Upcoming Releases: The Weepies and Blitzen Trapper

3 Jun

I love the Internet. The fact that I can post on this blog and be linked to various other sites, searches and people in a matter of seconds is something extraordinary. Yesterday, directly after Armando Galarraga’s perfect game was taken away by a missed call at first base by umpire Jim Joyce, numerous videos, pictures and reactions spread like the bubonic plague throughout Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and several blogs. A black mark for baseball turned into an Internet wildfire resulting in over 5,000 people joining an anti-Joyce Facebook group by this morning. 

Musicians have also learned to take advantage of this age where a mere Google search can reveal up to the second information about a particular subject. Yes, the unfortunate prevalence of torrents and stealing music has not made life easy for the musician. But, since this topic seems to be as inevitable as Chipper Jones (the third basemen for the Atlanta Braves) injuring himself, musicians have had to learn new ways to get people interested in buying their albums. What is one way they are doing it?

http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=127035190&m=127200669

By releasing the entire album several days before it goes on sale. Blitzen Trapper, the experimental folk/rock/pop sextet based in Portland, Oregon, has released the entirety of their fifth studio album Destroyer of the Void as an exclusive preview on NPR’s website.

Credit: Todd Roeth

 This is an interesting release strategy. It seems similar to going to Borders and reading an entire book before you choose whether or not to buy it. The question can be raised, does this help with sales. I think it’s smart. Blitzen Trapper is just taking advantage of a quick-paced Internet age by allowing fans to get a real bite out of the album. And, if they think it is tasty, they may be more willing to buy either the entire album, or specific songs they like, from Itunes.

After chewing on the album for several minutes, I have tasted something a little wacky, but certainly delectable. Blitzen Trapper’s last release, Furr, ranked #13 on Billboard’s Best Albums of 2008 and the title track “Furr” hit #4 on Billboard’s Best Singles of 2008. This major success lifted Blitzen Trapper to a level of recognition, and I predict that their new release Destroyer of the Void may propel them to an even higher level. Trapper singer/songwriter/composer Eric Earley, with his bands skilled touch, has found a way to organize a true hugger-mugger of genres and styles into a harmoniously neat album that is even more experimental and dramatic than their last album. They have convinced me to buy the album when it officially goes on sale on June 8.

Another idea is simply releasing the album’s first single several months before the entire album is released. The Weepies, the married folk/rock duo from California, have taken this route. Their highly anticipated Be My Thrill will be released on August 31, but, until then, you can listen to the album’s single “I Was Made For Sunny Days” over and over again on their website…or buy it on Itunes. And, if the song is any indication of what the rest of the album will be like, Weepies’ fans can rejoice.

Listen here: http://www.theweepies.com/

“Alejandro” and Miranda Lambert

2 Jun

Hey guys,

Just got back from an amazing trip halfway around the world and I’m ready to re-enter the gates of Blogland!

So Lady Gaga just released a teaser for her newest single Alejandro…judging from the 20 second clip the vid looks just as over-the-top and dramatic as the rest.

The black and white is certainly an interesting departure from the usual vivid pop Gaga fantasy. The single is perfectly timed for summer too-there’s no question that the tropical sound was geared for a summertime release date.

Gaga is also performing on ABC’s Good Morning America summer concert series on July 9th at 7 am. If you are a diehard fan and are lucky enough to be in the NYC area at that time, you should join the madness. If you are like the rest of us, you can fish for the performance on YouTube when you are awake.

Currently Gaga is on a worldwide tour and in the process of creating a new album.

Additionally, country singer Miranda Lambert (26) recently announced her engagement. I’m not one for country, but I’ve been listening to Lambert and I really dig her stuff. Probably because a lot of her music deals with burning or shooting at conniving ex-boyfriends.

If you are ever super p/o-ed, I suggest singles Kerosene and Gunpowder and Lead. I really like the angry woman vibe she puts forward in her songs. Whether she talks of hard liquor, loaded pistols, or pure rage, Lambert injects her personality into every lyric. Hopefully an engagement and wedding will fail to pacify Lambert’s musical fury. In spite of her recent happiness, I doubt that she will turn into a Stepford Wife anytime soon.

Paul McCartney is a Scared, but, Sharp Dressed Man

2 Jun

Because of a planned trip to Binghamton to pick up the keys to my new rented house and the out of place posts earlier this week, I have successfully messed up a schedule of posting that has worked for the past three months. Well, readers, do not be alarmed. On Monday, after I receive my much anticipated Internship schedule, I will be able to give you all a firm summer posting schedule. But, for now, please deal with the utter disorder of my random posting schedule. It is very entropic. Today, I come to you with the glorious return of some fresh court links. They are tasty.

Credit: ALMASI/Bauer-Griffin

Sir Paul McCartney certainly could not have been feeling so suave (like he looks above) just a few days ago, when a gang attacked his tour bus as it rolled through a part of Mexico City. The 67-year-old superstar was left “shaken up” according to a source, who also said, “At first his security team thought it was just swarms of fans but when people started scaling the bus, the situation changed in a flash.” Well, I guess fame does come with a price.

Youths forced the driver to stop and proceeded to jump up and down on the roof of the vehicle. This all occurred after McCartney’s gig at Foro Stadium at 1 a.m. this past Saturday. McCartney was unhurt.

Link: http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/06/01/paul-mccartney-in-frightening-mob-bus-attack-in-mexico-city-115875-22300565/

The next item is not so much news, as it is just a crazy video. All I have to say is GIVE THIS MAN A DRUM SOLO

It’s Number One in Israel

31 May

Currently, I am still recuperating from my 10-day Israeli journey. It is 9 a.m. on Memorial Day. What the heck am I doing up? The fact that my body thinks it is mid-afternoon may be a reason. Well, since I am up, it’s time to post.

My trip to Israel was filled with song. Songs constantly streaming from my Ipod to keep me occupied during bus trips and my two long flights. The interesting mix of Israeli and American music in Israeli markets that amalgamated into an almost incoherent combination of beats and sounds. The exciting sounds of commerce in loud Hebrew and broken Englsh. The repetitive and increasingly pestering singing on our tour bus. And, even the times of complete silence where only the sough of the light breeze picking up desert sand could be heard. Yes, music was a pervasive part of my Israeli vacation, and I knew I had to bring a particular music souvenir back for you faithful readers.

After a day of walking and sight seeing (we did a lot of these things on the trip) our group of 40 college students from Binghamton University were given 45 minutes to eat dinner at a mall. After spotting one of the most odd store neighbours in the world (a Mcdonalds next to a synagogue) and eating the Israeli version of fast food Chinese food, I spotted a Tower Records and jumped at the opportunity to check out some Israeli music. When I walked inside I saw Israel’s Top 25 albums. I promptly took a picture and unfortunately I am having major issues uploading it to the blog. So, just trust me. Most of the list was Israeli artists (including number one). But, a few American artists made it on. Justin Bieber was #20 (well, that’s a shame). #6 was Barbara Streisand (which is just too perfect). The title of #1 went to an artist named Yehuda Poliker (who I understandably did not know much about).

Yehuda Poliker (Credit ORENG -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/orenrosenfeld/)

Yehuda Poliker was born in Kiryat Haim, a suburb of Haifa, Israel, to Holocaust survivors. He is both a talented musician and known painter. His music combines pop/rock, Israeli folk, Greek and other Mediterranean influences. He can play numerous instruments and has a powerful and soothing voice. Take a listen to “Things I Wanted to Say”:

A Day of Remembrance…and BBQ

30 May

In 1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae, Moina Michael wrote:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

This seems to be a random piece of unimportant information, but, keep reading. Traditionally, Memorial Day, which will be officially observed tomorrow, involved poppies and proper American flag etiquette. Yet, as the years have marched on, tradition has been lost and replaced instead by backyard barbecues, beer, and a day off from work. Well, that’s all well and good, but the history of Memorial Day is often left behind. Did you know that Memorial Day was officially proclaimed by General John Logan, the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic (veterans of the Union army), on May 5, 1868. And, it was first observed 142 years ago, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery.

This is why I have chosen to lead this post with this particular poem. It is so easy to lose the true purpose of Memorial Day among the vast quantities of burgers, hot dogs, cole slaw and apple pie (the classic American feast). Family comes over and discussion generally does not enter the realm of war and death. Why? Well, it’s rather depressing. I will be the first one to tell you. Such discussion can ruin a pleasant afternoon. Yes, I understand this particular quandary, but, it goes without saying that we must honor our fallen soldiers each and every day. Memorial Day provides a convenient calendar date to reflect, but, what good does it serve if many do not reflect. So, I will institute in this post a call to action. Go outside tomorrow into your garden, your local park, your street corner; at a Memorial Day gathering or by yourself. Pluck a flower from the ground (does not have to be a poppy). Think of the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and think of their families who may be having a memorial day barbecue without the smile of their lost son, daughter, mom or dad. Think of them and let the flower go. Keeping them in our mind is the least we can do.

Now, onto some music. Many are probably assuming that I will go with the classic Memorial Day song choice on this blog post. Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American” is as patriotic as kissing the American flag, but, I want to choose something a little different. Like Q1043 (the classic rock radio station of the New York City/Long Island area) often says, “Let’s take one off the back wall.” So, my Memorial Day must-have comes from Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler, “Ballad of the Green Beret.”

Stay close tomorrow; another post will be coming out you. One having to do with my recent trip to Israel (which is still screwing with my sleep patterns).

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