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Britt Black : Blackout
By Greg Swan, on June 29th, 2006%
Britt Black
Blackout
Label: BoDog Music
In stores: July 25
Twenty year-old Canadian Britt Black (a.k.a. Brittin Karroll) is like the Joan Jett protege Joan never knew she had (they met the first time this summer). But the influence is obvious, especially on the chorus of the appropriately titled single, “Jet Black Heart.â€
But Blackout has more to it than a hardass chick rock singer; there are appearances by our favorite guitar bands on almost every song.
For instance, David Dandy’s professional grade GNR solo on “Stuck Here,” the Tony Iommi opening lick on “Baby Come On Back†and yes, even some southern rock Skynyrd guitar nods . . . → Read More: Britt Black : Blackout
The Format : Dog Problems
By Greg Swan, on June 29th, 2006%
The Format
Dog Problems
Label: Nettwerk Records
In stores: July 11, 2006
The music scene in Phoenix this year is hot – har har. No, but seriously, everyone is loving this new disc, Dog Problems from Arizona’s The Format, and maybe we should all take a lesson and spend a little more time in air conditioning this summer listening to an easy-going pop record.
The Format are an unapologetic power pop band whose new record, Dog Problems, has Fountains of Wayne cleverness matched with the glam-rock vibe the world has been longing for since American Idol’s “Queen Night.”
It’s their second full-length following a 2002 EP and . . . → Read More: The Format : Dog Problems
Pearl Jam on VH1 Storytellers Saturday, July 1
By Greg Swan, on June 28th, 2006%
Set your TiVo. Pearl Jam played a packed house at NYC’s Avalon in late May for a taping of VH1 Storytellers.
If perhaps you were a little burnt out by their latest arena tour, this may be an opportunity to find that intimacy you’ve been craving. Airs Saturday, July 1 at 10 . . . → Read More: Pearl Jam on VH1 Storytellers Saturday, July 1
Billy Talent : II
By Greg Swan, on June 28th, 2006%
Billy Talent
II
Label: Atlantic / Wea
Canadian hardcore punk/alternative rockers Billy Talent officially released their second album this week (although it leaked on June 19 and many of the tracks were available previously from soundtracks, giveaways, etc).
Compared to new songs of their many Warped counterparts, tracks like the first single “Devil In A Midnight Mass” and “Red Flag” are surprisingly cohesive. We’re told many of the tracks address politics and social issues and even the lame bedroom ballads (“Pins and Needles”) don’t suck as much as you would think.
However, I doubt there are more than 5 power chords in the group’s repetoire, and . . . → Read More: Billy Talent : II
Perfect Porridge Contest: Win an autographed Priestess CD
By Greg Swan, on June 28th, 2006%
Priestess, the drunken-stoner-pop-metal group from Montreal, is coming to Minneapolis on 7/2 at Ascot Room, and we happened to get our grubby little fingers on a few autographed copies of the boys’ new album, Hello Master.
Perfect Porridge will give one of these beauties to the first three people who e-mail us the lead singer’s first name (can’t just give ‘em to ya, but don’t want to make it too hard).
And here’s some Googling music – Track 5 off the album, “Talk To Her.” (mp3) Slow searcher? Stream the first single: “Lay . . . → Read More: Perfect Porridge Contest: Win an autographed Priestess CD
Ferry Corsten : L.E.F.
By Greg Swan, on June 28th, 2006%
Ferry Corsten
L.E.F. (Loud Electronic Ferocious)
Label: Ultra Records
In stores: July 11, 2006
L.E.F. is the name of a new concept by Dutch DJ, remixer and electronica hero Ferry Corsten. It’s a party; it’s an album; it’s an experience.
We’re not sure we get it (Minnesota is a far cry from Amsterdam, after all), but we’re humoring him. After all, his “Prison Break” theme song remix is pretty good and included as a bonus track.
L.E.F. is Corsten’s second album under his given name, and the first single, “Fire”, is a collaboration with Simon LeBon of Duran Duran. It’s been picking up steam across the pound . . . → Read More: Ferry Corsten : L.E.F.
The Surfactants : Self-titled debut
By Greg Swan, on June 28th, 2006%
The Surfactants
The Surfactants
Label: Xero Music
Hailing from Minneapolis and Duluth (MN), The Surfactants brought together their 40 years combined musical experience with a vast range of computer programming know-how to record their self-titled debut. And it’s fantastic.
As a farrago of blurps, beeps and boings permeate the dissonant background of each track, a rabid guitar and drum assault scurry across the speakers like a meth-addicted lab rat.
While the two instrumental tracks (“Mexico City K-Mart” and “A Tale of Two Sisters”) rank right up there with Boards of Canada or GSY!BE, it’s the combination of programming, guitar and lyrical delivery on the vocal-based tracks . . . → Read More: The Surfactants : Self-titled debut
Attention Minneapolis slackers: want free Hard-Fi or Ghostface Killah tix?
By Greg Swan, on June 27th, 2006%
Boost Mobile RockCorps (BMRC) hits the Twin Cities this weekend.
BMRC (not to be confused with BRMC) encourages youth volunteering by providing the opportunity to earn free concert tickets in exchange for four hours of community service (and not the court-mandated kind, thank you very much).
Sign up for July 1st to help Friends of the Mississippi River remove invasive vegetation on Saturday, July 1 and get a free ticket to see Hard-Fi (album review) at the Ascot Room on August 3rd.
Sign up for July 2nd to help Great River Greening remove exotic species at the Indian Mounds Regional Park and get a . . . → Read More: Attention Minneapolis slackers: want free Hard-Fi or Ghostface Killah tix?
New Music Tuesday : MP3s
By Greg Swan, on June 27th, 2006%
Wires On Fire
Wires On Fire
Label: Buddyhead Records
Buy at iTunes Music Store
FREE MP3 Download “Death To Jeff Lynn” (MP3, 192kbps)
The Bleachers
Suspicion
Label: Village Industries
Buy at iTunes Music Store
FREE MP3 Download “Invitation” (MP3, 192kbps)
Dirty Rig
Rock Did It
Label: Escapi Music Group
Buy at iTunes Music Store
FREE MP3 Download “Suck It” . . . → Read More: New Music Tuesday : MP3s
Hojas Rojas : KILLMEILOVEYOU
By Greg Swan, on June 27th, 2006%
KILLMEILOVEYOU
Label: Magnolia Recording Co.
In stores: July 11, 2006
After a year working on their debut album, KILLMEILOVEYOU, Minneapolis electro-artrockers have scaled Mt. Influence and upon descent, returned with an album rooted in blues, folk, modern rock and yes, even some electronica.
Modeled after Pet Sounds and The Soft Bulletin — but thrown for a loop with the release (and subsequent influence) of The White Stripes’ Get Behind Me Satan, KILLMEILOVEYOU is perhaps the most incongruous, yet enjoyable local album we’ve heard this year.
The group’s Minneapolis CD release show is Friday, July 14th at the 400 Bar with and .
We sat down with Hojas Rojas’ singer/multi-instrumentalist DJ Kukielka to talk about the group, the new album and why The White Stripes ruin everything while making it better. Read on…
Continue reading Hojas Rojas : KILLMEILOVEYOU
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