Red Wanting Blue “These Magnificent Miles”

The latest release from Columbus-based Red Wanting Blue, “These Magnificent Miles,” is like a visit from a old friend who brings along a friend of his you met once or twice before, you can’t quite recall. 

The old friend, of course, would be the four songs featured on their 2006 live CD/DVD  “The Warehouse Sessions” which featured our the recorded versions “You Are My Las Vegas,” “Where You Wanna Go,” “Finger In The Air” and “Space Time.”

The new guy is the other nine tracks on “These Magnificent Miles,” most of which have been played live in the two years since the release of” The Warehouse Sessions.” At first, it’s slightly strange, but after a few listens, you realize the new guy … he’s gonna be a friend for a long time, too.

Opening up with “Gravity” is a great way to go. I love when an CD takes you for a journey, right from the start.  The lyrics in this song show the range of Scott Terry’s gift of taking everything into the fold, painting a great set of images, and then letting you go off to visit. My favorite is the second verse:

“And I would vandalize outer space
Remake out constellations to spell our names
Like when we used to carve our names in the bark
Or write upon the windshield fog in the car
Sign autographs with sparklers in the dark
We’ll make graffiti out of stars.”

Great visuals, great lyrical structure, and the band behind him … just nails it.

While “Gravity” is the first outer-space themed song, it’s not the only. “The World Is Over” and “Space Time” also call out to the void, as does the bonus track at the end of “The Band” called “I Don’t Wanna Hear It.”  While it’s noticeable, it’s not overbearing.  In fact, “The World Is Over” briefly skims the topic in one of those upbeat “we’re all gonna die” songs with a great chorus that will have you singing along:

 ”So beat that drum
Til we run out all of the air in our lungs
And kiss goodbye to lovers that we’ve loved
We can’t take them with us
The world is over”

despite the fact we’re screwed by various ways we all could die, such as hurricanes, tidal waves, UFO’s and weapons of mass destruction.

As for the rest of the release, “Where You Wanna Go,” “The Air I Breathe,” “Probably Nothing” and “The Band” show Terry’s romantic side; “Red Ryder” and the bonus song (“Caveman” maybe?) his nostalgic; and “You Are My Las Vegas.” “New Cool,” “U.S. Bumper Sticker” and “The World Is Over” show the playfulness.

The more time I spend with this CD, the more I realize how the change in personnel has allowed a new sound to come out of Red Wanting Blue. Drummer Mark Stepro left to tour the world with Ben Kweller; and guitarist John Kengla to tour the five boroughs of New York. Eddie Davis and Eric Hall, Jr., respectively, bring a slightly smoother and noticeably different sound noticed most on “Finger In The Air” where the guitar parts are very smooth and add much to the lyrics.

“These Magnificent Miles” is a well-rounded collection highlighting the band’s maturity, growth and the fun they have playing their music. That’s obvious at any live show, but hard to capture, even on live albums.

Red Wanting Blue’s tour kicks off on August 28th … for tour dates visit them on Myspace.  They’ll be playing The Lazy Chameleon in Powell on Saturday, August 30^th.  

Track List for These Magnificent Miles (click to order direct from the band):

01 Gravity
02 You Are My Las Vegas
03 Where You Wanna Go
04 The World Is Over
05 Finger In The Air
06 Red Ryder
07 The Air I Breathe
08 New Cool
09 Probably Nothing
10 U.S. Bumper Sticker
11 Space Time
12 The Band
13 I Don’t Wanna Hear It

 

Oh My Damn… Two Cow Garage’s New Album …

Fucking. Amazing.

The world is not ready for this. I have the songs. Unmastered. And in no particular order.

Two words sum the whole 45 minutes up:

Fucking. Amazing.

I loved “Three” like it was my own. “Speaking In Cursive” is ten times better than “Three” … and that’s the truth.

It. Is. Fucking. Amazing.

September 30, 2008. You will realize the genius that is Micah, Shane, Chris, Andy & Cody.

Ryan Smith “I Just Want To Feel That Way”

Ryan Smith’s new EP, “I Just Want To Feel That Way” is a bit darker in lyrical content, a bit more experimental in sound, a big stretch from the singer/songwriter/acoustic guitar he’s often associated with, and in quite heavy rotation on my iPod these days. It also could be the best six Paul Westerberg songs that Paul Westerberg neither wrote nor recorded. That’s a huge compliment (If you just said “Who?” just stop reading now and Google the genius that is Paul Westerberg, The Replacements, and head out and purchase his amazing solo work. Now. Really. Google. Now.).

Ryan’s previous release, “Neil Avenue,” is a long-time favorite, and as anyone who knows me knows the in-between single release “Girls With The Glasses” knows that so could be my life story.

But with “I Just want To Feel That Way” Ryan shows he has grown as a songwriter, and musician, and is able to comfortably move away from the single six-string and incorporate multi-instrumental mixing, layering, and tracking, along with some noise and sound effects that really add to the darker lyrical context here.

Song by song breakdown:

1. Good Intentions Where do go now from this place? Straight into a great track with a wonderful mix of instruments, all layered right and mixed well. It’s the track that sets the tone for the album.

2. This Is Not A Tragedy A guitar heavy track (both acoustic and electric) that tells the abstract tales of “a bad bad thing” that turns out to be a blessing, to someone involved.

3. Santa Cruz This is perhaps my favorite song on the EP, a collection of urban legends, broken hearts, disappointment and hypocricy pulled together on a piano backbone with some wicked guitar licks in between verses.

“Just a few hours ago my bride-to-be
Told me she didn’t know me that well.
Now she’s on a bus to Boston
I’m doin’ alright in Hell.
You ain’t heard the worst of it yet.
There’s a part I regret.”

4. A Few Hundred Miles Another lost love song that opens with the line “Won’t you come back from Kentucky, tell me that you love me, and I’ll stop lying about your death.” Toss in bus tickets, a new man, a ring and a lost wedding invitation … it just gets better!

5. I Just Want To Feel That Way A very great tune that really drove home the Paul Westerberg reference. There’s nothing better than a great missing you and how you made me feel song. Paul Westerberg made a solo career out of (think “Love Untold” or “Lookin’ Out Forever”)

6. Following The Ambulance Home Death comes early here, leaving the narrator to question his own life, wonder about his death, and everything that surrounds and intertwines both. Great use of sound effects, violin and questioning everything.

You can buy this from iTunes, amazon and rhapsody … it’s well worth the $6.

Ryan Smith on Myspace

Aaron Tasjan “Hard Love and Free Luck”

“And maybe this ain’t no surprise…”
~ Aaron Lee Tasjan, Lil’ Firecracker

No, it’s not really a surprise I enjoy Hard Love and Free Luck, the latest CD from Brooklyn-based Aaron Lee Tasjan. I’m a huge fan of Aaron’s lyrics, and guitar work, and have been since I first saw Autumn Under Echoes in September 2005, a few months before he packed up and moved from Columbus to the city that never sleeps.

What is surprising is how often I find myself listening to this album.

Aaron handed me a CDR of the untitled demos one night at Andyman’s Treehouse in August 2007. Fourteen songs, roughly mixed, fresh from the board. And while they were as yet unmastered, they were masterful.

All the hooks, both lyrically and musically; great stories told in the songs, some of which were live favorites put to a full arrangement; other new songs I’d not heard before. The night I got it, a friend and I sat in the car, in the observation parking lot at the Columbus Airport watching planes land listening to the tunes. For months, I walked around listening to these songs on my iPod, laptop at work, in the car and played them for just about anyone who would listen.

Eight months later I was handed the finished, retail product. And was again amazed at how amazing these songs are. The album features a great mix of acoustic and electric guitar; well done harmonica spots (Lil’ Firecracker, In My Hands) and a solid steady drums provided by Ramblin Rob Heath and Mark Stepro; and bass from former Bob Dylan bassist Tony Garnier and the mega-talented Catherine Popper (who’s played with Ryan Adams and Jen Glass).

Tasjan is an amazingly skilled guitarist., that’s not debatable. However, he stepped away and let Rich Hinman and John Kengla (Red Wanting Blue) do some additional guitar and pedal steel guitar work; and added Bruce Brody (U2, Patty Smith Group) on organ. Those musicians allowed Tasjan, in my opinion. to relax and concentrate on the vocals. That’s where this album really grabs you. The words, the stories, just flow smoothly over the amazing music.

Recorded in Astoria, New York, by Kieran Kelly with assistance from Adam Block from Sony BMG and John Angello, who’s worked with Son Volt, Dinosaur Jr and The Hold Steady, this is without a doubt my favorite album of 2008. The lyrics, music, delivery, production and recording are top notch. If you’re a fan of great American music, this is not to be missed.

Must Have:

“Lil’ Firecracker” • “Bedroom Door” • “Streets of Galilee” • “Hollywood Wives”

Skip: None.

MIA from the demos: “Johnny Darke, The Medicine Man.” One of those story/songs that I just found fun to listen to. A throwback to the great 70’s singer-songwriter story tellers.

Song by song breakdown:

1. Lil’ Firecracker – This tune kicks the CD off with a great piece of American music. Ramblin’ Rob’s drums leading to harmonica, and pedal steel and acoustic guitar with love-song lyrics for a love neither returned nor appreciated. “And the freaks and the hopeless always know a good song.”

2. Bedroom Door – A long-time live favorite; a throwback to those crazy teen-aged years of trying to find a place to get drunk and make out with your ex when you’re both home for the holidays … and really, wasn’t that what most of us were looking for in those formative years? Kengla’s electric guitar work here with the slide is such a nice mix with Aaron’s acoustic plucking.

3. Sweet Angel – A nice sweet song about falling in love on the other side of the tracks … “Record needle in my vein / I feel charmed / I haven’t bathed / And I wanna start a family with you / I’m in the street / I’m in the grave / I’m not settled / I’m on my way / And I know how to sing those cocaine blues” … Rich Hinman’s guitars and Diehl’s piano are amazing.

4. Streets of Galilee – Another long-time solo favorite that is recorded perfectly here as a solo acoustic track. And a great set of lyrics … “But if you wanna feel the holy ghost then join the band and burn your clothes / The last great hope for rock ‘n’ roll ain’t some barbie doll on a stripper pole / And I know every word to your first CD.” Slowing down the bridge really hits the point, lyrically.

5. In My Hands – has a very unique lyrical pattern … there’s only line that’s not three words long … it has two. That rhythm keeps the feet tapping and the music just compliments the lyrics.

6. You Ain’t Never Gonna Dance Like Me – A “Great Balls of Fire” type tune sure to get some feet moving across the floor featuring some great piano from Aaron Diehl and some of Rambin’ Rob finest beats.

7. Hollywood Wives – Perhaps my favorite song on the CD. I love the acoustic intro, the band pickup, the way you can’t tell if it’s a story about living above your means, living with a porn star or being the fake husband of an older lesbian actress …

“When they film you look so bad
Your make up runs but you’re all I have
I love you for your money dear
Pearl earrings out from every tear
When we kiss it’s just for show
Til it breaks my heart when you have to go
Your fur coat and your heroin
Your lipstick and your favorite sin”

This is one of two songs I always play for anyone I’m trying to make a fan … along with Lil’ Firecracker … which became my daughter’s favorite song and prompted her to ask me if Aaron is a professional harmonica player.

8. Queen of the Midnight Train – I like this song for lots of diverse reasons. I identify with it, I have those feelings of lost love and regret and uncertainty and those heart flutters when you see her again … Heath and Popper set a great rhythm, Brody’s organ is so silent it’s barely noticable unless you’re listening, and keeps a nice bed behind it all.

9. Valentine – Nice piano work here by Aaron. This is a great contrast and compare of a good girl and a bad boy in love … and crisis. “And I can’t seem to get you off my mind / But you can be my holy roller/ I would be your valentine” … another classic story song here that just goes with the music to make a complete package. RIch Hinman, again, on the guitar just shines.

10. Ohio, My Dear – A nice solo acoustic album-ender that’s both a tribute and nostaligic look back to growing up in Ohio … featuring quiet shout-outs to freight trains, friends, shopping malls and tanning beds, harvest parades, and ice cream shops.

Aaron has Hollywood Wives, Lil’ Firecracker, Streets of Galilee and Never Gonna Dance Like Me streaming on his Myspace page, as well as a link to purchase the CD.

You can catch Aaron live on his summer tour (dates) and grab the lyrics from his website, atrocks.net

JACOMB’s Top 2007 Albums

1. Semi Precious Weapons – We Love You From the first time I saw this band I knew this album would rock. Produced by legend Tony Visconti (google and be amazed) and featuring 10 amazing tracks, this is an album that has been on repeat in my iTunes collection since I first got the demos in August and September. My complete review is here. This is a band best experienced live, but this CD is fantastic and rockin’. Favs: Genius • Rock n Roll • Taste • Time Zones

2. Two Cow Garage – Three I got the unmastered version of this album in February from bassist/vocalist Shane Sweeney and listened to it five or six times driving home that night. It instantly became the most listened to album for about six months and has more plays than any other album released in 2007 in my iTunes list. It is in my top 100 all time albums for many reasons. My complete review is here. Favs: Should’ve California • Epitaph • ‘88 Camaro

3. David Ford – Songs For The Road I saw David Ford in 2006 when he opened for Gomez. I was blown away by the man. The sound, the lyrics, presentation and performance. His debut album was #1 on my 2006 list and had me waiting for the songs NOT on that album to be released on the follow-up. If not for Two Cow and SPW, he’d be higher on this list as well. There are very few songwriters who can craft a song like he can. Favs: Train • I’m Alright Now • St. Peter • Go To Hell

4. Saving Jane – One Girl Revolution Like David Ford, Marti Dodson and the band deliver another album of amazing music. No humps here, just hooks. Amazing lyrics. And the title track should be required listening for women who aren’t paper-thing, perfect 10 hollywood illusions. I love a woman in the music industry who tells it like it is. And her evil laugh in “Loser” is genius. Favs: What I Didn’t Say • Loser • Say Please

5. Scott Blasey – Travelin’ On The vocalist for the Clarks has dropped a great solo disk. Any fan of lyrics and stories will love the tales told on “Travelin’ On” … and his blog on myspace is some of the best reading you can do about a life lived in everyday adventures. “Church of the Open Highway” is a haunting tale of woe that can drift by you if you’re not paying attention to the words. Favs: Time to Go (Piano Mix) • Travelin’ On • Little Sofia

6. Chantal Kreviazuk – Ghost Stories Yeah, I know. Canadian. Singer-Songwriter. And despite the album cover, still a redhead.  Every time she releases a CD it’s on my list … because she can flat out sing, regardless of the RHCSS. I can’t help it. CD101 ruined me the first time I heard “Surrounded” back in 1997 when I moved to Newark. I called Andyman, got her name, and bought the CD. Favs: Ghosts of You • Wonderful • All I Can Do

7. The Whiles – Sleepers Wake The very first song I ever had on MySpace was “Lonesome Reply” by The Whiles. This new album shows the growth of the band as musicians and Joe as a songwriter. I like the quiet ambient pop that roars as the songs go on.  This CD is lots of fun to put on and go about your day, shopping, driving, working, or just relaxing at home. “Sleepers Wake” is comfort food for my ears. Favs: Songs We Used to Know • Falling Stars • From Chaos

8. Grammar Debate! – Cheetah vs Helicopter I rarely take recommendations from people on what to listen to, so I was quite surprised with this band. Then again, the friend that told me about them – is undefeated. Fun Alt-Rock from a Philly-based band not afraid to be funny and serious and avoid the cliches of indie rock – both in word and in riff. Favs: Love is in Love • I Stab Myself to Sleep • Believe It Away

9. A Fine Frenzy – One Cell in the Sea Yeah, I know. But she’s not Canadian. She is, however, a great singer. And writes some catchy songs. I’m not a big fan of popular stuff but she has that catchy sound I like to listen to and let go of my snobbishness sometimes. Good mix of fun songs, love songs and love gone wrong songs make this a pop CD I like listening to, and makes for a good CD to have in the car for date night. Favs: Come On Come Out • Think of You • Almost Lover

10. Mika – Life in Cartoon Motion I’ll admit the funky cover of this CD caught my attention at the library. But the music has been caught in my brain. I love this album in a way that kinda bothers me cause it’s really really really catchy brit-pop. Really. And dude sounds like he’s channeling Freddy Mercury in several locations on the CD. Favs: Grace Kelly • Big Girl (You Are Beautiful) • My Interpretation

11-20 is just a list …

11 – Ryan Adams – Easy Tiger

12 – Feist – The Reminder

13 – Blonde Redhead – 23

14 – Megan Palmer – Take You Away

15 – Paula Cole – Courage

16 – Dolores O’Riordan – Are You Listening?

17 – Brandi Carlile – Story Book

18 – Son Volt – The Search

19 – Fratellis – Costello Music

20 – Mary Chapin Carpenter - The Calling

Albums I’m looking forward to in 2008:

• Aaron Tasjan – “Hard Love and Free Luck” I have the rough demos and this album is amazing. And on top of the stellar lyrics, hooks and impressive line up of musicians who play on this CD, Aaron also happens to my daughter’s favorite professional harmonica player.
• Kathleen Edwards – “Asking for Flowers” ( March 4, 2008 ) …. mmmm …. redhead. Canadian. Singer-Songwriter. And I love her first two albums. Heavy rotation, all the time.
• Bob Mould – “District Line” ( Feb. 2, 2008 ) One of the top musical highlights of my life since the day I discovered Husker Du in 9th grade. And he’s a hell of a nice guy. And his blog is genius.
• Julia Fordham – “China Blue” …. mmmm …. blonde. English. Singer-Songwriter. (and you all think I am fixated on redheds from Canada!)
• Marah – “Angels of Destruction”

and new as-of-yet unnamed albums from Two Cow Garage, Red Wanting Blue and Quinn Fallon.

Questioning The Critics

Like that’s new, eh?

So in getting ready to list my favorite albums of 2007, I take the time to peruse what others are listening to … and being me, I hit the cool hipster indie websites.

And every single one of them is singing the praises of “Boxer” by The National and “In Rainbows” by Radiohead.

So I gave them both a two-week listen. And now, after two weeks, I don’t get it.

Let’s start with Radiohead. They made history by making it available for whatever you felt like paying, initially, to download it. And I’m sure a lot of people did. I’m an old school Radiohead fan. “Pablo Honey” is one of my top 10 albums of the 1990’s. And “The Bends” and “Kid A” are decent pieces of work, too.

However, “In Rainbows” just doesn’t rock like I like my Radiohead to rock. It’s trippy, it’s mellow and heavy in points, but really, for me, and as always, your mileage may vary, too mellow. I think they must have forgot that anyone can play guitar – cause there’s very little of it on this album.

Now for The Natural. Really, it’s not bad. However, it’s not good, either. Musically, it’s very enjoying. Very mellow and melodic and even engaging. And the lyrics are decent.

But Matt Berninger’s voice never changes. It kinda drones on in the same tone. For forty-four minutes.

Every. Single. Song. Is. In. The. Same. Tone.

See how hard that line was to read? That’s how hard this album becomes to listen to as the songs flow from one to another. As I said, it’s not bad, but it’s not an album to listen to often, or on repeat. It’s nothing I’ll ever have in heavy rotation start-to-finish, as my albums of the year list encompasses, but will be a nice “oh yeah” when it hits in the shuffle mode.

So “Boxer” won’t be on my list … neither will “Sky Blue Sky” by Wilco, because as I said at the time of my review, it’s not an album I’ll listen to. I like the songs, but not the album.

And that’s how I judge my “Albums of the Year” list – the whole album. As presented by the artist.

Two More Questions Before You Cave In

New Son Volt album? New Wilco album? Two more questions. For most, both is the answer. For me, there really is no choice.

I have both. (yeah, I know, Wilco “Sky Blue Sky” doesn’t come out until May 15th, where you shop. I have my sources. That’s all I’m saying. No, you can’t have a copy, don’t ask, any of you.)

I’ve listened to both. I’m currently on run three through “Sky Blue Sky” … which I got today. “The Search” I nabbed when it came out last week (yeah, I buy CD’s. Shut up.) I’ve heard it about a dozen times.

My verdict:

The new Son Volt album fucking blows the doors of the Wilco album.

Again, this is only my opinion. Which really means nothing, but I give it anyway. Your mileage may vary.

Lyrically, Jeff Tweedy is superior to Jay Farrar, still. But really, musically, I can’t get behind “Sky Blue Sky” … there are a couple of songs that might stay in the iTunes playlist. With a few other Wilco gems. But I listen to entire Son Volt albums. I’m an album-kinda guy. And “Sky Blue Sky” is weak. It’s hard to listen to because it’s all over the place. It’s not cohesive. At all.

“The Search” from Son Volt … much much much better to listen to from start to finish. It’s consistent, it delivers. Rock. From the start to the finish.

“Sky Blue Sky” jumps all over the place. And the music is so … well … meh … that it makes the lyrics not all that enjoyable. Which is why presentation does sometimes trump content.

So … April 19th, Mr. Smalls, in Pittsburgh – time for some Son Volt.

Two Cow Garage “Three”

Two Cow Garage – “III”

 

So in the last two days, I’ve spent a lot of time listening to “III” … the new album from Two Cow Garage. It comes out on April 24, 2007. Two Cow Garage bassist/vocalist Shane Sweeney gave me a copy of the unmastered tracks at the Tim Easton concert in Columbus on Wednesday.

Don’t let the addition of a horn section for one song and some kick-ass piano/keyboard work in other tracks fool you – this is still all the face-melting rock you expect from Two Cow Garage … and this album is AMAZING.

(For the record, one of my favorite albums ever is Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run (1975) for the amazing use of piano in a rock record. “Now I Know” from the new Tow Cow Garage album follows that formula – amazing use of piano – while at the same time, reminding me a lot of a vastly different Springsteen song – “Open All Night” from 1982’s Nebraska.)

I’ve seen Two Cow Garage rock out a few times (the words are here and the photos are here) … “The Great Gravitron Massacre“ and “‘88 Camero” and “Camo Jacket” (you’ll recognize the ‘I don’t want to but I will’ lines from any live show) have been live favorites of mine … I’m glad to see them finally released out to the public in awesome studio versions.

And I’ll be honest, I was totally looking forward to having a studio version of “The Great Gravitron Massacre” … na na na na na na na … so I was certain that would be my favorite song on the CD.

It’s third.

A distant third.

For the record – second is “‘88 Camero” …

“Park the car, kill the engine and the headlights
We can talk until it feels right if my hands can wait that long
In the backseat of that ‘88 Camero
With The Who on the radio
We won’t get fooled again.”

What stands out most to me, though, thematically, throughout the album, is that the cracks of being a hard-rocking, hard-working, much-traveled indie rock band are creeping into the songwriting … most noticeable in “No Shame,” and “Epitaph.” If you know the band, the foursome that pours it out on stages all over the country, you can understand it. And hopefully appreciate the frustration.

But the highlight of the album, for me, and my favorite song on the CD (and creeping into my all-time favorites, ever,) is “Should’ve California.”

DAMN.

This song just absolutely blew me away.

On my first listen through the disc, I repeated that song four or five times before moving on to the next track. “Should’ve California” is a simple song musically, with simple lyrics that hit like fucking bomb.

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt what that song made me feel – that connection to the songwriter and what he’s feeling. That’s my number one requirement for music I want to listen to over and over. I want songwriters to write songs where I can feel what you feel.

And there’s no doubting that in this track. This is the second verse:

“I think I should’ve moved west, like my brother
Southern California could have been good to me
I shouldn’t be wasting all of my time
In these basement bars with this rock and roll band
I should’ve been smarter
I should’ve been stronger
I should’ve been you.”

Outside of that entire lyrical set of “Should’ve California” … my three favorite lines on this CD are as follows:

“My friends will say it’s something that I need to endure.
But endurance ain’t a lesson it’s a terminal bore.”
(“Now I Know“)

“I don’t want your forgiveness, or your infinite patience.
I’ve tried my damnedest, guess i’ll try mediocre instead.”
(“Mediocre“)

Thanks for asking but things have never been worse.”
(“No Shame“)

“III” from Two Cow Garage arrives in stores on April 24th. Here’s the complete track list:

01. Come Back To Shelby
02. Epitath
03. No Shame
04. The Great Gravitron Massacre
05. Now I Know
06. Should’ve California
07. Camo Jacket
08. Mediocre
09. ‘88 Camero
10. Gape and Shudder
11. Blanket Gray
12. Arson
13. Postcards and Apologies

Remember – April 24th. Buy it.

Love it.

And when Two Cow Garage comes to your town, get out there and support them.

And all local and traveling musicians.