A couple of years ago at SXSW, you could not walk 2 feet without seeing a Whigs Mission Control promo poster. Don’t know if there is a direct correlation, but the single “Right Hand on my Heart” saw moderate success, with airplay on alt rock stations and certainly some name recognition amongst alt and indie rockers. The Whigs are currently on tour opening for BRMC in support of their new album and will be stopping by SD tomorrow at HOB. I took the new album for a spin to get familiar with the material before the show.
Artist: The Whigs
Album: In The Dark
Recommended if you like: college rock a la the Replacements
From the press kit:
“artfully combining the disenchanted swagger of ‘70s punk with the infectious, catchy bounce of ‘60s pop” - Filter
Standout tracks: “Kill Me Carolyne","So Lonely”
Why you should listen:
P-fork gave this album a horrible review, but I usually take that to mean that an album is more accessible to a larger group of listeners (remember their review of Airborne Toxic - say what you want but a #1 on alt rock radio is nothing to sneeze at). I’m not saying that this album is amazing, because it’s not, but it’s not a stinker either.
More info/listen: official/twitter
I am totally obsessed with two bands right now.....Codeine Velvet Club and The Bird and the Bee. I’m sure some of you are already hip to The Bird and the Bee - maybe you saw them open for Rilo Kiley a few years ago? I’ve been anxiously awaiting the official release of their new album which is a cover album of Hall and Oates classics. Now, I do not get the Journey revival, but H & O? Hell yeah, give me some blue eyed soul/rock any day. Last week they played a show at the El Rey and previewed all the tracks. This week, you can hear the entire album on various places on the interwebs. Kinda like a virtual scavenger hunt. So, here is a track listing with where you can find the tunes:
You love it right? The album Interpreting The Masters Volume 1: A Tribute To Daryl Hall And John Oates is out in stores on 3/23.
More info:official/myspace
Now onto Codeine Velvet Club. This is Jon Lawler from The Fratelli’s side project which might seem a bit strange as I didn’t associate him with retro pop. I’ve been watching their video for “Hollywood” on repeat.
If you are at SXSW next week, you need to make sure you catch these guys. Their debut album will be out in April 6th on Dangerbird.
More info: article from Filter/official/twitter
I really should title this “Why Bands Should Want Their Song Played on Commercial Radio” because without radio playing their single “Too Fake”, there is no way that Hockey would have sold out the Casbah on a rainy Monday night. They previously played The Loft at UCSD so selling out the Casbah was a little surprising to me. No knock on the band at all, just an observation about the people who usually come to Casbah shows. This crowd was full of first timers and it showed. Which is why we didn’t make it past the first few songs. Again, not a knock on the band, because they sounded great. So in lieu of a show review, you will get an album review since I’m sure some people are curious as to whether or not they are a band you want to get to know…
Artist: Hockey
Album: Mind Chaos
Recommended if you like: early Rapture (the single really reminds me of “House of Jealous Lovers")
From the press kit:
“Like MGMT? How about CSS or the Klaxons? Well meet your new favorite band...they’ll be around for a while"---Spin.com
Standout Tracks: “Song Away","Wanna Be Black”
Worth a second listen?:
The band comparisons from the Spin quote give you a starting point for their sound, though they are definitely not as trippy dippy as MGMT. If you’re inclined to like the dancy side of alt rock, then, yes, you will like this. The album does not deviate too far from the formula of “Too Fake”. BTW, the single has been hanging on the alt rock charts since October (first mentioned here in my weekly radio chart post on 10/7), but it’s never broken the top 20. The new single “Song Away” impacts radio on 2/9, so I’ll be keeping an eye on the charts for it.
More info: myspace/official
Listen: “Too Fake” on Jimmy Fallon (wvx file - windows media)
A bit of a slow week but quality over quantity, yes?
In Stores 11/17:
Fall Out Boy Believers Never Die - Greatest Hits
I know right? Why do they have a greatest hits? Actually, the track list is pretty solid - the first three tracks are good representation of their early stuff that I love.
Norah Jones The Fall
I know, not usually my genre to cover, but did you know that there are collaborations with Ryan Adams and Okkervil River’s Will Sheff on it?
Them Crooked Vultures self-titled
I am a fan of anything that Josh “Swivel Hips” Homme is involved with.
Impacting on radio:
(alt rock)
Anberlin- True Faith
(yes, it’s a New Order cover)
Julian Casablancas - Out Of The Blue
Mudvayne - Scream With Me
Lissy Trullie - Ready For The Floor
(triple a)
Rich Pagano & The Sugarcane Cups w/Trey Anastasio - You Want To Stay High”
In Stores 11/10:
Bad Lieutenant Never Cry Another Tear
Bernard Sumner from New Order’s project.
The Cribs Ignore the Ignorant
Johnny Marr anyone?
Caroline Herring Golden Apples Of The Sun
Dashboard Confessional Alter the Ending
Streaming now on their ms.
Lissie Why You Running (EP)
Switchfoot Hello Hurricane
Impacting on radio:
(alt rock)
The Big Pink - Dominos
Filter - Fades from a Photograph
Papa Roach - Had Enough
Paper Tongues - Ride To California
Sick Puppies - Odd One
(triple a)
Lissie - Little Lovin’
(dl it here)
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Not Gonna Cry
The Almost Monster Monster
Julian Casablancas Phrazes for the Young
Foo Fighters Greatest Hits
Glee The Music, Volume 1
Morrissey Swords
Moz gifts us with a B-Sides compilation right in time for the holidays. (Though you gotta wait until the 17th for the deluxe edition.)
Say Anything self-titled
Snow Patrol Late Night Tales
This is actually a compilation curated by Snow Patrol (though they contribute a cover of INXS’ “New Sentation"). More deets here.
Weezer Raditude
Impacting on radio:
(alt rock)
Dead Weather - I Cut Like A Buffalo
Five Finger Death Punch - Walk Away
Pearl Jam - Just Breathe
(triple a)
Fanfarlo - Harold T. Wilkins
JJ Grey - Tupelo Honey
If you’re headed out to see Regina Spektor at HOB on Monday, make sure you show up early to see Jupiter One. The low-down....
Artist: Jupiter One
Album: Sunshower
Recommended if you like: “jazzy rock music” – New York Times
From the press kit:
“striking pure gold with melodic yet passionate indie rock” – Urb Magazine
“(J1) covers a lot of different styles while managing to maintain a funky, new wave-infused base… surprisingly dance-friendly.” – PopMatters
“tight new-wave rock, ranging from crisp up-tempo tunes to more eccentric, almost hip-hoppy tracks. Whatever the setting, the local quintet really slathers on the synths, giving its music a pervasive ’80s feel.” – TimeOut NY
Standout Tracks: “Lights Go Out","Simple Stones”
Worth a second listen?:
They’ve been getting airplay on Sirius/XM’s Alt nation (which is where I first heard them), but they also might be familiar to you because they’ve had songs placed in TV, video games and commercials. These tunes feel a new wave-y but they don’t sound outdated.
More info/listen: myspace/official
Lyn is always rawking to the song in her head, which she would be happy to sing to you. Just ask.
Music posted is for sampling purposes and is only available for a limited time. If you like what you hear, support the artist and buy the album or go to a show.
Where in the world are Minnie and Ox?
San Diego, CA
Next stop on the tour:
Dallas, TX
Future stops:
Atlanta, GA
Lansing, MI
Chicago, IL
Dayton, OH
Baltimore, MD
Harrisburg, PA
(latest photos here)
ugh, I agree about Pandora. Major suck. Sometimes I’ll listen to Last FM if I’m in the mood for a certain style or genre. They do an okay job, though not super awesome.
Dear Chick Rawker,
Thank you for taking our survey. The purpose of these surveys are two-fold.....to find out what ALL listeners think about the music we play, along with songs that we think listeners might be interested in hearing on our station. The songs on the list below are not necessarily in rotation on our radio station. We have a lot of fun here and sometimes we have specialty weekends and features that songs on this list might or might not fit into. I hope that you continue to take our surveys and give us your opinion because it helps us program our station to give listeners what they want.
Yes alternative music crosses over to the pop world, it always has and always will. I think it’s great when an artist or group reaches this level. They release there music and are labeled “Alternative” and then they become “Popular” and the masses want to hear them. If managed correctly this will allow them to create and be more artistic with their music in the future. For example NIN....yes “Closer” is a “Popular” song, but without it, would Trent Reznor have been able to create and work on the many projects he has that appeal to a “Music Connoisseur” like yourself? We don’t know for sure but we can guess the answer is “Yes.”
There is a purpose and place for POP Music. I hope that from now on you take this into consideration when you listen to and judge the formats that this type of music is featured on.
Thank you,
Cristy Westfall
Music Director
KSCF – Sophie @ 103.7
These are the same things I have been thinking about for awhile now, starting when Chris left. Radio is still relevant and will be for a while. The other competition aside from online is satalitte radio. Many people listen through Sirius and XFM. It is all splintered. Partnerships, collaboration, engaging with fans are the way to go and survive. Hard core music fans like most of our crowd may end up left to scrounge for the good stuff. But really, is that so new?
