PHONE:
FAX:
757.962.8052
757.962.8057
EMAIL: General Inquiries: info[at]whatisrelative.com
Sales: orders[at]relativetheoryrecords.com
Booking: shows[at]relativetheoryrecords.com
Art Gallery: gallery[at]relativetheoryrecords.com

JULY 11th, 2006 Issue No. 026
 
ITEMS FOR SALE

Alcian Blue
Benevento Russo Duo
Aloe Blacc
Chromeo
CSS
Cursive
Cut Chemist
Ramblin Jack Elliott
Every Move Picture
Figurine
Greg Gaffin
Kaada
Robert Earl Keen
Muse
Oneida
Peaches
Brian Poshen
Phish
Shapes and Sizes
Sufjan Stevens
Thom Yorke


Out of The Box 89.5 FM
selections from your favorite independent radio program

Under The Microscope
take a closer look on some titles you may have missed

EVENTS | SHOWS

TUES JULY 11 | 8pm
Nick Castro & The Young Elders
w/Alina Simone, & The Could Eyes
Tickets: $5 adv | $7 day of show

WED JULY 12 | 8pm
Mass Movement of the Moth
w/Catalyst, Breakdance Kickboxer, & A Roman Holiday
Tickets: $5 adv | $7 day of show

THURS JULY 13 | 8pm
Branch Collective Tour
- Bicycles and Gravel, Captain #1, Enoch, The Questions, & Seamonster
Tickets: $5 adv | $7 day of show

FRI JULY 14| 8pm
The Slack Republic
w/Danger O's, DK Limb, & Little Light
Tickets: 5 adv | $7 day of show

SAT JULY 15| 8pm
Genghis Tron
w/Pony Pants, Rah Bras, & Kamikaze Shake
Tickets: $7 adv | $8 day of show

SUN JULY 16| 8pm
The Sound The Hare Heard Tour
- Southerlys, Lauren Hoffman, Collapsing Opposites, & Ill Ease
Tickets: $6 adv | $8 day of show

MON JULY 17| 8pm
Gracer
w/Notes and Scratches, Occassional Detroit, Capillary Action
Tickets: $5 adv | $7 day of show

TUES JULY 18| 8pm
Mon Frere
w/Fake Problems, The Pharmacy, & The Armisteads
Tickets: $5 adv | $7 day of show

IN THE GALLERY

JULY 7 - JULY 30
Exhibition:
Magical History Tour
Artist: Various provided by Dogonit Inc.

NOW SERVING

Regular - Organic Mocha Java
Flavor of the Week - Hawaiian Coconut
Decaf - Decaf Brazil

Relative Special
Free brewed ice tea with any purchase of a super duper Trail Mix

New To The Menu
SOY CRISPS! Pom Iced Tea in 5 flavors! Comes in little Jars! New Peach and Pear Jet Tea Smoothie flavors!. Reminds me of baby food but still cold and delicious!

   The Relative Card
    Music and Culture

Dear People,

Relative is working on a few things and we would like to give you an update as to why it may appear that we are slacking. First off the Relative Society. What is it? It is really just an extension of the Relative Card to make your home life more enjoyable. Teaches you how to make a marriage last and encourage your kids rather than beat them. You get everything the Relative Card had before plus you will get a mix cd mailed to your house every month with special offers. Plus we want to give you a Relative Shirt. We are just in the midst of trying to get the whole package together so it doesn't fall apart right when we unveil it. This will all start to come into place as the new Relative Card goes into motion. Hopefully we will have safely executed this by the end of the summer. Also we need to expand our list of contributors. We send out a weekly email that covers what material we need and all you have to do is decide if you want to help. There are so things you can do to help - like write record reviews, interview bands, write show reviews, take photos at events, design flyers for shows and more. If you want to be on this list please contact us here contribute@whatisrelative.com and we will make sure you get the update. Lastly we would like to say we saw Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and it was good but not nearly as exciting as we hoped. We got our fingers crossed for the third one. Has anyone seen the trailer for Rocky Balboa? eh could be the movie of the year! We are still working out details for the Michael Franti DVD and a charity event for Darfur so if you are interested in helping on either of those please email contribute@whatisrelative.com

relative links
rocky trailer
www.savedarfur.org
www.summerofnorulez.com



RELATIVE LOVE

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Alcian Blue
Self-Titled

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Elephant Stone
CD: $14.98

Though this CD is Alcian Blues debut full-length, the Washington, DC based group, whose early limited-edition EPs drew favorable comparisons to the likes of My Bloody Valentine and Jesus and Mary Chain, have been been around for almost five years, recording records in their basement and developing an underground fan base both locally and globally. Blending the neo-shoegaze influences from their past releases with the haunting landscapes of early 80s icons like Joy Division/New Order, The Cure, and prime time Depeche Mode, the new sound showcased on Alcian Blue presents a fresh perspective and groundwork for exploration.

Playing Relative Theory July 29. Tix $5 adv.

Genre/Style: Chamber Pop / Shoegaze / Post Punk
Benevento Russo Duo
Play Pause Stop

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Reincarnate
CD: $13.98

Sophomore album finds the band delving deeper into their roles as songwriters, eschewing sprawling improvisations of the past for a more focused pop sensibility, while still maintaining the musical wizardry that has audiences gaping in disbelief.

Genre/Style: Rock / Jazz/ Jam

Aloe Blacc
Shine Through

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Stones Throw
CD: $14.98

Aloe Blacc, main rapper to SoCal indie hip hop mainstays Emanon offers the soulful side of his multi-tasking recording personality.

Genre/Style: Soul / R&B
Chromeo
Presents Un Joli Mix Pour Toi

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Eskimo
CD: $17.98

Originally released in 2005. This is a crazed, disco-funk, genre spanning mix from Canadas sex jammin Chromeo. Featuring classic cuts from Sharon Redd, Jellybean, Herbie Hancock, Warp 9 and even Robert Palmer, this mix picks out divine disco funk oddities. With Un Joli Mix Pour Toi, Pee Thug and Dave 1 go back to their collective roots with a selection of obscure boogie gems, old school slick 80s funked up pop and solid gold disco nuggets. Artists include Elektrik Funk, Chemise, Michael Jonzun, David Grant, Love Club, The Jets, Kleeer, Daddy Dewdrop, Temper, Total Contrast, Calloway and James Williams.

Genre/Style: Dance / Mix
CSS
Cansei De Ser Sexy

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Subpop
CD: $13.98
LP: $11.98

From Brazil CSS is the first South American band Sub Pop has foisted upon the global marketplace. The title is Potuguese for Tired Of Being Sexy and the sound is a thick pulsating thing full of haphazard synths and a come on of call and response that tears down any attempt at posturing. Its equal parts rock manta and throwback into something new transcending boundaries of genre and geography. Its goes full speed into dance territory into the unknown and untouched to emerge all hot and bothered with wild electro rock.

Genre/Style: Rock / Pop
Cursive
Dorothy at Forty

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Saddle Creek
CD: $4.98

The bands reemergence after 2003s critically acclaimed The Ugly Organ finds them self-assured and assertive as ever. Rather than retread familiar artistic ground, Cursive has unfurled their most adventurous and accomplished work to date. Happy Hollow is an expansion of the groups trademark discordant swell: dissonant yet distinctively melodic guitar sounds and front man Kashers ever cathartic yowl now mesh and clash with horns, piano, accordion, and other instrumentation. The new songs are marked by a new bounce, a buoyant strut, and a recognition that hey, this is fun.

Playing The Norva Tonight!

Genre/Style: Rock
Cut Chemist
Audience Listening

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Warner Bros.
CD: $13.98

The Audience's Listening is evocative of an era when sound enthusiasts put out records for the adventure. Varied, uplifting and unexpected, rooted in hip-hop but leaping into new sonic territory, The Audience's Listening offers musical magic created by the alchemist known as Cut Chemist.

Genre/Style: Hip Hop / Funk
Ramblin Jack Elliott
I Stand Alone

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Anti
CD: $16.98

Bob Dylan called him his long lost father. He's a living link to Woody Guthrie, Brownie McGhee, and the beat poets. Mick Jagger, Lou Reed, Van Morrison, Paul McCartney, Kris Kristoffersen, Bruce Springsteen, and Beck all cite him as an inspiration. Now more than ever Elliot stands alone a crucial reminder of a proud and dying American tradition a self made wayfarer whose fifty plus years of experience resonate in every note he sings. Elliott offers an introspective look back at his career through meditative takes on favorites and untied material.

Genre/Style: Folk / Americana / Roots
Every Move A Picture
Heart - Weapon

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: V2
CD: $13.98

This San Francisco four-piece deliver their debut riding on an ever-growing industry and fan buzz. Before they even had a record deal, they had already taped a session for KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic", had their track "Signs Of Life" hammered on BBC Radio 1 and on modern rock station Live 105, played the Reading Festival and Live 105's BFD Festival, toured with The Futureheads, Radio 4, Stellastar, and Electric 6, and played shows with everyone from The Kaiser Chiefs and The Walkmen to Annie and The Rakes. All of this from a self-released EP!

Genre/Style: Rock
Figurine
Mistake Mistake Mistake Mistake

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Plug Research
CD: $13.98 $10.98

A letter from Jimmy,

In November of 2001, my band Figurine went on a short tour of Germany with Lali Puna. Our label there, Monika, set us up with a driver to get from show to show. She only brought three or four tapes to listen to on the drives, mostly techno. I'd never paid much attention to dance-floor oriented electronic music, but listening to the same tapes over and over again (especially Kompakt's pop-leaning Total 3 and some 7" vinyl on Parfum) while driving through Germany made a giant impression on me. So this record was supposed to be an extra melodic, minimal techno record with some sparse vocals. Instead, my technopop tendencies got the best of me, the songs slowly filled up, and this is what I ended up with. It's called Mistake Mistake Mistake Mistake, because that's what I kept chanting to the beat while I worked on the tracks. John Tejada (Palette Recordings, Plug Research) assisted me along the way, adding sounds to some of the songs, helping write and arrange a few, and then mixing everything in the end. Sonya Westcott (Arthur and Yu) sang with me on "55566688833." Morgan Nagler (Whispertown 2000) contributed some lyrics and vocals to "Pretend It's A Race And I'm On Your Side." Erlend Oye (Kings of Convenience, Whitest Boy Alive) sang some words written by designer /animator/poet Geoff McFetridge on "All The Way To China." Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley, Postal Service) sang with me on "You Again." I think that's all you need to know before you listen to the record, hope you like it!

With Love, James Figurine

Genre/Style: Pop / Electro
Greg Graffin
Cold As The Clay

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Anit
CD: $16.98

At first listen Graffins record may seem a world apart from his punk rock roots as singer and founding member of Bad Religion. But the classic American music he pays homage to here forms the backbone of Bad Religions epic tales of the young an dthe poor mired in misery poverty and spit. Cold As The Clay honors traditional folk music with original rock composition that draw inspiration from the folk rock of Gram Parsons and Neil Young. His backing band is The Weakerthans and Jolie Holland signs on a few tracks.

Genre/Style: Yaw'ternative
Kaada
Music for Moviebikers

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Ipecac
CD: $16.98 $10.98

Norwegian sound artiste Kaada has carved out a niche for himself as a composer who can straddle the fine line between lush compositions and relevant pop music. As evidenced by his third release for Ipecac Recordings, Music for Moviebikers, Kaada provides listeners with serene single-song soundtracks that evoke the emotion of film where none is there to find. There are very little vocals – the main focus remains calm melodies played on exotic instruments. “I've made some of the instruments myself,” explains Kaada. One of them is made of springs and piano strings, which I'm actually hoping to get into production one day. Also I like to personalize devices and make adjustments in my sets of musical tools.”

For his latest, Kaada decided to not go at it alone, but instead, he assembled quite a supporting cast. “The ensemble consists of 22 musicians. There are traditional instruments, like strings, electric guitars, and of course, vocalists. But there are also many strange instruments involved. To get the sounds I wanted, I also had to hire folk musicians from different parts of Europe.” It also turns out that Kaada resisted the temptation to take the easy way out during the recording. “At these times of digital music productions and great software samplers, I find it even more important to actually play the instruments live, instead of programming them. It brings a life, uniqueness and soul to the songs, and it feels so much better to do it the organic way.”

Genre/Style: Post-Rock / Trip-Hop / Experimental
Robert Earl Keen
Live at Ryman

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Koch
CD: $17.98

Known as the King of the Texas Music Scene, Robert Earl Keen has been instrumental in developing the sound of Texas Country to a national level of awareness making REK country musics newest sensation. Hot on the heels of his 2005 studio release, Robert Earl Keen delivers Live at the Ryman. Recorded live at Nashvilles historic Ryman Auditorium, Robert Earl Keen delights a packed house with some of his biggest hits and best loved songs. Live at the Ryman offers fans the chance to experience or re-live the energy from a Robert Earl Keen concert.

Genre/Style: Country
Muse
Black Holes and Revelations

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Warner Bros.
CD: $15.98
Limited Edition Price: $19.98

Muse takes a bold new step with Black Holes and Revelations, a powerful, upbeat epic album, that takes the band's music to a whole dimension.

Genre/Style: Rock
Oneida
Happy New Year

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Jagjaguwar
CD: $13.98 $9.98
LP: $11.98

No band has been so praised for such a wide range of music over the last ten years than Brooklyn's Oneida. Nobody has come close to matching their output of dazzlingly creative, uncategorizable music. Psychedelia, minimalism, maximalism, one-step, infinitewave, blah blah blah blah... it's all there, all the time; and Happy New Year, the band's ten billionth album, is Oneida's zenith. Simultaneously the most eclectic and most coherent album they have yet released, Happy New Year flows flawlessly from a traditional
hymn of grim beauty ("Distress") through hypnotic rounds, thunderous kraut grooves, severe ballads, and other, indescribable music.

Genre/Style: Rock / Experimental / Awesome
Peaches
Impeach My Bush

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: XL Recordings
CD: $13.98
LP: $17.98

Peaches is a phenomenon a self made self produced DIY leader of the electro punk movement and mistress of the original dirty lyrical classics. Unique with her minimal pumping beats and loved by true innovators and fans as Deborah Harry, Iggy Pop, Bjork, Lil Kim, Kelis. You will be heartened to know she hasnt cleaned up her act on her new release. Guests on this record include Joan Jett and Josh Homme and Feist.

Genre/Style: Electro / Pop
Brian Poshen
Live In: Nerd Rage

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Relapse
CD: $15.98
LP: $17.98

Brian Posehn has been on hit sitcoms as Just Shoot Me and Mr Show. Live in: Nerd Rage features 2 music tracks featuring members of Anthrax, Shadows Fall, The Cult, Fight and more. Brian will continue touring as part of the critically acclaimed Comedian of Comedy Tour throughout 2006-2007.

Genre/Style: Comedy / Metal
Phish
Live in Brooklyn

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Rhino
CD: $23.98

Live In Brooklyn was recorded on June 17, 2004 at Keyspan Park at Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY. It marked the start of the final Phish tour and was the first date after the emotional news of their breakup was announced. Included on this CD are the two complete sets the band performed that day. Three noodle jammin' discs all together.

Genre/Style: Jam / Hippie / Patchouli
Shapes & Sizes
Self-Titled

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Asthmatic Kitty
CD: $13.98

From British Columbia come Shapes and Sizes. Theirmelodic pop inhabits a world of beauty noise whispers and elusive contradictory moods where the dynamic of a steam piston gives way to elegiac understatement often within one song. With three of its four members writing for the band their repertoire is one of constant surprise oftern going out on a limb but never falling off.

Genre/Style: Pop
Sufjan Stevens
The Avalanche : Outtakes and Extras

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: Asthmatic Kitty
CD: $13.98 $10.98

These are tracks not used on the Illinois album some songs were finished others werent requiring substantial editing arrangements and or vocals. The centerpiece of course is the title track The Avalanche a song intended for the leading role on Illinois but eventually cut and placed as a bonus track on the vinyl release. Almost every song on Illnois has a counterpart on this outtakes release. In his own modest way Stevens has quietly become the master of micro over six years adn five albums his ornately detailed compositions hols a magnifying glass to the dusty ephemera in his curious scope and intermittently the center creases of his US atlas.

Genre/Style: Pop
Thom Yorke
The Eraser

Release Date: 07/11/06
Label: XL Recordings
CD: $13.98
LP: $17.98

Do I even need a gripping introduction to get you hyped on this album? I’d say no. There are few songwriters who have proven themselves as much as our limey friend from Oxford, given the 5 or 6 amazing albums already produced through Radiohead. So let’s get right to it:

Let’s say the producers of Bjork’s Homogenic got ahold of and revamped Amnesiac, told Thom Yorke that it wouldn’t kill him to use some political lyrics from which people can actually glean some meaning, and promised not to call him a little girl if he occasionally sings about love like he did on The Bends. I’m 99% positive without looking at any actual sources that Bjork’s producers didn’t touch this CD, and it doesn’t sound anything like The Bends, but I know exactly what I’m getting at here.The whole foundation of the music is laid with electronic beats and melodies with simple guitar and piano lines woven in (normally into the background). This album could easily sneak by as mediocre due to its relative lack of hooks and Radioheadesque anthems, but the subtlety is what makes it so interesting. Even Yorke’s vocals rarely delve into the fullness of his range or the emotional power of his signature croon, but this style provides the two best attributes of The Eraser:
1. The simplicity of the delivery forces you to focus on the gorgeous little intricacies of the beats and melodies.
2. The very few moments of intensity instantly grab your attention and leap straight into your chest as a direct result of their rarity (See track 8, “Harrowdown Hill.”)

So did Thom need the band? Short Answer: Radiohead is definitely greater than the sum of its parts, but that doesn’t make The Eraser any less wonderful. This is an album that elicits multiple focused listens (which of course requires that you buy it). I shouldn’t even have to write this stupid review. We’re talking Thom here. The man was on an episode of Space Ghost. I’m pretty sure that’s the be-all end-all of art. --James Monaco

Genre/Style: Pop / Electronic
   
Growing
Color Wheel

Release Date: 05/09/06
Label: Megablade/Troubleman Ultd
CD: $13.98
LP: $18.98

Before I heard Color Wheel, I was already a fan, but this has cemented me as something more. Where they once played drone soundscapes, morphing and melding over each other, they have no broken up the tones, in favor of a multiple loops all playing various rhythms, melodies, and harmonies, bouncing off each other.My first taste of this album, and maybe one of the reasons for my love was when I saw Growing live, opening up for Mogwai. First off, they were the loudest band I have ever seen (which is a good thing, because no one seemed really into their performance and kept up their conversations, because if a band isn’t moving around on stage, they must be boring). They played almost, if not all of Color Wheel, and as a huge Mogwai fan, I will say Growing was much better. I immediately bought the album and the next day played it non-stop. The Shimmering textures, blasts of rhythmic noise, walls of sound, huge syrupy chords kept me mesmerized, and entranced. Even the titles of the albums lend themselves to evoke peaceful imagery (Green Pasture, Blue Angels, and Peace Offering).

This album really stays with me. When I listen to it, I feel calm and relaxed long after it ends. While it is 50 minutes of new texture, melodies and ideas to my ears, when I listen I feel as if I’ve heard this album my whole life, in a comforting kind of way. Just like the best of Brian Eno’s ambient work, this album is interesting and engaging when you want it to be, and unintrusive and soothing when you don’t. Get if or don’t.

Genre/Style: Ambient / Drone

Minutemen
We Jam Econo

Release Date: 06/27/06
Label: Plexifilm
CD: $19.98 Sale $14.98

When D. Boon fell out of a tree onto Mike Watt in a San Pedro, CA park in the early 1970s, the 13-year-olds began a friendship, resulting in one of the most unique collaborations in American punk music. After graduating high school, the two Blue Oyster Cult fans met gifted drummer George Hurley and formed The Minutemen, releasing five LPs in four years--including the highly regarded DOUBLE NICKELS ON THE DIME (named as a response to Sammy Hagar's "I Can’t Drive 55"). Too experimental and political for many young punks, they were often spit upon during performances for their jazzy, funky detours. Their growing success was cut short when Boon was killed in an auto accident in December 1985 after completing a tour with R.E.M.

WE JAM ECONO, directed by Tim Irwin, is a touching elegy to the trio. Structured around the remembrances of Watt, who recollects while driving his van around San Pedro, the film includes testimonials from Jello Biafra, Flea, John Doe, Richard Hell, and dozens more friends and followers of the band. With many archival performances capturing the considerable power of the band, Irwin allows those who missed them to see their influential and singular take on American hardcore.

Genre/Style: Punk / Rock / Documentary
Robot Whales
Vehicle

Release Date: 04/25/06
Label: Collapse
CD: $13.98 Sale $9.98

From the label that brought you Mind Eraser, Tarpit, and Victim come Jersey’s Robot Whales. Nine tracks of mid-90’s style hardcore picking up where Burn, Undertow, and 108 left off. Guaranteed to be one of 2006’s best hardcore records, I can see fans of Hot Water Music being just as into this diehard Cro-Mags fans. The mid-90’s spirit (and riffage!) is plentiful, but
hints of Turning Point and Into Another keep things from getting to chug-laden. This is hardcore with it’s feet on the ground but it’s head in the clouds; some kids looking to play something different but with the mentality of the bands they grew up loving.

Genre/Style: Punk / Hardcore
Rye Coalition
Curses

Release Date: 04/18/06
Label: Gern Blandsten
CD: $13.98

The boys are back with their long awaited fourth full- length Curses, produced by Nirvana drummer / Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl! Kicking out the jams way before American hard rock became fashionable again, this band doesnt follow trends— it destroys them. Curses wields the power of 70s era hard rock, backed up by the volatile modern punk that put Rye Coalition on the map. The guitars are on fire, the bass throbs, and the drums are positively Bonham- esque. Lather on a crazed frontman with a voice like Paul Stanley dipped in bourbon, a sprinkling of sardonic wit, and Rye Coalition is the recipe youre after. Curses is a twelve song bender that crushes the competition!

Genre/Style: Rock / 70's revival / Hair Metal
The Shoot Horses Don't They
EP

Release Date: 2004
Label: self-released
CD: $6.98

They shoot Horses Don’t They is an 8 piece band from Vancouver BC Canada. Their startling energetic live shows have won them listeners and even dancers throughout Canada where they have a distinctive noisy oompa sound thanks to a horn section. The band has been compared to the likes of The Danielson Family, Captain Beefheart, and Thinking Fellers Local 242.

Genre/Style: Rock / Pop / Experiemental
   
Black Angels
Passover

Release Date: 05/09/06
Label: Light in the Attic
CD: $11.98

Ten songs, weighing in just shy of an hour of pure bleak hallucinatory pleasure. These songs are crafted with dense waves of reverb, drone and tortured hedonism. They could be the songs of the desert or the fog after a bottle of bourbon. Whatever the case, The Black Angels ARE going to be the band to watch this year.

Genre/Style: Rock / Psychedelic / Drone
Handsome Family
Last Days of Wonder

Release Date: 06/12/06
Label: Carrot Top
CD: $13.98 Sale $8.98

The Handsome Family returns with a collection of country folk love songs sung in airports, garbage dumps, drive-thru windows and shark-infested waters. Composer Brett Sarks draws from medieval melody, country-politan string arrangements, tin-pan alley crooners, and dusty hillbilly records to weave together the fabric of this record. Lyricist Rennie Sparks makes magical realism from polar adventure stories, turn-of-the-century electricity wars, pagan hunting songs and her own time spent (like most people) riding up elevators, staring out hotel room windows, and driving interstate
highways.

Genre/Style: Country / Yaw'ternative

Mar
The Silence

Release Date: 2006
Label: Ring Road
CD: $9.98

Somewhere between the soft elegance of Sigur Ros, the ominousness of Mogwai and the mesmeric gaze of Slowdive - lies Mar. A few Americans in Iceland, Mar, have an inherent ability to create lush and hypnotic soundscapes, full of hope and promise.

Features Jimmy LaValle Of The Album Leaf and Samuli Kosminen Of Múm

Genre/Style: Post Rock / Ambient
Milosh
Meme

Release Date: 03/07/06
Label: Plug Research
CD: $13.98 $8.98

You Make Me Feel, was a work reveling in the joys of new love. Celebrating everything from his girlfriend's taste to her positive presence in his life, it was a great record to make love to. But then they broke up and Meme was recorded in the 12 months after his relationship's collapse, Meme explores all facets of the newly-single male experience: heartache, loneliness, lust, guilt, soul searching, and eventually, romantic rebirth. Says Milosh, "It begins with "It's Over" a song about my breakup with the girl "You Make Me Feel" was about, and ends with "Run Away" about that need to get away from pain, from the dull routine of life, to be in a new place with my new
girlfriend." The truly fascinating and voyeuristic moments, however, happen in-between these two big life changes.

Genre/Style: Pop / Electro
Radio 4
Enemies Like This

Release Date: 05/18/06
Label: Astralwerks
CD: $12.98

Numerous bands took inspiration from the Clash, P.I.L., and Gang of Four, and did something new and inspirational with that post-punk, herky-jerky rollercoaster anthemic style of funk bravado. Take Holland's the Ex, for example: over twenty years after starting as anarchist squatters railing against what sell-outs Gang of Four were, they're infusing their music with new textures borrowed from improvised and African music, and in many ways are more politically relevant than ever. On the other hand, New York-based Radio 4--whose name is borrowed from Public Image Limited and their sound a cleaned- up walk through of the greatest hits of the Clash and Gang of Four-- fail to bring much that is new or interesting to their third album. It makes for decent-enough music to ogle pretty people in slanty haircuts out of the corner of your eyes to, while also trying to get the bartender's attention. But surely there are higher things to aspire to in music, especially when one rather clumsily apes music that was trying to make some sort of a difference. --Mike McGonigal

Genre/Style: Post Punk / Trance Punk
   
Feist
Open Season
Sale $9.98
Lisa Germano
In Maybe World
Sale $16.98
Golden Smog
Another Fine Day
Sale $13.98
Helmet
Monochrome
Sale $13.98
MSTRKRFT
Looks
Sale $13.98
The Bronx
self-titled
Sale $9.98

Click HERE for a full list of this week's releases.

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TUES JULY 11, 2006


Nick Castro & The Young Elders | site & sound
Alina Simone | site & sound
The Could Eyes | site & sound

Time: 8pm
Tickets: $5 adv / $7 day of show
Relative Card: 50 points

folk is a 4 letter word .

Nick Castor is the leader of a band of wandering minstrels from the forest. I don't know if that is true or not, considering I made that up. I know when I hear his music, I want to construct a forest world, much like the Ewok Village or the one in that Kevin Costner Robin Hood movie. Opening is a girl with a guitar, Alina Simone. She has a lovely voice and great tales to sing about. The very lovely and very local, The Could Eyes, are making there Relative Theory debut. Well, playing the store for the first time, one of the members is ukulelist Skye Zentz, our hospitality manager. Make love not war.

WED JULY 12, 2006


Mass Movement of the Moth site & sound
Catalyst | site & sound
Breakdance Kickboxer | site & sound
A Roman Holiday | site & sound

Time: 8pm
Tickets: $5 adv / $7 door

 

Come to the light Carol Anne .

When MMotM played here back in January they blew my fucking mind. It reminded me of my younger days going to see HWM shows in small, over packed, and sweaty venues with kids climbing on each other to scream the words to Minno. MMotM have that same kind of intensity. They will be supporting their newest album, Outerspace, and if you have not copped it yet, you’re missing out and some of the best East Coast post-hardcore out. Our Local Resident for the month of July is, A Roman Holiday and they will also have their new 7" to boot, so come grab one. This bill also includes, the stoner-noise-grunge hardcore out of richmond, The Catalyst, as well as, local spazzcians, Breakdance Kickboxer. Also, rumor has it that George Booker and a friend will be doing a little stand-up. So get here early.


THURS JULY 13, 2006


Branch Collective Tour

Bicycles and Gravel | site & sound
Captain #1 | site & sound
Enoch | site & sound
Seamonster | site & sound
featuring
The Questions | site & sound


Time: 8pm
Tickets: $5 adv | $7 day of show
Relative Card: 50 points

I didn't start that fire, scouts honor

The Branch Collective Tour is making a stop at ye’ olde record store. And boy what a pleasant event it shall be! Bicycles and Gravel will be playing uplifting and creative pop songs to raise your sad spirits, if you’re not uplifted it’s not their faul, it's your's, you sour puss. Also, traveling in the collective is Captain #1 and Enoch, who pry themselves on their artistic manner and fun demeanor. They are amazing musicians and artists, kind of like Lansing-Dreiden, but not as secretive and with acoustic guitars. The Questions were recently added to this bill and I must say if you have never heard of them, do yourself a favor and click the link. Imagine Tom Waits smoking cigarettes and drinking with Mark Lanegan, in costumes! Local acoustic troubadour, Seamonster will be strumming and singing, as well.


FRI JULY 14 , 2006


The Slack Republic | site & sound
DK Limb | site & sound
Little Light | site & sound

Time: 8pm
Tickets: $5 adv | $7 day of show
Relative Card: 50 points

Throw Back Done Grone UP .

Have you seen that Broadway show Stomp? Have you ever seen Bad Brains live in concert? Would you like to see what would happen if Stomp and Bad Brains got all crunk at a crowded Atlanta disco? Well, you can. The Slack Republic are stone cold jamming at RTR again and they are mucho bueno. The Danger O’s are also rocking and rolling this night and they sound like The Police if they came out today and we’re signed to Dischord. Some guy(?) named DK Limbis touring with The O's, he could be a band, he could be a soloist, he could be that seal on Letterman that honks all the horns (please, God!), come see! And the opener is Little Light, a delicious jazz / math based band similar to Minus the Bear or Tortoise. Not to be confused with Minus the Tortoise.


SAT JULY 15, 2006



Genghis Tron | site & sound
Rah Bras | site & sound
Kamikaze Shake | site & sound
Pony Pants | site & sound


Time: 8 pm
Tickets: $7 adv | $8 day of show
Relative Card: 50 points

A Bit of an Eye Boogie .

No need to bring it, this show has already broughten it. Genghis Tron. Fucking Genghis Tron are playing the record store. This is like you Atari 2600 turning all Transfromers on your ass and shredding a guitar a 1000 miles a second. This guys are the shit. Coming down to jam on this bill are Rah Bras, a Baltimore / DC based group, known as bunch of freaks whose live set has been known to cause as much full body gyration as jaw-dropping confusion. And speaking of body gyration (great band name) Pony Pants are cruising down from Philly. I imagine all three dudes and dudettes in PP, driving down in a Trans Am with their heads hanging out of the window holding beers, they kick the door in, shotgun a beer and kick off this monster fucking spazz dance crazed event! Local garage rockers and party purveyors, Kamikaze Shake, will be suppling the slutty sixties garage rock.


SUN JULY 16, 2006



The Sound The Hare Heard Tour

Southerlys | site & sound
Lauren Hoffman | site & sound

additional support from:
Collapsing Opposites | site & sound
(Ryan McKormick from They Shoot Horses)
Ill Ease | site & sound

Time: 8 pm
Tickets: $6 adv / $8 door
Relative Card: 50 points

is it wrong if i lick your face?

This is going to an evening of the fantastic. The Sound the Hare Heard Tour is dropping though our area. YAY!! What is the Sound the Hare Heard, you ask? It is this amazing compliation that Kill Rock Stars put out featuring some of todays finest folk, acoustic and singer-songwriters. Artists include Imaad Wasif, Laura Veirs, Sufjan Stevens, Colin Melloy and many others. On tour is Southerlys and Lauren Hoffman. Southerly is beautiful and elegant acoustic driven folk with heartfelt and warm lyrics, while Lauren Hoffman is a soulful and powerful. Support for this is Collapsing Opposites (Ryan from They Shoot Horses) and Ill Ease.


MON JULY 17, 2006



Gracer | site & sound
Capillary Action | site & sound
Notes and Scratches | site & sound
Occassional Detroit | site & sound


Time: 8 pm
Tickets: $6 adv / $8 door
Relative Card: 50 points

A change in pace

Remember the early 90’s when the term emo meant something? I am talking before Dashboard Confessional came along and ruined the term. Gracer does. Gracer fuses a forward-moving rock edge with the melancholy overtones of mid-90s emo - somewhere between Sunny Day Real Estate and Elliott. So get pumped. Also sharing the stage is Capillary Action, who categorizes themselves as WTF-core and they sound wild and awesome. Notes and Scratches will be bringing their gentle folk tidings to the mix and to really round out this show is Occasional Detroit with their next level hip hop shit.


TUES JULY 18, 2006



Mon Frere | site & sound
The Pharmacy | site & sound
Fake Problems | site & sound
The Armisteads | site & sound


Time: 8 pm
Tickets: $5 adv / $7 door
Relative Card: 50 points

Pretty girls make raves.

Mon Frere are hyper spastic and full of energy and they will be breaking hearts at the record store! If you like uber tight female fronted guitar / synth attack then you will be sweating through your leggings in no time at this show. Local rockers, The Armisteads will have there foot on the monitors and headbanging and dancing. Two other bands on the bill are The Pharmacy, from Seattle, and they are glowing like metal on the edge of a knife. I don’t know what that means but who cares, it’s only rock and roll, but I like it! Fake Problems, will be opening and bringing the rukus!

UPCOMING SHOWS

Scribble these pronto!

07/19 Notes, North, Fire Don't Care
07/20 Hallelujah Boy, The Appreciation Post
07/21 Moyer, Shapiro, Kingsfoil, Tokyo
07/22 The States, Screaming Females
07/23 Berry, Triple Twins, A Roman Holiday
07/24 Festival Movie: Gimme Shleter
07/25 Terset, Bleach
FMI: www.relativetheoryrecords.com

JUL 7 thru JUL 30 | 2006

Magical History Tour
Vintage Rock Art

The Gallery will be filled with original prints, photographs and memorabilia from some of the most legendary artists of the Sixties and beyond. Pieces in The Gallery include John Van Hammersveld’s posters, “Pinnacle Concerts Presents Jimi Hendrix @ The Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA, “CREAM 2005 @ Royal Albert Hall, London and Madison Square Garden, NYC”, Elliot Landy’s” photographs “Bob Dylan, Nashville Skyline”, “Jimi Hendrix, Live at the Fillmore East”, and “The Band, Music from Big Pink”, David Byrd’s posters “Aquarian Music Festival (Woodstock)”, “Closing of the Fillmore East” and many other items including an original “Woodstock” poster, authentic handbills and tickets from the Fillmore East & Fillmore West, autographed items from Derek and the Dominos, the Allman Brothers, the Rolling Stones and much more.

click here to read more

Relative Brews

Regular Brew:
Organic Mocha Java- Spicy flavor from Ethiopia and smooth richness from Java made bolder by dark roast.

Flavor of the Moment:
Hawaiian Coconut

Decaf Brew:
Decaf Brazil

Remember Relative Cardholders:

Drip coffee any size is only $1 all the time.
Also whenever you spend $14.98 or more at Relative Theory Records you get a complimentary beverage of your choice. Any size. Any kind.

Check www.relativebrew.com for the skinny on cafe jamz!

Cafe Specials

Just Mix It For Me

The cafe special is the same because it is just way to cool to miss. So be the first to take on this awesome deal. If purchase a super Trail Mix, knab an revolution tea for only $1. Any size, any flavor, iced or hot.

New Shapes!

Attention all Bakers: Relative Theory is looking for people who make vegan products. If you make the ill na na please let us know because we will proudly serve your goodness to our customers. Also you may notice a slight price increase as we are carrying Organic milk now as well as Rice milk, Soy Milk, and Almond milk. These things are better for this planet and also more expensive but we all need to set better examples. Ciao baby!