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You are currently browsing the Amie Street Blog archives for June, 2007.

Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson

June 29th, 2007

Though their name might be inspired by a cast member of "The Brady Bunch," you're not going to be hearing anything Brady-esque on

by Norwegian post-rockers Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson. You will, however, hear some atmospheric and epic instrumental rock.

Key Tracks:

Play Button A List Not To Be Read At Your Wedding (

)

Wow, instrumental rock is really catching on and im glad to see some new bands coming into the picture. Very soft, melodic, good relaxing music, like after a hard day at work. Great album overall, would definitely recommend it." [rec by samarisi]

Play Button van gogh kept painting himself because he was the (

)

Great stuff, I'm really enjoying this album." [rec by bendedavis]

Play Button We May Be Remembered By What We Did When We Sat Do (

)

Not usually into instrumental rock, but this is really quite interesting. Good, melodic guitar lines in an engaging musical setting. Worth a download for sure." [rec by ecridz]

Check out this video for Play Button I've Got A Picture Of You Boss (

)

The Be Good Tanyas: Hello Love

June 28th, 2007

One needs to look no further than Bon Jovi's recent take on Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" to find anecdotal proof that the road to cover-song hell is paved with good intentions. The better the song, the more dangerous the cover. And so, it was not without some trepidation that I paid for, downloaded, and began to play The Be Good Tanyas' cover of Prince's Play Button When Doves Cry (

). It was with no hesitation thereafter that I purchased the Vancouver three-piece's in full.

But as fun as it is, Play Button When Doves Cry (

) is not the best song on the record. Nor is their take on fellow Canadian Neil Young's Play Button For The Turnstiles () (did I mention they did a Neil Young song too?). No, the meat you can really sink your teeth into on this record is found in the lush harmonies and sure-fingered picking of The Be Good Tanyas' original tunes. Really exceptional stuff. Some highlights:

Play Button Human Thing


Play Button A Thousand Tiny Pieces
Play Button Nobody Cares For Me

Still need convincing? Check out some other glowing reviews:

Their sound is a patchwork combination of styles that fit together with bold stitching, but keep you warm and feeling safe." [Herohill]
mumbling (and banjo) proved sexy."[lonesome music]

New Riders of the Purple Sage: Jammin’ on Amie Street

June 27th, 2007

New Riders of the Purple Sage were originally formed in 1969 by John Dawson and featured members of the Grateful Dead including Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart, and Phil Lesh. The members of the Dead later left the group, but the New Riders kept on through the 1990's recording 7 albums for Columbia Records and 3 albums for MCA Records as well as going on several tours with The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane. In September 2002, New Riders of the Purple Sage received a Lifetime Achievement Award from High Times magazine at their Doobie Awards -- nice! Amie Street is happy to bring you live concert recordings

, , and from these legendary jammers.

Key Tracks:

Play Button Over And Over (

)

Classic Country-Rock sound with great lyrics!" [rec by jediian7]

Play Button Down In The Boondocks (

)

I will forever rememeber this song as the one I spilt my tea all over my desk; but what a great song to do it for." [rec by soporificeffect]

Play Button I DON’T NEED NO DOCTOR (

)

I wish I was 20 years older because I would have been rocking out at this show. This track will cut you open and sow you back up." [rec by kufalarec]

Helicopter Down Brings Lo-Fi to Amie Street

June 27th, 2007

Brand new to Amie Street,

by Helicopter Down features fun and danceable electronic music that's perfect for chilling out. If you're a fan of The Postal Service or The Books, then you'll definitely enjoy Helicopter Down!

Key Tracks:

Play Button MK-Ultra (

): Upbeat lo-fi. Sounds like someone having fun and recording it... nothing too serious, but still a joy to listen to.

Play Button Double Tracks (

): Has some great development. Lots of contrapuntal and textural development.

Play Button Rocket To The Stars (

):

This may be downtempo, with a beautiful melody, but the staccato beats keep it moving right along. Helicopter Down has rapidly advanced to one of my favorite electronic artists on Amie St...always bringing beatiful and original tracks to the table! Big Kudos, HD!" [rec by heykiddego]

Play Button Ouroboros (

):

this song is so sweet. laid back chill instrumental techno. i just wish it had someone like ben gibbard and jenni williams singing on it." [rec by ToneGrown]

Will Garrison Creates Peculiar Indie-Folk

June 26th, 2007

Will Garrison's songs have a style all their own. Rooted in indie-folk, Garrison's melodies are both peculiar and familiar with slightly surprising chord progressions and refreshing instrumental textures. When listening to his intimate vocals you might even picture Garrison as a folky/less angry version of Kurt Cobain.

features live versions of tracks from as well as several others.

Key Tracks:

Play Button Brown Paper Bag (

):

amazing song, quiet and soothing." [rec by scitzological]

Play Button New Machine (

): psychedelic mellow indie-folk with Garrison's signature peculiar melodies and chord progressions.

Play Button There's No Trouble (

): mellow acoustic ballad with frequent contemplative pauses that will draw you in.

Play Button Loose Change (

): upbeat jangly indie-folk. One of Garrison's most poppy tunes.

TV Celebrities on Amie Street

June 25th, 2007

If you've been reading the blog today, you might have noticed that we've incorporated a theme: "artists that also work in TV." Andy Stone was a writer for the hit show, "The Golden Girls," Ronn Moss stars as Ridge Forrester on "The Bold and the Beautiful," and now we're bringing you two more TV stars that double as musicians: Tim Urban from "The Apprentice" and Gary Dourdan (aka Kolade) who plays Warrick Brown on CSI.

Aside from being an entrepreneur who was fired by The Donald, Tim Urban is a blossoming young composer.

was produced by the legendary producer Glenn Ballard (Alanis Morisette, Dave Matthews Band, Gwen Stefani, Aerosmith, Michael Jackson) and features eight instrumental tracks.

Key Tracks:

Play Button American Fanfare (

)

Great song!! Just right to listen to while doing work at the computer or around the house." [rec by DubbleD]

Play Button First Light (

)

Anthemic instrumental wouldn't be out of place on the soundtrack to Gladiator or Lord Of The Rings." [rec by DaveM]

Play Button Another Time (

)

Great instrumental." [rec by curtiskaj]

Check out this studio footage of Tim working with Glen Ballard

Bet you didn't know that Gary Dourdan (aka Kolade) had any talents besides examining evidence on CSI. Well, guess what, he's a damn talented musician! If you listen to Kolade's soulful crooning you'd never expect to see him examining fabrics for evidence.

Key Tracks:

Play Button New Old School (

)

far out, ambience heavy beat with a super deep vocal sound." [rec by De Osos]

Play Button Diamond (

)

super relaxed beat with some ghostly D'Angelo vocals, wait.... isnt that the guy from CSI??? What the F*ck. either way its something id listen to relaxin." [rec by DWIZZLE]

Check out this video for Play Button KOLADE vs. ILLINGTON (ILLINGTON) (

)

Ronn Moss makes some “Bold and Beautiful” Music

June 25th, 2007

Whether you remember him from the chart-topping band, Player, or recognize him for his role as Ridge Forrester on "The Bold and the Beautiful," Ronn Moss is making a musical come back with his solo album

. Throughout the record, Moss shows that he can still deliver smooth pop just as good as his days as an opener for superstars like Eric Clapton and Heart.

Key Tracks:

Play Button Sharp Dressed Man (

): Ronn Moss will show you how to rock with this ZZ Top cover.

Play Button Butterfly (

): A soft pop lullaby.

Play Button Show Me Yours (

): A classic sing-along.

Play Button It's So Easy (

): A powerful duet.

Check out this video of Ronn Moss

Andy Stone brings “Litpop” to Amie Street

June 25th, 2007

After success as a novelist and a writer for the hit NBC TV show "The Golden Girls," Andy Stone is finally emerging as a musician too. On his debut EP

, Stone combines elements of his literary background with the music of The Beatles and Elvis Costello to create what he refers to as "litpop," or well crafted pop. The EP was co-produced by former "Diving for Pearls" frontman Danny Malone, who also sings and plays guitar on the record. Be sure to check out the album that Fuse Magazine called "Lush, cleverly constructed ... pop perfection."

Key Tracks:

Play Button In The Coffee Shop, When (

): Elvis Costello meets psychedelic-era Beatles.

Play Button What You Believe (

): The epitome of "Litpop."

New Release from Saturna

June 22nd, 2007

is a new release from Portland, Oregon's own Saturna. The record was produced by Brin Addison and Tony Lash (Dandy Warhols, Elliott Smith) and features the band's trademark Shoegaze-style rock combining atmospheric guitars with mellow vocals. The past year has been a big one for the band: they've been featured on MTV and various movie soundtracks and also performed at several showcases at SXSW (South by Southwest).

Key Tracks:

Play Button Chasing The Unpredictable (

)

What a tremendous album this is! Varied throughout and just wonderful . . . " [Rec'd by drb]

Play Button Periwinkle (

): Mellow vocals doubled by a whispering voice and backed by rockin' guitars and drums.

Play Button Roll Down (

): begins with an acoustic guitar intro. then the full band enters with blazing electric guitars, powerful drums, and a driving bass.

Play Button Pop Rocks (

): upbeat rock with some jangly tambourine.

Concise Kilgore Emerges with “Digitalis”

June 22nd, 2007

Concise Kilgore is a Swan Lake, Utah based rapper who has previously collaborated with The Solution.

is Concise Kilgore's debut album as a solo artist. It features west-coast influenced rapping, creative beats, and tributes to Notorious B.I.G. and old school hip-hop.

Key Tracks

Play Button Lucie (

):

wow. that is a legit homage to BIG. big props to Concise Kilgore." [rec by Adam]

Play Button 2 Say The Least feat. Cali Agents (

):

These guys have tight flows and I dig the west coast beats. They really remind me of The Pharcyde." [rec by Joshua]

Play Button Good Ol' Fashion Hip-Hop (

): Concise Kilgore reminisces about the history of hip-hop.

Play Button Street Sweep 2 feat. Rameses & Amad Jamal (

): You'll definitely be bobbing your head to this track featuring guest appearances from Rameses and Ahmad Jamal.

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