New music: the Beets release new album
The Beets recorded its just-released third album, Let the Poison Out, in two days. Maybe it’s not surprising that there’s very little diversion from last year’s garage rock gem Stay Home. Not a bad thing. The Queens band’s heroes, the Ramones, made the same album over and over again and each new release was a blast.
Friends of Friends – The Beets
Here’s a video for The Devil off the band’s first release Spit in the Face of People Who Don’t Want to Be Cool.
Texas blues: Cards win the World Series
Here in Chicago, we don’t like the St. Louis Cardinals. We feel your pain Rangers faithful. Here’s a blues song for you grieving Texas fans.
New song: Bass Drum of Death’s ‘I Dunno’
Check out this new song, I Dunno, by Bass Drum of Death. Also give a listen to the band’s recommended full-length debut release GB City.
Matthew Sweet revives classic LP ‘Girlfriend’ at Bottom Lounge
Matthew Sweet’s new album Modern Art is actually pretty good. But it’s hard to top the pop masterpiece Girlfriend. Sweet is playing the second of two nights at Bottom Lounge Friday where he plays Girlfriend in its entirety (a 20th anniversary gig).
Here’s a track from his new album:
Wild Flag plays two-night stand at Empty Bottle
This recently released Wild Flag album was actually much better than I expected. Be dubious of “super groups.” This one is made up of two former Sleater-Kinney members — Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss — Mary Timony of Helium, and Rebecca Cole of the Portland band the Minders. It’s a strong lineup — Timony has made some solid solo albums and Sleater-Kinney had moments of greatness. What impresses me is how good the album is from start to finish.
Unfortuntately, the band’s two-night stand at the Empty Bottle is sold out. Look for Wild Flag to come back to a larger venue in the near future. If you get offered a ticket this weekend, take it.
Artist spotlight: Mikal Cronin
Like his buddy Ty Segall, Mikal Cronin plays ’60s style garage rock. The two made an album, Reverse Shark Attack, in late 2009, a release that was eclipsed by Segall’s excellent Melted in 2010.
Last month, Cronin released his solo debut, a self-titled album that is extremely catchy. The album is recommended if you like Segall, Thee Oh Sees and similar bands.
Cronin opens for Segall tonight at Empty Bottle. They play an in-store at Permanent Records at 5 p.m.
