Andy McKee - Dreamcatcher

This is Andy McKee's second album, released in 2004. It features the songs The Friend I Never Met (written for the late Michael Hedges, a great influence of Andy's), and Africa (a cover of the hit by Toto).

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Previously:
Andy McKee - The Art of Motion

Caroline Smith - Caroline Smith EP

Minnesota native Caroline Smith, makes up for in raw talent what she lacks in age. Caroline possesses a unique vocal quality that can be roughly described as a cross between Jenny Lewis, Feist & Joanna Newsom. Caroline and her talented band of instrumentalists offer indie music fans something exquisite. With lyrics that are sincerely eloquent, perceptive, amusing, bitter and melancholy, this 7-track EP is sure to please. Caroline's songs thoughtfully illustrate common human experiences and with each listen her potent lyrics & charming melodies have the capability of lingering in your head for days. But enough of my ranting, discover for yourself.

The Tragedy of June 11
"So my friend and I, threw a few back at our favorite pizza place, and she opened her mouth, showed me her teeth and said 'Fuck. Those guys are lame'. Arm in arm, with her sunglasses on, we finally learned not to look back now."

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Andy McKee - Art of Motion

You may have contributed to the more than 20 million views for his Youtube videos which were posted by the independent record label Candyrat. At one point, Andy held the #1, #2 and #3 positions for top rated videos of all time on YouTube! Here is his most famous, Drifting:


Andy McKee is praised by many as the most promising fingerstyle guitarists to arrive on the scene in quite some time.

At first, Andy's passion was the electric guitar, as he started out learning Metallica, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, and Dream Theater. Then, on Andy's 16th birthday, his electric guitar-playing cousin inspired him by taking him to see a guitarist named Preston Reed perform live at a clinic. McKee bought an instructional videotape from Reed and began to learn more complex guitar techniques from it. He began to take influence from guitarists such as Michael Hedges, Don Ross, Billy McLaughlin, and Tommy Emmanuel as he taught himself the instrument.

It is Andy’s passion for the music, attention to song structure, and diverse melodic content that elevates him above the typical guitarist. He is known for his extensive use of altered tunings, partial capos, percussive hits, and tapping. But in the hands of Andy these are not mere parlor tricks, they are compositional tools used to create some of the finest crafted music for the acoustic guitar.


This album is my favorite release by Andy McKee, featuring the incredibly addictive "Rylynn", the flagship song "Drifting", and the amazing finger picking outro in "When She Cries". It is also Andy's most soulful album to date. If you like it, buy it.

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Limbeck - Limbeck

Lately it seems it's hard for any band to be original. It seems like everything is just a copy of a copy of something that may have been copied in the not to distant past. The same reprocessed music is being looped on radio stations across America and diluting one of the most powerful forms of expression. To me, it's exciting when I can find something so stunningly separated from all other forms of music.

Enter Limbeck.

The term genre-defining comes to mind. That genre would probably best be defined as alt-country. You may be asking yourself "What in the heavens above is Limbeck brand alt-country, Adam?" Well let me try to explain it to you son. It's like a car crash between California sunshine and Garth Brooks. Wilco was also a witness at the scene, summers on the beach was the first responder, and Willie Nelson took photos for insurance purposes.

Filled with cheery acoustic guitar and southern rock guitar fills Limbeck will give you that down-south feel, but pull you back to Cali in a heartbeat. Another country theme that seems expressed is the storytelling involved in each song. Whether it's a dream about a bird ("Bird Problems") or a bus ride through the city ("Reading the Street Signs") Limbeck produces these incredible light hearted stories with a meaning and purpose behind each one.

In the lyrics, watch for themes of transportation especially in "Let Me Come Home" and "Reading the Street Signs." If you take an interest into their previous releases, 2005's "Let Me Come Home" (yes, like the song title) and 2003's "Hi, Everything's Great," you'll see this theme throughout.

An overall lighthearted group of guys playing about their travels as a band in a genre that not too many bands find themselves in.

Local Show Alert: Limbeck will be playing an 18+ show at the 400 Bar on the 20th of February. Honestly one of the greatest live bands I have ever seen, Limbeck always does a good job of showing the world they love exactly what they're doing. Also, Evening Rig will be supporting, another alt-countryish band who were very belligerent on stage the last time I saw them playing with Limbeck.

400 Bar

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MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

MGMT (yes, pronounced "management") seems to pull from the oddest combination of genres. While at times MGMT has a playful 70's dance sound in songs like "Electric Feel", they move on to a much more classic rock, Rolling Stones-esque sound in songs like "Pieces of What." They can also throw something much more psychedelic in songs like "4th Dimensional Transition."
Regardless of the sound, MGMT provides a driving, interesting sound in every song of the album. An interesting thing to note also is an overlying theme of childhood and growing up among the songs. "Time to Pretend" spouts:
"I'll miss the playground and the animals and digging up worms. I'll miss the comfort of my mother and the weight of the world."
Later on, "The Youth" and "Kids" both send heavy messages regarding the power of children and their potential.

If you don't believe me that this is a killer album, Spin hailed it as a top 10 "Artist to Watch" in 2008, and Dave Fridmann produced it (by the end of the album you won't be surprised).

EDIT: Local Show Alert: If you are so lucky to have been born before February 7th, 1987, MGMT will be headlining a show at 7th Street Entry with Yeasayer (and the pitiful Battle Royale). I am overly upset that I am not of 21+ status in society. This is truly bullocks. I did however see most of their set when they played with Of Montreal this fall and it was a very good live performance. I would definitely recommend going as I recommend the CD.

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Trivium - The Crusade

In the Spring of 2005, Trivium established themselves as a force in the metal community with their major label debut, Ascendancy. A mix of metalcore and thrash, Ascendancy was undeniably an exceptional effort from a group of talented musicians.Released in October 2006, Trivium fans finally got their hands on Trivium's highly anticipated album. Simply put, those expecting Ascendancy: Part 2 were met with disappointment. Front man Matt Heafy clearly had been watching old school Metallica videos as evident by his very James Hetfield like vocal tone. Fans of the metalcore scream that permeated Ascendancy were left in the dust as Heafy Hetfield-ed his way through The Crusade's 13 tracks. In fact, only 3 tracks feature screaming at all and even then it's relegated to mere snippets. Heafy has said himself that he just couldn't scream and sing together live (which I can definitely attest to) and the new style of singing is far from bad in any way. It is a shame, however, that Heafy's top-tier and powerful scream has been thrown to the wayside.

The guitar work is as impressive as ever, sometimes pushing the speed to "melt the strings" territory. "To The Rats" is an obviously old school thrash influenced track that will make even the stiffest of neck head bang. The solos are equally impressive, although Heafy apparently feels obligated to jam on his whammy bar at every possibly opportunity. Travis Smith once again brings the brutality with prime drum work. Sure, he's a little bit of a red neck but damn, the guy can play double bass. If being a hick imbibes one with his ability, then I'm officially changing my entire wardrobe to wife beaters and wife beaters only.

The Crusade isn't Trivium's new Ascendancy. It was never meant to be. While the album has it's share of less than stellar tracks, the top shelf material is certainly there. Fans of everything from Metallica to newer metalcore acts should definitely give The Crusade a spin.

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