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FAX:
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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 25th, 2006 Issue No. 028
 
ITEMS FOR SALE

Archie Bronson Outfit
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Flogging Molly
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Lisa Germano
Adam Green
Harvey Danger
Jenny Piccolo
Joan of Arc
Jurassic 5
Kashmere Stage Band
The Knife
Late Chord
Long Winters
Mew
Midlake
Say Hi To Your Mom
Silversun Pickups
Spoon
Ali Farka Toure
VA - Studio One Scorcher Vol. 2
VA - Cinos Anos Despue (Five Years On)

Reissue: Les Savy Fav


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 25 | 8pm
Terset
w/Bleach, & Contemplating Tempo
Tickets: $5 adv | $7 day of show

WED JULY 26 | 8pm
Awesome Cool Dudes
w/Dustin and The Furniture, A Drum and an Open Window, & The Could Eyes
Tickets: $5 adv | $7 day of show

THURS JULY 27 | 8pm
From Monument to Masses
w/ Foxes Through Fences, & Gifts From Enola
Tickets: $5 adv | $7 day of show

FRI JULY 28| 8pm
The Subjects
w/Future Islands, Ultra High Frequency , & Hang the DJ
Tickets: 5 adv | $7 day of show

SAT JULY 29| 8pm
Alcian Blue
w/The Sky Drops, &Hyle
Tickets: $5 adv | $7 day of show

SUN JULY 30| 8pm
Jean Claude Jam Band
w/Oak Island, & Wires on Fire
Tickets: $5 adv | $7 day of show

MON JULY 31| 8pm
MOVIE SHOWING
- Gimme Shelter : sponsored by Dogonit
Tickets: FREE event!

TUES AUGUST 1| 8pm
The Coral Sea
w/Paul Michel, & Beautiful Uncertainty
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 Ethiopian
Flavor of the Week - Hawaiian Coconut

Relative Special
Free brewed Revolution iced tea with any purchase of the freshest burrito or spinach feta w/ roasted veggies pita. These are new items available in the Relative Theory Cafe. Something warm with something cold. It's perfect.

New To The Menu
  • AMY'S BURRITOS : black bean, bean+rice+cheese,     southwestern!
  • Stacy's parmesean garlic + herb pita chips
  • SOY CRISPS in 3 flavors!
  • 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,

    You may notice a couple of things in the email this week. First the font size has increased by 1 point as suggested by a friend of ours who needs glasses. The small font never bothered us and it was the first time anyone spoke up so we changed it and are happy to do so. The next is the exclusive coupon mailer which will only be available in the email version and not the version we post on the website. Hopefully this will encourage people to sign up as we talk about exclusive offers only in the email version. We would like to have a print button that allows only the coupon to print but we are unsure of how to do that so we just located it at the top so you can just print page 1 and it will show up. You can print in grayscale and using a little bit of ink will be worth whatever we are giving you. Also we did not update the Relative Love Podcast last week and we still have yet to get to it this week. Hopefully we will hit it up today. Be patient. We went to the movies to see Lady In The Water and in our opinion it didn't blow us away but it was not nearly as bad as everyone said. There were some annoying parts and quirky characters whose quirks were the only element to their role in the story but overall it was a cool idea for a wild bedtime story. It has plenty of the idiosyncrasies now known to belong to M. Night Shyamalan and is worth your time if you are a fan. Our next trip to the movies may not arise until Talledega Nights and it looks funny but we think Will Ferrel may have fallen into the Adam Sandler trap. Also on a thought provoking note we wanted to mention Ian Svenonius' new book The Psychic Soviet is in the store. We haven't finished reading it but it would be cool if people talk about this guy as a great thinker from the post modern era or something in the next millenium. Check it out.

    relative links
    m. night fansite
    lady in the water movie
    i. svenonius on marketplace



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    Archie Bronson Outfit
    Derdang Derdang

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Domino Recordings
    CD: $13.98

    Derdang Derdang is a compact marvel of high strung energy and demented grooves. Theres an intensity and urgency to the singing that might recall Pere Ubu for some an angularity to the boys riffing which has echoes of The Monks in its unhinged thrust and bluesy roots. They steeped themselves in soul music and Scandinavian psych Faust Son House and The Gun Club but the long gestation and careful editing means that chiefly The ABO sound like themselves. An 11 song set thats melodically insidious and swings like a noose check the counter riffing of Cherry Lips or hypno garage mantra Kink Mojo.

    Genre/Style: Rock / Garage / Blues
    Bonnie "Prince" Billy
    Cursed Sleep

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Drag City
    CD: $5.98

    For Oldham's newest music venture, he has gone with a Bonnie "Prince" Billy EP titled Cursed Sleep . The first song, the title track, is full of lots of different influences that boil down to another beautiful Will Oldham track that is uniquely his. It's got prevalent strings, smoky female harmonies, and Grateful Dead guitar lines that all combine into a perfect representation of its title. He's the kind of a guy that can steal anything from anybody and because of his voice and aura, can make it uniquely his.

    Genre/Style: Rock / Folk

    Flogging Molly
    Whiskey On A Sunday (CD+DVD)

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Sunday
    CD: $18.98

    This full length documentary was shot over two years and in seven countries capturing the journey of Flogging Molly from their bar band roots to their current success. Includes footage in the studio on tour at home and at their sold out homecoming performance at the Wiltern Theater in LA. This in the pocket experience with the candid and charismatic Flogging Molly family is set to the driving beat of their thunderous live performances. Brought together through unlikely happenstance and bound by an intense passion and heartfelt belief in what they do the seven members and their associates provide a good look at how things can be done against the grain.

    Genre/Style: Punk
    Michael Franti & Spearhead
    Yell Fire

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Anti
    CD: $15.98

    In 2004 Franti and his team traveled to the core of the red zoned war torn neighborhoods of Baghdad the West Bank and the Gaza Strip with his guitar video cameras and the intent to experience first hand the human cost of war. Out of this journey he created a compelling documentary and a searing reflective album of original songs. Yell Fire is his most compelling engaged collection of songs fired by a fury at the injustice of war and a rediscovery of the love and community that supports those doing the fighting.With massive grooves and soaring choruses Franti and Spearhead have produced an album to inspire and ignite.

    Genre/Style: Reggae / Rock
    Lisa Germano
    In Maybe World

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Young God
    CD: $14.98

    A gifted lyricist and powerful singer, Germano is also a talented multi-instrumentalist, playing the violin, piano and guitar with equal aplomb. Her poignant, heartbreakingly beautiful songs often possess such an intensity of feeling that listening in can be a little frightening at times.

    Germano began recording in the '90s, first for Capitol Records, then for a number of very productive years with 4AD. Most notable among these releases are the fantastic Geek, The Girl, and Excerpts From A Love Circus. These missives of emotional damage and impossible love are extremely personal documents, simultaneously self-effacing and confrontational.

    In The Maybe World features some of Germano's best work to date. Typically, her self-produced arrangements are uniquely inventive, her lyrics cut right to the core, and her voice carries gently into a world where distinction between beauty, loss, love and pain tend to blur

    Genre/Style: Pop
    Adam Green
    Jacket Full of Danger

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Rough Trade
    CD: $15.98

    With Green singing at his most direct and commanding, it allows Jacket Full Of Danger to take advantage of the full spectrum of music its creator has conceived of. Taking its lead from Led Zeppelin, White Women boasts a hard, hypnotic core. Vultures pumps with a heartbeat bassline straight from Motowns hazy golden days, and Nat King Cole cuts-in on Buddy Holly and asks Peggy Sue for the last dance. Cast A Shadow, a Beat Happening cover, is a sun-filled gem, Drugs beautifully mixes wry humour with deep pathos, while Novotel is a true highlight - or at least Little Richard, rock n rolls architect, says so.

    Genre/Style: Rock / Pop
    Harvey Danger
    Little By Little

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Kill Rock Stars
    CD: $13.98

    The third LP by Seattle band Harvey Danger is the sound of a radically transformed group. In place of their distorted alt garage rock is a mellower less caustic more melodically adventurous sound reveling in a classic pop sensibility that owes everything to the band members evolving musical interests. The biggest change is the dominance of piano throughout given pianist guitarist Jeff Lins classical training on the instrument. Other songs provide reminders that the band can still make with the catchy indie rock as well as traverse less easily classified musical terrain.

    Genre/Style: Rock / Pop
    Jenny Piccolo
    Discography

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Three One G
    CD: $13.98

    The one and only Jenny Piccolo hailed from North California following the break up of Mohinder (Gravity Records, GSL, Unleaded). This punishing three-piece powerhouse became a prominent part of the Three One G family when the label first started. From the outset Jenny Piccolo toured non-stop and released a split EP with sister band, The Locust. In a few short years Jenny Piccolo left us with an LP and a plethora of EPs as well as compilation tracks. This anthology CD consists of some of Three One G's finest releases; Jenny Piccolo's "Information Battle to Denounce the Genocide" LP, their "Lowest Common Denominator" 7 inch EP,, the split 10 inch with Sweden's Asterisk*, and The Locust/ Jenny Piccolo split 5 inch picture disc EP. Also featured on this CD are rare compilation tracks as well as the material from "Death of a Salesman" split 7 inch EP with SU19B. So here you have 52 songs of relentless, thrashing then plodding, start/ stop hardcore for the first time on CD with new artwork and layout by Charles Rowell of The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower/ Some Girls. Of top of it all, the material has been digitally mastered by Dan Maier (Head Wound City, Holy Molar, Some Girls). Members of Jenny Piccolo later went on to play in bands such as Makara and Yaphet Kotto. This if for fans of The Locust, Some Girls, Das Oath, as well as other primitive and fast hardcore punk like Heresy, No Comment, and Crossed Out.

    Genre/Style: Punk / Spazz / Hardcore




    Joan of Arc
    Intelligent Design of Joan of Arc

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Polyvinyl
    CD: $13.98


    Eventually, All At Once

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Record Label
    CD: Sale $13.98

    This record collects for the first time all the rare out of print vinyl only comp tracks and Japanese bonus tracks the band has released in their ten year history. Clocking in at 19 tracks with over 70 minutes of music this is the definitive Joan Of Arc collection to own. Joan Of Arc is the most musically ambitious emotionally shaded and self consciously labyrinthine pop group to slip down the pike since literate leprechaun of love Green Garthside pitched post structuralist woo to Jacques Derrida back in.

    * * * *

    Eventually, All at Once was in part a spontaneous creation, even though the genesis for the songs began months earlier. A good analogy would be childbirth: a nine month gestation period followed by a few hours of labor, or in this case five days of recording in February 2006 by the collective known as Joan of Arc. The labor was documented by a portable 8-track tape machine at Donna Kinsellla's home in Buffalo Grove, IL, the childhood residence to both Tim and Mike Kinsella. In fact, Mike's former bedroom served as the live room of the "recording studio," while Tim's former bedroom was the control room. The one constant on this recording was Tim, which makes sense given that he wrote all of the songs (save for the cover of Robert Wyatt's "Free Will and Testament" that closes the record). Tim's guitar and vocal tracks were recorded first and then Mike, Bobby Burg, Nate Kinsella, Todd Mattei, Cale Parks, Ben Vida and Sam Zurick all came to the house and recorded their parts. Really, though, Tim was the only one who stayed for the entire five days while each day a different member of the group would stop by, lay down their tracks and eat; really most of the time they were eating. The end result of Eventually, All at Once is a casual-folk-drone album. It feels off the cuff, simple and subdued; yet it resonates with all of the intimacy of a new life entering the world

    Genre/Style: Rock / Punk
    Jurassic 5
    Feedback

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Interscope
    CD: $11.98

    It's understandable when artists want to grow their fan base in order to more easily make a living and also reach a larger group of listeners. The trick, of course, is how to do this without releasing artistically compromised records that, well, suck. L.A. underground vets J5 were almost a supergroup from the start, combining the formidable talents of the Unity and Rebels of Rhythm crews. If anyone deserves to move beyond the backpack clique, it's them (well, and Aceyalone). And while no one's going to condemn the band for pulling a Black Eyed Peas here, it's hard to imagine really listening to this album as much as its two predecessors, either. Take the lead single, "Work It Out": the jam has a smoove, down-tempo vibe that's nice enough, and the Dave Matthews vocal on the chorus is pretty excellent. But the lyrics--which deal with not only let's-get-
    back-together-baby material, but also vaguely PC hip-hop--never gel. It makes one yearn for the actual Daisy Age. There are a few outstanding tracks, but overall this is a hip-hop album that sounds as if it were written by a corporate committee--each song directed at a particular demographic--rather than a mini-manifesto crafted to get your fists pumping and/or your feet moving. --Mike McGonigal

    Genre/Style: Hip-Hop
    Kashmere Stage Band
    Texas Thunder Soul 68-74

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Now Again
    CD: $18.98

    The Kashmere High School Stage Band released a total of eight albums and three 45s on the Kram label under the direction of legendary Texas bandmaster Conrad O. Johnson between the years of 1968 and 1978. All are sought after by collectors and DJs not only because of their rarity, but for their top notch funk quality. This ever-changing crew of high schoolers recorded music that funked with the best of the best -- forget high school bands, we're talking about sixteen-year-old kids who would give the JBs a run for their money! Stones Throw and Now-Again Records resident archivist Egon first reissued the Kashmere Stage Band's namesake funk tune 'Kashmere' on his Funky 16 Corners compilation in 2001. Since then, he's included their music on various compilations, and even issued some vinyl-only re-releases of full length Kashmere albums. Now, Egon presents the definitive anthology of the Kashmere Stage Band as a deluxe 2CD release. Disc one includes remastered versions of both released and unreleased studio tracks. Disc two contains never-before-heard live performances and, as an enhanced CD, a mini-documentary that offers a glimpse into the reissue process that produced the anthology, shot by veteran photographer B+. The 40-page booklet contains extensive liner notes, interviews, archival photos, memorabilia and full annotation.

    Genre/Style: Funk
    The Knife
    Silent Shout

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Mute
    CD: $15.98

    Already championed by buzz-talkers and tastemakers, Mute announces the release of Silent Shout, The Knife's third album and first domestic release. The world of The Knife is precise, particular, dark, occult, peculiar. The mysterious duo work mostly on their own in splendid isolation. Silent Shout features The Knife's lurking, textured vocals steeped in a tangled, dark surrealist underbrush. It's is an astounding achievement, intriguing & bewildering, enigmatic and engaging, and never less than compelling. Its jaw-dropping fusion of technology and emotion, circuitry and the soul, melodrama and melody, will leave you gasping.

    Genre/Style: Electro / Pop
    Late Chord
    Lights From Wheelhouse

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: 4AD
    CD: $7.98

    This is a collaboration between singer songwriter Micah P. Hinson and producer multi instrumentalist Earlies member John Mark Lapham. This mini album takes itself incredibly seriously combining banjo mandolin and even toy accordions to create a sustained almost mythical grace reminiscent of long gone 90's label mates Red House Painters.

    Genre/Style: Electronic / Psychedelic / Post Rock
    Long Winters
    Putting Days to Bed

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Barsuk
    CD: $13.98

    The third LP from Seattles Long Winters combines the lyrical intimacy and melodic complexity of the Ultimatum EP with the guitar pop rave ups of the bands previous full lengths. The two sides of songwriter John Roderick come together to create the most compelling Long Winters release to date. This is a big very rock record but underneath the guitars you'll find the bones of mellow folk psych, and orchestral pop.

    Genre/Style: Rock / Pop
    Mew
    And Glass Handed Kites

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Columbia
    CD: $11.98

    Now available in US. The fourth album from the quartet of Danes is their most ambitious yet as they break through to a higher plane of artistry. The variety of instruments employed and the sheer enormity of the sound put them in a class with Sigur Ros, The Mars Volta, Radiohead, Super Furry Animals, Muse and others who consistently try to push Rock's boundaries and progressiveness.

    Genre/Style: Rock
    Midlake
    Trials of Van Occupanther

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Bella Union
    CD: $16.98

    The Trials of Van Occupanther channels Tusk-era Fleetwood Mac through Texas' answer to Thom Yorke. This band has and is kind of a big deal.

    Genre/Style: Rock / Pop
    Say Hi To Your Mom
    Impeccable Blahs

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Rebel Group
    CD: $13.98

    The fourth record from this Brooklyn band recalls the futuristic feeling of Ziggy Stardust era Bowie that intellectual battle with impending modernity and the feeling of alienation from real humanity explored by Grandaddy, Radiohead and Eno.

    Genre/Style: Rock
    Silversun Pickups
    Carnavas

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Dangerbird
    CD: $12.98

    Their debut full length following the EP Pikul. Using Pikul as a blueprint Carnavas seamlessly continues the moody nature of Silversuns signature sound fuzzy guitars driving bass grooves ethereal keyboards angular drums and raspy vocals.

    Genre/Style: Rock
    Spoon
    Telephono + Soft Effects

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Merge
    CD: $15.98

    Out of print for nearly five years Telephono and Soft Effects are presented here re mastered in one specially priced deluxe package with an added video and beautifully restored artwork. With amped-up acoustic guitars jumpy song structures and a punk attitude Telephono was the shot across the bow from Austins fledgling rock heroes. The follow up Soft Effects features five of Spoons strongest songs and marks a leap forward in the band's repertoire signaling the great things to come on subsequent Spoon albums.

    Genre/Style: Rock / Pop
    Ali Farka Toure
    Savane

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Nonesuch
    CD: $16.98

    Toure recorded Savane in the Malian capital of Bamako,Savane is the last, perhaps most eloquent, installment. Toure offers reverberating, incantatory vocals to accompany his lean, hypnotically repetitive guitar lines.

    Genre/Style: World / Jazz
    Various Artists
    Studio One Scorcher Vol. 2

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Soul Jazz
    CD: $18.98
    LP: $23.98

    The latest Studio One release to be released on Soul Jazz Records features a stellar line-up of Jamaica's finest ever musicians. The legendary Skatalites, alongside the later Studio One in-house bands -- the Soul Vendors, Sound Dimension, Soul Defenders and Brentford Road All Stars -- were as much a part of the classic Studio One sound as were the singers that they accompanied such as Alton Ellis, Horace Andy, Marcia Griffiths and Bob Marley and The Wailers. This album features many of the musicians involved with Studio One who literally defined reggae music. From the Skatalites members Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso, Jackie Mittoo to killer sidemen such as trombonist Vin Gordon (aka Don Drummond Jnr), saxophonist Cedric 'Im' Brooks, keyboardist and Twelve Tribes of Israel member Pablove Black. Many of the rhythms that these musicians created became the back-bone of the Jamaican musical world and their songs have been replayed and re-versioned by 1000s of reggae producers ever since. The album features classic and super-rare tracks all recorded under Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd's supervision at the legendary recording studio and record label. As well as seventeen killer tracks, the album comes with new sleevenotes and photography by Dennis Morris and Adrian Boot making this another essential Studio One Reggae release for connoisseurs of reggae and newcomers alike.

    Genre/Style: Reggae / Dub / Soul
    Various Artists
    Cinos Anos Despue (Five Years On)

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Soul Jazz
    CD: $18.98
    LP: $23.98

    Mighty 2CD/2LP release of the best from Osunlade's many production works and artists that he has worked with over the past 5 years released on his own label, Yoruba Records. Featuring all the collectable first tracks released originally in New York and long out of print, (such as Erro 'Don't Change' and Osunlade 'Ochun's Arrival'), as well as numerous Yoruba Soul mixes and classic tracks from artists such as KB, Djinji Brown, Atelewo, Nadirah Shakoor and more. This collection is a long overdue overview of the deep, spiritual Afro-inspired soul and deep house sound of Osunlade's many production works and the artists that he has worked with over the years." Artists: Osunlade, KB, Marie St. James, Ebbo, Latina Cafe, Frank I, Sin Palabras, Erro, Atelewo, Djinji Brown, Santos, Nomumbah, Lotus and Strauss, Nadirah Shakoor.

    Genre/Style: Afrobeat / African Jazz / Ethopiques
       
    Les Savy Fav
    3/5

    Release Date: 07/25/06
    Label: Frech Kicks
    CD: $16.98

    About fucking time!!!!

    Genre/Style: Rock / Punk
       
    Hot Chip
    The Warning

    Release Date: 06/13/06
    Label: Astralwerks / DFA
    CD: $16.98 Sale $11.98
    LP: $17.98

    This album is a statement of intent that will show people the true nature of Hot Chip, and allow the band to rightfully assume the position in the spotlight they deserve. The Warning follows on the heels of their debut album Coming On Strong and the heavily touted single 'Over And Over,' perhaps Hot Chip's most immediate and monstrous single to date, which delivered a sly dig to those who heard them as too 'chilled out' first time around. The Warning has a unique and infectious feel and is a huge step forward with rugged beats and thick bass lines layered by smooth vocals. It also offers an indication to their immaculately layered pop voyeurism, while simultaneously driving the point home with the classic remorseless, relentless repetition we know and love.

    Genre/Style: Pop / R&B / Smooth

    I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness
    Fear Is On Our Side

    Release Date: 03/07/06
    Label: Secretly Canadian
    CD: $13.98
    LP: $12.98

    After a lifetime of nightfall and foggy moonlight, I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness creeps out of the shadows with their long-awaited full-length debut, Fear Is on Our Side. The Austin, Texas, band follows up their 2003 self-titled, five-song EP - a much poppier affair produced by Spoon's Britt Daniel - with a dose of thunder and lightning, pain and pleasure.

    Produced this time around by Paul Barker (Ministry, Revolting Cocks), the record is more sadness than joy with Christian Goyer's lonely lyrics and hauntingly echoed guitar persuaded by Edward Robert's chorused basslines. The sound is coaxing and familiar, Ernest Salaz's textured guitar melodies alternately subtle and entrancing; then howling and anguished. From opening tragic tale "The Ghost," the five-piece echoes past ages and foretells the future. Powerful layers rip through the silence, bonding strength and longing with the weight of a sigh.

    Since 2001, Chosen Darkness Fear Is on Our Side is not trivial or banal. It's not trendy or futile. Fear is a testament to our times, our revolutions, and our meaning. It's timeless, maniacal, and resounding. Darkness and truth.

    Genre/Style: Pop / Post Punk
    Be Your Own Pet
    sef-titled

    Release Date: 06/06/06
    Label: XL Recordings
    CD: $9.98

    Debut album from Nashville punk band of tender years, who were snapped up by ultra-hip UK indie XL after their incendiary performances at SXSW 2005. Their sound, a raucous, untutored blast of garage punk with angular guitar riffs and off-kilter rhythms, topped with Abegg's caterwauling vocals, has seen them compared to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The album includes the singles 'Adventure' and the 59-second long 'Let's Get Sandy'

    Genre/Style: Rock / Riot / Punk
    Silver Jews
    Tanglewood Numbers

    Release Date: 10/18/05
    Label: Drag City
    CD: $15.98

    The first Silver Jews album in four years is a triumph with its throwback '80s-synth ear-candy keyboards, slack guitars, and a sublime hi-fi sound that only a former lo-fi band can get. Breaking the silence, the indie-rock star-studded band (Malkmus and Nastanovich rejoin, the 'Bonnie' Prince, as well as refugees from the Jesus Lizard and Papa M) play fearless off-center rock rooted in Nashville, reminiscent of both Vic Chestnut's realism and Giant Sand's recent innovations. Not to mention that David Berman is a poet, so each song is dense with imagery, the whole record effectively telling a ten-part, 40-minute story that is partly funny, always honest, and often dark. Witness Berman exploring overcoming addiction, ("closed sign swinging in the liquor store" "later I come to find/life is sweeter than Jewish wine") the complete despair that lead to his suicide attempt, "There is a place past the blues I never want to see again" on "There Is a Place," and a uniquely American desolation, "I've been working at the airport bar/it's like Christmas in a submarine" on "Getting Back into Getting Back into You." Fortunately, the Jews sound is big enough to contain Berman's lyrical shadows, and this juxtaposition of opposite elements (happy-sounding rock and introspective lyrics) results in a record that is wholly satisfying: not too overwrought and never self-assuredly slick. --Gabi Knight

    Genre/Style: Yaw'ternative
    Hank Williams III
    Straight To Hell

    Release Date: 02/28/06
    Label: Vruc
    CD: $19.98

    A new album from Hank Williams III is always a revelation: first, because it came out at all (his relationship with his label is as stormy as the marriage of his legendary grandparents); and second, because of its content and execution. So it's something of a miracle to see a 2-CD set of some of III's most hardcore Hellbilly (as opposed to the relentless screaming of his Assjack), especially as a number of the songs had been scheduled to appear on his unreleased 2003 album Thrown Out of the Bar. Hank III calls the new offering--recorded mostly on a $500 machine, for a DIY sound--a "thrill ride into a life of sin." This may explain the fact that Straight to Hell, which opens with some old-fashioned gospel and abruptly ends with the sound of a belly-laughing Satan, comes with a parental advisory sticker. He earns it, all right, especially on "Dick in Dixie," which is not a song about a man named Richard. As usual, III spends a lot of time pointing out what's wrong with Nashville; worshiping pills, weed, and wine; and self-mythologizing. But when he gets down to business, putting his graddaddy's bray on such songs of misery as "Angel of Sin," well, all is forgiven. III also gets big points for the second disc's 42-minute hidden track, a self-indulgent but brilliant pastiche of sound comprised of a Hank Sr. song ("I Could Never Be Ashamed of You"), snippets of a Wayne "The Train" Hancock tune, a fragment of a song III wrote with ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons, a little Cheech and Chong, as well as assorted sounds of a speeding train, runaway horses, pig snorts, a gunshot, and some hellfire-and-brimstone preaching. A drug-laced dream? The soundtrack to that journey to Hades of the album title? Damned interesting, either way. --Alanna Nash

    Genre/Style: Country / Rock
       
    Aloe Blacc
    Shine Through

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

    SoCal native Aloe Blacc began his recording career as an MC back in 1995, when he joined up with hip-hop producer Exile to form the mainstay indie rap group, Emanon. These days, Aloe Blacc has evolved into a true Renaissance man -- dubbed 'the indie R. Kelly' by online retailer Turntable Lab. Recordings like his Latin cover of John Legend's 'Ordinary People' prove that -- not only can this multi-instrumentalist produce, rap and sing -- but he can flip it in Spanish, too. With an amazingly broad set of influences ranging widely from the acoustic guitar stylings of folk artist Cat Stevens, to the soul-stirring sounds of the Negro Spirituals, Aloe prides himself on the spectrum of his musical roots. His sound often forays into the digital R&B realm, but always grooves with a tinge of Latin and the pulse of hip-hop.

    Genre/Style: Hip Hop

    Broadcast
    Tender Buttons

    Release Date: 09/20/06
    Label: Warp
    CD: $14.98 Sale $11.98

    "There is a theme of letting go on Tender Buttons" says Broadcast’s frontwoman Trish Keenan when describing the band's new album. "A flower lets go of it's fragrance, Michael lets go of his past and I let go of my embarrassment of letting go." As Trish’s musings suggest, Tender Buttons is a striking personal diary and a powerful sonic imprint of two peoples lives.

    Genre/Style: Rock / Electro / Pop
    Glitter Pals
    Unleash the Compassion

    Release Date: 01/10/06
    Label: Love Pump United
    CD: $6.98

    Glitter Pals is a two-piece from Poughskeepie, NY consisting of Jake and Mookie from Genghis Tron. Unleash the Compassion is their first four song EP and was produced by Martin Bisi, who has done work for Sonic Youth, The Swans, and Boredoms.

    After hearing the name and seeing the cover, I was expecting a sassy and spazzy dance sound, with long unnecessary song titles and overt sexual innuendo, and like usual I was wrong.

    The album opens up with a solitary voice chanting an eerie melody on an Ooo syllable. Then after a sweet arena rock drum intro comes in, a moody distorted guitar follows the vocals. The song plods along, exploring various riffs and variations, providing a platform for the album to start.

    The next song is where the album gets good. Utilizing stop-go riffs, blasts of noise, and high pitched fuzzy vocals pushed to the background, it blends the cut and paste technique with actually song –writing. The final two songs follow in this formula, running through heavy riffs straddling the line between Metal and Rock, unpredictable bursts of speed, and vocals trading between a high pitched squeal, and a deep, resonant, half-serious chant.

    That description may call bring to mind many bands. But Glitter Pals is a bit different. First off, the whole EP comes off as effortless and unpretentious. Usually the noisy two-piece only sounds good on paper, and in actually execution, falls short. The other distinguishing factor is the production. The four songs all have a similar raw and moody production. All the instruments being quite clear and distinct except during the noisier sections, when appropriate. Glitter Pals thankfully avoid over production, which us one of my few complaints with Genghis Tron.

    Unleash the Compassion is definitely a solid introduction to this new band. My guess is by the time a full-length comes about Glitter Pals will be fully realized.

    Genre/Style: Experimental / Metal
    Notes & Scratches
    Uh Oh

    Release Date: 05/16/06
    Label: self-released
    CD: $9.98

    "Rough and raspy, it retains an elegance found in only the rarest of occasions, as illustrated perfecty amongst the opening lines of 'Seriously'... the strongest point of the album is the collaborative vibe emanating from every moment." —Mike Gibson

    Genre/Style: Rock / Post Rock / Experimental
    Pagoda
    Seven Nights

    Release Date: 2005
    Label: Lazyline
    CD: $6.98

    "Think of that woozy, disorienting and paralyzingly beautiful sonic aura surrounding Big Stars Kangaroo, then drape it in a gauze of Paisley Underground, Pink Floyd and E6. Comparable in some respects to early My Morning Jacket, this DC group makes weird yet somewhat rootsy pop in a psychedelic vein, with reverb on high and mystery to spare. Whispered vocals offer no explanation, only licking your ears like the ghosts of lovers left behind." --JEFF CLARK

    Genre/Style: Rock / Pop
       
    Inspectah Deck
    Resident Patient
    Sale $13.98
    Median
    Path to Relief Revisited
    Sale $12.98
    Pink Spiders
    Teenage Graffiti
    Sale $9.98
    G Love
    Lemonade
    Sale $13.98
    Serge Gainsbourg
    Originals
    Sale $11.98
    The Jam
    All Mod Cons
    Sale $12.98

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    TUES JULY 25, 2006


    Terset | site & sound
    Bleach | site & sound
    Contemplating Tempo | site & sound

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

    ready set go .

    Terset, is pretty much an all female Fugazi. Terset dials up heavy guitar distortion to create beautiful, yet discordant feedback that builds a bridge between super-tight, snappy drumming and manic vocals. Local jammers, Bleach are going to be on the bill and they have a great style of grunge revival and Contemplating Tempo, another up and coming band, jamming on the punk / emo tip.

    WED JULY 26, 2006

    Awesome Cool Dudes | site & sound
    The Could Eyes | site & sound

    Time: 8pm
    Tickets: $5 adv

     

    half-time party .

    As of now this bill has thinned out due to Dustin and the Furniture and A Drum and An Open Window cancelling but that doesn't ruin the party. We are keeping it at $5 unless we get a hot mama on the bill to help bring it to $7. Either way you wont want to miss Awesome Cool Dudes as they bring their irregular sense of nostalgia to Relative - check Geniuses vs. 86 Mets - awesome! Plus we have local Could Eyes on the bill and I can only compare to the hypothetical situation of Aretha Franklin being raised in Hawaii.


    THURS JULY 27, 2006


    From Monument to Masses | site & sound
    Foxes Through Fences | site & sound
    Gifts From Enola | site & sound


    Time: 8pm
    Tickets: $6 adv | $8 day of show
    Relative Card: 50 points

    beyond the horizon  .

    This is the not to miss show of July. Revolutionary dance music meets post rock and that is just the beginning. On US tour from San Fran FMTM will hit Relative like a light snowfall in this muggy season. People talk about their live shows with exasperated expressions and compare them to baptisms. You are dirty with sweat but your ears are so clean. Epic and refined. Also worthy of backflipping are Foxes Through Fences playing but remixing it up with drummer Nate from A New Dawn Fades! Heavier than ever. And from Harrisonburg it will be the first visit to Relative by Gifts from Enola. A kind of dreamy post rock outfit making waves in the foothills of Virginia.


    FRI JULY 28 , 2006


    The Subjects | site & sound
    Ultra High Frequency | site & sound
    Future Islands | site & sound
    Hang The DJ | site & sound

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

    buddha belly dreamz .

    This bill is loaded with all kinds of talent coming in like an arrow fight. The Subjects are the highlight for me with their 60s garage sound and swirling up a bit of The Strokes. Not to discount Future Islands. I am thinking they are giving Har Mar Superstar a run for his money only they are serious and not funny. Actually they are funny but still it's like gospel meets 80s dance music = good. Hang the DJ killng the dance music scene and Ultra High Freq you may have seen at the Norva last month opening for Brand New. We are here to give you the sugar and the ketchup. It's what we do.


    SAT JULY 29, 2006


    Alcian Blue | site & sound
    The Sky Drops | site & sound
    Hyle | site & sound

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

    simply cambridge .

    The next installment in our weekly shoegaze series "My Laces Are Blue" hits hard with Joy Division influenced Alcian Blue. They are not all post punk though as their guitars wrap you like a velvet underwear in July. You love it. The Sky Drops kicks their My Bloody Valentine esque dream pop out like ninja gaiden. It's all deadly. And Hyle will start this show off with their lullaby minimal post rock sound. Kind of like Hammock but with a Mark Mothersbaugh influence.


    SUN JULY 30, 2006


    Jean Claude Jam Band | site & sound
    Oak Island | site & sound
    Wires On Fire | site & sound


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

    you made off like a bandit .

    Best band name ever. Not to mention these guys are in a krust punk band called Witches With Dicks. You better believe we will bring them back. Have you checked out this stuff yet? It is wild and awesome! Oak Island is of the experimental drone phase in the likes of Growing and Wires On Fire is the west coast dirtiness that just got off tour with The Bronx. If this was a throwback tour you'd be looking at MC5, Kiss, and Phillip Glass on tour. Did I reach to far? It's all arm's length. So long as you still love me in the morning.


    MON JULY 31, 2006


    MOVIE EVENT
    sponsored by Dogonit Production

    Bonnaroo | site

    Time: 7 pm
    Tickets: FREE EVENT

    my organ feels fine .

    Yesterday we watched Gimme Shelter and next week we will continue with watching excerpts from Bonaroo 2003 and 2004. Have you seen the performance by Robert Randolph and the Family Band? It is lovely and makes me sash back and forth. Plus the opening with Antibalas! It is exciting to watch musicians ride in a minivan to the festival just how you and your friends did. We will have some limited Bonnaroo swag to give out to those who come watch. It will be a good time for smoothies and burritios.


    TUES AUG 01, 2006



    The Coral Sea | site & sound
    Paul Michel | site & sound
    Beautiful Uncertainty | site & sound


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

    you try to sleep alone .

    The Coral Sea is coming. See that picture on the left. That is all I'm going to say. The next words are from The Franze. Some of the deep dark guitar tones make me wonder if they didn’t get lost on the way to Kent’s Isola album and end up in the hands of The Coral Sea. There you have it. Come out. Paul Michel is like that chess playing troubador that sings upward to the Gods of Iowa about faith and misdirection. If you dont know what that means he has sound samples on his website. And locals Beautiful Uncertainty aka Tiny Bodies Big Voices will be singing front porch ballads to your heart's content. May want to grab dance partner.

    UPCOMING SHOWS

    Scribble these pronto!

    08/02 Extra Blue Kind, Graboids
    08/04 J DiMenna, Knifework, Harlan
    08/05 Special Breakroom- 2 year anniversary
    08/06 The Very Hush Hush, Math the Band
    08/07 Nat Baldwin, Extra Life
    08/08 Trainwreck Riders, Abiyoyos
    08/09 The Abraham Lincoln Brigade
    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