Friday Rock Block - Pixies, Burning Brides, Black Keys, The Like Young

This is going to be a quick rock block. First of all, it's seven hours later than usual. Additionally, you make think of bloggers as dorks, but I got stuff to do tonight. Without further ado, here's the rock block: Song 1, simply one of the best first songs on any album, "Debaser" by The Pixies. The Pixies - Debaser.mp3 Next up, I have "Arctic Snow" by the Burning Brides. Sometimes it may seem like a through out phrases like, "it rocks so hard," too often for you to know what rocks hard. Rest assured, I don't use that phrase lightly. This tracks rocks so hard. Burning Brides - Actic Snow.mp3 Third in the mix, is "Set You Free" by the Black Keys from the album Thickfreakness. There's some Black Keys news out there. There's a new e.p. due out next month and a new full lenght later this year. The full length will be on a new label, not Fat Possum. Black Keys - Set You Free.mp3 Finally, I've included a fun poppy rockin number from The Like Young, "For Money or Love." Their next album will be out this spring on Polyvinyl Records. The Like Young - For Money or Love.mp3 Enjoy. Previous Rock Blocks: 3.24.06 - Brakes, Dirty Pretty Things, Mclusky, Eagles of Death Metal, Thee Headcoatees 3.17.06 - Constantines, Girls Against Boys, Mission of Burma, The Beatings, The Hold Steady 3.10.06 - Young Sportsmen, Desaparecidos, Radio 4, Yeah Yeah Yeahs I Rock Cleveland

Taking a Break From the Awesomeness

There's been some issues in I Rock Cleveland land today. Don't worry. The rock isn't stopping. The fantasticness that you've come to expect from I Rock Cleveland will resume this evening. I Rock Cleveland

Art Brut and Gil Mantera's Party Dream This Friday Night

Friday at the Beachland Ballroom Art Brut will be playing with The Ponys and Gil Mantera's Party Dream. This looks like it could be one of the first don't miss concerts of 06. The Party Dream have just released Bloodsongs on Audio Eagle Records. Earlier in the year, they were feature as Spin.com's band of the day. Meanwhile, Art Brut's debut cd, Bang Bang Rock and Roll is finally getting a proper release in the states this spring. If you don't know what Art Brut is about, "Good Weekend" is a great place to start. I Rock Cleveland recommends that you get to this one early -- Gil Mantera's Party Dream live is an experience not to be missed. Art Brut - Good Weekend.mp3 (mp3 link removed) All Sorts of Posts on The Party Dream: Elmo's Wish Video Party Dream 1 Party Dream 2 I Rock Cleveland

The Flaming Lips Are Bringing a Mini-Palooza to Cleveland

At this point, here's what I know. The Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, Wolfmother, Death Cab for Cutie, and "others" will be playing a "festival" at Blossom Music Center on August 3rd. All of this comes from the tour section of FlamingLips.com. It's the day before Lollapalooza in Chicago and I would expect more bands playing that festival may be spending a day in the scenic Cuyahoga Valley. Updated 4.11.06 with a complete announcement. photo courtey of the Flaming Lips I Rock Cleveland

Wild Sweet Orange

Wild Sweet Orange are a Birmingham, Alabama band that I recently discovered on KEXP. John Richards has had these guys in heavy rotation of late. They have a southern alternative rock sound. Now, when I say southern alternative rock, don't think shi*e like Three Doors Down. I'm talking about some rockin music with a little bit of a rootsy vide added to it. "House of Regret" Comes from the e.p. by the same name on Earfood records. Wild Sweet Orange - House of Regret.mp3 Wild Sweet Orange on Mysapce photo by Jason Wallis I Rock Cleveland

3/4 of a Replacements Reunite For New Recordings

Billboard is reporting that Paul Westerberg, Tommy Stinson and Chris Mars have recorded two new songs for a new Replacements retrospective due out on June 13th on Rhino Records. The retrospective, titled, "Don't You Know Who I Think I Was?" includes the new songs "Message to the Boys" and "Pool and Dive," the first new Replacements songs in 16 years. Also of note, is the fact that this is the first Replacements retrospective to include singles from both their indie label and major label days. I realize that as your reading this and peaking to the end of the article, you're thinking, "Hey, my favorite Replacements song isn't on this disc." Don't fret, the long rumored Replacements box set may still see release, in 2007. Here is the full track list: Takin a Ride Shiftless When Idle Kids Don't Follow Color Me Impressed Within Your Reach I Will Dare Answering Machine Unsatisfied Here Comes a Regular Kiss Me on the Bus Bastards of Young Left of the Dial Alex Chilton Skyway Can't Hardly Wait Achin' To Be I'll Be You Merry Go Round Message to the Boys Pool & Dive Billboard News Related Posts: Bastards of Young video from YouTube photo courtesy of twin tone I Rock Cleveland

Rainer Maria Spring Tour

The new album from Rainer Maria, Catastrophe Keeps Us Together, is coming out next Tuesday. They're all set to do what bands do after they release an ablum -- tour. I've heard a few songs from Catastrophe over on Kexp and I can assure you that it's the same sugary sweet indie pop/rock goodness you would expect. They will be in Cleveland on May 13th at the Grog Shop. Rainer Maria - Burn.mp3 A full list of tour dates can be found at Rainer Maria's home on the internet, or that strange place that bands go to make friends with total strangers, myspace. While you're at RainerMaria.com, most of the new album is available for streaming. I Rock Cleveland

Ben Harper - Both Sides Of The Gun (Album Review)

I had concerns about this cd before I first listened to it. First of all, it's a double cd. A double cd usually means that an artist or a band have two cds worth of music that really should have been pared down to one cd. My second concern was that it's a self produced double cd. A self produced cd makes me worry that it's going to be an excercise in self indulgence. The two cds in the package aren't labeled in any way to decipher which cd should be played first and which one should be played second. I started off with the cd entitled Better Way. The first track on this cd is "Better Way." It's a middle eastern tinged mid tempo rocker with hints of roots, rock, and reggae -- the three R's that Ben has built his career upon. After "Better Way," this cd moves into funk territory. It turns out when Ben Harper gets angry, he gets funky. Most of his vitrol is pointed squarely at the USA. "Black Rain" is his statement against our country's response the Katrina catasphrophe. If there's a complaint I have about the first cd, is that it's too funky for my taste. I like Ben Harper when he does roots, I like him when he rocks, and I like him when he does reggae. I'm just not overly fond of his funk. The Better Way disc closes out with dark sludgy rocker, "Serve Your Soul." This is the Ben Harper I like -- roots influences and zeppelin-esque riffs in an 8 minute song. Disc 2, or Morning Yearning, is the mellower and moodier of the two disc set. "Waiting For You" is a fine song. It would rival some of his earlier classics like "Beloved One"or "Another Lonely Day" if the production was toned down a bit. Remember what I said about self indulgence on a self produced double cd? I'm not crazy about the strings added into this mix. I would prefer this one if was toned down a bit. "Reason to Mourn" and Happy Ever After in Your Eyes" both suffer from the same problem as "Waiting For You." They would have been better off without the orchestral maneuvers in the background. Come to think of it, on nearly every song on the second disc I get the same response -- this is a good song, but if it was only done a little differently I would like it even more. The exceptions to this rule would be "More than Sorry" and "Never Leave Lonely Well." These tracks work quite well, with their sad undertones and hushed style. Both Sides Of The Gun is a good cd, but it could have been a great cd if the songs spanned over to two discs were condensed into one disc and some of the excess production was removed. Ben Harper - Both Sides of the Gun receives a 5 out of 10 on the Rockometer I Rock Cleveland

Tom Jones is not Tom Jones

Singer Tom Jones is Knighted He's sir Tom Jones now, thank you. That Queen over there in England sure knows how to pick some good knights. Personally, I believe the knighthood of Tom Jones is long overdue, and I'm glad to see that this omission has been corrected. Ladies, please note, that since he is a knight now, it is unappropriate for you to throw any undergarments at Sir Tom Jones while he is performing. Give the man the respect he deserves. I Rock Cleveland

Serena Maneesh Thursday Night at the Grog Shop

I got a tip from one of my readers the other day to check out Serena Maneesh. I didn't know a lot about these Norwegian rockers, so I went over to mysapce. I figured that the kids over at myspace would tell me what this band was about. Here's what I learned. They're awesome, brilliant, awesome, awesome, awesome, incredible, brilliant, awesome, brilliant, and amazing. I'm a fand of bands that are awesome, brilliant, awesome, awesome, awesome, incredible, awesome, brilliant, and amazing, so I tracked down the mp3 for "Un Deux." It's a quick little psychelic pop number that's sure to please. Serena Maneesh - Un deux.mp3 Serena Maneesh will be at the Grog Show tomorrow night. You know what they're about. Go see them. Editor's Note: Real post follows. Serena Manesh are a Norwegian band playing some psychedic influenced rock. They probably do deserve some of those accolades. Their last album got quite a generous review from Pitchfork. Admit it, the myspace joke was kinda funny. I Rock Cleveland

Black Angels - Black Grease Video

The Black Angels website has undergone a major re-design in anticipation of the release of their full length debut, Passover, due out on April 11th. While I was checking out their goods, I came across the video for "Black Grease." You can stream it or download it from API Productions. It was directed by Richard Whymark. Black Angels Website Black Grease video stream Black Grease download I Rock Cleveland

120 Minutes Flashback: Dinosaur Jr - Just Like Heaven (Video)

Take Dinosaur Jr, some really bad muppet hand puppets and a song by The Cure and what do you get? An unparalleled work of genius.

Billy Bragg's Bush War Blues

So, remember that one time on I Rock Cleveland when I said that I don't cover politics and then I went on to call President Bush a No Talent Ass Clown over and over again. That was pretty sweet. I know. Well, just this evening I came across a new song by an old artist who's a little more eloquent than I am. Billy Bragg has just recorded an exclusive track for Yep Roc called "Bush War Blues." It's a fresh take on the Leadbelly track "Bourgeois Blues." He's been performing this one live on his recent tour. He recorded it just last week and the good folks at Yep Roc have made it avialable for free. I've mentioned earlier in this blog that Yep Roc has recently started re-issuing the extensive Billy Bragg catalog. These songs are as relevant in the United States in year 2006 as they were for Great Britain years ago. I've had the words for "Like Soldiers Do" hanging on my cubicle wall at work since the start at the Iraq War. With lines like, "Nothing is clear in this tactical unclear war/I can't be bothered to find out what we're fighting for," and a refrain that goes, "Our father were all soldiers shall we be soldiers, too/Fighting all falling like soldier do," you would think that he was talking about Iraq and today. I've included two other Billy Bragg tracks here("It Says Here" and "A13, Trunk Road to the Sea") to go along with "Bush War Blues." Billy Bragg - Bush War Blues.mp3 Billy Bragg - It Says Here.mp3 Billy Bragg - A 13 Trunk Road to the Sea.mp3 Billy Bragg on Yep Roc mp3s and photo courtesy of Yep Roc. Do the right thing and rock the Billy Bragg catalog on Yep Roc I Rock Cleveland

Flaming Lips Preview

If you head over to The Flaming Lips Website, you'll find all sorts of goodies. First of all, you can stream all of the tracks off the new cd, At War With the Mystics. Just go to the music section of the website. Each track of the album stream is accompanied with commentary by Wayne Coyne. You can peer inside the mind of a genius. For example, the song "Free Radicals" was about a dream he had where freak folk singer Devendra Banhart was pleading with a suicide bomber and after Devendra convices the suicide bomber not to blow himself up, he sympathizes with the bomber's point of view and he himself becomes the radical. Who knew? Secondly, there's going to be a Flaming Lips video premiere this Thursday on Yahoo music for "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song." The picture up top happens to be a still from the video. There's more shots from the video on The Lips website. I'm going out on a limb here, but I think it's going to be an interesting video. Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics - Album Stream I Rock Cleveland

Ladyhawk - The Dugout

On the surface, you may not notice anything special about Vancouver band, Ladyhawk. You might be thinking to yourself, "Oh, this is just you're standard indie guitar rock fare." Well, while there is nothing groundbreaking about what Ladyhawk are doing, I would also argue that I haven't heard anyone do it so well in a long time. "The Dugout" starts off with some guitar rock that is as catchy as all hell. Then, midway through the song, it takes a little detour into the realm of Dino Jr or Superchunk style screaming six strings of destruction and that's when I'm sold on it. This one's going straight to the top of The I Rock Cleveland singles chart. Ladyhawk - The Dugout.mp3 The self titled cd with be out on Jagjaguwar on 06.06.06 -- a fine day for a rock record to come out. Ladyhawk on Jagjaguwar The Obligatory Myspace Link Mp3 courtesy of Jagjaguwar. Photo by Steven Bedard

Voices and Organs

Editors's Note: Voices and Organs originally appeard on I Rock Cleveland about three hours ago. I had a couple more songs available in addition to "Any Day Now" and I wanted to share. Expanding on what I wrote earlier, this is a Swedish project headed by Per Lindmark. The songs started out as a series of short storeies dealing with childhood/adolescent isolation through the eyes of a young boy and girl in an orphanage. Hence, the album title, "Orphanage." The music backing these stories, is music rooted in the landscape of Sweden's west coast, where Per Lindmark lives. It is a balance between warmth and the moodiness of a rainy, cloudy, morning on the coast. On making the album, Per Lindmark had this to say: We didn't want the album to be seen as a collection of songs about a certain subject but rather as a great mix-tape where you can't tell the number of tracks or how long they are. Because early, we realized that not all childhood memories are as direct as 3 minute pop songs. Some are obvious where others fail to get through to you, some are grandiose where others are faint and sometimes all you can grasp is a scent. The music of Voices and Organs is a definite recommendation for fans of Mogwai, Boards of Canada, or Sigor Ros. All of these songs are off of their soon to be released cd, Orpanage, on Western Vinyl. Voices and Organs - Melodikka.mp3 Voices and Organs - Any Day Now.mp3 Voices and Organs - Idle Words on Empty Pages #2.mp3 Western Vinyl I Rock Cleveland

Rejected Subtitles For I Rock Cleveland

1. I Rock Cleveland When I'm Not Rocking Your Sister. Though I liked this one a lot, I know a lot of people who have sisters who wouldn't like it. It could be considered a little offensive. 2. I Rock Cleveland Like I'm Seven Grains On a Mission. This one only lasted a day. The lawyers at Kashi didn't want their product associated with I Rock Cleveland. Something like it doesn't hold up to their wholesome image. 3. I Rock Cleveland Because Cleveland Rocks And If Ian Hunter Said It, It Has To Be True. It's a little awkard and a little too wordy. In the end, while Cleveland Rocks is a damn fine song, I wanted something more concise. 4. I Rock Cleveland. I Would Rather Rock Your Sister, But She Won't Return My Phone Calls. I've got a good job. I'm smart, funny, good looking. I really don't understand why your sister won't return my phone calls, text messages, and emails. Yesterday alone, I left three voice mails, two text messages, and seven emails. What's a guy gotta do? Also, see comment on number 1. 5. I Rock Cleveland Like I'm A Hurrince And You're Something Waiting To Be Rocked. I wanted to convey a sense of power in rock and roll music, but in light of recent events, I didn't think hurricane references were a really good idea. 6. I Rock Cleveland With The Force Of 10 Steve Perrys. Now, if 1 Steve Perry is awesome, I figured 10 Steve Perrys would be 10 times awesome, right? Wrong. I considered it for a while and the thought of 10 Stever Perrys singing O Sherrie made me quiver. It didn't make me want to rock. 7. I Rock Cleveland. Look, The Next Time You Talk To Your Sister, Tell Her I'm Sorry And I Didn't Intend To Be So Overbearing With All Of The Messages I Left. I Hope In The Future That We Can Still Get Together For A Couple Drinks and A Rock Show. This Is Really Out Of Character For Me. I'm Not The Desperate Type. Can You Just Tell Her to Call Me? Can You Do Me That One Little Favor? See numbers 1 and 4. After countless tries to get it right, I settled on I Rock Cleveland With All Due Hardness. I think I made the right choice. I Rock Cleveland

Easy Rockin Sunday - Six Parts Seven, Eiffel Tower, Metal Hearts, Voices and Organ, and Film School

Note: In order to maximize your Sunday listening pleasure, download these songs and make a little playlist keeping these songs in their original order. The first song on today's easy rockin mix is "Constant Varialbe" by Kent's Six Parts Seven. This one is a dreamy instrumental number. Perfect for the first song you hear on Sunday morning. Six Parts Seven - Constant Variable .mp3 Next is "9 Days" from the band Eiffel Tower. They come from the land where everything is cool. No, not Sweden, and not Montreal, Brooklyn. "9 Days" also has that pleasant dreamy quality to it. Eiffel Tower - 9 Days.mp3 "Socialize" is the first single from the young Baltimore duo Metal Hearts. They remind me of listening to the early Conor Oberst basement tapes. Metal Hearts - Socialize.mp3 Voices and Organs are also from a place where everything is cool. This time I am talking about Sweden. This is a quiet mostly instrumental piece. It's highly recommended for fans of Mogwai or Sigor Ros. This song is from their soon to be released album, Orphanage, on Western Vinyl. Voices and Organs - Any Day Now.mp3 Rounding out today's mix is the San Francisco band Film School. If you've been a longtime reader of I Rock Cleveland you've seen this band featured here before. You may have also come across this song before. I located a free copy from download.com and I can keep it up a little longer now. It also has that dreamy flavor that is binding together today's mix. Film School - Like You Know.mp3 Previous Editions of Easy Rockin Suday: 3.19.06 - Billy Bragg, M. Ward, Two Gallants, and Evan Dando 3.12.06 - Cloud Cult, Mogwai, and Luna 3.05.06 - Neva Dinova, Hayden, Mates of State, Pablo, Elliott Smith I Rock Cleveland

Editors and Stellastarr Interviews and Concert Review

Last night, I found myself in the middle of an incredible display of Rock and Roll -- Editors and Stellastarr played at the Cleveland Agora. I had the opportunity to talk to both bands. Duing Stellastarr's set I turned around and noticed vocalist, guitarist Tom Smith and bassist Russell Leetch standing directly behind me drinking Pabst tall boys. I Rock Cleveland: That was a great show tonight. Tom Smith: Thanks, mate. I Rock Cleveland: I really enjoyed your set. Russell Leetch: Thanks, mate. Stellastarr was pretty loud, so that was the extent of my first interview. Later in the night, I ran into Shawn Chistensen, lead singer from Stellastarr. I Rock Cleveland: You guys put on a great show. I loved it. Shawn Christensen: Thank you. Thank you very much. Shawn was in a hurry to go somewhere, so that was the extent of my second interview. In all seriousness, I did have the chance to thank members of both bands for a great night of music. The Editors were amazing live. Their songs have a lot more life and energy live. On disc, their sound is very polished. Live, it's full, powerful, and dynamic. I also came away from the night very impressed by Stellastarr. Admittedly, I had not listened to much of their music before last night. After seeing them live, I am going to be buying their catalog. I Rock Cleveland gave Editors and Stellastarr four rock fists last night. If you live in Cleveland and you missed this tour, you should be hating yourself as you read this. If you don't live in Cleveland, and Editors and Stellastarr are coming to your town, don't miss this show. Editor's Note: I really did flash four rock fists last night. I feel the number of rock fists is as good a way as any to rate a show. I Rock Cleveland

Openers Announced for The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Blood on the Wall and This Moment in Black History have been added to the Yeah Yeah Yeah's show on April 12th at The Cleveland Agora. Blood on the Wall were scheduled to play the Grog Shop on April 25th. That show will still go on without Blood on the Wall. Psychic Ills will now headline that show. Adjust your concert calendars accordingly. Blood on the Wall on I Rock Cleveland Psychic Ills on I Rock Cleveland This Moment in Black History on I Rock Cleveland I Rock Cleveland

Jeff Tweedy Was a Power Ranger (Video: Loose Fur - Hey Chicken)

Here's something you may not have known about Jeff Tweedy. Before his days in Wilco and this side project, Loose Fur, he was a Mighty Morphin Power Ranger. No Joke. Just check out the video for "Hey Chicken" from the cd Born Again in the Usa, by Loose Fur. It is simply amazing the things you can learn from the internet. Loose Fur are on Drag City Records. I Rock Cleveland

The Lund Bros.

The names may have changed, but the song remains the same for Tacoma, Washington's Lund Bros. Previously known as Loser and International Pop Overthrow, The Lund Bros., comprised of brothers Chris Lund on guitar and voclas and Sean Lund on drums on vocals, along with Gwon Chang on bass, are a power pop force. They've got the hooks, the melodies, and the sheer rock force that will delight any fan of the usual power pop suspects (Cheap Trick, Sloan, Young Sportsmen, The Posies, Ultimate Fakebook, Uptown Sinclair, etc, etc, etc). 2005 saw The Lund Bros release the double disc set, Tangents. I've included a few tracks from that giant slab of power pop goodness. For a good time, play these songs and play them loud. The Lund Bros - Accident.mp3 The Lund Bros - Torn in 2.mp3 The Lund Bros - Sinking.mp3 You can find out more about The Lund Bros at their official website as well as myspace and if you happen to find yourself in Seatlle next month, you can see The Lund Bros. live at The Sunset Tavern on April 16th. Finally, I can't end this post without a shout out to bassist Gwon Chang who found I Rock Cleveland through the magic of The Internet. He had a feeling that I would dig The Lund Bros and he was right. I Rock Cleveland

All Sorts of Happenings With The Party Dream

I'm not going to lie to you. "Elmo's Wish" by Gil Mantera's Party Dream may be the best music video you see this year. This is the full video, so I would recommend, a right click and save as: Gil Mantera's Party Dream - Elmo's Wish (Full Video) Or, if you don't want 26 M of The Party Dream on your hard drive, you can stream it at Audio Eagle Records: Gil Mantera's Party Dream - Elmo's Wish (Quicktime Video Stream) Also, The Village Voice recently named Gil Mantera's Party Dream the best live act at SXSW. They also have a full review of their performance at SXSW. I've covered Gil Mantera's Party Dream extensively in this blog. These links have mp3s of songs off of their Audio Eagle debut, Bloodsongs: Gil Mantera's Party Dream -- Elmo's Wish and Shadow Grip Gil Mantera's Party Dream On Tour With Art Brut Last but not least, the tour with Art Brut will be in Cleveland next Friday night. Get there early so you don't miss The Party Dream. I Rock Cleveland

When ezArchive Has Issues I Have Issues

If you haven't noticed, many of my pics and mp3s are hosted on ezArchive. Most of the time it's a wonderful thing. Not so much this morning. EzArchive looks like it is having issues. Hence, I Rock Cleveland has issues. Please be patient. The hard working men and women at ezArchive will surely have their service back up shortly. I Rock Cleveland

An Update on Houseguest

I've received multiple bulletins and I've read multiple blogs on myspace from Houseguest. Using my amazing powers of deduction I've been able to decipher the strange tales of Brazillian nuns and Scientology lectures coming from the band. I'm still not sure what all of it means, but I do know one thing. Recording is finished. Their first album on Audio Eagle will be out this summer and a tour will surely follow. If you've never listened to Houseguest before, consider listening to Houseguest, now. Simply put, I can't think of any band making better pop music than these guys. Here's a couple classics: Houseguest - Gallapaghost Island.mp3 Houseguest - Fashionable Living Room.mp3 I often find myself saying things like, you can be this band's friend on myspace and I really don't mean that you should be that band's friend. It's more like, if you really want to be their friend, you can. However, with Houseguest, you should really be their friend. I can't tell you how many times a bad day at work has been saved by one of the strange tales of Houseguest. Houseguest on MySpace I Rock Cleveland photos and mp3s courtesy of Houseguest

The Friday Rock Block - Too Much Rock For One Headline

There's lots of special goodness in this week's rock block. We have Brakes, The Dirty Pretty Things, The Eagles of Death Metal, Mclusky, and a classic track covered by Thee Headcoatees. I'm going to start with set with Brakes and "Ring a Ding." It's the first track off of the debut cd, Give Blood, which was released last fall. It also makes a great first track for a rock block. Brakes - Ring a Ding.mp3 Second in the mix is The Dirty Pretty Things. This is a band that features a former member of The Libertines. Unlike Pete Doherty, Carl Barat does a fine job of staying out of the tabloid headlines and making music. I should add, yes, I do f**cking love this song. The Dirty Pretty Things - You Fu**ing Love it.mp3 (link removed) Next is an old track from Mclusky, "To Hell With Good Intentions." This one just kicked me in the rear and woke me up during a slow morning today and it's perfect for a block of rock. Mclusky - To Hell With Good Intentions.mp3 Following McClusky is the Eagles of Death Metal with "I Want You So Hard." I posted the video a week ago and mentioned how this one rocks so hard. It's true. I also mentioned how I would love an mp3 of this tune. Funny thing happened, it was already on my hard drive. Eagles of Death Metal - I Want You So Hard.mp3 Finally, the last song in todays rock block is Thee Headcoatees featuring Holly Golightly with their interpretation of the classic track by Plastic Bertrand, "Ca Plane Por Moi" Thee Headcoatees - Ca Plane Por Moi.mp3 ROCK. I Rock Cleveland

The Vacation

After a couple days of rocking the indie scene, it's about time to get back to some good old fashioned hard rockin' action. The Vacatiion are four rockers out of LA who play an early 70's style of hard garage rock. Reading press of this band you come across the names of rock icons like Iggy Pop, Keith Richards, or (gasp) Marc Bolan. Rick Rubin was so enamored with these rockers, that he signed them to American Recordings to release their debut cd. "White Noise" comes off that debut cd due out on April 25th. It's rock and roll music played the way the rock gods like it -- It feels dirty, it's loaded with swagger, and it's heavy on hooks. The Vacation - White Noise.mp3 Be Friends With The Vacation The Vacation on The Internet I Rock Cleveland

Everyone Hearts Band of Horses

The reviews are in for Everything All The Time and it looks like we may be looking at the first true indie hit of the year: Pitchfork - An Unfathomable 8.8 and Best New Music Stylus - B+ and Recommended And let's not forget all of the blogs that have been put into uncontrollable hype mode over this album. I have a confession to make. I haven't listened to it yet. It's on my list of cds to buy, but it wasn't in stock when I was cd shopping on Tuesday and in the course of two days I've now found myself with a backlog of cds to check out. In spite of the fact that I haven't listened to the album, I can't say enough good things about the single, "The Funeral." The Funeral on I Rock Cleveland I Rock Cleveland

An Apology To My Readers

I really do apologize to anyone who has entered the Editor's contest only to get that song "Cleveland Rocks" stuck in your head. It wasn't my intention. If it'll make you feel better, I had that song stuck in my head all afternoon, too. I promise the next time I start a contest that I won't base it on a song like "Cleveland Rocks." I'll pick something that won't carry the possibility of getting stuck in your head. Something safe like "Who Let The Dogs Out," or "Since U Been Gone." There's no way one of those tunes could get lodged in your head all day. I Rock Cleveland