From KCRW’s Monika Scott

The day Eric J Lawrence handed me the Generationals‘ EP, Trust,  he told me it was music for my commute.  I had just complained about being tired during said commute, and  I was assured that their music would give me the energy burst I need for a long trek down the 405.  Boy was he right…
New Orleans indie-pop pair, Generationals, are pretty darn easy to love.  Their subtle use of electronic elements in their music is just enough to keep me dancing, but not …

From KCRW DJ and Music Librarian Eric J Lawrence:
Brian Eno is one of those guys whose name looms large in the history of pop music over the last 40 years, so much so that hearing his distinctive last name is enough to know interesting things are afoot!  Member of the ground-breaking glam-rock band Roxy Music, Grammy Award-winning producer of U2 and Coldplay, collaborator with David Bowie and David Byrne, inventor of ambient music – he even composed the six-second start-up tune for Windows 95!
Often overlooked by the general music …

From KCRW DJ and Music Librarian Eric J Lawrence:
Working at (and listening to) KCRW on a daily basis keeps me informed of the best of the avalanche of new releases that cross our DJs’ paths.  But sometimes you just want to hear something classic!  Same goes for live shows – it’s certainly exciting to watch a new band find their way towards superstardom, but I like to balance it out with the occasional show from a seasoned veteran.
Last week I had a one-two punch of concerts from a couple of …

KCRW Music Librarian and DJ Eric J Lawrence had trouble narrowing his list down – and with all the music he listens to, who can blame him! Check out who he has his eye on for SXSW 2011:
As usual, KCRW will have a big presence at SXSW this month, with Morning Becomes Eclectic broadcasting live from Austin, TX both Thursday & Friday, as well as appearances from a bunch of other KCRW DJs.
The only trouble with such blanket coverage is that somebody has to stay home at our Santa Monica …

From DJ Eric J Lawrence:
First developing my musical awareness in the late 70s & early 80s, it was impossible to avoid Duran Duran.
And why would you want to?  Despite their pretty-boy image that had all the girls swooning over their Tiger Beat magazines, endlessly debating over which member was cuter, Duran Duran’s music actually holds up very well as the pinnacle of slick, futuristic New Wave funk, anchored by Andy Taylor’s sharp guitar riffs and John Taylor’s underrated and extremely active bass lines.
But a decade and a half of solid …

From KCRW DJ Eric J Lawrence:
While KCRW has a long-standing reputation for discovering new music, some of my favorite moments at the station have been when Jason and Ariana bring in a truly legendary and veteran band to perform live on Morning Becomes Eclectic.
And this morning’s set from post-punk progenitors Gang of Four certainly qualified.
After having the pleasure of introducing the band at their Music Box show the night before, I knew a little of what to expect they’d bring for their MBE session: angular, muscular, minimalist funk, matched …

From KCRW DJ and Music Librarian Eric J Lawrence:
As we reach the midpoint of January (yes, 1/24th of the year is now gone!) we’ve already been treated to some terrific new tracks (R.E.M.!  Raphael Saadiq!!  P.J. Harvey!!!) that makes me optimistic for the year in music.
But this is merely a drop in the bucket – there is a plethora of new records beckoning from just around the corner.  Here is a list of 10 (plus a couple of bonus picks) of my most-anticipated records of 2011

COLD WAR KIDS – “Mine …

From KCRW DJ Eric J Lawrence:
Kelley Stoltz has been a mainstay of the San Francisco bay area indie-rock scene for over a decade, working with artists such as Bart Davenport, The Moore Brothers, Thee Oh Sees and Sonny & the Sunsets.  His solo albums have been perennial favorites of mine as well, and I’m happy to say that the streak continues with his third Sub Pop album, “To Dreamers.”
No doubt Stoltz has a knack for writing catchy pop tunes.
Stream “Keeping The Flame”:
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
Echoes of such …

Since KCRW Music Librarian Eric J Lawrence is filling in for Jason Bentley on Morning Becomes Eclectic this morning, he gets to debut one of the most important lists he puts together each year — KCRW’s Most Played Records.
Two LA bands made the top 10 — Flying Lotus and Broken Bells – and my beloved Local Natives cracked the top 20!
Tune in during the 11am hour for his countdown and view the list below.   EJL’s show will also be up in the archives later, if you missed it live.
KCRW’s Most …

From DJ and KCRW Music Librarian Eric J Lawrence:
We learned today of the passing of rock icon and acclaimed painter Don Van Vliet, aka Captain Beefheart at the age of 69, due to complications from multiple sclerosis.  I don’t use the term “rock icon” lightly, despite the fact that he may be the least heard rock icon in the pantheon, but that’s due to the uncompromising nature of his work, the non-“radio-friendly” sound of his surreal, mind-bending records.
You’re not likely to ever hear his songs on oldies radio stations, despite …