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.

In Case You Missed It: Fishbone on Jimmy Kimmel Live

In a rare television appearance, Fishbone performed "Everyday Sunshine" and  "Crazy Glue" on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night. The appearance was to promote the release of Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone on iTunes (out today) and DVD (in stores February 21). Side note: This is Fishbone's first late night appearance since the Michelle Bachman incident on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and their last televised US appearance occurred over a decade ago on the Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (as a fan, this was a very big deal). Enjoy the videos below and pick up a copy of Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone as it is a very solid documentary on a highly under-appreciated pioneering band.

Jenny Owen Youngs And Your Apartment

No, she is not going to play your apartment...well, not today anyway. She, however, has a new single from her forthcoming album, An Unwavering Band of Light (due February 7) titled "Your Apartment" which she debuted the video for yesterday. In addition to the video, Alter The Press debuted another track from her new album, "Sleep Machine," on their site. Of course, all of this is in preparation for her new album as is the 33-date tour she is embarking on throughout February and March. Tour dates are listed below as is the video for "Your Apartment." You can pre-order An Unwavering Band of Light here. If not, the album is in stores on February 7.

Pick Of The Week: 9 Songs

This week's pick is of a film from 2004 that I had the pleasure of seeing over the weekend. Upon its release, the film gained attention from its use of non-simulated sex involving the two lead actors more than the fact that it is, in my opinion, a solid film about passion, music and the memories that remain when everything ends. This week's pick is 9 Songs.

In Case You Missed It: Tebowie

The most I know about football is filtered through the Madden video game series. The two things that I know about Tim Tebow is that he loves religion and football. I, however, love David Bowie and this bizarre combination of Tim Tebow and David Bowie called Tebowie courtesy of last night's edition of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. In this clip, Fallon gives the Broncos quarterback a Ziggy Stardust-era makeover and proceeds to parody "Space Oddity" with Jesus Christ taking the role of Major Tom. If the Broncos get eliminated from the playoffs or lose the Super Bowl, one can only hope that Tebowie will return for a parody of "Ashes to Ashes."

Confessions Of An Audiophile: Opposites Attract Is My Jam

Seriously, it is a pop song about a couple making it despite their differences, one of which is the fact that the couple consists of a former Lakers dancer and an animated rapping cat. Although, this was not known to be the case until the video, it is that same video that makes us remember the song and, well, makes it cheesy. Yet, it is that campy quality that makes it a bit appealing 20-plus years later and why I found myself singing along to it yesterday morning. In summary, "Opposites Attract" is my jam.

New Year, New January Releases

(Blogger's note: This is a week late so we will pick it up from this week on)

A fresh year and some fresh releases ready to entertain you throughout the month. Reissued and unreleased collections from The Doors, David Bowie, Alex Chilton to some of the brightest in modern metal (and it's subgenres) in Lamb of God, Lacuna Coil and Bleeding Through. In honor of their 30th anniversary, Metallica is releasing a physical edition (to go alongside the downloadable edition) of four leftover tracks from 2008's Death Magnetic in the form of a new EP. Also, with new releases from Imperial Teen, Leonard Cohen, Ja Rule, Nightwish, Guided by Voices and Ingrid Michaelson, there is a wide variety of options to keep you and your happy during this winter month.

New Faces, Familiar Feelings 4 (January 2012 Mixtape)

Side A

01. Danny Says by Foo Fighters (Ramones)

02. Color Me Funky by Weapon of Choice (Parliament)

03. Don't Worry Baby by Rivers Cuomo (The Beach Boys)

04. The Dark End of the Street by Linda Ronstadt (James Carr)

05. Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want by She & Him (The Smiths)

06. Black Diamond by The Replacements (Kiss)

Side B

01. (You Can Never Tell) C'est la Vie by Emmylou Harris (Chuck Berry)

02. Luck Be a Lady by Toadies (Robert Alda/Guys and Dolls)

03. The Love Cats by Tricky (The Cure)

04. All Things Must Pass by Yim Yames (George Harrison)

05. Wango Tango by Sugar Ray (Ted Nugent)

06. Love and Happiness by Living Colour (Al Green)

Dr, Dre & Snoop Dogg...At the Drive-In...Radiohead...Hello, Coachella

A New Year...You Mean This Happens Every 12 Months

Yes! We are now a few days into 2012 and let me begin by saying happy new year. In case you may been wondering about my whereabouts lately, I have been focusing my time more on my art and listening to lots of music instead of writing about it. By no means is that to say that I have abandoned H&J. It is simply to say that I needed to take a couple of steps back and focus on something else for a little while. Also, with the new year here, I will tell you that my favorite rock album is a toss between Foo Fighters' Wasting Light and Black Keys' El Camino, my favorite hip hop album was Childish Gambino's Camp, The Time returned in excellent condition as The Original 7ven and Kate Bush dropped two stellar albums this year. Now, we may proceed.

The Last Love Mix I Will Ever Make (December 2011)

Side A
01. First Person by Jenny Owen Youngs
02. Fool for You Baby (Dom Dom Dippy) by New York Dolls
03. Can't Stop (feat. Snoop Dogg) by Mayer Hawthorne
04. Relation by Hepcat
05. Lifeboat by Lovage
06. Say That You Love Me by Loudon Wainwright III
07. Always on My Mind (London Version) by Phantom Planet

Side B
01. Angel Eyes by Roxy Music
02. I Can See Your Future by Belle & Sebastian
03. I'm the Man Who Loves You by Wilco
04. Sunshine (feat. Father Guido Sarducci, Josh Haden, Money Mark, Paula Frazer & Sean Lennon) by Handsome Boy Modeling School
05. I'll Be You Man by The Elected
06. Watch the Sunrise by Big Star
07. If You're Into It by Flight of the Conchords

A December To Remember To Visit Your Record Store

While it may be the end of the year, December is still filled with some excellent new releases, especially on the first Tuesday alone. This month sees new releases from Charlotte Gainsbourg, Robin Thicke, The Black Keys and a box set from Rammstein. There is even a DVD/Blu-ray release of Glee: The Concert for the gleeks (is that what they are called...sure, why not) in your home. Finally, this month features rare and the last recorded tracks from Amy Winehouse. All in all, December features a wide variety of new releases to celebrate the holiday season..

Another Year...Another Grammy Awards

The nominees for the 54th annual Grammy Awards were announced yesterday. While certain categories (classical, hip hop/rap, r&b and rock) have been restructured and there are a few confusing selections (Bon Iver for Best New Artist...in 2011 as if the critically acclaimed, Peter Gabriel covering debut album never existed three years ago), overall, I am okay with these selections. Yes, the list is very safe and, mostly, obvious which I complained about last year. This year, however, I am okay with the safe, predictable choices and pleasantly surprised by a few interesting choices (Skrillex, Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest).