Yeah, They Local | Analog Rebellion

I've been looking for some local rock that I can get behind, something that makes me actually want to come back again. While there isn't a shortage of actual rock bands in our fair burg, they don't seem to get the recognition that our alt-, roots, folk and whatever other country style bands do. But, there is only so much Black Tie Dynasty Spektor 45 that I can take before I want to gouge my ears out.

But, hellooooo Analog Rebellion. Rock may be taking it a little far, but it has rock attitude, it's earnest, moody and... well, rock. Sure, "Marla Singer Doesn't Take Standardized Tests (Disposable Smile)" doesn't come off as the turn it up rocker you would expect, but, it's only the tip of the iceberg. Listen to any song from Ancient Electrons and it's bound to get stuck in the earhole and not come out.

MP3: Analog Rebellion - Marla Singer Doesn't Take Standardized Tests (Disposable Smile)

SPEAK | Carrie (Mindfull)

Lodged somewhere in between Spoon and Ghostland Observatory is Austin's SPEAK. They have a penchant for delicious indie-pop that has it's eyes set on Top 40 success. And as I was reminded tonight, pop sounds don't equal shitty music.

MP3: SPEAK - Carrie (Mindfull)

The New Pornographers Come To The D

Yep, A.C., Neko and the rest of the crew are hitting up Dallas on their tour behind the new album The Crash Years. They will be at "The Showroom" at Palladium... which I can only assume is the ballroom, on Saturday, July 24.

Wierd Al Gets His Propers

If this were a real movie I'd pay at least $15 to see it.

Mount Righteous | Eat Your Wife And Kiss The Barbeque

It's been noted, most recently on DC9, that Mount Righteous are moving away from the delightfully happy sounds of their first album to a more, noisy, punk driven version of a marching band. And to be fair, they've always been a punk marching band, but, now they're moving into the area of noise reserved for Sonic Youth and Jesus And Mary Chain.

"Eat Your Wife And Kiss The Barbecue" is a further step in that direction. I think it's going to take seeing them live to fully appreciate their sound. Because at times it seems like a bunch of people in a room making disjointed noise.

But, you can make up your own mind...

MP3: Mount Righteous - Eat Your Wife And Kiss Your Barbecue

The Canon Logic | "Avenue Of Criminal"

Combine a little bit of Spoon's choppy keyboards with a little bit of Interpol's monotone vocals and a dash of California sunshine and you get the melodic indie-pop of The Canon Logic.

"Avenue Of Criminal" is not about Oak Lawn, but, it's a delightfully catchy pop tune that is ready to rock your clam back at Goo Lagoon. But, seriously, this song and it's album FM Arcade kinda run across the indie spectrum hitting styles seen by Spoon and Rooney. It's a bit too poppy throughout the run of FM Arcade and they seem to try a little too hard. But, once they stop aping the sound they know will work and come up with an original sound, then I think their magic will shine.

MP3: The Canon Logic - Avenue of Criminals

Under The Cover | Koot Hoomi

So, this has to be the strangest cover I've heard. It's been called Ravi Shankar meets Sufjan Stevens meets... Hall & Oates.

Enjoy.

MP3: Hoot Hoomi - Kiss On My List

LehtMoJoe | RemixOne

Remember the other day when we where talking about the heady times of 2009 when LehtMoJoe was releasing a helluva lot of remixes and you wished you could find them all on one extra awesome download? No? Well, he was... and I know I was talking about it with someone... I could've sworn it was you.

Our peeps over at Subservient Experiment let the world know about Leht's remix project RemixOne. It has all the remixes he released last year all on one special download.

Get it here peeps.

MP3: Au Revoir Simone - Another Likely Story (LehtMoJoe Remix)

Runaways | Giveaway

We have a new contest for the good readers of BFD. We have not one, but two, prize packs to give out.

Pack Numero Uno: Runaways t-shirt, a poster from the film, a copy of Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway” by Cherie Currie and Tony O’Neill, a copy of "Joan Jet and the Blackhearts Greatest Hits" CD, a copy of the film's soundtrack which includes tracks from The Runaways, The Stooges, The Sex Pistols-- Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning also have recorded a song on the album, in addition to Joan Jett's upcoming photobook with Todd Oldham.

I know, pretty sweet, right?

Pack Numero two: A chance to win tickets for tomorrow's promo screening at the Angelika.

Check out info for the film here or here and email me at bonafidedarling(at)gmail(dot)com.

About Last Night... NX35 Night Three

As great as Friday night, Saturday nights sets I caught were a little big lack luster. The two highlights were Naptime Shake at Banter and Robert Ellis at Sweetwater.

The Shake were not at it's full capacity as it was just Noah Bailey accompanied by the handsome Glen Farris on keys. A subdued set, but, really good none-the-less.

But, the highlight of the night was Houston's Robert Ellis. I mean, a guy who starts his set off by asking if anyone knows where to finds some cocaine in Denton is surely going to be a treat. His mix of honky tonk and hellbilly was at times break-neck. By the end of his set, Ellis slowed things down quite a bit with songs fit for love-time, two-steppin'.

By the time Horse Feathers came on at 130a, the crowd had filled up all available seats and those left had nothing to do but stand. But, as for Horse Feathers set, meh. The music was great, but, it was too quiet, too pastoral.

MP3: Robert Ellis - Foolish Blues

About Last Night... NX35 Night Two

Last night was a complete luck out on great shows. I was there to cover Sarah Jaffe's set for DC-9 and ended up catching three phenomenal sets: Odyssey (formerly This Old House), Trespassers William and, of course Sarah Jaffe.

I won't really get into Jaffe's set, because you can read about that here, other than to say it was sweet to see Jaffe get so moved by the admiration coming from the crowd. A few different times it seemed as though she was fighting back tears because she was so moved.

Odyssey's set was nothing short of stunning. You could say it was ambient folk, or at least I thought that's what I thought I was getting into with them. But, it was more along the lines of "y'all-gaze." The band rambled through several new numbers that would probably make Jesus And Mary Chain green with envy. If you don't have these guys on your local music radar, you should get them on toot-sweet.

Trespassers William was completely new to me, never heard of them and wasn't sure if I would even like them. Well, the first word sung from Anna-Lynn Williams had my jaw dropped. It set was something similar to Mazzy Star, only if Hope Sandoval had a pure singing voice. It was hypnotic for their entire set.

MP3: Odyssey - At Risk
MP3: Trespassers William - Sparrow

NX35 Weekend

Tonight I will be checking out Sarah Jaffe's set for the Observer. But, you can check out an interview she did recently with My Denton Music.

Hopefully I will be able to take my lil' camera in and take pics of the shows throughout the weekend, Saturday I'll be checking out Horse Feathers. So, should be a nice weekend for everyone.

If you still don't have your tickets, get info and show times here.

Friday Song Spectacular

MP3: Minus The Bear - My Time
A seriously odd step for an alt-y band... early 80's pop/new-wave-ish synths and a "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" lyrical stab.

MP3: Dr. Dog - Stranger
Still the stuff petchoulie loving hippy girls dance too...

MP3: Blasfemea - Maria
Seriously catchy Portuguese electro-pop.

MP3: Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights - Pardon Me
Sounds like "Dog Star Champion" channeled through Kenny Wayne Shepard

Jesus Makes The Shotgun Sound | Do Not The Clothes Make The Man?

Sometimes, it's really all in the name, right? Not since "Jesus Built My Hot Rod" has a name with Jesus in it been as completely awesome.

The California band takes it's musical queues from Explosions In The Sky via Sonic Youth, with Dave Gahan's vocals thrown in for good measure. They have a sound that is experimental, trippy and easy to digest.

MP3: Jesus Makes The Shotgun Sound - Do Not The Clothes Make The Man?

She & Him | "In The Sun" | Video

Friday Mile | FYI

The gloom and despair of Seattle and weather have wrought a delightfully rockin' alt-country band. Friday Mile, blend glorious boy/girl harmonies over Eagles-like melodies. "FYI" charms with it's pop sensibilities as they tell a certain-someone wasn't missed and their name didn't even come up at last night's party.

MP3: Friday Mile - FYI

Dark Mean | Music Box

Mixing acoustic styles with a New Wave mentality is a pretty tough task to pull off, but, Ontario's seem to have a pretty good grasp on how to do it. From the piano and electronic beats of "Piano & Beat" pull of both an emotional depth and instrumental prowess.

You can download their Music Box EP here.

MP3: Dark Mean - Piano & Beat

Sarah Jaffe | Vulnerable

Sarah Jaffe's sophomore album, Suburban Nature, is set to come out this May on Kirkland Records. The Denton chanteuse builds on her debut effort Even Born Again with a sound a little fuller and richer than her debut EP. The constant is her songwriting and her desperately emotive voice.

The girl is coming up the ranks with a recent European tour with Midlake and will be opening up for ex-pat Norah Jones on several dates as she strolls through the Southwest.

But, let us introduce you to her single "Vulnerable," one of Suburban Nature's best. Her album won't be out until May, but, this gem and the remix of "Two Intangibles Can't Be Had" are available now for download on iTunes.

RTB2 | When Hammer Hits Stone | Video

Today the Observer posted one of our favorite songs from last year, RTB2's "When Hammer Hits Stone." The video servers as a visual queue to the bands lo-fi roots as it, well, is pretty lo-fi.

Not only did the Denton duo release a vidie for this rockin' ditty (see what I did there?), but also came news of the bands latest release, a live album titled In People out later this month.

Steel Train | Turnpike Ghost

If you like your rock with a little bit of Flaming Lips sound eccentricity but with and Modest Mouse vibe, then look no further than Steel Train. These Jersey kids show that you don't need to be a juice head to be cool or require a spray on tan... they just good on they own.

MP3: Steel Train - Turnpike Ghost