LOCALS ONLY: Free Allah-Las Concert at Amoeba

From Allah-Las Facebook

Any plans in the next hour? If you missed them at the Santa Monica Pier with Ok Go you have another chance, but you have to act quickly. They are doing a free concert at Amoeba at 5:00 pm today in Hollywood. Sorry for the late post!

The Songs Lennon and McCartney Gave Away

This album is in honor of Paul McCartney's return to L.A. and seeing him tonight at Dodgers Stadium. Why do the numerous Beatles albums that everyone already knows, or Wings, or NEW. A part of me thought of doing it on Billy Preston, the 5th Beatle, but I thought I'd keep that one in my back pocket for later.

It's hard not to hear the Beatles in all these songs. Opening the album is a very Beatles-esque song, and it's no wonder, because it's Ringo. The song I'm The Greatest was originally written by John Lennon. The Strangers with Mike Shannon give a slight surf rock feel to One & One is Two, written originally by McCartney and Lennon. From A Window was preformed by Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas and give a dreamy feel, a L&M original piece. Nobody I Know (written by L&M)  is preformed by Peter and Gordon and has a Beach Boys type feel rather than a Beatles feel. Like Dreamers Do (L&M) performed by the Applejacks has a bit of a China Girl feel. I think this album could of used more Cilla Black, giving Beatles songs a soulful female voice, which is what she did with Love of the Loved. Instead of going on about the rest of the songs on the album (and their are a bunch) I am going to let you guys find out when you listen to it for the first time!

I got this copy in a $1 bin sale and have no regrets. If you want to avoid the hunt, then you can get it Amazon for a pretty penny ($99 used) or Discogs for $80. So dig my friends, dig through, and hopefully you'll get luck too!

Pair With:

As mentioned earlier, the perfect pairing to this would be hearing the songs Paul McCartney kept live at Dodger's Stadium. Tickets are sold out but you can check Craigslist tonight for people looking to get rid of their unwanted or unused tickets (and hopefully avoid any scalpers).

Photo from Oh She Glows

Can't make it to the show? Besides Paul McCartney playing Dodgers stadium tonight, another great perfect pairing would be unlocking your inner McCartney and making an awesome veggie burger. Angela over at Oh She Glows has a really delicious recipe for a Spicy BBQ Chickpea Burger which will make even the most meat loving person drool. Be sure to check out her other delicious and inspired recipes! This would be a perfect way to get into Meat Free Mondays, a way to be healthy and earth conscious!

Photo from meatfreemondays.com

LOCALS ONLY: Spoon Play Free Show at Amoeba

Hey LA!

If you missed out on tickets to Spoon's show at Hollywood Forever, you'll have another chance to see those Austin rockers! They're currently out touring for their new album They Want My Soul which will be released August 5th and will be playing Amoeba Hollywood on August 6th at 6pm. The line starts around 4pm on Ivar St and will probably fill up pretty fast. Amoeba has a pretty decent capacity, but they are known to turn away people for larger acts (I know my friends had trouble getting in late to see Iron and Wine play).

So if you can make it out early on a Wednesday, you should definitely check this show out.

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!