Hear This - 12.19.09 - Brand New

Brand New - Fork & Knife (demo)

This is one of my favorite songs from the 9 untitled demos that were leaked to the internet back in January 2006. Although these songs never came out and were essentially scrapped, Brand New has since re-recorded "Fork & Knife" which was released as a non-album single. However, I prefer this rougher demo version of "Fork & Knife".

Hear This - 12.12.09 - Wolfmother

Wolfmother - "Sundial"

From the album "Cosmic Egg" - 2009

Wolfmother's critically acclaimed self titled debut (2005) was one of the greatest rock albums I've heard in a long time.  After hearing that due to "irreconcilable personal and musical differences," only the singer/guitarist, Andrew Stockdale, remained in the band, I honestly did not know what to think when Cosmic Egg was released in October 2009.  Well, despite the band's reorganization, I was truly blown away once again with Wolfmother's ability to successfully blend generes of hard rock, metal, and superior song writing into one powerful album.  Yet another "listen all the way through" worthy release from these Australian native rockers.  "Sundial" (track above) is my one of my favorites off Cosmic Egg and I feel it is a good introduction for new listeners into the raw, energetic, rock power this band possesses.  Enjoy.

Hear This - 12.07.09 - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - "Glue Girls"

 From the album "Pershing" - 2008

I heard this album this summer (2009) and immediately filed it under "Summer CD."  It's got a happy, indie pop vibe to it, despite some of its more morose sounding lyrics; see "I Think I Wanna Die".  Somehow these guys manage to provide the right amount of distortion to make it rock while still hanging onto that mellow indie sound that makes them so unique.  I also dig what they did on their first album, Broom.  I chose "Glue Girls" to share on Tweed because I played this track pretty much every day this summer and found its happy, care free, pop-rock tempo to be quite infectious.  If you like this song I recommend "Boring Fountain" & "Modern Mystery" off of Pershing, and "Oregon Girl" found on Broom.

Hear This - 12.05.09 - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros

From the album "Streetcore" - 2003 (released after Strummer's death)

"The Mescaleros were the backing band for Joe Strummer, formed in 1999, which went on to make three albums prior to Strummer’s death in 2002. Musically, the Mescaleros continued the genre mixing that Strummer was known for during his time with The Clash. Elements of reggae, jazz, funk, hip hop, country, and of course punk rock can be found in the three Mescaleros releases." [Last.fm]

This is just a great album.  Craig Finn of The Hold Steady said it best; "Raise a toast to St. Joe Strummer.  I think he might have been our only decent teacher." 'Nuff said.

Check out:
Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros - Redemption Song

Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros - Coma Girl