Dastardly, The Dirty Feathers, The Bears Of Blue River, and Milano at Reggies this Saturday

In my flu fueled craziness I thought this show was last weekend and I would miss it. Turns out it's this Sat. March 5 which starts at 7:00 PM at Reggie's Rock Club (2109 S State). It doesn't get any better than this line up. The entrance is FREE and the fine cowgals and cowpokes in Dastardly are asking for donations to help cover the cost of the impending trip to SXSW, a wee little festival in the fine city of Austin. Gabe and the band play all sorts of free show, as well as have handed out cd's for free in the past, so here is your chance to say thanks you. Not to mention the kick ass show that will  both Dastardly and Bears put on, how can you miss this one? I will be there to chronicle the debauchery. I have heard some good things as well about Dirty Feathers and Milano. Below are some videos of what the show could be, but better because there will be liquor and Gabe telling stories.

Also look for Dastardly to play WGN 9 mid day news cast this FRIDAY. I know I will!

Paper Dolls - Sparks (2011)

Paper Dolls are:
Jenn Malzone - songwriter, keyboards
Cathie Degler - cello
Brad Vaughn - bass
Sarah Ross - drums

Sarah and Cathie saw the original line-up of the band disband just as they were finishing their first album.  So they reformed in this configuration and got to work. The result of that labor is Sparks, which is a mix of the original line-up's darker material (gothic) and the pop sensibility of the current band.   The mixture of chamber and goth makes theirs a sound I haven't heard in a band from St. Louis before, and their interesting arrangements make them stand out.

"Middle Class Fashion" has a simple and undeniable little piano riff that runs throughout the song, while Cathie's cello and Brad's bass spar back and forth at the bottom end. The clipped nature of Jenn's vocals play along with the piano. Some small bursts of layered vocals are thrown in here and there, and the way that all of these elements figure into the arrangement is a nice change from the norm.

"First Draft" features more jazz influences as well as flourishes of weepy cello that make for an opulent vibe. I really like the staccato nature of Jenn's vocals and the piano that plays off that. That may be the bands signature sound, and what an enjoyable one to hear.

The unconventional song structures help Paper Dolls carve a unique sound. There is quite a bit of growth as a band from their first band line-up and this current line-up.  Sparks is the type of release that will have a significant influence on budding songstresses in an already burgeoning St. Louis music scene.



Download Sparks for $5 at their thesixtyone page. They have cd's available at their upcoming shows March 11 at Wash U, and March 26 at Lemmons w/ Blood Pony. I will be doing a review of the Blood Pony album as well, so that would be a great show to see.

Zach Pietrini and The Broken Bones - The Bright and Shining Lights of Anywhere Else (2009)

 Dedicated Ears was fortunate enough to be part of a Betta Promotion Chicago show with Zach and his band a few weeks back.  I highly suggest seeing them live whenever you get the chance.  Zach gave me his album from 2009 and I really enjoy listening to it.  So here is a bit of a belated review of said album.

The lineup of the band is :

Zach Pietrini
Phil Vickers
Eric Mumbower
Nate Gass
Matt Levon

 There is a revival feeling that runs through the songs on this album and their production.  The sound meanders through but is not beholden to folk, alt country, indie rock, blues, and bluegrass. Zach Pietrini and The Broken Bones spin many fine stories on The Bright and Shining Lights Of Anywhere Else  which is a bargain $5 on their site.  It's always interesting to hear a country stomp on a song like "Chicago",  a tale of the big city told through the eyes of someone from the country. The shift in timing with the chorus is a nice touch.

 "Never Wrote" is a torch song and fine change of pace that features some heartfelt singing by Zach.  I love the languid pace of the guitar here, it emphasizes the subject matter of the song. "Still I don't see no sunshine, just the majestic and desolate view... it pulls my will in two, it pulls my will in two, and while you gaze up at my face, I wonder why you do."

The  first person narratives and subtle, clever word play are bountiful on this album. The country meets city storyline is always enjoyable to me.  The musicians on this album are really good, as good as when I saw them play live.  Head to their site and buy this album. They are also recording new material and playing in the Chicago area, so keep an eye out on their Facebook page.  Thanks again to Zach and the Band for the album and the great show.

Julie Meckler, Rachele Eve, Jon Drake Chaperone Grape Juice Records

Thanks to August and Kevin from Novo for the invite for this show at Subterranean.  Also a big thanks to Grape Juice Records who sponsored the show and has lots of really cool local acts on their label.

Chaperone started the show running with their high energy show. They had a new drummer playing, Thom had left the band two weeks prior.  They didn't seem to miss a beat though. Their set featured 3 of the four members singing lead, a broken bass string and Misfits "S.O.B"cover. They never disappoint live and are more than happy to talk before/after their set. 

Jon Drake and The Shakes had eight members and somehow they all squeezed onto the stage. Their band featured a trumpet and trombone. This is the 2nd time I have seen the full compliment of the shakes and they sound orchestra sized at time. Their ep is a free download on their bandcamp page.

Rachel Eve featured some really nice cello and emotive songs.

Julie Meckler played last and was a crowd favorite I highly suggest checking her live show. 

Dedicated Ears Songwriter Showcase #6 Cafe Ballou 1.22.11

The latest installment of Dedicated Ears Songwriter Showcase at Cafe Ballou was a rousing success.  Gabe (Dastardly) played the "Jew Song" and I was lucky to record it. The video is below. He has an ease with an audience that is commendable. He also played drums on Jared Bartman's set.  I really like Jared's phrasing and tone of his voice. He  played accordion and guitar. He also played accordion on Gabe's set. The two of them are headed out on tour, check their fb page for more info.

Brendan Losch play some new and some old songs.  It's always a treat to see him play.  Ami Suraiya was accompanied by a few of her band members from The Outcome.  I knew I would enjoy the set when the drummer had brushes and mallets and played some cool jazz rhythms. Ami played accordion... are you noticing a theme here? I thought their overall sound was great and you should go see them play soon. Will from Teenage Rage played a cool set as well.



It was a blast to hang with some of the bands afterwards.  Thanks again to Khosro and the staff at Cafe Ballou, which is a great place to eat as well as load up on coffee stuffs in a relaxed vibe.  They are always welcoming and I am fortunate to be involved with these shows.  Also, thanks to all of the people who come out to the shows. It means a lot to the performers.

Mutts, Brontosaurus, Pretty Little Empire, and Zach Pietrini and The Broke Bones Jan 18 Double Door FREE

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This show marks the first time Dedicated Ears will be a sole presenter for another  Betta Promotions FREE Show . This Tuesday, Jan 18th, doors at 7:30, 21+ to enter,  featuring : Mutts, Brontosaurus, Pretty Little Empire, and Zach Pietrini and The Broken Bones.  I would like to thank Rebecca and her whole crew, and look forward to working with them.  Betta have been putting on free shows all month long! 


Headlining the bill are Mutts, Mike Maimone's tight band with the grumbling bottom end. The band has branched out on their recent, awesome, FREE download-able The Tells Of Parallel  which is more experimental.  I have been to quite a few of their shows and their live set is always evolving.



The two headed monster duo of Brontosaurus are a treat live. They play a progressive indie brand of rock that is a sight to behold live. They shuffle around instruments to come up with a big sound for having just two members.

If you follow this blog at all you know of my love of Pretty Little Empire and their new album Reasons and Rooms, which topped my most listened to list for 2010. They are continually growing as a band and really solidified their sound with the addition of their new/awesome drummer Evan O'neal.  They have multiple capable members who sing lead. They only make it to Chicago a few times a year, so see them now.




Also on the bill is Zach Pietrini and The Broken Bones who I have not seen yet, but I look forward to seeing them on Tuesday.  So please come out and support these great bands and get in for FREE.

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

When people marry their celebrity to their music as Kanye does, then it is impossible to allow feelings about his celebrity not to creep into discussions about his music. Kanye wants you to do that. He then sets out on this album to show you how he sees himself.  My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is about Kanye's own (more) love than hate relationship with his own celebrity.  At times he laments this relationship, and at others he vehemently encourages his celebrity to run wild.  In the middle somewhere is where the truth lies. It is interesting to see this struggle play out.  And oh by the way, the beats are moving further away from rap and closer to some indie electronic hybrid, which is fascinating.

The stacked horns on "All Of The Lights" are regal and blend nicely with the deep bass hits and is hit out of the park Rihanna's vocals.  This is another anthem sounding track for a cautionary tale about "street life".  "Restraining order, can't see my daughter, her mother, brother, grandmother hate me in that order", Kanye laments. On this track are cool parts by Kid Kudi and Fergy as well. Kanye does well encompassing artists that I would never want to buy a solo album from into these out-sized songs and they work beautifully.

 "Runaway" is the 9 minute centerpiece of this album with it's horror movie soundtrack single note on the piano for a good 40 seconds that bleeds into a sinister synth growl backing Kanye's wistful rapping of personal deficiencies.  "I don't know what it is with females, but I'm not too good at that shit, see I could have me a good girl and still be addicted to 'hood rats, and I just blame everything on you, at least you know  that's what I'm good at... let's have a toast for the douche bags, let's have a toast for the assholes, let's have a toast for the scum bags, every one of them that I know, let's have a toast for the jerk offs that'll never take work off, baby I got a plan, run away as fast as you can." All the while the strings build in the background until the bridge at the 5 minute mark, that slows to a tired lurch echoing the narrator being worn out with dealing with himself. The experimental run toward the end is a brave choice that turns this into true "experimental rap" and lends a cinematic force to the song.

From the opening chats and claps with an African bent, "Power" is a screamer of an anthem using the sample of King Crimson's "21st Century Schizoid Man" by King Crimson. Ah, progressive music is influencing all corners of the music world, isn't it? Kanye uses it to great effect. The siren in the background enhances Kanye's desperate style of rap. "I got treasures in my mind but couldn't open my own vault." That one line says almost everything about Kanye and his talent and how he encounters disconnects of his own.

 This album is a step above the great collective work of his last album, 808's and Heartbreaks which is one hell of a feat.  His albums have each bested the predecessor. The big difference  on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is that Kanye has moved away from songs about the club, turned up the interrogation light on himself, and given us the results in rap form here.  It's a brave choice to put himself out there in this way. Kanye has shown he can take the criticism and turn it into great songs. This album is on my most listened to list for the year and will be atop many other lists as well.  I think Kanye has even more in him. I was kind of hoping that, given the plight of lower income workers in this economy, that Kanye would make a social commentary album that was more clever than some of his previous blunt statements on the state of common folks. I hope that album is on the way, because  it will take Kanye from having the best album of any given year, to one of the best albums of a generation.