Album Review: Fran Healy - Wreckorder

Fran Healy is the principle songwriter of the Scottish band Travis, so it's no surprise that the songs his debut solo album sound as though they could have easily been included on a new album from the band.

The difference is the lack of the supporting players in Travis, notably the shimmering guitars Andy Dunlop, which leaves the arrangements on Wreckorder sparser, warmer and very moody.

Healy pulled some famous friends in to contribute to the album. "Sing Me To Sleep" is a stunning duet with Neko Case. The truly big guns come out on "As It Comes," which features a groovy bass line by none other than Sir Paul McCartney.

Wye Oak announce 2011 tour, coming back to Chapel Hill

Photo by Matthew Yake

The Baltimore duo Wye Oak seem to really love the Triangle, because they seem to pop up every three or four months in Chapel Hill or Carrboro. After hitting the road as the opening act for The Decemberists in February, the band will head out off a headlining tour.

They'll play Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Saturday, March 12. Fellow Baltimore band Lower Dens will open the show. Tickets are available now via etix for $8.

Wye Oak's latest release is the EP My Neighbor / My Creator, released earlier this year. When the band opened for Lou Barlow at the Cat's Cradle, they played some new songs from their forthcoming album which will hopefully see the light of day sometime in 2011. Check out a review and photos from that show here.

Arcade Fire (and Merge) pick up three Grammy nominations

The 2011 Grammy nominees were announced on Wednesday night and it ended up being a good night for the Arcade Fire, and in turn, Merge Records.

Arcade Fire picked up their third consecutive nomination for Best Alternative Album for The Suburbs. They were nominated for the same award in 2005 and 2008 for Funeral and Neon Bible. This year, they'll be up against Band of Horses, The Black Keys, Broken Bells and Vampire Weekend.

The band picked up one of the big nominations this year as well. The Suburbs is nominated for Album of the Year up against pop chart mainstays Eminem, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.

December line-up of Local Band Local Beer at Tir Na Nog

It's the final month of Local Band Local Beer shows at Tir Na Nog in 2010, and things are going to get starting with a band.

On Thursday, December 2, Annuals and The Light Pines will play the free show at the downtown Raleigh club. Raleigh Denim will also be on hand, giving away a few pairs of their designer jeans. What more incentive do you need to go to a free show?

None of the other December Local Band Local Beer shows have been announced yet which is odd. Stay tuned, because we'll update this post once the rest of the schedule is available. We'll post notices of updates via our Twitter account.

Rooney announces tour with Eisley, coming to Carrboro

Good time, California pop band Rooney are gearing up for a run of dates in early 2011 to support their latest album Eureka and will be bringing the Texas family pop band Eisley along for the trip.

The tour will stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, February 19. Tickets for the show go on sale on Friday, December 3 via etix for $15.

Eureka is Rooney's first album since parting ways Geffen Records. Check out the feel good, roller skating music video for the song "I Can't Get Enough" below. If you're allergic to sugary pop, you've been warned.