Site Overhaul Soon

Hi Folks,

Sorry for the radio silence.

I am leaving the great city of L.A. to live in Asheville, NC. While I will always love L.A. and it's music scene, I am excited to see what Asheville has to offer. From the Mothlight to the Orange Peel, Asheville will be sure to filled with Hidden Gems, including my major festival being Bonnaroo instead of Coachella now.

So with that, the site will have a bit of an overhaul, it will still have posts about vinyl, mostly new things and reissues, along with $1 bin scores, but I think the major focus of the site will be a concert calendar and alert to what is going on in the Asheville music scene, along with surrounding areas like Charlotte, Knoxville, Athens and more.

Hopefully the site will grow and became a big part of the Asheville music scene.

To a New Year.

Best
Andrew

LOCALS ONLY: "Free" Weezer Show at the Del Mar Racetrack

Photo From Wikipedia

Looking for a road trip tomorrow? Why not take the train down to the Del Mar Racetracks to see Weezer play as part of there summer concert series! I quote for free because it's not really free, but cost the price of the admission to the racetrack, which is $10 (free with Military ID!). So go for a day at the races, but stay for the music. If horse racing isn't your thing, you can always just buy a ticket after the races are over for $20, which still isn't that bad to see Weezer. Relive your best days in the 90s this Saturday!

Gil Scott-Heron - Nothing New

Spoken word jazz poet Gil Scott-Heron has been an influence to many artists. I remember seeing him at Coachella '10 and then LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy dedicated Losing My Edge to him as we all screamed his name in unison. I will definitely cover his other albums down the line, but I wanted to talk about the RSD '14 release. Nothing New contains stripped down versions of his songs. It's a great intro album into his works, may he rest in peace.

The album is a XL Recordings release, the studio that put out Gil Scott-Heron's last studio album I'm New Here. It contains him doing re-recordings of stripped down renditions of his old songs with just him on the piano. It's hard to describe each song, as they are all soulful jazzier renditions of their original counterparts, filled with sorrow, pain, and beauty. Instead, I will go over the origins of each song. Opening is Did You Hear What They Said off the album Free Will. Better Days Ahead is from Secrets. Your Daddy Loves You is off of Winter In America. Pieces of a Man is off his debut album of the same name. Alien (Hold On To Your Dreams) is from a collaboration with Brian Jackson called 1980. 95 South (All The Places We've Been) is off Bridges. The Other Side is from Spirits and Blue Collar is from Moving Targets. Included are great little interludes of conversations between takes that make the album feel a little more alive. You can take this album almost as an Acoustic compilation that doesn't just focus on the greatest hits like The Revolution Won't Be Televised or Home Is Where the Hatred Is.

While this album was a Record Store Day exclusive, you can still find it various record stores and online. Amazon has it from unofficial (non-amazon) sellers for around $30 and also on eBay for around $24. This album is perfect for a rainy day or reading a book, and it's also a great intro into Gil Scott-Heron. 

FRESH OFF THE PRESS: Jenny Lewis - The Voyager

Sorry for the late post, but I just got back from Amoeba with this album in hand.

As everyone's favorite child actress turned folk indie rock Goddess, it's easy to see how Jenny Lewis has become pretty universally known. Since the hiatus of Rilo Kiley, Lewis has been busy working on solo albums, collaborations, tours and guest appearances. Excluding her 2010 duo album with boyfriend Johnathan Rice (aka the envy of all hispter guys and most girls) album I'm Having Fun Now, Lewis hasn't released a solo album since 2008. Where Acid Tongue left off with melodic down to earth folk, The Voyager comes back with enticing soulful pop that feels like a more experienced Rilo Kiley.

The album was produced by Ryan Adams (except Head Underwater and You Can't Outrun Them which was produced by Jenny and Johnny) and featuring guest spots from Lou Barlow (Sebadoh and Dinosaur Jr.), Z Berg (The Like), Beck, the Section Quartet and many more. The opening song Head Underwater starts out as dreamy sorrowful pop song but then comes at you with enough energy to get your body moving or inspire a Kevin Bacon in a Warehouse dance breakdown. She's Not Mine has a bit of funk inspired grooves. The gender swapping single Just One of the Guys is a catchy dreamy song, and the music video is pretty great too. The rock anthem Slippery Slop feels very power driven. Late Bloomer really shows off her range and feels like a gritty ballad. On the B-Side, you start out with another gritty feeling song, You Can't Out Run 'Em, which could easily be a B-Side on Under the Blacklight. The New You is a great pop song that can fit right in the soundtrack of a coming of age chick flick (I say that as a compliment). Aloha & The Three Johns feels like something out of I'm Having Fun Now's b-sides, very playful. The simple beats and bass of Love U Forever will keep your feet taping. Closing the album is Voyager, which almost bookends what Head Underwater has opened up with another dreamy pop song that is a bit more up-lifting and more at peace with itself.

The one defining aspect of Jenny Lewis is her amazing voice. She can do pop, country jams, soul, or folk. Hell, I'd buy a metal album if she decided to do one. I was really excited about this release since it was announced, and I was not disappointed. A solid addition to any collection. You can buy the album or bundle at Jenny's official Warner Brothers Store, but the bundle no longer includes the Vinyl which can be purchased almost anywhere, but on Amazon for 22.99

BONUS PAIRING - Tour Dates

Don't forget that Jenny Lewis is also on tour right now. Click here for tour dates! And if you're from LA, be sure to check out her show at the Wiltern Aug 09 before she plays SF Outside Lands Fest.

Happy Hunting!

$1 BIN MONDAY: War - Why Can't We Be Friends

Rock, Jazz, Funk, R&B, and Reggae. These are the many genres that War can fall in to. While they have a vast discography, Why Can't We Be Friends is a great $1 bin find and great intro to War. As you can see, my copy is less then pristine, the gold tooth is more a scratched off grey, and didn't come with the Poster. But it plays amazing non-the-less.

Opening with Don't Let No One Get You Down, which is a sensual slow groove. Lotus Blossom is a even more soulful track. Heartbeat starts to picks things up and provides the classic War sound. Then is the transformative Leroy's Latin Lament which starts off soulful, but then explodes into a energetic latin jam, and then back again into a soulful piano and horn instrumental. Flipping to the B-Side is where the singles off the album shine. It starts off with the elevator-esque Smile Happy, which as far as waiting music goes, isn't half bad. Then the most powerful song on the album, So, which can get to  anyone who's been recently heartbroken. At this point you'll be saying, Oh the George Lopez theme. That's right Low Rider, which no matter how many times I've listened to it, still makes me picture George Lopez slow-mo jumping on a trampoline. In Mazatlan is another slow moving latin funk, maybe my least favorite track on the album to be honest. Ending it all is the ever so great Why Can't We Be Friends? which really needs no explanation on why it's great.

While there are definitely better War albums out there, this album is still pretty great and for only $1 is an awesome find. If you're a fan of funky sounds like Rick James or Sly & The Family Stone, you should definitely check out War. I found mine at the 99 cent sale at The Record Parlour in Hollywood, which is quite possibly my favorite record shop in LA.

Happy hunting.

EOTE SUNDAY: The Carpenters - A Song For You

Every Sunday I want to feature something that's "Easy on the Ears" listening. A good listen to relax and unwind one last time before the work week.

The sibling duo of Karen and Richard Carpenter are considered to many as the greatest soft rock musicians of all time. With so many beautiful melodic hits, it's no wonder that The Carpenters were at one time one of the best selling artists.

If you aren't familiar with the Carpenters, you'll definitely know enough songs off this album to say, "Oh this is them!" But don't be alarmed if it sounds off, as this album contains several covers along with songs that have been covered several times. Top Of The World is probably one of the most popular songs on the album and ironically was thought of by Richard Carpenter as not "commercially appealing" until it hit number 1 in Japan, in which they later re-released it as a single. Hurting Each Other, which was originally written by Gary Geld and Peter Udell and prior preformed by many other groups including Chad Allan and The Expressions, who would later become The Guess Who (who reached mainstream popularity again in Superbad as Michael Cera "soulfully" sang These Eyes). It's Going to Take Some Time is a Carole King cover, which even Carole King thought was done so elegantly that she said her version sounded like a demo. The A-Side ends on an Intermission track, which is a short little harmony letting you know it's time to flip, a nice touch you don't really get in the era of iTunes. The B-Side features the theme to the movie with the same title Blessed the Beasts and Children. The playful piano playing give Flat Baroque it's wonderful charm, and it's no wonder, since it was originally composed by Richard and John Bettis when they worked at Disneyland. I Won't Last a Day Without You is so beautifully sung by Karen Carpenter, that it inspired covers by Diana Ross and Barbara Streisand. The album comes full circle with a reprise of A Song For You.

You can score this album at a majority of your local record shops $1 bins. You can search online, but why bother. Half the fun of vinyl collecting is the hunt, so go out there and grab it.

Happy hunting.

LOCALS ONLY: The Internet Play Free Show Tonight

Hey LA,

Don't have anything to do tonight? Why not check out The Internet (aka Syd tha Kyd of Odd Future) play apart of FIGat7th Downtown Festival. Details Here.

Nothing like free live music on a Friday night! See you there.

FOLK FRIDAY: Steve Martin & Edie Brickell - Love Has Come For You

After starting this blog with two posts about some hard to find albums, I wanted to bring it back to its core with easy to find albums that don't break your wallet. Aside from that, I wanted to feature one of my favorite genres which I am dubbing Folk Friday, where I feature a folk/bluegrass/country/americana album.

You probably know Steve Martin from his movies The Jerk or Three Amigos, or his SNL or Muppets Show guest appearances. But way back in the beginning, Steve Martin used to do amazing stand up comedy with his trusty banjo. Check it out for yourself:

Any who, enough man-crushing on Steve Martin (not to mention Edie Brickell, wife of Paul Simon). Let's talk about the album.

The album mainly consists of Steve Martin on his Banjo and Edie Brickell's vocals, but also features a lot of guest appearances including Esperanza Spalding on bass, Sara and Sean Watkins on fiddle and acoustic guitar (respectively), and Robert "Waddy" Watchtel on electric and acoustic guitar! Opening things up is When You Get to Asheville, a beautiful song that puts a modern twist on long distance relationships. Also on this album is Love Has Come For You, which was recognized last year at the Grammys as Best Roots Song, a new award in which it was the first recipient. Yes She Did is a wonderful song (about suicide), and is a song you can hear Steve Martin doing back-up in. Flipping to the B-Side, you should check out Sun's Gonna Shine and Who You Gonna Take?

I could really go on about this album, or Steve Martin's work in general (check out his stuff with the Steep Canyon Rangers or his album The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo [which is pretty hard to find on vinyl now-a-days]) but I think you should check it out for yourself. I was lucky enough to see Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers play with Edie Brickell at the Hollywood Bowl for 4th of July, and it was an amazing performance. This album is perfect for sitting on the porch, drinking sweet tea, or having a few friends over. On Amazon it runs for about $24.97 and eBay is just about the same, but if you can find a used copy at your local record store, you won't be disappointed.

LOCALS ONLY: LA Sales

Being an LA guy, I wanted to share a few sales going on this up coming weekend that you might want to try and jump on.

The first big one is the store wide sale at Origami Vinyl this Friday Saturday and Sunday (ignore the dates on the picture). 10% off the whole store and online store if you're not from LA. I know I'll be there checking to see what I can get my hands on. Origami Vinyl is one of my favorite record stores in LA (and my go to first store for Record Store Day). Friendly staff and great deals. Mostly filled with new pressings, they do have a great corner in the back from some older cheap vinyls to dig through. Also, KCRW members receive 10% off every purchase (though I don't know if that would be in addition to this sale). A must check out if you are in the area!

Also, this Sunday, as apart of Amoeba's on-going summer sale, you can get turntables for 20% off! If you need to update your small portable Crosby player, or want to even start collecting vinyl, you should definitely check this sale out and try and snag a great price on a turntable. This sale applies to all stores!

Hope you get some great finds this weekend!

Grizzly Bear - Horn of Plenty

Most fans of Grizzly Bear know them for their amazing album Veckatimest (which if you haven't listened to yet, you really should checked out), but I wanted to dive into their debut album, which some may have missed out on. Though it wasn't as widely received, it's still a great listen.

Fans of Grizzly Bear's later work will see this as a more stripped down humble beginning. This psychedelic folk album won't really bring life to your party, but is great to throw on when you are unwinding from your day. The opening song Deep Sea Diver prepares you for the slow melodramatic, yet hypnotizing songs that will proceed. Don't Ask will bring back nostalgia of early Radiohead, while Alligator sounds like a lullaby with the sounds of heavy bass crashing as waves. My favorite song on the A-Side is probably Fix It, which is a bit more playful and has a great outro. Flipping to the B-Side is where the album really shines for me. Merge, A Good Place, and Service Bell are all great songs to listen to, that dive deeper with unique beats and percussion. While this whole album should really be listened to through headphones, you should definitely throw some on for La Duchesse Anne to get the full experience of the vocals. The album ends on high note (figuratively speaking) with This Song, which really shows what is soon to come from Grizzly Bear.

Now, I don't think this album is for all, but if you like early Radiohead or Animal Collective, I think you'd enjoy this album a lot. Another somewhat rare find online (Amazon has it for 73.99 New) and ebay doesn't seem to be much cheaper (again, I was lucky enough to get it for $10 on ebay). But if you stumble upon this at your local record store, I would definitely snatch it up!

First Post! The Back Story

Number 1 Record. That was my first vinyl. I bought it at Amoeba in Hollywood. From there, it's been a slow building addiction. From digging through $1 bins, to standing in record store day lines, to surfing ebay, to finding surprisingly cheap deals on Amazon.com, I've been building up my collection (which, after 2 years, is currently at 544 12" 2 10" and 14 7").

I love music, both live and recorded. Although it really didn't become a large part of my life until middle school. I would just listen to top 40 hits on radio (whatever Rick Dees was spinning) and it wasn't until middle school that I started to actively go out and search for new music. My first CD that I bought was blink 182's live album The Mark Tom and Travis Show. It was a combination of dirty lyrics and raunchy jokes that caused my 11-year-old self to barely listen to it all the way through without the fear of getting in trouble. Oddly enough, it was that feeling of "I shouldn't be doing this" that sparked my interest in music discovery.

I spent my adolescents in the era of the Emo/Softcore boom. Some of my favorite bands included, but weren't limited too, Brand New, Thursday, Taking Back Sunday, Mae, and Death Cab for Cutie. Along with this new genre came going to live shows, a place where my music library exploded to bands that I still enjoy today. Be it Frightened Rabbit opening for Pinback, Mates of State opening for Taking Back Sunday, Stars opening for Death Cab for Cutie, or Brand New covering Neutral Milk Hotel, I gained a more eclectic ear for music.

Fast forward to today. Living in LA, going to at least one show a month, big or small. Reading various blogs, attending free shows, and running around festivals to see as many acts as possible have given me my music knowledge today.

And so, not to take up anymore of your time, I wanted to share what I know and what I recommend, so that you can also build up your vinyl collection with albums you may or may not know. I am not claiming to be an Audiophile, I can't tell the difference between listening to a 180 Gram vs and a clean normal vinyl. I'm not a DJ, I don't have any special speakers, no pre-amp, no fancy head phones, but I do know what I like listening to. I just consider myself a fan of music, and a casual listener.  Though I don't think you should take my opinions unbiasedly and hope that you discover something new and interesting, refine your musical taste, and that some of my recommendations help build up your collection.

Thanks for reading!