Jumpers & Leapers (February 2012)

Side A
01. Jumpers by Sleater-Kinney
02. Jump Through the Hoops by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
03. Hop, Skip and Jump by Squeeze
04. Did She Jump or Was She Pushed by Richard and Linda Thompson
05. Jumping Around by The Rentals

Side B
01. Jump by Green Jelly
02. No Jumpers Cables by Aesop Rock
03. Leap of Faith by The Suicide Machines
04. Leap You Bar by John Frusciante

Three Years Of Pure Musical Lunacy

Believe it or not, it has been three years since I first spoke on the cinematic wonder known as Tougher Than Leather. In these last three years, I have presented you with odd mixes and thoughts on everything from on "Mambo No.5" to the cloning of S Club for one's own personal and disturbingly selfish needs. Also, in this time, there have been interviews, reviews and strange looks from Prince.

Fiona Apple Plans U.S. Tour

Recently, it was reported that a new release from Fiona Apple is set for this year and with the announcement of a small U.S. tour in March, I believe this is possible. Pitchfork reported that Apple will embark on a seven-date U.S. tour beginning with a set for Pitchfork's showcase during South by Southwest (SXSW) on March 15 and wrapping up on March 27 in Boston, MA. Listed below are the scheduled tour dates for the long-awaited return of Fiona Apple.

Obama 2012: The Soundtrack

In Case You Missed It: Saturday Night Live

Sleigh Bells appeared on Saturday Night Live this past Saturday to perform "Comeback Kid" and "End of the Line." The tracks come from the band's sophomore album, Reign of Terror (in stores this Tuesday). The musical greatness did not just end with Sleigh Bells. In one sketch, SNL humorously welcomed Jay-Z and Beyonce's daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, with visits from Prince, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Taylor Swift, and Nicki Minaj stopping by to see the baby. In a scene stealing moment, Justin Timberlake appears as Justin Vernon of Bon Iver  which, alone, is worth watching the clip for.

Video Graveyard (NFSW Edition)

It's Wednesday and H & J knows exactly what "hump day" means. Okay, I actually have no clue what that means but a couple of fans of The Coathangers definitely understand the concept in this fan-made video for "Nestle in My Boobies." The song is one of many highlights from their self-titled debut but this video...this video is something else entirely. In summary, there is a lot of humping over background visuals of...well..yeah. I think I will just let you watch this from the privacy of your own home. Nonetheless, it is a video featuring air humping, dancing and some sexy, sexy melodica playing.

Being Sweet To Bone & Bell

Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beach Boys To Headline Bonnaroo 2012

Jenny Owen Youngs (Schubas - February 9, 2012)

The last time I saw Jenny Owen Youngs was in 2007 opening for Vienna Teng. Then, it was just her and an acoustic guitar as she performed selections from her debut, Batten the Hatches, and amused the audience with her witty banter. Even then, her confident performance, songs and personality seemed far larger than her stripped down performance. Even speaking to her that night, her personality and charisma was immediate and engaging. The Jenny Owen Youngs of 2012, however, is whole different beast. Everything that drew me to her the first time is still intact but, now, it has a thicker, rock edge and presented through a singer that has evolved with an increasing level of musical cool and confidence with each release. At Schubas last night, Youngs performed an energetic set of career highlights for a nearly packed audience that further enforced her emergence as a confident and charismatic singer, songwriter and performer.

Porter Robinson Spitting Fire At Congress Theater February 25

Nineteen and on the rise, Porter Robinson has been creating and crafting his art since he was 12. Signed to Skrillex' label, OWSLA, the North Carolina native released Spitfire, an EP combining electro-house, trance and dubstep. Since its release, Robinson has been working hard to become (and please excuse the pun) a household name by appearing at #1 on the iTunes dance charts as well appearing alongside Deadmau5, Diplo, Moby and with spots at South by Southwest and an upcoming spot at this year's Coachella Festival. Robinson has accomplished quite a bit of success in such short time and is one star on the rise worth catching which you can during his set at Congress Theater on February 25. If his set is anything like the brilliance found on Spitfire, it is only a matter of time before you are singing the praises of Porter Robinson as well.

The Romantic Sounds Of February Releases

Valentine's Day is upon us and what better way to celebrate it than with new music. This month provides a multitude of releases from Of Montreal, Jenny Owen Youngs, Ben Kweller, Islands, The Duke Spirit and Amos Lee. The highly anticipated, sophomore releases from Band of Skulls and Sleigh Bells are set for the middle of the month as is the release of the acclaimed documentary, Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone. Van Halen's long-awaited followup to 1998's Van Halen III (and their first album with original vocalist David Lee Roth since 1984) entitled A Different Version of Truth hit stores today to help kick off an exciting month of music.

Another Rooftop Sessions Segment With Bone & Bell

Last year, Bone & Bell shot a segment for Rooftop Sessions in the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier. Another video from the segment recently surfaced for "O' the Death of the Caspian Sea" which is you can see after the jump. If you enjoy the song and performance, come out to The Ace Bar tonight where she is performing a set alongside Chasing Shade and Shiloh. The event is five dollars and is located at 1505 W Fullerton Ave. This one of three upcoming performances for her including a valentine's day set at Schubas. Also, if you have not done this already, pick up a copy of her excellent EP, Loom (especially if follow this blog or have heard me mention it frequently last year).

Don Cornelius (1936-2012)

"Peace, love and soul" were the iconic words of Don Cornelius as he ended every episode of Soul Train. Even as Soul Train moved away from the funk and soul of the 60's and 70's and into the hip hop and r&b sounds of the 80's and 90's (and much later, the neo-soul movement of the late 90's and early 00's), the love and soul Cornelius put into his once localized project was felt throughout the series. It is with sadness that I write of the passing of a pioneer.

One Hit Wonder Or One Hit Blunder

Today's Subject: "Better Days (and the Bottom Drops Out)" by Citizen King

There are certain radio singles that the moment you hear them, you instantly know that they will be relegated to a compilation for the particular decade they were huge in. This usually comes from the single sounding mostly like everything else on the radio at that present moment. Citizen King's Top 40 hit, "Better Days (and the Bottom Drops Out)" is the perfect example of such a song as the line between this single and the rest of the late 90's College meets Adult Contemporary rock is extremely thin.