The Lucky Thirteen: 5/23/10 - 5/29/10

It's been a long, long time since I've created a playlist, and I feel this is long overdue. As stated in my previous entry, blog entries may still be irregular at best, but I suspect you'll be getting a second entry from me later this week. I'll tell you about that in the playlist...

1. "Burning Pictures", The Monco Poncho
   The band is finally releasing its debut album, Miserable Man, and there's going to be a CD release show this Saturday, and this is THE show to be at. It'll take place at the Granada Theater, and will also feature Stu Dicious, Whiskey Folk Ramblers (I believe it's a CD release show for them as well), and the one and only Salim Nourallah. At some point before that show, there should be a review of Miserable Man on the website, as the band did pay to have the CD reviewed. Before you start shouting "payola", let me explain further. At this year's UltraViolet show, people could bid on works of art (among other things) and the proceeds went to help the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Since I have no artistic talent, I opted to donate the opportunity to have an album reviewed on my site. Nick Durham (lead singer of Monco Poncho) had the winning bid at $30. Hey, it's more than Dave Hickmott (The Felons) paid last year. Now it's time for me to pay up with my review.


2. "Talk to My Heart", THe BAcksliders
   My thanks to Chris Bonner for sending me their latest song. This is easily the most pop sounding tune the band has put out, and it sounds as if the band has been absorbing the sounds of 60's pop bands. Needless to say, that's a good thing. I don't know if the rest of the new material will follow this path or stay true to the band's harder, more rocking sound. I eagerly anticipate the answer to that question.


3. "Fire in the Firmament", Chucky Sly, Bavu Blakes and Headkrack
   Chucky Sly's "Jimmy Is About to Die" was easily the best rap tune to emerge from the metroplex area last year. I must confess, my knowledge of his work is limited to "Jimmy" and the track on this week's playlist, and I hope to change that. At the least, this track shows me that Chucky Sly is no one hit wonder, and it suggests that he could and should be a powerful force in local hip-hop.


4. "Paper Girl", Katie Carroll
   The song is called "Paper Girl" and NOT "Paper Bag" as was previously written in a local music blog. Obviously some bloggers have no journalistic standards whatsoever.


5. "I Can't Decide", Lovie
   It's hard for me to decide what track from the band's Because of My Mattress EP is the best. This track, clocking in at barely over two minutes, is a brief synopsis of everything that is right with the band and its newer, more rocking sound.


6. "Will You Be There?", Pale Horse
   For those of who you missed my showcase at the Cavern with Pale Horse (as well as Cocky Americans and The Roomsounds), shame on you. At some point in the near future, I hope to give the band the full profile it so deserves. In the meantime, I'll just say that the band puts on a seriously intense performance, and that lead vocalist J.R. Denson has a powerful vocal and stage presence. The music is raw, rugged, straight from the heart, and while it's not soul music, it is definitely music with a soul.


7. "Where the Light Is", Emmeline
   I previously offered her track "The Story" as a free download, and I would still encourage you to download the song. She said I could offer up whatever I deemed to be her best song as a free download, but I made a mistake. While "The Story" is a powerful and beautiful tune, I've come to the conclusion that "Where the Light Is" is her best song. This time, you'll just have to settle for listening to it here.


8. "On a Moving Train", Pop Poppins
   Hypster recently allowed for tracks on YouTube to be added to playlists. I'm kinda OCD when it comes to accurate song titles and labels, but fortunately this track on YouTube was properly labelled and spelled. This is good, as I don't have this track on CD, and it's my favorite song of the band.


9. "Nostalgia Co.", Smiling at the Ceiling
   When Sarah Crisman talks, I listen. For those who don't know Ms. Crisman, she was the music editor for Pegasus News and made the site quite a joy to read during her time there. She emailed me recently and told me about this band, and I must give her credit for introducing me to this new band. This particular track is unusually infectious and fun. I have a feeling this will be a good year for Smiling at the Ceiling.


10. "To Whom It May Concern", The Burning Hotels
    This is the second single from the band's album Novels. Technically, can you call it a single if it's not released as a physical single? Or am I just thinking too much?


11. "Just Wanna Try", Luna Matto
    Yes, I've been ranting and raving about Ms. Matto for what seems like an eternity. Now the masses can finally catch on to her talent. Her three song EP, Happy Isn't Real, is now available on iTunes for a mere $2.97 plus tax. Any one of the tracks on the EP alone is worth that money. So take a break from the blog, and download the EP. Now. Seriously.


12. "Pastel Lights", Ishi
    Ishi played the City Tavern stage at the Homegrown Festival yesterday, and you may recall that it was quite muddy by that stage. So did this keep people on the sidelines during Ishi's performance? Nah, of course not. The band knows how to create the soundtrack for a party, and this particular track was the highlight of the set.


13. "Walls", The Rocket Summer
    I can already hear the criticisms coming my way for putting this song on the playlist. The Rocket Summer is too mainstream, it's too emo, yadda yadda yadda. Yes, Bryce Avery has done quite well this year, with a top ten selling album on iTunes and with this song being featured on commercials promoting the TV show Friday Night Lights. Don't fault Mr. Avery for his success, but instead be glad that someone from the metroplex area is having success. Plus, this song is absolutely beautiful and a surprisingly intelligent and heartfelt examination on battling depression. This just might be my favorite song of the year thus far.