A friend asked me a while back if I had heard of Mumford and Sons, and even though the name sounded familiar, I couldn’t place them. Then a couple weeks ago, I was in my car when I heard their song Little Lion Man come on the radio. I sat in my car completely and absolutely HOOKED to the song. When the DJ said it was Mumford and Sons, I literally came home and downloaded Sigh No More immediately.

I have loved the CD so much, I can’t think of a single song on the album I don’t like. Little Lion Man is my favorite, but Winter Winds, Roll Away Your Stone and Dust Bowl Dance are equally amazing. If you haven’t heard of Mumford and Sons, you should definitely check out their album, I promise you won’t be disappointed!

This CD just makes you feel good. I put it in when I’m alone, and I blast it. It just makes you tap your toes, and bop your head. You won’t be able to help it! Watch the video for Little Lion Man below, and tell me you didn’t move your head!

Check out their website for more information!

Biography - Since they formed in December 2007, the members of Mumford & Sons have shared a common purpose: to make music that matters, without taking themselves too seriously. Four young men from West London in their early twenties, they have fire in their bellies, romance in their hearts, and rapture in their masterful, melancholy voices. They are staunch friends – Marcus Mumford, Country Winston, Ben Lovett, and Ted Dwane – who bring their music to us with the passion and pride of an old-fashioned, much-cherished, family business. They create a gutsy, old-time sound that marries the magic of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young with the might of Kings Of Leon, and their incredible energy draws us in quickly to their circle of songs, to the warmth of their stories, and to their magical community of misty-eyed men.

The album begins with the extraordinary title track, Sigh No More, a statement of intent that references the romantic language of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, as they sing: “Love it will not betray you, dismay or enslave you / It will set you free / Be more like the man you were made to be.” Amongst darkly reflective tracks such as Thistle & Weeds and ballads like White Blank Page, Winter Winds and Roll Away Your Stone, by contrast, show the band’s sprightlier side, the rollicking banjo of the former conjuring up stormy weather that “litters London with lonely hearts”; the latter a fabulous hoedown about a man unsuccessfully filling the hole in his soul.

As the album moves on, this fervour never dies. Little Lion Man – a track that Zane Lowe named the “Hottest Record In The World Today” on a recent Radio 1 show – is a rampage about regret and unresolved heartbreak: “Tremble, little lion man / You’ll never settle any of your scores / Your grace is wasted in your face / Your boldness stands alone among the wreck”. And finally, after a wild lashing out in the murderous fable of Dust Bowl Dance, After The Storm arrives, the only track Mumford and Sons wrote in the studio, away from the live stage they knew so well. It stands an incredibly moving final track to an incredibly moving album – the story of a man scared of what’s behind and what’s before, and creates a considered conclusion to the band’s epic debut album.

Mumford & Sons’ live reputation goes before them, and now their incredible debut reveals the extent of their magic and majesty on record. Feel the fire in your belly and the romance in your heart as you listen, let your voice break into rapture – and you too sigh no more.

Minus the Bear have always avoided easy classification, preferring to tread their own inimitable path defined by energy and invention. OMNI, the Seattle-based band’s fourth full-length recording and debut Dangerbird Records release, sees a stunning evolution to their sound and vision. As evinced by the album’s all-encompassing title, Minus the Bear have merged their myriad influences into a sweeping collection marked by its slinky and sensual melding of city-stomping rock and deep funk grooves. That spirit of sonic lasciviousness is mirrored in the album’s raw take on human sexuality – a theme as intricate and elaborate as the band’s extraordinary music. Boldly experimental yet instantly accessible, OMNI is Minus the Bear’s most provocative and potent work to date.

“I think it’s a real leap forward,” singer/guitarist Jake Snider agrees. “It’s an impactful sounding record.”

Founded in 2001, Minus the Bear earned immediate attention with their distinctive spastic prog-pop hybrid, all serrated rhythms, swirling synths, and guitarist Dave Knudson’s multi-layered, pedal-hopping acrobatics. Prolific from the start, the band let loose with series of EPs and albums, each drawing escalating acclaim and a host of new fans.

I got my hands on OMNI a couple weeks ago, and I’ve listened to it non-stop! My favorites are the first two tracks, My Time and Summer Angel.

Minus the Bear played in Portland, Oregon last Friday at the famous Roseland Theater. The show was absolutely unbelievable!

Check out Minus the Bear’s website!
Minus the Bear in iTunes

Amazing Photos by Troy Kujala Photography

Celebrated punk rock cult heroes, Alkaline Trio have released their new album, This Addiction, on February 23 via Epitaph Records/Heart & Skull. I had the opportunity to attend the first show off their new tour in Portland, Oregon. What a great city to host such a great night! The crowd was LOVING the show – and Alkaline Trio played their heart out. They played fast and furious, and put on a heart-stopping performance!  They have a lot of touring ahead of them – after the jump, find out when they are coming to your town, and go see them! You won’t be sorry!

Visit Alkaline Trio’s website.
Visit Alkaline Trio on Myspace.
Visit Epitaph Records

Recorded and produced by the band with help from longtime cohort Matt Allison at Atlas Studios in Chicago, This Addiction marks Alkaline Trio’s first release on their imprint label Heart & Skull and first with their parent label Epitaph Records. The album also finds the Trio revisiting their punk roots while moving forward creatively.

“This record is a rock record but our punk rock upbringing definitely shines through, more so than our last few records,” singer/guitarist Matt Skiba recently told Spinner.com. “The vibe is similar to our humble beginnings. It’s a step forward but I also think it has glimmers of our past in it.”

A metaphoric crowd pleaser, “This Addiction” is “about a relationship gone bad and, for some reason, you just can’t quit it,” Skiba told Spinner.com. The single is also currently available for sale on iTunes and at other digital retailers.

The album’s title track and first single wastes no time in setting the tone of the album as it rips and roars with Matt Skiba’s exceptional vocals and signature guitar riffs, bassist and co/vocalist Dan Andriano’s thumping low-end and drummer Derek Grant’s steadfast beats. From soon-to-be fan-favorites like the Andriano led rocker “Dine, Dine My Darling” and politically charged anthem “The American Scream” to the sonically mesmerizing rhythm and lyrics of “Dorothy” and the thrilling sing-along “Draculina,” This Addiction showcases Skiba, Andriano and Grant’s abounding gift for songwriting and crafting passionate punk fueled rock that will make fans fall in love with them all over again.

“I think that we wanted to make a punk rock record that we’ve been describing as ‘thinking-man’s punk,’” said Skiba. “We wanted to do something that’s fun but also interesting and lyrically, something that will be fun for people to read along to and hopefully understand.”

The band’s seventh studio album, This Addiction, will be available as a standard CD, a limited Deluxe CD/DVD edition (containing two bonus songs, four acoustic tracks and a full length concert DVD), as well as Gatefold LP vinyl. Epitaph will also have exclusive items signed by the band, rare vinyl and Limited Collector’s bundles – all with a standard digital download or a Deluxe Digital Download. GO HERE TO BUY THE ALBUM – AND OTHER MERCH

Alkaline Trio first emerged from Chicago in 1996 and has since released the full length studio albums Goddamnit, Maybe I’ll Catch Fire, From Here To Infirmary, Good Mourning, Crimson and last year’s Agony & Irony, which was the highest charting record for the band’s to date. The band is comprised of Skiba, Andriano and drummer Derek Grant, all of whom are partners in Heart & Skull.

BELOW: Opening for Alkaline Trio was Cursive, who also put on an amazing show!

Cursive began a full US tour with Alkaline Trio earlier this week in Southern California. The tour runs through April 2. Several new shows without Alkaline Trio have recently been added as well. Check out the full list below. The tour continues live dates for 2009′s Mama, I’m Swolen record.

What people are saying about Mama, I’m Swollen:
…Cursive rocking out at its best. Lyrically, frontman Tim Kasher never misses a step (see the men-as-animals ‘From The Hips’ and ‘Donkeys’), proving once again why he’s among indie rock’s greats. – Billboard

Equal parts noise-rock with a respect for tried-and-true melodies, these tales of misery have enough gumption to truly lay it on the line. – Filter Good Music Guide

Mama, I’m Swollen might be Cursive’s most body-rocking album yet, with its bounty of hard-edged guitar riffs, vinegary horn licks and thorny, Fugazi-like melodies. – Time Out New York

…absolutely stellar. – Alternative Press

TONS of pictures from the concert PLUS Tour dates for Alkaline Trio & Cursive after the jump! (more…)

OK Go are four guys from Chicago who write songs that don’t seem to have much deep meaning yet are jam-packed with whiz kid hooks. They might appear as a fun-loving college band without serious intentions, but that’s not exactly true. They were signed to a major label right after forming in 1998. They’ve had hit singles played on the radio (“Get Over It” from their debut) but to their credit, they don’t engage in pretentious rock star posing (except for their recent tongue-in-cheek pimped out fashion sense) going so far as to make fun of themselves by learning a complicated 1980s-era dance routine (choreographed by a band member’s sister) for the sake of their live show. This resulted in a fall-on-the-floor hysterical music video for “A Million Ways,” which was recorded in a suburban backyard. It was never intended for public release, but like the Tommy Lee and Pamela video, it caught on in an online whirl, and they were forced to release it as their next single. But despite all signs indicating that they are carefree funsters, OK Go are also NPR-loving brainiacs and perfectionists who compose scores for underground indie flicks and worked closely with producer Tore (Franz Ferdinand) Johansson on their sophomore album recording scores of songs, only to abandon many of them when they didn’t seem worthy of release. OK Go just make it look like they’re effortlessly churning out power pop when in truth they work hard and relentlessly — even moving to Los Angeles to help further their prodigious career goals.

OK Go’s newest CD ‘Of the Blue Colour of the Sky’ came out on Tuesday 1/12/10, along with the release of their newest video ‘This Too Shall Pass’, featuring the Notre Dame marching band to accompany them.

OK Go will probably always be known as the Treadmill Guys (that’s what my kids said, anyway) and I have to say I’ve probably seen that video about a million times. Love it! So how do they follow up the success of such a huge hit? With their new album, ‘Of the Blue Colour of the Sky’. I think it’s a great album – fun – fast paced album. My early favorites are the single’s “This Too Shall Past” and “White Knuckles”. I’ve been listening to the album nonstop since I’ve gotten it. It’s a peppy – bubbly album, and that’s what I like about OK Go!

Buy OK Go’s New Album Here!

Tracklisting:

Follow OK Go on Twitter
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OK Go on Myspace
OK Go official website

I received a copy of John Mayer’s new CD Battle Studios last week, and I have to be honest, I’ve listened to it about 25 times. I have never been a huge fan of John. I have always enjoyed his music – but not enough to actually buy one of his CD’s. And then I got this CD, and I was pleasantly surprised! I really love it! There are so many great songs! I especially like his duet with Taylor Swift, “Half of My Heart”, but my favorite is “Assassin”.

It’s been 3 years since John’s last CD, and this album was WELL worth the wait. It has eleven amazing songs on it! John is kicking off a HUGE tour to celebrate the new album, GO HERE to see when he’s coming to your city!

John Mayer’s Battle Studies was released on November 17th, 2009 on Columbia Records. The seven-time Grammy Award winner’s fourth studio album was co-produced by John Mayer and Steve Jordan and debuts three years after his critically acclaimed 2006 album, Continuum. Incorporating the warmth, melodies and simplicity of 70′s and 80′s California rock/pop, Battle Studies is a confessional, relaxed and liberated album recorded in a private home in California where Mayer lived and worked over the course of six months before wrapping at the famed Capitol Studios in Los Angeles.

The album’s first single, “Who Says” challenges conventional standards of what one can accomplish or undertake – despite society’s constraints. Battle Studies also showcases universal themes on “Heartbreak Warfare,” “Assassin,” and “War of My Life,” while flexing guitar chops on “Rock Song,” and a reinterpretation of “Crossroads.” The famously collaborative guitar player also invited one of music’s brightest new talents, Taylor Swift, to appear on “Half of My Heart.”

“I approach music like a director doing a period piece,” says Mayer. “Where Continuum was R&B and Soul, Battle Studies was written with the timelessness of Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac and Neil Young in mind. The melodies and message are concise and from-the-gut with the efficiency of simplicity.”

A John Mayer North American tour is currently being planned and will follow the release of Battle Studies in early 2010, details to be announced soon. In the meantime, two rare performances by John Mayer Trio (John Mayer, Steve Jordan, Pino Palladino) have been announced for December – December 29th in San Diego at the Copley Symphony Hall and a New Year’s Eve show on December 31st in Las Vegas at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

In place of Mayer’s annual Holiday Revue, these concert events will raise money for two veteran’s charities – Military Outreach Ministry Camp Pendleton (MOM) and NCIRE – the Veterans Health Research Institute. MOM is a nonprofit organization that supports young military families of all faiths and NCIRE is the largest non-profit research institute affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Among other investigations, NCIRE researches the causes and best treatment for post- traumatic stress disorder and other combat-related injuries.

JohnMayer.com
John Mayer on Myspace
Buy Battle Studies on iTunes

I looooooove me some Mat Kearney. Two years ago I was able to see him when he came to Portland, and it was one of my favorite show’s I’ve ever seen. (See that review, and a picture of me with him here!) His first album, Nothing Left to Lose is still one of my favorites, I listen to it at least once a month. He took a long break after heavily promoting that album, and I’m happy to announce that he has a new album, which came out May 19th called City of Black & White! This album was worth the wait! I love it so much! It’s everything I loved from his first album, and so much more! My favorite tracks are his first single, Closer to Love, Here We Go (which is amazing! I hope this is his next single!) and All I Have. The songs are so well written, and so beautiful, if you liked his first album, even a little – then you’ll love this one.

I saw him at the Roseland Theater last night, and he definitely did not disappoint!   He played all the songs I love from his first album Nothing Left to Lose, and played a ton of amazing songs from his new album! Before the show began, I had the chance to meet him backstage, and it was great to meet him again! He claims to have remembered meeting me the first time – and while I’d love that to be true – I highly doubt it. He’s charming, and nice, and puts on one of the best show’s I’ve ever been to.  He is an amazing performer!!

He only has 4 more dates on his tour left, so if you’re near any of these places – CHECK HIM OUT!

Nov 05 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore

Nov 07 – San Diego, CA – House Of Blues

Nov 08 – Phoenix, AZ – Marquee Theater

Nov 10 – Los Angeles, CA – Henry Fonda Theatre

After spending five years traveling the country establishing himself as a new artist, Mat dug his roots into his new hometown of Nashville, TN, allowing the songs on City of Black & White to evolve from various places and sources – in the back room of a studio where he stopped in to visit a friend, writing with people he met at coffee shops, hearing someone fiddling around with the guitar and humming along. He opened up the writing process to friends and to the community of musicians in Nashville, and crafted songs such as “Fire and Rain,” “Here We Go,” and “Lifeline.”

Kearney’s major label debut, Nothing Left To Lose includes the hit singles “Nothing Left To Lose,” “Undeniable,” and a late addition to the record, “Breathe In, Breathe Out,” which was used in television promotions for the fourth season of Grey’s Anatomy and included a music video that premiered during the season preview. Kearney was also a VH1 You Oughta Know Artist, headlined the first VH1 You Oughta Know Tour, and his video for the single “Nothing Left To Lose” tied the record for the most weeks in rotation (45) on VH1. Six separate songs from the album received prominent television licensing on popular shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Bones, Friday Night Lights and more. Kearney has toured with John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, The Fray, Jason Mraz, and more.

Mat Kearney Official Website

Mat Kearney Official Myspace

Order City of Black & White Here!

I get music sent to me all the time, which I LOVE. I love discovering a new band that I’d never heard of before, especially one I turn out to really love. Some music I like, some I hate, and some of it I can’t stop listening to.  This CD is one that made the “can’t stop listening to it” category – and I thought I’d share!

I first heard of Band of Skulls when I heard their song “Friends” on the New Moon Soundtrack, and I knew I had to have the whole album! I got a copy of their album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, and I aboslutely love it! There are so many great songs! My favorites are Death by Diamonds and Pearls and Honest. I had to learn more about the band, and why I hadn’t heard of them before! I did a little digging, and found out who they are…

The three Southampton, UK members of Band of Skulls, Russell Marsden (guitar & vocals), Emma Richardson (bass & vocals) & Matt Hayward (drums), first met at college and quickly discovered that having two lead singers and three songwriters in a band was always going to present unlimited possibilities. With their creative process and sonic path fully intact the band quickly established themselves in the music and art community with a series of culturally inspired club nights in Southampton, London and further a field in Moscow and Tokyo.

The band, previously known as Fleeing New York, were working on new demos in late November 2008 at Courtyard Studios in Oxfordshire when their paths crossed with an music, art and management international collective based in London, Montreal and LA who are now, in a very modern way, partners with the band. After more studio time, the band formed the foundation of their debut album, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey. With a working relationship sealed with a handshake the album was recorded, mixed and mastered from January through March 09 before contracts had time to be signed.

At this time their music came to the attention of iTunes staff and made such an impact that the band’s undeniable debut single ‘I Know What I Am’ was selected for the coveted iTunes Single of the Week campaign beginningon April 7th. Within weeks of completing the album the band will be introduced globally to a digital audience in the USA, UK, France, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Netherlands via this free download. Music fans around the world will get the first taste of the band’s driving guitar force, heartbreaking duets and sun-kissed, Wall of Sound harmonies of not only their single but their debut breakthrough album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey on Shangri-La Music which will be exclusively at iTunes for two weeks beginning April 7th.

Band of Skulls is awesome, I love their music, their CD is great, and I think you’ll like it too!

Check out Band of Skulls on Myspace

PS: At 5:00 is my favorite song on the album, “Honest”.