Six Pack of the Week - Trouble Sleeping

Well, ya'll finally get to hear from the up-to-now invisible third member of this, err, trio. See? That's why I don't get to type stuff!

Anyway, this week's Six Pack deals with a personal problem of mine: I'm having trouble sleeping! To be more specific, I'm having trouble both falling asleep and sleeping soundly. So, to try to solve my problem, I inevitably turned to music. Maybe some song I've previously overlooked can tell me why I'm not sleeping. Let's see what we got:

[mp3] The Perishers - Trouble Sleeping

I really dig this song, but it doesn't explain why I can't sleep. It does have some really good lines reminding me of times I couldn't sleep in the past though: "You're jumping in my bed/twisting in my head/leave me" and "it's you/now and always you/but never me." However, romantical problems are not the reason why I'm not sleeping.

Buy some The Perishers: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them on the web: Official | Myspace

[mp3] Pete Yorn - Sleep Better

This is what I desire, to sleep better! But all Petey tells me is that "she won't sleep better alone/and he won't sleep better alone/no they won't feel better alone" which doesn't really help me all that much. I love the song Pete, but you aren't helping me here!

Buy some Pete Yorn: Amazon | iTunes

Visit him on the web: Official | Myspace

[mp3] Eels - I Need Some Sleep

This is a very pretty song about "getting over" something. And yes, there are a lot of things to get over, so don't look at me like that. Anyway, this isn't it either. If it was, that 'something' would always be on my mind, and there's been nothing constantly on my mind. Definitely a good song to hear though.

Buy some Eels: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them on the web: Official | Myspace

[mp3] Counting Crows - I'm Not Sleeping

I've always liked this song so I had to include it, even though it sheds little light on my sleeping troubles. I just love how it keeps changing back and forth from a soft, gentle song to a rocking orchestral song. Crazy talk, I know, but it's good stuff.

Buy some Counting Crows: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them on the web: Official | Myspace

[mp3] Trashcan Sinatras - Trouble Sleeping

I almost never listen to Trashcan Sinatras, but this song jumped out to me at first due to its dreamy tone. And then I started to listen to the lyrics. I won't spoil it for you, go ahead give it a listen yourself. Oh, and it's not the reason why I'm having trouble sleeping!

Buy some Trashcan Sinatras: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them on the web: Official | Myspace

[mp3] Radiohead - Go To Sleep

I like this song too much not to include it, though it also does not explain my trouble sleeping. It's just another good Radiohead song; I don't know the musical term for it, but I want to call it good driving guitar. It seems to take the song exactly where it needs to go.

Buy some Radiohead: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them on the web: Official | Myspace

Hmmm, well, at least I got good music to listen to while I'm not sleeping!

The Redwalls @ Kilby Court, Salt Lake City (2/17/08)

The show was fantastic - The Redwalls rocked my socks (and face) off. The set focused mainly on the new album but a few old gems were thrown in. I was able to snag a set-list from the show, here's what they played:

The tail end of the set was absolutely incredible! The first part of the set was a little rough with some pretty intense mic feedback and some mics dropping out completely from time to time. By the time they started into They Are Among Us these problems were all but resolved and we were finally able to hear The Redwalls in all their glory. There were a few moments born out of the malfunctioning mics, thus required the brothers to share at times:

In all, the show was certainly worth the drive. The ticket price was low and the entertainment value was quite high. It was a little sad to see the lack of support SLC provided for this great band - I counted only 28 heads at the show. Hopefully they'll be back this way next time through but I can't say I blame them if they skip over us next time. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Here's a few tracks that I'd forgotten how much I loved until they were played last night, I'd certainly recommend a listen if you're still new to The Redwalls.

[mp3] Build a Bridge

[mp3] Memories

Buy some tunes from The Redwalls: Amazon | iTunes

Visit them on the web: Official | Myspace

Goin' to see The Redwalls

The Redwalls are coming to town on Sunday and I must say, I'm nearly shitting myself in anticipation.  I haven't been to many live shows in the past year or so, hopefully this will get me back into the routine.

I picked up their new(est) album today.  If you haven't heard it yet I highly recommend checking it out.  A little more lo-fi then their last record.  Here's some tracks:

[mp3] Hangman

[mp3] Modern Diet

Hangman is nice and raw, definite Stones feel to it.  Modern Diet has a sweet, sweet chorus to sing along to.  Even as I type I still find it stuck in my head...

I probably won't post again until after the show,  but expect some pics at the least.

Buy some tunes from The Redwalls:  Amazon | iTunes

Visit them on the web:  Official | Myspace

Six Pack of the Week - Covers

Back on my old blog I ran a weekly feature called the Six Pack of the Week. I've decided to bring that feature over to this blog - congrats to you! I think it's a fantastic way to make everyone aware of some great tracks that are out there.

This week I'm focusing on covers. I've always loved a good cover, I've included a few I've been listening to lately. Enjoy!

[mp3] Foo Fighters - Band on the Run (Paul McCartney & Wings)

This one's been floating around the blogo-sphere for the past few months. I highly recommend checking it out if you haven't already. Quite true to the original, though they certainly bring the rock harder than Wings ever did.

This can be found on the album Radio 1 Established 1967.

Buy some Foo Fighters: Amazon | iTunes

Visit them on the web: Official | Myspace

[mp3] Zac Maloy - Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison)

I found this one on Zac's myspace. It's quite an interesting take on the classic, totally different tempo and feel to it all. In case you're not familiar, Zac was the lead singer of The Nixons.

Buy some Zac Maloy: Amazon | iTunes

Visit him on the web: Myspace

[mp3] Pete Yorn - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend (The Ramones)

This is one of the stand out tracks from the Ramone's tribute album that came out a few years ago. It also includes a few tracks by Eddie Vedder, Red Hot Chili Peppers etc. If you come across it I highly recommend picking it up.

This can be found on the album We're a Happy Family - A Tribute to the Ramones

Buy some Pete Yorn: Amazon | iTunes

Visit him on the web: Official | Myspace

[mp3] Black Lab - Transformers (Theme Song)

Bet you didn't expect this one, eh? This really should have been in the movie. The bass drum is straight-up sweet in the mix.

This can be found on the album Technologie.

Buy some Black Lab: Amazon | iTunes

Visit them on the web: Official | Myspace

[mp3] Pearl Jam - Love Reign O'er Me (The Who)

Another one that's made it's rounds across the blogo-sphere. Kinda funny that PJ seems to be the most successful (single wise) when they record and release a cover. Eddie's growl is at it's best here.

Buy some Pearl Jam: Amazon | iTunes

Visit them on the web: Official | Myspace

[mp3] Jets Overhead - Mr. Soul (Neil Young)

Here's a band you may not know about. They hail from the Great White North and they know their way around an effects pedal. I'm really diggin' on this version of one of my favorite Neil Young tunes - it's WAY more trippy. I highly recommend this one as well.

This can be found on the album Borrowed Tunes, a Tribute to Neil Young.

Buy some Jets Overhead: Amazon | iTunes

Visit them on the web: Official | Myspace

Hopefully those will sate your appetite for covers for now, I'm sure we'll have another six-pack of covers soon though so be ready!

Saturday Nights/Sunday Mornings Preview

Brock & I have plethora of Counting Crows for you today, hopefully it will sate your appetite until March 25th when the new album comes out. First, some album tracks:

On Tuesday, Counting Crows released their first "official" single from Saturday Nights, Sunday Mornings, a little ditty called "You Can't Count on Me". This one's a little poppy, something that certainly could have fit onto Hard Candy. Cowboys, another track that's found it's way onto the internet is a whole different affair, WAY more rockin' than anything I've heard from CC since Recovering The Satellites.

You Can't Count On Me (MP3)

Cowboys (MP3)

Hey, Brock here. This feast for your ears get wrapped up over at npr.org, of all places, where you can listen to a concert Counting Crows put on for NPR at the World Cafe Live on February 8th. They played 4 songs from Saturday Nights, followed by 4 from Sunday Mornings. It provides a pretty excellent preview of the general feeling the separate records will have, and you can officially count me as very excited.

"Insignificant" has a great chorus, just simple and powerful. The motivation he describes for writing "Cowboys" is some interesting insight into Adam as a writer, and the part about using the "come on, come on, come on" refrain he used in "Accidentally in Love" is pretty cool. All of CC's albums have been pretty cohesive thematically, and this one should be more of the same. "I Dream of Michaelangelo" is dreamy and gorgeous; listen to it twice.

Buy some Counting Crows: Amazon iTunes
Visit them on the web: Official Myspace

The Format - B-Sides and Rarities

I got some pretty heartbreaking news about the Format a couple of days ago. Luckily, fellow Format fans, there is comfort to be had. You can pick up a DVD called The Format, Live at the Mayan Theatre, featuring "over two hours of music & documentary footage." It was released in November, and features the album Dog Problems in its entirety, and a new song called Swans.

If that's not enough to fill the Format-shaped void in your life, head over to iTunes and buy B-Sides and Rarities. It's 18 demos and rarities, for 10 bucks. I'm listening to it right now. I doubt it'll stack up to the likes of Dog Problems - there's often a reason songs are b-sides - but I'm sure I'll find some gems to recommend. So far I'm really digging Threes and Seven Digit Pin Code.

Buy some Format! iTunes Amazon

Visit the site: Official Myspace

Seven Mary Three - Day and Night Driving

For a band most known for their uber-crunchy guitar (see: Cumbersome) 7M3 is certainly taking a different approach on their latest album, DAY&NIGHTDRIVING. A few tracks have been leaking across the net. I highly recommend checking them out.

Studio Tracks:

Last Kiss (MP3)*

She Wants Results (MP3)

*This isn't a direct link, it'll bring you to Heather's fabulous blog for more info and the d/l.

Live & Acoustic Tracks:

Upside Down (MP3)

Last Kiss seems to harken back to the days of Economy of Sound, but with the edge that was missing through most of it. i love the increased build throughout the track, I just can't stop it mid-way. She Wants Results sounds a little more lonely, something most people probably haven't heard from 7M3.

All in all I'm quite excited about release. I've bought about each and every 7M3 record that's come out and they've each brought something unique to the table. This one sounds more "reflective" than there past offerings, though I'm still they'll still bring the rock.

For more info about the new album (in stores Feb. 19th), visit the official site here (with a few more songs streaming). If you just can't wait, it's already available (exclusively) on iTunes!

Buy some Seven Mary Three: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them on the web: Official | Myspace

iTunes Single of the Week - We the Kings

For those of you outside the know, iTunes releases a free single of some random "unknown" band each week for free. There's a whole section of free stuff on iTunes, just go to the store, then all the way to the bottom for the section that shows "Free on iTunes". The singles rotate out each week though, limited time only!

It can be pretty hit and miss since it seems they try to rotate between rap/urban/dance tracks and indie/rock/punk tracks each week. This one falls more into the pop-punk stratosphere, but it's free and worth a listen.

If you dig, their full album is available on iTunes for only 6 bucks. Not too shabby...

We the Kings - Check Yes Juliet (iTunes)

Buy some We the Kings: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them on the web: Myspace

Super Bowl Recap

Here's a recap if you missed the big game, or if you just weren't paying attention between commercials:

The pretty boy's team lost and Tom Petty's still got it.

I was pretty bitter a few years ago when MTV took over the half time show and started to give us some pretty terrible shows. Remember that Aerosmith + teeny-bopper extravaganza? That's what I'm talking about - terrible. 

Walk This Way (Aerosmith+N'Sync+Britney+Nelly+Mary J Blige...ugh)



Watching just a few seconds of that again made me throw up a little in my mouth. Viewer beware.

Never thought I'd say this, but Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake were probably the best thing that ever happened to the Super Bowl. Why? They pissed off enough people to keep the big networks away from "the pop music", so now they'll keep going with low risk-high profit acts like Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Prince and now Tom Petty. Hmmm...would I rather see N'Sync or The Stones...I'm just not sure on that one.

Now, back to Tom Petty. He looked old but still sounded great. The set was short and sweet, just the hits. I'm not saying this was the greatest show I've seen at the half, that's not what Tom Petty should be expected to provide. It was good though, worth a look/listen. Here's some videos of it off Youtube:

American Girl:



I Won't Back Down:



Free Falling:



Runnin' Down a Dream (mmm...this was my favorite):

Buy some Tom Petty: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them on the web: Official | Myspace

The Brobecks, your new favorite band...

Other than Kraig's band the Rock Bandits, my favorite local band here in Utah is a band called the Brobecks. They write smart, catchy rock songs and put on a great live show, and my fiancee would leave me for their singer in a heartbeat. Check out Goodnight Socialite, and if you're in Salt Lake for their next show do yourself a favor and be there!

I also implore, nay, insist that you check out this band called Brighten. I've seen them live a couple times here in SLC, and they were really good. Especially check out More Vacations and the new song, Love Me Honestly. They have a Jimmy Eat World type indie rock sound that I think you will find enjoyable.

The Brobecks - Goodnight Socialite (MP3)

Visit their Myspace for more tracks

Buy some CDs from CD Baby

or iTunes