A Hush Records Retrospective

Hush Records is the creation of Chad Crouch. It was formed around 1997 and focuses on what Chad calls "anti-rock." Originally he built a studio in his basement, and many of the early recordings were made there. For the most part, the artists focus on mellow acoustic music. However, there are a few exceptions, such as Kind of Like Spitting. Some of my favorite artists include Corrina Repp, Reclinerland, and Amy Annelle. They also have at least two Decemberists albums available. Please give the playlist a listen, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Click here to listen. Check out their website here.

Song of the Day - Jan 31, 2005

The Blow is a one artist band formed by Khaela Maricich, a performing artist/musician from K Records, who has been receiving increasing press lately. She has worked with The Microphones and Mirah, also K Record artists. She is not your typical indie star, but is quite unique. Her lyrics are clever and her music tends to be more on the minimalist side. My choice for song of the day is "How Naked Are We Going To Get?" Click here to listen. Another favorite track is "Night Full of Open Eyes." Click here to listen. I recommend you check out her other albums, she has two more on Rhapsody.

Play It Fast And Loud

If you are feeling a little sluggish, I have just the cure. I have put together a playlist based on the current garage rock revival. The list includes The Datsuns, The Mooney Suzuki, Vines, and of course The White Stripes. I also threw in some early influences like Iggy Pop and The Ramones. I will post the complete list in the comments section. Forget your coffee this morning, these songs will get your moving. Click here to listen.

Song of the Day - Jan 28, 2005

My choice for song of the day is "Young Man," by The Blackouts. I came across the track quite by accident, but was immediately drawn to it. It starts quietly then breaks into a dissonant sax solo, followed by panic stricken vocals. It immediately reminded me of Public Image Limited. After doing some research, I was surprised to find out that The Blackouts no longer existed and that the album that this track comes from is an anthology of their songs, which were from the 80's. As a former sax player and veteran of the 80's, I was predisposed to like this song. Tell me what you think. Click here to listen.

Song of the Day - Jan 27, 2006

I guess I have been obsessed with British bands lately. My latest find is Seachange. They are out of Nottingham. This particular track "Glitterball" is my favorite. It reminds me a little bit of Joy Division, with its emphasis on minor chords but not quite as depressing. It definitely has more of a pop sound, as the song starts slowly and eventually builds to a crescendo, only to fade near the end. Click here to listen.

Song of the Day - Jan 26, 2005

Wolfmother is a return to our rock and roll roots. A three piece band out of Sydney, Australia, Wolfmother is from the garage band school of rock. They sound like a cross of Black Sabbath with Led Zepplin, but with a little bit of The White Stripes mixed in. My choice for song of the day is "Apple Tree." Give it a listen and tell me what you think. Click here to listen.

Tuesday's Mix

I thought I would put a random mix together today. The mix includes The Decemberists, Shins, The Concretes, Tegan and Sara, and a few others. See the comments section for a complete list. Click here to listen.

Song of the Day - Jan 25, 2005

Eyestrings has been deemed a progressive rock band. Based out of Detroit, they have been obviously influenced by the likes of Yes, Peter Gabriel, The Beatles, and others. If you are not a fan of these bands or progressive rock, I still recommend you give the track "Dead Superman" a listen. The song starts softly and acoustically, only to later gain intensity and volume. The song has many of these type of transitions, which result in a very compelling song. Click here to listen.

Song of the Day - Jan 24, 2005

One of the hottest new bands out of Manchester, England is Lisa Brown. They sound like a mixture of The Doves, Elbow, and early U2. They presently have an EP out, but it is not available on Rhapsody. However, they do have one track available. My choice for song of the day is "Reverie." Click here to listen. If you want to here more of their songs, check out their website.

Riot Grrrl Bands Plus a Few Others

I put together a list of women who rock. The list is heavy on riot grrrl bands, like Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, Tribe 8, Sleater-Kinney, etc. I also included some of the original women rockers, like Janis Joplin, Patti Smith, and Joan Jett. There are a few more obscure acts as well. I am sure the list will get you up and moving. Click here to listen.

Song of the Day Jan 21, 2005

Gris Gris is defined as a form of voodoo which may have ten times the potency of traditional voodoo. It is sometimes referred to as the iron fist of voodoo due to its hammer-like quality of relentless pounding until the spell takes effect. The neo psychedelic sound of The Gris Gris soon will put you under a spell. The Gris Gris sound like they are straight out of the Haight Ashbury scene in the 60's. If you combine Jefferson Airplane, early Rolling Stones, and The Stooges, you will have some idea of how they sound. My choice for song of the day is "Raygun." Click here to listen.

Song of the Day Jan 20, 2005

Some of you may be familiar with the indie band That Dog and some of you may be familiar with legendary guitarist Bill Frisell. Petra Haden, was the founder and leader of the former That Dog, as well as the daughter of the great jazz bassist Charlie Haden. Petra along with Frisell have collaborated to form a beautiful album. Many of the songs are covers of songs by ColdPlay, Stevie Wonder, The Foo Fighters, and others. My favorite track is "Satellite," a cover of the Elliot Smith tune. Click here to listen.

A Few Jazz Piano Gems

I suppose everybody thought I was just into indie music, however, that couldn't be further from the truth. One of my great loves is jazz piano. If your not a fan, give the list a listen. You may change your mind. My all time favorite pianist is McCoy Tyner. I once had the pleasure to meet him. For the uninitiated, he might not be to your taste. However, with time, you will probably find him to be one of your favorite pianists. Other pianists include Gene Harris, Ahmad Jamal, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Bill Evans, and many more. For the non jazz fans, I recommend you give the tracks "Hey Joe" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" a try. See the comments section for a complete listing. Click here to listen.

Song of the Day - Jan 19, 2005

You gotta love this song! The Features hail from Tennessee, but they don't have a country sound at all. Blaring guitars, overdriven amps, pounding drums, what is not to like. I read that they are the new favorite band of The Kings of Leon. High praise as far as I am concerned. Click here to listen to "That's The Way It's Meant to Be."

Song of the Day - Jan 18, 2005

Brechtian punk cabaret? What is that? That is how some describe The Dresden Dolls. Their music is unique, challenging, and destined for greatness. They remind me of Ute Lemper crossed with Nirvana backed by a piano. You might think that they are from Germany, but the duo are originally from Boston. "Missed Me" is my choice for the song of the day. Click here to listen.

The British Music Scene

Here's a playlist devoted to the British music scene. Not all the bands are British, but they are either big in Britain or appreciated more than in the United States. Check out Seafood and The Dresden Dolls two of my favorites. I will post the complete list in the comments section. Click here to listen.

Song of the Day - Jan 17, 2005

I just discovered this today. Electrelane is an all girl band out of England. I was pleased to discover this song, as well as the album, was produced by Steve Albini. I have been a fan of Albini's since I was a teenager listening to Steve on Northwestern's radio station. The song is called "Gone Under Sea." The song is sung in French and I have no idea at all what they are saying, but I just love the sound. Click here to give it a listen.

Song of the Day - Jan 16. 2005

My song of the day is "Persimmon tres" by Midnight Movies. Midnight Movies reminds me a little bit of Joy Division crossed with early Pink Floyd, but with a female lead singer. They are from LA and are very popular there. It will only be a matter of time before their fame grows. Click here to listen.

Art Brut

One of my favorite new tunes is Art Brut's "Formed A Band." Unfortunately it is not on Rhapsody. However, I have a link to their video. Click here to watch.

Song of the day - Jan 15, 2005

If you want to listen to some new britpop, give the Kaiser Chiefs a try. "I Predict a Riot" is their latest hit. They are currently touring with The Killers, The Futureheads, and Bloc Party in England. Click here to give them a listen.

Favorite Album of 2004

Thanks to another Rhapsody blog, I discovered my favorite album of 2004. Tegan and Sara's So Jealous is some of the best music I have heard in a long time. Tegan and Sara are identical twins from Canada. For those of you who don't know them, their lyrics are intelligent, the rhythms catchy, and their sound is unique. You will be hearing a lot more of them in the future. Outstanding tracks include "Take Me Anywhere," "I Know I Know I Know," "Where Does the Good Go," and "Walking with a Ghost." Click here to give it a listen.

Cosmik Debris

Let the mystery man come over and reach nirvana with Frank Zappa. Sit down, relax, and grab that prince of food the muffin, while enjoying Frank Zappa. Listen

Music From My Youth

Here's a sample of some of the tunes I used to listen to when I was young. You must have Rhapsody to listen to the list. The playlist includes bands like the Clash, Jam, Iggy Pop, Bauhaus, Psychedelic Furs, Mission of Burma, etc. Click here to give it a listen. Tell me if it brings back any memories.

Song of the Day -Jan 14, 2004

Here is a great song by a new band called The Bravery. The song is called Unconditional. Click here to give it a try.