Brandi Carlile, “Give Up the Ghost”

Maple Valley’s Brandi Carlile and twin songwriting partners Tim and Phil Hanseroth (a.k.a. the “Grey’s Anatomy” house band) turned to some heavy hitters to help out with their third disc, namely super-producer Rick Rubin, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and Elton John. The disc isn’t as seamless as “The Story” or Carlile’s self-titled debut, with “Caroline,” the show tune-style ditty that features the Rocket Man, being a notable square peg. But “That Year,” “Oh Dear” and other cuts represent some of Carlile’s best and most personal material to date.

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Pissed Jeans, “King of Jeans”

I first heard of this Pennsylvanian noise rock crew when Mudhoney’s Mark Arm dropped its name in an interview, but didn’t get around to spinning this album until months later. By then I was primed for its snotty, sludgy and often hilarious sound having checked out one of their obvious influences, the Jesus Lizard, at the Capitol Hill Block Party in Seattle.

One of the many things I’ve had a blast with in ’09 has been getting TRC’s Grit City Bootleg series up and running, first with audio clips of local performances (Girl Trouble’s 25th anniversary party being the first) and eventually with the videos you’ve been seeing since June. And here are a few of the clips that I think best captured the moment.

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It’s that time of year when ever critic and his grandma has got a bunch of top 10 lists. And hey, who am I to buck tradition? So today begins my countdown of albums I’ve had in heaviest rotation in my iPod this year (you know, minus Sub Pop’s awesome reissue of Nirvana’s “Bleach.” Just the new stuff, my friends.) And yes, I’m wussing out with a tie for the No. 10 spot since I couldn’t bear to drop either one of these from my list.

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, “Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is”

Band …

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I’m hearing that members of Tacoma hard rock outfits Gold Teeth and Dirty Knockers – a.k.a. the late, great Brian Redman’s final band – have formed a new outfit, dubbed Man Hammer. Band member Sean Horst tells me they’ve even written three songs in their brief time together. Stay tuned.

Recently, I reported that Hell’s Kitchen ownership was eyeing New Year’s Eve for the grand opening of the new facility, located in downtown Tacoma at 928 Pacific Ave. And now it’s official, with The Jet City Fix, Atomic Outlaws and Wide Eye Panic confirmed for a free show that will start at 8 p.m. Check the venue’s site for the most up to date info.

You may notice a little slowdown on the Tacoma Rock City blog in the next couple of weeks. That’s because I won’t be in the office for a spell. And apologies in advance for any breaking news that’s conspicuously missing between now and year’s end.

Not that I’m totally slackin’ off. Before I go, I’m pre-loading several posts that will show up in the next week or two, including year end album and concert lists and at least one update on Hell’s Kitchen. Till then, caio!

Rock icon Dick Dale will headline Olympia’s Capitol Theater tonight. And that’s as good a reason as any to dust off Tacoma Rock City’s first ever video Grit City Bootleg, from when the surf guitar guru last appeared at Hell’s Kitchen. And apparently I wasn’t the only one shootin’ video.

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Country hit makers Brooks & Dunn have announced that Tacoma will be a stop on their final tour, The Last Rodeo. The duo listed a May 1 stop in Tacoma, sans venue. But considering the size of the crowd that will turn out, you don’t really have to think too hard about where.

However, my sources at the Tacoma Dome could not confirm the show will take place there. More once there’s something more concrete. Meanwhile, you can read a recap from last time I saw B & D here.

I’ve got details for one more benefit for the families of slain Lakewood police officers that’s on my radar. This one hosted by Bob Rivers from Seattle’s KZOK-FM (102.5) who has lined up Spike and the Impalers, Sex and Violins and local boys VIII Days Clean for a show set to start at 7 p.m. on Dec. 17 at Seattle’s EMP/SFM.

Tickets are $25 through Brown Paper Tickets. Proceeds will go towards the Lakewood Police Independent Guild, a fund set up to benefit the families of Parkland shooting victims Mark Renninger, …

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