EPs and Singles are usually fun to review because they're often a short list of songs (usually under five tracks). I have about 16 singles, so in an effort to mention most of them, I present to you another round of EPs, please check out the first Attack of the EPs. Check back for part three in a week.
If you are interested in submitting EPs or full length album for review, please contact me (
) and I will be more than happy to send out a standard submission guide.
| ILLIMANJARO myspace.com/illimanjaromusic
I wanted to mention Illimanjaro today because they are playing tonight at Flemings Pub at the Make Music Event in Queens, New York. It looks like they are also playing two other NY dates: Club Europa (July 9th and July 22th). Their debut EP is called Not Invited and they are offering the entire four track EP available for download on their myspace. There's not a lot of details about this band, apparently they formed in late 2004 and are known for their "hard-htting rap/spoken word" vocals. Which after listening to the first song "Not Invited", it sounds more like Devo-esque. In fact, the only "rap" style song is "No Means No", because "No Win Situation" had more singing, while "Still" is all instrumental. I felt that "No Means No" sounds a little Beastie Boys, but with a very fat bass on this song. Since every song is quite different, I'm assuming the band is either is very diverse or they're still struggling to find their sound, but I'm hoping it's the former and not the latter. Not Invited is available for download now, see them live if you happen to be in New York. |
I AM THE HEAT iamtheheat.com ♥ myspace.com
Another New York indie band, I Am The Heat have been around since 2005, with already three EPs under their belt (Cars Like Oceans, Selections from the Silver Skies, and Naked), and they have a new one called The Future Doesn't Need Us. I just checked, the new EP won't be available until July 15th, but I wanted to mention them today because they are playing tonight at Make Music in New York. There will be an official record release party on August 2nd at a yet to be determined location. Listening to their album, I get the impression that this production is very garagey and DIY (do it yourself). It's also infectiously fun to listen to them having a good time on such songs as "What Would Lou Reed Do" and "Dream Machine". The EP ends with a seemingly slow song, "Tonight (And I'll Save You)", that is until near the end where it picks up into a frantic frenzy. I like the idea that they don't take themselves too seriously and I also like the idea of having Morrissey on their Top 8 (because they sound nothing like the depressing mopester). You can pick up The Future Doesn't Need Us as well as Naked on High Five Records. |
| JACKSONKNIFE jacksonknife.com ♥ myspace.com
New York indie band's Jacksonknife's debut EP is called You Don't Know What You're Talking About. They formed in 2006, by songwriter Jeremy Kirkland, and have performed with similar indie rock acts such as The French Kicks, Ra Ra Riot & Encrypt Manuscript. When you think of indie rock, you don't normally hear brass instruments, so that was refreshing to hear it on "Truthfully". It doesn't stop there, other interesting sounds such as violas on "Healthy Diets" and "The Morning" and banjo-sounds on "Catholics" definitely makes the songs better and interesting in my opinion. I have to add that I thought the quiet-sounding folk song "Catholics" didn't quite belong on this EP, it just felt out of place. The happy/get up and move "Truthfully" is good, but I felt "Healthy Diets" would best describe the band: great melody and great lyrics. I half imagine if you like The Decemberists or Modest Mouse, this band might be right up your alley. They are playing a few dates around New York: 07/05/08 Cake Shop New York You Don't Know What You're Talking About can be purchased on amazon (use Pepsi Points and get it for free!) and iTunes. Keep up with the band at the usual myspace and their tumblr blog. |
GARRY SEGAL todyeforband.com ♥ myspace.com
The seven-track EP I have from Garry Segal is called Taking Notes, and at the time I got the submission, I don't believe he had a band. As it turns out, his band is called ToDyeFor, which I haven't heard yet, but based on this EP they should sound excellent. This is a great EP if you are into blues, Segal has that seasoned years of drinking voice that fit these kind of songs. You'll believe him when he says "I keep drinkin', hop back on it everytime. No river of religion to wash away my pain, just drags me down the drain." on "I Keep Drinkin'" and "she lost a place in more ways than you think/now she's in this bar, looking for drink from a guy who understand her losses" on "Two Broken People". I also found "Wrong Dogs" a little humerous, although I get the impression that dogs are a metaphor for humans. Although I normally like the storytelling aspect of blues and country music, but to my surprise, the instrumental track, "Everything's Jake", which is mostly driven by a harmonica, is seriously good. I had to play that twice in a roll. He's playing a few dates with his new band, so check them out: 07/17/08 Rodi gastonia He's playing tonight at the Cypress Cellar in North Carolina, if you are in the area. If not, Taking Notes, can be purchased on CD Baby. |
| MY EDUCATION myeducationmusic.com ♥ myspace.com
Bad Vibrations, the EP from My Education was released fairly recently, on June 10th. Originally formed in Austin, Texas, in 1999, as a three-piece band (Brian Purington, Eric Gibbons and Sean Seagler), they eventually added keyboardist Kirk Laktas and viola James Alexander and "guitar god" Chris Hackstie to their lineup. Their biography goes on to let us know that these guys have been around, releasing two albums: 5 Popes (Sold out in 2003, reissued in 2004) and Italian (2005). Listening to the seven tracks (eight if you count the hidden non-musical track), I have to admit they create this weird slow cooking atmosphere. None of the songs have singing on it, and their songs often goes over the five minute mark - definitely not pop radio material... but I think their music might be experienced live or on a motion picture soundtrack. I generally liked all the songs on the EP, especially if they have some sort of structure to them like "Mother May" and "Sluts and Maniacs". I also like hearing Alexander's volins on "Arch" and "Aria", both songs have a nice delightful ambiance to them. They are doing quite a few tour dates, so see them live: 06/26/08 Live radio on Kut 90.5 Austin, TX
06/26/08 Bad Vibrations Record Release Party @ Emo’s Lounge Austin, Texas 06/28/08 End of an Ear Austin, Texas 07/04/08 Albuquerque, NM @ Atomic Cantina 07/05/08 Tucson, AZ @ Plush 07/06/08 Phoenix, AZ @ Modified Arts 07/07/08 San Diego, CA @ the Beauty Bar 07/08/08 Los Angeles, CA Sunrise Film Score 07/09/08 San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock 07/10/08 Arcata, CA @ Jambalaya 07/11/08 Portland, OR @ Towne Lounge 07/12/08 Olympia, WA @ The Voyeur 07/13/08 Seattle @ Funhouse 07/14/08 Missoula, MT @ The Palace 07/16/08 Denver, CO @ Old Curtis 07/17/08 Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge 07/18/08 OKC @ the Conservatory 07/19/08 Denton, TX @ Hailey’s Bad Vibrations is out now, you can pick it up from Strange Attractors with other oddities as Harris Newman and Nick Castro. |
ROSIE SWAN myspace.com ♥ vox.com
She previously released an EP under her full name Rosemary Rebecca Swan called Mid Life (and the Definitive Break Up) and she has a full album called White Girl. I don't believe these two audio tracks ("Treasure" and "Good Again") that were submitted to me are from her album, but it was the only album artwork that was provided. Since both songs are acoustic, I'm forced to think that she sounds like a folk singer/songwriter type. She definitely have a hidden anger buried inside her, at least I get that impression, based on the two songs. Personally, I think the two tracks a little rough and could use some mixing, but you'll have to keep in mind that they were both recorded live. Of the two tracks, I think "Treasure" sounds better because you can clearly hear the acoustic guitar and her energetic vocals. By the way, her impressive biography, which lists her her media work as having appeared on television, films, and radio (notably Top of the Pops and Liberty Radio) and her numerous awards (winner of The National Music Day, Gibraltar International Song Festival Award, Marquee Club, Essex Radio National Rock Song, and London Songwriters Showcase), you would think that with the right marketing and record label that she would be a star, if not now, then soon. See her live on July 5th at the Pride London Open Air Festival, along with such acts as Sandi Thom, Shen, Geek Girl (what a name!), Lilth's Army, and Becca Williams. Swan is schedule to appear on the Women stage at 4:20 pm. Check out more music on her myspace and add her to your neighborhood on vox. |
Links: www.weheartmusic.com
