@JenXMusic

Me: “I have not heard any good new music lately, its kind of depressing”

Tac: “Have you been listening to that Indie Feed podcast I subscribed you to?”

Me: “No, I totally forgot about that.”

Two days later…….

Me: “Hey, I kind of like that band Maritime”…………….

Maritime; a band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin has recently made a third album titled “Heresy and the Hotel Choir.” They are currently touring about, check them out right here for tour info and to hear their music.

A little something about them (straight from their myspace page):

“here’s why you’re looking at something through fresh eyes, and why Maritime is, too: Things settled, as things do. Justin Klug took the four-string slot, and longtime contributor Dan Hinz—he played guitar on Vehicles—became full-fledged member Dan Hinz. (He is known to his bandmates and the Japanese as “Chicken Dan.”) And the band started writing songs like bands should—in a room together, rocking like the young people they still are. When these four got done writing songs, they didn’t need to recruit people or scramble to get a lineup together. They just went out and played them, together, and shot them full of life. THEN, as is the proper etiquette for these things, they started recording them, enlisting the help of producer Stuart Sikes, who’s worked with lots of bands that don’t sound like Maritime, including Cat Power and Modest Mouse.”

They have a straight up guitars and drums and American boys kind of sound that I like. Also, every time I listen to the song “Love Has Given Up” I get this association from unknown origins to the movie of “Romeo and Juliet” (the cool one).

Popularity: 13% [?]

If you love the Smashing Pumpkins, or just want some intelligent, thoughtful comments on what makes “alt rock” alternative; click here to read what Hipsters United has to say.

Popularity: 18% [?]

Its no big secret this girl can’t resist a good British band (or author) . While baking bread the other morning (theres something you didn’t know about me), I had my laptop out searching around for music. Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong sounded interesting, I listened to them for awhile and then noticed they were opening for a band called Babyshambles.

I have since listened to the songs on their website many times, and keep going back for more. They have a new album coming out soon that I am excited to get called “Shotters Nation.”

I know people say this all the time, and I am saying it some more: don’t decide they are too mellow or that your’e not sure if you like them until you have listened to at least every song on their site. You totally owe it to yourself to take the time. Also be sure to watch the video for “Delivery,” their new single.

Tac and I both noticed that “Delivery” had sounds similar to one of our long time favorite bands, Blur. Then we read that Shotters Nation was produced by the same guy who worked with Blur and The Smiths.

Right now I’m listening to “The Lost Art of Murder” and I’m really enjoying it. So go check out Babyshambles and enjoy your day.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Look Down, a band from Chicago, formed in 1999 and according to their myspace page: “started ruling shortly after that.”

“Intellicode Juno” one of the songs featured on their myspace page is a pretty catchy song. However, the picture on the front of the album featuring this song is so bad its not even funny to me. I still remember my uncles looking like that.

Most noteworthy is their song “Wild Stallions” (add your own little air guitar and appropriate noise here I was a little disappointed they didn’t give it the original Bill and Ted spelling:

*Wyld Stallyns*

But the song is very cool, it reminds me of the Pixies; especially the guitars. Check out Look Down, and as a bonus if you are lucky you will have as much fun as I did playing the “link game” because I found an interesting band in their friends, then another one in their friends and then they were opening for a band that I have discovered I like very much. I’m so excited, I have lots to blog about this week.

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Friday night was spectacular as I stood watching Billy Corgan play his songs in the David O McKay theater. The Pumpkins came on stage and just started making music, they opened with “United States” from Zeitgeist and as hoped for, Billy played an incredible guitar solo of “The Star Spangled Banner” in the middle of the song. I have read about this, but I wanted to hear it live for myself first; it was beautiful.

The set list was awesome, I was never disappointed. I’ll admit I thought I was going to be when “Starz” began, that is my least favorite song on the new album, but it pretty much rocked live. I didn’t bring my little black moleskine notebook or anything so I have no written notes from the show. I just kept telling myself to remember everything, so big surprise that I can’t remember some very important details like names of songs.

However, during one song the keyboard sounded like an old church organ in a Dracula movie, it was very cool. Billy played some acoustic stuff; “1979″ and “Perfect” which I was elated to hear. Adore is one of my favorite albums, could life be as good without Adore? (no) Also from Adore: “To Sheila” and “Ava Adore.”

It amazed me every time they would start playing an old favorite, the energy level in the room elevated rather quickly, that is such a great feeling. At no point was I so in rapture as when the first notes to “Cherubrock” started playing, “tonight, tonight” and “Today” coming in a close second.

“Bullet with Butterfly Wings” and “Zero” got us all pretty wired, Billy sang them so well. His voice is just as clear and beautiful as ever, and his screams were GORGEOUS! I have read several *opinions* stating that his voice (especially in these two songs) as of late was a little lacking in angst and feeling, it’s really not.

Some other songs I havn’t mentioned yet, but which inspired much pleasure and delight were: “Drown,” “That’s the Way (my love is)” “Tarantula,” “Stand Inside your Love,” “Starla” and an extended, intense and resounding version of “Heavy Metal Machine” (Billy had the greatest smile on his face during that song).

The night ended with “Muzzle.” Five years ago I wondered if I would ever see Billy Corgan live on stage again, and there I was in a room with him while he played “Muzzle.” I just swayed to the music and enjoyed it as much as I could.

As a side note, The Bravery did a great job opening. They must have, because I actually listened to and enjoyed their music instead of just being annoyed that they weren’t Billy. Tac and I think it would have been cooler if The Bravery would have played their cover of “Rocket” and Billy would have come out and sang with them.

Popularity: 12% [?]