Sapporo 72 comes to us today courtesy of my new friend Tracy T., who made this suggestion last night as fireworks were exploding over our heads. Now, you know this whole 80’s new wave thing that’s been going on for a while? Think that’s the only 80’s drama the kids these days are unearthing? There’s a whole lot more to the 80’s, and in this case we’re talking about electro-synth-dance-pop, a la Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, Erasure, etc. So let Sweden’s Sapporo 72 take you on a trip down memory lane, updated for the new millenium.
Over The Rhine
Another guest post (I’m trying to be on vacation). This one’s from Sean M. in New Hamburg, Ontario. I thought it appropriate that a Canadian school us on an American group this 4th of July.
Here’s a group that I think fits well on 3hive under the “throaty female vocalist with a passion for storytelling” genre. She’s supported by her extremely kind and poetic husband on piano, and they’ve got something like thirteen albums under their belts. They started out recording songs on their kitchen floor by themselves and a grassroots kind of feel continues through their recordings. Over The Rhine’s live shows really define them for me, though—I’ve seen them the past few years playing in these dark, hot summer nights where they’ll play for a good hour and a half or more, then come out and do an impromptu jazz session, or a fantastic cover like “Moondance”. They have this great, gentle blend of country, folk, cabaret, jazz and pop. Just a true understanding of great Americana-type music. And that’s coming from a Canadian, so if I can appreciate it, anyone can!
Unfortunately many of their best songs don’t seem to be online—a little disappointing considering the really solid songs I hoped to share, but still some good ones here. The first is a great studio recording, the other two are live performances from a new, limited edition live record.
Stella (U.S.)
Hard-driving, guitar-driven rock and roll followed up with introspective, melodramatic ballads — what could be better? (There are many, many answers to that question, for sure.) Stella (U.S.) reminds me of an indie version of the bands you’d see on Headbangers’ Ball. Download these tracks — “NYC” is the ballad, btw — and think about how much hair these guys would have had in the late ’80s.
The Long Winters
The Long Winters are long overdue for an overhaul on the ‘hive. They were one of the first five original posts, back when we were just so excited to be live, sharing music that we loved, we’d post a micro-review of the band, and move on to the next one. So more background on The Long Winters: it’s the brainchild of John Roderick along with a revolving cast of musicians. Roderick’s an Alaskan native living in Seattle, so there’s lots of talent to tap up there. Producer Chris Walla and Ken Stringfellow (The Posies) are among the many who have put up with Roderick who’s a self-proclaimed “little grouchy Napoleon” (and I don’t think he means of the Dynamite variety). Says a lot about his strength as a songcrafter—that he attracts that caliber of musician. Musically he’s a little bit folk, a little bit psychedelic, like Apples In Stereo caught up in A Mighty Wind. You’ll get caught up in the music and the charming earnestness of his vocals and lyrics.
*Note: Go to The Long Winters site to get hi-fi versions of the 48kbps MP3s. He asks nicely not to link directly to the files, so we won’t. He’s got Merlin Mann running his site, and you straight up don’t want to mess with that guy. He’ll get you done.
From Putting the Days to Bed (Coming July 25, 2006)
Pushover [MP3, 2.4MB, 128kbps]
From When I Pretend to Fall
Blue Diamonds [MP3, 1.3MB, 48kbps]
Stupid [MP3, 1.4MB, 48kbps]
From The Worst You Can Do is Harm
Carparts [MP3, 1.4MB, 48kbps]
Scent of Lime [MP3, 1.4MB, 48kbps]
Original post: 02/17/04
A sampling of favorites from 2003. That ’60s album.
Leeroy Stagger
“Everyone in this town needs to shut up.” It’s nothing personal, just that this former roadie for Hot Hot Heat has me all excited about the oft forgotten craft of the singer-songwriter. I can’t get the chorus of gorgeous and melancholy “Just in Case” out of my head. And “I Break Hearts” is a straight-up raw crossroads kiss-off. “Oooh, don’t tell… ”
The Legends 24-hour Download Party People
Saxon Shore
This is a guest post from 3hive junkie Amber North:
I caught these guys a few weeks ago in little Bowling Green, Kentucky where I attended college. I was confused because we never got any good bands to play there, but somehow, miraculously, Saxon Shore made it to town. It was beautiful, loud and instrumental. Can’t go wrong with that. Made me not feel so bad about missing Mogwai back in March, and that’s saying a lot. ÂÂ
Sufjan Stevens New MP3
The Bronx Grip O’ Death
Bedroom Walls
Self-pigeonholed as “romanticore,” L.A.’s Bedroom Walls are equal parts dreamy and playful. Raised in the suburbs, guitarist and songcrafter, Adam Goldman says the band tries to recreate the schizophrenia of his high school mix tapes. “You just love what you love without thinking too hard about classifications or sub-genres…I wanted to get all of that—the anglo-pop of Squeeze, the mythic pre-tensions of Led Zeppelin, the druggy bombast of Floyd, the teenage narcissism of the Smiths.” That should peak your interest. Busy making your summer mixtapes? We love a good summer song and “Your Idea of a Holiday” is just a gem.