Last Second Thoughts

Cleveland Jones Sings from the Heart

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Sun, 05 May 2013 17:28:00 +0000

Soul artist Cleveland Jones wears his heart on his sleeve in his debut album, Ace of Hearts. And that’s not a bad thing. Jones’ deliciously raspy, elastic tenor inspires, soothes and despairs throughout.

It’s an extremely well-arranged collection of songs that relies more on immediate emotional impact, rather than traditional pop hooks, to suck the listener in at first go round. With tracks ranging from the aching “Heart Breaks” and “To My Father,” to the funkily cathartic “Free Yard Sale,” it’s clear these songs have been building for some time.

The Berklee-trained Jones brings a much-needed shot of old-school flavor back into his genre. In an industry and audience where most ears have become accustomed to programmed beats, digital instruments and auto-tuned vocals, this album is a breath of fresh air. Arrangements including rich horn accents, warm organ fills and swelling backing choruses are a welcome change. There’s nothing like hearing musicians doing their thing, and doing it well.

Ace of Hearts is available this Friday, May 10.

Derek Evry: All Rock Video, No Chaser

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 01:16:00 +0000

If you’ve been to a show at IOTA, chances are you’ve come across insomniac rocker Derek Evry working the door sporting his signature mutton chop streaks or Grizzly Adams beard.

This past September, Evry released his new record, Here’s to Better Misery, a catchy collection of lean power/pop/punk, in the vein of Jimmy Eat World and early Green Day. The album reaches a peak with the gorgeous “Tonight Our History Will End,” featuring Margot MacDonald on harmony vocals.

Evry and his Band of Misanthropes can really bring it live, and the new music video for the chugging, riff-driven “When We Get Home” wisely takes advantage of that. No abstract concepts, no fancy outfits. Just some stage lighting, a little visual static effects here and there, and four dudes rocking their hearts out in the corner of a warehouse. And that’s exactly how it should be. Evry’s eyeballs rocket around his vitreous humor with a paranoid urgency, like an Arlingtonian Billy Jo Armstrong, as he pours his heart out. And the band, fueled by the muscular drumming of Ben Tufts, powers its way through the high-energy track.

Catch Derek Evry next at the Velvet Lounge January 10th, 2013.

Beautiful

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:02:00 +0000

The Beasties Make Some Noise

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise - Free Music Videos - Top Songs

Lovin' the new Beastie Boys first video off of their upcoming album Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2. It's a virtual star-fest, with a crazy ensemble of actors getting together for the old-school flavored track, "Make Some Noise." Elijah Wood as a young Ad-Rock? Winning!

"Got My Knives and My Heart Up My Sleeves..."

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:22:00 +0000

Former Metro-area indie-poppers Jukebox the Ghost return to DC this Saturday, April 23rd, at the Black Cat. Yeah, the band is made up of three guys, but they’re not the typical “power trio” line-up, having ditched the usual bass for a piano. And it works quite nicely, thank you very much. Their newest album, Everything Under the Sun, is a remarkably catchy slice of herky-jerky piano pop, and they're is able to deftly shift between bouncy rave-ups (“The Popular Thing”) and sweeping grandiosity (“So Let Us Create”) without losing a sense of melody and hooks.

I Burned Down A Picture of a House…

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:24:00 +0000

Singer/songwriter Robert Francis was an unexpected surprise last night, opening up for KT Tunstall. He took the stage by himself, looking pretty scraggly, wearing a shirt that looked like it’d been on his back for five days straight. But no matter, as soon as he started playing, that was forgotten. Even with just a guitar, his songs packed an intimate emotional punch, kind of like Joseph Arthur, and his raspy voice was able to soar or dive into grittiness, depending on what was needed.

I’d never heard of him before, but apparently he does a lot of touring in Europe, and he does pretty well there. “I’ve got, like, a number one hit in France, but when I come home I sleep on my parents’ floor,” he said. “They’ve painted my room pink…And filled it with stuffed animals.”

I'd definitely like to see him again, especially accompanied by the six-piece band he usually tours with.

Meredith Is A Man

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 01:50:00 +0000

The title of this post clears up the most confusing thing about singer/songwriter Meredith Bragg. With that issue out of the way, you’re free to enjoy his lo-fi pop goodness on tracks such as the gorgeous “Next Time.” With vocals that exhibit a Ben Gibbard-esque fragile melancholy, Bragg’s songs fall in the vein of Elliott Smith and Joshua Radin. If you like what you hear, Meredith Bragg will be playing with a full band for the first time several years next Monday, March 14th at Black Cat.

Is It Love? No, It’s Valentine’s Day With Whitesnake!

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:45:00 +0000

It’s Valentine’s Day, and Whitesnake is back with a new video off of their new album. Here’s “Love Will Set You Free." I'm kind of digging it, and the solo is pretty kickin'. The new CD, Forevermore, drops March 29th.

David Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 01:54:00 +0000

I've really been digging the music of local musician David Kitchen since I heard him at a Hungry For Music benefit a few weeks ago. He's got a lean, smart 80s pop sound, along the lines of Joe Jackson or Elvis Costello. Anyway, the chorus on "You Know That I Will" sticks in your head like nobody's business. Take a listen...

I Just Touched Down Like A New York Jet...

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:54:00 +0000

Gilbere Forte's freestyle over Dr. Dre's new single, "Kush," is better than Dre's original track. Is Dre getting old? I'm just sayin'...

Gilbere Forte' - Kush Freestyle by gilbereforte

Olivia Mancini & The Mates Return to the Black Cat

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Back in September singer/songwriter Olivia Mancini left the comfy confines of DC to attend grad school up in New York City. But this Friday, January 7th, she’s back, baby! Mancini returns for her first show since her departure, and she’ll be rocking the Black Cat with her band, The Mates.

Olivia Mancini & The Mates bring a jangly pop sound with subtly sultry vocals provided by Mancini. And she’s obviously psyched to be coming back to the area. “We're chomping at the bit and ready to blast off with some new songs, stuff from our last few records and some deep cuts that we hope will bring back some happy memories for our longtime fans,” said Mancini. “Sweet harmonies! Thumping bass! Melt-your-face guitar! Pop melodies!”

Check out their irresistibly catchy track “Easy Way” below and the video for “Graphology” above. And no, she’s not really made of clay.

MP3: Easy Way – Olivia Mancini & The Mates

J. Cole / Who Dat

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 21:29:00 +0000

Yeah, I'm probably a bit late to the J. Cole party, but I'm sooo loving the first single "Who Dat." Monster marching band beats with great turnarounds and J. Cole's smooth boasting flow make for something worth listening to.

The Deep Dark Woods / Peggy-O

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 14:15:00 +0000

The Deep Dark Woods - "Peggy O" - HearYa Live Session 9/21/10 from HearYa.com on Vimeo.

I've always loved the Grateful Dead cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Peggy-O," but wow, Canadian band The Deep Dark Woods gave 'em a run for their money at their most recent Hear-Ya session. Take a listen. It's simply gorgeous.

The Damnwells / Werewolves

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 14:41:00 +0000

The Damnwells' new album Nobody Listens to the Band Anymore is dropping in March, and I’m sooo looking forward to it. In the meantime, lead singer Alex Dezen has made a very informal video for the gorgeous track “Werewolves,” which gives us a chance to get an advance listen to the studio version.

Liam's"Four Letter Word"

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 23:17:00 +0000

Check the video for "Four Letter Word," from Liam Gallagher's post-Oasis project, Beady Eye. More rocking than your average Oasis track, it's got a psychedelic tilt, with some very nice searing guitar lines, and of course, Liam's distinctive vocals. The new album, "Different Gear, Still Speeding," is scheduled for a February 2011 release.

Ho-Ho-Ho!

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Merry Christmas, kids!

Rock for Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 21:35:00 +0000

Angus apparently knows what he wants in his stocking this Christmas...

Dancing On My Own

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:01:00 +0000

It's been a long, cold week, but at least it's Friday, kids. So here's Robyn performing an achingly lovely stripped-down version of one of the best songs of this year, "Dancing On My Own," on BBC Live Lounge.

Take Me Down, Little Suzy...

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 02:33:00 +0000

For some reason, I'm in a Rolling Stones mood, and "Dead Flowers" popped up in the YouTube. Here's a nice stripped down version from a live show in Amsterdam back in 1995.

Darlingside @ The Red Palace Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 20:50:00 +0000

If you’re in DC Thursday night, check out the Massachusetts 5-piece acoustic-pop act Darlingside. Rich-sounding harmonies that exceed the typical two and three parts, along with string instrumentation, give them a very polished, lush sound. Self-described as “string-rock,” they can also bring the hooks. Like what you hear? They’ll be headlining at The Red Palace (formerly The Red & The Black) in DC Thursday, December 9^th.

MP3: Good Man - Darlingside

"More" From Usher...

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 01:41:00 +0000

I heard this RedOne Jimmy Joker remix of Usher's "More" on a mix today, and I cannot get it out of my head. The remix really takes the track to another level, and next time I'm in the club, I know what song I'm requesting! Oh wait, I don't really go to the club. But if I did...

I’d Teach My Heart To Lie If I Thought That It Would…

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 01:35:00 +0000

I’d previously heard of folk singer/songwriter Lori McKenna, but I had never had actually listened to her, even though I had meant to. So when I got an advance copy of her new album Lorraine (1/25/2011 release) the other day, I immediately pressed play, and I’m very glad I did.

It’s bare, achingly lovely folk-country-think a combination of early Living With Ghosts-era Patty Griffin and Mary Chapin Carpenter. McKenna’s lonesome sound is enriched by the harmonies added by a smattering of various male vocalists (including producer Barry Dean) throughout. The melodies are strong and arrangements are sparsely elegant, though it sometimes takes a second listen in order to focus all of one’s attention on the lyrics.

While McKenna doesn’t necessarily break new lyrical ground on Lorraine (which happens to be her given name), the subject matter that she does cover is done well. It’s an intimate set of songs that tell of small towns, love, growing up and overcoming loss, with tracks ranging from the gorgeous ballad “The Most,” to the intensity of “You Get A Love Song.”

Lori McKenna will be performing at the Library of Congress this Saturday night December 4th, at 8:00 with the current top ten country artist Little Big Town. Tickets are “free,” but since they must be purchased from Ticketmaster, there’s of course a nominal service charge with each ticket order. There is a limit of 2 tickets per person.

Motel's "Somos Aire"

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:16:00 +0000

One of my Facebook friends posted this video for "Somos Aire," by the Mexican power pop group Motel. I can only comprehend the occasional word here and there since it's sung in Spanish, but it's damn catchy just the same, with that bouncy chorus. And I haven't been able to stop listening to it all day.

Shane Hines CD Release Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 13:01:00 +0000

After spending some time in Nashville, local singer/songwriter Shane Hines has returned with a new album that's a little more personal, a little more mature-sounding, and maybe even a little more country, than his previous efforts. All the Quiet, All the Chaos is well-thought out acoustic-flavored pop, with the occasional subtle notes of pop country arrangements.

Nashville's influence is noticeable on the slower country-tinged piano ballad “It’s Not Home,” with the swooping pedal steel and gorgeous harmonies on the big chorus. And the lead single "Leave It All Behind" is one tasty slice of catchy electric guitar pop. All the Quiet, All the Chaos is available on iTunes starting today, and Shane Hines has his CD release party at Jammin Java this Wednesday, November 10th at 7:30.

MP3: Leave It All Behind - Shane Hines

Getting Lifted

noreply@blogger.com (jeffro) — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 16:32:00 +0000

I hadn't listened to John Legend's Kanye West-produced album "Get Lifted" for quite awhile, so I brought it with me on my weekend trip up to NJ. I had forgotten just how much of a groove he gets going on the album. Legend's raspy and inviting vocals mesh perfectly with the strong beats, old-school instrumentation and gospelesque backing vocals. It almost made the tons of traffic that I had to face acceptable. Though the album fades out a bit the end, it's it's got a fearsome first half of tracks that more than makes up for it. Here's John Legend performing the slow burner "Alright" live in Rome. And I just sooo love the line, "Good lawd, you got body for days."