Here are some reviews that have been coming in on the album so far:

Independent Clauses:

Definitely one of the most interesting and memorable releases I’ve heard so far this year. Check out Shade’s Latonka if you’re a fan of post-rock, emotional hardcore or music that’s heavy in more than one way.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Shade returns with its most intense record yet

And here are some notes from the Pittsburgh City Paper.

Check out the record here.

After a few years on hiatus, today marks the official release date of Shade’s new nine song album Latonka! Get your copy at iTunes or Amazon (or just about any other digital retailer, for that matter) now. The boys will be bringing their live show back to Pittsburgh this Saturday, Feb 19th at the Brillobox. Get your advance tickets here as we’re very sure this show will sell out.

Every so often, you go to a show not knowing who or what you’re going to see, and the pay off is royal. In this case, that payoff was Locas In Love… a band from Germany who I had never heard of and who happened to be in the US for just a few short days. They blew me away that night in that dingy little CakeShop basement.

It had been a long time since I’d randomly seen a band that drew me in quite as quickly as Locas In Love did. Especially considering the lyrical language barrier. I had no idea what the songs were about that night, and still, several months later, I still don’t really know. But, even though it is a little cliche, that is kinda that special thing about great music… you really never need to know. When the music can stand on its own, the words hardly matter at all.

So, for this episode of At Home Anywhere, we bring you four beautifully crafted songs from Cologne, Germany’s Locas In Love. They are a band that we feel very lucky to have seen… and, luckily for all of us, they were willing and able to get up early the next morning, on their last morning in town, and come out to deep Bushwick, Brooklyn and record some of their songs that had so blown our minds the night before.

At Home Anywhere is a podcast series where we will be bringing bands traveling through NYC into The Fort, a 1200 sq. ft. recording studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn to record a few tracks that we will then give to you for FREE. The songs were lovingly & fantastically mastered by Dave Roman at 4130 Mastering.

The tracks are:
01. Sachem
02. Moe Tucker
03. Ice Storm
04. To Get Things Straight

You have a few options for getting / hearing the podcast:
1. Subscribe in iTunes! Make sure that you stay up to date and automatically receive future episodes. -or-
2. Subscribe to the RSS feed (copy this URL to the podcast ‘Subscribe’ box in your favorite audio player) -or-
3. Download the Individual MP3 files.

More photos of Locas In Love after the jump. Buy their beautifully packaged album here.

All Photos by Ben Lord
http://www.myspace.com/reallocas
http://www.locasinlove.com/

At Home Anywhere returns from a overly extended hiatus to bring you three fantasmic new tracks from Boston’s Bon Savants! If you’re a newcomer to the sounds of Bon Savants, this is a great intro to their music… and a great reason to reach back in time and download a copy of their debut album Post-Rock Defends The Nation. They’re taking their sound to a new level with these new tracks, and we’re getting a first hand listen of what’s to come on their next album. Trust us when we say, you will be blown away by these melody filled, brit-pop influenced tracks. “Angel” finds the band in a mellow and dark spot, somewhere between Air & Spacehog. “Tidal Waves” kicks it up with some incredible hooks and an intensity that the band pulls off effortlessly. “One Point Shy” brings things back down for a slow build that can only be compared to the early swells on Weezer’s blue album or Pinkerton with lyrics that rival the best of anything that’s ever come out of Jarvis Cocker’s mouth. All in all, just three great tracks from a fantastic band.

If you’re as hooked on the Savants as we are, make sure to catch them LIVE at The Bellhouse in Brooklyn, NY this Thursday, July 9th, with Mia Riddle & Patrick Bower. The show, and the FREE Brooklyn Brewery Beer start at 7:30pm, and its only $5 to get in! Get there early!

At Home Anywhere is a podcast series where we will be bringing bands traveling through NYC into The Fort, a 1200 sq. ft. recording studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn to record a few tracks that we will then give to you for FREE. The songs were lovingly & fantastically mastered by Dave Roman at 4130 Mastering.

The tracks are:
01. Angel
02. Tidal Waves
03. One Point Shy

You have a few options for getting / hearing the podcast:

1. Subscribe in iTunes! Make sure that you stay up to date and automatically receive future episodes.-or-
2. Subscribe to the RSS feed (copy this URL to the podcast ‘Subscribe’ box in your favorite audio player)-or-
3. Download the Individual MP3 files.

Stay tuned for the next installment of At Home Anywhere with Germany’s Locas in Love. Another recording well worth the wait! More photos of Bon Savants after the jump.

All Photos by Ben Lord

Ann Courtney & The Late Bloomers Pop Rock Awesome June Residency at Rockwood Music Hall starts TONIGHT! 9pm Sharp! Tonight will be a special treat with a rare solo performance by Miss Courtney herself. The Late Bloomers will be back in full swing for the remaining three dates, June 10, 17th and 24th. Be prepared for Greatness!

Every Wednesday in June!
June 3, 10, 17, 24 @ 9pm

Rockwood Music Hall
196 Allen St. NYC

We’re coming up quick on the dawning of a new era of the band formerly known as Clair… starting now and making her official rebranded debut on May 21st at Union Hall, Lindsay Sullivan, the singer/songwriter behind those darkly sweet tunes you knew and loved from Clair will be known as just that, Lindsay Sullivan.  Expect lots of new players + some of the originals and a whole bunch of new songs… including this one, “Come Back Slowly” – awesomely recorded by Doug Keith.  Get on to downloading that track and get it up on your Ipod now!  You won’t regret it.

Mark your calendar for the new beginning.

Lindsay Sullivan, May 21st @ Union Hall, Brooklyn, NY.

]]> http://www.cougarlabel.com/clair/clair-is-lindsay-sullivan-just/feed/ 0 http://www.cougarlabel.com/aclbloom/ann-courtney-the-late-bloomers-crocodile-out-now/ http://www.cougarlabel.com/aclbloom/ann-courtney-the-late-bloomers-crocodile-out-now/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:13:19 +0000 Cougar http://www.cougarlabel.com/?p=520 ]]> http://www.cougarlabel.com/aclbloom/ann-courtney-the-late-bloomers-crocodile-out-now/feed/ 0 http://www.cougarlabel.com/aclbloom/aclb-record-release-show-this-saturday/ http://www.cougarlabel.com/aclbloom/aclb-record-release-show-this-saturday/#comments Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:34:04 +0000 Cougar http://www.cougarlabel.com/?p=518

Come celebrate the release of Ann Courtney & The Late Bloomers debut album Crocodile this Saturday, April 25th at NYC’s Rockwood Music Hall… for FREE! Ann & the Bloomers will be taking the stage at 10pm sharp, and, based on their previous shows at Rockwood, we’d highly advise arriving early to make sure you get in on the action!

This is your one and only chance to get your hands on a copy of Crocodile before it hits all your favorite digital store fronts next Tuesday, April 28th (we’ll send you a reminder.  don’t worry).  Get on out, and get on down to one of the best voices and bands in NYC.

Saturday, April 25th @ 10pm sharp!
Rockwood Music Hall
21+, Free Admission (1 drink minimum)

Some Recent Love for Crocodile:

“I’ve listened to “Fading Bruise” about a dozen times now, and it just keeps begging to be replayed.” - The Cynicism Syndicate

“…an incredibly strong debut with enough energy to power a small nuclear plant.” – Collected Sounds

“… a surprising range of styles, bound together by Ann’s voice, which could be described as a uniquely splendid amalgam of Chrissie Hynde, PJ Harvey & Patti Smith, with a Loretta Lynn feel. Crocodile feels like that ‘difficult’ third album – done right.” – How Marvelous (UK music blog)

“Aggressive, Pretenders inspired rock and roll.” - The Midnight Cafe

Listen to an interview with Miss Ann Courtney, April 17th on Ithaca College’s VIC Radio New Music Show. The interview will be on between 4 and 6pm.

To listen, go to www.vicradio.org and hit that big “click to listen” button.

Ann Courtney & The Late Bloomers debut full length “Crocodile” is in stores on April 28th, but you can get your hands on an early copy if (and only if) you can make your way into the doors of Rockwood Music Hall on April 25th for the big release party. Be there!