Editor’s Note: Lindsay Hutton is a freelance writer who has been involved with the Twin Cities music scene since 2004. She first met Motion City Soundtrack in 2007 and was also present during some of the recording process for their latest album My Dinosaur Life. We’re glad to offer her personal perspective on the new album in the following guest article, and you may contact her at lindsay.m.r.hutton [at] gmail [dot] com for any inquiries.

Motion City Soundtrack is a band with solid roots in the midwest music scene since 2003. Since then they have steadily headed toward the industry’s standard of success, yet in many ways they have also re-imagined the concept of triumph. With roughly ten years of rigorous touring even without steady radio play, this Minnesota-based band has earned the distinction of putting on some of the most solid rock shows and has developed one of the most dedicated and positive fanbases worldwide.

Attend a MCS show, and you cannot help but get swept away with the chorus-chanting, head-bobbing, fist-pumping crowd. Having earned such a well-established fanbase through their previous independent label (Epitaph) and their exceptional personal reputations gained by always staying to talk with the very last fan at their shows, they have taken the natural step for the future growth of their music by signing to Columbia Records. And on January 19th, they are releasing their new album My Dinosaur Life.

Read more…

posted January 18th, 2010 at 10:27 am Reviews Lindsay Hutton, Motion City Soundtrack

Seein’ the Scene is a (typically) weekly photographic presentation featuring images from some of the best local rock concerts Minnesota has to offer. These images are captured through the lens of Minneapolis rock photographer Mike Minehart. We welcome comments. More images from these shows can often be viewed at www.mikeminehart.com.

---

Mortal Kombat - The Red Carpet in St. Cloud - 1/14/10

posted January 18th, 2010 at 9:03 am Seein' the Scene Hotdish, Peter Wolf Crier, ReadyGoes, Red Pens, Slapping Purses, The Afternoon DLight, The Goondas, The Twilight Hours

Solid Gold
Synchronize EP
(self-released under Solid Gold Music – Jan. 2010)

This audio odyssey immediately entrenched me in one of the best short-form albums (not to mention mixing jobs) I’ve heard in ages.  Doves meets La Roux and the Abandoned Pools in a deserted Paris arcade on a trans-Atlantic vision quest.  Opening track “One In A Million” soars effortlessly over French as well as English waters, while the EP’s title song “Synchronize” bridges the musical gap between London and New York.  “Danger Zone” unexpectedly leads the listener to Alhambra, California- home to Kenny Loggins (the original composer).  The instrumental “Sharpshooter” finds Solid Gold back on the Minneapolis-St. Paul range, contemplating their journey in an ambient answer to the adventures of their TC Electropunk cousins.  “Synchronize” surfaces again at the end of the album in new form (White Sea Remix), signifying a full-circle sojourn for the band.

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/05-SynchronizeWhite-Sea-Remix.mp3, Right Click and "Save Link As",download]

“Synchronize (White Sea Remix)” by: Solid Gold

FATHER TIME
Father Time
(Independent – June 2009)

Just when I thought Mpls Funk (minus Mambo’s Combo and stalwart soul-jahs Mint Condition) had gone into hibernation for good, a curious red, black and white disc materialized on my desk this morning.  After seventeen soulfully “stanky” tracks, complete with cameos from Heatbox as well as Muju Messiah, I was thrilled to learn otherwise.  This long-play album stirs P-Funk, Hip Hop, Soul and a dash of Classical into one giant stew that includes: “Not Ashamed Of The Funk,” “Can’t Be Nice To People,” “What’s Your Mission?,” “Favorite Things.”  The Paula Abdul ref on “I Read Your Email” (a “Dear John” ballad for the 21st-Century) was choice.  The Opera, historical re-cap and blatant honesty of “Survival” hit hard. Who is this guy?

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Not-Ashamed-of-the-Funk.mp3]

“Not Ashamed of the Funk” by: Father Time

THE SOVIET MACHINES
WMD EP
(Independent – 2008)

I’ve been consistently impressed with this disc, starting with the crunchy opening riffs on the EP’s lead off cut, “Citizen Zero.”  Even with Kevin Bowe, Pete Reminger and other veterans “minding the boards”, it’s hard to believe that half the band are in high school.  Songwriting and melody are dead-on; choruses are hooky without feeling contrived; high energy performances with shout-along appeal irresistible.  While remaining original, The Soviet Machines channel 70′s Suicide Commandos, 90′s-era Ataris and Billie Joe Armstrong.  Stand out tracks: “Citizen Zero,” “A Million Things,” “What’s Going On.”  We must also add that TSM front man Jack Swagger has assembled a brand new outfit called Machine 22, who we salute in advance.

(Editor’s note: The Soviet Machines have been disbanded now for almost a year, yet we think this band still deserves post-mortem attention.  Jack Swagger and Machine 22 are one of the best bang-for-your-buck bands in the cities, and you should check them out Jan. 29 at the 400 bar.)

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/01-Citizen-Zero.mp3]

“Citizen Zero” by: The Soviet Machines

posted January 16th, 2010 at 10:26 am Reviews Father Time, Solid Gold, The Soviet Machines

If you haven’t been introduced to The Twilight Hours yet, chances are you’ve been acquainted with their pedigree.  This is the newest project of Matt Wilson (Trip Shakespeare) and John Munson (Semisonic), and you can catch them this evening at First Avenue performing at Radio K’s Best New Bands of 2009 show.  I’ve been told they’ll be headlining, which seems to make sense.

See you at the show tonight.  Music starts at 7PM.  18+.

Links

The Twilight Hours – Website

posted January 15th, 2010 at 3:53 pm Video The Twilight Hours

(Tracks is a feature on Borangutan that showcases local artists and their recent album. Many local artists generously donate their music to Borangutan writers, and part of our mission is to take that music and place it in your ears. Voila! Each feature offers a free, limited-time mp3 download (one track) from the highlighted artist’s album, and links to where you can listen to or purchase more.)

Recessionista: The Mood Swings

Recessionista is the third album release from local fuzzpop rockers The Mood Swings.  If you’ve been fortunate enough to catch a recent episode of Susstacular somewhere in the Twin Cities, then you likely have a clue what’s in store.  This band rocks beginning to end and never lets up.

Recessionista dropped last November and was greeted by praise from St. Paul’s Pioneer Press.  You can connect with The Mood Swings via Myspace or Twitter.  Snag an album from  susstones.com or follow this link to hit up iTunes!

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/moodswings_recessionista.mp3]

“Recessionista” by: The Mood Swings

Cast Off: Avenpitch

Local electropunk outfit Avenpitch have been leading a charge against same-old-boring-rock-n-roll for several years now (in my words, not theirs).  Cast Off is plump with pop and punk ambition; invitingly familiar without betraying your need to listen to the other.

Plenty of ink has been spilled over Cast Off, and you can read it all HERE.  Connect up with Avenpitch via Myspace,  Facebook, or the band’s website, and then pick up a copy of Cast Off directly from the band through this link (CD Baby/iTunes alternatives are offered as well).

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/06-Disappear.mp3]

“Disappear” by: Avenpitch

posted January 15th, 2010 at 10:17 am Tracks Avenpitch, The Mood Swings

In light of the tragic events in Haiti unfolding daily in the aftermath of the magnitude 7 earthquake, Borangutan is taking unprecedented action by asking our friends to help.  We have created a link to CBSWORLD- How To Help, for a list of legitimate relief funds.  The challenge to all of you is to donate your ‘cup of coffee’ allowance to one of these organizations.  These donations will help provide the survivors of the earthquake with desperately needed aid such as clean water, sanitation, medicine, temporary shelter, etc. as they cope with this disaster.  Let us know which organization you choose!

Listen to, a young, Joe Cocker sing, “With A Little Help From My Friends”, while you find your relief organization

posted January 14th, 2010 at 2:54 pm Uncategorized Haiti