Last week Anne wrote a little something (okay just a blurb really) about ye old CYSTSFTS? over at the always awesome and informative Gaper's Block. Just in case you care.

In other news, the wife and I are almost certainly headed out to see Champaign, Illinois' finest this weekend. No, I'm not referring to Braid, but rather REO Speedwagon. And you thought I had good taste! Well, after the Fall Out Boy post, I'm sure you had some doubts.

MP3 | REO Speedwagon - Can't Fight This Feeling Greatest Hits
MP3 | REO Speedwagon - Keep On Loving You Greatest Hits

This is my blog so I can post whatever I want. That means anything. And despite the fact that Pete "The Predator" Wentz is a little on the sketchy side (check out the pictures from Buddyhead from 3/27) and the band's live show leaves a little to be desired, I'm gonna post a few Fall Out Boy tunes. I don't give a fuck if you don't like it.

Now, their songs are catchy as hell and will (almost certainly) get stuck in your head, even if the clever song titles are so last summer. Listening to Fall Out Boy is just like eating frosting straight out of the jar. It is made up of artifical ingredients and has zero nutritional value, but somehow you just can't put your spoon away. Crank it up. Turn it up loud. And (just like Pete in the pictures referenced above) rock out with your cock out.

MP3 | Fall Out Boy - 'Tell That Mick...' Take This To Your Grave
MP3 | Fall Out Boy - Reinventing The Wheel... Take This To Your Grave
MP3 | Fall Out Boy - Sugar We're Goin' Down From Under The Cork Tree
MP3 | Fall Out Boy - Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy (Acoustic) My Heart Will Always Be... EP

I just realized that I haven't posted much electronic, ambient, drone, or experimental music here lately. I apologize. Those thoughts came to me after I listened to the new album by the New Orleans duo Belong. They twist and manipulate their guitars and synths until their output swells into a massive wall of colorful sound. Do you like My Bloody Valentine, Fennesz, M83, or even the ambient Aphex Twin stuff? You'll probably like this.

"The album encapsulates their hometown of New Orleans, at once bathed in sunlight and colors, yet dripping in decay and a rich sadness. It is a record that attempts to display the beauty in things that are worn, decayed or destroyed... Melodies are similarly enveloped in a sort of aural atrophy, forever repeating their blurring calls. At the end, all that remains is a noise so potent it leaves the sonic equivalent of the sun's imprint on a retina." - Carpark Press Release

Some have criticized the album for being to repetitive, but I think its a favorable element (in this case). The album is powerful and emotional in a way that is like looping your thought patterns until the sounds in your head just blur into white noise and static. October Language is out now on Carpark Records. It is a gorgeous dreamlike record and once you play it, you won't want to wake up anytime soon.

MP3 | Belong - October Language October Language
MP3 | Belong - All Equal Now October Language

It is hard to believe that last week marked ten years since Material Issue frontman Jim Ellison committed suicide. He is pictured above to the right of Liz Phair. Now, Chicago's Material Issue was a favorite of mine (and a huge influence) back in the early and mid nineties, and it is a shame they never had the kind of success they truly deserved.

They played the type of insanely catchy power-pop tunes that were never quite punk enough for the punks but too amped up for major radio airplay. Anchored by singer/guitarist Jim Ellison, the band self-released an EP before putting out their debut (and most successful) record International Pop Overthrow on Mercury Records in 1991. The following year they released Destination Universe and in 1994 released Freak City Soundtrack. The latter was met with great critical acclaim but never caught on with the public, and (ultimately) led to the band being dropped from their label.

While those three records (IMHO) are absolutely perfect power-pop that takes cues from Cheap Trick as well as the Ramones, it was on the stage where Ellison and company really made their mark. I was lucky enough to have been able to witness the band live at Metro a few times and was blown away each and every time. The band had a swagger and stage presence that made three chords sound more powerful than a locomotive and lyrics about girls as important as Kafka.

Sadly though, Ellison (disappointed with the band's dismissal from Mercury and struggling with personal issues) ended it all and took his own life on June 20, 1996. At the time of his death, Material Issue had nearly finished their fourth album. The other band members added a few finishing touches and it was released as Telecommando Americano by Rykodisc in 1997.

The classic, catchy, near anthemic songs of Material Issue will forever be lodged in my brain. Ellison's suicide (to me at least) was a bigger deal than Kurt Cobain's suicide a few years earlier. Despite my love for the band, I might have missed this sad anniversary by more than I did if it wasn't for the excellent MI post over at Copy, Right?. Below are some of my favorite MI tunes including a cover.

MP3 | Material Issue - Valerie Loves Me International Pop Overthrow
MP3 | Material Issue - International Pop Overthrow International Pop Overthrow
MP3 | Material Issue - Whole Lotta You Destination Universe
MP3 | Material Issue - Destination You Destination Universe
MP3 | Material Issue - Goin' Through Your Purse Freak City Soundtrack
MP3 | Material Issue - Help Me Land Freak City Soundtrack
MP3 | Material Issue - What If I Killed Your Boyfriend Telecommando Americano
MP3 | Material Issue - Little Willy 20 Explosive Dynamic Super Smash Hit Explosions!

Southern California's The Clock Work Army recently caught my attention when I got their EP A Catalyst For Change in my mailbox. What I heard was an energetic mix of new wavey keyboards, choppy guitars, and impassioned female vocals, that are all tied together with a dance-inspired backbeat. The music is darkly melodic without being poppy. I don't think it would too much of a stretch to say they sound a little like a female-fronted Franz or Bloc Party. Heck, Ekko from Berkeley Place also recently said how much talent he thinks this young band has.

The band is currently holed up in the studio working on their debut full-length, which is due out (hopefully) at the end of the summer. In the meantime you can pick up their EP from Banter Records or right here.

MP3 | The Clock Work Army - Can't Hold It Down A Catalyst For Change EP
MP3 | The Clock Work Army - Negative Space A Catalyst For Change EP

Spider is the name Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Jane Herships goes by. Her debut album The Way To Bitter Lake is a delicate, hushed, and (mostly) sparsely ornamented affair. Full of great nu-folk songs that fans of Devendra and Sam Beam would enjoy, the album also manages to have a dreamy, atmospheric quality that just seems to pull you (the listener) in.

It's actually quite funny that Jane emailed me today about her songs since I've been wanting to write about this album for some time now. I guess I just needed a little extra push. Anyhow, Spider's latest The Way To Bitter Lake is out now. Pick up a copy here.

MP3 | Spider - I Don't Know If She Had Any Teeth Because She Never Smiled The Way To Bitter Lake
MP3 | Spider - The Bitter One The Way To Bitter Lake

Hey everyone. Sorry for the drought of posts over here this week. There's been some shit goin' down that's been keeping me pretty busy. Life getting in the way of blogging? Imagine that. But now that I'm back in the saddle, it's time to get down to business.

This weekend is the start of the summer festival season here in Chicago with the Intonation Festival featuring The Streets, Bloc Party, and tons of other great acts. I (however) am not attending, so instead of focusing on that, let's talk about the biggest of all the Chicago-based festivals, Lollapalooza. The reinvented "destination festival" (this year) features about a million different (and mostly awesome) artists playing in Chicago's Grant Park over the weekend of August 4th. Should be a doozy of a show.

Now, I was not familiar with a whole bunch of the artists playing at this year's Lollapalooza until recently. Before that weekend (however) CYSTSFTS? will introduce you to all those you don't know and give you a chance to brush up on those you do. Have a listen to the first round. If you hear something new that you like, go buy the album. Go see the band live. Support the music that you love.

MP3 | Death Cab For Cutie - Photobooth (Live) The John Byrd EP
MP3 | Sybris - The Best Day In History In Ever ST
MP3 | The Go! Team - Huddle Formation (RJD2 Mix) Ladyflash EP
MP3 | Umphrey's McGee - Front Porch Songs For Older Women
MP3 | Stars - Ageless Beauty (Most Serene Mix) A&C 2005 Tour Sampler
MP3 | Kill Hannah - Is Anyone Here Alive For Ever And Never
MP3 | Smoking Popes - Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart The Party's Over
MP3 | Blackalicious - Powers The Craft
MP3 | Editors - Munich The Back Room
MP3 | Built To Spill - Conventional Wisdom You In Reverse

Here it is, the third edition of Can You Hear The Podcast From The Southside? The theme for this one is "Summer Nights And City Lights (or) Something Different" and features songs from Centro-matic, Birdmonster, Chin Up Chin Up, Magnolia Electric Co., American Football, and more... This one is a solo effort from me and (thus) there is a little less commentary and more emphasis on the music.

As always, you can listen via iTunes on your computer or take it with you in you portable device. Subscribe to the feed (click here) and you'll get the latest podcast just as soon as its available.

Podcast | Can You Hear The Podcast (Vol. 3)

Minneapolis punk upstarts Banner Pilot sent me their newest CD Pass The Poison yesterday, and it hasn't left the car stereo (never mind that the eject function doesn't always work). It is easily one of the best punk records I've heard all year.

Describing themselves by saying, "Well, imagine if Jawbreaker and the Lawrence Arms and Alkaline Trio all got in a knife fight and Jawbreaker won, but just barely," how can you not love or (at least) give these guys a chance? I mean, that is a description I might have written, but I actually hear more Dillinger Four, Crimpshrine, and even early Screeching Weasel influences in their gruff-yet-poppy punk tunes. The lyrics are more personal than political, but they are far above most of the drivel you can (and will) hear on MTV and the like.

This is the kind of passionate punk music that I will never stop loving. My wife Amy also thinks this band is awesome and actually won't give me the CD back. Killer tunes from a young band that you should definately keep your eye on. Pass The Poison is out now and you can (and totally should) purchase a copy for only $7 right here.

MP3 | Banner Pilot - Bender Pass The Poison
MP3 | Banner Pilot - Uptown Sleep Solution Pass The Poison

Each summer (it seems) brings on an almost infinite number of different music festivals. This year there is Coachella, Intonation, Pitchfork Fest, Bonaroo, and more. There is (however) only one travelling festival that brings punk rock to every corner of the globe, the Vans Warped Tour. For punks of all ages, the local Warped Tour stop is an annual event that is not to be missed. I've been to quite a few of the Chicago dates and its always been a blast.

Thanks to the folks over at Total Assault, I'm happy to bring you a huge Warped Tour contest. Enter just by clicking here. That's all you have to do to have a chance to win the massive grand prize which includes all the following:

· A trip for two to Warped Tour 2006 August 11th at Tower City Amphitheater in Cleveland, OH - plus accommodations and transportation to and from the show!
· A pair of tickets for the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame tour
· A guitar signed by all participating artists
· Backstage passes and the opportunity meet all the artists and attend a BBQ with Warcon artists Helmet and Adair
· A video iPod from Fuse.tv loaded with shows from FUSE, participating artists' videos and current albums
· An annual subscription to download all of your favorite Warped Tour bands from past and present at www.audiolunchbox.com
· An annual subscription from Alternative Press Magazine

C'mon, you can (and should) enter the contest simply by clicking here. You should also head out to the Warped Tour which is featuring a ton of great bands this year.

A few weeks back I got the awesome new album from one of Chicago's finest rock and roll bands The Goldstars. It is called Purple Girlfriend is filled with a dozen tracks of hook-laden garage-rock mayhem, complete with grinding Farfisa organ. Taking their cues from from the Nuggets era of the mid 1960's, the band hammers away and bangs out three minute long blasts from the past that are really quite refreshing to these ears. Despite a slight update to their traditional sounds, it's just good old-fashioned rock and roll played by former members of longstanding Chicago groups The New Duncan Imperials and Poi Dog Pondering.

Purple Girlfriend is out now on Pravda Records. RIYL: The Mooney Suzuki, Raconteurs, The Hives, garage rock revival bands, etc...

MP3 | The Goldstars - D.M.V. Purple Girlfriend

While bands like Naked Raygun and The Effigies defined the "Chicago punk sound" in the 1980's, bands such as The Bollweevils refined that sound one step further. Combining buzzsaw guitars and blistering drumming with snotty vocals, anthemic choruses, and a great melodic sensibility, the band rose to the top of the Chicago punk scene during their too brief career.

The Bollweevils began as a trio in (roughly) 1993 with Ken, Bob, and some guy named Joe playing drums. They then added Daryl and replaced Joe with Brian, and viola! you have The Bollweevils I came to know and love.

The band released some 7" records on (now defunct) Underdog Records and various other local labels, but in 1994 Dr. Strange Records released their debut full-length Stick Your Neck Out. In 1995, the band upped the ante and released Heavyweight which showed a more dynamic and (gasp!) mature side of the Bollweevils. It was followed up in 1996 with Weevilive, a record that documented their scorching live show and their die hard fans.

While I only saw the band live a handful of times, I remember them absoutely tearing it up in Elgin at The Big Show in maybe 95 or 96. I feel luck to have been one of a few hundred sweaty kids singing along to every word that night.

So after releasing Weevilive the band replaced Brian with a new drummer and went on tour, but because of Dr. Daryl's obligations (he had just finished medical school and was about to start his residency) so in the fall of 1996, the band played their final show to an unsuspecting crowd at the Chicago's Fireside Bowl.

Aside from one reunion show in November of 2003, the band has been dormant for almost ten years, but is there activity on the horizon? Maybe. The band says they will play again if they can get 1000 friends on their Myspace page. Go make a new friend.

MP3 | The Bollweevils - Talkpeople History Of The Bollweevils Part II
MP3 | The Bollweevils - 999 Stoney History Of The Bollweevils Part I
MP3 | The Bollweevils - John Doe Stick Your Neck Out
MP3 | The Bollweevils - Dehumanize Stick Your Neck Out
MP3 | The Bollweevils - Utopia Heavyweight
MP3 | The Bollweevils - Railroad Coaster 2005 Previously Unreleased

I really really really like the latest album from Bloomington, IN's Defiance, Ohio. They are a great and unique find within the current folk-punk scene if you like that sorta thing. Leaning a little more towards folk than punk, they use an impressive array of instrumentation including banjo, violin, cello, harmonica, acoustic guitars, as well as male and female vocals to create a powerful barrage of sound that is also (at times) damn catchy.

Defiance, Ohio (like a lot of punk bands) sings with a lot of DIY spirit and about their left-leaning political views, but rather than just cranking the amps (like a lot of punk bands) the band shows they know how to slow things down to let the little details bleed through. Their latest album The Great Depression is filled with anti-capitalism and anti-government (the current President at least) themes that are both heartfelt and passionate. They are rough little lo-fi ditties that feed the riotous mechanism of change deep inside all of our bellies.

The band stays true to their message and is offering a free download of The Great Depression from their website, but you really should pick up a hard copy for yourself. It is out now on No Idea Records while some of their earlier records are available on Plan-It-X. RIYL: This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb, Operation Cliff Clavin, Matt Pond PA, etc...

MP3 | Defiance, Ohio - Oh, Susquehanna! The Great Depression
MP3 | Defiance, Ohio - The New World Order The Great Depression
MP3 | Defiance, Ohio - Calling Old Friends The Great Depression

Despite calling the city of Portland, Maine home, there is an easy (almost Southern) charm found in the music of Harpswell Sound. On their latest self-released full-length called Let's Go Anyway is a great blend of quirky indie-rock and twangy alt-country that had me hooked immediately. I can make comparisons to (perhaps) the Old 97's or even Uncle Tupelo, but (however you want to describe it) it's perfect for both evenings on the back porch or Sunday mornings with the paper and a cup of coffee. Ask the band how you can get a copy of Let's Go Anyway on CD or go over to Emusic to get a copy.

In addition to sending me their great new CD, the band was also kind enough to answer a few questions (my questions in bold, answers not):

What are you guys listeningto these days?  What blows your hair back?

Trey: Son Volt, Elliott Smith, The Clientele.

Mike: Pre 1970 Kinks, 20's-30's mountain music, gospel and secular.

Ron: Anne Briggs, Deerhoof, The Concretes, The Walkmen, Herbert, French Kicks, James Gang, Jens Lekman, Neko Case, MF Doom.


I've heard Portland, Maine menioned and romanticized in a few songs.  What's it really like up there?

Trey: Right now it's really wet.  Rained for most of May and so far June is pretty much the same.  Most of the songs refer to the winters here and the cold and occassional snow that accompany them.  I like writing about where I am.  It's right outside the window.  I live in a section of town that's on a hill beside the water.  We've been getting a lot of fog lately.  And it's so thick you can stand outside and watch it literally roll in from the sea down the street and eventually just blanket the neighborhood. 

Mike: The people are mean. It is horrible, ugly, and filthy. Stay away

Ron: Portland is an amazing small city. Seems to be changing quickly as people find out about it, though.

What are your opinions about music blogs such as this one?  Do you think they have any importance or influence?

Trey: I've only just found out about the world of music blogs.  Ron gave me a list I'm slowly working my way through.  It seems to me, though, that they're largely set up and visited by a community of music enthusiasts.  There's a ton of content and information on these sites which stands to benefit both bands and listeners.  And look, we put out the cd ourselves, we don't have a marketing machine behind us and
we're not taking out ads in magazines and going on long national tours.  Not that we wouldn't like to but that shit costs a lot of money and we sunk way more than we had into getting the actual cd made.  So if a site or a blog or whatever it's called puts some of our songs up or gives us a nod then to us it's certainly relevant. 

Ron: The only paper magazines I read at this point are the New Yorker, Seed, and TapeOp. Everything else is online. Blogs like yours remind me of being a kid and reading fanzines like Maximum Rock N Roll, only they're updated more quickly and you can listen to a tune right after reading about someone interesting. Also, as in the political world, blogs such as yours are one of the few remaining sources for truly
honest opinion & criticism. Awesome!

Lastly, what is the significance of the birds on the cover of your new album "Let's Go Anyway"?

Trey: You know, at first, when we decided on the cover image I just liked the picture.  We had a few that we were choosing between and this one won out.  It's warm and loose looking, not blurry but close.  But now it's kind of taken on it's own meaning.  A lot of the songs are about traveling and realizing that the days when we could pick up and move or take a couple of months off and just drive or go to other countries, those days are pretty much behind us.  And those birds may be on
display but not at a zoo, it's a museum - they're not going anywhere. It's a harsh metaphor and certainly not one that went into the decision to go with that shot but there is something there I think.  Even if it's just suggestive of things like motion and stillness.

Ron: I agree with Trey that the album has sort of a melancholy take on traveling, being tied down and unable to get away. They are taxidermy birds, posed to look lifelike, but dusty and faded after years in the LC Bates museum here in Maine.

MP3 | Harpswell Sound - Crockpot Let's Go Anyway
MP3 | Harpswell Sound - Tankful Of Gas Let's Go Anyway

Hey, due to the tempermental nature of Blogger yesterday (can anyone confirm that it wasn't just me?) there was no post on this here site. I should be back this afternoon with something good though. In the meantime, visit some of the best music writing on the internet today right here.

It seems like every other blog (Skatterbrain, YANP, Said The Gramophone, etc...) has already posted about Pants Yell!, but I don't give a damn. I have really really been liking their shimmering pop melodies a lot lately.

This Boston-based trio plays some peppy, happy, twee(?) (I'm not even really 100% sure what twee is but whatever) pop music. Their awesome new album Recent Drama is out now on Asaurus Records and Paper Cities Records. The band runs through 11 songs in about 26 minutes which might give you notions of speedy punk bands, but Pants Yell! are way to polite to be punk (or even rock for that matter). RIYL: Boy Least Likley To, The Shins, Belle And Sebastien, etc...

MP3 | Pants Yell! - Kids Are The Same Recent Drama
MP3 | Pants Yell! - Our Weather Recent Drama

Now I'm mainly a punk and indie rock kinda guy, but I do (however) know great jazz when I hear it. Katahdin's Edge is that kind of group. They are a progressive piano trio that straddles the fine line between Thelonious Monk and Radiohead. I know, it really isn't that fine a line, but their rock-inspired jazz compositions effortlessly blend old and new into something truly unique.

Pianist (and Berklee alum) Willie Myette's great sense of melody is perfectly countered by the trio's rhythmic intensity, giving the music a little extra grit and punch. They manage to take improvisation, odd time signatures, and virtuostic playing and turn them into haunting avant-garde jazz that will appeal to a wide range of audiences. Hell, they were one of only a handful of jazz groups to play SXSW in 2006, and by all accounts they rocked the house. I was sent a copy of their latest CD The Ridge a few weeks back (buy it here) and haven't stopped listening since then. RIYL: The Bad Plus, Brad Mehldau, Chris Potter, etc...

MP3 | Katahdin's Edge - Glad You Called The Ridge
MP3 | Katahdin's Edge - Broken Leg Blues Live @ Berklee 02/06

Mission Of Burma has a new album called The Obliterati out now on Matador Records that I finally picked up today. Since I have only scratched the surface of this one, I'll leave you with a a classic Burma performance from long ago. I'm sure I'll say something about their new record soon enough.

Funny that I was not even five years old when they rocked CBGB's on January 21, 1983 a mere two months before they disbanded. The sound quality is great as is the band's performance. They were incredibly ahead of their time and now they are back. Have a listen.

Mission Of Burma Live @ CBGB's 1/21/83

MP3 | Mission Of Burma - He Is She Is
MP3 | Mission Of Burma - Dead Pool
MP3 | Mission Of Burma - 1970
MP3 | Mission Of Burma - Blackboard
MP3 | Mission Of Burma - This Is Not A Photograph
MP3 | Mission Of Burma - Hunt Again
MP3 | Mission Of Burma - That's When I Reach For My Revolver
MP3 | Mission Of Burma - The Ballad Of Johnny Burma
MP3 | Mission Of Burma - Learn How

If you didn't know it already, summertime is almost here (officially that is) and I can't think of a better way to kick off the summer than with a little high-octane party music. Coincidentally (or not) punk rock stalwarts Less Than Jake have a new album out called In With The Out Crowd that is filled with the same brand of consistently great high-quality melodic punk-ska that LTJ has been pumping out for more than a dozen years and roughly ten full-length albums. Old reliable (if you will).

Now I've seen the band live probably a dozen or more times at venues ranging from tiny basements, to the legendary Fireside Bowl, to the main stage at the Warped Tour, and they always make it special. They are also one of the few bands that survived the ska-punk boom and bust of the mid nineties, and have done so jumping from indie label to major label and back and forth all over again.

I also admire their dedication to the 7" vinyl record. They've released backwards one-sided 7" records complete with pizza box packaging, a split 7" with Megadeth, an orange and black limited edition Halloween 7" (commerating Amy's 21st birthday), and even a 7 x 7" box set for their album Hello Rockview.

Needless to say, the music of LTJ has been a major influence on me over the years. There is something very endearing about the band. Despite the catchy, poppy, upbeat nature of their music, there has always been an underlying sadness and a world-weary quality to their songs. Feelings of longing for better days gone by and the futility of it all come creeping through the candy-coated exterior.

Even the new material on In With The Out Crowd has that same nostalgic feeling that has remained consistent in their music since the beginning. With the core trio of Chris, Roger, and Vinnie in tact you get the same great vocal harmonies, bouncing basslines, buzzsaw pseudo-metal punk guitars, and snappy drumming flanked by an always tight horn section. It is standard-issue Less Than Jake, which is just the way I like it. So enjoy the 30 minutes of LTJ below and go pick up a copy of In With The Out Crowd from here or here today. As my brother says, "Less Than Jake... I like that song."

MP3 | Less Than Jake - Fall Apart In With The Out Crowd
MP3 | Less Than Jake - Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin LTJ/J Church Split 7"
MP3 | Less Than Jake - 24 Hours In Paramus Losers, Kings, And Things We Don't Understand
MP3 | Less Than Jake - Liquor Store Pezcore
MP3 | Less Than Jake - You're The One That I Want Greased
MP3 | Less Than Jake - Sugar In Your Gas Tank Losing Streak
MP3 | Less Than Jake - Look What Happened Anthem
MP3 | Less Than Jake - All My Best Friends Are Metalheads Hello Rockview
MP3 | Less Than Jake - Bridge And Tunnel Authority B Is For B-Sides
MP3 | Less Than Jake - Gainesville Rock City Borders & Boundaries

Peoria is a blue-collar working-class town in central Illinois and it where The Forecast calls home and the influence of those hometown roots is clearly evident in their music. It is country-tinged post-hardcore indie rock (fuck, lets just call it what it really is... emo) that is melodic and catchy-as-hell. Anchored by the powerful male/female vocals of Dustin Addis, Matt Webb, and Shannon Burns, the band manages to rise above and diffirentiate themselves from most other bands that could be lumped into this genre. In fact, their latest record In The Shawdow Of Two Gunmen is far and away the best thing I've heard from Victory Records in quite some time. Maybe it is the combination of Americana twang and punk rock intensity but I hear influences ranging from Braid to The Anniversary (and that is a good thing).

Eric from Theme Park Experience gives In The Shadow Of Two Gunmen his seal of approval and so do I. RIYL: Rainer Maria, Hey Mercedes, etc...

MP3 | The Forecast - And We All Return To Our Roots In The Shadow Of Two Gunmen
MP3 | The Forecast - (May You One Day) Carry Me Home In The Shadow Of Two Gunmen

Nothing says fun quite like 10 hours on the road in the pouring rain with a teething 7 month old in the backseat, right? Well, it wasn't really all that bad. Last Thursday, Amy and I packed up the little one and headed off to Pennsylvania to visit the home of Straub Beer and fine powdered metal products. Below is a loving tribute to the greenies and brownies.

MP3 | No On 15 - Pass Me A Straub Previously Unreleased

We spent much time relaxing and visiting with family, but I did manage to squeeze in a little time lounging on the porch swing and catching up on some great podcasts. I highly recommend checking out Those Transatlantics and also Slowlands (both of which were featured on Contrast Podcast #7). Great bands.

MP3 | Slowlands - One More Fire Never Was There A Town

Another band that I became familiar with on this trip was Peoria, Illinois' The Forecast. Their latest record In The Shadow Of Two Gunmen is pretty darn good (blending emo and southern-tinged rock) and out now on Victory Records.

MP3 | The Forecast - And We All Return To Our Roots In The Shadow Of Two Gunmen

And as the weekend cam to a close and we endured another 10 hour drive back to Chicagoland (why does the drive home always seem so much longer?) Hot Chip's new record The Warning at least provided a little bit of a soundtrack.

MP3 | Hot Chip - Over And Over The Warning

After finally getting back into the swing of things, I'll be back with the regularly scheduled programming tomorrow.