2008 Highlights...Show # 229

This week my show was comprised of releases from 2008. While I did play some music that technically isn't a new release (Buzzcocks - A Different Kind of Tension Special Edition, Undertones Anthology, and The Kinks Picture Book Box Set), they were released in 2008, but did not qualify for my top eight of 2008 list. The Following are my favourite releases from 2008:

1. Sloan - Parallel Play



This was Sloan's ninth album. Despite having so many releases, every new Sloan album never seems to disappoint. After last years 30 song Never Hear the End of it, Parallel Play cuts down the track list to just 13 songs. As usual each band member contributes their own material. Each band member (Patrick Pentland, Chris Murphy, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott) have three songs on the album, with the exception of drummer Andrew Scott who has four songs to contribute. The album is strong and shows off Sloan's different style of pop. It is an excellent release from one Canada's finest exports, Sloan.


Favourite Tracks:

Down in the Basement
Believe in Me
Witches Wand
I'm Not A Kid Anymore

2. The Clash - Live At Shea Stadium

Live At Shea Stadium was actually recorded in 1982, but not released in full until 2008. These live recordings were originally discovered towards the end of the year 2000 by Joe Strummer, but instead of releasing the full concert at that time the band released a live compilation album titled From Here to Eternity. This show would also feature original Clash drummer Terry Chimes on drums. The album shows The Clash playing an interesting mix of material.




Favourite Tracks:

Police On My Back
Tommy Gun
I Fought the Law
London Calling

3. Luger Boa - Mutate or Die!



Released in November of 2008, Luger Boa was formed by Jimmy Christmas previously of the New Zealand garage rock band, The D4. This album contains great rock songs, and was heavily influenced by T-Rex and David Bowie. Mutate or Die! has songs such as "1000 Hooks", "Only A Moment Away", and "What is Real?" brings energy and excitement back to the world of rock music. Expect to hear more from them not only on upcoming radio shows, but also on this blog.





Favourite Tracks:

1000 Hooks
Only A Moment Away
What is Real?
Humans Rule
Mutate or Die!

4. Young Rival EP



Formerly known as Ride Theory, Young Rival released their first EP containing music under their new band name. The Hamilton Ontario based band, shows off their influenced of 60s rock and hooks you with their catchy basslines and lyrics. While the EP only contains six songs, it leaves you wanting to hear more. An excellent release by and excellent Canadian band.




Favourite Tracks:

Another Nobody
Too Hip
The Haunt
Your Island

5. Elvis Costello & The Imposters - Momofuku



Originally released only on vinyl and for digital download, Momofuku was so in demand it had to be released on CD format. The album shows Elvis Costello & The Imposters rocking out and in different styles. The album, which was recorded in eight days sounds like an album from the days of Elvis Costello & The Attractions. After so many releases by Costello with other artists/collaborators, Momofuku is back to basics, simple, and enjoyable to listen to.




Favourite Tracks:

Go Away
American Gangster Time
Stella Hurt
No Hiding Place


6. Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely



Consolers of The Lonely was the follow up to Raconteurs first album Broken Boy Soldiers. This album takes the band in a different direction, having more of a hard rock influence and less of a 60s pop influence. Consolers of the Lonely shows Brandon Benson stepping up as a song writer within the group and Jack White stepping into Bob Dylan territory on the song "Carolina Drama". On this album The Raconteurs move forward as a more cohesive unit.




Favourite Tracks:

Consoler of the Lonely
Attention
Carolina Dram
Many Shades of Black


7. Dirty Pretty Things - Romance At Short Notice



The second and unfortunately final album by The Dirty Pretty Things was titled Romance At Short Notice. while Waterloo To Anywhere, the bands first album was a punk fuelled album, Romance At Short Notice adds more depth to the bands sound. Carl Barat and crew bring in influences of pop, expanding the bands sound and capacity as a unique British group.





Favourite Tracks:

Plastic Hearts
Hippy's Son
Tired of England
Best Face

8. Supergrass - Diamond Hoo Ha

Recorded in Berlin, where David Bowie recorded some of his work, Diamond Hoo Ha is the sixth album by British rock group Supergrass. The album was also produced by Nick Launay, who has previously worked with groups such as Public Image Limited, Gang of Four, and Nick Cave. The album is seen as a return to a more traditional Supergrass style. The bands previous album Road To Rouen, was more experimental. The band has also finished their contract with EMI records and plan to record and release music independently.




Favourite Tracks:

Bad Blood
Diamond Hoo Ha Man
Rebel in You
345

Other good releases from 2008 included David Bowie - Live in Santa Monica '72. This live album which features The Spiders From Mars as Bowie's backing band, existed as a bootleg for years, finally it got a proper release in 2008. Mudhoney released The Lucky Ones, which was a return to the old fashioned dirty Mudhoney style, The Subways also released their second album All or Nothing. Last and not least, The Kinks released the Picture Book box set. This set is a six disc set compiling well known Kinks songs, with outtakes, demos, and previously out of print hard to find material.

Play List:

1. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Today's Lesson
2. David Bowie - Queen Bitch (Live at Santa Monica 72)
3. The Pack AD - Build
4. Stolen Minks - Peppy Twist
5. Mudhoney - New Meaning
6. The Subways - Obsession
7. The Bicycles - Oh no, it's love
8. Caesars - In My Mind
9. Bloc Party - Halo
10. XX Teens - B-54
11. Wire - Are You Ready?
12. Albert Hammond Jr. - G Up
13. Golden Hands Before God - The Ladder
14. Teenage Head with Marky Ramone - You're the One I'm Crazy For
15. The Kinks - Don't Ever Change
16. Buzzcocks - Everybody's Happy Nowadays
17. Undertones - Nine Times Out of Ten (Demo)
18. Supergrass - Bad Blood
19. Dirty Pretty Things - Kicks or Consumption
20. Raconteurs - Five On the Five
21. Elvis Costello & The Imposters - American Gangster Time
22. Young Rival - Your Island
23. Luger Boa - 1000 Hooks
24. The Clash - Career Opportunities (Live at Shea Stadium)
25. Sloan - Too Many


To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on December 30th, 2008.

Wondering...The Dirty Pretty Things Story and Show # 218

In September of 2005 Carl Barat (former guitarist/singer/song writer in the UK band The Libertines) formed the group known as Dirty Pretty Things. Signing to a UK label (Vertigo Records) Barat assembled a band with Gary Powell (ex-Libertines drummer) on drums, Anthony Rossamando on guitar (who was a fill-in for ex-Libertine Pete Doherty on some of the bands last tour dates), and Didz Hammond on bass (he left the group Cooper Temple Clause to join). Originally Barat's new group went by the name The Bearded Clam Lovers Experience, but changed names to Dirty Pretty Things. In October of 2005 Dirty Pretty Things began playing live gigs in France and Italy. The bands sound was not like the Libertines, it had much more of a punk edge/influence.

The band then entered a studio in Los Angeles, California with producer Dave Sardy to begin recording material; They also recorded material with producer Tony Doogan in Glasgow, Scotland. The first evidence of DPT material was the song "You Fucking Love It". The song was made available on a CD that came with the UK magazine NME in April of 2006. The song itself was a fast-paced raging punk song. Shortly after in April, DPT released their first official single "Bang Bang You're Dead". The song begins with a trumpet intro and then launches into dirty guitar riffs and travelling basslines. Initially people thought that because of the lyrics that this song was about former Libertine Pete Doherty, but this was later proven wrong by Carl Barat in an interview; It went to #4 on the UK singles charts. The album itself came out in May of 2006 in the UK and did very well on the British album charts reaching #3; It was titled Waterloo To Anywhere.


The album contained twelve tracks. It starts of with the song "Deadwood", which would also be the bands second single; It reached #20 on the UK singles charts. Other great tracks included "Blood Thirsty Bastards", "Doctors and Dealers", "Gin & Milk", "The Gentry Cove", and "Last of The Small Town Playboys". One of my favourite tracks is the song "Enemy". The song itself is dominated by chunky basslines in the verses and in the choruses the guitars come in roaring with energy. It also contains the brilliant lyric "Isn't it time you washed your face/It looks like a burnt out fireplace", while the chorus states that "The enemy as I know it is right inside my head". Lyrically the album is dark and witty, while the music blares with the energy of 70's British punk. Waterloo To Anywhere was released in the US in August of 2006; It charted at #200 on the US albums charts. The third single from the album was the song "Wondering"; It went to #34 on the UK singles charts.

The band toured intensively behind this album playing the South By Southwest Festival, Isle of Wight Festival, and T in the Park to name a few. They also toured with the likes of Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Hurricanes, and The Paddingtons. In the summer of 2006, Barat broke his collarbone due to a fall from a motorbike. To continue touring Barat put his arm in a sling and got Paddingtons guitarist Josh Hubbard to play his guitar parts, while Barat sang. A DVD release came next in October of 2006. Puffing on A Coffin Nail which was a live performance plus documentaries of the band and bonus live material. In September of 2007, DPT contributed the song "Radio Song" for the film soundtrack Run Fatboy Run. The song was a more pop influenced track that came off sounding heavily Clash influenced. They also contributed the acoustic-dreary song "9 Lives" to the Love Music Hate Racism compilation.

In June of 2008 Romance At Short Notice, Dirty Pretty Things second full length album was released in the UK. The title of the album is believed to be a reference from the short story The Open Window by British writer Saki. Originally the album was rumoured to be titled This is Where the Truth Begins. The first single from the album was the nostalgic pop song "Tired of England". The song itself is said to have a chorus similar to the Smiths song "Panic"; It went to #54 on the UK album charts. The album reached #35 on the UK album charts. Despite the fact that the album did not do as well chart wise in the UK as did Waterloo To Anywhere in no way takes away from the quality of DPT's second album. It is uniquely crafted album mixing styles of British Pop, Garage Rock, Mod and 70's Punk; It sounds heavily influenced by early Pink Floyd in my opinion. It starts off with the song "Buzzards and the Crows" which is twisting rock song that sounds like it is being played at a carnival. "Hippy's Son" comes next it is a heavy dragging rock song. Other great rockers include "Kicks Or Consumption", and "Best Face". The album isn't all rock, it also features songs such as "Plastic Hearts" one of the catchiest songs every written by DPT. Acoustic numbers such as "Come Closer", "The North" (written with and featuring vocals from guitarist Rossamando, and bassist Hammond), "Truth Begins" and "Blood on My Shoes". Currently Romance At Short Notice is not available in the US and it is unlikely that it will be.


On October 1st, 2008 Dirty Pretty Things announced that after their current tour commitments, they would be splitting up. The statement was as follows on the bands official website:

It is with some sadness we announce the farewell of the Dirty Pretty Things. It's been a glorious three years which we all would gladly live out again, but it is time for us to try new things. (not The Libertines). We are reluctant to give up touring but will give the last waltz everything. We have and are determined to go out as we came in, after which we all have other ventures to be getting on with and splendid future plans. Heartfelt thanks to all who made it what it was, much love and we'll see you on the road.

While Dirty Pretty Things seem to be ending I urge you all to check out the two albums that they have released. They were an interesting British rock band. While some critics and fans refuse to let Carl free from the shackles of his days with the Libertines, he has provided the world with music (in my opinion) that is just as interesting, exciting, and amazing as his previous efforts.

For more information on the band you can visit:

Dirty Pretty Things Official Website
Dirty Pretty Things Myspace Page

This Week's Play List:

1. Dirty Pretty Things - Buzzards & Crows
2. Dirty Pretty Things - The Weekenders
3. Dirty Pretty Things - 9 Lives
4. Dirty Pretty Things - The Enemy
5. Pastels - Ditch the Fool
6. Pavement - Date With Ikea
7. Arctic Monkeys - From the Ritz to the Rubble
8. Franz Ferdinand - Shopping For Blood
9. The Rapture - Coming of Spring
10. Radio 4 - Caroline
11. Slander - Peticoat Junction
12. Gentlemen of Horror - Overhead Projector
13. The Smugglers - Luau!
14. The Cinch - She's Cracked
15. Guided By Voices - Teenage FBI
16. The Libertines - Last Post On The Bugle
17. Marble Index - I Believe
18. Young Rival - Another Nobody
19. The Nines - Take What You Want
20. The Subways - All or Nothing
21. Raconteurs - Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)(Live Austin City Limits)
22. The D4 - Baby in a Box (John Peel Session)
23. Sloan - Ana Lucia
24. Supergrass - Rush Hour Soul

To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on October 14th, 2008.

Dirty Pretty Videos:

You Fucking Love It
Bang Bang You're Dead
Deadwood
Wondering
Tired of England
Gentry Cove (Live Jools Holland)
Plastic Hearts (Live At the Wireless 2008)
Bang Bang You're Dead (Live on Letterman)
The Enemy (Live)

As a bonus I found this wonderful mini-concert The Raconteurs did in September that is really cool.

The Raconteurs - Live Austin City Limits September 17, 2006:

1. Level
2. Together
3. Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)
4. Blue Veins
5. Headin' For the Texas Border

Steady, As They Go...The Raconteurs Story and Show # 189

The Raconteurs were formed in 2005 by Jack White and Brendan Benson in Detroit. Being friends White assisted Benson in a song that he was working on. The song would be known as "Steady, As She Goes". White and Benson recruited fellow musicians Jack Lawrence (Bass), and Patrick Keeler (drums); They are both from a band called The Greenhornes. White would become a vocalist, guitarist and Benson would be a vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist. Since various members were already involved in other groups Jack White being in the White Stripes, Brendan Benson a solo artist, and Lawrence and Keeler in the Greenhornes, the band would record whenever they had the time to do so. The band would record their first album, which would be called Broken boy Soldiers over the course of the year of 2005 in Brendan Benson's East Grand Studio.

The band first released the single "Steady, As She Goes" with "Store Bought Bones" as the B-side on vinyl in January of 2006; It was released on CD in April of 2006. The band then unleashed Broken Boy Soldier onto the world in May of 2006. The album debuted at #7 on the US Charts and #2 in the UK. The album was not like a White Stripes album, which I'm sure some Jack White fans were expecting. Instead it was a mix of 60's rock and pop, that came off sounding like a classic rock album, it has the feel of Led Zeppelin III, but elements from so many other bands such as The Beatles (Rubber Soul-era/Revolver), The Rolling Stones (Aftermath), and The Kinks. The album mixed together the styles of Jack White and Brendan Benson, which created a unique and interesting record.

The album starts off with the bands first single and the song that brought the band together "Steady, As She Goes". A short stop and go song with roaring choruses. "Hands" is the next track. It is a song with heavy ringing rock chords, melodies, and a pop chorus sung by Mr. Brendan Benson. The title track "Broken Boy Soldier" sounds just as the title describes broken, the song sounds like something off of a Led Zeppelin album, it has a strange eerie vibe while Jack White howls over the strange descending chords. "Level" is another interesting song, it has loud choruses featuring odd sounding keyboards during the verses. "Store Bought Bones" is a jagged rocker, that actually started out as an outtake from the White Stripes album Get Behind Me Satan. "Yellow Sun" is a 60's style pop song sung by Benson. "Call it a Day" is another slow, but catchy Benson sung number that drags and scrapes its way through your head with slow verses and heavy attacking choruses. The album ends with "Blue Veins" a song featuring backwards guitar effects ala-The Beatles, while the song is a slow and blues drenched. The album is a short ten track album, that has qualities of, as mentioned earlier classic rock.

The bands second album Consolers of the Lonely was released everywhere in all formats (download, CD, Vinyl) on March 25th, 2008. Prior to the release of the album, the band released a press statement out of the blue that the album would be released to everyone on March 25th, 2008 so that everyone could get the album as quickly as possible. Some have compared this move similar to what Radiohead did with the release of their album In Rainbows. I personally love the fact that the band finished the album and just released it as soon as possible, leaving the fans to make up their minds of how it is, not the critics. Despite the statement the band was trying to make, the album leaked onto the Internet on March 19th, days before its official release from a most unlikely source, i-tunes.

The actual album Consolers of the Lonely contains 14 tracks. The album still has a classic rock feel, but also brings in more elements, at times its difficult to tell who's singing Jack White or Brendan Benson. The album is a mix of loud rock numbers, balanced out with slower pop ballads. The album opens with "Consoler of the Lonely" it is a loud crashing rock song with Benson and White Sharing vocal duties. The first single "Salute Your Solution" is a song that sounds like a sped up AC/DC track, featuring fuzzy bass, and a fuzzy garage rock style ending. "You Don't Understand Me" is a slow piano doused number, while "Old Enough" is an upbeat song featuring organ and and crunchy guitar parts. "Hold Up" shows the band turning up the volume even louder, the song sounds heavily influenced by 70's style Ramones punk. "Many Shades of Black" brings orchestral horn sections into the Raconteurs fold, in the chorus Brendan Benson sings similar to Paul McCartney. "Five on Five' is a dirty twisted rocker, with stop and start riffs, heavy hitting drums, while "Attention" is another loud rock number with catchy keyboards, an excellent track. The album ends with "Carolina Drama" a song that lyrically reflects Bob Dylan, musically it is an acoustic, bluesy song. Overall, the album rocks as much as it pops, it brings in horn sections, more keyboards, synths, and violins.

Some would label the group another "supergroup", but the truth is that The Raconteurs are just a group of friends and music lovers that came together and formed an excellent group. Another interesting fact is that the band called The Saboteurs in Australia. The reason for this is that the band named Raconteurs, in Queensland in Australia refused the offer that was proposed for the use of their name, in hopes of getting more money.

Once again I have to mention the Jammies. Voting is done on April 4th, 2008 so get your votes in by voting here (Hint: Revolution Rock is the name of my show).

Songs Played:

1. Carbon/Silicon - The Global War on Culture
2. Joe Strummer - Island Hopping
3. Marble Index - I Believe
4. Mark Inside - Lost Your Appetite (Demo)
5. Easy Targets - If You're a Planet
6. Misfits - Where Eagles Dare
7. Black Sabbath - Lord of this World
8. The Subways - Girls and Boys
9. Frustrations - Overrated
10. Velvet Underground - The Gift
11. Dead 60's - Last Train Home
12. Ride Theory - Reflecting on a Foggy Day
13. The Government - Flat Tire
14. Neil Young - Dirty Old Man
15. The Horrors - She is the New Thing
16. The Strollers - Let Me Come On In
17. The Wipers - Let's Go Away
18. Greenhornes - Pattern Skies
19. Hentchmen - Carry Me Home
20. White Stripes - Aluminum
21. Raconteurs - Hold Up
22. Raconteurs - Many Shades of Black

Related Raconteur Videos:

Steady, As She Goes (Jim Jarmusch Version)
Steady, As She Goes (Version 2)Broken Boy Soldier
Hands
Level (Live Music Video)
Salute Your Solution
Broken Boy Soldier (Live Jools Holland)
Store Bought Bones (Live Jools Holland)
Blue Veins (Live)
Five on the Five (Live)
Bang Bang (Live Nancy Sinatra Cover)
Crazy (Live Gnarls Barkley Cover)
It Ain't Easy (Live David Bowie Cover)
Teenage Kicks (Live Undertones Cover)
White Light/White Heat (Live With Lou Reed)
The Seeker (With Pete Townshend)

White and Red Blood Cells ... Show # 134

This post used to feature information on The White Stripes and The Raconteurs.  For more information on The White Stripe please visit the following links:

The White Stripes De Stijl: An Article About De Stijl

The White Stripe Elephant: An Article About The 10th Anniversary of Elephant

Also I played "Myxomatosis" by Radiohead. The song is from their 2003 album Hail To The Thief and is about a disease introduced to the Britain rabbit population to help control it. Last year singer Thom Yorke released a solo album and now Radiohead have no record label, but Radiohead still show interest in playing and recording music. Next week I will be doing a show devoted entirely to garage rock and surf music. Bands such as The Ventures, Dick Dale, The Missing Links, The Vipers and many more obscure, but great bands. Be sure to check this show out next week because it will definitely be a different one.

Here's the play list:

1. The Clash – radio one
2. The Police – shadows in the rain
3. Pointed Sticks – true love
4. Gruesomes – hey!
5. Buzzcocks – sixteen again (BBC Session)
6. Pointed Sticks - 1-2
7. Ramones – Chinese rocks
8. Terrorways – never been to Borstal
9. The Saints – (I’m) stranded
10. Undertones – emergency cases
11. Dishrags – I don’t love you
12. Actionauts – party dog
13. Iggy Pop – loco mosquito
14. Talking Heads – found a job
15. Blondie – call me
16. Pretenders – Thumbelina
17. Fratellis - flathead
18. The Ride Theory – on fire
19. White Stripes - hypnotize
20. The D4 - rocknrule
21. Albert Hammond Jr. – postal blowfish
22. Sloan – suppose they close the door
23. Radiohead – myxomatosis
24. Richard Hell & The Voidoids - love comes in spurts