Pick Of The Week: Craig Finn

I still remember distinctly the first time I saw Craig Finn perform, with his band Lifter Puller, although many lesser shows have blurred in my memory since then. It must have been in 2000, after their record "Fiestas and Fiascos" came out. They played in the dirtiest, diviest club I have ever been to in Los Angeles (not surpassed yet), the wonderful and infamous Al's Bar. The performance was mind-blowing, to say the least, and the gritty atmosphere only enhanced the feeling that we were discovering something truly and incredibly awesome. As I recall it, there wasn't even a stage at Al's, the bands just played in a corner of the bar. Craig Finn has a passionate performance style all his own and stories that will sear your soul. Combined with the indie punk of a Minneapolis band, it was powerful and irresistable. Shortly after that performance, Craig moved to NYC and formed The Hold Steady, and I've seen some mind-blowing performances by that band as well, in much nicer venues. Now its time for his solo release. This album is not for punk fans, or indie rock fans, or alt-country fans, although it has a little of all those genres in it. This album is for Craig Finn fans. Way slower, and vastly stripped down from any of his band projects, his gift for storytelling shines through just like his performance did that night in 2000 from underneath the grime of Al's Bar. It doesn't really sound like most singer-songwriter albums, or any alt-country album, it just sounds like Craig Finn. And that's A-OK in my book. Craig Finn - Clear Heart Full Eyes: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

P.S. IF the title of this album is a reference to the motto "Clear Eyes, Full Heart, Can't Lose", written by Peter Berg for the best show ever on television, Friday Night Lights, then Craig Finn moves up from genius to über-genius in my world view.

Pick Of The Week: Her Space Holiday

I have not fallen in love with any 2012 releases yet (except last week's pick, Snow Patrol), so I am pulling another 2011 release that deserves mentioning. Her Space Holiday is a project helmed by the talented Marc Bianchi and this album is significant because he has decided that after 15 years and six full-length albums he's closing this musical chapter. He'll continue creating music (keep an eye out for "The Boys & Girls") but we must sadly say good-bye to the indie-tronic pop with the charming talk-singing style and the broken-hearted lyrics. Maybe he's not broken-hearted enough for Her Space Holiday anymore! So a fond farewell to a musical project that has brought me many many hours of listening pleasure. The most recent album is self-titled, but I'm also going to call out my other two fave HSH albums, 2005's "The Past Presents The Future"and 2003's "The Young Machines". Her Space Holiday - Her Space Holiday: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Her Space Holiday - The Past Presents The Future: Amazon :: iTunes

Her Space Holiday - The Young Machines: Amazon :: iTunes

Pick Of The Week: Snow Patrol

Thank you Snow Patrol for releasing an excellent album in a time that's otherwise a bit slow for new releases. This is the band's sixth release (yes, they had three albums out before most people ever heard of them) and its usually right about now that bands achieving their level of success start to self-destruct and make a crappy album because they've lost touch with reality. I'm pleased to report that none of that applies here. This album is a gem and I'm all the more impressed that they've been able to navigate their success without losing what make their music special. Snow Patrol began recording this album in Joshua Tree, California (remind you of anyone else?) and completed it in various Los Angeles locations. They also had help from pals as varied as Michael Stipe, Lissie, Queens Of The Stone Age guitarist/keyboardist Troy Van Leeuwen and the LA Inner City Mass Gospel Choir. Gary Lightbody wanted to make 'an ambitious record', well, mission accomplished.

Snow Patrol - Fallen Empires: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: William Elliott Whitmore

It's traditional that I spend the last couple weeks of the year sorting through any remaining unfiled piles of CDs in my office so I can start the year with a clean slate and plenty of room for the new releases. So I end up listening to even more music than usual in the countdown to the new year and invariably I find one gem that I missed during the year that absolutely slays me. William Elliott Whitmore's record is it for 2011. It's clarity and passion woke me up as if somebody poured cold water on my spine. His songs are remarkable in how they profoundly and simply address today's issues while putting them in historical context. It feels rural in its soul but with a voice that no intellectual could ignore. He could play equally well to any demographic in any state or city in the U.S., and that is a rare thing. I hope you enjoy, keep an eye on this one for sure. William Elliott Whitmore - Field Songs: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

P.S. New Year's Resolution: one post per week for the next 50 weeks on a recommended album.

Eighteen "Must Have" Albums Of 2011

I've reviewed, purged, organized, listened, re-listened, re-organized and here is my definitive list of the albums I think you should have heard, and truly should own, that were released in 2011. It was a good year for the veterans - I couldn't cut this list down to a neat top ten because so many of my long-time heroes released great albums this year: Centro-matic, John Doe, J Mascis, Mountain Goats, Thurston Moore, Wilco and the rock chick supergroup of Wild Flag. Then there was also wonderful releases from newer well-loved bands like Bon Iver, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Elbow, I'm From Barcelona, and The Submarines. Despite all that firepower, some newbies on only their first or second album made the list too and all the more impressive for standing out amongst the proven talent: Laura Marling, Memphis, Pete & The Pirates, James Vincent McMorrow. I hope you make some new discoveries here, have some Happy Holidays and a stellar New Year! (the following 18 albums are in ALPHABETICAL order by artist)

Acid House Kings - Music Sounds Better With You: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

The Antlers - Burst Apart: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Bon Iver - Bon Iver: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Centro-matic - Candidate Waltz: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Hysterical: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

John Doe - Keeper: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Elbow - Build A Rocket Boys: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

I'm From Barcelona - Forever Today: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Laura Marling - A Creature I Don't Know: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

J. Mascis - Several Shades Of Why: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

James Vincent McMorrow - Early In The Morning: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Memphis - Here Comes A City: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Thurston Moore - Demolished Thoughts: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

The Mountain Goats - All Eternals Deck: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pete And The Pirates - One Thousand Pictures: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

The Submarines - Love Notes / Letter Bombs: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Wilco - The Whole Love: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Wild Flag - Wild Flag: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Double Pick Of The Week: Thurston Moore, The Antlers

Two recommendations this week to make up for my six weeks off ... both of these came out earlier in the year but are capturing my heart right now. This is a close-up moment for Thurston, both in the nature of the unusally acoustic record and the recent (shocking) announcement that he and his Sonic Youth bandmate and wife of 27 years, Kim Gordon, are splitting up. Naturally I wondered if the album held any clues to the situation. You can decide for yourself, but I would say its pretty laid out there. It's a beautiful listen that shows rare bedfellows: heartbreak and grace. Thurston Moore - Demolished Thoughts: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

The Antlers album "Burst Apart" is a balm for any bad feelings on any day. Mysterious, dreamy and gorgeous, its got incredible texture and songwriting that knocks me out. Unlike many albums, it actually starts off great and gets even better as it progresses. By the time it winds up with the absolutely stellar song "Put The Dog To Sleep", you know you're listening to a masterpiece. It's all there in the opening line of the song, directed at a partner: "Prove to me I'm not gonna die alone ..." What else do we ask of love, really?

The Antlers - Burst Apart: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Wild Flag

If you know me at all, its no mystery what Pick Of The Week would be on September 13. I've worshipped at the altar of Sleater-Kinney since their inception. I hosted Helium in a KCRW live performance in 1995, and played The Minders debut in 1998. Combine key members of these bands into a super-group? Sign me up! It's like they made the Tricia Halloran Dream Team. It's a little bit punk, it's a little bit riot grrl, it's a little East Coast indie, its a lot awesome. Get on board. Wild Flag - Wild Flag: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Pete & The Pirates

Oh, what fun I had when I put this album on! It captured my heart immediately. It's got energy and intimacy and great songwriting, three things that don't often come in the same package. Do yourself a favor and don't pass on this one, its a keeper. They're from Reading, England (and yes, the lead singer really is named Pete) and they're on the festival circuit overseas right now. Let's all buy records, show lots of love and maybe they'll come and visit us here in the U.S! Tell a friend! Pete And The Pirates - One Thousand Pictures: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Holcombe Waller

You hear his voice and suddenly the last few singer-songwriter records you liked get a lot less memorable. He's got one of THOSE voices. The lyrics measure up to the voice and the production is understated but elegant. He runs his own indie micro-label out of Portland, I'm asking you, what is not to love about Holcombe Waller?

Holcombe Waller - Into the Dark Unknown: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Diamond Rings

This is bedroom pop at its finest - not in the sense of bedroom lo-fi, complete-with-tape-hiss production, but because the feelings expressed are so intimate and open-hearted that I can only picture these vocals being crafted in the privacy of a bedroom. If you like Her Space Holiday and/or Stephen Merritt, and perhaps have a secret yen for Pet Shop Boys, this is the new release for you.

Diamond Rings - Special Affections: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

PS I recommend starting with track 3, the first two tracks get better upon repeated listening, but if you are hearing this album for the first time then those tracks aren't the most accessible.

Pick Of The Week: Figurines

When I think of Denmark, I think of  "Hamlet", one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. But now I have a new Danish icon that is equally brilliant, edgy, and thoughtful, with the added benefit of harmonies and cheery melodies, yay! Meet Figurines via this brand new video of three songs filmed live in their hometown of Copenhagen earlier this year, which makes its debut right here on bravenewworld.net! Figurines lives set via Vimeo

Figurines live set via YouTube

and, they'll be on the East Coast (of the U.S.) touring in a couple of weeks, lucky East-Coasters!

Figurines - Figurines: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Tom Vek

I'm slightly obsessed with Tom Vek's music. Perhaps because he keeps such a low profile, in the U.S., anyway. Or maybe its because he spent 5 years (5 years! Is he independently wealthy?) making record #2. I pretty much figured he gave it up. But here it is, just as promising as the first album, all edgy and angsty and mysterious, not quite rock, not quite pop, not quite electro, dark and fun at the same time, how does he do that? Tom Vek - Leisure Seizure: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Picks Of The Week: Barbie Hatch & Chad Valley

On this long weekend, two short records are intriguing me. Simply put, I wish they were longer! It's not the type of music I normally gravitate to, which would be lo-fi and ultra-modern. They're both a little bit electro, a little bit 70's, maybe even a little bit disco. Barbie Hatch works with the Squeak E. Clean/N.A.S.A. tribe in Los Angeles, and she sings with an authenticity lacking in so much electro-pop these days, with simple passionate lyrics and a rich production style. Chad Valley (the vision of Hugo Manuel, not a guy named Chad) hails from Oxford, England and is part of a loose collective of artists known as Blessing Force. Hugo also has a band project called Jonquil. Both these EP's were a chill accompaniment to my July 4th holiday, so enough talking, go enjoy! Barbie Hatch - Hypertrophic Heart: iTunes :: Official Site

Chad Valley - Equatorial Ultravox: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: James Vincent McMorrow

It's true that this is not a new album -- it came out in January. But I haven't found much else this year that I've loved as much as this album. I keep going back to it time and time again when I need to hear something well-written, gorgeously performed, tastefully produced ... and then theres the James Vincent McMorrow voice. Rank it up there alongside Antony Hegarty of Antony & The Johnsons or Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. Blissful. James Vincent McMorrow "Early In The Morning": Official Site :: Amazon :: iTunes

Pick Of The Week: The Big C Soundtrack

In stores now! I have been incubating this soundtrack with Sony and Epic for months now and its birthday is finally here. Since I curated the soundtrack personally, many of my favorite bands are on here like Delta Spirit, Oh Land, Modest Mouse, Franz Ferdinand, Leftover Cuties, Buddy, and some new artists you will be pleased to discover. When you buy the soundtrack, you support cancer research because Sony Music, Sony Pictures and Showtime will donate 100% of their net profits from The Big C soundtrack to Stand Up To Cancer.

Good soundtrack, good cause, what are you waiting for?

The Big C Soundtrack: Official Site and preview :: Amazon :: iTunes

PS I've also been music supervising Season 2 of The Big C already, coming to Showtime on June 27th!

Pick Of The Week: One AM Radio

Okay, its not your Summer anthem album, to play at top volume during your crazy parties. And I don't even know if it would be good for long road trips. But for sitting outside your abode on a warm summer night with your significant other, maybe by the pool (if you have one), with a couple of mojitos or a bottle of white wine, this is the album. It will melt out into the night with its little glitchy sounds and warm vocals and turn the evening magical and memorable. And, repeat. Pass the wine bottle, please. One AM Radio "Heaven Is Attached By A Slender Thread": Official Site :: Amazon :: iTunes

Pick Of The Week: Upcoming June concerts by Antlers, Tune-Yards and more!

Even if you've been to as many live shows as I have, you can still get excited about the June concert calendar which will bring The Antlers, Stornoway, Tune-yards, Swervedriver AND The Mountain Goats all to Los Angeles within 22 days. I think most of these are national tours so even if you're not in LA, your local venues should be filled with good music soon. The Antlers at the El Rey: Fri, Jun 3

Stornoway at the Troubadour: Mon, Jun 5

Swervedriver at the Echoplex: Sun Jun 19

Mountain Goats at the El Rey: Thu Jun 23

Tune-yards at the Troubadour: Sun Jun 25

And then we'll rest!

Pick Of The Week: The Kills

I just want to know how it went down in the studio when Allison Mosshart told her producer and band partner James Hince "Let's do a little waltz with a plinky piano sound and some strings." Huh? Wait, what about our signature dangerous-sounding guitars and your emotional screaming vocals? It's these kind of unexpecteded little twists that make The Kills (and their new album) just so damn cool. And don't worry there's still plenty of electric guitar and snarly vocals, in fact Ms. Mosshart is sounding more sultry and velvety than ever without giving up a bit of her edge. Blood Pressures has a slow but steady pace, you can't zip through, I actually find it hard to have on 'in the background'. It's art, dammit, pay attention. The Kills "Blood Pressures": Official Site :: Amazon :: iTunes

Pick Of The Week - I'm From Barcelona

Seventeen days since the new I'm From Barcelona CD came out and its already my go-to favorite for the summer. (And by the way, they're from Sweden.) There's up to 22 people in the band at last count but it never sounds chaotic (except in a good way), just fun and upbeat and irresistable! Good luck all you other bands dislodging this from the top of my Summer playlist!

I'm From Barcelona - Forever Today: Official Site :: Amazon :: iTunes

Beckett to Castle: "Come And Find Me"

A little background ... it was likely the summer of 2000, 10 years ago now, that I was experiencing the perfect summer night in Los Angeles. The Frames had probably just played somewhere to about 5 people (this was pre-Swell Season) and people were gathering at someone's house in the valley. They had a hot tub, and yes, I was in the hot tub with Glen Hansard. No hanky panky though, just drinking some beer and talking about music. I did start to think I was in heaven though, when I heard someone behind me with an acoustic guitar beautifully playing an impressive song that began "If I could trace, the line that ran, between your smile and your sleight of hand, I would guess that you put, something up my sleeve. Everytime I see your face, the bells ring in a far off place, we can find each other this way I believe... Come and find me, now ..."

Just sitting around at a house party, Josh Ritter wasn't even playing it to anyone in particular, just playing it. I thought "Am I a little too drunk or is that just about the best song ever?" Subsequently we were introduced, (he said he was from Idaho, I said "the band?"), addresses were exchanged, an EP came my way shortly and in the sober light of day I listened to "Come And Find Me" again and decided it pretty much was the best song ever. Fast forward through 11 years, five stellar albums, at least 8 or 9 incredible live shows, a lovely friendship and many more 'best songs ever', I have the great pleasure of placing the first song I ever heard Josh Ritter play into a TV show called Castle.

You can hear it the almost-romantic scene between Castle & Beckett in the episode titled "To Live And Die In L.A.", that first aired on May 2, 2011. Find the archive on ABC's Castle site.

Josh Ritter "Come And Find Me" (Don't stop with this song ... it only gets better): Official Site :: Amazon :: iTunes

Other awesome (if I do say so myself) music in this episode:

Ferrari scene: The Californias "La La La" Official Site

Pool scene: Sloan "The Other Side" (This band is great! I recommend all their CDs!) Official Site :: Amazon :: iTunes

Closing: Pearl Jam "Breathe" Official Site :: Amazon :: iTunes

Until next week!