Odds and Ends

Each week I use this space to post some mini-reviews, cool tracks, random thoughts, neat news, or whatever else I damn well please.

MiniReview


Fallon Cush “Fallon Cush” – Fallon Cush is otherwise known as Steve Smith, a singer/songwriter from Australia. He and his band breeze through the 11 tracks on their eponymous debut, delivering an array of generally mellow and bright acoustic folk rock with 80s overtones. Most of the tracks don’t quite have a sharp enough hook to maintain my attention, but every once in awhile there is a needle in the haystack. For example, the upbeat drums, jamming organ, and fiery guitar solo make “Where You Been” stand out like a sore thumb among the other tracks – and that is a good thing in this case. “Where You Been” is easily my favorite track – I wish there were more songs like it. “The Great Divide” is another winner, boasting shimmering guitar tones, a memorable chorus, and effective backing vocals. “Dog Day Afternoon” and the pleasant “Over Me” are also worth a spin. Recommended if you enjoy Neil Nathan, David Mead, or Grapes of Wrath. Learn more about Fallon Cush here.

Surprise of the week
And the new lead singer for INXS is…(click here)

News
Cast is back! The legendary underground indie pop group fronted by singer John Power will return with their fifth album of new material, on the heels of the 15th anniversary of their debut. More info here.

Golden Bloom has released a new music video for "Rhyme the Reason". The song is available on Golden Bloom's latest EP, "March to the Drums".

Golden Bloom "Rhyme The Reason" from Alicia J. Rose on Vimeo.

Hope you got to see R.E.M. live while you had the chance – looks like there will be no reunion tour. Read the story.

At least there will be a new R.E.M. retrospective arriving November 15 called “Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage, 1982 – 2011” which will contain three new songs: "A Month of Saturdays," "We All Go Back To Where We Belong," and "Hallelujah". More info here.

Tony Bennett beats a record held previously by Bob Dylan.

New Aerosmith as early as March 2012? This would be the long-awaited follow up to 2004’s “Honkin’ On Bobo”. Details here.

New Daughtry coming November 21st – “Break The Spell” will be his third album. More here.

Random iPOD song of the week
“It’s A Sin” by the Pet Shop Boys


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Cover tune catastrophe: It Ain't Me Babe

In this ongoing series, I will uncover some of the WORST cover tunes ever recorded. We’ve all encountered that unsettling feeling upon hearing a beloved song redone by another artist. What were they thinking? How dare they try to redo this song! While we are powerless to prevent these clowns from trashing the originals, we can call them out on it.


New Found Glory "It Ain't Me Babe" (Bob Dylan)

Modern punk band New Found Glory included this excruciating cover of Bob Dylan's classic in a number of live shows. The biting lyrics and understated beauty of Dylan's original is undetectable under the layers of soulless noise. I trust the band was trying to rev up the energy to make the music fit the theme of the lyrics, but it fails on every level.

Rare Trax - Todd Snider "Talking Seattle Grunge Rock Blues"

Every Saturday at BMF we present rare or deep tracks from my collection for your listening pleasure, or perhaps for your amusement!

This week’s track is by Todd Snider from his live album, "Near Truths and Hotel Rooms". This song is done in the style of classic Bob Dylan, and brilliantly satirizes the 90s music scene. A must hear!

Listen to "Talking Seattle Grunge Rock Blues"