RADIO HANNIBAL

Music Pick Of The Day: Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part 2, Return Of The Ankh

Erykah Badu has been at the forefront of the neo soul movement since her debut in the late 90's.  After some high charting singles and a  child and breakup between her and Andre 3000 of Outkast she fell somewhat out of the spotlight. 

Her new album, just released yesterday and my pick of the day, along with Part 1 from a couple of years back show her back at the top of her game and possibly the best work of the genre...ever. 

This is no faint praise.  The album bubbles with hip hop and funk beats and a space groove that harkens back to Sly Stone in his day.

Artist:  Eryka Badu

Album:  New Amerykah Part 2, Return Of The Ankh

Review:  Entertainment Weekly

 

New Amerykah Part Two: Return ...

Do It Again, Kinks Doc Turns Into Doc on Fan

I was lucky enough to catch the new documentary Do It Again, One Man's Quest To Reunite The Kinks, at the 34th annual Cleveland International Film Festival this past weekend.  Don't be mislead though.  It may have a good deal to do with the Kinks, but it's much more about our "fan" Geoff Edgers and his journey.  In fact, director Robert Patton-Spruill said when he was enlisted by Geoff to help make the film that he had no intention of making a Kinks documentary.  He knew where the real story lie. 

Regardless if it's a story about The Kinks or Mr. Edgers it is the story of music fanaticism and thus dear to my heart.  As a huge music fan who writes about rock for the Boston Globe Edgers delights in tracking down, interviewing and hopefully playing guitar with an assortment of rock musicians he deems as influenced by The Kinks.  These figures include Sting, Paul Weller, Robyn Hitchcock, Zooey Deschanel, Peter Buck and even Dave Davies of The Kinks. 

You can tell Edgers is a diverse fan when he wears different T shirts throughout, including a vintage Gram Parsons.  Sweet.  In fact he complimented me on my Hendrix shirt as I waited in line prior to the screening as he passed out promo buttons. 

The film is making the fest circuit so if it comes to one near you do try and check it out.  There's many songs in the movie which meant costly music licensing.  Music licensing that may be too expensive for the movie to make it to general release or even DVD. Here's hoping that's not the case.  It's a very humorous and heart felt story.   

Zooey and Geoff

Music Pick Of The Day: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Beat The Devil's Tattoo

Around for the better part of a decade Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC) borrow from some classic rock genres to good effect.  Part glam, part shoegazer and sounding much like Love And Rockets these days, their new album is worth a listen. 

Artist:  Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Album:  Beat The Devil's Tattoo

Review:  Boston Globe

Beat The Devil's Tattoo - Blac...

Music Pick Of The Day: John Hiatt - The Open Road

In the late 70's John Hiatt tried to ride on the coattails of the angry white boy new wave movement of Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson and Graham Parker.  It really didn't fit the Indiana bred roots singer/songwriter and he had limited success.  His drinking problems didn't help matters either. 

By the early 80's though, he had attained sobriety and recorded an album that rang more true, "Bring The Family".  The album won critical praise and garnered him a faithful following.  Since then Hiatt hasn't strayed too far from that style of music, a blending of Memphis soul (where he now calls home), blues and early rock.  

His new album, "The Open Road" carries on his conversation with fans with mature lyrics that both inspire and bring joy.

Artist:  John Hiatt

Album:  The Open Road

Review:  L.A. Times

The Open Road - John Hiatt

Yet One More Alex Chilton Tribute

Personally, I can't stop listening to Alex Chilton's music for over a week now.  There's a few more tribute videos I'd like to share.

On the final night of the SXSW Music Conference in Austin, Texas Big Star was to perform.  Alex had a heart attack and passed away four days before and the show turned into a tribute concert.

Original drummer, Jody Stephens was joined on the stage by Ken Stringfellow and John Auer of The Posies.  A revolving line of musicians then joined them on stage to pay tribute to Chilton through his songs.  The cast included original bassist for Big Star, Andy Hummel, Chris Stamey of The dB's, Mike Mills of R.E.M., Susan Cowsill, John Doe of X, M Ward, The Watson Twins, Sondre Lerche and others.

Here's a bit of Back Of A Car

Next we have M Ward doing Big Black Car

Mike Mills take on Jesus Christ

And finally, Sondre Lerche and John Auer rehearsing The Ballad Of El Goodo that afternoon in a hotel room.  This one is a stunner folks.

Music Pick Of The Day: Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

Damon Albarn has been a force in music going back to the 1980's when his band Blur battled it out with Oasis for kings of the UK music scene.  If that battle were to be scored on U.S. soil Oasis was the clear winner.  Blur never really made a dent here, save for a somewhat novelty song.  It was called Song 2. You remember..."woooo hoooo!".  They were categorized as "too British".  

Albarn has since been involved in more projects than you can count, from producing African artists, himself dabbling in African music and starting a super group to tepid response.  His best project by far is the cartoon group Gorillaz. 

They have just released their third album.  Don't look for standout singles like Clint Eastwood and Feel Good Inc.  Instead this album plays better as a piece.  Bringing wide ranging singers into the studio from the likes of Mark E. Smith of The Fall, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, Lou Reed, Mos Def and others makes for an interesting listen. This cartoon band is not The Archies that's for sure. 

Artist:  Gorillaz

Album:  Plastic Beach

Review:  The Onion A.V. Club

Plastic Beach - Gorillaz

Sweet Apple Set To Release Debut 7" Vinyl Single

John Petkovic has a pretty bitchin' life.  I'm sure that's how he'd put it.  He gets great writing assignments at The Plain Dealer including hanging out in countless bars to critique, playing in Cobra Verde, a great local band who garnish some national/international cred and playing with genuine rock star musicians like J Mascis. 

Mascis toured with Cobra Verde, playing his amazing brand of guitar, a couple of years back.  Out of that bonding came a new band, Sweet Apple. 

Their debut 7" single is set to be released and is now available for pre-order at Secret Serpents.  Check out the cool art work by Alan Forbes. 

Music Pick Of The Day: Goldfrapp - Head First

The English electronica duo Goldfrapp has come quite a way musically from their debut Felt Mountain.  That album played more like cool soundtrack music. 

Their new album, released yesterday, Head First finds them firmly on the dance floor sounding very much like an updated version of Blondie. Debbie Harry being an admitted big influence on lead singer Alison Goldfrapp.  The sound is not too far removed from current day Kylie Minogue either.  They also both share an inability to make much of an impact here in the U.S.  A pity for us and them. 

Here's hoping I get to play a couple of these songs on the dance floor in the up coming months.  I mean, I can play them...and I will, but will you dance?

Artist:  Goldfrapp

Album:  Head First

Review:  All Music

Head First - Goldfrapp

Here's their first video, just released yesterday as well.

Music Pick Of The Day: She & Him - Volume Two

For me, spring officially begins today with the release of the second album by M Ward and Zooey Deschanel.  Their band name is She & Him.

Ward's terrific guitar work and indie cred is a great pairing with Zooey's retro style vocals and too cute for words personality.  I first heard her sing in the bathroom scene of the movie Elf and was duly impressed. 

This album, Volume Two, picks up where the last left off, offering sunny melodies and catchy hooks.  And anyone covering NRBQ's Driving In My Car goes to the head of my class.  This album, released today, will certainly be part of the soundtrack to my spring.  The postman should be delivering my vinyl copy today!

Artist:  She & Him

Album:  Volume Two

Review:  Entertainment Weekly

Cool Photo Of The Day

Brian Wilson in the produce department.