Week 06: Feb 12- Feb 19, 2013

+ Happenings in Jack Whiteville: Owner of Third Man Records and being a clear vinyl connoisseur JW was named Record Store Day Ambassador for 2013. The superhuman, White, has also partnered with Nashvilles Belcourt Theatre for a monthly film series called 'Light and Sound Machine'.

+Gaslight Anthems 'Every Word Handwritten'  is a 15 minute short that is ultimately based on the lifespan of a record and the effect it can have on generations. Interesting? We'll see.

+ Rilo Kiley is releasing a special album this year, 'RKives'. The album is said to feature past B-sides, demos, and other gems unheard by the public. This week RK released a somewhat sweet and dreamy "Let Me Back In"

+ Prince releases a new track 'That Girl Thang'. The track strays from the flamboyant singers usual style, being acoustic. He does however stay true to his signature high, androgynous vocals.

+ A project requiring the use of 170 musicians, Beck has completed his rendition of David Bowie's 'Sound and Vision'. The finished product is BEYOND awesome. Extremely well done. It is my current favorite thing. If I do anything for you, reader, let it be me showing you this video. Click on the link! Don't be shy.

+ Tame Impala made their TV debut back in 2011 on Fallon and return to the set this week. The Aussie outfit is so unfazed and so wonderful; Elephant.

+ So, Michael Jacksons son, Prince, becomes a celebrity journalist on Entertainment Tonight? Irony, I think so.

+ Phoenix debut 'Entertainment' which will appear on their album set to be released April 23rd titled Bankrupt. The band has also released the album art work. Think, peaches.

+ VIDEOS: Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake release video for 'Suit and Tie' and the world continues to talk about and love 'Mirrors'. Suit and Tie is as classy as JT's new persona. So happy to have JT back. Passion Pit cast a crazy/beautiful Sophia Bush in their latest music video for 'Carried Away'. Lana Del Rey keeps up her diva, sultry songstress character in 'Burning Desire'. Yeah Yeah Yeahs give teaser to new track 'Always' that will appear on their album 'Mosquito'. Canada's west coast wonders, Yukon Blonde, release their video for 'Guns'.

+ Word on the street is that Black Sabbath is hanging up their regular heavy metal style for a blues album on their LP set to be released this year.

+ JUNO Awards nominees are announced!! And The Sheepdogs are up for a slew of awards. I was also happy to see that Yukon Blonde was nominated as well as Grimes and Bahamas! For the Americans reading this.. it's the Grammys in Canada for Canada and with much less sparkle.

+ The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival line-up has been announced!!! Today Weird Al helped in announcing the line-up in a Bonnaroo Lineup Announcement Megathon. Which just made the fest blow all other festivals out of the water in getting fans hyped up. **

**stay tuned for 'Road to 'Roo 2013' and 'A Peek into 'Roo '13' posts on the blog.

MY TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2012

When the general manager at my work asked that all staff create a list of their ten favorite albums of 2012, I squirmed with excitement. Being an obsessive person, with obsessive person tendencies, this is the type of task that I thrive on.

It took me a long time to narrow the list down to just ten albums. Seriously, where do you start? After considering all of the variables, I think I crafted a pretty stellar list.

10. Foxy Shazam - The Church of Rock and Roll
Though hailing from college radio charts for some time Foxy Shazam had never really piqued my interest before this year. They are an indie glam band that belongs in the 70’s. Foxy Shazam released an album this year called The Church of Rock and Roll which was produced by The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins.

Hawkins influence is extremely noticeable. Not to mention the unparalleled resemblance to Freddy Mercury vocals and David Bowie stylings. The initial song that sparked my interest in the album was ‘I Like It’ with complete thanks to the thick guitar and Robert Plant-esque power vocals.

As a whole The Church of Rock and Roll is a theatrical, glam rock effort best enjoyed loud - maybe in a seedy bar. It’s jaunty, and memorable.

9. Tame Impala - Lonerism
Read this.

8. Gary Clark Jr. - Blak and Blu

Since the release of his EP almost two years ago, and after seeing Gary Clark Jr. live at Lollapalooza I was dying for more. It is a difficult time for the blues. Clark’s raw talent exceeds that of any other up and coming solo blues guitarist right now. Discovered by Eric Clapton and being compared to greats like Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughn, GCJ has a big role to fill.

Blak and Blu portrays his obvious knack for blues style guitar, but the album as a whole can also be described as an R&B album. B&B is full of funk, blues and buttery grit and rhythm. It is clear that Clark is best when left to rip on his guitar though. His playing is down right dirty; all encompassing. And, while tracks like ‘Ain’t Messin’ Around’ are great, his talents are really laid out in ‘Please Come Home’ where we experience Clark’s falsetto which preceeds slick passionate guitar about 1:37 mins into the song.

Gary Clark Jr. is seemingly easy to overlook because of his overall humble demeanor - also not unlike the late great Jimi Hendrix. After taking a closer look it becomes apparent that his talent is unparalleled. Blak and Blu is to be celebrated by any modern day blues worshiper.

7. Yukon Blonde - Tiger Talk
Read this.

6. Bahamas - Barchords
Read this.

5. The Sheepdogs - The Sheepdogs
Read this.

4. Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls
Though a newer band (formed in 2009) Alabama Shakes play like they have been creating together for decades. The Shakes depict a new kind of southern rock/blues/rock soul. Britany Howard, the voice fronting the blues based goodness, has a  soul infused voice that is reminiscent of another time. Her southern soul infusing into Alabama Shakes southern rock band is not unlike the great works of Janis Joplin or Tina Turner.

‘Be Mine’ is probably B&G’s stunner. Howards smoky rasp aside, the rest of the band are able to show off their bluesy guitar knack. The intensity displayed on ‘Be Mine’ is years matured, making it difficult to believe that this is only The Shakes first album.

The howls, tight guitar licks, rootsy take on the blues and soul rock music is not matched to any other group this year. I mean, no other group has Brittany Howard.

3. Jack White - Blunderbuss
In the same fashion the world spread the good word, ‘Clapton is God’, all over England in the 60’s, I wish to share the message ‘Jack White is Genius’. Spread the word. I’ve seen White three times live now - and I’m surprised not more. The first time with the White Stripes, the second with the Dead Weather and the third as a solo act (unfortunately never with the Raconteurs). This man is a genius. I don’t care who wants to dispute this, I won’t listen. It is fact in my mind. The sheer versatility, openness and musical master mind ability that Jack White possess is enough to leave you dumbfounded and hating yourself for not being a better… anything.

Blunderbuss made me nervous. I thought if this isn’t perfect, he’s screwed. Jack White has created a persona for himself, one that I have bought, and if that persona is at all altered in a negative way, he’s shot. Thankfully, Blunderbuss delivers. It is chalk full of inventive garage rock, dabbling with raw blues riffing. Being a multi-instumentalist himself, it is no wonder that the spotlight is shared with varying parts of the Blunderbuss outfit.

White’s Detroit music influence will forever be prevalent. But it is his Nashville impact that shines through on key tracks like ‘Love Interruption’. There are so many layers to Blunderbuss that well represent Jack White. In ways it can be viewed as a folk album, while parts sound country. As a whole it is perfection.

2. Mumford & Sons - Babel
Read this.

1. The Shins - Port of Morrow
Read this.

2012 Album Roundup; Tame Impala (Lonerism)

Tame Impala - Lonerism
 Released: October 9,2012

Musical psychedelia is a strange beast in this day. Artists in varying genres dip their toes into the psychedelic pool. They don a sophomore album with one psychedelia inspired song to have their curiosity quenched, leaving them free to go back to what they know. It is rare that an artist can fully submerge themselves into psychedelia- post 1979 -and be successful. Tame Impala is the God amongst mere men when it comes to psychedelic rock.

Lonerism is the Aussie bands second studio album. What gives Lonerism its ultimate gold star is the fact that it is not merely trying to emulate a sound most prevalent in the 60’s and 70’s, but going further and creating a sound to rival some of the psychedelic greats from the flower power era. Tame Impala digs into the core of psychedelic music and harnesses the “experimental” notion that is accompanied with it. From there, you combine that with their groove rock, dream world melodies and a masterpiece is born.

This album feels reminiscent of the best parts of the Beatles, using similar melodies with an uncanny vocal resemblance to John Lennon. It also has a Jefferson Airplane rock base that ties it all together. Not that this was the bands intention. It would be silly not to make the obvious comparison. The most notable aspect of Lonerism, though, is how Tame Impala adeptly captured the feel of a psychedelic trip. From the initial note there is a sense that the album could go anywhere.

The first track ‘Be Above It’ is clearly the powerhouse of the album and an excellent first song to set the mood for what is to follow. The experimental sounds, musical anarchy, combined with head honcho Kevin Parker’s dreamlike neo-psych voice create a fascinating song. But it’s not all air and whimsy on Lonerism. Tame Impala doesn’t shy away from a solid beat on ‘Elephant’, where the underlying beat line emulates an elephant parade.

Lonerism is predominantly instrumental. Though, it is not overwhelming noticeable that there is so little vocal work. The hooks, rises, and falls make for a fascinating and memorable 52minutes.

Above all Tame Impala created an organic album which forces a person to become fully aware of their senses. Lonerism extends itself to parts of the self generating a full body experience.