Thanks to everyone who has left me nice notes and comments the past few days, its nice to know I'm wanted. I am not quitting Pop Tarts Suck Toasted! I am waiting for me internet to be installed in my new place and then I will resume normal posting! Till then I am considering myself on the first blog vacation I've had in four years. I will see you all again very soon, but until then check out some of the blogs listed to the right, like Gimmee Tinitus or I Guess I'm Floating or I Rock Cleveland. They are all solid!!!
Sorry guys I'm gonna have to continue giving you guys the silent treatment through the weekend. Moving is hard...
I don't know if it was the mix of rain and sun, or my familiarity with most of the bands, or my drunkeness, or my laziness, but for whatever reason my coverage of the 2008 Pitchfork Music Festival pales in comparison to that of most other sites. I saw less then half the bands that played the fest, photographed even fewer, and I was honestly not too impressed with the festival as a whole. People have said that it was better run this year, probably true though I missed last years and had a hoot two years ago when I went, people said the bands were excellent even without a "true" headliner, hell people have said that it was an awesome time, but I've spent most of the past day reading about Siren Fest and Ted Leo at Castle Clinton and Liars at McCarren Park and I can't help but think that I made the wrong decision in what to do with my summer vacation. Maybe I should have gone and spent a shit ton more money to see Radiohead at Lollapalooza. Maybe I could have flown out to one of them West Coast festivals folks love. Instead I put my trust in a site that altered their score of the Black Kids album this morning and who generally don't give a fuck what the bloggers have to say anyway unless they are bowing before the altar of the all mighty Pitchfork. Now, I respect Pitchfork a great deal. For the most part they get their shit right, the first time, and do more for small bands then anybody has since CMJ Music Monthly in the 1980's and 90's, but this weekend they missed the boat on a lot of shit.
Kicking off the weekend was the three-headed monster of a bill for the Don't Look Back night. It featured Mission of Burma performing VS in it's entirety, Sebadoh doing the same for Bubble and Scrape, and the most highly anticipated performance of the weekend was certainly Public Enemy's track for track reenactment of It Takes a Nation Of Millions to Hold Us Back. That alone should have paid for the weekend trip by itself, but something got screwy on the way and it didn't come off as it should have. For starters I believe Sebadoh said it best when they admitted (and this is paraphrased), "I can't fucking believe a band we grew up listening to, like Mission of Burma, just opened for us". What the hell was Pitchfork thinking in that slotting? Mission of Burma is one of the most influential bands on this new age of music that we are in. And just because Sebadoh sold more records or hasn't toured their classic album they were made to open? That wreaks horribly. It also should be noted that Mission of Burma by far topped every other performance that evening. The opened with a few tunes not found on VS giving the people a little extra before launching into their classic album. And it was awesome! Watching Mission of Burma, well into their 40's (50's?) performing an album over 25-years old that sound like it could have been released today was pure perfection. They hit every note, tapped every skin, and plucked every string the way it was meant to sound, and everyone at that festival seemed to take note (aside from the Public Enemy fans who showed up late). From there it was nothing but disappointment.
Sebadoh seemed like they could care less that they were there playing and album that is beloved and cherished by many. It's a very punk rock attitude and one that I'd normally back, but for fuck sakes guys the people standing before you are the reason that you probably still make a decent chunk of change off a 20-year old album. Throwing them the fuck you was a form of selling out, it was making yourself seem more important than the fans that loved the music, and honestly you couldn't have been a worse band if you had lip synched through the whole fucking thing.
But Public Enemy were even worse. Following the "hyping" of Public Enemy by a couple of DJ's for 20-something minutes that sounded like one of those bassed out cars driving past my windows at night we were treated to a hype man, turned TV "star" that ruined an otherwise respectable performance form Chuck D and company. Flavor Fav we know your name, you don't need to shout it every five minutes and we couldn't give a shit about your terrible VH1 "reality" show. We weren't there for you, we were there to listen to one of the most important albums in the history of music. An album that made Chuck D public enemy number one in the minds of a lot of people in the government. An album that still, sadly, rings true in these troubled times. We were there to witness and honor perhaps the greatest rap album of all-time. You really weren't needed then to make it important and you certainly take away from it's importance today.
Day two started off well, despite lateness that made me miss most of my beloved Titus Andronicus. Their last three songs sounded awesome though, and of course they are showmen that know rock and know how to play to a crowd. Jay Reatard does not know how to play to a crowd, but when you rock that fucking hard you don't need to! Following an impromptu introduction from King Khan, we were treated to 28-minutes of hard rocking provided by two V-necks and a hard hitting drummer. Reatard rarely leaves a second of his set quiet, and Saturday afternoon was no different. He would announce the song, launch into it, and announce the next like clockwork. It was a thing of beauty and even with the last of the light rain showers falling it was a thing of beauty.
From here the day descends down a slippery slope of drunkeness, that ended about a half-hour before it should have. I spent most of the day on the B-stage with bands that should have been playing the main ones. Instead bands like Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend were placed on the pedestals they don't deserve for various reasons unknown to me. Bands like Icy Demons and New Zealand's Ruby Suns were left with an awesome, though smaller, crowd that ate up the various things these folks can do. And they were honestly highlights of the weekend. Icy Demons had a fantastic set, with a shimmering bass and pounding drum that was part Man Man but had a little more soul in some ways. I felt like I could shimmy to them rather then just bouncing around.
Fuck Buttons took that stage next while the masses were sitting a smoking weed to the boring sound of Fleet Foxes, the intrepid few were shaking their asses to the innovative sounds of the Bristol lads. It should have been louder so that the music could envelope you, and sure they would do much better in a club atmosphere, but outside on Saturday no one that saw them could deny that there is something totally different about their ability to take a simple two person, tabletop setup, and take it to the furthest reaches of it's abilities to captivate. Fourth time seeing this two piece, and each time I have left feeling like I would love to see them do it again!
I wholly regret missing Dizzee Rascals' set, but I had a sweet spot for Ruby Suns and I wasn't giving it up. Last I saw them they were a three piece, but today they went as a duo and still managed to make all the sounds of their album come to life on the stage. Drums, bass, and synths galore this two piece make the most natural sounding music out there (well, with some competition from High Places). It's such an atmospheric sound that you just want to chill to it and that's exactly what I did. Sadly, it seemed a lot of people left their set at some point to see Vampire Weekend, but it was such a good set that I hope the people that caught it will go out and see them again when they return.
Now we all know my feeling on the Vampire Weekend phenomena, so I felt compelled to see if my dislike of them translated to their live set and lo and behold it sure as shit did. I caught the tail end of their set (I was not willing to leave Ruby Suns for a personal experiment) and it failed to impress in just about every way. I think weak is the word I'd use to describe it.
From there the day became I blur. I spent most of Elf Power's set on the line for the bathroom, and it sounded good. Missed all but one song from !!!, that wasn't bad but they are a club band for sure. I chilled way back for my 7,000th time seeing The Hold Steady, the new songs are solid live but the older ones get the fans going nuts. And really chilled during Atlas Sound's strange solo set. All of these acts were good, The Hold Steady probably should have headlined the day and Atlas Sound should have gone on much earlier, though I'm sure people on 'shrooms would disagree with me on that one.
By the time No Age took the stage to headline the smaller stage (come on Pitchfork, these guys have earned your current high score of the year, shouldn't they have been on one of the larger stages later in the day for the people to rock out too?) I had had my fill of the sun and the beer and was totally out of it. At some point during the set I slipped away from the pit to go puke in a porta-potty, and returned in time to go nuts when Abe Vigoda joined them for a Misfits cover. That was the highlight of the weekend by far, and it seemed wrong to go mellow out to Animal Collective after a set like that.
Day 3 was worst. I was hungover, cranky, and caffeine less at the start of the day and it would take it's toll quickly. For the first time in the three days of the festival the CTA had gotten us to the show on-time for the original 12:30pm Mahjongg set. That became 1pm and did not help my crankiness at all, but I stumbled over to the main stage for Times New Viking with some hope still pouring from me. They were awesome! It was my first time seeing them and they didn't disappoint. I only wish I could see them again right now. I caught the tail end of Mahjonng's det, it was good and then sat at the B-stage for what I thought would be the day.
High Places came on and were terrific though terribly suited for that outdoor experience. I don't know why exactly, but I feel their sound is more intimate and should be observed from no less then 10 feet from their set up. I was further back, hence less intimate. And that was it for me. Three acts on the final day of the festival and I was shot. Maybe I should have drank some water or something but I bailed instead missing some definitely notable acts.
I guess after writing that sentence that the blame falls squarely on myself for not enjoying the Pitchfork Music Fest as much as I should have. Scratch that, it definitely falls on me. Shit, I'm starting to question my resolve in doing this. Has it all become something more then just a general love of music? Is it a competition or jockeying for a future in music? Rachael has taken a step back from the business and she seemed to really enjoy her time at the festival just watching bands and not worrying about anything else. I'm not saying I'm giving up, I just think a long hard look at why and how I do this needs to take place in the near future.
Well, for better or worse, that is my review on the 2008 Pitchfork Music Fest. I really think the subtitle says it all in the general context of how I went about this festival. I'm sorry if I've disappointed any of you, or if I've become jaded in all that I get for free from doing this music site. It was never meant to be this, it was just supposed to be me conveying my love of the music and somehow it's morphed away from that. I'll try to do better in the future or I may just stop doing it if I can't get back to doing it for the love.
Pictures can be found on myspace, but there's not too many and they kind of suck so I'm not posting them here. Check out P-fork's own coverage for the better photos.
Kicking off the weekend was the three-headed monster of a bill for the Don't Look Back night. It featured Mission of Burma performing VS in it's entirety, Sebadoh doing the same for Bubble and Scrape, and the most highly anticipated performance of the weekend was certainly Public Enemy's track for track reenactment of It Takes a Nation Of Millions to Hold Us Back. That alone should have paid for the weekend trip by itself, but something got screwy on the way and it didn't come off as it should have. For starters I believe Sebadoh said it best when they admitted (and this is paraphrased), "I can't fucking believe a band we grew up listening to, like Mission of Burma, just opened for us". What the hell was Pitchfork thinking in that slotting? Mission of Burma is one of the most influential bands on this new age of music that we are in. And just because Sebadoh sold more records or hasn't toured their classic album they were made to open? That wreaks horribly. It also should be noted that Mission of Burma by far topped every other performance that evening. The opened with a few tunes not found on VS giving the people a little extra before launching into their classic album. And it was awesome! Watching Mission of Burma, well into their 40's (50's?) performing an album over 25-years old that sound like it could have been released today was pure perfection. They hit every note, tapped every skin, and plucked every string the way it was meant to sound, and everyone at that festival seemed to take note (aside from the Public Enemy fans who showed up late). From there it was nothing but disappointment.
Sebadoh seemed like they could care less that they were there playing and album that is beloved and cherished by many. It's a very punk rock attitude and one that I'd normally back, but for fuck sakes guys the people standing before you are the reason that you probably still make a decent chunk of change off a 20-year old album. Throwing them the fuck you was a form of selling out, it was making yourself seem more important than the fans that loved the music, and honestly you couldn't have been a worse band if you had lip synched through the whole fucking thing.
But Public Enemy were even worse. Following the "hyping" of Public Enemy by a couple of DJ's for 20-something minutes that sounded like one of those bassed out cars driving past my windows at night we were treated to a hype man, turned TV "star" that ruined an otherwise respectable performance form Chuck D and company. Flavor Fav we know your name, you don't need to shout it every five minutes and we couldn't give a shit about your terrible VH1 "reality" show. We weren't there for you, we were there to listen to one of the most important albums in the history of music. An album that made Chuck D public enemy number one in the minds of a lot of people in the government. An album that still, sadly, rings true in these troubled times. We were there to witness and honor perhaps the greatest rap album of all-time. You really weren't needed then to make it important and you certainly take away from it's importance today.
Day two started off well, despite lateness that made me miss most of my beloved Titus Andronicus. Their last three songs sounded awesome though, and of course they are showmen that know rock and know how to play to a crowd. Jay Reatard does not know how to play to a crowd, but when you rock that fucking hard you don't need to! Following an impromptu introduction from King Khan, we were treated to 28-minutes of hard rocking provided by two V-necks and a hard hitting drummer. Reatard rarely leaves a second of his set quiet, and Saturday afternoon was no different. He would announce the song, launch into it, and announce the next like clockwork. It was a thing of beauty and even with the last of the light rain showers falling it was a thing of beauty.
From here the day descends down a slippery slope of drunkeness, that ended about a half-hour before it should have. I spent most of the day on the B-stage with bands that should have been playing the main ones. Instead bands like Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend were placed on the pedestals they don't deserve for various reasons unknown to me. Bands like Icy Demons and New Zealand's Ruby Suns were left with an awesome, though smaller, crowd that ate up the various things these folks can do. And they were honestly highlights of the weekend. Icy Demons had a fantastic set, with a shimmering bass and pounding drum that was part Man Man but had a little more soul in some ways. I felt like I could shimmy to them rather then just bouncing around.
Fuck Buttons took that stage next while the masses were sitting a smoking weed to the boring sound of Fleet Foxes, the intrepid few were shaking their asses to the innovative sounds of the Bristol lads. It should have been louder so that the music could envelope you, and sure they would do much better in a club atmosphere, but outside on Saturday no one that saw them could deny that there is something totally different about their ability to take a simple two person, tabletop setup, and take it to the furthest reaches of it's abilities to captivate. Fourth time seeing this two piece, and each time I have left feeling like I would love to see them do it again!
I wholly regret missing Dizzee Rascals' set, but I had a sweet spot for Ruby Suns and I wasn't giving it up. Last I saw them they were a three piece, but today they went as a duo and still managed to make all the sounds of their album come to life on the stage. Drums, bass, and synths galore this two piece make the most natural sounding music out there (well, with some competition from High Places). It's such an atmospheric sound that you just want to chill to it and that's exactly what I did. Sadly, it seemed a lot of people left their set at some point to see Vampire Weekend, but it was such a good set that I hope the people that caught it will go out and see them again when they return.
Now we all know my feeling on the Vampire Weekend phenomena, so I felt compelled to see if my dislike of them translated to their live set and lo and behold it sure as shit did. I caught the tail end of their set (I was not willing to leave Ruby Suns for a personal experiment) and it failed to impress in just about every way. I think weak is the word I'd use to describe it.
From there the day became I blur. I spent most of Elf Power's set on the line for the bathroom, and it sounded good. Missed all but one song from !!!, that wasn't bad but they are a club band for sure. I chilled way back for my 7,000th time seeing The Hold Steady, the new songs are solid live but the older ones get the fans going nuts. And really chilled during Atlas Sound's strange solo set. All of these acts were good, The Hold Steady probably should have headlined the day and Atlas Sound should have gone on much earlier, though I'm sure people on 'shrooms would disagree with me on that one.
By the time No Age took the stage to headline the smaller stage (come on Pitchfork, these guys have earned your current high score of the year, shouldn't they have been on one of the larger stages later in the day for the people to rock out too?) I had had my fill of the sun and the beer and was totally out of it. At some point during the set I slipped away from the pit to go puke in a porta-potty, and returned in time to go nuts when Abe Vigoda joined them for a Misfits cover. That was the highlight of the weekend by far, and it seemed wrong to go mellow out to Animal Collective after a set like that.
Day 3 was worst. I was hungover, cranky, and caffeine less at the start of the day and it would take it's toll quickly. For the first time in the three days of the festival the CTA had gotten us to the show on-time for the original 12:30pm Mahjongg set. That became 1pm and did not help my crankiness at all, but I stumbled over to the main stage for Times New Viking with some hope still pouring from me. They were awesome! It was my first time seeing them and they didn't disappoint. I only wish I could see them again right now. I caught the tail end of Mahjonng's det, it was good and then sat at the B-stage for what I thought would be the day.
High Places came on and were terrific though terribly suited for that outdoor experience. I don't know why exactly, but I feel their sound is more intimate and should be observed from no less then 10 feet from their set up. I was further back, hence less intimate. And that was it for me. Three acts on the final day of the festival and I was shot. Maybe I should have drank some water or something but I bailed instead missing some definitely notable acts.
I guess after writing that sentence that the blame falls squarely on myself for not enjoying the Pitchfork Music Fest as much as I should have. Scratch that, it definitely falls on me. Shit, I'm starting to question my resolve in doing this. Has it all become something more then just a general love of music? Is it a competition or jockeying for a future in music? Rachael has taken a step back from the business and she seemed to really enjoy her time at the festival just watching bands and not worrying about anything else. I'm not saying I'm giving up, I just think a long hard look at why and how I do this needs to take place in the near future.
Well, for better or worse, that is my review on the 2008 Pitchfork Music Fest. I really think the subtitle says it all in the general context of how I went about this festival. I'm sorry if I've disappointed any of you, or if I've become jaded in all that I get for free from doing this music site. It was never meant to be this, it was just supposed to be me conveying my love of the music and somehow it's morphed away from that. I'll try to do better in the future or I may just stop doing it if I can't get back to doing it for the love.
Pictures can be found on myspace, but there's not too many and they kind of suck so I'm not posting them here. Check out P-fork's own coverage for the better photos.
I will be taking a day off from the blogging world today, Wednesday, July 23rd. I don't know the last weekday that I didn't have one of my regular posts up for you folks to read so I hope you won't abandon me for only one day's absence. I may or may not have my Pitchfork review up today, but there will be no Blast from the Past or Questionable Corner today. Hope you guys forgive me, I'm moving this weekend and have a hundred things to do in order to prepare for that so I need to get that all out of the way before getting back to you all. I love you for reading Pop Tarts Suck Toasted though so check back tomorrow for regular posting to resume! Thanks guys!
Pat
Pat
Before seeing them on Sunday I had missed every available opportunity to see when of my most beloved new bands Times New Viking. You can put that to laziness or poor planning, but either way they rocked my ass on Sunday afternoon and here's some of what I saw!!!
My coverage of the 2008 Pitchfork Music Festival has been slow and lacking (to say the least) thus far but I hope to have the entire festival wrapped in a day or so. It begins here with a video of Icy Demons performing during the second day of the festival. This was one of the few acts I had never seen before and I was really loved them during their set. It was also one of the rare times I had a decent enough vantage point to take some video of the what they were doing. Hope you enjoy!
It's been exactly one month and 3-days since Health played the final note at our 2008 version of the After the Jump Fest, and thanks to the recording efforts of many of the people involved the fest continues to live on thanks to the power of the internet. For weeks I have enjoyed the benefits of these recordings but I've failed to spread the word about their existence and so now I have to pass it all on to you wonderful readers so you can once again live the insanity of that beautiful day in June. Below is a series of audio recordings and videos from the bands that participated this year, it is by no means complete, but it may be someday. Anyway, for now go ahead and enjoy what you enjoyed that day or listen in on something you might have missed!!!
Health's Set:
[Total time 31:11]
01 Zoothorns
02 Crimewave
03 Heaven
04 Tabloid Sores
05 Party Zone
06 Death+
07 Triceratops
08 Perfect Skin
09 Girl Attorney
10 Courtship
download at NYCtaper
Bell's Set:
[total time 30:38]
01 Hero
02 Miner
03 Brown Bear
04 House Fire
05 Echinacea
06 Suerte Loca
download at NYCtaper
Pela's Set:
[Total time 1:03:52]
01 [soundcheck]
02 Waiting On The Stairs
03 Lost To The Lonesome
04 Drop Me Off
05 The Trouble With River Cities
06 Song Writes Itself
07 California’s Son
08 Your Desert’s Not a Desert at All
09 Philadelphia
10
11
12 Tenement Teeth
13 Cavalry
14 [banter]
15 Juarez
download at NYCtaper
Ponytail's Set:
[Total time 33:41]
01 Sky Drool
02 Small Wevs
03 G Shock
04 Celebrate the Body Electric (It Came From an Angel)
05 Music Tunes
06 7 Souls
07 Beg Waves
download at NYCtaper
Bridges and Powerlines' Set:
[total time 26:26]
01 Middle Child
02 The Cave-In
03 Half a Cent
04 Carmen
05 Uncalibrated
06 The Beach Animals
07 The Golden Age
download at NYCtaper
Bloodsugars' Set:
[total time 27:29]
01 Falling Makes You Blue
02 Priorities
03 You’ve Gone Wrong
04 Happiness
05 I Want It Back
06 Bloody Mary
download at NYCtaper
Health Video (via Baeble Music)
Titus Andronicus Video (via Baeble Music)
Health's Set:
[Total time 31:11]
01 Zoothorns
02 Crimewave
03 Heaven
04 Tabloid Sores
05 Party Zone
06 Death+
07 Triceratops
08 Perfect Skin
09 Girl Attorney
10 Courtship
download at NYCtaper
Bell's Set:
[total time 30:38]
01 Hero
02 Miner
03 Brown Bear
04 House Fire
05 Echinacea
06 Suerte Loca
download at NYCtaper
Pela's Set:
[Total time 1:03:52]
01 [soundcheck]
02 Waiting On The Stairs
03 Lost To The Lonesome
04 Drop Me Off
05 The Trouble With River Cities
06 Song Writes Itself
07 California’s Son
08 Your Desert’s Not a Desert at All
09 Philadelphia
10
11
12 Tenement Teeth
13 Cavalry
14 [banter]
15 Juarez
download at NYCtaper
Ponytail's Set:
[Total time 33:41]
01 Sky Drool
02 Small Wevs
03 G Shock
04 Celebrate the Body Electric (It Came From an Angel)
05 Music Tunes
06 7 Souls
07 Beg Waves
download at NYCtaper
Bridges and Powerlines' Set:
[total time 26:26]
01 Middle Child
02 The Cave-In
03 Half a Cent
04 Carmen
05 Uncalibrated
06 The Beach Animals
07 The Golden Age
download at NYCtaper
Bloodsugars' Set:
[total time 27:29]
01 Falling Makes You Blue
02 Priorities
03 You’ve Gone Wrong
04 Happiness
05 I Want It Back
06 Bloody Mary
download at NYCtaper
Health Video (via Baeble Music)
Titus Andronicus Video (via Baeble Music)
Who: Little PicturesLocation: Wellington, NZ
elbo.ws Ranking: #37
Thoughts: Synth-pop duos are once again all the rage with bands like High Places and Nurse & Soldier starting to dig their way into the more popular ranks of the indie pop folks play lists. The latest addition to these ranks are the New Zealand based duo known as Little Pictures, a couple with some truly repulsive, cutesy pictures of themselves kissing and hugging. The songs are like an aural array of PDA with songs about living together and about wanting to tie each other together. At times it can be a little too cutesy, but luckily the duo pair it all with some very cool, mostly minimalist use of synths and beats and electronics. It's fun stuff and definitely worthy of your ear, just be warned if you are single (or even not) you might vomit in your mouth a little at all the couple stuff coming from this duo.
Verdict: Buzzworthy!!!
Listen: Little Pictures - "I Wish I Could Keep You"
Little Pictures - "Tips for Domestic Bliss"
When Bodies of Water self-released their debut album, Ears Wills Pop & Eyes Will Blink, it seemed like a lot of people let it slip under their individual radars. Maybe the sound of the band was a few months ahead of it's time or maybe people were turned off that it was already 7-months old by the time they got a distribution deal, whatever the case may be it was one of the quieter, classic albums of recent memory and it certainly set up Bodies of Water to be one of those bands that is given a label of being worthy of your watching. On A Certain Feeling, Bodies of Water go from being a "band to watch" to being a band that you shouldn't be able to miss in one smooth, epic stroke.For 9-tracks, the band soar to new levels of indie rock mixing elements of prog rock, metal, and choral music that mix just perfectly in all their key changes and multi-part arrangements. It's a sweet album that kicks off beautifully with the perfect pairing off "Gold, Tan, Peach and Grey" and "Under the Pines". These two songs are dense in every way. Vocal harmonies are plentiful, there is sick, layered guitars, powerful rhythms, and lyrics that allude to the topics but never quite hit the point. It's an interesting approach to song writing and composition and it's truly rewarding throughout the overall strength of A Certain Feeling. You see, this is an album in the truest sense of the word. If it is not listened to as a whole, it is weaker then the sum of it's parts and that's what makes this album so classic.
In the coming weeks you'll probably hear of why this band is the "next Arcade Fire", and there is no doubt in my mind that they could be on a career arch that is terribly similar. Both bands build songs that are dark yet addictive in their approach to the music. They are intelligent and pretty and experimental without sound like they are trying to push a listener away by being pompous or pretentious. Of course there are a lot of differences to the Canadian band they will probably be linked to, but the comparison isn't the point of all this. No the point is that this band will probably be among your favorites by the end of the year so why not jump on the bandwagon now while there is still plenty of room? Trust me it's worth it.
Bodies of Water - "Under the Pines"
Bodies of Water - "Water Here"
It's very easy to get caught in a complain cycle at the annual Village Voice Siren Festival. Every year the folks at the publication decide to stage a concert in one of the most inconvenient places in the city. However as easy as it is to complain about these shows and as true as all of those complaints will surely be(no parking, unbearable heat, is there anything to eat that isn't deep fried around here? etc.) your point is moot. Once again the Siren Festival is the most justifiably exhausting and inconvenient show of the year, and all the more enjoyable for it. Sometimes free music is worth the effort.
The Dodos kicked off my day. (I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Parts and Labor and to be honest I do regret missing the cacophonous spectacle of Dragons of Zynth but I live on Staten Island and on Fridays I feel like it is my responsibility to get hammered.) I had a great spot for the Dodos who's album 'Visitor' I like just fine(not nearly as much as the editor and maintainer of this here blog). The last time I saw them, from the very back of the room at Sound Fix records, I was spellbound by their intimacy and the fullness of their sound. This time, with a much better view courtesy of my photo pass, I felt like they fell flat against the heat and the depth of the space provided by Coney Island. No disrespect to the band but perhaps certain acts are best obscured by a crowd.
The first great band of the day was unsurprisingly my rock and roll heroes of the moment Times New Viking. They've handily made my album of the year. They were also by far the most punk rock act of the day. The clarity that occurs at a Times New Viking show is striking. After being beat down by their hissy lo-fi (echk that term) recordings you may have had trouble recognizing that this is a monster band. The guitars are fiery and accomplished, the songs are instantly knowable, and the band feel as well defined in their roles as the Monkees or the most well put together manufactured pop group of any day.
For sheer volume and unbridled joy, no one would match TNV all day. The other thing about TNV is their brevity leaves no room for distaste. If you don't like a song (as Johnny Ramone once observed about his own band) it'll be over in a minute. As a result the merits of the individual songs (all great anyway) becomes nit picky. The performance with the barely audible ramblings of a singing drummer and the too cool for the room posture of the rest of the band becomes enough to keep you talking for weeks to come. And the preening and rambling lasts for less than a half hour. At a show as hard to get comfy at as Siren it is no small praise to glorify Times New Viking as the most efficient band of the day.
After TNV I grabbed a beer and got prepped for my second most anticipated act of the day Beach House. (Yes, the editor of this here blog hates them, but they've made my 2nd favorite album of the year) When last I saw Beach House they were the highlight of a fairly unenjoyable show opening for Grizzly Bear. This time they came off as fuller and more confident, ballyhooed no doubt by the addition of an actual drummer(who thank god knows his way around the subtler edges of pop songs). The mid afternoon heat served Beach House perfectly, though maybe less so from their sweaty point of view. The songs feel closer and closer to the Beach Boys with each listen for me (and not just because they're stacked together in my iTunes). These are pretty and simple songs, that float around in the summer heat and hang in the air like a film score.
It was time to relax. These shows are very much about pacing and if you try and see everyone don't expect to enjoy your Saturday night.During Islands I found myself lost in conversation on the board walk the strings and cascades of drums sitting somewhere between a radio on it's lowest setting and the party next door sound level. They sounded enjoyable but the report from a trusted source or three was that they were boring.
Stephen Malkmus wows the crowd these days with chops. I am not a chops guy, but I am a Malkmus guy. The Jicks were as good as I'd ever seen them and Malkmus seemed playful and happy to be headlining a day next to the Cyclone. The show was unspectacular but charming in that fact. This is after all the king of the slackers. I was pleasantly surprised to see Janet Weiss of Sleater Kinney fame ably joining the Jicks without sacrificing her character as a musician. The songs swung and stomped with that old "Rock n' Roll Fun" we know and love her for, without losing any of Stephen Malkmus' woozy stoned out charm. The crowd rocked and somewhere a refugee from Guitar Center was wowed by indie for the first time.Of course the reality of festivals and Siren in particular is you miss some things. I did not get to check out my brother's beloved Ra Ra Riot and I missed all but the last song of Blood Brothers/Pretty Girls Make Graves' splinter group Jaguar Love. I also missed most of Broken Social Scene. This band has impressed me on a number of incidents, however from time to time I think they are collectively the most pretentious band in the world. Of course the mobbed crowd that gathered for their show wouldn't care for my nay saying.
The crowd climbed aboard anything that they could to increase their vantage point and I spent the set desperately trying to make it to the photo pit. To no avail. Still I get the sense that for most of the crowd BSS were the highlight. Not because they were the best but they packed more wallop and worked better playing to the thousands than any of the other acts.
In the end Siren was great for me this year. It is my sincere hope that government bureaucracy keeps the thing up and running for another decade or so.
Thanks to Kat Goj for all the pictures!!!
Post by Tim Duffy of Mancrush
Who: Okkervil RiverTitle: The Stand-Ins
Release Date: September 9th
Label: Jagjaguwar
Thoughts: The Stand-Ins is meant to be a sequel to Okkervil River's last album The Stage Names, and it fits well when you place both albums back to back. Though I personally feel Will Sheff sounds a bit clearer on this release then he did previously, but musically and lyrically it follows suit with The Stage Names. They still haven't quite matched the exceptional output of Black Sheep Boy, but it's pretty sweet in it's build up and the way everything is so perfectly spaced on this album. I haven't had enough time to sit and listen to both albums together but once so I'm looking forward to doing that again to get the full feel of what was meant to be a double album. It was pretty good the first time around though and I expect it to get better with successive listens.
Listen: Okkervil River - "Pop Lie"
Okkervil River - "Lost Coastlines"
Monday: The Death Set, The Mae Shi, + Ponytail @ Market Hotel 8pm $8
Three awesome bands playing under one roof and I'm still stuck here in Chicago. Sigh, it's cool I'm heading to the White Sox game out here today but you guys should go rock out and get sweaty watching these super energetic bands. Seriously, get out there.
The Death Set - "Heard It All Before"
The Mae Shi - "Run to Your Grave"
Ponytail - "Beg Waves"
Tuesday: Bound Stems + The Muggabears @ Union Hall 7:30pm $10
I've written about both of these bands a heckuva a lot in my time writing this little web page, so if you've yet to take my advice and check these bands out then that's your problem. Tonight I'll be heeding my own words and checking these bands out.
Bound Stems - "Happens to Us All Otherwise"
The Muggabears - "The Goth Tarts"
Wednesday: Monotract @ Cake Shop 8pm $6
Monotract blew a lot of us away when the performed as part of the After the Jump Fest a month ago, and tonight they continue their assault on your ears at Cake Shop. If you've yet to check them out, then you better do it soon!
Monotract - "Cafe y Kaka"
Thursday: Pop Tarts + AWE Present @ The Cup 8pm $5
It might not be fair, but I definitely gotta go ahead and pick my own show to promote for this Thursday night. And for all you folks that have never been to a show on Staten Island why not come out and see one of the finest bands Staten Island has to offer in The Rabbits? I mean Thursday is the new Friday so kick off the new weekend with a trip to a small island in the south!
The Rabbits - "Out of Our Heads"
Friday: Atlas Sound + Crystal Stilts @ South Street Seaport 7pm FREE
I gotta be honest and admit that tonight's free show at the Seaport was dealt quite a blow when El Guincho canceled on us all. But after seeing Atlas Sound on Saturday at the Pitchfork Music Fest I was buoyed by the fact that Bradford would make sure the show was captivating in the very least. Then I got the news that Crystal Stilts was added and I became even more excited for this show. Should be a good one!
Atlas Sound - "On Guard"
Crystal Stilts - "Bright Night Nursery"
Saturday: Ghostland Observatory + Bear Hands @ Prospect Park Bandshell 7pm FREE
Of all the bands playing free shows this weekend, Ghostland Observatory probably has the reputation for being the best live act playing. This alone makes this one of the best chances to head out this weekend, but when you throw in the awesome indie rockers of Bear Hands it makes it a can't miss show. So I guess I'll see you there.
Ghostland Observatory - "Heavy Heart"
Bear Hands - "Golden"
Sunday: MGMT, Black Moth Super Rainbow, + The Ting Tings @ McCarren Park Pool 2pm FREE
Another Sunday afternoon, another day in the sun watching some fine indie rock bands. This week we get the weird trio of The Ting Tings, Black Moth Super Rainbow, and MGMT. All three bands have a definitive style about them, and the definitely get the folks moving. So bring your sunscreen and your dancing shoes and the bands will bring their best.
MGMT - "Indie Rokkers"
Black Moth Super Rainbow - "Roller Disco"
The Ting Tings - "That's Not My Name"
Three awesome bands playing under one roof and I'm still stuck here in Chicago. Sigh, it's cool I'm heading to the White Sox game out here today but you guys should go rock out and get sweaty watching these super energetic bands. Seriously, get out there.
The Death Set - "Heard It All Before"
The Mae Shi - "Run to Your Grave"
Ponytail - "Beg Waves"
Tuesday: Bound Stems + The Muggabears @ Union Hall 7:30pm $10
I've written about both of these bands a heckuva a lot in my time writing this little web page, so if you've yet to take my advice and check these bands out then that's your problem. Tonight I'll be heeding my own words and checking these bands out.
Bound Stems - "Happens to Us All Otherwise"
The Muggabears - "The Goth Tarts"
Wednesday: Monotract @ Cake Shop 8pm $6
Monotract blew a lot of us away when the performed as part of the After the Jump Fest a month ago, and tonight they continue their assault on your ears at Cake Shop. If you've yet to check them out, then you better do it soon!
Monotract - "Cafe y Kaka"
Thursday: Pop Tarts + AWE Present @ The Cup 8pm $5
It might not be fair, but I definitely gotta go ahead and pick my own show to promote for this Thursday night. And for all you folks that have never been to a show on Staten Island why not come out and see one of the finest bands Staten Island has to offer in The Rabbits? I mean Thursday is the new Friday so kick off the new weekend with a trip to a small island in the south!
The Rabbits - "Out of Our Heads"
Friday: Atlas Sound + Crystal Stilts @ South Street Seaport 7pm FREE
I gotta be honest and admit that tonight's free show at the Seaport was dealt quite a blow when El Guincho canceled on us all. But after seeing Atlas Sound on Saturday at the Pitchfork Music Fest I was buoyed by the fact that Bradford would make sure the show was captivating in the very least. Then I got the news that Crystal Stilts was added and I became even more excited for this show. Should be a good one!
Atlas Sound - "On Guard"
Crystal Stilts - "Bright Night Nursery"
Saturday: Ghostland Observatory + Bear Hands @ Prospect Park Bandshell 7pm FREE
Of all the bands playing free shows this weekend, Ghostland Observatory probably has the reputation for being the best live act playing. This alone makes this one of the best chances to head out this weekend, but when you throw in the awesome indie rockers of Bear Hands it makes it a can't miss show. So I guess I'll see you there.
Ghostland Observatory - "Heavy Heart"
Bear Hands - "Golden"
Sunday: MGMT, Black Moth Super Rainbow, + The Ting Tings @ McCarren Park Pool 2pm FREE
Another Sunday afternoon, another day in the sun watching some fine indie rock bands. This week we get the weird trio of The Ting Tings, Black Moth Super Rainbow, and MGMT. All three bands have a definitive style about them, and the definitely get the folks moving. So bring your sunscreen and your dancing shoes and the bands will bring their best.
MGMT - "Indie Rokkers"
Black Moth Super Rainbow - "Roller Disco"
The Ting Tings - "That's Not My Name"
Labels:
atlas sound,
free shows,
live shows,
mgmt,
mp3's,
the death set,
the muggabears,
the rabbits
Since Tuesday morning when I first downloaded this (for free, right here!), I have been regretting my decision to do so. You see I had an invite to this show, I could have been there in the front row singing along to every word but instead I was wherever else I was doing something that doesn't even compare to seeing Wakey! Wakey! in person. And from the sound of things, it was a pretty good time for all the Wakey! fans in attendance! Now, this is the second time Wakey! Wakey! has released an album that was live and I'm really starting to wonder if the guy is scared of studios or what. Of course when you do live as well as this band does, you certainly can't fault them for going this route. It certainly saves money on studio time! At this point I don't know if I'd be all that excited about a Wakey! Wakey! studio album (no, I jest I'd love one please!), because could Mike Grubbs and the rest of his merry band of wonderfully talented musicians come close to the emotional output they do on a stage? It's a question that we'll hopefully find an answer to soon, but for now we can content ourselves with a tremendous version of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" and 8-pitch perfect tunes from a master of piano pop!Wakey! Wakey! - "War Sweater"
Wakey! Wakey! - "Crazy (Gnarls Barkley cover)"
(Where I'd be if I weren't at Pitchfork!!!)
Friday, July 18th
Deerhoof - "Dummy Discards A Heart"
Saturday, July 19th
Ra Ra Riot - "Dying Is Fine"
Jaguar Love - "Bats Over the Pacific Ocean"
Broken Social Scene - "7/4 (Shoreline)"
Sunday, July 20th
Liars - "Disgusting"
Fuck Buttons - "Colours Move"
Team Robespierre - "88th Precinct"
Who: Bon IverLocation: Northwestern, WI
RIYL: M. Ward, J. Tillman,
Thoughts: I first got caught up in the wave of Bon Iver hype last year around CMJ time. His tunes from For Emma, Forever Ago were just making the rounds and the hype was quickly building. On the first night of the marathon he was the first band I saw and he absolutely rocked me gently at Bowery that evening. His performance isn't exciting in the conventional jump all around sense, but it's captivating in the "wow, this guy can really play" sense. His is a voice you must hear in person to truly get how powerful it is. It's raw and emotive and it just fits so well with the music he writes. Looking forward to seeing him on a sunny day in a park!
Listen: Bon Iver - "Lump Sum"
Bon Iver - "Skinny Love"
Who: The Apples in StereoLocation: Denver, CO
RIYL: The Velvet Underground, The Beach Boys, Belle & Sebastian
Thoughts: Yeah, I know The Apples in Stereo have been around for ages but I've never really written about the band and that's what I promised when I first started writing all these Pitchfork profiles. So here I present to you The Apples in Stereo, a band that appears on the Colbert Report and gets comparisons to some of the great bands in the history of music and who really don't need any promotion from my little old blog. I dig their music, I'm sure you do, and I have like a hundred other things to do before I leave for Chicago. Hope you enjoy the music below!
Listen: The Apples in Stereo - "Ruby"
The Apples in Stereo - "The Golden Flower"
The Good: A Night in the Box - "Fiddle Foot Jones"; I'm not normally the first person to get all crazed about a band that's a little bit of a bluegrass throwback mixed with the old indie rock here and there, but this is a damn fine and catchy tune. A little fiddle, a little banjo, and some scream-a-long lyrics and I was pretty much hooked from the get go. See if you don't find yourself just as affected by this song.
Grade: B+
Liars - "Disgusting"; This new tune from Liars may just be the initial stages of what we're going to be hearing from the ever changing band on their next album. It sounds a little rough around the edges right now (and who knows, it could stay that way and sound pretty cool anyway), but that pounding bass line and post-punk guitar sound are enough to get me amped. It's not too near the punk sound they used for Liars but it's not terribly far off either. This is pretty cool.
Grade: B
Parts & Labor - "Nowhere's Nigh"; Fans of what Parts & Labor have sounded like for the past few years may want to take a few deep breaths before breaking into what the band sounds like without drummer Christopher Weingarten. Okay, are you guys ready? Good, here we go. This tune is nothing like what Parts & Labor have ever sounded like, but transforming yourself as a band is not always a bad thing. Instead of being this crazy loud, hard hitting band Parts & Labor are now a bit synth crazy and going for a bit of a more melodic sound. Fans of Dan Friel's solo stuff probably won't be too surprised by this change, but really this is like a crazy turn into a very different direction. But it's still really freakin' good.
Grade: B+
Track of the Week: Pelle Carlberg - "1983 (Pelle & Sebastian)"; It's going to be tough to separate Pelle's tune from the band that he's referencing in the subtitle of this little pop song. The song is eerily reminiscent of what Belle & Sebastian do, idyllic pop arrangements, casual, real world lyrics, and a sweet Swedish dude singing it. Okay so not everything's the same but it certainly has a shit load of similarities and because of that it's a really, really good song.
Grade: A
The Bad: Brian Vander Ark - "I Went with the Road"; So a few weeks ago we were told that the Verve were coming back in all their mid-90's alternative glory. Well if we remember those fond old days we might remember that there was also a band called The Verve Pipe, which always confused the shit out of me. This Brian Vander Ark fella' is from that band and he's apparently making a go at being a solo artist (even though it sounds like there's more then one musician on this recording). Simply put, this tune is a bit drab and pretty staid for my tastes. It sounds like something Garth Brooks might have been releasing in the 90's, just less country like. In other words, not very good.
Grade: D
Lily Allen - "Who'd of Known"; I'm not sold on this new track from the British pop princess. It's cute and all, but it has known of the pizazz that Lily's become known for. It's not really upbeat, it's a happy little love song, and it has none of the Lily Allen bite we've come to know. It's not a bad song, just not what I'd expect from Lily and I think because of that I'm just not feeling it right now. Luckily, Lily says it won't make it on the next album.
Grade: C
Readymade Breakup - "Honey, You Might Be Right"; The singer's honey may be right, but this song sure isn't (buh, dum, buh)! Wow, this song really hurts. If I could listen to it more then this once I might give you some more insight into it, but that's not gonna happen anytime soon. Listen at your own risk. Seriously.
Grade: F
Sunfold - "Sara the American Winter"; Apparently everyone from Annuals is in Sunfold, making it more of an Annuals version 2.0 than some band named Sunfold no? Well, based on a single listen to this tune off their forthcoming album, there are some similarities, but there are way more differences! And let's face it Annuals are a decent, though not mind blowing band, but Sunfold must be some sort of inside joke 'cause I'm just not getting this music. Why would they go and make this when they could improve on what they did already? I dunno what they were thinking.
Grade: C-
Video of the Week:
Radiohead - "House of Cards"; In the past year Radiohead has completely changed the playing field in the music world. They released their album with the original pay-what-you-want model, they have toured using a reduced carbon foot print model, and now they're making a music video without the use of any cameras. Instead of the standard they use a brand new technology that uses lasers to pixelate a picture (although I'm not sure if it's actually doing pixelating anything). It's insane, they continue to be the standard bearer for everything in the musical world, and no matter how out there their ideas are they always come out with spectacular results!
Grade: B+
Liars - "Disgusting"; This new tune from Liars may just be the initial stages of what we're going to be hearing from the ever changing band on their next album. It sounds a little rough around the edges right now (and who knows, it could stay that way and sound pretty cool anyway), but that pounding bass line and post-punk guitar sound are enough to get me amped. It's not too near the punk sound they used for Liars but it's not terribly far off either. This is pretty cool.
Grade: B
Parts & Labor - "Nowhere's Nigh"; Fans of what Parts & Labor have sounded like for the past few years may want to take a few deep breaths before breaking into what the band sounds like without drummer Christopher Weingarten. Okay, are you guys ready? Good, here we go. This tune is nothing like what Parts & Labor have ever sounded like, but transforming yourself as a band is not always a bad thing. Instead of being this crazy loud, hard hitting band Parts & Labor are now a bit synth crazy and going for a bit of a more melodic sound. Fans of Dan Friel's solo stuff probably won't be too surprised by this change, but really this is like a crazy turn into a very different direction. But it's still really freakin' good.
Grade: B+
Track of the Week: Pelle Carlberg - "1983 (Pelle & Sebastian)"; It's going to be tough to separate Pelle's tune from the band that he's referencing in the subtitle of this little pop song. The song is eerily reminiscent of what Belle & Sebastian do, idyllic pop arrangements, casual, real world lyrics, and a sweet Swedish dude singing it. Okay so not everything's the same but it certainly has a shit load of similarities and because of that it's a really, really good song.
Grade: A
The Bad: Brian Vander Ark - "I Went with the Road"; So a few weeks ago we were told that the Verve were coming back in all their mid-90's alternative glory. Well if we remember those fond old days we might remember that there was also a band called The Verve Pipe, which always confused the shit out of me. This Brian Vander Ark fella' is from that band and he's apparently making a go at being a solo artist (even though it sounds like there's more then one musician on this recording). Simply put, this tune is a bit drab and pretty staid for my tastes. It sounds like something Garth Brooks might have been releasing in the 90's, just less country like. In other words, not very good.
Grade: D
Lily Allen - "Who'd of Known"; I'm not sold on this new track from the British pop princess. It's cute and all, but it has known of the pizazz that Lily's become known for. It's not really upbeat, it's a happy little love song, and it has none of the Lily Allen bite we've come to know. It's not a bad song, just not what I'd expect from Lily and I think because of that I'm just not feeling it right now. Luckily, Lily says it won't make it on the next album.
Grade: C
Readymade Breakup - "Honey, You Might Be Right"; The singer's honey may be right, but this song sure isn't (buh, dum, buh)! Wow, this song really hurts. If I could listen to it more then this once I might give you some more insight into it, but that's not gonna happen anytime soon. Listen at your own risk. Seriously.
Grade: F
Sunfold - "Sara the American Winter"; Apparently everyone from Annuals is in Sunfold, making it more of an Annuals version 2.0 than some band named Sunfold no? Well, based on a single listen to this tune off their forthcoming album, there are some similarities, but there are way more differences! And let's face it Annuals are a decent, though not mind blowing band, but Sunfold must be some sort of inside joke 'cause I'm just not getting this music. Why would they go and make this when they could improve on what they did already? I dunno what they were thinking.
Grade: C-
Video of the Week:
Radiohead - "House of Cards"; In the past year Radiohead has completely changed the playing field in the music world. They released their album with the original pay-what-you-want model, they have toured using a reduced carbon foot print model, and now they're making a music video without the use of any cameras. Instead of the standard they use a brand new technology that uses lasers to pixelate a picture (although I'm not sure if it's actually doing pixelating anything). It's insane, they continue to be the standard bearer for everything in the musical world, and no matter how out there their ideas are they always come out with spectacular results!
Last year I booked a band to perform at my CMJ day show called Animandible. The band was just a rocking two piece and played to all of five people that day, but on stage they performed like they were at a sold out Madison Square Garden. From that day on they had a fan they could count on in me, so when time came to book the After the Jump Fest this summer I immediately thought to bring them back for out little noise stage. Well, it turns out Animandible were no more, but born out of that fire was a three piece band called Brilliant Sweaters (awesome name!) featuring the same members as Animandible (I believe). So I figured why not book them? And I did and they rocked my ass off!Now here we are a month after the fact and I'm finally highlighting the band. Some friend and fan I turned out to be huh?! But regardless of how long it's taken me to properly introduce you folks to this band I am doing it now and you had better take note because this is one of the better punk rock bands going these days! In the same vein as all that lo-fi punk stuff I keep spewing at you guys these days, Brilliant Sweaters have a bunch of songs on their Myspace page that flat out rock! I'd recommend stopping by once a day if you have the time!
The lone issue I have with these folks is that I don't have more music that I can carry around with me and listen to (um guys, can you please get on that ASAP!), but other then that they are rocking me in every other way possible. So please lend an ear to these boys at some point today and maybe check out their next show. Who knows you may be seeing them at a Pop Tarts sponsored event before you know it!
Brilliant Sweaters - "Sexy Genius"
Brilliant Sweaters - "I Dropped Out of High School"
Brilliant Sweaters on Myspace
Brilliant Sweaters Upcoming Shows:
August 15th @ Cake Shop
Who: Extra GoldenLocation: Nairobi, Kenya
RIYL:any of those bands described as "Afro-something or other"
Thoughts: Extra Golden is a band that is Kenyan benga music and half American rock. With half of their members residing in Chiago and the other half in Nairobi, it's rare that a band could exist with a massive ocean between, but somehow they make it all work together. It's an amazing sound, so much so that I'll be seeing the band less then a week after their Pitchfork performance when they hit New York. If you haven't picked up their two albums yet you should do so, maybe it'll kick that Vampire Weekend CD out of your stereo once and for all.
Listen: Extra Golden - "Obama"
Who: Icy DemonsLocation: Chicago, IL
RIYL: Can, Pit Er Pat, Lightning Bolt
Thoughts: It's tough to pigeonhole the guys in Icy Demons as any one thing, considering that it's an insane collection of everything but the kitchen sink, but I'm sure more then enough people have tried to compare them to Man Man thanks to the fact that Pow Pow, Man Man's drummer, is in the band. But that's just crazy talk! Yeah it's crazed and propulsive like Man Man, yeah it doesn't quite fit neatly into any one category like Man Man, and yeah the lyrics matter less than the music just like Man Man, okay maybe they are a bit like Man Man. But don't go to the show wearing all white with face paint expecting Man Man, 'cause ya ain't getting it!
Listen: Icy Demons - "Miami Ice"
Icy Demons - "Spywatchers"
I didn't have enough time to interview anyone this week so I'm going to give you a heaping helping of tunes from the band performing at this week's Pitchfork Music Fest! There's a tone of music here, from every band (but one, bet you can't guess which!), which should get you amped up for the fest if you're heading to Chicago! If you're not, you can still enjoy all the fine tunes provided!
Mission of Burma - "OK/No Way"
Sebadoh - "Elixir Is Zog"
Public Enemy - "Don't Believe the Hype"
Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar - "Evo je Mlada"
Titus Andronicus - "No Future"
A Hawk and a Hacksaw - "Salt Water"
Jay Reatard - "An Ugly Death"
Caribou - "After Hours"
Icy Demons - "Miami Ice"
Fleet Foxes - "Ragged Wood"
Fuck Buttons - "Ribs Out"
Dizzee Rascal - "Is This Real"
The Ruby Suns - "Kenya Dig It"
Vampire Weekend - "A-Punk"
Elf Power - "Paralyzed"
!!! - "A New Name"
Extra Golden - "Obama"
The Hold Steady - "Your Little Hoodrat Friend"
Atlas Sound - "Canal"
Jarvis Cocker - "Big Stuff"
No Age - "Cappo"
Animal Collective - "Water Curses"
Mahjongg - "Aluminum"
Times New Viking - "Drop-Out"
High Places - "Canary"
Dirty Projectors - "Rise Above"
Boris - "Pink"
HEALTH - "Perfect Skin"
The Apples in Stereo - "Ruby"
King Khan & the Shrines - "I Wanna Be a Girl"
Les Savy Fav - "Patty Lee"
The Dodos - "Undeclared"
M. Ward - "Fuel for Fire"
Ghostface Killah & Raekwon - "Jihad"
Spiritualized - "Soul On Fire"
Bon Iver - "For Emma"
Dinosaur Jr. - "Freak Scene"
Cut Copy - "Feel the Love"
Spoon - "The Way We Get By"
Mission of Burma - "OK/No Way"
Sebadoh - "Elixir Is Zog"
Public Enemy - "Don't Believe the Hype"
Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar - "Evo je Mlada"
Titus Andronicus - "No Future"
A Hawk and a Hacksaw - "Salt Water"
Jay Reatard - "An Ugly Death"
Caribou - "After Hours"
Icy Demons - "Miami Ice"
Fleet Foxes - "Ragged Wood"
Fuck Buttons - "Ribs Out"
Dizzee Rascal - "Is This Real"
The Ruby Suns - "Kenya Dig It"
Vampire Weekend - "A-Punk"
Elf Power - "Paralyzed"
!!! - "A New Name"
Extra Golden - "Obama"
The Hold Steady - "Your Little Hoodrat Friend"
Atlas Sound - "Canal"
Jarvis Cocker - "Big Stuff"
No Age - "Cappo"
Animal Collective - "Water Curses"
Mahjongg - "Aluminum"
Times New Viking - "Drop-Out"
High Places - "Canary"
Dirty Projectors - "Rise Above"
Boris - "Pink"
HEALTH - "Perfect Skin"
The Apples in Stereo - "Ruby"
King Khan & the Shrines - "I Wanna Be a Girl"
Les Savy Fav - "Patty Lee"
The Dodos - "Undeclared"
M. Ward - "Fuel for Fire"
Ghostface Killah & Raekwon - "Jihad"
Spiritualized - "Soul On Fire"
Bon Iver - "For Emma"
Dinosaur Jr. - "Freak Scene"
Cut Copy - "Feel the Love"
Spoon - "The Way We Get By"
As most of you have probably realized by now I am heading to Chicago this weekend for the Pitchfork Music Fest, but I don't plan to spend all my time in some nice beautiful park with some awesome bands, no I plan to enjoy the city and all it has to offer. This means taking in an evening at Second City, seeing a White Sox game, and maybe if all my adolescent dreams come true stealing an old police car and going for a joy ride through downtown to pay some back taxes! As far as I'm concerned the single greatest piece of Chicago's legendary pop culture is the Blues Brothers! Jake and Elwood Blues made such an impression on me at a very young age that I still can't turn away for a second if the movie comes on. But obviously this album isn't the true definitive collection of The Blues Brothers, heck it only has a few songs form each of the band's albums so how could it be definitive? But it's all I have to commemorate the music they made together.
Obviously most of these songs have been done by other musicians, most of whom did them much better, but this was the earliest exposure I had to the blues and I'm sure a lot of you are right along with me in that. For that alone The Blues Brothers have played a vital role in a keeping a genre of music alive for another generation, but they were far more then that in the worlds of comedy, music, and television. But this is a music blog so I'll stick to what I know.
All I know is I've been listening to this album a lot in recent days, fully anticipating my vacation in Chicago, and I think maybe just maybe I will try to reenact that crazy chase scene! Keep you news stations on the ready!!!
The Blues Brothers - "Hey Bartender"
The Blues Brothers - "Rubber Biscuit"
The Blues Brothers - "Soul Man"
The Blues Brothers - "Sweet Home Chicago"
Who: The DodosLocation: San Francisco, CA
RIYL: Animal Collective, Mountain Goats, The Hidden Cameras
Thoughts: I have already declared that the new album from The Dodos, Visiter, is my second favorite album of the year so far, yet aside from that declaration and one live review of their show I have not posted another word about The Dodos! I am neglectful and absent minded in my omission of them because I have been obsessed with that album for the better part of the year! Lush, powerful drumming, graceful strumming and tremendous vocals and lyrics are abundant on this album, making it good for same gentle head banging or some nice singing-a-long! This is an awesome record and I can't wait to see the band tackle the outdoor venue this weekend! They are a priority to see in my book and I think they should be in yours as well!
Listen: The Dodos - "Red and Purple"
The Dodos - "Undeclared"
Who: MahjonggLocation: Chicago, IL
RIYL: Can, Gang of Four, Battles
Thoughts: Mahjongg is a little more like a cult then your normal band. The music collective believes that people are being sucked free of their imagination and free thought by something known as The Grid, and their only hope is by putting their faith in their God Kontpab. It's a little freaky I know, but their music is so enjoyable that it's tough not to be sucked into their message and you have to admit all the boxes and cubicles do make it a little believable. This will be one of the best chances to dance during the festival, so if you brought them dancing shoes make sure you head over to the stage for some Mahjongg!
Listen: Mahjongg - "Tell the Police the Truth"
Mahjongg - "Aluminum"
Who: PrincetonLocation: Los Angeles, CA
elbo.ws Ranking: N/A
Thoughts: Princeton are not the type of Los Angeles band I normally write about. Usually I stick to the noisier side of the LA scene, bands like Health and No Age and Abe Vigoda, but every once in a while you need something with melody and soothing pop orchestrations to take the edge off. Today is one of those days as this trio's latest EP, Bloomsbury certainly soothed me after a bit of a rough day at work last night. The Ep is four lovely pop songs, tons of pleasant harmonies are paired with a slew of musical instruments (courtesy of an additional 8 musicians used during the recording of this album). It kind of gives me the feel of something a little less dancey then Jens Lekman or a less morose Belle & Sebastien, but certainly in the near ballpark. It's pretty stuff and definitely worth the listen.
Verdict: Buzzworthy!!!
Listen: Princeton - "The Waves"
Princeton - "Leonard Woolf"
This is an album for the masses. Do not be fooled into thinking otherwise. Do not believe for a second that all the references to Almost Killed Me and Separation Sunday mean that The Hold Steady are retracing their roots. No, on Stay Positive, the band is clearly making a push for the mainstream and they may just finally breach the threshold and go from being America's best bar band to just America's best band. It's a little frustratinig for someone that's ridden along with The Hold Steady for so long to hear vocoders and traces of 80's arena rock, but The Hold Steady do something that is decidedly different from the rest of the mainstream - they refuse to become that big band any other way then their own.Throughout Stay Positive Craig Finn retraces his steps from the early Hold Steady days and even from his days with Lifter Puller. Songs of murder and deceit or drug use and religion abound on the album, and he moves away from the closer to the standard singing that he used on Boys and Girls in America. It's that shift that keeps this album from crossing the line and inching them towards Boston territory. It's absolutely vital considering that it easily could have slipped down a very slippery slope and ruined this band for their actual fans. No matter how fine the line is The Hold Steady never cross it on Stay Positive and are rewarded with an altogether pleasant listen that should thrust them further into the mainstream then anyone ever could have pictured them being.
Let's forget for a minute that this is their make it big album and look at why some of these songs will be considered classic in a few years. Tracks like "Slapped Actress" and "Sequestered In Memphis" are perfectly built, from the instruments, to the composition, to the lyrics, to Craig's delivery. They are literally perfect songs. It's hard to imagine from a band that was once so drunkenly sloppy, but they have pulled all their shit together and the band shines throughout this record. Franz' keyboards are as sharp as they have ever been, the drumming is sharp and crisp, the bass is resounding, Tad and Craig work perfectly together with their guitars. It's a wonderous thing.
The only surprising thing is that this now stands as my least favorite Hold Steady album. I really like it, it's a good record with some great songs, but it doesn't have the feel of the first two records and I kind of enjoyed the pop shift on Boys and Girls in America. It's almost like the band has pushed themselves so far that they have left behind the drunken band that used to out drink everyone at their shows. Those were fun times, now it kind of seems like it's work for the band. That, hey we're really making a living off of this so let's try a little harder. And my laziness and slacker attitudes just don't vibe with that kind of corporate crap. It's good, you should buy and listen to it, but then you should go throw on Separation Sunday and remember what was so cool about being America's best bar band.
The Hold Steady - "Sequestered In Memphis"
The Hold Steady - "One for the Cutters"
The Hold Steady - "Stay Positive"
Who: Elf PowerLocation: Athen, GA
RIYL: Olivia Tremor Control, Arcade Fire, Beulah
Thoughts: Any time you find yourself writing about an Elephant 6 band you fall into the trap of comparing one band to the other and obviously Elf Power hasn't been spared that in their career. Just look at the RIYL above. Shit all of these bands are linked and interwoven like fuck, but Elf Power has had the longevity few of their peers have had. It's that and their huge catalog that make them the type of band you should be desperate to see live. One night you will see something completely different from the previous. It's exhilarating when it works, though it doesn't always. I was a big fan of Back to the Web but I'm having a little difficulty getting into In A Cave. It's good it just sounds a little forced. But obviously the band has a lot more to power themselves through their set at Pitchfork so I'm really looking forward to seeing what they do on stage there.
Listen: Elf Power - "Paralyzed"
Elf Power - "Spiral Stairs"
Who: A Hawk and a HacksawLocation: Albuquerque, NM
RIYL: Beirut, Neutral Milk Hotel, Olivia Tremor Control
Thoughts: The story of A Hawk and a Hacksaw is kind of a strange one. Despite being linked to some truly fantastic bands the band has never garnered too much attention for themselves, which is a damn shame because they are a fine band in their own right. Jeremy Barnes is probably better known to all of you as the former drummer of Neutral Milk Hotel, but he and violinist Heather Trost have been making music as A Hawk and a Hacksaw since 2002. Their real big break came in 2006 when they were the only musicians to appear on Beirut's Gulag Orkestar other then Zach Condon. It's odd to me that musicians with such strong roots in a scene that is as well respected as the Elephant 6 collective wouldn't have to rely on a 19-year old musical prodigy, but then it wouldn't be a strange path to the point they're at now. No matter what it took for them to reach this point in their career, they are here now and it is well deserved. Their mostly instumental form of Balkan music is beautiful and spiritual. It's fantastic stuff and it's well worth you're attention at the fest.
Listen: A Hawk and a Hacksaw - "Salt Water"
A Hawk and a Hacksaw - "The Sparrow"
All this week I'm gonna be profiling some of the bands that are playing the Pitchfork Music Fest next weekend. I'm pretty excited to head out to Chicago for this, even though it means missing some pretty big events here in New York. Now, you're probably wondering how many times I can write about bands like No Age and Titus Andronicus, but instead of covering the bands I have written about dozens of times already I'll be writing about some of the different bands that are playing the fest, folks that I haven't covered nearly enough on this site. I hope you guys enjoy it even if you're not heading to the fest!
Who: PAS/CALTitle: I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura
Release Date: July 22nd
Label: Le Grande Magistry
Thoughts: It seems pretty ridiculous to me that we are only now talking about the debut full-length from PAS/CAL. I mean seriously how long has this band been around already? Six years, three EP's, a number of appearances on compilations, and only now do we get to hear the fully realized baroque pop of PAS/CAL for more then 20-minutes at a pop. On I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura the band takes what they have done so well on their EP's and just expands on it. The high-pitched vocals are a plenty, the tunes are intelligent and bouncy, and the whole album sparkles the way we've come to expect from this band. And finally, we aren't left wanting more once the disc ends because at long last we've gotten a full serving of PAS/CAL. That's not to say you won't want to go ahead and press play again, it just means we won't have to wait some more time for another handful of songs to listen to. It's a solid record and it definitely does justice to all the invested time spent waiting on this band to give us something full.
Listen:
PAS/CAL - "Little Red Radio"
PAS/CAL - "You Were Too Old for Me"
PAS/CAL - "Glorious Battle of the Ignored"
Who: TelepathiqueTitle: Last Time On Earth
Release Date: August 5th
Label: The Control Group
Thoughts: Okay, I might as well come clean and admit that this is not a true leak. In fact the music on Last Time On Earth is over two years old, but it is just now coming to the States and so it qualifies as an official leak in that sense. Plus, this music is great so who really minds me chatting about it no matter where I decide to place it on the olde blog! Hailing from Brazil, Telepathique is a duo that makes some truly insane dance music. Mixing elements of mixed rock music, straight electronics, synths, and vocals, this is the perfect blend of genres to get the body moving. But it's not just dance music, there's an overall air of aggression and punk aesthetics that plays throughout this album. It's gritty, it's dirty, and it's pretty angry, despite having beats that could break ankles at all the best clubs. In simpler words, it transcends genre and could fit just about anywhere that people find themselves in the need to dance but to also feel like they're rebelling against something. This is really good and it does not matter in the least that it's actually two years old, I just hope that we don't get their next release so late!
Listen: Telepathique - "Telefunk"
Telepathique - "Sex, Drugs and Funk 'n' Roll"
Monday: A Hawk and a Hacksaw @ (le) poisson rouge 7:30pm $15
A Hawk and a Hacksaw have some weird labels attached to their band. Having been part of Neutral Milk Hotel and integral in Beirut's assencion to the top of the blog heaps, they are more well known for those two things then for their actual music. But don't be mistaken, they play some awesome Balkan music of their own and should have some people dancing all night!
A Hawk and Hacksaw - "Salt Water"
Tuesday: Spoon, White Rabbits, + Jay Reatard @ Prospect Park Bandshell 5:30pm $35
With two of these acts hitting the Pitchfork Fest I probably won't be shelling out another $35 just to see them twice in one week. But, do not underestimate these three bands! They are all truly excellent live acts that should be seen many, many, many times. So if you've got the cash, use it!
Spoon - "The Way We Get By"
White Rabbits - "While We Go Dancing"
Jay Reatard - "Let It All Go"
Wednesday: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 8pm $12
The bloggers love Someone Still Love You Boris Yeltsin, I'm not too sure on them but I have heard their live show is solid. Maybe I'll check this out before catching my early Thursday morning flight to Chicago!
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - "Modern Mystery"
Thursday: Ted Leo & the Pharmacists @ Castle Clinton 7pm FREE
Each year Ted Leo plays a free show for New York City, and almost every year it rains on his parade. It's almost never dampens the actual music though, but you might wanna be safe and bring some rain gear!
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists - "Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone"
Friday: Deerhoof @ Prospect Park Bandshell 7:30pm FREE
Friday night is normally synonymous with the Seaport, but this week I'm shifting the focus to another great, free outdoor site the Prospect Park Bandshell! Tonight they will be hosting the always awesome Deerhoof, who I haven't seen in forever (and will miss this time around!). Get there early, these things usually fill up.
Deerhoof - "The Perfect Me"
Saturday: Siren Fest @ Coney Island 12pm FREE
For the first time in 3 or 4 years I will not be heading to Coney Island for the Siren Music Fest, and sure enough it's the year with the best lineup I have ever seen! Malkmus, Broken Social Scene, Annuals, The Dodos, Ra Ra Riot, Times New Viking, so many great bands! Like last year this Siren will the shrouded with the possibility that it's the last one, so make sure you get your butts out there!
Broken Social Scene - "Fire Eye'd Boy"
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - "Baltimore"
Times New Viking - "(My Head)"
Jaguar Love - "Bats Over the Pacific Ocean"
The Dodos - "Ashley"
Annuals - "Brother"
Islands - "Jogging Gorgeous Summer"
Parts & Labor - "Vision of Repair"
Ra Ra Riot - "Ghost Under Rocks"
Sunday: Liars, Fuck Buttons, + Team Robespierre @ McCarren Park Pool 2pm FREE
Another week of McCarren Pool Parties, another awesome lineup! If I weren't in Chicago for this there would be no way I'd miss it, all three acts are killer when they hit the stage! Make sure you get there early to see all three of these fantastic bands!
Liars - "Let's Not Wrestle Mt. Heart Attack"
Fuck Buttons - "Colours Move"
Team Robespierre - "88th Precinct"
A Hawk and a Hacksaw have some weird labels attached to their band. Having been part of Neutral Milk Hotel and integral in Beirut's assencion to the top of the blog heaps, they are more well known for those two things then for their actual music. But don't be mistaken, they play some awesome Balkan music of their own and should have some people dancing all night!
A Hawk and Hacksaw - "Salt Water"
Tuesday: Spoon, White Rabbits, + Jay Reatard @ Prospect Park Bandshell 5:30pm $35
With two of these acts hitting the Pitchfork Fest I probably won't be shelling out another $35 just to see them twice in one week. But, do not underestimate these three bands! They are all truly excellent live acts that should be seen many, many, many times. So if you've got the cash, use it!
Spoon - "The Way We Get By"
White Rabbits - "While We Go Dancing"
Jay Reatard - "Let It All Go"
Wednesday: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 8pm $12
The bloggers love Someone Still Love You Boris Yeltsin, I'm not too sure on them but I have heard their live show is solid. Maybe I'll check this out before catching my early Thursday morning flight to Chicago!
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - "Modern Mystery"
Thursday: Ted Leo & the Pharmacists @ Castle Clinton 7pm FREE
Each year Ted Leo plays a free show for New York City, and almost every year it rains on his parade. It's almost never dampens the actual music though, but you might wanna be safe and bring some rain gear!
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists - "Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone"
Friday: Deerhoof @ Prospect Park Bandshell 7:30pm FREE
Friday night is normally synonymous with the Seaport, but this week I'm shifting the focus to another great, free outdoor site the Prospect Park Bandshell! Tonight they will be hosting the always awesome Deerhoof, who I haven't seen in forever (and will miss this time around!). Get there early, these things usually fill up.
Deerhoof - "The Perfect Me"
Saturday: Siren Fest @ Coney Island 12pm FREE
For the first time in 3 or 4 years I will not be heading to Coney Island for the Siren Music Fest, and sure enough it's the year with the best lineup I have ever seen! Malkmus, Broken Social Scene, Annuals, The Dodos, Ra Ra Riot, Times New Viking, so many great bands! Like last year this Siren will the shrouded with the possibility that it's the last one, so make sure you get your butts out there!
Broken Social Scene - "Fire Eye'd Boy"
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - "Baltimore"
Times New Viking - "(My Head)"
Jaguar Love - "Bats Over the Pacific Ocean"
The Dodos - "Ashley"
Annuals - "Brother"
Islands - "Jogging Gorgeous Summer"
Parts & Labor - "Vision of Repair"
Ra Ra Riot - "Ghost Under Rocks"
Sunday: Liars, Fuck Buttons, + Team Robespierre @ McCarren Park Pool 2pm FREE
Another week of McCarren Pool Parties, another awesome lineup! If I weren't in Chicago for this there would be no way I'd miss it, all three acts are killer when they hit the stage! Make sure you get there early to see all three of these fantastic bands!
Liars - "Let's Not Wrestle Mt. Heart Attack"
Fuck Buttons - "Colours Move"
Team Robespierre - "88th Precinct"
Since River to River first posted their summer schedule of shows I was most excited about one show in particular, the No Age + Abe Vigoda bill that was bringing The Smell straight to the banks of the East River! No I've seen No Age a number of times, but each passing time I see them I wind up wanting to see them again immediately. They are that good of a band. Abe Vigoda I had never seen before so it would be a brand new treat, and it would allow for me to get lost in a sea of young, punked out kids looking to rock! Such was the start of my weekend. An absolutely beautiful night with three bands (Telepathe, not part of The Smell scene but also on the bill), and cheap beers to keep my thirst quenched. 
The night kicked off with the youngest of the bands, Abe Vigoda, a band that's collective members seem to be roughly 17-years old but I've been told they are of legal drinking age. Now the whole young look they have going is a complete rouse, because on stage these are some seasoned, rocking dudes. Their set started off a bit scatter shot, but quickly tightened, and allowed them to joke about being a "professional" band. Professional does not even begin to describe them as the band knows their shit. Playing some variation of the Afro-funk sound that's all the rage, and a noise punk sound that is also all the rage, this band owned their 30-minute set. The kids that showed up early rewarded the band with some solid energy (though nowhere near what No Age would get) and the band seemed quite happy with their set afterward. It was a sweet set, they should be happy about it, and I'm sure they converted a few new fans in the midst of their lightning quick set.Telepathe didn't quite keep the energy on par with what Abe Vigoda had set. A few months ago I saw these gals open up for High Places and Health at the old Knitting Factory and they put on a solid, though not quite spectacluar show. Friday night they didn't even come close to that, with a weak, almost uninspired set. It's a shame, because the girls do have some really good tunes under their belt, but they just seemed out of place amongst the boys of The Smell and the young punk rockers that came to see them. I'm sure they'll bounce back though, New York bands are resilient if nothing else.
That brings us to No Age, the makers of my favorite album of the year and folks that have received more then their fair share of ink (or digital bandwith as the case may be) on this site, and let me tell you that this duo did not disappoint in the least! The set kicked off at a fast pace and never once slowed down. Randy Randall and Dean Spunt were at the top of their game and the kids were as energetic as I have ever seen a Seaport audience! Sticking mostly to tracks from Nouns, the band floored me with their tightness and how quick they got through each of their songs. They don't add anything to their 2-minute long tunes, the only thing they add is a bit more speed and aggression and it fits it beautifully. Dean is a maniac with his guitar, twiddling with his peddles and strumming along never missing a note. Randy is absolute insane behind the kit, pounding out beat after beat all while singing every note to their songs perfectly. It's amazing.
The kids meanwhile were doing their best to invade the photo pit that is set up for the likes of us to feel important! It was awesome as a hundred kids pushed three security guards and the barriers they pushed a few feet forward, doing everything possible to get as close to the raging No Age as possible. It was too much for the River to River folks though, as that or some unknown new curfew kept No Age from doing any sort of an encore even though the band definitely wanted to. To calm the anxious masses Dean announced a surprise show at Death By Audio later that evening, but few seemed to want to give up the hopes of a few more tunes from No Age.Even with the abrupt ending and the calls for an encore falling on deaf ears the night was a rousing success! It was definitely the most energy I have ever witnessed at the Seaport and to see photographers running away from the pit with their thousands of dollars of equipment was priceless. Me, I stayed in the put hoping to be swallowed up the frenzied masses but those barricades held their place and it wasn't to be. I really hope River to River realizes how much fun this show was for everyone (but the security guards) and books some more bands that bring it this hard!
More Pics on Flickr
Videos in Post Below
Interviews with No Age and Abe Vigoda
Here's a couple of videos from last night's awesome No Age show at the Seaport! I'll have a full review coming soon, but for now enjoy these!
Who: Black MountainWhen: September 23rd + 24th
Where: Bowery Ballroom + Music Hall of Williamsburg
More Dates
Listen: Black Mountain - "Stay Free"
Thoughts: I still have yet to see Black Mountain perform live. I am ashamed of myself to admit that. I love this guys! Yet I have never gotten off my butt to go see them. I must amend that this time around! Also, these guys would get my vote for the Polaris Prize if I were Canadian.
Who: Shudder to ThinkWhen: October 4th
Where: Webster Hall
More Dates
Listen: Shudder to Think - "Pebbles"
Thoughts: So Shudder to Think has decided to cash in on the whole "comeback" thing and get back together, tour, make some new music, and count wads of green (and in Europe, multi-colored) pieces of paper. Good for them, I think all the bands with all their members still alive should do this. Pavement, The Replacements, Husker Du (are they all still alive), I'm looking at you!
Who: Why?When: September 18th
Where: Bowery Ballroom
More Dates
Listen: Why? - "Fatalist Palmistry"
Thoughts: I have not spent enough time with Why?'s excellent new album Alopecia this year. I don't know why that is, but hopefully I will be able to atone for my indisrections by attending this show and listening to it a bit more. You should too.
Who: PanthersWhen: August 16th + 17th
Where: Cake Shop + McCarren Park Pool
More Dates
Listen: Panthers - "Thank Me With Your Hands"
Thoughts: One of these two shows is at an outdoor pool venue for free on a Sunday with Aesop Rock. I suppose I will see you all there right!?
Who: LowWhen: September 20th + 23rd
Where: ATP + Union Hall
More Dates
Listen: Low - "So easy (So Far)"
Thoughts: A shit ton of bands are playing this whole ATP in New York thing featuring some band that hasn't made a record in nearly 20-years. I can't afford to see that, but luckily most of these bands are hitting the city before or after that festival so I'll probably rack up the same bill buying tickets to those shows. It's a double edged sword I swear.
Who: Ariel PinkWhen: July 30th
Where: Knitting Factory
More Dates
Listen: Ariel Pink - "Alisa"
Thoughts: Last year Ariel Pink's Haunted Gaffiti was one of the most criminally underrated albums of the year! I know I say shit like that about a lot of these bands, but this time I really mean it! This band is the shit! Go see them!!!
So I have been nominated for best Staten Island blog in the AWE's Annual Readers Poll! I think that's pretty sweet, but I'm going against some stiff competition so I need the help of all my readers! The voting process is a bit tedious, basically you click here, download a word document, put X's next to your choices, and upload the finished sheet. It's a pain in the ass I know, but if you have a few spare minutes in the next few days please use it to vote for me!
By now you probably know a thing or two about Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. His story is making it's rounds on the internet, introducing us to his troubled back story, and welcoming us to his deeply emotional music. For a singer/songwriter to craft something this powerful sounding is pretty awesome, but you have to realize that it features parts from member of TV on the Radio and Grizzly Bear to add some of the instruments found here. Still, Miles is showing off a shit load of promise on his long delayed debut. This album is fantastic, rife with heartfelt stories of his troubled pass, and led by his powerful voice. I wasn't sure how I would react to this following all the buzz, but now that I've listened to the whole thing I'm really glad I did! I suppose sometimes all that internet hyping is justified and this is one of those occassions. Pick this up now!Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - "Buriedfed"
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - "Who's Laughing"
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - "Above the Sun"
The Coral Sea is a very difficult listen. With Patti Smith's perfect cadence of poetic verse narrating a eulogy for her late friend and Kevin Shields' rising and falling sonic waves of guitar, it is not a straight forward piece of art. The way the album is presented prevents that from happening. There are two discs, each showcasing the full piece The Coral Sea, but from two very different performances. Each has different sounds and different attitude behind it, but both are lovely in their own ways. I don't know quite how to describe the beauty of this, I'm not sure if it's more of the passion and power behind such an elegant tribute to a fallen friend or the actual music and poetry that gives the piece it's strength. It's probably somewhere in the middle, but for some reason I'm hooked on this piece of music. I prefer disc two a little more, there's something a little more raw about it. I don't know. I guess you really have to listen to this one on your own and form your own opinions 'cause I just don't know how to truly word they way I feel when I listen to this.Patti Smith + Kevin Shields - "The Coral Sea (Part 3)"
Friday July 11th:
No Age - "Eraser"
Telepathe - "Chrome's On It"
Abe Vigoda - "Animal Ghosts"
Elf Power - "Paralyzed"
Tim Fite - "Cassandra"
The Breeders - "Divine Hammer"
Saturday July 12th:
Circle Jerks - "Don't Care"
Matt & Kim - "Silver Tiles"
Monotonix - "No Metal"
Oneida - "Lavender"
High Places - "Golden"
Shy Child - "Astronaut"
Vivian Girls - "Tell the World"
Wye Oak - "Warning"
Beat Radio - "Stranger Flowers"
The Secret Life of Sofia - "Outside"
Sunday July 13th:
The Breeders - "Head to Toe"
Matt & Kim - "Yea Yeah"
Titus Andronicus - "Titus Andronicus"
Ponytail - "Sky Drool"
Abe Vigoda - "Skeleton"
The War On Drugs - "Arms Like Boulders"
This weekend Sub Pop is celebrating an awesome 20-years in the music business with a HUGE show out in Washington. I can't make it out there for it but I wanted to take a moment to celebrate one of the most important labels of my life-time. I thought about how to do that and decided that a list of the 20 Best Sub Pop Albums of All-Time would be perfect! And so here they are...
20. L7 Smell the Magic; Bricks Are Heavy may be the better overall album, but it took something for this band to get to that point. That something was this fantastic record of early grunge music. Originally released as a 6-song EP, the album was later expanded with three additional tracks. This is the album where they managed to incorporate some melody into their original punk roots and sure enough it resulted in their next album catapulting them into the eyes of a much bigger audience. Songs like "Broomstick" and "Till the Wheels Fall Off" are what paved the way for Bricks Are Heavy making their sole Sub Pop release an absolutely vital album in the band's history and in the history of grunge music!
L7 - "Just Like Me"
19. Pissed Jeans Hope for Men; The new breed of Sub Pop bands are a little bit faster and a little more aggressive then some of the stuff that kept them afloat during the late 90's. Pissed Jeans are one of those bands, they sound like something dirty and out of the 80's with their hardcore punk vibe, but it is all decidedly modern. Some people might suggest that this album is a little too noisy or a little too loud, but that's their problem not ours! Lyrically, this album is rooted in the troubles of the real world. Songs like "Scrapbooking" and "Jogging" don't go much deeper then their titles suggest, adding a humanism to all the noise and dissonant sounds. This record is fucking great, I don't care how new it is, or how loud it is it certainly belongs on this list!!!
Pissed Jeans - "I've Still Got You (Ice Cream)"
18. The Thermals The Body, The Blood, The Machine; Rife with religious imagery and hard hitting punk sounds, The Thermals certainly hit a high note with the release of The Body, The Blood, The Machine. This is an awesome, pummeling record that I listened to on non-stop repeat when it was released two years ago. It's Christian imagery is meant as a statement of purpose, refusing to abide by the so-called Christian facists that run America. It is as punk a record as you can get these days, both in music and in message. It's a fuck you to the Bush agenda, while it's heavy chords, bounding drum, and bouncing bass lines feed the fire of the angry messages! This is how modern punk rock should sound, not like all that emo garbage that has been mislabeled and spoon fed to kids in malls all across this country!
The Thermals - "A Pillar of Salt"
17. Patton Oswalt Werewolves & Lollipops; Some of you may feel that comedy albums have no place on a list like this, but I put no restrictions on what types of albums could be the best Sub Pop has to offer and so this certainly belongs on this list (as does the higher ranked comedy album below)! This is one hysterical joke after another, all delivered with Patton's goofy voice and geeky styles. It's an excellent record in every sense of the word, it just doesn't have any music on it. So what? It's hysterical from beginning to end and you can listen to it over and over again and still laugh at it. I dare you to try and listen to this record without laughing, if you make it all the way through then you are absolutely soul less and have no sense of humor whatsoever! This is outstanding stuff.
Patton Oswalt - "The Dukes of Hazard"
16. The Shins Chutes Too Narrow; The Shins have been one of the financial catalysts for Sub Pop for the last decade. Sure, it took a little while (and a Zach Braff movie) to get the ball fully rolling, but once it did it brought the cash rolling in. More then that The Shins released an absolutely pristine indie pop record with Chutes Too Narrow and it's not even the only release of their's to make this list! Perfectly written lyrics, elegant song structures, glistening pop music at it's very best, this is an awesome album. This album is loaded with songs that I sing-a-long to all the time, songs like "Kissing the Lipless" and "So Says I" and of course my favorite track on the record, "Fighting in a Sack"! It's just an all around great album and definitely one of the finer releases from Sub Pop in their second decade!
The Shins - "Kissing the Lipless"
15. Green River Rehab Doll; A Sub Pop list that doesn't include Green River would be totally incomplete in every way! The band had the first ever Sub Pop release with their EP, Dry As A Bone! Heck they were on Sub Pop before Jonathan Poneman was! But this, their only full length release was definitely the high point of their career and one of the starting points for the entire alternative genre knowns as grunge! This band, and more specifically this album, influenced everyone in the upper Northwest of America. Obviously the band's biggest legacy is that members of the group went on to form Temple of the Dog and shortly after that some small time band named Pearl Jam, but without this Sub Pop release we are probably looking at a world where hair metal and bad pop continued to reign for even longer then it already tragically did.
Green River - "Ozzie"
14. Tad 8-Way Santa; I had know idea of the existence of the band Tad until I saw the grunge documentary Hype! which was full of interview snippets from the band. I actually went out and found a copy of 8-Way Santa after seeing that and rocked the fuck out to it like is a brand new record. Of course it was brand new to me at the time even if the album had come out 5-years earlier. Like Green River, Tad was one of the earliest signings of Sub Pop and a pioneer in the world of grunge and after touring through Europe with Nirvana they recorded 8-Way Santa with Butch Vig. It's a great record, not nearly as hard as some of their other stuff, but a little more pop oriented and flavorful. It's solid no matter what way you look at it, and it's certainly an important part of Sub Pop's history.
Tad - "Flame Tavern"
13. No Age Nouns; This is obviously the most recent release on this list and something tells me that if I was making this list for the 30th anniversary it would be much higher up. But as it stands now I think 13 is a good place to stick this awesome album from the L.A. noise punks. I've already hailed it as my album of the year (so far), interviewed the band, and written at length about this album so I really don't have any fresh takes on it. What I will say though is that if this is the direction Sub Pop is going in, it is a brilliant move and the label should live way past it's dying peers. This is the sound of the present day and possibly of the future, and like they've done for 20-years Sub Pop has adjusted itself to the present date.
No Age - "Eraser"
12. Mark Lanegan Whiskey for the Holy Ghost; Obviously anytime you choose a single Mark Lanegan album to be part of a list you will have people fighting about which album you chose, such is the breadth of his work. But when you look at his solo output on Sub Pop I think it's pretty much a no brainer to go with Whiskey for the Holy Ghost! This is such a brilliant fucking album that it's hard to argue it's place in the annals of Sub Pop history. It's a thoroughly cohesive record, floating by with a very ethereal sound, spooky but beautiful at the same time. It's nothing like his work with Screaming Trees, but it's just as good for many different reasons. If it's been a while since you listened to this record, or if you think I should have picked a different one of his solo albums, listen to this again and then see what you think.
Mark Lanegan - "Carnival"
11. Wolf Parade Apologies to the Queen Mary; Wolf Parade has kind of hurt themselves in the last couple of years with all the solo projects taking away from the greatness and potential this band possessed on this album. When Apologies to the Queen Mary was released it was a mind blowing record. Expansive, intricate, full of noise and experimentation, it was a brazen new world of indie music and a lot of folks (myself included) fell in love with the sound. Paired with Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene, these bands were to usher in the new era that thrust indie into the mainstream eye. It hasn't quite panned out the way everyone imagined, mostly because the solo projects have drawn the member's time and better songs, but this is still a classic album. It's as good now as the first time you listened to it, even though it's only been a couple of years.
Wolf Parade - "You Are A Runner, and I Am My Father's Son"
10. Sleater-Kinney The Woods; For their swan song, Sleater-Kinney broke from Kill Rock Stars to release their record on Sub Pop. That alone speaks volumes to how well respected Sub Pop is in our little world, but Sleater-Kinney didn't just give Sub Pop some watered down version of what the band had been, not they gave them a goodbye that people would remember. It's heavier then anything the band had ever released, drenched in the sounds and vibes of classic rock from a bygone era, and it may honestly be the band's finest hour (though that is certainly debatable). This is a brilliant record, the only downside to which is the fact that it is the last Sleater-Kinney record and only one on Sub Pop Records.
Sleater-Kinney - "Jumpers"
9. David Cross It's Not Funny; I told you that Patton Oswalt wasn't the only comedian on this list, and who else would deserves to be on the list but the one and only David Cross (okay, Eugene Mirman should probably be on this list, but who would I take off???). This album is freakin' hysterical no matter how many times you listen to it. Jokes about 9/11 and homosexuality and the South dominate the bulk of the album and it's so much better for attacking taboo subjects and laughing at them. Every bit on this album is a standout and as a whole it may be one of my favorite comedy albums of all-time (not that I've listened to them all).
David Cross - "Certain Leaders in Government Look or Act like Certain Pop Culture References!"
8. The Vaselines The Way of the Vaselines: A Complete History; Since Nirvana wasn't able to make this year's 20th Anniversary celebration, the big draw of the weekend is a rare (as in, first in the U.S. I believe) performance by The Vaselines, who released a single compilation album on Sub Pop two years after they had disbanded. I'd call for a recount if only this collection of The Vaselines material wasn't so fantastic. Obviously Sub Pop made a smart move cashing in on this album following the success of Nirvana and their covering of multiple Vaselines' songs, and the world is probably better for it. How many of you guys actually owned a Vaselines record before this compilation came out? How many of you still just own this? I see a few hands in the audiences the rest are just lying. Obviously such a complete collection of such an excellent band is worthy of high praise and a spot on this list, no matter how dubious the Sub Pop connection may be.
The Vaselines - "Molly's Lips"
7. Afghan Whigs Congregation; Considering the Afghan Whigs only recorded two albums for Sub Pop records, Congregation and Up In It, it was pretty easy to choose one of these albums for the list. If it had been expanded to the rest of the band's discography it would have taken a bit longer to decide. But Congregation is the record that moves Afghan Whigs from their blistering, punk like sound to the soul-influenced sound that is beloved today. For that alone it's important, but when you take the album by itself it is absolutely an overlooked masterpiece of the times it was released in. I say overshadowed because everyone was focusing on the Nirvanas and Pearl Jams of the world and no one saw this one coming, an album that branches the vast chasm between the noisier side of grunge and soulful swagger of pop music. It was overlooked then, it's not now. Go figure.
The Afghan Whigs - "This Is My Confession"
6. Sunny Day Real Estate Sunny Day Real Estate (LP2); I had a tough time choosing between the first two albums from the godfathers of emo (you can easily make the argument that the other one should be on this list) but I opted to go with LP2 because it built of the promise that Diary had laid at there feet. Of course, this was the bands too early demise (before a come back three years later) with Jeremy Enigk becoming a born again Christian and Nate Mendell and William Goldsmith leaving to join the Foo Fighters, but it's a remarkable album despite all it's side notes. It's heartbreaking, fragile, moody, expansive, it's everything we've come to know emo music for and it's an excellent record for sure. It's on draw back of course is that it's led to so many shitty bands, but we can't hold that against Sunny Day Real Estate.
Sunny Day Real Estate - "8"
5. Mudhoney Superfuzz Bigmuff; When you talk Sub Pop Records there aren't too many names that come up before Mudhoney's. The band was a constant in the label's early years and this to me is it's finest moment. Of course I'm talking about the package version not just the too short EP. I want the one with all the extra singles and stuff to fill it out and give me more of that classic Mudhoney sound. The thing I love about this album out of all of Mudhoney's output is the fact that it lacks all those tedious, grinding parts that litter other Mudhoney albums. It's completely devoid of that, allowing the songs to sparkle and the album to flow steadily through. Not that the other Mudhoney albums don't have merit, it's just that those parts can get a little tiresome while this one just soars straight through.
Mudhoney - "In 'n' Out of Grace"
4. Sebadoh Bubble and Scrape; Fans of Sebadoh are going to have a field day with my inclusion of Bubble and Scrape and my exlcusion of every thing else. This is the middle ground of the Sebadoh sound, somewhere between the early collections of sound collages and the polished pop that would come later, and as it straddles those two very different eras of the band's history it also blends the sounds together in a way that none of their other albums come close to duplicating. On Bubble and Scrape Sebadoh manage to clean up the lo-fi sound of their early years without sounding too clean or polished, it's a fine line but here the walk it perfectly and I think few of you will fight that notion. I personally feel it's there finest work, that I know you guys will argue or bicker about, but hey that's how I feel.
Sebadoh - "Elixir Is Zog"
3. The Postal Service Give Up; For all the success that has followed Death Cab for Cutie I would argue that Give Up is better then all of those albums combined. This is such a pristine pop album, the perfect blending of the electronic world and indie pop song writing that it boggles my mind as to why there hasn't been a follow-up yet. Maybe Gibbard and Tamborello just can't top this album, or maybe the type of perfection it took to get this right takes years to try again. Whatever the reason may be at least we have been left with this beautiful record full of songs that soothe away troubles and pain, and leave you only with gentle melodies and smooth textured blips and bleeps. Oh, and this record as sold a shit load of copies and helped shape Sub Pop Records here in the 21st century so I guess that's important too.
The Postal Service - "Such Great Heights"
2. The Shins Oh, Inverted World; I know, I know. How could I not include two albums from Sebadoh but I could include two from The Shins? Well, the simple answer is I like The Shins more then I like Sebadoh. Their dreamy sense of indie pop song writing is one of the main things that hooked me on this genre at the beginning of this decade. If you read my Blast's from the Past you already know that I was a pop-punker for most of my teen years, well this is one of the albums that dragged me from that over produced genre and into the clutches of the indie world. So yes, it is a biased choice, but even with that bias blinding me I can see that this is a fantastic record! Hopefully you can at least agree with me on that point and at the same time realize that this album (and, the appearance of some of the songs on the Garden State soundtrack) helped usher in this new world of accessible, independent, but still commercially viable music. It's an important note, but it does not for a second take away from the fact that Oh, Inverted World is an amazing record!
The Shins - "Know Your Onion"
1. Nirvana Bleach; Was there any doubt in your minds what was going to be the top album on this list? This is such an obvious choice for the top spot on this list that it almost pains me to make it the actual #1. Nirvana helped launch Sub Pop records from a small boutique label in the Pacific Northwest to a cultural landmark and an example for the whole independent record industry. Obviously they didn't put out the band's magnum opus, but some would argue that Bleach is a better record. Not me. No matter how good the punk aesthetic of Bleach is, Nevermind and In Utero were both better records. But that shouldn't take away from how fantastic the debut was. It's harder and faster then it's successors, but it also showcases the promise that would be realized only a couple of years after its release. Songs like "About A Girl", "Love Buzz", and "Blew" show off Cobain's developing abilities to pen a song that houses both melody and aggression within the same bars of music. Bleach is an album that showed promise that would be realized in much grander senses later on, but it also houses some fine songs of it's own and made Sub Pop Records into a household name.
Nirvana - "Love Buzz"
20. L7 Smell the Magic; Bricks Are Heavy may be the better overall album, but it took something for this band to get to that point. That something was this fantastic record of early grunge music. Originally released as a 6-song EP, the album was later expanded with three additional tracks. This is the album where they managed to incorporate some melody into their original punk roots and sure enough it resulted in their next album catapulting them into the eyes of a much bigger audience. Songs like "Broomstick" and "Till the Wheels Fall Off" are what paved the way for Bricks Are Heavy making their sole Sub Pop release an absolutely vital album in the band's history and in the history of grunge music!L7 - "Just Like Me"
19. Pissed Jeans Hope for Men; The new breed of Sub Pop bands are a little bit faster and a little more aggressive then some of the stuff that kept them afloat during the late 90's. Pissed Jeans are one of those bands, they sound like something dirty and out of the 80's with their hardcore punk vibe, but it is all decidedly modern. Some people might suggest that this album is a little too noisy or a little too loud, but that's their problem not ours! Lyrically, this album is rooted in the troubles of the real world. Songs like "Scrapbooking" and "Jogging" don't go much deeper then their titles suggest, adding a humanism to all the noise and dissonant sounds. This record is fucking great, I don't care how new it is, or how loud it is it certainly belongs on this list!!!Pissed Jeans - "I've Still Got You (Ice Cream)"
18. The Thermals The Body, The Blood, The Machine; Rife with religious imagery and hard hitting punk sounds, The Thermals certainly hit a high note with the release of The Body, The Blood, The Machine. This is an awesome, pummeling record that I listened to on non-stop repeat when it was released two years ago. It's Christian imagery is meant as a statement of purpose, refusing to abide by the so-called Christian facists that run America. It is as punk a record as you can get these days, both in music and in message. It's a fuck you to the Bush agenda, while it's heavy chords, bounding drum, and bouncing bass lines feed the fire of the angry messages! This is how modern punk rock should sound, not like all that emo garbage that has been mislabeled and spoon fed to kids in malls all across this country!The Thermals - "A Pillar of Salt"
17. Patton Oswalt Werewolves & Lollipops; Some of you may feel that comedy albums have no place on a list like this, but I put no restrictions on what types of albums could be the best Sub Pop has to offer and so this certainly belongs on this list (as does the higher ranked comedy album below)! This is one hysterical joke after another, all delivered with Patton's goofy voice and geeky styles. It's an excellent record in every sense of the word, it just doesn't have any music on it. So what? It's hysterical from beginning to end and you can listen to it over and over again and still laugh at it. I dare you to try and listen to this record without laughing, if you make it all the way through then you are absolutely soul less and have no sense of humor whatsoever! This is outstanding stuff.Patton Oswalt - "The Dukes of Hazard"
16. The Shins Chutes Too Narrow; The Shins have been one of the financial catalysts for Sub Pop for the last decade. Sure, it took a little while (and a Zach Braff movie) to get the ball fully rolling, but once it did it brought the cash rolling in. More then that The Shins released an absolutely pristine indie pop record with Chutes Too Narrow and it's not even the only release of their's to make this list! Perfectly written lyrics, elegant song structures, glistening pop music at it's very best, this is an awesome album. This album is loaded with songs that I sing-a-long to all the time, songs like "Kissing the Lipless" and "So Says I" and of course my favorite track on the record, "Fighting in a Sack"! It's just an all around great album and definitely one of the finer releases from Sub Pop in their second decade!The Shins - "Kissing the Lipless"
15. Green River Rehab Doll; A Sub Pop list that doesn't include Green River would be totally incomplete in every way! The band had the first ever Sub Pop release with their EP, Dry As A Bone! Heck they were on Sub Pop before Jonathan Poneman was! But this, their only full length release was definitely the high point of their career and one of the starting points for the entire alternative genre knowns as grunge! This band, and more specifically this album, influenced everyone in the upper Northwest of America. Obviously the band's biggest legacy is that members of the group went on to form Temple of the Dog and shortly after that some small time band named Pearl Jam, but without this Sub Pop release we are probably looking at a world where hair metal and bad pop continued to reign for even longer then it already tragically did.Green River - "Ozzie"
14. Tad 8-Way Santa; I had know idea of the existence of the band Tad until I saw the grunge documentary Hype! which was full of interview snippets from the band. I actually went out and found a copy of 8-Way Santa after seeing that and rocked the fuck out to it like is a brand new record. Of course it was brand new to me at the time even if the album had come out 5-years earlier. Like Green River, Tad was one of the earliest signings of Sub Pop and a pioneer in the world of grunge and after touring through Europe with Nirvana they recorded 8-Way Santa with Butch Vig. It's a great record, not nearly as hard as some of their other stuff, but a little more pop oriented and flavorful. It's solid no matter what way you look at it, and it's certainly an important part of Sub Pop's history.Tad - "Flame Tavern"
13. No Age Nouns; This is obviously the most recent release on this list and something tells me that if I was making this list for the 30th anniversary it would be much higher up. But as it stands now I think 13 is a good place to stick this awesome album from the L.A. noise punks. I've already hailed it as my album of the year (so far), interviewed the band, and written at length about this album so I really don't have any fresh takes on it. What I will say though is that if this is the direction Sub Pop is going in, it is a brilliant move and the label should live way past it's dying peers. This is the sound of the present day and possibly of the future, and like they've done for 20-years Sub Pop has adjusted itself to the present date.No Age - "Eraser"
12. Mark Lanegan Whiskey for the Holy Ghost; Obviously anytime you choose a single Mark Lanegan album to be part of a list you will have people fighting about which album you chose, such is the breadth of his work. But when you look at his solo output on Sub Pop I think it's pretty much a no brainer to go with Whiskey for the Holy Ghost! This is such a brilliant fucking album that it's hard to argue it's place in the annals of Sub Pop history. It's a thoroughly cohesive record, floating by with a very ethereal sound, spooky but beautiful at the same time. It's nothing like his work with Screaming Trees, but it's just as good for many different reasons. If it's been a while since you listened to this record, or if you think I should have picked a different one of his solo albums, listen to this again and then see what you think.Mark Lanegan - "Carnival"
11. Wolf Parade Apologies to the Queen Mary; Wolf Parade has kind of hurt themselves in the last couple of years with all the solo projects taking away from the greatness and potential this band possessed on this album. When Apologies to the Queen Mary was released it was a mind blowing record. Expansive, intricate, full of noise and experimentation, it was a brazen new world of indie music and a lot of folks (myself included) fell in love with the sound. Paired with Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene, these bands were to usher in the new era that thrust indie into the mainstream eye. It hasn't quite panned out the way everyone imagined, mostly because the solo projects have drawn the member's time and better songs, but this is still a classic album. It's as good now as the first time you listened to it, even though it's only been a couple of years.Wolf Parade - "You Are A Runner, and I Am My Father's Son"
10. Sleater-Kinney The Woods; For their swan song, Sleater-Kinney broke from Kill Rock Stars to release their record on Sub Pop. That alone speaks volumes to how well respected Sub Pop is in our little world, but Sleater-Kinney didn't just give Sub Pop some watered down version of what the band had been, not they gave them a goodbye that people would remember. It's heavier then anything the band had ever released, drenched in the sounds and vibes of classic rock from a bygone era, and it may honestly be the band's finest hour (though that is certainly debatable). This is a brilliant record, the only downside to which is the fact that it is the last Sleater-Kinney record and only one on Sub Pop Records.Sleater-Kinney - "Jumpers"
9. David Cross It's Not Funny; I told you that Patton Oswalt wasn't the only comedian on this list, and who else would deserves to be on the list but the one and only David Cross (okay, Eugene Mirman should probably be on this list, but who would I take off???). This album is freakin' hysterical no matter how many times you listen to it. Jokes about 9/11 and homosexuality and the South dominate the bulk of the album and it's so much better for attacking taboo subjects and laughing at them. Every bit on this album is a standout and as a whole it may be one of my favorite comedy albums of all-time (not that I've listened to them all).David Cross - "Certain Leaders in Government Look or Act like Certain Pop Culture References!"
8. The Vaselines The Way of the Vaselines: A Complete History; Since Nirvana wasn't able to make this year's 20th Anniversary celebration, the big draw of the weekend is a rare (as in, first in the U.S. I believe) performance by The Vaselines, who released a single compilation album on Sub Pop two years after they had disbanded. I'd call for a recount if only this collection of The Vaselines material wasn't so fantastic. Obviously Sub Pop made a smart move cashing in on this album following the success of Nirvana and their covering of multiple Vaselines' songs, and the world is probably better for it. How many of you guys actually owned a Vaselines record before this compilation came out? How many of you still just own this? I see a few hands in the audiences the rest are just lying. Obviously such a complete collection of such an excellent band is worthy of high praise and a spot on this list, no matter how dubious the Sub Pop connection may be.The Vaselines - "Molly's Lips"
7. Afghan Whigs Congregation; Considering the Afghan Whigs only recorded two albums for Sub Pop records, Congregation and Up In It, it was pretty easy to choose one of these albums for the list. If it had been expanded to the rest of the band's discography it would have taken a bit longer to decide. But Congregation is the record that moves Afghan Whigs from their blistering, punk like sound to the soul-influenced sound that is beloved today. For that alone it's important, but when you take the album by itself it is absolutely an overlooked masterpiece of the times it was released in. I say overshadowed because everyone was focusing on the Nirvanas and Pearl Jams of the world and no one saw this one coming, an album that branches the vast chasm between the noisier side of grunge and soulful swagger of pop music. It was overlooked then, it's not now. Go figure.The Afghan Whigs - "This Is My Confession"
6. Sunny Day Real Estate Sunny Day Real Estate (LP2); I had a tough time choosing between the first two albums from the godfathers of emo (you can easily make the argument that the other one should be on this list) but I opted to go with LP2 because it built of the promise that Diary had laid at there feet. Of course, this was the bands too early demise (before a come back three years later) with Jeremy Enigk becoming a born again Christian and Nate Mendell and William Goldsmith leaving to join the Foo Fighters, but it's a remarkable album despite all it's side notes. It's heartbreaking, fragile, moody, expansive, it's everything we've come to know emo music for and it's an excellent record for sure. It's on draw back of course is that it's led to so many shitty bands, but we can't hold that against Sunny Day Real Estate.Sunny Day Real Estate - "8"
5. Mudhoney Superfuzz Bigmuff; When you talk Sub Pop Records there aren't too many names that come up before Mudhoney's. The band was a constant in the label's early years and this to me is it's finest moment. Of course I'm talking about the package version not just the too short EP. I want the one with all the extra singles and stuff to fill it out and give me more of that classic Mudhoney sound. The thing I love about this album out of all of Mudhoney's output is the fact that it lacks all those tedious, grinding parts that litter other Mudhoney albums. It's completely devoid of that, allowing the songs to sparkle and the album to flow steadily through. Not that the other Mudhoney albums don't have merit, it's just that those parts can get a little tiresome while this one just soars straight through.Mudhoney - "In 'n' Out of Grace"
4. Sebadoh Bubble and Scrape; Fans of Sebadoh are going to have a field day with my inclusion of Bubble and Scrape and my exlcusion of every thing else. This is the middle ground of the Sebadoh sound, somewhere between the early collections of sound collages and the polished pop that would come later, and as it straddles those two very different eras of the band's history it also blends the sounds together in a way that none of their other albums come close to duplicating. On Bubble and Scrape Sebadoh manage to clean up the lo-fi sound of their early years without sounding too clean or polished, it's a fine line but here the walk it perfectly and I think few of you will fight that notion. I personally feel it's there finest work, that I know you guys will argue or bicker about, but hey that's how I feel.Sebadoh - "Elixir Is Zog"
3. The Postal Service Give Up; For all the success that has followed Death Cab for Cutie I would argue that Give Up is better then all of those albums combined. This is such a pristine pop album, the perfect blending of the electronic world and indie pop song writing that it boggles my mind as to why there hasn't been a follow-up yet. Maybe Gibbard and Tamborello just can't top this album, or maybe the type of perfection it took to get this right takes years to try again. Whatever the reason may be at least we have been left with this beautiful record full of songs that soothe away troubles and pain, and leave you only with gentle melodies and smooth textured blips and bleeps. Oh, and this record as sold a shit load of copies and helped shape Sub Pop Records here in the 21st century so I guess that's important too.The Postal Service - "Such Great Heights"
2. The Shins Oh, Inverted World; I know, I know. How could I not include two albums from Sebadoh but I could include two from The Shins? Well, the simple answer is I like The Shins more then I like Sebadoh. Their dreamy sense of indie pop song writing is one of the main things that hooked me on this genre at the beginning of this decade. If you read my Blast's from the Past you already know that I was a pop-punker for most of my teen years, well this is one of the albums that dragged me from that over produced genre and into the clutches of the indie world. So yes, it is a biased choice, but even with that bias blinding me I can see that this is a fantastic record! Hopefully you can at least agree with me on that point and at the same time realize that this album (and, the appearance of some of the songs on the Garden State soundtrack) helped usher in this new world of accessible, independent, but still commercially viable music. It's an important note, but it does not for a second take away from the fact that Oh, Inverted World is an amazing record!The Shins - "Know Your Onion"
1. Nirvana Bleach; Was there any doubt in your minds what was going to be the top album on this list? This is such an obvious choice for the top spot on this list that it almost pains me to make it the actual #1. Nirvana helped launch Sub Pop records from a small boutique label in the Pacific Northwest to a cultural landmark and an example for the whole independent record industry. Obviously they didn't put out the band's magnum opus, but some would argue that Bleach is a better record. Not me. No matter how good the punk aesthetic of Bleach is, Nevermind and In Utero were both better records. But that shouldn't take away from how fantastic the debut was. It's harder and faster then it's successors, but it also showcases the promise that would be realized only a couple of years after its release. Songs like "About A Girl", "Love Buzz", and "Blew" show off Cobain's developing abilities to pen a song that houses both melody and aggression within the same bars of music. Bleach is an album that showed promise that would be realized in much grander senses later on, but it also houses some fine songs of it's own and made Sub Pop Records into a household name.Nirvana - "Love Buzz"
The Good: Flying Lotus (feat. Lil' Wayne) - "Robo Tussin"; Another week, another track featuring Lil' Wayne! Will it ever cease? I hope not. This time around Flying Lotus is proving his production skills mixing Wayne's "A Milli" with some freaked out sounds and making it all work together. This is like listening to it in space or some shit. I like it!
Grade: B
Beat Radio - "Stranger Flowers"; I've been meaning to post this track for two weeks now, but I keep forgetting to add it every time I go to do it. Thankfully, I wrote myself a little note after neglecting it last week and here it is! This is the first tune of Beat Radio's forthcoming record. It's right in line with what we've come to expect from the band, solid rock sounds mixed with emotional, passionate lyrics. It's a pretty song and it sets the bar pretty high for the new record.
Grade: B+
Fucked Up - "No Epiphany"; This is some insane shit right here. You got all this pretty, synthetic music accompanied by as hardcore a growl as you can possibly get. This is vicious, but pretty. It's two completely different areas of music meeting head on and sticking around to see who comes out on top. I'm not sure which part I like more, but together this is some crazy shit.
Grade: B
Killer Mike - "10 G's"; I've been a bit rough on rap lately, but it's definitely been stepping up the game in the past few weeks. Lil' Wayne, Nas, and now Killer Mike have all stepped up to the plate with some truly hot tracks. This one is decidedly Southern, but Mike's flow is steady and his lyrics are hard throughout. This is nice, I'm defintiely hyped about the record after hearing this!
Grade: B+
Track of the Week: Atlas Sound - "Oh It's Such A Shame" (Jay Reatard cover); Just the idea of jay Reatard and Atlas Sound covering each other is enough to get me absolutely giddy, but actually witnessing the finished product has me going nuts. There are no discernible vocals on this deafeningly loud track, but Bradford is obviously singing! It's just loud, feedback drenched, staticy, and beautiful all at the same time. Listen loud!
Grade: A
Old School Track of the Week: Bob Marley - "Redemption Song"; This weekend I finished watching the first season of Lost on DVD. I liked it a lot, but the moment in the final episode where Sawyer is caught singing "Redemption Song" got the song stuck into my head for a couple of days. Thus here it is. It doesn't get much simpler then when Sawyer asks Michael, "why you like Bob Marley?" and he responds, "Who doesn't like Bob Marely?" Amen to that!
Grade: A+
The Bad: Lackthereof - "Last November"; I'm a big fan of Menomena, but this side project of their drummer lacks all of the pop sweetness that makes me love his full-time band. It's dark, rhythmically beautiful, but lacking that hook that Menomena are so good at. Maybe it's not fair that I'm comparing it to his regular band, but hey that's generally what happens when you decide to branch out on your own.
Grade: D+
Chad VanGaalen - "Willow Tree"; I had forgotten why I had never picked up any of Chad VanGaalen's previous records until I heard this song. It's like Sufjan, except that Sufjan knows how to write a song. This is pretty standard indie pop sound-a-like stuff. So if you like that this is for you.
Grade: C-
Department of Eagles - "In Ear Park"; I think I am getting tired of this whole hushed area of the indie music spectrum. It all comes off as pretty initially, but by the time the song ends it has over stayed it's welcome. Maybe there are too many good, energetic bands coming through these days for me to wait around while these tunes develop. Or maybe they are just really boring tunes.
Grade: C+
Video of the Week:
The Death Set - "Around the World"; Okay, so this is not the most technologically advanced video in the world, but if it were would it really be The Death Set? Probably not, this suits the band to a tee and the song is hot so what can beat that!
Grade: B+
Grade: B
Beat Radio - "Stranger Flowers"; I've been meaning to post this track for two weeks now, but I keep forgetting to add it every time I go to do it. Thankfully, I wrote myself a little note after neglecting it last week and here it is! This is the first tune of Beat Radio's forthcoming record. It's right in line with what we've come to expect from the band, solid rock sounds mixed with emotional, passionate lyrics. It's a pretty song and it sets the bar pretty high for the new record.
Grade: B+
Fucked Up - "No Epiphany"; This is some insane shit right here. You got all this pretty, synthetic music accompanied by as hardcore a growl as you can possibly get. This is vicious, but pretty. It's two completely different areas of music meeting head on and sticking around to see who comes out on top. I'm not sure which part I like more, but together this is some crazy shit.
Grade: B
Killer Mike - "10 G's"; I've been a bit rough on rap lately, but it's definitely been stepping up the game in the past few weeks. Lil' Wayne, Nas, and now Killer Mike have all stepped up to the plate with some truly hot tracks. This one is decidedly Southern, but Mike's flow is steady and his lyrics are hard throughout. This is nice, I'm defintiely hyped about the record after hearing this!
Grade: B+
Track of the Week: Atlas Sound - "Oh It's Such A Shame" (Jay Reatard cover); Just the idea of jay Reatard and Atlas Sound covering each other is enough to get me absolutely giddy, but actually witnessing the finished product has me going nuts. There are no discernible vocals on this deafeningly loud track, but Bradford is obviously singing! It's just loud, feedback drenched, staticy, and beautiful all at the same time. Listen loud!
Grade: A
Old School Track of the Week: Bob Marley - "Redemption Song"; This weekend I finished watching the first season of Lost on DVD. I liked it a lot, but the moment in the final episode where Sawyer is caught singing "Redemption Song" got the song stuck into my head for a couple of days. Thus here it is. It doesn't get much simpler then when Sawyer asks Michael, "why you like Bob Marley?" and he responds, "Who doesn't like Bob Marely?" Amen to that!
Grade: A+
The Bad: Lackthereof - "Last November"; I'm a big fan of Menomena, but this side project of their drummer lacks all of the pop sweetness that makes me love his full-time band. It's dark, rhythmically beautiful, but lacking that hook that Menomena are so good at. Maybe it's not fair that I'm comparing it to his regular band, but hey that's generally what happens when you decide to branch out on your own.
Grade: D+
Chad VanGaalen - "Willow Tree"; I had forgotten why I had never picked up any of Chad VanGaalen's previous records until I heard this song. It's like Sufjan, except that Sufjan knows how to write a song. This is pretty standard indie pop sound-a-like stuff. So if you like that this is for you.
Grade: C-
Department of Eagles - "In Ear Park"; I think I am getting tired of this whole hushed area of the indie music spectrum. It all comes off as pretty initially, but by the time the song ends it has over stayed it's welcome. Maybe there are too many good, energetic bands coming through these days for me to wait around while these tunes develop. Or maybe they are just really boring tunes.
Grade: C+
Video of the Week:
The Death Set - "Around the World"; Okay, so this is not the most technologically advanced video in the world, but if it were would it really be The Death Set? Probably not, this suits the band to a tee and the song is hot so what can beat that!
Grade: B+
Boy Genius have been pressuring me to listen to their new album, Anchorage, for a couple of weeks now. They have not yet resorted to death threats, but I felt it was imminent so I am finally making some room for the band on the ol' blog and cracking the plastic on their album! I'm kidding of course, I actually cracked the plastic when they told me they were kicking off their tour with a show in little old Staten Island and it wasn't long before I was putting Anchorage on repeat.Littered with amazingly catchy indie pop, Anchorage is the type of album that got a lot of us into this type of music. It's similar to the albums we all listened to in college, stuff that was left of the dial, tough to find, and meant going to some shady dive to see the band. It's good for Boy Genius that this stuff is all the rage now, but it really does stir the emotions of hearing the early indie bands of the 80's and 90's all over again. Slightly off-key vocals lend some charm to the songs here, but they'd be pretty charming even if they didn't add that mild imperfection. Reverb-laden guitar riffs, use of a huge amount of horns and odd instruments, and the steady beats of this album make this such a perfect example of indie pop that it's difficult to believe it's not one of the originals coming back from the abyss.
I've listened to Anchorage a lot this week and I have a feeling I'm going to know the songs back and forth by the time the band kicks off their tour on August 8th at Martini Red! This is excellent stuff, make sure you check it out ASAP!
Boy Genius - "Radio Silence"
Boy Genius - "Great Lakes"
Boy Genius - "Talk About Love"
Boy Genius on Myspace
Boy Genius On Tour:
July 25th @ Cake Shop, New York, NY
August 8 @ Martini Red Staten Island, NY
August 9 @ Velvet Lounge Washington, D.C.
August 10 @ Ottobar, Baltimore, MD
August 11 @ Dust, Charlottesville, VA
August 13 @ Athens Pop Fest, Athens, GA
August 15 @ TBA
August 16 @ The M Room, Philadelphia, PA
On Friday night I will be rocking my ass off at the South Street Seaport like I do most every Friday night during the summer, but this time around things will be a little bit different. That's mostly thanks to No Age, the makers of my favorite album of the year thus far, who will be headlining the show. I don't think I've been this excited for a Seaport lineup every before, which is crazy 'cause I'm usually pretty damn excited for each one! Anyway, I had a chance to chat with Randy Randall about this show, his tour, hanging with Pete Wentz and a couple of other things. Here you go...PTST: You guys have a huge weekend ahead, playing the South Street Seaport in New York then flying to Washington to be part of Sub Pop's 20th Anniversary spectacular. How does it feel to be part of these huge events in the same weekend?
RR: Oh man, it's so excitign and a little overwhelming too. We were looking at the schedule and we were like, "Oh man that means we're gonna have to fly too!", but it's a really cool honor. We're psyched!
PTST: Is there one you're looking forward to more then the other?
RR: I think the Seaport is gonna be awesome, such a fun, cool outdoor venue and we're psyched to play with our friends in Telepathe and Abe Vigoda. But the Sub Pop thing is really cool too, it's hard to choose between. I think Sub Pop's gonna be cool 'cause we get to see the Vaselines! I'd hate to have to choose between the two, but I guess I don't have to because we'll be at both!
PTST: After these shows you'll be hitting the Pitchfork Music Fest in Chicago. Do you guys realize that you currently have the highest rating of any album that's come out this year?
RR: No way! That's insane! Someone's gonna come out with something I'm sure. There's gonna be some heavy hitters in the fall, maybe Radiohead has something up their sleeve or Battles.
PTST: Does that kind of acknowledgement give you a kind of justification for what you do?
RR: It's realy nothing you can plan for or take really seriously. Ultimately I think we make this music because we want to play it and if no one liked it I still think we'd be doing it anyway.
PTST: You guys have been on tour with Abe Vigoda for about a week now? How's it going so far?
RR: It's going awesome! It's so much fun to be on tour with good friends and see places and travel with people you get along with and have fun and hang oout. They're awesome every night so it really forces up to step up our game!
PTST: Are you guys trying to create the environment of The Smell everywhere you go?
RR: At some point in the planning stages that was gonna be part of it, there was gonna be more of a concept tour, but at some point the limits of technology got the better of us. Now it's really just us and our friends going out there, which I guess is like The Smell. It's what makes The Smell so special is the energy of the people in it, so I guess in a sense we are. In some sense it's there, but there's a lot more light and it's probably cleaner on tour then it is at home.
PTST: Who are some of the up-and-coming bands in The Smell scene?
RR: Protect Me is an awesome duo, The Party Foul are doing great things, E.S.P.S., but there area other people that have come out of The Smell that don't really get the credit they deserve. There's a great musician, Devin Williams, who's on tour now and is kind of like a solo Replacements, Paul Westerberg type thing who is really great, and Jeremy Jay. So there's a lot of great stuff, it's a really diverse music scene.
PTST: What do the folks back home think of your appearance on the Pete Wentz show?
RR: It was a lot of laughing, we brought a lot of our friends out with us for the taping. We felt that if we were gonna be on a show with Rhianna and T.I. we had to role up with our own posse. So we had 17 people come with us so they could witness it and not talk shit later.
PTST: You went on the show to debut the new video for "Eraser", how did the video come about?
RR: It was a collabortive process, Andy Bruntel is awesome and had this idea of morphing effect technology. He showed us what he was doing with so we got together, shot a bunch of stuff, and that made the video.
PTST: The video kicks of with the end of the "Keechie" video and also includes part of "Impossible Boquet" before it kicks into "Eraser", was that an attempt to get as much No Age out into the mainstream as possible?
RR: No it was more Andy's idea. He had this beautiful sort of oil imagery he wanted to use, and I think everyone felt the video could be longer so he played around with some ideas. I like the song "Eraser" as it is, but I guess the idea of playing videos on MTV our attention span is a little shorter.
PTST: That seems kind of amazing considering what MTV has become.
RR: I guess we're just products of MTV so we take it the next step, make things faster and shorter.
PTST: Before the release of Weirdo Rippers and Nouns, did you guys ever picture appearing on MTV and being written up on Pitchfork and all the other attention you've received?
RR: No, never, not at all! It's been a complete surprise. We always wanted to do things like play music, tour, and make videos, but we thought we'd just do it all for ourselves and if our friends liked it then cool. But all this other stuff is way beyond what we could have imagined.
PTST: Are you enjoying it?
RR: Yeah definitely! It keeps us busy and keeps us on the road which is fun.
PTST: So where does No Age go from here? What's next?
RR: We're gonna finish the tour through the fall then sit down and piece together some new ideas. We're always writing and working on song ideas, so hopefully we'll sit down this winter to work on the next record.
PTST: You guys always try to incorporate some sort of cover songs into your set, is that something that you've always made a point of doing or was it just done to fill out the set?
RR: It's just fun. We normally try to do it at the end of the set. It started out playing some shows and people would say "No, play another" and we didn't have any more 'cause we hadn't written any more songs. So we really like this song and we'd kick it around in practice and say "well we can play this one". This tour we've been playing some of the covers off the "Eraser"'s b-side.
PTST: Got anything special planned for New York?
RR: The Seaport's gonna be awesome, we're gonna keep it all a secret for now and let the people see for themselves. We're looking forward to a fun outdoor show on Friday!
No Age - "Eraser"
No Age - "Teen Creeps"
No Age Tour Dates:
07/10 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
07/11 - New York ,NY @ Seaport Music Festival
07/13 - Redmond, WA @ Sub Pop 20th Anniversary Festival
07/14 - Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
07/15 - Montreal, PQ La Sala Rossa
07/16 - Toronto, ON @ Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
07/17 - Pontiac, MI @ Eagle Theatre
07/19 - Chicago IL @ Pitchfork Music Festival
07/21 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
07/24 - Vancouver, BC @ Richards On Richards
07/26 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
07/28 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
09/04 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
Yesterday I told you guys how much I'm enjoying the new record from L.A. noise punks Abe Vigoda. It's a really solid record even if it's only 30-minutes long, and with the band hitting New York for the weekend I thought now would be the perfect time to catch up with the band and see how things are going.PTST: You guys have obviously been linked with the scene coming from the Smell, how do you guys react to all the comparisons to the likes of No Age and Mika Miko? Do you honestly feel you should be held in comparison to these bands just because you've played the same local venue a few times? What makes you different from the rest of the Smell bands?
AV: Yeah we do get that comparison a lot which is cool with us because they are our friends. I do not think that any of us sound like each other. Its more like an attitude or vibe or something. We all definitely have a good sense of humor about things and don't take things too seriously. We might not sound alike but I do think we have similar ideologies about music.
PTST: Your new album Skeleton hit store shelves on Tuesday, how do you think it compares to your first two releases? Is there any big changes your fans should be on the lookout for when they first listen to Skeleton? What are your personal favorite tracks on the new album?
AV: We get asked this a lot, probably because it is pretty radically different to our previous records. I do think that this record is a much more polished and a lot dreamier and poppier but it totally has the same punk spirit as the other records. Our songs are still brief and have weird structures. I think that our favorite track of the record is the last song and titular track "Skeleton". It is one of the last songs we wrote for the record and its closer to the new stuff we are working on.
PTST:You guys are now on tour with fellow LA rockers No Age, how's the tour going so far?
AV: Tour with No Age is amazing! They are the best people to tour with. Its easy because we are such good friends so it makes it way more fun and easy to do things. And so far every show with them has been so great! I was a little nervous that maybe people wouldn't be that into us because we are opening but its been really great its a totally good match!
PTST: Have you guys had a favorite stop so for, or are there any places you're really looking forward to playing in the next few weeks?
AV: I'm really looking forward to our New York dates,its always really fun there and lots of people come out, its also our first time playing a festival which is really exciting and a little nerve wracking. But yeah really siked to play in Canada also because we have never even been there.
PTST: Your music has been described as "tropical punk", is it a fitting moniker for what you guys do? Is it the addition of steel drums that makes it stick, or is it the overall mellow vibe to the music that gives it it's tropical feel?
AV: I think that people label us as that and it makes sense to a point. The drum beats are very close to that tropical sound. But I think that also the sparkly guitars add to that. We don't use steel drums even in recording, its just the guitars with reverb and distortion and some delay. I'm not too sure that the songs are that mellow, they seem very fast and spastic to me, but we are down for mellow too!!!
PTST: Are you guys excited for your weekend in New York City? Which venue you are you looking forward to the most here in the city?
AV: The Todd P show I hope will be awesome! He has set up things for us before and they have been super fun, and we are playing with Ponytail who I'm super excited about!
PTST: What's up for you guys once the tour is done?
AV: We are going to go home and relax for a little. Maybe work on new songs but for sure we are doing another tour in the fall in the US and going to the UK in the late fall for at least two weeks.
Abe Vigoda - "Skeleton"
Abe Vigoda - "The Garden"
Abe Vigoda - 2008 Tour Dates
Jul 9 - Floristree ** Baltimore, Maryland
Jul 10 - First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jul 11 - Seaport Music Festival Pier 17 New York, New York
Jul 12 - Todd P Outdoor Show w/ High Places, Ponytail and others NYC
Jul 13 - Mercury Lounge w/ Titus Andronicus, Ponytail New York, New York
Jul 14 - Middle East Downstairs ** Cambridge, Massachusetts
Jul 15 - La Sala Rossa ** Montreal, Quebec
Jul 16 - Legendary Horseshoe Tavern ** Toronto
Jul 17 - Eagle Theater ** Pontiac
Jul 18 - Empty Bottle w/ Guns N Bombs, Hollywood Holt Chicago, Illinois
Jul 19 - Pitchfork After Party @ Schuba's w/ High Places Chicago, Illinois
Jul 21 - Triple Rock Social Club ** Minneapolis
Jul 23 - Artlife w/ Women Calgary, Alberta
Jul 24 - Richards on Richards **, Mika Miko Vancouver
Jul 25 - Capitol Hill Block Party! Seattle WA
Jul 26 - Hawthorne Theater **, Mika Miko Portland
Jul 28 - Great American Music Hall **, Mika Miko San Francisco
Jul 29 - LoBot Gallery **, Mika Miko, KIT Oakland, California
With Columbia Records releasing a special 30th anniversary of Billy Joel's The Stranger this week it seemed like an opportune time to talk about an album that I have adored since I was a wee little music listener.As a young child, Billy Joel was one of the first musicians I truly latched onto. In part because his songs were played constantly on New York's classic rock stations and because Storm Front was released when I was the tender age of 9, Billy Joel has been in constant rotation for a huge portion of my life and no album got the play that The Stranger got. Each of these 9-songs is an absolute classic, it's undeniable so don't even try and fight it. Kicking off with Movin' Out (Anthony's Son)", The Stranger shows Joel's steadfast adoration of New York and his utter defiance to change of any sort. Which is a bit odd, because it was the change to producer Phil Ramone for this album that propelled him from a talented musician that wasn't living up to his potential to one of the biggest stars in the history of music. But, The Stranger is rife with odes that beg people not to change. "Don't go changing, to try and please me", he coos on "Just the Way You Are", and his pleas continue throughout the album.
Listening to The Stranger now it's easy to see why I would fall in love with it as a child. It's soothing with all it's varied styles, beautiful production, and easy to sing-a-long with tunes. From Broadway like show tunes, the jazz bits, to over blown ballads, it's got a bit of everything that I needed at the time. And it's all so tame and inoffensive that it's easy for a parent to let a kid listen to Billy Joel in peace. All of that fed my obsession, but it was two tunes that truly hooked me on this album. The first being "Only the Good Die Young", the single greatest song ever dedicated to Catholic school girls. Yeah I was nine, but I was in Catholic school, and starting to realize what the fairer sex was for. So that was an obvious draw into the album, but "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" was the one that really hooked me. It's an epic song, with so many varied parts that it could have been pulled straight from a musical. This song, the way it starts off all slow, then picks up as the song breaks into it's true verses, is absolutely addictive. There's so much going on here that it's impossible not to love this tune.
The Stranger is a great record, but you all knew that already, hell everyone in the world has told you so. It won Grammy's, it was rated in the top-100 albums of all-time by Rolling Stone, it has received a ridiculous amount of awards and accolades since it was first released. I haven't picked up the 30th anniversary edition yet, apparently it comes with a performance at Carnegie Hall from 1977, but I think I'm gonna. It's just that good.
Billy Joel - "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)"
Billy Joel - "The Stranger"
Billy Joel - "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant"
Billy Joel - "Only the Good Die Young"
Who: The Dutchess and the DukeLocation: Seattle, WA
elbo.ws Ranking: #22
Thoughts: Imperfection is an important quality in music. Whether it be the accidental missed note that adds a bit of a human feel to an otherwise over produced album or gentle, subtle imperfections in a really good lo-fi record, the imperfection abounds in all sorts of different ways in music. The Dutchess and the Duke have imperfections galore, but somehow it makes their entire new album feel more endearing then if everything was clean and crisp and autotuned. It's a quirky vibe that hovers throughout She's the Dutchess, He's the Duke and it gives the whole thing a shit load of charm. From the strained girl/guy vocal harmonies, to the hard strumming of acoustic guitars, everything on this album is just slightly off but it makes the album what it is and it gives The Dutchess and the Duke the perfect sound for a folky duo. It reminds me of a bluesier version of Hutch and Kathy, but it certainly has a lot of the 1960's folk vibe to it. Yes, there are elements of Dylan here, but it's far from some straight rip of that. This is a solid record, mostly because it's not perfect.
Verdict: Buzzworthy!!!
Listen:
The Dutchess and the Duke - "You Can Tell the Truth Now"
When scenes emerge in certain geographical locations it's pretty easy for every guitar owning nerd within the area to start a band sounding exactly like the band that just made it big. It happens to pretty much every scene, Seattle, New York, heck even Philadelphia and Baltimore are already cranking out more sound-a-likes then they know what to do with, but somehow the bands that make up the L.A. noise punk scene are experimenting with different styles and genres and are still all being lumped together. Does Health really sound anything like No Age? Are Mika Miko and Lavender Diamond twins? Hell no, these bands sound nothing alike, yet they are all part of this scene. So it's not surprising that a band with the varied tastes of Abe Vigoda is also making some headway in this still blooming scene. With a sound that has elements of tropical music, punk, noise rock, Afro-beat, and many more intricate pieces, you wouldn't think it would fit into something that also bred the bands mentioned above, but thanks to the ferocious speed found on the album it fits better then anyone could imagine.Two years ago the band released their first full length album, but honestly few people were paying attention to the L.A. scene then, opting for areas like Montreal and New York instead. So it's taken the band a little time to reach the levels of some of their local peers, but with their second full length Skeleton it's will only be a matter of time before they are introducing their brand new video to Pete Wentz on MTV. Like a lot of their L.A. brethren, Abe Vigoda opt for a pretty lo-fi style of recording. Everything seems to be on top of each other throughout the entire 30-minutes of the album, but it works with the pieces each bouncing off of each other to create a vibrant, fast paced whole. Listening to this album is like being stuck in a whirlwind, except that it's the frenzied pace of the vastly different styles being thrust into your ears that makes it so insane and almost disorienting.
This is one of those albums that is just too damn short for it's own good. Each time I put it on I feel like it all rushes past me in a second and I want to keep putting it on reverse to hear the bits I may have just missed. That's a good album, the one that makes you come back to it time and time again, and keeps revealing more and more of itself with each successive listen. Skeleton is that in a nutshell. Make sure you catch up with these boys today!
Abe Vigoda - "Whatever Forever"
Abe Vigoda - "The Garden"
Abe Vigoda - "Skeleton"
Also Released Today:
Who: The WalkmenTitle: You & Me
Release Date: August 19th
Label: Gigantic Music
Thoughts: When The National released Boxer last year I wasn't the biggest fan of the album. It wasn't immediate enough for me, but after a while of people praising it to death I took some more listens and slowly the album revealed itself to me. I think that's going to be what happens here to The Walkmen's new released You & Me, except this time around I'll be one of those people doing the convincing because this is an absolutely beautiful record. It's difficult to describe a band that can be as expansive and utterly rocking as The Walkmen as subtle, but that's just what they are on this record. With a more subdued approach to their music, but no less ambitious, the band manage to tighten things that were maybe lacking a bit on their last two records. The songwriting is as crisp as ever, but the band tones things down when needed and then revs it up at just the right time. It goes this way the whole album long, quietly building on a string of slightly hushed instruments before exploding into the rocking vibe we've come to expect from The Walkmen. This is the type of album that will only get better with each successive listen, whether you love it or hate it initially, it will grow even further into you until it finally carves out a piece of your soul. I'm not quite up to that point, but I can't wait for it to run it's course on me.
Listen: The Walkmen - "In the New Year"
The Walkmen - "Red Moon"
Who: Black KidsTitle: Partie Traumatic
Release Date: July 22nd
Label: Columbia Records
Thoughts: Following a string of horrid debacles at CMJ last year it seemed that the steam had run out on the Black Kids' express path to the big time. Personally, I had branded the band as a pure example of why Pitchfork isn't always 100% accurate in what they choose to cover, but then they landed a spot touring with Cut Copy and I swallowed my hatred and gave the band another chance when the tour hit Studio B. It was a shimmering show, even though it started off with a few noticeable problems. But the music wasn't one of them, live the tunes were absolutely infectious and totally danceable, setting off a fun evening of giddy indie pop tunes. I was back on the hype bandwagon, and Black Kids of course had never actually fallen off, riding their wave of early press and accolades to a deal with Columbia Records and the recording of their true debut album. After only a couple of listens, I'm a bit disappointed with what I'm hearing on the record. For starters, everything is a bit overly produced, so much so that it comes of as a bit of a sterile listen. There are a lot of fantastic moments on the album but as an overall record it's just a bit blah for me to take as a whole. For singles there are a few that are great; "Hit the Heartbreaks", "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend to Dance", and "I Wanna Be Your Limousine" are pop gems, but aside from that the album is a bit thin and not fully realized. It sounds rushed and cleaned up and it just doesn't do that one spectacular show any justice whatsoever. It's definitely worth of a few listens, but don't get too hooked on it, I think there are much brighter things in the future for this band.
Listen: Black Kids - "Hit the Heartbreaks"
Black Kids - "Partie Traumatic"
Who: CSSTitle: Donkey
Release Date: July 21st
Label: Sub Pop
Thoughts: On Saturday afternoon my girlfriend and I headed on the road to her mother's house in northern New Jersey. I thought there would be little better then bringing a new album from CSS to bop along to in the car, boy was I wrong. The first two tracks on this album are incredibly solid, "Jager Yoga" seemingly sets the tempo for the album at an upbeat pace with an emphasis on more instrumentation than the last CSS album and the album's lead single, "Rat Is Dead", follows suit keeping the pace. From there we learn that the band members of CSS aren't terribly good musicians, and that maybe the abundance of synthesizers that was prevalent on the last record would have suited the band better. It's a down note for sure, but Lovefoxx does her best to keep the energy and enthusiasm going with her screeching, little voice. It's not enough to make the album a veritable classic like their self-titled album was, but it keeps it on the path of acceptability and just being able to tolerate the music more then you ever could without her panache. Obviously this isn't what was expected of CSS for this album. They were riding a wave from their last album that led to a deal/re-release by Sub Pop and sold out shows wherever you go, but I think they are taking a major step back with this release, but hopefully they'll be able to come back from a major down note.
Listen: CSS - "Rat Is Dead"
CSS - "Move"
Monday: The Jaguar Club @ 7pm $8
The week after the 4th is usually a pretty slow week with a lot of folks out of town for the week, but lucky for us Monday night is really the only slow show going night of the week. I haven't even heard this band so who knows, but there really isn't much to choose from out there.
The week after the 4th is usually a pretty slow week with a lot of folks out of town for the week, but lucky for us Monday night is really the only slow show going night of the week. I haven't even heard this band so who knows, but there really isn't much to choose from out there.
The Jaguar Club - "Who Says We're the Last"
Tuesday: Crystal Antlers + Chairlift (Friction) @ Mercury Lounge 8pm $10
Crystal Antlers has been bestowed the coveted Best New Music tag so they should have no problem selling out Mercury Lounge on their own, but with the awesome Charilift also on the bill this Friction show should be packed to the gills with in the know hipsters. So I'm guessing I'll see you guys there right?
Crystal Antlers - "A Thousand Eyes"
Chairlift - "Garbage"
Wednesday: Tally Hall + Salt & Samovar @ Knitting Factory 8pm $12
So the folks from KCRW are in town doing some stuffs and they'll be putting on a big time show at Knitting Factory tonight! Hosted by Nic Harcourt, the evening features the colorful tie wearing Tally Hall and the always fabulous Salt & Samovar. Should be a fun evening of rock music and radio personalities.
Tally Hall - "Good Day"
Thursday: St. Vincent @ Castle Clinton 7pm FREE
Once again River to River is lining up events that I wouldn't miss for anything! Tonight's FREE performance is from the lovely and talented St. Vincent, who blew us all await with her debut album Marry Me. I'm sure this will be a pretty crowded place so make sure you hit the line early!
St. Vincent - "Apocalypse Song"
Friday: No Age, Telepathe, + Abe Vigoda @ South Street Seaport 7pm FREE
Back to back nights of River to River events, this time at the Seaport and a lot noisier. With Abe Vigoda and No Age on the same bill the Smell should be pretty empty back in LA, but we'll get to reap the benefits of the LA noise punk scene! Plus you have the ladies of Telepathe breaking up all the male mayhem with a little craziness of their own!
No Age - "Eraser"
Telepathe - "Chrome's On It"
Abe Vigoda - "Animal Ghosts"
Saturday: Oneida, High Places, Titus Andronicus, Shy Child, Ponytail, Telepathe, Vivian Girls, Abe Vigoda, Knyfe Hytes, Soft Circle, Chairlift, + more @ The Yard 12pm $10
My brother's high school graduation party is today so I will not be here. I will be wishing I was all day, so if you go rock the fuck out for me! Thanks.
Oneida - "Lavender"
High Places - "Golden"
Titus Andronicus - "Titus Andronicus"
Shy Child - "Astronaut"
Ponytail - "Sky Drool"
Telepathe - "The March"
Vivian Girls - "Tell the World"
Abe Vigoda - "Skeleton"
Soft Circle - "Shimmer"
Chairlift - "Evident Utensil"
Sunday: The Breeders + Matt & Kim @ McCarren Park Pool 3pm FREE
Goddamn, the Pool Parties kicked off with The Hold Steady, hosted the legendary Ronnie Spector, and now The motherfucking Breeders!!! Jesus, JellyNYC you guys have really topped everything you've done in the past in just the first three weeks! Oh yeah, some band named Matt & Kim (!!!) are also on the bill.
The Breeders - "Divine Hammer"
Matt & Kim - "No More Long Years"
Tuesday: Crystal Antlers + Chairlift (Friction) @ Mercury Lounge 8pm $10
Crystal Antlers has been bestowed the coveted Best New Music tag so they should have no problem selling out Mercury Lounge on their own, but with the awesome Charilift also on the bill this Friction show should be packed to the gills with in the know hipsters. So I'm guessing I'll see you guys there right?
Crystal Antlers - "A Thousand Eyes"
Chairlift - "Garbage"
Wednesday: Tally Hall + Salt & Samovar @ Knitting Factory 8pm $12
So the folks from KCRW are in town doing some stuffs and they'll be putting on a big time show at Knitting Factory tonight! Hosted by Nic Harcourt, the evening features the colorful tie wearing Tally Hall and the always fabulous Salt & Samovar. Should be a fun evening of rock music and radio personalities.
Tally Hall - "Good Day"
Thursday: St. Vincent @ Castle Clinton 7pm FREE
Once again River to River is lining up events that I wouldn't miss for anything! Tonight's FREE performance is from the lovely and talented St. Vincent, who blew us all await with her debut album Marry Me. I'm sure this will be a pretty crowded place so make sure you hit the line early!
St. Vincent - "Apocalypse Song"
Friday: No Age, Telepathe, + Abe Vigoda @ South Street Seaport 7pm FREE
Back to back nights of River to River events, this time at the Seaport and a lot noisier. With Abe Vigoda and No Age on the same bill the Smell should be pretty empty back in LA, but we'll get to reap the benefits of the LA noise punk scene! Plus you have the ladies of Telepathe breaking up all the male mayhem with a little craziness of their own!
No Age - "Eraser"
Telepathe - "Chrome's On It"
Abe Vigoda - "Animal Ghosts"
Saturday: Oneida, High Places, Titus Andronicus, Shy Child, Ponytail, Telepathe, Vivian Girls, Abe Vigoda, Knyfe Hytes, Soft Circle, Chairlift, + more @ The Yard 12pm $10
My brother's high school graduation party is today so I will not be here. I will be wishing I was all day, so if you go rock the fuck out for me! Thanks.
Oneida - "Lavender"
High Places - "Golden"
Titus Andronicus - "Titus Andronicus"
Shy Child - "Astronaut"
Ponytail - "Sky Drool"
Telepathe - "The March"
Vivian Girls - "Tell the World"
Abe Vigoda - "Skeleton"
Soft Circle - "Shimmer"
Chairlift - "Evident Utensil"
Sunday: The Breeders + Matt & Kim @ McCarren Park Pool 3pm FREE
Goddamn, the Pool Parties kicked off with The Hold Steady, hosted the legendary Ronnie Spector, and now The motherfucking Breeders!!! Jesus, JellyNYC you guys have really topped everything you've done in the past in just the first three weeks! Oh yeah, some band named Matt & Kim (!!!) are also on the bill.
The Breeders - "Divine Hammer"
Matt & Kim - "No More Long Years"
Labels:
abe vigoda,
crystal antlers,
free shows,
live shows,
mp3's,
no age,
st. vincent,
the breeders
To hell with Macy's! I'll take River to River on the 4th every year instead! For the third consecutive year I made my holiday pilgrimage to Battery Park to witness the very best of the massive independent rock bands playing a free show to celebrate the 4th of July. Three years ago it was Belle & Sebastian, last year New Pornographers, and this year was Sonic Youth! Not a Matador band, but damn good anyways.
Like every year, Battery Park was swarming with the hipsters and rockers all long for a different sort of bang on the 4th of July. You see we all enjoy fireworks just fine, but we'll take seeing a legendary band every time over going to watch something blowup and disappear in seconds. The day kicked off with the once again reuntied Feelies doing a set of their classic material and some new songs! That's right folks The Feelies played new music yesterday during their set, and fit in perfectly with the older material, and it probably means their first album in forever is on the way! The band was tight all day long, all five members on the top of their game, and it was obvious that their two warm up gigs at Maxwell's this week got them set to play this big stage. The people in the crowd seemed to be really into the band too, and you could tell that more then a few of them had never really heard The Feelies, but were going to go out and buy their records after seeing them rock. For an hour they owned the stage, and I'm glad they're joining in the ranks of reunited independent bands!
Unlike the The Feelies, Sonic Youth have never left. They have never disbanded, broken up, or gone on hiatus. They've had a few slower years here and there, allowing Thurston to do his solo albums and Kim to do her side projects, but they've never left us. For nearly 30-years Sonic Youth has been paving the way for noise and feedback, they've have changed the sound scape of music like few other bands in the same time, and they have never left us. I think some of us take for granted how awesome this band is and how important because they've stayed together and played for us countless times in the past.
Yesterday, no one seemed to be taking the band for granted, instead people seemed truly floored by how awesome this band still is. Fans of all ages, from all decades, and from vastly different scenes converged on Battery Park to witness one of the greatest bands of all time put in a performance that was top notch in every way. There set included music that spanned their entire career, tracks from their first album to their most recent were found in the set as well as songs from just about every other record. It was a fantastic set and it sounded amazing coming from the five of them (yep, Mark Ibold is still in the band as the second bassist!). People up front crowd surfed, people all over banged their head along with the music, and most everyone seemed to be in love with what they were hearing from the band.
Then we got a little bit of a drizzle, like we do every year it seems, but that passed quickly and the band never stopped for a moment. For over an hour they played and played, shredding their instruments and blasting their trademarked feedback. The band walked off stage but the crowd demanded more and the band gave it. Two more songs, the band walked off again but the crowd wasn't leaving. So we got the double encore, they played two more songs and that was that. Over an hour and a half of brilliant live music from the legends. It was awesome in every way, and topped the soggy fireworks that get all the headlines today.
More Pics on Flickr
Who: Girl TalkWhen: August 7th
Where: All Points West Fest
More Dates
Listen: Girl Talk - "Like This"
Thoughts: Seeing Girl Talk at Mercury Lounge a couple years ago was one of the most fun live experiences I have ever had! The only shame is that this tour only has the All Points West date for New York (expect him to add one after he plays that though), and I could only afford to go to one APW show and I chose Saturday. Sigh, guess we'll have to wait till next time!
Who: The Last Shadow PuppetsWhen: October 30th
Where: Grand Ballroom
More Dates
Listen: The Last Shadow Puppets - "Standing Next to Me"
Thoughts: I was thoroughly surprised by how much I enjoyed the new album from The Last Shadow Puppets. I had never been much of a fan of these dudes separate bands, but together they just do something for me that is completely inexplicable. I'll definitely be trying to get my ass into this show, even if I have to dress like one of the dudes in the band! It is the day before Halloween after all!
Who: Eddie VedderWhen: August 4th + 5th
Where: United Palace Theater
More Dates
Listen: Eddie Vedder - "The Wolf"
Thoughts: Eddie Vedder has done a lot of touring in his life, both with his band and solo, yet I've only managed to see him with his band once and I've never seen him solo. I like the music he put together for the Into the Wild soundtrack a lot, but I'm sure this ticket will be out of my price range and gone before I can gather up enough money to actually buy one. Oh well, maybe someday he'll play at After the Jump Fest or something like that.
Who: A Place to Bury StrangersWhen: July 19th
Where: Music Hall of Williamsburg
More Dates
Listen: A Place to Bury Strangers - "To Fix the Gash In Your Head"
Thoughts: A few months back I made the decision to go to the Pitchfork Music Festival this year. This was way before Siren announced any festival or anything so I didn't think I'd be missing anything. Now in the time that I am away I will be missing the free Ted Leo show of the summer, the outstanding Liars lineup at McCarren, Siren Fest, and this outstanding post party at Music Hall! Ugh, sometimes I make poor decisions (though I'm sure I'll have a blast at Pitchfork anyway!)
Who: PonytailWhen: August 23rd
Where: Knitting Factory
More Dates
Listen: Ponytail - "Sky Drool"
Thoughts: When Ponytail played our After the Jump Fest I only got to catch like two songs from the band. I was so disappointed that it nearly broke my heart, luckily I knew it would only be a mtter of time before the young band made it back to New York and I got to rock with them properly. In case you didn't know Ponytail is part of the ever greatening Baltimore scene and should enjoyed as much as possible! Be ready to rock!
It's been way too long since we last heard from Love Is All, but the awesome band are finally trying to make up for it by playing a few dates and bringing their excellent 5-song EP of covers along with them for the ride! The covers they chose are perfectly selected 80's pop songs that fit Love Is All's style to a t! Tracks from Flock of Seagulls, Dire Straits, and Prince sparkle with all of the bands synths and funky sounds and the call and response vocals. It's a match made in indie pop heaven, and now thanks to eMusic the EP also comes with a brand new track off the band's forthcoming full length. "Wishing Well" became one of my favorite songs of the year the second I heard it and I don't think anything's going to change that over the next few months. The whole album is fantastic, but I'm sure this is seriously just a primer for the new album! Be prepared!!!Love Is All - "So Far Away" (Dire Straits cover)
Love Is All - "Darling Nikki" (Prince cover)
On Let's Drag Our Feet, BOAT introduced themselves to me with their infectious brand of indie pop. The album features some awesome songs that should be listened to over and over again (and I have!), but since then we haven't heard anything new from the band, and since they've never made it to New York yet we are crawling out of our skins for something new from BOAT. Enter Topps, a four song EP with a mild skewing towards baseball cards. It's four songs that we were in desperaete need of for a little fix of BOAT and like Let's Drag Our Feet, it features some truly fantastic and catchy indie pop. Quirky lyrics abound, solid melodies, perfectly placed singing, it's all here and why would you look anywhere else for shit like this! This is a fantastic short player and it will suffice for now, but I'm telling you BOAT better get themselves a new album or finally pass through New York or I'm gonna start going ape shit!BOAT - "Topps"
BOAT - "Four Beds for BOAT"
Friday, July 4th:
Sonic Youth - "Kissability"
The Feelies - "The High Road"
Titus Andronicus - "No Future"
Ponytail - "Sky Drool"
Marnie Stern - "Precious Metal"
Saturday, July 5th:
Dengue Fever - "Sober Driver"
Thurston Moore - "Honest James"
RZA - "Good Night"
Sunday, July 6th:
Ronnie Spector - "All I Want"
The Good: Jay Reatard - "You Mean Nothing To Me"; This is the latest in the ongoing string of Jay Reatard B-sides from his singles series. It's yet another solid showing from the Reatard, but anyone who's surprised by that after so many awesome singles is just plain crazy. This tune is driven by some funky keyboards and some hand claps and it's just freakin' awesome so start listening!
Grade: A
A-Trak (feat. Lupe Fiasco) - "Mastered"; As Kanye West's touring DJ, A-Trak has been exposed to one of the biggest stages in the world, but he doesn't really shine as bright as he can until he starts doing his own thing. Enter his Nike commissioned Running Man, an album to run to or dance to or just plain bounce to. Whatever you're planning on doing with it this track, featuring the always excellent Lupe Fiasco, is absolutely bumping! You can see why this dude won the DMC World Championship at age 15! Now get running!
Grade: B+
Birdmonster - "Born To Be Your Man"; Okay let's go down a brief list of blog phenoms and see how they are doing; Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - your second album blew, Tapes 'n Tapes - you second album was one of the biggest pieces of shit of the year, Birdmonster - holy shit this track is actually really fucking catchy, WTF! I was all set to write off Birdmonster, they had been over hyped the first time around and really weren't quite the anointed ones other blogs made them out to be. But lo and behold, this first song of their new album is insanely catchy. A lot more Americana then their first record, a little clap happy, an unnecessary guitar solo, but an all around solid start. Maybe now I'll actually have to listen to the second album, and maybe you should brace yourselves for a shit storm of more blog love for these San Francisco fellas!
Grade: B
Nas - "Queens Get the Money"; If you've been keeping track at home, you probably know that the new untitled Nas album has been leaking track by track for the last two days. I think we have six or seven of them in our pockets now, but I think this may just be the hottest of them all so far. Over just a simple piano line Nas rhymes and he rhymes hard! Trying to revive hip-hop, attacking presidential candidates, just shooting it straight and with so little to back him up! This track is sick for all the right reasons.
Grade: A
Kid Cudi (feat. Wale) - "Is There Any Love"; I'm not completely sold on this song. There are a few moments where Kid Cudi is a little weak with what he's spitting, but overall the beat is strong and Wale and Cudi have a lot of good things going on. They aren't at Kanye or Lil' Wayne level, but they definitely have something going on here. It's good, just not great.
Grade: B-
Beck (feat. JackWhite) - "Ninety-Nine (live)"; I don't normally post live tracks here, but with Beck and Jack White getting together I just couldn't pass up the opportunity! The intro here is pretty funny, but the song itself is hot. That's a sick little guitar riff there, and though the quality isn't the greatest it's pretty solid. I like it a lot!
Grade: B
Annie - "My Love Is Better"; Oh man do I love me some Annie! This girl can do no wrong in my eyes and this tune just continues to prove that! It's a great little dance pop number that's addictive and catchy and sugary and pretty much perfect. I think you'll enjoy it plenty.
Grade: B+
Track of the Week: Love Is All - "Wishing Well"; Thanks to my brother for sending this track over because this shit is quickly becoming my new jam! This is the first track off Love Is All's new record and it's been released as part of that covers EP over on eMusic, but this is freakin' sweet! Peppy, spunky, upbeat, and catchy this song has it all!It's twee, it's pop, and I'm addicted, what can I say!
Grade: A+
Old School Track of the Week: Vitamin C - "Graduation (Friend's Forever)"; My little brother graduated from high school last week. Ten years ago last week I graduated high school. It seems crazy, so I thought this tune would be timely and appropriate (though I probably should have posted it last week).
Grade: B+
The Bad: UNKLE (feat. Josh Homme) - "Chemicals"; For the first 2-minutes of this song I quite enjoy it. It's dark, it has a lot of depth, but it's also kept fairly simple with a beautiful string bit and Homme's gentle vocals, but then the guitars come in at the 2-minute mark and absolutely ruin this tune. They just make no sense being on this track or the beginning makes no sense, one way or the other it just doesn't work.
Grade: C
Michael Jackson (feat. Akon) - "Hold My Hand"; Let me get this out of the way. I don't think Michael Jackson should be offering to hold anyone's hand. Okay now that I got that off my chest let me tell you what I actually think of the new Michael Jackson tune. It's not a bad pop song, nothing from Michael Jackson is ever completely bad (except Bad, har har), but there's something about it that is reminding me of Vitamin C. No not the supplement, the pop singer (see above). Come on MJ, you don't need to be copying any one-hit wonder!
Grade: C+
Calamity Magnet - "Baby You Forgot"; Sarah Radle of The Rentals got herself a new band so I thought I'd check out the first tune of the new album. I don't think I'll be doing that ever again.
Grade: D
Death Vessel - "Bruno's Torso"; I still can't believe that's a dude behind the vocals on Death Vessel, but I'm also still not sold on the band at all. This track is pretty boring and it seems that people like it as a shtick more then anything. Maybe it'll change someday, or something will click inside of me with this band, but that day is not today.
Grade: C-
Dr. Dog - "The Ark"; There are some bands that I have tried to like, I have gone to their shows, listened to their music, and tried to convince myself that they might turn it around. Dr. Dog are one of those bands. I honestly can't tell you why I have subjected myself to this jam band as much as I have, but after listening to "The Ark" I think I will officially give up on Dr. Dog. I know this may piss off more then a few of you, but this band is flat out boring. No matter how many stage antics you have, it doesn't save the music!
Grade: D
John Legend (feat. Andre 3000) - "Green Light"; I once stood next to John Legend at an Arcade Fire show at Judson Church. He was there the whole show right next to me and I didn't say anything to him. What do you say to John Legend at an indie rock show? Congrats on all the Grammy's? I dunno, he'll probably win another one for this song especially with the street cred he'll get by having Andre 3000 on this tune. I don't hate it, but I'm definitely not in love. It's very repetitive.
Grade: C+
Video of the Week:
No Age - "Eraser"; Last week I told you all that Nouns was my album of the year so far, now the band has released a video for my favorite song on the album and I am just eating that shit up. Forget for a minute that this video was premiered on the new Pete Wentz MTV show, and realize that it's a freakin' sick video! Extended intro, disjointed editing, running around, it has it all! And it has that awesome guitar riff!!!
Grade: A
A-Trak (feat. Lupe Fiasco) - "Mastered"; As Kanye West's touring DJ, A-Trak has been exposed to one of the biggest stages in the world, but he doesn't really shine as bright as he can until he starts doing his own thing. Enter his Nike commissioned Running Man, an album to run to or dance to or just plain bounce to. Whatever you're planning on doing with it this track, featuring the always excellent Lupe Fiasco, is absolutely bumping! You can see why this dude won the DMC World Championship at age 15! Now get running!
Grade: B+
Birdmonster - "Born To Be Your Man"; Okay let's go down a brief list of blog phenoms and see how they are doing; Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - your second album blew, Tapes 'n Tapes - you second album was one of the biggest pieces of shit of the year, Birdmonster - holy shit this track is actually really fucking catchy, WTF! I was all set to write off Birdmonster, they had been over hyped the first time around and really weren't quite the anointed ones other blogs made them out to be. But lo and behold, this first song of their new album is insanely catchy. A lot more Americana then their first record, a little clap happy, an unnecessary guitar solo, but an all around solid start. Maybe now I'll actually have to listen to the second album, and maybe you should brace yourselves for a shit storm of more blog love for these San Francisco fellas!
Grade: B
Nas - "Queens Get the Money"; If you've been keeping track at home, you probably know that the new untitled Nas album has been leaking track by track for the last two days. I think we have six or seven of them in our pockets now, but I think this may just be the hottest of them all so far. Over just a simple piano line Nas rhymes and he rhymes hard! Trying to revive hip-hop, attacking presidential candidates, just shooting it straight and with so little to back him up! This track is sick for all the right reasons.
Grade: A
Kid Cudi (feat. Wale) - "Is There Any Love"; I'm not completely sold on this song. There are a few moments where Kid Cudi is a little weak with what he's spitting, but overall the beat is strong and Wale and Cudi have a lot of good things going on. They aren't at Kanye or Lil' Wayne level, but they definitely have something going on here. It's good, just not great.
Grade: B-
Beck (feat. JackWhite) - "Ninety-Nine (live)"; I don't normally post live tracks here, but with Beck and Jack White getting together I just couldn't pass up the opportunity! The intro here is pretty funny, but the song itself is hot. That's a sick little guitar riff there, and though the quality isn't the greatest it's pretty solid. I like it a lot!
Grade: B
Annie - "My Love Is Better"; Oh man do I love me some Annie! This girl can do no wrong in my eyes and this tune just continues to prove that! It's a great little dance pop number that's addictive and catchy and sugary and pretty much perfect. I think you'll enjoy it plenty.
Grade: B+
Track of the Week: Love Is All - "Wishing Well"; Thanks to my brother for sending this track over because this shit is quickly becoming my new jam! This is the first track off Love Is All's new record and it's been released as part of that covers EP over on eMusic, but this is freakin' sweet! Peppy, spunky, upbeat, and catchy this song has it all!It's twee, it's pop, and I'm addicted, what can I say!
Grade: A+
Old School Track of the Week: Vitamin C - "Graduation (Friend's Forever)"; My little brother graduated from high school last week. Ten years ago last week I graduated high school. It seems crazy, so I thought this tune would be timely and appropriate (though I probably should have posted it last week).
Grade: B+
The Bad: UNKLE (feat. Josh Homme) - "Chemicals"; For the first 2-minutes of this song I quite enjoy it. It's dark, it has a lot of depth, but it's also kept fairly simple with a beautiful string bit and Homme's gentle vocals, but then the guitars come in at the 2-minute mark and absolutely ruin this tune. They just make no sense being on this track or the beginning makes no sense, one way or the other it just doesn't work.
Grade: C
Michael Jackson (feat. Akon) - "Hold My Hand"; Let me get this out of the way. I don't think Michael Jackson should be offering to hold anyone's hand. Okay now that I got that off my chest let me tell you what I actually think of the new Michael Jackson tune. It's not a bad pop song, nothing from Michael Jackson is ever completely bad (except Bad, har har), but there's something about it that is reminding me of Vitamin C. No not the supplement, the pop singer (see above). Come on MJ, you don't need to be copying any one-hit wonder!
Grade: C+
Calamity Magnet - "Baby You Forgot"; Sarah Radle of The Rentals got herself a new band so I thought I'd check out the first tune of the new album. I don't think I'll be doing that ever again.
Grade: D
Death Vessel - "Bruno's Torso"; I still can't believe that's a dude behind the vocals on Death Vessel, but I'm also still not sold on the band at all. This track is pretty boring and it seems that people like it as a shtick more then anything. Maybe it'll change someday, or something will click inside of me with this band, but that day is not today.
Grade: C-
Dr. Dog - "The Ark"; There are some bands that I have tried to like, I have gone to their shows, listened to their music, and tried to convince myself that they might turn it around. Dr. Dog are one of those bands. I honestly can't tell you why I have subjected myself to this jam band as much as I have, but after listening to "The Ark" I think I will officially give up on Dr. Dog. I know this may piss off more then a few of you, but this band is flat out boring. No matter how many stage antics you have, it doesn't save the music!
Grade: D
John Legend (feat. Andre 3000) - "Green Light"; I once stood next to John Legend at an Arcade Fire show at Judson Church. He was there the whole show right next to me and I didn't say anything to him. What do you say to John Legend at an indie rock show? Congrats on all the Grammy's? I dunno, he'll probably win another one for this song especially with the street cred he'll get by having Andre 3000 on this tune. I don't hate it, but I'm definitely not in love. It's very repetitive.
Grade: C+
Video of the Week:
No Age - "Eraser"; Last week I told you all that Nouns was my album of the year so far, now the band has released a video for my favorite song on the album and I am just eating that shit up. Forget for a minute that this video was premiered on the new Pete Wentz MTV show, and realize that it's a freakin' sick video! Extended intro, disjointed editing, running around, it has it all! And it has that awesome guitar riff!!!
Labels:
annie,
beck,
jay reatard,
love is all,
michael jackson,
mp3's,
nas,
no age,
track reviews,
video of the week
Earlier this week I was trying to get The Secret Life of Sofia to play my next show on Staten Island. Unfortunately it didn't work out, but they are sending me their new LP to make up for it so I'm pretty stoked about that especially because it means I won't have to be stopping by their myspace page each day to get my fill of their music! Instead I'll have it right there in the palm of my hand to listen to whenever I get the sudden urge for some dark, etheral, folk rock!Now you may be asking yourselves, what is folk rock? Isn't that a contradiction of terms? Well, yes and no. For years folk has been considered the simple world of the singer/songwriter, a world where acoustic guitars reign supreme, and full bands are more or less banished from the land. But slowly the genre has begun to warp itself. More and more bands are playing these slow tempo tunes, that reek of folk, but also have elements of rock music buried (or not so buried) in them. Bits and pieces like drums, basses, even keyboards have crept their way into the folk world and a whole other sub genre has been formed, and I know how much you love sub genres! Anyway, The Secret Life of Sofia are definitely knee deep within this genre of music, hell they even admit to it on their myspace page, and the tunes on said page are fantastic tunes.
Like most folk tunes, the songs here are slowed down and give off a calming effect on the listener. After a little while listening you might feel a bit drowsy, or so complacent that you forget about the other things you have to do in your life and just keep listening. It's like aural marijuana! But as slowed down and folky as it can be, there are some truly deep elements in this band's songs. Intricate lyrics, hushed vocals, and tons of subtle percussion make the music feel like more then some coffee house hack. It's a brilliat effect to have such wonderfully layered sounds from such simple music.
I had brief thoughts of not bestowing my Band of the Week label on The Secret Life of Sofia becuase they couldn't play my July show, but then I realized what a dick that would make me and so here they are my first Band of the Week for the month of July! The band defintiely deserves it and hopefully we'll get them out to Staten Island for a show sooner rather then later. For now you'll have to enjoy them on the slew of dates they'll be embarking on later this month! Enjoy!!!
The Secret Life of Sofia - "Outside"
The Secret Life of Sofia - "Nanda Devi"
Buy Seven Summits EP
The Secret Life of Sofia on Myspace
The Secret Life of Sofia on Tour:
July 25th @ Pete's Candy Store, Brooklyn, NY
July 26th @ Double Wide, Pittsburgh, PA
July 27th @ Carabar, Columbus, OH
July 28th @ TBA, Louisville, KY
July 29th @ TBA, Bloomington, IN
July 30th @ TBA, Marion, IN
July 31st @ Howard's Club H, Bowling Green, OH
August 1st @ Village Green Records, Muncie, IN
August 2nd @ Catacombs, Butler, PA
Two years ago on my first trip to the PItchfork Music Festival, me and everyone else suffered through three consecutive days of 100+ heat! It was almost unbearable that time around, but luckily the bands put on such awesome performances that you almost didn't notice the never ending heat. Mission of Burma were one of the highlights of that fest for me, having never seen them and being a long time admirer of the band it was something of a pilgrimage for me. And they didn't disappoint one bit, putting on a blistering, sweat soaked performance for the ages. This year the band will help open the festival on Friday night by playing their classic album Vs. in it's entirety! I had a chance to catch up with Roger Miller about what it's like playing their classics to audiences over 20-years since they were first released!!!PTST: For your most recent tour you guys have been going back and forth playing Vs. and Signals, Calls and Marches, which one do you guys like playing more?
Roger: Vs.
PTST:Is there one that gets a better reaction from the audience then the other?
Roger: Both shows go well, but it's always Vs. where things seem to go over the top. We've done the 3 albums three times each so far, and every time it's been the same. Signals goes really really well, but Vs. kind of freaks out. I think it's because we start with "Laugh the World Away" - which is one of our most abstract, disjointed songs - and end with "Certain Fate" - which is nearly "power pop." That kind of stakes out very two wide parameters, both which we employ and enjoy, and then between those two edges alot of stuff goes on. It's pretty rich, musically, and the material feels like we can sink into it a little deeper than the Signals stuff. It was the first album we made as a fully mature band, where we all really became who we are as in.
PTST: Will the next tour feature OnOffOn and The Oblieterati?
Roger: And new unrecorded stuff.
PTST: Are these shows entirely these albums or do you throw in a couple songs from your other albums?
Roger: For Vs. there is enough material with the bonus tracks, so we don't add anything else. For Signals, it's a little short. So we start off playing songs from early on in our career (such as it is); then we play what is now "The Academy FIght Song EP (which includes the two bonus tracks recorded during those sessions); then the 6-song Signals EP. The encores usually have some Obliterati selections, but it varies show to show.
PTST: Why do you think these albums have managed to be so popular more then 20-years since their original release?
Roger: Perhaps there is an urgency and belief to them which is not common in the current scene. We definitely have a "we're going there and we don't give a fuck if you come along or not" attitude. Maybe that's refershing? I don't know. It's a bit baffling, actually. But I enjoy being baffled, so I can work with it.
PTST: If you were to watch one band perform wholly from one of their albums, which band would it be and which album?
Roger: Well, both Syd Barrett and Jimi Hendrix are dead, so that counts out their respective first albums. I"d go see Wire do Pink Flag (I like seeing them anyways....).
PTST: When you guys were calling it quits after the release of Vs did you ever think that you would reunite AND start creating new music as a band ever again?
Roger: No.
PTST: You guys quit because of Roger's worsening case of tinnitus, how have you dealt with that since getting back into performing music? Have there been any reoccurances of it? Any advice for your young, show going crowd on how to avoid it?
Roger: Of course I still have it, as does Clint, though not to the same degree. To defend against it, we do the following: we put plexi-glass around the drums on my side; I use no monitors; I use these heavy-duty earplugs that really stick in the ear-hole (I no longer use the shotgun headphones); and I have my amp to the side. When we play smaller clubs where my amp is quite near the audience's heads, we offer earplugs to those in front of the amp. It's kind of cruel for me to have my amp there in a way, but we make the risk obvious to those up front.
Earplugs of course are advised to anyone up front at any rock concert. It's the band members I worry about even more than the audiences: band members often rehearse 2 or 3 times a week in small rooms at high volume levels. Try to get used to wearing earplugs at least in rehearsals, that's my advice.
PTST: When you guys came back in 2002, did you ever picture yourselves releasing two new albums and touring regularly?
Roger: No. Though once we started adding more shows after the first couple, and we brought in new songs for each new batch of shows, the idea that things might actually continue started to rear its ugly head.
PTST: Are there any plans for anything new in the works right now?
Roger: We have some new songs, and plan to work on more new songs. That's as far as we are at the moment.
PTST: Are you guys going to be hanging around the Pitchfork Music Fest for all three days? If so are there any particular bands you're interested in seeing?
Roger: I'm quite excited to see how Public Enemy disports themselves. We arrive that day, and leave the next to play Detroit. If the heat is anything like it was two years ago, I'll probably be in the AC dressing room the entire time we're not on stage, at least until the sun goes down.
PTST: Any plans for after the tour?
Roger: We are going to the West Coast in September for 6 or 7 shows (from San Diego to Seattle). That's it as of now. We're not big planners. But we are all pretty much happy about this round of gigs: there doesn't seem to be any inherent reason to stop being in Mission of Burma. Who knows? Not us.....
Mission of Burma - "OK/No Way"
Mission of Burma - "That's How I Escaped My Certain Fate"
The mid-90's were awash in Nirvana sound-a-likes and alternative bands that couldn't truly write music to save there lives. It was a scary time to be a teenage kid listening to all those crappy, one-hit wonders day after day, and sure enough more then a few of those tunes managed to seeped into my cerebellum. Everclear weren't one of those bands, well they became one of them but they didn't start out as one of them. I was hooked on Everclear the second I heard "Santa Monica", a song that is still just as catchy today as it was the first time I heard it, but obviously in that type of environment it would take more then one song to truly win my heart and Sparkle & Fade has so much more then that one big hit.From the get go Sparkle & Fade is a deep, emotionally draining album. Art Alexakis poured his heart and soul into this album, from it's revealing lyrics to it's crunching guitar sound, his pain and his optimism shine through every minute of this album. Songs of addiction, of loves lost, of faded dreams, and bright outlooks are haunting for a minute, but they get twisted with Alexakis shimmering outlook on the future. And why wouldn't he be optimistic? He had just had a child, his band was signed to Capitol Records, and he was making music for a living, everything was looking up for Alexakis and Everclear.
Sparkle & Fade is startlingly different from other alternative albums of the era, albums that were loaded down under unbearable pain with little hope for the future. Somehow Everclear took all the pain of their upbringing and daily lives and created a positive message that things were getting better because they were working at them. It's uplifting to hear something like that from a musician, especially as a 14 or 15-year old kid who felt overwhelmed by the live they were living. It was refreshing to pop on Sparkle & Fade and hear someone who had had a far worse life looking forward to what tomorrow might just bring.
After Sparkle & Fade thrust Everclear into the American conscious the band followed it with So Much for the Afterglow and album that was full of sin-a-long hits, but was missing that feeling from the previous record. From there the band continued to record songs that were hand crafted for alternative radio, but they never rekindled the spirit that flows through Sparkle & Fade. It's a little sad to think of what Everclear became, just another one of those money hungry alternative bands, but for a little while they were real and solid musicians that had a positive spin on all the crap life feeds us.
Everclear - "Heroin Girl"
Everclear - "Santa Monica"
Everclear - "Summerland"
Everclear - "Strawberry"
Everclear - "My Sexual Life"
4th of July - Sonic Youth/The Feelies - LIMITED Day-of Ticket DistributionThere are a very limited number of tickets for the July 4th Sonic Youth with The Feelies show that will be distributed the morning of the concert. These tickets will be available two per person on a first-come, first served basis starting at 9:00AM in Battery Park directly across from the main entrance to Castle Clinton. The line will be forming along the mall, from Castle Clinton towards the World Trade Center Memorial.
For a map of the distribution location, click here:
www.rivertorivernyc.com/Day_of_Ticket_Pickup.pdf
You bring the coffee and we'll bring the tix! See you on the 4th...
Who: The Great NorthwestLocation: a good portion of the U.S.
elbo.ws Ranking: #7
Thoughts: Kora Records already surprised me earlier this year when the released the new album from The LK. It was a completely unexpected, but thoroughly welcomed, release and since then I have checked in with Kora regularly to see what's on tap. Well what they have for us this week is The Great Northwest, and their debut album The Widespread reign Of.... After just a couple of listens I am pretty hooked to this album of slowed down, psychadelic jams that take so long to come out, but are so worth it in the end. There are so many sounds found throughout this album that it seems like every single time I put it on I'm listening to something completely new again! Is there anything better then music that keeps on giving like that? Not really, and I think you guys could have a blast, albeit a subtle and relaxed one, listening to this album!
Verdict: Buzzworthy!!!
Listen: The Great Northwest - "Know What I Mean"
The Great Northwest - "Chief John"
This is a notoriously slow week in the music industry. Most folks have already broken free of the shackles that keep them to their desks and headed for a pool or a beach somewhere other then here! Unfortunately that means there really aren't any good new releases this week for me to recommend to you, but you could always go back and pick up something I recommended before this week that you haven't grabbed yet!
The 4th of July week also means that we are practically half-way through the year so lots of people start formulating their mid-year lists (did mine!) or look at what we have coming up the rest of the year. That's what I'm going to do here, a quick look at the new releases you should be hyped about for the next few weeks of summer!
Tuesday, July 8th:
Beck Modern Guilt; I was pretty disappointed with Beck's last offering, but something tells me he has found a renewed interest in his own music now that he's working with Danger Mouse on this record. The two tracks we've heard from the album so far are pretty great and are definitely whetting my appetite for the new album! Now I'm not expecting Odelay or anything like that, I'm just hoping for a solid record from front to back!
Beck - "Gamma Ray"
Also of Note:
Abe Vigoda Skeleton, The Black Ghosts The Black Ghosts, Albert Hammond Jr. Como Te Llama?, Ratatat LP3, Wire Object 47
Tuesday, July 15th:
The Hold Steady Stay Positive; For the past four years, The Hold Steady have climbed up the rungs to become my favorite current band making new music. They are a spectacular live band, an excellent recorded band, and definitely the finest bar band I've ever heard. The new record follows Boys & Girls in America as The Hold Steady continue to align their sound with what mainstream America is looking for. It's not nearly as powerful as Separation Sunday was, but it's still a rocking record from top to bottom.
The Hold Steady - "Lord I'm Discouraged"
Also of Note:
Nas Untitled
Tuesday, July 22nd:
Black Kids Partie Traumatic; I was one of the many bloggers that wrote off Black Kids mostly due to too much hype surrounding their 4-myspace songs. I was totally wrong. After seeing this band a few months ago at Studio B I have done a complete turn around on this band. That night they blew me away with a live show that built as the night went on, since then I have listened again and again to those four songs and found that they truly are tremendous songs. Here's hoping all the hype didn't kill this album!
Black Kids - "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You"
Also of Note:
Bodies of Water A Certain Feeling, CSS Donkey, Dr. Dog Fate, High Places 03/07 - 09/07, Forward Russia Life Processes
Tuesday, July 29th:
Nothing
Tuesday, August 5th:
Oxford Collapse BITS; I loved the last record from Brooklyn's Oxford Collapse, but I have a following that their second Sub Pop album is gonna top that one in every way! After a couple years of non-stop touring, the band can't help but haven improved as musicians, and the very little I've heard off the new record sounds fantastic! I'm sure there's gonna be more just like it all over this album and I'm super excited to hear it!
Oxford Collapse - "Birthday Wars"
Also of Note:
Brazilian Girls New York City, Clinic Funf, Conor Oberst Conor Oberst
Tuesday, August 12th:
Nothing
Tuesday, August 19th:
Ra Ra Riot The Rhumb Line; I've been waiting for a proper Ra Ra Riot album for what seems like ages now! And finally, thanks to a deal with Barsuk records, we are going to hear the debut from Ra Ra Riot!!! I don't think you truly realize how excited I am to hear this album but I really really am!!!
Ra Ra Riot - "Each Year" (EP version)
Also of Note:
Fiery Furnaces Remember, Jaguar Love Take Me to the Sea, Lykke Li Youth Novels, The Walkmen You & Me
Tuesday, August 26th:
Zach Hill Astrological Straight; I have only heard a single track off this record so far, so I really have very little to go on when taking about it, but my excitement for it is pretty dang high! With appearances from the likes of No Age, Marnie Stern (surprise!), LCD Soundsystem, and !!!, this is the type of indie album that could blow up in a hot second! It's about time all of Hill's hard work has been paid back in favors from all these artists!
Zach Hill - "Dark Art"
Also of Note:
Missy Elliott Block Party
The 4th of July week also means that we are practically half-way through the year so lots of people start formulating their mid-year lists (did mine!) or look at what we have coming up the rest of the year. That's what I'm going to do here, a quick look at the new releases you should be hyped about for the next few weeks of summer!
Tuesday, July 8th:
Beck Modern Guilt; I was pretty disappointed with Beck's last offering, but something tells me he has found a renewed interest in his own music now that he's working with Danger Mouse on this record. The two tracks we've heard from the album so far are pretty great and are definitely whetting my appetite for the new album! Now I'm not expecting Odelay or anything like that, I'm just hoping for a solid record from front to back!Beck - "Gamma Ray"
Also of Note:
Abe Vigoda Skeleton, The Black Ghosts The Black Ghosts, Albert Hammond Jr. Como Te Llama?, Ratatat LP3, Wire Object 47
Tuesday, July 15th:
The Hold Steady Stay Positive; For the past four years, The Hold Steady have climbed up the rungs to become my favorite current band making new music. They are a spectacular live band, an excellent recorded band, and definitely the finest bar band I've ever heard. The new record follows Boys & Girls in America as The Hold Steady continue to align their sound with what mainstream America is looking for. It's not nearly as powerful as Separation Sunday was, but it's still a rocking record from top to bottom.The Hold Steady - "Lord I'm Discouraged"
Also of Note:
Nas Untitled
Tuesday, July 22nd:
Black Kids Partie Traumatic; I was one of the many bloggers that wrote off Black Kids mostly due to too much hype surrounding their 4-myspace songs. I was totally wrong. After seeing this band a few months ago at Studio B I have done a complete turn around on this band. That night they blew me away with a live show that built as the night went on, since then I have listened again and again to those four songs and found that they truly are tremendous songs. Here's hoping all the hype didn't kill this album!Black Kids - "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You"
Also of Note:
Bodies of Water A Certain Feeling, CSS Donkey, Dr. Dog Fate, High Places 03/07 - 09/07, Forward Russia Life Processes
Tuesday, July 29th:
Nothing
Tuesday, August 5th:
Oxford Collapse BITS; I loved the last record from Brooklyn's Oxford Collapse, but I have a following that their second Sub Pop album is gonna top that one in every way! After a couple years of non-stop touring, the band can't help but haven improved as musicians, and the very little I've heard off the new record sounds fantastic! I'm sure there's gonna be more just like it all over this album and I'm super excited to hear it!Oxford Collapse - "Birthday Wars"
Also of Note:
Brazilian Girls New York City, Clinic Funf, Conor Oberst Conor Oberst
Tuesday, August 12th:
Nothing
Tuesday, August 19th:
Ra Ra Riot The Rhumb Line; I've been waiting for a proper Ra Ra Riot album for what seems like ages now! And finally, thanks to a deal with Barsuk records, we are going to hear the debut from Ra Ra Riot!!! I don't think you truly realize how excited I am to hear this album but I really really am!!!Ra Ra Riot - "Each Year" (EP version)
Also of Note:
Fiery Furnaces Remember, Jaguar Love Take Me to the Sea, Lykke Li Youth Novels, The Walkmen You & Me
Tuesday, August 26th:
Zach Hill Astrological Straight; I have only heard a single track off this record so far, so I really have very little to go on when taking about it, but my excitement for it is pretty dang high! With appearances from the likes of No Age, Marnie Stern (surprise!), LCD Soundsystem, and !!!, this is the type of indie album that could blow up in a hot second! It's about time all of Hill's hard work has been paid back in favors from all these artists!Zach Hill - "Dark Art"
Also of Note:
Missy Elliott Block Party
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