This is Titus Andronicus playing “A More Perfect Union,” from their 2010 album, The Monitor. This album was on a lot of top-ten lists last year, and while I’m not sure if it deserves quite such high praise, it is certainly a great rock album. An rock album chock full of historical references to the American Civil War? It is a dream come true. Don’t miss the various musical allusions sprinkled throughout, either.
Sincerely,
Reverend Harris
This is Beastie Boys performing “Make Some Noise,” from their excellent 2011 album, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two. It’s been out for a few days now, and was streaming on their website for a week or two before that. I love this song, and I am enjoying driving around town to the album.
It is a rare hip hop act that can produce more than twenty years of quality material. Beastie Boys are such an act.
This is Lily Allen playing “Fuck You,” off of her 2009 album, It’s Not You, It’s Me. I was introduced to Lily Allen recently by a friend, and it rekindled my secret delight in pretty-lady Cockney piano pop. Before Lily Allen I was limited to Kate Nash, who is, well, very similar.
Sincerely,
Reverend Harris
This is Shad performing “The Old Prince Still Lives at Home,” from his 2007 album, The Old Prince. Shad is Canadian rapper (Toronto, I think), and I saw him last Thursday when he opened for Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. It was a great show, Macklemore killed it, and Shad was pretty goddamn great as the opener, too. One of my favorite parts of his set was that he brought out an electric guitar and played on it while rapping on one of his numbers.
This song is funny, and regrettably topical for my generation. If you like it, consider listening to more Shad. He’s good.
Sincerely,
Reverend Harris
p.s. If you get the chance to see Macklemore in concert, do it.
This is The Carolina Chocolate Drops covering “Hit ‘Em Up Style,” from their 2010 album, Genuine Negro Jig. It is my favorite of the Carolina Chocolate Drops’ albums, although if you are into old time music, their other two offerings are definitely worth listening to.
I enjoy this album most because it has the broadest range of music. Not only do they cover Blu Cantrell, but there’s also a version of Tom Waits’s “Trampled Rose,” which is equally successful at changing the sound of a song without changing its purpose. Besides the covers, there is a terrific version of jug standard “Your Baby Ain’t Sweet Like Mine,” and plenty of fiddle tunes.
I admit, I don’t listen to the Carolina Chocolate Drops for their fiddle tunes, but that has more to do with my taste than with the quality of their music. They deliver on grade-A old time stuff, I’m just not that wild about fiddle tunes these days.
Sincerely,
Reverend Harris
This is The Wood Brothers playing “Where My Baby Might Be,” from their 2005 album, Ways Not to Lose. The Wood Brothers came to play together after two very distinct solo careers—-one is the wood of Medeski, Martin, and Wood, the other played with Hot Fish Laundry Mat—-and they each bring the best of their work with them. Bluesy, jazzy, folky, The Wood Brothers do good work.
Sincerely,
Reverend Harris
This is Old Crow Medicine Show playing “Motel in Memphis,” off of their 2008 album, Tennessee Pusher. It is a haunting song about the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., which took place 43 years ago today.
Tennessee Pusher is full of darker songs like this. There are still a good number of Old Crow’s traditional lineup of barn burners, (“Alabama High Test,” “Humdinger,” and “Mary’s Kitchen,” for example), but the album feels more about the hardship of the rural poor, rather than about the fun. “Methamphetamine” is another powerful and creepy song about the tragic side of American life.
Sincerely,
Reverend Harris
This is Timber Timbre playing “Trouble Comes Knocking,” from their 2009 album, Timber Timbre. It is Canadian folk music to listen to and enjoy. If you like M. Ward, I suspect you’ll like Timber Timbre. The soothing lyrics, and pleasant character of the guitar are difficult to say no to.
Not the best music to listen to in the car, or at a party, but if you want to sit on the porch and enjoy a nice day, or tidy up the house a bit, it will hit the spot.
Sincerely,
Reverend Harris
This is The Reverend Horton Heat playing “I’m Your Pet Rock,” from his 2004 album, Revival. I love Reverend Horton Heat. His fast Texas psychobilly freakout music is a delicious blend of irreverent, danceable, and old-fashioned.
This album isn’t the best place to start listening to the Reverend. If you want to get into him, get your hands on 1991’s Smoke ‘Em if You Got ‘Em. Still, this song feels pretty representative of the Reverend’s style. It is rather silly in subject, but it still succeeds at rocking rather hard.
Sincerely,
Reverend Harris
This is The Decemberists playing “All Arise!,” which is found on their 2011 album, The King is Dead. The Decemberists grow on me with every new release. This album shows influences coming from American, rather than English, sources. Gillian Welch and Peter Buck make guest appearances, so that’s cool, too.
The King is Dead topped the American charts, which is encouraging. I don’t know the last time an album that could fairly be described as alt-country went all Number 1 on the Billboard 200. If not, please get cracking. It is not to be missed if you like The Decemberists’ characteristically pretentious lyrics, or if you enjoy alt-country or folk rock.
Sincerely,
Reverend Harris
In 1964, Lyndon Johnson needed pants, so he called the Haggar clothing company and asked for some. The call was recorded (like all White House calls...
“Minnie The Moocher” by Cab Calloway (1931).
“Hard To Handle” - Otis Redding
Billie Holiday
“Roscoe” by Midlake from The Trials of Van Occupanther (2006).
“Shempi” by Ratatat from LP3 (2008).
“New Madrid” by Uncle Tupelo from Anodyne (1993).
“Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” by Nancy Sinatra from How Does That Grab You? (1966).
