Dad's Car Radio

Hey Monday on The Vans Warped Tour on July 20th

www.myspace.com/heymonday

It's the rocker chick everyone is confused about. How is little Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl wearing a leather jacket and going everywhere without pants? If you've been out of the loop Taylor Momsen has taken on a new darker image since starting her band The Pretty Reckless, who has released a self titled EP and now an album titled Light Me Up. Being an avid Gossip Girl fan along with a Pretty Reckless fan I couldn't pass up reviewing this ten song album.

My Medicine-To people who only know Taylor Momsen for her acting roles, you may be a bit surprised when listening to this song and the rest of the album. To be perfectly honest it doesn't even matter what this song is about, it could be about unicorns and I'd enjoy it because of how strong her voice is on this track. Also, if this song is familiar it's because it's one of the four tracks off of the self-titled EP.

Since You're Gone- Does anyone else notice that Taylor sounds like she's 30 when she sings, but in a good way? Even if she is faking this whole image, she really is working it. Compliments to the producers of this album as well and of course to Taylor's band, they really did put together something nice.

Make Me Wanna Die-Probably my favorite because it is in fact the single and has had the most effort put into it. The only problem I have with this song, and the album in general, is that it makes me wonder where all this raw angst is coming from. I obviously don't know Taylor personally but from what I do know I never would of expected to to have any of these feelings. This whole dark image she's had seems to have formed as a result of her character turning darker on her show. Either way the song is enjoyable, but maybe she's trying too hard?

Light Me Up- Although I do like this album I have to say that this is also one of my favorites along with make Me Wanna Die.  It's catchy, has a great tune, and it really shows off Taylor's vocals as well as the band. 

Just Tonight- In proper album etiquette there should be a slower song half way to 3/4 way through the album, The Pretty Reckless followed this rule. This song is also shortest in the entire album, which is interesting because the slow/acoustic songs are usually longer. Either way it's a strong song and it's another winner in my book.

 Miss Nothing- I'm trying to avoid being repetitive when writing this but I can't help but say that this song is another strong track with great vocals and a equally great backing band. Miss Nothing goes up there with my favorites because of how fast paced it is and is a style that I really like in a song.

Goin' Down-"I'm just 16 if you know what I mean do you mind if I take off my dress?" Oh my. Taylor, please keep your clothes on. This is the most upbeat tracks on the album and I'm sure it's one that gets a crowd jumping instead of just banging their heads around.  

Nothing Left To Lose- I doubt Taylor had a relationship with a 29 year old man when she was 19….considering she's 17 right now. The song is cute though….if you count out the underage, smoking, drinking, and sex. 

Factory Girl- One of the only songs I can recall on this album that actually got my foot tapping with the opening. The chorus is something I can see easily on MTV, The CW and teen movies on TV and in theaters. I wonder if Taylor has actually seen the movie Factory Girl about Edie Sedgwick or if she just took the title for the song to be ediger than her normal image of girl-who-wears-fishnets-instead-of-pants.

You- In comparison to the other songs this one is particularly slow with it's acoustic guitar and violins. I don't know if it really fits in the album and maybe it should be a bonus track substituted with Zombie from the first EP. The song is good, but in terms of being cohesive I just don't think it's right. 

 

All Time Low on the Bamboozle Roadshow in Columbia, MD

www.myspace.com/alltimelow

http://twitter.com/christoferdrew

http://www.tweetforatrack.com/christoferdrew

Always creating something new Christofer Drew put out a sweet deal to his 156,336 Twitter followers where in exchange for one promotional tweet you can get the demo of a new song. The track is called nopainnogain, it seems even as Chris grows musically he still avoids using the space bar whatever possible. The song is completely free and make sure to follow him on Twitter if you want exclusive demos and updates in the future.

Runner Runner at The Recher Theatre on August 4th

http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/the-maine-concert/20031387-51556.html

One band that has been having a superb year is pop/alternative band The Maine. After releasing their successful second album Black & White and announcing their fall tour with Never Shout Never the band is thanking their fans by releasing a FREE live EP through Daytrotter. There is a short info from lead singer John O'Callaghan followed by the four live tracks. I've had the pleasure to see The Maine twice live already and will be seeing them again in November, they are a truly wonderful act when performing live so this EP is a real treat. It's like going to a mini Maine concert, and it's all for free.

White Tie Affair at The Recher on August 4th

www.myspace.com/whitetieaffair

The CW, the network that brings hit shows such as Gossip Girl, 90210 and Life Unexpected released the track-listing for the soundtrack of their newest hit The Vampire Diaries. The show took over the nation (and my DVR) last year and the second season is starting up again this week. The soundtrack will be released on October 12th and features bands such as Goldfrapp, Digital Daggers, and The Gorillaz.

1. Stefan’s Theme – Mike Suby
2. Running Up That Hill – Placebo
3. Currency of Love – Silversun Pickups
4. Hammock – Howls
5. Sleep Alone (909s in the DarkTimes Mix) – Bat for Lashes
6. Bloodstream (Vampire Diaries Remix) – Stateless
7. We Radiate – Goldfrapp
8. Obsession – Sky Ferreira
9. Head Over Heels – Digital Daggers
10. Down – Jason Walker
11. Beauty of the Dark – Mads Langer
12. Cut – Plumb
13. All You Wanted – Sounds Under Radio featuring Alison Sudol of A Fine Frenzy
14. The Fellowship – Smashing Pumpkins
15. On Melancholy Hill (Feed Me Remix) – Gorillaz

Just announced via Travis Clark's Twitter account, the Promise The Stars video has been posted on MTV.com in the new videos section of the website. We spoke with Travis backstage at the Vans Warped Tour and the only footage we got was of Travis talking about this video and how the song with Demi Lovato, We'll Be A Dream came about. The video has a hilarious concept that goes along with a great song. 

The entire Dad's Car Radio family is piling into the wood paneled station wagon and heading up to Wrightsville, PA for an afternoon at the Moondancer Vineyards Folk Festival.

 

The weather is beautiful and the site is spectacular:

 

 

 

 

From Harrisburg & North, take 83 S.  to 30 E. 10 minutes till the Wrightsville exit. Go right at exit ramp. Go 2 miles and take left onto Knights View Rd (across from Eastern York H.S.). Go 1 mile and take 1st right onto Trinity Church Rd. Go 1 mile and take 2nd right onto Klines Run Rd. Moon Dancer Winery is ahead on left.

 

Come find us!

Peter, Gail and Chelsea