Highlights of what’s been running through the speakers here at OUTLANDOS HQ the last month or so:
1. The Kissaway Trail, Sleep Mountain
Danish outfit, very Death Cab for Cutie. Honestly, the jury is still out but so far, thumbs up; meaning, I didn’t reach over to shut it off once through the first listen — and that’s saying something 
. I also did reach over to turn it up a couple of times, most notably for “New Lipstick” and the cover of Neil Young’s “Philadelphia.” Summary: take a risk.
2. David Chernis, Music for Super 8
Sure, sure… I might be biased. But this is beautiful. The guitar-balls behind the original Damnwells‘ lineup releases his first solo project, a complete 180. Instrumental. Restrained. Surprising. Eclectic. Enjoy.
3. Chris Trapper, Into the Bright Lights
Lead singer of The Push Stars out with a solo EP, getting back to that Push Stars pop sound I love so much after diverting a bit. Gorgeous.
7/25/10 | Comments (0)Tags: Chris Trapper, David Chernis, Kissaway Trail, NOW PLAYING, The Damnwells, The Push Stars —
Highlights of what’s been running through the speakers here at OUTLANDOS HQ the last month or so:
1. The Silver Seas, Chateau Revenge
So I’ve talked about these guys a billion times and in fact will be featuring almost this entire record on THE DAILY DOSE all next month… it’s that good. This is their third release, the other two are equally brilliant. They had to change their name in the middle of everything which was a slight bummer, they used to be The Bees (US). Either way, I love them. I bet you will too. Daniel Tashian (son of Barry Tashian, of legendary New England garage rockers The Remains) et al.
2. Jets Overhead, No Nations
Canadian outfit, this is their sophomore effort. It took little while to grow on me (I love that) and then I found myself turning it louder and louder. Kind of an updated Human League sort of vibe. That doesn’t make it sound cool, I know — but it is.
3. The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Inspired by a hands-down brilliant presentation OUTLANDOS cofounder Scott Freiman has been giving out and about (so good we’ve seen it twice!), we had a good solid listen to the entire thing the other night on the couch. It’s important to do that I think, to go back, to give something your full attention again (even if it’s the millionth time).
xo
2/15/10 | Comments (1)Tags: human league, jets overhead, NOW PLAYING, the beatles, the remains, The Silver Seas —
You read that right, it’s the Top 9. Two qualifiers: 1) an album totally worth the price, your money will be well spent and 2) an album that’s stood up on replay, ad infintinum. Hence, there were only nine. Trying to squeeze in a 10th felt like a copout. And we can’t have that. So, just in time for your shopping lists, our faves around Outlandos HQ for the past year:
1. Michael Miller, I Made You Up 
Awash in a melodic swath of near-psychedelic ether, Miller’s sound teeters between that delicate dream state of newborn refuge and Milky Way haze. But don’t let the SoCal singer-songwriter thing fool you: Miller’s unassuming yet gumptious approach places him squarely alongside the likes of troubadours Pete Droge/Steve Forbert but with flecks of Supertramp/Bowie-style transcendental grandeur. No kidding. Which is why it’s my top pick. |
2. Chris Velan, Solidago
Solidago was on my tops last year because I had an early copy (the release was April 2009) but it’s so good I’m putting it on the list again. The scoop: cunningly disguised as jangly chill-lax pop, Solidago reveals whipsmart songcraft and no-bullshit guitar rockers juxtaposed amidst easy-going ditties. Think Paul Simon, Tom Petty, The Wallflowers, Bob Marley. The kind of political/romantic moxie that makes me think hell yes, I too am a Hard Way Learner. |
3. Mike Gent, Mike Gent
A pop masterpiece. Seriously. It’s easy, it’s smart, it’s fun, AND it has balls. Like Wilco used to (think Box of Letters, Monday). Speaking of balls, Mike’s other band, the Figgs, has long been one of my favorite badass live outfits. |
4. Glasvegas, Glasvegas
Timeless Glasgow glampop at its uber-finest. Echo and the Bunnymen-esque, bigger drums. Shit-hot. |
5. Gidgets Ga Ga, The Big Bong Theory
Fountains of Wayne meets Cheap Trick meets Strawberry Alarm Clock. Lots of bouncy, chimey guitars, and an authentic garage sound. Plus the album has a million songs on it. Loads of bang for your buck. |
6. Contramano, Contramano
Argentinian chamber-punk. Go figure. It’s spectacular. Seriously, you need to own this record IMMEDIATELY. |
7. Roman Candle, Oh Tall Tree in the Ear 
The Bees (US) are easily one of my fave bands ever. Unfortunately, for legal reasons, they had to change their name to The Silver Seas. They should have a new album out soon (yay!). In the meantime, Bees’ cofounder Jason Lehning has been keeping busy. Roman Candle is his latest project and everything you would expect from a Bee. Smart, fun, shades Steely Dan, Pretzel Logic-style. |
8. Passion Pit, Manners 
A dance record! Who knew. Fun fun fun. Very Jackson 5. Plus a lot of synth. |
9. Gary Yerkins, Compass 
Gotta have a touch of blues in your list. Gary has a sweet Robert Cray sort of thing going on. Produced by guitar great Pete Droge who plays all over it as well. Total gem. xo |
Tags: Bob Marley, Cheap Trick, Chris Velan, Contramano, CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, David Bowie, Echo and the Bunnymen, Fountains of Wayne, Gary Yerkins, Gerry Rafferty, Gidgets Ga Ga, Glasvegas, Jason Lehning, KATE BRADLEY, Michael Miller, Mike Gent, NOW PLAYING, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Passion Pit, Paul Simon, Pete Droge, Robert Cray, Roman Candle, Steely Dan, Steve Forbert, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Supertramp, The Bees, The Figgs, The Jackson 5, The Silver Seas, The Wallflowers, Tom Petty, Wilco —
Just getting ready to program The Daily Dose for November, for sure, these guys will be showing up alongside older tunes we think make sense as well as our wine and cheese picks.
What’s that you say? You couldn’t stand to miss a single Dose? We hear ya. So, an RSS feed to solve your woes, because we love you. We really do.
Now for what’s been playing at Outlandos HQ so far this month:
1. The Dimes, The King Can Drink the Harbor Dry
Portland Oregon 4-piece. Mellow but not in the annoying Gray’s Anatomy way. Sounds a whole lot like John Stirratt’s (of Wilco) side project The Autumn Defense. Simon & Garfunkel too. Ten Days After even. Buy it.
2. Dodos, Time To Die
Also mellow but edgy, lots of unexpected syncopation. Hints of XTC and even… Phish. Strange, I know. Bet you’ll like it
3. Gidgets Ga Ga, The Big Bong Fiasco
Remember those Nuggets
xo
10/19/09 | Comments (0)Tags: Cheap Trick, CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Dodos, Gidgets Ga Ga, KATE BRADLEY, NOW PLAYING, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, The Dimes —
No one’s a bigger fan of social media marketing than me. But lord, lord, lord… it is motherfucking exhausting. Imagine running 2 companies (including 21 people working for free, miracle of God, I am beyond thankful every day) and still finding time for newsletters, status updates, and of course, blog posts. Let’s just say, more often than not, the basics (eating, cleaning, dressing, exercising, brushing teeth) take a backseat. Oh, priorities.
But the truth is, I count on YOU to help me keep at it. Your feedback (your e-mails, your retweets, your comments, your fandom, your forwards); that’s the FUN part. And I can’t do it without you. Just plain can’t.
So, thank you.
Now on to what’s been playing around Outlandos HQ:
1. One eskimO, One eskimO
Wow. Wow. Wow. Smart, clever and remarkably (I hate this word but it’s true)… fresh. And it takes a little bit creep up on you, which is my favorite. Seal/FYC meets 70s Stones meets Tom McRae, translation: singer-songwriter-pop-dance-rock. What? Really. Buy
2. Led Zeppelin, How the West Was Won (DVD)
Need a reminder of what exactly melt-your-face-off rock ‘n roll used to be? Arm hairs, beware: you’ll be standing on end for hours. Own
3. 7 Worlds Collide, The Sun Came Out
This one’s our Bang-for-the-Buck of the Month. I mean holy crap, it’s a Finn Fest (Neil, Tim, Liam), Wilco, and most of the members of Radiohead. Plus a ton more. Double album. And it’s a benefit to boot. It’s not gonna blow your mind but definitely worth your dollar. Straight up the Starbucks’ alley (if Starbucks had a clue). Do some good and buy
xo
9/14/09 | Comments (0)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, KATE BRADLEY, Led Zeppelin, Liam Finn, Neil Finn, NOW PLAYING, One Eskimo, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Radiohead, Starbucks, Tim Finn, Wilco —
