BBC 6 Music is marking the Rolling Stones’ 50th anniversary with a ton of programming celebrating the band.
We recently heard First Aid Kit’s cover of “Play with Fire,” and now 6 Music has another new Stones cover.
The Walkmen also did a song from the band’s earlier period: “Blue Turns to Grey.” They breezed through the straight-forward Brit pop on Lauren Laverne’s show.
This covers series is definitely one to watch.
Posted in Music Reviews, Track Reviews
Tagged BBC 6 Music, Blue Turns to Grey, Cover, Lauren Laverne, SoundCloud, The Rolling Stones, The Walkmen
I feel like the only band I’ve been writing about lately is The Walkmen. Quite a few tracks have surfaced from their upcoming seventh album, Heaven – ”We Can’t Be Beat,” “Heartbreaker,” “Heaven” and “Southern Heart.”
The latest song to to come up, “The House You Made,” isn’t on the album, though. It’s the b-side on the title track’s limited edition 7″. Even though it didn’t make the album, “The House You Made” is still a gem.
Heaven is out May 29 on Fat Possum.
Posted in Music Reviews, Track Reviews
Tagged B-side, Fat Possum, Heaven, Indie, SoundCloud, The Walkmen, Vinyl, We Can't Be Beat
The tracks from Heaven keep rolling in. “We Can’t Be Beat” is the latest cut from The Walkmen‘s seventh album, from which we’ve already heard “Heartbreaker,” “Heaven” and “Southern Heart.”
“We Can’t Be Beat” is another slower song. It’s heavy on acoustic guitars and rich harmonies, showing the band’s folkier side. It actually might have the least amount of reverb I’ve ever heard in a Walkmen song.
Heaven comes out May 29 on Fat Possum.
Posted in Music Reviews, Track Reviews
Tagged Fat Possum, Heaven, Indie, SoundCloud, The Walkmen, We Can't Be Beat
Another new song from The Walkmen‘s upcoming album, Heaven, has surfaced. “Southern Heart” debuted on Radio Scorpio, and We All Want Someone to Shout For offers a radio rip of the new track.
“Southern Heart” is a somber, acoustic ballad, with singer Hamilton Leithauser’s vocals echoing heavily. The radio rip isn’t perfect, but it’s definitely worth a listen.
Heaven is out May 29 on Fat Possum.
Posted in Music Reviews, Track Reviews
Tagged Fat Possum, Heaven, Indie, Radio Rip, SoundCloud, Southern Heart, The Walkmen
Shortly after the official release of “Heaven,” BBC 6 Music premiered another new song by The Walkmen. “Heartbreaker” is also from the band’s upcoming seventh album, Heaven. Luckily, We All Want Someone To Shout For recorded it.
The band have been playing the song live, but the studio version of “Heartbreaker” is certainly worth a listen. The warm guitar tones wash over the entire song, and the chorus is just infectious — “I’m not your heartbreaker, I’m not your heartbreaker.”
Heaven is out June 5. I can’t wait to hear more.
Posted in Music Reviews, Track Reviews
Tagged Heartbreaker, Heaven, Indie, SoundCloud, The Walkmen
The Walkmen will be releasing their seventh studio album, Heaven, on June 5. You can stream the first single, the album’s title track, below via SoundCloud.
“Heaven” is definitely one of the best tracks I’ve heard this year, and apparently that U2 cover medley from the Heaven sessions wasn’t too far from where the band seems headed on the new album.
Heaven is out June 5 on Fat Possum.
Posted in Music Reviews, Track Reviews
Tagged Fat Possum, Heaven, Indie, SoundCloud, The Walkmen
Bob Weir played what seems like a legendary show at his TRI Studios. According to Rolling Stone, Weir and a nine-member band, dubbed the Bridge Session, played for an audience of just over 100 at the San Rafael, Calif., studio. The one-off Bridge Session, made up of Aaron Dessner, Bryan and Scott Devendorf (all of the National), the Walkmen’s Walt Martin, Conrad Doucette of Takka Takka, Sam Cohen and Josh Kaufman of Yellowbirds, and National contributors Thomas “Doveman” Bartlett and Kyle Resnick, did several 10-hour rehearsals with Weir before the two-set performance.
Check out the setlist below, which features a ton of Dead songs, plus some by The National, Bob Dylan and Cass McCombs. You can head over to Yahoo! Music, who streamed the entire show, to see some videos. Continue reading
12. The Walkmen – Lisbon
The Walkmen’s sixth album might be their best yet. Lisbon is captivating, full of vivid images and scenery. The band’s love of vintage instruments shines, recalling early Sun Records. Frontman Hamilton Leithouser howls over reverb and horns or biting surf guitars. “Angela Surf City” is a ferocious surf anthem, while other songs like “Stranded” calmly float along. But no matter what the style or tempo – The Walkmen do it beautifully.
The album is a tribute to the Portuguese city for which it’s named. I don’t know much about Lisbon, but after hearing this album, it sounds majestic and beautiful – a place I definitely want to visit.
Posted in Music Reviews
Tagged Best of 2010, Indie Music, Indie Rock, Lisbon, Music, Music Review, The Walkmen, Top 20 of 2010
Warm surf-guitar tones crash and swell like waves as distant horns echo in the moonlight. “I’m stranded and I’m starry-eyed,” howls lead singer Hamilton Leithauser, narrating “Stranded”.
It’s easy to get lost in The Walkmen’s sixth album, Lisbon. Their unique spin on surf rock evokes vivid imagery both lyrically and musically. The songs transport the listener through vast landscapes of summer beaches and blankets of snow. Songs like “Juveniles” peacefully float, while others like “Angela Surf City” whirr with tempo and distortion.
Lisbon shows muscle, but The Walkmen use infinite control. Even the rawest songs sound effortless. The brilliantly orchestrated ode to the Portuguese city will easily whisk you away.
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