CD Review: Miniature Tigers — Fortress; Playing Black Cat, August 17 and Star Bar, August 20

Miniature Tigers
Fortress
Modern Art/LG

By Eileen Tilson

Once upon a time there was a woman who ate her very first pot brownie. This “space cake” as she so cleverly called it, took about 45 minutes to effect her, starting at her tingling toes, and riding her blood waves, until her entire body felt like it was in slow motion. Everything was funny, everything was mellow, and for a brief period of time, everything seemed right in the world. This same orbit can be felt by listening to Brooklyn-via-Phoenix band Miniature Tigers’ latest album Fortress. The record is produced by Morning Benders’ Chris Chu, who brings a certain je ne sais quoi to the project through his eclectic use of echo bits, snappy snare, and twinkling synth effects. This is the lovechild of the Monkeys and the Beach Boys growing up in the Heart of Hipster Cool, Williamsburg. … Continue Reading

Just Announced: Widespread Panic VIP Tickets at Center Stage, September 23

Widespread Panic are playing a special charity show for Tunes for Tots, which supports arts and music education for kids, at Center Stage on September 23. If you are a mega-fan who really wants to support the cause and get up close and personal with your idols, then you might want to splurge for the $500 VIP tickets, which gets you into the private VIP cocktail party with the band before the show (which includes open premium bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres from renowned Empire State South chef Hugh Acheson), early admittance to Center Stage, private cash bar during the show, signed poster and VIP parking. VIP tickets go on sale July 30 at Ticket Alternative.

Just Announced: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, The Charlatans UK for The Loft!

The Loft in Atlanta just announced some pretty big shows for this fall. They all go on sale Friday, July 16 at noon.

England’s baggy Britpop heroes The Charlatans UK will be coming to The Loft on September 7.

Finally, all-star punk-rock cover band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes will be playing their unique interpretations of “My Favorite Things” and more on October 29.

Discounted Early Bird Tickets To Be Released for HOToberFest 2010 Monday, July 12!

Ticket Alternative will be releasing special early bird tickets for the upcoming HOToberFest in Atlanta. This exciting sale will take place Monday, July 12 and will feature a limited number of general admission tickets for $20 – that’s $10 off the usual advanced purchase price!

HOToberFest is the largest Consumer-Judged Beer Tasting & Competition combined with Atlanta’s best Sustainable Festival and a neighborhood festival in Atlanta’s historic Glenwood Park Neighborhood. Taking place on October 2, the festival will feature 170 craft beers, live music, artist market, food vendors, kid’s area and more! And it will raise money for local non-profits.

Get ready to take advantage of this special offer this coming Monday – it won’t last long!

Ticket Alternative Outlet Fantasyland Records Moves to a New Spot!

Local crate-diggers will be happy to hear that Fantasyland Records has found a new home! The used (and now new as well) record store has moved from its old address of 2839 Peachtree Road to their new spot 360 Pharr Road NE (Suite B). Fantasyland has recently got in some goodies from the likes of Dead Weather, Black Keys, and of course vintage gems that any collector would be happy to drool over.

And don’t forget – the store is also an outlet for Ticket Alternative! So go by and see the new location, buy a couple of records and a few tickets too!

Q&A with Rooney: Playing Juanita’s, July 2 and The Loft, July 10

By Alec Wooden

On the surface, Los Angeles-based rock band Rooney has had it rough over the last 12 months. They’ve lost a label (Geffen) and a bass player (Matt Winter), all the while cutting a new record for the first time without benefits of mountains of label aid, engineers and producers. It takes little time talking to guitarist Taylor Locke, however, to figure out that the opposite is quite true. Instead of “losing” a label, they feel freed from one. Winter is gone, but has become no less a friend and avid supporter. And Eureka, the new and aforementioned uphill climb of a record, has left the band energized and excited about controlling their own direction more so than at any time in the past decade. One week into the band’s summer tour, Locke talks about all the reasons why, perhaps now more than ever, Rooney feels right at home within themselves.

What are we to expect sonically from Eureka?

Everyone these days uses the word “organic” in every album review … so I’ll try and shy away from that. The record has a polished sound to it, but slightly less so than our past records. Louie [Stephens, keyboardist] played lots of upright piano, which lends a cozy, barroom feel to the songs. I played more slide guitar than usual. Ned [Brower, drums] takes a lead vocal on one track. Matt [Winter, recently departed bassist] played much more active bass lines. However, you’ll still get plenty of synthesizer hooks, and of course, Robert [Schwartzman]’s voice, which are hallmarks of our groups’ sound. … Continue Reading

CD Review: Venice is Sinking — Sand & Lines; Playing The EARL on August 28

Venice is Sinking
Sand & Lines
One Percent Press Records

By Scott Roberts

Underscoring the fact that Sand & Lines, the hypnotically-dreamy third release from Athens quintet Venice is Sinking, was recorded live in the now sadly decimated-by-fire Georgia Theatre, the opening track “Sidelights” begins with a few warm-up drum hits, followed by some incomprehensible conversation and then coughing before the beauty begins. The song’s soothing, unhurried beat provided by drummer Lucas Jensen, Karolyn Troupe’s mournful viola, and vocalist/guitarist Daniel Lawson’s sleepy singing all serve to create and establish a laid-back, yet emotionally stirring mood that permeates the entire CD. … Continue Reading

CD Review: The Constellations — Southern Gothic; Playing Black Cat, September 28 and The EARL, October 2

The Constellations
Southern Gothic
Virgin Records

By Sam Parvin

These guys held out on releasing this album for a while, and boy I’m sure glad they did! After their celebratory show at The EARL with Soulphonics and Ruby Velle just hours after inking their autographs on a contract with Virgin Records, the crowd knew the next time they heard such tunes as “Setback” and “Felicia” they would be coming from their iTunes playlists, polished up and shining with a level of production characteristic of a true blue record deal. … Continue Reading

James Hall and the Futura Bold at Smiths Olde Bar – June 26

Underground legend James Hall and his most recent musical incarnation The Futura Bold are quickly becoming the most rock and roll rock band in Atlanta. The trio is made up of guitarist Chris Piskun, bass player Bruce Butkovich, and one impressively energetic frontman part James Brown/part David Bowie - singer/multi-instrumentalist, James Hall.

With their recently released self-titled EP and an extremely loyal Atlanta audience, The Futura Bold are gearing up for a rock and roll takeover. A couple of small tours are being planned around the U.S. this fall – we highly recommend keeping an eye out for any upcoming Futura Bold shows in a city near you!

James Hall and the Futura Bold
Saturday, June 26
Smith’s Olde Bar
with Young Orchids
Ghosts of Summer Suns

Keep up with The Futura Bold online on Facebook and Twitter.

CD Review: Here We Go Magic — Pigeons; Playing The EARL, August 6 and Black Cat, August 8

Here We Go Magic

Pigeons

Secretly Canadian

By David Courtright

I saw Here We Go Magic at The EARL around this time last year. I had listened to a few of their songs on MySpace, and though none of them hooked me into a mad dash for the box office, it was good – it was agreeable to listen to. While the show was fun, the songs went on an average of five minutes too long, and turned what were tidy hooks and segues on their first album into drawn-out, over-acted jams. It felt like the band was playing only for themselves – which sometimes is just what you want from a band. Perhaps the immediacy of internet music culture and our attention-deficit culture pushed me to wish for a “next” button. What I came away with from that show is essentially the same way I feel about this album: that the songwriting is solid, the hooks are memorable, but just when you want it all to shift up a notch, it fades and dissolves; or adversely, draws itself out just when it should fade away. What I really adore about the new album Pigeons though is exactly that restraint: it listlessly coaxes you through it, building slowly and backing down just before you want it to climax. As a whole, it evokes and inspires just what this kind of humid mid-June weather demands: languor. … Continue Reading