by ·Comments Off on BRUUUCE!

The Boss has a new album, “Magic,” coming out on October 2.
The lead single, Radio Nowhere is available as a free download on iTunes. It’s no Born to Run, but a solid song.
More exciting is the news that Bruce and the E Street Band will be going on tour this fall, with four dates in the area:

  • October 9-10 East Rutherford, N.J., Continental Airlines Arena
  • October 17-18 New York, N.Y., Madison Square Garden

Both the MSG and CAA shows go on sale September 10
Farther afield, Albany, Hartford and Philadelphia are also stops on the tour, for when NYC and East Rutherford sell out instantly.
Backstreets interviewed Bruce
Rolling Stone talks with producer Brendan O’Brien

by ·Comments Off on Kiss – Live in ’75

I’ve never been particularly impressed with Kiss, both as a studio band (I find a lot of their recordings pretty clunky) and as a live band (since it seemed that they relied heavily on the makeup, pyro and other tricks). But this clip from early 75 at the Winterland Ballroom is pretty badass.
It’s clear that Paul Stanley is the key to their onstage energy, since Gene Simmons seems to have two moves and Ace comes from the “stroll around” school of rock guitar. Paul, meanwhile, jumps around, headbangs and windmills like crazy – good stuff!

I should say I like it in black and white too – gives it a little creepy mistique.

by ·Comments Off on Magnetic Field and Music in the ‘hood

While at Magnetic Field last night to see Goes Cube count up some of their new songs (the debuted Goes Cube songs numbered 47, 48 and 49), I realized that I’ve seen some excellent bands play the Field recently that I’ve been meaning to write about.
Low Red Land trekked out from San Francisco to play some shows in their old east coast stomping grounds. They’ve become very excellent, conjuring the sounds of country-tinged Americana twisted through distortion. I’m not quite sure how to classify their music– maybe the alcoholic bastard offspring of Neil Young, Sonic Youth and Wilco?
Modern Skirts have strong pop sensibilities and bring fun. With a lot of piano, their music is lighter than most of the indie rock. There’s a good bit of Ben Folds and REM informing the Skirts’ sound. Strikes me a lot like Voxtrot– who I saw at the Field thinking that they are going to be moving up in the music world (and have since). But I think the Modern Skirts have a higher potential upside– they’re more of a pure pop band.
And Goes Cube continues to sound unique. And loud. Did I mention loud? Beckon the Dagger God was released this past week on Cordless Records (Warner):

Ear Farm Matt has a higher resolution download of the New Music Video for Goes Cube Song 34

by ·Comments Off on One More from Michael Brecker

Morning Edition had a nice piece about Michael Brecker this morning: Brecker’s ‘Pilgrimage’ a Welcome, Not a Farewell: “Musicians list the components of Brecker’s signature sound: His rich tone. His fluid and lyrical flow. His recent growth as a composer. On Michael Brecker’s musical farewell, one can hear all these things. What you can’t hear is a sense of goodbye — Pilgrimage stands as one of the most energetic and welcoming albums of his career.”