Monthly Archives: January 2011

01.20.11
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Fergus & Geronimo- “Unlearn”

Unlearn

Fergus & Geronimo, believe it or not, is not a 1970s sitcom. Fergus & Geronimo is a duo of Jason Kelly and Andrew Savage with collaborations from others and when they perform live, they often do with a large groups of people. Yes, Fergus & Geronimo is a side project but Fergus Geronimo hopes you do not simply see them as a halfhearted attempt. Sorry, I just really think it is fun to type Fergus & Geronimo.

It is 2011 and I do not believe garage rock is still relevant; was garage rock ever relevant though? Anyways, Fergus & Geronimo fill the whole album of Unlearn with a stripped down unapologetic garage rock sound. At times, certain songs may peak your interest, most notably, “Where The Walls Are Made Of Grass”, which may take the award for Laziest Sounding Western Song Ever. Unfortunately, the past winner of this award was Natalie Cole for this great little number.

There is not much to write about this album actually. It is alright. If you want something new and fresh, do not bother even listening to it. The album becomes a bore after the second song and you have heard an album like this a hundred times. Unlearn brings nothing new to the table. As if lack of innovation was not enough, sometimes the musicianship is just sloppy. The anthem, “Wanna Know What I Would Do If I Was You”, is sluggishly sung. The vocals are almost as bad as Bill Murray in Lost In Translation. Sometimes it is nice to have relaxed vocals and at times even imperfect ones but Fergus & Geronimo sound like that drunken asshole that is always at the bar on karaoke night. As a listener of this album I feel similar to a mistreated girlfriend. I just wish Fergus & Geronimo would show that they care about me and put some passion into what they were giving me. I just want attention. I just want to know that they care. Instead, we are left with an uninspired lazy album. We are left with Fergus & Geronimo sitting on the couch and sipping a beer on Saturday night– forcing us to look for another lover that actually will show that they care.

01.20.11
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Alcoholic Faith Mission Debut New Video

 

Denmark’s Alcoholic Faith Mission has debuted a brand new video to celebrate 2011. The video is for the song “My Eyes To See” and you can catch it right here.

The song is off the band’s latest album (their third overall) Let This Be The Last Night We Care. The album came out last March.

Look for Alcoholic Faith Mission at this year’s SXSW March 16-20.

 

01.20.11
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The Boxcar Rebellion Ask You To “Step Out of the Car”

The Boxer Rebellion have put out their first music video for their upcoming album The Cold Still. The video for the song “Step Out of the Car” features director Giorgio Testi, whose work on Blur’s recent documentary Nowhere Left To Run netted him a Grammy nomination.

You can catch the video for “Step Out of the Car” below. If you find yourself enthralled, you can buy the single on iTunes right now.

The Cold Still will be available on iTunes on February 8th and everywhere else on March 8th.

01.19.11
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Poor But Sexy Is Bringing Funky Back


It’s the middle of winter and snowstorms seem to have become a weekly ritual in the northeast, yet, Washington, D.C.’s very own Poor But Sexy have certainly found a way to make you forget about the frigid temperatures and get your heart pumpin’ and body movin’.  With the release of their latest single, “Hotter Than a Poptart”, the funky group are ready to take the world by storm and get their audiences on their feet.

Formed by veterans of the post-punk scene in Washington, D.C., Poor But Sexy’s resume would certainly read more like they were still very much a part of the scene, yet rather than continue on with the same sound and image that they once were a part of, these guys have gone in a completely opposite direction, and it is good.  Imagine Stevie Wonder and R. Kelley had a love child with Steely Dan and Elvis Costello and the result was Poor But Sexy.  A true funky, eclectic electro vibe sound that can be heard throughout their upcoming debut release Let’s Move in Together which is set to release on February 15th.  In support of their album release, the band will be touring with Dismemberment Plan, Franz Nicolay and David Dondero on various dates throughout the northeast area. 

Check out their latest single, “Hotter Than a Poptart”.  

Tour Dates:
January 17 – Arlington, VA – The Galaxy Hut
January 22 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club*
January 29 – New York, NY – Webster Hall*
February 19 – Fredericksburg, VA – Fredericksburg All Ages
February 25 – Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool^
February 27 – Washington, DC – The Black Cat^
March 4 – Chicago, IL – The Hideout w/ Blah Blah Blah
March 5 – Pittsburgh, PA –  Club Café
 
*with Dismemberment Plan
^with Franz Nicolay/David Dondero
01.19.11
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Ezra Furman & The Harpoons Announce New LP

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Ezra Furman & The Harpoons are set to release their third studio album, Mysterious Power, on April 5th. The Boston band’s first release for Red Parlor Records, Mysterious Power boasts the production power of Doug Boehm (French Kicks, Starsailor). Additionally, the band is looking forward to hitting the road in the spring- making an appearance at SXSW before embarking on a U.S. tour thereafter.

A familiar staple on critic’s year-end lists, Ezra Furman & The Harpoons gained acclaim for their 2008 album, Inside The Human Body, being lauded by NPR’s “All Songs Considered,’ Paste, and the Chicago Tribune. The foursome soon found themselves performing their mix of folk-punk alongside the likes of Lou Reed, Matisyahu, The Walkmen, Delta Spirit, and Spoon.

On Mysterious Power, Furman employs the same open-chest honesty that drew ire for Ginsberg’s Howl and spawned speculation of Cohen’s Chelsea Hotel, as Furman pines for his “Wild Rosemarie” in the opening track- recounting bouts of transience he experienced while making the album.  The Harpoons- Job Mukkada (bass), Adam Abrutyn (drums), and Andrew Langer (guitar)- deftly toy with dynamics, soldering rockabilly rhythm and love-struck doo-wop sensibility with punk rock ferocity.

Mysterious Power tracklist:

1.    Wild Rosemarie

2.    I Killed Myself But I Didn’t Die

3.    Hard Time in a Terrible Land

4.    Mysterious Power

5.    Teenage Wasteland

6.    Bloodsucking Whore

7.    Don’t Turn Your Back On Love

8.    Portrait of Maud

9.    Fall In Love With My World

10.Too Strung Out

11.Heaven at the Drive-In

12.Wild Feeling