On Saturday 91.7 WMSE hosts the 6th annual Kneel To Neil benefit at Linneman’s in celebration of Neil Young’s birthday. The event showcases some of our favorite Wisconsin musicians (Jeremiah Nelson, Chris DeMay, Trapper Schoepp) tackling Shakey’s catalog. This event of great music supports the radio station and Young’s own Bridge School Foundation. $10 gets you through the door, music starts at 7:30pm. See you there.

By Pete Donahue

Some music fans and critics argue free downloads lessen listening experiences, that music offered to anybody free of charge must not be worth paying for in the first place. But I think a majority of music followers would disagree with such a notion that “free” equals “bad.”

In just the past few weeks, we have seen two notable albums released for free: Eric and Magill’s All Those I Know and Yellow Ostrich’s The Mistress. Given the quality of these albums, I don’t feel either could be classified as “cheap” or “inferior” when compared to music only available for purchase. Both released are very good and at least worthy of a focused listen. The artists display the notion that good music speaks for itself and proves its tremendous worth regardless of price. And who doesn’t love free things?

A few months ago, I stumbled upon a new band from New York City called the Rassle. Formed by members of other Big Apple bands I like – Blair and Reed Van Nort of the now-defunct Young Lords, and ex-Virgins drummer Erik Ratensperger – the Rassle is offering their debut EP for free on its website. I won’t pretend there aren’t countless links on the Internet to countless files of free music; if all this free music feels a little overwhelming at times, have some faith. I did, and for the first time in a very, very long time I got the feeling that I had discovered something that could be my new favorite band. Not a flavor of the week, not just a decent enough tune to kick around in my head when my mind is idle, but a band that has sauntered right into my meager list of contemporary favorites.

Though only four songs long, the EP makes a rather bold statement considering their Big Apple roots. While most New York bands appear to follow the trend of trying very hard not to follow any trends, the Rassle displays their rock and roll sound for anybody up for a listen and doesn’t apologize for the obvious. Four good-time rock and roll songs rooted so firmly in classic guitar music that it’s almost laughable how familiar the sound is.

Shades of glam groups like T. Rex and Slade are present – Blair’s voice a nasally howl in the vein of Marc Bolan, while Reed’s wild guitars soar just like all of Jimmy Lea and Noddy Holder’s best songs. The sneering swagger of seminal punk bands like the Sex Pistols and the finer moments of the Rolling Stones’ trashy takes on blues-rock are also present. There’s even a penchant for sing-a-long anthems on songs like “Born Free” that’s comparable to the early days of U2 and the Clash. It’s all right there in front of you, laid out unapologetically, ready for you take it for what it is.

While pre-existing New York bands may have set a precedence for rock and roll pretension, it’s hard to find any with the Rassle. Who can’t relate to the sentiments of songs like “Celebrate the Days,” where Blair calls out “Hallelujah, celebrate the days if it’s all you got!,” or “Full Speed Ahead (FSA)” (I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor/Ain’t no use in keepin’ score)? “Wild Ones” shows hints of Springsteen’s nod to the working class: “Where I come from, you don’t give up/Every day is a diamond in the rough.” It might not be the most marketable and/or trending lyrical topic, but it gets the job done.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Rassle’s debut EP panned by any number of music news outlets. I envision hearty doses of lazy journalism, writing off the band as a Free Energy copy (or even lazier, a minor league Strokes), while others may load their reviews with rhetoric simply to demonstrate how well the reviewer can dance around the phrase “it’s not Radiohead or Animal Collective, so don’t bother.”

The Rassle is from New York City and some adjectives you will not see associated with its music is “lo-fi,” “ambient,” “shoegazy,” “chill,” “challenging,” “towering,” “immersive,” “African,” “harmonious,” and “tribal.” The Rassle is not bedroom pop, chillwave, shitgaze, synth-pop, psychedelic, folk-rock or post-punk.

Take the Rassle for what it is and just listen. You can do whatever you want – it doesn’t cost anything.

Download: The Rassle

The Low Anthem return in 2011 with new eleven track record (mixed by Mike Mogis) Smart Flesh on Nonesuch that was “recorded in a cavernous, vacant pasta sauce factory in Central Falls, RI.” Mark your calendars for February 22nd.

News:

Milwaukee’s Buffalo Gospel gives their new album, The Good Land away as a free download here.

British Sea Power will release their new album, Valhalla Dancehall on January 11, 2011, but they won’t make you wait that long to hear some of it thanks to Rough Trade:
MP3: British Sea Power – “Living Is So Easy”

Cults have signed to Columbia. If you haven’t heard/purchased these two tracks, do it.

One of our favorite albums of this year was the collaborative release, Dear Companion, by Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore. Next year, Daniel Martin Moore will release In The Cool of the Day on Sub Pop (1/18/2011). You can drop your e-mail here and get a free download of “Dark Road” and two other tracks.

Speaking of favorite albums of the year, Pop Matters reviews the beautiful Magic Central from Breathe Owl Breathe.

Matthew Friedberger of the Fiery Furnaces is releasing a series of solo albums in 2011 called Solos, and has made the track “Shirley” available as a free download. You can pre-order Solos here.
MP3: Matthew Friedberger – “Shirley”

Spoon hasn’t closed the door on Transference, offering up a video of “Nobody Gets Me But You.”

I spent a lot of time with The Promise over the weekend. This 21-song collection of unreleased Springsteen jams from the Darkness on the Edge of Town sessions is essential listening for any fan of the Boss. Listen to Ed Norton interview Bruce Springsteen at NPR.

Girl Talk released his new album, All Day as a free download today.

Elsewhere:

AV Club Milwaukee announces that the Decemberists are coming to Milwaukee on Saturday, February 5th. Mountain Man supports. We’re admittedly excited for the groups forthcoming record, The King Is Dead, which features Gillian Welch on seven tracks! The Decemberists will also be in Chicago on Friday, February 4th at the Riviera Theatre.

Sharon Van Etten performs a Tiny Desk Concert at NPR.

Captains Dead shares a Ryan Adams live show from the Nashville circa 1999. Speaking of Ryan Adams, keep your browsers pointed to the Paxam site to pre-order the upcoming III/IV release.

Arcade Fire were on Saturday Night Live. Gorilla vs. Bear has the videos.

OnMilwaukee.com interviews Testa Rosa in support of their new record.

Aquarium Drunkard shares an mp3 of Horse Feathers covering Nirvana’s “Drain You.”

All Tiny Creatues film a video session with AV Club Madison.

Here are the Wisconsin and Illinois 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.

Giveaway: We’ve got two (2) pairs of tickets to see Ariel Pink + Os Mutantes at the Metro on Friday, November 19th. To enter, leave a comment below letting us know the upcoming show(s) you’re most excited about. We’ll notify our two winners by e-mail on Wednesday.

Upcoming Shows:

11/15 – Donavon Frankenreiter + Ximena Sarinana – Majestic Theatre (MADISON)
11/16 – Shearwater + Damien Jurado – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
11/17 – Futurebirds + Jonny Corndawg – The Frequency (MADISON)
11/17 – The Dresden Dolls + Mucca Pazza – Vic Theatre (CHICAGO)
11/17 – Delorean + Lemonade + Light Pollution – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
11/18 – Futurebirds + Jonny Corndawg – Cactus Club (MILWAUKEE)
11/18 – Delta Spirit – High Noon Saloon (MADISON)
11/19 – DJ Shadow + Pigeon John – Park West (CHICAGO)
11/19 – Ariel Pink + Os Mutantes – Metro (CHICAGO)
11/19 – Delta Spirit + Darker My Love – Turner Hall Ballroom (MILWAUKEE)
11/19 – Made Of Oak + Adoptahighway + Nomad Palace – Cactus Club (MILWAUKEE)
11/19 – Futurebirds + Jonny Corndawg – Schubas (CHICAGO)
11/19 – Joseph Arthur – Old Town School Of Folk Music (CHICAGO)
11/19 – Free Energy – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
11/19 – Haley Bonar + Daniel Knox – Der Rathskeller (MADISON)
11/19 – The Hold Steady – Otto’s (DEKALB)
11/20 – Conrad Plymouth + Mike Benign + Clean Hands – Bay View Brewhaus (MILWAUKEE)
11/20 – The Autumn Defense – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
11/20 – Kneel 2 Neil (Neil Young Birthday Celebration) – Linnemans (MILWAUKEE)
11/20 – Tim Kasher – Schubas (CHICAGO)
11/21 – No Age + Lucky Dragons – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)

Just Announced:

2/5 – The Decemberists – Riverside Theater (MILWAUKEE)
3/6 – Cadillac Sky – Turner Hall Ballroom (MILWAUKEE)

+Bookmark our upcoming shows page for all your concert announcements+

We’re thrilled to be presenting The Chapin Sisters and NEeMA tonight at the Cactus Club. The Chapin Sisters spent their spring supporting She & Him on tour. Their folk-leaning arrangements are and extension of their musical family tree. Their father is 3-time Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Tom Chapin and their uncle in Harry Chapin. We’ve been spinning their recent release, Two, all week long. Highly recommended for fans of Neko Case or Jenny Lewis.

Tonight’s show is $12 and begins at 10PM with a special performance by NEeMa, whose sophomore album, Watching You Think was produced by none other than Leonard Cohen.

MP3: The Chapin Sisters – “Palm Tree”
Video: The Chapin Sisters – “Digging A Hole”
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Buy: The Chapin Sisters – Two