The Lucky Thirteen: 2/17/13

I've decided to move the Lucky Thirteen from Monday to Sunday, because starting tomorrow, I begin a new feature called Kickstart Your Workweek. What is that, you ask? Find out tomorrow.

In the meantime, here are thirteen totally awesome songs for you. As you may have noticed, I have moved from Grooveshark to Spotify for my playlists. On one hand, there is the disadvantage of a more limited song selection with Spotify.  What I like, however, is that my understanding is that artists get compensated when their songs are played through the service.  It may not be loads of money, but nevertheless, every penny (or fraction of one) adds up.  I'd encourage any artists who would like their music to be part of the Lucky Thirteen to add their works to the Spotify catalog.

Now, for what you've been waiting for, the music...

1. "Just One More (Monolith)", These Machines Are Winning
   It's safe to say that if Dylan Silvers is involved in a project, it's gonna be good. Whether he's working with other bands (THe Deathray Davies, The Polyphonic Spree) or his own efforts ([DARYL], The Crash That Took Me), I cannot think of a single exception to this rule. His newest project, These Machines Are Winning, maintains the same level of quality I'd expect from Mr. Silvers. This is more of a return to the electronic music he played in [DARYL], though with a more modern indie dance aesthetic. My only complaint: what's up with these freaky masks on the album cover and in the "Fornication" video? Kinda weird and creepy.


2. "Supernatural", Rahim Quazi
   Rahim, you said in 2011 you'd release your follow-up to Supernatural. Then last year, you promised that it would REALLY for sure be released by the end of that year. 2013 is here, and still there is no new album from you. If this album doesn't come out soon, I'm going to start shouting out requests for Boston songs at your shows. You stand forewarned.


3. "Ripper", The Roomsounds
   The Orange will finally release their first full length album, and the CD release show happens Saturday at Curtain Club. Unfortunately, the new music is not yet available on Spotify. So instead, I offer up The Roomsounds, who are sharing the bill with The Orange. Consider this another reason why you need to be at Curtain Club Saturday


4. "Low Wishes", Air Review
   I loved this song when it was first released as a single, and I still love this song, now the title track of their new full-length.


5. "Old News", Hawk vs. Dove
   Combining elements of prog-rock and sludge into a hypnotic yet thundering sonic landscape, Hawk vs. Dove's self titled debut album is nothing less than amazing and captivating. Fans of everyone ranging from True Widow to straight ahead rock need to check this out. Also, for those who like good drumming, Dallas has no finer drummer at this moment than this band's Joe Hardy.


6. "Annul", Parallel Play
   You remember last year that Parallel Play's Jeremy Drake put on a pretty folkin' cool lineup at The Prophet Bar. Expect more good times the Big Folkin' Festival 2, happening Saturday, March 30th.


7. "Four Leaf Clover", Old 97's
   Rhett Miller, why do you hate me so? Last year, you start a tour celebrating the 15th anniversary of Too Far to Care, my favorite album, then put your show up against my 5 year anniversary show at Curtain Club/Liquid Lounge. Now you return with the tour, and put the show on a school night (Thursday at Granada Theater, to be specific). Come on Rhett, help a long time fan out, won't you?


8. "Like Waking Up From the Longest Dream", Dustin Cavazos
   Had to put this on the Lucky 13 again because I'm just digging this song that hard.


9. "Bragging Type", Trey Johnson
   Mr. Johnson has a new project, The Family Piano, and the first single "We're Together" is available on iTunes. I'd love to put "We're Together" on the playlist, as it yet another argument in favor of why Mr. Johnson is arguably this town's best songwriter. Alas, the track is not on Spotify yet, so I leave you with this wonderfully fun track from his solo debut, Mount Pelee.


10. "You Ought to Know", The Phuss
    After years of creating blistering rock anthems, The Phuss have settled down, creating beautifully introspective folk music. Don't worry, fans, I'm just kidding. No, The Phuss rocks as hard as ever. If you doubt that, listen to this track, then see their show Friday at Sundown at Granada. It. Will. Rock. Hard.


11. "You've Got Your Heart", The O's
    New music from The O's is on the horizon! The band will hold their CD release show for album #3 (not sure of the name of the album yet) Friday, August 19th. Telegraph Canyon and I Love Math open the show. Expect this to be a serious, somber event. Again, I'm just kidding; every O's show is a big old party.


12. "Bet You Know", Vinyl Pilot
    Typically, hearing that a band opened for Forever the Sickest Kids is not the strongest endorsement in my book. But after both hearing their songs online and seeing them perform live, I can say that this band knows how to bust out some great rock and roll tracks. They'll perform next Sunday at Prophet Bar, and I suspect they'll have copies of their new EP, Beautiful Disaster, available for purchase. And yes, you'll want to make sure to pick it up before leaving.


13. "Run Run Run", The Chloes
    Simply put, a great song from a great album (Vanish) by a great band. Any questions?

The Lucky Thirteen: 9/13/10

1. "Aim High", Chris Holt
   I'm saving my comments for the review I hope to get out of Mr. Holt's upcoming CD, A Cosmic Joke


2. "Talk to my Heart", THe BAcksliders
   I thought the band had a show in Fort Worth this week, but I'm not seeing any mention on the website. If anyone has any official info, feel free to post it in the comments.


3. "Caldera", The Timeline Post
   Speaking of comments, what's up with The Timeline Post? I haven't heard about any shows in months, and I'm hoping the band is still together. Again, post a comment if you know something.


4. "Letters From a Young Danny Kennedy", RTB2
   Ryan and Grady have a busy weekend ahead. The band plays Friday Night at the Kessler Theater, and then will perform Saturday at Rubber Gloves.


5. "Girl from the City", The King Bucks
   The band plays Friday at one of its favorite places, Adair's.


6. "Motivational", Toadies
   Kirtland Records recently announced that there will be a Toadies tribute album being released. As I understand it, applications are still being accepted from both well established local acts as well as lesser known up and coming acts.


7. "A Black Wave Is Comin'", Doug Burr
   After several months or either few or no postings or playlists, too many good tracks are only now getting the attention from me that they deserve. I've been listening to the track for months, but this is the song's debut on the Lucky Thirteen. Better late than never, right?


8. "Just Wanna Try", Luna Matto
   After about two years after its opening, Mokah Coffee Bar is finally making its mark on the local music map. This is thanks in no small part to the recent shows being booked by Chelsea Callahan. I'm not sure if she had a hand in Saturday's show featuring Luna Matto and Something in the Wheel's Mimo Morreale, but it's sure to be a good show.


9. "Preacher, Preacher", The Phuss
   This band blew me away when they opened up for Spector 45's CD release show. They also nearly blew out my eardrums, but that's another story. I enjoyed every second of the damage to my hearing.


10. "Falling Out of Sync With Time (History at Our Disposal Mix)", Nervous Curtains
    The band recently released an album of remixes, The Song's Been Damaged, and it can be downloaded free of charge on the Nervous Curtains Bandcamp page. Oh, and you can hear the non-remixed versions of the songs Friday at Kessler Theater when they perform with RTB2.


11. "Pardon Me", Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights
    Last week's playlist was supposed to be a Labor Day tribute to some of the hardest working acts in the metroplex area. This is one of the songs that would've made the cut. Mr. Tyler and his band have been touring like crazy, and I'm still hoping it pays off and pushes him into the national spotlight.


12. "You're No Good", Pale Horse
    I like this band. A lot. Hey, I warned you about my less than witty comments this time around...


13. "Walk Beside Me", Kerri Arista
    Emmeline recently performed with Ms. Arista and said quite nice things about her music. Being curious and trusting Emmeline's opinion, I checked out Kerri's website. There were several good songs on there, but this song really stood out. The intro is so simple and stark, and Ms. Arista's voice is crisp, clear, and possesses a beautiful simplicity. I could analyze the technical aspects of the song further, but that would minimize the song's greatest strength. "Walk Beside Me" is a very tender, emotional, and at risk of sounding corny, a very touching song. And while I risk becoming more cliched, isn't music about touching your heart?