A Week at the Most
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'Ghost and Vodka' together again after 8 years
There once was this killer instrumental band made up of Erik Bocek and Sam Zurick of Joan of Arc,Victor Villareal (who once played in the highly influential Cap'n'Jazz with Zurick) and Scott Shellhammer (of Tetsuo). Like most bands though, the boys split after only one true album the 2001 release Precious Blood. If you do your math, that was 8 years ago. In a year that seems to be the return of long forgotten great bands, Ghost and Vodka are back to rock your ass off. The band is currently rehearsing for the first time in nearly a decade and one can hope that this leads to good things like kittens and bunnies.
Review: Say Hi's Oohs & Aahs
Similar to the previous record, The Wishes And The Glitch, but a bit mightier in scope, the latest album from Say Hi, Oohs & Aahs, has all the workings of a great listener. And indeed it is. This beast, I can say will most definitely make it to my top albums of 2009. For starters, the bastard is catchy as hell. You often times find yourself bobbing your head from side to side singing the chorus as you perfectly vibe with the music.
The record starts great with a stellar lead-in 'Eloise' before kicking in to track number two, 'Hallie And Henry', which happens to be one of my personal favorites from the record. Songs like 'Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh' and 'Dramatic Irony' successfully incorporate the use of horns and are uncannily infectious without ever being annoying creating a casual ease of this album to your senses. Another insanely admirable track comes just four tracks in with 'November Was White, December Was Grey' a tune that is just quite simply heartwarming in its lyrical presence. Even things that are typically found distracting on a record such as hand clapping fits perfectly as a elegant substitute for a musical instrument on the track 'One, Two ... One'. Really there is nothing to dislike here as the album comes to a close with the incredible strong 'Sallie's Heart Is Stone'.
I don't know what it is about the album others than it just grabs you and forces you to enjoy it. Its just a catchy, mellow, lovefest of music. Honestly, I can't recommend the album enough. Say Hi's Oohs & Aahs is available now directly from Barsuk Records or at your local retailer.
'El Grupo Nuevo De Omar Rodriguez Lopez' debut coming in June?!?
You may be asking yourself what the hell is El Grupo Nuevo De Omar Rodriguez Lopez and why is it coming in June. Well, for starters, as you would have assumed it is a new project from At the Drive In/The Mars Volta guitarist Omar Rodriguez Lopez. Before you start rambling on and on about how strange his solo stuff seems to be let me retort and give you a bit of ease. The band also features frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala. There do you feel better now. While, personally I have always been a bigger fan of At the Drive In than The Mars Volta this side project does seem rather enticing.
Coined Crypstomnesia the record, which also features Zach Hill (Hella) on drums, Jonathan Hischke (Hella) on synth bass, and Juan Alderete de la Pena (The Mars Volta), hits the shelves on June 5th courtesy of Lopez's new stamp Omar Rodriguez Lopez Productions. Limited quantities of the album on vinyl will also be released early on April 18th aka Record Store Day to selected participating indie record stores throughout the US.
To hold you over until the time comes, El Grupo Nuevo De Omar Rodriguez Lopez has created a teaser promo to hype the record which you now can enjoy by clicking here.
Annabel debuts with 'Each and Everyone'
In celebration of the new record, the band has even released a music video for their first single' People & Places' which can currently be viewed here. However, if you simply would rather no longer waste anytime and just cut to the chase then by all means head over to their website to hear alittle tunage now. You won't be disappointed.
Vagrant adds Far to roster
Really, do I need to say more? Vagrant Records has once again surprised the hell out of me and signed another stellar band. This time out it's my boy Jonah Matranga and his on-again rockers of Far. The band is currently in the process of recording a brand new record, their first in 11 years, and is shooting for a Spring '09 release.
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