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Ted Leo/Pharmacists

Fixer of broken hearts! Mender of broken bones! What else is there left to say about Ted Leo and his band of stalwart Pharmacists, who've blazed the land several times over, bringing good music and hope and light to the starving children? After a handful of albums and some cast changes, the hard-working Leo still continues to make exciting, accessible, soulful, nearly-perfect songs with elements of Billy Bragg, Elvis Costello, and the Clash.

I remember the first time I heard the sweet strains of "Biomusicology," off his Tyranny of Distance album. My jaw dropped, my eyes glazed over, and I replayed the song a dozen times in a row. I'm tempted to simply shove these beautiful, rousing, intelligent songs in your face, and leave it at that, because Ted Leo's ear for an instanteously memorable, super-catchy song is second to none. It's hard enough for me to choose a handful of favorites; nearly every Ted Leo song was at one point, my favorite Ted Leo song.

But back to the music: their live performances are famous for a blistering energy emanating off the stage like an August heat wave. These days, TL/RX are a power trio, and Dave Lerner holds up the bottom with an appropriately chugging bass, while drummer Chris Wilson keeps threaten to beat a hole in his drum kit. Leo's searing guitar licks and intense vocal acrobatics are second to none, as he gives 110% with every show. Such is his passion, that he nearly blew out his vocal cords in late 2003, during a grueling tour for Hearts of Oak, and required surgery; still he continues on, making music.

Not to mention that he's a keen cultural critic who's not afraid to tackle important issues, and engage directly with his fans on his weblog. And very few people can argue with his rock pedigree, with his resume listing stints in hardcore and mod-punk bands.

From the a galvanizing Pixies-like anthem of "Ballad of the Sin Eater," found on Hearts of Oak to the pop perfection of "Me and Mia" on Shake the Sheets, Ted Leo/Pharmacists somehow manages to resonate with a wide audience. Everyone from seasoned rock critics, disaffected hipsters, and barely teenaged East Bay punks alike falls in love with these relentlessly smart, engaging, and, of course, politically-charged, polished rock songs.

If there's anyone who might be able to heal the teeming millions and lead armies into the victory, it might just be Ted Leo. (Even if the world ain't ready.)

Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Biomusicology
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Timorous Me
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - The Ballad of the Sin Eater
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Tell Balgury, Balgeary is Dead
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Me and Mia
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Sons of Cain (Live)

Ted Leo/Pharmacists' official site. Buy Ted Leo/Pharmacist albums on Amazon or iTunes Music Store.

Shadows tags: tedleo.

Posted by Queen of the Front Row on 01.21.06 at 3:15 AM | Comments (0), TrackBack (0)

Bosque Brown

Stephenville, Texas is where three of my favorite back roads in Texas -- Hyws. 377, 281, and 67 all meet up. It's a pretty big town for that part of North Texas (about 70 miles from Ft. Worth) -- about 15,000 souls, all told. As it's the county seat, there's a pretty limestone courthouse in the town square. It is also the home of Mara Lee Miller, the voice and songwriter behind Bosque Brown.

My history with Bosque Brown is one of too many near misses. As in, I've missed Mara and her band (which includes her sister Gina, on backing vocals and piano) play at least three times that I know of, most recently of which was when Bosque Brown opened for John Vanderslice and The National in Denton a few months back.

But I digress. Mara Lee Miller's voice is the kind that can only come from Texas. If I'm feeling charitable, I might acquiesce that such a voice could come from anywhere in the South, but pride in my home state makes me wary to make such a claim. Her voice and delivery and songwriting lie somewhere between June Carter Cash and The Baptist Generals and Cat Power and Townes Van Zant (no, really!) -- stridently delivered, strangely beautiful, rough-hewn bluesy folk songs that make me think of all the drives I've ever taken across the great state of Texas and all the beautiful, bleak places I've seen -- from the stark deserts of West Texas to the heartbreaking rural poverty of the bayous way out east by the Louisiana state line, and everything in between.

There's already enough mythology built up around Bosque Brown that's a prerequisite of becoming an iconic Texas singer/songwriter type: Damien Jurado, after hearing a demo handed to him by Mara's husband Ryan, invited Mara up to Seattle to record her album before she'd ever played a show. And as beautiful and haunting as that album is, it's no replacement for seeing Bosque Brown live. Or so I've heard. So here's hoping I catch Mara and her band at SXSW, and maybe I'll see you there.

Bosque Brown - Texas (live)
Bosque Brown - Hwy. 377 (live)
Bosque Brown - Fine Lines (live)

(all tracks above recorded at The Cavern in Dallas, 1/16/06)

(n.b. -- you can hear two album tracks at Bosque Brown's MySpace page)

Bosque Brown's official site. Buy Bosque Brown Plays Mara Lee Miller at Amazon or the iTunes Music Store.

Shadows tags: bosquebrown.

Posted by Little Miss Rock'n'Roll on 01.20.06 at 3:28 AM | Comments (2), TrackBack (0)

Youth Group

The music from charming Australian band Youth Group recalls that of a hazy and warm summer day: condensation forming on glasses of ice cold lemonade, blowing bubbles in the shade, the sun in your eyes, and awkward, grand gestures of adolesence. Youth Group's second album, Skeleton Jar, is their first one released in the United States, and I'm a bit puzzled as to why all of the so-called "indie yuppies" aren't all over the quartet. Their lazy and sweet indie pop with a dash of folk has garnered acclaim from key figures in indie rock, the most prominent being Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie, saying "Youth Group gets it. If you don't love them your heart is dead." (My heart may not be dead, but is yours?)

It's hard to argue with him, as the young band has successfully melded easygoing guitars, a bit of dramatic tension, midtempo power ballads, and the satisfying jangle of lilting melodies, lending comparisons to James (remember "Laid"?) and the aforementioned Bellingham, Washington boys. The swelling guitars and catchy chorus of the lovely "See-Saw" get stuck in my head for days at a time and I heartily raise myfists into the air for the tasty crunch of Nada Surf-esque power-pop number "Last Quarter."

And though Youth Group occupies the same sonic space as the Coldplay, their work carries more of a bite and the songs carry a dark spirit just below the surface. And I can just see "Shadowland" being something that Seth Cohen of hit TV show "The OC" would rock out to in his Mom's Range Rover. Meanwhile, lead singer Toby Martin's soothing vocals sway and ramble, and in another world, he'd be a sought-after Top 40 idol because you can bet that any girl in a 5 meter radius will swoon for that winsome accent.

Youth Group - See-Saw
Youth Group - Shadowland
Youth Group - Time Freezes
Youth Group - Someone Else's Dream

Youth Group's official site. Buy their album, Skeleton Jar from Amazon or iTunes Music Store.

Shadows tags: youthgroup.

Posted by Queen of the Front Row on 01.19.06 at 12:15 AM | Comments (4), TrackBack (0)

Nickel Creek

It's a well-known fact that I'm a bit of a sucker for family acts, and perhaps even more of a sucker for bluegrass-that-isn't-bluegrass (a fact that will be further cemented with my repeat coverage of those bluegrass punks The Meat Purveyors later in the schedule). Hence my love of Nickel Creek -- I have a mandolin issue... and a fiddle issue... and a sibling harmony issue ... but I digress.

And, more accurately, Nickel Creek is only 2/3 a family act, the brother/sister combo of Sara and Sean Watkins (on fiddle and guitar, respectively) are joined by maverick mandolin player Chris Thile. The three have been playing together since 1989 and have five albums under their belts (not to mention a Grammy to boot) -- and haven't even reached the ripe old age of 30 yet.

Previously known for their fresh interpretations of traditional melodies as their quirky covers of more modern tunes (from Pavement's "Spit on a Stranger" on their second album to the fiery live version of Britney Spears' "Toxic"), Nickel Creek has taken a bit of a gamble with their latest album Why Should the Fire Die. And it's paying off -- the band is experiencing success on a grander scale with yet another Grammy nomination and a few videos in heavy rotation on CMT.

It's been noted that this album is darker and more mature -- in a way, it reminds me of recent releases like Death Cab for Cutie's Plans and Rilo Kiley's More Adventurous -- simultaneously upping the commercial appeal of the band's core sound while expressing the pitfalls and complications of the segue from youth to adulthood with complete sincerity. Unlike the band's previous releases, Why Should the Fire Die is more heavily weighted with original songs (including Sara's first turn at songwriting, the lovely and old-timey "Anthony") -- and more radically, produced not by fellow bluegrass re-interpreter and long-time collaborator Alison Krauss, but Tony Berg and Eric Valentine, who have worked with Queens of the Stone Age and Good Charlotte. And though Nickel Creek have taken a sharp turn with this harder, cleaner sound, no one will be labelling them punk bluegrass anytime soon!

Nickel Creek - Spit on a Stranger
Nickel Creek - House Carpenter
Nickel Creek - Somebody More Like You
Nickel Creek - Scotch & Chocolate
Nickel Creek - Anthony

Nickel Creek's albums are available at Amazon and the iTunes Music Store.

Shadows tags: nickelcreek.

Posted by Little Miss Rock'n'Roll on 01.18.06 at 3:28 AM | Comments (4), TrackBack (0)

The Most Serene Republic

I know exactly what you're saying: not another Arts and Crafts band, another Broken Social Scene side project, yet another Canadian indie rock jam band with shimmering production values, way too many band members, and guest vocalists on every other track.

But hold on just a second now...The Most Serene Republic contain no Broken Social Scene members. Although they may find themselves lumped in together with other Canadian luminaries, they are influenced more by Moby, Dave Brubeck, and Radiohead. After all, the band is named after the Most Serene Republic of Venice, and their debut, Underwater Cinematographer, creates swirling landscapes that only the most jaded of listeners can resist.

Like a cross between Death Cab for Cutie, the Postal Service, and a bit of Broken Social Scene as well, this burgeoning group of youngsters make a glorious, sunny, unrestrained joyous, sometimes noisy racket. Red-haired, and goateed lead singer Adrian Jewett has all the look of a bright youth still in love with the world. He's backed by the requisite swelling guitars, twinkling keyboards and electronic effects by mastermind Ryan Lenssen, the crushworthy guitarist Emma Ditchburn, who provides a much needed counterpoint to Jewett's sweet Gibbard-esque voice, and an insanely talented drummer, all of whom show obvious joy in simply being on stage. It all comes to a head under choosing slightly off-kilter rythmns and song structures, which at their core, are simple pop songs, but done as an overwhelming, swirly, sloppy mess of music, lifting up to the heavens. I expect great things in the future.

The Most Serene Republic - Proposition 61
The Most Serene Republic - You're a Loose Canon McArthur...But You Get the Job Done
The Most Serene Republic - [oh] God

The Most Serene Republic's official site. Buy their album, Underwater Cinematographer from Amazon or iTunes Music Store.

Shadows tags: mostserenerepublic.

Posted by Queen of the Front Row on 01.17.06 at 5:17 PM | Comments (0), TrackBack (0)

Neko Case

I'd be hard pressed to think of another musician who leads a double life quite like Neko Case. She's both an ruby-throated country noir (...but not alt-country, or Americana, or cowpunk, mind you) chanteuse and a sassy indie rock frontwoman. Exene Cervenka's double duty in X and The Knitters is the closest comparison one can muster, maybe.

Anyway, Ms. Case's double duty all started in 2000, a year in her discography that boasted the release of her second solo album (with Her Boyfriends as the backing band), Furnace Room Lullaby and The New Pornographers' debut effort Mass Romantic (not to mention The Other Women, the only album released by her rough-hewn side project with Carolyn Mark, The Corn Sisters). Since then, Ms. Case has carefully navigated the twin tracks of success in both her solo work and her gig with The New Pornographers, but it still seems that there's no crossover between her discrete groups of fans.

Which is a shame, really. The No Depression crowd are missing out on some of the best pop songs written in the past decade or so by giving The New Pornographers a pass. (Don't worry, The Queen of the Front row is writing them up further down on the SYITP schedule.) And twang-averse indie kids are missing out on the pleasure of hearing one of the best voices (reminiscent of old-school honky tonk angels Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Wanda Jackson) that's come along ... well, a heck of a long time -- or at least since kd lang. And hey, if it makes you feel better, Ms. Case is banned for life from the Grand Ole Opry for stripping down to her brassiere during her first -- and as it turned out, last -- performance there.

Perhaps the most wonderful thing, though, about Ms. Case is that her songs are total gothic extravaganzas, the kind that takes place on the wrong side of the tracks. There's murder, betrayal, petty crime -- the darker the better. (I once saw her play a set in a Masonic robe adorned with a skull and crossbones that she gleefully told the crowd she'd found at one of Austin's best jumble shops earlier that day.) This darkness also pervades her choice of covers -- she's infused a creepy levity to songs ranging from Loretta Lynn's "Rated X" to Neil Young's "Dreaming Man" to Scott Walker's "Duchess" to the Dee/Wood standard "Look for Me (I'll Be Around)" popularized by Sarah Vaughan. And her powerful, sweeping voice carries all these songs -- originals and covers -- off perfectly, whether she's lamenting the heartbreaking and cheating ways of a lover, or the fact that ever since she murdered that unfaithful bastard, he's taken to haunting her every night.


Neko Case - Thrice All American
Neko Case - Make Your Bed
Neko Case - Stinging Velvet
Neko Case - Hex (live)

(Neko Case's albums are available at Amazon and at the iTunes music store. Her latest, album, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, will be released on March 5, 2006 on Anti-/Epitaph.)

Shadows tags: nekocase.

Posted by Little Miss Rock'n'Roll on 01.16.06 at 4:00 AM | Comments (1), TrackBack (0)

Thunderbirds Are Now!

Whenever I'm in the mood for frentic, hyper electro-pop from Detroit with lots of angular guitars, warped synths, and singalong choruses, I turn to Thunderbirds Are Now!, one of the young upstart bands on Frenchkiss Records' roster. (Need I state the 80s influence? Or is it that obvious?)

Like a younger Les Savy Fav who've had too many Pixie Stix (and listened to too many Pixies records), they've got a whimsical, sometimes nonsensical take on post-punk. You might mistake lead singer Ryan Allen's voice for a female, but he's just busy wailing the lyrics as fast as he can, as he owns the microphone, strutting around, ranting, screaming, crying, and singing his heart out. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Scott Allen, is crawling around the floor, making love to his keyboard, and flailing his arms around like a madman. The rest of the spazz-tastic band holds down the fort quite nicely; the effect is that of a quartet whose barely-constrained, blistering energy leads to a taut, wiry, jittery stage presence. This is not one of those bands that takes itself too seriously. Justamustache, their most recent album, begins with a cheerleading "T-H-U-N-D-E-R-B-I-R-D-S Are Now!" chant, complete with handclaps.

Thunderbirds Are Now! often straddles the line between charming and precocious, but if you ask me, it's still a helluva good time. The songs are freewheeling, boisterous, and catchy as hell, and the band takes a page from the Tim Harrington Guide to Entertainment for their stage show: between the scissor kicks, piggyback rides, and bouncing off the walls, I've witnessed them incorporate anything from a roll of toilet paper and some towels to a California Raisins mask.

And yes, you can dance to it.

Thunderbirds Are Now! - Eat This City
Thunderbirds Are Now! - Pink Motorcycle Helmet
Thunderbirds Are Now! - Bodies Adjust
Thunderbirds Are Now! - Harpoons of Love

Thunderbirds Are Now! official site. Buy their second album, Justamustache, from Amazon or iTunes Music Store.

Shadows tags: thunderbirdsarenow.

Posted by Queen of the Front Row on 01.15.06 at 9:17 PM | Comments (0), TrackBack (0)