From Russia with Love

I am happy to welcome Alexi Murdoch into my life. Surely, you will not deny him from yours.

Oddly, I half-expected Mr. Murdoch's music to be a quasi-communist mix of the sounds of tears and waiting in long lines for bread, but was pleasantly surprised to find a careful mix of Dallas Green and any number of optimistic indie-folksters.  My favorite diddy so far is his appropriately-named, airy tribute to Matt Wertz, "Breathe."

I cannot, in good conscience, claim that I stumbled upon Alexi under my own expert music-discovery skillz (with a "z"). I was fortunate to find this little trailer which features Alexi's "go live life" song - All of my days.  On an aside, the movie, Away We Go, looks fantastic. I'm excited to see John Krasinski in something other than the underwhelming "Leatherheads." And, holy crap, how many amazing cameos can you throw into one film. Excited to say the least.

Speaking of films, Alexi's song "Through the Dark" was featured in Ben Affleck's Gone Baby Gone. I guess his music just has that movie-magic draw.

So, Mr. Murdoch is not a Ruskie, but rather a London-born Scottsman who somehow brings me back to any number of pubs I found lamenting song-writers in on the West Coast of Ireland. Although I am sure I am offending millions of Scotts-people by comparing them to their Irish neighbors, I'm pretty sure they can't get over here to kick my ars. I mean, come on, there's an ocean between us.

I would highly suggest checking out Mr. Murdoch if you are in the mood for some good study leveled music or while staring into a pint whilst contemplating life.  

Prenatal Arrogance

In my present state of loving March Madness and hating all of those going to SXSW in Austin (this includes you Carina), I offer you a band bringing a similarly confusing dichotomy of artistic and hard rock - Evaline. 

Evaline began in Turlock, California in 2001 under the unoriginal moniker "Holiday". That's right. Their name was just...Holiday.  They must have just poured all of their creative energy into making music. At least that is excuse I am making for them. 

First, before we get to the good music that is Evaline, is anyone else enthralled by the town name "Turlock."  I don't know why, but I imagine some one-eyed giant monster that has the mental capacity of Lenny from Of Mice and Men.  "Turlock ... SMASH."  Evaline, then "Holiday", should have just named themselves Turlock to the delight of myself and marketer/t-shirt makers worldwide.

To date, Evaline has released an 6-song EP - Postpartum Modesty: A Portrait of Skin.  The piano driven alt-rock EP provides a diverse fist-full of songs that are sporadic at times, but a fantastic effort in the aggregate. Produced by the Used's Quinn Allman, you can hear the Warped Tour influences of the experienced rocker - hard choruses surrounded by flowing guitars and hard rhythm sections.  

The EP opens with the vocal stirrings of "La De Da", but never really returns to this ambient stage.  The remainder of the EP is dedicated to more alternative musings reminiscent of Dredg or MuteMath.

Although I am a huge fan of the EP, the new demos released on the band's Myspace leave me wanting.  I am hoping that the sophomore effort provides more than what the demos seem to offer.  

I'll leave this entry on that negative note.  Primarily because I am upset at Evaline as they get to attend SXSW (See above).  Yes folks -  I'm just that shallow.  

Nostalgia

It is amazing how TRUSTCompany reminds me of running in the Wildwood Park, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Just a little throwback for ya'll. Just like Joe Dimaggio.

Yep. . . .

Joe Dimmagio.