Berkeley Place

I’m so psyched to post this boot. It’s from a July 30, 1995, show by Mark Lanegan, but his band is incredible: Mike Johnson and J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr play the acoustic guitars; fellow former-Screaming Tree-er Barrett Martin kicks it on the upright bass; Dave Krueger bows the violin; and Dan Peters, from Mudhoney, beats the skins. The band was opening for Johnny Cash, which personally I find odd. Anyway, here’s the tunes. Hope you all enjoy!

01 The River Rise-Mark Lanegan

02 House A Home-Mark Lanegan

03 Ugly Sunday-Mark Lanegan

04 The Winding Sheet-Mark Lanegan

05 Undertow-Mark Lanegan

Revised: Alternative link. Undertow-Mark Lanegan

06 She’s Not For You (Willie Nelson cover)-Mark Lanegan

07 Mockingbirds-Mark Lanegan

08 Go Your Way My Love (Ann Briggs)-Mark Lanegan

Period.

The Features sent me their new EP, Contrast, along with a large collection of photocopied press clippings. They didn’t need all the hype. I’ve been in love with this band since I heard the first cymbal crashes in “Blow It Out,” one of the highest played songs in my iPod and one of the greatest singles of ’05. The band makes perfect indie pop: Harmony, hooks, sunny vocals . . . If you’re happy and you know it, you must be listening to The Features.

Contrast is more of the same. Flawless rock and roll suitable for clubs and arenas alike. It doesn’t get any better than this. Note to the band: If you spit, cough, hock a loogie, or fart into a microphone, I wanna hear it. I’ll post anything you send me, as long as you keep pumping out real shit like this. Awesome.

Readers, hop to e-music and cop Contrast. Or go to their site to get it. I don’t care how you go, but go, now!

Commotion-The Features

And go here to see some live videos of the band.

And now for something completely different . . .

Califone at The Pilot Light – Knoxville, TN
11/15/2006
Califone make amazing experimental alt-country music.  You must taste it.
01 Fisherman’s Wife-Califone
02 Michigan Girls-Califone
03 The Orchids-Califone
04 Slow Right Hand-Califone
05 The Eye You Lost in the Crusades-Califone
06 Our Kitten Sees Ghosts-Califone
07 When Leon Spinks Moved into Town-Califone
08 Two Sisters Drunk on Each Other-Califone
09 3 Legged Animals-Califone
10 Spider’s House-Califone
11 Rose Petal Ear-Califone

Here’s a blast from the past, the first release from J-Live, an extraordinary but little-known (and even less recognized) gangsta backpacker. It took J 4 years (1995-1999) to create “The Best Part,” but he used that time wisely. Not only did he craft razor-sharp rhymes, tight, all meat and no filler, but he scored multiple producers including legends like Prince Paul, DJ Premier, and Pete Rock, and underground faves like 88 Keys and DJ Spinna. The album wasn’t released until ’01, when it leaked, because the label he was signed to was bought out by Germans. (Incidentally, I have a relative who also lost their job during that WEA buyout of the great London Records. But I’m not the leaker!)

Ultimately, it landed with Triple Threat Productions, and we’re all the better for it. Do yourself a favor and go score it from e-music or wherever else you can.

I think it’s out of print.

Wax Paper-J Live (Produced by Prince Paul)

Yes!-J Live

BONUS:

BRIMSTONE HOWL “GUTS OF STEEL”

More garage band hooks. More scuzz guitar. More yelling. More bluesy riffs. Y’all know what I like.

Brimstone Howl have toured with the Black Lips, Radio Moscow, and the Black Keys. Speaking of the Keys, the new BS single is a product of Dan “The Black Keys” Auerbach.

Word.

Brimstone Howl-Bad Seed.

From a 9.10.03 show. Just because I can.

Stand By Me (Ben E King cover) w/the Bear & Rachel Yamagata-Damien Rice

Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen cover)-Damien Rice

PUrple Haze (Hendrix)-Damien Rice

Chicago’sBaby Teeth have released their full-length, “The Simp,” hot on the heels of their fantastic EP, “We Live Here.” On the EP, the band played a wide variety of styles and genres, running the gamut from Johanna Newsome through Liz Phair and playing with other great Chicago-ans like Bobby Conn and Kelly Hogan.

On their album, the band stays true to their eclectic and wide-ranging tastes and abilities. Although, I must say, the lead vocals sound remarkably close to old Elton John. Not country Elton, but pre-“I’m Still Standing” Elton. When he was still good. Taste the wine jumps through Fleetwood Mac’s hoops and lands squarely in the category of oddball 1973-75 rock. Back then, music was turning away from the heavy blues-based guitar c—k rock of bands like Led Zep as well as the folky styles of Richie Havens. And straight-up Chuck Berry riffs were a thing of the past. Dylan had already picked up an electric guitar, and folks were trying to merge everything together without turning into AM light rock. Baby Teeth sound as if they sprang forward from that era, making songs that could sound at home on a Moby Grape record or even as the soundcheck for a Lou Reed concert.

It’s not easy to listen to. The music and vocals are demanding, and sometimes even grating, but always intentionally so. You wouldn’t want to go to a Baby Teeth show for background music, for example. You’d want to pay attention. The album never stops throwing surprises and new sounds at you. You’ve got the Diaghalev Was Right, which begins as a punky scream fest, crosses a carnival bridge complete with siren whistle (like something off a Country Joe and the Fish album), and then returns to a rootsy, White Striped conclusion. But then Prove It On the Stage comes in with a rock violin and a super-tight rhythm section, and you’re lost again in some uncategorical whirlwind.

Great stuff. Check it out.

Diaghalev Was Right-Baby Teeth

Prove It On The Stage-Baby Teeth

BONUS LINKS:

Hear Rock City has Uncle Tupelo’s Last Gig Ever. Whaddya think, guys, should I do an Uncle Tupelo A to Z?