It was a busy week and I’m a bit tardy on posting because of it but I wanted to make sure I did share my thoughts on the week’s new material.  Also, thanks for the comments and suggestions about the blog itself.  It’s good stuff.  Well, let’s get into it.

Well, let’s get it started with is the very up-tempo voice of Eugene McGuinness. This is the first single from this 22-year-old Brit’s debut self-titled album. He says his genre-hopping style is a result of having been born in London, lived in Ireland and gone to university in Liverpool. The song I played, simply called “Fonz,” is catchy fuzzy guitar driven pop song that grabs you from the first strum.  I really like this guy.  If you get the chance, check out some of his other material on his myspace page.  And here’s the video to the song.

I finished off the opening set with the familiar voice of Rhett Miller.  I played “I Need To Know Where I Stand” off his latest, and self-titled, effort.  I have to say though, that that song is the best one on the album, and unfortunately, that’s not saying much.  I was a bit disappointed but I do get Miller credit for trying new things.  He just missed the mark on this one.

Switching musical direction here with a new artist that has signed to the Verve Forecast Record group.  The reason I mention this is that this label specializes in cutting edge artist development.  They signed Jamie Cullum, the Brazilian Girls and now, Elizabeth & The Catapult.  Elizabeth, is Elizabeth Zinman.  She trained as a classical pianist until the age of 16, at which point she shifted focus toward the shaping of her voice. She then joined Patti Austin on tour in 2002, singing background vocals for the soul legend for the next 18 months. Upon her return in 2004, she began piecing together a trio.  The self-produced an EP in 2006.  They signed with Verve Forecast and released this disc, TALLER CHILDREN.  It’s a really good album that you’ll either really like or just dismiss.  They seem to have that Norah Jones quality and potential to them.  Let’s see how the public reacts to her smooth tones.  I played track number three, “Rainiest Day Of Summer.”

I closed of that song set with “Mother’s Desk” from a yet to be released album by Jen Cloher & The Endless Sea.  The album will be named HIDDEN HANDS; in fact the title track was released late last year as a teaser/single.  I snagged this track off an Australian web site; they’re from Melbourne.  I believe the disc is due out in July and I thought I’d share it with you early.  FYI, I actually received a call to the studio on this one.  They didn’t want to wait until I back-announced the track during the break.  I like when that happens. 

Let’s keep things moving here with the latest from Lost Valentinos.  This five-piece band is also from Australia, but from Sydney.  This track, “Midnights,” is also not released yet.  I believe it is scheduled to drop in another week.  The disc will be titled CITIES OF GOLD.  They have a spacey, kind of club music feel to them and the more I listen to this track, the more it grows on me.  I’m looking forward to sampling more of it.

Closing off that two-song set was the latest by Illinois, and despite their name, they are really from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which is just north of Philadelphia.  The debut, full-length album is called THE ADVENTURES OF KID CATASTROPHE.  The track I played was “Hang On.”  This quintet is heading out on the road in July.  Kicking the tour off in Seattle, doing the whole west coast thing, before hitting the right side of the continent, that includes a stop here in Cambridge on August 1st; at T.T. The Bears Place.

My lineage subject for this show was Deer Tick.  John McCauley is the driving force behind Deer Tick.  He is originally from Providence, Rhode Island.  From a very early age John has wanted to be an entertainer.  He practiced his singing and also taught himself how to play the guitar, piano, and drums.  He began writing songs in High School.  Then he picked up some band mates and began touring.  That is just amazing to me.  What focus…at such a young age?  He has a wide variety in musical taste and it shows up in his music.  It can move from rock to blues, to pop, to country.  This is his sophomore release, BORN ON FLAG DAY, and it has more of a fuzzy, alternative feel to it but he can write an interesting song.  This example I chose to play was called “Easy.”

I played a new track from Miike Snow.  I was the song “Burial.”  Actually, there is no person named Miike Snow, I mean, I’m sure there is someone in the world with that name; just not in this group.  Miike Snow is a Swedish based trio, which is the reason why Miike is spelled with two i’s.  All three members of the band are producers and writers for other artists.  They got together and decided to make their own sound, which seems to be light, electronic pop.

“Hot Kisses, Cold Tiles” is the latest single from Fergus Brown.  This artist from Sydney, Australia, just released his debut, full-length album entitled BURGERS FROWN.  He writes some quirky but catchy pop-infused tunes.  He is planning a trip to North America in July and August.  So far, he only has dates in New York planned.  I’m hoping he’ll book more cities once he’s here.

I finished that song set with new material from T. Nile.  She was just recently honored at the Canadian Folk Music Awards as the Best New slash Emerging Artist.  And with that honor under her belt she quickly released this EP; THE CABIN SONG and I chose to play the title track.  She has a sweet voice and also can play a mean banjo.  Samples from the entire EP are available on her myspace page.

Next up is The Low Anthem.  They are also from Providence, Rhode Island.  Their style ranges from folk to gospel to blues.  Since launching the band in 2006 this trio has released three albums, the third being OH MY GOD, CHARLIE DARWIN.  I played “Champion Angel.”

Let me slip in one more from the Elusive Parallelograms.  This rocking five-piece band out of Milwaukee, WI put together a fine effort.  This is the title track, AND EVERYTHING CHANGES.  (It’s probably the quietest track on the disc.)

Well, that’s another one done.  Thanks for checking in and I’ll type at you next week. If you get the chance check out the show live at www.backbone.com/simmons and it’s also available through i-Tunes Radio.  Just click on the RADIO icon; go to College Radio and scroll down to Simmons College.  The new music show airs every Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  I am also available on WMFO on Thursdays from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.  Also, check out my other show the Uptown Blues Party every Friday from 4 to 7 PM.  (Also on Simmons)  It’s three hours of up-tempo, blues-based music to get your weekend off to a great start.