Welcome to the 15th podcast/download I’m co-hosting with Ryan Schleicher at 91.7 WMSE. These continue to be a real good time and we hope you’re digging them too. Have a great 4th of July!
Muzzle of Bees + 91.7 WMSE Podcast: Volume 15:
The Championship - “The Sword” / Deer Tick - “Nebraska” / Kris Kristofferson - “In The News” / Tom Petty - “This Old Town” / The Rural Alberta Advantage - “The Deathbridge In Lethbridge” / Lee Fields & The Expressions - “Love Comes & Goes” / Yim Yames - “Behind That Locked Door” / Ben Bridwell - “Your Love Is Forever” / Nina Simone - “House Of The Rising Sun” / Tunde Adebimpe - “Unknown Legend” / The Avett Brothers - “I and Love and You” / Joe Pug - “A Thousand Men” / Phosphorescent - “Soul Of America” / The Championship - “Love Shine On Me”
Any music fan can tell you that some of the most cherished albums are those that take awhile to sink in. The Felice Brothers new one, Yonder Is The Clock has been sinking in for a couple months now. This isn’t the case of initial disappointment. I enjoyed the record upon first and subsequent listens. Then I caught them outside on the Terrace in Madison a few months back and the record began to monopolize my listening habits, mostly on lengthy drives back and forth from Madison to Milwaukee.
My favorites tracks from the album have been revolving door currently stuck on “Cooperstown,” a hat-tip to the great Ty Cobb, rounding the bases of Tiger Stadium, a beautiful woman looking on - all woven together with stories of faith and triumph. I’ve listened to it almost ten times today. No joke.
Outside of music, baseball is my second passion. Tomorrow I head to Wrigley Field to catch game two of the Cubs vs. Brewers series. At some point, between some cold Old Style’s, I’ll briefly think of the greats that once roamed the legendary ballpark and smile. More bands should write about baseball and/or ballplayers. Perhaps there’s more out there than I know, but right now feel free to drop a comment with your suggestions.
Before you do, don’t forget to listen to The Felice Brothers “Cooperstown” below…
Old Crow Medicine Show will release their first live DVD Live at the Orange Peel and Tennessee Theatre on August 18th. The film “was recorded over two nights last December and features performances of 20 songs—15 of which are from the band’s three studio albums.” This announcement follows the already amazing announcement of The Big Surprise Tour headed to select cities next month. I’d better make up my mind about heading to Louisville for that one. Until then, I’m going to enjoy the just announced live version of “Down Home Girl” from the forthcoming DVD.
I don’t post enough on the greatness of Elvis Perkins In Dearland, whose new self-titled album is one of my favorite records of the year. If you’re just being introduced to the band, you won’t want to miss the amazing video above for “Chains, Chains, Chains.” You can also grab a free and legal download of “Shampoo” below.
Chicago fans of the band should not miss the two upcoming dates at the end of the month on July 25th (Subterranean) and July 26th (Wicker Park Festival).
I’m a big fan of Liam Finn, so I was psyched to hear that he has a new EP coming September 1st via Yep Roc. The upcoming EP will be a collaborative effort with Eliza-Jane Barnes, and follows “the the melody focused, studio-as-instrument stylings of” Finn’s 2008 release, I’ll Be Lightning
Champagne in Seashells tracklist:
1. Plane Crash
2. Long Way to Go
3. Won’t Change My Mind
4. Honest Face
5. On Your Side
The Avett Brothers show in Chicago on Sunday has stuck with me. Their records haven’t left my daily listening routine and I’ve spent hours scouring YouTube. During said search, I uncovered Scott Avett performing one of my favorite Townes Van Zandt songs, “Greensboro Woman” on the tour bus en route to Covington, KY from Columbus, OH.
Check out Scott’s take above and, if you haven’t heard the original via Townes, please download it below.
In October, Bird will land at Milwaukee’s Pabst Theater for a two-night stint on including a full band show on Friday, October 16 and a solo performance with support from St. Vincent on Saturday, October 17th.
Chicago fans should seek out Andrew Bird at Lollapalooza on Friday, August 7th. You can check out Andrew Bird’s website for the complete list of new tour dates.
Wilco (The Album) is available today. For me, it’s one of the best albums of the year. I can’t really call this album a grower, because I was pretty attached to it from first listen, but I can say that the more time I spend with it, the more the album continues to reward my repeated listening habit. Regardless of how great the music is, I also have a soft spot for the record because the album artwork was all captured right here in Milwaukee by Autumn De Wilde.
As far as favorite tracks from the record, I am a huge fan of the album opener, “Wilco (The Song)” which parlayed itself from its humorous Colbert debut into one of the album’s best tracks. I also really enjoy the manic “Bull Black Nova” that I hope to someday hear alongside “Spiders” in concert as it shares some similar energy/elements. On first listen, I wasn’t too thrilled with “You Never Know,” but repeated spins and their recent appearance on Conan have turned the tides in it’s favor. As a whole, there’s very little to be disappointed with on this record. From start to finish, I find it to be a much more enjoyable listen than Sky Blue Sky.
Discuss: What do you think of Wilco (The Album)? What are your favorite and least favorite tracks? Where does this album fit in terms of the rest of the band’s catalog?
Set List: Signs // Die Die Die // I & Love & You // At the Beach // Bella Donna // Laundry Room // Paranoia in Bb Major // One Line Wonder // Down With A Glistening Shine // Talk on Indolence // Murder in the City // Denouncing November Blue // LOL, LOL // Ballad of Love & Hate // Rollin’ in My Sweet Baby’s Arms (Earl Scruggs cover) // Salina // Kick Drum Heart // Dream Appointed (Another Youngster) // Go to Sleep
Encore: The Perfect Space
It had been a couple years since I’d seen a show at the House of Blues in Chicago. I arrived to the venue in great anticipation, The Avett Brothers had teased some new material from their forthcoming album, I and Love and You when I saw them in Austin a few months back. Since then, I’ve had the chance to hear a few live records and have had the title track on in heavy rotation.
New songs “Laundry Room” and “Kick Drum Heart” embody the charging energy side of the Avett’s, while the evening’s closer, “The Perfect Space,” is as reflective as anything they’ve penned to date. It opens with a reasonable wish, “I wanna have friends that I can trust, that love me for the man I’ve become not the man I was” and ends continues with a heavy ending of “I wanna have pride like my mother has, And not like the kind in the bible that turns you bad.”
The Avett Brothers will leave your legs sore, your voice hoarse, and your memory bank filled with joy. They’re a band that you could drag along a pessimist and I’d bet the Avetts could win them over by the time the curtain goes down. Last night’s crowd was a mixture of the usual suspects: the die-hards, the booze hounds, the hippie chics, the businessman, and many more. The beauty of their live show resides within their ability to seamlessly transfer from rocker to delicate acoustic numbers like “Murder In The City.” If you haven’t bought your ticket for their show at the Barrymore in October, it’s never to early to plan ahead. The show will sell out, so don’t be left out.
Discuss: Drop a comment if you made last night’s show in Chicago. What were your highlights and thoughts on the new material?
Here are the Wisconsin and Chicago shows we recommend you take in this week. Check them out below and let us know which ones you’ll be attending or ones you think should really make our list. Also, don’t miss the very solid week of new releases, including our recommended purchases below.
Upcoming Wisconsin Shows:
6/29 - Spoon - Summerfest, Milwaukee
6/30 - White Rabbits - High Noon Saloon, Madison
7/1 - Bob Dylan + Willie Nelson - Summerfest, Milwaukee
7/2 - Femi Kuti - Summerfest, Milwaukee
7/2 - No Doubt/Paramoree/Bedouin Soundclash - Marcus Amphitheater, Milwaukee
7/4 - Richard Swift - Summerfest, Milwaukee
7/4 - Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks - Outside Burnhearts, Milwaukee
7/5 - Elvis Costello & The Imposters - Summerfest, Milwaukee
Upcoming Chicago Shows:
6/29 - Black Moth Super Rainbow - Jay Pritzker Pavilion
7/1 - White Rabbits - Empty Bottle
7/2 - Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks - The Bottom Lounge
7/4 - Toots & The Maytals - Wild Hare
7/4 - Drive-By Truckers - Taste of Chicago, Grant Park
7/5 - Richard Swift - Schubas Tavern
Just Announced:
9/26 - Arctic Monkeys - The Rave, Milwaukee
10/6 - The Butthole Surfers - Barrymore Theatre, Madison
