Music

A big welcome to our newest writer: Aaron Shay!  - Jake

Imagine a world without a record player. A world without recording studios, or record labels, a world without even radio to play us the music that we’d like to hear. Imagine such a world.

Is that world depressing, or is it empowering?

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I honestly lament not finding and listening to Firewater sooner- I think my musical life suffered for their absence.  I'm a recent convert- maybe 2 years- but others have been waiting far longer to hear more of the klezmer-gypsy-rock that Todd A. and the slew of amazing musicians create.  It is powerful stuff; This is My Life, Borneo, and Some Kind of Kindness fequently gracing my speakers and playlists.  Just by the feeling it gives I'd liken them somewhere between Morphine for haunting lyrics, Gogol Bordello and Balkan Beat Box for use of Klezmer and Gypsy stylings. International Orange, out today, does not dissapoint. It's got the same verve, using hints of several genres to accomplish it's sound. Somehow even the sad, slow songs have a beat you can move to.    Link to the album on iTunes,    link to the band's site. 

Are you feeling down in the dumps? Not feeling so awesome in your yoga pants these days? Do you have a serious lack of rocking the [bleep] out? Not enough zombies or unicorns romping through your music library? Well, there's good news, bucko. Super Adventure Club.

I'd liken it as pop-dance punk rock, kind of. Like if the Aquabats went to Tokyo, got down with some pop-electronic super-happy cosplay chicks from Harajuku, and then they raised their sexy music baby in San Francisco. Look, just listen to it. It's amazing. 

Their first album, ÜNTZ, is available on iTunes; their second Expensive, is available on BandCamp. If you have any worry that you might not have enough awesome any time soon, I'd get both. 

Here's a little taste. Taste it. 

I was sorely dissapointed that I was not able to spend  time with the lovely Professor Elemental at the Steampunk World's Fair this year. I only got the briefest of "Hellos!" in as we passed in the hallway heading to our events. It's nice to see that the Professor is doing well, in fact, everything seems SPLENDID!!

Previously blogged band the Bodice Rippers have a new EP out, and it is wonderful. Vocalist Megan Fenske  throws herself full-on into her vocals- singing their sinister, strange, poetic lyrics with rich and gritty passion.  I last compared them with Decemberists/Tom Waits, and while that still holds true, they've matured and added jazzy/swing sound that I find totally irresistible. I want to dance-flail around, swinging arms and stomping feet when it's on. EP Volume II is on Itunes for a meager six bucks, and it's worth every penny. Link to their Itunes store, and their Facebook page.