Now Streaming: Good Old War - Good Old War

The latest album to enjoy streaming is none other than Good Old War's sophomore self-titled album and I for one couldn't be more excited. Unlike the other Now Streaming features, the album is available for streaming at Good Old War's myspace. Expect an album review shortly and to shorten the wait enjoy the archived ustream show from the 19th:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/7050709

Once again, you can listen to the whole album in full (well, minus the two unreleased iTunes pre-order bonus tracks) at their myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/goodoldwar

The Drums premiere Forever & Ever Amen video

Brooklyn beach pop band The Drums are back with a new single and music video for "Forever & Ever Amen"which they premiered earlier this month. The new video is similar to the video for "Best Friend" that featured vocalist/bandleader Jonathan Pierce dancing and singing while bandmates played and then packed up around him. Instead the band travels from an alleyway, plays on a roof, and then plays in a youth social club that is more or less torn down while they're still playing by a bunch of rebellious, destructive, angry youths. Fans of Pierce's loveable dance moves won't be disappointed.

Watch the video for "Forever & Ever Amen" here:


Also The Drums are releasing an album next month so stayed tuned for more about that.

Jonsi - Go (2010)

I had missed the big Sigur Ros phase seeming all of my friends went through a couple years ago and so I was totally content to ignore Icelandic singer/songwriter Jonsi's debut album Go that was released early last month despite the increasing number of magazine features, interviews, and reviews. All of that changed last week when I saw Jonsi perform the album's lead track "Go Do" on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Energetic and upbeat yet calm and tranquil at the same time, it's no surprise that I was almost immediately motivated to give the album a listen. Jonsi's intriguinglly colorful bird-inspired dress certainly didn't hinder my curiousity either (that and I'm a sucker for finely played ukelele). Go did not disappoint with downright rapturous arrangements by composer Nico Muhly that no doubt aid Jonsi's attention catching falsetto, and you certainly don't have to know anything about the Icelandic language or culture to enjoy the stunningly well-crafted record. I should mention Jonsi sings predominantly in English on this album but there are moments where he smoothly shifts between the two languages. After second track "Animal Arithmetic" and it's lighting-fast hyperactive intensity, the rest of the album maintains a steady (though in no way lethargic) calm. A favorite moment of my mine of the album is an instrumental melody in "Boy Lilikoi" that sounds like a melodic line from Le Loup's "Planes Like Vultures" (the repetitive "Oh this world was made for ending" line). Whether that was intentional or not remains to be seen but it's always nice when music syncs up like that. I heard in an interview that Jonsi had been working on several songs on the album for about 10 years, and while impressive I certainly hope it doesn't take that long before he delivers a follow-up album but if that's the price of such well-written music I think we can all wait.

Preview the album with video for lead/single track "Go Do":

Or you can stream the whole album at Jonsi's website:
http://www.jonsi.com/go#order

Live!: John Craigie at The Cubbyhole

This thursday evening I had the great pleasure of seeing folk musician John Craigie play at show at The Cubbyhole coffeehouse in Poughkeepsie. Firstly because he traveled all the way from California and put a Poughkeepsie show on his East Coast tour but also because of the stellar caliber of his performing. John Craigie's guitar, vocal, and harmonica stylings were all top notch. Playing original songs and the occasional cover, taking audience requests, playing funny songs about Chuck Norris and a myriad of other topics, John Craigie was a real audience pleaser. The last time I attended a show at The Cubbyhole, I had the misfortune of sitting through one of those generic singer/songwriter types with predictable lyrics. Fortunately this show was not the case. John's lyrics were smart, his melodies memorable, and he gave off the vibe of someone that was truly glad to be doing what he does and to be playing for people. John Craigie might not be all that well known but he totally deserves to be. His talent is awe-inspiring as he adapted several of his "rowdier" songs to fit the mellow venue and played an audience requested "Wagon Wheel" pretty much effortless. Here's to hoping there's more on the horizon for this folk musician from California.

Check out John Craigie's music here at his myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/johncraigie

Janelle Monae dazzles on Letterman

So earlier this week Janelle Monae made her late night television debut performing her latest single "Tightrope" from the recently released debut album The Arch-Android. Her performance was probably one of the most energetic I've seen on any late night show and reminded me of Michael Jackson (watch her feet as she glides across the stage) and James Brown (an assistant bring her a cape). Enjoy Janelle Monae's performance of "Tightrope" on Letterman here:

Good Old War Ustream show on 5/19

Lots of Good Old War love today. The indie folk pop trio from Philly have their sophomore album coming out on June 1st and in support of that the band has been doing little live concerts on Ustream. The first of which happened on May 10th and can be viewed here:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/6826282

Their second and hopefully not last live show was originally scheduled for this past Monday but when one of the band members took ill, they moved the date to this Wednesday May 19th at 7pm Eastern. Viewers get will the opportunity to listen to a relaxed live concert as well as hear a bit about what the band is up to and ask them questions. So if that sounds like your cup of tee you can check it out tommorrow at the following link: http://www.ustream.tv/goodoldwar

The trio has also been slowly (I think weekly) been adding songs off their new album to their Purevolume to preview. You can listen to "My Own Sinking Ship", "I Should Go", and "That's Some Dream" as well as some older songs/acoustic sessions here:
http://www.purevolume.com/goodoldwar

Also the band embarks on their tour this week so make sure to catch a show if they're anywhere near you.

Watch: Good Old War - "My Own Sinking Ship" live

Good Old War's new album comes out June 1st, and so to ease the wait a bit they played an acoustic set for Sargent House. It features the three-part vocal harmonies fans have come to love and features, instead of on drums, drummer Tim Arnold on accordion. Enjoy "My Own Sinking Ship":