WYEP Music Blog

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh’s finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Scott Tady of The Beaver County Times

In case you missed it here’s what he played with commentary by Scott (plus some bonus songs):

Gaslight Anthem, “American Slang” – An American rock band from New Jersey that perfects Blue-collar rock in the tradition that began with Bruce Springsteen. Scott says: “‘We’re not into just kinda being like a little footnote,’ Gaslight Anthem singer Brian Fallon says in the press release for the Jersey rockers’ new album. “We want to be The Ones, y’know?” They take a bold step in that direction with “American Slang,” their third full-length effort that’s loaded with anthemic melodies and raw-throated, Springsteen-ian singing. This title track is consistent with the band’s hard-driving approach. If you dig the Hold Steady (or the early E Street Band) you’re already a Gaslight Anthem fan.”

Paul Weller, “Fast Car, Slow Traffic” – Former frontman for mod/punk band The Jam and also the soulful Style Council. This is his tenth solo album. Scott says: “A breezy summer-y tune, especially appropriate for traffic-snarled Pittsburgh. Weller, formerly of The Jam and Style Council, ditched the acoustic guitars and rocks out throughout this album, which in the liner notes he compares to “Diamond Dogs”-era David Bowie with a pinch of the Faces. A few reviewers have proclaimed this Weller’s best album in 20 years.”

The National, High Violet - Originally from Cincinnati, OH, The National now based themselves in Brooklyn. Known for their flat-lined vocals surrounded by swelling rock music, this is their fifth LP. Scott says: “The Joy Division-ish vocals lure you in; the shimmering, smoldering sonics keep you coming back.”

Dan Bern, Live in Los Angeles – An American songwriter often compared to Dylan, Phil Ochs and Woody Guthrie. Scott says: “The feisty, funny folk-rocker launches his live album with the 1998 masterpiece “Tiger Woods” — which takes on a whole new relevance now. There are sweet songs, (“Love Makes All the Other Worlds Go Round,” The Golden Voice of Vin Scully”), and surreal ones, (“Osama in Obamaland” and “The Fifth Beatle.”) That latter tune includes hilarious and spot-on impersonations of Bob Dylan, Ringo
Starr, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young.”

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh’s finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Justin Jacobs, contributing writer to Paste Magazine, AOL’s Spinner.com and Pittsburgh’s City Paper

In case you missed it here’s what he played with commentary by Justin (plus some bonus songs):

Suckers, “Black Sheep” – Suckers formed in Brooklyn, NY in 2006, where members Quinn Walker, Austin Fisher, Pan, and Brian Aiken began mixing tribal indie rock with flourishes of chamber pop and Bowie-inspired eclecticism. Justin says: “I think Suckers are the most exciting new band this year (Ok, ok, they put out an EP last fall). They pull off some pretty wild music — nonsensical lyrics, sing-along gang vocals, huge synths — but it’s all done with more sincerity than any weirdness-as-irony indie band out there. Suckers go there, and you want to come along.”

Here We Go Magic, “Collector” -  Band based in Brooklyn, New York. Formerly the moniker of folk singer Luke Temple, they signed to Secretly Canadian as a five piece band in September 2009. This is from the new record ‘Pigeons’ Justin says: “This band’s earlier work was a lot less structured; it was hazy, free-floating psychedelics. Normally when a band tightens up its sound, the result loses some of the original music’s greatness, but not here. “Collector,” and the rest of the album Pigeons is just as trippy — and even catchier — than HWGM has ever been.”

Good Old War, “That’s Some Dream”- Philly based and made up of Keith Goodwin, Daniel Schwartz, and Tim Arnold. The band’s name comes from the last names of the three members; Goodwin for Good, Arnold for Old, and Schwartz for War. Justin says: “From this acoustic folk-pop trio’ second album. Find a song with prettier harmonies and a catchier hook than this song, and I will buy you a beer. Seriously.”

The Young Veins, “Heart of Mine” – On July 6th, 2009 Ryan Ross and Jon Walker left Panic! at the Disco, citing creative differences as the reason for their departure. Soon afterwards, it was announced that their new project would be a retro-leaning rock band called The Young Veins. Justin says: “Who would’ve thought that some of the dudes from Panic at the Disco would turn around and create Zombies-influenced 60′s guitar rock? Not me, but I’m not complaining. The Young Veins’ debut, Take a Vacation, is summer bliss.”

Baths, “Aminals” -  New project of 21 year old Will Wiesenfeld- a musician now based in L.A., but hailing from the suburbs of The San Fernando Valley. The sound of Baths goes its own way: fueled by spontaneity, tempered by Wiesenfeld’s background in classic songwriting. Those two influences collide in glorious ways on Cerulean, the debut album. Justin says: “I really don’t like chillwave. This track, from Baths LP Cerulean, takes the same laid-back dance vibe of chillwave artists like Neon Indian and Toro Y Moi, but makes the music actually go somewhere. Amen.”

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh’s finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite news songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Andy Mulkerin of City Paper

In case you missed it here’s what he played with commentary by Andy (plus some bonus songs):

Ola Podrida – “The Closest We Will Ever Be”
Second release from the group, lead by David Wingo. Wingo got the name from a mall in Dallas where he had a beer thrown at him during his first public performance. He is also a film composer and a member of Wooden Birds. Andy says: “This is the lead track from Ola Podrida’s new album; most of the record is quiet and introspective and this track, while mid-paced and not exactly rockin’, is probably the most upbeat. As evidenced from my experience in the studio with Cindy, it lends itself well to hula dancing.”

Jenny and Johnny – “Scissor Runner”
Rilo Kiley’s Jenny Lewis and her long-time boyfriend, Johnathan Rice. Andy Says: “This is the lead single from the new debut album from a couple of old heads. It’s a wonderful little pop gem that’s perfect for driving in the sun. ”

Secret Cities –” Color”
They come from Fargo, North Dakota and met at band camp as teens. Their sound is dark romantic pop with a Spectoresque twist. They began mailing tapes back and forth to each other and adding their own parts. Andy Says: “Secret Cities just released their newest album, also on Western; it’s a hot mess of pop and dreamy noise. They borrow equally from ’60s girl pop and the minimalists, which pleases me. ”

Baby Dee – Lilacs
A harpist and accordion player from Cleveland, this is from Baby Dee’s seventh release, ‘A Book of Songs for Anne Marie’. Her voice is extremely theatrical and deep. Andy says: “Some critics are turned off by the voice of Baby Dee, a transgendered woman harpist/pianist from Cleveland. I happen to think it’s charming, and if you feel the same way, you’ll find that she’s one of the best songwriters today. This is from her latest, put out by Drag City; it’s a quieter bunch of songs than some of her previous releases, but keeps the quality high.”

Well, the acts featured in The Local News for July all coincidentally have long complicated titles. All quality artists and all available on The Local News Podcast. You can also check them out on-air Monday-Thursday at 9 pm (starting tonight). Let me know what you think: cindy@wyep.org
Thanks!
Cindy

Joy Toujours and the Toys Du Jour – “Touchez Moi”
I have to say the name of this band very slowly: Joy Toujours and the Toys Du Jour. They’ve been playing for a few years and have a new record entitled Onward. Definitely of the experimental indie persuasion, Joy Toujours’ new record would please fans of bands like Morphine, Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers and Talking Heads.

Meeting of Important People – “Leap-The-Dips”
Last year, WYEP named Meeting of Important People our local act of the year for their excellent self-titled debut. They boys are back this month with a new EP titled Quit Music, which hopefully they don’t plan on doing. The seven song release further demonstrates the pure talent of lead singer Josh Verbanets in songwriting and performing.

B-Rad and The Best of The West Players – “Oh, My Baby”
B-Rad and The Best of The West Players is lead by Brad Ladik. The new B-Rad CD features players from local favorites like Donora, Meeting of Important People and Mariage Blanc. It also covers a broad sonic spectrum with clear influences of country, garage rock, punk, soul and funk.

Thomas Jefferson’s Aeroplane – “This Changes Everything”
Thomas Jefferson’s Aeroplane consists Bill Deasy and and Rich Jaques- who led two of the finest bands to come out of Pittsburgh in the late 90′s- The Gathering Field and Brownie Mary. Together, they’ve created very catch music with skillful songwriting and creative interesting electronic instrumentation. This is their second release.