There were a few albums that was released August 19th that we have in house for review, so I'm working my way to clear out my queue.
I also wanted to remind you that Brothers and Sisters's album, Fortunately was also released. I reviewed this album a few months ago when I thought it was released in July.
I also mentioned that at that time, there was no touring information. Well the good news is that they've finalized their tour dates, so see if they're coming to your town below:
August 22 - Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory
August 26 - Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
August 27 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
August 29 - Chicago, IL @ Town Hall Pub
September 01 - St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
September 03 - Bloomington, IN @ Cinemat
September 04 - Louisville, KY @ Skull Alley
September 06 - Dayton, OH @ Canal Street Tavern
September 07 - Columbus, OH @ Bernie's
September 10 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose
September 11 - New York, NY @ Union Hall
September 12 - State College, PA @ Chronic Town
September 14 - Washington, DC @ DC9
September 16 - Asheville, NC @ Emerald Lounge
September 17 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
September 18 - Philadelphia, PA @ M-Room
September 20 - Little Rock, AR @ Sticky Fingerz
| MAKEUPBREAKUP makeupbreakupband.com ♥ myspace.com
I got a note that Fanatic is offering two new free downloadable tracks from electro dance-pop MakeUpBreakUp. This Providence, Rhode Island duo, Mikey Lamantia Jr. and Alexander Laorenza, have just released their EP, We Prefer Not To... last Tuesday, on SAF Records. It would seem that these guys are old friends, and in 2007, Laorenza moved to Rhode Island to concentrate on their music collaboration. Since making music, their songs comes off as sounding like 80s techno, but a little faster. It's not a surprise as their main influences seems to be from New Order. I did enjoy their title track, "Blame Game" (one of the free track), mostly because I like hearing Lamantia's (?) vocals. I only wish he has more lyrics to sing. Sometime hearing his voice on "Fall Her Love Trap", "She's Always X Rated", and "I Dream I'm Stone" reminds me of early 90s pop songs (like Information Society[W♥M] when they're doing their pop songs). It would seem that MakeUpBreakUp is currently associated with such retro acts as She Wants Revenge[W♥M] and The Faint[W♥M], and it's not a bad company to be in. I don't think they're as dancey or catchy, but given time, I can see a lot of potential in this band. Make sure to download the free tracks ("Blame Game", "Jungle City", and "She's Always X Rated") and if you love it, their EP is available for a minimum price at SAF Records. This EP is supposed to lead to their debut full length, and if the EP is any indication, I'll bet the album will be just as good or even better. |
KELLEY MCRAE kelleymcrae.com ♥ myspace.com
As I've previously mentioned in the W♥M Video #10, I do enjoy gaelic singing-style - and Kelley McRae lives up to her Irish heritage. Well I'm pretty sure she's Irish, I think it's the "mac" that are Scottish, right? I guess it doesn't matter because McRae, is a singer/songwriter from Brooklyn, New York. Her debut album, Never Be received a four-star rating from Paste magazine. I like Paste magazine, they're one of the few magazines that I still see in newsstand at Barnes & Noble and they are generally into singer/songwriter type of music. They're also well-respected by everyone I know. Her latest album is Highrises in Brooklyn, just released yesterday on SonaBlast! Records. My favorite song off Highrises is the punchy soulful blues song, "More of Nothin'". I think this is such an outstanding song, but it really sounds nothing like her other more poppier songs ("Tomorrow", "BQE") and singer/songwriter-folk-type songs ("Highrises in Brooklyn"). If you like women-singer, definitely check out McRae. If you need songs recommendations, be sure to check out "Long Walk Home" (she sounds like in this song), the sweeping violins on "Fall", and the semi-biography song of "Sparrow" (this song sounds like it's about McRae's being a vagabond, traveling the countryside and always missing home). Sadly, it looks like she's just wrapped up her two month tour dates. She will appear again in Viriginia at Jammin' Java on August 23rd. |
