Things have been busy at the High Note and WordSmith. I've been steadily picking up work and also keeping up with music. The Firefly 2014 story is pretty epic so I'm going to break […]
Author: Shaun Smith
Atley Moon acoustic May 31 at Maynard’s in Margate
The soulful summer sounds of Atley Moon and the Say Something Sound Machine will bring Motown to Margate with an acoustic set 6-10 p.m. Saturday, May 31 at Maynards’s Cafe, 9306 Amherst Ave.
The band has a strong following in both South Jersey and Philadelphia and are summertime mainstays at Yesterday’s in Marmora and The Whitebriar in Avalon. Philadelphians have shown the band a lot of love after years of great gigs and a stellar performance at World Cafe Live.
New Music Tuesday April 22, 2014
A new feature to The High Note will round up what music rises to the top each Tuesday when new albums are released. My highlights for Tuesday, April 22 include new music from old favorites […]
Real Estate hits home with “Atlas”
Why can’t it feel like summer? I’m not just longing for beautiful weather and endless days spent wandering the miles of New Jersey shoreline. “Atlas,” the latest release by Real Estate, has given me a new perspective on summer fun. As I waded into immersive sound that comprises the third album by the band that hails from Ridgewood N.J. I found myself seeing the entire world through the warmth of summer’s glow.
Real Estate has a modern rock ‘n’ roll sound. Leading off with a sultry and bluesy guitar intro, “The Bend” is among the best songs on the album and features some of the best guitar work including a very Zepplin-esk outro. One of my favorite aspects of this album is the jammy riffs that are prominent throughout the 10 tracks here and is a signature of band.
Beck gets better with age
Beck‘s latest album, “Morning Phase,” has steadily grown on me like a new haircut since its release on Feb. 21 on Capitol Records. Sonically, this mellow and folky album paints a pastoral landscape of twisting hills divided by ribbons of asphalt and old cars. That’s the world that Beck has created with his first album in six year.
Fanfarlo shows evolution with ‘Let’s Go Extinct’
Fanfarlo takes listeners on a musical and philosophical journey into the future with its third third full-length album, “Let’s Go Extinct.” The album is an adventurous leap in the time machine both back to 80s by incorporating synth melodies and into the future with progressive, futuristic themes by the London folk quartet.
Released Feb. 10 on the Fanfarlo’s own New World Records label in the United Kingdom and by The Orchard in the United States, the 10 tracks of “Let’s Go Extinct” were enjoyable and weird. I fell in love with the eclectic band after hearing the heavily trumpeted “The Walls Are Coming Down,” from its first album, “Reservoir” released in 2009. Although I didn’t find “Rooms Filled WIth Light” from 2012 until late last year, Fanfarlo has held a warm spot in my inner-ear.
“So Long, See You Tomorrow” is an enjoyable ride with Bombay Bicycle Club
With the bitter chill of February rattling windows throughout the northeastern United States, there is a hopeful reprieve found in “So Long, See You Tomorrow,” the latest album by Bombay Bicycle Club.
Songs for the Christmas season [Spotify playlist]
The eve of Christmas is upon us and it’s time to start feeling jolly. Some of Santa’s elves need a little extra pep. So, step on it reindeer, we need to deck the halls for tomorrow. Whether you’re doing some last minute shopping, decorating, baking Christmas cookies or preparing a holiday feast; The High Note has picked its favorite tracks to help everyone get into the mood this holiday season.
Open this link or click on the Spotify playlist at the bottom of this post to take these tunes with you into the kitchen, car or party as we celebrate the season with the best holiday songs.
Kendrick Lamar and Eddie Peake express cinematic vision on “Sing About Me” Part I
Kendrick Lamar is a very deep rapper. The complex storytelling album that introduced him as a forward-thinking artist, “good kid, m.A.A.d. city,” has earned acclaim from music professionals and nominations for seven Grammy awards. Lamar is adding layers of artistic perfection to “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst,” one of my favorite tracks on the album.
Lamar has teamed up with artist Eddie Peake and director Darren Romannell for the gritty and cinematic “Sing About Me,” Part I; released Friday, Dec. 20 as the first of two installments. (Video after the jump.)
Phish rides “Wingsuit” into Boardwalk Hall
By SHAUN SMITH
ATLANTIC CITY – As they streamed out of Boardwalk Hall, concert-goers were high-fiving security and whooping it up into the night Saturday, Nov. 2 following the last night of a three-night stand. The historic convention center on the Boardwalk was submerged with strange sights and sounds as Phish closed out its fall 2013 tour beginning on Halloween.
“The ‘Jibboo’ last night was worth the price of admission,” one fan said leaving Saturday evening. The band last played “Gotta Jibboo,” 19 shows prior, on July 30, 2013 in Lake Tahoe, according to Phish.net.