AAR CANCEL TOUR DATES
September 30, 2009
The All-American Rejects are sorry to announce the cancellation of three upcoming show dates—two dates in support of Blink-182 and one headlining date in Atlantic City. Lead Singer Tyson Ritter sustained an injury while on tour and is taking necessary precautions for a speedy recovery.
The All-American Rejects will return to the stage stateside when they kick-off their co-headlining tour with Taking Back Sunday on November 3rd in East Lansing, Michigan.
The cancelled dates are as follows:
Friday, October 2nd- Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Virginia Beach, VA (with Blink-182)
Saturday, October 3rd- Cesars Palace, Atlantic City, NJ
Sunday, October 4th- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY (with Blink-182)
ZERO 7 LIVE FOOTAGE PERFORMING NEW TRACKS FROM ‘YEAH GHOST’
September 30, 2009
Check out new live performance videos of songs from Zero 7’s new album, Yeah Ghost, out today.
Slant, Slant
September 30, 2009
If Tool and Jimi Hendrix had some kind of post mortem love child, it would be Slant. And if Tool, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, and Nirvana could create a celestial collaboration, it would be Slant’s latest album, self titled “Slant”.
“Slant” takes you on an epic journey of intricately skilled drum solos, nostalgic guitar riffs, and soul wrenching vocals. With effortless transitions, each song simply glides into the next until you’ve reached the last track and are left thirsty for more. “Slant” is more than an album. It’s a carefully crafted musical expression of life, death, and everything in between.
Slant- comprised of lead singer Fahim, Ilya on bass, Munir on guitar, and Andrew on the drums- has all the makings of a talent durable enough to stand the test of time. Until you’ve done your ears the favor of buying their album, here’s a break down of my personal top five picks.
Track 2: Lying and Bleeding
A suspenseful introduction and smooth finish play out against the backdrop of fascinating guitar riffs, addictive melody, and unpredictable tempo changes.
Track 3: All I’m Good For
The pure emotion and intensity in Fahim’s voice is piercingly clear, reaching out and literally grabbing your soul, all the while giving you the impression that his boundless vocals could take you anywhere.
Track 9: Through It All
The chorus, both catchy and melodic, will stay in your head- but I doubt you’ll mind. A bold statement, I know, but it will make a fan out of anyone fortunate enough to listen.
Track 10: Boiling Pot
A masterful instrumental and blend of classic rock wrapped in a haunting melody and tied with an intriguing effects bow.
Track 16: Beautiful Angel
Written in memory of lead singer Fahim’s cousin, this song speaks out to anyone who has ever lost someone with a truthful clarity. The pain and anger at losing someone you love is painfully expressed through honest lyrics and a pure melody.
For your one stop shop on everything Slant, go to:
www.myspace.com/slantmusic
www.slantmusic.net
Review By: Keldine Hull
Rating: 
DENMARK ROCK BAND KASHMIR MAKE THEIR U.S. DEBUT WITH “PETITE MACHINE” EP
September 30, 2009
Danish rock band Kashmir made their U.S. debut today with their Sony Denmark release of their EP Petite Machine. Kashmir have found insurmountable success across the European music scene over the past decade; holding 10 Danish Music awards, double platinum sales and sold out tours under their belt.
The current single from Petite Machine, “Surfing The Warm Industry,” is the band’s response to the state of the music industry. The video for “Surfing The Warm Industry” provides a vibrant illustration of what a day in the life of someone working in the music industry can be like, according to Kashmir.
JOHNNY RICHTER RELEASES “EVOLUTION” VIDEO
September 30, 2009
Kottonmouth Kings’ frontman, Johnny Richter, has released the video for his solo track, “Evolution”, online. The track appears on Kottonmouth Kings’ upcoming new album “Hidden Stash 4:20”, which lands in stores on October 13th, 2009 on Suburban Noize Records.
Shannon Stephens, The Breadwinner
September 30, 2009
I’ve been saying this to myself for awhile now, but I think I’m ready to get it out in the open: there aren’t two female singer-songwriter voices out there that sound alike. None. Every female voice, from those that hum a tune to those wailing down in Vegas share the same vocal chords. And Seattle-bred songstress Shannon Stephens is no different. Blessed with a voice that could drown a thousand angry men, Stephens bears the voice of an angel. It is at once comforting, hospital and way intriguing and it is the most important yet not the only reason to hear her second LP, The Breadwinner.
Stephens’ bears the voice you’d pray to hear coming from your garden on summer’s night, backed by deft players laying down delicate, acoustic-based melodies. It is at times mournful, particularly on the viola-backed “The Ones Who Sees Me,” where simple yet heartbreaking finger-picking moves Stephens voice to a high that sounds like it comes all too easy for her.
Recorded on a laptop with rented mics and a silk undershirt on a hanger as a pop filter, The Breadwinner is as humble record as one could ever hope to hear. Stephens voice lingers like a gentle breeze throughout “The Dream.” While a tender piano steps sparingly into her acoustic framework, the musical musings of Stephens take a backseat to her lyrical mastery. Like so many of the songs on The Breadwinner, “The Dream” is heavy with imagery yet open to interpretation. All this from something so simple.
While there certainly are many crevices within The Breadwinner to discover, it will be Stephens voice that keeps you coming back again and again. Simply put, I’m lucky to have found her.
By Joshua Kloke
Rating:
The Oranges Band, The Oranges Band Are Invisible
September 30, 2009
Let’s all raise a glass for The Oranges Band. On The Oranges Band Are Invisible, the Baltimore smart-punk outfit combine blue-collar, everyman aesthetics with a sound that’s thick as nails. Tangibly reminiscent of some of the bands which have influenced them in some form or another, including Spoon and Guided By Voices, The Oranges Band Are Invisible leaves nothing to hide.
Fronted by Roman Kuebler of Girls Can Tell¬-era Spoon fame and ex-Guided By Voices guitarist Doug Gillard, there’s a chunky, make-what-you-will-of-us vibe that rolls rather smoothly with their, but-we-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude. Riff-heavy, songs like “Do You Remember Memory Lane?” will render listeners at the behest of their stereos, all the while searching for memories that are as punchy as the nine tracks on this doozey of a record.
The Oranges Band Are Invisible isn’t all gut and muscle, however. “When Your Mask Is Revealing Your Future” finds the band diving into a funky, female-vocalist backed shimmy that is part R.E.M. and part Flea-inspired Red Hot Chili Peppers breakdown. With multiple listens comes the realization that there certainly are layers to The Oranges Band Are Invisible, though the record truly gains steam when they stick to the above mentioned gut and muscle.
“ArtStar” beats an oddly, surf-rock chorus into something that wouldn’t seem out of place on a Sonic Youth record. While I realize I’m dropping a lot of names here, it’s blatantly obvious that The Oranges Band are a talented group of musicians with a wealth of experience to draw. The end result is a record while full of a few oddballs, is certainly a hell of a lot of fun to listen to.
By Joshua Kloke
Rating:
JUMP CLUBB RELEASE MP3 & VIDEO FOR “RATHER BE PLAYED”
September 30, 2009
Meet Jump Clubb. A band from Beverly Hills whose music combines dance, disco, and electronic styles with indie mentalities and vocals straight from the height of the lo-fi era.
TWO NEW VIDEOS FROM MACK 10 ‘SOFT WHITE’ ALBUM
September 30, 2009
West Coast gangster rap icon and Hoo-Bangin’ Entertainment label owner Mack 10 set the summer ablaze with the release of the single “So Sharp” from his ninth CD, Soft White (Hoo-Bangin’/Fontana/Universal) in stores now.
THE HOT RATS DEBUT & TOUR COMING JANUARY 2010
September 30, 2009
Clear your holiday playlists: Gaz Coombes and Danny Goffey of Supergrass have teamed up with producer extraordinaire Nigel Godrich to bring you the must-have party record of 2010 (and beyond) with Turn Ons, their debut as THE HOT RATS, scheduled for release January 19 on Fat Possum.
Having whipped festival crowds into rock and roll frenzies across the UK this summer, THE HOT RATS have now targeted the lovely weather of the U.S. in January for their first ever stateside shows. Confirmed dates are as follows and will be on sale Friday October 2:
Tue-Jan-12 Brooklyn NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
Thu-Jan-14 New York NY Bowery Ballroom
Tue-Jan-19 Los Angeles CA Spaceland
Thu-Jan-21 Los Angeles CA Troubadour
