Album Review: "staysail" by Gray Young

staysail was released October 23 on 307 Knox Records

Raleigh's Gray Young cemented their place in North Carolina's music scene with their impressive 2009 debut album "Firmament".  The band gave us an emotionally and musically driven album, impressing listeners with how dynamic of a sound they could truly provide.  The band took the post-rock archetype and somehow made their album stand out amongst the rest with how raw and soothing their sound was.  Gray Young had their album release show for their sophomore record "staysail", released on 307 Knox Records, at The Pour House in Raleigh on October 23 and while the band may not have made as strong a statement with "staysail" as they did with their debut, they certainly proved that "Firmament" wasn't just a fluke.

Album Review: "Sorry, Earth" by Wild Wild Geese

Sorry, Earth was released October 12, 2010 on Odessa Records

Wild Wild Geese is made up of members of Americans In France, Rongo Rongo, Toddlers, and Spider Bags, so needless to say sights should be set high for their full-length debut.  If you're one of those who was anticipating this release, then you've certainly had your expectations met.  Wild Wild Geese released a 4-song EP titled "Are You A Baby?" last year, but "Sorry, Earth" is their first full length release and it stands as one of the best of North Carolina's 2010 releases thusfar.

Troika Music Festival 2010

Hammer No More The Fingers, Troika veterans,
are closing out the festival

The 6th annual Troika Music Festival is almost here.  November 4-6 will be an amazing string of nights for downtown Durham as bands such as Valient Thorr, Midtown Dickens, Old Bricks, Chatham County Line, Hammer No More The Fingers and much more grace the stages of venues such as Central Park, 618 Foster Street, The Trotter Building, Motorco Music Hall, Fullsteam, Pinhook, and Casbah.

The Bottom String Session w/ Embarrassing Fruits

Photo credit to J Caldwell

Embarrassing Fruits are a band that many have come to love in the North Carolina scene.  The band has always exhibited the feel-good rock vibe of the 90's, and with their latest release they proved their maturity as  a band while still keeping their trademark style.  Embarrassing Fruits kicked off WKNC's "Fridays on the Lawn" series with Birds and Arrows last week and after their performance they sat down to talk with The Bottom String and do a few songs.  The band talked about everything from the writing process for the new album to their excitement to play at the newly re-opened Kings.

Album Review: "Rock N Roll Ghoul" by Mad Tea Party

Rock N Roll Ghoul is Mad Tea Party's 2nd Halloween EP

Mad Tea Party have made it pretty clear that Halloween is their favorite holiday.  With last year's "Zombie Boogie" and this year's follow up with "Rock n Roll Ghoul", the band has been putting out Holiday EPs pretty frequently.  Mad Tea Party is a rock duo based out of Asheville, North Carolina comprised of Jason Krekel and Ami Worthen that boasts a unique blend of vintage garage rock and even doo-wop vocal harmonies combined with their "uke-abilly" base.  On "Rock n Roll Ghoul" the band brings out an assortment of garage rock/pop songs that leave you wishing it lasted just a bit longer, topping out at a little under ten minutes for the four track EP.

The title track immediately draws you into the record with a fast paced punk-esque sound to it with screaming backup vocals to end the song with.  The song, much like the rest of the record, doesn't slack off one bit.  Mad Tea Party could have easily thrown together a few songs to simply put out a Halloween EP but you can tell that the band really had fun with the record and by the end of your listen, you will too.  "Possessed" is the longest track at 3:05, a song that's a bit poppier than the rest of the record, Possessed still brings a vintage rock sound to the table.  The track that stands out the most is definitely "Frankenstein's Den", a cover of The Hollywood Flames.  Frankenstein's Den blends the uke-abilly sound that Mad Tea Party has become known across the region for while bringing doo-wop vocal harmonies to top it off.

Mad Tea Party didn't disappoint with this Holiday EP and hopefully they continue to churn them out.  If you're looking for a fun, quick listen through then definitely check the record out on their bandcamp at http://themadteaparty.bandcamp.com/ or even better check them out live on some of their EP release shows and pick up a "Rock n Roll Ghoul" vinyl 7"!

EP Release Shows:
October 2 - The Pour House - Raleigh, NC (with the Straight 8's)
October 15 - Stella Blue - Asheville, NC (with Mark Sultan)
October 16 - Double Door - Charlotte, NC
October 16 - The Cave - Chapel Hill, NC (part of Blackbeard's Lost Weekend)
October 29 - Uketoberfest - Aberdeen, NC