The Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music

Ack. That moment you bite into your oatmeal and momentarily forget you put walnuts in it. It's okay though, I've recovered. To the music!

THE LIST. dun dun dun dunnnnnnn.....

Give It A Try...

WV White, West Virginia White - Noisy rock with a Bright Eyes mixed with The Microphones to it. Part of me doesn't agree with that at all.

Saintseneca, Dark Arc

The Shivas, You Make Me Wanna Die - Distorted Surf-y Rock EP

Busman's Holiday, A Long Goodbye

Philip Parfitt, I Am Not The Man I Used To Be - This has that end of winter, will it ever end? feeling that people in my parts have going on right now. Let's just all wrap up in a blanket, light some candles or a fire and chill out. It'll melt. We'll be okay.

Pattern Is Movement, Pattern Is Movement

Ortolan, Covered in Black

Malachai, Beyond Ugly - Honestly, I put this in my maybe pile. But "The Love" is definitely worth a listen, and yet not representative of the album. I think I like this one shuffled rather than in order.

The Bamboos, Fever In The Road

Jamaica, Ventura - I liked the track "Rushmore." The vocalist has a T.Rex sound to his voice, but the background is not T.Rex so don't think that. More like palatable and good 80s.

Caught A Ghost, Human Nature - Need a little pick-me-up? Throw on this one. It's got that upbeat vintage sound to it.

For Something Different...

Sunday Driver, Flo - A lot of different elements in this music.

Leon Russell, Life Journey

La Dame Blanche, La Dame Blanche - Latin hip-hop and cumbia. So good.

Robert Cray Band, In My Soul

Bob Dylan Tribute/Cover Albums in the last two weeks

Bob Dylan in the 80's, Vol. 1, Various Artists

The Brothers & Sisters of Los Angeles, Dylan's Gospel

The Charlie Daniels Band, Off The Grid: Doin' It Dylan

Also, I think there is another one coming out in the next few weeks. Is this normal? Did I just not realize how many Dylan tribute/cover albums come out each year, or is there a surge. I also found one from February From Another World: A Tribute To Bob Dylan. I might need to do some research...

Speaking of Tributes...

Ronnie James Dio: This Is Your Life, Various Artists - including Motorhead, Anthrax, Tencious D, and Metallica.

Looking Into You: A Tribute To Jackson Browne, Various Artists

Songs I Liked This Week

"Wanted Me Gone," Josh Thompson, Turn It Up

"The Love," Malachai, Beyond Ugly

"Dwarven March," Pilgrim, Ii: Void Worship

Such a creative category listing this week, huh? I'm blaming the oatmeal incident, this Dylan tribute/cover craze and not sleeping much and planning my own music festival if I ever did one. Anyhoot. Have a good weekend and happy listening!

 Friday Refrain is a weekly post regarding what new releases have caught my ear for the week. I try to compile a pretty comprehensive list of releases of the week and see what is available for me to listen to on the web. This is just my non-scientific, highly-subjective, randomly-listened-to list of stuff from the week. Oh, and I don’t always listen to lyrics or look at album art/music videos, so appropriateness is left up to the listener

The Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music

It must be spring - The Baseball Project released 3rd this week and the weather is finally looking up (for now). Speaking of baseball, The Big Bumble Bees and their eponymous album has a magnificent ballpark-sounding organ in the instrumentation. Also this week, Barry Manilow released Night Songs; a new old Johnny Cash album, Out Among The Stars; and Elton John released an Anniversary Set for Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

Hey! It's the list with over 50% genre-fied by me.

Stuff I've Been Looking Forward To

The Hold Steady, Teeth Dreams - I like it. Revisiting the feel from the older albums, but with new twists. I'll take it.

The Belle Brigade, Just Because - It's on my To-Listen for this weekend, but still, I've been waiting on this.

The Colourist, The Colourist - I like it. It's got some good songs on it. Give her a whirl.

Let's Groove

3BallMTY, Globall - Obvious swearing on some songs, so I'll actually warn because I noticed it. But man, I'm going to dance-clean the house so fast to this.

Mr. Little Jeans, Pocketknife - I love the cover of Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs." How did they make it slower and poppier at the same time?

Sleeper Agent, About Last Night

Wait, it's spring!

Spirit Kid, Is Happening - Listening to this reminded me that it's time to put on The Kinks. Everyone listens to The Kinks in spring, right?

The Baseball Project, 3rd - Yeah, I mentioned it earlier, but thought you might need a reminder.

Left field suggestion (ha! I didn't even see that until I wrote it... Ah segues...): The Bad Plus, The Rite of Spring

Wunder Wunder, Coastline - Sunny Rock single

These two songs in a row:

Cage The Gods, Badlands, "Bruce Willis"

L.R.S., Down To The Core, "Never Surrender"

To-Listen

Circa Zero, Circus Hero

Jim Oblon, Sunset

Owls, Two

Seahaven, Reverie Lagoon: Music For Escapism Only

Not Sure. Not Yet, Grow

Big Scary, Not Art

Erica Campbell, Help

Should, The Great Pretend

Future Islands, Singles

Desert Noises, 27 Ways

Another list, another week and time to bid adieu. Have a great weekend and happy listening! (Fade out to "Bad Nendorf" by The Big Bumble Bees)

Friday Refrain is a weekly post regarding what new releases have caught my ear for the week. I try to compile a pretty comprehensive list of releases of the week and see what is available for me to listen to on the web. This is just my non-scientific, highly-subjective, randomly-listened-to list of stuff from the week. Oh, and I don’t always listen to lyrics or look at album art/music videos, so appropriateness is left up to the listener

The Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music - Spring Break Edition

Wooo! Spring break! Well, spring break from the new releases for me this week. I started to feel like A.J. Jacobs in the last few weeks on one of his experiments while doing this whole compiling new releases list/listening to as much as possible. Like an 80's montage, music has become a bit of a blur for the last month for me. My ears needed a vacation, and so that's what's being done.

Until this morning, and bang! I randomly picked some great new music from this week.

But in case you haven't heard: George Michael, Kylie Minogue, Black Lips, John Oates, Enrique Iglesias, Jo Dee Messina, The War On Drugs, Skrillex, and Foster the People all have albums out this week. Also Sisyphus, which if you've been fortunate enough to live in Minnesota and enjoy this lovely winter, you have actually had the chance to buy this album for awhile now at the Walker Art Center. But now the rest of you can buy it! Who is Sisyphus? Sufjan Stevens, Son Lux and Serengeti. So there you go.

And the list. So added some genres this week for the ones that were on Spotify. I mean, I can dig deep and figure out the rest too, but that will be dependent on time and energy in the future. Also, a lot of those assigned genres are after a few samples down the album, so take those with a grain of salt.

But now for this morning's revelations. Ruby the Rabbitfoot, New as Dew, is laid back and fun and nice. In fact, I think I might go buy it right now, or when record stores open because it's too early for record store people as I'm writing this. I bet record store people aren't even eating their oatmeal yet. (Because I'm having oatmeal, so isn't everyone?) It's okay record store people, eat your oatmeal, I can wait.

The Socks, Socks. This is a very annoying thing to google. These are The Socks I'm talking about. In fact, sometimes with these not-so-popular-yet bands, it's impossible. Remember when Boy first came up? That was The. Worst. because you're instinct is to add "band" after the name of the band. Yeah, google "boy band." Now it's easy, or google's just getting to know me so well. Anyway - The Socks = Rock. And they're French? Huh. Well, I do love Phoenix, so play on The Socks!

Ex Hex, "Hot and Cold" - Poppy rock and roll fun. Honestly, I don't think I've steered you wrong yet today, so just give it a go. At least as far as I'm concerned, you'll be satisfied with these three, but who am I to say? That's the whole reason I did this in the first place. Just some info on the new stuff all in one spot without having to click on a million different reviews without all that "I know all" feel to the speaker. I'll try to keep that away. As much as possible while speaking one's mind, that is. What am I doing? Just give it a whirl if you want. You know what you like.

By the way, my release list isn't as diverse this week as usual because of the aforementioned spring break to my ears and also research fingers. So there's a bit of different stuff, but not as much as usual. Well, there you have it The Friday Refrain Spring Break Edition. Hope you have a great weekend and eat some oatmeal (with bananas is the best)!

Friday Refrain is a weekly post regarding what new releases have caught my ear for the week. I try to compile a pretty comprehensive list of releases of the week and see what is available for me to listen to on the web. This is just my non-scientific, highly-subjective, randomly-listened-to list of stuff from the week. Oh, and I don’t always listen to lyrics or look at album art/music videos, so appropriateness is left up to the listener

The Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music

Happy Friday! First off, an amazing discovery this week: Cheetos Mix-ups. My husband and I couldn't decide between puffs or crunchy, and then spied the bag of Mix-ups - puffs, crunchy, parmasan balls and waffle-fry looking ones. It is my new favorite.

I'm still combing through the music this week, but here's what I've found so far. First: The List

Pop/R&B:

Bend Sinister, Animals - I'm just taking a wild guess after listening to the first track, but I'm guessing Queen is a pretty big influence.

Aloe Blacc, Lift Your Spirit

Curtis Harding, Keep On Shining - Single with a throwback sound. Full album due out in April

Yacht Club, Tropicana - 80s all the way

311, Stereolithic

Elder Brother, Heavy Head

Macy Gray, Stoned

Dirty Guv'nahs, Hearts on Fire

Cody Chesnutt, Landing on a Hundred: B Sides and Remixes

Matt Sorum's Fierce Joy, Stratosphere

Ledisi, The Truth

Playground of Rock:

Battleme, Future Runs Metallic - Rock.

The Silver Palms, Superstar - A single that is more rock than the playground, while a little poppy.

Dean Wareham, Dean Wareham

Bobby Bare, Jr., North of Alabama by Mornin' - A single from upcoming full length on April 15th. Give a listen

Ozomatli, Place In The Sun

Metronomy, Love Letters

Laibach, Spectre  - This is going to the dark shadowier side of the playground, but I really got a kick out of "Eat Liver!"

The Shrine, Bless Off - Hard rock and fun

Black Submarine,  New Shores

Spotlight Kid, Ten Thousand Hours

Dena, Flash

Tunabunny, Kingdom Technology - Electronica rock.

Lissie, Cryin' To You - I'm a Lissie fan and while I think she could've taken the One Direction cover a bit further, there was nothing but glee in me as I heard "Mother" start up.

Hands & Teeth,  Before the Light

Trudie Dawn Smith, No Pop

Wake Up, Forever Home

World:

Juanes, Loco De Amor

Alsarah & The Nubatones, Silt - The single came out a few weeks ago, here's the full length now

Coréon Dú, Bailando Kizomba - Dancey Single

Country:

Don Williams, Reflections

Matt Wallace, For A Season

Sara Evans, Slow Me Down

Cowboy Troy, King of Clubs

Electronic:

Albin Myers, Ganesha EP - I really enjoyed the club mix of "Ganesha." But I'm a sucker for some 8-bit sound.

Uberjak'd, The Moment - single track, dance pop fun

Sleepers Work, No Turn Before the Shoreline

Clark, Superscope

Ekoplekz, Unfidelity

Reggae:

Gappy Ranks released 3 singles this week, "False Promises," "Maybe," and "Star Sign."

Hezron, "Good Reggae Music"

Rap/Hip Hop:

Young Money, Rise of an Empire

Metal:

Our Last Enemy, Pariah

Insain, Enlightening The Unknown

Havenside, Living Our Darkest Days

Armageddon Rev. 16:16, Sundown on Humanity

Nervosa, Victim of Yourself

Eisbrecher, Zehn Jahre Kalt

Psyclon Nine, Disorder: The Shadow Sessions

Jazz:

Nicky Schrire, To The Spring - I liked the first track a lot.

Ambrose Akinmusire, Imagned Savior Is Easier To Paint

Watters/Felts Project, Watters/Felts Project

Well, I have cabbage, potatoes and corned beef sitting around the homestead for the weekend because I love celebrating holidays that have food associated with them. And while I know it isn't St. Patrick's Day until Monday, that is also the busiest day of my week and I can't wait until 9 in the evening for that goodness. Anyway, try this Irish inspired recipe on for size - steam some whole leaves of green cabbage just til pliable. Shred some potatoes and carrots. Add a little caraway and salt. Or just salt. Put carrot/potato mix in middle of cabbage of leaf, and make a cabbage roll. Wrap with a strip of bacon, and bake for 20-30 minutes (this is from memory, I can't remember exactly the timing but it sounds right) at about 350 Fahrenheit. If you use half leaves and half pieces of bacon, they are a perfect 2-bite appetizer too. I might have put a little minced onion in the roll as well. Anyway, happy weekend!

 Friday Refrain is a weekly post regarding what new releases have caught my ear for the week. I try to compile a pretty comprehensive list of pop/rock releases of the week and see what is available for me to listen to on the web. This is just my non-scientific, highly-subjective, randomly-listened-to list of stuff from the week. Oh, and I don’t always listen to lyrics or look at album art/music videos, so appropriateness is left up to the listener.

The Friday Refrain: A bit about what's new in music

Happy Friday! Well, this week Fuel is back with Puppet Strings and their original singer, Brett Scallions. Pharrell Williams released GIRLS this week as well. It's a fun listen, including the Oscar-nominated song, "Happy." Drive-By Truckers released English Oceans and definitely check out Real Estate, Atlas.  And to make this even more interesting, I'm just going to throw out there: Lea Michele, Louder; Zibba & AlmaLibra, Senza Pensare All’Estate; Rick Ross, Mastermind, and Ektomorph, Retribution. Now there's a cornucopia of music.

And now: The List.

Playground of Rock:

Soft White Sixties, Get Right - Just a fun listen

Arthur Beatrice, Working Out - The singer sounds like Florence & the Machine without the loud

We Are Scientists, TV en Français

Eagulls, Eagulls

Anne, Pulling Chain - Electronica Rock

Eternal Summers, The Drop Beneath - Kinda noisy California rock

Ava Luna, Electric Balloon

Axxa/Abraxas, Axxa Abraxas - One of my favorites of the week

Carla Bozulich, Boy - Electronic Rock. Wait, is that a thing? If not, now it is. I've used it twice this week. Think synthy or non-real instruments but there's singing. I'll refine this soon.

Trust, Joyland - Electronic rock

Nick Waterhouse, Holly - That throwback sound

Stone Jack Jones, Ancestor

Ghost Beach, Blonde - it's got a definite 80's vibe

The Revivalists, City of Sound

Rock:

PINS, Girls Like Us - Check this one out

Ume, Monuments - I think I'm just on a female vocal/rock kick this week. This one too.

Birth of Joy, Prisoner

Lushes, What Am I Doing

Slates, Taiga

Singer-Songwriter:

Charlotte Sometimes, By Request

Stanley Brinks & The Wave Pictures, Gin

John Gorka, Bright Side of Down

Pop

American Authors,  Oh, What A Life

Barcelona, Cure - single off upcoming album

The Whistles & The Bells, The Whistles & The Bells - Lumineers sounding

Country:

Ags Connolly, How About Now - My style of country and a good morning listen

David Nail, I'm A Fire

Eli Young Band, 10,000 Towns

Chad Brownlee, Fallin Over You

Robben Ford, Day In Nashville

???

Pink Martini & The Von Trapps, Dream A Little Dream

The Unsemble, The Unsemble

Current 93, I am the Last of all the Field That Fell

Linda Perhacs, The Soul of all Natural Things

Christian Rock:

The Royal Royal, The Return of the King

Jason Gray, Love Will Have the Final Word

I'm feeling in the thick of this season and it's made me introspective and mute, it seems. My hibernation of the mind is in full effect. The skin on my knuckles is tough and cracked. I can feel the change happening though. The sun is hot when it shines. Birds are active and freaking out my cat. The eaves are dripping. Slowly, but it's there. My brain will thaw, my witticisms and eccentricity will come back. It's just on hiatus right now, sleeping in the back of my mind. Until then, Happy Weekend! <"Grow" by Prisoner kicks into full effect in foreground, credits roll>

 Friday Refrain is a weekly post regarding what new releases have caught my ear for the week. I try to compile a pretty comprehensive list of pop/rock releases of the week and see what is available for me to listen to on the web. This is just my non-scientific, highly-subjective, randomly-listened-to list of stuff from the week. Oh, and I don’t always listen to lyrics or look at album art/music videos, so appropriateness is left up to the listener.