the return: RANA

"Yes!"
Already the biggest rock news of the year, NJ pseudo-cult-rockers RANA have gotten back together after unofficially breaking up nearly two years ago. The news broke late this afternoon with the announcement that RANA would play middle bill this Friday night at Revolution Hall in Troy, NY with mates Sam Champion and The Duo. A future NYC show was also part of the announcement.

In an email to the RANA listserv, Rana (and Sam Champion) drummer Ryan Thornton announced, "It is true. Albany anyone? We hit the stage at 9:00. Look for a New York City show mid August. Yes! -Ryan ." Their MySpace page merely reads:

"Four friends from New Jersey. Been all over the country together. Rana loves music, loves to play. What the hell."

In honor of RANA's Return, I share some killer tracks that cover some of the many faces of RANA, and one song that does it all: "I Waste It."

pop: RANA - Charm Bracelet [from What It Is]
hard-psych-rock: RANA - It's So Hard (Believe Me) [LIVE]
alt-country: RANA - Backstabbing World [from What It Is]
RANA - I Waste It [from 2005 RANA Sampler]

we saw: Marco Benevento

David Fricke-approved!

From nyctaper.com:
"Thursday [Jan 31] was the fifth and final night of Marco Benevento’s January residency at Sullivan Hall, and it was a party in more ways than one. The night was a CD release party for Marco’s new CD Invisible Baby, and it featured the twice-performed “Real Morning Party” along with a premiere of the video for the song in between sets [see above].

"Benevento was joined by the superb bassist Reed Mathis (from Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey), and drummer Andrew Barr (from The Slip). The band performed two long sets of a superb mix of jazz, prog, jam, rock and pop, all anchored by the unique keyboard and effects of Marco."

Download the entire show HERE (courtesy of nyctaper)
Buy Marco's new album HERE