Chris Leo is a musician that I’ve followed for many years, and until last year I did this unknowingly.  One of his first bands was Native Nod, and while this band might not be known to that many outside punk rock and hardcore circles it is still a discography that I go back to more often than one would think.  Last year I was introduced to The Van Pelt, and after listening to them and doing a little research I realized that this was the same person behind the seminal Native Nod (now I just need to track down these records by The Lapse).  Since the Van Pelt and the Lapse, Chris Leo has had various projects dabbling in recording, and many times producing recordings solely by himself.

But Chris Leo’s newest project is the combination of three recording sessions with three different bands, on three different continents….one from Barcelona, one from Puglia, and of course… one from Brooklyn.  Despite being recorded with three different bands, Leo’s newest album flows like it comes from one source, and uses New York City as a setting to tell their store.

Chris Leo’s Vague Angels’ bring us an album titled The Sunny Day I Caught Tintarella di Luna for a Picnic at the Cemetery.  This new album has a worldly vibe musically, using discordant guitar melodies, and rhythm in a repetitive manner to create a setting that can showcase Leo’s typically spoken, rarely sang, vocals. An album that will appeal to any fan of Leo’s, but also to people who love bands like The Hold Steady, Lifter Puller, or early Mountain Goats…and not because Chris Leo sound like any of them, but they will be able to relate to his spoken story telling vocal style, which I know is a big draw, at least for me.

While this album appeals to lots of different listeners there is something about it that oozes New York.  References to neighborhoods and streets paint a vivid imagery of the lyricists, and when geographical references are made you feel so much closer to the music when you are familiar with the setting or by chance walk on one of those streets or neighborhoods everyday…walking down Bedford Ave, searching all over Murray Hill or Kips Bay, ladies in Prospect Heights, and the list goes on.  When I said that the music is worldly, I meant it not only in the sense that the songs were recorded in different parts of the world with different influences and settings, but also in a sense that it could have all happened in New York…a place where all of the cultures, and influences could be present without leaving one city…and a place that Chris Leo has obviously spent a great deal of time in. 

The Sunny Day I Caught Tintarella di Luna for a Picnic at the Cemetery is an album about love, sex, people, and location told through the voice of a master storyteller that is better for one to listen to and absorb than read about.  On that note I present to you “So Lonely” the opening track off of Chris Leo’s Vague Angels’ new album:

[mp3] Chris Leo’s Vague Angels – “So Lonely”

• Buy The Sunny Day I Caught Tintarella di Luna for a Picnic at the Cemetery from Expect Candy Records here.
  • there is a limited edition colored vinyl version of this LP.  Only 100 copies were made.  
    

I have to say it’s amazing how this album flows from beginning to end, and just listening to one song doesn’t do it justice.  Pick up a copy, and listen in it’s entirety.  My favorites might be “I Know an Alter” and “I Did Not Find You In Kips Bay,” but really it is so hard to choose.  This album might not be for everyone due to Mr. Leo’s vocal style, but it gets better with each listen, and is possibly working it’s way into my best of 2010 list.

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• more on Chris Leo here.

R. Cole Furlow is better known as Dead Gaze, and is one of the many rising musicians in the Mississippi underground.  Dead Gaze has become known for singles like “Back and Forth” which showcase a scuzzy distorted form of rock n’ roll, but to pigeon hole him as lofi garage act is just out of the question.

Dead Gaze recently sent over a new track titled “This Big World,” which will be featured on a Clan Destine Records split cassette release with Gray Things. “This Big World” remains in the the garage rock realm with heavy distortion ala the likes of Ty Segall, but Dead Gaze have a unique pop sensibility that brings to mind indie rock in the vein of Jets to Brazil both in the tone of the guitar, the melody, and the vocals at times. This track touches me in many ways from the part that wants to thrash, all the way down to the part that wants to sing along and swoon. Cole has a way with music, and creates different dimensions within styles that seem to be very limited and constricting, and I feel that this new single shows just how well he can do this:

[mp3] Dead Gaze- “This Big World”

Pick up a copy of the Dead Gaze//Grey Things split from Clan Destine, eventually, here.

I’m not sure how I could talk about this new single with out talking about Dead Gaze’s amazing End of Days, Why Not You? cassette that was released on Mirror Universe Tapes earlier this year.

As I mentioned Dead Gaze have been getting written up for their distorted garage rock, but no one seems to mention, or post amazing tracks like “I’m a Mess When You Are Gone” a blissful song of psychedelic synth pop which is both mind warping and awe inspiring. It brings to mind psychedelic masters/care free rockers WEEN, and more contemporary early work of Gary War (ie New Raytheonport; download that album by Gary War for free here).  I mean this song is the final track on the cassette, and makes me wish there was ten more tracks of this woozy psychedelica to follow. Perfect for that underwater vacation you are planning or speeding down the highway, but in my case it will probably be the soundtrack to my next walk around Brooklyn…no matter where you are listening to it it’s genius can’t be denied.

[mp3] Dead Gaze- “I’m a Mess When You are Gone”

End of Days, Why Not You? is a collection of Dead Gaze’s previously recorded works, and runs the gambit of his ability and genre defying style. If you don’t already own it I would recommend picking up a copy for $6 from Mirror Universe, another awesome release coming from this South Carolina based label.

Buy Dead Gaze’s End of Days, Why Not You? from Mirror Universe here.
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• more on Dead Gaze here.
• more on Mirror Universe here.
• more This Week In Mail Order here.

Pet Milk come from serveral well know Philadelphia acts like Brown Recluse (of the all knowing Slumberland Records), Paint It Black (of Jade Tree fame), and Pink Coffins.

Hearing the Pet Milk demo for the first time was really a surreal experience for me, and specifically “Cherry Outline” the opening track.   This song brings together so much of what I love, and from a wide range of the spectrum.  I hear bits of things like the Field Mice and Veronica Lake, Piebald (I mean Piebald in their hay day, When Life Hands You Lemons Piebald…and not the vocals, but really the guitar), Evergreen and the Hated, with a dense fog of shoegaze encompassing the track.  To run this very awkward line of early emo and shoegaze infused twee is a hard one to do, and Pet Milk fucking nailed it on “Cherry Outline,” and this tone continues into the second track “Pictures (of you).”

[mp3] Pet Milk- “Cherry Outlines”

While the second track, “Pictures (Of You),” has some of those same vibes the rest of the EP draws more heavily on the early catalogue of K Records, and while the baritone voice isn’t there Beat Happening comes to mind quickly, and even Tiger Trap when the female vocalist jumps in, but the guitar solos bring it into it’s own thing.  This is a really promising six song demo, and I’ve listened to it more than a handful of times over the past couple days.  It includes five originals, and a cover of My Bloody Valentine’s “Paint A Rainbow.”  Check out the final track of the ep, and then head over to their bandcamp for a free download:

[mp3] Pet Milk- “Always Knew It Couldn’t Stay”

[album download] Pet Milk- Demo (or buy the tape for $4)

I’m very excited to hear more from this band.  This demo was just recorded this month, and I’m sure shows and more songs will be popping up shortly.  Truly a great demo.

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thanks again to Jheri and Get Off The Coast for the heads up on this one.

It all started with a phone call (and a tip from Serious Eats):

me: “How late are you open?”
them: “We’re cleaning up now.”
me: “ok, thank you.”
them: “so, you coming or what?”
me: “I won’t be able to get over there for about 15 minutes”
them “I’ll be here for 15 minutes”
me: “I’ll have a Willie’s Italian Special”
them: “one Italian Special”
me: “I’ll be there as soon as I can”
them “you better.”

At that point I thought I didn’t have enough time to walk the dog from my house to Graham Avenue Meats and Deli, so I through a tote bag on my shoulder, and rode like the wind on my bike. I was to the deli in less 6 minutes.

Upon walking into Graham Avenue Meats and Deli I experienced something that I haven’t smelled in years. Growing up my grandparents owned a Italian American restaurant in Youngstown, OH called Smaldino’s Family Restaurant, and we would occasional visit my grandfather’s friend Ralf. Ralf owned, still owns is more accurate, and Italian Specialty shop called Anzivino’s, also in Youngstown. I don’t really remember anything that was stocked in the store (but recall my grandfather picking up jars of this or that for the restaurant or for a holiday meal, but never knowing what was inside), but the smell is something that I remember vividly, and it’s probably been a good 15 years since I last smelled it…until I walked into Graham Ave Meats and Deli.

Graham Ave Meats and Deli is an all sensory experience (that is if you order something), and that smell I remember is exactly what I thought it was…a wide variety of delicious Italian treats. The smell literally through me back to my childhood. I knew at that point I had come across something special.

I walked up to the counter, and said to the man that “I called in a order over the phone,” and he responded “wow, you’re fast. you surprised me. I’ll make your sandwich right now, have a seat.” Rather than having a seat I looked around the shop. What I found was pasta of all shapes and sizes, both standard deli meats as well as Italian specialty meats, prepared foods, house made sausages, deserts, and more. I took my time looking around the small shop while the very nice man behind the counter carefully put together the enormous sandwich.

According to Serious Eats’ experience  I’m pretty sure I was dealing with Willie himself, and the meats on the sandwich are whatever he is in the mood for so it may differ when you go to try this beast. Also this is very true:

“One thing you’ll be asked to choose, though, is whether you want your sandwich sweet or spicy. I got one of each. For the sweet sandwich, you’ll get sweet pickled red peppers and a milder provolone cheese. For the spicy, Willie squirts on chile-infused olive oil and switches to the a smoked provolone (via).”

I didn’t get the exact ingredients but I think it was something like prosciutto, salami or sopressata,  and Italian ham, marinated onions, a little bit of lettuce and some tomato, smoked provolone, all topped with some chile infused oil and vinegar. I asked for it spicy. My anticipation was growing the whole time as the sandwich grew and grew When he finished the sandwich he asked “how much do you think it weighs?” and I had no idea, but he took much pride in telling me that it was a 1.25 pound sandwich. For a sandwich this big I think $8 is a very reasonable price.

I rode home as fast as I could…

Pictured above is half of this monster of a sandwich. A true Italian sandwich one that is so big that you can’t take a bite of the whole thing….you know what I mean…bites where you don’t get any bread. All of the meats were delicious, and the onions were marinated so well that they no longer really tasted like onions. The bread was huge, and fresh despite the fact that I probably got the last sandwich of the day.  The interior of the sandwich was substantial enough to balance out the enormous loaf of bread that it was built on too.  I enjoyed every minute of this sandwich, and new from the second bite that there would be atleast half of it left over.

Overall this is a sandwich to be craved, but for health reasons probably one you shouldn’t eat more than once every couple weeks.

Now compared to other Italian sandwiches…Willie’s kicks Anthony & Sons’ ass (less than a block away), and Anthony & Sons can make a decent sandwich. But the real gold standard is Mama’s of Corona. While there is something to be said about the legend of Mama’s of Corona and Mama’s Special, Willie’s Italian Special can stand up to it. The only thing that I noticed that is a huge difference, and this had to be pointed out to my by klk, is that Mama’s doesn’t mess with things like lettuce and tomatoes… Mama keeps it pure with just meat, cheese, and Italian specialty toppings like marinated peppers and mushrooms. While Graham Ave added these additional toppings, I can see how some people would like them, but I’ll opt next time to try it with out. I want to experience Willie’s Italian Special in it’s pure form with no miscellaneous veggies getting in the way of Willie’s choice deli meats.

To wrap it up If you are fan of Italian sandwiches(and if you love Mama’s or have read of Mama’s and can’t get there) Graham Avenue Meats and Deli will give you an amazing sandwich (some might even argue better than Mama’s, I’ve yet to make that decision…how can you pick between two killer sandwiches?) without leaving the comfort of Brooklyn. It’s a sandwich that you will not finish, and I’m saying this because I finished mine for breakfast the next morning. An amazing experience, and easily two meals.

Graham Avenue Meats and Deli are sandwich masters, and I look forward to seeing him again…but probably not for another week or two.  Next time I might try the Godfather or this amazing looking home made roast beef sandwich.

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try this monster (Willie’s Italian Special costs $8), or pick up some Italian specialty items…Willie will treat  you right:

Graham Avenue Meats and Deli
is located at
445 Graham Ave
(between Frost St & Richardson St)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

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• more of my posts on food can be found here.
• if you are looking for sandwich specific posts try here.
• various reviews can be found here.

When Le Gamin‘s Franklin St. location opened a couple weeks ago they were serving guests in the restaurant from their Le Gamin Mobi (pictured above, find out where it is via twitter!) that was parked right in front of the store front ( before the kitchen was even completed).

La Gamin boasts that it is “Known for its authentic casual French ambiance , popular neighborhood feel and good fresh food and crêpes are LE GAMIN’s trademarks. Each location is unique reflecting its neighborhood.”

We didn’t make it over while the food truck was the kitchen, but this past weekend we stopped by to try the new Greenpoint spot and got a taste of what they have to offer with a fully operational kitchen.

In Greenpoint and Williamsburg it’s hard to find a good breakfast spot that isn’t a diner if you wake up early on the weekends. While brunch is great… most places don’t start serving until 11am, or even 12pm,  but Le Gamin is offering us early risers a wonderful new option for breakfast. Their cafe is open from 8am through dinner, and is serving a variety of delicious options.

The restaurant itself has a very open feel. The walls are plain, it is filled with small tables, a large bench type booth that wraps around half the restaurant set up with two or four top tables and one large table near the front of the cafe, as well as a small table with a chalkboard menu and a basket of delicious croissants in the center.

I had to try with all my might not to order a croquette madam, what I’m typically drawn to, and in the end I succeeded.  Actually klk and I both ended up ordering crêpes (when that is what they are known for I think it’s a good place to start).  The crêpes are more or less build your own.  You can choose between two or three interior ingredients, and judging by the chalk board some of these ingredients change daily.  We got a ham, egg, and brie crêpe and one with goat cheese, leak, and merguez (a Moroccan lamb sausage).

The crêpes at La Gamin were large and rectangular.  The goat cheese, leak, and merguez crêpe was extremely unique, but that might have been due to that fact that I’ve never had merguez before.  For those unfamiliar with merguez the closest thing I can compare it to is chorizo, but not as greesey.  It has an amazing spiciness, and really brought the flavors of the three ingredients together.  While I don’t typically order lamb I imagine this is something that I will want to eat again…it was just so delicious.  The ham, egg, and brie crêpe was also good.  In this one, for me at least, the brie was the star.  Our only problem was that the egg was a little too runny, almost a bit raw (maybe that is the style).  Don’t let the egg turn you off though it was still delicious, but we were just a little surprised.   The outside of the the crêpes were perfectly cooked, and the overall they were extrememly tastey.  There was even a delicious little salad served on the side that had an amazing mustard vinaigrette…I mean so good that I could imagine craving this dressing.

We finished our meal by sharing a pain au chocolat, and I can’t ask for much more than desert with breakfast.

I think that Le Gamin is working on a beer and wine license, but for now they do not have booze.  Their iced tea was very excellent, and essential to our dining experience in the upcoming warm months.

When I passed by today there was a sign in the window that said “New Menu Today.”  Le Gamin is a nice little addition to our neighborhood, and I imagine I’ll be back soon (maybe next time for acroquette madam) .   The food was delicous and fresh, they open early, and it might be the only French restaturant in Greenpoint.

A wonderful additon to the neighborhood, and thank you Le Gamin for giving us a new breakfast spot!

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Le Gamin is located at
108 Franklin St.
between Noble St. and Oak St.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn

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• more of my food posts can be found here.
• Le Gamin Truck photo via Blondie and Brownie.

Rye is located on the south side of Williamsburg and has been getting press for a while, much of it due to their meat loaf sandwich.  I can honestly say that the SANDWICH in general is one of  my favorite foods (tacos and dumplings are up there too).  Since I started eating meat again, about a year and a half ago, I’ve been open to many more sandwiches, and this is one not to be missed.

Before I move on to the meat loaf itself I would like to let you know about the dining experience at Rye.  Rye is a large restaurant in a more or less unmarked store front on South 1st Street in Williamsburg.  The location is so nondescript that we almost missed it when trying to eat here (beware the buildings are numbered strangely on this blog of South 1st).  The restaurant is dimly lit, with candles on the tables, and has a very romantic vibe.  The wait staff was friendly and informative making the dining experience pretty much perfect.  I hate to compare places to Diner (my favorite), but overall Rye has a similar vibe…maybe even a better date spot than Diner (just due to the romantic nature of the space).

klk and I ordered a lot of food this night including a salad (it slips my mind the exact details of this), a scallop over pork belly with sauteed greens (one of the appetizer specials of the night),  arctic char over a bed of quinoa and beets (also a special, and a very nice piece of fish), a fancy cocktail and a beer (a wonderful cocktail list, and a small but well curated  selection of beers), some fries, and of course the meat loaf sandwich.

All of the food was wonderful, and we were completely impressed.  The scallop/ pork belly appetizer was something really special from the presentation: a single scallop balanced  on top of a choice cut of pork belly, to the taste….perfectly cooked to the point where it almost melted in your mouth.  The arctic char was a big piece of fish which was both tasty and healthy.  The only thing we regretted ordering were the fries, and they were damn good fries too, but we had already consumed so much food.

But now on to the  glazed meat loaf sandwich.

I had seen a picture of this sandwich online and in magazines, and from that moment I knew I had to eat it.  I had no idea what was in it until I did a little more research, and it is a sandwich that includes duck, veal, pork, and shortrib.  Kind of intense for the one time vegetarian, but it is an experience I’m happy say that I’ve tried.

When I think of meat loaf I think of a slice cut off a much larger loaf, but in this sandwich you get an individually made meat loaf stuck on a delicious roll, and topped with crispy buttermilk fried onion rings.  A taste over load.

You can try to compare this sandwich to a burger, but the complexity and density can’t be matched.  This is one of those sandwiches that I feel everyone should experience.  It’s almost too decadent of a sandwich, and similar to a burger in this way, that one can only be consumed every once and a while.  While the sandwich appears to be expensive, $14, it is a huge portion of food.  I was a little surprised that it was served whole, but I guess you need to admire the size of it before you eat it.  I cut the sandwich in half because I thought  I would look ridiculous picking up something so large in a place that felt fancy.

Eating it was both wonderful and a task.  If you don’t pace yourself you won’t be able to finish it.  I’m sure it makes for good leftovers, but for me I was particularly hungry that night.  Even for the hungry it is a large meal to finish.

The texture of the meat loaf it’s self was a little more dense and juicy than I expected.   The meat and the spices seemed to only complement each other, and I think I can safely say it was the best meat loaf I’ve ever had.  The icing on the cake (or sandwich in this case) was it’s  selection of, what I think were, house made pickles.  A nice addition to the presentation, and my plate had not just one type of pickle, but three made in different brines.

Even though I don’t plan to eat another glazed meat loaf sandwich for a while I know at some point I will end up craving this unique sandwich, and at that point I know where to go.   An amazing experience, and if you are up for the challenge of this monster of a sandwich you should definitely head over to Rye.

Rye is a great dining experience, and a must try for those interested in creative dishes (even if you don’t order this sandwich I just raved about).  We were really impressed by the specials, and after tasting two non-menu items  I’m really looking forward to going back.

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Rye is located at
247 S 1st St
(between Roebling St & Havemeyer St)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

check out their menu here.

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We will see if I can keep up, but I’m trying to incorporate food and beer posts into the Great Pumpkin once a week now.  While they both won’t happen every week it’s something that I feel strongly about getting back to the diversity that I had when I started this blog.  Cheers,

• more of my food posts can be found here.
• Photo via Serious Eats.

Over the past couple weeks, and months, I’ve found myself a return customer of The Habitat.  By now I think most people have heard of this Greenpoint establishment known for it’s comfort food and boozy delicacies, but as far as I’m concerned it hasn’t been getting enough praise.

I’ll start at the top of the day with Brunch.  Habitat has a menu of about ten brunch items that are available from 11-4pm on Saturday and Sunday.  For $15 you get one of the brunch specials, coffee or tea, and a mimosa or a trip to the make your own bloody mary bar. The first time I went for brunch I thought $15 was a little much, but that was until I got my food…the plates of food are so big that it can pretty much cure any hangover (the bloody marys help with that too).  My personal favorites so far have been the BLT Club (one of the most enormous sandwiches I have eaten in recent months), and the always classic Huevos Rancheros.

As far as dinner goes they have specials pretty much every week night, and just like brunch you really can’t go wrong. klk and I have pretty much been obsessed with their Butter, Bacon, and Blue Cheese salad composed of butter lettuce, crispy bacon, dried cranberries, roasted pistachios, and a blue cheese dressing.  This salad might be my favorite thing on the menu, and it is definitely the food item that keeps us coming back so often.  Other notables are their Reuben and, one thing I can’t resist, multiple types of fries.

As far as the bar goes they have 12 taps, and organize their beer list vaguely by style.  While a couple of their beers are part of the happy hour special do yourself a favor and order what you really want.  Beers that have been on tap recently that have been phenomenal are Heavy Seas Loose Cannon (Clipper City’s fabulous high abv IPA), Founders Centennial  (my personal favorite IPA), Ithaca Ground Break Saison (a delicious American take on a Saison), and the Allagash Odyssey (a dark strong bourbon barrel aged Belgian style ale) just to name a few.  All of them totally worth paying full price…and if you are having trouble deciding the bar staff is happy to help (especially the gentleman who works on Saturday, Sunday, and Mondays…he is an excellent bar keep) !  Their tap list is always changing, and it is pretty much a given that you won’t be disappointed.

It seems like the Habitat has become a weekly stop for us, and is consistently delicious.  I’m happy to have this place in my hood.

Details on the specials:

• Monday: $5 Mac N’ Cheese (all night)
• Tuesday: 25 cent wings (6-midnight)
• Wednesday is Quiz Night: Winners drink for Free.
• Thursday: $8 Burgers (6-10:30)
• Saturday and Sunday: BRUNCH

Happy Hour:

• 4pm-7pm (4pm-6pm on Tuesday)
  • $3 Select Drafts
  • $3 off well drinks
  • $9 glass of sangria and empanada plate
  • $5 Mac n Cheese

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• more on the Habitat can be found here.
• photo via NYmag by Konstantin Sergeyev

In the day of digital photography concert reviews, and photos typically come the next day, but over here at the Great Pumpkin I move at a slower pace…and it’s not because I’m lazy, but more due to the fact that my pictures come from a film canister.

City Center played the first show of their US tour on March 29th at Death By Audio (Love of Everything was there too, and there will be photos and video of them to come), and while this was only my third time seeing City Center play I’ve followed them so closely over the past year and a half it felt like I’ve seen the play every night for several weeks straight.

City Center ended up playing third right in the middle of an amazing night of music.  Fred and Ryan have an aura around them, and it feels like community follows them were ever they go.  Death By Audio has been cleaned up a bit, which you can probably tell by the paint on the walls, and this night was just relaxed.  While I didn’t know very many people at the show it just felt like everyone was friends there to watch other friends play music.  Oddly enough I ended up running into someone I’ve know for years…basically good vibes all around.

City Center brought their sweet sounds to an attentive room, and for only two men on stage they are completely engaging. Running through the full range of genres from ambient, pop, noise, and psychedelic rock they keep their set interesting, and you can never anticipate their next move.  There is something special about a band that can do just about anything, but keep their same warm vibe throughout their adventures in sound.

Even after experiencing City Center live several times I’m still enamored by them.  While some bands make music and get caught up in the business of it City Center, at the heart of it, are friends and there is something special about that.  These gentlemen are top notch and if they are coming through your town I highly recommend catching them.

Fred and Ryan I wish you safety and luck on your tour, and look forward to seeing you back in NYC.

City Center is still on tour here are the tour dates according to the CC blog:

• 04.22 Thu Lubbock, Texas. Bash Riprocks
• 04.23 Fri Austin, Texas. Mohawk (3rd Annual Psych Fest!!)
• 04.24 Sat Denton, Texas Rubbergloves
• 04.27 Tue Lawrence, Kansas. Replay Lounge
• 04.28 Wed University City, MO. Cicero’s
• 04.29 Thu Bloomington, Indiana. The Bishop
• 04.30 Fri Detroit, Michigan. Majestic Cafe w/ Harlem, Johnny Ill Band

I always talk about City Center’s diversity in sound, and I figure this is as good a time as any to share with you a selection of some of my favorite downloads that they have made available off their blog.  While some of these tracks have been posted on the Great Pumpkin before I’m posting them again mainly due to the fact that I can now host them myself…I’ve specifically obsessed about “Obvious” for a really long time…possibly my favorite City Center track to date.  I also revisited the High Places remix recently, and that version of “Whitey Hands” is really moving me right now.

[mp3] City Center- “Obvious”

[mp3] City Center- “Whitey Hands (High Places Remix)”

“This Is How We see…” is a demo version of City Center’s track from their way out of print split 7″ with Grouper:

[mp3] City Center- “This Is How We See… (1st Version)”

I’m a sucker for covers, and have loved this Smiths cover since the first time I heard it…the Bat For Lashes cover is a new one that popped up really recently on the blog.

[mp3] City Center- “Girlfriend in a Coma (Smiths cover)”

[mp3] City Center- “Daniel (Bat For Lashes cover)”

Again all of these were made available for free download via City Center’s blog (I know…how fucking cool is that?!?).  If you are digging on these… search through the archives…you are sure to find some awesome free gems.

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City Center has many releases out, and you can buy most of them here, or directly from the band (via email//paypal) here.

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• More on City Center can be found here.
• These photos are from the White Lodge. If you would like to use these photos please link back to the flickr page, and credit the White Lodge. More posts featuring photos from the White Lodge can be found here.