New York’s ohnomoon have posted a gorgeous cover of David Bowie’s classic “Ashes To Ashes”. This is the last song the band recorded with bassist Raymond Blanco before his untimely passing two weeks ago. I was fortunate to meet Ray earlier this year through my friends in the band and he was someone you instantly felt a friendship with. He was clever, kind and a talented musician.

Look out for the band at The Deli’s CMJ Showcase on 10/18 at The Delancey and 11/19 at The Delancey again playing as special show in Ray’s honor.

Mp3: ohnomoon - Ashes to Ashes
or stream

The Real State of America Atlas

Among the surprising things I learned were that the majority of people in the U.S. are Catholic and those most likely to become homeless are “persons in families”.

It is more than an atlas though. Each colorful spread focuses on a different topic, and everything is covered from American Indian reservations to women’s suffrage, pointing to the unfair inequalities that result from a capitalistic society. The authors believe that life in the United States is not what people think it is and provide a sort of alternate history lesson using the atlas approach. While the maps, graphs and charts imply that this is a matter-of-fact warts-and-all look at the country, the essays have their own conclusions and call for a bit more depth.

Overall, it is a good reference on a myriad of topics that points out inequalities in the American experience, but it only taps the surface of the questions it raises. In an interview, the authors said raising questions and sparking discussion is the purpose of the book. This it does, and while the topics could use a bit more examination, it serves as a fascinating teacher for those of us who didn’t major in American History and would not otherwise dig into these topics.

Coliseum continues their path of creating more melodic music that still pummels your ears and this song is definitely on par then all the best tracks on House with a Curse. For the new EP Parasites, J. Robbins once again produced and Rick Froberg (Obits, Hot Snakes) provided the album art.

Mp3: Coliseum - Waiting (Too Late)

It’s that time of year when CMJ Showcases and parties will start be announced. One of the first is from Sub Pop & Hardly Art which features a stellar lineup including J Mascis and Jacuzzi Boys performing at the Mercury Lounge on Thursday October 20th. Read on for set times.

Special Guests- 1am
J Mascis – 12am
Still Corners – 11pm
Memoryhouse – 10pm
Jacuzzi Boys – 9pm
Gem Club – 8pm
XRay Eyeballs- 7pm

Missed this video when it first went up, but it rules. Wild Flag runs amuck and causes some mischief on their lunch break. We look forward to catching their amazing live show again in October at Maxwell’s.

Yuck has been releasing lots of b-sides throughout the year and now they will all get a proper release with one of those deluxe reissue deals which I could criticize them for, but Yuck is possibly my favorite release of the year so I am 100% for it. Like everything else they have put out this year, this song rules.

Patton Oswalt is one of our all time favorite comedians. He kills it every time and his new special is no exception. If you missed the premiere on Showtime because you don’t have the premium channels, you can check out his new jokes on record via Comedy Central. Above is a preview of the album with a bit dubbed “The Burroughs of Carbs” detailing some exploits of Weight Watchers.

Kurt Vile already released a fantastic full length LP this year and now he is set to release a new EP featuring 5 new tracks and a cover of Springsteen’s “Downbound Train”. These cuts were recorded during the Smoke Ring For My Halo sessions. Check out “The Creature” below and order this from Matador.

Mp3: Kurt Vile - The Creature

1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created by Charles Mann

This follow up to Mann’s bestseller 1491 focuses not only on the environmental changes that Columbus brought to the Americas but the economic unification of the world brought about by a Spaniard named Legazpi, who succeeded where Columbus failed by establishing trade with China.

A Pleasure to Burn: Fahrenheit 451 Stories by Ray Bradbury

This collection of interrelated short works gave birth to Bradbury’s dystopian classic Fahrenheit 451.

LIFE One Nation: America Remembers September 11, 2001, 10 Years Later by Life Magazine

LIFE is remembering the events of September 11, 2001 with this expanded 10th anniversary edition of their photo book, which honors those lost on that day and celebrates the heroes who came out of it. It includes a new foreword by Tom Brokaw, reflections on how the nation has changed since, updates on people who were there and new, exclusive photographs.

Rude Hand Gestures of the World: A Guide to Offending without Words by Romana Lefevre

Looking to travel the world and offend people in every country? You can’t go wrong with this guide to the most effective form of expression. You’ll learn how to ask for sex in the middle east, call someone crazy in Italy and much much more.