The Lucky Thirteen: 12/27/10

I must say that even though 2010 has not ended yet, it appears that 2011 is going to be a killer year for local music. Below I have shared just a few tracks from albums to be released next year that are among my most eagerly anticipated releases.

But first, let's talk about memories, like the corners of my mind. Misty water-colored memories of the way they were. No, there are not going to be any Streisand tunes on the playlist. I will, however, take a few moments to reflect on a few bands that called it quits in 2010.

So here's the deal: the first six tracks on the Lucky Thirteen are by bands that broke up this year, and the last seven give an opportunity to happily look forward to the metroplex's musical future.

Standard playlist disclaimer: any artists, record labels, etc. who do not wish to be on the playlist for any reason whatsoever, email me at ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com and I will gladly remove the track. And if you'd actually like to be on the playlist, you can use the same email address to email me your mp3's. If I like the song, then odds are it'll wind up on a playlist.

1. "Infatuations Never Last", The Slack
   It appears that The Slack doesn't last either. The band made no fanfare, fading out quietly with their final show being an opening gig for Cas Haley. Fortunately, lead singer Chris Holt has continued releasing solo CDs. In fact, A Cosmic Joke is easily one of my favorite CDs of the year.


2. "Evil on the Highway", Dove Hunter
   Quincy Holloway is easily one of my favorite drummers in the metroplex. Now that Dove Hunter is gone, I'm wondering what project he'll take on next. If anyone knows, feel free to pass that info my way.


3. "Need a Release", the cut*off
   After about eight years together, the cut*off played their final show this past May. The band not only featured surprisingly sharp lyrics set to a Pixies meet Neil Young backdrop, but the members are some of the coolest, nicest musicians around.


4. "Undercover", Bridges and Blinking Lights
   It seems that the trend this year was for bands to quietly break up without an official farewell show. Personally, I prefer having the farewell show, but that's just me. Here's another band that opted to skip the farewell show.


5. "Fine Line", Macon Greyson
   The band has never announced the breakup, but I have it on good word that Macon Greyson are no more. Here's a track from their Uneasy CD. In case you were wondering, yes, Cindy Chaffin's blog is named after this song.


6. "Echo and the Pass", Hendrick
   In my countdown of favorite local songs of last year, "Echo and the Pass" took the number one slot. So what does the band do for an encore? Nothing apparently, as the band broke up. There was supposed to be a farewell show, but the band didn't even make it to the farewell show. What a shame.


7. "Knife Fight", Calhoun
   Enough looking back now, let's get our first taste of 2011. Calhoun's Heavy Sugar should be released early this year, and this will satisfy anyone's sweet tooth for catchy pop tunes.


8. "We Will All Be Changed", Seryn
   I finally experienced my first Seryn show recently. There has been a lot of hype surrounding the band, and after seeing them, I can tell you that should believe the hype. I don't even know where to begin in describing how amazing the band is. I do know this: you'll start seeing my face at several of their shows in 2011.


9. "Save Your Breath", Camille Cortinas
   Almost five years after Camille's first full length with Fishing for Comets, here "solo" CD should come out this year. Of course, I thought she'd have an album in 2010, but according to her, it will be released in 2011.


10. "We'll Go Walkin'", The O's
    Many local CDs will be released next year, and of course everything is available for download. I even feel safe in saying there will be a healthy number of local vinyl releases in 2011. But how many bands will be able to claim release in all of the previously mentioned formats PLUS 8-track? Only The O's.


11. "Barn Burner", The Roomsounds
    I'm not sure when in 2011 the band will release a CD, but I'm fairly certain it will happen. Also, keep your eyes on the lookout for a cool show featuring The Roomsounds. Soon. Very soon.


12. "Coffee at Midnight", The Red 100's
    The Red 100's have just started to make their mark on the local music scene. I feel safe in saying that this will be an even bigger year for The Red 100's.


13. "Shivonne", Menkena
    January 28th. Kessler Theater. CD release for With You I'll Travel. Kessler Theater. Also featuring Luna Matto and Daniel Folmer. Be there. No excuses.

The Lucky Thirteen: 2/22/10 - 2/27/10

Sure, it's a day late, but better late than never, right? I'm short on time, so forgive the briefer comments that usual.

Standard disclaimer: any artists, record labels, etc. who do not wish to be on the playlist for any reason whatsoever, email me at ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com and I will gladly remove the track. And if you'd actually like to be on the playlist, you can use the same email addy to email me mp3's, and if I like the song then odds are it'll wind up on a playlist.

1. "Caldera", The Timeline Post
   I'm working on a review for the band's new album, Slow Descent. No, I don't do a lot of album reviews, so when I do, that usually means something really significant. In the meantime, I leave you with this track from the album, which I think is the perfect introduction to the band. The song is almost split into two different parts: the harder rocking half, and the darker, more melancholy half. Both halves are amazing.


2. "Need a Release", the cut*off
   Work has been busy lately to say the least, and I have been stressed out. Simply put, I have lately related to the idea of needing a release. Rarely do I select songs for playlists based on my personal life, but I decided to make an exception. Besides, it's a darn good song.


3. "Young & Reckless", The Roomsounds
   The band will be opening for RTB2 this Saturday at Barley House. This is a band that I've wanted to see live for quite some time. This song has captivated me for quite awhile, and I'm hoping the live show cashes in on the potential shown in these two minutes of pop bliss.


4. "Great American Trainwreck", Eleven Hundred Springs
   "Great American True Country Music" could just as easily be the name. It'd be truth in advertising.


5. "I Can't Make You Happy", Ronnie Fauss
   Mr. Fauss has managed to get himself on a quite impressive bill this Thursday night. He'll be performing with Brent Best & Danny Balis at Allgood Cafe.


6. "This Is Me", The Rocket Summer
   Bryce Avery has a new CD coming out, and the CD release show happens Friday at Granada. I may get flack for this, but I don't care. His early material, particularly his Calendar Days CD, is just really great pop music, and I don't care what the indie hipster kids say.


7. "Sins of the Father", Course of Empire
   Fell in love with the song at first listen back in my junior year in high school. Still love the song.


8. "Romance Tried to Kill Me", Cocky Americans
   Great song title.


9. "All Yesterday's Parties", Nervous Curtains
   I don't know whether or not this track is on the band's upcoming debut album. I do know that the LP release show will take place at Good Records Thursday. What, no CD?


10. "Little Bear", Elkhart
    The band will play Friday at Bryan Street Tavern, and the band will undoubtedly sound beautiful, as usual.


11. "Infatuations Never Last", The Slack
    Mark from the EDGE, I'm jealous. You get to host these great shows at Trees, and this Thursday's show may be the best lineup to date. Andrew Tinker, Johnny Lloyd Rollins, Fate Lions, and The Slack on one bill, plus no cover. Why don't I get to host a lineup that cool? It's just not fair.


12. "Sweetness", Toadies
    I'm not going to lie. There are lots of Toadies songs in the Hypster catalog, and that saved me the time of uploading my own music. Hey, cut me some slack. At least I didn't choose Vanilla Ice.


13. "At the Switches", Air Review
    This track from Landmarks grows on me with each listen. For that matter, so does the entire album.

MySpace Playlist: 11/1/09

A couple of thank you's before I start the playlist. First of all, I thank all of you who came out Friday night to see Iris Leu and Luna Matto. Morning Elephant was originally on the bill, but could not perform that night and the folks at LBG replaced them with Avoiding Disaster. If you haven't seen either Iris or Luna as of yet, you are so missing out. Both of them rocked the LBG in a major way.

Also, I thank everyone who has contributed to the discussion about the Dallas music movement. It always does my heart good to know that people still care about local music. Keep the discussion going, and do whatever you can to support the movement. Attend shows. Expose your friends to local music. Attend shows. Call up radio stations and encourage them to play local music. Oh, did I mention that you should attend shows?

Okay, time for me to step down from my soapbox and give you some music to listen to.

1. "Red in the Morning", Menkena
   This song distills all the best qualities of Menkena (intelligent lyrics, dreamy melody) into five minutes of pure sonic bliss. This may be the band's finest work to date. The level of anticipation I have for their upcoming full length CD is a level usually reserved for local heavy hitters (Old 97's, Salim Nourallah, etc.) and if there is any justice, Menkena will reach that level of respect in Dallas and beyond.


2. "Young & Reckless", The Roomsounds
   I discovered this track last week on The Local Edge show and have listened to it repeatedly. Jangly guitars? Check. Catchy melody that sticks in your head? Check. Band with major potential? Check.


3. "Were Her", The Orbans
   Speaking of The Local Edge, The Orbans will be joining Chatterton and Shock of Pleasure at Trees Wednesday night as these three bands perform for the opportunity to play at EDGEfest. By the way, wouldn't Roomsounds be the perfect opening band for The Orbans? Those two tracks transitioned seamlessly.


4. "Luggage for Light Years", the cut*off
   If you can't catch The Orbans on Wednesday night, then catch them Saturday night at The Moon, along with Dove Hunter and this band. Fort Worth, I'm jealous of you right now.


5. "In Case You Might Forget", The Heelers
   Haven't listened to this track in forever, and decided it had been too long since I shared this song with you, my readers.


6. "Have You Ever Been Down?", THe BAcksliders
   I wanted "Keep A Knockin'" on last week's covers playlist, but alas, the band has removed that track from their MySpace. They'll be playing Double-Wide on Friday th e13th. I usually don't mention shows on playlists that are not for the current week, but I'm just that excited about seeing them.


7. "Minor It Down", True Widow
   They'll be playing at Sons of Hermann Hall Saturday night, opening for The Crash That Took Me's CD release party. I'd post a track from TCTTM's CD, except the band still hasn't posted any tracks from their upcoming CD on MySpace. What's the hold up, Dylan?


8. "Wire to the Walls", RTB2
   When Granada hosts the Destroyer show Friday night, two of Denton's finest will open the show. Both Sarah Jaffe and RTB2 will perform, and although their styles could not be more different, the one trait shared in common is first rate musicianship and quality songs. And really, what more is needed?


9. "We Gathered in Spring", Midlake
   As I eagerly anticipate the band's next CD, The Courage of Others, I've found myself listening to this track more than ever.


10. "Little Polyanna", Kristy Kruger
    This Monday is Dia de los Muertos, translated in English as "Day of the Dead." It is also the day that Lt. Col. Eric Kruger, brother to Kristy, died in the Iraq War. Every year, Kristy performs a show in honor of her brother. She will perform at Opening Bell Coffee, along with Robert Gomez and The Beaten Sea. Part of the proceeds will go to Fisherhouse, a group that helps members of the military, as well as their families. This will not only be an evening of great music, but an opportunity to pay respects to a true hero and help others who are fighting for our country.