THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS FEATURED IN NEW MUSIC FILM SERIES FROM GILLETTE

The All-American Rejects have teamed up with Gillette.com for Gillette UNCUT, a new music film series by acclaimed rock photographer Danny Clinch.  UNCUT is part of the personal care brand’s new Shave Like A Rockstar campagin, and features a short film, photos, and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the band as they prepare for a recent concert in Atlantic City.  In the intimate short, Tyson, Nick, Mike and Chris share with fans their pre-show rituals and preparations, as well as how they have evolved as a band and as individuals since their formation in 1999. Visit the Gillette website now for a backstage pass to all the action.

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Asa Brebner, Suenos De Los Muertos

This singer/songwriter from Boston has been a major staple within the city’s music scene for over 30 years now.  Suenos De Los Muertos is a highly anticipated album for Brebner because it is the first in four years.  With life-changing experiences hitting Asa over these last four years, it seemed like perfect timing to sit down and record new songs.  Asa Brebner had plenty of fuel to light this fire, which is Suenos De Los Muertos.

Asa really made a name for himself when he started playing & touring with Jonathan Richman’s Modern Lovers & Robin Lane and The Chartbusters.  That was then and this is now as Brebner continues to make his mark as a solo artist.  There are many guest musicians featured on this record like Andrea Gillis, local talents and then just some of Asa’s good friends.  It is also worth mentioning that this album was mixed by the well-known Boston engineer, Ducky Carlisle. 

Getting right into the thick of things, the CD starts up with a peppy rock number titled “You Won’t Know Me.”  This song offers an easy-going flow along with some very nice harmonies sung by the backup singers.  Next up, “Tired and True”, brings you a straight rock groove while “My Blues is Over” gets bluesy to the core.  The next track, “I Am Not Gone”, really tugs at your heart & soul thanks in part to Asa’s deeply personal lyrics.  Here, Brebner sings with so much raw emotion while the guitar playing noticeably stands out.  I also have to say that the deep-rooted vocalization in “I Am Not Gone” reminded me a bit of the late Johnny Cash (R.I.P.).  On the track, “Name Damage”, you get a rockin’ drum beat while the guitar is servin’ up some goods!  At the end of this song, you even hear the voice of the late Mr. Rogers (R.I.P.) talking about love—crazy stuff!  On the next number, “Like It or Not”, I loved the hand clapping effect because it added that element of fun to the mix.  You witness a solid instrumental session on “Erkin’s Revenge” where I even picked up on a reggaeish beat.  “Come Back to Me” will have you doing the Cha Cha Cha to the sounds of some Spanish Flamenco added with a little Mexican pizzazz.  Asa decides to test your funny bone with “AllNightUpTight BagBiteKokainePah” with this wacky & funny installment.  The groovin’ party atmosphere is set here as Brebner takes you back in time where “Grand Funk is playing from the 8-Track player.”  This song is wildly humorous as Brebner & his friends let it all out by bringing some laughs to the table.  Asa ends the album with a bit of classic charm and oldies sound.  “Gurl” has that vintage 50s rock sound all the way here from the backup singers giving you that Barbershop quintet feel to the whaling sax to even the drums offering up a jumpin’ & jivin’ beat.  Those Happy Days of the 50s rock & roll era were alive and well again thanks to Asa Brebner and The Cool Catz—LoL. 

After listening to the album in full, I have to say I am most impressed by the way Asa mixed so many different styles together.  I’m also pleased to hear how well Brebner can switch up emotions from song to song.  Happy, Mellow, Sad, Painful, Funny—you get all of these aspects here wrapped up into one unique package.  Only thing for me was that it was kind of hard for me to figure out exactly who Asa Brebner is as a musician/artist.  I never did quite grasp this, but maybe that’s what makes Brebner and his music special.  You never can and aren’t supposed to fully understand the mystique that is Asa Brebner and his new project Suenos De Los Muertos.  So, just have a good time and enjoy it!  For more on this singer/songwriter from Boston and his new release, SKOPE out www.asabrebner.net.

By Jimmy Rae (jrae@skopemag.com)

Rating:

Linda Brooks, The Spaces in Between

Linda Brooks is a singer/songwriter from Canada who has a lot to say after years away from music making.  Her debut album, Under A Painted Moon, earned her an East Coast Music Nomination for Best Female Artist.  After that, motherhood came calling as Brooks had a family to raise and therefore her music career put to the side.  Family should come first for everyone and that is why Linda Brooks went from being a singer/songwriter to a mother/nurturer.  I’m pleased to announce though that the fire inside to make music never died for Brooks.  Now that her two kids are older, Linda decided to get back into the game and finally churn out a follow-up album.  The Spaces in Between is years in the making as she now has more wisdom and cherished experiences to feed off of.

It’s ironic that Brooks comes back with years of motherly experience because the record exudes a sense of warm nurturing.  Linda’s vocalization displays meaningful lyrics that will leave you with a comforting feeling.  There is such a positive & uplifting glow about her through her performance on The Spaces in Between.  Linda’s nice-sounding, pleasant voice gives off an aura of warmth & content that is absolutely contagious.  The Halifax, Nova Scotia-based singer/songwriter sings with so much feeling wrapped up in her music.  Linda Brooks has a powerful force known as mom instinct that stands tall and never goes away especially on this new album.  Once a mom always a mom as Linda now plays to the tune of singer-mom/songwriter. 

Classified under the category of Indie Adult Contemporary, Brooks starts things off with a heartfelt song called “Tryin’.”  On this opener, you can literally hear the overload of passion coming out of her with a very nice, overall feel.  Track two, “Stranded”, I pick up on a slight country-sounding tone to go along with a simple & tender vocal approach.  Next up, “Not Gunna Take It”, has piano playing that adds a nice touch as Linda sings directly from the heart.  On “Never Better”, I witness a grateful & thankful spirit in Linda Brooks as she continues on to offer us motivational & inspirational words on the track, “Shining.”  On this number, Brooks simply states that “We should be shining!” simply because “we’re brilliant inside.”  I have to say that “Hand of a Stranger” hit me the hardest because of its powerful impact it had on me.  This song was actually inspired by her sons’ concerns for the people that were affected by Hurricane Katrina.  Their true love & innocence toward a devastating tragedy that hit us not long ago comes through shining bright on “Hand of a Stranger”.  This song helped me realize just how special kids can be as you experience nothing but sheer honesty on this track.  Knowing that this song originated from a child made me feel really good inside and also made me realize that there still is hope for this crazy world.  The poignant message here is to simply help a complete stranger in need that may be down on his or her luck.  Linda sings, “Use the hands that God gave you to help him up” and that “You might find Heaven here again.”  Wow!  I’m just so blown away by everything this song represents that I can’t say enough about it!  One other great line here would be:  “We say we’re busy, but really we’re lost.”  This quote really made me think twice because it has simple charm while also exhibiting a true, harsh reality in the end.  By being constantly busy, which most of us are today, Brooks is saying that we have lost touch with reality somewhere along the way.  This thought is something to ponder and really take in because Linda Brooks and her sons are trying to show us the RIGHT way. 

In the end, the only thing I would have liked to hear perhaps would have been maybe a few faster, more up-tempo songs.  I have to say though that I am more than satisfied with the finished work here.  Linda Brooks proved to me that she is a wonderful singer, an excellent artist and a great mother.  I’d like to get right to the core of matters by leaving you with some words to live by:  “We can learn so much from the pure hearts of children and I wouldn’t be the writer I am today if I wasn’t also a mother.”  Linda captures the true essence of The Spaces in Between in that one sentence.  For more on this Canadian singer-mom/songwriter and her new release, SKOPE out www.lindabrooksmusic.com. 

By Jimmy Rae (jrae@skopemag.com)

Rating:

My Morning Jacket Hit the Road With The Preservation Hall Jazz Band

It’s been almost a full year, but the wait is finally over. My Morning Jacket are ready to bring their electrifying live show back on the road. The guys will make their way around the Southeastern United States this Spring, including a performance at this year’s Jazzfest in New Orleans. Read more

THE ENTRANCE BAND RELEASE “LOOKOUT” VIDEO

LA’s The Entrance Band, currently on Thurston Moore’s Ecstatic Peace Records, is about to begin a two-week tour of the US.  Teaming up with Brooklyn-based band, Lights, they will be beginning on the east coast and heading west, bringing their signature sound and backwards left-handed guitar playing with them along the way.

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GREEN RIVER ORDINANCE SET TO TOUR / VIDEO

Texas rockers Green River Ordinance are set to hit the road with Sleeperstar next month on a headlining tour.  The two bands teamed up to record a very catchy song announcing the new shows and had a lot of fun recording a video to go along with it.  Check out the dates below and watch the video featuring stop-motion animation, a stuffed hippo, and GRO drummer Denton Hunker in a monkey costume.

10 Feb 2010 8:00 P
Jammin Java (Washington DC) Vienna

11 Feb 2010 8:00 P
The Note (Philly) Westchester, Pennsylvania

13 Feb 2010 9:00 P
Harpers Ferry Allston, Massachusetts

15 Feb 2010 3:00 P
NACA – Mainstage Boston, Massachusetts

16 Feb 2010 8:00 P
Mercury Lounge New York, New York

17 Feb 2010 8:00 P
Club Cafe Live Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

18 Feb 2010 8:00 P
Musica Akron, Ohio

19 Feb 2010 8:00 P
Radio Radio Indianapolis, Indiana

20 Feb 2010 8:00 P
The Basement Columbus, Ohio

HELLOWEEN CELEBRATE 25 YEARS WITH DR. STEIN VIDEO

The End Records, under exclusive license from Sony Music Entertainment Germany, is pleased to announce the North American release of Helloween’s long awaited album UNARMED – Best Of 25th Anniversary, out March 30th. Read more

HEAVY PSYCH ROCKERS MONDO DRAG RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM

Fast-rising heavy psych rock band MONDO DRAG has just released its debut album, New Rituals.  The Davenport, Iowa-based quintet’s mind-expanding new record is in stores now – on CD and limited edition red LP — via Alive Records.

Merging exciting psychedelic rock with an electric blues edge, MONDO DRAG delivers a sound that references the past while pushing forwards towards the future (Jimi Hendrix, Pentagram, Blue Cheer and even Pink Floyd are part of the band’s musical lexicon, while Sonic Youth hints to its current references).  MONDO DRAG’s first-rate live performances have become a thing of local legend in and around its Midwest home and have seen the band share stages with artists such as Sleepy Sun, Dead Meadow, Witchcraft, Radio Moscow, Jennifer Gentle, The Dodos, Cass McCombs, Awesome Color and Monotonix to name a few. With a hulking wall of sound, an arsenal of guitars and a head full of clouds, MONDO DRAG is on a rock n’ roll mission.

www.mondodrag.org

DELUKA REMIXES KE$HA’S SMASH HIT “TIK TOK”

After tackling a few mash ups of their own with Does It Offend You, Yeah? and Miike Snow, Deluka takes Ke$ha’s smash hit TiK ToK to a whole ‘nother level!

Mixing their own signature electronic sound and throwing in some nice little Deluka touches to the TiK ToK video, the band turned out an amazing remix.

www.myspace.com/deluka

THE CLASSY & CLASSICAL AMAEL PIANO TRIO

New York Concert Review – Amael Trio at Carnegie Hall: Amael Piano Trio is a very fine group. The string player’s intonation is impeccable, their tone is rich, beautiful and homogeneous and can vary from floating delicacy to vibrant full bodied sonorousness… A large multi-national audience rewarded the performers with warm approval and prolonged ovations…

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