Review: Sea Wolf : Get to the River Before it Runs Too Low EP

By Greg Swan, on April 30th, 2007%

Sea Wolf
Get to the River Before it Runs Too Low EP
Label: Dangerbird Records
Release Date: May 8, 2007

L.A.-based Alex Church is ready for his turn in the spotlight. After leaving Irving, he’s been working on some new songs, had a great showing at SXSW, and has would-be fans clamoring for his EP out May 8.

With a laid back, post-folk sound, Sea Wolf has a blithe spirit about the world and its creatures as he explores the realms of melodic pop on his new EP, Get to the River Before it Runs Too Low. Look for a full-length disc in . . . → Read More: Review: Sea Wolf : Get to the River Before it Runs Too Low EP

Review: Haale : Paratrooper EP

By Greg Swan, on April 30th, 2007%

Haale
Paratrooper EP
Label: self-released

As a 33 year-old Stanford biology student-turned-singer, NYC-based Haale took her sweet time in unfurling her Persian-inspired tunage on the general public. But now that she’s found her voice, she’s dropped not one, but two self-released EPs via CDBaby and is quickly winning the hearts of fans with her mix of traditional sufi rhythms and 60s psychedelic rock.

Of note to major labels seeking to capitalize on the mass public’s continued infatuation with Far East sounds is her enlistment of friend Sean Lennon on the Paratrooper’s last track, a haunting ballad called “Before the Skies.”

Stream . . . → Read More: Review: Haale : Paratrooper EP

Review: The Aliens : Astronomy for Dogs

By Greg Swan, on April 30th, 2007%

The Aliens
Astronomy for Dogs
Label: Astralwerks
Release Date: June 19, 2007

There exists a certain type of artist among us who cannot be contained or normalized. The predication is a controlled chaos that results in bouts of genius followed by the inability to function in society — often followed by suicide or overdose (the 27 club [Hendrix, Cobain, Morrison]), interventional therapy (Brian Wilson) or even some quality time spent at a mental institutions (Syd Barrett).

The Beta Band co-founder Gordon Anderson falls into this class of artist, and we’re quick to admit we’ve been a big fan of his waaaaay before High . . . → Read More: Review: The Aliens : Astronomy for Dogs

Review: The Appearance : Lost in Aurora

By Greg Swan, on April 29th, 2007%

The Appearance
Lost in Aurora
Label: Adrenaline Music
Release Date: May 22, 2007

What? Another southern California post-punk band drawing influences from 80s metal, Ska and Punk who are really just ripping off everything else on the radio? Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Oh…you have? Really.

We thought Orange County group the Appearance was one of a kind. After all, SoCal skater punks don’t usually have enough ambition to land a recording deal rife with recycled material, right?

With an initial title of “Are We Not Entertained?” the group is almost begging us to compare them to their modern . . . → Read More: Review: The Appearance : Lost in Aurora

Live Review: Bright Eyes, State Theater, Minneapolis, MN 4/25/07

By Greg Swan, on April 26th, 2007%

Bright Eyes
State Theater, Minneapolis, MN
April 25, 2007

Just 15 days post-Cassadaga release, Bright Eyes returned to Minneapolis’ State Theater and promptly pwned it with an ornate set, live backgroundist and new and old songs that shook the sold-out audience to its soul.

Although stiff and shy at first, Conor Oberst needed a mic change and glass of tequila to loosen up — sharing at one point, “Minneapolis is one of my favorite cities…and I’m not just saying that. We played here awhile back, and I always had good memories about it.”

The group’s last stop in town . . . → Read More: Live Review: Bright Eyes, State Theater, Minneapolis, MN 4/25/07

Perfect Porridge at Culture Bully's "Twin Personas"

By Greg Swan, on April 25th, 2007%

Check out Culture Bully’s latest installment of Twin Personas — pitting two Minneapolis music addicts together and forcing them to answer questions while staring down the barrel of a 9 mm. That Chris DeLine is a force to be reckoned with!

This round is moi at Perfect Porridge throwing down some local music smack talk with Toby Cryns over at Lunch of Champions. Here’s the link.

Check out past iterations of Twin Personas here, here . . . → Read More: Perfect Porridge at Culture Bully's "Twin Personas"

The White Stripes release single "Icky Thump" Thursday

By Greg Swan, on April 24th, 2007%

The White Stripes‘ first single, ‘Icky Thump’, will be available exclusively online through the iTunes music stores (US and Canada only) starting at 12:01 am this Thursday, April 26th.

Third Man Records/XL Recordings will also be releasing CD and vinyl versions of the ‘Icky Thump’ single on June 11th in the UK.

Formats and track listings:

White vinyl 7″ (companion to the NME distributed record that will be given away with copies of the magazine on stands June 6th)

A. Icky Thump

B. Etching (no audio)

Standard 7″

A. Icky Thump

B. Baby Brother

CD single

1. Icky Thump

2. Catch Hell Blues

The group will release their sixth album, Icky Thump, on . . . → Read More: The White Stripes release single "Icky Thump" Thursday

Interview with: The Kaiser Chiefs

By Greg Swan, on April 24th, 2007%

This afternoon Perfect Porridge had the chance to chat with Kaiser Chiefs’ bassist Simon Rix before their show in Canada tonight.

Regardless of the buzz from their new disc (Yours Truly Angry Mob), sold-out arena shows in Europe and a growing fan base, these guys suddenly found themselves playing a restaurant in downtown Minneapolis this week.

Perfect Porridge: Where are you right now? Canada?
Simon Rix: In Vancouver at my hotel, actually getting ready to head out for our show at the Commodore.

So your last show was here in Minneapolis Saturday night. We thought the set was unbelievably energetic . . . → Read More: Interview with: The Kaiser Chiefs

All Smiles : Ten Readings of a Warning

By Greg Swan, on April 24th, 2007%

All Smiles
Ten Readings of a Warning
Label: Dangerbird Records
Release Date: April 24, 2007

Remember when you heard that Grandaddy was going away? If you were like us, you refused to accept Just Like the Fambly Cat would never have its tour and that the thousands of new bandwagon Modest Mouse fans would never have the pleasure of discovering and ruining one of our favorite bands.

But little did we know the members of Grandaddy wouldn’t just hang up their guitar picks and bask in their Clear Channel-hating past, and it seems former acoustic guitarist Jim Fairchild has an early lead on . . . → Read More: All Smiles : Ten Readings of a Warning

Cornelius : Sensuous

By Greg Swan, on April 23rd, 2007%

Cornelius
Sensuous
Label: Everloving
Release Date: April 24, 2007

Japanese pop-noise savant Cornelius is perhaps too smart, too talented to waste his time writing complete songs. But that shouldn’t stop you from paying attention to his new album.

A marriage of Buffalo Daughter and the Lonely Pigeon, Sensuous features bits of songs, fragments of musical thoughts, American and Japanese instruments, guitar funk and dreamy synth all meld together in a geisha lullaby surprise.

One thing’s for sure, this guy is either a genius or we’re all idiots for trying to follow this . . . → Read More: Cornelius : Sensuous