Microwaved Milk

RHCP-ALBUM OF THE WEEK--ONE HOT MINUTE

2010-01-11T20:09:00.000-08:00

Always thought that Frusciante (now departed from the band) was never as good or as funky as Dave Navarro. Navarro only played on one album, but it was arguably the band's best. One Hot Minute, complete with funky tracks and quirky lyrics and themes, is the Chili Peppers in their classic 90's drug-fueled best. Just for kicks, 3 songs will be included, from the funky fast Aeroplane, to the chill Walkabout, to the hard hitting Shallow Be Thy Game. Enjoy.

Aeroplane--RHCP

Walkabout--RHCP

Shallow Be Thy Game--RHCP

DAYLIGHT

2010-01-09T12:05:00.000-08:00

Great Coldplay track. Thought I should pull this one out as I just rediscovered it quite recently. Portrays all that is good about Coldplay and more. From their great album "A Rush of Blood to the Head" this really is one of the better songs by the four British lads. As a bonus, 2 songs will be posted, with the album closing song "Amsterdam" also. Both great songs. Enjoy

Coldplay--Daylight

Coldplay--Amsterdam

COVER OF THE WEEK--SOLEDAD BROTHERS--

2010-01-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

This week's cover of the week is an old Soledad Brothers cut titled "Up Jumped the Devil", originally penned by bluesman Robert Johnson in the first half of the 20th century. The Soledad Brothers, now defunct, came out of the same Detroit Blues-Rock scene of the White Stripes back in the 2000's. For now, enjoy this good cover, complete with blistering harmonica solo and Johnny Walker references.

Soledad Brothers--Up Jumped the Devil

MONDO DRAG--BAND OF THE WEEK

2010-01-02T00:24:00.001-08:00

Ok here we go. Armed with a myspace link with 1 song on it, and a tip from a friend, I am going to attempt to review and recommend the musical behemoth. Hard to live up to that hype in that first sentence right? Just trying to procure some interest. Anyway, Mondo Drag=psychedelic/hard rock band from Iowa whose songs shift and change too fast to let the listener get too cozy. And yes this is a good thing. Mondo Drag, together with Tame Impala, seem to be leading the charge for a resurgence of psychedelic rock. First came MGMT, making it cool to be weird again. Now more and more bands seem to be branching out, playing a harder, edgier, tune. With an album titled "New Rituals" out in 2010, look for big things out of Mondo Drag.

Mondo Drag--Serpent Shake

2010

2010-01-01T22:57:00.001-08:00

So to kick off the New Year, I will be introducing the new weekly posting which will take place every friday night (yes, it is still friday here in California). Anyway, back to the posting. Every friday night from now on a cover song will be posted. Both well done note-for-note renditions and reworked arrangements will be posted. And so for this first edition of Cover Song Friday (which might be renamed later) I will be posting an amazing rendition of the Britney Spears' track "Womanizer", done by Glasglow band Franz Ferdinand. Yes this is not a typo, this is real. Just listen. It is a little left field, but definitely original and worth a listen. Enjoy.

Franz Ferdinand--Womanizer

RESOLUTIONS

2009-12-29T23:10:00.000-08:00

Ok not so much about resolutions as it is things to look forward to in the next year of music.

1. Tame Impala Debut Album.

2. MGMT and Justice albums

3. New Strokes Album(???)

4.Maybe we get lucky and the Virgins/Kings of Leon come out with new albums as well.

5. New Black Keys album in April. Can you spell prolific?

6. Dead Weather album?These guys are tasty.

7. Maybe the Hall Monitors and/or Middle Distance Runner get some (more) national attention?

8. Hopefully Aushua comes back to DC. Great band. Lead singer looks like Ben Affleck.

TAME IMPALA

2009-12-29T22:38:00.001-08:00

Tame Impala. What a name. Three lads from Perth Australia who play a brand of retro psychedelic rock (think Cream) while still sounding fresh. Opening gigs for the likes of MGMT and Yeasayer, they have gotten a good amount of buzz in their native Australia and beyond. Signed to Modular Records(home of Wolfmother, Cut Copy, The Avalanches), their debut LP slated for an early 2010 release, which they have hinted at as becoming double or triple album length. Until then, their 5 track, self-titled debut EP will satisfy listeners with songs such as "Half Full Glass of Wine", and "Desire Be Desire Go". Along with the EP, multiple demos have surfaced on youtube, such as the brilliant "The Serpentine" and the Hendrix-y "Bold Arrow of Time". All of these songs exemplify a great songwriting ability in this power trio, who in my opinion could/should/will become very big in 2010. Look out. mp3's below.

Half Full Glass of Wine--mp3

Bold Arrow of Time--mp3

The Serpentine--mp3

WOLFMOTHER/HEARTLESS BASTARDS

2009-12-29T18:44:00.000-08:00

Lots to update. Saw Wolfmother at 930 club, with the newno2 and The Heartless Bastards opening. All three bands were amazing. Second time I've seen Wolfmother, this time with the new band members. Still mind blowing, definitely one of the better shows of all time. The Heartless Bastards were also very good, with lead singer/guitarist Erika Wennerstrom and co. setting the scene with some very good garage rock with some pedal steel thrown in a few songs for good measure. "The Will Song" is a favorite. Hard to track down this mp3, and my vinyl has yet to arrive in the mail. A myspace link will have to suffice in the meantime.

http://www.myspace.com/heartlessbastards

MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER LIVE REVIEW

2009-08-04T22:17:00.000-07:00

Back from the concert. 3 openers and then MDR. First two bands were decent, just not appealing. The third opener, Aushua (another cool name), was the highlight of the night. Composed of 3 brothers and a friend on vocals, Aushua delivered new wave pop music with an atmospheric feel. They made the small Jammin Java club feel and sound like a high-ceilinged amphitheater. Lead singer Nathan Gammil's strong vocals complemented the reverb-laden guitars and U2-like rhythm section. Coming out of Santa Ana, California, Aushua is currently halfway through their cross country tour. Highly recommended.

www.myspace.com/aushua

After Aushua's set, Middle Distance Runner took the stage. MDR went through cuts from both their debut, Plane In Flames, and their unreleased second album, The Sun and The Earth. The band clearly have been playing together for a while now and really have achieved a flawless live show. Jammin Java didn't complement the bands sound at all, with the room's small space dampening the sound and causing mixing problems. Through this, MDR delivered an electrifying set that is the first on their US tour through August.

DC MUSIC

2009-08-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

Ok so the Middle Distance Runner concert is coming up tonight and in honor of a local DC band finally getting some recognition I'm gonna post some other DC music for the masses. First up is a track by 930-club veterans Thievery Corporation. Great band, with diverse sounds and influences that really offers some great music. Also included is a song by DC garage band The Hall Monitors. These guys have one of the better live shows in the DC area and play some old school garage and R&B.

Thievery Corporation--Lebanese Blonde

The Hall Monitors--Girls

MARTHA REEVES AND THE VANDELLAS

2009-08-03T10:44:00.000-07:00

Motown girl group from way back. Possibly one of the best, with an interesting mix of soul, pop, and R&B. Rumors have been circulating DC that a local garage band has been covering "Nowhere to Run", a classic Vandellas single. Any information regarding the aforementioned would be most appreciated. In the meantime enjoy this classic hit.

Martha Reeves And The Vandellas--Nowhere To Run

PONEY PONEY/JAMAICA

2009-08-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

French band Poney Poney have officially changed their name to Jamaica. Big things to come with their debut LP which still has no release date set.

MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER

2009-08-01T23:45:00.000-07:00

Middle Distance Runner. Cool name. Local DC band who have been drumming up steady buzz for the past few years and finally seem to be on the verge of something big. Tuesday (8/4) they will be playing at Jammin Java, a fine venue out in Vienna. This will be their last DC show before they embark on a US tour in the coming weeks. A full live review should be expected. In the meantime, give these great tracks a listen, which would best be described as garage-pop with distinct soul influences. Powerful stuff.

Middle Distance Runner--Momma

Middle Distance Runner--Monochrome Boys

WOLFMOTHER

2009-07-22T21:45:00.001-07:00

Ok so Wolfmother, probably one of the best bands to come out of Oz in a while, recently announced a new album due October 14, titled Cosmic Egg. Weird title right? Anyway, their last album, Wolfmother, remains one of the better track for track albums i've ever heard, with 13 tracks of amazing old school rock and roll. It was announced a little over a year ago that two of Wolfmothers' founding members were leaving the band. Lead singer/guitarist Andrew Stockdale hired 3 new members in place of the departed and got to work recording Cosmic Egg. So far only the song Back Round has been released, but if this song is any indication, Wolfmother are clearly back.

Wolfmother--Back Round

Wolfmother--White Unicorn

PONEY PONEY

2009-07-22T21:22:00.000-07:00

French dude starts a band, with his ipod as his backup band. Ipod gets stolen. What does he do?Enlist the help of his friends and craft some of the best tunes to come out France since Phoenix. Or Justice. Either way, these guys have only released a few songs, with their debut LP coming soon. Lookout.

Poney Poney--Cross The Fader

Poney Poney--When Do You Wanna Stop Working

DEAD WEATHER

2009-07-22T21:02:00.000-07:00

Saw a Dead Weather gig recently. One of the better live shows I've seen. For anyone who is not convinced, one of their better songs is posted below. Interesting to see how Jack White manages to keep up three very worthy musical projects at the same time. Highly recommended.

The Dead Weather--So Far From Your Weapon

FIRST POST

2009-07-22T20:34:00.000-07:00

First post. In honor of this event, here are some great songs from some great new bands.

The Wombats--Moving To New York

Hockey--Too Fake