Thursday's Tracks

The Good:
Gnarls Barkley - "Run"; Okay, so Gnarls Barkley can apparently crap any old thing out and make it sound good. On the lead single from their follow-up to the insanely popular St. Elsewhere, the duo adopt the Motown sound as their own, using hand claps and Cee-Lo's perfect voice to create some more pop perfection. If you thought you got sick of "Crazy" be prepared 'cause this is gonna be everywhere.

Panic at the Disco! - "9 in the Afternoon"; Okay I have to confess to enjoying a few tunes off of Panic At the Disco!'s debut album, but not as much as the teenagers at Hot Topic did. This song, the lead single from their follow-up Pretty. Odd. kind of reminds me of Sgt. Pepper's era Beatles, and I know how sacriligious that sounds but it's true. Attempt to ignore the singers annoying voice for a minute and listen to the music coming out from everywhere; piano, guitar, drum, horns, there's just so many sounds permeating every second of the song that it sounds great. Yes, I will be annoyed by the singing after about four more listens but for now this is a really solid song.

Beat Radio - "Closing Scene" (Demo); I believe this is the second demo track we've heard from Beat Radio from their follow-up to the The Great Big Sea, and so far the songs are tremendously well written and performed, even if they are a bit raw. But really should we expect anything less from this band? Watching an album being pieced together like this is a bit of a new experience for me, but it's certainly fun to see what's going to happen next with these guys.

Islands - "The Arm"; This song is easily enough to get me stoked for the new album! Each time I hear an album featuring Nick Thornburn I get super excited, he just has a way of crafting songs that is remarkable and it's on full display here. The first listen may not be enough to convince you of this, but I would highly suggest repeated exposure to this tune.

No Kids - "The Beaches All Closed"; I gotta be completely honest here and tell you that first I thought this was a Flight of the Conchords song and I spent the first half of the song waiting for a joke to pop up. Well, it never did turn up so it gave me all the clues I needed to realize it wasn't the dynamic folk group duo from New Zealand. It is however, an excellent song even without campy lyrics. The beat has got that soul that seems to be missing from a lot of the indie rock I'm hearing these days, plus the lead singers voice is silky smooth throughout the track.

The Bad:
Of Montreal - "Jimmy" (M.I.A. cover); I'm sure more then a handful of you guys will actually enjoy this track, but I just can't get myself into it. The original version is so awesome that it would take a tremendous effort just to match it, and I don't think Of Montreal give us that here.

The Ugly:
Louis XIV - "Guilt By Association" ; Christ I thought the first album by these guys was annoying, but that has nothing on how heinous this song is. Overly repetative, whiny vocals, it is everything I despise in music. Enjoy.

Video of the Week:

Band of the Week: Derek Halet

I know people have always said not to judge a book by a cover, but for some reason I have never been able ot adhere to this philosophy. I'm pretty happy that I haven't though as some of my favorite covers have led to some of my favorite music, movies, and books through the years. If it weren't for the minimalistic design and yellow cover I never would have purchased Stephen Chbosky's Perks of Being A Wallflower and I probably wouldn't have opened up the Derek Halet EP I got in the mail earlier this week so quickly without it's excellently designed cover. But of course, once you get passed the cover the art within must still be able to hold your attention and entertain you and Derek Halet is certainly capable of doing just that.

It would be pretty easy for me to turn and name Derek as LA's version of The Antlers. Liek The Antlers, Derek Halet is young, talented, a singer/songwriter type who has added parts for a band, and they both are likened to Jeff Buckley a lot. The songwriting styles themselves are pretty similar and both wow audiences with their voices (or so I hear, I've never seen Derek live). So given my adoration of The Antlers it should be a foregone conclusion that I will love Derek Halet.

So far I'm just in like, but I can certainly see it growing on me and creeping up in the number of plays on my iPod. With songs like "The Swim" and "The Vinedresser", there's a lot to like about Derek Halet's music. Beyond the Buckley comparissons and similarities to The Antlers I can hear a twinge of Chris Martin's voice on the lips of Halet. Maybe it's just a note or two here or there, but when Halet lets go I believe he may have the ability to have one of the more mesmerizing voices in the business.

His self-titled EP is out now, and I believe you can get it from his Myspace site which is linked below. For now make sure to check out the two tracks posted below because they are solid examples of exactly what Derek can do with his music. I apologize for the lazy comparisson post, but it's sometimes difficult to do.
Derek Halet - "The Swim"
Derek Halet - "Seasons"
Derek Halet on Myspace

Pop Report

Movies:
- Last night I went to see No Country For Old Me, the third film nominated for Best Picture that I've seen so far. It blew me away. The writing is spectacular, the acting tremendous, and not a moment of the film allows you to let your guard down. Between No Country and There Will Be Blood am no longer concerned with which one wins the Oscar as they are both wholly deserving of the award, and I only wish they would have come out in separate years so they both could be the victors. Perhaps the Academy will split the Best Picture and Best Director so that both get the notice they deserve. If any of you out there haven't seen these movies yet, skip the rest of the crap pouring out this month and check them out.

As a bonus last night (and apparently every Tuesday) is free popcorn night at Regal Cinemas on 14th Street. Nice little bonus to go with a great movie last night.

- I didn't catch any DVD's this week as my weekend was a little too busy for the movie watching, but I did stay up late one night watching We Are Marshall. Now people that know me know I love me some football and I also love some football movies, and this one is near the top of my list. Great, emotional story, that has itself a Disney movie ending. Pretty damn good, though certainly not the same caliber as the two movies above.

Television:
- Word on the street is that the writer's strike will be over by next week! I couldn't be happier about this as I am completely at my wits end with no new television. Though I also haven't fit in Breaking Bad or the new HBO show that have aired in recent weeks. They are DVR'd and ready for me when I get to them.
- Good news for the Grammy's, they are going to proceed as scheduled thanks to some agreement with the Writer's Guild. Good stuff there even though the awards couldn't be less interesting this year.

Politics:
- It's not often that I expunge my political beliefs on this here blog, but my chosen candidate, John Edwards, has bowed out of the race so I thought I'd mention that today. It's kind of sad, he's gone through a lot this year and was going up against an all-star cast of candidates this year. I hope now he will have the chance go and spend time with his ailing wife and family. Now, I suppose my support will have to go to Barack Obama, a fine candidate that was always my backup choice to Edwards.

Sports:
- Congrats Mets fans, you're getting the best pitcher in baseball. Now if you guys can find another guy to win a game once a week I think you'll be able to contend for something.
- 15 days till pitchers and catchers report!
- Yesterday was Media Day at the Super Bowl, and I couldn't be more tired of the lead up to this game. Why do we need the week off between the conference championships and the Super Bowl? Can't they just play the game already. God.
- The Rangers ship is sinking and the Knicks has already reached rock bottom. Looks like it's going to be a long couple of months till the start of the baseball season here in New York.

Blast from the Past:

I'm always a little bit sad when I come to a band past their heyday. It's a shame, here you are enjoying the band's songs and they are kaput or on the verge of bowing out of the industry and all you wanna do is see them live. Such is my experience with The Mr. T Experience. In the early 00's I purchased their re-released, deluxe edition EP ...And the Women That Love Them and fell in love with every song on the disc. But alas, the band were done soon after that so this remains as the only exposure I've had to The Mr. T Experience.

It's not like the songs on here are amazing. If you took all the wit from the pop-punk bands, blended a little They Might Be Giants alternative, and scooped in a little School House Rock, you'd wind up with The Mr. T Experience. Not the best musicians, or the most amazing singers, but their songs instantly put a smile on my face. When you have songs like "How'd the Date End?", an ode to being on an episode of Blind Date, you're pretty much a winner in my book. Amazingly, my favorite songs on this disc weren't even on the original EP which I find to be shocking. They're great songs throughout, super enjoyable, excellently written, and funny as hell.

I don't have to much to say about the band, this post is kind of being rushed by the fact that I'm sitting at work with my boss breathing down my neck, but I think if you take a listen to the songs below they might add a little smile, to this rainy, dark day. Hope you guys enjoy them.
The Mr. T Experience - "We Hate All The Same Things"
The Mr. T Experience - "How'd the Date End"
The Mr. T Experience - "You Today"
The Mr. T Experience - "Unpack Your Adjectives"

Buzzworthy??? Or Not???

Who: Hercules & Love Affair
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Thoughts: Considering the reputation DFA Records has established over the better part of the decade, it would be pretty foolish to label anything coming from their stable as anything less then buzzworthy. LCD Soundsystem, The Rapture, The Juan Maclean, Hot Chip, everything the label touches turns to solid indie gold and I'm betting their latest addition, Hercules & Love Affair, will do exactly the same thing. But do those two factors automatically assign Hercules & Love Affair the title of buzzworthy? I would think so, but before we can make a true decision we must take into account the music. Listening to the band's self-titled debut album you can immediately understand why these guys were picked up by DFA. There are dance laden beats, quirky vocals, high-profile guest spots (hello Antony), and enough of a musical environment to expand on each song with countless remixes and variations. It's exactly what we've come to expect from the label and it certainly will fit right in along side the other acts on the roster. The lead single featuring Antony is by far the best song on the disc, as Antony's vocals just set it apart from everything else, but elsewhere you won't find a single poor song on the entire album. It's fabulous, the perfect soundtrack for a night out on the town no matter where you are. So yeah, like we guessed earlier Hercules & Love Affair are definitely buzzworthy.
Listen: Hercules & Love Affair - "Hercules Theme"
Hercules & Love Affair - "This Is My Love"
Hercules & Love Affair - "Blind" (feat. Antony Hegarty)
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Tuesday's Posts from Around the Globe:
- Brooklyn Vegan's got an interview with the two folks behind Hello, Blue Roses up on his site. Just in case you were wondering I completely disagree with the Pitchfork rating.
- You've already read what I thought about the new Xiu Xiu album so why not check out what my loving girlfriend thought of it? Hint: she doesn't like it as much as I do...
- Good news for people holding tickets to the February 9th Liars show at Warsaw, the band kicked off the tour successfully despite Angus' back problems!!! (via Pitchfork)
- I was flicking through the channels at the half hour last night and I saw Vampire Weekend's video for "A-Punk" on MTV following My Super Sweet 16. Just thought I'd relate that oddity to you.

Tuesday's Recommended Release

Since the release of Knife Play in 2002, Xiu Xiu has been a dividing force within the indie music landscape. Their music often pits critics and avante noise lovers against straight laced pop music fans thanks to its inherent oddities and the difficulty of the music itself. Over the years the straight laced pop fans have begun to buckle under the pressure of undying adulation from the critics and have finally started to warm to the band. With the success of their last album, The Air Force, Xiu Xiu really made a leap into the minds of a growing number of music fans.

Still, as much as people have finally adapted to the band they remain remarkably difficult to pigeonholed and sticking their music into one genre just won't ever happen. On Women As Lovers, Xiu Xiu come as close to a straight forward pop album as the band ever has, with songs that feature actual melodies and harmonies, mostly coherent musical progressions, and even a cover of "Under Pressure". It's a little unsettling for the avid Xiu Xiu fan at first, until you take another listen and realize that all the oddities are still there and all the discordant styles remain among the new parts.

Obviously, Jamie Stewart's voice will never be mistaken for Freddie Mercury's or David Bowie's, but the cover of "Under Pressure" sums up everything that Women As Lovers represents for Xiu Xiu. It reveals the feeling of the mainstream that has been pressed upon them, while allowing the band to continue experimenting with the flailing horns found throughout the track, the echoing harmonies between Stewart, Caralee McElroy, and former Swans singer Michael Gira. The song presents the band with an expansive canvas to add their own brush strokes to, and they do so while maintaining the original parts that made the song awesome in the first place. It is Xiu Xiu's way of creeping into a more popular place in the indie landscape while staying true to themselves.

The rest of the album adheres to these values, the melding of their experimental sounds with the more popular sounds within music, resulting in the most easily accessed Xiu Xiu album to date while retaining the creative side fans have come to know them for. Stewart's voice is eerie, whispering his strange lyrics throughout, and the added, "permanent" band members leave new fingerprints all over the recording. There are loads of sounds to traipse through, and lots to process, but it doesn't take several listens to get to the point like past Xiu Xiu albums have. Instead it sticks it right in your ear for you to full absorb and then allows you to go through it listening to all the other working parts here, where even silence plays an enormous role in the shaping of the album.

People that are new to Xiu Xiu and the returning vets of their music should easily find some sort of enjoyment or another within the music on Women As Lovers, so long as they're willing to adjust their ears to an array of sounds not normally found together. But that's always been the way with Xiu Xiu and even though this is far more accessible it doesn't mean they're just going to give away the keys to the castle for free.
Xiu Xiu - "I Do What I Want When I Want"
Xiu Xiu - "Under Pressure" (feat. Michael Gira)
Xiu Xiu - "The Leash"

Also Released Today:

Monday's Leaky Faucet

Who: Headlights
Title: Some Racing, Some Stopping
Label: Polyvinyl
Release Date: Feb. 19th
Thoughts: I will admit straight away that the new Headlights album, Some Racing, Some Stopping, falls somewhere in the realm between accepted, hip listening and total guilty pleasure; but, we really shouldn't be judging albums by their cool factor but by the way they make us feel. And Some Racing... makes me feel nothing but happy. The joyous harmonies throughout the album, the heartfelt tickling of the ivories, the lush songwriting, it's all beautiful and cutesy and puts a warm smile on my face. Some of the songs here are easy to castoff, but others stick to the roof of your mouth like a tasty peanut butter sandwich. "Cherry Tulips", the lead single from the album, is a very early contender for song of the year. Just listen to it and see if it doesn't stick around for a bit.
Listen: Headlights - "School Boys"
Headlights - "Catch Them All"
Headlights - "Cherry Tulips"
Pre-Order Here

Who: Frauke
Title: Dirtier Then Horses
Label: None
Release Date: Feb. 2008
Thoughts: You may already know that Frauke hates you, but that doesn't mean you can't go and enjoy their music. Hell, you may want to spite them by absolutely adoring it anddancing to it. But if you do, be warned they will hate you even more. Dirtier Then Horses, features a slew of humorous indie-rock for everyone to consume. It's all written with a sharp tongue, but you can't help believing that maybe this band doesn't really hate us so much. I mean, could they really abhor us and provide us with awesomely fun music at the same time? I didn't think so. If they really hated us they would be trying out for American Idol or Making the Band or some shit like that.
Listen: Frauke - "Canadian Girlfriend"
Frauke - "Parasite Fungus"

Who: Growing
Title: Lateral (EP)
Label: The Social Registry
Release Date: Feb. 2008
Thoughts: Growing have become drone metal legends. Their music is eternally powerful, always buzzes through your ears, and permeates every piece of your brain. On their four song EP Lateral, the band continues to drone on, using electronics and traditional instruments to create a sonic wave that will not be easily forgotten. This stuff is not for everyone, but those that love the sound will truly adore this record.
Listen: Growing - "Lateral"

Pale Nimbus @ Arlene's Gorcery 1/25

Back when I was a young teenager I worked in a convenience store near my house called the Village Shoppe. It was kind of a family tradition; both of my parents worked there, several of my uncle's, a couple of aunts, and since I've left both of my brothers have worked there and one of them continues to work there. The store was always the type of place where there would be young people working behind the counter and because of that there was always some type of music on. In my days at the store it was a lot of grunge and pop-punk and whatever was on the alternative radio stations those days. The owner of the store, Frank, allowed us to listen to the music and choose the stations so long as he wasn't there. When he was there it was always CBS-FM, the oldies station, and very few of us had a problem with it though it could be a bit tedious after a few hours. The one rule Frank imposed on our music, and my Dad felt this more then my generation did, was that there could be no twangy guitars. That ruled out Lynyrd Skynyrd and all the other Southern bands who would throw that little twang into their songs.

You may be curious why I'm telling you this when I'm writing a live review of a Brooklyn band, but Pale Nimbus is loaded with twangy effing guitars and it boggles my brain how a band from Brooklyn developed a sound reminiscent of 1970's Southern rock. Why the hell are we listening to some melding of The Strokes and Lynyrd Skynyrd? I just don't get it.

In my life I have enjoyed exactly three Skynyrd songs, and I didn't truly love them. I could tolerate them. So seeing Pale Nimbus attempt to channel their ghosts (they are all dead now, right?) was truly an astonishing disappointment. But, I guess that's what you get checking out a band with buzz but no real songs and doing so in a venue that couldn't get the sound right despite the thousands of dollars worth of sound equipment. Ugh, what a waste of a Friday night when just a block away Tyvek was playing. I made it through exactly three songs and one verse before I could stomach no more. The band made sure I had a set list that was left at the door for me, but I can't be bothered to pull it out of the trash to tell you what these songs were. They were not very good though.

The band for all it's flaws does get the crowd going somehow, which is a bit disheartening to me. It says a lot about the people there and made me pretty sure I didn't want to mingle too much. All in all it was a wasted night, but at least I know what a lot of people don't yet - I know what Pale Nimbus sounds like and I can give you all fair warning to stay away.

This Week's Live Picks

Monday: Vampire Weekend @ Virgin Megastore Union Square 11:30pm FREE
I have to be honest here and say that I am not completely sold on the whole Vampire Weekend phenomena. I have listened to the new album and it is just okay, a little too over produced, and lacking some of the feeling that I'm getting from other releases. That said, the sheer amount of hype surrounding them forces me to give them at least one shot live, and considering the price for this one it may be it. That is if I can overcome the idea of being out past midnight on a school night.
Vampire Weekend - "A-Punk"

Tuesday: Ben Thornewill @ Cake Shop 8pm $6
Ben Thornewill is better known as the singing guy behind the piano in Jukebox the Ghost. With his band Ben is known as a bit of a goofball, but a talented one. I expect that to translate well to his solo performances, but who knows. Maybe he sucks without a band. I doubt it though.
Ben Thornewill on Myspace

Wednesday: The Teenagers + Bear Hands @ Mercury Lounge 7pm $10
For weeks I have heard nothing but hype about The Teenagers. No really, nothing. I haven't even heard the song posted below yet. But I love me some Bear Hands, so I will brave the storm of hype just to catch them and maybe I'll stick around for some Teenagers.
The Teenagers - "Starlett Johansson"
Bear Hands - "Bad Blood"

Thursday: The Lisps, The Antlers, + Spanish Prisoners @ Knitting Factory 7pm $7
In what just may be a historic first, The Knitting Factory will play host to three former Pop Tarts Suck Toasted bands of the week! Amazingly I'm not even hosting the show! This is pretty awesome and I'm super excited to see all three of these bands on the same stage. You should be too, and if you're not too busy watching the season premiere of Lost I highly recommend you make your way down!
The Lisps - "Heaven"
The Antlers - "Stairs to the Attic"
Spanish Prisoners - "Where God Does His Laundry"

Friday: Joanna Newsom @ BAM 8pm SOLD OUT
A couple of days ago I was speaking with Cesar from The Lisps and he was telling me about some singer when he said, "she's like Joanna Newsom only better", or something to that extent. I flipped on Cesar, telling him that I would smack him like his momma did as a baby, before he finally took those harsh words back. This may be an exaggeration of what happened, but seriously Joanna Newsom is the shit and you should beg, borrow, steal, or scalp your way into this show.
Joanna Newsom - "The Book of Right-On"
(P.S. - Happy Birthday Katie!!!)

Saturday: The Teenagers @ Cake Shop (upstairs) 4pm FREE
In case Wednesday night's sea of hype wasn't enough for you, you can catch The Teenagers again but for free this time. Warning show up early, because there really is next to no room in the record shop where this event will be held and this band was just headlining at Bowery three nights ago.
The Teenagers - "Sunset Beach"

...then Hot Chip @ Highline Ballroom 9pm $25
After, or instead of, seeing The Teenagers at Cake Shop this show should become your main focus in life. Hot Chip simply awed me the only time I've seen them at the Seaport and I'm dying to see them in a small-ish venue like this. As of the writing of this tickets were not sold out, but I expect they will be come the day of the show. Do not miss out on this!
Hot Chip - "Out At the Pictures"

Sunday: Super Bowl Sunday
Don't even pretend like you're not gonna be watchin' the Giants smack the Pats down to get a bit of revenge for the Yankees. Final score; Giants - 38 Patriots - 35
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Monday's Words Written by Someone Else"
- Is it wrong that I chuckled aloud when I read about British Sea Power's keyboardist knocking himself out by stage diving? Perhaps a little, but considering he's okay and was only out cold for a couple of minutes I think it warrants a little chuckle. Or maybe a guffaw? Anyway, I read it on Tiny Mix Tapes, you should read about and guffaw away.
- Spin interviews former Husker Du frontman Bob Mould who will not be re-uniting with his former band just to make a quick buck. Instead, he suggests you go pick up his new solo album of lesser material to sustain him financially through the next few years. Maybe then he'll think about it.
- Pitchfork interviews Rivers Cuomo about his new solo album and the material he has left over following this. However they pussy out about asking why the last three Weezer albums have sucked.
- Fader interviews Rafter who you probably don't know but should seek out and get to know in time to be on the correct side of the curve when he blows the fuck up.
- CMJ is giving away tickets to the New York record release party for Jukebox the Ghost.

February's Concert Calendar

Free Shows:
Saturday Feb. 2nd: The Teenagers @ Cake Shop 4pm
The Teenagers - "Starlett Johansson"
Friday Feb. 15th: Dragons of Zynth + Kyp Malone @ BAM 10pm
Dragons of Zynth - "Anna Mae"
Saturday Feb. 16th: White Rabbits @ BAM 10pm
White Rabbits - "I Used to Complain Now I Don't"

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Cheap Shows: ($10 or less)
Saturday Feb. 2nd: Free Blood @ Galapagos 10pm $8
Free Blood - "The Royal Family"
Saturday Feb. 2nd: Deer Tick @ Silent Barn 8pm $7
Deer Tick - "Hell on Earth"
Saturday Feb. 2nd: Ola Podrida @ Union Hall 8pm $8
Ola Podrida - "Instead"
Saturday Feb. 2nd: Phosphorescent @ Union Pool 8pm $tba
Phosphorescent - "A Picture of Our Torn Up Praise"
Saturday Feb. 9th: Jukebox the Ghost + A Brief Smile @ Union Hall 8pm $10
Jukebox the Ghost - "Good Day"
A Brief Smile - "A Big Sky"
Sunday Feb. 10th: White Williams @ Studio B 8pm $10
White Williams - "New Violence"
Friday Feb. 15th: Pissed Jeans @ Silent Barn 8pm $tba
Pissed Jeans - "I've Still Got You (Ice Cream)"
Friday Feb. 15th: Deer Tick @ Southpaw 8pm $8
Deer Tick - "Diamond Rings 2007"
Friday Feb. 15th: The Forms + Pattern Is Movement (Gothamist Moveable Hype) @ Union Pool 8pm $10
The Forms - "Knowldege In Hand"
Pattern Is Movement - "Right Away"
Saturday Feb. 16th: caUSE co-MOTION! @ Cake Shop 8pm $tba
Friday Feb. 22nd: The Austerity Program @ Knitting Factory 8pm $10
The Austerity Program - "Song 17B"
Saturday Feb. 23rd: A Sunny Day In Glasgow @ Union Hall 8pm $10
A Sunny Day In Glasgow - "C'mon"
Wednesday Feb. 27th: Phosphorescent + Bowerbirds @ Union Hall 8pm $10
Bowerbirds - "Hooves"
Thursday Feb. 28th: Phosphorescent + Deer Tick @ Glasslands 9pm $tba
Deer Tick - "Art Isn't Real (City of Sin)"
Friday Feb. 29th: Bowerbirds + Phosphorescent @ Mercury Lounge 7pm $10
Saturday Feb. 29th: Headlights @ Union Hall 8pm $10
Headlights - "Cherry Tulips"

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Not So Cheap Shows: ($20 or less)
Monday Feb. 4th: Barack Rock @ Bowery Ballroom 7pm $20
OK Go - "Here Comes the Fire"
Saturday Feb. 9th: Liars + No Age @ Warsaw 8pm $16.50
Liars - "Houseclouds"
No Age - "Everybody's Down"
Monday Feb. 11th: Foals @ Bowery Ballroom 7:30pm $13
Foals - "Brazil Is Here!"
Wednesday Feb. 13th: MGMT + Yeasayer @ Bowery Ballroom 8pm $13
Thursday Feb. 14th: MGMT + Yeasayer @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 8pm $12
MGMT - "Kids"
Yeasayer - "Forgiveness"
Friday Feb. 15th: Sam Champion, Drug Rug, XYZ Affair, Salt & Samovar @ Bowery Ballroom 8pm $12
Sam Champion - "Like A Secret"
Drug Rug - "Tiny People"
Saturday Feb. 16th: Wakey! Wakey! @ Mercury Lounge 7:30pm $tba
Wakey! Wakey! - "Cokehead"
Thursday Feb. 21st: Daniel Johnston @ Highline Ballroom 7pm $20
Daniel Johnston - "Walking the Cow"
Friday Feb. 22nd: Black Mountain + Bon Iver @ Bowery Ballroom 8pm $15
Black Mountain - "Stay Free"
Friday Feb. 22nd: The National @ BAM 8pm $20
The National - "Mistaken for Strangers"
Saturday Feb. 23rd: The National @ BAM 8pm $20
Saturday Feb. 23rd: Atlas Sound + White Rainbow @ Mercury Lounge 8pm $12
Atlas Sound - "Quarantined"
Sunday Feb. 24th: Super Furry Animals + Times New Viking @ Bowery Ballroom 7:30pm $18
Super Furry Animals - "You Don't Want Me to Destroy You"
Times New Viking - "Another Day"
Sunday Feb. 24th: Atlas Sound @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 8pm $12
Monday Feb. 25th: Super Furry Animals + Times New Viking @ Bowery Ballroom 7:30pm $18
Wednesday Feb. 27th: Pela @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 8pm $13
Pela - "Lost to the Lonesome"
Thursday Feb. 28th: St. Vincent @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 8pm $15
Friday Feb. 29th: St. Vincent @ Bowery Ballroom 9pm $15
St. Vincent - "Marry Me"

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Mad Expensive: (more then $20)
Saturday Feb. 2nd: They Might Be Giants @ The Beacon Theater 7pm $30
Saturday Feb. 2nd: Hot Chip @ Highline Ballroom 9pm $25
Hot Chip - "Out At the Pictures"
Wednesday Feb. 6th: Cat Power @ Terminal 5 8pm $32.50
Cat Power - "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"
Wednesday Feb. 13th: Sufjan Stevens, Band of Horses, Ray Davies, Tom Verlaine, & more @ Carnegie Hall 7:30pm $30
Band of Horses - "The Great Salt Lake"
Tuesday Feb. 19th: Foo Fighters + Against Me! @ MSG 7pm $30
Foo Fighters - "Best of You"
Against Me! - "You Must Be Willing"
Sunday Feb. 24th: The Magnetic Fields @ Town Hall 7pm $25
The Magnetic Fields - "Too Drunk to Dream"

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Sold Out: (boooooo)
Friday Feb. 1st: Joanna Newsom @ BAM
Friday Feb. 8th: Nada Surf + Illinois @ Bowery Ballroom
Feb. 21st, 22nd, 23rd: The Magnetic Fields @ Town Hall

This Week's Touring News

Who: Deer Tick
When: February 2nd, February 15th, + February 28th
Where: Silent Barn, Southpaw, + Glassland
More Dates
Listen: Deer Tick - "Hell On Earth"
Thoughts: I caught Deer Tick opening to The Mountain Goats at NYU over a month ago and I really enjoyed their performance that night. I'd love to catch them one of these nights when they're headlining the show.

Who: Ghostland Observatory
When: March 28th
Where: Webster Hall
More Dates
Listen: Ghostland Observatory - "Stranger Lover"
Thoughts: I'm not the biggest Ghostland fan, but I hear their live show is off the hook.

Who: Be Your Own PET
When: February 20th
Where: Mercury Loune
More Dates
Listen: Be Your Own PET - "Adventure"
Thoughts: Be Your Own PET are one of the best young bands in all the land, and I'm really excited to see what they have in store for us with their new album. Plus, they rock live.

Who: Tokyo Police Club
When: April 20th + April 21st
Where: Bowery Ballroom + Music Hall of Williamsburg
More Dates
Listen: Tokyo Police Club - "Your English Is Good"
Thoughts: I am super, super, super excited for the new Tokyo Police Club album, and seeing them live is always a joy!

Who: Cut Copy
When: March 15th + March 17th
Where: Studio B + Mercury Lounge
More Dates
Listen: Cut Copy - "Lights and Music"
Thoughts: Caught them live during CMJ and they were pretty good live. Haven't enjoyed the recorded stuff nearly as much though.

Who: Ra Ra Riot
When: March 7th
Where: Bowery Ballroom
More Dates
Listen: Ra Ra Riot - "Can You Tell"
Thoughts: Loyal readers of this blog will know where to find me when Ra Ra Riot are in town. Front and center at their show.

Who: Bob Mould
When: March 13th
Where: Irving Plaza
More Dates
Listen: Bob Mould - "Can't Fight It"
Thoughts: How old is he now?
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Friday's Last Minute Links from other Peoples:
- Prefix has got a link to listen to the new Vampire Weekend album. I am not totally into this stuff yet, and I don't know if I ever will be. You might like it though.
- Limewire introduces us to a Subway Musician today. I hope this will be a continuing feature 'cause I would like to know as many of these folks as possible. Some are really good, others not so much.
- The Village Voice interviews comedian Michael Showalter.
- The Daily Swarm informs us that the Vineland Music Festival will not be trying to take on the All Points West Fest. No they haven't moved the dates, they've cancelled it all together!
- Bradford posted a Deerhunter mix tape from Cryptograms.
- CMJ spotlights the indisputible fact that indie bands now rely on television and commercials to be viable, and the reasons behind the decision.

Two Good, No Bad + Weekend Shows

I have been listening to the new Fuck Buttons album, Street Horrrsing, on repeat for the last two days. The droning, electronic sounds have completely hypnotized me and I no longer understand why I need pop melodies to get me through my day. It seems pointless to have a couple of humans singing in key together, when we can have electronic sounds rising and falling and creating the same sort of emotion, just in a different medium.

Consisting of only 6-songs some would label Street Horrrsing an EP, but those people would be fools who only look at the back of an album and then move on. Only one of the songs on this album is under 7-minutes long, pushing the album towards the hour long mark and certainly giving it the LP label. The songs themselves are impressive examples of how to use electronic sounds in songs. For the first three minutes of the opening track, "Sweet Love for Planet Earth", Fuck Buttons allow the music to build before hitting a grand plateau that last for the duration of the song. It's an epic climb, but once we get to the top we realize that there is an expansive amount of ground to cover there as well.

I could liken this to some other acts, but in doing so I would either put down Fuck Buttons or the other artists for the slight flaws. I have no desire to do that, so I will tell you that Street Horrrsing is a brilliant, ambient, electronic album that has no peers whatsoever. How you like dem apples?
Fuck Buttons - "Ribs Out"

To be fair to Aster, they have a tough task ahead of them following up Fuck Buttons in this post. I've really been head over heel for Fuck Buttons, and I'm just in like with Aster. Remember the old saying, "Never leave the one you love for the one you like." It's a truism, you shouldn't do it, and so I'm still listening to Fuck Buttons even as I'm typing this.

I have gotten a listen or two in on Aster though, so that should more then qualify me to tell you that their music is pop goodness. It's like what The Postal Service would sound like if they relied more on the work of a band rather then electronics. I like it, though not as much as I love Fuck Buttons.

I'm sorry Aster, I know this wasn't the type of review you were looking for, but it's all I got in me right now. Please don't send people to whack me for this, I will do better next time around. For now let's let some of their songs speak for themselves. Enjoy.
Aster - "The Great Escape"
Aster - "The Solitary Life"
Aster - "Attempting to Multiply"
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Friday January 25th:
Cool Kids @ Museum of Natural History [info][mp3]
Nicole Atkins & the Sea @ Bowery Ballroom [tix][mp3]
Neurosis + Mastodon @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple [tix][mp3][mp3]
Tyvek @ Cake Shop [info][mp3]
Super Furry Animals + Holy Fuck @ Music Hall of Williamsburg [tix][mp3]

Saturday January 26th:
Chromeo + Kid Sister @ Bowery Ballroom [tix][mp3]
Ladybug Transistor @ Knitting Factory [tix][mp3]
The Giraffes @ Mercury Loune [info][mp3]
Get Him Eat Him + Mahjongg @ Southpaw [tix][mp3]
DJ Shadow @ Irving Plaza [tix][mp3]
The Bon Savants @ Union Hall [tix][mp3]
Cornelius @ Webster Hall [tix][mp3]

Sunday January 27th:
DJ Shadow @ Irving Plaza [tix]
Laura Veirs @ Union Hall [tix][mp3]

Thursday's Tracks

The Good:
Casettes Won't Listen - "Paper Float"; We've been waiting for an album from Casettes Won't Listen for a long time now, and we're finally going to get one. This is the first single off of it, and it lives up to all the potential the New York blogs have buzzed about for the last couple years.

Aster - "Attempting to Multiply"; I've been listening to the new Aster album for a couple of days now and i really like what I'm hearing. This is probably the best song on the album and it showcases everything that I like about it, the pretty singing, nice rhythms, and excellent electronic sounds. Nice subtle music, somewhat similar to what the Postal Service does, though a little more band oriented.


Born Ruffians - "Foxes Mate for Life"; I love the opening of this song. Just simple chord progressions, but it's such a cute sound that I love it. The rest of the song is pretty good, but it's the intro that really hooks me.

Fishboy - "Half Time at the Proper Name Spelling Bee"; Some more twee sounding music for you folks. It reminds me of They Might Be Giants, but it's quirky, poppy, fun!

Foot Village - "Protective Nourishment"; The percussion in the song is awesome, of course, I mean it last for like three minutes before anything else happens. But once you get passed the percussion, everything else is works so well within the boundaries of the song. It's a really cool sound.


The LK - "Private Life of a Cat"; Sweden is the home of solid pop music right now, and this is just another example of how great the country is musically.

The Death Set - "Negative Thinking"; AHHHHHHH!!!! New Death Set!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Prepare to have your minds blown!!!!

The Bad:
The Plastic Constellations - "Stay That Way"; Hey you guys sound like My Chemical Romance, but not the good songs like "Helena" or anything like that.

The Ugly:
N.E.R.D. - "Everyone Nose"; Ugh, it appears time has finally caught up and passed Pharrell by. The really sad thing is that this song will be played on every pop radio station every fifteen minutes for at least the next three months. God save us all.

Video of the Week:

Feist has been making some pretty freakin' cool videos of late. I like these single, continuous shot videos and this one is pretty cool, what with the fireworks and all that. Plus, the song is rad too all making for an excellent video.

Band of the Week: Noisy Crane

Sometimes bands are so full of their influences work that you can help but compare and contrast the bands. The good thing about these occurrences is that when they happen and you like the bands they are influenced by, it is infinitely easier to fall in love with said band. One such band is Lexington, Kentucky's Noisy Crane. They have been compared with The Microphones, Neutral Milk Hotel, and have even been referred to as the South's Beirut. I have to say most of the comparisons are pretty darn apt, but it's not as if this band is completely aping the bands they are compared to. No, Noisy Cranes are certainly unique in their own ways, they just happen to wear their influences on their sleeves.

The brain child behind this Elephant 6-esque project is Cody Swanson. Like Zach Condon with Beirut, Cody is responsible for the majority of the music found on the band's debut album Portmanteau, but when he hits the stage he is backed by a capable crew of musicians to keep the expansive sound the same. That's pretty much where I would end the comparisons to Beirut though, as Noisy Crane doesn't go the world music route though some of their songs do sound antique. Instead of focusing on a particular area of the world, Cody writes about the world in his backyard using an array of sounds to fully emote the world he knows.

I've only given Portmanteau a handful of listens so far, but I am loving what I am hearing. The wide array of musical instruments gives so much texture to each song that it's as if no moment on the album is quiet. Swanson's Mangum-esque cadence is perfect throughout, and the few times he uses backing vocals he uses them in strange harmonies that are immediately interesting to the ear. It's a very cool project and something I'd like to see a lot more of.
Noisy Crane - "Trust the Moon"
Noisy Crane - "Carnival"
Noisy Crane - "Walking and Stalking"
Noisy Crane on Myspace
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Thursday's Readings from other Riters:
- Two things off of Brooklyn Vegan today. The first is a link to a completely free Professor Murder EP, nothing wrong with that. The second is a link to the stream of Jonny Greenwood's Wordless Music Show, also very awesome! Check 'em both out.
- Ms. Chan Marshall sat down with Rolling Stone to chat about her new album of covers Jukebox.
- The A.V. Club interviews Jon Brion.
- Bear Hands gets the Daytrotter treatment.
- Times New Viking is Pitchfork's Guest list this week.
- Boredoms have signed to Thrill Jockey and will are prepping a new release. (via Prefix)
- Bradford posted the outtakes from Deerhunter's Fluorescent Grey.

Pop Report

Movies:
- I went to see There Will Be Blood last night as was pretty blown away by the film. The acting performances put forth by Daniel Day Lewis and Paul Dano were remarkable, the story kept you on your toes the entire way, and it was beautifully shot throughout. Of course the movie was nominated for a slew of Oscars yesterday, and I truly believe they are a no brainer for Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture.
- As for the other nominees I was very excited to see Juno getting love from the Academy. Both Ellen Page and the film itself certainly deserved the noms they got, no matter what my brother said. I haven't seen too many of the other nominees but I hope to see No Country For Old Men before the ceremony and maybe I can catch one or two more as well.
- Here's my predictions for who will win in the major categories; Best Picture - There Will Be Blood, Best Director - Paul Thomas Anderson, Best Actor - Daniel Day Lewis, Best Actress - Ellen Page, Best Supporting Actor - Javier Bardem, Best Supporting Actress - Cate Blanchett, Best Animated Film - Perseopolis, Best Documentary - Sicko

Television:
- I DVR'd the series premiere of the new AMC series Breaking Bad, but i haven't watched it just yet. Did anyone see it? Any thoughts?
- Thanks to my roommates obsession with my South Park DVD collection, I've been seeing a lot of the old episodes of South Park lately. Honestly this show is still so funny it's difficult to believe. Between this and The Simpsons we have turly been living through the golden age of adult cartoons.
- Not much else to watch on TV so I spent a lot of the weekend with the NFL Playoffs.
- Is anyone going to watch Dexter on CBS? I've never seen the show so I think I'm gonna set the DVR on Saturday nights and see what I've been missing. Or should I just get the DVD's?

Sports:
- So the Super Bowl is set for 11 days from today and it pits Boston versus New York in a sport where they don't actually have fiercest rivalry. I honestly hate both teams, but I find myself leaning towards rooting for the Giants mostly because I am a fan of the NFC, like rooting for underdogs, don't want the Pats to be perfect, and don't want Boston to have any more bragging rights over New York then they already do.
- Only 23 days till pitchers and catchers report! Will Johan Santana be reporting for the Twins, Yankees, or Red Sox???

Obits:
- I would be remissed if I didn't mention the untimely passing of Heath Ledger in my Pop Report. Obviously this a tragic loss for his family as well as the acting community, and I am sure many people throughout the world are grieving a bit today. Hetah had a fantastic body of work that seemed like it would continue to grow throughout his career, and unfortunately all that potential was taken yesterday. I hope his family has the strength to get through this time and I hope that anyone who cared for him will remember the best that he represented. Rest in peace Heath.

Blast from the Past: Prince Paul's A Price Among Thieves

There have been terribly few concept albums within the rap world that have worked at all. A ton of rappers have included skits to attempt to keep some sort of consistency within their albums, but few have ever truly achieved a fully realized idea like the rock world has. In the rock world we've had The Who's Tommy and Quadrophenia, Pink Floyd's entire discography, and of course The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band to name a few. The one exception to this rule is Prince Paul's A Prince Among Thieves, which follows the life of an aspiring MC named Tariq and his drug dealing hommie True. On this album we are taken on a whirlwind ride through the drug trade, police ambushes, sex, and ultimately a deadly shootout.

When it was first released in 1999 critics raved about the landmark album, and rightfully so. Not only does A Prince Among Thieves tell us a fantastic story, but it is littered with some of the best cameos and lines the rap world has ever seen. The roster of rappers includes RZA, Kool Keith, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, De La Soul, Xzibit, Chris Rock, and more, with the two main characters being voiced by Breezly Brewin (Tariq) and Big Sha (True). Laid down over smooth beats, A Prince Among Thieves highlights every area that rap can truly trust, from humorous rhymes like in "Steady Slobbin'" to grittier takes of what the streets were really like on "Handle Your Time". Of course its all taken to these heights by the people laying down the rhymes and in that area there is no shortage of greatness to be found here.

As great as the rhymes and music are on A Prince Among Thieves it probably wouldn't be half the album it is without it's cinematic storyline. The storyline is sick, seemingly taken straight from movies like Pulp Fiction and Boyz in da Hood, and takes us through a hectic week of hustling just to get a demo done. Of course like the great movies, the story doesn't end with a "...happily ever after", instead it ends in tragedy allowing both rappers and Prince Paul as producer to showcase the heights of their skills.

I don't remember the first time I heard this album, but I remember that after that time I listened to this album non-stop for weeks. It's still ingrained in my brain, and when I came across it the other day in my roommates pile of CD's I threw it on my iPod quickly so I could listen to it once again. It's still as good as it was the first time I heard it, and I've once again taken to listening to it on a constant basis. I would put this in my ten favorite hip-hop albums of all time without batting an eye, and I think if you guys listen to it again you might just follow suit.
Prince Paul - "Steady Slobbin'"
Prince Paul - "What U Got (The Demo)"
Prince Paul - "Handle Your Time"
Prince Paul - "The New Joint"

Pop Tarts Martini Show @ Martini Red 1/19

Saturday night I attempted something new in Staten Island. Instead of the same old cover bands, out dated metal and punk acts, and tongue-in-cheek farces that litter the Island, I brought two Brooklyn based bands out to the Island hoping to generate a little place for people to go without traveling to Staten Island. I didn't plan on Mission of Burma playing that night so most of my constituency went to Brooklyn anyway, but I have to say as good as the music was on Saturday night I was completely disappointed with my own efforts and the show itself.

The bands were truly excellent, and I'll get to them in more detail in a bit, but first I want to chastise myself and my fellow Islanders. I realize now that I am a terrible DJ. I am never fully prepared to start throwing down and keeping the party going, I pander to myself only, and I falsely assume that everyone else will be as excited about a leaked Hot Chip track as I am. It's horrible way to do things and so I promise that if I ever do this sort of thing again I will not be the DJ for it. I'll get someone that knows what they fuck they are doing behind the decks. I also apparently don't know how to set a lineup, because apparently you don't put an acoustic musician in the middle of the set. News to me.

But Staten Island, you need to wake the fuck up! Do you really want to see the same, shitty, crusty bands over and over again? Would you rather Screaming Broccoli or some other terrible cover band serenades you with another version of "Arms Wide Open"? Geez people, for all the talk sure don't do much walk. How is $5 is a ridiculous amount to ask people for at the door for THREE freakin' bands? I just don't get it. Wouldn't you pay that for just about anything else? There were drink specials, you easily could have made up for that $5 at the bar. You also say you want interesting things to do on Staten Island, well here was one and you completely blew an opportunity to see something slightly different. No they weren't major, marquee names - I'm sorry I don't have Radiohead on speed dial - but they were solid performers that have sold out countless places in Brooklyn and Manhattan. So wake up Staten Island! Don't be lazy, don't be cheap, be willing to try some things and maybe we'll all have a better time next time around!

I know I could have improved in many areas and I'm going to for the next time, so I hope you guys improve and get your butts out to things like this in the future.

As for the music...it all kicked off with the Staten Island four-piece known as Canopy. A few weeks ago I mentioned Canopy when I wrote about them as my band of the week, and I knew I wanted this nascent band to be a part of the night. The band was solid throughout, though it seemed they were still a bit shy being on the stage. The songs they sing are heavily influenced by Radiohead, but it comes off sounding sincere rather than forced or like a complete aping. Lead guitarist, Sandra Bentsen, is a fantastic, young musician with all the dexterity to be a true guitar legend. The band around her is as steady as can be,with Tim Mullen and Thomas Bonelli keeping the beat and John Vale belting out the songs. It's a great listen, though it could be a little more exciting on the stage, but I'm sure that will come as the band grows and gets more comfortable together.

My acoustic act of the night was Brian Sendrowitz of Beat Radio. Since I started this blog and booking shows Brian has been awesome to me, but I had never seen him perform without his band. Well let me tell you he is excellent without them (though not nearly as loud or rocking!), but few people in Staten Island would be able to tell you about this. Brian mixed his set nicely with classic Beat Radio tunes, new songs from an album they are currently working on, and a couple of his solo tunes. All of them fit nicely together and make him better then your average coffee shop singer songwriter.

Last, and certainly not least were Bridges and Powerlines who did a fantastic job blasting their indie pop into our ears. The set was as crisp and tight as I have ever seen them before and they honestly get better every time I see them. With most bands I would get bored seeing them this often, but for some reason they don't have that stigma associated with them. They are currently looking to book a show in the Bronx to officially hit every borough in the city this month. Someone hook them up with a show up there and I'll do my damnedest to make it up there.

Buzzworthy??? Or Not???

Who: Why?
Location: Okland, CA
Thoughts: My first few times throughout their debut album Alopecia I had to keep checking that it wasn't an assortment of other bands. For some reason they just sound like a lot of other bands that I enjoy like They Might Be Giants, Cake, Soul Coughing and a couple of other bands, without ever sounding like they are directly copying those bands. It's cool stuff, though their lead singer's quirky voice may not be for everyone. I'd definitely recommend checking out this band as soon as you can. No, really, you should do it! They'll be at The Knitting Factory on March 22nd.
Listen: Why? - "The Hollows"
Why? - "Close to Me" (The Cure cover)
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Tuesday's Thoughts from Better Thinkers:
- Pitchfork got the scoop on the new Tapes n' Tapes album as well as an interview with Josh Grier. Is it just me, or are other people worried about what this album is going to be like? Also, P-fork gave Times New Viking it's first Best New Music stamp of the year.
- Everyone has posted the lineups for Coachella this year, as well as words about the East Coast version now called All Points West fest. The Coachella lineup is pretty blah this year with no big surprises and no single band that I "need to see or I'll die". Here's hoping the East Coast gets Radiohead and My Bloody Valentine! (via Prefix, but you could go to just about every music site and get this info)
- Gothamist interviewed Kimya Dawson yesterday before she was on The View.
- Chromewaves gives a break down of the North American Festivals coming this summer and valid reasoning why you no longer need to fly to any of these fest. Personally, I'm hoping to attend Pitchfork, All Points West, Pop Montreal, and CMJ this year.
- CMJ went to Joe's Pub to check out Tim Fite last night.

Tuesday's Recommended Release(s)

This album is exactly what rock music should sound like. It is hard, fast paced, and aggressive, filled with charging guitar riffs and pounding drums. The first time I listened to this album I blasted it into my ears and proceeded to rock myself out, now I can't help but do that with each successive listen.

Black Mountain is full of talented musicians, and this is a prime example of what can be accomplished when free and talented thinkers are put together to create. In the Future starts off with the song "Stormy High", a rollicking psych-rock number, that doesn't go paint-by-numbers. Instead it arranges things in slightly skewed ways to give the listener the perception of something unique and psychedelic. And that philosophy is adhered to throughout the entire album. Songs like "Tyrants" and "Bright Lights" invade the ears and then the mind of the listener before they are replaced by something equally mesmerizing. There are a few down moments to the album, but these are installed with purpose, to give the listeners a brief rest before being rocked again and there are far more ups then there are downs.

Overall this is one of the most immediately powerful records I've heard in some time. It is the type of rock music that makes you want to stand up and blast your neighbors through the roof through sheer volume. In the Future is rock in its purest and most vital form.
Black Mountain - "Tyrants"
Black Mountain - "Stay Free"
buy it at insound!


People expecting a total Dan Bejar album from Hello, Blue Roses are in for quite a shocker when they first listen to The Portrait Is Finished And I Have Failed To Capture Your Beauty.... Even though his fingerprints are all over the project, it is the voice that most Bejar fans looks for and this album puts the focus more on his partner Sydney Vermont then it does on Bejar. There are some snippets with his voice, but it seems that he is trying to stay behind the curtain a bit on this new project. Though it may be shocking at first for most Bejar fans, I believe that the his constituency has a wide open taste and will easily transition into this piece of music.

Helping along with that is an album full of lush vocals provided by Sydney Vermont and subtle backing music that never overpowers. Vermont's songwriting and her talented, though not fully refined voice are what takes over the record. Songs like "Sunny Skies" and "Scarecrow" are lovely, atmospheric tunes that are impossible not to fall in love with.

This is a wonderful album from two very talented musicians, but it is very far from what you would expect from the usual Dan Bejar records and perhaps that's exactly why I'm finding myself enjoying it so thoroughly.
Hello, Blue Roses - "Sunny Skies"
Hello, Blue Roses - "Shadow Falls"

buy it at insound!


This album has been in my ears for quite some time so forgive me if it no longer seems new. I wrote about it in depth a while back, but I thought some of you may need a reminder (though it appears Pitchfork branded it Best New Music so you probably don't need to hear it from me). This is a sharp, lo-fi, DIY album. It is furious and loaded, and has just enough underlying melody to create some brand of catchiness. You must run out and buy this record and listen to it on repeat for days. It is that necessary. Like I said, this is just a reminder.
Times New Viking - "(My Head)/R.I.P. Allegory"
Times New Viking - "Another Day"
buy it at insound!


Also Released Today:

Monday's Leaky Faucet

Dan Bejar has earned a remarkable reputation within the indie music scene. Thanks to his work with The New Pornographers, Swan Lake, his solo work, and his latest project as Hello, Blue Roses, Bejar has reached a level where he is revered by his peers and his fans alike. It's a unique spot for an artist to be, but he just keeps proving himself with fantastic music.

On his latest solo release as Destroyer, Bejar once again proves how powerful his music can be. Trouble in Dreams isn't as immediate as Rubies, but once you give it a few listens you find that it is just as strong if not stronger. The music here is exactly the type of sound we've come to expect of Destroyer and should surprise no one. The lyrics are deep and beautifully descriptive, the music is sweet and not over powering, and Bejar's voice is as sharp as ever before. Listening to this album I can't help but feel this will still be high on my play list at the end of the year and maybe beyond.

This is going to be a huge year for Dan Bejar. Between this album and the debut of his latest side project Hello, Blue Roses, I have a feeling he is going to be on the lips of everyone that is at all interested in music.
Destroyer - "Foam Hands"
Destroyer - "Introducing Angels"

Made in the Dark has been leaked for a couple of weeks now, but it was marked with an audio bit that kept repeating some weird robot voice throughout the tracks. You still got a great idea what the new album would sound like, but it was tough to just ignore the voice over each of the tracks. Thankfully, the album has finally dripped out without that water mark and it is so much better then I expected from listening to that version.

The music on Made in the Dark takes the Hot Chip sound that was introduced on The Warning and expands it exponentially, making a fuller, more cohesive album then the initial foray. Throughout this album, Hot Chip not only keeps your pulse up and your body dancing, but they also put together better overall songs with a slew of added sounds within every gap of space. Lyrically it's improved, musically it's improved, and it just flat out kicks The Warning's ass. And that's coming from someone who love The Warning.

Obviously we still have a while before this album hits store shelves, but you should have no problem finding the whole thing if you know where to look. This is one of those albums that a leak should not affect at all, because I'm pretty sure most of us will still be excited to get our hands on the vinyl version and throw it on our turntables and blast it.
Hot Chip - "Out At the Pictures"
Hot Chip - "Made in the Dark"

Despite a little bit of a lull from his main project, Death Cab for Cutie, Chris Walla has managed to remain extremely busy. Between writing and recording his own solo stuff and producing a slew of A-list talent, it's been a busy few years for Walla and now we get his much anticipated and delayed debut album Field Manual. The music is pretty much exactly what you might have imagined; lots of lush guitars, subtle rhythms, and a heavy reliance on the lyrical aspect of the music.

For me, his voice doesn't have nearly the impact that Ben Gibbard's does. It isn't quite as emotional, doesn't have nearly the range, and has mild troubles conveying the emotional nuances of his lyrics. If it weren't for his name Chris Walla would most likely be a struggling singer songwriter playing small coffee shops and dive bars, but because of his reputation and past work with his much larger band he'll have himself a nice built in audience to listen to his new work.

It's not bad music it's just not a Death Cab for Cutie album, and unfortunately for Chris I think that's what a lot of us will be looking for from this.
Chris Walla - "Sing Again"
Chris Walla - "Bird is a Song"

This Week's Live Picks

Monday: Kimya Dawson @ Sound Fix Records 8pm FREE
Last week Ms. Dawson packed out Sound Fix, so much so that she decided to do it again and made everyone that didn't get in the priority. So those people will be getting in first, but there's still a chance you could get in even if you're not on that list. And it's better then the few options out there today.
Kimya Dawson - "Loose Lips"

Tuesday: Aesop Rock @ Southpaw 8pm FREE
So Aesop Rock is in town do the latest Myspace Secret Show. I don't think you need to do anything special tonight, just show up early enough to get in, which sounds simple enough to me.
Aesop Rock - "Citronella"

Wednesday: The Austerity Program @ Death By Audio 8pm $tba
Okay so not every show this week could be free, but this one should still be pretty cheap while still being an awesome, rockin' time! The Austerity Program really came on strong in the second half of 2007 for me, blowing me away with their two-man, pounding metal attack. I'm pretty sure they could do the same for you if you allow them to.
The Austerity Program - "Song 17B"

Thursday: Growing @ Death By Audio 8pm $tba
Growing is another band that has been really impressing me of late. The bands released a pair of excellent 7" last year on The Social Registry and this year should see the band releasing a full length that I can't wait for. Check 'em out!!!

or...The Cool Kids @ Studio B 8pm $12
If you're not so much into the drone/metal scene, then maybe checking out the indie hip-hop act The Cool Kids from Chicago. This group is getting a lot of buzz, and rightfully so, so checking out their show on the upward part of the curve would certainly be in your best interest.
The Cool Kids - "Black Mags"

Friday: Neurosis + Mastodon @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple 8pm $25
Rawk! Yay! Metal! Yay!
Mastodon - "Mother Puncher"
Neurosis - "Fear and Sickness"

Saturday: Get Him Eat Him + Mahjongg @ Southpaw 8pm $10
Both of these bands started getting my attention just recently so I'm pretty excited for a chance to see them both so soon after that. Hopefully I'll be able to get over to Southpaw for this one, you should too.
Get Him Eat Him - "2 x 2 (feat. Zach Condon)"
Mahjongg - "Tell the Police the Truth"

Sunday: Laura Veirs @ Union Hall 9pm $15
Honestly, the only reason I'm picking Laura Veirs is because DJ Shadow was way too expensive for my blood. She's good though, and should provide ample entertainment on the Sunday before the Super Bowl.
Laura Veirs - "Galaxies"

The Heavenly Tenants @ Martin Red 1/18

Last night, Duffy weekend at Martini Red kicked off with my brother manning the decks and a couple of bands on tap to rock us smoothly. The first band, I unfortunately missed due to an obsession with television, but I made it there in time to catch the quickly blowing up Staten Island band known as The Heavenly Tenants. Last time we saw the Tenants was at my birthday party back in November and as good as they were, you could tell they weren't fully in sync with their recently added bass and drum players. Tonight though was completely different.


From the start the band was on top of their game last night. The songs were crisp, clear, and wonderfully lush, the band was playful with a packed crowd, and it seemed everyone was having a great time watching a hometown band making good. The set was full of fantastic tunes, including "Fifteen" and "Had It All" which have been posted on this site before.

Overall it was a nice performance and it shows that the band is making great strides in improving and expanding it's pop sound. Live it sounds great, and I'm expecting this band to make a huge leap any day now.
The Heavenly Tenants - "Fifteen"
The Heavenly Tenants - "Had It All"
The Heavenly Tenants on Myspace

Duffy Weekend @ Martini Red

This weekend on Staten Island the Duffy's will reign supreme! My brother and I are hosting consecutive nights at our local hot spot Martini Red. With the sudden demise of the Cargo Cafe, Martini has quickly regained it's superiority for serving the Island's artists, thinkers, and hangers-on with decent beer at solid prices with pretty good entertainment options, but by having both Duffy's this weekend it will be the place to be in all of New York for some indie debauchery!

On Friday night my brother takes his shot at creating the perfect blend between bar, rock show, and party as he hosts the night with his friend Casey. For bands the duo has picked out a group I am completely unfamiliar with called Hugo and the awesome indie-pop band known as The Heavenly Tenants! You may remember The Heavenly Tenants from my birthday bash back in November or from yesterday's posted track from them, but however you recall them you should make sure you are there to see them tomorrow. It will be a quick evening though as my brother and Casey will bail for some house party immediately following the Tenants.

Details:
Who: The Heavenly Tenants & Hugo
Where: Martini Red, 372 Van Duzer St., Staten Island, NY, 10304
When: tonight around 10pm
How Much: absolutely nothing, except the cost of your alcohol of course!
Listen: The Heavenly Tenants - "Fifteen"
The Heavenly Tenants - "Had It All"
Hugo on Myspace

Saturday night I'll be doing my thing at the same place, Martini Red well into the late night. We have drink specials, we have bands, we have me DJing, and we'll have lots of dancing and other stuff going down! The night kicks off at 10pm with a 2-for-1 PBR and well drink special, and then the Radiohead influence Staten Island band Canopy. Following Canopy we'll have a special solo performance from Beat Radio's front man, Brian Sendrowitz, and then our headliner for the evening with the awesome power pop of Bridges and Powerlines. After the bands are done our drink special will kick in again and the dance party will take over with me DJing!!! Should be a fun night and a great weekend from every angle!!!

Details:
Who: Bridges and Powerline, Brian Sendrowitz (of Beat Radio), Canopy, and DJ PopTarts!
Where: Martini Red, 372 Van Duzer St., Staten Island, NY, 10304
When: Saturday, January 19th at 10pm
How Much: $5
Listen: Bridges and Powerlines - "Floods & Fields"
Brian Sendrowitz - "Rosaline"Canopy - "Stormy"

This Week's Touring News

Who: My Morning Jacket
When: Friday June 20th
Where: Radio City Music Hall
More Info
Listen: My Morning Jacket - "Wordless Chorus"
Thoughts: Considering Radio City has housed at least two of my favorite shows ever, this could be a really stupendous show. You add in the reputation MMJ has for their live shows, the fact that I've never seen them before, and the ambiance of Radio City and you have the makings of a magical night. I'm stoked, if I get tickets.

Who: Roky Erickson
When: March 1st + March 2nd
Where: Webster Hall + Maxwell's
Listen: Roky Erickson - "Creature With The Atomic Brain"
Thoughts: I'd much rather go to Maxwell's, but seeing as I probably won't make the trek over to Jersey for the show and I hate going to Webster, I will probably miss out on Roky this time around. Too bad.

Who: Taken By Trees
When: February 22nd
Where: Zipper Theater
More Dates
Listen: Taken By Trees - "Tell Me"
Thoughts: I like the Taken By Trees stuff enough to be a little excited about this, but I don't know if I am fully stoked. We'll see as it gets a litte closer.

Who: Stars of the Lid
When: May 2nd
Where: Good Shepard Faith Church (Wordless Music Series)
Listen: Stars of the Lid - "Apreludes (In C Sharp Major)"
Thoughts: I just can't get to riled up about something that's nearly five months away.

Who: Tegan & Sara
When: may 12th
Where: Terminal 5
More Dates
Listen: Tegan & Sara - "The Con"
Thoughts: Rachael must wanna see this.

Who: Fuck Buttons
When: March 27th + March 28th
Where: Music Hall of Williamsburg + Bowery Ballroom
More Dates
Listen: Fuck Buttons - "Bright Tomorrow"
Thoughts: Despite not even having an album yet, Fuck Buttons are playing two of the larger venues in the area on consecutive days. I don't know how bands like this pull of these leaps but in this case the leap is justified by some very solid song. I'm interested to see these guys play.

Who: Lightspeed Champion
When: March 5th + March 8th
Where: Mercury Lounge + Pete's Candy Store
More Dates
Listen: Lightspeed Champion - "Galaxy of the Lost"
Thoughts: I am not sold yet, but it may be worth heading to Pete's Candy Store to see.

Who: Sally Shapiro
When: March 7th
Where: Mercury Lounge
More Dates
Listen: Sally Shapiro - "He Keeps Me Alive"
Thoughts: Holy fucking shit! It's about time!!!! Yay!!! It's like Christmas in January!!!

Who: Jonathan Richman
When: March 4th + March 5th
Where: Music Hall of Williamsburg
More Dates TBA
Listen: Jonathan Richman - "Rockin' Shopping Center"
Thoughts: I honestly can't believe I've never seen Jonathan Richamn. It just seems like there's been a spectacular amount of opportunities to check this one off the list and yet I've never done it. I think this time around we should correct that heinous omission.

Who: The Weakethans
When: April 11th
Where: Music Hall of Williamsburg
More Dates
Listen: The Weakerthans - "Last Last One"
Thoughts: Considering the praises The Weakerthans get from peers like The Hold Steady and The Mountain Goats I'd say I'm pretty effing pumped for this tour.

Who: Why?
When: March 23rd
Where: The Knitting Factory
More Dates
Listen: Why? - "The Hollows"
Thoughts: This is one of those bands on the cusp between hype and being freaking huge. They have recently appeared on such illustrious sites as Pitchfork, Brooklyn Vegan, and I'm sure plenty more. That said I still haven't heard shit from them.

Good Album, Bad Album + Weekend Shows

The story of Mahjongg is a bit wordy so let me attempt to whittle it down to what you need to know. Essentially, Mahjongg is a collective of musicians who believe the world is quickly being sucked into a Grid where art, creativity, imagination, and free thought vanish. To counter this Mahjongg instructs people in the teachings of their God Kontpab, and tries to lure them into what they call The Sphere. There's a lot more to it then that, but that's the basics and basically what it leads to is an awesome assemblage of electronic beats and synthetic sounds, mixed with preaching lyrics to create some truly fantastic music.

The beats are nothing crazy, basically your typical indie-electronic outfit type stuff and the synths are more or less the same old same old as well, but the lyrics thrown down amongst these sounds are what separate Mahjongg from the bands still stuck in The Grid. As a whole, Kontpab is the type of album you can play in just about any situation. The rhythms are good enough that they could get people dancing and moving about, it's calm enough to just relax to, and it seems like a prefect fit for so many of lives situations. Personally, I've been using it as a soundtrack to my usually frantic morning commute and I've been finding myself much more relaxed then normal once I get in to work.

There is nothing Earth shattering or mind blowing about Kontpab, it will not change the face of music, and it is not the best thing since slice bread, it is just a really good record with some very enjoyable songs. Can we really ask for anything else???
Mahjongg - "Pontiac" (via Modern Music)
Mahjongg - "Tell the Police the Truth"
(Full Album Stream)
(Kontpab is out on Tuesday)

For months the internet hype-sters have had their wheels spinning for Team Robespierre writing one hyperbolic statement after another and raving about the band's ecstatic live show. While I will completely agree that their live show is fun as hell, the music just does not translate to tape (or CD, or mp3, or vinyl, or even fucking 8-track), and the result is a truly disappointing debut album from a band we thought had more in them. Throughout Everything's Perfect (which we now see has a poorly chosen album title) the band displays a knack for grade school lyrics and shout-a-long choruses, but little else.

When Team Robespierre are on stage they can hide their many flaws behind a sound system turned up to full blast, but on record they are completely exposed in every area. At 120 decibels you don't mind poorly tuned keys, uneven synths, or awful vocals completely devoid of harmony, but once you take the music home and throw it in your stereo you expect to hear something a little more cohesive, with slightly better production. That's not found anywhere on Everything's Perfect, instead we are given shouting and a cacophony of rubbish sounds that seem to be thrown together.

I usually have no problem with the dance-punk genre, or lo-fi, DIY aesthetics, but here neither is done particularly well and that is the entire problem with the album. It seems to me Team Robespierre would have been better off just recording one of their adored live shows rather then wasting time producing something that is so erratically produced. Better luck next time guys, still love the live show though.
Team Robespierre - "88th Precinct"
(Everything's Perfect is out on Tuesday)
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Friday January 18th:
The Muggs, The Diggs + Mussels @ Cake Shop [info][mp3]
The Sister Lovers + The Gaskets @ Midway [info][mp3]
Screaming Females @ Death By Audio [info][mp3]
The Rosebuds + Tigercity @ Music Hall of Williamsburg [tix][mp3]
Tall Firs @ Union Pool [info][mp3]

Saturday January 19th:
Birdges and Powerlines, Brian Sendrowitz (of Beat Radio), Canopy @ Martini Red [info][mp3]
Tim Fite @ Joe's Pub [tix][mp3]
Apes & Androids @ Mercury Lounge [sold out][mp3]
Misson of Burma @ Warsaw [tix][mp3]
The Antlers @ Sound Fix Records [FREE][mp3]
Blonde Redhead @ Terminal 5 [tix][mp3]

Sunday January 20th:
Andrew WK @ Pianos [tix][mp3]

Thursday's Tracks

The Good:
British Sea Power - "Waving Flags"; This is the sound of arena rock in the year 2008! This song is powerful, bold, catchy, and anthemic, it is awesome in so many ways it's hard to describe.

Malice (of Clipse) - "Cry Now Freestyle"; This is super short, but pretty much anything from Clipse will get my heart beating a little faster.

The Rosebuds - "Push It" (Salt-N-Peppa cover); First off let's just say that Salt-N-Peppa were a bad ass group, one of the best rap groups ever, and certainly the best female rap group. Now that that's been stated, The Rosebuds kick ass all over this awesome song!!!

High Places - "Golden (Brenmar Remix)"; I've been listening to this track for about a week and I just can't seem to get enough of it. Following their great showing with only a 7" last year, I have to say I am super giddy about hearing a full album from this Brooklyn duo.

The Heavenly Tenants - "Fifteen"; Gotta give a shout out to one of my favorite bands from my home borough, The Heavenly Tenants! The band is the sort cutesy, indie pop that I normally go head over heels for, and I think you guys might too. Give it a listen, and if you like it they are playing on Staten Island tomorrow night!

Wye Oak - "Warning"; I tried to avoid this band as much as possible, but they are everywhere and so I finally succumbed to the temptation. I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful music here, and it's very similar to The Heavenly Tenants who are mentioned above.

Destroyer - "Foam Hands"; I know this track has been out for quite some time but a lot of my focus last night was on Destroyer for some strange reason (cough, leak, cough). So I thought I'd throw this up again so I don't get in trouble with Merge.

Jukebox the Ghost Lounge Act Session (from WOXY); This is super notable because it is the first place where you can own the End of the World trilogy featuring "Fire In the Sky", "Where Are All the Scientists?", and "A Matter of Time". It is probably my favorite Jukebox song.

The Muggabears Lounge Act Session (via WOXY, duh); This starts off with a brand new track called "Guitar Feelings", which rocks like everything eles The Muggabears have ever done. I told you this is going to be a big year for The Mugga's, this is just the first sign.


The Bad:
The Big Sleep - "Bad Blood"; During the opening moments of the "Bad Blood", I found myself intrigued by the sound of a quality guitar riff but just as quickly as my interest was piqued it vanished when the less then stellar vocals kicked in. Once again I am left looking for more from this perpetually hyped band.

Say Hi - "Northwestern Girls"; If this is indicative of the stuff of the upcoming album from these guys I am really not going to be into it. The group formerly known as Say Hi to Your Mom was a band I was into, but this is a bit too emo for me to fully enjoy.


The Ugly:
Counting Crows - "1492"; Bwahahahahahahahahah!!!!! Cough, cough... Bwahahahahahahahahaha!!!!


Video of the Week:

I'm not even a big Robyn fan, but this just goes to show you the power of a good music video. If only MTV understood that still.

Band of the Week: Seafoam

When I looked at the myspace page for the New York band Seafoam, the first thing that caught my eye was the quote at the top of the page. "Soft, silly music is meaningful, magical..." is of course a lyric from one of my all-time favorite albums In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel, so before even listening to the band I knew I'd at least be able to appreciate what they're doing. Well to be honest, I more then appreciate, I fucking love it.

By combining certain aspects of hard rock/metal and folk music, Seafoam have effectively redefined the boundaries of a singer/songwriter. Lyrically, this is exactly the type of material you'd expect from your standard singer/songwriter, emotionally charged odes that are just unique enough to set them apart from the pack; but, it's the music that really takes hold here. Hard charging riffs and thunderous rhythms enhance the emotions found within the songs. It's pretty awesome, and there's a decent amount of music on the myspace page to sample.

For anyone that wants something a bit new and a bit different definitely check this out. Anyone that prefers to keep their metal and folk music separate should probably steer away from this one. Just try it out and see what you think.
Seafoam - "Don't Mind the Clouds"
Seafoam - "We Are Fallen"
Seafoam - "Sunshine"
Seafoam on Myspace

Pop Report

Movies:
No Country For Old Men; on Friday night, Rachael and I went to the theaters to check out No Country For Old Men which we were both very excited to see. The only problem is that we checked the movie times for Thursday and not Friday. Sadly, the movie was pulled from the theater in Staten Island in lieu of some crappy movie that the idiots living on my borough would go see. Hopefully we can still catch this in the city at some point.

Deathproof; instead of being in the theater watching No Country For Old Men we went home and watched the DVD for Deathproof and I was blown away by this movie. This is way better then either of the Kill Bills, and I believe at some point I told Rachael I thought it was better then Pulp Fiction which was a bit of an exaggeration but damn close. I literally stood up an applauded twice, while watching this movie in my living room. If you haven't seen this, please do!

A Good Year; I don't know why I started watching this, or why I kept watching this. Basically it's a love story where Russell Crowe learns to not be a dick and then wahlaa he falls in love. It's well written and well acte, but a bit too sappy for me to actually admit enjoying. That said I did watch the whole thing.


Television:
Extras (series finale); this was one of the best hours of television I have watched in years. For two seasons Extras was a fantastic show, but like he did with The Office, Ricky Gervais had a vision and stuck with it. The finale is an emotional rollercoaster that had me close to tears at certain moments, but still packed in enough laughs to keep from going overly dramatic. Just a fantastic end to a brilliant series.

Writer's Strike News; none

Sports:
Football; what a great weekend of football we just had! All four games were spectacular to watch even if you had no rooting interest whatsoever. My predictions for this week are Giants over Green Bay and Pats over San Diego.

Hockey; The Rangers have caught the Knicks virus and now suck. Perhaps they should move out and stay away from the terrible Knicks.

Basketball; Knicks still suck.

Baseball; Pitchers and catchers report in 29 days!!!

Blast from the Past: Sublime's 40oz. of Freedom

Like most people I know I didn't learn about Sublime until it was too late. Two months after the death of their lead singer and songwriter Bradley Nowell the band finally broke through with the release of their eponymous hit record. It was a shame for most of us to fall in love with these songs knowing that we would never get to see them performed live, but that didn't stop us from becoming fans and enjoying the music Nowell left behind.

As great as Sublime is, more times then not I find myself going back to 40 Oz. to Freedom instead. To me its a superior record, one that is full of all sorts of sounds and genres, and I think the slightly better songwriting. Everyone knows "Date Rape" and it's infamous video starring Ron Jeremy, but the rest of the album is just as good as that song. Kicking off with "Waiting For My Ruca", the album takes us on a trip through the different variations on the Jamaican sound of music. Ska, rocksteady, roots, dub, and even the sounds of hip hop and hardcore are found on 40 Oz. to Freedom, giving the album a varying sound that is difficult to get sick of.

In 1995, I was playing high school football when one of my teammates first played me "Date Rape". It was such a mind blowing song, both lyrically and musically, especially to a 15-year old kid. I thought it was the best thing I'd ever heard and I wanted more of it. That teammate made me a tape of the few songs he had from Sublime and a few months later we were treated to Sublime, but I still have that tape of tracks from 40 Oz. though I almost never play it since I got my hands on the whole album.

I wish we had gotten to know the band a little better before it was all over, but at least we have the music and I think that may just be enough. I know a lot of people hate on Sublime these days, but I still enjoy it from time to time and I thought maybe you'd like to be reminded of it too. Enjoy!
Sublime - "40 Oz. to Freedom"
Sublime - "Chico Me Tipo"
Sublime - "Date Rape"
Sublime - "KRS-One"

Buzzworthy??? Or Not???

Who: Headlights
Location: Champagne, Illinois
Sounds Like: Rilo Kiley, a little Feist-ish (vocals only though), cutesy indie pop
Thoughts: So I had no idea who the hell Headlights were, but there they were at #2 on the elbo.ws Hot Artists list so I thought they'd be perfect for the new-ish Buzzworthy section of the blog. I was kind of hoping they would suck so I could rip into them, but unfortunately (or fortunately depending on if you are half empty or half full type of person) they do not suck at all. In fact, this first tune off their soon to be released sophomore album, Some Racing, Some Stopping, is all I've been able to listen to for about the last hour or so. The tune is called "Cherry Tulips" and it seems to be everywhere, and rightfully so. It's fantastic, beautiful harmonies, upbeat tempo, lush and imaginative lyrics, it's just about everything you could ever want from an indie pop band.
Verdict: Buzzworthy, look for their album due out on Polyvinyl February 19th.
Listen: Headlights - "Cherry Tulips"
Headlights - "TV" (of their debut Kill Them With Kindness)
Headlights - "Tokyo" (off their EP The Enemies EP)

Tuesday's Recommended Release

Bands don't seem to put much thought into the titles of their albums any more. There was a time when we would get epic titles that corresponded perfectly with the contents of the album, but now a days it just seems we get self-titled albums or overly inflated, super wordy titles that don't mean a thing. The Magnetic Fields are not one of the bands I would lump into this category. In past years they have had i, an album where every song title began with the letter "i" and 69 Love Songs, which featured 69 love songs. For their eighth studio album the band once again encapsulates the entire album with a simple title - Distortion. It fits so perfectly, and not just because every song is full of lush, full sounding distortion, but also because the songs here are written about the distorted reality most of the people around us seem be living in these days.

On past Magnetic Field albums everything revolved around a concept within the songwriting. 69 Love Songs had 69 varying takes on the love song, i focused on personal, egotistical songwriting, and even the solo albums and side projects often found a way to center around one idea whether it was creating songs based on children's books or the tongue in cheek covers of The 6ths. At times this would leave the band handcuffed to the premise of the album, allowing for some mediocre songs to slip in amongst the true Merritt gems. This time around Merritt and company don't place the burden of a concept on the lyrics but on the music instead, freeing themselves to explore their pop songwriting regardless of the subject matter found within. The result is an epic exploration of distortion within modern music, an experiment of noise versus melody; or rather, noise + melody = Distortion.

We are welcomed to this concept with the opening track "Three-Way", a song that follows a surf rock riff and it's peaks and valleys through silent verses to two word choruses only to go through the silence again. The riff is, of course, loaded with distortion as is the simple two word chorus and everything else that goes along with it. It gives the song a dynamic feeling, one that clouds every inch of space available with some sort of sound, while allowing us to hear the basic melody underneath it all as something that wouldn't seem out of place on a 1960's surf rock album. All the same sounds are there, they are just below a huge amount of distorted sounds for you to find. It becomes even more evident as the album goes on, from the Beach Boys like track "California Girls" to "Too Drunk To Dream" and throughout everything else as well.

Over the course of the album The Magnetic Fields also resort to alternating songs; one will use Stephen Merritt as the primary singer on the song and the next uses Shirley Simms. Surprisingly, it's Simms that truly shines throughout the album and not Merritt. "California Girls", "Please Stop Dancing", and "Till the Bitter End" sparkle thanks to Simms' nuanced and sultry voice. Of course Merritt is no slouch here, it's just that Simms has the ability to steal the spotlight away whenever she steps up to the mic.

By committing to a change in the direction of The Magnetic Fields, Stephen Merritt has reinvented the band as a once again relevant player in the current landscape of the music world. Distortion is the band's most focused work since 69 Love Songs and from the very first listen to the album you can tell that the band feels energized and enthusiastic about the changes made. Of course old school fans shouldn't fret too much, the basis of the band is still there it's just accompanied by a magnified sound and a twist on the central concept.
Magnetic Fields - "Too Drunk to Dream"
Magnetic Fields - "Zombie Boy"
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Tuesday's Words from Smarter People Then Myself:
- Gothamist has an excellent interview with the wonderful Kimya Dawson. I'm not heading to her performance at Sound Fix tonight (le sigh), but you should if you have no other responsibilities and the $2 to get on the train over to there. Don't even worry about the $2 to come back though 'cause her music will have you floating all the way home.
- The big news on the interwebs today is that the company that runs Coachella will be hosting an East Coast version of the mega-festival this year somewhere in New York or New Jersey. This is of course in addition to that Vineland fiasco that is going on in South Jersey. So two massive indie festivals in our own backyard officially means I will be saving a shit load of money on airfare this summer. Yay!!! (link from Gothamist, though there are about a million other sources on this including Perez Hilton who I will never, ever link to because I feel he is at the absolute bottom of the barrel when it comes to human beings acting humanly.)
- About two weeks ago my PC crapped out on me and my loving and (mostly)wonderful parents immediately went out and got me a new PC. Sadly, now I have to trade it in on the cheap and combine it with my tax return to get myself the MacBook Air which made its triumphant debut during Steve Jobs' keynote address to open the MacWorld Expo. (via NYT)
- I didn't post links yesterday so I must mention that Daytrotter posted an awesome session with the always loveable Architecture in Helsinki. Downloading is necessary!
- Also yesterday Pitchfork interviewed Bradford Cox about all things Atlas Sound.

Monday's Leaky Faucet

There comes a time in most musicians lives where they can simply coast through the motions of releasing new material. They have stockpiled years and years of fantastic music, so they are tired and worn out and don't have enough to write about anymore and so they opt to just mail it in and call it a day. The Mountain Goats are one of those bands that could probably afford to do just that at this point. Over the better part of the last two decades John Darnielle and company have provided the world with more good music then should be reasonably expected of any person, they have toured relentlessly, and they have multitudes of adoring fans that would buy any shit the band put out. Yet here they are releasing another studio album that stands up as a fantastic piece of music and songwriting that every music lover should stand up and take note of.

Heretic Pride once again showcases every asset Darnielle has as a musician. Whether it be his perfectly timed tempo changes or his gift with phrases and wording, it is on full display here. Like every Mountain Goats album before it, Heretic Pride offers a wide array of emotions, while being able to be self deprecating and humorous at the same time. It's a skill a lot of songwriters have trouble with, but Darnielle has created a career out of doing just this so it should be no surprise to us at this point.

Kicking off with the first single, "Sax Rohmer #1", the album sets its tempo from the get go with a simple rhythm and the steady strumming of Darnielle's guitar behind his simple cadence of words. From there the album builds and wanes seemingly on a whim. It's not a whim though, it's perfectly thought out and planned and it works to strengthen the songs and the way they relate with one another.

So while peers of his have faded from view and others have begun to suck balls, John Darnielle continues to craft well seasoned music for his fans and the people that continue to jump on board for the ride. Heretic Pride is far from the best Mountain Goats album out there, but it certainly keeps the awfully high standards of previous releases.
The Mountain Goats - "Sax Rohmer #1"
The Mountain Goats - "Sept 15 1983"

This Week's Live Picks

Monday: Meat Comedy Show @ Cake Shop 8pm $tba
So there's not much going on musically tonight, but there is a pretty stacked lineup of comedians over at Cake Shop. The Meat Comedy Show features some of the best in underground/alternative comedy including Larry Murphy (of Adult Swim fame) and Adrianne Frost (of The Daily Show). Seems like it would be a good time.

Tuesday: Kimya Dawson @ Sound Fix Records 8pm FREE
Kimya Dawson has been doing a bit of touring to promote her part in the Juno soundtrack and tonight we get to see the former Moldy Peach doing her thing for free at Sound Fix. Gotta love the opportunity to see a fantastic musician for free, and you certainly have to love the odds of Adam Green maybe perhaps showing up for a couple of songs like he did in LA!
Kimya Dawson - "Loose Lips"

Wednesday: XYZ Affair + Gates of Heaven @ Sound Fix Records 8pm FREE
Back-to-back nights heading out to Brooklyn for a free show! Tonight we get Brooklyn's own XYZ Affair bringing their sound to the cafe in the back of Sound Fix. With shows like these I don't know why we'd ever need to pay to see a show.
XYZ Affair - "Little Fool"

also...A Place to Bury Strangers + The Muggabears @ Death By Audio 9pm $5
I cam across this show after I had chosen the XYZ Affair show as my pick, but I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention it. How often is it that you get a chance to see an awesome band that has headlined Bowery at an itty bitty venue for only $5? Not often so get there early or you probably won't get in and expect sweatiness!!!
A Place to Bury Strangers - "She Dies"
The Muggabears - "Dead Kid Kicks"

Thursday: Wakey! Wakey! @ Union Hall 7:30pm $tba
At this point you guys should realize if Wakey! Wakey! is playing a show it will probably be mentioned somewhere on this site. If you haven't seen him yet I implore you to do so!!!
Wakey! Wakey! - "Cokehead"

Friday: The Mugs, Mussels, + The Diggs @ Cake Shop 8pm $7
Three fantastic local bands are going to be filling the Cake Shop with lots of sweaty bodies tonight! All three are fantastic examples of why I wouldn't want to live in any other city in the world. Get there early to check them all out.
The Mugs - "Frank"
Mussels - "I Would Have Met You For Dinner (But I'm Fucking Crazy)"
The Diggs - "Careen"

Saturday: Pop Tarts Show @ Martini Red 10pm $5
Tonight I'll be hosting and DJing a show in my home borough of Staten Island. I know that may seem a bit far for most of you but for $5 and a free ferry ride you get three great bands and drinks that are way cheaper then they would be in the in any of the other boroughs. So hop on the boat to check out Canopy, Brian Sendrowitz (of Beat Radio), and Bridges and Powerlines tearing up the tiny stage at Martini Red. You'll have a good time, I guarantee it!
Bridges and Powerlines - "Floods & Fields"
Brian Sendrowitz - "Rosaline"
Canopy - "Skin on Skin"

Sunday: Suggestions Please???
While I'll be at home recovering from what is sure to be a nasty hang over (see above), I'm sure other people will be looking for something to do. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like there is much going down in the city tonight so if anyone has any suggestions please let us know in the comments!

Show Announcement!!!

I'm throwing a party! You should come! Tell your friends! Thanks!

Details:

On Saturday January 19th (that's a week from tomorrow) I, Pop Tarts Suck Toasted, will be hosting a show on Staten Island. I know most of you have never been to Staten Island and the thought of taking a free ferry ride to the land of the Wu Tang Clan must be a terrifying prospect, but do not fret it is nice there. Well, not the part where I'm throwing the show but other parts. Anyway, the show will be kicking off at 10pm and will cost you $5. Here's what you get for that $5...

1 - me as a DJ
2 - a local band called Canopy, they are young and learning to rock but already do to an extent.
3 - the lead singer of Beat Radio, Brian Sendrowitz, performing a rare solo set.
4 - all the members of Bridges and Powerlines melting your faces off with their brand of indie rock
5 - 2-for-1 PBR and well drinks from 10pm-11pm and immediately following the bands for one hour!
6 - a chance to be like Carrie Bradshaw by actually going to Staten Island
7 - the increased chance of seeing a member of the Wu Tang Clan, David Johansen, or John Franco (note: they will probably not be at the show, or in this dirty neighborhood).
8 - you can try out for part II of MTV's True Life: I'm A Staten Island Girl
9 - yeah I've run out of things to say

But come it will be good times for serious! Set times, mp3's, and what not below.

10:30pm - Canopy
11:30pm - Brian Sendrowitz (of Beat Radio)
12:30am - Bridges and Powerlines
Bridges and Powerlines - "Floods & Fields"
DJ Pop Tarts all night long!!!

Mass Transit Directions
Driving Directions

This Week's Tour News

Okay folks rather then list every band that announces tours as they are announced, I have decided to just post a list of all the eye-opening bands that will be coming through town once a week. There will be links and mp3's and all the other stuff you love. Hopefully this will serve as a quick handy guide when you are looking for something to do two months from today.
(P.S. - Lots of announcements this week...)

Who: Neurosis + Mastodon
Where: Brooklyn Masonic Temple
When: Jan. 24th & 25th
Listen: Mastodon - "Mother Puncher"

Who: The Black Keys
Where: Terminal 5
When: May 15th
U.S. Tour Dates
Listen: The Black Keys - "Thickfreakness"

Who: Radiohead
Where: hmmm...MSG? Radio City? Giants Stadium? Lollapalooza East?
When: dunno???
U.S. Cities They Will Play
Listen: Radiohead - "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi"

Who: Man Man
Where: Bowery Ballroom
When: April 10th
More Dates
Listen: Man Man - "Van Helsing Boombox"

Who: Xiu Xiu + Thao Nguyen
Where: Music Hall of Williamsburg + Fordham University
When: March 23rd + March 25th
More Dates
Listen: Xiu Xiu - "I Do What I Want When I Want"
Thao Nguyen - "Moped"

Who: Bodies of Water + Sons & Daughters
Where: Music Hall of Williamsburg + Bowery Ballroom
When: March 21st + March 22nd
More Dates
Listen: Bodies of Water - "Doves Circled the Sky"
Sons & Daughters - "Johnny Cash"
(note: last week Bodies of Water were going on tour with Le Loup, this week it's Sons & Daughters, so be prepared if it changes again.)

Who: The Thermals
Where: Studio B
When: January 31st
Listen: The Thermals - "A Pillar of Salt"
(note: this is a karaoke party presented by New York magazine. The band will play a set and then will act as the backing band for drunk hipsters who want to shake their thing on the Studio B stage in front of other drunk hipsters, but it is still The Thermals.)

Who: Health + Crystal Castles
Where: Studio B + Mercury Lounge
When: March 25th + March 26th
More Dates
Listen: Health - "Triceratops"
Crystal Castles - "AirWar"

R.I.P. - Sir Edmund Hillary

Growing up in my home I was exposed to all sorts of things thanks to my Dad's ever curious mind. He has a fascination with anything that has been left unexplored; the sea, space, everything and will often devote hours to watching PBS, the History Channel, Discovery, etc. to learn about these things. His curiousity has certainly rubbed off on me in some ways and so I was a little sad this morning when I learned then one of the men we both reverred had past away.

Sir Edmund Hillary may just be the most notable man ever to come from New Zealand. He was the first to scale Mt. Everest and devoted most of his life to exploration and humanitarian efforts. After scaling Everest, Hillary spent a good portion of his life attempting to improve the lives of the Sherpas in Nepal who helped him achieve his goal.

Of course Sir Hillary was a 88-years old and live a life few could possibly imagine, so perhaps we shouldn't mourn his passing as much as we celebrate the life he led. Just thought I'd share a little about this, I'll get back to the music in a little bit.
(P.S. - Ryan's Smashing Life has posted a fantastic mix deditcated to Sir Edmund.)

Weekend Review + Shows

I met Leo Maymind during CMJ last October. He was a nice guy, very personable, and very much into the music world. As is the way with the CMJ Music Marathon, Leo had a CD he wanted me to take a listen to and I promised him I would. I didn't think it would take me this long to get to it, but such is the problem when you have a bag filled with a few hundred CD's that you sort of forget to look at. Well, last week I did a bit of "spring" cleaning and came across the bag and the CD Leo gave me from his band Spanish Prisoners. I put it on and was pretty quickly enraptured by the tunes found on the disc.

It starts off a bit slow, but once you hit the second track it begins to pick up. The second song on the album, "Some Among Them Are Killers" is a fantastic song, with an excellent, sing-a-long chorus and some interesting lyrics. Leo's voice is much different in song then it is in person. In person he has a stutter, yet somehow his voice comes out crisp and clear when he's singing his songs. It's an interesting phenomena and if I were a psych student I could probably write an entire thesis on the complexities of the brain and how Leo's voice works. Musically there is a bit of everything found on this album. There's touches of banjo, lots of guitar, and mostly subtle rhythms that keep a steady pace.

Songs to Forget is the name of the album, but it would be more aptly named as "Memorable Songs", 'cause they are pretty easy to remember. The recording is a bit simple and could probably be cleaned up in a few places, but the potential and the songs found here are what count and in those categories Spanish Prisoners get very high marks. Check out the tunes below, and if you are in New York you can check him out live on the dates posted below.
Spanish Prisoners - "Where God Does His Laundry"
Spanish Prisoners - "Some Among Them Are Killers"
Spanish Prisoners - "Song for the Weary"

Live Dates:
Jan. 12th @ Piano's w/Bowery Boy Blue & Bedtime
Jan. 16th @ Luna Lounge w/Black Diamond Heavies, Left Lane Cruiser, & Ezra Furman & The Harpoons
Jan. 23rd @ Union Pool w/Jack Penate & Argyle Johansen
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Friday January 11th:
Shooting Spires @ Death By Audio [info][mp3](Recommended)
The Shondes + My Teenage Stride @ Luna Lounge [info][mp3]
Ecstatic Sunshine @ Music Hall of Williamsburg [tix][mp3]
Bridges and Powerlines @ The Creek and the Cave [info][mp3]

Saturday January 12th:
Wu Tang Clan @ Hammerstein Ballroom [tix][mp3]
The Party Faithful @ Luna Lounge [info][mp3]
Spanish Prisoners @ Piano's [info][mp3]
Oakley Hall @ World Financial Center [free][mp3]

Sunday January 13th:
Franz Nicolay @ Maxwell's [tix]
Kimya Dawson @ Southpaw [tix][mp3]

Thursday's Tracks

Welcome to a new section. Each week I'm going to pick out a few tracks that have been hitting the head phones and tell you about them. Then you can listen and make your own decisions about them. Tell me how you like it...

The Good:
Antarctica Takes It! - "Circuits"; To me an exclamation point in a band name usually indicates twee music, and here that pretty much rings true. A quirky, romantic song with a bouncy beat, "Circuits" is my first introduction to Antarctica Takes It! and so far I like what I'm hearing. It's a cute tune, and I think fans of The Boy Least Likely To and Architecture in Helsinki will really dig this one.

Hello, Blue Roses - "Sunny Skies"; Trolling the message boards I have been hearing rumors that there is not much of Dan Bejar on his new side project Hello, Blue Roses. If this track is an example well then that would be completely true as Bejar doesn't pop in until the very end of this song, but that doesn't prevent it from being a beautiful song. Sure, the first few times you sit there waiting for Bejar's voice to take over but once you get used to it you can start to appreciate the song on it's own merits. Trust me, give it a chance.

Beat Radio - "The Lion and the Lamb" (Demo); Beat Radio have been working on a new album for a while now, and I for one am really looking forward to the new stuff. This demo for one of the tracks that may or may not make the record is a solid example of Beat Radio's sound and songwriting style. It's simple, sedated, and lovely. If this is any indication of what the record is gonna be like, it's gonna be really good. You can check out the lyrics on Beat Radio's blog if you'd like.

Tim Fite - "45 Remedies"; It seems that with this new tracks Tim Fite is looking to blend his last two albums together and add a little bit of something to it. There's more electric guitar then ever before at the end of this tune, but Tim is stil at it with his socially conscious, slightly obscene lyrics. This is a solid preview of what his new album for Anti- will be like.

Wakey! Wakey! - "For No One" (Alicia Keys cover); Wakey! Wakey! has been releasing cover songs for almost a dozen weeks now and this week he tackles Alicia Keys. I've never been a fan of Keys' music so Wakey! Wakey! could have told me this was an original and I would have been blown away. It's fantastic, loaded with passion, and pure beauty. Check it out now.

The Bad:
Del the Funky Homosapien - "Bubble Pop"; Ugh, I am really not feeling the latest in hipster hip hop. I'm sure a lot of people like the old school production and cadence on this song, but personally I'm not feeling it. That's just my take.

Estelle - "American Boy (feat. Kanye West)" [stream only, real or windows]; Is it just me or does Estelle remind you of Nellie McKay too? The voice is so similar, especially if you consider McKay's rap flow. The only thing is McKay plays all her own instruments adding to her incredible talents, Estelle just uses fantastic production from outside sources to lay vocals over. Kanye's rhymes are okay here, but he's certainly not putting forth his best effort here. Overall it's not a bad track, but it ain't great either.

Ssion - "Clown (Glass Candy Remix)" (via Pitchfork); This shit is gonna blow up. I know it's gonna happen. I just wish it wouldn't.

Kate Nash @ Bowery Ballroom 1/9/08

Fresh off making all of our year end lists, I always find myself looking at things in the New Year in terms of where they would be on the lists or where they could potentially wind up at the end of this year. It seems like kind of a strange thing to do, but it's the way my brain works so I deal with it. Last night as I watched Kate Nash woo a sold out Bowery Ballroom with her charm and talents, I found myself wondering where this show would have ranked had it taken place in 2007 and I also wondered if I would remember it 12-months from now.

Last September, when Ms. Nash first stopped in New York for a couple of shows, I wasn't too impressed with her live performance. Certain problems arose during her set (the drums were way too loud), she was a bit coy, and it seemed she was feeling a bit flustered throughout the evening. She pressed on and her voice and songwriting certainly saved her that evening. This time around the sound was pretty much perfect, the drummer was kept in check the entire night, and Kate seemed way more relaxed then the last time. Perhaps it was a crowd that kept yelling out words of encouragement or the whole "practice makes perfect" saying, but whatever it was Kate Nash owned Bowery Ballroom's stage last night.

Opening with the up beat tune "Mariella", Nash took off from there performing all of her songs with the utmost confidence and positively wowing an already enamored Bowery crowd. I say they were already enamored because before she even took the stage the crowd was yelling words of encouragement to her, though some were a bit more polite about it then other (see Music Snobbery's review). Throughout the set Kate stopped to chat with the crowd a few times, but honestly I just couldn't understand her very well. When she just talks it comes out in a hoarse whisper, but when she sings everything comes out.

Last night's show was so good that I am sure it could have made last year's list and I am almost certain that it will remain in my memory not just at the end of this year but for many years to come.

More Nash:
- Music Snob has the set list & review
- Rachael has some pics
- Someone's YouTube video
- i am, therefore, i think reviews the show, tells couples to shut up
- and more of my photos
Listen: Kate Nash - "Foundations"

Band of the Week: Dinowalrus

I have a feeling that 2008 is going to leave me a bit deafer then I was at the start of the year. There seems to be a lot of bands that are opting to bring rock and noise to the forefront of the indie rock world, and I'm giddy with anticipation from that. Last year was a good start we got some great albums from some fantastic noise rockers, but I have a sinking feeling it's going to be even more prominent this year. A couple of days ago a band called Dinowalrus sent me a copy of their album which is either self-titled or nameless. On Tuesday I popped the CD into my stereo and was hooked in moments.

The album isn't necessarily loud (though I must admit to cranking it to the point where my hearing aid weilding neighbors were banging on the ceiling) it is noisy with a slew of freaked out synths, lots of percussion, and a few other found sounds to go along with some muddy, distorted vocals. Below the noise there is some semblance of a pop song structure, but you'd almost never notice it with everything that's piled on top. It's the way I like my noise rock; fast paced, percussive, and maintaining just enough structure to pass for actual songs.

Hailing from Brooklyn, New York it is pretty much inevitable that I will be seeing this band play in the near future and my gut tells me that their live show will be the real draw to this band. I don't know that for a fact, but I have that sneaking suspicion that when on stage Dinowalrus flat out blasts their music into your skulls. Your next chance to catch the band is on Friday January 18th at Death By Audio with Titus Andronicus and recent band of the week Screaming Females! That should be one kick ass show, I know I'm looking forward to it and you should be too!!!
Dinowalrus - "made in CCCP"
Dinowalrus - "duke nuke'em"
Dinowalrus - "numbers I hate numbers"
Dinowalrus Website
Dinowalrus Myspace
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Thursday's Think They're So Hot:
- Pitchfork asks Black Mountain to be their guest...list for the week.
- The Tripwire is giving away tickets to see the kick off to the One Step Beyond music series on January 25th. The show features Cool Kids and A-Trak so make sure you enter!
- Pitchfork also posts a review for their first Recommended album of the year, Here Comes the Future by The Honeydrips.

Pop Report

Welcome back to the weekly Pop Report everyone! Hope your holiday season was nice and merry all around! One of my main reasons for taking a break from the Pop Report was the fact that the television writers were still on strike and picking up any new series would have meant jumping in at the halfway point, something I hate to do. Unfortunately the writers strike has yet to be resolved (come on people, someone budge here!!!), but I am starting this up again hoping that something on TV will interest me at some point. Also, if anyone has any tips for what I should be watching during this heinous period in television history please let me know in the comments!

Movie Notes:
It appears the holidays are a great time to watch a shit load of DVD's and the past few weeks have been no exception to me. Here's a list of what I have watched; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Once, Science of Sleep, Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny, and I'm sure a few more then that but I can't seem to recall them. Hmmm...curious. I liked them all and would suggst you watch them as well.

Sports Notes:
Yay Goose Gossage! Another Yankee in the Hall of Fame!!! Boo, Clemens!!! Boo, Ohio State!!! Boo, Knicks!!! Boo, Rangers!!!

TV Notes:
- I recently watched the first two episodes of Friday Night Lights and liked them quite a bit. Unfortunately my girlfriend went ahead and watched all the other episodes without me pretty much assuring that I will never again watch the series. Sad.
- I got Flight of the Conchords season 1 for Christmas and I watched the first disc which contains all the episodes I had already seen. Maybe I should have skipped to disc 2 to have something to chat about here.

I know this one was short, but I hope to do better next week. I am currently reading Michael Chabon's The Yiddish Policemen's Union if you'd like to chat about it in another week or so. Have a nice week! And tell me what to watch!!!

WOXY Panders to the After the Jump Sect

I was just browsing through the world of music blogs when I came upon a piece of information on WOXY's Futurist blog. The post informed us that they were starting their Lounge Acts up again and the first four posted read like a lineup fro one of our After the Jump shows. It goes as follows:

This Thursday, January 10th - Jukebox The Ghost 2:00
This Friday, January 11th - The Muggabears 1:00
Wednesday January 16th - Mason Proper 3:00
Wednesday January 30th - Ra Ra Riot (special evening session) 7:30

Sure two of them haven't ever played a proper After the Jump gig, but The Muggabears have played shows for ATJ members The Battering Room and Ear Farm (I think this is true, I may be mistaken. Matt help me out?!) and Mason Proper has played at least one show for the lovely Underrated Blog (possibly more, and maybe more in the future). So even though they aren't direct After the Jump alums they are certainly within the six-degrees of separation. Oh, you should check out the sets all these bands rock!
Jukebox the Ghost - "Good Day"
The Muggabears - "Dead Kid Kicks"
Mason Proper - "My My (Bad Fruit)"
Ra Ra Riot - "Can You Tell"

Blast from the Past: Cake's Fashion Nugget

There are some albums from the 1990's that had one song that everyone seemed to fawn over, yet the full albums were good to great and almost forgotten behind the strength of the individual single. Cake's Fashion Nugget is exactly one of those instances. Nearly everyone remembers this album for the single, "The Distance" which propelled the album to platinum status, while forgetting the loads of fantastic, quirky pop songs that fill the rest of the album. Songs like "Daria", "Friend Is A Four Letter Word", and "Frank Sinatra" still have places deep inside my heart, and I think after revisiting the album they may still have places in yours.

I honestly don't remember much of how I was exposed to Cake or why I came to love this album so, though I suspect it has something to do with "The Distance" and with the wonderful cover of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive", but I do remember almost every word found on the album and that itself is enough to create a love of it to me. From the opening keyboard notes of "Frank Sinatra" I can let the music wash over me, and let my mind recall all their slightly bizarre lyrics. Albums that stick as well as Fashion Nugget has are certainly few and far between.

The reason I'm talking about Cake is simply because I came across the album while cleaning up my room the other day and threw it on my iPod out of nostalgia. By the third listen in a row I was recalling my younger days without responsibilities and work and I was really yearning to have some of those times back. Of course we can't go back, we have to press forward, but at least we have the soundtrack to those past days to remind us of where we came from. Check out the album again, you may not realize how much you missed it till you hear it again.
Cake - "The Distance"
Cake - "Friend Is A Four Letter Word"
Cake - "Daria"
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Wednesday's Thoughts from Other People:
- Sit Down Stand Up has posted Lil Wayne's The Leak 2. This is the second mix tape that is preceding his latest true studio album. I haven't hear it yet, but to quote SDSU "It's very...Weezy".
- Daytrotter has a session with the A-Sides. Once again I haven't heard it, sorry it's been a busy day at work, but I can assure it is probably not very Weezy at all. At least I would think.
- Pitchfork introduces a new column to their site where one of their writers names albums that they haven't talked about enough. Like Jay Reatard's Blood Visions. Right. Yesterday they interviewed Yeasayer though.
- Late Night Wallflower has introduced me to another rocking, female led band from New Brunswick! This is hot on the heels of my introduction to Screaming Females, which prompts me to wonder if New Brunswick is the new hot bed to awesome, loud, screeching, sexy, womanly bands? Well is it???
- Rawking Refuses to Stop posts an interview of Michael Cera perfomred by Zach Galafanakis. Hilarity ensues. At least I assume so I haven't watched yet.
- Yellow Stereo has alerted me of a free EP being given away by Brooke Waggoner on her website. And no I haven't listened to it yet and no I'm not going to assume how Weezy it is.

Tour News: Justice

So Justice and Myspace are partnering up for a tour, that seems a bit odd to me but I enjoy seeing the French DJ's so I'll take it. The big surprise of the tour isn't the partnering though it's the announcement that the Parisians will be playing Madison Square Garden! 15,000 people doing drugs and dancing! Damn that could be fun, or it could suck, either way I plan on being in attendance to witness that. Here's the rest of the dates...

03-03 Austin, TX - Stubb's Bar-B-Q *#
03-04 Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom *#
03-06 Orlando, FL - The Club at Firestone *#
03-09 Baltimore, MD - Sonar *#
03-10 Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory *#
03-11 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden *#^%
03-12 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club #^
03-15 Boston, MA - Paradise #^
03-16 Montreal, Quebec - Cepsum #^
03-17 Toronto, Ontario - The Docks #^
03-19 Detroit, MI - Royal Oak Music Hall #$
03-20 Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre #$
03-22 Denver, CO - Ogden Theater #$
03-24 Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo #$
03-25 Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore #$
03-26 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater #$
03-27 San Francisco, CA - Concourse Design Center #$
03-31 Los Angeles, CA - Mayan Theatre #$
* with DJ Mehdi
# with Fancy
^ with Busy P
% with Chromeo
$ with Diplo

Justice - "D.A.N.C.E."

Tour News: Jens Lekman

The maker of my #1 album of 2007 is returning to the road bringing his playful croon to cities far and wide and maybe even a town near you. I missed Jens the last time he was in New York mostly due to the fact that he opted to play Webster Hall. Well he's playing there again, but this time I will just suck it up and go. It's been far too long since I have since Jens perform.

03/13/08 Austin, TX - South By Southwest- SC Showcase- Mohawk
03/14/08 Dallas, TX - Granada
03/21/08 Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theatre
03/22/08 San Francisco, CA - Bimbo's 365 Club
03/23/08 San Francisco, CA - Bottom Of The Hill
03/24/08 Portland, OR - Berbati's
03/25/08 Seattle, WA - Neumos Crystal Ball Reading Room
03/29/08 Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre
03/30/08 Madison, WI - Music Hall
03/31/08 Chicago, IL - Logan Square
04/01/08 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center For The Arts
04/02/08 Washington DC, - Black Cat
04/04/08 Boston, MA - Paradise
04/05/08 New York, NY - Webster Hall
05/09/08 Camber Sands, United Kingdom - Pitchfork/ All Tomorrows Parties
05/10/08 Camber Sands, United Kingdom - Pitchfork/ All Tomorrows Parties
05/11/08 Camber Sands, United Kingdom - Pitchfork/ All Tomorrows Parties
05/16/08 Minehead, United Kingdom - All Tomorrows Parties Fest
05/17/08 Minehead, United Kingdom - All Tomorrows Parties
05/18/08 Minehead, United Kingdom - All Tomorrows Parties
Jens Lekman - "Postcard to Nina"
Jens Lekman - "Your Arms Around Me"

Tuesday's Recommended Release(s)

Last month was the most I had been to the movies in all of 2007. Before December hit I had seen maybe a half dozen new releases in 2007, but December rescued that and pushed the total into the double digits. Barely. The point I'm trying to make here is that I have trouble finding the time to get myself to the movies, and I have a serious problem rationalizing the $11 or more ticket price at most theaters when I can be seeing three or four bands for the same price. It was a joy going to see the new-ish movie Juno though, certainly worth the $11, and definitely one of the best movies I've seen in quite some time. The best part about Juno is that it truly appeals to the indie rock kid out there with a terrific soundtrack from several notable indie heavyweights. Today we finally get the official compact disc release of the soundtrack so now we can play it on our portable discmen! Hooray!

Anyway, the album itself is loaded with bands you should have been listening to for a long time. Bands like Sonic Youth, Belle & Sebastian, Cat Power, and The Kinks litter the track listing with songs from by gone eras making a great compilation of tunes akin to a mix tape from a friend of yours. On top of all that we get some new tracks from the always entertaining Kimya Dawson and couple of tracks from her defunct band The Moldy Peaches and another from her more current band Antsy Pants. It's these songs that make the entire soundtrack for me and it probably will for you, if you're into the whole anti-folk thing that is. The tunes Ms. Dawson provides here are fantastic tracks that could stand with anything else she's written in the past. Admittedly I'm a bit partial to her stuff with The Moldy Peaches, but this is just as quirky and focused as anything that duo ever worked on.

Fans of The Moldy Peaches should definitely purchase this when the record store near you opens tomorrow, fans of the movie should pick it up when they can, and anyone not liking either can pick it up just to enjoy the tracks from all the other bands on there. It's pretty much a little something for everyone.
Michael Cera & Ellen Page - "Anyone Else But You" (Moldy Peaches cover)
Kimya Dawson - "Loose Lips"

I gave you guys my full review of The Lisps' new album Country Doctor Museum a while back when I first got my hands on it, but I thought I'd offer you guys a bit of a reminder that the album is officially released today. Even though it won't be available in major retailers everywhere there are still a number of ways you can get your hands on it. The easiest and most convenient way to get the album is to head to band's website and order it directly from them, sure it won't count towards soundscan but it'll be well earned money straight into the band's pockets. The other way is to attend one of the band's upcoming gigs and picking it up from them there. Maybe they'll even autograph it for you! It also may or may not be on iTunes, I still need to confirm this.
The Lisps - "Heaven"
The Lisps - "Brackish Water"
The Lisps - "I'm Sorry"
The Lisps - "The Familiar Drunk"

Hello, Blue Roses: New Track

The second track from the latest in Dan Bejar side projects, Hello, Blue Roses, has been dropped in my inbox so I am dropping it here for all of your listening pleasures. The tracks is called "Sunny Skies" and is a sweet, mellow piano ballad anchored by Bejar's partner Sydney Vermont. It drifts for over two minutes before we finally get Bejar's unique voice added to the mix and more then just a piano back it up. It's another fine preview of an album I am thoroughly anticipating. Hope you like it.

Hello, Blue Roses - "Sunny Skies" (new)
Hello, Blue Roses - "Shadow Falls" (older)

Tour News: Caribou

Dan Snaith is going to be in for one hell of a free trip after racking up the frequent flyer miles this spring. The brains behind the ingenius Caribou will be embarking on a four month, four continent, sojourn across the globe, bringing his tunes everywhere from Down Under to the border of the Canadian wilderness. It's quite a journey and it all wraps up with a performance at May's Pitchfork vs. ATP Festival.

01/13 Tokyo, Japan - Unit
01/16 Perth, Australia - The Bakery
01/17 Sydney, Australia - Hyde Park Barracks Museum (Sydney Festival)
01/18 Brisbane, Australia - Gallery of Modern Art
01/19 Melbourne, Australia - East Brunswick Club
02/16 Cambridge, England - Barfly
02/17 Coventry, England - The Tin Angel
02/18 Glasgow, Scotland - The New Stereo
02/19 Aberdeen, Scotland - The Tunnels
02/20 Edinburgh, Scotland - Cabaret Voltaire
02/21 Liverpool, England - Barfly
02/23 St. Malo, France - La Route du Rock Festival, Winter Edition
02/24 Paris, France - Cigale *
02/25 Reims, France - La Cartonnerie #
02/26 Dijon, France - Generiq Festival
02/27 Freiburg, Germany - Café Atlantik (Generiq Festival)
02/28 Athens, Greece - Gagarin205
02/29 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg (Oude Zaal)
03/01 Moscow, Russia - IKRA Club
03/02 Leipzig, Germany - UT Connewitz $
03/03 Prague, Czech Republic - Lucerna Music Bar
03/04 Salzburg, Austria - Rockhouse
03/05 Zagreb, Croatia - KSET
03/07 Brescia, Italy - Centro Lucia di Botticino
03/08 Rimini, Italy - Velvet Venue 2
03/09 Lausanne, Switzerland - Le Romandie
03/11 Istanbul, Turkey - Babylon
03/12 Lisbon, Portugal - Santiago Alquimista
03/18 Hamilton, Ontario - The Casbah
03/19 Waterloo, Ontario - Starlight Lounge
03/20 Toronto, Ontario - Lee's Palace
03/21 Toronto, Ontario - Lee's Palace
03/22 Ottawa, Ontario - Babylon
03/23 Montreal, Quebec - La Tulipe
03/24 Durham, NH - Strafford Room %
03/25 Northampton, MA - Iron Horse %
03/26 Boston, MA - Paradise %
03/27 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg %
03/28 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom %
03/29 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's %
03/30 Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel %
03/31 Charlottesville, VA - Satellite Ballroom %
04/01 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle %
04/02 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club %
04/02 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club %
04/03 Gainesville, FL - Common Grounds %
04/04 Orlando, FL - The Social %
04/05 Fort Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room %
04/06 Tampa, FL - Crowbar %
04/07 Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder %
04/08 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge %
04/09 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center %
04/10 Urbana, IL - Illini Union Courtyard Café %
04/11 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle %
04/12 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Club %
04/13 Winnipeg, Manitoba - Royal Albert Arms
04/14 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Amigos
04/15 Edmonton, Alberta - Starlite Room
04/16 Calgary, Alberta - Grand Theatre
04/18 Vancouver, British Columbia - Biltmore Cabaret
04/19 Victoria, British Columbia - Sugar
04/20 Seattle, WA - Chop Suey %
04/21 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge %
04/23 San Francisco, CA - The Independent %
04/24 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre %
04/25 Tucson, AZ - Plush %
04/26 El Paso, TX - Club 101 %
04/27 Austin, TX - Emo's %
04/28 Dallas, TX - Palladium Loft %
04/29 Tulsa, OK - The Continental %
04/30 Kansas City, MO - The Record Bar %
05/01 St. Louis, MO - The Billiken Club %
05/02 Bloomington, IN - Waldron Auditorium %
05/03 Oberlin, OH - Oberlin College %
05/04 Buffalo, NY - Big Orbit's Soundlab %
05/09-11 Rye, England - Camber Sands Holiday Centre (ATP vs. Pitchfork Festival) %!
* with Jose Gonzalez
# with Buck 65
$ with Black Dice
% with Fuck Buttons
! with the Hold Steady, Black Lips, Jens Lekman, Hot Chip, Les Savy Fav, No Age, Of Montreal, Man Man, Los Campesinos!, Glass Candy, Dirty Projectors, Redd Kross, Marissa Nadler, Meat Puppets, the Black Angels, Wooden Shjips, Shit and Shine, Sebadoh, Ween, A Place to Bury Strangers, Deerhunter, Pissed Jeans, Yeasayer, Apse

Caribou - "Melody Day"

Tour News: A Place To Bury Strangers

As a New Yorker I've been a bit spoiled by all the attention we get from our local boys, A Place to Bury Strangers. We sometimes forget how new they are because of how often the play here, but now the band is set to hit the road on a wide spanning tour throughout North America. The tour only includes one stop in New York, but with over a month between their last tour date and their date at Pitchfork vs. ATP I'm almost positive they'll be making us deaf more then once in the coming weeks.

Feb. 14th; Cleveland, OH - Beachland Bar
Feb. 15th; Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
Feb. 16th; Indianapolis, IN - Locals Only
Feb. 17th; Chicago, IL - Schubas *
Feb. 18th; Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock *
Feb. 20th; Winnipeg, Manitoba - Parkway Theatre *
Feb. 21st; Regina, Saskatchewan - The Exchange *
Feb. 22nd; Edmonton, Alberta - Velvet *
Feb. 23rd; Calgary, Alberta - Hifi Club
Feb. 25th; Vancouver, British Columbia - Richard's on Richards
Feb. 26th; Seattle, WA - TBA
Feb. 27th; Portland, OR - Doug Fir
Feb. 29th; San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill *
Mar. 01st; Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland
Mar. 03rd; San Diego, CA - Casbah
Mar. 04th; Tucson, AZ - Plush
Mar. 06th; Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge *
Mar. 07th; Denver, CO - Larimer *
Mar. 08th; Kansas City, MO - Record Bar *
Mar. 09th; Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room *
Mar. 10th; St. Louis, MO - Bluebird *
Mar. 11th; Oklahoma City, OK - Conservatory *
Mar. 12-15; Austin, TX - SXSW
Mar. 16th; New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks
Mar. 17th; Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn *
Mar. 18th; Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
Mar. 19th; Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel #
Mar. 20th; Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's
Mar. 21st; Boston, MA - Middle East (Upstairs)
Mar. 22nd; Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
May. 09-11; Rye, England - Camber Sands Holiday Centre (ATP vs. Pitchfork) ^
* with Holy Fuck
# with Sons & Daughters
^ with the Hold Steady, Of Montreal, Hot Chip, Jens Lekman, Man Man, Les Savy Fav, Black Lips, Caribou, Dirty Projectors, No Age, Los Campesinos!, Glass Candy, Deerhunter, Yeasayer, Redd Kross, Marissa Nadler, Sebadoh, Ween, Meat Puppets, the Black Angels, Fuck Buttons, Wooden Shjips, Pissed Jeans, Apse, Shit and Shine

A Place to Bury Strangers - "She Dies"
A Place to Bury Strangers - "I Know I'll See You"

Monday's Leaky Faucet

When Los Campesinos! released their 2007 EP, Sticking Fingers Into Sockets, many twee loving popsters flipped their lids. Their songs were infectious, joyous, rowdy, and even a bit dark at times, creating the perfect world for any lover of twee and pop alike to find something new to dance about. Tunes like "You! Me! Dancing!" and "We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives" were filled with lush hooks and quirky vocals that would easily provide the background sound for any good loft party. The only problem was Sticking Fingers Into Sockets was way too short with only six songs. Luckily that problem should now be fixed as the band prepares to release their debut full length Hold On Now, Youngster..., due out February 25th. Even better is that the album has hit our ears a bit early and now I'd like to give you guys a taste of what's to come from the band. I'll have more on this closer to the release date, but you can go ahead and listen to these tunes knowing that I'm loving every minute of the album and I think you will too if you know where to look for it.

Los Campesinos! - "Death To Los Campesinos!"
Los Camepsinos! - "Don't Tell Me to Do the Math"
Los Campesinos! - "My Year In Lists"
(Removed BY Request)

This Week's Live Picks

Monday: Ravens & Chimes + Spanish Prisoners @ Mercury Lounge 8pm $8
I've heard a ton of words of praise for Ravens and Chimes since October when they apparently wooed every blogger in New York during CMJ. Unfortunately I have yet to give the band much of my time other then the occassional listen to a tune when it hits my iPod on shuffle. Perhaps its time to see if the hype is merited or not. Extra credit for having transplanted Brooklyinites, Spanish Prisoners on the bill (more on them to come!!!) Either that or I'll be home watching the National Championship! (Note: as a Michigan fan it is difficult to root for Ohio St., but I hate the SEC so much that I will have to say GO! Buckeyes! all night long.)
Ravens and Chimes - "January"
Spanish Prisoners - "Where God Does His Laundry"
Buckeye Battle Cry vs. Fight for LSU

Tuesday: Thurston Moore + Tall Firs @ Knitting Factory 8pm $12
Wow, a bona fide legend in the small confines of Knitting Factory. That alone sells me on this show! Throw in the fantastic Tall Firs, the hyped up MV & EE, and a pair of other bands and you're just rubbing salt in the wounds of the other shows going on this evening. Seeing Thurston Moore doing his thing solo though, that alone is worth the price of admission.
Thurston Moore - "Fri/End"
Tall Firs - "The Woods"

Wednesday: Kate Nash @ Bowery Ballroom 7pm $15
Ahhh how I love the British pop star! From Winehouse to Lily Allen and everywhere in between they just do so much more for me than our standard American pop singers. They just seem so much more human, down to earth, in desperate need of rehab, and like normal ordinary people. Kate Nash may just be the best of them all, her cute songs match her adorable looks perfectly and her voice and wit are at the top of the heap. Really enjoyed her the last time she was here at Joe's Pub, and I'm sure the higher quality venue will only add to the show.
Kate Nash - "Foundations"

Thursday: The Bosch + El Jezel @ Fat Baby 8pm $tba
Wow, two of the most criminally ignored bands of 2007 together in one place! Both The Bosch and El Jezel released solid albums last year, but most seemed to go almost unnoticed while much shittier bands were getting lauded on every blog from here to Siberia. Sometimes I don't understand how this hype machine works, but hopefully both these bands will get a bit more attention in 2008 starting with attention from you when you attend their show Thursday night.
The Bosch - "Brooklyn Cars"
El Jezel - "Oleta"

Friday: Shooting Spires @ Death By Audio 8pm $tba
Shooting Spires is one of the bands that really wowed me at the Cardboard Records showcase at last year's CMJ and it seems as the days pass more and more people are starting to take note and realize that we've got something special developing here. Why not take a chance and see what if you buy into it as well?
Shooting Spires - "Right"

Saturday: Wu Tang Clan @ Hammerstein Ballroom 7:30pm $50
As a native Staten Islander I am legally required to remind you that Wu Tang Clan will be playing in the vicinity on Saturday night. Even if it wasn't required I'd probably tell you about, but paying the $50 to get in with the propect of not having RZA anywhere near the venue is a much different proposition. If you have the cash it would probably be cool to go. If you don't I wouldn't sweat it too much.
Wu Tang Clan - "The Heart Gently Weeps"

Sunday: Franz Nicolay @ Maxwell's 7pm $8
Franz Nicolay seems like he is perpetually in motion. Just one glance at the sheer amount of projects he's worked on and you start to realize that music is in this guys blood and he must be making it at all times. I haven't heard much of his solo stuff, just a song or two here and there, but what I have heard is pretty damn good and certainly worth the $8 cost of admission. Is it worth the trip to Jersey? That's a little more iffy but I'd still have to say 'yes' to that.
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Monday's Slow Links:
- Pitchfork interviewed David Berman of the Silver Jews over the weekend to get the low donw on their new album. I don't know why but recently I've found myself obsessed with Tanglewood Numbers which is doubling my excitment for their new stuff!
- Daytrotter keeps the new year rolling right with a set from Rogue Wave.
- CMJ chronicles the dates for Dan Deacon's "Ultimate Reality" tour.
- Stereogum has a new video from Vampire Weekend.
- Gorilla vs. Bear has a track from DFA duo Hercules & Love Affair.

The Lisps @ Joe's Pub 1/5/08

As some of you may know I have been quite the follower of the Brooklyn band The Lisps. I caught some of their early shows when they were playing to half empty rooms, but still played with the passion that made them seem like they were playing to a packed house. In those days it was fun to watch what the band would do on stage, because I honestly believe they didn't even know what was going to happen from song to song. Over time though the band has found and honed their sound to perfection and have really tweaked their live show to the point where people in the room can't take their eyes off of them when they are playing. So last night seemed to be the culmination of a year of hard work, of lots of playing, and of the trials and tribulations every nascent band goes through.


The band took the stage at their assigned time, the house was packed with Lisps loyalists who have been there from the start or who jumped on the band wagon after one song caught their imagination and made them dance. It must be awesome playing to a crowd like that; full of friends and family, people that have watched every step of the bands maturation over the past year. But we weren't there just to celebrate how good the band has gotten, but the release of their awesome debut full length Country Doctor Museum, and the band cranked out the tunes to prove it's merits again and again as the night wore on.

Looking spiffy and dapper all at once, The Lisps kept to most of the songs off their new album opening with "I'm Sorry" and working in feel good tunes like "Heaven", "Chaos", and "Documents". The tunes were sparkling thanks to Joe's Pub's excellent sound system and some skilled work from the band. Adding a piano and trumpet for a couple of tunes, the band showed every side they have offering a full taste of what their music is all about. It was enough to leave the crowd full, and not just of over priced drinks, but still The Lisps offered more.

At one point Cesar introduced a song telling it was a new one that will be on a forth coming concept album about a Civil War soldier who wants to write science-fiction novels. It was a great tune, offering a bit more twang then the rest of the band's catalog and adding another layer to the ever evolving sound of the band. For dessert the band gave us a couple of their classic tracks including the always amazing "Pepper Spray" and "Sidewalk Girls" a song they rarely play live.

Overall it was a brilliant evening, but most of the people in attendance knew it would be before they ever walked into the venue. Such is the life when you know the band you're going to see is perpetually on and never offers less then 100% when they hit the stage. I'll have more on Country Doctor Museum as the week goes on so make sure you keep your eyes open for that.
The Lisps - "Heaven"

Tour Dates

A shit load of bands have announced tours this week so I thought I'd post the one's I really wanna see here. I know you've probably seen it about a million other places so far but this is starting to get me amped for 2008 and I wanted to share with all of you.

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks Tour Dates:
March 19-Minneapolis @ First Avenue
March 20-Milwaukee @ Pabst Theater
March 21-Chicago @ Vic Theatre
March 22-Indianapolis IN @ Vogue Theater
March 23-Newport KY @ Southgate House
March 25-Nashville @ Mercy Lounge
March 26-Atlanta @ Variety Playhouse
March 28-Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
March 29-Philadelphia @ Fillmore
March 31-New York @ Bowery
April 2-Brooklyn NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
April 3-Boston@ Paradise Rock Club
April 4-North Adams MA @ MASS MoCA
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - "Baltimore" (via Spinner)

Cat Power Tour Dates:
1/21 Paris, France - Bataclan
1/27 London, England – Shepherd's Bush Empire
2/06 New York, NY - Terminal 5
2/07 Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
2/08 Philadelphia, PA - Starlight Ballroom
2/09 Toronto, Ontario - Kool Haus
2/10 Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
2/11 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue

The Mounatin Goats Tour Dates:
February 19 - Anchorage, AK
February 22 - Vancouver, BC, Richard's on Richards
February 23 - Seattle, WA, Neumos
February 25 - Portland, OR, Doug Fir
February 26 - Portland, OR, Doug Fir
February 27 - Eugene, OR, WOW Hall
February 29 - San Francisco, CA, Bimbo's
March 1 - San Francisco, CA, the Independent
March 2 - San Francisco, CA, Bottom of the Hill
March 4 - Los Angeles, CA, the Troubadour
March 5 - Los Angeles, CA, the Troubadour
March 13 - Northampton, MA, Pearl Street
March 14 - Boston, MA, Museum of Fine Arts
March 15 - Boston, MA, The Middle East
March 18 - New York, NY, Webster Hall
March 19 - Brooklyn, NY, Music Hall of Williamsburg
March 20 - Philadelphia, PA, First Unitarian
March 22 - Washington, DC The Black Cat
The Mountain Goats - "Sax Rohmer #1"

Hot Chip Tour Dates:
2/02 - New York, NY - Highline Ballroom
2/04 - Los Angeles, CA - El Ray Theatre
4/10 - Philadelphia, PA Starlight Ballroom
4/11 - Washington, DC 9:30 Club
4/12 - New York, NY Terminal 5
4/14 - Boston, MA Paradise
4/17 - Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
4/18 - Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
4/22 - Seattle, WA Showbox
4/23 - Portland, OR Crystal Ballroom
4/24 - San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
Hot Chip - "Ready for the Floor"

Bodies of Water Tour Dates:
03/10 - Dallas, TX - The Cavern w/ Phosphorescent + Bowerbirds
03/18 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl w/ Parlor Mob + Le Loup + Nicole Atkins & The Sea
03/19 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 *
03/20 - Philadelphia, PA - The Barbery *
03/21 - Washington, DC - Black Cat *
03/23 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge *
03/24 - Brooklyn, NY - Union Hall *
03/25 - Cambridge, MA - T.T the Bear's *
03/27 - Bloomington, IN - Waldron Arts Center *
03/28 - Chicago, IL - Schubas w/ Throw Me the Statue + Le Loup
03/29 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th St. Entry *
04/02 - Portland, OR - Holocene *
04/06 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah *
* w/ Le Loup
Bodies of Water - "We Are Co-Existors"

Black Mountain Tour Dates:
Thu 1/31 - Seattle, WA Neumo's
Fri 2/1 - Seattle, WA Crocodile Cafe
Sat 2/2 - Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
Mon 2/4 - San Francisco, CA The Independent
Tue 2/5 - Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
Thu 2/7 - San Diego, CA Casbah
Fri 2/22 - New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Black Mountain - "Tyrants"

Boredoms Tour Dates:
Sat 03/15 - Canes San Diego CA
Sun 03/16 - Henry Fonda Theater Los Angeles CA
Tue 03/18 - The Fillmore Auditorium San Francisco CA *
Thu 03/20 - Crystal Ballroom Portland OR
Fri 03/21 - Neumos Seattle WA
Tue 03/25 - First Avenue Minneapolis MN *
Wed 03/26 - Logan Square Auditorium Chicago IL
Sat 03/29 - Paradise Boston MA
Sun 03/30 - Terminal 5 New York NY *
Wed 04/02 - Starlight Ballroom Philadelphia PA
Thu 04/03 - 9:30 Club Washington DC
* In the round

Weekend Review + Shows

When you talk about the "Best Rapper Alive" not too many names hit the list at this point. There's Jay-Z, Kanye, Clipse, Outkast, Ghostface, and um, yeah not much else. So it would take a pair of steel plated balls to go ahead and dub yourself the "Best Rapper Alive" without being one of those previously mentioned people, but that's just what Lil' Wayne has gone and done. The funny thing is he backs up the talk with some of the best rhymes in the game blowing up with his mix tapes and studio albums alike, and truly garnering the attention of the listening rap world. On Christmas day Weezy dropped his latest mini mix tape The Leak, five tunes that will lead us to his latest studio effort The Carter III which is due in February.

Over the course of 5-songs Lil' Wayne gives us only a few examples of why he may just be the latest contender for his self proclaimed title, but these examples are enough to merit the downloading of the mix tape at the very least. Some of the lines he spits here and some of the beats dropped are throw aways, stuff that wouldn't hold a candle to the older stuff and hopefully will pale in comparison to the next album, but it's also still better then 97% of the other hip hop that's being put out right now.

The best part of The Leak is the ease with which Weezy changes up his flows within verses, going from a slow paced drip of a rhyme to a rapid fire blast of words in only a few bars. It's an impressive feature to have and it's certainly something that all the great rappers have been able to do and Lil' Wayne is no exception to that rule.

He may not be the "Best Rapper Alive" just yet but eventually he may ascend to that role, there just needs to be a few tweaks here and a few tweaks there but I'm sure we'll get some of that on The Carter III. I'd still give the nod to one of the folks I named earlier, but the gap is certainly narrowing.
Lil' Wayne - "Gossip"
Lil' Wayne - "Love Me Or Hate Me"
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Friday January 4th:
Man in Gray + XYZ Affair + Pale Nimbus @ Mercury Lounge [tix][mp3] (Recommended)
Jamie Stewart (of Xiu Xiu) @ Lutheran Church of the Messiah [tix][mp3]
Bear Hands @ Cake Shop [info][mp3]
Team Robespierre @ Silent Barn [info][mp3]
Bridges and Powerlines @ Union Hall [info][mp3]

Saturday January 5th:
The Lisps @ Joe's Pub [tix][mp3] (Recommended)
MV & EE @ Issue Project Room [info][mp3]
Care Bears on Fire @ Union Hall [info][mp3]
These United States @ Union Hall [info][mp3]

Sunday January 6th:
???

Band of the Week: Screaming Females

I gotta go out and give thanks to two bloggers that kept posting last week despite the holidays and led me to my first band of the week for 2008! On consecutive days Gimme Tinitus and Heart on a Stick both posted about Screaming Females, a rocking trio(?) from New Brunswick, New Jersey that should be listened to by every person that has ever enjoyed any form of rock n' roll ever. This band flat out rocks and is the living testament to what rock n' roll should be.

Led by the warbling vocals of one Marissa P, who also handles the guitar duties dutifully with wonderful breaking solos and steady riffs through the actual verses of each song, Screaming Females could easily be lumped into the old school riot grrrrrrrrrrl category but then they would probably slap the shit out of you and take your testicles from you. Not that I know this for sure, but just being lumped into that category would insinuate a feminist direction, you know the "I hate every living being with a penis" mentality that I just can't stand. Instead, Screaming Females mix up the punk and the post-punk, throws it together and adds some elements of your traditional, old school rock bands with some riff-tastic guitar solos that shred. As good as Marissa P and her guitar and vocals are, the rhythm section is equally powerful with steady drum beats and some ridiculous bass lines thrown in for good measure. It's the kind of stuff I wish there were more of, but then we'd probably get bored with that too.

I know the band has tour dates coming up, but I can't get on myspace at work to check their dates so you're just going to have to do that yourself. For now check out a live session the band did for JamNow.com that is loaded with 8 premium tunes. You can also check out the mp3's posted on Heart on a Stick and Gimmee Tinitus, 'cause they are just as freakin' good as the live stuff. I guarantee you there will be more coverage of this band as 2008 progresses so prepare yourself now! Oh, I would also like to not thank Bryan from Subinev who has played with Screaming Females but has never mentioned them to me. That's not cool dude, don't hoard all the good music to yourself. Jerk.
Screaming Females on Myspace
Screaming Females write a blog
Screaming Females - "You and Mr. Rogers"
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Thursday's Light Reading:
- Drowned in Sound is previewing 2008 artists that are up-and-coming and interviewing White Denim.
- Pitchfork has The Tough Alliance stop by for their Guest List spot.
- Stereogum posted a new track from The Mountain Goats.
- CMJ shines their spotlight on the one and only Jay Reatard.
- Spinner tells us all this talk of a Kinks reunion is just talk according to Dave Davies.
- Sit Down Stand Up has the whole Lil'Wayne mix tape The Leak as well as a new mash-up of Jay-Z and Ghostface Killah.
- Rachael takes a look at who could be the next to follow in Radiohead's footsteps in her new gig as a poster on the Limewire music blog.

Blast from the Past: The Clash's The Clash

Growing up as a pop punker in the 1990's you were forced to defend your choice of music amongst the more hardcore fans of the genre. People would pick apart your pin collections or choice of t-shirts and you had to know enough to shut them up or at least discourage them from picking on you relentlessly, and if you were able to wow them enough you may have even made yourself a friend.

It was a strange scene indeed. On one hand we would all team up against the bratty pop kids that were paying hundreds of dollars to see the flippin' Backstreet Boys and on the other hand we would torment each other for liking bands we secretly knew we also enjoyed. It was hard and it was confusing and I am really glad I'm not longer a part of that scene, but some of it has stuck with me.

One of those bands that we were required to know, and that you and everyone else in the world should be required to know was The Clash. The band responsible for three of the best punk albums in the history of the world (in order; London Calling, The Clash, and Combat Rock) was vital in this scene and remains a vital band today. Well, at least their music remains vital today.

This past week I was at home watching a documentary on Joe Strummer with my Dad, a huge 70's punk fan and major Clash fan, about him trying to get his later band The Mescaleros heard and seen by people. He literally went to the Atlantic City boardwalk to tell people about the show, and people had no idea who he was! I was shocked an appalled and terribly surprised. If Joe Strummer was walking down the street right now (hallelujah he has risen from the dead!) I would literally shit my pants and I am not star struck very often. I was also reminded of my avid Clash fandom and decided to revisit the albums and that has led to this little piece of course.

I don't remember exactly when I discovered The Clash for real. I remember hearing the singles on the radio all the freakin' time growing up, and I know my Dad listened to them on a fairly regular basis, but personally I can't recall the first time I heard London Calling front to back because it was already so familiar to me that I didn't feel that it was new. It's a strange feeling, almost like being born with the knowledge of the band and accepting their greatness without ever listening to it for real, but after listening to it it just confirms everything you already knew. Strange feeling.

Anyway, everyone always gives London Calling the majority of the credit for what The Clash did and I certainly can't dispute that. It is a phenomenal record, one of the greatest ever, and is a favorite of mine, but The Clash may just be my all-time favorite punk album ever. From beginning to end it is loaded with some of the best true punk songs ever written. London Calling was a bit to diverse to label solely as punk, even though it is punk; but, The Clash is simple, sped up chords, over rebellious anthems, loaded with more teenage angst then any goth kid could ever drum up. These were teens and 20-somethings growing up in one of the worst financial times the world has ever seen. They were faced with the end of the Vietnam War, the middle of the Cold War, and loads of authoritative figures that had no clue what they were doing. And instead of just taking it they stood up to the establishment and rallied the young adults around them. It is the true "fuck the establishment" calling that punk is all about, and The Clash may have done it better then anyone else.

From the very opening of "Clash City Rockers" The Clash establish themselves as wordsmiths and musicians. Mick Jones, Joe Strummer, Paul Simonon, and Terry Chimes rock it and believe in everything they are singing. When they damn the U.S. and their lifestyles in "I'm So Bored With the USA" you can feel their anger and the same rings true throughout the album. How many albums do you know that are this firmly set in their beliefs, this passionate, and this amazingly catchy all at once? It was an awesome statement back when it came out and somehow it was withstood the test of time as a true example of what the times were like.

I've loved this album for a long time. There has been times when I would argue that it was better then London Calling with my brother and he would try to dismiss it, but you just can't ignore how great this album is no matter how much you adore London Calling. Of course in arguing this you have to realize that my copy was the American version which is loaded with "Clash City Rockers" and "I Fought The Law" on top of everything they had on the original UK version.

If you haven't listened to this in a while I'd suggest giving it a spin just to remind yourself how great it can be and if you've never heard it, well crawl out from under your rock, skip buying another copy of the new Radiohead album, and buy this instead. You'll love it. Trust me.
The Clash - "London's Burning"
The Clash - "I Fought The Law"
The Clash - "White Riot"
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Wednesday's Things You Should Know About:
- The Antlers have announced a couple of east coast solo dates and have also revealed the title to their new album. Should be a very good year for The Antlers! (via CMJ.com)
- Daytrotter has Via Audio in the studio for a quick session to start off the New Year right.
- Bradford posted a new Atlas Sound track for you to ring in the New Year right.
- Pitchfork returns and recaps the bare boned music news of the two weeks they were away. They also give us their first ever reader's poll.
- Jezebel Music places its monthly spotlight on one of my faves, Wakey! Wakey!.
- In Staten Island scene news, local band of mystery The Exceptionists will be playing a show at the Cargo on Janurary 9th. That's a week from today in case you were wondering, and the show is completely free. Be there or be at Kate Nash with me, it's up to you really. (via Marooned Music)

Tuesday's Recommended Release

I'm beginning to tire of all the antics and marketing strategies coming out of the Radiohead camp, and I suspect that even some of their die-hard fans are beginning to feel some sort of fatigue from all the Radiohead coverage of the past few months. They have been lauded for their innovative release strategy, vilified by the record labels, applauded for another solid album, and hailed on year end lists from here to Saskatoon and back again. Throw in the web casts and viral marketing, the tv commercials, the In Rainbows disc 2 phenomena, and it all weighs a little heavy on the brain. Forgive me if I'm not more excited about the actual physical release today, but I've been listening to the album for months and lately I've found myself going for more OK Computer and Kid A rather then this new one. Still, it is a bit of an odd move to release your album on New Year's Day so let's take a few moments out of our hung over holiday state to take a look at why Radiohead is putting In Rainbows on store shelves today.

The main reason is obviously to hit #1 on the charts. The album has been an unprecedented success already, but it hasn't been verified by any sources that are credible. I'm sure the Radiohead camp knows the exact numbers, but they haven't given us all the info yet so we are left to speculate and take the word of outside sources who really don't know how much traffic the download created. So in order to quantify the success of In Rainbows Radiohead releases their album on a day where there are no other releases all bu insuring a #1 release and even more headlines, spurring even more record sales. The only possible kink in this argument is the recent sales of Josh Groban's Oprah approved album, but I believe that will taper off greatly now that the Christmas season is over leaving Radiohead with a clear #1 album. The bonus is that January is a notoriously slow month for new releases and record sales which could possibly boost In Rainbows to a prolonged run at the top of charts.

Other then the charting, Radiohead must be looking to prolong the exposure to draw even more attention to the dying model of the current record industry. Each time they sell an album, do an interview, web cast their songs for free, they are breaking down the dinosaur in the room that has been quickly losing its strength as the ice age approaches. It makes them the leader of the industry and could lead to greater opportunities for them as more then just musicians. Just think about the idea of a Radiohead record label with nothing but pay as you want digital releases. Can you possibly tell me that wouldn't be a huge success? I didn't think so. Every Radiohead fan in the world would sample the new bands under their umbrella, creating new huge bands, and a fantastic base model of how the industry could thrive in the near future.

Overall, I think the band believes they are doing this for altruistic reasons. Money probably figures in somewhere, but as a long time fan of the band I can take their words and believe that they really do want every person possible to hear their music and hopefully enjoy it. I am hoping that is their ultimate reason for the prolonged release method, but deep down I can't ignore all the other possible reasons behind this innovative strategy. It's interesting to watch and it'll be even more thrilling to see how well they do with the physical release following a digital release. I'm sure more then a few eyes will be peering at their copies of Billboard come next Monday.
Radiohead - "Videotape"
Radiohead - "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi"