Dear People,

Wow, what can I say about this weeks releases? Not a whole lot going on in the realm of new stuff, which is all right, you may consider this the calm before the storm, because next Tuesday will have some late summer bangers. So sit tight and get excited about the new Hot Snakes. Am I the only person who has yet to see Talladega Nights? To be honest Ithought all the funny parts would be in the preview, because I can't imagine that Will Farrell can keep the doing the same shtick in every movie and have it not get old and tired. But, I have heard from several acquantices that it is indeed "hilarious". Maybe this week we will make our way down to the theatre. And speaking of later this week, two exciting events are happening. One in house, this Thursday, Mad Man Mike will take the reigns of The Breakroom and this will be his inaugural session on the one's and two's. The other, also on Sunday from 6pm - 8pm, is the second local AIGA social. This time at Hell's Kitchen, stop by and get a few dranky dranks and rub elbows with some of the most talented people in HR. Well, thats all I can think of right now, so for parting words, let's try and take care of each other.

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RELATIVE LOVE

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John Cale
The Island Years

Release Date: 08/15/06
Label: Island Records
CD: $16.98

These 36 recordings constitute the whole of his studio output for Island Records in the years '74 & '75. Tracks on this 2 CD set include "Barracuda", "Emily", "Ship Of Fools", "My Maria" and many more.

The sound quality is the highest as Tony Starks and his crew take you through material drawn from his solo efforts like Ironman and Supreme Clientele. There's even an early version of Be Easy from this years Fishscale. Of course, Ghostface couldnt hit the stage in New York without a tribute to ODB. It's here in the form of Shimmy Shimmy Ya. And what would a Hip Hop show be without a stage full of great guests Cappadonna, Masta Killa, GZA, Trife Da God, Killah Priest and more were all in attendance and on the mic that night last October.

Last studio recording by the band before they disintegrated at the end of last year. Bathroom shaking sounds that excel beyond the premeditated attack of their previous records.

The Living Legends crew hooks you up with a special-price sampler for 2006 with one solo song from each of the crew members' upcoming solo releases for this year as well as unreleased tracks from G&E and 3MG. Volume 1 is a summertime prelude to the crew's official 10th Anniversary release!

A new double album from Japan's king of noise, released in collaboration with the UK's PETA organisation, to whom a donation of £1.00 from each sale will be made. Three powerful electronic recordings from December 2005 and January 2006 on each disc.

EP from hot new Australian band that takes all their many influences from days gone by but makes them sound unique, modern and fresh.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this album, a special 2 CD deluxe edition is being released. One CD contains the original vision of Bradley Nowell and disc 2 contains 15 bonus tracks with 8 of those being unreleased.

If there could be a perfect type of rock and roll, it would be the kind that throws a kick drum in your face from the outset, quickly layers you with too many voices, beats and sounds until the track explodes into ear-ringing high hats and warp-speed, finger-nail splitting guitar riffs. And then it’s back to square one – except for a sweetly haunting and viciously sexy voice to calm you back down. Such is the nature of Asobi Seksu (roughly translated as “playful sex”) – a New York-based band simultaneously following the path of former shoegaze artists while burning the trail just a little wider.

Yuki Chikudate, the bilingual lead singer, manages to successfully harness her twinkling voice and morph it into that of a sultry, grown woman or the questioning innocence of a young girl whenever the song sees fit. Many of the tracks on “Citrus,” the second album from Asobi Seksu, alternate between Japanese and English, but “Goodbye” is a stunning English track showing how Yuki can bring poignancy and poetry to lyrics no matter the language.

“Strings” straddles the album and is a good resting spot with relaxing drum taps and slivers of guitar strings lingering in the background. Yuki brings to the track child-like, sing-song “la las” that, when mixed with just the right amount of guitar waa, makes for one of the most sentimental pop tracks on the album.

Guitarist James Hanna arises at the center of the album as well with “Pink Clouds and Tracing Paper” bringing monotone vocals and intense guitar while Yuki allows herself to become the undertone of the track humming along with her own keyboard notes.

Numerous connections and comparisons can be made on this album considering the producer Chris Zane, most notably The Cloud Room, but Asobi Seksu keeps its identity intact.

The band continues to amaze with tracks that make you want to lay down in the grass with your eyes closed after one of its chest-rattling epics and breathe a bit. Each track is chocked full of echoing sounds and rings, so clean out your ears and get ready to take it all in. -- Mary W.

Genre/Style: Rock / Shoegaze / Pop

Summer love.
Happened so fast.

Does anyone have an electric powered jeep? If so I will personally install a cd player in that mamma jamma so we can go ride the dunes and listen to this electric African groove rock. Dudes jamming Paul Simon/Ry Cooder style. This is my summer lovely. Extra Golden is a collaboration between Alex Minoff of Weird War, Ian Eagleson of Golden, and Otieno Jagwasi and Onyango Wuod Omari of Orchestra Extra Solar Africa, from Kenya.

A few month's back, The Elected had the distinct misfortune of being the other indie release along side of Jenny Lewis. Jenny Lewis has received a lot of hype for her record and successfully overshadowed this and many other records. The fact that The Elected’s Blake Sennett is also Rilo Kiley’s Blake Sennett is the kind of irony that Alanis Morissette wouldn’t miss. Truth is, Sun, Sun, Sun is a criminally overlooked record and you would do well to check it out. I’m not going to babble on and on again about how it’s Blake Sennett’s On The Road. I’m not going to bore you with the details about how the music is deceptively safe and sweet but under the surface this record is all gritty and defiant and raw as hell. You don’t need to hear about the lyrics, how they’re so biting and witty. You don’t need to listen to me, you need listen to this record.

There's a certain "beauty & the beast" quality to the greatest male/female, singer/songwriter duos. Consider Jane Birken hooking up with Serge Gainsburg, or Nancy Sintra and Lee Hazelwood. And so it is with "Ballad of the Broken Seas", an album length collaboration between Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan.There's a similar contrast between Isobel's aching, pristine chill of a voice and Lanegan's wounded, regret-stewed burr.

Their fifth album for 4AD in a relationship that has now spanned a dozen years. "Puzzles" sees the band moving forward in an unexpected direction; these songs are more immediate and poppy than anything they recorded before. The album is filled with the life-affirming light of Mojave 3's Cornish home - splashed with sunlight and the heady sparkle of summertime waves. "Puzzles" is infectious and downright fun, a fact reflected in the exuberant artwork supplied by artist/film director Thomas Campbell.

Rock Human Television, like filmmaker Terrence Malick, is just hard to talk about. It is so what it is without conspicuous angles, ironies, or gimmicks to use as points of departure for conversation. They are not a band to champion just in order to be provocative, contrarian or hip. Human Television exists beyond obvious irony, subtext, or even particular self-awareness of where they might fit into any scheme of pop music right now.

After pointing out that they are a very good indie rock band with exceedingly pleasant songs, there is hardly anywhere for a talking partner to go from there save agreeing and tacking on a series of redundant adjectives to agree on, which is an adequate description of much music criticism.

Given Human Television’s resistance to pithy angles to hang literary exercises masquerading as informative critique on, most reviews of their first full-length, “Look at Who You’re Talking To,” have resorted to recycling a number of familiar referents and re-iterating that the album is really good, which it is. Tuning Fork’s review, particularly, wonderfully called out this namedropping grocery list approach to review, as well as explaining how useless it is, so I’m not going to tell you who the several bands Human Television sounds like according to Pitchfork, Allmusic, and myspace.com/humantelevision are.

If one is going to get into pop nostalgia theory (and I am) they could look towards the maxim that twenty years ago was always the best time for music and ten years ago was the worst. Human Television clearly remembers 1986 fondly, when indie rock was simple, fun, and generally called college rock. The album wallows in the jangly, pleasant, and melodic with such sincerity that one is refreshed at their lack of ambition towards novelty.

Human Television originally hails from Gainesville, FL and the songs on this album were apparently written before those on their 2004 “All Songs Written By” EP, and serve as an ideal example of what indie bands in college towns should sound like. Though they are by no means groundbreakers, they are comfortable enough in their niche to focus on great (or at least pleasant) songs without throwing arbitrary influences in just to be novel (I‘m sure they never had a meeting to wonder if they should throw a little reggaeton into the mix).

“Inconsistent” is one of a few sneakily brilliant and utterly cliched indie-pop ditties as the album rushes towards a sugary peak at the end. “Untitled” sounds conspicuously modern as it threatens to rock out. “On and On” typifies the slower, mid-tempo songs that open the album without devolving into the self-flagellating, gruff agonizing indie sometimes mistakes for integrity. “I Laughed” strikes a good balance between these moods, and may be a good place to stop. The album is so consistent that it is tempting to list each track as a highlight of sorts, each of such similar qualities that it takes a few listens to distinguish them. The whole thing, however, should make you smile.

Genre/Style: Rock / Experimental

I feel so helpless when trying to review a noise/experimental Album. In attempt to explain sounds I’ve never heard before, with words I’ve never used before, I just end up getting frustrated. I find the only way around this quagmire is to state the facts and describe what I hear best, and leave the rest up to you. So literally…

Facts:
Ovo is are a girl-guy duo from Milan, Italy.They started the band to keep their relationship together, using the band as a means to follow their partner’s different bands on tour.Stephania Pedretti sings and is a violinist/guitarist Bruno Dorella Drums on various instruments in various times.He also owns and runs Bar La Muerte Records.Miastenia is Ovo first release in the states, but they have released approximate four cds, three 7’s, a single 3” cd, one CDR and a tape on various labels, in various countries.The spirit of Ovo is: “play everywhere, with no particular technical or economical requests, just for the pleasure of playing music” Sounds Ovo- Miastenia’s definitely a fits in with the rest of Load Records catalogue. They mix Unnerving Noise, Metallic Clangs, Fast, near Metal style drumming, doomy sections, and free time improv bits all into an experimental soup. All these things are held together by Stephania Pedretti’s vocals, which never repeat an idea. She would do Mike Patton proud with the number of vocal acrobatics oo this album. She emits guttural growls, high-pitched screams, wavering falsettos, paranoid whispers, even some singing and about a thousand other sounds, that I don’t have the vocabulary to describe. She comes off as if Kim Gordon’s Psycho sister had a love child with Yamatsuka Eye.

If that’s all too long to read then here’s the short version:
This sounds like Deerhoof in the apocalypse. --HSD

Project of Toronto-based musician Jesse Keeler & studio wizard Al-P. With two feet firmly planted in punk rock's influential past and two in dance music's future, they are the now!

Brooklyn trio Parts & Labor combines tumultuous noise with enormous, triumphant melodies on their latest album, Stay Afraid. Malfunctioning electronics howl in agony, drums rupture like fireworks, battle cries are belted through a monolithic layer of distorted bass and guitar. P&L revel in day-glo noise, charred drones, punk velocity and phoenix-like hooks--a unique blast influenced by the clamor of Husker Du, the bluster of Boredoms and the homemade spirituals of Neutral Milk Hotel.

For their new record, Parts & Labor sought a bigger, more expansive sound. Dan Friel (keyboard/guitar/electronics/vocals) increasingly juggles guitar alongside his trademark mutilated keyboard, while BJ Warshaw (bass/keyboard/electronics/vocals) blankets everything with bass and additional electronic squall. They've picked up jackhammer drummer Christopher R. Weingarten, who hits so hard that the bandwas forced to double their amplifiers. Warshaw and Friel share lead vocal duties, emphasizing a lyrical element largely unexplored by the once- instrumental band. The result is a pop record that yowls like noise, a noise record that captivates like pop.

Simultaneously uplifting and unsettling, Stay Afraid's sunny, technicolor hooks provide stark contrast to lyrics concerning media scare tactics ("Stay Afraid"), government surveillance ("Drastic Measures") or the seeming futility of protest ("Changing Of The Guard"). Album opener "A Great Divide" finds Warshaw using each verse to explore a different division between classes and social spheres. "Repair" has Friel singing through an amplified walkie-talkie about the wastefulness of disposable technology.

After honing his iconoclastic sound using toy keyboard and budget electronics, Friel formed Parts & Labor with Warshaw in early 2002. Since then, Parts & Labor has released a clattery instrumental full- length (JMZ Records), a pastoral split full-length with Tyondai Braxton (Narnack Records) and several 7"s (including a recent split with Aa on their own Cardboard Records label). The band has traversed the country four times, playing with many of their favorite musicians along the way (TV On The Radio, Deerhoof, Melt Banana, Lightning Bolt, Enon and Brah CEOs Oneida). With Stay Afraid, Parts & Labor have released their most anthemic, accessible and realized outing to date.

Les Savy Fav's spectacular debut, 3/5, opens with a spoken word track appropriately titled "Intro." While beginning a rock album with a speech is unusual enough, even more unusual is the fact that it is entirely in French. Although this is neither the first nor the last brush with the language on this record (which should, one supposes, come as little surprise considering the band adopted a French moniker), nowhere else on 3/5 does it seem as intrusive or alienating to the listener. By the album's third song, "Cut It Out," the true attitude of this Brooklyn five-piece is clear. Skronking, discordant guitars weave a fuzzy, stuttering backdrop against which frontman Tim Harrington animatedly screams lyrics that form jagged, often quite moving short stories. Thoughtful tracks like "Je Taime" and "False Starts" take a considerably less manic approach than most of the bands' other work, and the break in tone helps display the group's talent for writing truly great songs that don't have to be in-your-face. -Karen Graves

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TUES AUGUST 15, 2006

Fata Morgana | site & sound
Lucy the Valiant | site & sound
Closer | site & sound
So Many Dynaomos | site & sound

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

juevos are my ninos .

Touring all day and all night is So Many Dynamos - they have played the store like 3 times and if you still have yet to see their raucous Q and Not U style then you need to come out. They are the only touring band this evening as this is the night to spotlight some incredible locals. Seriously check out Lucy The Valiant. I think they are from Newport News. Fata Morgana and Closer both bringing sound inspired by the Manchester scene. Tidewater lacks a good brit rock, shoegazing, post punk scene. Only 2 or 3 bands come to mind and these guys here are trying to spark the torch. Bring out the charm boys!

FRI AUGUST 18, 2006

Lanterns | site & sound
This Flood Covers The Earth | site & sound
Cinemasophia | sound & sound
Think Tank | site & sound

Time: 8pm
Tickets: $5 adv / $7 day of show

shine a little light .

Two bands from San Diego: Lanterns throws out a McLusky vibe and This Flood doing the Drive Like Jehu thing. When you go with the fierce aggressive style these two influences are ones to grab a hold of tightly. They have a split 7 inch coming out on Major History Records and the samples on their myspace are quite tasty. Think Tank are the local post rock outfit and projecting various influences causing their sound to be more pop oriented similar to the new Mogwai. Also Cinemasophia will be making their return and have all new material. I am not sure when their new album is coming out but I do know it is superb!

SAT AUGUST 19, 2006

Brass Castle | site & sound
Vio/Mire | site & sound
Liz Isenberg | site & sound
Fecal Food | site & sound

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

bones brigrade is my fav  .

Brass Castle is the sweat from the forehead of a Hell's Angel crew member SAN JOSE CHAPTER! These guys will tear it up and tear it out. Think DFA 1979 without the synths. Vio/Mire is an experimental ambient project which claims influences of Black Metal but i dont hear it. In fact I never hear it when someone says some Black Metal. I hear doomy and droney but when I read Black Metal it translates as the deadliest sound on earth. So there is no some Black Metal - either it is or it isn't. Liz Isenberg is a fuzzy wuzzy singer songmaker influenced by Joanna Newsome, Coco Rosie, and Animal Collective. Then we have our beloved Fecal Food. I listened to Chicken Wire thrice today. I dont know why but that kid is good.

SUN AUGUST 20, 2006

Astronautalis | site & sound
Biowolf | site & sound
Rickolus | site & sound

Time: 8pm
Tickets: $5
Relative Card: 50 points

saw right through it .

Okay Astro is on tour again (does he stop?) and bringing some bands with him. Here is the email he sent me

i would still like to slide in (not on one of those shows...on our own night)...what do ya say? The tour would be myself (with a back up band) My friends trash rock band BIOWULF (all their songs are about matt damon) And another friend named RICKOLUS (good time acoustic pretty crap) So...what do you say?
*andy

how could you not come?

WED AUGUST 23, 2006

Snowden | site & sound
Invo | site & sound
Tokyo | site & sound

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

fiber optic dancetronic .

Snowden is back with tighter pants! Just playing but their boot straps are slicker this tour. Their new record is out the day before this show on Aug. 22. Outkast comes out this day as well. Nevermind - you need to cop Anti Anti because it is so righteous. They rip a sharp angular guitar with heavy keys resurecting the Zombies and boiling up the brit rock from afar. Kinda like Interpol. Tokyo and Invo are the local jams with bread and butter. If you have heard that Coldplay is actually from Chesapeake and was raised by a circus troop then you heard wrong. They were talking about Tokyo - and it's all lovely! This is Invo's first show at Relative and we think this lineup is going to be quite the fist pumper!

AUG 5 thru AUG 22 | 2006

Coming Later in August

AUG 22 thru AUG 30 | 2006

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Receive a free cafe beverage with any Larry's Bean purchase. Relative Cafe started to carry these awesome, organic, shade-grown beans last week and they are looking for eager grinders of coffee. Pick up a 1lb. bag for $13.98 and catch yourself a drink of ANY kind and ANY size. Spunky.

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We are looking to add a couple of new items and switch out a couple of products. We won't be carrying JetTea anymore and we are now using Big Train Fruit Goodness. We switched just because of the name. Just kidding. Also we are thinking of moving from Revolution Tea to this other brand whose name I can't recall at the moment but we liked to merchandising ability plus it allows us to consolidate vendors. And it's organic. Mighty Leaf! That is what it's called. Plus we are now selling retail size versions of Larry's Beans in a small take home 1 lb bag. The flavors are Bean Martin, Frank Sumatra, Larry's Pure Guatemalan. One day at a time we are becoming an actual cafe. Who knows, maybe one day we'll make a profit like a real retail establishment!

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