VIDEO: Little Kid Brings the Underage Funk to a Russian Dance Club

Look at this young kid do his thing at the club. In a couple of years he is going to destroy it on the Bar Mitzvah circuit.

I can only imagine what he's doing to the new Daft Punk. 

Daft Punk - Get Lucky ft. Pharrell Williams

#EDAS Album Review: Steve Earle, The Low Highway

by Justin (@justasstrazdin)

Label: New West - April 16, 2013

Artist-Fair Shopping: Nothing Online, Hit a Record Shop

Style: Cool Uncle Americana, Like Father like Son, You Could Learn Something from This Guy

Audience: Hipsters Chewing Tobacco, Old People Who Still Go to Bars for Live Music, Bearded Thirty-somethings Who Complain at Every Show, Fans of Bubbles on HBO's The Wire

Better Tracks: The Low Highway, Love's Gonna Blow My Way, Pocket Full of Rain

There's plenty of reason to believe that Steve Earle and son Justin Townes Earle help each other sell records by individually being good at the same thing. Justin's profile rose because he releases quality, hipster-friendly Americana. Steve Earle seems settled into his large, gray beard, that I suspect now controls his Americana-leaning country rock, which hasn't slowed down since his return from the depths of self-destruction in the mid 90's, with only a few creative dips along the way. That is impressive.

It's good that Steve Earle had not wandered down the old man rock road and mired his excellent writing with a tired production from some old Nashville cats wanting nothing more than to get the fuck out of the business, as soon as they pay off their boat. Instead, the Dukes and Duchesses sound right, enough that the twenty-something couple swaying together at Pickathon (well, not this year)--with their PBR's knocking together, her breezy cotton summer dress, and his tailored sustainable berry farmer getup--can enjoy it and forget about The Avett Brothers for a minute.

The album opens strong with "The Low Highway," a slow-moving steel guitar guided number that starts strong, and regains momentum near the middle of the album with "Love's Gonna Blow My Way," an excellent New Orleans style fiddle tune--written along with "After Mardi Gras" for HBO's Treme, both by Earle and co-star Lucia Micarelli--with fast dealt, simple lyrics that are strong on its hook. It reminds me of Justin Townes Earle's addictive opening track, "Hard Livin'," from his debut full-length, The Good Life. "Pocket Full of Rain" plays like classy 70's New York piano pop rock, which is fun considering Earle made NYC his home in 2007 (possibly 2006, I found no firm date).

There are a few low points on this record, which is incredible considering he is far along the second wind of a career he revived fifteen years ago, after heroin problems and jail time. "Calico County" sounds lazy, even if it does play to Steve Earle's strengths. I'm usually all for rambling meth rock, but not with so many good cuts on the album. "Invisible" had a similar problem, where the vocal harmony in the chorus is inconsistent with the rest of the material. I figure they are trying to fool a young radio audience by running it as a lead single, but if not, I'm confused. It also sounds like "Down Here Below" on Washington Square Serenade, minus the goofy banjo bridge to fade out. "21st Century Blues" sounds like a late-period Springsteen B-side. Whatever. But everything else makes up for it, given where his career could have ended considering his age and gritty past. Let's see you do better.

Verdict: Excellent Reason to Pound a Six Ringer on a Porch While Slapping Mosquitoes

Steve Earle - The Low Highway

Caveman perform "In The City" Live on the Artie Lange Show

Artie & Norm in "Dirty Work"

One of my favorite New York City bands, played one of my favorite new songs, on a show with my one of my favorite comedians, from one of my favorite movies. Here is the newest single from The Subjects Caveman's self titled new album out on Fat Possum Records. These guys just released an official video starring the beautiful Julia Stiles, but I prefer this live performance which accentuates the celestial voice of lead vox Matty Pickles and also promotes the insane craftmanship Jimmy Carbonetti brings to guitar-making. I guess I just like watching the "Dirty Work."

Caveman - In The City

#EDAS Album Review: Futurebirds, Baba Yaga

by Justin (@justasstrazdin)

Futurebirds – Baby Yaga

Label: Fat Possum – April 16, 2013

Artist-Fair Shopping: Fat Possum Store

Style: Americanarama, Summer Flannel, Teles and Vintage Amps

Audience: Those Guys with Ten Day Beards and Their Really Cute Girlfriends, Dads at Shows, People Who Know What's inside a Silo

Better Tracks: Serial Bowls, The Doewg

There are numerous benefits to letting your band sound like The Jayhawks in good measure. First, it is a safe position to take, because alt-country Americana always has a niche homestead along the dusty roads of fans' hearts. Second, it might be hard for some critics to argue that your albums are derivative after the next time they sip lemonade on a porch and one of your songs arrives on shuffle. Third, Hollywood Town Hall is a minor masterwork to aspire toward, even with all the Jesus stuff.

So the Futurebirds drop Baby Yaga and the comparison is easy to make. The album is easy to listen to. It is smooth and sunny with wonderful runs of pedal steel whine. It makes you want to start a controlled fire. The arrangements are solid, but rough-hewn when they rock. While this album sounds like it has been done before, not every record needs to experiment, especially with PBR Americana. If there is solid writing backed by a road worn band, then the effort is welcome.

Verdict: Roll up Your Plaid Sleeves and Find Some Mosquitoes to Slap.

Futurebirds - Serial Bowls

Sharon Jones Diagnosed With Cancer. Cancels Tour & Upcoming Album. Get Well Sharon!!

A double dose of sad news has just been delivered as reports have confirmed Sharon Jones has been diagnosed with a form of bile duct cancer. According to my mother, a multi-time cancer survivor herself, Sharon should be fine. In the wake of her illness, Daptone Records has postponed the release of her album, Give the People What They Want, as well as all her planned concert appearances. 

The lovely Miss Sharon and I have crossed paths a couple of notable times. Once, you may remember, was when her and I shared the TV screen nearly equally at a taping of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. 

Click to see larger

The other was at a Valentine's Day show in 2009 when after her performance, she signed my record and gave me a big ol' kiss. She is one of the strongest, hardest working, most beautiful personalities in all of music today, my heart and prayers go out her and her family in their time of need. We here at #EDAS wish her a speedy, full recovery so she can get back to making our lives better with her amazing music and spirit. In the meantime here she is making it look just too easy with her Dap-King associates. 

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Let Them Knock

Rainy Monday Cure: Brazilian Baby Belts Beatles Cover

Get this kid a ridiculous coat and put him on a rooftop because this performance is on par with the original fab four's ultra-soulful swan song. This little boy is an absolute champion and his father deserves some serious Dad of The Week honors. I would not be surprised if this wittle wunderkid develops into one heck of a musician someday. 

I'm sure this teeny taste has you thirsting for the original so I'll let the real guys take it away below. Certainly a cure for the Rainy-Monday Blues, should you be stricken.  

The Beatles - Don't Let Me Down

Another Song: The Fresh & Onlys - Imaginary Friends

by Justin @justasstrazdin

I never had an imaginary friend. If you did, I'm jelly. No way around it for me. If you have like, seven bands like Tim Cohen does/did, I'm jelly about that, too. Magic Trick is fantastic, but if you want some odd sound-toy noise-laden psyched-out garage rock from Mr. Cohen, the first Fresh & Onlys release serves plenty of it. This song makes me want to skip through an English meadow with an imaginary friend in a gripping laser battle with large monsters.

If you don't have Spotify, use the player below.

EDAS Exclusive Debut: Sal DeSiena's "Heart of Queens"

North a bit on beautiful Hudson resides the anomalous mind of friend, Sal DeSiena. After a little encouragement, he began recording assorted compositions, on his own, in his makeshift studio in Poughkeepsie. It has been a interesting to watch this young solo career progress and I am happy to see a Soundcloud with his name on it pop up recently. 

Sal has been a great friend to the blog since the beginning and today, on his birthday, I am happy to announce the debut of his newest composition, A Heart For Queens. I'm fairly certain that this one has not been posted anywhere else, so in honor of my compadre on his birthday, give it a listen. He has a great feel for those ambient ghostly sounds and has recently incorporated some great percussion skills into the mix. I look forward to seeing what grows from the musical seeds he is currently planting. 

Sal DeSiena - A Heart For Queens

Another Song: Status Quo, "Pictures of Matchstick Men"

I've been living in this sugar-cube guitar lick for days. Here's a psych-out classic from Status Quo.  

Status Quo - Pictures of Matchstick Men

The Country Way: Shovels and Rope's "O' Be Joyful." Opening for Dawes at T5 June 22nd.

Charleston, South Carolina's Shovels and Rope is my favorite band of last year (Le1f probably gives them a run for the money, but he's not really a "band" per se). Unfortunately, I missed my chance to see them at last summer's Nelsonville Music Festival, in the hills of southern Ohio. For that, this is my mea culpa. I am a dummy. 

I assumed, wrongfully, that the band's name meant they were some kind of Bauhaus-ripoff death-gaze acid-house metal rehash. I was wrong, learned my lesson, and now I am beyond excited to see them when they open for Dawes at Terminal 5 on June 22nd. (Highlights of last summer's Nelsonville fest included Andrew Bird, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Iron and Wine, Jordan O'Jordan and Dark Dark Dark -- but that's better saved for another post. Also Nelsonville 2013 happens to begin today with a great line-up, make sure to check it out, if you are in the area)

I didn't know anything about Shovels and Rope before I got to Nelsonville. The only time I'd heard of them was during a conversation I'd overheard between a 30-something father and his young daughter, still in a stroller.

"Where we going, Daddy?"
"We're going to go see Shovels and Rope. Can you say 'Shovels and Rope?'"
"Suvvels an Wope, Dad?"
"Yes, that's where we're going."
*Dad takes long drink of beer*

That taught me not to judge a band by its name, because most band names are stupid anyway. So, here's "O' Be Joyful," the only song I've ever heard that uses "That country way," as a euphemism for, uh, ladyparts. Also, this is my favorite live performance of the song, with the extra bonus that it was filmed at Electric Lady Studios. History!

Shovels and Rope - O' Be Joyful

Filligar to Play Gramercy Theatre this Saturday. Listen to their newest single off their upcoming album, Hexagon. Album Art, Tracklist & Release Date Below.

It has been a little while since we last heard from our favorite band of brothers, Filligar. A summer ago, the boys were traveling this great country opening for the Counting Crows. These days, their tour van Dee Dee is back on the road, supporting their long awaited follow-up to their barn burner The Nerve (click for free download). I have just received word that their newest LP, Hexagon will be released July 23rd on the great looking Decade Records.

Casey, Teddy, Johnny & Pete

New Local, opens with a piano intro by Casey Gibson, who, for my money, plays the best keys in the business. The rest of the band is comprised of the incredibly talented and hard working Mathias brothers, Johnny, Teddy and Pete. The whole gang stops by the famed Gramercy Theatre this Saturday Night, June 1st) to remind us city folk that they are the best live rock and roll band out there today. If you can't attend this weekend, I have included the rest of their tour dates below, including NY's Mountain Jam and a swing through Azerbaijan. A new album from Filligar is just another reason I can't wait to get this summer started. I look forward to rocking out to their music well into the next deep freeze. 

Filligar - New Local

Ivan & Alyosha Embark on Tour of Biblical Chapter Proportions

Ivan & Alyosha Demonstrate Vocal Harmony
(Artist's Rendition)

If Grizzly Bear was a fringe Christian rock band that really liked U2 and was good at sticking to the plan, they would have been Ivan & Alyosha, who finally put out a great debut full-length back in February that plays like the latest Dawes record. Start applying for those beach fire permits. They have been on my radar since their 2009 EP The Verse, The Chorus, but took far more than forty days and forty nights to get into the album game after two excellent EPs. They now embark on a month long journey to teach us all how to swoon again with couples-friendly rock. Amen. [Click "Read More" for tour dates]

Another Song: King Tuff - Baby Just Break

by Justin @justasstrazdin

Who doesn't love acoustic rave ups? Perhaps today--while grilling the sausages or stirring the macaroni salad that everyone brought to your party as safe choices--you can spin this cow punking slice of garage pop from one of its fine contemporary contributors, King Tuff, while storming through bowls and Tecates under the sun and pondering how many episodes of Arrested Development you will session tonight.

New Action Bronson: Strictly 4 My Jeeps

Action Bronson is one of my favorite rappers out there today. Fresh off his stellar performance at Peter Rosenberg's XXL 2013 Freshman Show, he has released a new single that really shows off the strongest aspects of his multifaceted and lovable personality. 

This larger than life, red-bearded, Albanian Jew from Queens used to be a well respected chef but dropped the apron and picked up the mic. His good humor, dope vocab and penchant for big ladies got him a sweet deal from VICE Records and he has been all over the place lately. Usually getting signed means he will be stepping his game up from mixtapes like Rare Chandeliers and Blue Chips, to a potential big deal album drop. With an official release likely coming I'd like to see what Action Bronson can really cook up with the right ingredients.

Action Bronson - Strictly For My Jeeps