31 March 2007
4 for the weekend, vol.2
The National will be making a triumphant return to the indie-pop ring when they release Boxer on May 22. “Fake Empire” has been making its way around many blogs these past few weeks, giving hopeful fans a taste of what’s to come. It took me quite some time to warm to The National, even with all the heaps of praise Alligator received in 2005, but the more I listen, the more I fall under their charms. This is destined to be one of the top songs of 2007 for me.
The National, “Fake Empire”
The National: official | Myspace | more mp3s | buy The National at Insound
Tori Amos, everybody’s favourite Cornflake Girl, is just about set to release
American Doll Posse on May 1. First single “Big Wheel” sounds like a slice of American Southern blues/rock, which is definitely new territory for Amos. Still, her distinctive voice and signature tinkling ivories clearly distinguish this from your run-of-the-mill barroom blues band. Lyrics feature alcohol, rain, and, um, big wheels. You read into it what you will.
Tori Amos, “Big Wheel”
Tori Amos: official | Myspace | more mp3s | buy Tori Amos at Insound
Benjy Ferree came to my attention via my fellow bloggers (although I’m not quite sure which blog it came from), and other the fact that he’s from D.C. and was once David Lynch’s babysitter, I know little else about him, except that he makes the kind of country-fied pop that makes my heart skip and my eyes twinkle. Leaving The Nest was released late last year, so if it fell through the cracks during your Christmas shopping, do yourself a favour and check it out now.
Benjy Ferree, “In the Countryside”
Benjy Ferree: official | Myspace | more mp3s | buy Benjy Ferree at Insound
Last but by no means least, Wilco have already revealed their latest,
Sky Blue Sky, via streaming audio, from which this sample comes from. Like The National, Wilco were another band that, try as I might, I just didn’t take a fancy to, until I heard their work with Billy Bragg on the Woody Guthrie tribute(?) albums
Marmaid Avenue 1 & 2. If you’ve never heard them, do yourself a favour and pick them up (I prefer 1 to 2 but that’s just me). Since it’s teh weekend, may I also suggest you kick back and relax in front of the tube with a couple of great Wilco-related DVDs: the first is the making-of
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot documentary,
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart; the second is the making-of
Mermaid Avenue documentary,
Man in the Sand.
Sky Blue Sky is out May 15, by the way.
Wilco, “Impossible Germany”
Wilco: official | Myspace | more mp3s | buy Wilco at Insound
30 March 2007
The Goddamn Shame
It’s been awhile since I’ve come across a band on Myspace that’s made me sit up and take notice, but I’ve taken a shining to Chicago’s T
he Goddamn Shame. Members Nick Hudac (vocals, guitars), Matt Deming (guitars), Jon Hersh (drums), Deb Umunnabuike (bass) and Josh Zenker (bassus emeritus, according to their
Myspace page–does that mean he’s their ex-bass??) list Swervedriver and My Bloody Valentine as influences alongside Wilco, Sonic Youth, The Libertines and Material Issue (they get bonus point for even remembering the ‘Issue!). An EP,
Dispatches from the Grey City, was released last year, and the band is currently working on material for another short-player of likeminded dreamy, shoegaze pop. Drop them a line to pick up your own copy of the EP if you dig this:
The Goddamn Shame, “Everett Avenue”
30 March 2007
Rheostatics bring it all home
After more than twenty-five years as the reigning kings of Canada’s independent music scene,
Rheostatics will play the biggest gig of their lives, and the last with their founding line-up, at Toronto’s legendary Massey Hall. Mainstream fame always eluded the band, but that was fine with their legion of card-carrying fans (you weren’t a true Rheostatics fan unless you joined the Green Sprouts Music Club). Some may argue the band’s prime came and went more than ten years ago, but their infectiously fun live act was always a draw. Tonight’s show should be nothing short of spectacular, if not bitter sweet. Adieu, Rheostatics, and thanks for all the fish.
Rheostatics, “King of The Past”
more Rheostatics: previously on QBiM | official | more mp3s | buy Rheostatics
29 March 2007
The Rosebuds
With a name like The Rosebuds, you know the music is going to be succulent and sweet, with a few thorns to bristle your skin. The husband and wife team of Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp release their third album of pop melodies and dance beats,
Night Of The Furies, April 10, 2007 on
Merge Records. Each track is less song than story; you can enjoy the album’s lyrical themes from the comfort of your living room sofa, or you can indulge beat and get up and groove to these tunes on the dance floor.
The Rosebuds’ are quintessential modern pop musicians, embracing rhythm and melody in equal measure. In the hands of others, the music might have sounded dated and the lyrics a tad melodramatic, but The Rosebuds pull off that difficult trick of sounding instantaneously familiar and comfortable while being modern and relevant. No small feat, that.
The Rosebuds, “Get Up Get Out”
more Rosebuds: official | Myspace | more mp3s | Rosebuds at Insound
28 March 2007
Kings of our domain
It’s time to update your browsers and bookmarks, folks. We’re happy to announce that Quick Before It Melts is on the move to its new domain: www.quickbeforeitmelts.com! We’re soon approaching our 200th post, and along with the domain change, we’ll be looking at some other site updates/changes.
Let’s celebrate our new domain name with another great track off of Myth Takes, !!!’s bitchin’ new funky opus:
!!! (Chk Chk Chk), “A New Name”
more !!!: QBiM | official | Myspace | more mp3s | !!! at Insound
