Tim Barry (Avail), Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music), Ben Nichols (Lucero) & guests Bob and Austin Lucas are coming to Louisville's Skull Alley on Oct. 4 for "The Revival Tour." While the show will feature individual sets from each artist, in the old tradition of true folk music, the performance will largely feature artist collaborations, as each performer will have guests coming on and off stage, including the other solo artists.

A few months ago, while sitting at the Nachbar, I stumbled into a conversation about Avail. I recall the only album I owned back in the day was Satiate and although I was a little obsessed over that album, I haven't really even thought about them since. I'm glad to hear that they're all coming back, because despite the number of times Avail played here in the 90s (At the time, I actually thought they were from Louisville), I've never gotten the chance to see them. Although show will not likely have the energy of an old Avail show, it should be a pretty good one nevertheless, and these days, I'm as excited to ben Nichols as any of the others....

Competing for the honor that night is The Queers at Uncle pleasants, another old punk favorite, but not quite as old, so there might perhaps be less nostalgia.

Tickets are $13 at Skull Alley presale and $15 at the door.  All ages, as always at Skull Alley.

for the full tour schedule,  

Sep 23 - Cat’s Cradle Carrboro, NC

Sep 24 - Canal Club (downstairs) RICHMOND, VA

Sep 25 - The Jewish Mother Virginia Beach, VA

Sep 26 -  Music Farm Charleston, SC

Sep 27 -  Jack Rabbit’s Jacksonville, Fl

Sep 28 - The Social Orlando, Fl

Sep 30 - The Orpheum Tampa, Fl

Oct 1 - Common Grounds Gainesville, FL

Oct 2 - The Masquerade Atlanta, Ga

Oct 3 - Mercy Lounge Nashville, TN

Oct 4 - Skull Alley Louisville, KY

Oct 5 - Rhino’s Bloomington, IN

Oct 7 - Mohawk Place Buffalo, NY

Oct 9 - Middle East (downstairs) Cambridge, Ma

Oct 10- First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, Pa

Oct 11 - Asbury Lanes Asbury Park, NJ

Oct 12 - The Space Hamden, CT

Oct 13 - Blender Theatre At Gramercy New York City, NY

Oct 14 - Black Cat Washington, DC

Oct 15 - Belvedere’s Pittsburgh, Pa

Oct 16 - Magic Stick Detroit, MI

Oct 17 - Reggies Chicago, IL

Oct 18 - Triple Rock Minneapolis, MN

Oct 19 - Turner Hall Milwaukee, WI

Oct 20 - Nutty’s Soiux Falls, SD

Oct 22 - Aggie Theatre Ft. Collins, CO

Oct 23 - The Marquis Theater Denver, CO

Oct 24 - The Venue’s Club Sound Salt Lake City, UT

Oct 26 - El Corazon Seattle, Wa

Oct 27 - Hawthorne Theatre Portland, OR

Oct 29 - Cooper’s Ale Works Nevada City, CA

Oct 30 - Slims San Francisco, CA

Oct 31 - The Glasshouse Pomona, CA

Nov 1 - Knitting Factory - LA Hollywood, CA

Nov 2 - Casbah San Diego, CA

Nov 4 - Beauty Bar Las Vegas, NV

Nov 5 - The Clubhouse Tempe, AZ

Nov 6 - Launchpad Albuquerque, NM

Nov 7 - Taquila Jungle Lubbock, Tx

Nov 8 - The Door - Prophet Bar Dallas, TX

Nov 9 - Fun fun Fun Fest Austin, TX

Nov 10 - Walters on Washington Houston, TX

Nov 13 - Juanita’s Cantina Ballroom Little Rock, Ar

Nov 14 - Hi-Tone Cafe Memphis, TN

Nov 15 - Work Play Theater Birmingham, AL

Nov 16 - New Brookland Tavern Columbia, SC

Hoy creo que media Cartagena conoce Perín gracias a la 'Fiesta del Burro'. Y este sábado pasado estuve allí. Veamos qué ocurrió y cómo estaba la cosa...

That being said, if all of my paychecks come in on time (freelancing is a pain), then I'll be at least three. The first one would be the most exciting if Webster Hall wasn't such a shithole. I've never been a big Thrice fan, and Rise Against and AK3 haven't really held my attention over the past four or five years, but that's a really solid lineup for younger kids. I'll be at the Revival Tour that night though with my fellow neck-bearded whiskey drinkers. And yeah, I haven't seen NOFX since maybe '99 so I'm excited for that too. 

October 11: Webster Hall; Against Me!, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Future of the Left

October 13: Roseland Ballroom: Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Thrice, The Gaslight Anthem

October 13; Blender Theater at Grammercy: Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music), Tim Barry (Avail), Ben Nichols (Lucero)

Ocotber 15, 16: Irving Plaza: NOFX, Dillinger Four

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times...ok. No. That's a blatant lie. It really fell somewhere in the middle, slightly closer to best than worst. Anyhow, greetings new reader (AKA mom). We are pleased to finally have our own public forum for our self-indulgent and perhaps slightly egocentric journal, some may even consider us megalomaniacs, but they are probably not avid readers like yourself. Anyway, onto the story!

We departed North Denver around 10, with one annoyed Andrew Brand (who is currently mumbling that it was 10:30 and that he was rightfully irritated) with thoughts of Lawerence on our minds. I should probably mention for the sake of the libido of the ladies, that as we are writing this we believe that Jon is indeed naked, although we have no visual confirmation as of yet. Ok I lied. For those of you who are curious, yes. The carpet does match the drapes. Anyhow, after crossing the worst of Colorado we entered one long, dull and flat state. (No cleavage jokes, thank you very much Andrew!) Luckily we had conservative talk radio to help us through the journey and the voting booth in November. You might all be interested to know that Obama is a radical, and a red. Or at least he is according to the new book by Jerome Corsi: Obama Nation.

We ended up in Lawrence, Kansas, covered in sweat. We un-racked our bicycles and went to get some dinner at La Parrilla. Jon was minorly infatuated with one of the gals who worked there, but could not work up courage to invite her to the show that night.

After dinner, we rode our bikes around town a bit, almost got hit by an angry redneck in his pickup truck, chased a frog around for a while and went off to see the Lucero show.

As for the show, it was a mixed bag. We had as much fun at the show as you are having reading this blog. Like the fellow writing this blog, the band was drunk, particularly the bassist. This isn't particularly strange, as any live Lucero fans know, but this was a special kind of drunk. The songs we recognized were poorly played, and there were a silly amount of songs that none of us had ever heard before. However, the bassist was as amusing as ever, and the people watching was fantastic. Great venue on the whole: The Bottleneck.

Drew's friend Alex was kind enough to show us around Lawrence, and let us stay at her place. Thanks Alex! By the way, sorry about the lamp.

Alright, we're going to get some sleep, loyal reader(s). But before we do, we'll give you a sneak peek at what tomorrow may hold.

Kansas City, KS! Branson, MO! Precious Moments Chapel? Yakov Smirnov?

I bet you never looked at blogs this way... now you will.

July 17th at Bash’s 2 was Lucero with Glossary and Sleepercar. If you have never seen Lucero or don’t have an idea as to how their fans operate, take my Bukowskian morning and you will find similar, if not magnified experiences among their fans. Lucero operate as a band which takes your worst break-ups, heartaches, lonely tendencies and alcoholic aspirations and molds them into a rock and roll songbook. Yet unlike contemporaries Jeff Tweedy or Paul Westerberg; Ben Nichols isn’t married and hasn’t found that slice of the American dream with picket fences and children. Guitarist Brian Venable will tell you that his life back home with two step children and a wife differs greatly from the other members who are still single and still drink like the crowds they play to. This gives Nichols an edge on those who write songs about heartbreak yet seem to have the happiness of that eternal companion. Fans can relate to a guy who tells heart-wrenching tales of losing it all, or just choosing to throw it all away and still goes home alone.

This is why fans drink themselves to a stupor and sing every word. This is why we buy shots and beers and throw cigarettes at them while they play. You barter your vices in order to hear this Tennessean traveler tell you how bad it is and how sweet it can be. Whether it’s “Nights Like These”, recounting not wanting to be with your lover anymore or “Last Night In Town,” an every man’s barroom farewell, you are touched and excited at the same time.

Glossary was quite the surprise as well. From Murfreesboro, Tennessee, they were the positive energy of Lucero’s biting spite. It was almost like jamming together the Hold Steady with Lubbock local hero’s Thrift Store Cowboys. El Paso’s Sleepercar made their second appearance in the Hub City and ones reputation from previous visits can seal your fate. With rumor about Jim Ward’s attitude towards fans and bands and needing a break before the Lucero’s storm hit made me miss most of their set.

Something that sets Lucero apart for me as a music fan is the fact that they stay true to a punk rock roots which they grew from. One of their most popular songs is actually a cover of a Jawbreaker song, “Kiss the Bottle” which seems like Blake Schwarzenbach wrote that song just so it could be covered by Lucero. That and the band’s struggle to expand upon themselves and create more diverse material while not alienating their fans. This is a struggle you see in many bands in the modern punk whose fans are extremely fickle and bias their opinions from music blogs and message boards.

This is shown in their documentary DVD release “Dreaming in America” before the release of their album Nobody’s Darlings that shows Ben, Brian, drummer Roy Berry and bassist John C. Stubblefield make their way across the country and write their record and evolve into the band they want to become and the band their fans crave.

Yet for Lucero, while still dwelling and creating in this inner battle, still comes out unscathed providing an experience which is new every time for the listener. And sometime for the band, who may or may not remember exactly where or when they came through last.

But this is forgivable, as I couldn’t remember all the songs I sang every word to.

El pasado 26 de junio, Lucero demandó a la disquera Univision por el pago de US$610 mil, que recientemente fue adquirida por Universal Music.

El catálogo musical de Lucero inicialmente pertenecía a Melody, que fue adquirida por Univision y posteriormente ésta fue comprada por Universal Music.

En una carta que fue leída en el programa "Hoy", manifestó la actriz que aprecia mucho a Carmen Salinas y que "Aventurera" tiene un éxito comprobado, y aclaró que jamás ni ella o su hermano han opinado en contra de esta obra y tampoco han entrado en alguna negociación.

Agregó que por ahora  su tiempo está dedicado 100 por ciento a la próxima telenovela, producción de Nicandro Díaz, donde interpretará a una villana.

"Tienes que entender a la otra persona, ponerse de vez en cuando en sus zapatos, no se demasiado exigente en las cosas tontas, y serlo solo en las importantes que ayudan a mejorar una relación", explica, añadiendo que sigue enamorada de su hombre, porque él le da mucha seguridad. "Nos tenemos mucha confianza", afirma.

La publicación realizó un ensayo fotográfico con la mujer de Mijares, como ella nunca ha hecho, en bikini en Mar de Cortés, el archipiélago que circunda la isla del Espírito Santo, en Baja California, México. Fue la primera vez que la artista accedió posar en ropa de verano.

La cantante afirmó que le dijo no a la novela Fuego en la Sangre porque siente que todavía puede ser la protagonista de su propia telenovela: "Estamos en conversaciones para una nueva novela, pero aún no puedo decir nada. No acepté Fuego en la Sangre porque yo no aparecería desde el principio, y creo que todavía puedo protagonizar historias", explicó.

Y sobre como ella elige los proyectos en que participa, Lucero comentó que se sienta con su madre y su hermano a evaluar cada uno de los proyectos. Reveló que tiene dos propuestas para hacer cine, pero está buscando un guión que sea de su interés y que la atrape por completo.

Lazos de Amor and Ablorada star Lucero shines in her bikini in this month's issue of Hola!

[vodpod id=ExternalVideo.606099&w=425&h=350&fv=]

Lucecita tierna de corazon puro
niña inocente que sueña con un mundo
diferente y sin lado oscuro
como podra alguien tapar tu luz
con un sucio dedo,
sonrie bello lucero
tu sonrisa en un segundo
ilumina el cielo
no se si seras angel o estrella
es solo tu presencia bella
caminando entre los mortales
si alguien te ataca en su locura
como puede el pobre llegar a tu altura
me uno a otros de este rincon
para gritarte con gran emocion
un Te quiero muy sincero.

Autor: Julio Valencia

Visitalo: Julio Valencia > el rincon de un poeta

Erase un lucero
que a pequeñas estrellitas
enseñaba a brillar
a amar, a perdonar
les infundia nobleza
les borraba la tristeza
dandoles dulzura
y tanta ternura
pero los vientos soplan fuertes
en el espacio sideral
y los asteroides
que no saben brillar
la sonrisa de Lucero
intentaron robar
pero el Creador de los cielos
al dulce Lucero
permitira brillar
mucho mas que nunca
pus le dio una sonrisa perfecta
que no se puede apagar
y la mision que dio a su lucero
es brillar con tal intensidad
que nada la ha de opacar
en el Universo se extiende
su brillo sin igual
puro noble y sincero
tan de admirar...

                            Autor: Julio Valencia

Un lucero brilla en tus ojos  y tus sueños viven en mi corazón.

En tu mente e  ilusión tú me das lo que nadie me puede dar. 

Me entregas la capacidad de ver que Dios es el Supremo Creador y conmovido estoy por ver su aliento en tu presencia  ,que mas puedo pedir. Si en tus ojos hay un lucero que me guía aun  en la más profunda oscuridad.

Oscar Basurto Carbonell

www.mystrichealingart.com

Rather than raising money or awarding grants, ALAS is encouraging donations and volunteer support for existing nonprofits. "People are condemned to poverty because there are no exits, or choices," Shakira said. "And children who don't receive an opportunity end up as adults being involved with things that they never imagined they would be doing in the first place, like drug trafficking or being recruited into criminal groups."

It was announced on Thursday that Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim and American Howard Buffett will donate US$200 million to this great cause. Slim, Mexico's richest man, will donate US$110 million and his business expertise. Buffett, son of investment guru Warren Buffett, will give US$85 million. The other US$5 million will be donated by people throughout Latin America.

Recently she visited British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to talk about third world education and also went to Capitol Hill in Washington to urge lawmakers to approve more spending to help send the world's poor children to school.

"There are 40 million children in Latin America who have no access to any kind of development program, who receive no stimulation, nutrition or education and need to be nurtured and taken care of," she told Reuters.

"Artists have a tremendous power to communicate, to reach people, to woo, to inspire. It's an important and fundamental part of my life to be able to use my public profile to make certain issues visible, issues that are more important than my own career, that are more urgent and need immediate attention. Imagine what Latin America could achieve if we invest in developing the potential of these children," Shakira said.

Shakira and Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz will perform a free concert in Buenos Aires on Saturday along with other Latin artists to raise awareness of childhood poverty throughout the continent. A simultaneous concert, fronted by Spain's Miguel Bose, will take place in Mexico City's main square.

These videos are in Spanish.

These are pictures of the Press Conference in Mexico:

To watch the events Live they will be shown as follows:
Buenos Aires, Argentina today at 2:30 p.m.
Here is the line-up:
Alejandro Lerner
Alejandro Sanz
Calle 13
Carlos Vives
Chilinguita
Fabulosos Cadillacs
Fito Páez
Gustavo Cerati
Jorge Drexler
La Portuaria
Mercedes Sosa
Paulina Rubio
Pedro Aznar
Shakira

and in Mexico City at 6:00 pm. locally. and the Line-Up is:
Aleks Syntek
Ana Torroja
Babasónicos
Chayanne
David Bisbal
Diego Torres
Emmanuel
Juan Luis Guerra
Juanes
Los Tigres del Norte
Lucero
Maná
Miguel Bosé
Ricardo Montaner
Ricky Martin
Tania Libertad
Timbiriche

Click here to watch the shows Live!

To make a commitment you don't need money, Click Here

For more information you can visit ALAS foundation

(Which, fyi, I dislike because while the US requires visas for visitors, this normally doesn't deter visitors from coming. Because after all, if you're Brazilian and you're planning on legally visiting the US, you can probably afford the visa. Whereas for visitors to the aforementioned countries, but mainly students, this requirement actually deters visitors. I will NOT visit these countries because it costs too much to justify. And I know I'm not alone in this belief. My friends won't be going to Brazil because of the cost, others in my program won't either. These countries are economically punishing themselves in the name of pride. And I don't agree with that. But mainly I'm pissed because I can only leave Argentine through two countries without flying...).

On this note, since I'm missing America, I reread Sweet Thursday (Steinbeck, obviously) because well I made a friend buy it in one of Buenos Aires' few English bookstores for 30pesos. Unfortunately, as much as I love this book (and Cannery Row and John Steinbeck OMG John Steinbeck!) I condemned myself to a Lousy Wednesday. Everything that could go wrong did indeed go wildly wrong. I realized yesterday (another bad day) that what's wrong with me is that I'm pretty much completely numb. I sort of figured this out earlier in the semester (hello! completely content to do nothing and see no one!), but what I just realized is that eventually it's all coming to the surface. Normally, I balance out the big freakouts by having little ones every now and again; however, since I've been here, I haven't really had one. Which means it's all sitting beneath my apathy. I fear for those around (but mainly myself) the day I start caring and realize just how pissed off I should be. That and I'm pretty sure I'm not over the last boy that broke my heart. Which sort of hurts, but mainly adds a level of discomfort to everything.

But Lousy Wednesdays lead to Sweet Thursdays... and sad country songs:

Miranda Lambert - "Bring Me Down"

As a general rule, I'm not a big fan of girls. Girl singers, girl actors, girl authors. But for each field, there's an exception (i.e. Flanney O'Connor! Mirah! Sissy Spacek!), Miranda Lambert's the neo-traditional country exception to this rule. Plus she always shoots someone (i.e. the ex) in her songs. I was torn between posting this song and "Greyhound Bound for Nowhere." I chose "Bring Me Down" because it sort of fits and I listened to it on repeat about 4 times through today.

[download "Bring Me Down"]

Lucero - "What Else Would You Have Me Be?"

I've said it before but for whatever reason, Lucero really gets to me. I don't understand it. The lyrics aren't (normally) anything exceptional, instead they are (generally) standard/sorta sappy ("Slow Dancing"), the vocals are over-the-top ("She Wakes When She Dreams"), and the music's nothing super exceptional and typically borders on the trying way toooo hard to be the Boss realm (the last 30 seconds of "San Francisco"), but still it somehow pulls itself together and I can't stop listening to them - despite my better judgment. So, way to go Lucero. Keep doing whatever the hell you're doing. This song makes me sort of happy and sort of sad at the same time, which is pretty much my reaction to every Lucero song. But "What Else Would You Have Me Be?" has been pushing all the right buttons lately. That said "Rebels" has officially taken the place of "Tennessee" as the album I fall asleep to every night.

[download "What Else Would You Have Me Be?"]

Son Volt - "Medication"

Lucero - "Anjalee"

RAWK SAWNG OF THE DAY: The Beatles - "Helter Skelter"

Rolled into the OPUBCO parking lot with this song blaring and the sunroof down. One of the grizzly maintenance workers flashed some rock horns at me. I normally wouldn't consider a Beatles song for Rawk Sawng of the Day, but there's no way to ignore it thanks to grizzled maintenance man. Clearly the highlight of the day.

Sloan - "Back Stabbin"

Jet - "Eleanor"

Foo Fighters - "See You"

Smashing Pumpkins - "Window Paine"

Centro-matic - "Upton to Riverhead to Mastic"

The Dresden Dolls - "My Alcoholic Friends"

If not for the armpit hair, I might find Amanda Palmer as fresh and sexy as her voice. Oh well. Voice will do just fine.

And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - "Naked Sun"

Stone Temple Pilots - "Tumble in the Rough"

Pretty interesting Weiland interview here.

BEST BAND YOU'VE PROBABLY NEVER HEARD: Chris Whitley - "Rocket House"

He's dead, but that doesn't mean you can't give the man a chance. Another great ATO Records signing, and one of the few who never took off like they should've. Sounds like what David Gray would probably sound like if he was from Texas and had balls. 

Jimmy Eat World - "If You Don't, Don't"

Ryan Adams - "Bartering Lines"

Jeff Buckley - "Demon John"

Ours - "Fallen Souls"

Big Star - "September Gurls"

Ben Folds Five - "Mess"

The Minus 5 - "You Don't Mean It"

The Flaming Lips - "Yeah Yeah Yeah Song"

There's not a band on the planet other than the Lips that could pull off a song as ridiculous as this one. 'Tis a compliment. Rumor has it a circus tent stage setup will replace the UFO this summer. How appropriate.

Clearlake - "Neon"

Black Helicopter - "Head of Steam"

Kula Shaker - "K"

Breakdown: 23 songs, four locations

The iPod battery died today. I slipped into a pathetic bout of depression when I heard the same Nickelback song on three different rock stations during the 10-minute drive home. This should be outlawed.

This week's Artist of the Week is none other than Memphis-based rockers Lucero. Be sure to check out the article by our own DJ Rachelandthecity. If that wasn't enough, we've also got an exclusive live set recorded at the famed Ardent Studios, a video for the band's track "Wasted," and spins on various shows all week. For even more fun with Lucero, you can also catch an audio interview with the band on "Thursdays with Rachel," airing on, well, Thursday. Woo!

]]> http://blackcloudphoto.wordpress.com/?p=78 Mon, 05 May 2008 03:51:37 +0000 blackcloudphoto http://blackcloudphoto.wordpress.com/?p=78  

(Lucero @ The Rumba Cafe, 4.26.2008)

We found out about the show by a last-minute tip from a long lost friend (who disappeared as quickly as he arrived). Quick, make a decision, it's 9:25 and they go on at 10: either pay $12 to see your favorite live band at a place you've been to or ...

There wasn't another option, it's just difficult switching from donation-only shows.

We were foolish to think thrifty. Plenty of old friends were around to hear familiar songs that had been tested on the road hundreds of times, 200 performances a year, I've heard.

This time they sounded road weary - songs were slower and sadder, but appropriate for that ambition-less evening. Two-and-a-half-hours later they called it quits after every request had been fulfilled.

I first heard Lucero in the spring of 2001 when Steven played "My Best Girl." I remember thinking (and I still feel this way), this song is one of the corniest and most awful I've ever heard. Seven years later - from the Legion of Doom, to Akron's Lime Spider and Brooklyn's Northsix - I've seen Lucero live more times than any other band that didn't include my friends, and this was one of the better times. 

Lucero then and now. Top left, 4.26.2008 @ Rumba Cafe (more photos and words about that show to come), top right, 4.12.2007 @ Little Brothers (the last show I saw there), and, bottom, 4.18.2004 @ Bernies. I have even older film versions of the only touring band that matters from when they played at the Legion.

Starting the week off right...

Doves - "M62"

Kenna - "Red Man"

Injected - "Dawn"

Pearl Jam - "Dissident"

Fifteen years after its release, Vs. remains one of the purest and most sonically pleasing albums I've ever heard. The engineering is just superb. That kick drum feel is so deep and heavy, but not too boomy. The snare drum cracks like a lightning bolt. Most engineers will tell you kick and snare sounds are two of the hardest things to master, and most good engineers will tell you Brendan O'Brien and Nick DiDia hit perfection on all cylinders with Vs. and most of the other records they've done. On Vs., they top the rhythm section with this jangly, open-ended guitar tone that's as meticulous as it is loud and a purposefully raw, up-front vocal sound that makes it feel like Eddie's sitting in the room with you. I find myself listening to this album more for the sonic value than the songs sometimes, and that's a damn shame since most of the songs on Vs. are my favorite in the Pearl Jam catalog.

Bloc Party - "On"

The Minus 5 - "Desperate for Someone"

Eels - "Jungle Telegraph"

The Jayhawks - "Will I See You in Heaven?"

The Beatles - "A Day in the Life"

The Stills - "Helicopters"

Metallica - "Sanitarium"

Ol' Dirty Bastard - "Shimmy Shimmy Ya"

This the only song I can play on piano. I'm cool with that because I think ODB would be coo' wit dat, 2.

Breakdown: 13 songs in three locations

Ate all the meat I could at the barbecue at Kody's place in honor of Cooper's birthday tonight. Didn't keep track of every song that belted out of the monstrous mono speaker in the living room, but I feel totally comfortable and damn proud to report it was nothing but AC/DC, Airbourne and Lucero. At least until the whiskey and tequila took hold of Cooper and Co. That's when I heard grown men getting down to Kelly Clarkson and realized I didn't have enough booze in me to get down like that. Not on a Monday. So I left, being the occasionally responsible professional I am. What a shame!

The Gaslight Anthem "Señor and the Queen" 2x7-Inch (Sabot)

The Gaslight Anthem have skyrocketed from obscurity to being one of my favorite bands (and isn't that what it's all about?). Sink or Swim was one of my favorite albums of 2007 and my love for the band only increased after seeing them live twice last year. The band returns with a 2x7" and four new songs right on the heels of the band signing to Side One Dummy. First off, the packaging is tremendous here. Was it necessary for just four songs? No, but a gatefold 2x7" with red colored vinyl is just too damn cool.

The ascension of The Gaslight Anthem has astounded everybody (including the band) but it certainly is well-deserved. If Sink Or Swim didn't convince you maybe four more great americana-laced punk rock tunes will sway you. Señor and the Queen picks up exactly where the band's tremendous debut album left off. Only problem is that it's too damn short. Four songs? I want so much more! If you have been around here for a while you might remember my ill-fated blog, Jeans And A White Tee (that still lives on, in my head at least). So, obviously, the closer here, entitled "Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts" is a definite favorite of mine. Wild hearts, blue jeans & white tee shirts! God, I love this band.

Genre: Punk/Rock/Americana

RIYL: Jawbreaker, Leatherface, Lucero,

Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts

[audio http://www.ezarchive.com/original/soundaslanguage/04BlueJeansWhiteTShirts.mp3]

www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthem

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