In House #1631: Band of Horses in Boise Tonight; New Built to Spill, Court & Spark

It's likely that anyone who knew anything about Carissa's Wierd expected something fairly solid from Ben Bridwell and Mat Brooke, former members of the dearly-departed Seattle band and founders of Band of Horses. Few, however, could have predicted the reception their debut, Everything All the Time, would receive upon its release-- fewer still would have envisioned the reverb-drenched vocals of Bridwell as the band's centerpiece, a sound completely removed from the hushed tones of their former band. But there it is. Indeed, praises have been sung by everyone from NPR to random kids in hooded sweatshirts. Fresh off an appearance at last weekend's Sasquatch Festival, Band of Horses play The Neurolux in Boise tonight, the first date on a fairly lengthy summer tour.

Band of Horses

In House #1631.
Airdate: 5/31/06
Focus: Band of Horses in Boise tonight, plus new music from Built to Spill, the Court & Spark, Hockey Night and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Band of Horses, from Everything All the Time:
"The Great Salt Lake" (MP3)
"The Funeral" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #112

In House #1630: Charlatans UK in Salt Lake City Tonight; New Camera Obscura, Stuart A. Staples


Always a bit less high profile than fellow Madchester scenesters like the Stone Roses and the Happy Mondays, the Charlatans (or Charlatans UK on this side of the Atlantic) nevertheless released a string of solid if overlooked albums, beginning with 1990's Some Friendly. Moreover, despite tulmutuous events that included a prison stint for one band member and death for another, the Charlatans persevered-- and it's somewhat ironic that they appear to be the last Madchester band standing. In fact, they've got a new album, entitled Simpatico, and are currently touring in its support, hitting Club Sound in Salt Lake City tonight. While their discography does contain some rather dated moments-- mostly done as they attempted to move out from under the stereotyped trappings of their original scene-- their latest sounds like a band that's making new music on its own terms.

Charlatans UK

In House #1630.
Airdate: 5/30/06
Focus: The Charlatans UK in Salt Lake City tonight, plus new music from Camera Obscura, Stuart A. Staples, Jennifer O'Connor and more.

BONUS MP3-
Jennifer O'Connor, from the upcoming Over the Mountain, Across the Valley, and Back to the Stars: "Exeter, Rhode Island" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House #1629: New Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Jeffrey Foucault; Rosalie Sorrels & Elijah Wald in Pocatello Tonight

Next month Anti releases a new recording from the legendary Ramblin' Jack Elliott. Featuring sixteen versions of songs written by everyone from the Carter Family to Hoagy Carmichael, Leadbelly to Ernest Tubb, I Stand Alone mirrors Elliott's legacy. Seen by many as one of the major connections between early artists like Woody Guthrie and everyone from Bob Dylan to Bruce Springsteen to Beck later on. An equally diverse set of friends joins him for the ride, among them Lucinda Williams, David Hidalgo (Los Lobos), Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney), and DJ Bonebreak (X, the Kintters).

Ramblin' Jack Elliott

Also today, we get to the new release from singer-songwriter Jeffrey Foucault. Ghost Repeater is the fourth album from Foucault, out on Signature Sounds, continuing in the tradition of artists like Townes Van Zandt and Greg Brown.

Jeffrey Foucault

Related content here.

In House #1629.
Airdate: 5/26/06
Focus: A preview of the upcoming release from Ramblin' Jack Elliott, I Stand Alone, plus a new release from Jeffrey Foucault, Ghost Repeater. Also, Rosalie Sorrels and Elijah Wald in Pocatello tonight.

BONUS MP3-
Ramblin' Jack Elliott (w/Lucinda Williams) from I Stand Alone:
"Careless Darling" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House #1628: The Walkmen's A Hundred Miles Off; The Fall in Salt Lake City Tonight


New York City's Walkmen released their third full-length this week, entitled A Hundred Miles Off. While the band's first couple of releases have drawn comparisons ranging from Bob Dylan to early U2, mostly for the vocals of frontman Hamilton Leithauser, the new one has a decidedly more dissonant bent. While those Bono-Dylan elements remain in songs like "Louisiana," the most different sounding song on the album, and "Another One Goes By," which is a Mazarin cover, the gist here is harder and louder, as if "The Rat," were stretched into an entire album. Recorded once again in the Walkmen's own Harlem-based Marcata studios, A Hundred Miles Off is available on Record Collection. The band hits Salt Lake City's In the Venue on June 6th.

The Walkmen

Speaking of Salt Lake City, British legends The Fall make a rare visit there tonight, playing at The Depot. With a history spanning thirty years, forty releases, and fifty band members, The Fall is easily one of the longest running and most prolific acts of the British punk and post-punk movements. The band is fronted by the irrespressible personality of Mark E. Smith, who has alternately wailed, crooned, and mumbled his way through hundreds of songs over the years, all in a heavy, crusty British accent. The Fall's most recent proper full-length came last year in the form of Fall Heads Roll. Local heroes Tolchock Trio open things up.

The Fall's Mark E. Smith


In House #1628.
Airdate: 5/25/06
Focus: New release from the Walkmen, A Hundred Miles Off, plus the Fall in Salt Lake City tonight, and new music from Sunset Rubdown, Mission of Burma, Sonic Youth and more.

BONUS MP3s-
The Fall: "Victoria" (MP3) (via The Rich Girls Are Weeping)

The Walkmen: "Brandy Alexander" (MP3) and "Louisiana" (MP3)



PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #111

In House #1627: New Phoenix, It's Never Been Like That

After a long wait between their first and second releases (United and Alpabetical, respectively), the French band Phoenix returned this week after just two years with It's Never Been Like That, out on AstralWerks. After putting themselves on the map with infectious singles like "If I Ever Feel Better," and "Everything Is Everything,"-- not to mention the ice-cool vocals of Thomas Mars-- the band appears to have loosened things up a bit, production and otherwise. The result is an album that, while it may lack the obvious all-star likes of those singles, plays out better as a more consistent whole. The band spends the better part of the summer on the European festival circuit.

Phoenix



In House #1627.
Airdate: 5/24/06
Focus: New release from Phoenix, It's Never Been Like That, plus new music from Yo La Tengo, Nouvelle Vague, Midlake and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Pas/Cal: "Summer Is Almost Here" (MP3)

Yo La Tengo: "Beanbag Chair" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #110

In House #1626: Slaid Cleaves' Unsung; Johnny Cash's Personal File

Singer-songwriter (and former English major) Slaid Cleaves has built his reputation as a wonderful songwriter and storyteller on albums like Broke Down (2000) and Wishbones (2004). For his latest, however, Cleaves puts away his pen and relies on the writing of names like Karen Poston and Adam Carroll-- talented songwriters in their own rights, but with comparatively lower profiles. Unsung features the songs of thirteen songwriters whom Cleaves has come across in one place or another, though you'd barely know they were covers the way he delivers them. While the album isn't as consistently flavored, nor as consistently solid, as Wishbones, there's plenty here to like, highlighted by versions of Poston's "Flowered Dresses," and J.J. Baron's elegy for June Carter-Cash, "Song for June."

Slaid Cleaves

Also out today is the 2-disc, 49-track Personal File, delivered by the estate of the late Johnny Cash. No deliberate cash-cow, the collection features all-new material in the form of spare voice and guitar recordings made by Cash at his own House of Cash Studios throughout the 1970's. The collection, simply labeled "Personal File," was unearthed in 2004 by Cash's son, John R. Cash.


Meanwhile, Shooter Jennings, Waylon's son, plays Boise's Big Easy tonight. Jennings is currently touring in support of his recent release, Electric Rodeo, the follow-up to last year's snidely-titled Put the 'O' Back in Country.

Shooter Jennings

In House #1626.
Airdate: 5/23/06
Focus: New releases out today from Slaid Cleaves, Unsung, and Johnny Cash, Personal File, plus Shooter Jennings in Boise tonight and new music from Dave Alvin, Tim Easton and more.


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #109

In House #1625: The Court & Spark's Hearts; New Alejandro Escovedo



Long-time In House faves the Court & Spark returned recently with their fourth full-length, entitled Hearts. The album doesn't differ dramatically from 2004's very fine Witch Season, though it does continue the sonic evolution away from the more organic, Americana-sounding Ventura Whites (2000) and Bless You (2001). One thing that is apparent is the attempt to create more of a cohesive whole, a sonic landscape meant to be heard from front to back, with a full one-third of the album appearing as instrumentals. The band is touring in support of Hearts, available from Absolutely Kosher, and will be hitting Salt Lake City's Kilby Court on June 28th.


In House #1625.
Airdate: 5/22/06
Focus: New release from the Court & Spark, Hearts, plus new music from Alejandro Escovedo, Mark Pickerel & His Praying Hands and more.


BONUS MP3s-
The Court & Spark, from Hearts:
"Your Mother Was the Lightning" (MP3)

"We Were All Uptown Rulers" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #108

In House #1624: 3 Sides of the Cube Live; Smoking Popes in Salt Lake City Tomorrow Night


Today it's a live in-studio visit from Boise's 3 Sides of the Cube. The multi-influenced trio visits in front of a performance tonight at Portneuf Valley Brewing in Pocatello, ID.

Also today, we get to music from the reformed Smoking Popes, playing tomorrow night at the Urban Lounge in Salt Lake City. After a seven year hiatus, the Chicago band originally came back together for a reunion show last November. It would appear things went well, as they're now touring and talking new recording.

Smoking Popes

In House #1624.
Airdate: 5/19/06
Focus: 3 Sides of the Cube live In House, plus the Smoking Popes in Salt Lake City this weekend and new music from Built to Spill, the Long Winters and more.



PLAYLIST

In House #1623: Gnarls Barkley's St. Elsewhere; New Gotan Project, Feist


Just in case you haven't heard, is the fresh-sounding, new collaboration between Danger Mouse and . The duo has recently issued their debut, St. Elsewhere, here in the U.S. after having already topped the charts with it in the U.K. Combining elements of hip-hop, pop, blues and neo-soul, one of the most surprising things about the music is the decidedly retro element brought to the table by the vocals of Cee-Lo, who got his start as part of the Atlanta-based Goodie Mob. In that act, and in subsequent work with the likes of Outkast and as a solo artist, he's shown his talents as a singer-- but as part of Gnarls Barkley, his voice is something of a revelation. On the other hand is the midas touch of Danger Mouse, whose work on St. Elsewhere is just the latest in a string of work-- including The Grey Album and Gorillaz' Demon Days-- that has established him as one of the most interesting and innovative producers working today. While Gnarls Barkley do have their comparison points-- a less rap-based Outkast, a less funked up Sly & the Family Stone-- their sound feels refreshingly original in a genre littered with copy-cats.

Gnarls Barkley

Also today, music from the production triumverate that makes up the Gotan Project, who might be said to be bringing Astor Piazolla to the downtempo set. Lunatico is the new follow-up to the surprise hit debut La Revancha del Tango, originally released in 2001. The new batch of songs again contain a fusion of tango, folk and electronic elements, with perhaps a bit more emphasis on the older original forms.

Gotan Project

In House #1623.
Airdate: 5/18/06
Focus: Debut release from Gnarls Barkley, St. Elsewhere, plus new music from the Gotan Project, Zero 7, Nitemares On Wax, Feist remixed and more.

BONUS MP3-
Brookville, from Life In the Shade: "Nothing's Meant to Last" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #107

In House #1622: Gomez in Park City Tonight; New Twilight Singers, Sam Roberts

Touring in support of their latest release, How We Operate, Gomez hits Club Suede in Park City, UT tonight. After steadily moving away from the blues-inflected pop sound that established them, the band has made something of a return to form, a move that is no doubt responsible in part for making the new album their most talked about in a few years.

Gomez

Also today, we highlight a couple of new releases out this week: the Twilight Singers' Powder Burns and Sam Roberts' Chemical City. The brainchild of former Afghan Whigs frontman Greg Dulli, the Twilight Singers originally began as an idea for a one-off release back in 1997. Three subsequent releases later, the band has become Dulli's principal act-- a fact indicated by the intensely personal content included on Powder Burns.

Greg Dulli of the Twilight Singers

Sam Roberts' third release is Chemical City, the follow-up to the much-acclaimed We Were Born In a Flame. The latest is being hailed as a solid classic-rock/power-pop hybrid ripe with both hooks and heady content. It seems reasonable to believe that we'll likely be hearing great work from Roberts for a long time to come.

Sam Roberts

Related content: here

In House #1622.
Airdate: 5/17/06
Focus: Gomez in Park City tonight, plus new music out this week from the Twilight Singers and Sam Roberts, and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Gomez: "Chasing Ghosts With Alcohol" (MP3)

Sam Roberts: "The Gate" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #106

In House #1621: Mason Jennings' Boneclouds; New T-Bone Burnett, Tim Easton

Released today, Mason Jennings' fifth album is also his first for a major label (Glacial Pace, a Sony subsidiary headed by Issac Brock). Boneclouds is the follow-up to Jennings' outstanding 2004 effort, Use Your Voice, and it doesn't necessarily veer wildly away from the sound found there despite the fact that Jennings had the comparatively limitless resources of a major label at his disposal. On the other hand, there are most certainly new elements here, particularly on the Tim Buckley-esque "Some Say I'm Not," the middle-eastern rhythms of which make stand out immediately-- not only on this release, but within Jennings' entire catalog. It's perhaps the best of a bunch of solid, chrous-driven songs the likes of which Jennings has always been known for.

Mason Jennings


In House #1621.
Airdate: 5/16/06
Focus: New release out today from Mason Jennings, Boneclouds, plus new music from T-Bone Burnett, Tim Easton, and more.

BONUS MP3-
Mason Jennings: "Some Say I'm Not" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House #1620: Grandaddy's Just Like the Fambly Cat; Dios Malos & Starlight Mints In the Area Early This Week

Modesto, CA outfit Grandaddy called it a discography last week with the release of their fifth and final full-length, Just Like the Fambly Cat.

Grandaddy

Meanwhile, dios (malos) and the Starlight Mints are touring together, and hit the Neurolux in Boise tonight before moving on to Velour in Provo, UT tomorrow night. More here.

Dios Malos


Starlight Mints

In House #1620.
Airdate: 5/15/06
Focus: Latest and final release from Grandaddy, Just Like the Fambly Cat, plus Dios Malos and the Starlight Mints in Boise tonight and Provo tomorrow night. Also, new music from Sufjan Stevens, Hockey Night and more.




PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #105

In House #1619: Kelly Joe Phelps, Free Peoples In the Area This Weekend


One of the first things that strikes you when listening to the first three recordings from Washington-based singer-songwriter Kelly Joe Phelps is how old and full they sound, as if they were recorded on a mid-20th century Mississippi front porch by two, maybe three guitarists. It's just Phelps, though-- one guy, one guitar, no overdubs, straight to mic. What you see is what you get, ensuring that the way he sounds on his recordings is more or less how he sounds live. He's since gone with a bit more sonic varaiance, adding full backing bands for his last two studio efforts, Sky Like a Broken Clock(2001) and Slingshot Professionals (2003). But oh, the soul that seeps from those first releases-- it's as if a convention of old blues masters poured in through the top of his head, if only to hold one last earthly porch session. Phelps plays tonight at the Eccles Conference Center in Logan, Utah, before moving on to Ego's in Salt lake City tomorrow night.

Kelly Joe Phelps

Also in the area this weekend are the San Francisco-based Free Peoples, returning to Pocatello's First National Bar for a performance tomorrow night. The band serves up an Americana fusion of bluegrass, jazz, folk, and whatever else they feel like, perhaps directing those asking that incessant question, "Just what kind of music do you make?" to the title of their latest full-length, it is what it is.

Free Peoples

In House #1619.
Airdate: 5/12/06
Focus: Kelly Joe Phelps and Free Peoples in the area this weekend, plus new music from Bruce Springsteen and selections from the new Sail Away: The Songs of Randy Newman tribute album.


BONUS MP3s-
Free Peoples:
"One Less Greedy Man (LIVE)" (MP3) (recorded live In House, 2/10/2006)
"One Less Greedy Man" (MP3)
"Rescue Me" (MP3)

Kelly Joe Phelps:
"Wandering Away" (MP3) (recorded live In House, 9/26/2001)
"River Rat Jimmy" (M3U)
"Roll Away the Stone" (M3U)




PLAYLIST

In House #1618: Neil Young's Living With War; New Paul Simon


A few years back, "Let's Roll," the rather trite, blush-inducing centerpiece from Neil Young's Are You Passionate was criticized not only by critics for its artistic laziness, but by fans for its apparent made-for-TV-movie take on September 11th. Young seems like a fairly complex guy, and you'd have to ask him whether or not what he was attempting to accomplish with that song has been fulfilled in retrospect-- suffice it to say, he views things a bit differently these days. Living With War is the bold, new political diatribe of an album out this week from Young, making no bones whatsoever concerning his views about the Iraq war, the American presidential administration, and their actions and policies. Surrounded by a full choir, Young mostly rocks his way through songs with titles like "Lookin' For a Leader," "Let's Impeach the President," and "Shock & Awe." While political content is always sketchy at best for the shelf-life of any artistic endeavor, Young's will no doubt be remembered, if for nothing else, as an indicator of the degree of displeasure in American politics, circa 2006.


In House #1618.
Airdate: 5/11/06
Focus: New release from Neil Young, Living With War, plus new music from Paul Simon, Ron Sexsmith, Glen Phillips and more.

BONUS MP3-
Neil Young: "Shock & Awe" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House #1617: The Black Heart Procession's The Spell

San Diego's Black Heart Procession returned this week with their fifth full-length, The Spell. It's the first we've heard from them, in full LP format at least, since the unexpected Latin flair of 2002's Amore del Tropico. This time around the band continues with their indie rock for the Edgar Allen Poe set, with perhaps a bit of-- is that an Ozzy influence I hear? Indeed, they'll never be mistaken for a good times party band, but few acts go so well with a bottle of absinthe. Given that the funereal compositions of Pall A. Jenkins and Tobias Nathaniel also delve deeper into non-fictional material here than ever before, you might want to order a second (bottle, that is).


Also today, we get to several selections from the new kill rock stars compilation, The Sound the Hare Heard. It's just the latest in a very fine string of similar releases from the Olympia, WA based label. This one features the likes of the familiar: Colin Meloy, Sufjan Stevens, Laura Veirs, and Jeff Hanson; and the not so familiar: Death Vessel, Aliccia BB, and Essie Jain. In short, there are some nice discoveries to be made-- and it was a lucky hare, indeed.


In House #1617.
Airdate: 5/10/06
Focus: New release from the Black Heart Procession, The Spell, plus new music from Midlake, the Long Winters, the Starlight Mints and several cuts from the new kill rock stars compilation The Sound the Hare Heard.


BONUS MP3s-
Long Winters, from the upcoming Putting the Days to Bed: "Pushover" (MP3)

Black Heart Procession, from The Spell: "Not Just Words" (MP3)

Thao Nguyen, from The Sound the Hare Heard: "Feet Asleep" (MP3)



PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #104

In House #1616: New Releases From Jolie Holland, Mark Pickerel

Another busy new release Tuesday is upon us this week as we get to the third full-length from singer-songwriter Jolie Holland. Springtime Can Kill You continues the unique style Holland established with her first two releases-- equal parts Billie Holiday and Patsy Cline, moving between smoky, jazz-age speak-easies and twanged-out, blue-eyed soul with ease. What is quickly evident, however, is a decreased reliance on traditional song structure: the title track, for example, meanders in and out of tempos, the all over percussion never really settling into a comfort zone. "This baby is the picture of a lovesick, convoluted mind," Holland writes in the album's liner notes, perhaps best capturing the feel of the song cycle. Luckily, the rest of us reap the benefits of that sickness.

Jolie Holland

Also out today is the debut release from Mark Pickerel and his band the Praying Hands. Given the sound on Snake In the Radio, it's hard to imagine that Pickerel orginally got his start as the drummer for the Screaming Trees, before going on to contribute his chops to the likes of Nirvana, among others. Chris Isaak meets Tom Waits has been one of the combinations thrown out as a descriptor of Pickerel's music. Nick Cave's probably in there somewhere, too. In any case, the debut is easily some of the most tasty country noir this side of Jim White, and it out-noirs him by a longshot.

Mark Pickerel

In House #1616.
Airdate: 5/09/06
Focus: New releases out today from Jolie Holland, Springtime Can Kill You, and Mark Pickerel, Snake In the Radio. Plus, new music from Frank Black, Neko Case and more.


BONUS MP3s-
Jolie Holland:
"Crazy Dreams" (MP3) and "Springtime Can Kill You" (MP3)

Neko Case: "Hold On, Hold On" (MP3)



PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #103

In House #1615: The Go-Betweens' Grant McLennan, 1958-2006

Grant McLennan, founding member of the Go-Betweens, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep this weekend at his home in Brisbane, Autrailia. He was 48. Along with Robert Forster, McLennan founded the Go-Betweens in 1978, releasing their debut full-length, Send Me a Lullaby, in 1981. A string of five more solid albums followed throughout the 1980's, cementing Forster & McLennan's place as one of the elite, if overlooked, songwriting duos of the decade.


The 1990's saw a well-documented break for the Go-Betweens, a sabbatical as they would later call it, and McLennan kept busy by releasing four well-received solo albums-- the best of which was 1995's Horsebreaker Star. He also joined with Steve Kilbey of The Church during the decade for a couple of releases under the moniker Jack Frost.

the Go-Betweens

The beginning of the new century, of course, brought a rebirth of the Go-Betweens-- initially spurred along by northwest-U.S. indie stalwarts like Larry Crane and Sleater-Kinney. The band released their first album in twelve years, The Friends of Rachel Worth, in 2000, followed by two more studio releases, most recently last year's Oceans Apart.

Fans and colleagues alike have flooded the band's message board with grief-filled tributes and memories since the news broke. Needless to say, McLennan and his talents will be missed by many.

In House #1615.
Airdate: 5/08/06
Focus: The Go-Betweens' Grant McLennan, 1958-2006. New music from Snow Patrol, Camera Obscura, Colin Meloy and more.


BONUS MP3s-
Grant McLennan, from 1995's Horsebreaker Star:
"Don't You Cry For Me No More" (MP3)

Go-Betweens, from 1983's Before Hollywood: "Cattle & Cane" (MP3) (courtesy of Locust St.)...
...from this year's That Striped Sunlight Sound: "Spring Rain" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #102

In House #1614: Rosalie Sorrels in Pocatello Tonight

Reknowned folk-singer Rosalie Sorrels is a true Idaho original: born here in 1933, Sorrels has incorporated much of her own experience into her songs over the years-- nothing if not the perspective of an Idaho country girl. That experience has been anything but potatoes and mountain bluebirds, however, and Sorrels has weathered a lifetime of turmoil in one form or another, including surviving both breast cancer and a cerebral hemmorhage. Once upon a time, her life seemed destined for anything but music.

Sorrels at Newport, 1966

The mother of five at 33, she left her husband and embarked upon a musical career after taking a songwriting course in the mid-1950's. That bit of rebellion seems to have foreshadowed her career, and eventually she found herself running in circles that included not only important musicians like Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Utah Phillips, but counter-cultural icons like Allen Ginsberg, Ken Kesey, Hunter S. Thompson and others. Over the course of 25 albums, the most recent of which was nominated for a Best Folk Album Grammy in 2005, Sorrels has tackled a diverse batch of musical styles in both her original and covered work. As Rolling Stone once put it, Sorrels "must know a million songs, but can sing each one as if it's her life story." She plays tonight in Pocatello as part of the First Friday Coffeehouse series.


In House #1614.
Airdate: 5/05/06
Focus: Rosalie Sorrels in Pocatello tonight, plus new music from Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris & Mark Knopfler, and more.



PLAYLIST

In House #1613: Cracker's Greatest Hits Redux; New Walkmen

When confronted last year with the information that their undearly departed label, Virgin, was planning on releasing and album of their "Greatest Hits" without their consent, Cracker responded in a way that one might expect from some of the masterminds behind the lyrical smart-aleckary of Camper Van Beethoven. Dave Lowery and company went into the studio and recorded brand new versions of old favorites, packaged them as Greatest Hits Redux, and released it on the same day as the planned Virgin compilation. Over a decade into it, some of the new versions may actually better the originals-- particularly where tour-tested elements have been added to the mix. Familiar mainstream songs like "Low," and "Get Off This," in particular, sound much improved, appearing here as versions that may not have been radio hits after all. Also included, and not by coincidence, is the Virgin records kiss-off, "It Ain't Gonna Suck Itself," originally from the 2003 album Countrysides. Cracker's seventh studio full-length, Greenland, is due out next month.


In House #1613.
Airdate: 5/04/06
Focus: Recent "greatest hits" release from Cracker, Greatest Hits Redux, plus new music from the Walkmen, Calexico, Jon Langford and more.



PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #101

In House #1612: Asylum St. Spankers Tonight in Boise

The Asylum Street Spankers bring their rollicking road show to Boise's Tom Grainey's tonight, a rare Idaho appearance for the Austin, TX-based band. Over the course of 12 years, numerous releases, and scores of band members, the Spankers have become reknowned for their raucous stage act and deft ability to move between genres. With songs often full of humor, as exhibited on their latest single, "Stick Magnetic Ribbons On Your SUV," one might mistake them for something of a novelty act. But these guys ain't no Americana Yankovic, and the musicianship is unmistakeable whether they're tackling speak-easy jazz, bluegrass, country swing, or some priorly-unknown genre in between.


In House #1612.
Airdate: 5/03/06
Focus: Asylum Street Spankers in Boise tonight, plus new music from Howe Gelb, Mark Pickerel, Drive-By Truckers and more.


BONUS MP3s-
Asylum Street Spankers: "Asylum Street Blues" (LIVE) (MP3)

Bottle Rockets from Zoysia: "Mountain to Climb" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #100

In House #1611: Gomez's How We Operate; New Sam Roberts, Glen Phillips

From their name to their signature combination of organic blues and modern pop-rock elements, the British band Gomez has always been somewhat unlikely. Since coming out of nowhere in 1998 to when the Mercury Prize with their debut, Bring It On, the band has tweaked their sound almost continually, moving further and further from the bluesy vibe that orginally made them so unique. On their fifth release, How We Operate, out today on ATO, the band makes somewhat of a return to form. While the new release will never be mistaken for their early work, the slide guitar on "Chasing Ghosts With Alcohol," is pure blues, while the subject matter of "Charley Patton Songs," at least acknowledges a blues influence (though the sound is far from it). Another welcome development is the return to prominence of the vocals of Ben Ottewell, whose throaty moan had been featured in fewer and fewer songs on the last couple of releases. Gomez will be touring the U.S. late this spring, hitting Park City's Club Suede on May 17th.


Another new release out today comes from former Toad the Wet Sprocket frontman Glen Phillips. Mr. Lemons is his third solo release since Toad's demise and includes, among other things, his version of "I Want a New Drug," orginally done, of course, by the man who taught us all the power of love.

Glen Phillips

In House #1611.
Airdate: 5/02/06
Focus: New release from Gomez, How We Operate, plus new music from Sam Roberts, Glen Phillips and more.


BONUS MP3-
Glen Phillips from Mr. Lemons: "Waiting" (MP3)

Gomez from How We Operate: "Chasing Ghosts With Alcohol" (MP3)

PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #99

In House #1610: Pearl Jam Returns; New Neil Young, Sonic Youth


Somehow, it's been eight releases and fifteen years since the unexpected musical blast of Pearl Jam's Ten-- a debut that came out of nowhere to sell 10 million copies. In a way, the band's been trying to run away from that auspicious beginning ever since, shunning publicity and openly feuding with ticket vendors, their label, and the government, among others. Such is what it takes to maintain one's integrity in the world of big money music, it would appear. Finally out from under the thumb of Sony, Pearl Jam returns tomorrow with a self-titled new album-- an appropriate gesture considering how revitalized they sound after a four year hiatus.


Also due out soon is a new album of protest songs from Neil Young, his second new release in the past seven months. Back in a rock & roll vein for the first time in a while, Young sounds rather pissed in unsubtlely-titled compositions like "Let's Impeach the President," "Lookin' For a Leader," and "Shock & Awe." And he's Canadian. Living With War is due out May 9th.


Another long-established act with an upcoming release on the way is Sonic Youth, who drops Rather Ripped in June (no word if the title refers to the rather picked on television news anchor or not). The album is the latest in a string of mostly solid but overlooked releases over the past eight years or so from the legendary innovators.

Sonic Youth

In House #1610.
Airdate: 5/01/06
Focus: New release from Pearl Jam, Pearl Jam, plus music from upcoming releases from Neil Young and Sonic Youth, and new music from Built to Spill, the Walkmen and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Pearl Jam from Pearl Jam: "Unemployable" (MP3)

Neil Young from Living With War: "Shock & Awe" (MP3)

Sonic Youth from Rather Ripped: "Do You Believe In Rapture?" (MP3) (courtesy Fluxblog)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #98