HIGHTOWER AND JONES

Jenny Owen Youngs And Your Apartment

2012-01-19T18:14:00.001-06:00

No, she is not going to play your apartment...well, not today anyway. She, however, has a new single from her forthcoming album, An Unwavering Band of Light (due February 7) titled "Your Apartment" which she debuted the video for yesterday. In addition to the video, Alter The Press debuted another track from her new album, "Sleep Machine," on their site. Of course, all of this is in preparation

Pick Of The Week: 9 Songs

2012-01-18T15:55:00.001-06:00

This week's pick is of a film from 2004 that I had the pleasure of seeing over the weekend. Upon its release, the film gained attention from its use of non-simulated sex involving the two lead actors more than the fact that it is, in my opinion, a solid film about passion, music and the memories that remain when everything ends. This week's pick is 9 Songs. Director Michael Winterbottom's 9

In Case You Missed It: Tebowie

2012-01-13T18:19:00.002-06:00

The most I know about football is filtered through the Madden video game series. The two things that I know about Tim Tebow is that he loves religion and football. I, however, love David Bowie and this bizarre combination of Tim Tebow and David Bowie called Tebowie courtesy of last night's edition of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. In this clip, Fallon gives the Broncos quarterback a Ziggy

Confessions Of An Audiophile: Opposites Attract Is My Jam

2012-01-12T15:01:00.001-06:00

Seriously, it is a pop song about a couple making it despite their differences, one of which is the fact that the couple consists of a former Lakers dancer and an animated rapping cat. Although, this was not known to be the case until the video, it is that same video that makes us remember the song and, well, makes it cheesy. Yet, it is that campy quality that makes it a bit appealing 20-plus

New Year, New January Releases

2012-01-11T04:12:00.005-06:00

(Blogger's note: This is a week late so we will pick it up from this week on) A fresh year and some fresh releases ready to entertain you throughout the month. Reissued and unreleased collections from The Doors, David Bowie, Alex Chilton to some of the brightest in modern metal (and it's subgenres) in Lamb of God, Lacuna Coil and Bleeding Through. In honor of their 30th anniversary, Metallica

New Faces, Familiar Feelings 4 (January 2012 Mixtape)

2012-01-11T04:12:00.002-06:00

Side A01. Danny Says by Foo Fighters (Ramones)02. Color Me Funky by Weapon of Choice (Parliament)03. Don't Worry Baby by Rivers Cuomo (The Beach Boys)04. The Dark End of the Street by Linda Ronstadt (James Carr)05. Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want by She & Him (The Smiths)06. Black Diamond by The Replacements (Kiss) Side B01. (You Can Never Tell) C'est la Vie by Emmylou Harris (

Dr, Dre & Snoop Dogg...At the Drive-In...Radiohead...Hello, Coachella

2012-01-09T23:01:00.001-06:00

If you believe that the world is ending in 2012, then the fact that At the Drive-In and Refused are reforming and performing at this year's Coachella Valley Music and Arts and Festival might indicate that you, a Mayan calendar and a John Cusack film are possibly correct. For the first time, the festival will be held on two weekends (April 13-15 and April 20-22) and as usual is promising another

A New Year...You Mean This Happens Every 12 Months

2012-01-05T00:38:00.001-06:00

Yes! We are now a few days into 2012 and let me begin by saying happy new year. In case you may been wondering about my whereabouts lately, I have been focusing my time more on my art and listening to lots of music instead of writing about it. By no means is that to say that I have abandoned H&J. It is simply to say that I needed to take a couple of steps back and focus on something else for a

The Last Love Mix I Will Ever Make (December 2011)

2011-12-20T09:13:00.001-06:00

Side A 01. First Person by Jenny Owen Youngs 02. Fool for You Baby (Dom Dom Dippy) by New York Dolls 03. Can't Stop (feat. Snoop Dogg) by Mayer Hawthorne 04. Relation by Hepcat 05. Lifeboat by Lovage 06. Say That You Love Me by Loudon Wainwright III 07. Always on My Mind (London Version) by Phantom Planet Side B 01. Angel Eyes by Roxy Music 02. I Can See Your Future by Belle & Sebastian 03. I'm

A December To Remember To Visit Your Record Store

2011-12-06T04:31:00.002-06:00

While it may be the end of the year, December is still filled with some excellent new releases, especially on the first Tuesday alone. This month sees new releases from Charlotte Gainsbourg, Robin Thicke, The Black Keys and a box set from Rammstein. There is even a DVD/Blu-ray release of Glee: The Concert for the gleeks (is that what they are called...sure, why not) in your home. Finally, this

Another Year...Another Grammy Awards

2011-12-02T00:27:00.001-06:00

The nominees for the 54th annual Grammy Awards were announced yesterday. While certain categories (classical, hip hop/rap, r&b and rock) have been restructured and there are a few confusing selections (Bon Iver for Best New Artist...in 2011 as if the critically acclaimed, Peter Gabriel covering debut album never existed three years ago), overall, I am okay with these selections. Yes, the list is

Prince Paul's Negroes On Ice Tonight!!!

2011-11-26T09:54:00.000-06:00

Famed producer Prince Paul's most project is called Negroes on Ice. It began as a Ustream broadcast with his son, P Forreal, and features a hip hop musical narrative about father/son relationships and inner city violence and, before you ask, has nothing to do with Prince Paul on skates (which is exactly what I initially imagined). Nevertheless, it is an interesting look into his musical and

Pick Of The Week: Kate Bush, Childish Gambino And GTA: Vice City Box Set

2011-11-24T21:15:00.002-06:00

Normally, this would be relegated to one pick but there are a lot of things that I have wanted to write about but never got around to writing about them. So taking an awesome page from Hey! Look Around You!, here are several picks guaranteed to fill your ears while you fill your belly this Thanksgiving. The pick of the week is assorted musical excellence. Australia's ABC Radio National

Smallpox & Plymouth Crack Rocks (November 2011)

2011-11-24T20:35:00.004-06:00

Smallpox & Plymouth Crack Rocks (November 2011) 01. Coma America by Amen 02. American Cliche by Filter 03. Boylife in America by Cody Chesnutt 04. America is Waiting by Brian Eno & David Byrne 05. America Gangster Time by Elvis Costello & the Imposters 06. American Flag by Cat Power 07. America by Deconstruction 08. American Leather by The Germs 09. Sins of America by D Generation 10. The

Video Graveyard

2011-11-23T18:56:00.001-06:00

Oh, Rebecca Black. It seems like only yesterday that you wowed us with your hit single "Friday" and taught us that it comes after Thursday, before Saturday and Sunday and that we must get down on that particular day. Also, the debate over with seat she should choose presented 2011 with its biggest crisis since wondering how American Idol would survive in a post-Simon Cowell world. As amusing as

Kimya Dawson At Schubas On December 7

2011-11-17T15:20:00.001-06:00

Autobiographical, honest and humorous are three accurate adjectives when best describing the work of Kimya Dawson. Hard working can also be used to describe her time since the hiatus of The Moldy Peaches in 2004. In that time, she has found a balance between family life and being one of most prolific artists of the new millennium. One could even go as far as describing her as the Lil' Wayne or

A Long Awaited Tribute To The Overweight Lover

2011-11-11T15:39:00.001-06:00

This past Tuesday, rapper/actor Heavy D passed away at the age of 44. While H & J offer their condolences to his family and friends, this post is not meant to look at what was lost. It is to honor what was given to us during his time. Whether it is his huge crossover hit "Now That We Found Love" to his classic theme song for In Living Color as well as his transition into reggae and acting, Heavy

Eleven Bloody Eleven And The Return Of Black Sabbath

2011-11-11T15:20:00.001-06:00

Somewhere Satan's laughing and spreading his wings as the original lineup of Black Sabbath announced their reunion earlier this afternoon. While this may come as no surprise to fans as the reunion has been rumored about for months, it is still a welcomed return nevertheless. As of now, the band has one performance lined up at Download Festival in June 2012 and plan to record a comeback album

November More Like Snowvember (And A Bad Kate Bush Reference/Pun)

2011-11-07T16:12:00.000-06:00

Yes, November is underway and with that said, let us move onto some great albums coming out this month. What other month has ever been filled with new releases from Megadeth, Florence + the Machine, Childish Gambino and Rhianna as well as deluxe reissues from The Beach Boys, U2, Slipknot, The Who and Smashing Pumpkins? In fact, Kate Bush is will releasing her second new album this month (the

Cheyenne Marie Mize To Release New EP

2011-10-21T17:45:00.001-05:00

On November 8, Cheyenne Marie Mize will release We Don't Need, a six-song followup EP to her debut, Before Lately, on Roaring Colonel/Yep Roc. Mize's debut was a beautiful and delicate collection of songs filled with sweet vocals, enchanting songwriting and, at times, haunting melodies which made it easy to fall in love with upon first listening and still continues to impress on repeated spins.

Metronomy, Lincoln Hall & The One Of The Best Albums Of The Year

2011-10-21T16:13:00.001-05:00

The English Riviera is probably one of the best albums of the year that few people have actually heard and that critics have justly praised. Part Brian Eno, part dreamlike new wave with a hint of early, darker Duran Duran (especially with the basslines), Metronomy's third album is a well-crafted, cinematic work of art filled with popping basslines, organs, subtle guitar and excellent drumming.

The Electrifying Horace Pinker (October 2011)

2011-10-21T10:57:00.001-05:00

Side 1 01. Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath 02. Werewolf by Cat Power 03. Girl Serial Killer by Hanin Elias 04. Demon Days by Gorillaz 05. Ghost Dance by Patti Smith Group 06. Satan's Jewel Crown by Emmylou Harris Side 2 01. Dead Babies by Alice Cooper 02. Spiderbaby (Yeah-Yeah-Yeah) by White Zombie 03. Witch by Cold 04. Vampires by Bumblebeez 81 05. Black Sabbath (From the Satanic Perspective)

Pick Of The Week: Fishbone's Crazy Glue

2011-10-14T21:25:00.000-05:00

Since I was 12, Fishbone has always held a special place in my musical heart. Without a doubt, they are permanently entrenched in the list of my top five bands (and top five recording artists) of all time. While I hear the cries of bias in the distance, let me assure you that this pick is no more than a pick of the week. It is an EP from a legendary band that serves as a reminder of why I love

Video Graveyard

2011-10-14T15:02:00.000-05:00

Video Graveyard was created for two reasons. One was to pay tribute to the concept of the music video, an art form still utilized but not given the same respect as it was given in the past. The second reason was to humorously look at older, somewhat forgotten videos. In other words, the visual work of early 80's Adam Ant (or Adam and the Ants) is the exact reason for which this piece exists.

Ten Years Of Gorillaz

2011-10-07T11:42:00.001-05:00

Has it really been 10 years since "Clint Eastwood" worked its way into our ears and heart with its sweet thumping beat, melodica and brilliant vocal combination of Del the Funky Homosapien and Blur's Damon Albarn? According to a forthcoming release, The Singles Collection, 2001-2011, not only has it been a decade, it was one filled with memorable hooks, entertaining videos and a robot version of