Posted December 3, 2009 by Jason at 8:00 am ·
Filed under New Releases
My most anticipated release of 2010 has to be Ted Leo’s Matador debut, The Brutalist Bricks, which was recently announced to be released on March 9th. With that in mind, you can imagine my excitement when I heard the first new cut from the album, “Heroes Have to Die”. Check it out!
I’m hoping to hear several new tracks when I see him on Friday at UMass Lowell and Saturday at Middle East Downstairs.
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We are very excited to announce that Vinegar Socks’ self-titled debut album is now available in CD and mp3 format our store. Vinegar Socks are establishing themselves as one of the most important indie projects in Italy with their sophisticated and lyrical music that draws from a number of musical forms, including Irish folk, gypsy, and punk. This album is a fully-embellished work of stunning beauty. Check it out!
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Posted November 26, 2009 by Matt at 11:48 am ·
Filed under General
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I would have said “Roundabout” by Yes, but that was too big to fit.
Edinburgh, Scotland’s eagleowl are releasing a new single this upcoming December 14th on Kilter Records. The song is entitled “Sleep the Winter” and will also include the B-side “Laughter.” This band plays drum-free dirges that captivate and enthrall the listener from start to finish. This is music for a sleepless and anxious evening, one of those long winter nights where you wear your thickest socks and mittens, have a long sip of whiskey, wrap your face in a scarf, and walk through the snow and try to understand your existence. Eagleowl is both a place of introspective empowerment and a faithful shoulder to cry on.
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One of our very favorite bands, Efterklang, just posted a new song from their forthcoming album, Magic Chairs. Check it:
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Posted November 19, 2009 by Jason at 7:43 am ·
Filed under DIY, Local Art
Our good friends at Figs & Ginger have just announced a new limited-run necklace that they made to benefit Farm Sanctuary. For just $30, you can get this beautiful silver necklace and support Farm Sanctuary’s mission to end animal cruelty. Pre-orders will ship in early December, just in time for Christmas, so order yours now!
Here is an excellent unreleased cover of the Magnetic Fields’ “Come Back from San Francisco” by Grinding Tapes artist The Points North:
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And for those of you looking to compare, here is the original by Stephin Merritt & co. from 1999’s 69 Love Songs:
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Posted October 31, 2009 by Jason at 1:57 pm ·
Filed under Activism, Places
I am really excited to check out the Boston Vegetarian Food Festival this weekend. I have been a vegetarian for just over two years, and there’s still a lot to learn! There’ll be free food samples, exhibitors, discounts on vegetarian stuff, speakers, and cooking demos. Here’s the full list of scheduled events:
Saturday
10:45 Fall Favorites Cooking Demo by Emilie Hardman
12:00 The Latest in Human Nutrition I with Michael Greger MD
1:15 Meat Production & Climate Change
2:15 Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell Esselstyn MD
3:15 Most Good, Least Harm by Zoe Weil
4:15 Comedy by Myq Kaplan & Zack Sherwin
5:15 Panel Q & A
Sunday
11:00 Holiday Entertaining - Cooking Demo by Lauren Ulm
12:00 Transition to Plant-Based Nutrition with Taste by Dr. Caldwell & Ann Esselstyn
1:15 China’s Encounter with Factory Farming by Stella Zou
2:00 Diet and Bone Health by Paulette Chandler MD
3:00 The Latest in Human Nutrition II by Michael Greger MD
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Posted October 29, 2009 by Matt at 5:09 pm ·
Filed under Lost Classics
Phosphorescent is an overlooked artist to begin with. Being on the very new and exciting Dead Oceans label did help that fact a little bit, and he got some decent press for 2007’s Pride. But this album, 2005’s Aw Come Aw Wry is certainly a disregarded nugget which brings this music lover much joy.
Cut from the same cloth as country tinged folk artists as Bonnie “Prince” Billy or Damien Jurado, Matthew Houck (the man behind the magic) also incorporates recurring themes and some orchestration (horns, piano, accordion, and slide guitar) into his music. The result is a soothing yet provocative blend of beauty and balladry.
Organic, authentic, haunting, heartfelt and fun, this album is really something to behold. Whilst maybe not as immaculately produced as Pride (which I also suggest checking out), Aw Come Aw Wry really has something going on that just keeps on bringing me back. It may or may not have something to do with the repeated utterance of the albums title on three of the album’s tracks.
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If you already enjoy the stylings of the one they call Phosphorescent, and are looking for something else juicy to chew on, why not try Grinding Tapes’ very own The Points North, who’s new album I Saw Across the Sound came out earlier this month. Similarly tuneful, haunting and beautiful, these lovely folks from Boston’s Jamaica Plain are certainly going to be considered classic, but will not be lost if you simply take a minute to listen.
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