Massachusetts band Wheat will release their new full-length record, White Ink, Black Ink, July 21. They're also doing some shows this summer. For those in the New York area, they'll be over at Mercury Lounge on June 27. Have a listen to "H.O.T.T." from the upcoming release.
Track Listing
- H.O.T.T
- Changes Is
- My Warning Song
- El Sincero
- Living 2 Die
- Everything Falls
- Music Is Drugs
- Coke and Tanqueray
- Two Mountains
- I Want Less
- Baby In My Way
www.wheatmusic.com
www.myspace.com/wheatmusic
UK rock band Kasabian have a new record coming out. Their third studio record, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, is due June 8 in the UK and June 9 here in the US. I had heard songs from this pending release and liked what I heard. Those songs put me in the mood for a proper day of Kasabian listening (music player on repeat) and left me looking forward to the new release.Well, I got my hands on a copy of West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum last week. I got it home, popped it in and I've been listening to it for several days now and haven't gotten bored with it. It should be noted, that this is a big deal for me since I categorize myself as a casual Kasabian listener. When I'm a casual listener of an artist, I tend to listen for a couple of days, get bored and then ignore it until something sparks my interest to listen to it again. This hasn't happened and I don't foresee it happening with West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum as I'm honestly enjoying this work. My first thoughts were, "this sounds a bit retro." That doesn't mean it sounds old or dated or even that retro is a negative. West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum is some serious electro psychedelic funk. There's a lot of fun rhythm on this record. You get a nice dose of late 60's psychedelia as well as vintage po
p sounds mixed with current day electro dance all making for one heck of a rock album. "Swarfiga" is an instrumental that leaves me imagining this is what you would have heard if Booker T. & The M.G.'s had made music on the sunny beaches of California with a side trip to England instead of Memphis. "Fast Fuse" continues in the same groovy vibe where as "Take Aim" starts acoustic with vague South American flourishes before turning into a wicked mid-tempo groove ... nice.I wasn't sure about "Thick As Thieves" when I first heard it. But after a couple of listens I found myself enjoying the interesting slice of vintage pop mixed with the theatrical somewhat cabaret leanings it offers up. Somewhere along the line, they decided to channel classic Rolling Stones in "Ladies And Gentleman (Roll The Dice)" and "Happiness." These songs are what you'd imagine The Stones would sound like if they still released good songs.The highlight songs of the album are the previously mentioned "Swarfiga" and "Vlad The Impaler" with it's serious dirty groove; it beckons you to some hot, sweaty, questionable club to dance half naked pressed against strangers while not giving a damn. If there isn't already a remix for this song, I fully expect one. "Fire," which at the moment is my favorite of the 12 songs, for some reason, during the low key moments reminds me of Jim Morrison and begs me to hippy dance. These low key moments are surrounded by and kick into a modern day dance floor rev up.Would I recommend West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum? It's an overall good record that casual listeners such as myself can fully enjoy as well as those who consider themselves fans. So, you bet your sweet funky backside I would recommend it.
Track Listing
- Underdog
- Where Did All The Love Go?
- Swarfiga
- Fast Fuse
- Take Aim
- Thick As Thieves
- West Ryder Silver Bullet
- Vlad The Impaler
- Ladies And Gentleman (Roll The Dice)
- Secret Alphabets
- Fire
- Happiness
www.myspace.com/kasabian
blog.kasabian.co.uk
Metalheads of the world, take note, Judas Priest are releasing a new live album. In July they will unleash A Touch of Evil: Live. The mighty Priest, Rob Halford (vocals), Glenn Tipton (guitars), K.K. Downing (guitars), Ian Hill (bass) and Scott Travis (drums) have put together an album of tracks that have all been previously unreleased in live form on CD. That means, we get the make your ears bleed guitar assault of "Painkiller" live ... nice. This also marks the first time anything from their recent concept album Nostradamus makes a live album appearance in "Death" and "Prophecy" respectively. The songs were recorded during Priest's 2005 and 2008 world tours and was produced by Tom Allom who produced their classic live album Unleashed In The East. He also produced the classic British Steel which Priest will be performing in its entirety this summer to celebrate it's 30th anniversary.
Track Listing
- Judas Rising
- Hellrider
- Between The Hammer & The Anvil
- Riding On The Wind
- Death
- Beyond The Realms of Death
- Dissident Aggressor
- A Touch of Evil
- Eat Me Alive
- Prophecy
- Painkiller
www.judaspriest.com
Upcoming shows in the New York area ...
May 26 -- Paramount Styles / Loxsly at Union Hall
www.un
ionhallny.com
May 26 -- Midnight Masses at Union Pool
www.myspace.com/unionpool
May 26 -- Keane at Wellmont Theatre
www.wellmonttheatre.com
May 27 -- Blood Street / Hill Country Revue at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
May 27 - 29 -- Zap Mama (pictured) at Joe's Pub
www.joespub.com
May 28 -- Jeannine Hebb at Spike Hill
www.spikehill.com
May 28 -- Action Painters at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
May 28 -- Chickenfoot at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
www.irvingplaza.com
May 29 -- Au Revoir Simone / The Antlers at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
May 29 - 30 -- Alice Smith at Joe's Pub
www.joespub.com
May 30 -- Cait
lin Krisko & The Broadcast (pictured) at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
May 30 -- Parachute / Phil Benson at Knitting Factory
ny.knittingfactory.com
May 31 -- X / Steve Soto & the Twisted Hearts at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
May 31 -- The Bangles / Lindsay Rush at Wellmont Theatre
www.wellmonttheatre.com
May 31 -- The Tubes at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
www.bbkingblues.com
May 31 -- Imani Coppola at The Living Room
www.livingroomny.com
Legendary group Crosby, Stills & Nash are releasing an album of 12 unreleased demos simply titled, Demos. You can get your hands on it on June 2. Whether you're a long time fan, a casual fan or among the uninitiated, I think this is a collection all will enjoy. Normally, I wouldn't say that about a demo collection as most are products only die hard fans truly appreciate.This collection features demos recorded between 1968 and 1971. Many of the tracks feature the members, David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash going at it solo. The opening track, "Marrakesh Express," however, features all three members offering up the renowned harmonies we've come to know and love from them. This demo was recorded four months before the trio released their classic self-titled debut in 1969. Crosby and Stills can be heard on "Long Time Gone" recorded in 1968 mere weeks before Nash would join them. Neil Young makes an appearance too. You can hear him on "Music Is Love" with Crosby and Nash; the three co-wrote this song that would go on to appear on Crosby's solo debut.Of the songs I've heard thus far from this collection, Crosby's "Almost Cut My Hair" hands down blows me away. I will even go so far as to say that I like this demo version better than the version from their #1 album Déjà Vu. This song alone is worth the price of the record. You can hear it for yourselves, HERE, as part of this three song "listening party" that also includes "Marrakesh Express” and “Love The One You’re With." Crosby, Stills & Nash are going to be on tour all over the place in the U.S. and Europe. For those in the New York area they'll be at Jones Beach on August 8.
Track Listing
- Marrakesh Express
- Almost Cut My Hair
- You Don't Have To Cry
- Déjà Vu
- Sleep Song
- My Love Is A Gentle Thing
- Be Yourself
- Music Is Love
- Singing Call
- Long Time Gone
- Chicago
- Love The One You're With
www.crosbystillsnash.com
www.myspace.com/crosbystillsandnash
www.myspace.com/davidcrosby
www.myspace.com/stephenstills
www.myspace.com/grahamnash
Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast are playing Mercury Lounge this Saturday, May 30. This show will also serve as a record release party. The record, Over the Undercover, will be available at shows starting Saturday and from digital stores on June 15. I've heard the record; it's something to look forward to. And, swing by on Saturday if you're in the area.
www.CaitlinKrisko.com
www.myspace.com/caitlinkrisko
Austin rockers The Steps channel a bit of Brit-pop and add in a dash 70's garage glam rock to come up with a modern rock sound that makes for a fun mix of tunes. They have an EP, Take It All In, that will be released on July 21. I'm looking forward to checking out this release. If you're in the New York area, they're playing at Webster Hall on June 6.
www.wearethesteps.com
www.myspace.com/thesteps
Singer/songwriter Kennedy released his album, Life Is A Party, this week, May 19. The record is filled with electro trash and retro 70's sounding pop songs. I know what you're thinking, "QNYC, you don't generally go for that kind of stuff." True, but sometimes I do.Upon first look at the album cover, my first thought was, "Oh hell no! I'm not going to like this!" But, I gave it a listen. The first song "Karate" was ok, I liked the music well enough but the lyric didn't particularly do anything for me. I thought, so far so good, nothing horribly wretched happening to make me bail before listening to the rest of the record. Then we get to the second song, the insanely catchy "John & Yoko" which features vocals by French singer Yelle. To me, this is the standout track on the album. It's what I would call a summertime song. You know, those songs that seem to catch on like wildfire in the summer and has everybody and their mama playing it. Other songs that caught the ear, "Going Insane" and "Oh Yeah.""Your Mama" gets an honorary mention. Why? For being somewhat catchy but, mainly for the sheer fact that the video is an H.R. Pufnstuf/Sid and Marty Krofft, 70's, Saturday morning acid trip gone awry piece of reasonably delightful cheese. I mean that in a good way as I love a good piece of cheese. If you're not old enough to remember those delightful Saturday morning shows of questionable enrichment, search them out. But, in the meantime, check out the "Your Mama" video and witness it for yourselves.
Download "John & Yoko" HERE and "Karate" HERE.
Track Listing - Karate
- John & Yoko (feat. Yelle)
- Oh Yeah
- Hillbilly Witchcraft
- Mama Made Me A Pimp
- Going Insane
- Life Is A Party
- Sleep Talking
- Let It Out
- Wanted The World
- Your Mama
www.myspace.com/kennedy
www.kisforkennedy.com
Massachusetts band Wheat will release their new full-length record, White Ink, Black Ink, July 21. They're also doing some shows this summer. For those in the New York area, they'll be over at Mercury Lounge on June 27. Have a listen to "H.O.T.T." from the upcoming release.
UK rock band Kasabian have a new record coming out. Their third studio record, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, is due June 8 in the UK and June 9 here in the US. I had heard songs from this pending release and liked what I heard. Those songs put me in the mood for a proper day of Kasabian listening (music player on repeat) and left me looking forward to the new release.
p sounds mixed with current day electro dance all making for one heck of a rock album. 
dplay at Jones Beach
Track Listing
ionhallny.com
lin Krisko & The Broadcast (pictured) at Mercury Lounge
Legendary group Crosby, Stills & Nash are releasing an album of 12 unreleased demos simply titled, Demos. You can get your hands on it on June 2. Whether you're a long time fan, a casual fan or among the uninitiated, I think this is a collection all will enjoy. Normally, I wouldn't say that about a demo collection as most are products only die hard fans truly appreciate.
www.CaitlinKrisko.com
actionpaintersband.com
Austin rockers The Steps channel a bit of Brit-pop and add in a dash 70's garage glam rock to come up with a modern rock sound that makes for a fun mix of tunes. They have an EP, Take It All In, that will be released on July 21. I'm looking forward to checking out this release. If you're in the New York area, they're playing at Webster Hall on June 6. 
Singer/songwriter Kennedy released his album, Life Is A Party, this week, May 19. The record is filled with electro trash and retro 70's sounding pop songs. I know what you're thinking, "QNYC, you don't generally go for that kind of stuff." True, but sometimes I do.