Music Review: Patty Griffin - Silver Bell

The only thing better than one brilliant Patty Griffin album this year (her stunning American Kid) is two brilliant Patty Griffin albums.   Today marks the released of the long-awaited (over a decade), much desired Silver Bell album.  

Originally slated to be the follow up to her wonderful Flaming Red album, Silver Bell instead got shelved during the record label shake ups of the early 00s.   It's been a holy grail of Patty Griffin fans for the last 13 years.

Now, finally, it's being released and we can finally complete our Patty Griffin discography.  Not only that, but it was worth the wait.

Click the RAWR for more gushing praise.

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Concert Review: Patty Griffin at The Wiltern

Last week Patty Griffin took the stage at The Wiltern and I was lucky enough to be in attendance.  She is touring in support of her beautiful album, American Kid, and her set featured several songs from this album (all of my favorites too).  She actually did a rather nice career spanning set of songs.  I think she had songs frome very one of her albums, including her recent gospel album, Downtown Church.  One of those songs, Coming Home To Me, was one of the highlights of the evening.

Another highlight was a super bluesy version of Flaming Red that just about blew the doors off the place.  She started it off slow and sultry and finished it hard.  What a great version of the song.

The show was flawless if you ask me, save for some sound issues at the start that were fixed rather quickly.  Patty Griffin is in top form and her latest batch of songs sound really amazing live.  To hear her talk about her father and then sing these songs about him is touching and it brings even more emotion to the songs.

She captures her audience just as well with her band as she does standing at the mic alone performing acoustically.  Her voice just carries you away.  It's an experience for sure.

She did just over 90 minutes worth of music and I could have sat there for hours more just listening to her sing whatever the hell she wanted to.  Still, even with what might seem like a short concert I felt satisfied.  It really it felt like she did a lot of songs and gave attention to every album.  Sure there are songs you miss but then there songs you might not have expected to hear.

I certainly did not expect Robert Plant to come on stage and sing with her on Highway Song.

Overall it was a wonderful show and I considered it a pleasure and an honor to be able to see Patty Griffin perform these songs live.  She is, in my opinion, one of the best singer songwriters in the business today and her impeccable performances and infectious charm make each show a joy to behold.

If you get a chance to see her, please do so.  You won't be disappointed.

Now if we can just get a Patty Griffin/Ellis Paul tour on the road...

That would be so amazing.

Patty Griffin 

American Kid Tour

10/10 Wiggly Fingers!

For more information visit her official site and ticketmaster for show information!

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Some of the Best Music of 2013 So Far

We're half way through 2013 and so far this year has had some pretty great music offerings.  I thought it'd be a great time to highlight a few releases that so far, at least for me, have risen to the top of the heap and have been prime examples of the best 2013 has to offer so far.

Patty Griffin - American Kid
This is a stunningly beautiful heartfelt collection of songs.  The kind of album that you find yourself NEEDING to hear and wanting to hear again and again.  Patty Griffin is one of the best singer/songwriters working today and American Kid is a prime example of why she should be on everyone's radar.  A sure fire contender for Album of the Year.  Bottom line?  This Album Is Glorious.  Highlights:  Go Wherever You Want To Go, Wild Old Dog

Sam Tsui - Make It Up (iTunes)
He's a YouTube cover artist sensation, often times surpassing the originals, who has finally released an album of original songs (with help from a massively successful Kickstarter campain).  Make It Up is a pop gem with clever lyrics fun beats and plenty of Sam's trademark incredible singing.  Highlights:  Me Without You, Shadow

Demi Lovato - DEMI
I'm just as surprised as you are.  Demi Lovato has turned in an album better than anything Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera has done, and probably ever will do.  This is a great collection of songs that, if there is any justice in the world, will put Demi on the map permanantly. She is at the top of her game here and I can't wait to hear what she brings us next.  Highlights: Heart Attack, Really Don't Care

Bella Ruse - Those Were Good Times, Weren't They?
This is a folk rock duo that was just brought to my attention the other day.  I was pleasantly surprised and quickly fell in love with their charming and refreshing sound.  I feel like Bella Ruse is standing at the door of a great career.  Hopefully soon enough that door will open and they can rule the summer like this stellar album deserves. Highlights: Those Were Good Times Weren't They, When You Asked Me For The Moon

The Band Perry - Pioneer
Another surprise.  I was ready to write these guys off as a one hit pony after If I Die Young, which admittedly is a great song.  Boy was I wrong.  Pioneer is probably one of the best country albums in years.  The Band Perry has made leaps and bounds over their last album.  Pioneer is damn near a country masterpiece.  Fresh, without sounding to poppy and staying true to their roots.  Great stuff.    Highlights: Pioneer, End of Time

Rilo Kiley - RKives
It's Rilo Kiley.  It's a collection of B-Sides and Unreleased songs.  It's awesome and it makes me miss them even more.  I don't know what else I need to say here because you should already have this.  Highlights: Let Me Back In, It'll Get You There

Fitz and the Tantrums - More Than Just A Dream
I don't even know how to really classify this band besides just saying they are awesome and demand you buy their album(s).  They seem to touch every genre from soul to pop to rock and whatever else hits their fancy.  More Than Just A Dream is their second album and it's just more great music from this unique and often surprising band.  If you get a chance, check out their episode of Live From Daryl's House.  Mesmerizing!  Highlights: Merry Go Round, Fool's Gold

Well there you go.  Seven examples of some excellent albums well worth your time and your money.  We're only half way through 2013 and there is sure to be dozens of more great examples of amazing music to check out.  There are also dozens of examples of great music that I haven't even heard yet so explore!  Try new music and don't scoff at something because it's popular.  Sometimes popular music can be great too.  Sometimes.

Me?  I love discovering new music.  I'd never have discovered Bella Ruse had someone not told me about them.  True fandom is telling everyone you know about bands you love.  So tell me about the bands YOU think I should check out and maybe they'll get mentioned on the site or on the SHOW.  Tweet us @popculturebeast or use #pcbshow.  Facebook (facebook.com/popculturebeast) us or email me!  Garon@popculturebeast.com

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Review: Joshua Radin - Simple Times

As I type this, Joshua Radin's brand new album Simple Times is sitting pretty in the #1 spot on the iTunes album chart. I didn't even have to write about how good the album was for it to get the notoriety it deserves. Assuming little ol' me even has that kind of pull.

I first heard of Joshua Radin a few years ago courtesy of Zach Braff. I've been a fan ever since. His first album We Were Here was a great debut and he followed it up with the beautiful duet "Paperweight" with Schuyler Fisk (Remember that name. She is amazing.) on soundtrack to Zach Braff's The Last Kiss.

Here we are a couple years later with Simple Times. No sign of "sophomore slump" here. This album is even better that his debut. Simple Times is one of those albums you want to toss on the car stereo and just ride along with. The kind where you can be hanging out or traveling with friends and just let the music fill that comfortable silence. It speaks enough for everyone.

He seems to have improved in every aspect here. Lyrically, musically, vocally, everything shifts up a notch from his previous album. From the fantastic duet with my all time favorite singer Patty Griffin (You Got Growin' Up To Do) to the upbeat and chipper "Vegetable Car" (how no one has used the phrase 'Lisa Loeb Glasses' before is beyond me) Simple Times is gorgeous record.

I can't find a single flaw in the record. It delivers everything I want to hear from Joshua Radin. Sweet harmonies, especially those that feature Schuyler Fisk (who simply cannot release her record soon enough), touching and poignant lyrics, all delivered with the utmost of respect for his art. You can feel the energy and love that goes into the music he is making and it is infectious. Note: I apparently am mistaken in thinking that the lovely Schuyler Fisk sings on this album, she did contribute to his last album but it seems the voice I am hearing on Simple Times is Meiko!

Simple Times doesn't hit stores until September 30, but it is available now on iTunes so I'd get to clicking over there.

So far this year I've heard brilliant albums by Jay Brannan, Joshua Radin, Matt Bauer, and more. If this keeps up I'm going to have a rough time making a top album of 2008 list!

For more information on Joshua Radin head over to his website or MySpace Profile.

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Glory Glory Patty Griffin

After years of waiting and missed opportunities, last night I finally found myself at a Patty Griffin concert. The wait was well worth it. From my seat at the top of the Wiltern Theatre, Row O in the Mezz, I bared witness to perfection personified.

Patty Griffin. You probably don't know her, which after this post will hopefully change. She is counted as an influence for an uncountable amount of singer/songwriters from Michelle Branch to The Dixie Chicks and anyone in between. Her songs and albums are genre bending gems with each album delivering samples of Rock, country, and even jazz. She can't be classified as a folk or rock or country. She is Patty Griffin and that is her genre.

My first dose of patty was years ago by chance hearing a song of hers on some skin care commercial. It was blue sky and the 10 seconds I heard of it stuck in my brain for quite some time. I could never figure out who it was. Then, I hear the song "You Are Not Alone" in the movie Niagra, Niagra (decent flick worth a watch for Henry Thomas/Robin Tunney fans). This haunting and sad song instantly grabbed my attention and sent me on a hunt for Patty. She had 2 CDs out by this time. Living with Ghosts, her first album which is mainly her and an acoustic guitar, and Flaming Red, a radical departure from her first disc featuring some heavy electric guitars and drums among her mellow ballads. Brilliant. Flaming Red also featured that long ago tune I had never tracked down Blue Sky, from that skin commercial. Pretty coincidental. From then on I devoured every CD she released. (PS anyone with her Silver Bells album that was never released...I need this badly) I have yet to hear a song or album of hers I do not love.

Last night, on a perfect LA day, my dream of seeing her live was fulfilled. She came on stage with her band to a roar of applause and let loose a set of rock and roll and heart breaking ballads that are unequaled in popular music. She is at the top of her game and she proved it last night. Her set was made of mostly of newer tunes from her most popular albums, including her latest release at highest career debut, Children Running Through. In fact, the highlight of the show was her performance of Burgundy Shoes, a song she described as being written after being challenged to write a happy song. It is a touching and startlingly haunting song of a girl spending a morning with her mother. It had me near tears I'm not ashamed to admit.

I have seen a lot of concerts in my life. Some large, some small and would count my first concert of Patty Griffin's as top of the heap. I know I regret missing her until now, and that missing her again won't be a possibility.

The good news is that you can get a taste of her live show by grabbing her live CD/DVD A Kiss in Time.

Do yourselves a favor and grab a couple of her CDs. You will not be disappointed.

Discography:

Living With Ghosts
Flaming Red
1000 Kisses
A Kiss in Time
Impossible Dream
Children Running Through

www.pattygriffin.net

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