Jared Micah & Hats -> Jared Micah - TBA (2013?)

https://www.facebook.com/jaredmicahandhats/posts/10151568486317739

New improvisational sets coming this summer. New record being recorded. Sorry for the wait. I had to find myself. Or something.

I'm not sure exactly what this means, but it probably means a new album will be released soon. 2013, or sometime in 2014.

 Jared Micah & Hats are now known or the music will be released just under Jared Micah. The reason I'm excited to hear about this is it's been so long. They released a really nice debut LP T.C.H.T.O.B in 2007, that I stumbled upon in 2008. 

Their music: very similar to Anathallo in a lot of ways, but the songwriting is just really good. And ever since 2008, I hoped more might come, but if I recall, Jared and/or other members moved from Tennessee to NYC. They put up some demos in 2011 on a bandcamp page that may be currently down or gone.

more to add perhaps later. Zeke Zumbach, whose someone I met at Nearfest in 2000, may or may not be involved with this. Zeke I know was Jared's drummer for a period of time.

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ANATHEMA and ALCEST Fall 2013 NA Tour (was RUMOR/SPECULATION)

6/27/13 10:14PM

Not that I love Mill City Nights, but at least it's on a Sunday night. I do worry that place will get hot and humid with the crowd. Getting there early (and buying tickets when they go on sale) will be a must.

my gawd September and the Fall are starting to get busy:


Tues 9/17 The Dear Hunter @ The Varsity
Thurs 9/19 Typhoon @ The Cedar
Sun 9/22 Anathema/Alcest @ Mill City Nights
Sun Fri 10/11 Between the Buried and Me/The Faceless @ The Varsity

https://www.facebook.com/anathemafan/posts/10151557669418952







Anathema has announced its most extensive North American tour in the band’s celebrated career with co-headliner Alcest and special guest Mamiffer. 

Anathema has only performed twice as a full band in North America at the infamous Milwaukee Metal Fest 2000 and 2001, as well as supporting a few dates of Blackfield's 2011 tour as an acoustic duo. The fall 2013 co-headlining tour has the band visiting many cities in both the U.S. and Canada for the first time, beginning September 12 in Philadelphia.

The tour will also coincide with the release of Universal, a concert film on CD/DVD and Blu-ray directed by acclaimed photographer/filmmaker Lasse Hoile (Porcupine Tree, Opeth) out September 17, 2013 on Kscope. The audio / visual release captures a special one-off gig at the ancient Roman theatre of Philippopolis where the band was joined by the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra. 

The film and album capture the magic of this unique evening as the band started on its lengthy world tour in support of its most successful album, Weather Systems. Universal will be available as an audio visual CD/DVD and Blu-ray.

Anathema / Alcest
Special guest: Mamiffer

9/12 Philadelphia PA @ Underground Arts
9/13 Springfield VA @ Empire
9/14 New York NY @ Gramercy Theater
9/15 Boston MA @ Middle East
9/16 Montreal QC @ Foufounes Electriques
9/18 Toronto ON @ Opera House
9/19 Flint MI @ The Machine Shop
9/20 Cleveland OH @ Peabody's
9/21 Chicago IL @ Reggie's
9/22 Minneapolis MN @ Mill City Nights
9/24 Denver CO @ Summit City Music Hall
9/25 Salt Lake City UT @ In The Venue
9/26 Boise ID @ Knitting Factory
9/27 Seattle WA @ Studio Seven
9/28 Vancouver BC @ Rickshaw Theater
9/29 Portland OR @ Hawthorne Theater
10/1 Oakland CA @ Oakland Opera House
10/3 Los Angeles CA @ El Rey Theater
10/4 San Diego CA @ The Casbah
10/5 Tempe AZ @ The Marquee Theater






5/30/13 12:10PM
This is at this point, PURE SPECULATION, but I saw per the dreamtheaterforums.org
 there was already an announced concert with both of these bands in Oakland, California in October 1st.

So, if a tour happens with them in North America this September/October, don't be surprised.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10152884594040195&id=209358445194

Anathema / Alcest incoming October first.

If this tour hits Minnesota, likely St.Paul aka Station 4, I would love to go obviously. Schedule and budget-wise will of course be the main factors.

If it's not coming to MN, but Chicago, I may have to sit it out unfortunately. But I certainly will be happy that many people will get to see Anathema that never have. The Cynic/3 tour they were announced to be on a few years ago, would have been amazing. But maybe this tour will makeup for it as I do like Alcest, as much as they remind me of Klimt 1918.

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The Dear Hunter touring w/ STRING QUARTET September 2013

6/26/13 9:32AM
Tickets go on Sale for the Varsity Theater show on September 17th, 2013 at Noon this Friday June 28th.

6/25/13 11:56AM
The Lake and the River Blog Post


    The Dear Hunter To Tour With String Quartet In September
    12-Show Run Also Includes Riot Fest Chicago & Denver
    and Casey Crescenzo Solo Shows
    The Dear Hunter will be joined by a string quartet for seven special concerts across the U.S. this September. Most shows will be seated and will highlight the more lush, orchestral side of the band as they perform songs from their entire catalog. The band will also be joined by special guest performers on each date. Additionally, The Dear Hunter will also be performing at Riot Fest in Chicago and Denver, as well as several solo shows by frontman Casey Crescenzo along the way.
    Fans purchasing tickets to the September headline shows will also receive a download of The Migrations Annex, a six-song EP of additional tracks recorded during the studio sessions for The Dear Hunter’s new album, Migrant; and a special event poster.
    It’s not The Dear Hunter’s first time performing with strings — they’re also featured on the band’s new The Color Spectrum Live DVD, featuring a beautifully filmed 2012 performance of their 36-song, 9-EP collection The Color Spectrum in its entirety. For a taste of what’s in store this fall, watch these two videos from the live DVD:
    “Home”: http://youtube.com/watch?v=IJyH1pwniew
    “Lillian”: http://youtube.com/watch?v=55unSCPfRBM
    Migrant was released by Equal Vision Records in April. After The Dear Hunter’s first releases, the three-album Acts story arc, and the epic The Color Spectrum series, Migrant marks a departure for Crescenzo: a dozen direct, personal, straight-from-the heart songs. It’s making an impact, with Alternative Press calling it “an album that’s both intensely intimate and sprawling in scope… Migrant is the masterfully actualized first chapter in the true story of The Dear Hunter.” And PopMatters called the album “very charming, moving, meticulous, and organic. As fans would expect, Migrant is a great record.”

    The Dear Hunter Tour Dates

 September
04     Providence, RI @ The Met Café ** (not seated)
06     New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom **
07     Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer **
09     Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java *
12     Detroit, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom **
14     Chicago, IL @ Riot Fest ^
15     DeKalb, IL @ The House Café *
17     Minneapolis, MN @ The Varsity Theater **
18     Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room *
21     Denver, CO @ Riot Fest ^
26     San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom **
28     Pomona, CA @ Fox Theatre **

 ** = headline show with string quartet
 * = Casey Crescenzo solo show
^ = Festival




Holy Fuck Yes! VARSITY FUCKING THEATER..and WITH SEATING (unlike the last few shows, including the Fitz & the Tantrums show a few weeks ago)

Tuesday September 17th . When do tickets go on sale? I just sent The Varsity Theater an inquiry on twitter. I also sent my request in for the Lifetime Pass guestlist, the earliest ever from the announcement.

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2013 Mid Year Albums Countdown

2013 has been another year, like 2012 and 2011 to an extent, where my time listening to any music has been usurped by a lot of non-headphone time at work, and a lot of radio listening. Talk radio. I'll confess, I am a bit addicted to both Chad Hartman's radio show Noon-3PM and at times MPR, although more often when MPR airs programs from NPR. Not necessarily political chat, but entertainment or interesting interviews. Also I've always loved funny news stories that generate funny discussion.

Hell, even hearing the food critic Dara Moscowitz-Grumdahl on Thursdays with Chad is something I always try and hear. Also Neil Justin whose the tv critic, Colin Covert the film critic, music discussion (with Jon Bream or others) and more or less any big Sports story/event.

So, between all that, and the fact, I started another NEW job, that is at times even more analysis-based, and I am in training, more or less all year for that job, my ears have not and likely won't consume as much new or other music as I used to do a few years ago.

Tis is the nature of my job and desire to do work like I do. But, in due time, I still look to take-in still a lot of new music, even if many of the new records take more time to digest.

But without further ado, here's what I have for the 1st half of 2013:


I haven't heard/heard enough (i.e. maybe less than one listening)
AM & Shawn Lee - La Musique Numérique
Bed of Stars - I Fell In Love in the City [EP]
Editors - The Weight of Your Love
Eisley - Currents
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Mosquito
Riverside - Shrine of New Generation Slaves
OneRepublic - Native
Jolly - The Audio Guide to Happiness (Part 2)
Jimi Hendrix - People, Hell and Angels
Falling Up - Midnight on Earthship
The Besnard Lakes - Until in Excess, Imperceptible UFO
Alpha Rev - Bloom
Pinnick Gales Pridgen - Pinnick Gales Pridgen
Sigur Ros - Kveikur
Scale the Summit - The Migration
Andrew Stockdale - Keep Moving
Orphaned Land - All Is One
The Polyphonic Spree - Yes, It's True

I like music on most if not all of these releases, but the ones below have found more headphone time up to this point (although in some cases, the amount of time/appreciation isn't greatly different)
Incura - Incura
Flaud Logic - Flaud Logic
Arsis - Unwelcome
Jamie Lidell - Jamie Lidell
Coheed and Cambria - The Afterman: Descension
Long Distance Calling - The Flood Inside
Worldengine - Dark Matters
David Bowie - The Next Day
Buke and Gase - General Dome
Fitz & the Tantrums - More Than Just a Dream
The Winery Dogs - The Winery Dogs
Tangled Thoughts of Leaving - Failed by Man and Machine [EP]
The Appleseed Cast - Illumination Ritual
Cloud Caverns - Blind Willow [EP]
Rhye - Woman
Nosound - Afterthoughts
Annuals -Time Stamp
Mercies - Barely Sleep // Vultures
Biffy Clyro - Opposites
Infantephant - Cyclelicoptippopacalypse [EP]

Sir Video - On an On/Do What You Wanna/Never Knew [singles]


All three of of these tunes are catchy, upbeat, polished and layered. It seems like it's been forever to hear anything from Sir Video and Timmy Sean, but just for now., these 3 tracks are 3 of the best I've heard in 2013.

Josh Rouse - The Happiness Waltz


A nice comeback (no pun intended) to Josh's early-mid history style. I really like how many of the tunes feature those warm, soothing guitar parts. Also most of the songs end up giving me a smile. Not a long record either, although a bit longer than his last mini-album from 2011 The Long Vacations. Even the single/lead track "Julie (come out of the Rain)" is memorable, yet has more to it than just 1 hook.

Renaissance - Grandine il vento


Bittersweet to have this come out, with the passing of longtime writer and musician Michael Dunford. The music on here, adds to the EP from 2011 The Mystic and the Muse. I still enjoy the title track from that EP that was included on this as well, along with a song like "Porcelain." I actually have enjoyed more or less this whole album, but not to the point of addiction. But it's great to see them put out a record, even if it's the last with Dunford, and not have it disappoint. Annie still sounds wonderful and gives a great performance throughout here

This is classic Renaissance, with modern production I guess is one way to describe it.

Spock's Beard - Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep


A comeback record, that basically due to Ted Leonard's presence, I've been won over by the Beard again. Although at the same time, the sound on this album, sounds a lot like the NDV-led Spock's, and length/proggish wise, they still more or less are doing familiar work.

I suppose a confession with that also is, I have only been able to listen to this record maybe 2 times due to time and length. I wouldn't expect it to be an album of the year or anything, but I still mean to explore it more.

One specific thing to say for now, "Something Very Strange" is catchy, and that is one of the things I look for from Spock's or frankly, most prog. I know Neal Morse helped write some of this album, and I wonder if he was involved in that tune specifically.

edit: it appears Neal only was involved in the 1st disc closing track 'Waiting For Me."  John Boegehold I guess co-wrote that tune. That's interesting; I wonder what his background is.

I guess time and some other factors may impact how much headphone time this album gets, but at least I can say, I enjoy it more than anything the band has done since Feel Euphoria . 

And of course in the 2nd half of the season, may bring the new Enchant album, fair or not, I may end up comparing this record to that.

Falling Up - Hours


The more traditional-style part of the Machine de Ella Project double album-series of albums from Falling Up. I honestly have listened to this whole thing together, maybe 2 or 3 times, mainly given the fact the tracks kept coming individually, and I sort of gave up.

And I also should confess, largely due to time, I haven't even been able to listen to the acoustic record Midnight on Earthship. Nor the audio-book narrative from Jessy.

Time and numbers and a new job, and nature of the style.

But this album seems pretty consistent with both Fangs and Your Sparking Death Cometh . A lot of electronic guitar textures and climaxes. Vocal layers and lyrics that do paint pictures and allign with the concept. More elaboration may come later in the year.

Cloud Cult - Love


Good record, and as much as I love this (local MN/WI-based) band and their live shows even more than the studio records, their last 2 studio albums were among my favorites from those years.

This album is good, but I am pretty convinced, it won't be as addictive as either of those last 2.

"1x1x1" and "The Calling" and "It Takes a Lot" I recall being my favorites. "Good Friend" is not bad, even though the chorus needed to grow on me. It was more moving live I felt. The line "When you're all stressed out, thank you for being a friend" I suppose the Golden Girls theme will always pop into my head.

Many short movements and segue pieces. I think part of the issue with this record is, there's not as much meat as Light Chasers and some of their others. Which is ironic, because many CC records I find to be a bit of marathons to get through. This record is shorter, and yet I'm finding it doesn't have as many  go-to/ memorable songs or parts.

But other than that, there's not much valid criticism. The band may not hit a Homerun every time out, but they still are making music I enjoy.


Subterranean Masquerade - Home / Beyond the Pale/That Night [Single]


Wonderful return for these guys. The b-side is a cover from a band called The Mission. I LOVE this band, and it's been 8 long years to hear music from them again. And this is likely the precursor to the follow-up LP to Suspended Animation Dreams. Title may be In Pastille Colors or possibly something else.

Also sweet how I was lucky enough to win a press/promo copy of this 7-inch single just by submitting this description per Facebook a few months ago:

These look pretty sweet. It's been a long while since Subterranean Masquerade made their epic opus debut LP "Suspended Animation Dreams" from 2004, but this new EP totally picks up where that record left off, with SM's classic style of blending progressive rock with Black Metal.

I also just got to hear the 9-and-a-half minute bonus track "That Night" that was originally intended to be on their epic debut record Suspended Animation Dreams, but for some reason, was left off.

This band makes pure layered, yet organic sounding progressive rock with growls. I just adore the combination and the writing style. And this is actually, more of a side-project, than full-time band. So perhaps that is one reason why they never really broke up exactly.


Everything Everything - Arc


Good follow-up, although not quite as catchy as their debut album Man Alive. The 1st single "Cough Cough" has over 1 million hits on Youtube, which suggests this album may be finding more people than their 1st.

It honestly has been many months since I played this record, and I recall not being blown away by it. Part of that was maybe how long it was. But a 2nd half revisiting may give me more to think about it. I do remember thinking it was sort of the sophomore slump effect, which seems to happen like a dozen times every year. Sophomore and/or follow-up slump anyway.

But hey, if they do get more popular, I'd be happy for them as it may mean they'll finally tour the US and I'll get to see them live finally.

Cynthesis - ReEvolution


The 2 times I've listened to this, it was quite good. Much like De-Evolution, save for the fact, the cymbals don't seem to be clipping much. This could move up actually as I love Zero Hour with Erick Rosvold and this is 1 kind of prog metal, that really works well.

The Pink Floyd/Psych element does add another quality to the Rosvold-Zero Hour as well.

More details may be provided by the end of the year, if not earlier.

Evarusnik - In a Poker Slash Refrain


Kickstarter campaign success and the inclusion of Mark Engles of dredg initially found my interest. And the songs are there on this album. Songs like "Local Cliché" 'Teeth of Won't," "Black Acequia," and "Circles Swimming" come to mind as standouts. The soaring string parts and Miranda Scott's soothing yet emotional vocals seem to work rather well and consistently throughout this album.

I'm not sure how much interest they have found since the Kickstarter and it's release a couple of weeks ago, but I wonder if this may be one of those sleeper albums that a few years from now, will find more fans. I'd love to be wrong, but that seems to happen too often for stuff I enjoy.

Mother Falcon - You Knew


Big ensemble chamber rock with the whole nine yards of strings, horns, multiple vocal layers, and percussion. "Dirty Summer" and it's catchy side, probably remains my favorite track on here. But overall, I can't say this album is any better than their debut Alhambra, but also can't say it's any worse. Some more time this year may change that however.

Leprous - Coal


Ihsahn's backing band, who've found a nice cult following over the last few years for the forward thinking, a bit avant prog metal fan. I honestly have only listened to this band sparingly, and purely due to some hype on the forums and other social media. And I always thought they were okay, and better or potentially more interesting than 95% of the Dream Theater or other prog metal worship bands.

But this album impressed me even more. Now that being said, I still have only listened to it maybe twice, so this may find more appreciation by the end of the year. But just initially, I really enjoyed a lot of this. The vocal lines for one, I recall being surprised how good they were. Harmonies and a bit of extreme vocals.

And it also didn't seem too excessive with the writing. The parts fit.

But that's about all I can add for now. But call this a record that may go further with some time. As long as i don't seem to get too much in the Riverside syndrome.

Northern Abbey - The Sounds of Glowing [EP]


I loved last years 3-song S/T EP, and I am maybe loving this even more. Nick Lambert from Falling Up and I guess other Jessy Ribordy projects like The Gloomcatcher. This shares things with The River Empires or TGC with the use of acoustic arrangements and instrumentation. I suppose it differs, by not using as big of a classical side.

The song "Portrait" which Jessy Ribordy did arrange the strings part, is one of the prettiest songs I've heard in 2013.

Awesome EP, and it continues like 2012 and recent years, with much of the best music being released on shorter length releases.

Miracles of Modern Science - Meems  [EP]


Incredible EP, and of the quality, if not better than the debut album Dog Year. These guya are one of those great, crazy, funny poppy string bands. Every track is good-to-awesome. This band rocks, kind of more than a band like the Punch Brothers, on a consistent basis.

Favorites "The Singularity" 'Dear Pressure" and the jazzy "Physics Is Our Business"

also it doesn't hurt to see them make cool, interpretive covers like "She Drives Me Crazy" and "Get Lucky." if they get bigger from reaching people that way, that's cool. Although I would hope those new fans do check out and enjoy their original music as well.

They also should try and tour someday with The Crooked Fiddle Band if possible. Both are cool, energertic, acoustic/string driven proggy groups.

For the Imperium - Hail the Monsters


I enjoy a lot of this album, but at the same time, haven't found it to sound as fresh or engaging as their debut. Maybe another case of a sophomore slump? in some ways, but I've maybe played it 3 or 4 times thus far. It wouldn't shock me to see it grow.

There stil isl the technical side and the crazy style shifting side, including some electronics I recall. And there are some choruses that are memorable like on 'Northern Rampage."

Persefone - Spiritual Migration


Crazy technical progressive metal, that I was surprised how much I enjoyed. A bit like Vektor in that way, in that, they seem to include as many counterpoints of parts. You have 1 exaggerated section that follows another section of exaggeration. One song, to another song, to the next song seem to be in a battle.

This is really one of those records that is an extensive, fulfilling burst of energy. It's really great to put on when I need to wake up or start working faster at work.

I enjoyed their last record Shin-Ken, but remember it seeming too long-winded and repetitive. But with this album, it seems they've improved in many aspects, I don't find myself wanting it to end, but if anything, continue on.

Awesome mood record, and 1 of the best Metal albums of 2013 that I've heard thus far.

Foals - Holy Fire


"Milk &; Black Spiders" is another classic Foals track. "My Number" and "Inhaler" "Late Night" also standout in many ways. Some of the songs on this album are more methodical and chill. Some have climaxes, but they aren't as big of a climax as the ones on their last record Total Life Forever.

But I suppose while this album I don't enjoy as much as TLF or Antidotes yet, I find I enjoy Foals even more now, then back when those 2 other records came out. And as a result, I still really dig most of this record.

Between Foals, Everything Everything, Bloc Party, I think it's without question, Foals are the band I enjoy the most and want to keep hearing new records from.

And not to forget, I finally saw them live last month, and they are even better in that setting.

K Será - Collisions and Near Misses


Maybe the best *new* college-prog band to come across my playlist in 2013. Casey Crescenzo produced this record, and I think the end result shows. This is a nice step-up from the debut EP from last year.

Stylistically, they may not be the most original sounding band, but the songs are just well written. They kind of show how they enjoy bands like Muse or even 22, pretty clearly.

Favorites: Near Misses, Meditations in an Emergency, Dream Like I Do, Hollow Ground of London and Ambien.

Ours - Ballet the Boxer 1


Fan Biased included, I'm not blown away by this record to find myself fully attached to it yet. However, I am kind of waiting to hear it on compact disc to still dig my teeth into it. But I couldn't help still listen to it a handful of times and as I posted in this blog, I still enjoy it enough, even if it is the most different and likely the  least addictive record to me, they have made.

Favorites: Pretty Pain, Devil, Boxer, Sing, Falling Into My Hands and Been Down.

This is the record Ours and Jimmy Gnecco wanted to make right now. I am totally fine with that, and I love a lot of it. And I wouldn't be surprised I listen to it a lot more this year, and it is still pretty high up here. But an album of the year probably seems unlikely, and I'm okay with that, even as huge of a fan of this band that I am.

The Dear Hunter - Migrant/The Migration Annex


Like the last dredg album and the new Ours album, this is the album Casey Crescenzo and The Dear Hunter want to make right now, even as different as it seems in a lot of ways. I guess 1 big thing about this is the Migrations Annex is excellent and includes many songs as good if not better than the best stuff on Migrant itself. And I am including them together to view the overall quality of this/these to seem better.

Favorites: Let Go, Old Demons, Whisper, Owls, Bring You Down, Girl, Cycles, Shame, Dig Your Own Grave and Middle Ground

This album does remind me of 2007's Porcupine Tree output, although I don't find Migrant itself nearly as overrated as Fear of a Blank Planet. But Nil Recurring had more better music than FoaBP, and the Migration Annex as-a-whole, I think I find is not only a little more consistent, but also the styles of songs seem more like a lot of the older TDH music at times. Which I follow maybe why Casey didn't include some of those songs on Migrant. Even "Owls" seems old to him probably, even if it is a rearranged version.

I'm a gigantic fan of TDH, and The Color Spectrum, while it wasn't perfect, had enough music I love, I didn't mind how different it was at times for the band. This album seems like another step into singer/songwriter mode for Casey. He said he didn't want to make an album full of songs with screaming, so that is why much of Migrant includes more softer ballads and acoustic parts and songs.

I just wonder if that is his muse now and in the near future. He needs to make the music he loves most regardless of how the fans feel. And I'm not one of these fans that is longing for the Acts to get done necessarily soon. But the band and Casey I see as ambitious or wanting to be as ambitious as they can be, and with that, doing some of the stuff with lots of vocal harmonies and instrumentation (chamber/baroque), and styles like Ragtime and Swing, I would love to find again being emphasized.

Or even doing another big concept thing like Numbers, Shapes or something more directly influenced or related to his love of film, like Terry Gilliam's work specifically. Who knows. But Migrant and the Migration Annex should get some more mileage to fully gauge where it lands come December..

In Vain - Ænigma


Comeback album of the year? the last record Mantra, I had huge hopes for after loving The Latter Rain. And while it had some moments, it didn't really go as far with me as I hoped.

This record on the other hand, reminds me more of what I loved about this band. The choruses and huge guitar riffs. The immense, intense, thick layers with dynamics and also things like saxophone.

I really enjoy this album each time I listen to it. And it's not too long or I don't find it gets boring or drags anywhere.

These guys are kind of the kings of the dense melodic blackened epic prog metal. They know how to create great moods and atmosphere when its done well, is totally worth the journey it takes you on.

Brooke Waggoner - Originator


Brooke's follow up to Go Easy Little Doves. I really enjoy a ton about this album. The catchy parts, and piano arrangements. There may not be as much with string or classical elements, but the songs don't really need that.

I will point out, I find the 1st half of the record grabs me well as each track has a great mood and energy about it. The 2nd half or from the 7th track "Welspryng" to the 11th closing piece "To Love" change the album's tone, I haven't found myself as addicted to as much of that part of the album.

But if I recall, some of those tracks are just movements or slower pieces that feature just Brooke's vocals and piano, so that may be why.

Favorites: Ink Slinger, Rumble, Squint, Swiftshape.

Local Natives - Hummingbird


Another follow-up and sophomore album I've been waiting for, what seemed like forever. This is a different kind of album, compared to the awesome debut by Local Natives, Gorilla Manor.. The melodies and fun sections are more subtle at times or more gradual. The high energy has been exchanged for mood and atmosphere I guess.

But overall, it doesn't seem to have mattered to me. I suppose I claim myself as a fanboy and one of their earliest fans outside of their native Southern California, which is a fact anyway. So, maybe I'm drinking some of their kool-aid a bit. But I enjoy how they changed with this record and even the fact they changed and didn't make Gorilla Manor part 2.

I also think this album has grown on me a fair amount.

Favorites: Black Balloons, Black Spot, Mt. Washington, Ceilings, Breakers, Heavy Feet

An album of the year candidate? probably not, although I still have yet to hear the bonus tracks on the CD I picked up (and wanted on Vinyl, but passed initially and now can't find at The Electric Fetus anymore). If those bonus tracks were amazing, I suppose this may knock on the door more than it already has. But overall, one of the best of 2013, but come December, I suppose it'll be good to see where it stacks up against many of the others out and yet to come out still.

The Red Paintings - The Revolution is Never Coming


I'm absolutely loving this album. And I've known about it for many years, and at some point, wanted to not care anymore. Trash McSweeney spent about 5 years to make this album, traveling across the globe, reworking, rewriting many songs I guess. And then finally finished it in 2009, but couldn't find a way to release it. It finally got picked up to come out this year.

I think its epic nature, depth and multi-part songs are 1 reason it required that long to finally finish and release.

This is as ambitious a record I've come across over the last 5 or more years. It very much seems to be one of those albums that had so much thought put into it, musically, stylistically, lyrically, politically, along with influences from world events and cultures and many other factors, it just had to be something of a big, grand scale.

I guess as far as favorites, I would of course recommend the whole thing 1st and foremost as it is a concept album that suggests exploration for the listener throughout its start to finish.

but tracks: The Fall of Rome, You're Not One of Them, Streets Fell Into My Window, Dead Adults, It Is As It Was, The Revolution Is Never Coming are among the songs I keep hearing new things and loving.

This could an album of the year. The only thing I may find, other than competition, is some of the cymbals clip in spots, along with how in maybe 3 or four of the longer songs, the total silence for however many seconds they last, in some ways is a little annoying. But I suppose I can and may see that as part of the concept and thematically, it's intentional and it may not bother me.

Now where the listeners are right now, among the progressive rock scene and other places, is still not evident. It just came out in Australia a few weeks ago, but may not be dropping for a few months into the States. I would think, especially with more touring in North America and likely Europe, it'll find more interest. I mean Battle Circus never did, but this band has connected to more resources, opening for many bands in the States alone, the most recent being Mindless Self Indulgence, which is the tour I caught them on back in April

Keep also in mind, this is just a debut album, even though TRP have other releases, like EPs and some acoustic albums, but as far as I can tell, this is their official 1st album. I just listened to an interview HERE with Trash where he said he has the 2nd album already planned with a title of "How Much Time Do We Have Left?" But he says he doesn't know if it'll take 5 years to finish like this one, but it may.

is 2013 the year the question is answered if the Revolution is in fact never coming, but this album sure did, and it may reach a lot of people and inspire/influence its message.

Now if people catch on, I'm sure per examples like Kimbra, Warpaint, Local Natives and others, the allmediareviews blog will not be regarded as a site that introduced The Red Paintings sadly, but that's a broken record of course that still bares repeating.

Daft Punk - Random Access Memories


I never would have expected to listen, let alone get into a Daft Punk album, even if the Hipsters and mainstream hadn't grabbed on to this. But they did, and it was a bit hard to ignore. And my girlfriend listening to it and seeing more specifics about it, like the inspiration and guests playing on it, really had me more curious.

Also seeing it mentioned on some of the progressive rock based forums as well, kind of raised my curiosity more.

And this album is experimental and ambitious if not progressive in some ways. Even just with some of the emphasis on musicianship, like the drum work on "Giorgio by Moroder" and the closing piece "Contact" adds appeal.

But almost every track has something interesting, including "Get Lucky" which may already be overplayed. The hook and climax on that track works, along with the groove. I even don't mind how trigger-happy they get with the vocoder on that tune and others. I initially wasn't all that crazy about it, but I do enjoy vocoder use with groups like The Apples in Stereo or ELO (Imogen Heap of course too)..

I think the 1 track that bugs me is "Doin' it Right," the song with Panda Bear singing as I can't stand that guy's voice and Animal Collective. But that would be the only song I'd take out. The Paul Williams narrative piece "Touch," while cheesy and melodramatic, doesn't go on too long, and leads to a very cool section.

'Within" is gorgeous and sad. I don't mind if the vocals are on vocoder, they actually really fit somehow with that arrangement.

There's a lot more to say about this album, but I'll just say, I suppose given how unexpected I was about it, it did fit what seems to happen to me every year. Janelle Monae, Pepe Deluxe, Apes and Androids, Kaddisfly. Although I don't expect (again), this to be my album of the year or to become attached to it like those other artists landmark records. I have been wrong about my tastes too many times to not be totally surprised.

At a minimum, this is an album I enjoy and will think for 2013 certainly. This is a rare case where the Hipsters actually got one right. Although I doubt for the reasons I feel they should (the drum work and experimental/blending of styles and genres, instead of it sounding like cool dance music, and cool dance music only).

Steven Wilson - The Raven That Refused to Sing (And Other Stories)


This was, early-on, the best thing I'd heard. And it kind of has not moved. It never dropped in quality. However, it also likely won't go all that much farther this year, and that likely means it's time on top may not last too much longer. And it's not a perfect record, but it's definitely the best thing I've heard from Steven since Deadwing by Porcupine Tree.

The riffs, dreamy melodies, intensely dark and dense atmsophere, and to be honest, the musicianship is off the charts at times. That is Guthrie Govan and Marco Minneman largely, but Steven did write those parts, at least for the most part anyway.

I think this album in some ways, has rekindled my passion for Steven and for traditional sounding progressive rock in some ways. Yeah, there is music that nods to King Crimson, Yes and some of the best jazz-rock like Return to Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra, but the songs still end up sounding like Steven (or PT in many ways).

But I suppose 1 thing that stands out to me, is how 3 songs, 2 especially, channel parts from other songs I love.

-"Luminol" the 1st 3 or 4 minutes use almost the identical interval pattern from Savatage's "Turns to Me"
-"The Pin Drop" Kevin Gilbert's "Water Under the Bridge" the rhythm of the acoustic guitar is nearly the same.
-"The Watchmaker"  I swear I heard moments that channeled Oceansize's "Only Twin" although I suppose that is more in a a similar tone/mood/key and layering, but not as much from a technical standpoint.

Those similarities aside, those songs are all fantastic. "The Watchmaker" especially, is maybe the best epic Steven has ever written ("Arriving Somewhere But Not Here" maybe, but "Raider II" or especially "Anesthethetize..sorry, don't compare).

Not a ton more to say or sum this album up, but that's kind of what it's deal is. It's really good, well written progressive rock music that is enjoyable to listen to, and maybe even more, witness live. But in terms of life-changing or year-changing albums, it's in the mix, but likely doesn't have the legs in terms of ambition to last by the time December rolls around.

But perhaps it'll surprise me, we'll see.


------------------------------------------------------------------
Now on to the portion of the show where I get to mention many of the potential records coming of value that i know about now. Many of these could be awesome, epic, landmark releases. And then again, many might be solid, okay, decent, or meager follow-ups. And some likely will end up being huge disappointments.

And of course, many also won't make it out this year, or even next year for many potential reasons.


15-20 Records coming in the 2nd half that I am excited about (and many others I'm sure I don't know about, or am not remembering at the moment).

BLUE CHIPS:
The Reign of Kindo - Play With Fire
Mew - TBA
Fates Warning - TBA
Kaddisfly - Horses Galloping on Sailboats
The River Empires - Mars Brighton II

Very Excited:
Brice Plays Drums - TBA
East of the Wall - TBA
Karnivool - Asymmetry
Mayer Hawthorne - Where Does This Door Go
Janelle Monae - The Electric Lady
Orphaned Land - All Is One
Revere - TBA
Shelter Red - The Split Sabre
22 - TBA
Warpaint - TBA

Looking Forward To:
Blackfield - Blackfield IV
The Celebrities/Sir Video - TBA [EP]
Chloe - TBA
Dream Theater - Dream Theater
Enchant - TBA
Fish - A Feast of Consequences
God is an Astronaut - Origins
Midlake - TBA
The Polyphonic Spree - Yes, It's True
The Royal Veil - King of the Ocean
Typhoon - White Lighter

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Timbre - Sun and Moon (2014)

6/20/13 8:47AM
Today is my birthday, and wow, what a cool way to wake up and find out Timbre somehow raised nearly $5,000 in the last 24 hours to reach her goal!

$10,005

I suspect the last few pledges may have been rather large, and to push her over the hump being just $5 past the $10K.

Regardless, this is awesome to see and look forward to. Now I almost expect a masterpiece, which I'm sure Timbre is capable of, but with the needed amount of cash, this record can be made purely as she sees fit, and thus, that much greater.


6/8/13 11:39AM
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-timbre-record-a-double-disc-album-that-will-unite-two-worlds-of-music/x/2421326

Keep at it Timbre! $5800 left to go in the next 12 days. You Can Do It!.



Just to remind people who don't know Timbre, it's songs like this show how brilliant her music is.

5/7/13 5:55AM

the write-up below is from the Indiegogo Campaign. $10K in about a month-and-a-half. I think she can do it, but $10K is not nothing.

It sounds and I'm sure will be amazing. Double album at that. And it'll be coming in 2014 of course.

"St.Cecilia" sounds like it would be worth having this album for alone.





"Sun and Moon"

Art does not exist alone... art creates art.

This is the idea behind my newest project, "Sun and Moon". This double disc record explores the deep connection between classical music and modern songwriting. One disc, "Sun" will feature songs written with my band, songs about friendship, love, grief, nature, even a song based on a children's fairy tale (more on that later!). The other disc, "Moon", will feature a variety of classical music that I've written, from a harp and oboe duet, to a piece for full orchestra, choir, harp, and solo soprano (me!).

Both discs will feature many of the same musicians. Themes and ideas will pass back and forth between them, playing with ideas of dark and light, day and night. My desire is to show that classical music and "popular music" are deeply connected, as they have always been. Classical music and popular music each have their depth, their energies, their forms of communication, and together they can speak to us in even deeper and more beautiful ways.

I grew up in a completely classical world, listening to only classical and choral music until I was in my teens. I have sung classically from as early as I could stand up and make sounds, and have played harp classically for 20 years. I have been composing for a few years as well, and have had my pieces performed in cathedrals all over the world, including Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and St Peter's Basilica in Rome. I have also performed vocally with composer Eric Whitacre in Carnegie Hall for the premiere of his choral cycle, "The City and The Sea."

 Over the past 7 years, I have slowly found my way into a new world of popular music, writing songs  with my band and playing with a ridiculously diverse collection of bands, from people like mewithoutYou, the Chariot, Brooke Waggoner, to bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs and Jack White of the White Stripes. I have found a deep undercurrent of passion and art that connects these worlds, and I want to help my listeners plunge into the depth of those waters with me. 

I believe this album will introduce many listeners to classical music in a new way, in a way that can be attached to and felt. I also believe this album will take listeners into different depths of spiritual and emotional experience, as the different kinds of sounds take them to new places. I believe in this record, and I know I will be more proud of it than anything I have done yet! 

I also believe that the way we think about making music is changing. Music is not a commodity to be made and sold and consumed. Music is a form of deep expression, something that moves between souls, back and forth. I am so passionate about the idea of partnering with listeners. I am making this for you, to communicate with you, to share with you... and I cannot make it without you.

WHAT WE NEED:

Our ideal budget for this album $20,000. That seems like such a big number, but recording an orchestra and choir(100 +people) is not something an independent artist often undertakes. We have set our minimum goal at $10,000, but to be able to go beyond just tracking and actually master, print, and promote this album, we need $20,000. We have already invested around $5,000 into it so far, and had to stop due to lack of funding. We will be starting back up in June if this fundraiser is successful!

Money will go towards:

-Tracking in Nashville and in Cincinatti

-Paying musicians (orchestra, choir, guest musicians)

-Travel

-Engineering and mixing fees

-Mastering

-Printing (super expensive for a double disc)

-Artwork

-Promotion 

The CRAZY thing with this whole project is that fact that I even have the opportunity to write for an orchestra and for a world-renowned a capella choir. I have a beautiful relationship with my alma-mater, Trevecca University, and their music department is working on this project with me. So few composers get the chance to even hear their music performed. This is a ridiculously rare opportunity and I am SO grateful! It should cost $50,000 or more to record 2 different orchestral pieces and two a capella choral pieces, in freaking CATHEDRAL. The fact that we are able to do this for only $20,000 is a little crazy. 

WHAT WE WANT TO GIVE YOU:

All perks include early download of album! 

In keeping with this idea that art creates art, we have partnered with friends from all over the U.S. to create unique pieces of art inspired by "Sun and Moon", which you can claim with a donation to our project! There will also be crochet art made by our cellist, Patrick Rush. We will be using crochet lace doily designs as apart of the album artwork, and those doilies are among the rewards!

Here are the art pieces we have available:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151581735649165.1073741825.16237174164&type=1&l=3363e0a8c6

We also have lots of other goodies, including early downloads of the album, cover songs, house shows, even a piece of my harp. hahaha. but for real.

Just to be clear, we still have at least a year of work to do on this album, including a symphony premiere in november, which will be recorded for the album. All art rewards will be sent out once the fundraiser is over, but all music rewards will be dependent on the album release date. (approx July 2014)

If we don't reach our goal, we will keep working to put this album out ourselves! It might just take a while longer...

 More About The Album: 

"Sun and Moon" will explore many ideas of dark and light, of the mysteries of the unknown and the joy of exploring those places. 

Two snapshots of the album:

"Nycteris Sees the Sun" will be a song on the "Sun" album, and is inspired by a story written by George McDonald, "Day Boy and Night Girl- the Romance of Photogen and Nycteris" (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/macdonald/daynight/files/daynight.html) Photogen has lived entirely in light, and Nycteris has lived entirely in darkness, not knowing the other half of reality even exists. They meet, and must learn to see and love what they fear in the other. Nycteris, the girl, decides that the sun is more real than the moon, that she must KNOW this light, even if it destroys her.  My interpretation of her story expresses her decision to move from the dark of the cave that she knows into the pain and the glory of light. The music moves from a quiet, dark, contemplative sound then suddenly bursts into the frenzy of her joy and pain. Its one of my favourite songs I've ever written!! 

"St Cecilia: an Ode to Music" will be on the "Moon" album, and is written for full orchestra, choir, harp, and soprano solo. It was premiered in april 2012 and was the most incredible night of my life thus far. It explores the language of music, and again draws parallels between two worlds, this time between the natural and the spiritual. Here are my liner notes about the piece from that night:

 "St Cecilia" encompasses a series of concepts that are incredibly important to me as a composer and as an individual. It speaks of the transcendent nature, the spiritual language of music that reaches beyond what can be seen with our eyes or felt with our hands.

 “St Cecilia” also touches on a concept that has enraptured me: the unspeakable Name of God. In ancient Israel, "YHWH" represented the name of God that was beyond speaking, unknowable. Ephesians 3:19 says that we can "know this love that surpasses knowledge". That idea has always resonated with me, that we can know what is unknowable. We cannot fully quantify God, but we can know Him. We cannot fully define God, but we can experience Him. I think this is the unknowable knowing.

 I believe that if God exists, He is the ultimate form of all that is good. He is Love, He is Light, He is Joy. What I centered on for this piece is the idea that He is Beauty. All that is beautiful is a broken form of Him. And so, when we make something beautiful, we are pointing to and experiencing Him.

 These ideas came together for me in this... When we make music, music that is truly beautiful, we are speaking His Name. In song, we can speak the Unspeakable Name of God. We can participate in the mystery of His beauty, and actually hear Him sing back to us.

 St Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians. Christian legend says that as she was martyred, she sang praises to God. She died singing, and heard angels singing with her. I was struck with this, the closeness of the two worlds, joined by song. The piece begins with a plea for her to pray for us, with the hope that we too would experience God and touch heaven through music as she did.

 Other Ways You Can Help

Please use the share tools to pass this around to your friends! Together, we can make something completely new!


3/15/13 11:00PM

1 of the new songs "Chicago Pier," which sounds outstanding.


Timbre - Chicago Pier - Whalehead Sessions from Love Greatly on Vimeo.

11/9/12 2:09PM




http://www.facebook.com/TimbreHarp/posts/10151242278454165

I am excited to announce that WE GO INTO THE STUDIO TOMORROW!!!! We're driving to Cincinatti tonight and in the morning, Mason will start putting down our sweet beats!! Haha ;) Thus begins our new album "Sun and Moon" !!!!!!! #timbresunandmoon

 Pretty excited to hear this. 2010's Little Flowers is breathtaking at times, and having seen her twice this past year in my home state, including just over a month ago where she played 1 of the new pieces, my optimism about this record couldn't be higher.

The only thing is, she mentioned to myself and my friend John who was there as well, she has enough music for a double album, but she also didn't really know for sure when it would be coming out. Perhaps due to the fact she may want to release a double album, it may take all of next year to finish, thus perhaps a 2014 release.

But regardless, it's great news she is finally going into the studio to record it.
She is rather active on social media, so I imagine updates will be happening and bumps of this entry in the coming week/months when more info is certain. 

Very cool that both her and Brooke Waggoner have albums coming soon, for my and others female orchestral-oriented pop/rock/etc music fix. 

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Epic Rock Talk v. 2.0?

This is another one of those long-winded or *epic* discussions about music I did with some friends about music. This time around, there were a few new voices, my friend Josh, along with his gf Lynn and 2 other friends Lee and Meryl.

The whole thing is about 2.5 hours (approx.) Being that it's been awhile, my voice again was much higher on the mic (going-in I forgot about those past issues). But overall, the dynamic with 4 or even 5 at times active voices/opinions, I think added a fair amount to this idea/discussion.

So much so, I think we may try and do this every month as previously planned. Even if everyone can't make it.

Part 1
Part 2 and 3 (Part 3 being abbreviated for this podcast, being 19 mins, lol)

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Miracles of Modern Science - Get Lucky (Daft Punk cover)

My gawd, they've done it again! How 2013-of them, lol. Love-this-band!





downloadable:

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Between the Buried and Me Fall NA Tour: Full "Future Sequence"..The Faceless

http://www.showstubs.com/collections/the-future-sequence-tour




Between the Buried and Me, The Faceless, The Contortionist and The Safety Fire are on all dates as far as I know.

I'm wondering if the uncertainty of Station 4's status had them book this show. And the fact BTBAM was with Coheed at First Ave last Winter, has made them *acceptable* for the hipsters now. The Varsity used to book prog and modern college-prog. But in the past few years, it's been a lot more infrequent. Maybe this show will be a sign of them getting more prog/prog related or Metal shows? I can't say I'd be upset if that happened.

As far as BTBAM and Future Sequence, I enjoy enough of it, and it may work in-full, better live. And The Faceless as well, their last album didn't go too far for me, but seeing them live again may change my feeling. I hope they at least play some of the Akeldama stuff.

September 13, 2013
Winston-Salem, NC at Ziggy's

September 14, 2013
Knoxville, TN at NV

September 15, 2013
Atlanta, GA at The Masquerade

September 16, 2013
Jacksonville, FL at Brewster's Roc Bar

September 17, 2013
Orlando, FL at The Plaza Live

September 19, 2013
Houston, TX at House of Blues

September 20, 2013
Austin, TX at The Mohawk

September 21, 2013
Dallas, TX at House of Blues

September 23, 2013
Denver, CO at Summit Music Hall

September 24, 2013
Murray, UT at Murray Theater

September 26, 2013
Mesa, AZ at The Nile

September 27, 2013
West Hollywood, CA at House of Blues

September 28, 2013
San Diego, CA at House of Blues

September 29, 2013
Santa Ana, CA at The Observatory

September 30, 2013
San Francisco, CA at Regency Ballroom

October 01, 2013
Sacramento, CA at Ace of Spades

October 03, 2013
Portland, OR at Hawthorne Theatre

October 04, 2013
Seattle, WA at El Corazon

October 05, 2013
Vancouver, BC at Commodore Ballroom

October 07, 2013
Calgary, AB at The Republik

October 08, 2013
Edmonton, AB at Starlite Room

October 09, 2013
Winnipeg, MB at Garrick Centre

October 11, 2013
Minneapolis, MN at Varsity Theater (16 and Older Only)

October 12, 2013
Chicago, IL at Metro

October 13, 2013
Detroit, MI at Majestic Theatre

October 14, 2013
Louisville, KY at Headliner's Music Hall

October 16, 2013
New York, NY at Best Buy Theatre

October 17, 2013
Worcester, MA at The Palladium

October 18, 2013
Sayreville, NJ at Starland Ballroom

October 19, 2013
Philadelphia, PA at Theatre of Living Arts

October 20, 2013
Cleveland, OH at Peabody's

October 21, 2013
Millvale, PA at Mr Smalls Theatre

October 23, 2013
Baltimore, MD at Sound Stage

October 24, 2013
Asheville, NC at The Orange Peel

October 25, 2013
Nashville, TN at Cannery Ballroom

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Vuvuzela - Like a Lion (live)

Despite the sound quality, great performance! From seeing Timbre, awesome to see another live harp from Stephanie.

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Mew - TBA (2013)

6/12/13 6:35PM
tease.

Higher/Better Resolution


5/15/13 11:56AM

working with a choir.


http://www.mewx.info/michael-beinhorn-produces-album-6/

The long-awaited sixth album is about to be reality in a matter of months. The previous album, No More Stories, was released in August 2009 and before that the gaps between albums have always been 2-4 years. The next yet-untitled album was originally rumoured to come out sooner, but we know now that this approximately four-and-a-half-year gap will, in fact, be the longest for Mew. 

So far. Pre-production phase is coming to its end and recording will begin in Copenhagen next month. This will be the first time that Mew are going in and out of the studio and playing live shows in-between (in June and August). For this album Mew will be collaborating with many talented people, but Michael Beinhorn is the main producer. The aforementioned producer was the guy behind And the Glass Handed Kites which many consider to be Mew’s best-sounding album. It is mixed very low, as we know, and playing it in a night club forces the DJ to go easy on the bass level. Whether this album will contain big rock anthems or not, we’ll just have to wait to see. Previously Beinhorn has also produced albums for Aerosmith, Marilyn Manson, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Korn among many many others.

11/8/12 12:00PM
Just a live video of this new song "Klassen (The Class), but odds are it'll be on the album, and a single more than likely. You may have to signup for their email list on their homepage to watch it.

http://www.facebook.com/mew/posts/1651642444974745 

To all Frengers of the Universes -

A something we have up the sleeve
For you
Now growing bigger and faster
And too big to handle
Not just a sleeve thing anymore
We will care for it but it can live with you now

All though still work in progress, the song which holds the working title Klassen (The Class) - was the show stopper many nights at this summers festivals. You can now watch a TV recording of Klassen live from this years Roskilde Festival exclusively at our Mewsite.com - See you there!

Bo/Mew

10/7/12 2:00PM
http://www.mewsite.com/

Post on Facebook from Friday October 5th

hey all you over the worlds we are now ready to meet you at mewsite.com with news on the new mew all participants in the film are made of music B

If you sign up to their mailing list, there's 5+ minute video showing Mew in Sicily this past Summer writing (and possible recording?) new music. Although, the music in the video is mostly acoustic, which I'm a little torn about. On one hand it's Mew, so the odds of it being distinct, melodic, dreamy, surreal, etc are high no matter. But if it is all-acoustic, it may be a change in sound still.

Maybe they've been listening to a lot of folky acoustic stuff of late? Joni Mitchell, Simon and Garfunkel or something? All just guessing, but given it doesn't seem it'll come by the end of 2012, its release year seems more likely 2013 now.

1/12/12 8:29AM

MewX Fan Group Post on FB

"Silas, Jonas and I have just commenced writing and recording of the new Mew record." - Bo Madsen

Fuck Yeah, new Mew coming!

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Toy Matinee live "In the Studio" Dallas 1990

http://www.inthestudio.net/live-tracks/toy-matinee-last-plane-out-dallas-1990/

Fuck yeah, I'm always up for hearing some Kevin Gilbert recordings. .I recall hearing his folks lived in Texas, but I had no idea about his dad being a physicist.

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The Barnum Meserve

I'm just going to share this, as I literally was just told about this band 30 minutes ago and am enjoying these songs quite a lot. This is a I guess relatively new UK band, who I just noticed have a description on their Facebook saying "dark theatrical" among other adjectives.

They sort of remind me of a few different bands, yet also sound distinct enough. I suppose a couple of names are Typhoon and O'Brother, but that's vague.

These songs appear to be for sale on their Soundcloud page, but they haven't released them on any lp or ep yet I guess.

edit: They have an EP titled Broken Window available to buy digitally on amazon.com HERE. I'm not clear when it was released, other than in 2012.

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Mercies - Barely Speak // Vultures [Single] (2013)

This is a new single from Mercies. By *new* it's relative. Last year they had a successful Kickstarter campaign to tour, and 1 extra perk for some was a 7" single for this they were going to release. Well, I guess printing it and other factors changed the plans. So, they now finally finished it and decided to release it just as a digital file (at least for now).

The 2 tracks here are very nice. Much in the style of their previous music for the most part. Dreamy, jangley at points. Why it's a single with 2 tracks in the title is a bit odd, but maybe they weren't putting out an EP, but also decided the 2 songs go together. Sort of a double-single in a way. That sounds like a contradiction in terms, but whatever.

The guys in Mercies continue to impress here. If you feel the same, it's only $2 for a download. And of course free to stream.




1 Barely Speak 4:26
2 Vultures 4:10

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God is an Astronaut - Origins (2013)

6/8/13 12:04PM



Drop date is September 16th, with the 1st single on September 2nd. GiaA are a post rock band who I always think of for their use of piano. And their music I have enjoyed, but it's been a little hit and miss. Their best work or songs are brilliant. I just can't say their percentage for being brilliant is incredibly high. But all their music has definitely been worth checking out, no matter. The 2 videos below are 2 of the best tracks by them. Although "Zodiac" doesn't feature as much piano if I recall, and their record Age of the Fifth Sun and S/T record I remember not including as much as their earlier work. Hopefully Origins will; namely since the name suggests it'll be like their earlier or music from their *origins* (early influences?)

http://giaaband.tumblr.com/post/52375020759/rocket-girl-press-release-origins-is-the-seventh

Origins is the seventh full-length album released by God is an Astronaut and sees the band return to Rocket Girl records, who licensed the band’s breakthrough album, All is Violent, All is Bright in 2005. In the eight years since then, GIAA have continued to release albums on their own Revive Records (Far From Refuge, 2007, God is an Astronaut, 2008 and Age of the Fifth Sun, 2010), with limited promotion and yet still amassing a vast following on social media sites (150,000 fans on Facebook, half a million listeners on lastfm.com) and touring extensively, establishing themselves as Ireland’s most intense, incandescent live act.

The new single ‘Spiral Code’ (rgirl99) will be released on 2nd Sept on Rocket Girl, followed by the full length ‘Origins’ (rgirl98) on 16th Sept







also their whole back catalog (6 albums) was remastered and released as a package earlier this year
http://www.superadmusic.com/god/shop.html

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Cloud Cult's - Hurricane and Fire Survival Guide (Northern Illinois U Recital)

Just noticed Cloud Cult share this very cool arrangement from the track from Feel Good Ghosts.



Super cool arrangement of Cloud Cult's "Hurricane and Fire Survival Guide" (Feel Good Ghosts) by Brian Wach's Junior Percussion Recital at Northern Illinois University. Big smiles all around:)

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KFAI Radio: 6/713 Filling In on the air for The Minnesota Sound

http://kfai.org/mnsoundtrack

6/7/13 The show is up to stream and DOWNLOAD for 2-weeks. 

I was filling in here, for a show that is STRICTLY ALL MINNESOTA MUSIC. Nothing from artists that are not from Minnesota is allowed. In other words, Subbing by playing a lot of my favorite music wouldn't work for this specific show. But I enjoy enough music from Minnesota, that this show still worked well.

My girlfriend kind of felt the same, but maybe even more, leans towards music not from Minnesota. But given she also can sub at KFAI, subbing for some other non-restricted-to-Minnesota-Music shows may be more likely (perhaps "The Pop Shop" on Monday evenings at Midnight, or some others)

Also about playing the CARTS aka Promos, etc... I didn't mean to play the same cart twice; I have a better idea how to play the carts now in fact, by playing them all-at-once, at least I guess it's okay. Perhaps playing them all at once, twice during the show in fact. It's been so many years, but I forgot that it was okay to play carts in different fashions, just that to remember to actually play them is the key.

Here's my post from Facebook with the Playlist:

I feel bad leaving my copy of The Royal Veil 's EP at work, and forgetting to mention the Mike Linden track I played. My apologies. 

But hopefully both of them will be fully included the next time I sub on KFAI. 




Brice Plays Drums - Freight Train Blues
Mike Linden - Paper Plans II: 1903
WOLFHOPPERS - Purpose, Part I
The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra - Darkmatter
The Book Of Right On - Manchild at the Helm

Prince and the Revolution - Pop Life
Jeremy Messersmith - Dead End Job
Dan Wilson - She Can't Help Me Now

Spaghetti Western String Co - P. Sellers
Peter Ostroushko - Topanga Canyon Strut
Reptile Palace Orchestra - Little Wing
Boiled In Lead - Jolly Tinker

Background:
Nomia - Perseus
Lehto & Wright - Children's Songs
Media Addicts - Zeitgeist
Greg Herriges - Sabir Khan Song
Watercolors - ?

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2013 Midyear Countdown coming

Just a short announcement, work on the midseason albums countdown was pushed back slightly due to another circumstance: my appearance on KFAI this evening 7:30-9:00PM.

But the goal is for it to show up in the next couple of weeks. 3 days off work and 1-weekend work-free may really help that.

It's been an interesting and surprising year in some ways thus far. But I suppose 1 comment to make that'll be reiterated is how 2013 hasn't quite had any grab-me addictive amazing records exactly. But the 2nd half I hope that happens of course.

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Jon Anderson - "Sing to Me" clip (Zamran Experience...Son of Olias?)

I thought I saw something about this being the "Son of Olias" which I knew Jon has talked about doing for many years; a sequel of sorts to the Olias of Sunnhillow album.

This is nice.

Also, this message about a concert in August, was just posted from Jon per the "Notes from the Edge" service on Facebook:

A message from Jon Anderson to the audience attendees for his August 14, 2013 show at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, UK:

ok!! peeps..,...the show in Manchester is unique....it's in the round....so please feel free to film parts or all of the songs on your cell phones or videos..on some songs will do.....

as many of you as can do it, this it will make a unique filming experience...for the peeps whose videos we choose to use you will all receive your own final copy....when it's edited together...and a painting from me...to commemorate this event..

please send your films to: inyth.media@gmail.com

have fun.....jon

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Karnivool - We Are (?) (2013)

Video: below and all the details of the new album Asymmetry in THIS ENTRY.


6/6/13 7:33PM

"We Are"..album title?


5/20/13 2:20PM

"The Refusal" link from/off-of TripleJ? (an Australian Radio station known for premiering Karnivool among other good Aussie acts new songs)

 

5/17/13 2:00AM

This is just a heads up as they have an album that I have heard will be coming out this Summer or early Fall. August I recall being 1 of the projected months.

And they just posted this on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/karnivool/posts/10151639947631163

Folks! Things are afoot.
Get yourself over to Karnivool.com
Feast your eyes & ears and sign up

1 of the new songs live:

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