The 9:13 Buzz

Submitted by cindy@wyep.org on March 16, 2011

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh's finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Scott Mervis of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In case you missed it here's what he played with commentary by Scott:

Paul Simon, "So Beautiful or So What" - Far from a relic, Paul Simon has been a huge influence on Sufjan Stevens, Iron and Wine and other neo-folk artists. But when was his last great album? You have to go back to 1990's "The Rhythm of the Saints," the follow-up to "Graceland." After that, he got mired in the "Capeman" and made a pair of disappointing albums in the '00s. With "So Beautiful or So What," Rhymin' Simon has regained his sense of rhythm and songcraft. Finally, we have songs with hooks, like this passionate title track that comes with a killer funk riff. It's one of the best albums you'll hear from a 69-year-old.

J Roddy Walston and the Business, "Brave Man's Death" - This is basically my favorite new band, and it happened within a week. Heard the CD, the band's second one, and saw them along with a crowd of about 50 people at Stage AE. Was blown away by both. J Roddy Walston is a piano-pounding frontman from Tennessee with a passion for Jerry Lee Lewis and a touch of absurdist Southern gothic. In concert, he did a Little Richard cover ("Lucille") and sang like Jerry Lee on "Don't Break the Needle." This song, a sprawling narrative, is a little more rootsy Americana, but you get the idea. You can file this band with the Avett Brothers, the Black Keys, or even the Black Crowes.

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Submitted by cindy@wyep.org on March 9, 2011

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh's finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Andy Mulkerin of Pittsburgh's City Paper

In case you missed it here's what he played with commentary by Andy (plus a bonus song):

Thao & Mirah (feat. Tune-Yards), "Eleven" - This fun, weird track is our first look at the forthcoming record from these two indie songstresses, each well-known in her own right. (Cindy note: album comes out on 4/26. Click the above link for an informative article on the duo who are also personally involved)

Ennui, "The Battle I'm In" - A new track from the somewhat amorphous local atmospheric outfit; this song is on the record they're releasing March 18 at Brillobox. This holds up the more pop-oriented end of their oeuvre.

Dum Dum Girls, "He Gets Me High" - Good driving-down-the-road music from the California band; slightly disaffected vocals and fuzzy production make this straightforward rocker reminiscent of Dinosaur, Jr.

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Submitted by cindy@wyep.org on March 2, 2011

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh's finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Scott Tady of The Beaver County Times.

In case you missed it here's what he played with commentary by Scott:

Drive-By Truckers, "Weakest Man" - There's guitar grinding, for sure, but more than ever the Georgia-Alabama rockers make sure you pay attention to the compelling, twisted tales they're telling on the band's 9th studio album, "Go-Go Boots." There's stories about a cop kicked off the force; Thanksgiving dinner with a most dysfunctional family and a preacher who pays $1,500 to have his wife killed, only to get his comeuppance in the end. This track, "Weakest Man," is one of the most straight-forward ones -- a love-gone-sour song set to an old-fashioned country two-step. (Stick around for the accordion solo.) "It's easy to love a thing so warm and soothing that gets you through the night so tenderly," vocalist Mike Cooley says, before deciding to split, dejectedly noting that "surviving you don't make me stronger than the weakest man who ever turned you down."

The Seedy Seeds, "Verb/Noun" - This fresh Cincinnati trio's title track starts with an exuberant indie-rock gait that gains speed with a few bursts of electro-pop until halfway through the song -- bam! -- here comes the banjo. Swirling strings, an exchange of male-and-female vocals... there's just a lot going on, much of it subtle, and all somehow making sense. Having drawn comparisons to Freelance Whales, the Seedy Seeds have another song, "Earned Average Dance America," that was named NPR Song of the Day. Check 'em out Wednesday night at Brillobox in Bloomfield.

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Submitted by cindy@wyep.org on February 16, 2011

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh's finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Justin Jacobs, contributing writer to Billboard Magazine and Pittsburgh's City Paper

In case you missed it here's what he played (plus two bonus songs):

Guards, "Resolution of One" - This mysterious band has no website or MySpace (which means, in 2011, you may as well have extremely low ambitions for your music being heard), but makes up for it by making great music — lo-fi, stomping garage rock with monstrous choruses. Guards is made of the singer of The Willowz along with some friends from MGMT and Chairlift. Mix them together and send 'em back to 1965, and you've got "Resolution of One."

Lykke Li, "I Follow Rivers" - Her parents know her as Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson, but we know this Swedish temptress by her coy, sexual lyrics (remember "For you I keep my legs apart" from her 2008 song "Little Bit"? Of course you do) and darkly romantic pop music. I think this new tune, from her upcoming second album "Wounded Rhymes," is easily her best ever. Can't wait for this record.

U.S. Royalty, "Equestrian" - This band does their schtick logically, taking three bands that everyone loves and combining them in equal portions. Fleet Foxes, the Black Keys and Local Natives all show up in "Equestrian." Thought that might sound contrived, it's a great, lofty and harmonized tune.

Jonquil, "It Never Rains" - Tropical pop to dance your butt off. Totally cheesy, but totally fun. Look this band up for your next party.

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Submitted by cindy@wyep.org on February 9, 2011

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh's finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Scott Mervis of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In case you missed it here's what he played with commentary by Scott:

Wanda Jackson, "Shakin' All Over" - Jack White, the one-man Page-Plant from the White Stripes, worked wonders with Loretta Lynn on "Van Lear Rose." Now, he adds his manic production touch to the Queen of Rockabilly on this 1960 hit from Johnny Kid and the Pirates that most of us know from The Who's "Live at Leeds." The result is thrilling and bombastic, and that carries through to the rest of "The Party Ain't Over."

Wire, "Bad Worn Thing" - This British post-punk band inspired the likes of R.E.M., Pere Ubu and the Pixies. Thirty-five years later, Wire is making music better than any of them. This is one of the more accessible, radio-friendly songs from the band's acclaimed 12th album, "Red Barked Tree."

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Submitted by cindy@wyep.org on February 2, 2011

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh's finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Andy Mulkerin of Pittsburgh's City Paper

In case you missed it here's what he played with commentary by Andy (plus some bonus songs):

Big Hurry, "Gets Me Low" - This is the title track from this Pittsburgh band's new EP, released this past week -- this band plays kinda dancey, kinda '80s-ish, kinda contemporary pop. The songs are tight and the production is impeccable; make room on your best-of-2011 list.

Justin Andrew, "Early Bird" - This song is an advance look at Justin's forthcoming album. Everything about it, from the songwriting to the production, takes it up a notch from his previous release. Especially impressive when you know that he played all the instruments on this recording himself! I posted it as a free download on CP's music blog here: Free "Early Bird" download.

New Shouts, "Save Me" - This is the b-side to the Shouts' new single, "Kiss for Fun." It's absolutely infectious and has a timeless quality to it; Derek's falsetto is killer here. It's also available as a free download, on the New Shouts Bandcamp page.

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Submitted by cindy@wyep.org on January 26, 2011

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh's finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Scott Tady of The Beaver County Times.

In case you missed it here's what he played with commentary by Scott:

The Decemberists, "Rox in the Box" - The first truly great album of 2011, "The King is Dead" from The Decemberists, is more jangly and twangy than 2008's "The Hazards of Love," with notable contributions from R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck and Americana artist Gillian Welch. Let's face it: The Decemberists' Colin Meloy would sound great singing the instructions on a 1040EZ form. But he really shines on this solid material, including my favorite track, "Rox in the Box," the folkiest one on the album.

Yuck, "Holing Out" - Just when you thought rock had exhausted its supply of creative band names, along comes Yuck. Luckily, Yuck doesn't literally live up to its name, offering an engaging brand of Sonic Youth-ish, fuzzy guitar, lo-fi garage rock. Band members hail from New Jersey, London and Hiroshima... that pretty much covers it! Their self-titled, self-produced debut will be released by the Fat Possum label on Feb. 15. Get hip to Yuck now.

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Submitted by cindy@wyep.org on January 19, 2011

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh's finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Justin Jacobs, contributing writer to Billboard Magazine, Relix Magazine and Pittsburgh's City Paper

In case you missed it here's what he played (plus two bonus songs):

The Low Anthem, "Hey All You Hippies!" - These folks are WYEP (and Cindy Howes) favorites, so I'd expect to hear some more of them once their fourth album drops. It's called Smart Flesh, and it's full of ragged rockers like this one, as well as beautiful, hushed folk tunes. If you like folk, gospel, country or, really, any music at all, I think you'll dig The Low Anthem.

Jay Reatard, "My Shadow" - Last week marked the one-year anniversary of Jay's death. He was found in his home in Memphis last year, dead of an overdose at 29. Jay was, hands down, one of the most important voices in punk rock in the last 20 years - he released dozens of albums, 7"s and EPs in his short time here, and it was all raging, 77-era, speedy punk that fit right alongside The Buzzcocks and Sex Pistols. Here's to you, dude.

Callers, "Life of Love" - Picture a slower, more sultry Florence and the Machine. This new band creates some sexy chamber-pop just in time for Valentine's Day. Even the record is called Life of Love. Lead one yourself and check out this band.

Mister Heavenly, "Mister Heavenly" - This sorta-supergroup features band members from Islands, Man Man and Modest Mouse. The band calls their music 'doom-wop,' but I call it awesome. No record out yet, but this track just dropped and is 3-minute party perfect for weird-ing-out by yourself or with friends.

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Submitted by cindy@wyep.org on January 12, 2011

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh's finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Scott Mervis of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In case you missed it here's what he played with commentary by Scott:

Gang of Four, "She Said" - Gang of Four is one of my favorite bands ever, despite the British post-punkers only having about three albums worth of stellar material. It's been 16 years since we've heard anything new from them, so the appearance of "Content" is a thrill. From the sound of this lead track the new rhythm section sounds as solid as the original and guitarist Andy Gill is as menacing as ever.

Social Distortion, "Alone and Forsaken" - These are hard times, so it's a good time for this vintage Orange County band that delivers its punk rock with a bluesy edge. "Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes" doesn't break any new ground (why would it?), but it rocks from start to finish and Mike Ness brings the same old passion to these tales of woe.

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Submitted by cindy@wyep.org on January 5, 2011

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh's finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Andy Mulkerin of Pittsburgh's City Paper

In case you missed it here's what he played with commentary by Andy (plus some bonus songs):

Wye Oak, "Civilian" - This is an advance track from the Baltimore-based duo’s forthcoming album, also titled Civilian. It’s a beautiful song that starts out mumbly and quiet and turns pretty raucous with an abrasive but great guitar solo. The record comes out in early March.

Howlin Rain, "Burning of the Midnight Lamp" - This is one of my favorite rock bands, led by Ethan Miller, former frontman of Comets on Fire. They hope to have a full-length – their third – out later this year, but this track was released as part of a three-song EP in December. With a ’70’s-guitar-rock-cum-‘90s noise rock sound, there’s a lot to like for folks with a lot of different tastes.

Lemuria, "Pleaser" - This Buffalo three-piece has been putting out sweet dual-vocal indie pop-rock for a few years now; the last time I saw them was probably 2008 or so at the late Mr. Roboto Project. This is from their brand-new Pebble LP.

Asobi Seksu "Trails" - This duo from Brooklyn makes noisy dream-pop that’s just plain pretty. This is an advance track from Fluourescence, due to drop on Polyvinyl in February. They’ve already ended up in some TV shows; I imagine they’ll be ending up on some indie mix CDs as well when the new album arrives.

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