PIL - End Of World ( Review)

PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED END OF WORLD (PIL OFFICIAL) PiL (Public Image Ltd) has returned with their first new album in eight years, End of World, an album that is anything but calm, collective, or predictable. With five UK top 20 albums, PiL has an illustrated career of mainstream success while questioning the conventions of what makes a pop chart song succeeds by using abstract time signatures, dub, punk, funk, and outspoken themes in lyricism. Fans of the band's singer John Lydon (formerly of Sex Pistols) will no doubt be drawn to the singer's charismatic choruses in the song “Car Chase”, an upbeat single and dance feel that keeps a punk rock song approach that we have come to be familiar with over this band's discography. The next single “Penge” is a rocking and almost militant death march anthem, brooding and hitting overhead with tenacity. The title track of this album displays a psychedelic guitar groove and a weird as hell synth melody, but also manages to structure chaos and political lyrics within the musical experience. While this album certainly detracts from conventional pop music ideals, PiL continues to push the envelope with grace and ingenuity, experimentation, and the listening experience. —Ryan McKern

Tuba Skinny - Magnolia Stroll (Review)

TUBA SKINNY MAGNOLIA STROLL encompassing the full genealogy of popular Americana music, Tuba Skinny bring their french quarter charisma and skilled musicianship through traditional Jazz, Gospel , Jug band, r&b and the eclectic flavor that is New Orleans soul. Since forging their way playing on the streets of Royal and Toulouse, Tuba Skinny have released their first collection of original compositions with the album Magnolia Stroll. The opening track “Trickster’s Rag” delivers in the swing trad sound of neighborhood New Orleans, a beautiful composition of bright horns, banjo and washboard. The experience and creativity are at the forefront of Magnolia Stroll, with Jazz Trad ingenuity and a love for the city of New Orleans Tuba Skinny continues this journey with the songs “Ida Wobble” and “Mighty Anchor” with production capturing the charm of Cuban and Carribean Jazz, while using its foundation to make it a sound all their own. Drawing to mind such classic swinging Jazz pioneers such as Sharkey Bonano, George Lewis and Sweet Emma Barrett. Syncopated rhythms can be heard through out Magnolia Stroll, a journey into celebration and innovation within its core.