2007 Wrap Up

The Gossip vs.

Elastica

Best Mash-Up The Gossip vs. Elastica "Standing in the Way of Connection"


Best Albums
These are my top long players of the year in no particular order (other than reverse alphabetical).

Voxtrot s/t
listen to Kid Gloves

Ted Leo/Pharmacists Living With The Living
listen to La Costa Brava

Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
listen to Don't Make Me A Target

Radiohead In Rainbows
listen to Down Is The New Up

The New Pornographers Challengers
listen to Myriad Harbour

The National Boxer
listen to Fake Empire

Elliot Smith New Moon
listen to All Cleaned Out

Caribou Andorra
listen to She's The One

Bad Religion New Maps of Hell
listen to Honest Goodbye

Andrew Bird Armchair Apocrypha
listen to Heretics


Best Live Shows


Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Mod Club, Toronto, CA 5/2/07 Fresh off the release of Living With The Living, Ted and the boys were in peak form. The addition of James Canty on second guitar added to the firepower. Sadly, this would be my last Ted show with the always entertaining (not necessarily purposefully) Dave Lerner on bass.

listen to Under The Hedge


The National - 9:30 Club, WDC 6/20/07 More than anything I was just thoroughly impressed how well Boxer translated live. Listen to Murder Me Rachael and get the entire concert from NPR's All Songs Considered here.



The Evens - Capital City Public Charter School, WDC 11/18/07 Playing in the space formerly known as the Wilson Center (site of the first Fugazi show 20 years ago), the Evens created my most age-appropriate live show experience of the year with an 8pm start time and three generations of MacKaye's in attendance. The songs, not surprisingly, translated well to the live format. Ian gave a little insight into the history of the room as he described playing there 25 years ago with Bad Brains, Scream, Minor Threat, G.I., and about five other bands all for $3. The times they are a changin'.

Listen to All These Governors, No Money

Top Songs 2007 - 10 - 1

Les Savy Fav

10. Voxtrot "Firecracker"
My favorite new band of 2007.

9. Bad Religion "Heroes & Martyrs"
One minute and twenty-six seconds of pure anti-war fury. The best punk song of the year from the best punk album of the year, New Maps of Hell.

8. The Magic Numbers "This Is A Song"
Two sets of brother/sister pairs making pop magic.

7. Ted Leo/Pharmacists "Sons Of Cain"
Five years ago, Spin magazine likened Ted to Elvis Costello fronting the Cars singing "The Boys Are Back In Town". I never truly agreed with that description until "Sons of Cain". For me, Living With The Living was one of my favorite albums of the year and songs like "La Costa Brava", "The Lost Brigade" and "The Toro and The Toreador" could have easily made the list but "Sons of Cain" sets the tone for the entire album and thus makes the cut.

6. Peter Bjorn and John "Young Folks"
Everybody talks about the whistling on this track and I say if you want some kick ass whistling check out Andrew Bird (see below). Can I get an "oh yeah" for the bass and egg shaker 'cause that's what makes the song for me. Oh yeah, the congas on the chorus kick ASS!

5. Les Savy Fav "The Equestrian"
The new most dangerous band in America (in a good way). Great video as well. Ordinarily I would consider songs that use horseback riding as sexual innuendo a slight bit ridiculous but goddamit these guys pull it off.

Any one of the top 4 could have been my song of the year, but this is how they sorted out on the day I made the list. Easily could be different tomorrow as each song is amazing in its own way.

4. Caribou "Melody Day"
This song transports the listener to a completely different dimension. I'm floored that it was assembled by one dude. The banshee-like chorus is totally outrageous.

3. Andrew Bird "Plasticities"
The most understated song of the bunch, Andrew is an expert at drawing in the listener in without hitting them over the head with the song. Amazing whistles and strings.

2. The National "Mistaken For Strangers"
Menacing chords, precision drumming and Matt Berninger's baritone set the tone for this examination of the anonymity of the working world.

1. Arcade Fire "Intervention"
If Andrew Bird had the most understated song of the bunch then Arcade Fire had the most grandiose. The pipe organ isn't the only reason why one might think this song would be best played in a church. By the time the third verse comes around you are totally pulled into the song and then all of a sudden the waves of the third chorus crash on your head. A magnificent feat of music making

Top Songs 2007 - 20 - 11

Georgie James

20. Band of Horses "Is There A Ghost"
For everyone nostalgic for the Catherine Wheel, look no further.

19. The Sea and Cake "Coconut"
Yet another example of why Chicago may very well be the music capital of America.

18. Tegan and Sara "Hop A Plane"
Couldn't find a free link to a mp3 of this one. The twins benefit from top notch production courtesy of Chris Walla of DCFC and the result is the best pop song of the year.

17. Dan Deacon "The Crystal Cat"
Yes, he is a complete freakshow but he's our complete freakshow.

16. Feist "1234"
My three year old is in love with Leslie Feist after the incessant playing of her Ipod commercial. You would think that would ruin the song for me. It doesn't.

15. Spoon "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb"
So I am ready to admit that Britt Daniel is fast becoming my new Paul Westerberg.

14. Georgie James "Need Your Needs"
You know when I said Tegan and Sara had the best pop song of the year. I lied. Georgie James has the best pop song of the year.

13. Okkervil River "Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe"
Will Sheff continues in his quest to contrast really dark lyrics with upbeat music.

12. Shout Out Louds "Tonight I Have To Leave It"
What does a band from Sweden, who has a major infatuation with the Cure sound like? Listen for the answer.

11. Johnny Foreigner "Our Bi-Polar Friends"
So Lou over at Ask Me About My Invisible Friends gets full credit for this one. If you like Pretty Girls Make Graves' Good Health (in my top 5 for the decade) then download this song now and get ready to be blown away.

Top Songs 2007 - 30-21

Thurston Moore

Is there anything more American than a list? I think they are rooted in the same part of the American psyche as presidential polls, American Idol and call-in radio shows. So in a effort to fall into line with my fellow Americans, here is the first installment of my best songs of 2007. Enjoy.

30. Erin McKeown "Rhode Island Is Famous For You"
The Virginia native's retro style is featured on this cover of the 1948 Blossom Dearie song. The link is to a solo version recorded in Somerville, MA. Check out her 2007 album, Sing You Sinners for the amazing full band version.

29. The New Pornographers "My Rights Versus Yours"
My favorite song from one of the best albums of the year.

28. Thurston Moore "Fri/End"
Did you hear Thurston Moore recorded an entire album with an acoustic guitar? What do you suppose it sounds like? Ohh, that's pretty good.

27. Against Me! "Bourne On The FM Waves Of The Heart"
If I were 16 years old, this would be my #1 song of the year. Since, I'm 35, it only makes it into the top 30.

26. Stars "Take Me To The Riot"
This is my sleeper pick of the bunch. Forced to live in the shadows of Leslie Feist this year, Amy Milan and her bandmates produced one of the best anthemic songs of the year.

25. Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse "Valerie"
I hate his remix of the Dylan song, but this remake of the Zutons song is total genius. She may be a trainwreck, but Winehouse can sing.

24. Palomar "Our Haunt"
Palomar's songs have always had a degree of darkness lyrically, but were often covered with a candy-coated shell of indie-pop. With "Our Haunt" they show they weren't afraid to let the music sound a little dark as well and the result is beautiful.

23. Dinosaur Jr. "Been There All The Time"
The best thing they have done since "The Wagon". No joke. I saw them in late November and it was the loudest show I'd seen in over 14 years - since the last time I saw them in 1993.

22. Radiohead "Jigsaw Falling Into Place"
This will be the only crossover between my list and Time magazine's list.

21. Interpol "The Heinrich Maneuver"
Many feel that Interpol peaked with their debut and they are probably correct. But this is one case where top notch production (i.e. big money major label production) brings their sound to the next level. For the love of God, listen to this with your headphones on.

Audio Exposure

A few years back, a buddy of mine Adam started a nonprofit organization with a friend of his call Critical Exposure. The aim of Critical Exposure was to provide cameras and photography instruction to underserved kids in the Baltimore public school system - you don't need to watch an entire season of The Wire to get that this system is broken. Not only do these kids learn a valuable trade in photography but they are encouraged to take photos of the decrepit conditions of their schools which in turn increases awareness and mobilizes public support of the great problems these schools encounter on a daily basis.

Now, some other close friends, Jared & Stacey, have created the music site Audio Exposure to benefit Critical Exposure. For every legal mp3 link posted, one dollar is donated to Critical Exposure. Check out the site to add a song or to download a host of songs ranging from indie to 80's metal. And while you are at it, consider donating to a great cause.

The Sea and Cake

The Sea and Cake

When I was first really getting into music in the late 1980's as a teenager I was always fascinated by the concept of a local scene. Initially, it was the scenes in Athens, GA, Minneapolis and Boston, but by the time college and the early 90's had arrived there were scores of scenes in places like Chapel Hill, Amherst, Louisville, Austin and of course, Seattle. All of this was going on while I was living in the most incestuous scene of all, Washington DC. Nowadays, one thinks of Portland, Brooklyn or Omaha although many of the aforementioned scenes still thrive to this day (yes, yes, yes, I realize I neglected to mention Manchester, Montreal and Glasgow, but for the purposes of this post we are talking about American indie rock).

For me, something that takes a scene to the next level is that previously mentioned incest or cross-pollination that exists between bands within a scene. Take Janet Weiss in Portland - most famous as the drumming force behind Sleater-Kinney, she also plays drum with ex-husband, Sam Coomes, in Quasi and is now behind the kit for Steve Malkmus and the Jicks.

As I spent more and more time thinking about the concept of a scene, I forgot probably the most vital scene of the last ten years - Chicago. Given my east coast bias, I often forget the great midwestern mecca where styles collide and new ones develop. Much like DC or Seattle, there are well respected independent labels like Touch and Go, Thrill Jockey and Quarter Stick that document the scene on vinyl (or at least digitally). Chicago may just be my new DC.

Which brings me to the true subject of my post - The Sea and Cake. In many ways, The Sea and Cake are a Chicago indie pop supergroup with members of Tortoise, Gastr del Sol, and The Coctails in the ranks. Singer/guitarist Sam Prekop and guitarist Archer Prewitt are accomplished solo artists in their own right. This summer saw the release of their first album in four years entitled Everybody out on Thrill Jockey. Although I've had the album since release it was only in the last couple of weeks that I have fully digested it. Gorgeous pop songs that while they don't blow you away, don't disappoint either. To sum it up in one word - it is dreamy.

Check out "Coconut" from Everybody
Coconut (mp3)

Best of Boston Tournament

Buffalo Tom

So my buddy Mike referred me to a contest that the Boston Herald is currently conducting. Designed like the NCAA basketball tournament, they have developed brackets of the best 64 songs to come out of Boston over the last 25 years. The list features the usual suspects like the Pixies, Buffalo Tom, Belly, Throwing Muses, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Dinosaur jr., New Kids on the Block and New Edition. Other names on the list are a veritable who's who of bands quickly signed up in the post-Nirvana frenzy of the very early '90's (Juliana Hatfield, Gigolo Aunts, O Positive, Cold Water Flat, The Dambuilders). Some classics from the '80's (The Cars, Del Fuegos, Gang Green, Til Tuesday). And just enough from this century (Dropkick Murphys, Pernice Brothers).

I had a lot of fun setting up my brackets. They set them up so a band like New Edition would go up against New Kids on the Block in the first round (and accordingly, Dropkick Murphys take on Gang Green). There were some interesting match-ups as Tonya Donelly had to take on herself in a Belly vs. Throwing Muses first round bout. Also, I had Bill Janovitz of Buffalo Tom taking on his brother Paul of Cold Water flat in the third round. In the end in my bracket, I had a final round contest between the Pixies' "Debaser" and Buffalo Tom's "Taillights Fade". This was an unbelievably difficult choice since both songs are in my top 50 of all time. In the end, I went with "Taillights Fade" on gut alone. It really was a pick 'em.

Set up your bracket here and then download some tunes.

Pixies "Gouge Away - live" (mp3)
Pixies "Debaser" (mp3)
Cold Water Flat "Magnetic North Pole" (mp3)

Voxtrot

The last several weeks have seen the release of some of the best albums of the year (Caribou, The Sea and Cake, New Pornographers). But the one album I truly cannot get out of my head is the self titled release by Austin five-piece Voxtrot. Ramesh Srivastava and his mates present 11 distinct compositions rooted in indie rock but are much more adventurous than your typical band of said genre (take for example, The Arctic Monkeys, for whom Voxtrot will be opening this fall).

Check out some songs from the new album
Kid Gloves
Firecracker
Brother in Conflict

And some older stuff as well
Trouble from Your Biggest Fan EP
Mothers, Sisters, Daughters and Wives from Mothers... EP
The Start of Something from Raised By Wolves EP

Weekend in Baltimore Mix

I got my first chance to check out some music since moving to Charm City in June. Between work and a new kid it has been tough to get and check out the scene. Yesterday, I made my way to 36th Street for Hampden Fest drawn mainly by the prospect of seeing The Oranges Band for the first time live. So here's a couple of songs by Baltimore's finest plus a few other tunes I can't stop playing on this beautiful September weekend.

The Oranges Band

Ride the Nuclear Wave (mp3)
OK Apartment (mp3)

Voxtrot
Firecracker (mp3)

Caribou
Melody Day (mp3)

Band of Horses
Is There a Ghost (mp3)

Les Savy Fav
The Equestrian (mp3)

Broken Social Scene
Stars and Sons (mp3)

Bad Religion

It has been a long time between posts. Between work and a new baby at home, it has been hard to sit down and write. Time to actually listen to music has been rare as well - often limited to my Ipod while walking the dog. Bad Religion's new album New Maps of Hell has been on heavy rotation while on these late night walks.

The sixteen tracks come at you with the subtly of a tank - many clocking in under two minutes. The subject matter is unmistakable, dissecting the war in Iraq from different perspectives. The band doesn't tread far from home base musically but who cares as they improve on what they do best - west coast punk rock for the thinking man. If you don't believe me check out the best 1:26 of recorded music released this year.

Heroes & Martyrs (mp3)

Against Me!

Quick one for Sunday. Gainesville, Florida's socially conscious, folk influenced punk band Against Me! have a brand new album, New Wave, and a gushing review (4 1/2 stars) and interview piece in the new issue of Spin. Similar in style and content to bands like Rise Against (no relation - but you can't tell me that having the word "against" in the title of your band doesn't pigeon hole you) where Against Me! sets themselves apart is in their blatant love of folk music and those who have bridged the punk-folk gap (see Billy Bragg and Ted Leo as examples).

Check out Borne on the FM Waves (mp3) featuring Tegan Quin of Tegan and Sara. It is probably the best summer song I've heard all summer.

Ian Svenonius - Talk Show Host?

If I were ever to make a list of the DC artists I 've seen at shows over the years the top spot would be a close race between Ian Svenonius (of Nation of Ulysses, Make-Up, and Weird War) and Allison Wolfe (of Bratmobile). Both are impossible to miss, with individual styles all their own. Seeing Ian at shows at the Black Cat or even around DC, I was always struck by three things. 1). He is a misleadingly small man (as is Guy Picciotto, for that matter), 2.) His hair is fucking amazing and 3.) He is the definition of sartorial. In many respects, his offstage persona was in direct opposition to his onstage persona. While onstage he is the white James Brown from PG County, offstage he appeared (to me) to be quiet and almost unapproachable.

Now Ian has his own talkshow called Soft Focus on VBS TV. Filmed live before a studio audience at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC, Ian interviews such titans of music as Chan Marshall of Cat Power, Ian Mackaye and Henry Rollins. What comes across is that Svenonius is a hilarious person asking probing questions while keeping it light. In my judgement, any person who can get Ian Mackaye to laugh on camera has got serious talent.

Check out Soft Focus on VBS TV.

Palomar - live in DC

NYC-based indie popsters (and friends of DTT) Palomar returned for a pre-Fourth of July show at the Black Cat in DC. Finishing off a 10 day mini-tour of the east coast and midwest that saw them playing with the likes of The Wrens, Bob Mould and Voxtrox, the band played a set that focused on material from their last two albums. The set opened with my son's favorite "Knitting for Pleasure" featuring Sarah Brockett's prodigious fingerwork on the bass. Other highlights included "The Planeiac", "Our Haunt", "You're Keeping Us Up" and "Albacore". The 12-year-old young man working the soundboard needed a little help in learning how to mix in vocals but despite the difficulty at times hearing Rachel Warren's voice the band sounded great. Check out their new album All Things, Forests (Misra) their best effort to date.

Our Haunt (mp3)

Interpol - new single/video

Just a quick post for Saturday. When Interpol released Turn On The Bright Lights in 2002 it was somewhat of a revelation to me. Sure the Joy Division comparisons were clear and warranted but there was something more to them - was it their style? their attitude? It wasn't entirely clear to me then or now. 2004's Antics was by no means a sophomore slump but it lacked some of the intrigue of their debut.

Now, July 10 signifies the release date of their new album and major label debut Our Love To Admire. The debut single, "The Heinrich Maneuver", has been getting a ton of play on our local indie station (WTMD 89.7 FM) and I have to say it is catchy as all hell. Also check out the video.

The Heinrich Maneuver (mp3)

The Heinrich Maneuver (video)

Trixie DVD - tons of new clips

I mentioned the great Brendan Canty/Christoph Green DVD series Burn To Shine here in the past (see posts). In addition to upcoming BTS installments in Seattle and Louisville, the production company that Canty and Green started, TrixieDVD, has ventured into new territories. Out now is a live Jeff Tweedy disc and in the coming months, Trixie plans on releasing live DVDs from Bob Mould (featuring Canty on drums), Wilco, and Glen Kotche. The boys also filmed The Decemberists at the 9:30 Club in DC although no word on whether that material will be released.

Trixie has now posted clips from each of its releases. I, for one, am most eagerly awaiting the Bob Mould live at the 9:30 club DVD which was filmed in October of 2005 and set for release this fall. I saw Bob and his band just a few days prior to filming at the Paradise in Boston and it was amazing to see him back in peak form. If you are in a rush and can only check out one clip then pick the Burn To Shine 1 in DC. This clip features Ian Svenonius (Make Up, Nation of Ulysses) and his new band Weird War singing the brilliant yet absurd "AK-47" - you also get a little taste of Ted Leo performing a solo rendition of "Bleeding Powers" months before the release of Shake The Sheets.

From Burn To Shine 1 in DC - clips of Weird War and Ted Leo
From Burn To Shine 2 in Chicago - clips of Shellac and Tight Phantomz
From Burn To Shine 3 in Portland - clips of The Shins and The Gossip
From Bob Mould - Circle of Friends - Live at the 9:30 - A Good Idea
From Wilco - Shake It Off - Shake It Off
From Jeff Tweedy - Sunken Treasures - clips
From Glenn Kotche Electronic Press Kit - Monkey Chant
From The Decemberists - Live At the 9:30 Club

The National live in DC

Fresh off the release of one of the best albums of the first half of 2007, Boxer, The National arrived in our Nation's Capital for a show at the 9:30 Club. Drawing heavily from both the new album and its predecessor, Alligator, the band was able to make the space in the club seem larger or smaller depending on the song (or even portions of a song). "Fake Empire" and "Mistaken For Strangers" went from intimate to fierce in the matter of a few bars and an encore of "Abel" was out of control. And I can't help but think that the band has listened to their far share of Leonard Cohen, The Replacements and Guided By Voices.

All of this was recorded live for the good folks at NPR's All Songs Considered. Check out their site here replete with a podcast of the concert, an interview with the band and a slideshow from the 9:30 Club. Enjoy

Velocity Girl

As I wrapping up my time in Providence, getting ready to move to Baltimore next week, I think I have become a little nostalgic. Concurrently, I've been checking out the schedule at all of the local Baltimore and DC clubs to see who's coming to town this summer. When I made my way over to the Black Cat site I noticed the lovely Sarah Shannon is performing in a few weeks. Back in the early 90's Sarah fronted the indie-pop outfit Velocity Girl who along with Unrest provided the yin of the DC scene to yang of Fugazi, Jawbox, Hoover and the like. Their early work was heavily influenced by the British shoegazer scene of My Bloody Valentine, Jesus and Mary Chain and Ride while their later work was much more poppy (enough to make it on to a Volkswagon ad). Check out my favorite song released as single on Slumberland records in January of 1992.

My Forgotten Favorite (mp3)

The Clientele

London's dream-pop trio, The Clientele, first came to my attention with Strange Geometry, their highly regarded 2005 album. But it wasn't until 2006 that I paid the album any attention. I had read plenty about the band in the music press and their affiliation with Merge Records certainly helped. No, it took Spoon's Britt Daniels to name it his 2005 album of the year for me to listen in earnest (i love the lists).

The month marks the release of their second effort for Merge entitled God Save The Clientele and it is replete with many of the same simple yet beautiful dreamy pop songs that made Strange Geometry so easy to listen to. Check out

Bookshop Cassanova (mp3)
Somebody Changed (mp3)

Ted Leo/Pharmacists Live in Toronto

My first experience seeing Ted and the boys on foreign soil proved to be fruitful. Last night's show at Toronto's Mod Club was energetic as usual. James Canty of French Toast (and a few other bands you may have heard of) bolstered the sound with a second guitar and is as active on stage as the perpetually frenetic Leo. Dave Lerner and Chris Wilson meanwhile have continued to improve as a rhythm section par excellence. The show weighed heavily on the recently released Living With The Living, which in my opinion is Ted's most complete work to date. Ted was up to his usual between song banter referencing the might of the New Jersey Nets (currently ensconced in a playoff battle with the Toronto Raptors) which led to some anti-Jersey heckling. Overall, an excellent show. I forgot to bring paper and a writing instrument but this is my best memory of the set list order (hey, I'm not Fluxblog man).

Mod Club, Toronto, ON 5/2/07
My Vien Ilin (intro)/Sons of Cain/Dial Up/Me & Mia/Army Bound/Colleen/Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone/Counting Down the Hours/The High Party/Annunciation Day.../Bomb Repeat Bomb/Old Souls Know/A Bottle of Buckie/Little Dawn/The Unwanted Things/The Lost Brigade /Biomusicology

Encore
Dirty Old Town/Timorous Me/Walking to Do/Rappaport's Testament: I Never Gave Up

Luna - Tell Me Do You Miss Me

Well, it's another in a series of music related movie reviews. Whenever the wife heads out of town for work, I load up the Netflix queue and this one arrived last week. Tell Me Do You Miss Me documents the NYC-based indie-pop band on the final tour of Japan, Europe and the States finalizing with a four night stand at the Bowery Ballroom in February of 2005.

When Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon moved to western Massachusetts earlier this decade, Luna took over the reins from Sonic Youth as the connsumate downtown NYC band. So much of the story revolves around the relationship of singer/guitarist/Galaxie 500 alum Dean Wareham and guitarist Sean Eden. Wareham is the face of the band - handsome and reserved. Eden is the goofball of the group appearing suspended in a state of adolescence as he tries so hard at finding love on the road (Wareham, of course, is with the devastatingly beautiful bassist of the band, Britta Phillips). Outside of the live performances, the sometimes comic, sometimes bittersweet interactions between Wareham and Eden make a viewing worthwhile.

While you are waiting for the film to arrive check out this song from Wareham and Phillips' post-Luna project, Dean and Britta.
Dean and Britta "Singer Sing" (mp3)

The Ponys

I first became aware of this Chicago-based psych/garage rock band upon viewing Brendan Canty's second Burn to Shine DVD (the one filmed in Chicago, duh). Lots of reverb, simple rhythms that sound like they're coming straight from 1964. Having recently signed to Matador, their most recent release Turn the Lights Out came out last month and features the songs linked below. Short post today, what are you gonna do?

Double Vision (mp3)
Poser Psychotic (mp3)

Love Of Diagrams

In preparation of seeing Ted Leo/Pharmacists later this spring I wanted to check out his support act, Love Of Diagrams. The Melbourne trio play danceable postpunk in the tradition of Pretty Girls Make Graves and Dig Me Out-era Sleater-Kinney. They recently signed to Matador and their stateside debut Mosaic comes out on August, 10. Also check out Ted and the boys show at the 9:30 Club in DC recorded for NPR.

"Pace Or The Patience" (mp3) from Mosaic
"No Way Out" (mp3) previously released

The National

I will keep it short.... I was very late to the online music world. I can honestly say I've never downloaded a single track from Napster despite knowing friends with entire hard drives full of mp3s. In my pre-blog life, I used Epitonic to find a lot of new stuff. Without exception, The National was my greatest find on Epitonic and now a few years later everyone and their brother knows about (or should) this amazing five-piece from Brooklyn. Their 2005 release Alligator made a lot of Best Of lists so it is no surprise that new album, The Boxer, due out May 22 on Beggar's Banquet will be eagerly anticipated.

Check out the single Fake Empire (mp3)

Andrew Bird

Andrew Bird first gained notice back in the mid-90's for his violin playing in the Squirrel Nut Zippers, that group of indie rockers turned 20's revivalists that coincided with that unfortunate Swing revival (thanks a lot, Jon Favreau). He went to form Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire and has for the last several years recorded as solo artist. I have to admit I didn't take notice until 2005's & The Mysterious Production of Eggs and his incredible single "A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left". Not unlike John Darnielle and the Mountain Goats, his music can be difficult to categorize - folk?, indie??? The best solution is just to listen. His brand new album Armchair Apocrypha is due out on March 20th on Fat Possum records, which is no longer just putting out Delta Blues music as exhibited by both Andrew Bird and the new Dinosaur jr. album due out in May. Check out these songs.

Heretics (mp3) from Armchair Apocrypha
A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left (mp3) from & The Mysterious Production of Eggs

Bloc Party - A Weekend in the City

Back in college - April of 1992 to be exact - I was conducting my first on-air interview on my weekly radio show. Buffalo Tom, on the heels of the release of Let Me Come Over, had made their way to scenic and lovely Hartford for a show. Chaperoning my interview was Music Director and radio goddess, Margo Edwards (who would go on to be a booker at the Middle East). The two of us threw some softballs early but eventually I treaded down the path of how their sound was becoming more accessible (read: selling out). No longer were they Dinosaur jr. jr. - and as a fan of their first two albums I was a little upset about the change. I quickly embarrassed myself and Margo did all she could to rescue the interview. All of this seems quite ridiculous now since Let Me Come Over is one of my favorite albums of all time.

So what is the developmental milestone that music lovers must attain that allows us to appreciate a musician's evolution? I stopped listening to R.E.M. when Peter Buck decided to play the mandolin full time - but that was nearly 16 years ago! At some point we learn that Bowie or Elvis Costello or the Beatles (for Christ's sake) were on to something when they moved their music forward (and frankly, sometimes backwards).

Probably the key to this successful evolution is the attainment of new attributes while remaining true to the base elements of the music. It is with this longwinded introduction that I am able to describe my approach to the new Bloc Party album, A Weekend In The City. 2005's Silent Alarm was on my of favorite 2 or 3 records of that year so I was eagerly anticipating this release.

Everything I had read in the last few months was that Weekend was a departure for the band (too much for me, or have I grown up?). I happy to report that the band has grown rather than changed. Still there is the influence of Gang of Four with the dueling telecasters riding a driving beat - one good enough to dance to. Weekend is augmented by synths and the occasional drum machine (which is usually a negative for me). But it is Kele Okereke's vocals that are more polished on this album - really an instrument rather than vocals.

I've only had a couple of listens as of this writing, but my impression so far is that it rivals Silent Alarm and may even surpass it.

Kruezberg (mp3)
Sunday (mp3)

Paul Westerberg - Open Season

I've always found it interesting that fans of the Rolling Stones continue to buy their new albums no matter if the material is good or not. It is a hard habit to break not buying the albums of your childhood heroes. I stopped buying R.E.M. albums in 1995 with Monster and I pick and choose the Bob Mould releases I buy (yes for the rock stuff, no for the dance stuff). Paul Westerberg is one artist that I have yet to abandon. No matter what he has done in his post-Replacements career I tend to find something with each release that I just love. So it was with some eagerness that I purchased the Open Season soundtrack over the holidays.

With a toddler at home, I was praying that the soundtrack would have all the aspects of Paul's work that a 35-year-old would need wrapped in a package fit for a kid. The songs run from Don't Tell a Soul -era Replacements like "Love You in the Fall" (see mp3 below) to piano driven numbers like "I Belong" (a second version by Pete Yorn also appears on the soundtrack). Paul's penchant for cleaver lyrics abound - "I'm a knight in shining armchair", "The right to arm bears" - are a couple of examples.

The DVD was released in late January and we had a little family movie night yesterday. Like movies of recent years, Open Season follows the same formula of Madagascar - get some comedians to play animals that are out of place in the wild and adventure will ensue. All ages will enjoy the film. Be sure to check out "Love You in the Fall.

Love You In The Fall (mp3)

Kristin Hersh

September 22 & 23rd, 1989 Merriweather Post Pavillion, Columbia, MD. As a 17-year-old high school senior out seeing R.E.M. play two nights in a row on the Green tour I was as close to heaven as my adolescent life had brought me up to then. While R.E.M. was clearly the focus of my nights I remember being intrigued by the openers both nights, Throwing Muses.

The next year they would release Hunkpapa which would garner some Mtv 120 Minutes attention, but it was 1991's The Real Ramona that had me hooked. "Counting Backwards" is still one of my favorite songs with it's intertwining guitars. The mid-1990's saw Kristin Hersh try her hand at solo work while her half-sister Tanya Donnelly went on to form the highly successful if not short-lived band, Belly.

Over the last 10 years, we've seen Kristin move from her more personal solo work to band oriented material with Throwing Muses (minus Tanya who continues to work as a solo artist) to hardcore influenced postpunk with her band, 50 Foot Wave. All of her work tied together by her distinctive voice and thoughtful lyrics.

Late January saw the release of Kristin's Learning to Sing Like a Star on Yep Roc Records. Moving between her intimate work (like on 2003's The Grotto) and her most rocking Throwing Muses work, Learning to Sing Like a Star has something for everyone.

Almost 6 years to the day of those first shows, I took by then girlfriend, now wife, to see Throwing Muses at the old 9:30 Club in DC. The show was amazing - how does such a little woman make her guitar roar like that? Kristin has, in many ways, remained OUR artist as she has always offered something for both of us. Check out "In Shock" (mp3) and "Ice" (mp3).

From 2003's The Grotto - Snake Oil (mp3)
From 2003's Throwing Muses - Speed and Sleep (mp3)
From 50 Foot Wave - Hot Pink, Distorted (mp3)

The Pixies Sell Out

After reviewing the Pixies film LoudQUIETloud in my last post I decided to continue on my DVD journey and got The Pixies Sell Out 2004 from Netflix. For what it's worth, Sell Out is nothing more than a concert performance. No interviews (other than their Road Manager and their Lighting Director in the Special Features section) or other backstage intrigue. Culled from a 2004 show in France the set list is expansive. The Special Features section also includes 14 extra songs from a slew of shows including the 2004 Coachella festival.

What is strange having watched LoudQUIETloud just last week is that while watching Sell Out the viewer has absolutely no idea of the level of non-communication going on between the band members offstage. If you are just looking for incredible footage of the Pixies rocking out, then Sell Out is for you. The set list is heavy on the first three albums - 27 songs but only two ("Is She Weird" and "Velouria") from Bossanova and two ("UMass" and "Subbacultcha") from Trompe le Monde. The smart thing for the average Pixies fan out there would be to get both of these films - watch LoudQUIETloud first and just when you're really depressed at how much they don't talk to each other, throw Sell Out into the DVD player and watch them play both versions of "Wave of Mutilation". Only two more DVDs from the reunion tour and I'm done.

Dig for Fire (mp3)

The Pixies loudQUIETloud

As it often happens when the Mrs. heads out of town for work I stack the Netflix queue with rock DVDs. I put the kid to sleep, slap on my headphones and fall off into another world in front of the television. Last night was no exception as loudQUIETloud arrived in the mail yesterday.

2006 saw a barrage of DVD's documenting the reformed Pixies on tour (not to mention the multi-disc live record Hey). There's one from a show at the Paradise in Boston. One from their acoustic show at the Newport Folk Festival and yet one more that centers on one of their dates in France. I have yet to see any of these though they in the aforementioned queue. I started with loudQUIETloud because it sold itself as a film, not a documentation of one single show, and I was generously rewarded.

This is not a performance film although the live performances featured are gorgeously shot with impeccably recorded audio. No, this is the story of four extraordinary people who view themselves as ordinary even though they are most likely the most influential band of the last 25 years. Twelve years removed from their acrimonious parting, they reluctantly get back together to tour the world.

The title of the film not only describes the dynamics of their songs (a style that has influenced...well, everyone) but the state of their relationship as a band. On stage, they rip through their catalog as if it's 1989 and they're playing the Middle East or 9:30 Club or Metro. Off stage, there is a complete lack of communication between members that left me saddened at times. The filmmakers do an excellent job of interweaving compelling off stage story lines with the live show - David's father dying of cancer while on tour leading him to substance abuse; Joey trying to maintain his balance between family and career; Charles finding out his girlfriend is pregnant while on the road. The interplay between Kim and her twin sister, Kelley, give the film its comic relief which is greatly needed at times.

In the end, the viewer is left with a sense of resolution as the four members hug on the stage at the Hammerstein Ballroom at the end of the tour. The fact that the band has continued to tour demonstrates they can still tolerate each and they are unapologetic about the funds derived by the reunion - why shouldn't they cash in on it. I highly recommend this film and encourage any fan to watch it a second time with the commentary track.

U-Mass (mp3)
Where is My Mind? (mp3)
Wave of Mutilation (mp3)

Of Montreal

Just over a year ago I posted about my close childhood friend, Davey Wrathgeber (nee' Rathgeber), who performs under the moniker Visitations. He moved to my town in 6th grade (1984 for those of you keeping track) and we became fast friends. As we moved through high school Dave formed the creative nucleus of our group of friends as we attempted to make music, movies, etc in Suburban DC. In the fall of 1990, he headed off to Athens, GA to attend college and hasn't returned. Dave's freshman roommate at UGA was Andrew Reiger of Elf Power (how creative was that dorm room?).

Over the course of the last 16 years, Dave has formed both creative and personal relationships with a number of the Elephant 6 crew - Olivia Tremor Control, Neutral Milk Hotel, Elf Power, Of Montreal and the like. While each band has its own distinct sound, I can't help but think that all of them were big fans of 1967-era Beatles, and early 70's-era Bowie. Finely crafted pop songs with a psychedelic edge.

As much of the hype over the Elephant 6 crew has waned in recent years (despite Robert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo singing on the Colbert Report a few weeks ago), Of Montreal has continued on - moving to Polyvinyl and continuing to put out beautiful pop music. January 23rd will see the release of Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? In keeping with tradition, the songs have absolutely absurd titles. Check out the first single from their new album, "Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse".

Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse (mp3)
Disconnect the Dots (mp3) from Satanic Panic in the Attic
A Question For Emily Foreman (mp3) from Aldhils Arboretum

Backbeat

It is an interesting phenomena when a soundtrack overshadows a film. Singles, Marie Antoinette, and Garden State all come to mind even though all three were, at the very least,
decent movies. Add another entry to the OK Movie with a Great Soundtrack file in 1993' Backbeat. I try to overlook the fact that this was the movie that launched the awful Stephen Dorff's stardom and focus on the soundtrack.

For the uninitiated, Backbeat is the tale of Stu Sutcliffe, the original Beatles' bass player and Lennon's closest childhood fan. It track the young Beatles during the summer of 1961 when they lived in Hamburg, Germany playing 8 hour shows at strip clubs. Sutcliffe eventually leaves the band for German photographer, Astrid Kircherr - who took all those shots of the band looking totally badass in black (pre-mop top). The plot focuses on how Sutcliffe's relationship with Kircherr strains his relationship with Lennon (a little Yoko foreshadowing if you ask me). Anywho, it's a solid 2 1/2 star film. Throw it on the Netflix queue.

The soundtrack, on the other hand, is fan-freaking-tastic. Producer Don Was put together an early 90's supergroup for the session: Greg Dulli (of the Afghan Whigs and Twilight Singers) on Lennon's vocals, Dave Pirner (of Soul Asylum) on Paul's vocals, Mike Mills (of R.E.M) on bass, Thurston Moore (of Sonic Youth) on guitar, Dave Grohl (ever heard of him?) on drums and Don Fleming (of Gumball and the Velvet Monkeys) on lead guitar. It raw, it lean, and Thurston has to play a guitar with standard tuning (imagine that).

Check out
1. the music video for "Money" introduced by Greg Dulli
2. a live performance from 1994 of "Money" and "Long Tall Sally"