Review: yOya- Nothing To Die

Free MP3 download of yOya's Gary Jules/Radiohead mashup

Of the several video mashups Los Angeles duo yOya has created, none provide better insight into the group's approach than their twining of Radiohead and Gary Jules. It's an immaculately tasteful blend of indie rock and the classic singer-songwriter tradition. Their new album, Nothing To Die (available at CD Baby and iTunes), contains eleven imaginative variations on that theme. "Fireworks" is so immediately familiar that I was compelled to ask the duo if it's a cover song. I'm told that all of the album's songs are original compositions. A few of them sound like can't-miss hits. I can't imagine that yOya will remain my little secret much longer.

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I finally saw Gogol Bordello earlier this week. Guess what? I'm a believer. I also liked Primus and The Dead Kenny G's. Here's my review.

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Here's "Dumb Luck", the new single from Kansas City's mainstream metal band Red Line Chemistry.

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Color of Stars, the new album by Kristie Stremel & The 159ers, is streaming at Bandcamp. I highly recommend it to old-school fans of Tom Petty, Dwight Twilley and John Mellencamp's Scarecrow.

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Kansas City Click: I'll be the disgruntled sober guy at Thursday's Slightly Stoopid concert at Crossroads KC. Collie Buddz and Cypress HIll open.

The Friday listing for Government Cheese at Kelly's has me rattled. Surely, it's not the classic Government Cheese featuring Tommy Womack. Or is it? A little help, please!

The freaks will come out Saturday for the Whodini, Cameo and Tevin Campbell show at Ameristar Casino.

The wonderful Rufus Wainwright performs Sunday at The Midland.