Update

As you can probably see, this site has not been updated in quite some time. I'm more interested in fresh starts than revivals, so rather than try to bring this beast back to relevance, I've started a new project. It's much simpler, much more to the point. You can check out that new start here. The new site is called My Life With....

Thanks for all of the support over the years!

Twilight Sad and The Calm Blue Sea at Mohawk this Sunday

Just wanted to drop a quick note about an awesome show at The Mohawk this Sunday night. Two of my favorite bands are playing the inside stage on the evening in question, one local and one decidedly not local. The evenings headliners are Scotland's own The Twilight Sad. I fell really hard for this band a couple years back when they released their jarring debut 14 Autumns and 15 Winters back in 07. It made it all the way to #2 on my best of list for that year and I think I saw the band 5 or 6 times that year (most of them at SXSW). It's been a while since these noisemakers were in town and since then they have kept busy, releasing a couple of EPs (Here It Never Snowed Afterwards It Did and Killed My Parents and Hit the Road). Both EPs find the band reigning in their sound a bit from the first album. While 14 Autumns and 15 Winters focused most of their attention on being as loud as PA systems will allow a band to be, their releases since have focused a bit more on the nuances behind the volume. I imagine we will be treated to a bit of both on Sunday.

Amply filling the opening slot are local Post Rock behemoths The Calm Blue Sea. If you've read this blog before you know that I love these guys. Fresh off their impressive take at scoring Fritz Lang's Siegfried at the Ritz last month (which I've been told was recently recorded at Cacophony and should see the light of day in the not too distant future) these guys promise to bring everything they have to the table. If you haven't seen them yet (seriously what are you waiting for) Sunday should provide the perfect opportunity. Don't fear the ominous clouds overhead, for this show will be taking place on Mohawk's intimate indoor stage. Should make the night all the better. Highly Recommended!! Opening the whole show up are Austin's own instrumental noise makers My Education

The Twilight Sad with The Calm Blue Sea and My Education
Sunday April 19th @ The Mohawk (doors at 9)
Tickets here (8 bucks advance, 10 at the door)

(mp3) The Twilight Sad - 24 Hours (Joy Division Cover)
from Killed My Parents and Hit the Road (buy here)

(mp3) The Calm Blue Sea - Literal
from The Calm Blue Sea (buy here)

Check out a recent interview/profile on The Calm Blue Sea from Roxwel.com

SXSW 09: The Recap

SXSW is officially over and my feet are quite happy to be given a rest. The rest of me is just annoyed that I actually had to go back to work today. I'd call this year a success for sure. I avoided almost all of the terrible bands and saw some impressive performances from faces both new and old. I'll list some of my favorite shows and then I'll give some overall thoughts. These are in no particular order (although Caspian was the best).

1) Marnie Stern at Club Deville
She shreds. End of story. Her band is killer too.


2) King Khan and The Shrines at Bird's Barbershop on East 6th
James Brown is dead, King Khan is the new godfather of soul, or as he calls it "Psychedelic, Erotic, Gospel Music.


3) HEALTH at Ace's Lounge
So loud, so awesome. I was blown away by these guys' energy. Love all the random Floor Tom pounding too.


4) The Wrens at Mohawk
A really short set, but they packed it full. Best crowd/band banter of the show too.

The Wrens: We played SXSW for the first time in 1995
Random dude in the crowd: I was 4 then!
The Wrens: Jesus

5) Here We Go Magic at Mohawk
Another short set, but this got me super excited for their June show at the Parish opening for Grizzly Bear.


6)The Paper Chase at Club Deville
I hadn't seen John Congleton and Co. live in many many years and had absolutely zero expectations from this set, but they blew the tent off of Deville. Congleton is like a man possessed on stage. They haven't lost a step, see them any chance you get.


7) Irepress at Red Seven
Every year there is a band that I have never heard of before who leaves me with my jaw on the ground. This year it was Irepress. This 5 piece from Boston features one of the best rhythm sections I have ever seen and one of the best guitar duos I have ever seen, all in the same band. The keyboardist was kick ass too. Tons of energy and holy shit do they cover a lot of ground in their songs. If you like Post-Rock/Math-Rock/Post-Hardcore/Music check these guys out now.

8) Caspian at Red Seven
Caspian may be my favorite band in the universe to see live. There are several factors that lead me to this conclusion. Obviously, their insane musical talent is part of it, another part is how flawlessly they always play together, and yet another is that they absolutely destroy every time I see them, without fail. Finally, and this is something that I am sure will change in the future, Caspian is not hugely popular, so every time I see them I, and everyone else in the crowd, is sucked in and becomes part of the experience. It's pretty insane to get your mind blown by 5 guys who are standing 5 feet from you. It's insane to look around and see every single person in the audience being blown away too. And then after the show, there's the band, having a beer and hanging out. This part never lasts, but I cherish it every time I see Caspian, and any band that hasn't blown up yet, because some day the teeming masses will realize how amazing they are and they're going to be playing to packed rooms and the intimacy will be gone. Until then, this is the best ticket in town by a loooooooong margin.

The biggest disappointment of the whole fest was definitely Explosions In The Sky at Auditorium Shores on Saturday. This disappointment has nothing to do with the band, as they played earnestly and excellently, but the PA kept cutting out, it seemed like the overhead mics on the drum kit weren't on, and it just seemed like a general clusterfuck sound-wise. It should have been amazing, and I'm pissed at whoever fucked up the sound for ruining it for me.

The Pure Volume House sucks. The lines are long, the drinks (while free) are super weak and require yet another abhorrently long line and I just really disliked the place in general aside from the Austinist party which was fun.

The best show I saw all week was The Goodbye SXSW party at Red Seven on Sunday that Radar Recordings and Giant Steps put on. They put on the best show last year too. The line up was just flat out insane and I think i speak for everyone in attendance when I say that I hope they keep doing it. This town is sorely lacking in shows like this one. Kudos to all the bands as well as to Radar and Giant Steps for putting together the lineup of the fest, if not the year.

That about wraps it up. I saw 47 bands all told, and spent an insane amount of time on my feet. I wouldn't have it any other way and I can't wait for next year!

Thanks to my super talented sister Liz for taking all of the awesome photos you've seen on here all week. Check out her awesome blog here.

Cymbals Eat Guitars

I fell hard for a new band this week, and that band is Cymbals Eat Guitars. You've probably heard the name this week since their debut album Why There Are Mountains was awarded the coveted Best New Music tag by Pitchfork. I'm far from a Pitchfork fan boy, but as a rule, I generally check out anything that makes their list and holy crap am I glad I decided to check this band out. First off, how great is that name? It's so perfectly evocative of how Rock and Roll should be. I've heard many a review cite Pavement, and it's an apt comparison here as Cymbals Eat Guitars sound like the band both musically and vocally at times, but there is more here than just Malkmus wanking. Why There Are Mountains perfectly rides the line between enthusiastic and sloppy and betwixt the two lies a plane of perfectly constrained energy that I just can't get enough of. They aren't playing any SXSW shows (boo!) but I can't see them escaping nationwide touring for too long, so let's hope we see them coming through town in the next couple of months.

Myspace

Cymbals Eat Guitars - Another Hazy Sea

Buy Why There Are Mountains here

The Decider Party @ Mohawk 3.16.09

I ventured over to the Mohawk last night for the free Decider party. The place was packed for a loaded bill of local and touring acts. Opening the show were Low Line Caller. They really seem to be coming into their own, fully incorporating vocalist Marc Ferrino into their fuzzy reverb laden sound. I enjoyed their set, as usual. Following Low Line Caller was another local act, The Lemurs. Before The Lemurs took the stage we were treated to a brief comedy set by Eugene Mirman that was disappointingly met with loud conversation and some heckling. I really hate people some times. I really enjoyed Eugene as usual and was glad to see his act. After the heckling came The Lemurs. A lengthy set change between bands meant that they only had time for a couple of songs, all but one of which were brand new. Their new songs are very interesting. Traditionally, The Lemurs were the purveyors of all things poppy dance-rock, but with these new songs the band appears to be going for a more substantive, experimental sound with lots of vocal interplay and many layers of sound. I really enjoyed the new stuff and look forward to hearing more in the future. Next up was the highlight of the night, Oklahoma's Evangelicals. Evangelicals are exactly the type of band I can't get enough of right now. They make really interesting and beautiful noise. Walls of guitars, a bass player who plays like he's the lead guitarist, a solid loud ass drummer , and some earnest yelping all came together perfectly and the crowd seemed to respond in kind, with lots of jumping around going on during their set. Two parties in, Evangelicals are the best thing I've seen thus far. Closing out the night were the new band Wooden Birds, featuring Andrew Kenney from American Analog Set and Michael Bell from Lymbyc Systym amongst others. On another night, with less noisy and energetic opening acts, I may have really enjoyed them, but last night their music was putting me to sleep. I'm not going to say they were bad, I didn't get that impression at all, but honestly, after Evangelicals all out assault on that stage and the audience, I just wasn't feeling Wooden Birds. I'll definitely try to give them another shot on a less raucous night.

The Lemurs

Evangelicals

Eugene Mirman throwing a Magazine

*All Pictures by Elizabeth Fraser Photography

Austinist's Local Music Is Sexy VII at Pure Volume House

Last night I went to my first SXSW related event of the week, Austinist's Local Music Is Sexy VII at the Pure Volume House. They opened the doors late, and the line was sooooooo slow moving, but once inside I had a blast. Free beer and vodka, plenty of room so I never felt uncomfortably crowded, the PA was loud and the bands were good. Can't ask for too much more. Below you can find some pictures from the night including the events opening band, The Calm Blue Sea.






*All Pictures by Elizabeth Fraser Photography

HOLY SHIT MY BLOODY VALENTINE IN AUSTIN 4/21/09

Break out the earplugs.

April 21st, 2009
Austin Music Hall
My Bloody Valentine

Get tickets here ($43.50 per with fees included)

I just bought mine. So fucking excited.

New Thermals song - Now We Can See

Head over to www.thethermals.com to download the first song from their upcoming album Now We Can See. I gave the song a listen for the first time this morning and I was immediately hit with a full on, all five senses at once, memory. I haven't listened to The Thermals all that much recently, but when their last album came out I listened to them near daily. As soon as this new song started I was hit with this memory of sitting at my desk in my old house with the window open and a cool summer breeze rolling in. I recall propping my bare feet up on the wall as I reclined in my chair, and taking a deep breath through the nose of fresh air from the open window. Immediately after this memory hit my brain, others began rushing in, being on the lake, walking around the city with my headphones in, or just waiting on the bus. Simple memories, but all pleasant and reassuring. Basically, if you liked The Thermals before, this song will remind you of how those other songs made you feel, and you can't ask for much more than that. The Thermals will be in town for SXSW and will be swinging through town again as part of a full tour in May.

The Thermals at SXSW

3/18 - Terrorbird/Force Field Day Party at Red 7
3/18 - Bitch Magazine/Kill Rock Stars SXSW Day Party at Club Deville
3/20 - The AV Club and Canvas Media present It's Pronounced Par-TAY at The Radio Room
3/20 - Insound's 10th Anniversary SXSW Party at Club Deville
3/21 - The Rachel Ray Party (shudder) at Maggie Maes

The Thermals (not) at SXSW

5/22 - The Thermals, Shaky Hands at the Mohawk

The Thermals Myspace

Girls

Girls are one of the bands that I am most looking forward to checking out during SXSW week this year. Girls come to us from San Francisco and they play a jangly sort of stoner-twee, lo-fi, surf/garage rock that seems to be making a huge resurgence lately. They have very very little released so far, just the Hellhole Ratrace 7" as far as I know, but are promising an LP before too long. I'd be sure to add them to your list this year.

Girls - Hellhole Ratrace (mp3)

Girls at SXSW

Mar 19 2009 - The "Church" with Grizzly bear
Mar 19 2009 - The Peacock: Gorilla vs. Booze
Mar 20 2009 - Neon lights patry w/ the pains of being true at heart, Parenthetical Girls, Cause Co-Motion
Mar 20 2009 - Emo’s
Mar 21 2009 - Club Deville

Girls Myspace

New St. Vincent - The Strangers

"The Strangers" is the first track to hit the web from St. Vincent's new album Actor which is due out on May 5th. The album was co-produced by Annie Clark herself and John Congleton (Explosions In The Sky, This Will Destroy You, Modest Mouse, Polyphonic Spree, the list goes on...). "The Strangers" sounds great, although I wish they had picked a more spazzy song for the first song to debut. Regardless, I'm excited for Actor and I will be trying to see one of Annie's shows at SXSW for sure. Oh god, she;s so pretty.

St. Vincent - The Strangers (mp3)

St. Vincent at SXSW 2009

Wednesday March 18th at the Central Presbyterian Church
Friday March 20th at Antones

Check sxsw.com for set times.

*Note: Yes, new St. Vincent is what it takes to get me posting again.

2008 Top 25 albums of the year

25) Caddywhompus - Caddywhompus EP
I first heard about this New Orleans based guitar-drums duo from the guys in The Calm Blue Sea after they finished a run of shows with the youths across the South earlier this year. Then one day I got an email with a link to download their free EP and I was instantly hooked. I'm honestly having some trouble describing their sound, it's sort of a No Age with some Marnie Stern-ish flourishes kind of thing. Eh, I dunno, I really like it. The EP is available for free on their website so no excuses to not check these guys out.

(M4a)
Caddywhompus - Fun Times at Whiskey Bay
(Get the album for free here)

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24) Mogwai - The Hawk Is Howling
Mogwai earned the live set of the year award from me with their phenomenal performance at Stubbs on the eve of Hurricane Ike. The Hawk Is Howling isn't the greatest album of these Scotsman's careers but it is still a strong effort and, honestly, who could expect them to outdo their back catalogue of amazing material at this point. Kudos to them for remaining relevant and fresh so many years after they began.


(MP3)
Mogwai - Batcat
(Buy album here)

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23) Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing
I love listening to this album on really good headphones. The songs evolve at a glacial pace, slowly building layer upon layer of noise to create wonderfully lavish sonic textures. You wouldn't think it upon first listen, but after a while this album can be very relaxing to listen to. Terrific debut.


(MP3)
Fuck Buttons - Sweet Love For Planet Earth
(Buy album here)

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22) Beach House - Devotion
Devotion suffered a bit from having been released so early in the calendar year, but way back in February and March of this year, it was the best thing coming out of my speakers on a regular basis. I find Victoria Legrand's vocals incredibly relaxing and this Baltimore duo's dreamy pop songs often show me off to bed at the end of the day.


(MP3)
Beach House - Gila
(Buy album here)

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21) Retribution Gospel Choir - Retribution Gospel Choir
I'm a huge Low fan, so I was obviously drawn to Retribution Gospel Choir because the band features Alan Sparhawk of the aforementioned Low. This band and this record are such perfect compliments to Low's catalogue, you could essentially say Retribution sounds like Low if Alan yelled and growled his vocals while beating on his guitar and laying the reverb and delay on thick. The results are fantastic and are not to be missed.

(MP3)
Retribution Gospel Choir - Breaker
(Buy album here)

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20) David Vandervelde - Waiting For The Sunrise
I really enjoyed David Vandervelde's last record The Moonstation House Band but wasn't really sure what to expect from his second offering. What I got was an album true to the themes and sound of the first LP but much better versed in its predecessors and all the better for it. Vandervelde writes classic, catchy rock and roll songs that seem like they will stand the test of time.


(MP3)
David Vandervelde - Someone Like You
(Buy album here)

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19) Margot & The Nuclear So and So's - Animal/Not-Animal
The label politics involved in the release of these two separate albums have been chronicled on this and other blogs in the past so I won't rehash any of that here, instead I'm going to simply stick to the quality of the songs within. It's difficult to figure out what's what with Animal and Not Animal. Both were recorded during the same time period, both contain some of the same songs, and overall, both sound similar. I find the best way to approach these albums, from a critical standpoint, is to just think of them as a big bunch of songs, maybe a deluxe reissue gone terribly astray. When you think of it this way, there is a whole lot of quality material here. Classics like "The Ocean" and "Broadripple Is Burning" sound great next to new classics "German Motor Car" and "Hello Vagina" (seriously, it's a damn good song). In summation, the music holds the ship upright.
(MP3)
Margot & The Nuclear So and So's - German Motor Car
(Buy album here)

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18) TV On The Radio - Dear Science
I don't love Dear Science as much as a lot of folks seem to, but I do think that it is a distinctive album and proples the band the band further down the path towards a long, exciting and musically fruitful career. I was a huge fan of Return To Cookie Mountain and so was probably looking for a bit more of that sound on Dear Science. Over a couple of listens I really felt like I got past that and have since developed quite a penchant for this one.

(MP3)
TV On The Radio - Dancing Choose
(Buy album here)

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17) The Walkmen - You & Me
Definitely The Walkmen's best effort since the stellar Bows and Arrows. Hamilton Leithauser is one of the finest and most emotive singers around right now and he shows it on You & Me. Like an old time crooner on a whiskey bender, Leithauser sings and shrieks his way through 14 tracks of the Walkmen's classic heartache, yelps, and toy piano sound. Glad to see these guys living up to the hype they deservedly garnered with Bows and Arrows a couple years back.


(MP3)
The Walkmen - In The New Year
(Buy album here)

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16) Marnie Stern - This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That
Oh man, how to describe this album. It's like an unabashed, exhuberant, arty, ADHD splatter paint of a record and holy fuck is it good. Marnie shows off plenty of her fleet fingered guitar wizardry and Hella's Zach Hill absolutely destroys the drum kit on this one. Listening to this album makes me feel the way it felt the first dozen times I listened to Battles' first full length. It's a bit of an exercise but oh so worth the effort.

(MP3)
Marnie Stern - Roads? Where We're Going We Don't Need Roads
(Buy album here)

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15) Deerhunter - Microcastles
Cryptograms was an impressive, but inconsistent debut. It showed the amount of sonic space that this group of Georgia youths could cover but lacked the restraint necessary to grab a listener and keep them from hitting the skip button a few times. Microcastles fixes those complaints right out of the gate, offering a very focused, yet satisfyingly loose musical experience. "Nothing Ever Happened" is sweet fractured pop at its best and really showcases what Deerhunter are capable of.


(MP3)
Deerhunter - Nothing Ever Happened
(Buy album here)

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14) The Black Keys - Attack & Release
The Black Keys turned in another of the years best performance at Stubbs the Sunday of ACL fest with the Black Keys (and fucking Roky Erickson!!) opening the show. As much as a I have always loved The Black Keys one-two, guitar-drums punch, I've always wondered what they would sound like with some more fleshed out instrumentation. In comes Danger Mouse and he does just that. The results speak for themselves. One of the best of the year.

(MP3)
The Black Keys - Strange Times
(Buy album here)

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13) The Calm Blue Sea - The Calm Blue Sea
This is really the stand out local release of the year for me. I'm not completely sold on White Denim and though I definitely enjoyed the new Black Angels record, The Calm Blue Sea took the cake. From their always intense live shows to their fabulous sounding new LP that was recorded with local wunderkind producer Erik Wofford, 2008 has been a good year for The Calm Blue Sea and I expect many good things from them in 2009.


(MP3)
The Calm Blue Sea - Literal
(Buy album here)

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12) Wolf Parade - At Mt. Zoomer
My A+, number 1, top of the mountain musical moment of 2008 was Wolf Parade closing their sold out La Zona Rosa show with "Kissing the Beehive". They fucking killed it, and I left 10x the fan that I walked in. At Mt. Zoomer is looser and more fluid than it's predecessor Apologies to The Queen Mary, and this fluidity allows the band to reach beyond their sound and explore some new territory. I love seeing bands fluctuate and grow and I'm glad that this record didn't end up being more of the same.


(MP3)
Wolf Parade - Kissing The Beehive
(Buy album here)

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11) Tapes 'N Tapes - Walk It Off
I haven't seen Walk It Off on a lot of people's end of year lists and I really think that's a shame because this is a great record right here. The production is so raw, it sounds like the whole album was recorded through a distortion pedal. From the vocals, to the guitars, to the drums, everything sounds like it is chugging along on an engine that is loud and messy but reliable as hell and not intending to quit anytime soon. They seem like they've suffered from a bit of blog backlash, but I hope they just keep on doing what they're doing and continue to make great rock and roll records.


(MP3)
Tapes 'N Tapes - Time of Songs
(Buy album here)

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10) Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Of all the albums on this list, this is the one that surprises me the most by its presence. I have never been much of an Elbow fan but picked this one up out of curiosity and have been infatuated with it ever since.
I feel like I'm in some sort of sexy spy movie from the 50s when I listen to this album. It's very slinky and all of the wonderful harmonies really help the album to soar. Apparently, I'm not the only one who was impressed by this one as I've seen it all over a bunch of lists.

(MP3)
Elbow - The Bones Of You
(Buy album here)

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9) The Tallest Man On Earth - Shallow Grave
The Tallest Man On Earth is one Kristian Matsson, a young swede with a penchant for Bob Dylan and Skip James, and he has managed to create one of the most affecting albums I've heard in years. Upon my first listen to Shallow Grave I was immediately drawn to Matsson's undeniably Dylan-esque vocal style, yet I did not feel instantly repulsed, as is usually the case in such cases. Matsson takes the Dylan style of vocal delivery and uses it to wrap beautiful scenes and phrases around his versatile acoustic guitar playing, switching deftly between Arlo Guthrie strumming and Nick Drake finger picking. Shallow Grave is simply enchanting.


(MP3)
The Tallest Man On Earth - Honey Won't You Let Me In
(Buy album here)

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8) School Of Seven Bells - Alpinisms
When guitarist Ben Curtis left the Secret Machines a few years back, I was completely devastated. I figured that it would spell the end for the Machines, one of my favorite bands, and had no idea how well Ben would fare on his own. Cut to a couple years later and The Secret Machines are as vibrant as ever and I now have a second phenomenal band to listen to. Alpinisms does not sound like The Secret Machines, so don't expect that. Instead, expect flawless vocal harmonies between sisters Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, lots of swirly keys and synths, and some very spacey ambient guitars that will pour out of your headphones.


(MP3)
School of Seven Bells - Connjur
(Buy album here)

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7) Plants and Animals - Parc Avenue
Parc Avenue, Plants and Animals second full length release, was my first introduction to this Canadian trio. You're going to cover a lot of ground listening to this one. Influences abound from Neil Young to The Flaming Lips to a whole range of others. It all comes together in this delightful mess of sounds. The one thing that is consistent all the way through is the quality of the musicianship. No group of slouches here.

(MP3)
Plants and Animals - Faerie Dance
(Buy album here)

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6) Dodos - Visiter
Visiter dominated the first half of my year. It was firmly entrenched at the top of my Last.fm lists as well and my Itunes most played lists well into the Summer. Guitarist/Singer/Yelper Meric Long and percussionist/foot stomper Logan Kroeber craft a record full of standouts, including the fantastic back to back girl songs Jodi, and Ashley. The album starts strong, is strong in the middle, and goddamn if it doesn't finish strong too. It seems like a high order nowadays for a band to craft a decent length album that really holds your attention from start to finish, Visiter accomplishes just that.


(MP3)
Dodos - Jodi
(Buy album here)

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5) Grails - Doomsdayer's Holiday/Take Refuge In Clean Living
I have no fucking clue how to describe Grails to you if you have never heard them. I guess they could be characterized as a Post-Rock band since they have no vocals and feature guitars, bass and drums, but there is so much more going on here that I think it's an insult to them to lump them into a category like that. Grails make music, pure and simple. Long winding songs that cover continents, cultures, and styles seamlessly and without feeling the least bit pretentious. Oh yeah, and did I mention that they put out two fantastic albums this year, and another half dozen or so over the couple years before that? Yeah, prolific is thy name. I couldn't decide where to rank these albums seperately, and I thought that they both deserved equal recognition, so I lumped them together to save me some fuss. Both are so, so highly recommended. Doomsdayer's Holiday is probably the darker of the two, but that should be pretty evident from the title. Do not miss these.


(MP3)
Grails - Predestination Blues
Grails - Take Refuge
(Buy albums here and here)

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4) The Secret Machines - The Secret Machines
First off, let me say that the only reason this isn't in the #1 spot is that I really feel like the opening track, Atomic Heels, is a really weak spot and I usually skip it when I start this album up. I know, that sucks, and I hate to do it, but I just love the rest of the album so much, and it pains me to sit through that mediocre song when everything else on the album is so brilliant. The term Stoner Rock was designed for The Secret Machines. The songs chug along amidst the heavy bass and fuzzy guitars and Brandon Curtis' signature cryptic lyrics and absolutely infectious choruses ties it all together with a sloppy, fucked up, yet near perfect bow. Any doubt as to the band's health post Ben Curtis can be smashed to bits now.

(MP3)
The Secret Machines - Now You're Gone
(Buy album here)

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3) Department of Eagles - In Ear Park
I've spent all year waiting for the new Grizzly Bear album. I listen to the old songs over and over and wait and wait for the day that blissful new album will arrive. In the meantime Daniel Rossen has gone and recorded one of the best pop records that In have ever heard. Brian Wilson probably whistles these melodies in the shower or when he's buttering his toast. Much of my favorite music this year took me completely by surprise and that's certainly the case here. Yet another album I picked up in passing and clung tight to for the rest of the year.


(MP3)
Department of Eagles - No One Does It Like You
(Buy album here)

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2) Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes need no introduction at this point. They are undoubtedly the band of the year, coming from out of nowhere to release what is probably the most talked about album of the year. 5 part harmonies, astounding vocal melodies and the most tasteful group of musicians you will ever find make for a jaw dropping recording. This record astounds me and plays in my dreams regularly. The line "Through the forest / down to your grave / where the bird's wait / and the tall grasses sway" gives me the chills everytime. The imagery is so vivid and the music so soulful and achingly beautiful. If these 5 gentleman had been born in the middle ages they would have been the most celebrated musicians of their time. The phrase timeless is thrown about rather haphazardly in music criticism, but if it is not warranted here, then I can think of no time when it would be.

(MP3)
Fleet Foxes - Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
(Buy album here)

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1) Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
This is the album that had me singing along the most this year. How can you not relate to the haggard and heartbroken yelp of Scott Hutchison. How can you not want to order another whiskey and howl along to lines like " why won't our love keel over as it chokes on a bone / then we can mourn it's passing and then bury it in snow". I can recall some of the best times of the past year of my life being soundtracked by this album and I can so clearly see this album framing my future memories in much the same way. The Midnight Organ Fight isn't urgent but it's oh so relevant. Relevant to this time in my life and to the life of my friends and that is really what makes the difference between a solid record and a record that is important to you. I've seen Frightened Rabbit 5 times this year and I walked away each time with the biggest smile on my face you could imagine. Nothing gets better. Best of the year. Cheers fellas!


(MP3)
Frightened Rabbit - Poke
(Buy album here)

What to do this week

Tonight!


Go to the Mohawk for Sea Legs' CD release show for their new LP, Ghost of Alabama. I hear a lot of early Wilco as well as Sea Wolf's (Sea Wolf not Sea Legs) excellent 2007 effort Leaves in the River on Ghost of Alabama. One Hundred Flowers and Dana Falconberry provide support and I've been told that Sea Legs plays at around 11pm.

(mp3)
Sea Legs - I Know

From Ghost of Alabama

Thursday:

Brightblack Morning Light at Mohawk

Buy tix here

Friday:

Local Music is Sexy at The Mohawk (holy shit thats a lot of Mohawk!!)

Buy tix at the free shit store (i'd show up early)

Featuring: Brothers and Sisters / The Lovely Sparrows / Foot Patrol / Eastern Sea & Special FFF Guest

This weekend:

Fun Fun Fun Fest Motherfuckers!

Info here

Tix here

Afterparty info here


and finally on a personal note, Hoo-fuckin-ray!

Built To Spill cover "Paper Planes"

Below you will find a video of Built To Spill covering MIA's "Paper Planes" at a recent show in Italy. I must admit that I am bored to tears with this song by now, but I love Built To Spill and this version isn't all that bad.




(Via Stereogum)

New My Brightest Diamond

My Brightest Diamond (aka Shara Worden, previously of Sufjan Stevens' Illinois-makers) released a new album this summer called A Thousand Shark's Teeth. It's a fantastic effort and continues along the same musical lines as her previous release Bring Me The Workhorse. Shara's beautiful voice dances elegantly over an intricate mix of guitar, piano, strings, and various other interesting little plucks and oddities of sound throughout the course of A Thousand Shark's Teeth's 11 tracks. Highly recommended for fans of St. Vincent.

(MP3)
My Brightest Diamond - From The Top Of The World

Buy A Thousand Shark's Teeth here

Disapointed in Margot

Sorry about the 3 Margot posts in a row...

Sunday night at the Mohawk Margot & the Nuclear So and Sos played their second Austin show of 2008. As is to be expected from a band that just released a new album (2 new albums actually) the set was filled mostly with new songs (I didn't write down the set list but off the top of my head I can think of 4 old songs that they played: Skeleton Key, On a Freezing Chicago Street, Vampires in Blue Dresses, and Quiet as a Mouse). Overall, the band played well and sounded fine. They actually had 2 additional strings players (from the fantastic opening band Judgement Day) on stage for the show bringing the total number of musicians to 10. The sight of all of those people crammed onto the stage combined with their chic homemade lighting made for quite a spectacle. But somehow the band, specifically singer Richard Edwards, was able to ruin the show for me despite my unhealthy excitement and love for Margot's music.

Let me start with May 30 at Emo's. Margot played to a room full of people, many of which were admittedly a little rude to the band…involved in conversations that drowned out the quieter parts of the songs. After about 35 minutes Richard Edwards announced that the next song would be their last, adding a snide comment about how people were more concerned about what "Suzy was doing later" than listening to music. Fortunately, the band decided to come back out to play another 8 songs or so, but Edwards' attitude made the rest of the show difficult to enjoy for those of us who were there to listen to music.

Fast forward to Tuesday, October 7, release date for Margot's new albums Animal! and Not Animal. Of course, we've already discussed the conflict between the band and their label that ultimately resulted in there being 2 albums released. But I couldn't help but be a little put off by the fact that the band aired their dirty laundry in public. To me it seemed like a typical major label situation that certainly didn't warrant the bands public rebellion against the company that paid to make the record that Margot couldn't afford to finish on their own. Did they not realize that by signing with a major label they'd be relinquishing a great deal of control over their releases? I'm not supportive of the way major record labels do business but it is pretty obvious in 2008 that they are not interested in the artistic value of what they release. Ultimately though, the real loser in this situation is the fan who happens to enjoy Not Animal, the "label compiled collection of songs." We're now made to feel guilty about enjoying Broadripple is Burning and The Ocean because we know that the band disapproves of those songs being on the album.

So now let's get back to Sunday night at the Mohawk. It was obvious from the beginning that the band has been getting a little heat about playing so many new songs. Richard Edwards came into the show with a chip on his shoulder about it. He mentioned after 5 or 6 songs that they'd be playing a lot of new songs tonight because "that's what a band does when they release a new record." At that point someone shouted that they should just "break the rules" by playing old songs. Edwards' response: "fuck you." I couldn't tell if that "fuck you" came with a smile or not, I'm hoping it did. They labored through a few more songs, obviously reluctant to pepper in the few older songs that they actually did play and then decided to let everyone know that this was the last Margot tour ever. I have no idea whether that's true, but my gut tells me it was just Richard Edwards being a prima donna once again and trying for a cheap joke that simultaneously reminds people that he is in control and that he's not happy playing for those fans that came out to support him. After Margot took their encore break they came back to play the most uninspired version of Quiet as a Mouse I've ever heard. I remember seeing them play this song in 2006 and getting goosebumps when Edwards strained to scream "when I woke my back was broke from lying on the floor, sunlight poured through all the cracks in my front door" while pounding the muted guitar strings while I waited in nervous anticipation for the band to kick in at full volume. But on Sunday it was obvious he couldn't wait to just get through the song, barely mumbling the words over a guitar tone that should be embarrassing for a professional musician. If this is the treatment they're going to give to the older songs, I'm glad they don't play them anymore. But once again the attitude ruined another Margot show for me. And once again I'm made to feel guilty, this time for liking the old songs...apparently it's not okay with Richard Edwards that I'm a fan of Dust of Retreat.

The days of rock stars are over. And if there was to be a rock star in 2008 it surely wouldn't be Richard Edwards of Margot & the Nuclear So and So's. Today, bands are lucky when they're able to reach enough people in this fragmented market to be able to make albums and tour for a living. For most bands that I see live these days, a certain degree of humility and appreciation is expressed for the position that they are in. But not Margot. I'm not saying they shouldn't be frustrated that people only want to hear old songs or that they have problems with their label or that they don't have any money. But when that frustration is so obvious that it alienates fans, that's a problem.

Margot & the Nuclear So and So's are one of my favorite bands. I love every one of their 3 albums. But at this point, I hope this is their last tour because I'm sick of Richard Edwards doing everything in his power to convince me that I shouldn't like his band. If the stress and frustration of being in this band are too much to handle, for the love of God, please just quit if that's what you want to do. No one has a gun to your head (well maybe Epic does now...I think it's a 2 album contract). But I guess no one is forcing me to go to the shows either...so it looks like I should probably excuse myself from attending Margot shows from this point forward.

One more thing...Andy Fry, Casey Tennis, and most of the rest of the band look like they're having a great time on stage. I wonder if they stand by Richard Edwards and support the way that he behaves?

Margot addendum

I completely forgot to mention that Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos will be playing at the Mohawk this sunday night. The always entertaining David Vandervelde opens for them.

Buy tickets here

Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos w/ David Vandervelde and Judgement Day
Sunday October 12th @ The Mohawk
Show starts at 8pm
Tickets are $8

New Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos

Indianapolis based Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos have just released their sophomore and junior albums on the same day. The band has been working on the follow up to 2006's fantastic The Dust of Retreat for quite some time. The album, which was referred to as Animal! almost from the start, was finished some months ago but there were differences between the band and their new label (Epic) about which tracks should make up the new album. The band argued for one tracklisting, while Epic pushed for a similar, but different, set of songs. In the end a compromise of sorts was reached and now the band has just released Animal! (their tracklist) and Not Animal (Epic's pick) simultaneously this past Tuesday.


The band suggests you listen to Animal! first as it is their true vision of what the album should be and refer to Not Animal simply as another collection of songs that Epic is releasing. Animal! is available for purchase here on vinyl (apparently the album is not currently available on CD or Itunes and the like. I can only assume this is due to the differences with the label) Not Animal can be purchased here and via the usual digital retailers. Personally, I can't choose which album I like better. My gut makes me gravitate towards Animal! since it is the band's true honest vision of what the album should be, but Not Animal features a couple of tunes I was really hoping would make the new album that are absent from Animal! (namely "Broadripple is Burning" and "The Ocean (Is Bleeding Salt)"). At the end of the day I guess, more than anything, I'm just happy to have so much new Margot to listen to. Check out a couple of tracks from the new album(s) below.

MP3
Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos - Hello Vagina
(This one is on both albums)

MP3
Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos - Broadripple Is Burning
(just on Not Animal)

This Will Destroy You/Lymbyc Systym split EP

Austin(ish) bands This Will Destroy You and Lymbyc Systym are getting set to release a new split EP called Field Studies via Magic Bullet Records. The EP is available now through the Magic Bullet store and will also be available on the band's upcoming European Tour. This Will Destroy You offer up 2 new songs while Lymbyc Systym offer 3. Check out the tracks below for a preview.

MP3
This Will Destroy You - Brutalism and the Worship of the Machine

MP3
Lymbyc Systym - Narita

Buy Field Studies here

Ticket Giveaway: The Calm Blue Sea CD Release show at Emo's Lounge on Saturday

The Calm Blue Sea CD release show (read my review of the album here) is going on this Saturday night (October 4th) at Emo's Lounge and I have a pair of guest list spots to give away for the show. Leave a comment telling me why you want to go to the show and you'll be entered to win. I'll select a winner at random on Friday and will notify the winner via email. The winner and a friend will get free entry into the show. Also on the bill on Saturday are Murdocks, The Midgetmen, Hat Talk, and Businessman DJs will be spinning between sets. It should be a fun night.

Emo's Lounge
Saturday October 4th
The Calm Blue Sea CD Release show
w/ Murdocks, The Midgetmen, Hat Talk, and Businessman DJs
Doors @ 8, Show @ 10
Tickets available at the door

The Calm Blue Sea - Literal (mp3)