R.I.P. Mark Linkous

The Sparklehorse song "Someday I Will Treat You Good" is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever composed.

A&E FYI: Jawbreaker's 'Unfun' turns 20, hipsters start applying for AARP

JAWBREAKER

UNFUN

BLACKBALL RECORDS 3.30.10

Blackball Records presents the 20th anniversary edition of Jawbreaker's beloved 1990 debut album Unfun--twelve groundbreaking tracks (sixteen on the CD) that captured the very inception of emo's big band and launched a galaxy of young, earnest bands and the scenes that love them.

Unfun has been remastered by John Golden from the original analog tapes; the increased sampling rate boosts some of the bottom end and mid-range. It sounds fucking awesome. The vinyl version is available for the first time since 1992, and the CD and download versions of the record include the three-song Whack & Blite EP, as well as the 7-inch mix of "Busy" as an unlisted bonus track. This reissue features restored original artwork, and all formats include additional band photos from the time of recording. The CD comes with a 24-page booklet with the Whack & Blite insert reproduced in its entirety.

"Want" and "Fine Day" were in heavy rotation on college radio back in the day, and remained set list staples throughout Jawbreaker's run. Unfun wound up on a lot of fanzine top ten lists, and even the mainstream press took notice. Rolling Stone called it "a feast of heavy melody and righteous braying that roars along with all the spit and spirit of Husker Du's New Day Rising."

ONLINE: 

WWW.BLACKBALLRECORDS.COM

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/JAWBREAKER

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JAWBREAKER

TRACKLISTING:

 1 Want

 2 Seethruskin

 3 Fine Day

 4 Incomplete

 5 Imaginary War

 6 Busy

 7 Softcore

 8 Driven

 9 Wound

10 Down

11 Gutless

12 Drone

13 Lawn

14 Crane

15 Eye-5

16 Busy (7" mix) (Bonus Track)

~Information courtesy Riot Act Media

sys66 :: THIS ISLAND EARTH / RAKEHELL WITH WOMEN

Submitted for the approval of the Mix Tape Appreciation Society, I humbly present ... "This Island Earth / Rakehell with Women":

1. The Jam - "Absolute Beginners"

Despite competition from the likes of Pete Townshend and the Violent Femmes, this 1981 Jam single managed to stand out on the "Grosse Pointe Blank" soundtrack because of its sheer awesomeness. (Yep, that's a word. I just consulted a dictionary -- one which happens to exist solely in my mind.... But who cares? So what?)

2. The Grouch & Eligh feat. Gift of Gab and Pigeon John - "All In"

A summer blockbuster if I ever did hear one. (I realize it's still winter here in the Northland, but a man can dream, can't he?) A nod to Gift of Gab's pop-trumps-all Mighty Underdogs supergroup, perhaps?

3. Jack Splash - "Sly Stone, Part 2"

While I rarely stray far into mainstream-rap territory, I'm willing to make an exception for the gifted-as-can-be Jack Splash (who has A-list hip-hop supporters like Kanye West).

4. The Grates - "Carve Your Name"

Not since the Pixies' triumphant "Surfer Rosa" album has radio-ready college music rocked so hard and so fast. To such great heights this song will elevate you.

5. The SuperTacks - "The Top of Your World"

I've been on quite a Journey kick of late, so this Northland anthem (whose Ryan Van Slooten just released a phenomenal new solo album, "All But My Soul") really struck me as "should be heard by the masses, mullets in tow or not."

6. Steve Perry - "Strung Out"

Yes, that Steve Perry.

7. U2 - "Big Girls are Best"

From the Target-exclusive "7" EP comes what is quite possibly U2's best song. And I'm not even kidding here: Great tune, great lyrics, great ... everything.

8. Nash Kato - "Zooey Suicide" [Acoustic vers.]

A rare (but why, Nash?) version of the Urge Overkill frontman's stellar solo single. Well worth seeking out.

9. The Waxwings - "Never So Clear"

Another one of the million-odd Brendan Benson-supported rock groups I hold near and dear to my ear(s).

10. The Smashing Pumpkins - "Sinfony"

A nice little instrumental piece from "Earphoria" before ...

11. Spoon - "The Mystery Zone"

... yet another immortal track from the current titans of indie rock. Austin, Texas, sure is one blessed little town.

12. Hell on Wheels - "One Sperm Across Your Heart"

An interesting choice for a song title to be sure, but, with a sound straight out of the GrndNtl Brnds playbook, who's to argue with these silly, Mike Watt and Evan Dando-referencing Swedes?

13. Caviar - "Flawed Like a Diamond"

Pure pop bliss. Man, I love music. And my job. And my life. And my girl. And my home. And my entourage. (Umm....)

See, that's the kind of reaction you'll get from Caviar too, so listen up!

14. BombPop - "Sugar Coated"

Similarly, listening to the blissed-out BombPop is a joyous occasion. I wonder what ever happened to these guys.

15. Mono Puff - "Hillbilly Drummer Girl"

A bit on the silly side, but, considering Mono Puff is John Flansburgh from They Might Be Giants, maybe this is 100 percent the true story of a hillbilly drummer girl?

16. Zipthunk! - "Daddy Girl"

Pointy green things and a dancer who's allergic to clothes from Atlanta? Zipthunk! knows how to party!

17. Atmosphere - "Good Daddy"

Such a sweet song ... until the last line.

18. Compulsion - "It's Great"

Makes me wish I could do more than write about music. Wouldn't it be cool to jump on any of the Twin Ports' many fine stages and have this fiery guitar part crackling out of your amplifier? I think so.

19. Ultrababyfat - "Twist"

If David Cross lets these guys open shows for him, you know they're worth your time.

20. The Posies - "Start a Life"

Get past the sleepy intro and you're in for quite a treat.

21. Self - "Glued to the Girl"

Somehow this song's utter brilliance had escaped me until just a few weeks ago. I should've had this one on repeat a long, long time ago.

22. Ben Lee - "Catch My Disease"

If your disease is ______ _____, then I'm already there, Benjamin.

23. fun. - "I Wanna Be the One"

No more tears: The magic that was the Format is back with fun., and fun. will be in Duluth early next month. How's that for good news, my friends?

Thus concludes your sixty-sixth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul." I hope you enjoyed yourself. 

sys65 :: THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE

Submitted for the approval of the Mix Tape Appreciation Society, I humbly present ... "The Mote in God's Eye":

1. Rogue Wave - "Good Morning"

Perhaps in an effort to attract the tween set, one of indie rock's most on-the-verge acts has returned with quite the danceable number (and quite the confusing piece of cover art to boot). No matter; I love it.

2. Butch Walker and the Black Widows - "Trash Day"

Like the Marvelous 3, do ya? Best move on, for their fearless leader has struck radio gold by aping the Gin Blossoms' formula. (I'm not knocking it -- I obviously dig this song, as I featured it here -- but that was just a forewarning for M3 diehards.)

3. Motion City Soundtrack - "Skin and Bones"

In case you missed my earlier blog post on the matter, MCS will be back in Duluth April 6 at Grandma's Sports Garden with fun. (!), A Rocket to the Moon and Sing It Loud in tow.

4. Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons - "Longer Time at Sea"

Another of the many Brendan Benson-approved (and -aided) groups in my record collection. Love it.

5. Eels - "End Times"

This one goes out to Perfect Duluth Day co-founder Barrett Chase, quite possibly the most ardent Eels fan I've ever met. Which is good, because they truly deserve people like him backing them.

6. The High Strung - "N Over C"

I don't listen to these guys consistently enough (for shame, I know) to accurately assess their sound, but this mighty fine number harkens back to Sloan's magnum opus "Never Hear the End of It."

7. Schatzi - "Undergrowth"

Like MCS? Can't go wrong here.

8. Ben Kweller - "Never Let You Fall"

With Kweller and his The Bens band mates Lee and Folds, it's hard to pick a favorite, but ... oh yeah, it's not  a competition: Love them all -- especially this soft rock-esque winner.

9. Beck - "Painted Eyelids"

Great tune from way back when.

Don't let rock stars' personal lives get in the way of you enjoying their music. I guess that would be the lesson here....

10. Midlake - "Acts of Man"

Why's everybody in this band so down? If I had talent like this, I would write songs like ...

11. Aqueduct - "Frantic (Roman Polanski Version)"

this one! One of my all-time favorites, for sure.

12. Weezer - "Thought I Knew"

Relaxing a bit, here's another radio-ready slice of current-gen soft rock.

13. Supergrass - "Sitting Up Straight"

I don't care how embarrassing this comes across, but when I recently received "Lego Rock Band" in the mail and Supergrass' "Grace" was the first song I got to play, I nearly lost it. I was just soooooo happy. I got that same feeling back at the turn of the century when I happened upon a copy of "I Should Coco" at an HMV in New York City (I believe it was the one in the Fashion District, but, "The September Issue" notwithstanding, that's not something I've ever paid much attention to).

14. Cake - "Comfort Eagle"

According to the most reliable source on the planet (...), this song was cancelled as Cake's second single (for the album of the same name) because of its not-even-close-to-being-offensive lyrics in the wake of 9/11.

15. Gramercy Arms - "Automatic"

This song's intro sounds exactly like ... can't. think. of. it. (I will have to get back to you later on that one, as it's really bothering me.) Regardless, if you don't know these guys, A) that's a plain shame and B) Dave Derby of the Dambuilders is a member. See, you've learned something today. I can now retire.

16. DJ Me DJ You - "Glassbong"

Has anyone else heard those horrible Last Place on Earth radio commercials in which someone approximates a borderline-racist Jamaican accent? Makes me feel like _______ ___ ___. <- And I'm sure they don't want that on their conscience.

17. Mos Def - "24-Hour Karate School"

Remember when the John Travolta revival was in full swing with "Pulp Fiction" in 1994. Well, that's exactly what Mos Def's career is going through right now. He's remedied all previous ills and is, once again, an MC in top standing with music geeks worldwide.

18. Cage - "Days"

When Cage, in all of his doom-and-gloom splendor, says "This day is the best day I'll ever have," I just have to smirk. (Another reason not to believe him: Cage's label, Definitive Jux -- which is also home to artists like Aesop Rock and Rob Sonic -- has been closed indefinitely by mastermind El-P because he wants to concentrate on making music.)

19. Atmosphere - "Bam"

All is not lost, however, as Minneapolis' hip-hop powerhouse Rhymesayers Entertainment is as strong as ever.

20. Andrew Jackson Jihad - "Brave as a Noun"

Is it wrong that I only picked up this album from Hot Topic's clearance rack because I thought the name of the group was funny? Thankfully, the music isn't anything to scoff at. (Take a listen above.)

21. Neil Young - "Transformer Man" ["MTV Unplugged" vers.]

I like this song so much, I've already started harassing local favorites AM rubin to incorporate it into their sets. I can already hear it winning over the crowds at Carmody.

22. Phoenix - "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" [Bob Dylan cover]

And just when I was going to write off this French outift as the most obnoxiously buzzed-about group of all time, this gave me pause: Perhaps they do deserve all the kudos. At least I know they have good taste.

23. Kings of Leon - "The Bucket" [Live in Belgium]

From one of the most exciting live releases of all time, "Day-Old Belgian Blues."

24. Dead Kennedys - "Moon Over Marin"

A selection from the first decent punk record I ever found on vinyl. If you can get past its eye-opening cover, you're in for a treat.

25. Yellowcard - "Only One"

And, to totally piss off every Dead Kennedys fan who stumbled upon this blog, it's ... Yellowcard. Ha!

Thus concludes your sixty-fifth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul."

Cloud Cult coming back to Duluth next month!

Cloud Cult Announce First US Tour Dates in Nearly Six Months;

Band Currently In-the-Studio Working on New Album for Fall 2010

New York, NY – Cloud Cult is thrilled to announce some US tour dates this February, March and April – their first in nearly six months.  The handful of 2010 US dates include a benefit show on February 26^th at First Avenue in Minneapolis where all proceeds will go to saving The Electric Fetus Record Store outside of $1 from each ticket that will be set aside for the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief Fund.  In addition, this past fall Craig and Connie Minowa moved to a new home just West of Madison, WI where Craig has been writing and recording a new album set for release later this year.  The record will be the band’s first studio album in more than two years and is the follow up to the critically acclaimed Feel Good Ghosts (Tea Partying Through Tornados) (Earthology – April 2008). 

Despite not releasing a new album in 2009, it was far from a quiet year for Cloud Cult.  They put out a documentary DVD No One Said It Would Be Easy on April 21^st.  The film tells the unique journey of the group, serving as both an introduction and introspection meant for newcomers and fans alike.  The band followed up the release of the film with nearly two months of tour dates including their first performance at the annual Coachella Music Festival in Indio, CA.

In addition, Cloud Cult released a double-disc reissue of They Live on the Sun (2003) and Aurora Borealis (2004), two of their earliest albums which were re-envisioned, remixed and remastered. The reissues made these out of print and hard to find albums available nationwide for the first time.  And if that wasn’t enough, as a special treat for fans, an album of previously unreleased tracks was also released: Lost Songs from the Lost Years. 

With a new studio album in the works, Cloud Cult is thrilled to start playing out live again.  They kicked things off on February 6^th with a show in Lutsen, MN and as mentioned above will be doing a benefit concert at First Avenue on February 26^th.  In addition, for the first time ever there will be a Cloud Cult art show featuring works by both Connie Minowa and Scott West.  The art show is free and will take place from 4pm until 9pm in the VIP Room of First Avenue on the same day as the benefit! 

For the most up-to-date information on Cloud Cult, please check out the band’s website:

www.cloudcult.com

Cloud Cult Tour Dates:

Feb.       26^th         First Avenue Main Room                              Minneapolis, MN

                27^th         Gardner Lounge @ Grinnell Col.                 Grinnell, IA

Mar.       26^th         U. Minnesota Duluth-Kirby                         Duluth, MN

Apr.       15^th         Lincoln Hall                                                       Chicago, IL

                16^th         Majestic Theatre                                              Madison, WI


~Information courtesy Stunt Company

fun. (ex-Format) to open for Motion City in Duluth!

Motion City Soundtrack Announce Spring US Headlining Tour;

New Album My Dinosaur Life Debuts at #15 on the Billboard 200, Critics Weigh in Favorably and Band Performs First Single on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

New York, NY – Motion City Soundtrack have announced a Spring US headlining tour in support of their Columbia Records debut – My Dinosaur Life – which entered the Billboard album chart at #15, the band’s highest debut to date.  Critics have been raving about the new album with Entertainment Weekly giving it an A+ and Spin stating that it “…may well trigger their long-awaited breakthrough.”  The band was thrilled to perform the first single from My Dinosaur Life – “Her Words Destroyed My Planet” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon February 2^nd.

The press for the live show has been equally as good.  In a live review of their sold-out Fillmore at Irving Show the NY Post wrote, “Like a Toyota with its pedal stuck to the metal, Motion City Soundtrack is all acceleration.” And Dan Aquilante went on to say, “If you've never heard of Motion City Soundtrack, don't feel bad: They're the well-kept secret of the college kids who hit the annual summer Vans Warped tour. But with this kind of energetic and musically superb performance, they won't be flying under the radar much longer.” 

The band is wrapping its’ current headlining tour of the US on the West Coast where they’ll be playing the House of Blues in Los Angeles and Anaheim, before heading overseas to tour Japan, Australia and the UK.  They kick off the Spring tour dates on April 6^th in Duluth, MN and will be on the road through May 2^nd when they perform at the Bamboozle Festival in NJ.  For the Spring trek Motion City Soundtrack will be joined by openers Fun., A Rocket To The Moon, and Sing It Loud.  Tickets go on sale Saturday, February 13^th and all confirmed dates are below.  Please check www.motioncitysoundtrack.com for the most up-to-date information.

April      6             Grandma’s Sports Garden                                            Duluth, MN

                7             House of Blues                                                                 Chicago, IL

                9             The Rave                                                                             Milwaukee, WI

                12           Rocketown                                                                        Nashville, TN

                13           Newport Music Hall                                                       Columbus, OH

                15           Blue Moose Tap House                                                 Iowa City, IA

                17           Winona State Univ./McCown Fieldhouse            Winona, MN

                19           Orange Peel                                                                       Asheville, NC

                20           40 Watt Club (18+/except w/guardian)              Athens, GA

                21           The Venue (18+/except w/guardian)                   Gainesville, FL

                24           State Theatre                                                                    St. Petersburg, FL

                25           House of Blues                                                                 Orlando, FL

                27           Lincoln Theatre (16+)* (No Fun.)                           Raleigh, NC

                28           9:30 Club* (No Fun.)                                                     Washington, DC

May       2             Bamboozle Festival                                                       E. Rutherford, NJ

~Information courtesy Stunt Company

This Week in Weird: Chromeo, Daryl Hall joining forces

DARYL HALL & CHROMEO UNITE AT THE 2010 BONNAROO FESTIVAL FOR "LIVE FROM DARYL'S HOUSE"

PERFORMING FRIDAY JUNE 11th AT BONNAROO FESTIVAL IN MANCHESTER, TN

CHROMEO CURRENTLY AT WORK CRAFTING THIRD STUDIO ALBUM, SLATED FOR SUMMER 2010 





In a match pairing two pop music favorites of past and present, Daryl Hall & Chromeo have announced their joint performance on Friday June 11th at this year's Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, TN.  A reprise of the widely successful collaboration first appearing on a 2008 episode of Daryl Hall's web series "Live From Daryl's House", the Bonnaroo performance will also feature Hall and Chromeo performing together as one unit.  A nod to Chromeo's inimitable take on the blue-eyed sentiment of Hall's music, the triumvirate of Daryl Hall, Dave 1, and P-Thugg of Chromeo will unite once again for a rare set of Hall & Oates and Chromeo classics.

Having recently released their new single "Night By Night" and a disco-infused mix album for the prestigious DJ-Kicks series, Dave 1 and P-Thugg have been laboriously clocking hours in the studio for their highly anticipated third studio album (see them in the lab on their newly launched blog).  Currently slated for an August 2010 release, the follow-up to 2008's breakout album Fancy Footwork will raise the bar yet again for the electrofunk duo famously known as the best Jewish/Arab partnership in history.


For more info:
http://www.myspace.com/chromeo
http://www.livefromdarylshouse.com/
http://www.bonnaroo.com/ 


~Information courtesy Biz 3