Whenever a band gets back together to record their first album in 16 years, fans are unfortunately met with that odd sensation of both instant excitement and palpable trepidation. Will it be good? Will it suck? Will I be forced to burn that t-shirt I've been wearing since 1994? Then…the wait begins. It’s happened multiple times for me over the past few years, with varying degrees of end-results. There is the immediate disappointment that stemmed from all of The Pixies recent releases, but also the shining surprises like My Bloody Valentine’s latest. It's a tossup. 50/50.
Our first listen to The Afghan Whigs’ new record, Do The Beast, sounds pretty much exactly the way we wanted it to. Brooding, sexy and melodic – it’s unmistakably them. But it also pushes the Whig-envelope a bit with my personal life-hero, Greg Dulli, laying heavy on his vocal chords by singing a few octaves higher than we’re accustomed to him crooning. Badass.
I love Bruce Springsteen. And I'm not going to lie - at one time I thought I loathed him. Growing up a product of the MTV generation, I had him tagged as a dude who had some hits I kind of knew from the '70s, but for me, he was the guy in the tight jeans from Born in the USA, or danicing with Monica Geller in the "Dancing in the Dark" video. I had never given him much of a chance, until a good friend finally sat me down, and forced me to listen to Born to Run from start to finish. It changed my perception, not only of Springsteen, but of music in general.
So, it was no surprise I immediately connected with The Gaslight Anthem a few years back when they released their debut record Sink or Swim - which channeled The Boss's New Jersey soul, but did it in a way that felt completely fresh and new.
Now, Gaslight's leader, Brian Fallon, has put together a new side-project alongside longtime friend Ian Perkins called The Horrible Crowes. It's his lounge-friendly tip of the hat to the acts who have shaped another side of his musical vision, including SIC hero Greg Dulli, and the legendary Tom Waits.
Our awesomely titled Jam of the Day, "Behold the Hurricane," is a soaring song about the ghost of a past love and the power that impossible-to-forget memories can possess. Its chorus is a stadium-sized chant, just asking for arms to be raised, while its soul is as intimate as those nights you sit with friends, drink, and play old rock records on your turntable.
Listen to "Behold the Hurricane" below, and download another track from The Horrible Crowes, "Go Tell Everybody," for free here. Also, if you're feeling it, pick up their full-length LP, Elsie, at a local record store of your choice.
This happened to me in the first year of the new century, when Paste Magazine recommended Twilight as Played by the Twilight Singers. I remember driving down to the now defunct Manifest Discs and Tapes in Wilmington, North Carolina, and picking it up. I shelved it for the night, but upon my return after a night like many other college nights, I played it for the first time at around 3 AM while falling into bed fully clothed.
What came out of the speakers that night forever changed the musical experience for me. I remember lying on my back, staring up, and thinking if I made music, this is how it would sound. From the opening note of the record, a hauntingly tapped piano, I was enamored by every project Greg Dulli has ever touched. I was able to listen to Afghan Whigs albums for the first time. 1965 immediately stood out as one of those perfect albums we find so rarely throughout life. Each Twilight Singers album released grew alongside me.
Since Powder Burns was released five years ago, life has moved on at an ever increasing pace. Dulli projects, like The Gutter Twins, were welcomed and wonderful, but that fire still burned for a proper Twilight Singers release.
We're finally getting close...about a month away. And as songs are slowly released, like "Blackbird and the Fox," which features Ani DiFranco, the anticipation of experiencing a collective Dulli vision is intensified.
We're one step closer today with our Jam of the Day, "On the Corner," which is the the first single from the new record awesomely entitled Dynamite Steps. It in no way disappoints, starting as just a simple fuzzy drum-machine beat, but in true Twilight fashion, builds into something so grand you forget how it even got there.
Listen to it below, or download it by clicking the arrow on the right side. And if you don't yet have a Twilight Singers album, please go pick one or all of them up. Greg Dulli is a damn national treasure, and I, for one, cannot wait to salute his ass once again when Dynamite Steps drops February 15th via Sub Pop. Grab the pre-order here.
Happy Monday to all! It's definitely not every day we receive new music compliments of Greg Dulli and his band The Twilight Singers - so put those hands in the air and waive them bitches like you don't care!
I hope you all take the time to enjoy this free download of the spankin' new song, "Blackbird and the Fox," from the forthcoming Twilight Singers album which will be out early 2011 via Sub Pop. It features a duet between my personal hero, Greg Dulli, and SIC favorite, Ani DiFranco.
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