The Features - Wilderness (2011)

Simply put, The Features’ Wilderness is a fantastic rock n’ roll album. One of the best that I’ve heard all year. The standout single "Rambo" kicks off with cinematic humming before launching into a charging rhythm and swirling keyboard, the song marching forward over the cries of singer Matt Pelham. The darker “Kids” rides a 70s metal bass line and kick drum through a cloud of heavy riffs. The album is solid from start to finish, subtly shifting from psychedelic pop to prog to garage rock, often multiple times within a song. If it wasn’t clear from the album’s diverse (if classic) influences, the sweet and steady “Fats Domino” is the ballad for a record collector: “You can have everything, except my rock n’ roll, my love / Put down Fats Domino.” It’s right up there with Ryan Adam’s “Come Pick Me Up” in terms of capturing the state of a relationship relative to a mans’ vinyl.

You can bet I'll be there when they play at Bunk Bar on September 17th.

The Kills - Blood Pressures (2011)

The Kills' status amongst Coachella regulars is a testament to their wide and lasting appeal, with their position in the lineup consistently rising in the three years they have performed. In their latest evolution, The Kills continue their characteristic vocal interplay with Mosshart leading and Hince supporting that has made them so appealing, balancing just the right amount of distortion and vocal coarseness to keep their sound rough around the edges. Blood Pressures has less frills, with riffs pared-down for powerful deliveries. The heavier sound is heard in the reggae strumming and low vocals of "Satellite". Though I hate it when my favorite track is the first because it always seems like I'm being set up to be disappointed, I have to say that "Future Starts Slow" is my favorite track with it's intense driving beat and piercing guitar. "DNA" particularly highlights Mosshart's seductive vocals, while "Heart is a beating drum" and "Nail in My Coffin" live up to their names. The second half of the album does not have the same energy, perhaps because it is hard to maintain the same intensity throughout, but the final track "Pots and Pans" provides an interesting close- transitioning into a repetitive but soothing trance.
The Kills - DNA - Blood Pressure - Free MP3 Link by smokincharliebrown

The Biters - All Chewed Up (2011)

The Biters are back with another EP packed with power pop and classic punk. They pretty much stick with the formula that made their last two EPs must haves for fans of snotty vocals and fist pumping choruses. "Born To Cry" (mp3) mixes meaty drums and classic rock riffs with a peppering of enthusiastic whoa-oh-ohs and lyrics romanticizing the glitter in the gutter. "Hold On" stands out by injecting a punk strut with a fantastic chorus built around a tight and soaring keyboard. While obviously indebted to the past, pulling bits from the Buzzcocks, T.Rex, and even the Who, the Biters' combination of passion and hooks make the otherwise familiar sound their own. Plus, practically every song is catchy enough to be a single.

They'll be playing with label mates and fellow garage rockers The Booze at the East End on Friday April 1st. Add plenty of cheap beer and you have a perfect Friday night... and probably a pretty hazing Saturday morning.

U.S. Royalty - Mirrors (2011)

Occasionally, the quality of an entire album can be overshadowed by a single, excellent track. “Equestrian” (mp3) is the kind of song that can have that dominating presence — it’s that good — however, the rest of the tracks off of Mirrors hold their own and make up one hell of a rocking album. At times, such as on the laid back, summary “Vacation, Vacation,” the D.C. based, indie folk rock outfit sounds like a harder rocking, less delicate Fleet Foxes, while tracks like “Monte Carlo” (mp3) infuses 70s classic rock harmonies and vibe that echos of Fleetwood Mac, minus the female vocals. It is also hard not to love the soft falsetto chorus on “Fool To Love (Like I Do)” and they way the plugged in "Hollywood Hollows" slinks and struts, its cheery chorus contrasting with the darker riffs. Good stuff.

Pick up this awesome album on January 25.

Free Energy & Hollerado @ Doug Fir

Last time I saw Free Energy, girls were stage diving at the Doug Fir during MusicfestNW. It was going to be hard to live up to that performance, but I think the band gets tighter every time I see them. They know how to work a crowd and their fans eat up feel good sing-along rockers like "Dream City" and "Bang Pop" I really cannot hear  "Hope Child" too many times.

Fellow Phillies, Hollerado  opened. They approach rock n' roll with a similar good-timing attitude, as apparent on "Do the Doot Da Doot Do" or on "Americana", with a video that gives OK GO a run for the money:

MFNW Saturday Preview - Japandroids, Free Energy, & Jeff The

No venue hopping tonight. The line up at the Doug Fir on Saturday couldn't have been better if I curated it myself. In fact, I am going to pretend I did. I am now dubbing it the Totally Unofficial QuickCrit Rock n' Roll Showcase!!! Hell yeah! I'm getting drunk just thinking about it.

Saturday, September 11th

Jeff The Brotherhood @ Doug Fir (10 PM)
These two guys make hilariously lo-fi videos. The songs are simple, the lyrics indiscernible, and the guitar distorted and awesome.

Free Energy @ Doug Fir (11 PM)
A serious contender for my most loved and certainly loudest played album this year. It captures a hedonistic innocence that just feels like summer.

Japandroids @ Doug Fir (12 AM)
Last time I saw them on of their amps caught on fire! No joke. Their album made our Best of 2009 list. If you like scuzzy, hook-filled indie rock, you can't miss it.

FREE ENERGY "Bang Pop" from Free Energy on Vimeo.

Free Energy - Stuck On Nothin' (2010)

When one of Free Energy's songs randomly comes up on shuffle I immediately smile, turn it up, and try to rate it higher than I already have. That is probably close to the definition of a "feel good hit". These songs stand out from the rest of the classic rock cribbing crowd in part because the band allows the songs room to breathe, preferring to strut rather than sprint. The solos are restrained and administered sparsely. "Dream City" kicks off with a T.Rex groove before down shifting to almost a ballad, even incorporating a little E Street saxophone at the end. I've loved the summer anthems "Hope Child" and "Free Energy" since when I first heard them last year, but the charging "Light Love" and the simple and catchy "Bang Pop" aren't far behind.

The Shaky Hands - Let It Die (2009)

The Shaky Hands' Let It Die is full of meaty rockers, continuing the Portland band's progression from indie folk towards classic rock started on Lunglight. While Nicholas Delffs' strained nasal voice gives the songs urgency, the guitars propel them forward with a mix of comfortable strums and powerful riffs. This music is meant to be played and heard live, although the songs sound pretty good on the album too. I like how on "Slip Away" the beat stutters while the vocals swagger until finally the guitar is let loose. "Allison And The Ancient Eyes" (mp3) rolls along, riding cymbals and hand claps, while Delffs spills regrets. The chugging buzz on the title track should satisfy Kings of Leon fans. "Love Curse" starts slow, but builds up into a pounding finale. Overall, it's a solid album of barroom rock n' roll.

Free Energy - "Free Energy" Video

I've been jamming to "Free Energy" and "Dream City" all summer. If you like good times and classic rock n' roll you should check them out.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Up from Below (2009)

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros are a neo-hippie band started by one of the guys from Ima Robot. Apparently they tour around in a big old bus and have wild celebratory live shows. The songs from Up from Below fit perfectly with that image. On songs like "Carries On" they sound like Hot August Nights era Neil Diamond, while "Home" adds the Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood-style vocals to an atmospheric Hang Em High soundtrack. Spanish lyrics coupled with mariachi horns and manly grunts turn "Kisses Over Babylon" into a great opening sequence to an epic Western. The coda on "I Come In Please" references "Sympathy For The Devil". There a couple acoustic folk songs sprinkled throughout which diversify the album, but don't add much else. Overall, the mood is laid back and retro, spacey and fun.

The video to "Desert Song" is too weird not to share.

Top 5 Sam Roberts Songs

Tonight at Berbati's Pan, I finally get to see Sam Roberts, four years after I picked up We Were Born In A Flame and instantly became a huge fan. Although I like about 90% of his songs, I'll try and narrow it down to just my top 5.

"End Of The Empire"
"Start a little fire in your best attire / You can blame the gin for the mess you're in"

"The Gate"
The best song off my third favorite album. Still a tough choice.

"Where Have All the Good People Gone?"
This is one of those songs I find myself singing along a little louder than I intended, or than my wife appreciates, especially when I'm wearing headphones.

"Love At The End Of The World"
The title and lead song from his newest album and worthy of its status.

"Don't Walk Away Eileen"
Probably the first song of his I heard, and it is still my favorite.

New York Rifles - Make A Wish (2009)

Packed with song after song of top notch rootsy garage rock, classic punk, and power pop, it's hard to imagine New York Rifles' new album, Make A Wish, won't be near the top of my favorite Portland albums this year. It's just too damn catchy and fun. The album kicks off with the rhythmic call and response of "Rails", which reminds me a bit of the Bogg's "Arm In Arm", a favorite of mine from 2007. Then they switch gears, launching into the fuzzed-out "Make A Wish" and the bashing cymbals and fist pumping lyrics of "Rubber Side Down". After that, it never slows down, filling out the songs with plenty of yelps, clapping, and simple guitar riffs. The lyrics are full of sex and anger, and lead singer Scott Young's delivery is spirited and snotty. At times it recalls the Clash, Buzzcocks, or even Portland's own tragic Exploding Hearts.

Lissy Trullie - Self-Taught Learner (2009)

I'll admit that the album art caught my attention first, but her music kept me interested. Similar to the Strokes, Lissy Trullie possesses a cool world weary demeanor and mines and updates the pop in 1970's NYC punk rock. The songs are mostly just her attitude over a strummed guitar, some minimal riffs, and the coo's of backup singers, but it works, striking a balance between reserved and urgent. "Boy Boy" and "Forget About It" are probably the catchiest, but the whole EP is pretty solid. Oh, and it includes her take on Hot Chip's "Ready For The Floor". Cool.

Death On Two Wheels - 3 Song Sampler (2008)

I came across Death On Two Wheels' free EP after reading a review of their album Separation of Church & Fate in Paste. All three songs are pretty fantastic if you like gritty and amped up classic rock n' roll. "Calling Us All Back Home" is my favorite, with it's throbbing chords and 70's rock chorus. I need to head on over to the record store and see if I can pick up the rest of the album.

Los Lonely Boys - Forgiven (2008)

PBS music documentaries absolutely rule. I don't care if you think I'm a square, cause’ they do. With that said, late night channel surfing, I stopped on a documentary featuring Texas Rock bands. Most of it was on my rock hero Stevie Ray Vaughan, which initially stopped my surfing, but it was the band of three brothers from South Texas, Los Lonely Boys, that made me stay. Henry, JoJo, and Ringo are the three sons of a share cropper/part time cotton picker and apparently, the voice of the Chicano rock scene right now. Their newest release, "Forgiven" is an absolute gem. The brothers worked with producer Steve Jordan who has worked with John Mayer and Herbie Hancock previous, which I feel really helped to solidify all the tracks and make a solid record as a whole. They have chill, laid back, melodic vocals that pick up just at the right time, with heavy bluesy guitar riffs, and man can Henry play. They aren't the most super innovative, in fact, they have a very 12- Bar, traditional, 70s style rock feel, but they are fucking good at it. It's hard to explain, but I got a similar sense of satisfaction witnessing Barry Bonds spit on fastball a 1/4" off the plate, then hit a rod to the opposite field gap on the very next pitch. There's just nothing quite like watching a master craftsman doing what they do best. Wow, what's my word count, I think I am giving Mona a run for her money (j/k), anywho, the title tracks are awesome "Lovin You Always" and "Superman". I was also very excited to see they had done a remake of Chicago's "I'm A Man" because first, I love that song, second because I thought they sounded very similar when I first saw them on T.V. My personal favorites are, "You Can't See the Light" and "Heart Won't Tell a Lie". This may be premature, but "Forgiven" gets my vote for album of the year, and by now, I am sure my neighbors all know the lyrics by heart* as you cannot play this shit loud enough.


*No complaints as of yet, which is a hallmark sign of a kick ass band

Never Mind the Pollacks: A Rock and Roll Novel (2004)

More rock fiction! I think as a general rule satires are hit and miss. Neal Pollack does a decent job at skewering rock critics and rock mythology, but sometimes it reminds me a little too much of Forrest Gump, as the main character (a fictional Neal Pollack) influences the careers of Elvis, Dylan, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, and Kurt Cobain. At its worst it reminds me of one of those Not Another (Teen/Scary/Date/Superhero) Movies where all the clichés, jokes and riffs are smashed up together in more or less a jumbled mess. But just as with Forrest Gump, sometimes it's fun to imagine the little behind-the-scenes moments surrounding historical (and musical) events.

Sam Roberts - Love At The End Of The World (2008)

I've been a fan of Sam Roberts' melodic 70's rock ever since finding his first album in the dollar bin a couple years ago. It's not edgy or complicated, but it's perfect for road trips or when I wish I was on one. Like a Canadian Ocean Colour Scene, Roberts mines classic rock radio for feel good rock 'n roll. It's familiar, comfortable, and satisfiying. He wouldn't be able to pull it off if he didn't write good songs with catchy hooks, singalong choruses and chugging guitar riffs. Even when he plugs in and rips out a couple power chords, he never loses his warm pop sound. While neither this or his previous follow up have reached the same highs as We Were Born In a Flame it's still a solid album and worth picking up. Check out "End Of The Empire", "Them Kids" and "Stripmall Religion" for a quick taste.