After a little poking around the net I discovered that The Torn ACLs have released two new albums since I picked up their first EP, Cedar By the Sea, in 2009. Anyone who has listened to my playlists for more than a few days will know that I regularly insert Reputation at top volume, because I […]
Author: Architorture
Attila: Self Titled
After tangentially mentioning the band Attila in an earlier post, I decided to give their album, also named Attila, a more in-depth listen. It is an amazing album. Amazing that it exists and amazing that it is not more well known. While a heavy shadow has been cast over this short-lived band by the negative reviews […]
Bears: Greater Lakes
Bears is a band that could have easily come from Palo Alto rather than Cleveland. They are a nerdy looking bunch and a few of the songs sound as if they were recorded in the back room of a party, similar to The Boston Tea Party’s Cold Weather, 40 Minutes and Beer sessions. But, nowadays, who doesn’t […]
George Wilton Ballard: I’m Going Back to California
After being poo-pooed by certain members of the blog I decided to take an extra day off.. yet even on my bonus day of rest, I came across some music that is worthy of being mentioned. I’ll be back in California next weekend and to celebrate I’m posting an amazing old cylinder recording of George […]
Andy Davis: Heartbreak Yellow
I just happened to hear a few of Andy Davis’ songs recently and thought, for a moment, that I was listening to a new A.J. Croce album. Davis is, in fact, his own person. His second album, Heartbreak Yellow, is cheerful and poppy, perhaps best suited for driving through a sunny mall parking lot. While […]
Unit 4+2: 1st Album
The only difference between Unit 4+2 and a typical one hit wonder is, well… I guess they fit the mold just fine. But, who doesn’t love Concrete and Clay? The most amazing part is that they never whole-heartedly tried to duplicate the Concrete and Clay formula. The closest they came seems to be Baby Never Say […]
Denny Belline & The Dwellers.
What is the difference between Hannah Montana and Ella Fitzgerald? I have often wondered what will become of a great deal of the rock that is produced today. As a case study, I decided to look into a bit of music from the past that fit the times but never took off. Today we learn of […]
Buffalo Springfield.
This is just another band made up of unknown musicians. They played together from 1966-1968, just under two years, and after releasing three albums decided to call it quits. Of course, later everyone would wonder “who was this super-band”? How could this group of pot smokers go on to become Crazy Horse, Loggins & Messina, […]
Randy Newman: 12 Songs
If the only Randy Newman you know is from Toy Story or Family Guy, than his sophomore album, 12 Songs, will be good for you. Newman spent 10 of his early years in New Orleans listening to Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong but was born in (and later returned to) Los Angeles – where he […]
Sidney Bechet: The Fabulous
Stephanie is reading in her suzani print wing-back, smothered by a charcoal fur throw, while I putter around the piano attempting to time the bridge within Joplin’s Solace. She looks at me and says “I want to hear Sidney Bechet”. Bechet, hmmm… You sly girl, I don’t know how to play Bechet. (I’m certain she […]
Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside: Dirty Radio
I figure Kira is about to post this since she’s “in the know” down in Santa Cruz, the Portland of California. The most interesting thing about The Outside Sound, besides being this epoch’s Squirrel Nut Zippers, is that they have a member named Sallie Ford and Ford Tennis. That is pretty awesome. I really enjoy […]
Pete Drake: Forever
If you’ve heard Bob Dylan’s Lay Lady Lay, George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, or Peter Frampton’s well… anything at all… then you may know Pete Drake and Alvino Rey. Lets take it back to the beginning. It all started back in 1908, just after the great San Francisco earthquake pushed most of the bay […]