Buzz Clips

Mastodon...you like...yes?

Like MTV of old, I'm going to feature some Buzz Clips. These are bands that are new to me that I'm checking into based on the media buzz around them. I read about these groups online, in magazines and what not which leads me to wonder "What's the big deal?" so I play a song and give them a chance. Because as much as I love my old favorites, I'll never hear anything new by just playing the classics.

Fleet Foxes "White Winter Hymnal"

This band has had a buzz for months now, an interesting return of 60's style chamber pop. Strangely hypnotic, I like it.

Silversun Pickups "Panic Switch"

Often compared to one of my favorite bands The Smashing Pumpkins, the SSP come across like a modern update to that classic band. Good stuff.

Kings Of Leon "Use Somebody"

This band hasn't had a buzz for months, it's had it for years. I've given then a chance before with their loose limbed Southern rock and while I thought they were OK I didn't really dig them. They're having a lot of commercial success now and I can see why: they changed their sound to a tighter, more accessible approach. And yet I still can't get into them.

Mastodon "Oblivion"

21st Century hard rock doesn't appeal to me yet this band does. They rock hard but get almost prog metal in parts plus they look like regular rock dudes instead of posers. This is the second song I've heard from them, I've been impressed both times. And this video reminds me a bit of that movie Sunshine.

Iron & Wine "Flightless Bird, American Mouth"

I mentioned strangely hypnotic before, ditto this guy who goes by the name Iron & Wine. I can't even figure out what this song is about exactly, I just like the sensitive mewing and lilting melody. This song I think is from 2007 but appears to have renewed exposure through the Twilight movie. Haven't seen Twilight, but now before playing this song in concert he can say "Hey, suck on this!" Heh heh...vampires.
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Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat "Lucky"

My mother in law recommended this song to us because it reminded her of me and my wife. It's a pleasant song. A love song that has enough of a beat to avoid being cloying. Plus, it comes in espanol (different girl singer included)! And I think it's very nice that the song reminded my mother in law of us :)

Hey, I did it! I found some new bands to write about. Will any of them stick with me? Only time will tell...

Let The Flannel Fly

I was hoping to dig up artists I was less familiar with this week that would catch my ear but so far no luck. But there does seem to be a glut of bands I know pretty well and in 2009 it looks like there's some room for a 90's revival to begin. One of my favorites of the Grunge era, Pearl Jam, has lined up a new album of material to follow up on their excellent self titled disc a few years back. The jury's still out on their first single "The Fixer", I didn't love it the first time I listened but Pearl Jam makes songs that grow on me after a little while. It's been a wild year for PJ, bassist Jeff Ament got mugged outside of the recording studio and the band has set up a deal with Target for the album release. The Target deal has some crying "sell out" to the group that made its name battling big corporations like Ticketmaster (the nickname "Ticketbastard" floated around a lot at that time). While I find the deal out of character for this hyper conscienscious liberal politicking band, I'm not going to judge them because I got bills to pay too. Their upcoming new disc is called Backspacer.

Alice in Chains is also returning sans deceased front man Layne Staley, who sadly OD'd in his angry chair a while back. The guy replacing Staley seems capable though certainly less charismatic. The rest of the band can still do the low sludgy droning thang they do so well, but there was never a question about that. It does remind me of a little story though that I'll call "Man In A Box".

I saw Jerry Cantrell live about ten years ago at the Fillmore, he showed up hecka late for the gig. Once he got there he did play well, maybe a little too well. The crowd was enthusiastic throughout the program while I patiently waited to see if he would play my favorite AIC song, "Them Bones". When the band launched into that mighty opening riff, the Fillmore became unglued. A mosh pit formed all around us and I spent the whole song facing away from the stage so I could block running fools from slamming into us like an offensive guard. I hate mosh pits, if I wanted to tackle people I would do it for free in the street and not somewhere I paid to be. Anyway, that's my ranty Alice in Chains story. No mosh pit for any other song by the way, just the one I was waiting to hear. Their new disc coming up is called Black Gives Way To Blue and the single is "Check My Brain".

Once you're done reliving 1976 at Wal-Mart, just jump on over to Target for a healthy dose of 90's renaissance. You better check yourself before you wreck yourself, you feel me playa? Run Forrest Run! Help, I've fallen and I can't get up. Wassup!

Feels Like The Third Time

Aw man, they don't let KISS replacement members pick out their own makeup anymore. At least Eric Carr got to be a...was it a fox or something? And Vinnie Vincent had an ankh on his face? At least they didn't have to go out and look like Peter Criss and Ace Frehley. I'm sure any woman would tell you, you wouldn't want to be caught dead in someone else's make up. Was that sexist or what?

Last year when Journey surprised naysayers by having a Platinum release via an exclusive deal through Wal-Mart, other classic rock bands took note. It could be argued that Journey took note of AC/DC, but we all knew AC/DC was going to sell wherever they went. No, Journey set the bar by snapping up a controversial lead singer and selling two cds/1 dvd as a $12.00 set and being successful at it-even with the extra handicap of including a disc of new material.

Two bands seek to repeat Journey's comeback, one being the totally logical choice- Foreigner. Though Mick Jones is now the sole original member, he's spent the last few years touring with a reliable set of musicians including Kelly Hansen (ex-Hurricane) and Jeff Pilson (ex-Dokken). And like Journey their signature vocalist is no where to be found (with Foreigner that is, Lou Gramm released a Christian rock album and played the local state fair earlier this year). In the grand tradition of Foreigner releases there is an awkward album title Can't Slow Down (hoping for some of that Lionel Richie magic twenty years too late) and a bad album cover that looks like the view screen from the original Star Trek series.

But with heaven on their side and Producer Mick Ronson at the boards, Foreigner just may rock it out of the box yet. Their new single is called "When It Comes To Love"

Never one to miss out on a lucrative financial deal, KISS will also jump on the Wal Mart bandwagon too. Sonic Boom is coming and though the original membership is down to Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley again, hope is still alive that KISS can still pack 'em in the seats. And if you think AC/DC had things to cross market at Wal-Mart display stands, KISS can pretty much take over the whole store. KISS clothing, KISS toilet paper, KISS coffins, KISS microwave popcorn probably - is there anything they don't market with their brand? Even their personal life is for sale (I have to admit Gene's Family Jewels tv show is an occasional guilty pleasure). For some reason their lead single "Modern Day Delilah" has a guitar riff that reminds me of Pearl Jam's "Animal". Could be just me though.

So get ready for those rollbacks Wal Mart shoppers, because Foreigner and Kiss are gonna rock you like it's 1976 again. Back when you shopped blue light specials at K-Mart instead of Wal Mart, back when Ken Griffey Sr. played baseball instead of Ken Griffey Jr., back when people knew what a bicentennial was. The Spirit of '76 lives on!