Singles Review: Kevin Devine - Part of the Whole/Luxemboug 7''

Critiquing one of your favorite artists is no easy task. Kevin Devine as an artist will always be good, that's something I'm sure of in the way that I'm sure my closest friends will always be their for me. I can always count on his music to melt my heart, to make me happy, to remind me why I invest my emotional and financial support in an artist.

Devine is everything I could want in artist: a warm lyrical heart, a strong voice, a gripping storyteller, an interesting interview subject. I can go on but you get the drift. In anticipation of a new album Devine has released two new 7'' singles.

"Part of the Whole" opens with a calm guitar before it builds up to the drums booming in a little over a minute musical intro, before the first words are sung: "Back your mind you're counting it down, you want what you want you're not worrying now."

The songwriting and lyrics are great, but the guitar falls short. This little flaw is heard around 3:26--an annoying guitar sound that drifts for the rest of the song. Funny, how Devine ends the song with, "You've gotta face it whole." So, with that advice, I think it's necessary to critique the song as a whole because that 13 seconds of guitar is just part of the whole song. Overall, the guitars get pretty loud and pop with urgency as Devine sings about dealing with what you can't control. Specifically, he talks about it being about the gentrification of the lower east side in NYC, which you can read about in the interview below, but being the lyricist he is, Devine makes his lyrics universal, so that you can apply and interpret, "you try and let go of all that you can't control," and "you've gotta face it whole, you've gotta face it, oh, you've gotta face it" to mean anything to the listener. He's not really singing about the gentrification of the LES, but that's what it means to him. More importantly it's what YOU take the lyrics to mean. The genuine nature  that he delivers in his poetically crafted, story telling songs is ace. If you like the guitar in Bad Books, then this will be a song you'll enjoy.

Moving along is the second single, "Luxembourg," where Devine boldly confesses: "I've got weakness like all my brothers do." Within the song, Devine talks about being lost in Luxembourg. He continue, "time won't heal our wounds." For the longest time, I've heard and believed that 'time will heal.' Here Devine rejects that notion. "Kids do stupid things and I was and I did....Speak no argument, you're nowhere close to shore/ I'm sorry, but I don't have time for sorry anymore." The way Devine sings calmly and beautifully sings this song is lovely. Overall, these songs are pleasant and showcase the growth of Mr. Devine. They may not be perfect, but they're enough to make me happy I'm a Kevin Devine fan. Anyway, no artist, no person is perfect, and I'm not expected to like every lyric or every part of the music. But by assessing the music as a whole you begin to realize that you can't dismiss a song on the basis of the part you don't like. If that was always the case, then we'd be missing out on the best parts of the whole--not just with songs but it has greater meaning to your life.

Listen to Part of the Whole and read an interview Devine did with Spinner here:  http://www.spinner.com/2011/05/12/kevin-devine-Between-the-Concrete-and-Clouds/ 


More info on "Part of the Whole" and "Luxembourg" at Academy Fight Song. 

Digital comp to be released for Tsunami Relief f/ 30 indie acts, pre-order up now

A new digital comp is being released by Parrot on a Porch Records called COMPassion: Musicians Supporting Tsunami Disaster Relief. The comp features 30 songs from the likes of Atlantic/Pacific, Codeseven, I Hate Our Freedom, Jonah Matranga, Kevin Devine, Restorations, and Samiam, to name a few. You can pre-order the comp for $10 and get 7 tracks for download, then the other 23 when it's officially released on April 12. All proceeds go to Relief International.

http://parrotonaporch.bandcamp.com/album/compassion

Kevin Devine to release two 7'' singles

From Academy Fight Song Newsletter:

KEVIN DEVINE "LUXEMBOURG" & "PART OF THE WHOLE" 7"/DIGITAL 

VINYL OUT MAY 17TH; PRE-ORDER APRIL 1ST; DIGITAL OUT APRIL 12TH W/ RECORD STORE DAY PRESSING

We will be teaming up with our good friend KEVIN DEVINE to release two brand new 7"s in anticipation of his upcoming full-length, out later this year. Each 7" features one song, "Luxembourg" and "Part Of The Whole", and the b-side of each 7" features a beautiful screen-print based on the 7" artwork.

Each 7" will be limited to 1,000 copies, with 3 different color variations (/100, /250, /650), colors being announced when pre-orders go live on April 1st in the AFS WEBSTORE.

The mighty Long Island-based LOONEY TUNES RECORDS will be the exclusive retailer for the /250 color of both 7"s, being available for purchase on this year's Record Store Day (April 16th). Kevin will also being doing an in-store performance the same day to commemorate the releases, so be sure to mark your calendars!

If vinyl isn't your thing, the two songs will be available together for digital download worldwide through all major digital retailers starting April 12th.

I already have the recent Make the Clocks Work re-issue, Brother's Blood, She Stayed As Steam, and Another Bag of Bones vinyl, so I'm excited to get my hands on these singles!

Live Review: Bad Books @ Bowery Ballroom 10-20-10

Bad Books might seem like a side project or split record for Kevin Devine and Andy Hull, but the two friends have made it clear that it's more than that. Much more. Bad Books isn't a one time thing, Hull said, at the band's sold out Bowery Ballroom show on Oct. 20. Bad Books isn't just Devine and Hull. There's Robert McDowell, Jonathan Corley, and Chris Freeman,  and Ben Homola of Manchester Orchestra.

For what's it's worth, I had only heard three songs from the new record before attending this show. What I heard I mostly enjoyed. I was looking forward to getting surprised. Now, vocally Devine and Hull are some of the best. They know how to use their voices appropriately with the music. I must say that some of the guitar work was least than appealing for me, like "Baby Shoes" and "Holding the Laughter Down." However, live I could listen pass those unappealing chords to take in the overall experience and the lovely vocals. The set was filled with the band's new self-titled album.

Bad Books out digitally for $2.99, live acoustic stream 10/20, free song

DOWNLOAD: Bad Books- You Wouldn't Have to Ask

Bad Books' debut album featuring Kevin Devine and Andy Hull (of Manchester Orchestra) is out today digitally. Amazon has it for 2.99 here. One of the songs "You Wouldn't Have to Ask" is available courtesy of Favorite Gentlemen or free above. The album is out on cd and vinyl Nov. 9. This is magically music. It will move you. If you like the two musicians, then check out this combination.

Also, the band is performing a live acoustic set this Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 1pm EST at www.livestream.com/badbooksmusic.

Later that evening they perform at Bowery Ballroom in New York City.

Bad Books (Andy Hull + Kevin Devine)

DOWNLOAD: Bad Books – “You Wouldn’t Have To Ask”

Bad Books is the side project of Kevin Devine and Manchester Orchestra's Andy Hull. The two emotionally passionate musicians have performed, toured, and collaborated together before, but this time they team up for a full album release and short tour. The self-titled album will be released on October 19th through Favorite Gentlemen Recordings. Grab a free download of the band's first single above and also stream a new song called "Please Move" here. 

As songwriters go, Hull and Devine could not be further apart in terms of creative approach. The methodical wordsmith Devine, an English major from Fordham, is known to pine away for great lengths of time just to accurately pin-point one word within a lyric. “I was doing a take of ‘You’re A Mirror I Cannot Avoid’ and stopped myself for fifteen minutes because I was having trouble justifying ending two lines in the same chorus with the word ‘back.’ Just sitting there, staring at the screen, writing different word choices. I asked Andy if he thought it mattered, and he said, ‘Of course it doesn’t.’ Somewhere in that exchange is I think what differentiates us as songwriters. I think Andy trusts his instincts to lead him to the right place in a song, and sometimes I want to outthink my instincts because I’m scared of repeating myself, of resting on my laurels. And I think together, those two approaches meshed really, really well,” Devine said.

Hull echoes that sentiment: “Kevin is very meticulous, where I came in with a few ideas and fleshed them out literally as we were recording. Kevin’s songs were awesome and he was cool enough for me to throw in some ideas to change a part or add a bridge here or there.”

In contrast to previous outputs from Manchester Orchestra and Devine, Bad Books cradles a much more noticeable pop aesthetic and energy than either artist has probably ever showcased before. Nowhere is this more evident than in songs like “You Wouldn’t Have To Ask” and “Holding Down the Laughter”.

See below for tour dates, including one in NYC!

Album Review: Kevin Devine- She Stayed As Steam 12''

Kevin Devine- She Stayed As Steam
Brooklyn, NY
Released July 7, 2010
These Are Not Records

Kevin Devine is one of those rare artists who seamlessly releases good music. Every song heartbreaking, in the best way. His voice cracks. His heart calls. His lyrics speak. He gives me hope when there is none. He is my company on lonely days. She Stayed As Steam is one of those records you listen to on sad days, rainy days, happy days, but mostly the former. After finishing you feel relieved. Happy. Calm. Hopeful. The EP features 2 songs from the Brother's Blood recording session, 2 dance remixes of songs from Brother's Blood, and 2 live songs (1 cover, 1 original). The cover is from a session in Vienna earlier this year. To add to the impressive recordings and selection of songs, the record is pressed on beautiful coke bottle green vinyl.

I'll make one more note. The cover of Leonard Cohen's "Chelsea Hotel No. 2" is superb. Devine's voice over the strumming, delicate acoustic with Cohen's lyrics is enough to bring tears. It's a sad song that Devine delivers with precision. "I remember you well in a Chelsea hotel. You told me again you prefer handsome men, but for me you'd make an exception...we're ugly but we have the music." Yes, we do.

The ep is available here. 

Tracklisting below. 

Kevin Devine releases new EP

Today Kevin Devine has released a new EP on Favorite Gentlemen and These Are Not Records called She Stayed As Steam. The EP comes in two versions, a digital one featuring 4 songs and a 12'' vinyl with 6 songs. You can snag a free download of "She Stayed As Steam" here. The song is a demo from the Brother Blood sessions along with Big Bad Man. 

The vinyl features sleek matte jacket, a printed innersleeve, and coke bottle green vinyl. The limited edition records are hand-numbered to 750. More info here. 

You can purchases the EP here and here. 

She Stayed As Steam- Digital EP
1. She Stayed As Steam
2. Big Bad Man
3. Breathe, Breathe Deep ("Hand of God" EMX By Plosive
4. Another Bag of Bones (Devastation of Death Remix by Trevor Dowdy)

She Stayed As Steam- 12'' Vinyl 
A-Side:
1. She Stayed As Steam
2. Breathe, Breathe Deep ("Hand of God" EMX By Plosive
3. Chelsea Hotel No. 2 (FM4 Session, Vienna, at, 3/10/10)

B-Side
1. Big Bad Man
2. Another Bag of Bones (Devastation of Death Remix by Trevor Dowdy)
3. Ballgame (FM4 Session,  Vienna, at, 3/10/10)

*Vinyl includes a download code for 320 kbps  MP3's

Post by Star

Kevin Devine @ Brooklyn Bowl 1-27-10 Review

Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band performed a special show at Brooklyn Bowl on Jan. 27. It was part of 101.9 RXP's monthly “Experience Next” series and a benefit for Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti Foundation. Kevin also donated 25 % of his merchandise sales to Doctors Without Borders. The night also celebrated the record release for the Manchester Orchestra/ Kevin Devine split EP. Kevin Devine covered Manchester Orchestra's “Only One,” and they covered his song “I Could Be With Anyone.”

Scott Matthew and Linfinity opened. Linfinity had a jammy vibe with a violin player. Kevin Devine and his band played a 14 song set filled with punk, folk, and rock infused songs with pretty melodies and soaring screams. It started nicely with the politically charged “Refugees.” One of the highlights of the set was hearing the beautifully, sexy “Fever Moon” with trumpet go right into a cover of Neutral Milk Hotel's “Holland 1945,” one of my personal favorite songs ever. It made me really happy to finally hear him cover it. He appropriately played a solo version of Manchester Orchestra's “Only One.” The set closed with the powerful “Brother's Blood.” The band left, then came back for an encore. The crowd kept shouting “Just Stay,” and they got just that. It was great seeing Kevin hopping around, moving all over the stage, and really into the music, like always. The sound at Brooklyn Bowl was pretty great and in between songs Kevin would make comments about the bowlers. See below for setlist.

Holiday Music & Gifts from Six to Eight Mathematics, Joe Wilson, Kevin Devine +more

Get in the spirit of the holidays and hear some Christmas tunes:

* Six to Eight Mathematics- "Silent Night"

* Joe Wilson- "Jingle Bell" and "Last Christmas"

* Kevin Devine- Splitting Up Christmas

* Hidden in Plain View- "Christmas Song"

"So I have been thinking of splitting up Christmas, to see everyone I'd like to see"

Also, join Bern & the Brights for the 12 days of Christmas. They'll be posting a gift here everyday until Christmas!

--
Relates entries:

* Six to Eight Mathematics bring rock 'n roll punk on High Heels, Whiskey, and Mayhem

* Kevin Devine @ WSOU- interview & acoustic set on 9/5/09

* Kevin Devine, Joe Wilson, Exit She Calls, and Shiragirl, videos @ WSOU 9-5-09

Kevin Devine @ WSOU (Interview & acoustic set) 9/5/09

(photo by Christine Wagenheim

Brooklyn based folk-rock singer-songwriter Kevin Devine stopped by the studio of 89.5 FM WSOU in South Orange, New Jersey for an interview and acoustic set on Sept. 5. Here him talk about the Get Up Kids tour, playing, and his future plans and hear "Carnival," "Another Bag of Bones," a cover of David Bazan's "Hard to Be," "Just Stay," and "I Could Be With Anyone." Check it out here:

Leave your thoughts.

Kevin Devine, Joe Wilson, Exit She Calls, and Shiragirl, videos @ WSOU 9-5-09

On September 5, 2009 Kevin Devine, Joe Wilson, Exit She Calls, and Shiragirl performed acoustically for DJ Star Child's last show on 89.5 FM-WSOU. See some videos from the sets below.

Kevin Devine- Carnival (acoustic)


Joe Wilson- Thunder Road (Bruce Springsteen cover acoustic)


Exit She Calls- Little Things (acoustic)


Exit She Calls- Shirt (Jawbreaker cover acoustic)


ShiraGirl- Sick Day (acoustic)


--
Related Entries:

* Star Child's last show playlist
* Star Child's last show details.

This Saturday it's Star Child's Final Show on WSOU w/ acoustic sets by Kevin Devine, Joe Wilson, Exit She Calls, and ShiraGirl

Dear Readers,

I’ll be celebrating four years at 89.5 FM-WSOU with my last show on Saturday, September 5th from 7pm-2am. Since I graduated from Seton Hall University in May I have to do a final show at the end of the summer. During my time at the station I was an assistant producer, newscaster, and assistant and director of promotions. It was an amazing run, where I worked with great people, got to voice my opinion, go to some great shows, meet some awesome bands, and interview some cool ones as well. Some highlights include interviewing Murder by Death and Poison the Well, meeting Megadeth and Slipknot, doing stage announcements for Rise Against and Atreyu to sold out crowds at Nokia Theatre, Times Square and seeing Interpol and Muse at Madison Square Garden for free.

I’ve interviewed Artimus Pyledriver, Fear Before the March of Flames, Marc Rizzo (of Soulfly), In This Moment, Tim from Rise Against, Doug of the Sleeping, Tommy of The Autumn Offering, Marissa of Screaming Females, Shira of ShiraGirl, Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses, Otep Shamaya of OTEP. On Tuesday, September 2 at 4pm I’ll do my final interview before my last show with Suicide City. They'll talk about their new album "FRENZY" and the future.

My last show will be on Saturday, September 5th. I'm going to play an eclectic mix of music, tell some station stories, get roasted (I'm sure) by fellow staff members and friends, and maybe a few other surprises. Expect to hear music from The Beatles, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Gaslight Anthem, mewithoutYou, Have Heart, Screaming Females, Blink-182, Lauryn, Fuel and many more.

I'm also honored to announced interviews and acoustic performances by:

Kevin Devine (folk, indie rock singer from Brooklyn)

Joe Wilson (folk Jersey singer from Feeling Left Out & We're All Broken)

Exit She Calls (sweet, catchy alternative rock from Bergen County, New Jersey)

ShiraGirl (all-girl punk outfit from New York)

Thank you for joining me in celebrating my time at one of the leading college radio station's in the country! It's been an amazing run. You can listen on your FM-dial in New Jersey and NYC or www.wsou.net anywhere else. Also, call in at 973-761-9768 (WSOU)

Thanks,
Star Child

Kevin Devine @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 6-7-09/ Video

"I Could Be With Anyone"


All videos by Star Beat
Kevin Devine closed his 6-week long tour in support "Brother's Blood" with a stop at Music Hall of Williamsburg. He performed with over 2 hours filling the set with plenty of songs off the new album like "Carnival," Hand of God," and "I Could be With Anyone," plus "Refugees," "Longer That I'm Out Here" and "Buried by the Buzz." Kevin has a way of eliciting emotion like no other band I've seen. He started acoustic with "Ballgame," a song he usually closes with. But it started off the evening quite nicely. The song gave me goosebumps and made me teary eyed. For the most part all you could hear was his beautiful voice crackle and his voice was so strong. His band played wonderfully and openers Miniature Tigers and Brian Bonz were tight.

In an update posted today, Mr. Devine will announced that he will perform at LOLLAPALOOZA on August 7th in Chicago. Before then he'll be in the U.K. performing with Brand New and has a string of solo dates. His t-shirts are also available at Hot Topic's across New Jersey and New York.

Kevin Devine Setlist (via)
1. Ballgame (acoustic)
2. Cotton Crush
3. Carnival
4. Another Bag of Bones
5. Go Haunt Someone Else
6. You're Trailing Yourself
7. Hand of God
8. Fever Moon
9. Murphy's Song
10. Me & My Friends
11. The Shift Changed Split the Streets
12. Refugees
13. It's Only Your Life
14. I Could Be With Anyone
15. I Could Be With Anyone
16. Noose Dressed Like a Necklace
17. Longer That I'm Out Here
18. Yr Husband
19. Buried By the Buzz
20. You'll Only End Up Joining Them (acoustic)
21. All of Everything, Erased (acoustic)
22. Just Stay
23. Brother's Blood

"Go Haunt Someone Else"


"Longer That I'm Out Here"


"No Time Flat"


"Hand of God"


"Me and my friends"

Friday News Update

Bern & the Brighs "Sangria" @ Montclair Public Library, 11/22/09


* Montclair's Bern and The Brights will perform at Webster Hall on Saturday, March 14th at 7pm opening up for Georgia's, Butch Walker. The band recently performed in Caldwell, NJ in the Local Licks showcase hosted by the NY radio station, 101.9RXP, and were entered into a contest to win a songwriting session with Butch and were announced as the winners. Tickets are available here or at the box office at the Mercury Lounge (217 E. Houston at Ave. A, open Mon-Sat 12-7).

* The Champagne Charade have recruited Juko on guitar and Paulie on drums. The two solidify the band's line-up. More on them here.

* New Brunswick's Screaming Females will perform with Throwing Muses & 50 Foot Wave on Thursday, March 12 at Music Hall of Williamsburg. The band was personally asked to play by vocalist/guitarist Kristin Hersh. Doors are at 8pm. Show starts at 9pm. Tickets are $20 and available here.

* Brooklyn's Kevin Devine will be touring with Brian Bonz, Wild Light, and Miniature Tigers for his upcoming Spring tour in support of "Brother's Blood." Area dates include April 29 @ North Star Bar and June 7 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg. Brother's Blood will be released on April 28.

Kevin Devine to release new cd in April, headline tour in works

Carnival by Kevin Devine


LOS ANGELES, February 11, 2009 - "Ranging from a whispered hum to a cathartic holler and boiling over with his skillful wordsmithery, Kevin Devine & The Goddamn Band's Brother's Blood will be released April 28 via Favorite Gentlemen Recordings. The first for the label and the fifth album in Devine's impressive oeuvre, the LP furthers his adventures in exploring new stylistic territory and reflects the diverse talent and contributions of his musical handymen, The Goddamn Band.

Testament to Devine's sonic ambidexterity, Brother's Blood showcases the Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter's versatility and range, one that has afforded him the unique privilege of capturing the hearts of fans of a variety of genres. Case in point, in the last two years he's played nearly 600 shows with a dizzying mix of artists ranging from Rachel Yamagata to She & Him and the All-American Rejects to Manchester Orchestra. That's in addition to his packed-out headline gigs and his guest appearances with friends Brand New and Okkervil River during their individual sets at Lollapalooza 2008.

Just as much as Devine loves the road he has an equal fondness for the studio, and in the midst of all his globetrotting, he cooked up Brother's Blood. A confident mission statement about conscience, culture and personality, the album is resounding evidence of his impressive maturation as musician. Recorded at Williamsburg Headgear Studios with his Goddamn Band (Brian Bonz on keys & percussion, Chris Bracco on bass, Mike Skinner on drums, Russell Smith on guitar, and Mike Strandberg on guitar), Devine deliberately ceded more control of arrangement to his players, hoping to affect a more live, full-band feel for the first time on record.

Lead single "I Could Be With Anyone" is a charging and hook-heavy pop song equally indebted to The Cars and Superchunk while the title track is a massive and dynamic song fueled by epic guitar freakouts in the vein of Neil Young and Built To Spill. Meanwhile, opener "All Of Everything, Erased" shows off Devine's quieter side as he lays a bed of nimble and rhythmic finger-picking and vividly describes a world fed up with humanity. "Fever Moon" is a sultry, Latin-influenced meditation on lust and its consequences that wouldn't seem out of place on a 1970s Leonard Cohen album.

While Devine and co. are gearing back up for the road, they'll offer a sneak peak into the new material this March at SXSW. They will celebrate the album's arrival with a hometown show at NYC's Bowery Ballroom Friday, April 24 with a full headline tour to follow shortly after."

Kevin Devine Setlist 12/10/08

All,
Sorry I haven’t updated this better. I have been to a ton of shows recently to. Well I just got back from seeing Dead Confederate, Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band and Manchester Orchestra. Kevin stole the show. His new songs are rockin’ and very powerful. His band and him played with so much passion. Here’s what he played:

Kevin Devine @ Maxwell’s 12/10/08 Setlist:

Carnival (New)
Another Bag of Bones
I Could Be With Anyone (New)
No Time Flat
Me and My Friends
Longer That I’m Out Here
Just Stay
Cotton Crush
My Brother’s Blood (New)