The Hotelier - Soft Animal

We were cloaked in the awning of night or early morning.  
Through the headboard there’s a flicker of light  
and light warning.  
Sophie’s on the bunk overhead reading Mary Oliver  
while I lay still in my bed.  
That’s when I see you there.

When I first heard The Hotelier's "Soft Animal" (on this week's Spotify Discover Weekly playlist) I thought it might be a new song from the fantastic The Definite Articles. Sadly, it wasn't, and I'll just mysteriously leave that comment here.

Happily, it's a fun and interesting track from a band I know next to nothing about. I've given their latest album, Goodness, a few listens as well and it's more of the same; interesting, well produced and eclectic. I'm looking forward to exploring more, but for now, I'm playing it forward. Enjoy.

Upcoming Shows

Mutoid Man - Bridgeburner

Bridges will burn
Bridges will burn
We're best friends forever
Someday I'll learn
Someday I'll learn
A.K.A. Never
Never

Moar rock! The first time I heard "Bridgeburner" I was out for a run. It instantly pumped me up. I'd been a fan of Mutiod Man for a little while, their first album Helium Head is awesome, and their latest, Bleeder, is in the same vein; straight-ahead, hard driving and slightly, awesomely quirky. Which also describes their really, really fun live shows. If you get the opportunity I highly recommend seeing them. If you're lucky they'll do their cover of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" by The Animals.

Upcoming Shows

The Sword - The Dreamthieves

Lurking by the roadside
Hungry eyes and hearts of stone
Don't stray from the pathway
Until you see the light of home.

Let's keep it rockin', shall we? The Sword, in my opinion anyway, are probably the best throwback style rock band around. They shift easily from metal to more straight-forward rock to what I think of as "classic rock", all the while weaving in fun sci-fi and fantasy themed lyrics and killer vocals. Their latest album High Country is awesome, but you really can't go wrong with any of them. Like what you hear? Give their first, Age of Winters, a listen.

They also have some sweet videos, "Tres Brujas" for example.

Upcoming Shows

Black Map - Chinaski

Long inside of this hole where I,
Dig new depths in the daily grind.
So crude and cements that hold,
Without no purpose, in heavy mind.

Have a lot to do today, so wanted something a little bit harder. Something to get the blood moving. "Chinaski" is one of the harder cuts of Black Map's terrific album ...And We Explode. Oh, and I'm pretty sure it's titled after Henry Chinaski, the literal alter-ego of Charles Bukowski. The more you know, you know?

Upcoming Shows

Elbow - Fugitive Motel

I blow you a kiss
It should reach you tomorrow
As it flies from the other side of the world
From my room in my fugitive motel
Somewhere in the dust bowl
It flies from the other side of the world

In keeping with a recent, and unintentional, trend of showcasing bands who's name begins with the letter "E", I give you Elbow! Elbow's epic second album Cast of Thousands makes for a great late night flying soundtrack. (We're currently flying home from a wonderful trip to Barcelona.) It's in the same vein as Editors' In Dream, which was most important last week and I'm fairly certain was influenced by Elbow. If you enjoyed that, you'll most likely enjoy this as well.

Upcoming Shows