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Rock

Gary Clark Jr. – Things Are Changing

Contributed by Trevor Meyer

gary-clark-jr-things-are-changing

If you’re into blues, rock, and/or soul, you’re going to love Gary Clark Jr. His influences range from Stevie Ray Vaughan, to Snoop, to Cream, etc. Some of his more bluesy material such as “Bright Lights” and “Don’t Owe You A Thang” remind me of blues rock icons, Ten Years After and the Black Keys. Not only can this guy shred your face off, but he can also soothe your soul. The soulful, slow burner “When The Sun Goes Down” is an absolute delight. One of his other, slower songs, “Things Are Changing” is an eloquent, soul ballad – one of the best I’ve heard in years. Gary’s versatile songwriting is undeniable. Mr. Clark Jr. is one of the most promising up and coming artists. He is lighting up the internet music world and there is no telling what great things are to come from this man in the future.

Gary Clark Jr. – Things Are Changing

Gary Clark Jr. texas (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
12-08-11

Luise Pop – Black Cat

Contributed by Trevor Meyer

luise-pop11

I recently took a listen to Luise Pop’s single, “Black Cat.” This four piece is based in Berlin and Vienna. “Black Cat” is a truly enjoyable song. The song has a multifaceted range, featuring crescendos, decrescendos, tempo increases and decreases, and a nice bouquet of harmonies to boot. This is the Luise Pop’s third release and I recommend checking out their earlier music as well. I can’t wait to hear more from this band.

Luise Pop – Black Cat

Luise Pop germany austria (Official)

Rating 7.9

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reviewed by
12-08-11

The Raveonettes – The Christmas Song

raveonettes

The Raveonettes cast their line out into the tempest that is the holiday song. Originally recorded in 2001, “The Christmas Song” (I expected this to be a Mel Torme cover too, but sadly, no.) doesn’t exactly sound like your typical Christmas song, it sounds much more like your typical Raveonettes song (+ some jingle bells). So we’re offering this simple phrase for Raveonettes fans from 1 to 92, MERRY CHRISTMAS.

The Raveonettes – The Christmas Song

The Raveonettes denmark (Official) (Twitter)

Rating 7.9

brown71

reviewed by
12-05-11

Zulu Winter – Never Leave

Contributed by Trevor Meyer

zulu-winter

Oxford’s Zulu Winter recently signed with Play It Again Sam. “Never Leave” is haunting and beautiful at the same time. The song has a climactic build up, almost like it’s fortifying to its apex, which then leads to a dreamy bridge transition. Zulu Winter has all of the qualities of a promising newer band. We are definitely psyched about them.

Zulu Winter – Never Leave

Zulu Winterengland (Soundcloud)

Rating 8

brown8

reviewed by
12-05-11

Team Me – With My Hands Covering Both of My Eyes I Am Too Scared to Have a Look At You Now

Contributed by Trevor Meyer

team-me

Music from the North! The 2011 album, To The Treetops from Norwegian group Team Me is a nice collection of songs that certainly brings to mind some well-known Canadian rockers such as Broken Social Scene and The Most Serene Republic. “With My Hands Covering Both of My Eyes I Am Too Scared to Have a Look At You Now” has a driving melody that keeps you grooving the whole time. This track features a powerful chorus by infusing choral chants, and choral harmonies. It’s pop with passion, direction, and vision. Very pretty.

Team Me – With My Hands Covering Both of My Eyes I Am Too Scared To Have a Look At You Now

Team Me norway (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
12-05-11

Tapes ‘n Tapes – I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (The Beatles)

tapes

T’nT flips the script on one of b3sci’s consensus fav Beatles songs. With such an iconic song like “I Want You”, T’nT could’ve easily fucked up. Covering The Beatles and covering them well is one of the hardest things you can do as a band. The path to a shit Beatles cover is paved with the best intentions. Obviously, if this weren’t good we wouldn’t be posting it, so that much is for sure. But Tapes ‘n Tapes deliver here, it’s full fathom force from song start to finish. She’s so heavy.

Tapes ‘n Tapes – I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (The Beatles)

Tapes ‘n Tapes minnesota (Official) (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
12-03-11

Imaad Wasif – Go Insane (feat. Bobb Bruno of Best Coast)

beatlacompilation

Imaad Wasif and LA-based accomplice Bobb Bruno give The Doors track “Go Insane” a 21st century facelift, subbing it’s 12-bar like sections with some extra fuzzy breakdowns of psychedelic rock sickness. The track is a favorite off the recent BEAT LA double LP Record Store Day compilation which also features some great covered cuts from other LA-based artists including No Age, Crystal Antlers and more. Check it out!

Imaad Wasif – Go Insane (feat. Bobb Bruno of Best Coast)

Get BEAT LA via Narnack/Greatminds california (Info)

Imaad Waasif california (Official)
Best Coast california (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
12-01-11

TICKET GIVEAWAY: Papercuts w/ Tim Cohen’s Magic Trick (of the Fresh & Onlys) and Cassorla @ The Satellite, Los Angeles CA. Friday, December 2, 2011

Papercuts_FINALcover

Where better to spend your Friday night than at one of the hottest rock clubs in the universe catching, critically acclaimed San Francisco collective, Papercuts, perform with support from Tim Cohen’s Magic Trick (of the Fresh & Onlys) and Cassorla? It’s all going down at The Satellite tomorrow in Silverlake, Los Angeles and we’re giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky reader!

To win just drop us a line HERE and you’ll entered to win a pair of tickets for the set. Our winner will be raffled and contacted day of the show. Additional show details at The Satellite.

Also, get in the spirit by sampling “Marie Says You’ve Changed” below. The track is one of our favorite cuts from Papercuts’ latest Fading Parade LP!

Papercuts – Marie Says You’ve Changed

Papercuts california (Facebook)
The Satellite california (Info)

reviewed by
12-01-11

RAVE’S FAVES: The Black Keys – Stop Stop

Contributed by Bruce Rave

the-black-keys-el-camino

Black Keys’ El Camino drops next week and the good news is that this is a solid, solid album. Several tracks have already seen light of day, and it was still tough picking a fave because there isn’t a weak song to be heard on the album. Let’s go with “Stop Stop”. It’s got elements a bit more pop than what we usually hear from these Akron guys. Their blues roots remain, but the chorus is a major hook.

The Black Keys – Stop Stop

The Black Keys ohio (Official)

Check out Bruce’s “Go Deep” show on Fridays 1-3 pm Pacific, 4-6 pm Eastern, 9-11pm GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
12-01-11

The Great Tribulations – Go Back To The Beginning Of The End

Contributed by Trevor Meyer

the-great-tribulations

Danish rockers and brothers The Great Tribulations just dropped their newest track on soundcloud. I can’t get enough of this song. The song has a New Order feel, but also maintains its individuality. The production features allaying synths, dreamy bridges, and tightly-knit guitar work. Sometimes a song’s most captivating qualities are strained by overproduction and unnecessary distractions, but not this track. From start to finish, “Go Back to the Beginning of the End” consistently delivers beautiful harmonies, well placed-hooks, and danceable drum beats. See what ya think. I can’t wait to hear more from these guys.

The Great Tribulations – Go Back To The Beginning Of The End

The Great Tribulations denmark (Soundcloud)

Rating 7.9

brown7

reviewed by
12-01-11

Grassfight – All We Do Is Count

grassfight

“All We Do Is Count” is new from NYC rock and roll band Grassfight. The track goes lo-fi well enough but mantains enough of a tune (both vocally and instrumentally) to keep you interested long after you’re first like “WOW, I really do love this low-fi shit.” Don’t sleep, “AWDIC” is one of the best rock tracks we’ve heard in a minute. Spin it after the jump below and check out the band’s “Icon” EP on Soundcloud.

Grassfight – All We Do Is Count

Grassfight newyork (Facebook) (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
11-30-11

The Honey Pies – Girl

Contributed by Trevor Meyer

the-honey-pies-carpe-carp

Australian Rockers The Honey Pies have just released their second album Carpe Carpe. “Girl” is a nice, upbeat track. For those of you looking for new rock to sink your teeth into, this song is sure to bring about a feeling of happiness. These guys remind of Mando Diao with more of a surf feel, but decide for yourself. Also, check out their video “Don’t Mention the War” off their first album Think of England. It’s hilariously fantastic.

The Honey Pies – Girl

The Honey Pies australia (Official)

Rating 7.9??

brown71

reviewed by
11-28-11