After the break up of The Afghan Whigs Greg Dulli put all his attention into, what was his once side project, The Twilight Singers. While never reaching as much mainstream sucess of his previous band, The The Twilight Singers have been critically aclaimed on virtually every album, especially their last effort Powder Burns. Here is in my view the strongest track of the album and Greg Dulli at his best “My Time (Has Come)” (sorry I couldn’t find a music video or live perfomance)
All posts by Andrew Bedsole
The Gutter Twins: All Misery/Flowers
With Greg Dulli coming to a sold out Boston show (from what I read most major city stops of his shows have been sold out on this tour), I figured over the next couple of days I would post a few videos taking a look at his work. Here is a video showcasing his longstanding collaboration with Mark Lanegan (Queens of the Stone Age, Screaming Trees). While they have worked together on various projects throughout the years, they officially released (an amazing) album called Saturnalia under then name ‘The Gutter Twins’. Here is the song “All Misery/Flowers”.
Original ‘The Stills’ lineup reunite
Greg Paquet, former vocalist and lead guitarist of The Stills, left the band in 2005 after the tours supporting their debut album ‘Logic Will Break Your Heart’ and was replaced on guitar by drummer, Dave Hamelin. Recently Greg has rejoined the band and Dave has moved back behind the drum kit, essentially reuniting the original lineup that created the excellent pre-mentioned debut album (the line up is the same except it now includes keyboards, percussion, and backing vocals Liam O’Neil). Here is the video from The Stills debut album for the excellent song “Lola Stars and Stripes” (I was really tempted to go with “Still in Love Song” though).
CD Review: Civilized [2009]
Artist:
stellastarr*
Label: Bloated Wife Records
1. “Robot” B-
2. “Freak Out” A
3. “Tokyo Sky” B
4. “Numbers” B-
5. “Graffiti Eyes” A-
6. “Prom Zombie” B-
7. “Warchild” A
8. “People” B+
9. “Move On” B+
10. “Sonja Cries” A-
Comments: After their last album Harmonies for the Haunted that spawned the hit single “Sweet Troubled Soul” the band stellastarr* (sometimes just referred to as Stellastarr) took to their own label Bloated Wife Records (named after a hidden track on Harmonies for the Haunted) after leaving RCA Records, and in 2009 came up with the album Civilized. While not nearly as polished as their previous efforts and nothing is produced that was as marketable as “Sweet Troubled Soul”, major improvements has been made. Most notably, Bassist and back up vocalist Amanda Tannen is used much more frequently and more efficiently, then in previous efforts. Secondly, guitarist and lead singer Shawn Christensen sounds much more relaxed and comfortable on this album. Lastly stellastarr has become much better song writers and crafters, previous efforts has really been hit and miss (although when they hit, their really good), like I said nothing measures up to “Sweet Troubled Soul” or even “My Coco”, but overall the album is much more consistent. The album starts off with a good effort sung entirely by Amanda on “Robot” and comes close to their best work with “Freak Out”. From then out its one solid song after another that will please any hipster, which eventually peaks with the song “Warchild”. The album winds down after that ending on a strong note with “Sonja Cries”. Overall the album isn’t a game changer for music, the post punk genre, or even the band, it just happens to be a solid effort, from a band who has shown sparks of greatness, but has not shown us what they can do. But after listening to this album a few times, I have hope that maybe one day they can craft that masterpiece that they always been hinting at but never delivered on, yet.
Grade: B- (82/100)
Band Recommendation: The Von Bondies
Description: While probably best known for the hit single “C’mon C’mon” or the fight between lead singer and lead guitarist Jason Stollsteimer and Jack White, The Von Bondies actually have three very solid studio albums behind them Lack of Communication (2001), Pawn Shoppe Heart (2004), and Love, Hate And Then There’s You (2009). They are also one of the few Garage-Rock revival bands to actually survive (despite numerous line-up changes) and adapt to the times without changing their sound.
Sounds Like: The Pixies, The White Stripes, and Louis XIV
Favorite Song: Earthquake
Band Recommendation: Crocodiles
Band History: Crocodiles consist of high school friends Charles Rowell and Brandon Welchez, who played together in numerous bands such as the Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower. Eventually though they regrouped under the name Crocodiles (who took their name from the great Echo and the Bunnymen album) in April of 08. The band immediately received attention after fellow southern California noise pop band No Age listed their single “Neon Jesus” as one of the top songs of 08 in a poll. In April 2009 the band released their first album Summer of Hate, a year later they released their critically acclaimed follow up Sleep Forever in the summer of 2010.
Description: Anyone looking to get their The Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine fix as come to the right place. Like their predecessors, Crocodiles rely heavily on pop hooks along with abrasive guitar rifts (though maybe Crocodiles put more of emphasis song writing and crafting, then their fore fathers), still the sound defiantly unique and worth a listen.
Sounds Like: Echo and The Bunnymen, The Jesus and Mary and Chains, The Horrors.
Favorite Song: I Wanna Kill.
The Afghan Whigs: Conjure Me
Two reasons I am posting this 1) Greg Dulli, the lead singer of the now defunct The Afghan Whigs, will be going on tour October 8, performing some songs from his entire career including The Afghan Whigs and The Twilight Singers. 2) Do I really need a second reason to post something from The Afghan Whigs?
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 