Magical Iowan

For those who have not heard of William Elliott Whitmore, I cannot speak higher of an artist performing today. He produced my favorite record of 2009 with "Animals In The Dark" and my favorite record of the 2000s, 2006's magnificent "Song Of The Blackbird". Also in 2006, the Lee County, Iowa native teamed up with the (Portland by way of San Francisco by way of Michigan by way of) Texas born Jenny Hoyston for an EP entitled "Hallways Of Always". Critics initially threw out comparisons of Johnny Cash and June Carter, however the album was way to contemporary and produced with electronic beats. The only way this comparison holds any clout is that the record is a folk-like recording compiled by a man and a woman (comparisons should stop there). Not that this is a bad thing as the two sound great together and have a wonderful contrast yet compliment each other beautifully. With the exception of the track 'Black Iowa Dirt', the remainder of the album is much different than Whitmore's solo outings however still has a rustic vibe.

At some point, Whitmore and Hoyston wanted to release the album on vinyl, however, due to record label policies, this was not going to happen. To get around this contract/agreement, the duo re-recorded the album, adopted the original album name as their moniker, added a couple new tracks and released it under a new label. The result is more than a reissue as the vocals are different and the synthesizers have been replaced with acoustic instrumentation. The result does not disappoint. The original track listing was also changed (see below for the vinyl track listing).

A1 Feast Of A Thousand Beasts
A2 Marrow
A3 Black Iowa Dirt
A4 Heavy Load

B1 We Miss You
B2 Out Of My Mind
B3 You've Already Gone
B4 H.O.A. (Beasts Reprise)

New tracks not on the original EP include "Heavy Load" (Whitmore) and "Out Of My Mind" (Hoyston)

Only 500 copies were pressed and the LP comes with an MP3 download. The new album can be purchased on Will Whitmore's website.

Refused To Be Quiet

It is sad to see great musical talent cease to exist in its prime, however there is also something to be said about going out in a blaze of glory. This is the case for Swedish hardcore group Refused. The band was around for only 7 years, releasing 3 full length albums including their masterpiece "The Shape Of Punk To Come" the year they disbanded in 1998. The album was unfortunately overlooked on my 'Best of 90s' list as it would most definitely be among the top ten. The album has been praised by other rock musicians, namely Kirk Hammett (Metallica) "The pure intellect that was pouring out of this band - even when it comes to arrangement, they were sophisticated, it still sounds contemporary", Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine) "New Noise is one of the great rock jams of all time. It's just a heavy, unique, awesome, kick-ass jam" and Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses) "The Shape Of Puck To Come is the Sergeant Pepper's of punk rock. They were fucking fearless". According to allmusic.com, "Refused disbanded, unable to reconcile their anarchist leanings with a career in music." A deluxe edition of 'The Shape of Punk To Come' was recently released on Epitaph records, including the full length album, an unreleased live album recorded shortly before the bands break-up and a DVD entitled "Refused Are Fucking Dead" documenting the band and its demise. This is one reissue that should not be missed. Recommended for all fans of punk, metal, hardcore and anyone curious.

Check out the video for New Noise (which prompted me to buy the album the year of its release). Easily one of the coolest songs to come out of the 90s and certainly the most devastating.

IRON MAIDEN RULES!

Iron Maiden has been rocking since the late 70s and released their first album in 1980. These metalheads from England don't seem to be losing any steam either. Kicking off one of their biggest US tours in recent history on June 9th, Iron Maiden announced the release date, track listing and album art for their upcoming 15th studio album "The Final Frontier".



Remarkably, Iron Maiden has averaged a new album every two years for 30 years and have totalled over 80 million album sales during this period.

The full tracklisting for the album (total running time 76:35) is:

1. Satellite 15....The Final Frontier (8:40)
2. El Dorado (6:49)
3. Mother Of Mercy (5:20)
4. Coming Home (5:52)
5. The Alchemist (4:29)
6. Isle Of Avalon (9:06)
7. Starblind (7:48)
8. The Talisman (9:03)
9. The Man Who Would Be King (8:28)
10. When The Wild Wind Blows (10:59)

For tour dates and locations check out Iron Maiden Tour.

I will be seeing them live for the first time in Chicago at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre on July 18th. Trust me, there will be a concert post.

UP THE IRONS! \M/ \M/

Tom Waits Has Mojo

The greatest American singer/songwriter is unfortunately not from Minnesota (sorry Mr. Dylan), he is from California and his name is Tom Waits. The legendary poet, author, artist, troubadour and personal hero (other hero includes David Gilmour CBE) was asked to edit the 200th special anniversary issue of Mojo magazine.



In the issue, Mr. Waits discusses his current playlist including James Brown and Alex Chilton, his film selections including James Dean and David Lynch and his chosen reading material including Jack Kerouac and JD Salinger. Along with the magazine comes a compilation CD with tracks hand selected by the American icon.

Track listing:
1. Tennessee Ernie Ford - "Sixteen Tons"
2. Son House - "John The Revelator"
3. Hank Williams - "Ramblin' Man"
4. Prisonaires - "Just Walkin' In The Rain"
5. Ray Charles - "Drown In My Own Tears"
6. Blind Mamie Forehand - "Honey In The Rock"
7. Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go"
8. Paul Robeson - "No More Auction Block"
9. Howlin' Wolf - "Dorothy Mae"
10. Harry Belafonte - "Sylvie"
11. Bob Dylan - "I Was Young When I Left Home"
12. Gavin Bryars - "Jesus Blood Never Failed Me - Single version (with Tom Waits)"
13. Big Mama Thornton - "Ball N' Chain"
14. William Burroughs - "Ich Bin Von Kopf Bis FuR Auf Liebe Eingestellt (Falling In Love Again)"
15. Cliff Edwards - "When You Wish Upon A Star"

Mojo magazine

Recommended Mojo retailers exist near you!
Minneapolis, Minnesota - The Electric Fetus
Bellvue, Nebraska - Homer's
Portland, Oregon - Jackpot Records and Music Millennium
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Atomic Records