• Bruce Springsteen

    This Hard Land

    / February 20, 2009

    Bruce originally recorded “This Hard Land” in 1982 during the sessions for Born in the U.S.A, but it would never see the light of day on any Springsteen studio release. However, in 1995, when Columbia was packaging Bruce’s first greatest hits release, the E Street Band returned to the studio and recorded four songs: “This Hard Land” and “Murder Inc.” (also originally from the BITUSA sessions), “Blood Brothers” and “Secret Garden”.

    Also, on 1998’s Tracks box set, the original ’82 version was released.

    The first “This Hard Land” I ever heard was the Greatest Hits version. It was 1995, and I was in the midst of my “lost” years job-wise: in my mid-20’s and working as co-manager of a car rental company.  It was a waste of my college education, it didn’t pay well, and it didn’t challenge me. There was one thing I loved about the job, though, and that was being out on the open road with the music blaring. We rented brand new Fords, and we had to shuffle them between our offices in Scottsdale and Mesa. Windows down,  crystal-clear blue sky, the Superstition Mountains in the near distance to the east… this was how I first heard “This Hard Land”.

    The song was so full of joy and pain, beauty and ugliness. My heart pounded and tears welled in my eyes.

    I still get the same rush every time I hear this song. The energy, the imagery of the great wide open, Bruce’s harmonica, the “Bar-M choppers sweepin’ low across the plains”. Bruce’s “come on” that ushers in the full band at 47 seconds in. The hooves twistin’ and churnin’ up the sand. Sleeping by the fields, sleeping by the rivers. The undercurrent of desolation, sparseness and struggle , and the insistence on overcoming it all….

    I heard the song again this morning during my drive to work. Things sure have changed since that sunny day in 1995. I make a decent living at a job I enjoy. I met and married the girl of my dreams. I have two darling little squirts that I feel so much love for it can’t even be measured… all this good in a world that “stirs you up like it wants to blow you down”…

    How do I face these hard times? How should we face these hard times?

    “Stay hard, stay hungry, stay alive if you can / and meet me in a dream of this hard land.”

    Here’s the full band in 1995, with a rocking and spirited version virtually identical to this Greatest Hits recording. They must’ve been fresh from the studio.

  • Hold Time M.Ward album cover
    Ick's Pick

    Ick’s Pick (Week VII): M. Ward’s ‘Hold Time’

    / February 18, 2009

    Awesome album cover.

    I came to know and instantly like M. Ward when I heard “Poison Cup” and “To Go Home,” the first 2 tracks off his 2006 album ‘Post-War’. Incredible atmosphere, and of course the unique, light sandpaper vocal of Matt Ward.

    Ward’s new album, ‘Hold Time’, is another foray into the cool, lo-fi, retro sound that marks his music. There’s something about his voice – something that instills a sense of another era, an AM radio vibe.

    There’s a handful of songs that have me clicking the back button:

    • “Never Had Nobody Like You” – Starting out with a Gary Glitter “Rock and Roll, Part 2” beat, and morphing into a “Spirit in the Sky” vibe, the tune features She & Him accomplice Zooey Deschanel.
    • “To Save Me” features background vocals by former Grandaddy vocalist Jason Lytle. The tune sounds like a Brian Wilson outtake from the early 70’s (to these ears).
    • “Stars of Leo” has one of the coolest transitions from guitar / vocals into full band I’ve ever heard (a minute and 30 seconds in).
    • A cool cover of “Rave On”, also with Zooey Deschannel sharing vocals.

    What isn’t clicking with me is a cover of Don Gibson’s “Oh Lonesome Me”, a duet with Lucinda Williams. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Lucinda, but the combination of her and Matt’s voice doesn’t work for me. While Zooey and Matt’s voice go together like a good PB & J, Lucinda and Matt are more like peanut butter and tuna. Maybe it’s just me, I don’t know. But rather than getting into the emotion of a slow and searing ballad, I think more of how their voices contrast with one another.

    All in all though, a fine album. NPR is still streaming the entire record, so go give it a listen.

    Buy Hold Time.

    Links: Official Site

  • Rock

    Lions in the Street

    / February 16, 2009

    It’s nice to know there’s a band out there that is dedicated to the balls-out dirty rock and blues of years past. Drawing on influences like the Stones, Allmans Brothers and Derek and the Dominos, Vancouver’s Lions in the Street know how to rock out.  Hearing this tune, I picture myself tearing through the driving rain, on my way to who knows where.

    Lions will be at SXSW next month. They also have a free mixtape EP available for download on their site, in anticipation of their first full length album later this year.

    Rock out.

    Lion in the Street – Walking Back To You (mp3)

    Links: Official Site | MySpace | SXSW Page

  • Lily Allen album cover
    BritPop,  Ick's Pick

    Ick’s Pick (Week VI): Lily Allen – ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’

    / February 11, 2009

    I decided to go mainstream, and feature young, pretty, n’ wild Lily Allen as my pick of the week. I’ve never owned a Lily album, and I couldn’t have named a Lily song before this week, but hot diggity ding dang, I am smitten with this cheeky lass!

    I knew I’d gone mainstream when I heard “The Fear” piping through my local gas station mini-mart today. One of those gas stations that features those window repair cretins that prowl the pumps and point out blemishes on your windshield. “Your insurance will pay for it. I can fix it for you in 5 minutes.”   “No thanks.”  [he chuckles condescendingly] “But your insurance will PAY FOR IT! Why don’t I just take care of it for you real qu-” *SMACK* upside the head. Okay that last part was made up. Sorry, I got sidetracked.

    Right. Lily Allen. My favorite off the album is a rip on her man that can’t perform between the ol’ sheets: “No Fair”. Quick tempo. Some sort of futuristic electro-hillbilly beat, with Lily’s biting lyrics hiding behind her sweet voice:

    Oh I lie here in the wet patch
    In the middle of the bed
    I’m feeling pretty damn hard done by
    I spent ages giving head
    Then I remember all the nice things that you ever said to me
    Maybe I’m just overreacting maybe you’re the one for me

    There’s just one thing that’s getting in the way
    When we go up to bed you’re just no good
    It’s such a shame
    I look into your eyes I want to get to know you
    And then you make this noise and it’s apparent it’s all over

    Other standout tunes for me: “Everyone’s At It”, “Never Gonna Happen”, and yes, “The Fear”.

    “Fuck You” is good novelty fare I guess. Starting off with the piano riff from the Carpenters “Close To You”, and leading to a sunny chorus that sings “Fuck You / Fuck you very very much…”. I guess it’s directed at the former U.S. Prez.

    Overall, I like the vibe of the album. Lily has a great voice  with that sexy Mockney accent. The production and instrumentation leans toward electro-pop, something I can enjoy. The fact that Lily Allen is 23 years old and can write catchy pop tunes that a 38 year old dude can enjoy is testament to her talent.

    But I’ll be damned if I’ll let my 2 young daughters near this album.

    Here’s my favorite – “Not Fair”…

  • Rock

    The Death of Satellite Radio At Hand?

    / February 11, 2009

    Ouch.

    A good day it was not for Sirius-XM. Bankruptcy rumors knocked 50% off the stock, which closed at – ehh – 6 cents.

    I’m starting to realize that as much as I love the technology and all I love about it: Howard Stern, E Street Radio, Backspin, Deep Tracks, Jam On, Classic Rewind, The Bridge, Outlaw Country – that the reality is it may not have much of a future.

    In the internet age, where SO MUCH is available in a few clicks, and the technology of free internet radio in the car not far away… well, how can they possibly convince more people to shell out $150 a year for satellite radio?

    I hope it sticks around, and as a shareholder, I hope there isn’t a bankruptcy (and that the stock slingshots back up), but I’m not holding much hope.

    Sirius XM drops 50% on reports of possible bankruptcy (CBS MarketWatch)

  • Country Rock,  Roots Rock

    New Raul Malo – Lucky One

    / February 10, 2009

    Former Mavericks frontman Raul Malo will be releasing his first album of original material in eight years on March 3rd. Lucky One was recorded over the last couple of years at Raul’s Nashville home. Co-producing several of the tracks is Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin.

    Here’s a free & clear mp3, courtesy of Fantasy Records, Raul’s new label. Seriously, I could listen to Raul Malo sing the phone book…

    Links: Pre-Order Lucky One on Amazon |Raul’s Official Site

  • McDowell Mountain Music Festival,  Rock

    Flaming Lips to headline day 2 of McDowell Mountain Music Festival

    / February 9, 2009

    It’s been a few days for me. My Ickmusic command center (aka my loft) is in the process of a makeover (hardwood floors), so the Mac has been moving hither and yonder and I’ve been busy doing man stuff. My neighbor Kevin is a jack of all trades, and he works for beer (for his next door neighbors). So thanks Kevin for showing me how it’s all done…

    So here’s some big news from Arizona’s coolest music festival, the McDowell Mountain Music Festival. They just announced the Flaming Lips as Saturday night’s headliner! Their past lineups have always been impressive, but have tended to lean more toward the jam scene and reggae, which I have no problem with at all. But with the announcement of the Flaming Lips, they’re clearly expanding into other territory that will bring in a wider audience, and give it more clout to pull in more impressive acts for years to come.

    I’ve heard great things about the Flaming Lips live show, so I can’t wait. Now I need to get a good primer on the their music, because I just checked my iTunes, and I only have three tunes: “In the Morning of the Magician” and “Do You Realize” from ‘Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots’, and “The Machine in India” off of ‘Zaireeka’. – – – Okay, well I just bought all of ‘Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots’. So Lips fans, where do I go next? What’s the essential album? Any good DVD’s I can Netflix?

    The Flaming Lips – “In the Morning of the Magician” – from Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

    McDowell Mountain Music Festival – 2009 (Web Site)

    Friday, April 24th

    Saturday, April 25th

  • Young Dubliners Saints and Sinners cover
    Ick's Pick,  Irish,  Prince,  Rock

    Ick’s Pick (Week V): Young Dubliners – ‘Saints and Sinners’

    / February 4, 2009

    90% of my ancestry points to Germany, but somewhere along the line, there must have been an Irishman in the mix. Or maybe from a past life. Whatever it is, I am drawn to the Emerald Isle’s offerings – especially where beer and music is concerned. Give me some Waterboys, some Chieftains, some Pogues, and a few pints of Guinness, and I’m a happy man.

    Young Dubliners have been putting forth their brand of Celtic rock and roll for over 20 years now, and their new album ‘Saints and Sinners‘ happily fills my appetite for great Irish-branded rock & roll. Co-founder Keith Roberts has been leading the Young Dubs since he moved over to the states and formed the Young Dubs in 1988. They made their mark at the Irish Rover pub in Santa Monica, California. If you were listening to AAA radio back in the early 90’s, you may remember their most popular tune, “Last House on the Street” (a great song that I canNOT seem to find anywhere online, anyone?).

    But that was then, and this is now. ‘Saints & Sinners’ isn’t just a collection of predictable Celtic sounds. It’s an eclectic mix of well written tunes. It’s got great pop hooks (“Buy You a Life”), heart-wrenching ballads (“(I Don’t Think I’ll) Love Anymore”), an instrumental rocker featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd on blistering guitar (“Saoirse”), and some straight-ahead get off your ass and party anthems on the the first trio of tunes on the album (“Saints and Sinners”, “Howaya Girls”, and “Rosie”). “My Town” surprised me too in its positive outlook on these tough economic times. The lyrics about never giving up and getting back up when you’re down sound a little cliche and corny at face value, but Keith and his band make it work. I’m drawn to those songwriters who write about those who experience despair and tough times in life, but keep a hopeful and positive spirit, and know there’s a better day coming (read: Bruce Springsteen). That’s who I am, after all.

    Young Dubliners are road dogs, spending about 200 days on the road a year. Reports are that they’re a great live band to see. Hearing some of the songs on ‘Saints and Sinners‘ has me pumped to hear ’em live. If you’re here with me in Arizona, you can catch them April 25th at the McDowell Mountain Music Festival. They have the 1:30pm slot, which is way too early for these guys in my opinion, but I’ll take it.