. . . I was never that good at the words anyways - bn


. . . you're not punk and i'm tellin everyone, save your breath i never was one - bs



Friday, March 30, 2012

DPDC Quarterly Report 1Q2012

In what I hope to make a consistent feature on the site, I've compiled a list of some recommended full-length albums released during the first three months of the year. Plan to do the same in June/July and in Sept/Oct and will have the year end "Best of" list in Dec/Jan.

Lucero - Woman & Work: You can read my brief thoughts from earlier this month, but W & W continues on the road paved by Overton Park, maybe a bit less successfully in my opinion, but still has some standout tracks.

The Menzingers - On the Impossible Past: Another set of lyrically strong melodic rock/punk songs from these guys. Kinda invokes older Alkaline Trio, American Steel and even Gaslight Anthem to me.

Todd Snider - Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables: Snider is back with more perfectly sloppy guitars and witty/biting lyrics.

The Shins - Port of Morrow: Some tracks are more reminiscent of Shins of old while others seem to cover a wide spectrum of influences. Big nod to alot of psych-pop stuff.

Damien Jurado - Maraqopa: As with 'Saint Bartlett' Richard Swift's touches are all over this record. A continued departure from the sparseness of his earliest albums, it's again full of classic rock influence with bursts of psychedelic guitar, organ, etc. that put you back several decades. I'd of course endorse everything he's done over the past 15-ish years from earlier stripped down folk through his continued evolution.

First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar: These swedish sisters put out fantastic songs inspired by classic american folk and country. Unafraid to wear their influences on their sleeves, they pull it off nicely.

Cheap Girls - Giant Orange: Another solid album from Cheap Girls featuring hook-laden songs with loud guitars. I guess you'd call it power pop. These songs would be right at home in the 90's, along side acts from Superchunk to Superdrag. Vocals actually really remind me of Damien Jurado's on his more raucous, "I Break Chairs."

The White Buffalo - Once Upon a Time in the West: Think country rock springsteen meets eddie vedder. Sorry, that's the best i've got.

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball: Speaking of . . .

Craig Finn - Clear Heart Full Eyes: While i'm not totally enamored with this thing, it's certainly good and a nice hold over til the next Hold Steady Album.

To listen to a couple of tracks from each album, follow the link below

DPDC 1Q2012 Quarterly Report

and if there have been other highly worthwhile releases this year that i'm neglecting, let me know.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Rocky Votolato - New Album Stream

Rocky Votolato's new album "Television of Saints" is set for release on April 3rd, but you can listen to it now courtesy of paste magazine. He hasn't fallen off a bit.

Album Stream: Rocky Votolato - Television of Saints - Paste Magazine

Return to Playlists - Tonight It's Whiskey

It's been awhile since I've posted one of those themed playlists i'm so fond of. So, while I'm layin off this evening, for someone, somewhere . . .

Tonight It's Whiskey

Tracklist:
Lucero - Last Night in Town
Glossary - At Midnight
Alone at 3am - Whiskey and Gin
Drive By Truckers - Women Without Whiskey
Red City Radio - Too Much Whiskey Not Enough Blankets
Hold Steady - Massive Nights
Hayes Carll - Knockin' over Whiskeys
Lucero - California
The Evening Rig - Goddamn, I could use a Drink
Wrinkle Neck Mules - Whiskey Jars
Drive By Truckers - Fourth Night of my Drinking
Dillinger Four - Doublewhiskeycokenoice
Banner Pilot - Empty your Bottles
Todd Snider - Alcohol & Pills
Sons of Bill - Broken Bottles
Lucero - I'll Just Fall
Rocky Votolato - Whiskey Straight
Drag the River - Get Drunk
American Gun - Drunk Girls
Uncle Tupelo - Whiskey Bottle
Richard Buckner - Lucky Buzz
Dear Landlord - Whiskey and Records
Lucero - Drink til We're Gone
500 Miles to Memphis - Shots
The Menzingers - They Speak of my Drinking, but Never of My Thirst
Kasey Anderson - All Lit Up
Alkaline Trio - Cooking Wine
Rocky Votolato - Makers
Sons of Bill - Charleston
Hold Steady - Citrus

Follow the link above to listen. I'd recommend on random.

Glossary Bandcamp page

I apparently missed it but Glossary launched their new Bandcamp page last month.

You should head over to sample and download their albums (all $5 or free). My personal favorites are probably "For What I don't Become," "Better Angels . . .," and/or "Feral Fire," but it's hard to say (and you'll notice "Long Live all of Us" easily made my "Best of 2011" list).

Everything Glossary puts out is well worth your time, support and money. Don't understand how anyone can not love this band.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

New Lucero - Women & Work

As you may have gathered, Lucero has long held 'favorite band' status for me. So, it feels a bit odd to be critical of anything they release. That said, upon initial listens, the new album out this week, Woman & Work, is kinda hit & miss for me. It certainly continues along the path they started down with Overton Park (and exhibits an even happier/cheerier/poppier disposition), and it's hard to knock them for any direction they choose, but it does make me a bit nostalgic for what i'll selfishly deem classic Lucero. Anyway, I'll let you judge for yourself. There are certainly still some new Lucero classics on it.

You can listen to a stream of the new album here.

Also, in my fit of nostalgia i've compiled a best of Lucero spotify playlist of sorts, with a collection of my favorites, though i found it hard not to add nearly everything in the back catalog. If you have an account just follow the link.

"Best of" Lucero Playlist

Still super excited as always about seeing them at 9:30 club in April.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Signs of Life & Best of 2011

So . . . after causing a prolonged hiatus I think life has settled down enough that I can start to consistently post again. No better way to reinstate the blog than with a belated Best of 2011 list.

The following are my favorite albums of 2011

1. Rural Alberta Advantage - Departing
2. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Here We Rest
3. Banner Pilot - Heart Beats Pacific
4. Glossary - Long Live All of Us
5. Middle Brother - S/T
6. Laura Stevenson & The Cans - Sit Resist
7. Living Daylights - What Keeps You Breathing
8. Horrible Crowes - Elsie
9. Have Gun Will Travel - Mergers & Acquistions
10. Red City Radio - The Dangers of Standing Still
11. Dawes - Nothing is Wrong
12. Elway - Delusions
13. Richard Buckner - Our Blood
14. Austin Lucas - A New Home in the Old World
15. Lauderdale - Moving On
16. Kite Party - Baseball Season
17. Deep Dark Woods - The Place I Left Behind
18. Restorations - S/T
19. Okkervil River - I Am Very Far
20. Title Fight - Shed
21. William Elliot Whitmore - Field Songs
22. Dead to Me - Moscow Penny Ante
23. War on Drugs - Slave Ambient
24. Polar Bear Club - Clash Battle Guilt Pride
25. Kasey Anderson & The Honkies - Heart of a Dog

If you have a Spotify account (which is free and easy to set up) follow the link below to listen to a playlist featuring a couple of tracks from each album.

Dixie Punk DC Best of 2011

I had to cut off the list somewhere, but Deer Tick, Frank Turner, Chuck Ragan, Joyce Manor, The Head & The Heart, Woods, My Morning Jacket, Prison Book Club and more also put out great albums last year.

Sorry again for the absence, expect more soon.

I plan to add a collaborator, so hopefully that will allow for more routine (and dynamic) content.

To those who do, thanks for following.