Phox, Phish, Plant and OK GO!

No, this isn’t the title of a long-lost Dr. Suess book.

It’s our Beneath the Waves music news update. And this week we’re chock full of news about new releases out soon, or already available for download/purchase/streaming/whatever.

Let’s start with the new kids on the block:

PHOX: Remember this name. They are an up-and-coming new band from Baraboo, Wisconsin, a city famous as the first home of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. But if Phox’s first full-length release out Tuesday, “PHOX,” is any indication, the city may soon be better known for the band. Already getting tons of positive press, and airplay among indie and college rock stations, Phox is powered by the smoky, sultry vocals of Monica Martin, but it’s not just about her. The band provides an eclectic musical gumbo to back her captivating vocals. The band is on tour now through early August. If they’re not coming to a town near you, or even if they are, check out their first video:

 

PHISH: It’s been eight years since the last Phish studio release. Based on their unveiling of what would become “Fuego” on Halloween night, my expectations were set pretty low. Thankfully, they jettisoned to two worst songs, got a top-class producer at the helm, and produced a fun, joyful, imminently listenable record. Want to read more about it? Here is a review:

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/music-review-phish-plays-group-fuego

And if you’ve ever wondered how band’s write songs, or at least how Phish did it on this record, check out this excellent NPR piece on just that.

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=323211995&m=324609179

Phish will be performing live on David Letterman tomorrow, Tuesday night, and if you need a live Phish fix before then, they just released Live Bait 10: free live tunes available for download now on their website here:

http://www.livephish.com/browse/music/0,878/Phish-mp3-flac-download-Live-Bait-Vol-10

Robert Plant: I have to admit, I haven’t paid close attention to Robert Plant’s solo career. But I did really dig his work with Alison Krauss from 2007 and we all know what he did with that little combo known as Led Zeppelin. But give this song a listen. It makes me want to buy his new record, the pretentiously titled “lullabye and… The Ceaseless Roar” when it comes out on Sept. 9:

 

OK GO: Check out this trippy new video from OK Go for their new song “The Writing’s on the Wall.” I think Dr. Suess would have approved:

Beneath the Waves: Jeff Tweedy, Led Zeppelin, Talking Heads and Vampire Weekend

As the weekend rapidly approaches, it seems only appropriate that we kick off this news update with an item about, wait for it, Vampire Weekend.

I was fortunate enough to catch their show this week in Milwaukee along with three avid “tailgates and substitutes” followers and about 8,000 other people. They put on a solid, 80-minute show, tearing through their songs with little stage banter, something I appreciate. Of course, the obligatory “Hey Milwaukee!” shout outs got the crowd excited.

Speaking of the crowd, it was nice to actually be on the lower end of the age demographic at a concert for once. This one definitely skewed younger, with the average age appearing to be somewhere in the mid-20s, not unlike the band itself.

Things will be back to normal next week when I head to see Bob Weir and Ratdog. Although, while Bobby is 66, his shows do still attract youngsters who never got a chance to see the Grateful Dead before Jerry died in 1995. So, good for them. We’ll see what kind of show he puts on.

Vampire Weekend, however, are young and hungry and that shows. They have the feeling of a band that are leaning forward. By that I mean, when they play you can feel the energy, the strength and enthusiasm coming from them. It’s almost as if while they are playing they are bent over, looking ahead, pushing the music forward. It’s great to be a part of a concert like that and I look forward to more great music from them in the years ahead.

I highly recommend checking them out if you get the chance. The opener, Cults, seemed to be a little out of their element at the large outdoor venue. The lead singer even mentioned a couple times it was the largest place they had ever played. Still, they showed potential and would also be worth seeing, but preferably in a smaller club.

For anyone unfamiliar with Vampire Weekend, who we’ve written about before, check out this clip of their Austin City Limits Festival performance, which greatly mirrors their Milwaukee show.

 

In other news:

Jeff Tweedy of Wilco released a new song online this week called “I’ll Sing It.” He also announced that he will be releasing his first solo record “Sukierae,” pronounced sue-key-ray on Sept. 16. It will feature 20 new songs written by Tweedy and performed by Tweedy and his 18-year-old son and drummer Spencer under the band name TWEEDY.

This is getting into some perilous territory, as offspring of rock stars have a checkered history. The good news is, the first song released is killer. Listen to it here:

http://wilcoworld.net/splash-wilco-page/

Led Zeppelin re-released their first three albums this week, including a boatload of outtakes. There are six different versions of the re-releases to choose from. To promote that, they also released a new video for the rough mix of “Whole Lotta Love.” Gotta love the archival footage:

 

Talking Heads announced that their seminal concert show, “Stop Making Sense,” would be released digitally for the first time on July 15 and in conjunction with that, it would be shown in theaters across the country as part of a limited engagement. The shows started in May and run into the fall. Check it out if it’s coming anywhere near you! Here is a montage from the film:

 

Where do the odd movements come from, the promo asks? One good guess could be cocaine.

That’s it for now. Look for more news next week, including a report from that Bob Weir and Ratdog show!

It’s Saturday night, you’re home alone, what song do you play?

It’s Saturday night. You’re home alone. You’ve just cracked open your favorite beverage, and you’re getting ready for the perfect night ahead — whatever that is in your world. Here’s the question:

What song do you turn the volume up to 11 to appreciate?

 

The answer can depend on many variables, sure. Is a romantic date in the offing or a crazy night on the town? Will you be sitting alone all night or meeting up with a group? Those details aside, when you put on your sun glasses and tighty whiteys, what’s the backing music?

 

Maybe Bob Seger doesn’t do it for you. I know he doesn’t for me. So what will it be then? What song can capture that perfect mood for a Saturday night fire-up? My answer is a little further down the line, but here are some worthy options to consider:

Led Zeppelin‘s “Kashmir”: There’s no easier way to spark a hardy debate, whether over Facebook or with a group of buddies (usually guys), than what is the best Zeppelin song. That’s not really the question here. No, this one is more precise. It’s what is the best Zeppelin song to play on Saturday night as you prepare to turn the town upside down? The correct answer is “Kashmir.”

 

From the guitar riff that pulses like a heartbeat, to Robert Plant’s swampy, otherworldly vocals, the music feels like it’s coming from nowhere and everywhere at the same time, hypnotically wrapping itself around you. The perfect Saturday night to 11 song. Or is it?

Warren Zevon: “Lawyers, Guns and Money”: This one grabs you by the throat right out of the gate.

 

Zevon, for all the praise he got, is one of the most under-appreciated rockers out there, in my mind. He’s more than just “Werewolves of London.” This one has all the hallmarks of a killer song: The catchy riff, the easy to sing-along to lyrics — “Send lawyers guns and money. The shit has hit the fan!” — capped off with  a couple perfectly placed grunts and exaltations. Just right for singing along to.

Wilco: “The Late Greats”: A number of Wilco songs would fit the bill. “Heavy Metal Drummer” and “Born Alone” come to mind immediately. But the best one for this category is “The Late Greats.” It’s got the riff. It’s got the lyrics. It’s got the nice mid-song pause, timed just right to grab a beverage refill, before things get ratcheted back up again for the big finish. Commence fist pumping the air in three, two, one…

And, most importantly, it’s a song about songs. Use this one to shake your windows and rattle your walls.

 

Those are three great tunes, no doubt. But they’re not the first one I grab to set the perfect party mood. So what is?

Neil Young: “Over and Over”: It doesn’t get any better than this, my friends.

 

From 1990’s “Ragged Glory,” Young’s showing no signs of wear or tear when he pulled this one together with Crazy Horse at age 44. It came out when I was 18 and a freshman in college. At the time, Neil seemed to me like an old codger getting together with the boys for one last go-around before easing into retirement. Now as I rapidly approach 44, and Neil is still going strong 24 years later, it feels even more fresh and vibrant. While there are many worthy rockers on “Ragged Glory,” “Over and Over” instantly became the go-to song for making the walls of my dorm room rattle. Those old Bose 301s never sounded so good.

Maybe not quite as accessible as the other songs above, this one stretches on for more than 8 minutes and has plenty of guitar solos, chorus repeats, guitar solos and guitar solos. It’s not called “Over and Over” for nothing. But, hey, it’s Saturday night. Time to kick back and relax. Neil is here to help get you in the mood. Go with it.

The Band‘s “The Last Waltz” famously told viewers at the outset that the film should be played loud. The same could be said for “Over and Over.” It just ain’t the same when heard at a reasonable decibel level. This one doesn’t weave its magic until it’s playing so loud you can hear it outside, even with all the doors and windows shut. And not just outside, but across the street. Down the block. Inside your neighbor’s house. With his headphones on. Listening to “Kashmir” with the volume on 11. We’re talking standing on a tarmac as a jet takes off loud. Got it?

There. That’s a nice start to a Saturday night fire-up mix tape.

Too bad no one makes those any more.