Archive for August, 2009

Monsters of Folk (MOF) is due to release their new LP on September 22.  In lead up to this release, they have released 3 exceptional singles.  The music incorporates Folk (duh), Rock and Electronic elements.  Outstanding stuff.  No way I am missing their stop at the Orpheum in Phoenix.

Dear God was my immediate favorite of the bunch as I am a huge My Morning Jacket fan.  I am not sure there is a better vocal stylist out there to match the falsetto of Jim James.   The song comes strong with a funky bass line and has a Radiohead quality to it.  James finishes the song off with his ghostly pipes flying off into the distance.  Liquid Gold!!!

The Sandman, the Brakeman and Me is a whimsical folk ballad that you can picture as the soundtrack to a children’s book about a train that the sandman rides while delivering dreams to little boys and girls.  Sound rediculous?  Listen to the track and you will see what I mean.  Another killer cut that I would consider a “lullaby for adults”.   Both cuts are great and make sure you pick up the entire LP on the 22nd as I am sure it is going to be amazing.

Listen: Monsters of Folk – The Sandman, the Brakeman and Me

Listen: Monsters of Folk – Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)

Author: Coach

There is literally no time to post all of the good music out there and what makes it most difficult is cutbucket is a blog that aims to have something for everyone.  We try and leave no genre untouched.

This latest effort by Doves seems to be a perfect fit for cutbucket as it will  likely appeal to folks with all sorts of musical tastes.  These cuts I have posted from the Kingdom of Rust album include the title track of the same name.  Kingdom of Rust pulls in country, indie, folk and alternative influences with its twangy guitars, flowing strings, hollowing reverb and diving synths.  Think of it as Coldplay meets Chris Isaak.

Jetstream is a perfect title for the other cut.  It builds up to the exactly halfway point of the song (somewhere around the 2:40 mark) and takes off as if the song was exploding into the sky and then soaring to wherever your imagination goes when you close your eyes.  The reveb and synths will grab you and take you for a ride if you let them.

Listen: Doves – Kingdom of Rust

Listen: Doves – Jetstream

Author: coach

Chuck Berry is HANDS DOWN the King!!!  When it comes to Rock and Roll, very few have come close to his influence on rock.  It is hard to believe that it was August 1, 1955 when “Maybellene” reached #5 on Billboard’s Best Sellers chart and topped the R&B chart for eleven weeks.

That means Chuck has rocked us for over 54 Years!!!! Unbelievable when you think about it.  And to this day, Maybellene will rock you just as hard as it rocked grandma and grandpa (actually it kicked their ass hard).

Below are a few of my favorite Chuck Berry cuts that don’t generally show up in the typical “best of” rotation.   Every music lover should have Chuck Berry: The Chess Box (Box Set) in their collection.   It will keep you up and rocking all night.

Listen: Chuck Berry – Tulane

Listen: Chuck Berry – Woodpecker

Author: Coach

I admit that I am not a HUGE fan of Wilco, but I do respect the hell out of them and love many of their cuts, thus I am a fan. What I do love about them is this; they stay true to Wilco and their fans and pump out strong albums on a consistent basis.

One gem on their great new self titled album is Bull Black Nova. This cut will lull you into a guitar piano pulse that spins beautifully out of control reminiscent of the great 70’s psychedelic sound. Of course I could say the late 2000’s psychedelic sound.  Great cut for the ol’ headphones.

Listen: Wilco – Bull Black Nova

Author: Coach

Pearl Jam performed and recorded a live show at Benaroya Hall in Seattle in 2003 (The Hall where the Seattle Symphony performs).  For the most part, the live CD was never distributed on a wide scale.  Many of the songs they performed that night were somewhat obscure and average as far as live CD’s go.  Of course, if you were there that night, it may have well been the best live show of all time…. I digress.

One song in particular was out of this world.  Most mainstream Pearl Jam fans will recognize and likely will be able to sing along to “Black”.  It is by far one of their most mellow and comfortable cuts of their catalog…. So back to the show.  This live recording is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!!  In fact it may be ONE OF THE BEST LIVE SONGS I HAVE EVER HEARD.

At the 4:00 minute mark of this song it turns into pure magic.  The crowd sings the chorus which leads into an amazing guitar solo that mellows into a piano riff that every music fan should know very well.  Close your eyes and listen.  If this song doesn’t give you goosebumps you need to check your pulse.

Listen: Pearl Jam (Live at Benaroya Hall) – Black

Author: Coach

I am a HUGE fan of MGMT as are many of you.  They dialed in the new psychedelic sound that is everywhere these days.  Most of you out there are fans of “Time To Pretend” and “Electric Feel” (if you are not, you need to pull your head out the hole you have been keeping it in for the last 2 years).  I want to share what I consider their 4th best song on their groundbreaking album, “Weekend Wars”.  Retro-freak-show all the way.  It never got the radio/blog play that it deserved.  Hope you love it as I Love it!

Listen: MGMT – Weekend Wars

Author: Coach

Do you ever wonder how Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus became so popular?  I do, every minute of every day (I am seriously crazy).  You can’t spell Miley without L-I-E .  Well guess what, your lie has been exposed, you suck….

Take a listen to a teenager with some real talent who is breaking into the country-bluegrass scene, Sarah Jarosz.  Sarah has a hollowing voice that evokes ghosts of the true West.  She does an incredible cover or the Decemberist’s song, “Shankill Butchers”, which is vibrant with texture and feeling.  Her voice and style is far beyond her years.  There is no “lie” in Sarah Jarosz, she is a true talent.

Listen: Sarah Jarosz – Tell Me True

Listen: Sarah Jarosz – Shankill Butchers

Author: Coach

Are you going out this weekend?  Well if you want a song that mixes hip-hop and electro with a seriously “Awesome” grinding beat and deep bass kick, this cut will make you want to drink vodka with your favorite mixer till 3 in the mo’nin.  Holla back now!

Listen: The Bloody Beetroots & The Cool Kids – Awesome (feat. The Cool Kids)

Author: Coach

I hope that title made sense.  I have made it known that I am not a big fan of The Killers.  I don’t know if I am just put off by music that is repeated repeatedly on the radio to a point I want to jam toothpicks in my ears or if I am just a “rebel” (I wish I was).  Anyhoo.  White Lies sounds like a raw combination of The Killers and Franz Ferdinand without trying to conform to pop-alternative boundaries.  With lyrics like, “now burn your parents in the fireplace”, a rebel like me can now enjoy The Killers if they were, in fact, killers.

Make sure you check out the last 50 seconds of “Death”.  Awesome 1983 Cars guitar licks.  Enjoy.

Listen: White Lies – To Lose My Life

Listen: White Lies – Taxidermy

Listen: White Lies – Death

Author: Coach

First off, sorry for the long delay on the posts.  Ivy Simone created a little speed bump to my posting rhythm.  Love ya Ives!

“Heart it Races” is a great cut laid down by a total sleeper band, Architecture In Helsinki.  The original track by Architecture In Helsinki has an M.I.A/Santagold’esqu drum beat with an killer steel drum riff that resurfaces throughout the song.  As you digest it for the second and third time it really grows on you.  I am not sure how I missed this song back in 2007.  That is the joy of great music, there is always a killer cut out there that you have yet to discover.

The best part of discovering this cut may be the remake version released on an “Heart it Races” EP which is performed by one of my favorite bands, Dr Dog.  Dr Dog is on my cutbucket.com “yet to be posted bands” list.  Their version of “Heart it Races” outshines the original in my opinion.  Take a listen to both and let me know what you think.

Listen: Heart It Races – Architecture In Helsinki

Listen: Heart It Races (As Played By Dr Dog) – Dr Dog

Author: Coach