Life's A Beach Series 15 - Remember the Zoo?/Christmas album

As a working title for Pet Sounds, Remember The Zoo probably lasted all of an afternoon… but according to an article in the July 1994 issue of the highly regarded Beach Boys Australia fanzine, it was in fact the title of an album set to have been released between Party and Pet Sounds itself but, for reasons unspecified, shelved. Penned by someone sheltering behind the pen name 'The Correct Perspective' (someone who claimed to be a confidante of Brian's from the earliest days), the article was full of fascinating information: "I'm In Great Shape" predated its commonly held Smile origins - as did "Tones" - and eventually mutated into the B side of Brian's 1988 "Love & Mercy" single... both "Trombone Dixie" and "Pet Sounds" had lyrics written for them (by Brian)... and so on. All fascinating stuff.
And, of course, all complete nonsense.

Tracklisting/more info here
Download here

-----------------------------------

And I posted this a couple years, but it is that time of year, so here is the Beach Boys Christmas album. If you are so inclined to celebrate Christmas, this comes at a perfect time.



Download here



Happy Holidays to everyone, and thanks for making this a great comeback year for the blog! Any donations to help keep this thing running are appreciated! And keep sending me stuff if you want to see it on the blog!

The Heavy Blinkers Release A Christmas Song

The Heavy Blinkers return with a Christmas song from their highly anticipated new album "HEALTH".

"Silence Your Drum" is the new Christmas song from The Heavy Blinkers and the first glimpse at their forthcoming double album, Health. The song is the story of the fabled little drummer boy, as told through the perspective of Joseph & Mary. The song features lead vocals from Jenn Grant backed the group's trade-mark lush orchestral arrangements.

Recently named one of "The Greatest Bands You've (Probably) Never Heard' by Spin magazine (July 2009), The Heavy Blinkers' long awaited Health includes contributions from renowned artists such as Sondre Lerche(Astralwerks) and Sean O'Hagan of the High Llamas (Drag City). The album will be released in March, 2010.


MP3: "Silence Your Drum" from HEALTH:
http://www.pigeonrow.com/HeavyBlinkersSilenceYourDrum.mp3


Video for "Silence Your Drum":



I'm convinced that this is not really a Christmas song at all. It's more like asking the question "What if the Little Drummer Boy had annoyed Jesus and his parents instead of making them joyful with his snare?" It seems that after traveling through the night with his drum our drummer boy just can't ever do enough for the baby he is trying to impress. It seems The Heavy Blinkers don't like to look at the bright side of the situations they sing about, even Christmas.

However, the story Jason MacIsaac invents in the song is very poetic and fully thought out. I'd also like to mention how beautifully the Heavy Blinkers new vocalist Jenn Grant is (I'm not quite sure if she is their full time lead singer yet, but when you sing lead on more than 3 songs you might as well be the lead singer). But it is the production of this single that makes it shine as bright as it does! It just sounds amazing; the balance between the vocals and instruments of the music is as precise as a Mozart Symphony (and perhaps just as big).

It goes without saying that the music in this song is more spectacular than most other songs that try to pass themselves off as Christmas singles. The Heavy Blinkers have put together something great this Holiday season that will regrettably get far less listens than it deserves. I'm amazed to believe that The Heavy Blinkers still keep getting better, even after the loss of founding members Andrew Watt and Ruth Minnikin.

It's clear that Jason MacIsaac is what made the Heavy Blinkers so wonderful on their first 4 albums, and from the looks of things, he will continue to lead his Heavy Blinkers until they are bigger than even Christmas itself.

Silence Your Drum is a bit unexpected, but a very exciting peak into what could be the best album of 2010, The Heavy Blinkers' "HEALTH".

myspace | label

Life's A Beach Series 13 & 14 - I Get Around

Here's the next installment from the stuff Djole is sending me! It's a bunch of takes of I get Around, Shut Down Volume Two, and stuff from The Honeys, Larry Denton, Paul Paterson, Gary Usher, The Castells, and a soundtrack! Check it out!


(click on the photo to enlarge)

Tracklisting/info

Download Part 1
Download Part 2
Download Artwork

And depending on how you look at it, this is either bad OR good news: there is BB Christmas stuff coming soon! Stay tuned!