January Album Of The Month

In the future, we will try to trickle album reviews out slowly - but given the busy next few weeks and lack of time to post, we are going to deliver the best January had to offer in one big post. We will check back in with you at some point in February with album reviews (good lord, the new Andrew Bird is amazing!) and concerts worth checking out, but in the meantime we give you this list of albums worth chewing on while we take a couple of weeks off.

Album Of The Month

First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar
The sophomore album from Swedish folk sister act sounds like, as our Nate Schultz put it, "Mumford And Sons and Jenny Lewis had a baby" - which translates as high praise in our book. Produced by Mike Mogis and featuring a collaboration with Bright Eyes, their second album is a colorful offering full of gorgeous harmonies, wonderful songwriting with hooks that stick long after the tracks have ended. The haunting vocals cutting through the strummed acoustic in the opening verse in the title track gives way to a raggedly melodic hook, pulling you into the album head-first. The pretty harmony in the achy hook of "This Old Routine" and the whine of the lap steel gleaming around the lovely "Emmylou" stand out on an album that consistently delivers the goods, culminating in a collaboration with Bright Eyes on the strummy folk winner "King Of The World".

Also worth a listen

Adam Arcuragi - Like A Fire That Consumes All Before It...
Adam Arcuragi's husky vocals over the tumbling drums and shaggily strummed acoustic of "Oh I See" is all you need to hear to fall for his blessed union of folk and gospel-tinged soul on his latest. Ripe with a backing choir warmly propping up his shaggy soulful vocals, the slow and lonesome "You'd Think Was Easy" and easy-going "... riverrun" are great listens from an album full of them.

Jessie Baylin - Little Spark
While her husband, Kings Of Leon's Nathan Followill, seems increasingly striving to fill stadiums and garner massive radio play, the quaint chill of Baylin's latest finds her retreating to a classic pop sound. The strings floating through sixties-inspired "Hurry Hurry" work wonders with her sweet voice, while the slight country twang in her vocals finds her wrapped lovingly around Nancy Sinatra-esque ballad "Love Is Wasted On Lovers". Baylin sets the mood in a jazz-infected early sixties pop style early, and thankfully never abandons it, resulting in gorgeous winners like "Star Cannon".

Lana Del Rey - Born To Die
Throw Lady GaGa, Morrisey, and Nancy Sinatra in a blender and you would have a concoction close to the mellow, stylish chill of Lana Del Rey's intriguing debut. It is definitely an acquired taste best served to those fond of Fiona Apple, with the flowing string-laced backdrops wearing on your nerves by the end, but her macabre delivery is defiantly unique. There is something special going on in the rat-a-tat flow of "Summertime Sadness", the icy cool of her vocals on gangsta-tinged "Off To The Races", and her pouty tones through wonderfully old school "Blue Jeans". One listen to her wonderful melody on "Video Games" and you will know whether this is your thing or not.

Ani DiFranco - Which Side Are You On?
Four years between albums a lifetime for the prolific alt-folk artist. DiFranco's strummy percussive musicianship fits her stark, matter-of-fact songwriting extremely well on tunes like mellow, motherly "Life Boat" and the album's snarling, banjo-loving title-track; her brilliant cover of a classic folk protest tune popularized by Pete Seeger back in 1967. The lovely acoustic flicker of strings dancing through "Splinter" and reggae-tinged "J" make this the most instantly accessible DiFranco album in a while, sacrificing none of her sharp tongued lyrics.

Kathleen Edwards - Voyageur
Edwards' fourth album marks a new beginning following her divorce and newfound relationship with Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, who co-produced it with her. It still lacks the sharp edge barbs that made Failer and Back To Me work so well, but there is still a lot to like here. Vernon's more atmospheric touch lightens things up just a bit, working exceedingly well with her brave vocals on tracks like the tender "A Soft Place To Land", the hopeful shimmer of "Change The Sheets", and the blues-kissed "Mint".

Gotye - Making Mirrors
Living somewhere between the quirky pop cool of Beck and the organ-dipped soul of Mutemath, this Belgian-born Australian artist's third effort is an arresting listen from start to finish. From the jangling keys and carefree vocals of feel-good "I Feel Better" to the percussively strummy "In Your Light", somewhat recalling George Michaels' "Faith" at first, to the grumbling toe-tapper "Easy Way Out", the album is pure indie pop heaven. The quirky, insanely catch first single "Somebody That I Used To Know" is joined by plenty of other unshakable tunes on this loveable album.

Hectic Zeniths - Hectic Zeniths
The work of bedroom producer Adam Morgan Prince, this wonderfully layered piece of instrumental hip-hop is a gorgeous, fascinating listen. The looped piano drizzling through groggy horns and tattered beat of "Then And Now" recalls some of Moby's more engaging moments, while the electrified bass buzzing through the melodic piano chords and antsy strings of "I Might Drown" balances a gooey uptempo groove against creaky strings. Stretching his wings a bit on the synthpop haze of "The Loneliest City", the album definitely leaves you thirsty for more.

Cheyenne Marie Mize - We Don't Need EP
This six-track EP from the Kentucky-born singer-songwriter grabs your attention immediately with the sparse, percussion and vocal only, killer "Wishing Well". Mize's pleading soulful vocals on the first track win you over, but it is her chameleon-like ability to slide from faint hush ("Call Me Beautiful") to cheery and bright ("Going Under") that leaves you in awe of her by the end of the effort.

O'Brother - Garden Window
Produced by Andy Hull, of Manchester Orchestra fame, Atlanta rockers's debut is a fierce first offering. Opening with the thickly distorted guitars hovering over clanking drums and quivering, barely audible vocals on "Malum", leaving you wondering what in the hell the rest of the album has in store given its menacing, murky open. Things clean up a bit for the sparkling "Lo", with the distortion turned down to clear room for the snarled-lip vocals and creaky stabbing guitars. O'Brother are a decidedly guitar-centric band, with Hull lending them some of Manchester Orchestra's sense of tension in the jittery grunge of "Sputnik".

Porcelain Raft - Strange Weekend
Living somewhere in the hazy cool between cheery indie pop and mellow shoegazer rock, the entrancing fog of music and waifish vocals drifting through somewhat recall the more psychedelic moments on MGMT's Orcular Spectacular. The textured layers of guitar and beats on "Drifting In And Out" and jittery programmed beats of "Put Me To Sleep" give this atmospheric treasure an irresistibly alluring quality, while the hooks lovingly recall early nineties new wave. The strummed acoustic over the steadily spelunking beat of "Shapeless & Gone" give this fascinating band a unique, instantly loveable sound you want to fall into and never come out.

Podcast 10 - Bless This Mess

This week, the guys gush over the recent sets from Manchester Orchestra and The Features at Metro, and give recommend a ton of upcoming shows to hit - including Passion Pit, David Bazan, Kerretta, Bad Veins, and As Tall As Lions.

Manchester Orchestra and The Features - March 23, 2010

It takes one hell of a confident, or just brave, band to have the likes of The Features open for you. The Tennessee quartet has the kind of raucous, fiery sound that fits in perfectly with Manchester Orchestra's passionate brand of anthemic rock. The band opened the set just like their brilliant sophomore album, with the brief organ-grinder oddity "Whatever Gets You By" before erupting into the chugging, energetic riffs of "The Drawing Board". The hard-charging rocker exploded off the stage with sandpapered soulful vocals and cymbals crashing all around. The emotional, belted-out hook of "The Temporary Blues" played well against the subdued verses for the chest-pumping anthem. Party-starter, "Lions" proved the biggest shout-a-long of the set, as you could see more and more of the typically motionless Chicago crowd begin to move along to the beat.

The more defined southern feel of, new song, "Big Mamma" fit in great with the rest of the set, leaving you longing for the upcoming third album. Metro is the mid-sized venue in the city with a boatload of history behind it, but the band held their own on the stage. Their experience opening for Kings Of Leon in Europe has prepared them well for the larger stages they deserve. With hints of feel-good punk, swaggering blues, and even a bit of rockabilly, The Features all but made concert-goers forget they were really there for Manchester Orchestra. The fierce foursome were only on-stage for half-an-hour, leaving you with the thought, 'holy sh*t, when are they coming back?' Encores are a no-no for opening bands, but it would have been hard to blame The Features had they played one. They earned it.


Atlanta's Manchester Orchestra took the stage just fifteen short minutes later, quickly ratcheting up the intensity with the menacing metal-laced "Pride". It took no time for front man Andy Hull to put his searing tenor to good use firing up the crowd. The quietly shimmering backing "100 Dollars" served as a nice contrast to the gritted-teeth vocals, leading into the eruption of "In My Teeth" and frenzied, faster-paced take on "Shake It Out"; sending much of the crowd into fist-pumping delirium. The shaggy take on "Everything To Nothing" proved a nice change of pace mid-set, as the band tore into their version of a power ballad. Hull announced the impending summer release of their third album before unleashing the grubby southern stomp and wild laughing hook of "I Don't Know Anymore", said to be on the new album.

Stormy rocker "I Can Barely Breathe" showcased Hull's raw intensity, which drives the songs every bit as much as the thrusting music. Unfortunately, the haunting, extended jam take on "Where Have You Been?" marked one of only two songs played off their debut. The the early curfew shackled to Metro prevented more than an hour and fifteen minute set, though concert-goers would have gladly stayed for twice that time to hear more. It left fan-favorites like "Wolves At Night" and "The Neighborhood Is Bleeding" with no room on a setlist chock-full of heavier rockers from the latest album. With no time left for an encore, the stripped-down, pensive "I Can Feel A Hot One" served as an anti-climatic closer. Still, it is hard to argue that the sold-out crowd did not get their money's worth out of the smoldering set.

Pride
100 Dollars
In My Teeth
Shake It Out
Everything To Nothing
I Don't Know Anymore*
I Can Barely Breathe
My Friend Marcus
The River
Where Have You Been?
I've Got Friends
I Can Feel A Hot One

Upcoming Shows - Week ending March 28th

This week plays out as a nicely stretched out list of awesome, beginning with a FREE show tonight at Empty Bottle with, up-and-coming indie pop stars, Pet Lions!


Monday, March 22nd – Empty Bottle – 9:30pm - FREE
Headliner: Pet Lions
Openers: This Is Versailles, Radar Eyes

Pet Lions + Empty Bottle + free show = Awesomeness! We have been harping on how great Pet Lions are for a while now. Between their recent trip to SXSW should expand and the eventual release of their debut, seeing these guys in smaller venues will be a thing of the past before you know it.


Tuesday, March 23rd – Metro – 6:30pm - $15
Headliner: Manchester Orchestra
Openers: The Features, Biffy Clyro, O'Brother

This is one of those rare shows where we would be just as happy if the main opener and headliner were reversed. Atlanta based rockers, Manchester Orchestra's sophomore album, Mean Everything To Nothing, was a definite high point in 2009 releases; more blowing the doors off their sound than just expanding it. We completely understand getting excited to hear it live (we sure are), but make sure not to miss The Features. The Tennessee band has been around for years, but last year signed to Kings Of Leon's imprint label to release their second LP, Some Kind Of Salvation. Their raw, passionate sound is definitely worth getting to the show early!


Thursday, March 25th – Schubas – 9pm - $8
Headliner: Roman Candle
Openers: Locksley, Rachele Eve

North Carolina roots-rockers, Roman Candle make a Chicago appearance at Schubas Thursday night. If the term 'alt-country' makes your ears perk up, this is the show for you this week. Skip Matheny's earnest, soulful vocals fit the story-telling songwriting wonderfully, and the band's sturdy rock backing, with a healthy dose of southern accents, sound fantastic.


Thursday, March 25th – Metro – 8pm - $22.50
Headliner: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Openers: Band Of Skulls, J Roddy Watson And The Business

If you are more in the mood for gritty blues Thursday night, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club will scratch that itch with a hard-charging, bluesy sound that recalls classic rock greats like The Rolling Stones. Their latest, Beat The Devil's Tattoo, is a sweaty, distortion-tinged effort that should translate beautifully to the Metro stage.


Friday, March 26th – The Aragon – 8pm - $32.75
Headliner: Tegan And Sara
Openers: Steel Train, Holly Miranda

Though the Quin sisters have steadily changed their sound from one album to the next since they burst onto the scene with the brilliantly poppy So Jealous in 2004. Whether that candied gem, or the hauntingly itchy, Chris Walla-produced The Con, or their most recent foray into more straightforward rock Sainthood, Tegan And Sara have proved to be among the most talented, interesting artists around.


Saturday, March 27th – The Riv – 7:30 - $58.50
Headliner: Stone Temple Pilots

With a new album just announced, and a new single ("Between The Lines") hitting the web today, Stone Temple Pilots appear primed to reclaim their rightful place as one of the world's greatest rock bands. The album hits May 25th, but you can get an early listen Saturday at The Riv. They played four tracks at SXSW last week, and early buzz behind the album is strong.

Podcast 9 Up!

This week, we talk about Lilith and Lollapalooza festivals, and discuss the latest amazing show from Company Of Thieves. We also give our rundown of the next month's worth of shows to hit.

You can get to the podcast either by subscribing on iTunes or using our feed. Enjoy!