Way, way back in yesteryear, when Gigatracks was nothing more than a glimmer in my eye (that’s 2003, for you newbies) we were compiling a roster of artists to include in our initial launch of the site. No one knew who we were, so we had to work extra hard to convince them to let us put a track on our site. One of these bands that allowed us the pleasure was Stereoside, although at that time they were called 60 Cycle Hum. So we have something of a soft spot for these guys. Needless to say, I was definitely down for reviewing ‘Wake Up’ when they contacted me to find out if I was interested. Read the rest of this entry »

David Gates, a music critic that came up during the 60’s, has an article over at Newsweek detailing his trek through musical history. His conclusion? THESE are the good ol’ days.

David Gates is a baby boomer music critic who has written an interesting piece that chronicles his personal journey through rock and pop music. I found the article to be really interesting, so I thought I might share. Here’s an excerpt:

“Maybe I’ve kept up out of contrariness. Some of my coevals got off the train at disco, unable to recognize that this was the most danceable music since the waltz, or to hear such classic soul singers as Donna Summer and Patti LaBelle through the cultural noise. Others dropped away when they didn’t get the Ramones or the Sex Pistols or Elvis Costello or Talking Heads. (Now they think they liked them all along.) And when hip-hop arrived, many white boomers—some 40-ish blacks too—suddenly got old and cranky. You should’ve been there when, in my first naive enthusiasm, I played “F— Tha Police” for a longtime music buddy. I might have felt the same, if I hadn’t been writing about it for a news magazine. But come on: trance music with block-rocking beats and cusswords? I’d been waiting for this since I was 9.”

If you are interested, check out the full article:
A Generation That Changed Music

I’ve long considered Victor Wooten to be one of, if not THE, greatest bass players to ever pick up the instrument (Sorry Jaco). For any doubters that may be left out there. Check out this video of Vic doin’ his thang.

“Cause I’m a heartbreaker.  I’m a heartbreaker.  But I’m gonna try to change your life if it’s the last thing I do.  Cause you might be a heartbreaker, too.” - The Lonely Hearts

I don’t know which would be better:  To be the talent scout for Tooth & Nail Records or to be the promoter for the talent once it is signed and recorded.  Either way, you can’t freaking lose.  These guys have the best jobs in the music industry right now as far as I’m concerned.  If you look back, you will note that Anberlin’s and Mae’s albums (both on T&N) were on the Best of 2005 here at Gigatracks.  Now, those T&N kids have unearthed another gem:  The Lonely Hearts.

The Lonely Hearts first album is called “Paper Tapes” and from front to back…from “Passive Aggressive” to “Movie Night”…this thing sounds and feels good.  Really good.  All year I’ve been knocking the music industry over the lack of solid albums hitting the shelves this year.  There’s been a few, but 2006 for the most part has been slow, painfully slow.  And to think, my year might still be suffering in the same doldrums if it hadn’t been for my picking up an article on David Ellefson’s (Megadeth) faith and the review for “Paper Tapes” was on the subsequent pages.  The review peaked my interest and I went rushing around Winston-Salem trying to find a record store that carried it.  I went 1 for 4 on the search, but oh the one…

To some, the vocals stylings will remind one of Ryan Adams.  Get past it.  I can hear it at times, but the music and the fullness of the record plus the strength apparent in the vocals make Ryan Adams latest stuff look more like backwash than music.  Every article that I’ve found about the band mentions them with some combination of the following:  Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Gram Parsons, Sheryl Crow, Wilco, etc.  Even more apparent, from the namesake of the band right on down, are The Beatles.  All of the above (well, except The Beatles) shift them directly into the world of Americana music.

But there’s a difference.

Americana has gotten worn out lately.  And just like Nashville these days, Americana, too, needs a good swift kick in the butt.  The Lonely Hearts do it with subtlety, but nevertheless, effectively.  So if you’ve been trying to grab hold of Son Volt but you can’t handle Jay Farrar’s voice.  Or if you want to like Ryan Adams, but you’re discouraged that he hasn’t learned he doesn’t need to produce every single thought he has.  If Wilco is musically pleasing, but doesn’t give you enough tracks to sing along to.  If you like Americana, but you just want a little more “pop”, then this is the record for you.

Highlights of the album are “War Brides”, “Love and Politics” and “Good Intentions”…and the best track I’ve heard this year:  Heartbreaker.  It could be that Will Holland has finally helped me to come to terms with the demons of my past with this song.  And hey, isn’t that what music is for?  Maybe that’s why it is so good to me.  Or maybe, it just plain rocks.

Do yourselves a favor and pick up The Lonely Hearts.  Meanwhile, I’ll be applying for a job at Tooth & Nail.

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Okay.  Let’s clear something up right away.  There apparently are a tubload of bands out there running around with the name Smokescreen tattooed on their backs.  To be clear:  This is not the British band known as Smokescreen.  This is not the Black Label Society-sounding metal band known as Smokescreen.  This is the Tempe, Arizona kids that combine some late 80’s alternative sensibilities with a dose of moderate rock in the end making some quite catchy music. Read the rest of this entry »

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You are gonna like Josh Woodward.  Trust me.

The arrangement on Fight the Sea (from his 2005 album Crawford Street) is clean and simple, a treat to hear in today’s overburdened - overpolished pop productions.  Combining a keen feel for the trappings of pop and a tinge of what appears to be Americana (I could miss my guess on that one), Woodward lets the instruments build slowly through the intro like they were searching for their muse.  When found, they bang together and then mellow out to support the main focus here…his words and vocals.  His voice is honest and sincere and although the lyrics beg the listener to “turn around, there is nothing to see here” … the listener should do anything but that, as this singer / songwriter offers much to hear and therefore “see”. Read the rest of this entry »

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With a little bit of David Gray and a little bit of Sunny Day Real Estate, Shortwave Radio have a sound that seems to tow the line between indie rock and pure unadulterated pop. And as you listen to ‘Cardiac’ you’ll see that they take these two sounds and blend them into a song that is stunning. With their use of layered strings, Shortwave sounds thick and lush, yet the lyrics remain personal and intimate. “All I wanted was someone to mend my broken heart”, singer Andy Spilburg sings in the chorus. ‘Cardiac’ belongs on a soundtrack to a rainy Sunday afternoon.

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This has to be one of the strangest band names that we have had here at Gigatracks. Apes In The Orange Grove’s track ‘Maybe April’ however moves past funny band names and makes you really dig this band. Between the singers voice and the general vibe of the track, I can’t help but see some similarities between Apes and 311. And even though this track doesn’t have it, they share that reggae vibe on quite a few of their other tracks. Apes seems to be a little more quirky than 311 though, with their use of “baby” instruments, as they like to call them.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Despite some technical difficulties, we managed to get a copy of Chris Bryan’s ‘Seasons’ to share with everyone. And I think you’ll agree that it was worth the effort. This is a simple, beautiful acoustic track that features just Chris and his acoustic guitar. His voice just seems to float over the bare strumming and creates the perfect texture for this song. The simple sound, makes a great backdrop for the personal heart-felt lyrics, such as, “I look you up and down to see if love will surface again”, which is a killer lyric, I might add. Read the rest of this entry »

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A little bit of serendipity brought me this wonderful track ‘Seems So Far’ from Jets Overhead. I was actually trying to get clearance for a track from Tegan & Sara and since I was having trouble getting the go ahead for that one, I was directed to this track instead by Piers Henwood, who happens to be Tegan & Sara’s manager and also Jets guitarist/keyboardist. And I am appreciative of that, because Jets Overhead turned out to be an absolutely amazing band. Read the rest of this entry »