popwreckoning

October has been a busy month for singer/pianist Andrew McMahon. The Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin artist has been touring and releasing lots of new material. He just announced a partnership with Stand Up To Cancer by participating in its programming beginning in December 2009. 

The Stand Up To Cancer initiative aims to raise awareness and bring about an understanding that everyone is connected by cancer. The group has raised more than $100 million for cancer research through television events, private and corporate donors, Major League Baseball stadiums, and public donations.

McMahon is also set to release the Dear Jack documentary on Nov. 3, chronicling his personal fight against leukemia. The film is a DVD release, but has screenings in NYC, Chicago and LA. NYC and LA sold out.

In addition to the film, McMahon is releasing an EP titled The Dear Jack EP Nov. 3. It will be available on iTunes and features: “Dear Jack,” “Diane, the Skyscraper,” “There, There Katie,” and “Swim (Music Box).”

A limited-edition “Swim” art book, which includes artwork created by friends and fans of Jack’s Mannequin that became a prominent part of the “Swim” music video will be released on November 3 as well. ”

A portion of the proceeds from these products will go to The Dear Jack Foundation — the non-profit charitable organization dedicated to funding cancer research that McMahon founded in 2006.

Currently, McMahon is on a solo tour in support of Dear Jack.

Jack’s Mannequin: website | myspace | interview 2009 | @ midland theatre | @ sokol underground | interview with pt. 1 | interview with pt. 2

Do you remember when…

Lloyd Dobler lifts a boombox over his head beneath his love Diane Court’s window, pouring his heart out through Peter Gabriel’s timeless hit:

“In your eyes
The light the heat
In your eyes
I am complete
In your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
In your eyes
The resolution of all the fruitless searches…”

Experience the iconic film scene all over again (or even for the first time) when Say Anything 20th Anniversary Edition arrives on Blu-ray Disc and DVD on November 3. Starring John Cusack, Ione Skye and John Mahoney, and with an eclectic soundtrack featuring the classic “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel as well as “Cult of Personality” by Living Colour, “Taste the Pain” by Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Stripped” by Depeche Mode and more, it is a must-have for movie and music lovers alike!

Say Anything 20th Anniversary Edition: amazon

The Main Street Café is a beautiful venue and was the perfect setting for a local show. It’s kind of like a large living room, full of comfortable couches and dim chandelier lights. It really makes the show more personal for fans.

Kevin Hanly opened the night to a slightly empty room, however that didn’t damper his spirits. Hanly was well-dressed in a cardigan with his acoustic guitar.

No need for a backup band with a voice like his. Hanly’s voice is soft and easy to listen to next to the strum of his guitar.

Next, Dylan Pyles gets on stage, with quite a few people crowding the front. Pyles is accompanied by a banjo player which compliments his rough, spoken style of singing.

This solo project, which sometimes includes his friends, has a trace of folk to it.

His singing is somewhat the White Stripes/mewithoutYou-esque. Pyles is interesting and unique, but not something one could listen to for more than a song or so.

After a longer than usual sound check, Flight Design took the stage.

This local Christian band from Blue Springs was entertaining and reacted with the crowd well.

It was hard to pay attention to them after the first two songs. They’re catchy but at the same time sound sort of like every other catchy band.

Despite minor setbacks such as a bad amp and chord, The Only Survivors put on a show.

This indie Lawrence band is made up of five very talented musicians.

Out of all the bands, The Only Survivors had the only females- lead guitarist Stephanie Castor and vocalist Tanya Moore.

After the delays for technical problems, they only had a couple songs left. They rocked those two songs.

The Only Survivors play again at the Granada on Nov. 3 with Evergreen Terrace and I definitely plan to attend. Hopefully this show will turn out better for them.

Headlining the evening was Grizzly J Berry (GJB).

This local Blue Springs band was off the wall crazy, one of the best bands I’ve seen lately.

GJB also had a few technical difficulties; lead guitarist/vocalist Brandon Price broke his guitar strap and a string.

After borrowing a guitar from another band, GJB was at it again.

They’re hard to explain, sort of like their own genre. More like a mix of crazy progressive/experimental/indie rock.

GJB uses lots of effects throughout their entire set, hardly taking a break between songs. They had a guest accordionist, Nathan Kenny, to join them onstage for as well.

I recommend this band to anyone that has the chance to go see them.

Band info:
Kevin Hanly: myspace
Dylan Pyles: myspace
Flight Design: myspace
The Only Survivors: myspace
Grizzly J Bear: myspace

New York City’s alt-rock power trio Yeah Yeah Yeahs sat down with iTunes recently to create an all-new program of music and interview commentary that reflects upon their illustrious nine-year career. The result is ITunes Originals – Yeah Yeah Yeahs, an exclusive  exclusive digital album that features the band performing acoustic reconstructions of YYY’s fan favorites “Our Time” (from a self-titled 2002 EP), the breakthrough single “Maps” (from their 2003 debut Fever to Tell), and several songs from their most recent album It’s Blitz: the showstopper “Hysteric,” “Dull Life,” and “Runaway.” The album also includes studio versions of “Y Control,” “Gold Lion,” “Cheated Hearts,” “Down Boy,” and “Heads Will Roll.”

In addition, fans are treated to interviews with singer Karen O., guitarist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase, as they reflect on and deconstruct the past nine years of their career, revealing the inspirations and fascinating stories behind their songs.

Tracklisting:
It’s the Year to Be Hated (Interview)
Our Time (iTunes Originals Version
A Love Song In the Truest Sense (Interview)
Maps (iTunes Originals Version
Conga Line Around a Dead Dog (Interview)
Y Control
The Studio As Laboratory (Interview)
Gold Lion
Back from the Dead (Interview)
Cheated Hearts
Darker Side of Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Interview)
Down Boy
Something Tangy, Something Sour (Interview)
Dull Life (iTunes Originals Version)
Glam Rock Murder On the Dancefloor (Interview)
Heads Will Roll
Rewarding Love Song (Interview)
Hysteric (iTunes Originals Version)
Range of Musicianship (Interview)
Runaway (iTunes Originals Version)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs: website | myspace | iTunes store | It’s Blitz review | remix monday: ‘zero’ | @ house of blues | @ bumbershoot | @ monolith | @ beaumont | @ bonaroo 2009 | @ all points west 2009 | @ lolla 2009

The long-awaited second album from New York’s Yeasayer. will be titled Odd Blood and will be released February 9, 2010 on cd/lp/mp3 formats via Secretly Canadian in North America.

The band promises more exciting news and surprises when playing the Guggenheim Museum in NYC October 30.

Tracklisting:
01. The Children
02. Ambling Alp
03. Madder Red
04. I Remember
05. O.N.E.
06. Love Me Girl
07. Rome
08. Strange Reunions
09. Mondegreen
10. Grizelda

Yeasayer: website | myspace | @ bonnaroo

My day began with Google maps getting me lost, eventually finding my bus and away I went on a rather beautiful day to begin my Austin City Limits experience. After checking in at the media tent, I made my way to catch the wonderful bluegrass/punk stylings of the Avett Brothers who kicked off my day with a bang, mostly taking material from their recently released I and Love and You (which shall go down as one of my favorite records of 2009).

After the close of their set, I made the trek to the XBOX 360 stage to discover one of my surprises of the festival and that was The Walkmen. Let me just say that I had no idea what to expect, but I was left rather impressed by Hamilton Leithauser’s stage presence as The Walkmen incorporated a rather wonderful horn section, bringing their material to another level.

To my liking, I didn’t have to do all that much walking after seeing The Walkmen as I wandered over to the AMD (West) stage to see the French stylings of Phoenix. Their dance/pop wowed the crowd as they kicked things off with “Lisztomania,” sending the crowd into a dance frenzy which didn’t stop for the remainder of their set.

After a break to rehydrate, and load up on delicious all natural snack in the media area, I made my way back to the AMD stage to catch the last few minutes of Raphael Saadiq who brought the soul, setting the mood for John Legend to take the mainstage right after Saadiq’s performance.

After enjoying Legend’s serenading of the lovely ladies at ACL, I made my way to what had to be the most-hyped performance of the festival, Them Crooked Vultures. Three words come to mind when asked to describe this new band of Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones and Josh Homme and those three words are, heavy as fuck. Grohl’s child-like grin throughout the set just showed how much he enjoys being behind the drums again. Homme’s solos danced around Jones’ heavy bass lines with Grohl setting the fast tempo. Homme is often the overshadowed member of the band and to his credit, he holds his own on the guitar and with vocals that pack a punch.

Following that kind of performance is quite the feat that was left upon the shoulders of Day 1 headliners, Kings of Leon and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. After seeing Kings of Leon just a few days before in St. Louis, I decided to finally experience the visual craziness that is Karen O in person. Heavy on costumes, spit takes and growls, Miss O danced around with an infectious smile closing Day 1 with songs mostly from It’s Blitz, not that I’m complaining, it’s my favorite YYY’s album. After their set, I made my way off the grounds and discovered the joy that was free shuttle service to my hotel. For that, I must confess my love to you Austin and was left looking forward to Day 2 after a night of well-deserved rest.

Austin City Limits: website

Considering how The Mars Volta‘s songs are so complexly intertwined, it would only make sense that the band’s ever-expanding family of related projects are bound together as well. In November, two such groups, Zechs Marquise and Free Moral Agents take to the road to show us how this brood continues to grow.

Zechs Marquise features multi-instrumentalist Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez (who also plays in The Mars Volta) and bassist Marfred Rodriguez-Lopez, both siblings to legendary guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. Free Moral Agents is a collective of musicians founded by The Mars Volta’s Grammy Award winning keyboardist Isaiah “Ikey” Owens.

While sharing The Mars Volta’s penchant for expansive passages, Zechs Marquise takes a hazier, psych-laden approach to its songs, as evident on its 15-track debut album Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare which was released in Fall 2009 via Rodriguez Lopez Productions.

Tour Dates:
Nov. 7 – Black Market / El Paso, TX
Nov. 8 – The Mohawk / Austin, TX w/Trail of Dead, An Albatross
Nov. 9 – The Star Bar / Beaumont, TX
Nov. 10 – Sadies / Lafayette, LA
Nov. 11 – Low Key Arts / Hot Spring, AR
Nov. 12- Smoke & Barrel / Fayetteville, AR
Nov. 13 – The Brick / Kansas City, MO
Nov. 14 – Reggie’s / Chicago, IL
Nov. 15 – The Frequency / Madison, WI
Nov. 16- Mixtapes / East Moline, IL
Nov. 17 – Bourbon Theater / Lincoln, NE
Nov. 18 – Old Curtis Tavern / Denver, CO
Nov 19. - High Mayhem / Santa Fe, NM

Zechs Marquise: website | myspace

Air‘s Love 2 sounds like it could be the soundtrack to a Mad Men episode if it was filmed in space, and the actors’ were French. 

Love 2 is heavier than Air’s other albums because the band used live instruments while recording the album.

It wouldn’t be an Air album if there weren’t a few strikingly beautiful ambient songs, some 60s spy tracks, and lounge music.

The ambient masterpiece of the album is “Heaven’s Light.” The other atmospheric tunes include “Tropical Disease,” “You Can Tell It To Everybody” and “African Velvet.”

“Heaven’s Light” contains sounds of the cool peace one finds in the middle of a lush forest at nightfall. “Tropical Disease” conjures thoughts of a summer boat ride. Odd flute-like sounds are played over wavy piano chords and a subtle drum beat. “You Can Tell It To Everybody” has a light reggae feel and “African Velvet” has a jazz rhythm with a few sax solos.

The spy-esque and film noir inspired tunes include “So Light Is Her Footfall, “Be A Bee,” and “Eat My Beat.”

“So Light Is Her Footfall,” incorporates “wah” guitars that whine and lean along to tell a story out of a 60s thriller (perhaps Charade, since the Air guys are French and all).

“Be A Bee” plays like a driving song, with interspersed Go! Team-like chants, beach-pop rhythms, urgent sirens, and robotic clicks. “Eat My Beat” has a psych-rock feel.

The few songs on the album that sound like Air, but don’t at the same time are “Love,” “Missing The Light Of Day,” “Sing Sang Sung,” “Night Hunter” and “Do The Joy.”

“Love” is filled with random chirps and animal noises that drop in and out over a blanket of soft music and light bells. “Missing The Light Of The Day” sounds like a slower, lighter Hot Chip track with 80s synths. “Sing Sang Sung” reminds me of other Air songs I love/hate, such as “Sexy Boy,” and “Cherry Blossom Girl.” The track plays like a delicate, disco summer jam.

“Night Hunter,” has a quirky clap beat that has electronic noises akin to those that would be played at a cantina in a Star War’s film. “Do The Joy,” contains gauzy vocals mixed with rough robotic voices, and a grinding psychedelic rock guitar that fades in and out of the song.

The band recently announced that Love 2 is now available in a limited edition box set. If interested, pre-order it now.

Tracklisting:
01. Love
02. So Light Is Her Footfall
03. Be A Bee
04. Missing The Light Of The Day
05. Tropical Disease
06. Heaven’s Light
07. Night Hunter
08. Sing Sang Sung
09. Eat My Beat
10. You Can Tell It To Everybody
11. African Velvet

Air: website | myspace

Hailing from Russellville, AR—Deas Vail inks a deal with Mono vs Stereo, with one full length and two EP’s already under their belt, the band gets set to release their sophomore full length album Birds & Cages at all digital outlets and available for purchase at all tour dates on October 27 with non-stop touring well into 2010. Currently you can find the band on the road with Mae and look for the band to kick into 2010 in high gear as they hit the road with Owl City on January 21.

“I have been all about Deas Vail for years, so when we came across the opportunity to sign them, it just made sense. I know this band has so many great songs still to come, and I am so excited about being able work with them. I believe they will really set a precedent for the kind of music that we will put out at Mono Vs Stereo, and I couldn’t think of a better first release for our new label. I am convinced that anyone who takes time to listen will agree that this band is special”– Matt Hoopes, Mono vs Stereo Head of A&R and Relient K guitarist.

The band formed a few years ago while its members were students at Arkansas Tech in the Midwestern hamlet of Russellville, AR. While at school, Wes Blaylock began writing songs he initially envisioned as solo works but as his affinity for the indie-rock scene grew, Deas Vail was born.

Mixing a unique blend of indie-rock with Wes Blaylock’s distinctive upper register range and falsetto joined by the unfailingly sharp and frenetic guitar work of Andy Moore, then add in the hauntingly melodic sounds from keyboardist Laura Blaylock and the driving and cunning rhythm section of drummer Kelsey Harelson and bassist Justin Froning you get the original sound that only Deas Vail creates.

“When we started, it was something we wanted to do because we enjoy music,” Blaylock said. “We write songs because we love songs. They make us happy or explain an experience. That’s why I grab hold of these songs and love them. It’s something we really care about.”

Deas Vail’s Birds & Cages is the second release from the newly revived record label, Mono vs. Stereo, a partnership between Gotee Records and Relient K.

Tour Dates:
With Mae
Oct. 23 – The Record Bar / Kansas City, MO
Oct. 24 – Triple Rock Social Club / Minneapolis, MN
Oct. 26 – Aquarium / Fargo, ND
Oct. 27 – Off Broadway / St. Louis, MO
Oct. 28 – Reggie’s /  Chicago, IL
Oct. 29 – Southgate House / Newport, KY
Oct. 30 – Musica / Akron, OH
Oct. 31 – Mixtape / Grand Rapids, MI
Nov. 1 – Skully’s / Columbus, OH
Nov. 3 North Star Bar / Philadelphia, PA
Nov. 4 North Star Bar / Philadelphia, PA
Nov. 5 Middle East / Boston, MA
Nov. 6 The Fillmore / New York, NY
Nov. 7 School of Rock / S. Hackensack, NJ
Nov. 8 Black Cat / Washington, DC

With Owl City
Jan. 21 – Beaumont Club / Kansas City, MO
Jan. 22 – Diamond Ballroom / Oklahoma City, OK
Jan. 23 – The Pageant / St Louis, MO
Jan. 24 – Egyptian Room / Minneapolis, MN
Jan. 26 – Majestic Theater / Madison, WI
Jan. 27 – 20th Century Theater / Cincinnati, OH
Jan.  28 – Newport Music Hall / Columbus, OH
Feb. 29 – Rector / Towson, MD
Feb. 30 – Norva / Norfolk, VA
Feb. 1 – Music Farm / Charleston, SC
Feb. 2 – Freebird Live / Jacksonville, FL
Feb. 3 – State Theater / St Petersburg, FL
Feb. 4 – Culture Room / Ft Lauderdale, FL
Feb. 5 – House Of Blues / Orlando, FL
Feb. 6 – The Melting Pot / Athens, GA
Feb. 8 – WorkPlay Theater / Birmingham, AL
Feb. 9 – Varsity Theater / Baton Rouge, LA
Feb. 10 – Revolution Music Room / Little Rock, AR

Deas Vail: website | myspace