TMI Turns Two

Well, it seems that another year has gone by, and we're still here. In the past few months TMI had some pretty cool posts, if I don't say so myself. Here are a few highlights.

The Musically Inclined...

• Conference called with Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla (Vision article here)


• Found a cool band called Their Hearts Were Full Spring


• Saw Andrew Bird at Grimeys


• Joined the fight to save Paste Magazine


• Wrote about Grammy posters (You wouldn't believe the number of hits TMI got)
  
• Covered Rites of Spring


• Found a pocket of Jesus-friendly hip hop behind a coffee house


• Reviewed a ton of albums for Twisted Ear


• Made derisive remarks about Jack White

As you can see, it's been a good time and this next year, hopefully, will be even better. Thanks for reading and stay tuned, kids!

Peace,

Erin

The Brakes on Twisted Ear

Yet another review for my favorite U.K.-based website. I really enjoyed this album. It's the latest from The Brakes, called Touchdown. The album is snappy and accessible, so if you're tired of pretending you like Animal Collective, this business is easier to digest. Not that Animal Collective isn't inspired...

Papercuts on Twisted Ear

I'd like to say I've just been a bum lately and not posted out of laziness, but it's more of a time issue. Anyway, check this review I did for Twisted Ear on group called the Papercuts. They do a kind of hazy, muted, dreamy 60s pop with a bit of a bizarre dark side. The album is called You Can Have What You Want. Good deal, right?

No, No. Not Dead, Just Busy.

Going nearly two week without posting anything is a bad idea in the blogosphere. Apologies. Not much shakin'. Death Cab announced an extra show in Nashville, the day before the one I have a ticket to... that blows. Someone started a fraudulent Ben Gibbard Twitter account... that also blows. Th Open Door EP is still not available in stores yet... this band is messing with me. Anyhoo, check out my latest Twisted Ear review here. It's Higamos Hogamos. Don't ask, just read. Meanwhile TMI is bracing for a chaotic few weeks, as if the last few have been hay rides. Stay tuned. We'll get back in the groove soon.

The Bishops on Twisted Ear

This is officially the meanest review I've written to date. This is also officially the weakest band I've heard from Twisted Ear to date. I feel justified. Check out the abuse and a candy metaphor I'm proud of here.

On a side note, Twisted Ear has a Twitter account now, so if you want snazzy updates and the occasional sparkling commentary, come follow us. That sounds creepy, doesn't it? No Kool-Aid involved, promise.

Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele on Twisted Ear

If you've got a penchant for doo-wop, Mississippi, ukuleles, crooning and Elton John glasses, Dent May is your man. Check out my latest review and if you're really in a particularly weird mood, watch the video for "Meet Me in the Garden" courtesy of Pitchfork.

Also, Twisted Ear is on Twitter now, so if you're into that here's where to follow us.

Andrew Bird on Twisted Ear

It's been a while since I had a review up Twisted Ear, but we're back, baby. Life is good on both sides of the Atlantic. Anyhoo, I got to write up Andrew Bird's latest, Noble Beast and it was pretty good. A little bit long but you've got to go with it. Click here for a helping of musical truth.

Oversight of the Decade

Ok, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but that doesn't mean I haven't been kicking myself any less. Check a few entries down and you'll see that I reviewed Under the Pavement by The Travelling Band for Twisted Ear. The whole time I felt like there was something I was missing. Well, the other night I was watching some footage of Crosby, Stills, and Nash singing "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes" when it it hit me that these guys are all over the Travelling Band album and somehow it went right over my head. Specifically, give a listen to "Sweet City." It's incredibly reminiscent of "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes." Bah. I wish I could add in a line to the review but that ship sailed. Oh well. I'm saying it here. As an aside, Under the Pavement gets better and better every time I listen to it and the fact that I'm still hitting 'play' weeks after turning in the review should say a good deal.

The Travelling Band on Twisted Ear

No, I didn't add an extra 'l' to 'travelling' because I felt like it. Check these guys out. They won the New Talent award at Glastonbury this summer. Think Shins combined with Nickel Creek. This is some really good stuff.

Max Tundra on Twisted Ear

Here's my Twisted Ear review of Max Tundra's Parallax Error Beheads You. This sucker might just leave you questioning your tastes. Have fun.

Juana Molina on Twisted Ear

Here's another Twisted Ear review, kids. Juana Molina is a singer from Argentina and her album Un Dia is definitely worth checking out.

100th Post and Other Happenings

Yay! This is officially the 100th post of The Musically Inclined. Sounds like a good reason for a party, but really the purpose of this post is a little update about things around here...just some house keeping.

1. My Chris Walla/Ultimate College Bowl article is here if you want to read what that lovable, politically concerned, vegetarian had to say. After several hours of fine crafting, I have to say, I'm pretty happy with it.

2. Totally forgot to say that the Killers album, Day and Age, comes out November 25th-- right in the prime of Christmas shopping season. This should be interesting. Look for a review at least by New Years. Hey, I've got a Christmas list too, you know.

3. Another review to look out for came about when a band called Heavy Jack gave me a  shout out a few weeks ago and sent me a copy of their album Multiply. So far so good, there's definitely skill there. So, keep an eye out for that as well.

4. I've got two more reviews for Twisted Ear on the way, Max Tundra and Juana Molina. Those were fun.

5. Lastly, even though it has nothing to do with music, TMI is quite sad about the passing of Paul Newman. Cool Hand Luke is an excellent movie. Rent it.

Well, that's all I've got for now on this fine Sunday morning. Stay tuned, kids.

Peace

*Note: Those are not my cupcakes. I do not have that kind of time.

Golden Animals on Twisted Ear

Here is yet another review for your dining and dancing pleasure. The Golden Animals are all about the west (aren't we all?) and their disc will leave no doubt in your mind about it. Best of all, they win the prize for album title of the year: Free Your Mind and Win a Pony. Sign me up.

Mélee on Twisted Ear

Happy Monday, folks. I had the pleasure of reviewing Mélee's Devils & Angels again, but for Twisted Ear this time. Seven months later and I'm still madly in love with this album. Check out my original review here and the new one here.  As always, stay tuned. Apparently "Built to Last" broke the top 20 in the U.K.

Jupiter One on Twisted Ear

I've got another review up on Twisted Ear. The band is a Brooklyn based quintet who seem to have not been informed that it's not 1986 any more. Check it out here.

The Blakes on Twisted Ear

Recently I started writing for a music web site based in the U.K. called Twisted Ear. It's a pretty cool site and I'm happy to say that my first review went up today. I wrote about a band from Seattle called The Blakes...not the greatest album I've ever heard but you can read why here.