I've got a tip for all you fans of Land Of Talk: the band loves margaritas. If they're swinging through your town do yourself a favor and offer them up some frosty concoctions from our friends south of the border. It will absolutely make their day. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with LOT at their stop in Dallas, and over the course of several cocktails and about a pack and a half of cigarettes chat with them regarding their recent surge in popularity ("We have fans in China!"), the current state of Montreal's music scene ("Still viable even after the pillaging that took place during the last few years") and their favorite songs to listen to while driving in the touring van ("I Keep Forgetting by Michael McDonald. No joke").

On the cusp of wrapping up their 25 date North American tour, the band were quite reflective on the last fews years. Having recently inked a deal with UK indie stalwarts One Little Indian while at the same time losing their original drummer, Elizabeth Powell and Co. are ready for the exciting challenges ahead but still weary of what they lost to get to this point in their career. After their final stop in the US, the band heads back to Montreal to tie up some loose ends and then just as quickly as they arrived, head to the UK for 3 weeks worth of gigs. OLI will re-release their debut with several new tracks but a new album probably won't see the light of day until next summer.

During the course of our hour together, LOT kept circling back to the subject of their fan base. Small but fiercely loyal, fans of the band camped out in front of The Cavern's tiny stage hours before the band plugged in but once they did, LOT treated them to a blistering, stellar performance. Feeling the effects of the margaritas (One fan asked what was in them, and Elizabeth, ever the quick witted frontwoman replied "One shot of awesome!" It was priceless.) LOT tore into tracks from ACBH as well as two new songs. Combining a sound that closely resembles The Prentenders on qualuudes, Land Of Talk readily showcased a true love of their craft and for each other. Do yourself a favor: invite your friends over, mix up a batch of margaritas, and dig the pop fuzz stylings of Land Of Talk. You can thank me later. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Land Of Talk: Magnetic Hill

Land Of Talk: Sea Foam

Land Of Talk: Summer Special (highly rec'd!!)

Sometimes wearing your influences on your sleeves is a good thing. Take This Is Me Smiling, for instance. Combining a healthy dose of Ben Folds' humour and zing, a dash of Elliott Smith's wistful whisper, and a scoop of power pop emo and you've concocted a nice little debut album. With songs that surely translate well to the stage, TIMS come across as band that truly enjoys playing together. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

This Is Me Smiling: Feelin' The Time Pass By (highly rec'd!!)

This Is Me Smiling: Goodbye To Each New Day

This Is Me Smiling: Prettier (highly rec'd!!)

This Is Me Smiling: Mixin' Up Adjectives


::CONCERT ALERT::

If you're in Dallas tonight, make it a point to check out Land of Talk at The Cavern. I know I will.

Land Of Talk: Summer Special

There are two specific things I want to do when I listen to Queens Of The Stoneage. Drink and fuck. Seriously. As soon as the needle drops on the opening track, I've got shots lined up and I'm ready to make some serious love. I'm talking back up against the wall, panties at your ankles, heavy breathing kind of sex. You feel me? I thought so. Lead QOTSA Josh Homme always stood by his creed that the band was all about making music for the ladies, and their sublime new release Era Vulgaris doesn't do much to dispell that rumour. Chock full of swaggering hooks and deep, groove inducing beats, EV showcases QOTSA at their very best. After everyone pretty much slept on their previous stellar album Lullabies To Paralyze, one would think that Josh Homme & Co. would pack it in. Fortunately for you they decided otherwise. Invigorated by his star turn in Eagles Of Death Metal's sophomore album, Homme found his way back to the cocksucker blues. Do yourself a favor: grab your girl, grab this album, and grab a bottle of whiskey. The skeletons in your closet will thank you. For your listening (dis)pleasure:


Queens Of The Stoneage: Make It Wit Chu (highly rec'd!!)

Queens Of The Stoneage: 3's & 7's (highly rec'd!!)

Queens Of The Stoneage: Sick, Sick, Sick

Queens Of The Stoneage: I'm Designer


::BONUS TRACK::

Queens Of The Stoneage: Make It Wit Chu (live) (highly rec'd!!)

Memories are a funny thing, aren't they? They can come flooding back in an instant, transporting you back in time to remind you of things long forgotten. So when my old high school buddy and current Virginia resident Russ Glenn emailed me I was plesantly surprised to find out that his rudimentary guitar skills I remembered from 15 years ago had blossomed into a truly formidable talent. Was this modern day troubador really the same person who once schooled me on the finer points of the Dead Kennedy's and Oingo Boingo? Singing a different tune these days, Glenn now puts pen to paper to write melodic, soothing odes that crawl inside the reccesses of your subconcious and root there for days at a time. Imagine a less bragadocious Dave Matthews or a less hyperactive Jason Mraz and you're halfway to grasping Russ's obvious gift. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Russ Glenn: Blind (highly rec'd!!)

Russ Glenn: (Don't Say) Goodnight



::FYI::

Yours truly is the blogger of the week at the awesome BreakThru Radio. Do yourself a favor and spend some time perusing their site which includes some pretty fantastic BreakThru DJ's.

It's finally a beautiful sunny day here in the Big D so there's really nothing to keep me inside today. Green grass and pollen, here I come! I would be remiss however, if I didn't share with you the post 80's stylings of Atlanta's Snowden. Toggling between groove inducing beats and paint peeling guitar licks (Victim Card) to plaintive odes to chemical comedowns (Come Around), Snowden are the perfect soundtrack for sitting on your front porch and imbibing. Have a cold beer and shot of whiskey on me. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Snowden: Victim Card (highly rec'd!!)

Snowden: Anti Anti

Snowden: Come Around

Snowden: Dreams (Stutter remix) (Fleetwood Mac cover) (highly rec'd!!)