Monsters of Folk, the collaboration between Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and singer/songwriter M.Ward will be releasing their first album, self-titled, on September 22nd. I’ve been anxiously waiting for another supergroup since the Traveling Wilburys…and of course, Damn Yankees.
The band has made a track called “Say Please” available for free at their website. All you have to do is type “please” into the little form. It is the magic word, after all.
Yes, it’s Jim James from My Morning Jacket. Back in 2001, he recorded a tribute album to George Harrison and on July 7th he’ll release the EP under his solo moniker, Yim Yames.
You can head over to his site to trade your email address for a free download of “Behind That Locked Door.”
My Morning Jacket recently announced they’re putting out a fresh new live EP on what’s been dubbed “Record Store Day,” April 18th. The songs were recorded last summer in their hometown of Louisville at the Ear-X-tacy record store and Waterfront Park. Here’s the catch: you have to buy the EP in-store.
Sounds like they’re getting fed up with the commoditization and “sameness” of America, so it will only be available at your local independent record store – no digital downloads, no record store chains, no big box retailers. Fine by me. I’ll be sure to head over to Reckless Records to pick it up. To find your local record shop that will be carrying Celebracion de la Ciudad Natal (and many other special releases in honor of “Record Store Day”), go here.
Here’s the track listing:
1. Evil Urges
2. Highly Suspicious
3. Gideon
4. Where to Begin
5. Librarian
6. Phone Went West
7. Dondante
And here’s a little more about Record Store Day:
This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances. Festivities include performances, cook-outs, body painting, meet & greets with artists, parades, djs spinning records and on and on.
The best part of doing these year end lists is rediscovering every album we loved in 2008. While we chose Blitzen Trapper as the best album of the year, it may as well be a three-way tie. How do you choose between Blitzen Trapper, Fleet Foxes and The Black Keys?
Hopefully y’all liked our choices. I’m always interested in hearing about what we overlooked. So, what were your favorite albums of the year that we missed?
The cover art is made of wood and that’s what the album gives me. I don’t have enough good things to say. It’s my favorite album of 2008 and “Black River Killer” is my favorite song right now.
After Magic Potion, how do the Akron boys take it to the next level? They let Danger Mouse take over production and add in more instruments like banjos and flutes. The results are wondrous.
Video: The Black Keys – I Got Mine (Live on Letterman)
As stunning a debut as you’ll see in years. Woody saw them at SXSW and said “I thought angels were singing to me.” I called him a pussy at the time, but he’s right. So angelic. To say I am looking forward to their 2nd release is as big of an understatement.
Video: Fleet Foxes – Tiger Mountain Peasant Song (Live In London)
4. Dr. Dog – Fate
Jeff Tweedy loves Dr. Dog and so do we. Production is getting tighter and the songs are taking on bigger, often biblical themes. See them live to really appreciate the band.
Justin Townes Earle is what country music needs right now. If you’ve had enough of the mainstream pop garbage, listen to the music as Hank, Townes, Kris, Willie, Waylon and Johnny intended it to be heard. Justin has a voice and bravado that’s a throwback to country music’s legends.
Video: Justin Townes Earle – Lone Pine Hill (Live)
6. Drive-By Truckers – Brighter Than Creations Dark
DBT’s first album without Isbell and, although I miss him dearly, Hood and Cooley show that the show will certainly go on. It’s 19 tracks deep and “Ghost To Most,” “Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife,” and “Daddy Needs a Drink” have all become favorites. I’m also craving more Shonna Tucker after hearing “I’m Sorry Huston.”
In our review, I compared these guys to the scene in Young Guns when the gang visits the spirit world. Calexico are true musicians that explore new sounds and bend genres. This album comes with some spicy, southwestern flavor.
Do I even need to write anything about My Morning Jacket? This would have been higher on the list, but there are one or two tracks on Evil Urges that I can’t even listen to – “Highly Suspicious” is one of them. I still respect the constant experimentation and will remain a captive listener with each release.
9. Port O’Brien – All We Could Do Was Sing (our review)
Lead singer-songwriter Van Pierszalowski is an Alaska fisherman (think Deadliest Catch) and All I Could Do Was Sing always feels inspired by a bit of cabin fever with soft, sweet, finger-picked tunes like “Fisherman’s Son” offset by extended jams and heavy guitar riffs on “Pigeonhold” and “The Rooftop Song.” Damn good people too.
I’m not sure what the rebel side of heaven looks like, but I hope when I’m bellied up to the bar at The Big Guy in the Sky’s Bar and Lounge, that Langhorne strolls up in his fedora so I can buy him cocktail.