to you!
Happy release day to you!
Happy release day Lisa Paleschi!
Happy release day to you!
Now that that's done, I Wanna See You Cry!

4.12.2007

The Doors of Something-Or-Other (Excluding Good Music), Or: Val Kilmer Blows


Here's another band I never really got. I like dark music as much as the next person (exhibit a: my obsessive collecting of Depeche Mode in all forms), but Jim Morrison and his funeral-pyre loving ways irk me. I've pinpointed three reasons why I dislike one of the most classic bands of this century, and here's why if you care to read further.


1. Val Kilmer. I mean, that guy is just straight up creepy. Couldn't Oliver Stone find anyone better to play Jim? I was in middle school when that film came out, and my negligent parents permitted me to see it, nude chicks, drugs, exhibitionism, the works, and thusly, I've associated the film with the band for eternity. I've seen that movie since, and it sucks. Thanks for ruining great music for me, Val (Val? What kind of name is Val for a dude?), Oliver and Co.!


2. France. Yes, France. In college, I spent a semester in London. My (so-called) friend Leslie and I took off for a (what I thought would be) fun weekend cavorting in Paris. Leslie, a HUGE Doors freak (and I do mean FREAK), took me traipsing through the Montmarte Cemetary looking for Jim Morrison's grave. We spent TWO HOURS looking for a fucking grave of some dude who couldn't find anyone better than Val Kilmer to portray him on film. We never found it, Leslie cried (mostly because I pinched her in retaliation), and two hours I could have spent staring at my navel (albeit, on Parisian soil) were lost.


3. 8 Hour Long Organ Solos. Give it up, Manzarek. It's just straight up boring.


However, they do have a cool new release out, so here's more about that, if you like that sort of thing (which, if you do, I'll seek you out and pinch you in retaliation as well).


For the first time, The Doors’ albums will be available individually as single-disc releases and digital downloads featuring brand new mixes of each album plus bonus tracks. The Doors, Strange Days, Waiting For The Sun, The Soft Parade, Morrison Hotel, and L.A. Woman will be available March 27 at all retail outlets and at http://www.rhino.com/ for a suggested retail price of $11.98 each.

Each release will also be available digitally for $7.99 (with the exception of Morrison Hotel, which costs $9.99) and will include an interactive booklet. Each digital interactive booklet includes U-MYX, a music format application which allows a user to arrange and create his or her own mixes of songs.

Show your phone The Doors! Text Doors to 74466 for official Doors Ringtones and more!!* * Requires compatible handset and service through participating carriers. Standard text messaging rates apply. See your contract for details. Available content subject to change at any time. (c) 2006 rhino.

It's The Time of the Season to Buy a Zombies CD & DVD


Together on stage for the first time in more than 30 years, Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent, two founding members of the legendary UK beat group The Zombies, performed live at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London in 2003. The special concert captures the duo playing the group’s well-known hits along with new songs from As Far As I Can See, the 2004 album that brought Blunstone and Argent together again as The Zombies. Rhino Records captures this classic concert from one of the most influential and critically revered bands of all time with a double-disc CD set and a DVD. Live At The Bloomsbury Theatre, London will be available on April 3 at all retail outlets and at www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $24.98 for the CD set and $19.99 for the DVD. The audio release will be available digitally for $13.99.


Check out the ol' fogeys Myspace page.


Oh, and silly me, don't forget to check out their

4.11.2007

Introducing...Alexa Wilkinson


Wilspro Management is proud to announce the debut tour of 20-year-old singer-songwriter Alexa Wilkinson, who is opening for Josh Kelley from April 10 through May 4, 2007. Spanning 10 cities in 6 different states, this tour will premiere a collection of 11 original songs, all written or co-written by Wilkinson herself. Her first CD, Lullaby Appetite, which is now available on iTunes will be nationally released in June of this year on DNK Records (home to Josh Kelley).

Having taken up music at the age of 10, Wilkinson is a formidable talent in a small (and young) package. Her fresh, smooth vocals slide easily around the extremely hummable melodies, toe-tapping rhythms and sprite guitar playing. The lyrics are rich with expression, exposing a vulnerability and honesty but without naïvete. Rather there is an emotional maturity of looking at life with an optimistic eye, learning from one’s mistakes, and moving on.

Josh Kelley, an accomplished singer-songwriter promoting his third album on this tour, took notice of Alexa’s talent and by July of 2006, had collaborated on and produced five of her songs. Other collaborators with Alexa include Michael Brauer (Coldplay, Paul McCartney, and Grammy winner John Mayer), David Thoener (Matchbox 20, Faith Hill, and Santana), and Greg Calbi (John Lennon, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, and Lenny Kravitz).

Check out her Myspace page here.


Alexa’s Tour Dates:

Tuesday, April 10 Madison, Wisconsin – The Stage Door
Wednesday, April 11 Minneapolis, Minnesota – Fine Line Music Club
Friday, April 13 Bloomington, Indiana – Jake’s
Saturday, April 14 Ann Arbor, Michigan – The Blind Pig
Tuesday, April 17 Indianapolis, Indiana – The Music Mill
Sunday, April 22 Dallas, Texas – Granada Theater
Tuesday, April 24 Denver, Colorado – Soiled Dove
Sunday, April 29 San Francisco, California – The Independent
Monday, April 30 San Juan Capistrano, California – The Coach House
Friday, May 4 Los Angeles, California - Troubadour


"Of Graves" Free MP3!

4.06.2007

The Cover is Creepy, But I'm Willing to Give it a Shot 'Cuz of Neil Tennant


This May 15th, Geffen Records will issue Rufus Wainwright’s new album, Release the Stars, his latest work since 2004’s critically acclaimed Want Two (Geffen). The album introduces a new collection by Wainwright whom New Music Express hails as “the best songwriter of his generation.” In an effort to continue creating pieces that the Los Angeles Times calls “demanding and artful,” the album features 12 songs that touch on personal, political, and social issues. This is Wainwright’s fifth studio album and his first self-produced effort.


Executive produced by Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys), the album features several guest artists including: Richard Thompson, Joan Wasser and acclaimed stage and screen actress Siân Phillips. The album was mixed by Marius DeVries (David Bowie, Bjork, Madonna).


More creepiness here.

4.05.2007

Lawyers, Guns and Dead Dudes


Warren Zevon is never a phenomenon I understood, but this appeared important because frankly, he's dead. And people seem to like him. Just not me. Go figure. But as I mentioned, he is indeed deceased (or at least hangin' in the Bermuda Triangle with Amelia Earhart and Tupac), so releasing his music in a special format for his fans is a pretty good idea. Unfortunately I didn't come up with that idea, but, um yeah, probably because I'm not a fan.


From Rhino: Like no other singer-songwriter of his generation, Warren Zevon addressed murder, desperate passion, espionage, crippling loneliness, and fuck-you excess with a lethal wit and confessional grace that remain unrivaled. When the singer-songwriter-pianist succumbed to lung cancer in 2003, the music world lost a truly original voice. Rhino honors Zevon’s brilliant lyrics, poignant melodies, withering wit, and devastating satire with a trio of reissues that revisit two of his finest studio efforts, plus a stunning live album. Remastered and expanded with previously unreleased bonus tracks, Excitable Boy, Stand In The Fire, and The Envoy will each be available March 27 at all retail outlets and at http://www.rhino.com/ for a suggested list price of $18.98, $11.98, and $11.98 respectively, and at all digital music providers for a suggested retail price of $9.99. Additionally, there will be an exclusive album-only iTunes version featuring rare photos available for $9.99.




Warren Zevon Myspace Page:
www.myspace.com/warrenzevon

Icicle (Yeah, Tori Fans, Y'all Know What I'm Talkin' 'Bout)


AKA: I don't care if he's 60, brotha is still hot to me! (See also: Roger Daltrey)


Rhino Entertainment released all nine of Robert Plant’s solo albums in expanded and re-mastered forms starting on March 20th. Pictures At Eleven, Shaken N Stirred, Manic Nirvana, Fate of Nations and Mighty Rearranger were released on Tuesday, March 20th. The Principle of Moments, The Honeydrippers, Now & Zen and Dreamland were released on Tuesday, April 3rd.

Driven by an insatiable artistic curiosity, Robert Plant has spent his life as a singer and songwriter chasing new sounds, rediscovering ancient ones and bringing them both together to create something original. Throughout his career - first as a member of Led Zeppelin and then as a solo artist for the past 25 years ­ Plant has tapped a multifarious array of inspirations that span the globe and the ages including Celtic and English folk, American blues, early rock 'n' roll, psychedelic rock and jazz as well as Arabic, Moroccan, West African and Indian music. After nine acclaimed solo albums - seven with Atlantic Records - Plant remains a restless spirit destined to a life of musical wanderlust.

Plant some rock on your Phone! Text Plant to 74466* For official mobile Robert Plant mobile content. * Requires compatible handset and service through participating carriers. Standard text messaging rates apply. See your contract for details. Available content subject to change at any time. (c) 2006 rhino.

Seriously though folks, this is a man who has flown under the radar of Page's huge double-necked, violin bow playing guitar for far too long. The major talent of Zep was never the bloated, funny looking Page. Plant was (and is) not only H-O-T! (sizzling, in fact), he's got the best voice of his generation. It oozed pure sex, and continues to do so on these overlooked CDs. SO BUY THEM! You can do that here.


OR


Sample some Plant here.

4.02.2007

Everybody is a Star ('Specially You, Sly, Wherever You Are)


The tumultuous hit making career of Sly & The Family Stone continues to reverb­erate in every single genre of contemporary music – from pop and R&B to hip-hop and jazz – more than three decades after the group’s last appearance on the Top 40 charts. The groundbreaking saga of Sly & The Family Stone was played out over the course of their seven original studio albums on Epic Records, recorded and released between 1967 and 1974: A WHOLE NEW THING (1967), DANCE TO THE MUSIC (1968), LIFE (1968), STAND! (1969), THERE’S A RIOT GOIN’ ON (1971), FRESH (1973), and SMALL TALK (1974). And now, 40 years on from Sly’s original signing to Epic, the catalog is being upgraded to a level worthy of these timeless classics.
For the first (and last!) time, newly remastered, numbered expanded editions will be issued of all seven albums – with multiple (four to seven) bonus tracks on each CD (a total of 33 bonus tracks, 21 of them previously unreleased) and brand new liner notes written by some of today’s top music journalists. The seven albums will be manufactured in a strict limited edition run of custom digipaks, and they will not be re-pressed when they sell out. All seven albums will arrive in stores April 10th on Epic/Legacy, a division of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAIN­MENT. Additionally, the seven titles will be available as a numbered, limited-edition box set.
Will the real Sly Stone please STAND!