Grouplove - Welcome to Your Life

Mean man, promised land
Nothing but a devil's hand
Trying to keep saying I feel okay
Telling myself this now for days
Mean man, machine man
I've been nothing but a puppets hand
But nothing ever comes
Without a change

Big Mess, the highly anticipated third album from Grouplove, was released today (September 9th)! They trickled three singles out over the past couple of months, building the excitement. Grouplove (or their label, anyway) picked well, as "Welcome to Your Life", with just 6 weeks of airplay, made it onto Alt Nation's Top 18 Songs of Summer, and today it adds the gravitas of being featured on TMIS. Ha. Their Big Mess World Tour is making two stops in Austin later this fall, by popular demand. 

Upcoming Shows

Young the Giant - Nothing's Over

It's all in frame
Familiar faces on my wall
This town is strange
Seasons never change
Time is up
The world doesn't stop for anyone
Until the sun dissolves

We all disappear
There's nothing to fear now, my love
How does it feel?

Young the Giant are back! When "Something to Believe In" came out earlier this year, I knew that the new album would not disappoint, but I've been thrilled to dig into Home of the Strange since it's release a couple weeks ago and discover an affinity for all the tracks. Made it tough to pick a most important single, but I kept coming back to the unique instrumental breaks of "Nothing's Over" so now you get to, too. Bonus, check out the hauntingly beautiful video for "Amerika" (another contender for TMIS, gah! so hard). Really, you should do yourself a favor and find your own favorite, if you can. I can't wait to see which I will prefer performed live, when they come to ACL in October!

Upcoming Shows

Knox Hamilton - Washed Up Together

Just one look at you
I saw the truth
Just one look at you
And I crashed into
Mad love washed up
Young blood washed up

Do what you want
I'll pull my punches
Say what you want
Louder than any sound
Feel what you feel
I'll do no better than you
All my life
Be what you want
If it makes you happy
Go where you want
I'll turn the ship around
Feel what you feel
I'll do no better than you
All my life

This new single from Little Rocks' Knox Hamilton has the potential to be an even bigger hit than "Work It Out" was: Equally catchy but with the added bonus of being tweeted about by Katy Perry.  I missed them when they came through Austin last year, but here's hoping they'll be back again soon.

Upcoming Shows

Blowout - Cents Cents Money Money

Cut it out, I can’t be the one you want me to
because I’m nothing like you
And we’ll go on and on and on again, on and on
You might as well say “Bah bah bah bah bah” 
You’ve been talking, I just want to go home
My words mean nothing to you when you’re dressed like that
Maybe I’ll get a job someday, 
maybe I’ll find the words to say
Maybe I’ll get a job someday, 
maybe I’ll stop by
Maybe I won’t smoke as much or
drink as much or give a fuck
Oh no, and I, I’m not just like your type

Blowout is (are? is? Haha.) awesome. Their album No Beer, No Dad hooked me right away. It's got a polished (in a good way) yet raw and energetic sound that strikes a perfectly endearing balance. I bet they're also great live.

Upcoming Shows

JEFF The Brotherhood - Idiot

She said ooh hoo hoo
I’m not some kind of idiot
If you think so I want you to know
That ooh hoo hoo
I did it because I hated you
I degraded you and left you alone
And I really really really really really really really really
Really love to make you feel bad
Because ooh hoo hoo
Baby I’m the worst thing you’ve ever had

I've gone on saying that JEFF The Brotherhood is the new, harder and more fun Weezer. And while I said that with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek, there is some truth there. I first heard them when they opened for Ted Leo years ago at Bottom of The Hill, SF, 2009. What a great show! I always enjoy Ted Leo, but I remember being really impressed with JEFF The Brotherhood and couldn't wait to hear more of them.

They've put out several albums since then, and they're all terrific. Really, it's hard to pick a favorite. They're all fun, rocking and have enough diversity to keep you interested. If you like it harder, check out We Are The Champions. If you're into covers? Dig The Classics! Want some fun, American indie rock? Well you've got Hypnotic Nights or Wasted On The Dream. Or you could check out their latest, Zone. OR you could check out this video I found from that show I saw back in 2009. Rock!

Ooooor, you could see them live for yourself.

Upcoming Shows