Those of you already familiar with Early Man, “two Pentacostalists from Columbus,†might find it strange to hear them called “quaint.†But that’s what comes to my mind when when listening to the monster, and unapologetically analog, riffs blaring out of these digital speakers. The song names could have come from Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, or early Metallica records, and so could the angry guitar and manic drums. The whole thing takes me back to those Halcyon days when my skater friend got me off the Depeche Mode with an interventionist helping of Ride the Lightning. In fact, Early Man are so earnest about their music that listening to them really is infectious, even if they’re telling me to die a slow, horrible death.
3hive’s 2005 Guide to eMusic
The Truth About Au Revoir Simone
Jason Anderson
Regular readers of 3hive know that, as silly as it sounds, we sometimes have problems figuring out the names of the bands we profile. Case in point: Is it Jason Anderson or Wolf Colonel? Greg says, “Who cares?” (Someone will, I’m sure, as I’m sure we’ll hear about it. For the record, I think it was the former and is now the latter.) He — Greg, that is — suggested Jason Anderson, and I’m okay with that, because the plaintive folk-pop of “O, Jac!” pairs nicely with the Michigan’s snowy forecast. Thanks, G!
New MP3s by The Clientele and The Rosebuds
Letting Up Despite Great Faults
Electronic, acoustic, classical, it all goes together to create beautiful music. Letting Up Despite Great Faults create music from the heart, ignoring formulas and expectations, letting their freedom and creativity flow. There are no great faults, and hopefully no letting up.
Dean Gray Mashup
Walter Meego
No one in Walter Meego is named Walter. Ironically, the 3hive reader who tipped us off to Walter Meego is named Walter. But, lest you think he’s just one of these vain guys who’ll go see any band named after him, he actually went to see Caribou — who was known as Manitoba up until about a year ago — and Walter Meego was the opening act. Confused? Good. Now you’re ready for Walter Meego (the band, remember, not the reader) and their wry, funky, glitchy brand of “mutant dance” music.
Iron and Wine + Calexico + Salvador Duran = Quality Entertainment
Tessitura
We consistently receive excellent music tips from our readers and, when we do, small battles usually break out behind the scenes as the six of us stake our claim. Joe beat me to The Spectacular Fantastic but hasn’t posted it up yet. Squatter! As I was sniffing around I discovered a solo project from one of the members of The Spectacular Fantastic, Jonathan Williams, who records under the name Tessitura. Fans of the Elephant 6 collective and those who like a bit of psychedelia with their pop would enjoy a track or two from Tessitura. His bio puts it as blunt as possible: “Tessitura….just a guy writing and recording some songs of his own,” and, the bio fails to mention, “giving them away.” Look, anyone with songs like this floating around in their head would be doing the world a great disservice if they didn’t commit them to tape or ones and zeroes. The fact he’s giving them all away is pure bonus.