Guitars, Drums, Tones, and Saxophones

Tin Horn Prayer - Get Busy Dying

I got an email from a gentleman in a band called Tin Horn Prayer. Didn’t ring a bell, but I’m a guy who likes music, and I like extending as little effort as possible, and this came right to me, so why not? Their album is called Get Busy Dying, and it’s out on Bermuda Mohawk Productions.

So these guys play a rollicking sort of folk/country/bluegrass that reminds me of a darker Greenland is Melting, or perhaps more accurately, Murder by Death. The album opens with “Better Living,” a foot-stomping number propelled by a great banjo lick and some driving drumbeats. Add to that the gruff, whiskey-soaked gang vocals, and you’ve got a strong opening track. One song in, and I’m sold.

But there are 9 other songs here. Let’s get to it.

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Red City Radio - Spinning in Circles is a Gateway Drug

Red City Radio are definite favorites around here. Their debut EP, To the Sons and Daughters of Woody Guthrie, was a glorious 5-song slice of perfect, grizzled punk rock. This year is looking good for them, with the quite successful vinyl pressing of their aforementioned EP via Loose Charm Records, playing the Fest- and touring the East coast on the way down- and signing with Paper + Plastick to release their debut full-length, The Dangers of Standing Still, in early 2011. To tide us over before said album drops, the band has released the 3-song “digital single,” Spinning in Circles is a Gateway Drug.

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Balance & Composure/Tigers Jaw

I was not familiar with either band when I check out this split record. I had seen a story or two about Balance & Composure, and had friends who really liked Tigers Jaw, though, so with the latter particularly in mind, I set out to listen to this record.

It was not what I expected.

Specifically, considering the friends who recommended it, I expected to really enjoy the Tigers Jaw side. As it turns out, I was completely blown away by Balance & Composure’s contribution, and underwhelmed by Tigers Jaw.

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The Riot Before - Rebellion

The Riot Before are, if you don’t know, an awesome punk band from Richmond, VA, who impressed me and many others with their full-length Fists Buried in Pockets. Now, they’re back with a new record on the increasingly-impressive Paper + Plastick. And it definitely is an improvement on their already excellent style.

First, I have to give props to P+P and the band for an awesome package. The vinyl record comes in a really gorgeous gatefold, with awesome artwork and design. And it comes with a CD copy, which is useful to throw in the car. Being a vinyl nerd who also needs practical ways of listening to my music, I appreciate this.

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Bad Religion - The Dissent of Man

So! 2010 is a big year for my beloved Bad Religion. Aside from being able to spend these twelve months making reference to the song “Ten in 2010″ from The Gray Race, the band is celebrating their 30th anniversary, and doing it with aplomb: a summer tour, a free digital live album- appropriately titled 30 Years Live- a series of three shows in New York City where they’ll focus on a decade of their music each night, and of course, a new album, The Dissent of Man.

Wikipedia mentions that this is the longest Bad Religion has gone without a lineup change. Amusing, but also worth nothing for the fact that the band has remained stable since founding guitarist Brett Gurewitz rejoined the band following their major label stint. (several albums in the ’90s were released on Atlantic following the punk/alt-rock signing frenzy)

But, let’s get to the meat ‘n bones of this here record.

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Two Cow Garage - Sweet Saint Me

Two Cow Garage has been kicking around for a few years now, honing their rowdy, rock’n'roll country sound on albums and live shows across the country. Sweet Saint Me, their fifth album and dropping on the venerable Suburban Home Records, finds the band sounding even more bold and powerful than on their 2008 effort, Speaking in Cursive.

So despite placement on tours with the likes of Austin Lucas and Jon Snodgrass, I think it’s safe to say TCG rocks out harder than either of these dudes. Perhaps the most apt comparison is to some of the louder songs in Armchair Martian’s discography.

But these comparisons, while somewhat fitting, don’t give enough credit to the band’s personality, which shines through on each of the 13 songs found on this record.

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Jimmy Buffett - Buffet Hotel

So, I’ve avoided writing about- or hell, even listening to- this album for a while, after a cursory listen to a few tracks around release, not because the quality of those songs was bad, but Buffett’s latter day career has been so… not so much disappointing as inconsistent. 1999′s Beach House on the Moon had maybe 2 good songs on it. Other albums around that one were better, but his tendency to get cutesy-jokey was getting a bit outrageous. And I think I’ve logged maybe 2 complete listens to 2006′s Take the Weather With You. So, expecting disappointment, I queue up Buffet Hotel.

And you know what? It’s not that bad. Actually, it’s pretty good.

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Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid

I’d never heard of Janelle Monae before seeing the cover to The ArchAndroid. The obvious Metropolis parallels in the imagery immediately appealed to the nerd in me. So I had to check it out.

One of the best decisions I’ve made in recent memory.

Her artistic vision- The ArchAndroid comprises suites 2 and 3 of a saga continues from her first EP- is great. If you’ve seen the videos, her visions of a futuristic dystopia are music to any good sci-fi nerd’s ears. And of course, there’s the music itself.

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Noun - Holy Hell

Noun is the solo project of Marissa Paternoster, vocalist/guitarist for the indie-punk band Screaming Females, who have released several awesome records on Don Giovanni Records. And, apparently having a number of songs that don’t fit her primary band, she’s released this debut solo record, Holy Hell.

And it’s definitely different from her material with Screaming Females.

Well, except that fantastic voice of hers. That’s here and in fine form, thank goodness.

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Sundowner - We Chase the Waves

Sundowner, if you didn’t know, is the solo project of Lawrence Arms guitarist/singer Chris McCaughan. He keeps busy during his primary band’s unfortunate downtime with this act, and We Chase the Waves is his second release under this moniker, the follow-up to 2007′s Four One Five Two (Red Scare Industries).

I can’t think of a witty intro about Chris. I just get all emotional that I’ll probably never see The Lawrence Arms live. So let’s get down to business, eh?

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