One Hit Wonder Wednesday: April 29, 2009

It's a 90's female alt-rock extravaganza this One Hit Wonder Wednesday!

Tracy Bonham: It always made me really sad that this talented and prolific alt-rockin' chick never made it big. Her 1996 hit, Mother, Mother, is the only one of her many great songs that got plenty of mainstream radio play. Enjoy!



Extra Tracy Bonham Video: Sharks Can't Sleep

Veruca Salt: After much drama and a long break from the music scene, Louise Post, the singer and guitarist for this once much talked about alt-rock band, is back at it. Though self-touted as one of the most successful female fronted modern rock bands, they only got mainstream radio play with "Seether" and "Volcano Girls", and no one's going to stand up and call the latter a hit!



Extra Veruca Salt Video: All Hail Me

Lush: Though aptly named, with lush and intriguing vocals and instrumentatation, the band Lush never rocked it as big as I'd have liked. But I hope you remember this fantastic tune that did manage to make it to the big-time on the radio waves!



Extra Lush Video: Nothing Natural

Two For Tuesday - Music Listens & Downloads

This week I'm going to give you provide you with two listens for two different Georgia artists.

Liz Durett: Though she makes her music in Athens now, on the Warm Electronic Recordings label. Liz Durett grew up in the sleepy southern town of Rome, GA. She didn't step onto the indie music stage by chance. she's the niece of Vic Chesnutt. Uncle Vic gave her a guitar when she was sixteen, telling her to write mean songs about her parents. Decidedly lo-fi in overall style, her latest recordings are a bit more slickly produced, but you don't lose the ghostly, haunting charm she's known for across the scene.

Wild As Them | The Mezzanine

Silent Kids: In 2003 Two Sheds Records released this Atlanta band's debut record, "Tomorrow Waits". Founded by Michael Oakley and Jeff Holt, Silent Kids is often stuffed in the field of pop psychedelia, but they've also got the indie impish vibe that might make you think they'd fit in nicely with the Elephant 6 crew. The following two tunes are from their latest release, "Dinosaurs Turn Into Birds".

Stars & Rust | Neptunist's Revenge (Requiem for Alexander Von Humboldt)

Behind the Scenes of Theatre Macon's "The Secret Garden"

When you go and see a community theater show, at most you're spending 3 hours of your evening time. And, depending on the show and the actors, you're getting entertained throughout the performance (at least one can hope so).

As a result, it's sometimes tough to grasp that the performers spend more than 3-4 weeks of their free time getting the show ready so you can see it. And yes, that figure can seem mind-boggling if the show sucks.

Thankfully, I recently wrapped a production of The Secret Garden at Theatre Macon, a musical show that performed exceedingly well for two and half weeks and earned many a rave review from theater-goers (even the ones we didn't pay to say nice things said nice things!).

So, how did I spend my month-plus prepping? Watching Robert Shaw in the movie Jaws.

I played the character of Ben Weatherstaff, the 75-year-old North Country Brit who, quite fittingly, gardens the "secret garden." Like Shaw's character in my favorite shark-film of all time (L'Ultimo Squalo ranks a close second, followed by Spring Break Shark Attack!), Ben speaks with a rolling accent, uses a variety of facial expressions and has a uniquely bent posture. Yes, I'm still sore now from all my old-man ambling across the stage. He even sings...to the displeasure of many a back-stage buddy who had to hear me vamping my vocals each night. "For an old man knows..." as my character would say.

Oh, and if you don't know what The Secret Garden is all about, here's the nutshell synopsis: A hunchbacked British fellow owns a large estate with a walled-in garden that's haunted by the ghosts of his wife and her friends. His niece comes to live with him and his brother and she miraculously connects with all the ghosts and learns how to re-grow the "secret garden." In doing so, she renews the faith of her depressed uncle, helps mend the handicap of his son (her cousin) and befriends a hoard of people with funny accents--some alive, most dead--all the while planting new seeds for the garden to flourish. Not so secret anymore is it!

Evan getting his "look" on...

Anyhoo, it is a beautiful show with amazingly moving music despite my ragtag review of the plot (it won a few Tonys when it premiered on Broadway in the 90's, earned critical acclaim as a book before that, and enjoyed moderate success as a movie after). That being said, it definitely was an exhausting show from the behind-the-scenes perspective, what with all the period costuming, aging make-up and elaborate sets (kudos to the costumers, make-up men and women and set designers because they "knocked it out of the park" to quote a couple from Atlanta).

Evan, aged before our very eyes...

Each night, I spent 30-minutes transforming from young TV Evan to old cantankerous Ben, complete with silver spray-on hair, magically marked brown and white make-up lines, and darkly colored bags and sags for the eyes and cheeks. While my skin is still ticked off at me for all the facial changes, I must say the process was not your "garden" variety make-up session. Thanks to the brilliant work of my cast mate Brian Barnett, who also played the lead Archibald Craven - the man could be on broadway I say - my face garnered many a compliment before and after the show (ironically, the only time people ever tell me I look good is when I wear stage make-up... "Wow, what a great old man!" "Hey, that's the scariest Wolf I've ever seen!" "I can't believe you look like an Arab bead seller!" Yadda yadda yadda).

The real Evan, sans make-up...

I'd say the only draw back to getting the make-up on, was having to take it off. That also took some 20-30 minutes of scrubbing and washing (did I forget I had to glue on a fake mustache and that crud stings the dickens out of your skin once you pull it off!). In fact, most nights, the rest of the cast would leave and turn the lights off before I'd get through. Tough crowd indeed. Nevertheless, it was all worth it considering I got to share the stage for a few scenes with some of the most talented performers in the state, let alone Central Georgia.

Plenty of great shows still on slate at Theatre Macon this summer including Counselor at Law (end of May) and The Producers (mid-July). So set aside some time of your own and come support us. I'll be back to blog again soon. Ciao for now.

Posted by Evan Pinsonnault

Flashback Friday: April 24, 2009

Traveling back to 1983, here's "Gold," by Spandau Ballet. They are best known for their hit, "True," but this song is a good one that was a hit in their native UK.


Of course, everyone knows and loves "True."

Here's a personal favorite of mine. I think Sigue Sigue Sputnik are known mostly for having this song on the Ferris Bueller's Day Off soundtrack. "Love Missile F1-11" is a synth-loaded cyberpunk track with a video that reminds me of a Japanese anime from the 80s.



"Cut Your Hair" was probably Pavement's biggest brush with mainstream success as it was in almost-heavy rotation on MTV when it was released in 1994. I remember really enjoying the song and the humorous video a lot. Sort of makes me miss 8th grade...

Have a good weekend!

One Hit Wonder Wednesday: April 22, 2009

Everyone remembers this song, even if they only heard about it years later watching Adam Sandler in "The Wedding Singer".



They were definitely a One Hit Wonder, as "I Ran" is the only song I ever heard on the radio. But through the benefits of friends who made mix tapes, I soon found a real love for this song, which I think should have been a hit:



The video is really the only thing that makes this song memorable, but I don't think any of us can deny it gave the band premier One Hit Wonder status.



This one is a classic, and because it's such a revered and wonderful classic, I'm sad to state that it's definitely a One Hit Wonder. Enjoy!

Fired Works Still Going Strong! Learn More...

Pottery Vs. Ceramics: I was recently asked about the difference between pottery and ceramics. In my opinion, there is little difference except in application. Pottery is the physical thing, the functional produce of potters. Ceramics suggests more formal training, a higher use, a lovely work of art, and is also the produce of potters. However, this question was in regards to the cheerful ceramic clowns, bears, unicorns, and generally mass produced items made with clay slip and molds. In my opinion, those are not 'ceramics', though the label is loosely applied; those are 'figurines' or 'novelties' or 'tacky'. When I say "ceramics" and "pottery", I am usually referring to the hand-made pieces produced by individuals who have some type of experience with clay. The terms also apply to the work that was originally produced for farmers over a hundred years ago. Ceramics, and pottery, has evolved to a general broad acceptance amongst art collectors and general folk looking for something they can hold, daily creations that brighten their lives and enhance the mundane function of drinking morning coffee, eating a bowl of cereal, or pouring a cup of tea.

The Value of Ceramics, or, What Does Pottery Mean to Me? Well, in Georgia, clay is already a part of everyday living. It gets stuck to our tires, plays havoc with our landscaping, and stains our skin and clothes in local man-made lakes or rivers. It gives the water around here that lovely color, and creates soft slippery pools for our bare feet. What is the value of local pottery? More than any monetary value you could place on it, local pottery is usually made with--wait for it--local clay. Each cup, plate, or hand-made ceramic sculpture you see at a local pottery show is literally a piece of Georgia. No matter the shape, no matter the glaze, this piece was once a part of the Georgia geography and has been formed and solidified into a shape that no longer suggests its geographical history. Georgia is hidden in each cup, and cradled by your hands each time you pick it up--and depending on the thickness of the piece, you may not even have to hold it carefully. We take from the land; the land nourishes us. I wonder if the potters of a hundred years gone felt the sense of connection with the land that you usually associate with those who work in agriculture.

What is the Appeal of Going to Pottery Shows? Fired Works, a Regional Ceramics Show and Sale (aka, Macon Art’s large pottery show) features 58 artists this year. The appeal, other than having the unique opportunity to see large amounts of artwork from each of these artists, is to remember they all start with the same basic material: clay. You find the same shapes throughout cultural history: the pot, the plate, the bowl, the cup. Cultures around the world found this malleable material and molded it into the same shapes, found the same purpose. It was used to create play things, to mold images of gods, and to capture the likeness of everyday people. The age old process has not changed, nor will it, since it was discovered. Historically speaking, this is the oldest true art form still in use today.

Fired Works - A Regional Ceramics Exhibit and Sale: We're in our last days of Fired Works, but encourage you to see what all the fuss is about. We boast the largest collective ceramics show in the state: 58 ceramic artists agreed to participate, and we've shoved tables against the walls to make space for over 2,000 ceramic pieces. Fifty seven of our artists live in Georgia, and 12 of them are new to the event this year. Many participating potters do this as a full time job, but several are college professors, art teachers, and retirees. Young and old, our artists have found the same creative medium that connects them, and Macon Arts has that on display. This is art you can touch, hold, carry, cherish, and use everyday. Getting a hand-made ceramic piece connects you with the earth, with the history, and enriches your daily mundane with something unique.

Fired Works - A Regional Exhibit and Sale continues through Sunday, April 26th. Daily Hours are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday Tunes: April 21, 2009

Catch a Coachella Listen!

The Coachella Music Fest managed to persevere last weekend, despite the downturn in the economy. We thought we'd showcase some Coachella bands, rather than do a local indie spotlight in this installation of Tuesday Tunes. We hope you'll enjoy these live videos, as we thought you might like to experience a live performance even though you couldn't catch the Festival!



This was the first radio hit for the Silversun Pickups in 2005. Here they're performing it on Last Call with Carson Daly.



Jake asked me to post this one!



Enjoy TV On The Radio's live performance Staring At the Sun off of their 2004 release Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes.

Music! Free & Legal

One of my favorite things to do on the Internet is to scour various music blogs for free music to download. I often discover new bands this way. Fortunately for me, a new site dedicated to free music has launched, and I'm loving it.

The Free Music Archive is an interactive library of high-quality, legal audio downloads. The site is curated by the radio stations WFMU, KEXP, and a few others which upload cool music that they enjoy, making it available for anyone to download free of charge. You're able to do anything that you want with the music except sell it, which should please DJs, podcasters, and remixers. There's a lot of good stuff on the site. I've seen mp3s from bands that I already like, such as Nine Inch Nails, Deerhoof, High Places, and Vivian Girls, but also a bunch that I've never heard of. I kind of like the band name "Mascara Sue," so I think I'll be checking them out. At any rate, you can search the archives of various genres and subgenres, so you're bound to find something that you like.

This site is a good resource for anyone looking for something new to listen to. Check it out at freemusicarchive.org.

REM: A Deeper Look At A Local Fave

You can't live in Georgia without being a fan of REM. Well, maybe you can, but it's downright un-Georgian. But I wonder how many of us forget some of the great songs the band put out after years of only hearing the tunes that made the charts? I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you, and hope you'll let us know about your favorites. REM is a part of the national music scene, and very deserving of some love from their home state.

REM performed Radio Free Europe for David Letterman on October 6, 1983. It was the band's first television appearance.



Driver 8, a song about a train engineer who is over-worked and urged by the conductor to take a break,uses a series of minor chords that guitarist Peter Buck would use again on "The One I Love," "Losing My Religion," and "Bang and Blame," among others. It's a fan favorite at concerts.



"Cuyahoga" is the name of the river in Northern Ohio that the city of Cleveland was built around. There were many tribes of Indians which used to live in the region ("This is where they walked, swam, hunted, danced and sang"), and they simply called the river the Crooked River due to its zig-zag nature and many U-shaped turns. "Cuyahoga" is an Indian word meaning "crooked." It's also a little-known commercially, but well loved by fans, favorite.



If I had to name my number one, you can only listen to this one song for the rest of your listening days, tune by REM, it'd be King of Birds. I can't find much info on the writing and recording of the song, but it's on my favorite album, Document. Enjoy!

Sunday Sampler: April 19, 2009

Tova Rinah & The Way Home

According to her MySpace site: Tova found a guitar at a garage sale when she was fourteen. She taught herself some chords and began writing songs. She went to college in North Georgia and met songwriting friends who encouraged the continued growth of crafting songs. She moved back to Atlanta and taught Elementary school for five years. She played in an eight-piece band around the city and recorded an EP in 2006. The band came to a close the summer of 2007. She became interested in keeping her songs cloaked in more acoustic attire at that time and began playing with Austin Harris. She just finished recording a LP with Mike Odmark in Nashville. You'll hear it soon. Lastly, Rinah is her middle name. Tova Rinah means, "Good Song of my Heart" in Hebrew.

Cleft in the Rock by Tova Rinah & The Way Home

Ninja Gun

With a mixture of rock, punk and country, this quartet from Valdosta, GA has a sound reminiscent of Band of Horses mixed with the Deathray Davies. It's pop friendly with a punk kick. The band really cut their teeth playing around in Gainesville and throughout the process, the band has been adopted by the Floridian college town. We hope you'll make them feel the love from Middle Georgia!

Ninja Guns

Permanent Press by Ninja Gun

8 Miles Out by Ninja Gun

Venice Is Sinking

Bands from Athens always seem to appeal to me, especially those with a sweet male/female vocal pairings layered over orchestral pop music with just a bit of Americana edge. That's probably why I like Venice is Sinking. Hope you will too!

Venice is Sinking

Ryan's Song by Venice Is Sinking

Okay by Venice Is Sinking

Flashback Friday: April 17, 2009

Way back in the eighties, this song made many of us want to dance. To this day when I hear the opening notes, I want to tap the toes and start doing some 50's style dancing with my hubby. But that's not likely to happen...



Less popular, but just as fun is "Ant Music".

Though her appearance might be a little off-putting, she's often been described as "unusual" or even creepy, you can't deny that this girl has some serious pipes. Just wait until she really gets going!



Want more Bif Naked. Check out "Spaceman".

By the end of a long week at work, my brain's sometimes a little scattered. Sort of a Ball of Confusion?



Happy Weekend to all, and to all a fun flashback!

Love It Loud This Weekend!

There's plenty of music sound and spectacle going on this weekend and we don't want you to miss a second of it!

The Hummingbird Taproom & Stage: Pistolero rocks it loud and live this Saturday night, starting at 10 P.M. when they open for Death on Two Wheels. To get your loud on early, check out Pistolero's in-studio performance on Scene 13, click here.

Ochoa, Pallon, Pollard & Perkins are Pistolero!

Ease into Saturday's raucous rock with a little folk on Friday. The Red Swill and Corduroy Road take to the stage at 10 P.M. tonight.

The Cox Capitol Theatre: Indie rock locals Jupiter Coyote make a return to their local roots when they bring their "mountain rock" style to the Cox Capitol tonight.

Buffingtons: Ready to rock in Milledgeville? Buffingtons is bringing you The Hollywood Ten, straight out of Nashville, TN. The music starts at 11 P.M.

The Tavery: If you missed The Red Swill in Macon on Friday, you get a second shot this Sunday night at the Tavery in Perry!

Happy Live Music Listening!

One Hit Wonder Wednesday: April 15, 2009

What better way to celebrate the day our taxes are due, than with some one hit wonder fun!

Tarzan Boy by Baltomora



Natural One by Folk Implosion: Though they never made it big on the Top 40 charts, Lou Barlow's Sebadoh always ranked well on college and indie music charts.



Banditos by The Refreshments: Again, these guys had other songs make it on the radio, but we're talking hits people, hits!!!



Hope you enjoyed these!

Tuesday Tunes: April 14, 2009

This is a LOCALS ONLY Tuesday tunes segment. Hope you enjoy.

WILX - Athens, GA: Sometimes you're just in the mood for some rock 'n roll, no frills, no sub-genres. WILX delivers. It's guitar-driven rock with just enough synth to give it depth. Listen to the music samples below and let us know what you think.

Didactic Dichotomy | To You & Yours

The Nuevos - Sarasota, FL: An in-home studio, dedication to perfection and a long love of indie music, dating back to junior high school, ensure the dynamic duo behind the Nuevos create interesting, appealing and accessible indie music.

First Prize For Everyone | Hopetown Racers

Misfortune 500 - Athens, GA: Moving back to the fantastic Athens music scene, here's a great song with a driven edgy sound. They've got a Brit-ish (not British, but vaguely Brit-like) sound, so if you like the Killers or Interpol, their sound just might appeal to you.

Panther Panther | A Ready Defense

Flash Back Friday: April 10th, 2009

Heat of the Moment by Asia: I received a record player and several 45s when I graduated from grade school. One of those 45 singles was this song. I loved it. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Hoping you enjoy this flashback as much as I do!



A Girl Like You by the Smithereens: This song was all the rage the year I graduated from high school. The Smithereens are one of the few 80's/90's bands that my husband and I both enjoy. Otherwise he was all about the hair metal and I was all about new wave/punk. The Smithereens made lots of fans with their edgy, but accessible sound.



Saint Joe On The School Bus by Marcy Playground: Though they were better known for their 1997 hit, Sex & Candy, this is my favored MP tune. I liked the minimalist grunge appeal and understated vocals. Oh my!



Thanks for taking this trip back in time with me today. Hope you'll check back next Friday for more flashback fun.

Bluebirds & Bluegrass - This Weekend

Dauset Trails in Jackson is one of those places...well, it's sort of hard to describe...but it's one of those places where you just feel right with the world when you're there. I think there's just something about the spirit of the place - the woods, the animals, the history. It's one of my family's favorite places to go and just hang out for the day. We check out the animals, explore and just soak up the atmosphere. It's always a mini-adventure of sorts. But I've seen couples there too, so apparently, it's also date-worthy.

Every year around this time they have this huge festival-type event called Bluebirds and Bluegrass. Oh my gosh – SO...MUCH...FUN! My dad loves bluegrass music, so I developed a healthy liking for it. It's not my absolute favorite genre to rock out to, but there is just something really extraordinary about bluegrass musicians. First of all, you've got to be a real musician - a really talented musician - to do the things that bluegrass folks do with those instruments. And some of the absolute best bluegrass bands will be strumming their banjos at Dauset Trails during the festival. The guys of The Packway Handle Band from Athens, GA are five pieces of a musical menagerie that I just can't get enough of. We caught their performance at the GA Music Hall of Fame last week and they were a-mazing! The Redline Express is another one of those unforgettable five-part bands whose music sounds like what I would imagine a bluegrass symphony to sound like (that's probably a strange analogy, but I just mean that they have a clean, classic style that makes my listening ears quite content). You do not want to miss these guys - and two exquisite ladies! I can't claim first-hand knowledge of the other two bands - the Danley Family and Staber & Chasnoff - but they have to be pretty spectacular to be sharing the stage with the two former groups.

Before I get carried away with the music...okay, I'm already there...but here's something else that might interest you - it's FREE!

The festival also includes an Easter egg hunt for kids at 11:00 a.m. One note - don't be late for this. You really need to line up for the hunt before 11:00. There will be kids' activities galore throughout the day. From a moonwalk to the spider-bungee jump to rock-wall climbing (and much, much more), kids - and daring adults - will have plenty to entertain them.

You can take a picnic basket, but there will be food and drinks for sale, too. And really, who's going to pass up the opportunity for a little festival food?

So pack up the family or your date or your buds and head on up to Jackson for a little Bluebirds and Bluegrass - you won't be disappointed! It's all happening this Saturday starting at 10:00 a.m. For directions, check out the Dauset Trails website at : www.dausettrails.com/News.htm .

One Hit Wonder Wednesday: April 8, 2009

Admit it! A few of you out there are as drawn to VH1's One Hit Wonder countdowns as I am! If I switch to that channel and one of those shows is on, I'm sitting down and watching it until the end.

Why not bring that fun to the web for our Central Georgia audience? Nothing brings a smile to your face faster than a little 80's video footage. Or a fond nod at a nineties favorite. We're offering up both, right at your fingertips, and you don't need to get to the TV. It's right here.

China by Red Rockers: The Red Rockers, a New Wave band from New Orleans, Louisiana, formed in 1979 and disbanded in 1985. They are best known for their 1983 hit single "China". They toured the United States opening for The Cars, Men at Work, U2, Joan Jett and The Go-Go's.



Fun Note: Lead singer John Thomas Griffith co-founded the band Cowboy Mouth with Paul Sanchez and Fred LeBlanc in 1990. He played guitar and sang.

Beds Are Burning by Midnight Oil: This Australian rock band from Sydney originally performed as Farm from 1972 to 1975. Their very unique lead singer, Peter Garrett, joined the band at a later date and they began touring in 1975. Though their only American chart-topper was Beds are Burning, I remember they did get minimal radio play with a couple other singles, including One Country and my favorite...Dead Heart.



Fun Note: The band chose the name Midnight Oil by drawing it out of a hat.

The Freshman by The Verve Pipe: The Verve Pipe, an American rock band from Michigan was formed in 1991 by Brian and Brad Vander Ark, Brian Stout and Donny Brown. There only chart topper came off their 1995 release, Villains. But, the Freshman was actually a re-release from their first album in 1992.



Connection by Elastica: Elastica, a British alternative rock-band, was formed in mid 1992 by ex-Suede guitarist Justine Frischmann and ex-Spitfire and Suede drummer Justin Welch. Their self-titled first LP was released in 1995, and two songs got radio play, but only one topped the charts, ensuring Elastica's spot on the one-hit wonder list.



Fun Note: Frischmann's relationship with Blur's Damon Albarn made tabloid headlines and created further buzz about the band, but didn't help them leave a more lasting impression.

Tuesday Tunes: North Elementary

Not For Everyone, Just For You, is Chapel Hill, N.C.-based North Elementary's latest album, and they were kind enough to let us share some of their songs in our first Tuesday Tunes blog. Send them some serious "thank you" vibes! Click on the bold song titles below to list and/or download.

Ones In Love

This song reminds me of early Radiohead, at times it has the dark energy of Creep, but it also has the gentle sadness of Fake Plastic Trees. Not to say the guys are ripping off Thom Yorke and crew, I just think it's nearly impossible to keep from making a comparison. And who wouldn't like to be compared to Radiohead? I do think they stretch it out just a bit too long with the electronic outro, but that's my personal opinion. I'd have liked it better if they just let it end on the strong note about a minute earlier.

Golden Tigers

Golden Tigers has a dreamy alt-country appeal. It's got some good twang and jangle going on, and I'm a sucker for some good twang and jangle. It's a departure from Ones in Love, not nearly as dark in mood. In fact this tune is downright sunny. Check out the video for Golden Tigers below:



There's just something about Chapel Hill bands, they've got some crazy vibe, much like that which centers around Georgia's indie music hub, Athens. I expect we'll not only hear great things from other Chapel Hill bands, I know we'll continue to hear great things come of out North Elementary.

Sunday Sampler: April 5, 2009

Click on the song titles to listen to the MP3!

Local* Listen: - Holy Ghost Tent Revival

The band, which makes it's base out of Greensboro, NC describe their sound as indie/thrash/roots. Sarah Hall, a reviewer with the Salisbury Post, says, "Holy Ghost Tent Revival's exploration of styles occurs in a coherent and exciting framework, not a gratuitous display or hodgepodge. Their exciting, polyglot arrangements make perfect musical sense." We hope you'll listen and let us know what you think!

Getting Over Your Love - Holy Ghost Tent Revival

Brooklyn Beat: The Essex Green

With three members sharing the songwriting duties, you might think things would be a bit jumbled and confusing. Your thinking would be wrong when the three sharing the duties are part of The Essex Green. Together Chris Ziter, Sasha Bell and Jeff Baron, "assembled a collection of songs that speak to themes of travel, exploration, wanderlust and the desire for quiet niches amid the pressures of big city living." The twelve songs on their latest album, The Cannibal Sea, blend the old with the new causing reviewers to create comparisons ranging from the Byrds to the Shins, the Monkees to the Mamas & The Papas. How would you describe their sound?

Don't Know Why (You Stay) - The Essex Green

Illinois Indie: The Heligoats

Ever heard of Troubled Hubble? If you haven't, you missed out on some great indie music. But you're not completely out of luck. Chris Otepka, the man behind The Heligoats, wrote his first pieces way back in the late 90's before he formed Chicago-based Troubled Hubble. Otepka is recording as the Heligoats again, and indie music listeners are reaping the benefits now that he's releasing his latest tunes on Portland's Greyday Records. Take a listen, see if you like it!

Been A Drill - The Heligoats

* We have a broader definition of "local" here at Scene 13. Our "local" listening area spans the Southeast.

Saturday Spotlight : Neko Case

How about some good music? I recently picked up "Middle Cyclone," the new album by the golden-throated goddess Neko Case, and I'm really enjoying it. I've heard her music described as "alternative country," but I prefer to just call it great music. Her lyrics are full of odd imagery concerning things like criminals, car accidents, tornadoes, and killer whale mauling. Good stuff. The album is very good, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes creative music.


You can download two of Case's songs, "People Got a Lotta Nerve" and "Middle Cyclone", from the Anti- website.

Street Fighter IV for Playstation 3

This past weekend, I visited my brother who, despite not really being an avid gamer, always seems to have all the newest video games. I wasn't really interested in a lot of what he had, but one title really excited me: Street Fighter IV for Playstation 3. I was blown away.

I've been a SF fan since I was in 6th grade. I spent hours and hours playing Street Fighter II each day, unable to pull myself away from the screen. I probably should have spent the majority of that time studying or something, but that time has passed and there's no need to talk about that now. At any rate, I played that game and all of its 2000 different iterations until I couldn't play any longer. I also played SFIII, the Alpha series, and all the various SF Vs. mash-ups, but none of them truly matched up to the SFII series of games.

Well, after playing Street Fighter IV for only about 2 or 3 hours, I can honestly say that it surpasses SFII. I couldn't believe how good it felt to control the fighters. I was initially concerned about how 3D characters on a 2D plane would play, and I thought it was a bad idea, but I obviously didn't know what I was talking about. The animation is so fluid and natural that it's hard to believe that these are 3D models and not hand-drawn 2D characters. The controls are easy and are pretty much the same as SF games have always been, so anyone who has played those titles in the past can easily pick up a controller and play with no issues. I can't really express the feeling that I got when playing the game except that I did not want to stop. I felt like a 6th grader again, and to me, that's a good thing.

The only problem is that I don't own a PS3 or an Xbox 360, so I can't play the game anytime I want to, but now I am determined to buy one of these machines.

Check out this review from IGN: