Alberta Cross is a Blues Rock band that has spent the last year performing across the U.S. to sold out crowds. They released their first E.P The Thief and the Heartbreaker two years ago and have been rising in fame in both their audience’s eyes and their critics. They offer listeners timeless albums that catapult them into another frame of mind. The Band began with Petter Ericson Stakee and Terry Wolfers. Alberta Cross released their first full length album Broken Side of Time in 2009 to widespread acclaim. After shows at Bonnaroo and Coachella became the must-see new band of the summer.
Some damn good releases this week, folks… Let’s take a look.
1. Pavement – Quarantine the Past
It’d be hard to do an album release post without including this one. Quarantine the Past, the Pavement greatest hits album, is out, and has already garnered Best New Release on Pitchfork with a 10.0 score. Featuring obvious favorites like “Cut Your Hair” and “Shady Lane,” as well as dark horses like “Unfair” and “Shoot the Singer,” this greatest hits album is headed in the right direction to do exactly what greatest hits albums are meant to do: open up a catalog to a new generation of listeners. So for those listeners, here’s one of the best introductions to Pavement:
2. Broken Bells – Broken Bells
What happens when James Mercer of The Shins and producer Danger Mouse team up? The new self-titled album by Broken Bells. Rather than pump out singles like “Crazy” and “New Slang,” the new album works best as a whole, and their two respective sounds mesh incredibly well on every track. For one of the better displays of how the two artists work together, check out “Vaporize:”
3. Gorillaz – Plastic Beach
It’s about time. The new Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach, drops today. After the Danger Mouse-fueled Demon Days, those who were looking for a solid album will not be disappointed. The album features a number of impressive guest artists (Lou Reed, Mos Def, Snoop Dogg) and continues to prove why Damon Albarn should stick with the Gorillaz project. But for one of my personal favorite guest appearance from Gorillaz days of old, check out De La Soul on the track “Superfast Jellyfish:”
Other notable album releases: Alberta Cross, Frightened Rabbit, The Morning Benders, Titus Andronicus
Peter Wolf Crier will play Der Rathskeller on April 9. The folk duo from Minneapolis most recently performed in Madison opening for the Bowerbirds and Sharon Van Etten at the High Noon Saloon. Just a couple of weeks ago, the band signed to Jagjaguwar. Their debut album Inter-Be was created one summer night by former Wars of 1812 band member Peter Pisano. Pisano enlisted Brian Moen on drums, familiar for his work with bands such as Laarks. The band has received regular airplay on The Current and press from various blogs such as Culture Bully and Muzzle of Bees.
Based in Madison, WI, The Selfish Gene plays their own brand of three-piece transaccidental guitar rock like Built to Spill, Modest Mouse and Pavement. Their last album, The Grand Masquerade received considerable attention from music critics around the nation. The band has been featured as Artist of the Day on Spin. com and National Public Radio. They have played with the likes of Bon Iver, Kings of Leon, Cloud Cult and Ha Ha Tonka. They are recording a new album and touring throughout the midwest.
This weekend is extra special with not one, not two, no not even three, but four bands on Friday alone to bring music euphoria to your ears. Enjoy a nice mellow start to your evening with Andrew Ripp, Ben Rector, and Steve Moakler. From Chicago, Nashville, and Pittsburgh respectively, these singer/songwriters will melt your hearts with their passionate lyrics and catchy tunes.
Andrew Ripp
Ben Rector (skip ahead 1 min if you don’t want to watch the whole thing)
Steve Moakler
But the night won’t be over yet! Amping up the tone will be The Pimps of Joytime who hail from Brooklyn. Their soulful, funk-inspired, occasionally Latin, afrobeat music brings a new flavor to Der Rath and will be sure to get you groovin’.
The weekend fun doesn’t end, with Ferris hitting the stage at 9:30 pm on Saturday!
New York’s Trio Tarana is led by percussionist/composer Ravish Momin. Momin was born in India but spent his childhood in Mumbai & Bahrain. Trio Tarana is the combination of all the unique influences he found growing up. The trio utilizes Indian & East-Asian rhythms as the foundation and employs seemlessly blended written material. Their mission is to share their unique Asian-American music concept and identity with different audiences worldwide. Their eclectic sound has given them fame in the music world with an appearance as Shakira’s back up on the view. They have also released two albums, Climbing the Banyan Tree and Miren along with playing at festivals worldwide.
Whoops! I forgot to do this yesterday. I know you have all been waiting with bated breath for the next installment of Club 770: The WUD Music Hour playlists.
The Pints are a local celtic band coming to Der Rathskeller to continue the Saint Patrick’s Day celebration at a free show. So grab a pitcher of beer and join us!
Ferris brings together four musicians from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mixing notes of jazz, funk, pop, and blues, they add some new spice to the music scene. In 2009, Ferris released it’s debut album Dancing With Architects at its CD release show at Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis. The band formed in 2005 when keyboardist and lead singer Dustin Hatzenbuhler began to meld his pop influences with the jazz training of his three good friends. The fusion of the songwriting and individual instrumentation was instantaneous as they began to collaborate on original music and to play live shows.
Minneapolis’ all-girl pop punk group bringing a combination of “driving electro-rock and sympathetic acoustic” to the Rathskeller. After two full lengths and two EPs Sick Of Sarah released their self-titled album on Adamant. They have also won Summerfests Best Emerging artist in 2008 after previously winning MTV’s virtual Kaya’s battle of the bands.
