Are you Hungary for some of this? (Sorry...had to.)

The Moog – Razzmatazz Orfeum – MuSick Recordings

So I browsed these cats on the interwebs. They’re from Hungary. And they got some comparisons to Gogol Bordello. So I figures, “Hey. They’re probably a gypsy-folk-punk thing-a-ma-jig band too.” Nope. Not even.
These guys are pretty much what “alternative music” is today (and I’m still unsure what that is). Meaning? They sound like some new wave, pop-rock band like The Strokes or Frans Ferdinand with a touch more electronics involved. In fact, they will soon take the wrestling title championship belt as the heirs to the “Frans Ferdinand Crown For The Angst-y Young Black Clothing Crowd”. Their stuff is infectiously upbeat (even the slower stuff), has the correct influences (some Pulp, some Bowie, some of that 80’s new romantic stuff…you get the vibe), very slightly “gothically enhanced” (their 7-inch single of the tune ‘You Raised A Vampire’ has a b-side of the Bauhaus tune ‘The Passion Of Lovers’ and cover art by creepy-kids artist Gris Grimly) and they have the seemingly mandatory flouncy clothing. It’s a fine temporary listen for that week, y’know? Fans of those Twilight books and movies will be all kinds of fired-up.

Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy

Ciao My Shining Star:The Songs of Mark Mulcahy is a tribute to acclaimed Miracle Legion, Polaris front man, and Connecticut indie legend Mark Mulcahy, in memory of his wife Melissa who passed away in 2008. The interpretations of alternative songwriter Mulcahy’s music by Thom Yorke, Michael Stipe, Dinosaur Jr., Mercury Rev, The National, Frank Black, Josh Rouse, The Butterflies Of Love and many others will ease Mr Mulcahy’s financial burden of raising a family as a single parent. This collection of new music is available in three configurations: a 21-track CD, a 21-track digtal download, and a 41-track deluxe download on iTunes. I would strongly urge you to pony up the extra money and buy the 41 track download which has terrific not to be missed performances by The Gravel Pit, Dumptruck, Laura Veirs, and Buffalo Tom among others.

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On Sunday, September 20th, 2009 there was a benefit for Mark and his family at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 North 6th St, Brooklyn, NY. Guests included Mark’s former Miracle Legion bandmate Ray Neal along with Frank Black, the late Vic Chesnutt, The Autumn Defense, David Berkeley, Chris Harford, The Butterflies of Love, BP Helium, The Gravel Pit, Winterpills and many more. Also on the bill was the World Premiere of the Thom Yorke music video “All For The Best.” There was also readings by Graphic Novelist Ben Katchor.