Archive for the ‘MusicGeek.org’ Category

BRIEF: Biffy Clryo’s new singles explode on the charts

In November of 2009, the aggressive Scottish three-piece rock group Biffy Clyro, release their most successful album to date: Only Revolutions. The album went gold within a matter of days from the release, and the singles from the new release have been seeing higher chart numbers than ever. All of the singles from the new album have hit the UK charts hard, peaking within the top 10 of the rock charts and top 20 of all singles. Currently, there are 4 singles from the new album: “Mountains,” “That Golden Rule,” “The Captain,” and “Many of Horror.”

All of the singles from the new album are both brilliant songs and visually striking. The highest ranking single to date, “The Captain,” is set on a pirate ship and details an uprising against the Royal Navy. It culminates with Ben and James Johnston, who play drums and bass, breaking lead singer and guitarist Simon Neil from his cage. All in all, The new singles from Biffy Clyro are stunning, both musically and visually, to say the least.

VIDEO: Herbie Hancock at TED

Just a quick post — here’s a Herbie Hancock TEDTalk for your viewing and listening pleasure. Everybody loves some good jazz, right? Clocking in at nearly 30 minutes, this performance isn’t one to miss.

News: Broken Bells, incoming indie rock darling the result of James Mercer, Danger Mouse collaboration

James Mercer, lead man for The Shins, and Danger Mouse have put together a soothing and funky collaboration: Broken Bells. “The High Road” is a tantalizing peek of what will likely be one of the better albums we see this year. The single, the first from the upcoming self-titled album, is the current iTunes Single of the Week.

Snippets of the entire album are available on the iTunes, along with the entire first track, “The High Road.” At this time, we can only speculate the possibility of a tour; if tour dates are set, we will promptly update that information here. For more on Broken Bells, visit brokenbells.com.

As a side note, James Mercer will also be appearing in filmmaker Matt McCormick’s film, Some Days are Better Than Others. The film will be screening at South by Southwest Film Festival, which will take place from March 12–20 in Austin, Texas. More information may be found at somedaysthemovie.com as well as sxsw.com/film. Specific screening dates have not yet been announced.

Photos: Groovacious Open Mic Night, Feb. 10

Open Mic Night at Groovacious Records in Cedar City, Utah, has been a staying point of the southern Utah music scene for years. The event features some of the most talented — and most raw — talent in the area, and as a result, the performers usually draw a sizable crowd. Yesterday was no exception.

The vital details! Open Mic Night at Groovacious is:

  • … scheduled every Wednesday night at Groovacious Records in Cedar City, Utah.
  • … scheduled to start at 8 p.m., and it very rarely starts even a few minutes late.
  • … open to performers of all cuts and styles. Performers need to arrive by 7:30 p.m. to sign up, and there are limited slots — the earlier the better!
  • … about two hours long. Not every session lasts two hours, but it’s almost always out by 10 p.m.
  • … located at 173 North 100 West in Cedar City.
  • … at the site of the only independent record store in southern Utah. Groovacious features a wide selection of high-quality, new and used vinyl, CDs, DVDS and more.
  • … fun for all ages!

PLAYLIST: Top 10 songs for the open road

 

Matthew Montgomery, 2009

Back in September 2009, I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time in my car while traveling across the western half of the United States. During this time I discovered that when speeding down a side road in Iowa, not all songs were created equal. Here is a list, in no particular order, of the 10 best songs for driving to.

1. The All New Adventures of Us – “Firetruck”

This song is wonderful to say the least. It meets all the requirements to be a good driving song: sonic guitars, blasting horns, enough changes to keep you interested and of course, a beat you can tap your gas pedal too. The song speaks of never missing another adventure, and that really embodies what this article is about: adventures.

2. The Beatles – “Two of Us”
“Two of Us” is one of those jangly guitar songs you just can’t do without on a good drive. It’s stood the test of time and after nearly 40 years it is just as valid as it was on its release. The song itself induces images of driving on a winding backroad with the windows down and the sun shining.

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News: Broken Social Scene preps new release, tour

At last! A new Broken Social Scene release — and not from the Presents series — has been handed a release date: May 4. According to a press release, the Canadian supergroup has slimmed to six core members for the forthcoming effort, which is being produced by post-rock veteran John McEntire, perhaps most recognizable for his work in Tortoise. Just before the album hits shelves, BSS will be jumping on tour, starting in the states before jetting across the pond to Europe.

[Source: arts-crafts.ca]

Music Geek: The Arcade Fire’s “Rebellion”

See, I can look classy every now and again.

See, I can look classy every now and again.

Whilst listening to the latest episode of All Songs Considered from NPR — it’s on the decade defined — The Arcade Fire’s “Rebellion,” from the group’s seminal 2004 full-length debut Funeral, imparted upon me a certain unusual zeal; it is a sort of zeal, I find, that is only imparted by the occasional realization of a song’s power and the inner workings behind such power. Radiohead’s “A Wolf at the Door,” most recently, hit me the same way; for weeks, I diagrammed the structural intricacies in an attempt to understand why, exactly, the song just… worked. (more…)

Concert Photos: Chris Laterzo and Buffalo Robe