Threefer

CINEMA: If you haven’t seen this year’s The Hurt Locker, you definitely should – it’s simply riveting filmmaking – check out the trailer above

WATTLE: Been waiting for Ally McBeal on DVD? Looks like the wait is over

VEDDER: Listen to “The Fixer,” the first track off of Pearl Jam’s new album, Backspacer, here

Karsh At 100: Portraits of Artists

Strangely enough, the Canadian Embassy in DC (gotta love the Canadians!!) has a show of Yousuf Karsh portraits - Karsh at 100: Portraits of Artists - going on until December. Admission is free, and the show is open to the public from 9:00-5:00, Monday through Friday. Nice.




CREDIT: Andy Warhol (1928-1987), Ottawa, Gift of the artist, 1989, copyright estate of Yousuf Karsh

A Case of the Fridays

We open this week with The Cab’s song “Lights.” I’m not afraid to admit it – I can’t resist me some power pop, a genre where catchy, thickly-arranged choruses are king. And happily, this track doesn’t disappoint in that regard. Additionally, the vocals throughout are nicely done, and the piano, which I didn’t expect to hear, added a nice touch. If you like what you hear, The Cab will be at 9:30 Club this coming Tuesday, July 28th.

MP3: Lights – The Cab

And we close out this week with “Jonesy Boy” from Cass McCombs (above). It’s a bit of a Liverpoolian pop shuffle, with a clear-toned rhythm guitar lick that pulls things along nicely. If you like what you hear, the gentle-voiced crooner Cass McCombs will be at IOTA Thursday, July 30th.

MP3: Jonesy Boy – Cass McCombs

Buzz & Ali G

Since I didn't make any sort of Apollo 11-related post, here's a hilarious clip of Buzz Aldrin getting interviewed by Ali G. I think that counts. It was either this clip or one of Buzz knocking out an antagonistic taunter.

Jaydiohead - The Encore

You've probably heard the first Jaydiohead mash - that's Jay-Z and Radiohead - but there's an additional five tracks available for streaming and download over here. Not bad, but I prefer my Hova paired with some nice Verve, myself...

MP3: Brush Your Bittersweet Shoulders Off (Jay-Z v. The Verve) - Al-B3.com

Daughtry's "Poker Face"

Chris Daughtry recently visited Radio Hamburg and did a very nice stripped-down acoustic guitar cover of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face." The video can't be embedded, but you can watch and listen here. Apparently it's very sunny in the studio, hence the wrap-around aviators.

A Case of the Fridays - Early Edition

We kick things off this week with "Under the Gun," a track from DC singer/songwriter Laura Tsaggaris (above) - that's suh-GAIR-iss for the phonetically inclined. It's got some fiery electric guitar and machine-gun drums that lend a powerful energy to Tsaggaris' strong vocals and lyrics. She's been constantly building on her layers of sound with each album release, and her new CD, "Keep Talking" is no exception. Usually it's solo acoustic gigs for Tsaggaris around here in DC, but her full band is in town for this Saturday's show at IOTA (7/18), and she's pretty psyched to have 'em up from North Carolina back her up - "It takes your own performance to a new level and, I think, makes things really fun for a crowd of listeners."

MP3: Under the Gun - Laura Tsaggaris

And we conclude this week with "In Time" from DC's The List. What starts off as a piano-based ballad builds into an angsty slow-burner with some nice melodic lines by lead guitarist Tim Young. And lead vocalist Stephen Wright pulls off a good Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty). Anyway, if you like what you're hearing, check them out live at The Red & The Black this Sunday, July 19th.

MP3: In Time - The List

Pete and J

I really dug last night's Damnwells show, as I expected - but I was especially taken by the opening act, the Brooklyn act Pete and J. I love nothing better than "discovering" a dynamite opening act. The two lead guys both had awesome vocals, tight harmonies (plus others sang, too), and their music was groovy, soulful, and catchy. Here's a video of 'em performing at the Mercury Lounge. I would have bought a CD, but they didn't have one - they're going to be recording a new one soon, apparently.

Mid-Atlantic Band Battle

If you're looking to check out some bands this coming week, but have a short attention span, as far as sets go, Jammin Java will be hosting the first-ever Mid-Atlantic Band Battle Tuesday (7/14) through Thursday (7/16). Each night eight bands will compete, playing what need to be power-packed 15-minute sets, for the grand prize. For full line-ups and more details, check it out here.

NJ Turnpike and Beer - Perfect Together

Finally! A beer that honors the New Jersey Turnpike, one exit at a time! CherryHill (NJ)-based Flying Fish Brewing Co. is up to the task, with its Exit Series. Exit 5, baby!

A Case of the Fridays - Tuesday Edition

It's an early edition this week, and we're kicking things off with "Alone" by DC's Power Pirate (above). Usually I'm not that into electronic music, but this trio deftly combines aspects of both electronic and rock genres, while managing to maintain an edgy sense of melody and grandeur. If you like what you hear, they'll be at Black Cat in DC this Wednesday, July 8th.

MP3: Alone - Power Pirate

And one of my favorite bands, The Damnwells, will be at IOTA this Sunday, July 12th. Skewing toward the rockier side of alt-country, lead singer Alex Dezen has got a full line-up behind him with a new set of catchy song for him to sink his irresistably raspy vocals into. The band's new CD, One Last Century, was released earlier this year as a free download, and it's still available here.

MP3: 55 Pictures - The Damnwells

A R.E.K. 4th

Yep, kids, it’s the Fourth of July. So let’s celebrate it with one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Texan Robert Earl Keen. Playing some Americana/alt-country from the heartland, he tells some mean stories in his songs, and he's got a crack band of players backing him up. You can check out his performance of "Shades of Gray" from Austin City Limits above, and of course, the track for today...

MP3: Fourth of July – Robert Earl Keen