The Unknown: Warpaint

Though the city is never given enough credit for its contributions, Los Angeles has given birth to an array of legendary bands.  There are the bands that are really a collection of artists from other places:  Guns N Roses, The Doors, and Jane's Addiction. And there are also those bands that have been born and raised here:  Van Halen, Rage Against the Machine, and the Beach Boys.  The list is endless.  From punk pioneers like Bad Religion and Fear to rap's west coast roots with N.W.A. and Snoop Dogg.  There are leaders of the 90s alternative angst with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beck, and The Offspring.  And of course the hair metal giants of the 80s with Motley Crue, Quiet Riot and Warrant. With a resume like this, any band with the guts to admit their from the Hollywood strip or anywhere adjacent (I'm looking at you Orange County), they must have elephant-sized confidence that their creative vision will add something to the legendary tapestry.

Warpaint is one of two LA-based bands releasing their sophomore albums this week.  (Haven't forgotten about Young The Giant)  Warpaint's debut arrived with muted fanfare and a subtle punch that crept in while we were sleeping and slowly infected us with its allure.  Their new release lands with a mighty punch that is every bit seedy as is it illustrious.  If any new band is brave enough to admit their from LA and has the music that embodies the essence of the Hollywood strip and its resume, Warpaint is leading the crusade.

Buy Warpaint's new self-titled album...now!

11 Good Albums from the Past Couple Months

Sorry I've been on hiatus as of late.  Had some family stuff come up.  Followed by the Giants unbelievably making it to the World Series...and winning.  A work crisis.  And finally topped it off with some good old fashioned stomach flu.  There's one thing I realized while having my untimely bought with the stomach flu...there's a band, an album, or a song for every situation.  As I slowly recovered from my annoying illness after wallowing on the floor in crippling pain.  I was able to get onto my computer for a few minutes to check some emails...and play some Facebook games (need to have priorites, right?).  My itunes popped on with an album I had been listening to recently...Fistful of Mercy.  For some reason, at that moment, while every noise...light...movement...shake of my body made me want to run to the bathroom and pray to an unHoly devil...that album hit the spot.  It was the perfect momentarily distraction.

The reason the album was up on my computer was because I was lucky enough to attend Fistful of Mercy's private "first live show ever" last week.  For those unfamiliar with the band, it's Ben Harper, Joseph Arthur, and Dhani Harrison.  I can't say enough good things about the band...and would have done a more formal list if this hadn't been their first album.  That said, there have been a few new albums over the past couple of months that did not get a list since there were not enough songs by the band to do a proper list yet.  Therefore, here's a nod to them.

PS.  Pardon my crappy cellphone camera picture...but that is a shot from the show.

11 Good Albums Worth Checking Out From the Past Couple Months:

1.  Fistful of Mercy - As I Call You Down
2.  Warpaint - The Fool
3.  John Legend & The Roots - Wake Up!
4.  Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid
5.  Klaxons - Surfing The Void
6.  Efterklang - Magic Chairs
7.  Tired Pony - The Place We Ran From
8.  Crocodiles - Sleep Forever
9.  Bonobo - Black Sands
10.  The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger - Acoustic Sessions
11.  Twin Shadow - Forget

Buy these albums and more...here.