Getting Lifted

I hadn't listened to John Legend's Kanye West-produced album "Get Lifted" for quite awhile, so I brought it with me on my weekend trip up to NJ. I had forgotten just how much of a groove he gets going on the album. Legend's raspy and inviting vocals mesh perfectly with the strong beats, old-school instrumentation and gospelesque backing vocals. It almost made the tons of traffic that I had to face acceptable. Though the album fades out a bit the end, it's it's got a fearsome first half of tracks that more than makes up for it. Here's John Legend performing the slow burner "Alright" live in Rome. And I just sooo love the line, "Good lawd, you got body for days."

New Damnwells Coming Around...

One of my favorite bands, The Damnwells, have a new album that should be dropping soon, and they'll be on tour later this year (at least lead singer Alex Dezen will be). Anyway, check them out performing one of the album's new tracks, "She Goes Around," live at Rockwood Music Hall (it's irresistably catchy). And you can get a free download of the kick-ass studio version by either pledging or signing up for their mailing list here.