Aaron Poehler hails from San Diego, and he’s just an honest writer/singer trying to get a bite. Okay, I’m in. The music on his second album, You Had to Leave Your Mark, is heavy, dense, full of hard driving guitar solos and power chords–like Rob Zombie without the pop-sounding backbeat. Vocally, I’m hearing a little Nick Cave as well. Anyway, I’m digging it.
Buy or stream on Bandcamp.
Tags: Indie rock
Beginning a series of pictures, one a day, from now ’til the 25th…..
...AvX, the best "new" event at Marvel!
Let’s lead the news this week with Avengers versus X-Men…
Comic fans may be happy to learn that the coming Avengers vs. X-Men event—12 issues over 6 months—will have only one standalone tie-in series, and the only Marvel books that tie in will be those that deal with members of the X-Men or the Avengers. On the one hand, this is great: Fear Itself tied into just about everything, which was very annoying, and Shadowland had at least a dozen miniseries/standalone tie ins, which was very expensive (and overwhelming). Both events also featured poor quality control to boot.
On the other hand, including only books that feature an X-Man or Avenger will exclude…Punisher. And that’s about it. (Note: Marvel has actually promised that Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and Amazing Spider-Man won’t tie in, but I’ll believe that when I see it.)
Anyway, we’re promised that the series will stand on its own so that those (like me) who haven’t kept up with the constantly evolving roster of mutants over the past 20 years won’t feel lost or excluded.
Story-wise, we’re looking at the return of Phoenix, hurtling through space towards Earth. That’s a promising premise. Maybe we’ll see some “cosmic” characters getting involved?
And then there’s the title: Avengers VERSUS X-Men. Not “with.” Not “and.” Versus. Unless this is the “fight before we team up” convention, we could be seeing some cool match-ups here. I’d like to see Wolverine face off against the Hulk again. Or Captain America give Cyclops the humbling defeat Scott Summers has deserved for decades. Or Cable versus Hawkeye—how cool would that be?
Oh, and Cage vs. Colossus! Any fights you’re looking forward to? Marvel’s Editor in Chief has promised that, in the end, there will be a clear winner. Read the rest of this entry »
Hit the jump, read the rest of this post, and drop me a note!
Tags: Comic books, The Avengers
“Garage electronica.” That’s what Battant is. Coming out of London, the “band” Battant make electroclash with a distinct indie/rock and roll edge. I dug this record, but I’m having trouble finding much out about the band. Perhaps that’s because Joel Dever, the main creative force behind the band, passed away a few weeks before this album was completed. Damn shame.
I already posted my top 10 albums of 2011 list. These here? They’re the next ten, the runners up, numbers 11-20, whatever you wanna call it. They just ain’t the top 10 indie albums of 2011. Just damn close.
I must listen to between five and ten new records every week. Times that by 52 and you get…A shitload of records. About 15% of those get a review or a mention on my site. Those get tucked away in a neat little “2011″ playlist on my iPod, which I listen to from time to time throughout the year. If you survive the year, you get to be a candidate for my end-of-the-year “Best Of” list. If you survive the candidate selection, but don’t get on the list, you may get to go here, on this list, the “bubbling under” ten.
10. CyHi the Prince-Jack of All Trades.
Fantastic mixtape from the ATL.
9. Edubble-Written Thursdays.
I can’t believe this guy is still underground. Get it here.
8. Imaginary Cities-Temporary Resident.
A totally beautiful record.
7. Rademacher-Babyhawk.
These guys never do no wrong. Check ‘em out on Bandcamp.
6. Javelin-Canyon Candy.
Alt-country electronica. Wild. Check it out here.
5. Death Grips-Exmilitary
Angriest album of the year. Motherfuckers sample Arthur Brown, too. Is this industrial rage? Rap? The hardest rock you’ve ever heard? Or just some insane preacher with a backbeat? No idea.
Get it free here, but don’t say I didn’t warn you: This is an extremely disturbing record.
4. Ultramods-Underwear Party. A little farther down, you’re gonna read that Kurt Vile is the new Lou Reed. Well, Ultramods are the old Lou Reed singing in the modern day: Odd, rap/rants about life in the digital age. Check it out here. Entire thing was recorded on an iPad.
3. Papoose-Law Library.
It’s a mixtape of raps about various felonies–defining them, discussing them…Witty, and smart. You find a link here.
2. Kurt Vile-Smoke Rings for My Halo (+So Out Of Reach EP).
Kurt Vile is the new Lou Reed, no shit. Not only did he release a great album this year, but he followed it up with an EP of outtakes that were just as good…And even delivered a cover of Springsteen’s Downbound Train!
You can buy the set here.
The Creature (from so out of reach)
1. Colin Hay-Gathering Mercury.
The man’s been pumping out amazing songs for three decades, and he’s still brilliant. Is it blasphemy to say I like him better than Bob Dylan? Probably. But I don’t care.
Tags: Best of 2011, Hip Hop, Indie
