Despite the Times

Top 10 Tracks of 2011

2011-12-18T11:52:00.014-05:00

figure 1. Wye Oak

2011 - another year of looking back? At first glance it appears that way. Amazing reissues from Archers of Loaf (Icky Mettle), Superchunk (Foolish), R.E.M. (Life's Rich Pageant - p.s. their best album) and Dinosaur jr. (the first three records). Despite all the old material out there, there was some fantastic new music. What follows is my top ten. All links to music are free and legal.

10. Kurt Vile - "Jesus Fever" (mp3)

9. The Cave Singers - "Black Leaf" (mp3)

8. The Get Up Kids - "Regent's Court"

7. Buffalo Tom - "The Big Light"

6. We Are Augustines - "Chapel Song" - link to free download of song

5. Office of Future Plans - "FEMA Coffins"

4. Dum Dum Girls - "Bedroom Eyes" (mp3)

3. Des Ark - "My Saddle is Waitin' (C'mon, Jump On It)"

2. Fucked Up - "Queen of Hearts" (mp3)

1. Wye Oak - "Civilian" - stream it here

Dum Dum Girls

2011-10-20T08:59:00.003-04:00

God Bless America, it's been a while since I've updated this thing. So for the seven of you out there that actually read this blog, my sincerest apologies.

With all due respect to the groups in recent years attempting to take on the torch passed down by The Rondelles and The Supremes (e.g. Vivian Girls, Pipettes, etc), none can touch the Dum Dum Girls. Informed not only by the aforementioned 60's girl groups, there is a touch of shoegaze and a healthy dose of Hope Sandoval-esque (Mazzy Star) vocals. All of these influences come together to make some dreamy pop music. Check out these free and legal tracks below and search out their cover of The Smiths' "There is a light that never goes out".

Bedroom Eyes (mp3)
Coming Down (mp3)
Bhang Bhang, I'm a Burnout (mp3)
He Gets Me High (mp3)
D.A.L. (mp3)
Jail La La (mp3)

Also check out their cover of Big Star's September Gurls on the AV Club's Undercover 2011 here

New Kristin Hersh/50 Foot Wave

2011-05-06T15:37:00.002-04:00

In the last ten years Kristin Hersh, the 44-year-old mother of four boys, has released four solo albums, one album with her beloved Throwing Muses, a memoir entitled Rat Girl (Penguin Books) and a whole bunch of material (one LP, four EPs, and a bunch of singles) with her post-punk outfit 50 Foot Wave, which also includes Throwing Muses' bassist, Bernard Georges. To say that she has kept herself busy is an understatement. So busy that filmmaker Jackie Weissman chose Hersh to focus on for her documentary Rock and Roll Mamas (set for a Fall 2011 release). Now word today from Hersh's twitter feed of some new (FREE!) 50 Foot Wave music to check out. Please enjoy.

Free Fall (mp3)
Grey (mp3)
Radiant Addict (mp3)

Despite The Mix Vol. 14

2011-01-17T18:43:00.004-05:00

Greg Dulli of the Twilight Singers

Check out the new Twilight Singers track plus a few other newbies and a 2009 track from Monahans. -mike

The Twilight Singers - On The Corner

Parts & Labor - Constant Future

Papercuts - Do What You Will

Obits - You Gotta Lose

The Cave Singers - Swim Club

Wolf People - Silbury Sands

Monahans - It's Enough To Leave You

Top 20 Tracks of 2010: 10 - 1

2010-12-17T07:08:00.023-05:00

the countdown continues

fig 1. Marvelous Darlings

10. Marvelous Darlings - I'll Stand By Her

fig 2. Against Me!

9. Against Me! - I Was A Teenage Anarchist

fig 3. Arcade Fire

8. Arcade Fire - Empty Room

fig 4. Black Wolf of Kings Go Forth

7. Kings Go Forth - One Day

fig 5. Rocky Votolato

6. Rocky Votolato - Red River

fig 6. The New Pornographers

5. The New Pornographers - We End Up Together

fig 7. The National

4. The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio

fig 8. Craig Finn of The Hold Steady

3. The Hold Steady - The Weekenders

fig 9. Kristian Matsson aka The Tallest Man On Earth

2. The Tallest Man On Earth - King Of Spain

fig 10. Superchunk

1. Superchunk - My Gap Feels Weird

Top 20 Tracks of 2010: 20-11

2010-12-16T21:03:00.018-05:00

End of the year list time. My favorite time of year. Yes, there are plenty of the usual suspects, but I'm pushing 40 and that's what we old people do...hang onto the past. So with further ado, Song 20 - 11 of my top 20 tracks of 2010. Enjoy.

fig 1. Lissie

20. Lissie - Bad Romance

A few years back I heard Ted Leo perform a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone". Friends called bullshit when I told them it was the first time I had ever heard the song, but it was the honest truth. I'm comfortable enough with myself to report that I absolutely love the Clarkson version, I just needed Leo to introduce me. Which brings me to Lissie whose 2009 song Little Lovin' was one of my favorite of the year. So apparently, this is a Lady GaGa cover. Who knew? Apparently, all of the western world. Thanks to my wife for cluing me in.

fig 2. The New Pornographers

19. The New Pornographers - Your Hands (Together)

fig 3. The National

18. The National - England

fig 4. Phantogram

17. Phantogram - Mouthful of Diamonds
Reminds me of the Cardigans...and I'm mean that in a really good way.

fig 5. The Morning Benders

16. The Morning Benders - Excuses

fig 6. Jaill

15. Jaill - Everyone's Hip

fig 7. Versus

14. Versus - Saturday Saints/Cicada/Scientists
OK, so I am cheating by picking three songs for this entry, but these three songs encompass in a nutshell why Versus was arguably the best indie rock band of the 90's. Stream the whole album here

fig 8. Ted Leo/Pharmacists' The Brutalist Bricks

13. Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Gimme The Wire

fig 9. Retribution Gospel Choir

12. Retribution Gospel Choir - Hide It Away

fig 10. Surfer Blood

11. Surfer Blood - Swim (To Reach The End)

Despite The Mix, Vol. 13

2010-10-11T09:05:00.004-04:00

The Corin Tucker Band

Just a few new tracks and an oldie but goodie from Milemarker. Enjoy.

The Corin Tucker Band - Doubt (mp3)
The Thermals - I Don't Believe You (mp3)
Ra Ra Riot - Boy (mp3)
No Age - Fever Dreaming (mp3)
The Gutter Twins - Idle Hands (mp3)
Club 8 - Closer Now (mp3)
Black Mountain - Old Fangs (mp3)
Milemarker - Frigid Forms Sells You Warmth (mp3)

Superchunk - 9:30 Club - 9.17.10

2010-09-18T13:23:00.007-04:00

There was a time in my life, say late 1992 to 1998, that Superchunk was my second favorite band in the world (Fugazi holding top billing). In the pre-internet days of Summer 1991, I was obsessed with the music playing in the background of a British Knights shoe commercial. It was punk but catchy as hell. Unable to google "British Knights commercial music", I was left unsatisfied until I read a small piece in SPIN magazine about this band from North Carolina who was behind the BK commercial music. 1991's No Pocky For Kitty was purchased within hours and remains one of my favorite albums of all time. On my Tuesday night college radio show (WRTC 89.3 Radio Trinity College), songs like "Skip Steps 1 and 3", "Cast Iron" and "Fishing" were in heavy rotation. Even the FCC didn't scare me from playing "Slack Motherfucker" on air.

The next few years were witness to a constant release of fantastic music - 1993's On The Mouth (good), 1994's Foolish (unbelievably underrated as an album - go back to it, see what you think), and 1995's Here's Where The Strings Come In (a statement of their maturity as a band and on par with No Pocky For Kitty). 1997's Indoor Living, while a decent album in its own right didn't live up to band's potential as established by its predecessor.

By the time they released 1999's Come Pick Me Up and 2001's Here's To Shutting Up, we had grown apart. The last decade has seen Mac and Laura blossom as record execs of arguably the most important indie label in the US. They teased me last year with a great little EP Leaves In The Gutter, the best track of which, "Learning To Surf" appears on the just released Majesty Shredding. Which brings me to the new album --- fanfuckingtastic. I've heard the hyperbole that this may be their best record and I have to say, it very well might be. I've had about five listens and it is catchy as hell.

The show was phenomenal drawing heavily from the new album as well as my favorites No Pocky For Kitty and Here's Where The Strings Come In. Mac and Laura rocked just like it was 1993. Jim's deadpan humor was sharper than ever and Jon Wurster remains as one of my top five favorite drummers in the world. Listen to the concert here

Set List
Throwing Things
My Gap Feels Weird
Crossed Wires
Animated Airplanes Over Germany
Skip Steps 1&3
Fractures in Plaster
Iron On
New Low
Rosemarie
Hello Hawk
Tower
Learned To Surf
Digging For Something
Driveway to Driveway
The First Part
Everything At Once

Encore:
Brand New Love
Cast Iron
Slack Motherfucker
Hyper Enough

Streams
Digging For Something
Misfits & Mistakes
Nu Bruises

9:30 Club 30th Anniversary Concert - A First Person Perspective

2010-06-01T20:16:00.026-04:00

Dateline: Washington, DC 5/31/10

Vaunted performance space and nightclub, the 9:30 Club, celebrated its 30th birthday on Memorial Day with a friends and fans-only concert at the club. Having won a ticket through a lottery for members of its email list-serve, I headed down the BW Parkway to check it out. What follows is one man's account of the 13-artist, five and a hour extravaganza that followed. Call it my running diary of the show.

A little background: My first trip to the original 9:30 Club at 930 F Street, NW was in the fall of 1989 to see Love Tractor and Frontier Theory. My only real memories of that show other than Love Tractor closing with a cover of Bowie's "Rebel Rebel", was how scary the bathrooms were. On July 19, 1990, I lost my hearing for two days after seeing Bob Mould (closed with a cover of Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl"). On January 5th, 1996, the club opened its doors at a new location near Howard University (815 V St., NW) with the Smashing Pumpkins Yes, I was there and yes, it was quite good. Billy Corgan was only a level-one douche bag at that point in time. Times change.

The night has been billed as a party for the friends and family of the club. Many of the usual suspects who have played the club over the years are slated to play yet no line-up order has been announced and DC-expat, Henry Rollins, is set to host. Oh yeah, and they promise surprises (more to follow...).

Arrival: 5:50pm
The doors opened at 5:00pm so my best guess is that the first band will be on at 6pm and decide if I am going to do this, I'm all in. Maybe 200-300 spectators are already gathered. Total freedom to get up close.

Act 1: Tiny Desk Unit (6:00 pm sharp!)
Where's Henry? 9:30 Club night manager and all around scary dude, Josh Burdette, approaches center stage to announce that Rollins' plane is late but "he'll definitely be here". Burdette notes that show opener, Tiny Desk Unit, was the first band ever to play the club on May 31st, 1980 (along with the Lounge Lizards) and were the last band to play the old 9:30 on December 31, 1995. Their other main claim to fame is that NPR's All Songs Considered host, Bob Boilen, is the keyboard player. Three songs, twelve minutes and they are kicked off stage by the 9:30 crew. I am liking where this is going. I'll be back to Baltimore by dawn.

The Fleshtones

Act 2: The Fleshtones (6:20 pm)
Within seven minutes, the next band is ready to go (THIS IS HOW EVERY SHOW SHOULD RUN!!!). I'm excited to see The Fleshtones for the first time.

Quick history lesson - The Fleshtones were formed in 1976 in Queens, NY and were the first band booked (by current owner Seth Hurwitz) at the 9:30 Club. In the early to mid 80's, they signed to IRS Records, home of The Go-Go's, Fine Young Cannibals and a band called R.E.M. IRS Records created a TV show that aired on Mtv from 1983 to 1987 called The Cutting Edge, hosted by Fleshtones lead singer, Peter Zarimba, which had a profound impact on my own musical growth. The show eventually morphed into 120 Minutes which died a wonderfully awful dead following Nirvana in the early 1990's. Zarimba was sort of a indie-rock Issac Mizrahi - creative, campy and witty as hell. Back to real time.

Still no Rollins. Kim Kaine of The Slickee Boys arrives on stage and announces that, other than his own Slickee Boys, no band has played the club more than The Fleshtones. These guys are in their mid-50's and were the best dressed, most enthusiastic and most entertaining band of the evening (sorry Trouble Funk). I cannot believe they still do this shit at their age for a living. I pray to God they've put some money away for retirement. They start with "Hitsburg USA" (hello, great song title) and finish up three songs later with "Dance With The Ghoulman" during which they invite club owner and original club booker, Seth Hurwitz, up to play drums (this will become a recurring theme of the evening).

The Fleshtones - Hitsburg USA (mp3)
The Fleshtones - Dance With The Ghoulman (mp3)
The Fleshtones - Do You Swing? (mp3)

Act 3: The Slickee Boys (~6:45 pm)
Alright, the first band I've actually seen at the 9:30 Club, a legend in DC music circles and yes, another group of guys in their 50's (quick side note - for the first time at a rock show in forever, being 38 puts me firmly in the middle of the age distribution). Still no Rollins!!! WTF!!! Hurwitz hits to stage to introduce that this is the 80th appearance of The Slickee Boys at the club - a record and they broke up in 1991 so they must have played there all the time in the 80's. Solid set. High energy. Young bucks, you best watch out.

Act 4: Marti Jones & Don Dixon (a little after 7pm)
Here comes Hurwitz again. Is Rollins going to show? Seriously, people.

Don Dixon is probably best known as a producer (R.E.M.'s Murmur, The Smithereens) but has had hammered out a solid singer-songwriter career both as a solo artist as well as with his wife, Marti Jones. So what I'm telling you is that we've left the aging hipster part of the evening and entered the aging singer-songwriter part of the evening (Dixon will turn 60 later this year). They're fantastic. Wonderful harmonies and both have incredible voices. A real palate cleanser - time to get a beer. (First musician sighting - Ted Leo is hanging out by the soundboard. I decide to text my friend Mike who couldn't make it as my plus one. He's pissed). We're still keeping to the 3-4 songs/15-20 minute sets. This is awesome!!! Hurwitz is back up to play drums but this time with Tommy Keene on guitar.

Don Dixon - Roommate (mp3)

Act 5: Tommy Keene (I don't know 7:30pm?)
Five acts in and no Rollins. Tommy just hits the stage and gets going without intro. Bravo Tommy, no need for pomp and circumstance. Oh yeah, another guy in his 50's although you would never know it. Tommy to many, represents what happens to the Paul Westerberg's and Robert Pollard's of the world if they never make it big (big being a relative term). The Bethesda native tore through a couple of songs before bringing on stage his pubescent nephew to play drums. Now I ran into this kid later in the evening (wearing a Minor Threat tee and hanging with his mom) to give him some props and he was seriously about five feet tall and weighed no more than 85 pounds but holy shit, could he rock. Remember the name Hunter Keene. You will hear it. I promise. There were some serious drummers in attendance including Brendan Canty and an as-yet-unnamed surprise guest (read on) but this kid was the best drummer that actually played drums this night. Fantastic. Bravo Keene family.

Tommy Keene - Circumstance (mp3)
Tommy Keene - Hanging Over My Head (mp3)

Amy Farina (l), Ian MacKaye (r) - The Evens

Act 6: The Evens (just before 8pm)
Set up in the balcony overlooking the crowd, Ian Mackaye started with anecdote about how when his first band, The Teen Idles, played the original 9:30 Club nearly 30 years ago things got so out of hand that original club owner, Dody DiSanto, banned them and all the young harDCore bands. Rollins will later recount this story as well (Where the hell is Rollins???). Eventually she changed her mind; the rest is history.

Act 7: Justin Jones (~8:30pm)
Never heard of this guy. He's sort of an ordinary looking guy, maybe mid-20's (our youngest performer yet, other than Tommy Keene's nephew). Seth Hurwitz arrives on stage to announce that he's seen a lot of artists in his time and he knows how to spot the next big thing and this Justin Jones kid is the next big thing. So Jones and his band, The Driving Rain, hit the stage in their John Mayer meets Kenny Chesney mainstream musical grandeur. Justin attempts to engage the crowd by announcing "this next song is for the farmers" WTF??? Does he realize we're in DC? Nashville is 650 miles to the southwest down route 81. I should lay off because he seems like a nice kid, but the irony that the most traditionally mainstream act received the crowd's poorest response of the evening was not lost on me and not for a lack of musical talent (just creativity). It was about this time that I looked up to see Washington Capitals and Wizards owner, Ted Leonis, in the VIP area with Seth. It's all coming together.

Bob Mould

Act 8: Bob Mould (just before 9pm)
Within seconds of Justin Jones leaving stage, there is Bob getting ready to go. I love the old school spirit...no bullshit, just get up and play. Then out of nowhere, a manic Henry Rollins hits the stage (more old school spirit) and spends the next several minutes attempting to convince the audience he never truly left DC, at least in spirit. He's entertaining and I can't help but be incredibly excited that both Rollins and Bob are sharing the same stage. Rollins proceeds to compliment the hell out of Bob before handing over the stage to him.

Bob, solo electric. I've seen it many times. Honestly, it is my least favorite way to see him. I like Bob with band and Bob with acoustic guitar but Bob with just electric guitar is sometimes too much for me. Not tonight. "Hoover Dam", "See A Little Light", "I Apologize" and "Makes No Sense At All" - that's the set list. The crowd, many of which probably saw Husker Du at the old club, are out of control for him and I feed off this energy. I am officially really fucking happy right now.

Ted Leo

Act 9: Ted Leo (~ 9:20 pm)
Rollins is back on stage to talk about the 9:30 Club - recounts the same boycott story that Ian mentioned an hour earlier. Makes his first declaration that Ian MacKaye is, in fact, his best friend since 1973.

Theodore Francis Leo, solo electric. That's what he does and I've been known to like it. The native New Jerseyian, one-time Mount Pleasant resident, and current Rhode Islander always give DC a lot of love. The four song set - "Nothing Much To Say", an unknown cover, "Bleeding Powers", and for allegedly the first time in 12 years, a rendition of Chisel's "The Dog In Me"!!!

the surprise act

Act 10: Dave Grohl and SCREAM (~9:40pm)
The rumor running around town for the last several days is that Dave Grohl will be the surprise act. My aforementioned friend Mike placed the idea that maybe Fugazi would reunite for the evening (I see Brendan and Guy in the audience and clearly Ian is here. Where is Joe? Has anyone seen Joe Lally?). My ultimate fantasy is that Jawbox will reunite tonight but that is the most far-fetched idea of them all.

I'm psyched to see Grohl play but the way Rollins is selling it (and the crowd is buying it) you would think Prince or Hendrix or The Clash were coming out on stage. He came on alone to play a cover of "Everlong" and then invited on Pete Stahl, Kent Stax and Skeeter Thompson of Scream to play with him. At this point, Grohl has moved over to the guitarist role, with Pete Stahl on vocals for the only attempt at harDCore the evening will see. One Scream song, two Bad Brains covers ("At The Atlantis" and "Stay Close To Me") and two dip-shits standing next to trying to create a most pit. Seriously???

Act 11: The Pietasters (~10pm)
I'm losing a little bit of steam. Maybe some ska will help me out. Quick side story: In the spring of 1995, I was in a band with a couple of guys in Fairfax. The drummer, by far the most talented of the bunch, played drums in a gospel band at a Seventh Day Adventist church. He convinced his pastor to let us practice in the church during off hours. Anywho, we were playing a house party near GMU one weekend and after finishing a bunch of the guys from The Pietasters asked to use our gear and play. We weren't very good to start, but I wasn't going to let them make it any more obvious by allowing them to play. Seems like it didn't really affect their career.

Act 12: Clutch (~10:20pm)
What do I know about this band? Nothing, other than Baltimore's own Duff "Ace of Cakes" Goldman considers them the best band on Earth. I'm usually not one to take my music cues from a dope smoking pastry chef but his favorite band filled the role of rock/metal band well. Rollins uses this introduction to reward the bands out there that have stuck it out over the years. Inspired, I mosey over to the cafe to get some eats. I'm starving!

Act 13: Trouble Funk (10:50pm)
Rollins introduces Trouble Funk by relating another story of how he and Ian MacKaye are best friends. We get it, Henry. Rollins makes the same case that the Smithsonian did ten years ago by declaring that Go Go music is the music of the 202 area code (Chuck Brown, EU, Trouble Funk). That drumming pattern takes me back to watching kids playing paint buckets outside the Metro. It's infectious.

Fifteen minutes go by and the T Funk look like they have no intention of stopping. Seth Hurwitz is back again behind the drum kit but this time it's to play Go Go. This ain't your daddy's 4-4 rock and roll. It's Go Go. I find myself watching Guy Picciotto and Brendan Canty having a quiet laugh at Seth's expense. He pulls it off. Leonis and his posse (including his two sons) are still watching the show. Did anyone invite Ovechkin?

Now we're 30 minutes in and I'm starting to wonder if the staff has lost control or if The Psychedelic Furs aren't playing and T Funk has become the headliner. I've gotten myself to the back where I strike up a very brief conversation with Ted Leo about Trouble Funk and out of nowhere appears Rollins standing next to me to talk to Ted and the recently arrived Guy (clearly I am the odd man out). To me Rollins has always appeared larger than life but what I'm realizing is that he is not a big man at all (IMDB lists him at 5'91/2). But tonight, it doesn't matter. There is this intense DC pride in the house and I got to be part of it. As quick as Rollins arrived to the back of the club, he's gone. Forty-five Go Go-riffic minutes have gone by (5 1/2 hours of music total) and it is time for Trouble Funk to exit and for Rollins to wish us good night.
Good times. mike

Washington Post article with pictures here

Despite The Mix, Vol. 12

2010-05-25T09:33:00.004-04:00

fig 1. The Wrens

I got a chance to catch The Wrens on their "extensive" East Coast tour (Philly & Baltimore) on Saturday night with Scottie at Sonar. You would think seven years would be enough time between albums but no firm word yet on the new release. After seeing them perform a less than inspired set last December at The Black Cat in DC, I was reinvigorated by their Baltimore set - high energy, small room, fired up audience. Yes, they played The Meadowlands in its entirety but also played a few new songs that I'm excited to hear on record. When? Who knows? So to hold you over I've linked a few old Wrens tunes with some new stuff I'm listen to this week. Enjoy.

Retribution Gospel Choir - Hide It Away (mp3)
The Big Pink - Dominos (mp3)
David Cross - I Can't Get Beer In Me (mp3)
Pontiak - Young (mp3)
Manatee - Indecision (mp3)
Cap'n Jazz - Little League (mp3)
The Wrens - I Guess We're Done (mp3)
The Wrens - This Machine (mp3)
The Wrens - Napiers (mp3)

Despite The Mix, Vol. 11

2010-04-21T11:54:00.004-04:00

fig. 1 Mark Oliver Everett (Eels)

1. Eels - A Line In The Dirt (m4a)
2. Pearly Gate Music - Big Escape (mp3)
3. Peter Wolf Crier - Crutch & Cane (mp3)
4. Horse Feathers - Thistled Spring (mp3)
5. Quasi - Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez (mp3)
6. Panther - Love Is Sold (mp3)
7. Beach House - Zebra (UK edit) (mp3)
8. Jaill - Everyone's Hip (mp3)
9. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Beat The Devil's Tattoo (mp3)
10. The Get Up Kids - Holiday (m4a)

Despite The Mix, Vol. 10

2010-03-14T07:08:00.012-04:00

Monroe, Greg

It's a big week coming up with the NCAA tournament, SXSW and my last night shifts of fellowship. So to celebrate my current bout of insomnia, check out these ten tracks - they are all over the place.

fig. 1 - Surfer Blood

1. Surfer Blood - "Swim (To Reach The End)"
2. Kings Go Forth - "Don't Take My Shadow"
3. The Marvelous Darlings - "I'll Stand By Her"
4. The Mynabirds - "Numbers Don't Lie"
5. Sic Mansion - "L Mansion"
6. Radiohead - "These Are My Twisted Words"
7. The Tallest Man On Earth - "The King Of Spain"

fig. 2 - Sharon Jones

8. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - "I Learned The Hard Way"
9. Teen Sheikhs - "Germs"
10. Japandroids - "Art Czars"

Friday Morning Mix

2010-02-26T09:43:00.003-05:00

Rocky Votolato

Phantogram "When I'm Small"
Happy Birthday "Girls FM"
Ted Leo/Pharmacists "The Mighty Sparrow"
Rocky Votolato "Red River"

The New Pornographers "Your Hands (Together)"
The Besnard Lakes "Albatross"
Golden Triangle "Jinx"
Bonnie "Prince" Billy & The Cairo Gang "Play, Guitar, Play"
Dum Dum Girls "Jail La La"
The Ruby Suns "Cranberry"

Also check out this piece on Aural States about the J. Robbins & Gordon Withers show at Story/Stereo in Bethesda, MD on 2/19/10 (includes several mp3's).

Versus on ABC News?

2010-01-25T09:34:00.003-05:00

With all the hoopla surrounding the various reunions over the last several months - Sunny Day Real Estate, The Murder City Devils, Jawbox (if for just one show) - Versus completely slipped past my radar. I had heard that they were playing the occasional show but now comes word that not only are they playing shows, but recording a new album.

OK, so here's where the hilarity ensues. Check out this clip of ABC news correspondent and Versus super fan, Dan Harris, spending some time in the studio with the band. A little awkward? Maybe, but good stuff nonetheless.

Check out live videos here
Deseret (mp3)

Top Albums of the Decade

2010-01-01T11:16:00.004-05:00

Pretty Girls Make Graves

Happy New Year. One last list for the last decade. Enjoy.

1. Pretty Girls Make Graves - Good Health - April 9, 2002
"Speakers Push The Air" (mp3)

2. The Wrens - The Meadowlands - September 9, 2003
"Everyone Chose Sides" (mp3)

3. The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema - August 23, 2005

4. Arcade Fire - Funeral - September 14, 2004
"Rebellion (Lies)" (mp3)

5. PJ Harvey - Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea - October 23, 2000

6. Ted Leo/Pharmacists - The Tyranny of Distance - June 19, 2001
"Squeaky Fingers" (mp3)
"Under The Hedge" (mp3)

7. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago - February 19, 2008
"Skinny Love" (mp3)

8. Cursive - Cursive’s Domestica – June 20, 2000
"The Martyr" (mp3)
"The Radiator Hums" (mp3)

9. The Hold Steady -Boys And Girls In America - October 3, 2006
"Chips Ahoy" (mp3)

10. Spoon - Gimme Fiction - May 10, 2005
"I Turn My Camera On" (mp3)

Vic Chesnutt 1964-2009

2009-12-27T12:54:00.002-05:00

Fifteen years after the completion of college I often get nostalgic for the times my high school friends and I would get together during the winter holidays. Often my friend Dave, a student at the University of Georgia, would mention some new band he'd seen or met in Athens. Now Dave knew of what he spoke - he roomed with Elf Power's Anderw Reiger his freshman year and ended up as a close friend and collaborator with many of the Elephant 6 crew. Dave also introduced me to the music of fellow Athens resident, Vic Chesnutt.

In October of 1993, I got my first chance to see Vic as he opened for Bob Mould in Amherst, MA. What I remember most about that night was Vic's dark sense of humor, the earnestness of his singing and the gratitude he expressed to a fan who ran on stage to give him a grape soda. I followed Vic's career on and off over the years, always impressed with the number of artists I greatly respect with which he has worked (Kristin Hersh, Michael Stipe, the aforementioned Elf Power) . I've enjoyed the last two records immensely that feature his collaborations with Guy Picciotto from Fugazi and Thee Silver Mt. Zion. I got the chance to see him perform one last time on 10/29/09 in Baltimore.

A few weeks ago I was visiting my parents and my mother was listening to an interview with Vic on Fresh Air on NPR as she sewed. One focus of the interview was Vic's previous suicide attempts, which really struck a chord with my mother. Sadly, yet another attempt by Vic to take his life was successful and he died on Christmas Day.

Warm (mp3)
Rustic City Feathers (mp3)
You Are Never Alone (mp3)
Flirted With You All My Life (mp3)
Philip Guston (mp3)
Chain (mp3)

Top Tracks of the Decade

2009-12-26T19:23:00.003-05:00

Spoon

100. Cursive “The Radiator Hums” (2000)
99. Gallows “In The Belly Of A Shark” (2006)
98. The (International) Noise Conspiracy “The Reproduction of Death” (2000)
97. Interpol “Obstacle 1” (2002)
96. Antony and the Johnsons “Hope There’s Someone” (2005)
95. Death Cab for Cutie “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” (2005)
94. Channels “Chivaree” (2006)
93. Rise Against “Give It All” (2004)
92. The Mendoza Line “Catch A Collapsing Star” (2005)
91. Outkast “B.O.B.” (2000)
90. The Hold Steady “Stay Positive” (2008)
89. Belle & Sebastian “Funny Little Frog” (2006)
88. The Von Bondies “C’mon C’mon” (2004)
87. Koufax “Why Bother At All” (2005)
86. Band of Horses “The Funeral” (2006)
85. The Thermals “A Pillar Of Salt” (2006)
84. Erin McKeown “Rhode Island Is Famous For You” (2007)
83. Gnarls Barkley “Just A Thought” (2006)
82. Bad Religion “Heroes & Martyrs” (2007)
81. Johnny Foreigner “Our Bi-Polar Friends” (2007)
80. The Clientele “My Own Face Inside The Trees” (2005)
79. Radiohead “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” (2007)
78. M.I.A. “Paper Planes” (2007)
77. Okkervil River “The Latest Toughs” (2005)
76. Palomar “Our Haunt” (2007)
75. Feist “1 2 3 4” (2007)
74. Ted Leo/Pharmacists “The Toro And The Toreador” (2007)
73. Jennifer O’Connor “The Color And The Light” (2005)
72. Cat Power “Lived In Bars” (2006)
71. Interpol “The Heinrich Maneuver” (2007)
70. The Hold Steady “The Swish” (2004)
69. The Murder City Devils “Idle Hands” (2000)
68. Peter Bjorn and John “Young Folks” (2007)
67. Okkervil River “Our Life Is A Movie Or Maybe” (2007)
66. The Mountain Goats “Sax Rohmer #1” (2008)
65. The White Stripes “Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground” (2001)
64. Sufjan Stevens “Casimir Pulaski Day” (2005)
63. Stars “Bitches In Tokyo” (2007)
62. Kelly Clarkson “Since U Been Gone” (2004)
61. The New Pornographers “My Rights Versus Yours” (2007)
60. Tortoise & Bonnie “Prince” Billy “It’s Expected I’m Gone” (2006)
59. The Shins “Kissing The Lipless” (2003)
58. Gnarls Barkley “Run” (2008)
57. The Murder City Devils “Bear Away” (2001)
56. Crooked Fingers “Your Control” (2008)
55. Thao with The Get Down Stay “Swimming Pools” (2008)
54. Neko Case “This Tornado Loves You” (2009)
53. Parts & Labor “Nowheres Nigh” (2008)
52. The National “Mr. November” (2005)
51. Feist “I Feel It All” (2007)
50. Plus/Minus “Leap Year” (2006)
49. Ted Leo/Pharmacists “Timorous Me” (2001)
48. The Thermals “A Stare Like Yours” (2004)
47. The Mountain Goats “No Children” (2002)
46. Bon Iver “Blood Bank” (2009)
45. Ted Leo/Pharmacists “Parallel Or Together” (2001)
44. Andrew Bird “Plasticities” (2007)
43. Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros “Coma Girl” (2003)
42. Trail of Dead “Another Morning Stoner” (2002)
41. The Twilight Singers “Teenage Wristband” (2003)
40. Rainer Maria “Ears Ring” (2003)
39. Bloc Party “Helicopter” (2005)
38. Pretty Girls Make Graves “Speakers Push The Air” (2002)
37. The National “Mistaken For Strangers” (2007)
36. Eric Bachmann “Lonesome Warrior” (2006)
35. TV on the Radio “Staring At The Sun” (2004)
34. Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Maps” (2003)
33. Polvo “Beggar’s Bowl” (2009)
32. Sleater-Kinney “Entertain” (2005)
31. Pretty Girls Make Graves “All Medicated Geniuses” (2003)
30. William Elliott Whitmore “Dry” (2006)
29. Neko Case “That Teenage Feeling” (2006)
28. The White Stripes “Seven Nations Army” (2003)
27. The Walkmen “The Rat” (2004)
26. Spoon “The Underdog” (2007)
25. Anders Parker “Innocents” (2004)
24. Cat Power “He War” (2002)
23. Iron & Wine “Such Great Heights” (2004)
22. The Hold Steady “Constructive Summer” (2008)
21. Les Savy Fav “The Equestrian” (2007)
20. Eric Bachmann “Little Bird” (2006)
19. Ted Leo/Pharmacists “Me And Mia” (2004)
18. PJ Harvey “One Line” (2000)
17. The National “All The Wine” (2005)
16. Sufjan Stevens “Chicago” (2005)
15. The Gang “Sea So” (2008)
14. The Hold Steady “Stuck Between Stations” (2006)
13. Canyon “Blankets And Shields” (2002)
12. Rachel’s “Last Things Last” (2003)
11. Crooked Fingers “Under Pressure” (2002)
10. Ted Leo/Pharmacists “Biomusicology” (2001)
9. Bon Iver “Skinny Love” (2008)
8. The New Pornographers “The Bleeding Heart Show” (2005)
7. Arcade Fire “Intervention” (2007)
6. At The Drive In “One Armed Scissor” (2000)
5. The Wrens “Hopeless” (2003)
4. Pretty Girls Make Graves “By The Throat” (2002)
3. The Wrens “Everyone Choose Sides” (2003)
2. Arcade Fire “Rebellion (Lies)” (2004)
1. Spoon “The Way We Get By” (2002)

Top Tracks of 2009

2009-12-18T13:03:00.003-05:00

Polvo

Alright, here's my annual attempt at ranking my favorite tracks of the year. I'm sure the list will be completely different in a month after I've had a chance to read all the different lists the interweb provides. Enjoy.

Honorable Mention: Screaming Females – “Bell”; Flight Of The Conchords – “Sugalumps”; Morrissey – “It’s Not Your Birthday Anymore”; Phoenix – “1901”; Sonic Youth – “Sacred Trickster”; Black Moth Super Rainbow – “Born On A Day The Sun Didn’t Shine”

20. Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions – “Blanchard” – The Mazzy Star front woman returns from the dead 15 years later. Fade into you, indeed.

19. Tortoise – “Prepare Your Coffin” – The COOLEST band in the world.

18. Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band – “Anchors Dropped” – I was sad that The Oxford Collapse broke up, luckily these guys sound very similar.

17. The Submarines – “Waiting For A War” – My buddy Mike used to live in the residence above the male half of The Submarines, John Dragonetti (aka Jack Drag) in Somerville, MA so I owe him a big thanks for introducing me to this band.

16. Thao with The Get Down Stay Down – “When We Swam” – I saw Thao last month at the Black Cat. She can’t be but five feet tall but holy crap, once she gets going she’s a one woman wrecking crew.

15. Dirty Projectors – “Stillness Is The Move” – OK NPR, I’ll give you credit for convincing me to listen to this one.

14. Andrew Bird – “Fitz and Dizzy Spells” – The highlight of a really great album, Noble Beast.

13. Spoon – “Got Nuffin” – Like I’ve stated before, Britt Daniel is this decade’s Paul Westerberg.

12. Polvo – “Lucia” – This is my Stairway to Heaven of 2009.

11. Superchunk – “Learned To Surf” – The best thing they’ve done since 1995’s Here Where The Strings Come In.

10. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes – “Home” – The crew on NPR’s All Songs Considered wouldn’t stop talking about this band after SXSW, but surprisingly (or not, depending on your NPR proclivities) this song is great.

9. The Mountain Goats – “Ezekiel 7 and the Permanent Grace” – This Darnielle cat can write some seriously good songs even when he’s copping from the Bible.

8. Telekinesis – “Coast of Carolina” – For what it’s worth, this was Carrie Brownstein’s song of the year.

7. The Very Most – “Today It Is Even Better” – The second best pop song of the year next to #5.

6. The Thermals – “Now We Can See” – The best sing-along chorus of the year.

5. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – “Young Adult Friction” – see #7.

4. Animal Collective – “My Girls” - It has taken years for me to give these guys a chance. This song was the breakthrough.

3. Neko Case – “This Tornado Loves You” – Best live show of the year (4/8/09 at the 9:30 Club, WDC). Amazing song about a tornado falling in love with a child.

2. Bon Iver – “Blood Bank" – Recorded during the For Emma, Forever Ago session it would have battled for best song on that album. How’d it get left off?

1. Polvo – “Beggar’s Bowl” – I was eagerly awaiting the return of Polvo after their 12-year layoff and those of us who were patient were rewarded with an amazing collection of songs on In Prism highlighted by “Beggar’s Bow”. If “Lucia” was my “Stairway to Heaven” for 2009 then “Beggar’s Bowl” is my “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. Driving bass, odd time signatures, four musicians who can play the shit out of their instruments ~ Viva la rock mathematique!

Tuesday Afternoon Mix

2009-11-17T11:58:00.003-05:00

Flight of The Conchords

I'm keeping up my glacial pace of one post per month, so here's some songs to keep you sated. I'm going to see The Wrens and The Pixies over the next couple of weeks so hope to get some good posts up. thanks, mike

Denali - Gunner (mp3)
Beach House - Norway (mp3)
Volcano Choir - Island, IS (mp3)
The Promise Ring - Red Paint (mp3)
Flight of the Conchords - Sugarlumps (mp3)
Edsel - No. 5 Recitative (mp3)
Dinosaur jr. - I Want You To Know (mp3)
Jets to Brazil - Resistance is Futile (mp3)
Nirvana - About a Girl (mp3)
Girls Against Boys - Basstation (mp3)
Milemarker - Frigid Form Sells You Warmth (mp3)
Cloak/Dagger - Don't Need A (mp3)

Sunny Day Real Estate 9/30/09 - 9:30 Club

2009-10-03T10:38:00.004-04:00

I recently jotted down a list of the 15 bands that I regretted never getting the chance to see live and SDRE was unquestionably on that list. Their first album, Diary, remains one of my top 10 albums of the 1990's and holds up well. Last month Subpop reissued the first two SDRE albums on vinyl and the boys and I have been listening to them down in the basement.

My wish came true this past Wednesday as the original Sunny Day line up came through DC to play the 9:30 Club. They were, to quote the great Fishbone bass player John Norwood Fisher, tighter than a mosquito's ass. Hear the show as broadcast by All Songs Considered here.

Setlist

1. Friday
2. Seven (mp3)
3. Shadows
4. Song About An Angel
5. Grendel
6. Guitar and Video Games
7. Iscarabaid
8. Theo B
9. 10
10. 47
11. J’Nuh
12. Sometimes
13. In Circles (encore)
14. Spade and Parade (encore)
15. 48 (encore)

New Yo La Tengo

2009-06-04T20:16:00.003-04:00

I am heading off to Connecticut tomorrow for my 15th college reunion. Music played a huge role in life during those four years. One of the great highlights of my time in college was working at the radio station both as a deejay and later as the promotions director. Through both roles, I got to meet a ton of bands and artists and see some pretty amazing shows. Some artists were incredibly friendly - Mike Watt, Laura Ballance of Superchunk. Some were incredibly arrogant - Eric Gaffney and Lou Barlow of Sebadoh. Some were totally fun and hilarious - Archers of Loaf and Velocity Girl. Some were a little scary (but totally cool) - Mule. And some were so unassuming and down to Earth, it was hard to believe they were a rock and roll band - Yo La Tengo.

It turns out that the Hoboken three piece has a new album coming out on Matador on September 8th entitled Popular Songs. So in celebration of my 15th college reunion, I offer you a sneakpeek at the first single. Have a great weekend.

Periodically Double Or Triple (mp3) from Popular Songs
Pass The Hatchet, I Think I'm Goodkind (mp3) from I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass

Happy Birthday To Me - 37 Years Of Music

2009-05-18T09:59:00.007-04:00

The Pixies

Since I have been described as a list-obsessive, I thought I'd put one together on the occasion of my 37th birthday. So for each of my 37 years, I selected my favorite song and album. Some were my favorite then. Some are my favorite now. And some have always been loved. Enjoy.

Song

2008 – The Gang “Sea So”
2007 – Arcade Fire “Intervention”
2006 – William Elliot Whitmore “Dry”
2005 – Sufjan Stevens “Chicago”
2004 – Ted Leo/Pharmacists “Me and Mia”
2003 – The Wrens “Everyone Choose Sides”
2002 – Spoon “The Way We Get By”
2001 – Ted Leo/Pharmacists “Biomusicology”
2000 – At The Drive In “One Armed Scissor”
1999 – The Get Up Kids “Holiday”
1998 – Refused “New Noise”
1997 – Rainer Maria “Tinfoil”
1996 – Jawbox “Mirrorful”
1995 – Superchunk “Detroit Has A Skyline”
1994 – Weezer “Say It Ain’t So”
1993 – Fugazi “Walken’s Syndrome”
1992 – Buffalo Tom “Taillights Fade”
1991 – Nirvana“Smells Like Teen Spirit”
1990 – Deee-Lite “Groove Is In The Heart”
1989 – Bob Mould “Wishing Well”
1988 – The Pixies “Gigantic”
1987 – The Replacements “Never Mind”
1986 – R.E.M. “These Days”
1985 – Husker Du “Celebrated Summer”
1984 – The Replacements “Unsatisfied”
1983 – Michael Jackson “Wanna Be Starting Something”
1982 – R.E.M. “Carnival Of Sort (Box Cars)”
1981 – Queen & David Bowie “Under Pressure”
1980 – AC/DC “Back In Black”
1979 – The Police “Message In A Bottle”
1978 – The Who “Who Are You”
1977 – The Sex Pistols “God Save The Queen”
1976 – Boston “More Than A Feeling”
1975 – Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody”
1974 – Big Star “September Gurls”
1973 – The Stooges “Search & Destroy”
1972 – David Bowie “Ziggy Stardust”

Album

2008 – Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago "Skinny Love"
2007 – The National The Boxer "Fake Empire"
2006 – The Hold Steady Boys and Girls in America
2005 – Spoon Gimme Fiction
2004 – Arcade Fire Funeral
2003 – The Wrens The Meadowlands
2002 – Pretty Girls Make Graves Good Health "Speakers Push The Air"
2001 – Ted Leo/Pharmacists The Tyranny of Distance "Squeaky Fingers"
2000 – PJ Harvey Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
1999 – Rainer Maria Look Now, Look Again - "Breakfast of Champions"
1998 – Elliot Smith XO
1997 – Pavement Brighten The Corners
1996 – Versus Two Cents Plus Tax
1995 – Superchunk Here’s Where The Strings Come In
1994 – Archers Of Loaf Icky Mettle
1993 – The Afghan Whigs Gentlemen
1992 – Sugar Copper Blue
1991 – Superchunk No Pocky For Kitty
1990 – Fugazi Repeater
1989 – The Pixies Doolittle
1988 – The Smithereens Green Thoughts
1987 – The Replacements Pleased To Meet Me
1986 – R.E.M. Life’s Rich Pageant
1985 – New Order Low Life
1984 – Prince & The Revolution Purple Rain
1983 – U2 War
1982 – Violent Femmes Violent Femmes
1981 – Men At Work Business As Usual
1980 – The Cure Boys Don’t Cry
1979 – The Clash London Calling
1978 – The Police Outlandos d’Amour
1977 – Elvis Costello My Aim Is True
1976 – Ramones Ramones
1975 – Aerosmith Toys In The Attic
1974 – Big Star Radio City
1973 – Stevie Wonder Innervisions
1972 – Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street

Bob Mould/Juliana Hatfield Birchmere 4/7/09

2009-04-09T11:11:00.004-04:00

Juliana Hatfield

To celebrate the release of his new album The Life and Times (Anti Records) Bob took to the stage at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA. Opening for this date only was Juliana Hatfield fresh off an 8 hour Boston to DC Amtrak ride. Juliana, joined only by her Gibson SG, was battling a bit of a cold but plowed through a set of mostly new songs from both 2008's How To Walk Away and an as not-yet-titled effort that she describes as acoustic in character (despite being played on an electric). Not to shy away from deeply personal lyrics, her new songs appear increasingly so on the heels of the release of her memoir When I Grow Up. Her voice suffered from her cold until she made the decision half way through the set to offer a blistering cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Cover Me". From that point on, everything clicked.

Bob hit the stage with a little pep in his step, presumably related to the release of his new record. Jason Narducy (bass) and Amy Domingues (cello) joined Bob on stage for what started as a 20th anniversary celebration of Bob's 1989 solo debut Workbook. This album was of great importance to me as it transformed me from casual Husker Du fan into Bob Mould obsessive. Six songs from that landmark release started the evening and I was on my way to night of bliss.

Had the night ended with the Workbook retrospective I would have more than received my money's worth. Bob brought out longtime collaborator, Rich Morel (keyboards), and ran through four songs from the new disc all of which translated well to the semi-acoustic renderings offered. With seven songs left in the program, Bob switched over to his trusty blue and white Stratocaster with its signature sound (a sound I have spent the last several years trying to recreate on my own).

It has been Bob's habit ever since I first saw play an acoustic show in April of 1991 to play a number of songs with his electric guitar. I have often felt these songs suffered at times in comparison to the beauty of the acoustic offerings. Even with the addition of keys and bass for these songs, something was lost. I like my Bob Mould both ways - acoustic and electric - but I think if it is going to be electric bring Brendan Canty along for the ride.

Setlist: Wishing Well/See A Little Light/Sinners And Their Repentances/Poison Years/Lonely Afternoon/Brasilia Crossed With Trenton/Life And Times/The Breach/Bad Blood Better/I'm Sorry, Baby, But You Can't Stand In My Light Anymore/Walls In Time/Circles/Hoover Dam/The Silence Between Us/Your Favorite Thing/I Apologize/Celebrated Summer//encore//If I Can't Change Your Mind/Makes No Sense At All

The Silence Between Us (mp3)

Bob Mould Daytrotter Session

2009-04-03T03:35:00.003-04:00

In advance of next Tuesday's release of Life and Times, Bob stopped by the Daytrotter Studios to play acoustic versions of a few songs from said long player. I'll be seeing Bob perform on the evening of the album's release at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA. Should be exciting as the ever-intriguing Juliana Hatfield is opening. Enjoy.

The Breach (mp3)
I'm Sorry, Baby, But You Can't Stand In My Light Anymore (mp3)
Life And Times (mp3)
Bad Blood Better (mp3)

Monday Morning Mix

2009-02-09T10:27:00.003-05:00

Scotland Yard Gospel Choir

Like Barry bringing in his Monday Morning Mix into Championship Vinyl in High Fidelity, I offer you all the following. While it might not offer the same level of debate as to who has the better version of "Little Latin Lupe Lu" (the correct answer is Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels), it should help get the week started.

We start with a hefty dose of indie pop to allow the muscles to warm up. Stop and stretch during the quick instrumental interlude courtesy of Dexter Romweber of the Flat Duo Jets - he has a new band with his sister Sara (Snatches of Pink, Let's Active) on drums and a new album due out on Bloodshot Records this spring. Once your muscles are limber and your stretching complete, check out the final four tunes courtesy of the good people at Jade Tree Records. Usually by this point on a Monday morning I'm ready for a little post-hardcore. Enjoy these free and legal mp3's.

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Everything With You - mp3
Ra Ra Riot - Dying Is Fine - mp3
Say Hi - November Was White, December Was Grey - mp3
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - Lamp Post (demo) - mp3
Crystal Stilts - Shattered Shine - mp3
Sexy Kids - Sisters Are Forever - mp3

Pedro The Lion - Discretion - mp3
Dex Romweber Duo - Black Christmas - mp3
Cloak/Dagger - Runways - mp3
These Arms Are Snakes - Horse Girl - mp3
Fucked Up - Baiting The Public - mp3
New Mexican Disaster Squad - Tightrope - mp3

Big Shoulders Ball w/ Andrew Bird, Ted Leo et al

2009-01-22T10:37:00.004-05:00

Andrew Bird & Tortoise

After taking a day or two to reflect on the Inauguration (as well as thaw out) I thought I'd drop a quick review of Monday's pre-Inaugural Big Shoulders Ball at the Black Cat in DC. Sponsored by Hideout Chicago, the "Ball" featured a number of Chicago artists as well as Ted Leo who records for Chicago-based Touch & Go Records.

My buddy Mike and I arrived around 9:30 to hear the music of Sun Ra interpreted by Jeff Parker and John Herndon of Tortoise and jazz saxophonist Ken Vandermark. Looking around we found an odd array of the usual Black Cat crowd combined with those in actual Ball garb (both ironic and formal). Tortoise, for whom I was most excited to see having never seen them live before, were next. They ripped through five or six songs in their alloted 25 minutes including Along the Banks of Rivers and Seneca although I was a little sad that Herndon didn't bring his vibraphone, cause really who doesn't love a vibraphone?

Andrew Bird, who for all intents and purposes, was considered the headliner hit the stage at 10:30 with Tortoise backing him for the first few songs - as well as Sally Timms of the Mekons and Janet Bean of Freakwater and Eleventh Dream Day on vocals. I don't Andrew was given enough time (~25 min) to hit his stride although his rendition of Syncthian Empires was really quite amazing.

After a bizarre set of covers by the Waco Brother - a sort of TexaCali rockabilly outfit fronted by a set of aging Brits - Ted Leo hit the stage. Ted, to no one's surprise, was the rare performer who expressed a degree of cynical reservation about the new administration before launching into some of his more cautionary tales like Bleeding Powers and The High Party.

After another drunk ranting by Ball emcee Tim Tuten, Eleventh Dream Day hit the stage. By this point in the evening it was past midnight and Mike and I knew we had to rise early to hit the Mall for the Inauguration so we left mid-set although what we heard sounded awesome.

I don't have any comments about the Inauguration to share here that haven't been shared by
others in far better terms. Let's just say I'm cautiously optimistic. Enjoy the music.

Andrew Bird performing live on the UK show From The Basement (video)
Ted Leo performing The High Party at Rolling Stone Studios (video)
Tortoise Eros (mp3)
Eleventh Dream Day Writes A Letter Home (mp3)

Best Songs of 2008

2008-12-27T11:48:00.014-05:00

Bon Iver

Some have described 2008 as an "off" year for new music. In many ways I agree with this sentiment. If you asked me twelve months ago which albums I was most excited for in 2008, I would have answered the remastered and expanded Replacements records - well at least Let It Be, Tim and Pleased To Meet Me. And yes, they are awesome as are the remastered and expanded New Order catalog as well as R.E.M.'s Murmur. But what about new music, what was good? Albums by Bon Iver, Crooked Fingers, The Hold Steady, The Sea and Cake and Thao with the Get Down Stay Down topped my list. Save the Bon Iver album, none were mind blowing, just solid, well written rock and roll albums. So as we head toward 2009 (new Andrew Bird, Rival Schools, Neko Case, Morrissey) we'll leave you with our top 20 songs of 2008. Enjoy.

20. Paint It Black - Past Tense, Future Perfect
File this under "Mid 30's male who still enjoys a bit of the punk rock".

19. British Sea Power - Down On The Ground (stream)
I get the impression that the guitarist listened to Judas Priest in high school. At least, I hope he did.

18. Caithlin De Marrais - The Fire (stream)
Yet more evidence that Caithlin was the most important piece in the Rainer Maria puzzle.

17. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Baltimore
I will never know what Steve is talking about and I kind of don't care.

16. Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes
This one caught me by surprise.

15. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Being a 36 year old who has two children and still loves to go to rock shows I now realize that Craig Finn is talking to me directly through my record player.

14. French Kicks - Abandon
My buddy Josh's brother used to play guitar for the French Kicks. It would be cool if he still did.

13. The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Same building as Death Cab for Cutie, though I can listen to this guy's voice for a lot longer without getting sick.

12. Crooked Fingers - Your Control
Eric Bachmann is quickly becoming my new Paul Westerberg. Having the great Neko Case to duet with doesn't hurt either.

11. Ladyhawk - S.T.H.D.
This came across my radar very late (like two weeks ago). I love any song that clocks in under two minutes with that kind of chorus.

10. Cansei De Ser Sexy - Rat Is Dead
The song that settles the argument - this band is no joke.

9. Gnarls Barkley - Run
Anyone else see them on Saturday Night Live? Genius!!!

8. Oxford Collapse - The Birthday Wars
The second best song of the year that sounds as if recorded in a vaccuum (see #1).

7. Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Swimming Pools
The best singer-songwriter to come out of Northern Virginia since Neko Case. Gets my vote for second best album of the year.

6. Mother Mother - O My Heart
Someone has been listening to Surfer Rosa on repeat... and that's a good thing, by the by. A shout out to 3Hive for introducing me to this song.

5. The Hold Steady - Constructive Summer
The best track one side one of the year - no debate. Craig Finn sets the tone for his murder mystery/long playing record with this little number and continues his name checking along the way - Joe Strummer, Dillinger Four (doublewhiskeycokenoice).

4. The Mountain Goats - Sax Rohmer #1
John Darnielle is probably the best story teller in music.

3. Parts & Labor - Nowheres Nigh
Rule #491 of rock and roll: When you want your last chorus to kick ass take it up a half step (or even a whole) and the result will be magic. See Cheap Trick's Surrender for the best example.

2. Bon Iver - Skinny Love
Haunting. From the best album of the year.

1. The Gang - Sea So
I first heard this song about a year ago as it was floating around the internet (yes, I think it was 3Hive that turned me on to it) although it wasn't released on record until this past summer on the album Zero Hits (Absoultely Kosher). How this song didn't break through is one of the greatest puzzles of the universe.

A sampling of the blogosphere

2008-11-13T10:41:00.004-05:00

We Are Scientists

A quick sampling of songs from some of my favorite blogs. Enjoy

From 3Hive
Mother Mother "O My Heart" (mp3)
We Landed On The Moon! "Re: Your Letter" (mp3)

From Aquarium Drunkard
Crooked Fingers "Let's Not Pretend (To Be New Men)" (mp3)
Crooked Fingers "Modern Dislocation" (mp3)

From Aural States
We Are Scientists "The Great Escape" (mp3)

From Sixeyes
Parts & Labor "Nowheres Nigh" (mp3)

From Pitchfork Media
Eddie Vedder & Corin Tucker "The Golden State" (stream)

Rival Schools reunited at Ottobar

2008-11-06T10:46:00.004-05:00

The recently reunited Rival Schools hit Baltimore last night on their abbreviated East Coast tour. Spurred on by the surprisingly enthusiastic crowd (have I seen too many shows in DC?) and the Obama victory the night before, the band blew through much of their 2001 release United By Fate. Front man Walter Schreifels (ex-Quicksand, Youth of Today) didn't appear annoyed by all the members of the audience calling out songs from any one of his former bands - unlike say, yelling out a Minor Threat song at a Fugazi show; bad bad idea. As reported on Brooklyn Vegan, the band had been featuring a cover of The Smiths' "How Soon is Now", a song Quicksand famously covered in the mid-90's.

Good Things (mp3)

Take One For The Team (mp3)

Quicksand - How Soon is Now (mp3)

Ted Leo/Pharmacists Live in DC

2008-10-10T10:42:00.003-04:00

The seemingly never ending tour of Ted Leo and his Pharmacists made yet another stop in DC this Wednesday night, this time opening for Against Me!. Despite the role as support act the crowd was out in force for this (sort of) homecoming. Members of Fugazi and French Toast were in the house and ex-Warmers/Faith/Ignition frontman Alec Mackaye played the role of guest vocalist on the unrecognizable closer. The 45 minute set drew largely from last years Living With The Living as well as several new tracks, including one from the new Rapid Response EP (see below for track). From the sound of the new stuff, Ted is continuing to evolve on the punk/ska/soul fusion that informs his last two releases.

Paranoia (Never Enough) (mp3)

New Andrew Bird

2008-10-03T22:51:00.004-04:00

Everybody's favorite singer/songwriter/guitarist/whistler/violinist has a new single out from forthcoming album Noble Beast (out January on Fat Possum). Entitled "Oh No", it is vintage Andrew Bird replete with smart lyrics, wonderful melodies and the aforementioned requisite whistling. Head on over to Pitchfork Media to stream the tune.

"Oh No" (stream)

And while you're at it, check out some more Andrew Bird.

"Skin Is, My" (mp3) from Live in Montreal

"Heretic" (mp3) from Armchair Apocrypha

"Fiery Crash" (mp3) live at First Avenue, Minneapolis

Braid reissued on vinyl

2008-08-19T14:33:00.003-04:00

All of the sub-genres of independent music at sometime or another jump the shark and become yet another category of music disdained by the elite. New wave, grunge, hip-hop inspired rock were initially seen by the music industry as foreign. But as the music industry became better and better at establishing youth culture in America these sub-genres became victim of a force more interested in financial potential than artistic integrity. In the last ten years, no sub-genre was more affected by these market forces than so-called "emo".

Culling a bloodline that starts with Rites of Spring in 1985 and making its way in to the 1990's with bands like Texas is the Reason and Braid, emo was, in its purest form, just a subset of post-punk. The call and response, non-traditional time signatures, octave chords were just a few of the hallmarks of emo. But just as bands like The Get Up Kids and The Promise Ring looked poised to break out of the underground, the industry caught wind of something - suburban high school kids really dig this music. And what do suburban high school kids have? Money. Enter the Yellowcards and Fall Out Boys of the world. Result: emo is ruined.

So Mike, thanks for the history lesson. Why don't you get off your high horse and tell us why this all matters.

Time allows us the distance to reflect back on history with some degree of objectivity. Ten years have passed since one of the seminal albums of this sub-genre was released, Braid's Frames & Canvas. Produced by J Robbins of Jawbox/Burning Airlines/Channels and recorded at legendary Inner Ear studios in Arlington, VA, the album holds up in time. In celebration of the 10th anniversary, Polyvinyl Records is re-releasing Frames & Canvas on 180-gram vinyl for your listening pleasure on August 29th. My copy is already pre-ordered.

from Frames & Canvas
Killing A Camera (mp3)

from Movie Music Vols. 1 & 2
Please Drive Faster (mp3)
Do You Love Coffee? (mp3)

from Where is My Mind? a Pixies tribute album
Trompe Le Monde (mp3)

New Jennifer O'Connor

2008-07-06T19:48:00.002-04:00

The good folks at Matador have taken it upon themselves to sneak a couple of tracks from Jennifer O'Connor new release Here With Me (release date: August 19th). I could go on for hours gushing about Jennifer but you're better off just listening for yourself.

Here With Me
Valley Road '86'

Bonus MP3
Exeter, Rhode Island

Charm City Roller Girls

2008-06-16T08:06:00.005-04:00

So I took the kids, the Mrs., my brother and his lady to the roller derby Saturday night at Du Burns Arena in the scenic and lovely Canton neighborhood in Baltimore. It did not disappoint. The Mobdown Mods squared off again the Night Terrors and Speed Regime did battle with the Junkyard Dolls. From top to bottom the packed house was treated to high quality entertainment - Pabst Blue Ribbon was the only beer available and the head referee's name was Justice Feelgood Marshall - how's that treating you. So in celebration of the Charm City Roller Girls, here's a little Baltimore mix. Enjoy

Beach House - Gila

The Death Set - Negative Thinking

Matt & Kim - Yea Yeah

Pontiak - Shell Skull

Pontiak - The Brush Burned Fast

Arbouretum - I Am A Somnabulist

Dan Deacon - The Crystal Cat

The Gang

2008-05-24T00:09:00.004-04:00

So I realize it has been forever since my last post. Work has been nuts and the younger kid is teething so sleep has been a little on the inadequate side. Through it all, I've been able to find some new stuff to get excited about. Which brings us to The Gang.

Thanks to the good folks at 3Hive, I was turned on to this New Jersey fourpiece (most famous for the fact that Ted Leo's little brother, Danny, plays drums) a few months back. Relatives of Ted aside, these guys ROCK. Fans of Les Savy Fav, We Are Scientists and The Go! Team take note - there is a new kid on the block. If you want a kick ass anthem in the spirit of the aforementioned outfits, check out The Gang's first single, "Sea So", which is currently holding the spot of My Favorite Song of 2008. Check out their full length Zero Hits on Absolutely Kosher Records when it hits June 3.

Sea So (mp3)

Weekend in Baltimore Mix - Vol. 5

2008-04-11T22:30:00.022-04:00

Southeast Engine

Well, it has been a long time between posts as I've been working a ton. Looking forward to my first day off in a couple of weeks - play with the kids, hang with the wife and listen to some good music...among other things. Enjoy the weekend.

Southeast Engine Quit While You Are Ahead

Centro-matic Triggers and Trashheaps

Hallelujah the Hills Hallelujah the Hills

Sleeping States Rivers

Palomar Our Haunt

Weekend in Baltimore Mix - Vol. 4

2008-03-12T09:57:00.005-04:00

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Aloha - Body Buzz - from the album Light Works

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Think I Wanna Die - from the album Pershing

Metal Hearts - Foothills - from the album Socialize

Minus the Bear - Dr. L'Ling - from the album Planet of Ice

Chin Up Chin Up - This Harness Can't Ride Anything - from the album This Harness Can't Ride Anything

764-HERO - Sunburnt - from the album We're Solids

Weekend in Baltimore Mix - Vol. 3

2008-02-09T15:15:00.000-05:00

Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros

Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You - from the album Cease To Begin

Elliot Smith - Memory Lane - from the album From A Basement On A Hill

Refused - New Noise - from the album The Shape Of Punk To Come

The Weakerthans - Pleas From A Cat Named Virtue - from the album Reconstruction Site

Youth Group - Sorry - from the album Casino Twilight Dogs

Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros - Coma Girl - from the album Street Core

Radio Flyer - (312) - from the album In Their Strange White Armor

Slumberland Mix

2008-02-01T11:08:00.000-05:00

Sarandon

The time: 1991-1997
The place: Washington, DC

So many competing forces came together during this time period to make this period the most vital musically (in a rocknroll sense) in DC's history (all apologies to 1981-85). A quick sampling of the bands and artists at work in DC during that time - Fugazi, Jawbox, Tsunami, Velocity Girl, Lois, Bratmobile, Nation of Ulysses, Chisel, Hoover, The Impossible Five, Girls Against Boys, Shudder To Think, Make Up, Unrest, Lucy Brown, Bluetip, The Dismemberment Plan, Slant 6, Smart Went Crazy, Warmers, Frodus, Edsel, Eggs, Air Miami, The Ropers... - one can see the great diversity as well as the profound influence cast upon all things post-punk, alternative and indie.

Following the lead of Dischord and TeenBeat records, other DC-based labels sprung up during this period, most notably DeSoto (created by members of Jawbox), Simple Machines (created by members of Tsunami) and Slumberland (created by members of Velocity Girl and Big Jesus Trash Can). So much has been written about the DC sound - namely the post-punk sound of the late 80's/early 90's Dischord bands (Fugazi, Jawbox, Hoover, Capitol City Dusters, etc) - but a careful examination of the sound coming out of DC at that time demonstrates that a number of bands owed a lot more to the Jesus and Mary Chain and Ride than they did Bad Brains and Minor Threat.

Slumberland Records started operations in 1989 in nearby Silver Spring, MD as a means to release efforts by Brit-Pop/Shoegaze inspired bands like Velocity Girl and Black Tambourine. Like the pop influenced TeenBeat Records, Slumberland looked beyond the Beltway for its roster releasing efforts by Stereolab (UK), Small Factory (RI), The Swirlies (Boston), The Softies (Pacific NW) in addition to locals like The Lilys, Velocity Girl and The Ropers.

Having moved the operation to the left coast, Slumberland has weened its roster significantly now with a predominance of British bands - bringing it back to the source, I guess. 2007 saw releases from London's Sarandon and The Lodger from Leeds - both bands clearly read the label's formula for creating tight brilliant pop songs. Enjoy the new with the old.

Sarandon - The Linguist (2007) - London, UK
The Lodger - The Story's Over (2007) - Leeds, UK
The Lodger - Let Her Go (2007) - Leeds, UK
The Lilys - February Fourteenth (1991) - Washington, DC
Velocity Girl - My Forgotten Favorite (1992) - Silver Spring, MD
Small Factory - Giant Merry Go Round (1992) - Newport, RI
The Ropers - Waiting (1993) - Washington, DC
The Ropers - I Don't Mind (1994) - Washington, DC
Boyracer - Passionflower (1994) - Leeds, UK
The Aislers Set - California (1998) - San Francisco, CA
The Saturday People - Slipping Through Your Fingertips (2001) - Washington, DC

and plenty more music to sample at the Slumberland website.

Weekend in Baltimore vol. 2

2008-01-25T02:39:00.001-05:00

Steve Malkmus and The Jicks
A nice collection of both new and old songs to chew on this fine winter weekend.

Nada Surf - See These Bones - from Lucky

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Beat (Health, Life and Fire) - from We Brave Bee Stings and All

Chris Walla - Sing Again - from Field Manual

Steve Malkmus and the Jicks - Baltimore - from Real Emotional Trash

Smoosh - Find a Way - from Free to Stay

The Soviettes - Multiply and Divide - from LP III

Paul Westerberg - We May Be The Ones - from Stereo

Braid - Killing A Camera - from Frames & Canvases

Get Up Kids - Holiday - from Something to Write Home About

Rainer Maria - Tinfoil - from Past Worn Searching

Saves the Day - At Your Funeral - from Stay What You Are

Preview Cat Power's Jukebox

2008-01-25T02:35:00.000-05:00

A Few Songs for the Weekend

2008-01-11T04:52:00.000-05:00

Wye Oak

Wye Oak "Warning" - Baltimore indie-folk-shoegaze outfit recently signed to Merge. Think Rainer Maria meets Ida meet My Bloody Valentine.

Fiery Furnaces "Ex-Guru" - From the brother/sister indie-folk duo's 2007 release Widow City.

Andrew Bird "Fiery Crash" - Live version of track one from his 2007 release Armchair Apocrypha.

Ida "Lovers Prayers" - The first single from the aforementioned Ida's new album of the same name due out on Polyvinyl on January 29th.

New Mountain Goats single

2008-01-04T10:13:00.001-05:00

I finally came around to the Mountain Goats sometime in the last year or so. In the end, it was their 2006 album Get Lonely and specifically the single, "Woke Up New" that did it for me. Quirky lyrics and simple song structures augmented with just the right amount of percussion and strings.

Now, John Darnielle and Peter Hughes will be releasing their new album, Heretic Pride, on February 19th. Superchunk drummer Jon Wurster, who gives Davey Grohl a run for his money in the funniest man in rock category, continues his work with the band. The first single, "Sax Rohmer #1", clearly benefits from Wurster's drum work. They will be hitting the East Coast this March so check them out.

listen to Sax Rohmer #1

and check out the video for Woke Up New from the album Get Lonely.

2007 Wrap Up

2007-12-27T13:55:00.000-05:00

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

2007-12-23T18:25:00.000-05:00

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

2007-12-20T15:00:00.000-05:00

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

2007-12-16T14:44:00.000-05:00

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

2007-11-29T12:00:00.001-05:00

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

2007-11-05T07:37:00.001-05:00

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

2007-10-16T16:11:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-27T16:07:00.001-04:00

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

2007-09-16T15:48:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-10T10:51:00.000-04:00

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!

2007-07-29T20:29:00.001-04:00

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?

2007-07-15T10:59:00.000-04:00

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

2007-07-08T08:22:00.000-04:00

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

2007-06-30T09:23:00.000-04:00

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

2007-06-28T09:51:00.000-04:00

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

2007-06-21T13:37:00.001-04:00

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

2007-06-06T13:35:00.000-04:00

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

2007-05-23T15:49:00.000-04:00

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

2007-05-03T15:01:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-25T20:14:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-14T09:05:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-01T16:43:00.000-04:00

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

2007-03-26T15:16:00.000-04:00

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

2007-03-10T11:12:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-18T09:34:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-15T11:35:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-04T10:04:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-28T15:24:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-18T14:33:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-13T13:26:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-07T13:49:00.000-05:00

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"

Top Songs of 2006: 10 - 1

2006-12-28T13:39:00.000-05:00

Here's the top ten. I didn't realize it until now, but SubPop must be the label of the year with three songs in the top ten. Enjoy.

10. Band of Horses "Funeral" (mp3)
I've read a lot of positive reviews of this album over the last several months, but none have made the obvious (to me at least) comparison to the great mid-90's albums by the Catherine Wheel. "Funeral" has the best atomospherics of any song of the year.

9. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Cheated Hearts" (mp3)
It took me forever to give this band a chance - I was very skeptical. But with this song I stand corrected.

8. Oxford Collapse "Please Visit Your National Parks" (mp3)
Simple song structure with a little bit of Built to Spill back there somewhere - it just works.

7. Plus/Minus "Leap Year" (mp3)
What do you do after spending the majority of your career in the background of one of the 90's best indie rock bands? Well, you start your group. After being overshadowed by Richard Baliyut and Fontaine Toups in the great Versus, James Baliyut and Patrick Ramos started +/- a few years back as a laptop band. This song along with #35 "Steal the Blueprints" make great strides in helping these guys get out of the shadow cast by Versus.

6. Silversun Pickups "Well Thought Out Twinkles" (mp3)
"Lazy Eye" got most of the press (I have it at #25) but this song is the better gem - just enough in common with the best stuff that The Posies ever did to put a smile on your face.

5. Eric Bachmann "Lonesome Warrior" (mp3)
See my Eric Bachmann post from a few weeks back for all the details on this one.

4. The Thermals "A Pillar Of Salt" (mp3)
This is the most pure rock and roll song (punk-rock category) in the top ten (and the only one about the fear of a Christian fascist state).

3. Cat Power "Lived In Bars" (mp3)
My friend Joanna got my wife and me a copy of Dusty Springfield in Memphis for our wedding and I love it. This is the closest anyone has ever gotten to that masterpiece.

2. The Hold Steady "Stuck Between Stations" (mp3)
The best song on the best album of the year. This album is made or broken by the fact that this is the opening track. The best rock and roll song (indie rock category) on the list.

1. William Elliot Whitmore "Dry" (mp3)
Just a man's voice and his banjo - it's that simple. But if you can put out a song that gives me the chills every time I hear it - you win.

Top Songs of 2006: 20 - 11

2006-12-20T18:49:00.000-05:00

As I look at how I've ranked my favorite 40 songs of the year it has become increasingly clear to me that this year has been all about bands returning a previous sound. Or in the cases of newer bands, working off the foundation of the sounds of previous bands' work. That's probably not entirely true. What's true is that as I get older I do appreciate music that is somewhat nostalgic of my late teens and 20's. Read on and you'll see...

20. The Twilight Singers "Andiamo" (mp3)
Powder Burns is not a great album, despite what Denis Leary states on national television. "Andiamo", however, is a great rock and roll song - incendiary, sultry, even absurd. It is, by far, the closest thing to the Afghan Whigs that Greg Dulli has done since forming the Twilight Singers ("Teenage Wristband" notwithstanding). Hey, I love the Twilight Singers and I respect Dulli enough to support his growth as a songwriter, but those Afghan Whigs lovers out there can't help but be excited by this song combined with the recent news that the Whigs are rehearsing together again.

19. Channels "Chivaree" (mp3)
With Waiting For The Next End Of The World, J. Robbins returns to his My Own Special Sweetheart - Jawbox strength. Originally released on the 2004 EP Open, Channels (J. on guitar, his wife Janet on bass, and former Kerosene 454 drummer Darren Zentek on drums) rerecorded this track for Waiting and the difference is staggering. The reworked version shows a band that's tight, raw and desparate to rock out.

18. Sonic Youth "Incinerate" (mp3)
I've been a big fan of the last two Jim O'Rourke-influenced Sonic Youth albums (Murray Street and Sonic Nurse) - replete with the requisite sound/noise-scapes that the band first developed in the 80's. With O'Rourke's departure, the band returns to early 90's form on Rather Ripped.
The dueling guitars of Ranaldo and Moore backed by the rhythm section of Gordon and Shelley on this "pop" song remind you why they are one of the most influential bands of the last quarter century (see Pavement, Archers of Loaf and a host of others).

17. The Lovely Feathers "In the Valley" (mp3)
Yes, yes, yes. Everyone loves the bands from Montreal (and Toronto and Vancouver for Pete's sake). But The Lovely Feathers are the only the dance-punk group of the entire Canadian invasion, so they're getting points for originality already. If you don't shake your ass to this song there is something really wrong with you.

16. The Walkmen "Many Rivers to Cross" (mp3)

The best cover song of the year. Well, it's really a cover of a cover which makes it even more interesting. In 1973, Harry Nilsson with the production help of John Lennon, covered the Jimmy Cliff original. Now, 23 years later the Walkmen release their version with a genuine blue-eyed soul that would never let on that 80% of the band went to DC's swankiest prep school.

15. Richard Buckner "Canyon"
Edmonton native and Brooklyn resident, Richard Buckner, has alway been adept at writing striking folk songs. With his 2006 release, Meadow, Buckner working with a full band gives his songwriting just the jolt of energy it was looking for - "Canyon" is the highlight of this album.

14. Sufjan Stevens "The Henny Benney Band" (mp3)
Sufjan Stevens owned 2005 with Illinoise - album of the year, song of the year for "Chicago". It is insane to think that this song was left off that album. How many fucking songs did he write? Ordinarily, I would have found it obnoxious for an artist to release an album of extras when the original already had over 20 tunes, but this is clearly the exception.

13. Gnarls Barkley "Just a Thought"
I know jackshit about any hip hop song released in the last 10 years. But I happened upon this song thanks to a friend. Imagine, a hip-hop song talking honestly about depression and the contemplation of suicide. The drum track alone would have made my top 40.

12. Lemonheads "No Backbone" (mp3)
Why is this song so high up? Easy. It effortlessly brings me back to 1992 - a time when people actually gave a shit about Evan Dando as a songwriter (It's A Shame About Ray). Dando returns to his roots on this track and gets J. Mascis to masturbate lead guitar all over it. God Bless Massachusetts!

11. Les Savy Fav "Ragin' in the Plague Age"
"No one is getting sober until the liquor is all gone" - that line itself gets you in the top 20. The former RISD students, now all grown up and living in NYC, continue to make the smartest art punk out there best exhibited by this song - that and Tim Harrington's insane stage show. Allegedly the comic David Cross has an instructional video on how to dance like Harrington. Get me YouTube, STAT!

Top Songs of 2006: 30 - 21

2006-12-18T19:53:00.000-05:00

30. Beth Orton "Pieces of Sky" (mp3)
Not unlike Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, Beth Orton has a voice that is so singular that it makes it possible to listen to her for only a finite period of time. There is, in fact, a scientific formula that proves that 45 minutes is the maximal pleasurable time to listen to her (true for Death Cab as well) and any listening beyond that will have diminishing returns. Consider including this song in your 45 minutes.

29. La Rocca "Sing Song Sung"
My sister-in-law got me a subscription to Filter magazine for Christmas last year and this was one of the few bands that I really liked that I discovered through the magazine.

28. Amy Milan "Skinny Boy" (mp3)
Of the three Broken Social Scene ladies, Leslie Feist owned 2005 and it looks like Emily Haines will own 2006. But for me, I like the more folk/blues influenced work of Amy Milan. Plus she's been touring with Eric Bachmann, which has got to help her indie cred.

27. Jennifer O'Connor "Exeter, Rhode Island" (mp3)
Yes, the fact that I live in Rhode Island helps this song. But it is catchy as hell and Jennifer has one of my favorite voices in music today.

26. Pearl Jam "Life Wasted"
I stopped listening to Pearl Jam in 1994, just before college graduation. Not for any good reason, but I was just sort of done with them. "Life Wasted" is by far the best thing they've done in 10 years and the album as a whole is a triumph.

25. Silversun Pickups "Lazy Eye" (mp3)
I've been hard pressed to take too many recommendations from Bob Mould these days. I love the man, but dance music is not my thing. I gave this rec a chance especially after a promising article in Under the Radar.

24. French Toast "Settle In"
My DC loyalties are all over this pick. I've been a big fan of James Canty's previous work in Nation of Ulysses and Make Up, but I was a litte underwhelmed by French Toast's debut In A Cave. With the addition of multi-instrumentalist, Ben Gilligan (who has happens to be the fiance of my very good friend, Kandy), the band finds itself trying its hand at different styles throughout the course of the album and it works.

23. The Hold Steady "Party Pit" (mp3)
With all due respect to Sonic Youth and Cat Power, Boys and Girls in America is the best album of the year. The Brooklyn via Twin Cities band plays homage to all the great bar bands from The Replacements to Soul Asylum to the E Street Band on this masterpiece. "Party Pit" has all the elements of a great bar band song replete with the repeating "Gonna Walk Around and Drink Some More".

22. Rye Coalition "Pussyfootin'"
With songs like "Communication Breakdance" and "Vietnam Vetrinarian", these guys clearly have an exceptional sense of humor. Combine that with their serious rock and roll chops, Dave Grohl's production (which only helps the humor) and the result is the best album AC/DC didn't put out this year. Yes my friends, Jersey does rock.

21. Camera Obscura "Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken" (mp3)
Camera Obscura finally gets out of Belle and Sebastian's shadow with this homage to Lloyd Cole's 1984 hit.

Top Songs of 2006: 40 - 31

2006-12-17T13:32:00.000-05:00

40. Soccer Team "Solid Ring Fighters" (mp3)

39. Stereolab "I Was A Sunny Rainphase"

38. The Sounds "Song With A Mission" (mp3)

37. Belle & Sebastian "Funny Little Frog" (mp3)

36. The Evens "No Money" (mp3)

35. Plus/Minus "Steal The Blueprints" (mp3)

34. Islands "Rough Gem" (mp3)

33. The Ettes "No More Suprises" (mp3)

32. The Flaming Lips "The W.A.N.D." (mp3)

31. Division Day "Tigers" (mp3)

J Robbin's Son

2006-12-12T20:31:00.000-05:00

In the summer of 1989 I worked at a summer camp in Northern Virginia. At the age of 17, I thought I was pretty alternative because I liked The Replacements, Husker Du and R.E.M. (I hadn't heard the Pixies at this point). But I took many of my music cues from a 21 year old co-worker named Anthony. I'd known him for a few years, mostly because when I was a freshman, he was a senior at my high school and he was one of the few truly "alternative" people at my high school (whatever that meant in 1987). How do I know Anthony was one of the coolest people I'd ever met in my life? Well, for one, he had a Jawbox t-shirt back in the summer of 1989 - yes, that's right the summer the band formed and a full year before their first release and he's got their fucking t-shirt. This guy was out of my league, but he was always cool to me. And every now and then, usually when I'm listening to Jawbox, I imagine that even at age 38 Anthony is probably still pretty cool (I wonder what he's up to?).

It took me another couple of years to get into the band - working at the college radio station helped. Over the next several years, I saw the band countless times and tried to no avail to learn J's guitar part on "Savory". When the band parted ways, I followed J on to Burning Airlines and most recently, Channels in which he is joined by his wife, Janet, on bass (see post from Ask Me About My Inivisible Friends).

Now comes word that J and Janet's 10-month-old son, Cal, has been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. This is a rare, but devastating genetic condition that often results in death by age two. As a pediatrician, I have had the sad distinction of taking care of a couple of these children. It goes without saying, that this is a heartbreaking condition to watch a family cope with. In response, Bill Barbot and Kim Colletta (J's bandmates in Jawbox) have set up a fund for Cal Robbins to offset medical bills and pursue experimental treatments. Please consider visiting the DeSoto Records site to donate.

Thanks,
Mike

Eric Bachmann

2006-12-10T10:25:00.000-05:00

Back in the mid-90’s my friends and I had an outgoing debate over which band was better: Archers of Loaf or Pavement. It went without saying that one of these two bands was the best indie rock band in America. The problem was, which one? It was a debate where I often found myself fighting solo for the Archers against my friends wielding the mighty sword that Slanted and Enchanted brought with it. When it came down to it, my argument rested on one principle: the Archers of Loaf just rocked harder. You can't argue that point - it's FACT.

As I look back on this epic battle (the notion that one could only truly love one of these two bands has long been abandoned) I think that the allure of Archers of Loaf was so much more than “they rocked harder”. Why did they rock harder? They rocked harder because Mark Price was a kickass drummer who kept time often behind an insane arrangement of dueling guitars and white noise. They rocked because Matt Gentling became the most active bass player of his generation – rocking bass chords while being the response to Eric Bachmann’s call. They rocked because Eric Johnson played lead guitar like a mad scientist who discovered some new musical language. But most of all, they rocked because of Eric Bachmann’s vocal shrapnel.

After the demise of the Archers, Bachmann moved on to the more folk-influenced indie rock of Crooked Fingers. Now, after a year of living out of his car in the Pacific Northwest, Bachmann returns with a solo effort To The Races. The songs are simple and gourgeous, often just Bachman, his nylon-stringed acoustic and sparse orchestral arrangements. No longer singing about shady A&R men or audio whores, Bachmann's evolution as a singer/songwriter has allowed the listener greater access into his mind.

Eric Bachmann
Lonesome Warrior (mp3)
Carrboro Woman (mp3)

Crooked Fingers
Under Pressure (mp3)
Call To Love (mp3)

Archers of Loaf
Wrong (mp3)

The Murder City Devils DVD's

2006-12-04T11:15:00.000-05:00

Over the last two years since my son was born, I've learned to find new avenues to satisfy my music fix. It's become harder and harder to go to shows so I've resigned myself to the couch and bought into the magic of Netflix. My inner teenager was yearning for some straight rawk recently so I found myself playing the Murder City Devils on near constant repeat. Looking for a little something extra, I found these films on said rental site.

The 2005 short documentary Rock & Roll Won't Wait tracks the band on tour across America. Their personalities caught on film are in great contrast to their stage persona. On stage they look like a band on the brink of spontaneous combustion at any moment, while the film captures the group offstage as quite thoughtful and polite. The sound quality of the live shows are variable at best, but the opporunity to see the band in a different light (especially 6th member/roadie, Gabe) is worth it for any fan.

The 2004 release The End chronicles the band's final show in Seattle on Halloween in 2001. This same show was captured on CD and released by SUB POP at R.I.P. back in 2003 and finds the band covering material from their entire five year career. Having seen the band only once in DC just weeks before their demise, I was thankful for the experience to see them live. This film only helps bolster those memories of an incredibly cool band that was left it all on the stage. The band members have moved on to other projects - most notably Derek Fudusco in Pretty Girls Make Graves and Dann Gallucci in Modest Mouse - although they did reunite this past summer in Seattle. Check out YouTube for video footage. In the meantime, throw these films on the old queue and check out these mp3s.

Lemuria Rising (mp3)

I Want A Lot (So Come On) (mp3)

Rum to Whiskey (mp3)

Owen

2006-12-03T11:17:00.000-05:00

Dinnertime at my house can sometimes be a little hectic. My two-year-old is a little bit of a nut, so I created a playlist on the ole' Ipod full of music that the Mrs. and I quite enjoy but has the added benefit of relaxing our savage beast. Owen's 2004 full-length I Do Perceive is major player in our quest for a peaceful dinner.

Owen is Chicago multi-instrumentalist Matt Kinsella's solo project. Having played in a who's who of Chicago bands including Cap'n Jazz, Joan of Arc, Aloha, American Football and Maritime (see Ask Me About My Invisible Friends post on Maritme), Matt created Owen in an effort to have complete creative control over a project. Now Matt (or Owen) is back with a brand new full-length on Polyvinyl entitled At Home With Owen. It treads familiar territory for Kinsella - simple yet earnest songs accompanied by acoustic guitar, simple percussion and the occasional orchestral arrangement. It's quite brillant.

Check out the single Bad News (mp3) from the new album as well as She's A Thief (mp3) from 2004's I Do Perceive.

The Evens

2006-11-29T19:37:00.000-05:00

After my recent post on Soccer Team, I decided to keep it in the Dischord family and post briefly on the new album by The Evens. As most know by now, The Evens are Amy Farina (formerly of The Warmers) and Ian Mackaye (formerly of Minor Threat, Embrace, hopefully not formerly of Fugazi). The band continues to take on the socio-politically charged themes of both of their previous work, but in a largely stripped down format.

With their album The Evens Get Even, Ian's work on the baritone guitar - an admittedly difficult instrument to play - has progressed from their solid self-title debut. Amy continues her deft drumwork, but provides a greater vocal presence on this album. Her lovely alto, almost PJ Harvey-esque in character.

Check out No Money (mp3) from The Evens Get Even - a definite pick for my top 50 songs of 2006.

Soccer Team

2006-11-18T11:29:00.000-05:00

The following statement should not be interpreted as a criticism: The Dischord family is incestuous. In the last several weeks, the longtime purveyors of DC punk/indie/harDCore/experimental music has released records by The Evens (featuring members of Fugazi and The Warmers), French Toast (featuring members of the Nation of Ulysses, Make Up, and Fidelity Jones) and Soccer Team. The latter of which features Ryan Nelson of Beauty Pill and the Most Secret Method and Melissa Quinley who has spent the last several years working in the Dischord office. The result is a beautiful marriage of sounds and styles entitled "Volunteered" Civility and Professionalism.

Soccer Team Solid Ring Fighters (mp3)

Burn to Shine 3 - Portland

2006-11-12T09:52:00.000-05:00

The collaboration between filmmaker Christoph Green and producer/drummer Brendan Canty continues with part 3 of their series Burn to Shine. This time out they traveled to Portand, OR for a day of music curated by Chris Funk of The Decemberists. The format remains constant - each band has one hour to set-up, soundcheck and play in a house that set for destruction.

As was the case with the previous volumes shot in DC and Chicago the line-up features some big names (Sleater-Kinney, the Shins, the Decemberists) with lesser-known yet no less capable bands (The Thermals, The Gossip).

After a short intro by Brendan Canty explaining the concept of the series and providing a sense of history of the house about to be destroyed, The Thermals launch into a flawless version of "Welcome to the Planet" - further evidence that this band is on the verge of taking over the planet. Other highlights of the first half of the disc include Quasi (contributing further to my hard to explain crush on Janet Weiss), The Planet The (who may just be the west coast answer to Q and Not U), and an understated performance of "Modern Girl" by the recently disbanded Sleater-Kinney.

The second half of the disc is notable for the first appearance of a hip-hop group, The Lifesavas, in the series. The Shins provide a rawer (read: better) version of Chutes Too Narrow's "Saint Simon". Full disclosure - I don't totally get The Decemberists - I'm sorry but Colin Meloy's voice gets on my last nerve. That said, "The Mariner's Revenge Song" from 2005's Picaresque is well, not bad and definitely worth a view. The disc wraps up at dusk with The Gossip and a seductive version "Listen Up!" - one of the great highlights of the disc.

You can purchase the dvd here.

See my previous post on Volume 2 which was shot in Chicago and featured Wilco, Tortoise and The Ponys.

The Gossip "Listen Up!" (mp3)
The Thermals "A Pillar of Salt" (mp3)
Sleater-Kinney "Jumpers" (mp3)

Death Cab/Ted Leo show

2006-11-07T07:55:00.000-05:00

In honor of Election day, today's post focuses on two politically informed groups - Death Cab for Cutie and Ted Leo/Pharmacists. I had the opportunity to see the two play together last Friday at the lovely, if not a little staid setting of the Providence Performing Arts Center. The 3000 seat theater provided for an amazing visual and listening experience, but the true experience was augmented by the almost debilitatingly funny clash of generations. The crowd was largely dominated by high schoolers and their older college-aged counterparts replete with their camera phones that were in perpetual use shooting high quality images of the bands.
Juxtaposed with the youngsters was the crack squad of blue-haired ushers (average age: 74) decked out in their white cable-knit cardigans. Can someone give these poor seniors some ear plugs?

Ted Leo/Pharmacists played an energetic 35 minute set focusing mostly on The Tyranny of Distance ("Biomusicology", "Dial Up", "Timorous Me", "My Vien Ilin") and Shake the Sheets ("Walking to Do", "Me and Mia"). With the exception of "Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone", Hearts of Oak was largely ignored. They did break out one new song "Armybound" which Ted had posted on his website several months ago. The show featured the usual comic ramblings between songs and his fashion choice of a quasi Air Force flightsuit was to be commended (I think). While the set had few holes, it became obvious that this is a band that thrives in a club setting.

Death Cab, on the other hand, used the vastness of space to their great advantage. The band that employs so many layers of texture aurally augmented their sound with a bordering-on-Pink Floyd lightshow. Now I cannot say that I am that knowledgable about the band. I saw them once before, pre-The OC, in 2004 with Pretty Girls Make Graves (once again, I had gone to see the opening band only to stay and be impressed by the headliner). In the two years since that show, Death Cab have really fine-tuned their show for a larger audience. Judging by all the adolescents singing along, the setlist featured many "hits"; while the band worked hard at challenging the crowd with multiple attempts at Sonic Youth meets Sun Ra Arkestra noise collage freakouts (which frankly, totally worked). I left once again impressed.

Ted Leo/Pharmacists
Biomusicology (mp3)
Bleeding Powers (mp3)
Walking Through (mp3)

Death Cab for Cutie
Title and Registration (mp3)
Wait (mp3)
A Move Script Ending (mp3)
Song for Kelly Huckaby (mp3)
For What Reason (mp3)
Champagne From a Paper Cup (mp3)

William Elliot Whitmore

2006-09-22T11:25:00.000-04:00

Last year, William Elliot Whitmore cracked my top 20 songs of 2005 with the rollicking "Midnight" powered only by acoutic guitar and a stomping foot. Now he returns with another full length entitled Song of the Blackbird (Southern Records). While I am delinquint in purchasing the LP, I can say without reservation that the simplistic yet gourgeous "Dry" (see below for mp3) is one of the best five songs of 2006. And "The Chariot", with its full backing band demonstrates William's versatility to allow something other than his right foot to drive the beat. In many ways William's music is difficult to describe - yes, it's primarily banjo/acoustic guitar with a folk/bluegrass bent. And yes, his voice draws comparisons of those of Tom Waits and Johnny Cash. But it's his punk foundation/attitude that adds another layer of credibility to his music (he sells skateboard decks with banjos on them for Christ's sake). The only band that I can think of that has come as close bridging the styles of bluegrass/folk and punk is Mule and all of PW Long's subsequent work - not only in style but thematically as well.

Dry (mp3) from Song of the Blackbird
The Chariot (mp3) from Song of the Blackbird
Midnight (mp3) from Ashes to Dust
Cold and Dead (mp3) Hyms for the Hopeless

The Spinanes

2006-08-09T11:19:00.000-04:00

You know you have great friends when you don't see them for a year (or more) and when you get together it's like no time has passed at all. You can't say that about everyone, but I have been lucky to have a small group of friends from both high school and college that have given me this gift. I realized in many cases, it is a shared love of good music that keeps us tight. No matter how far away we are from each other, we have the common bond of a good song or album. This past weekend as I sat outside with a few old friends, drinking beer on a warm afternoon we found ourselves talking about the Spinanes - a group that disbanded several years ago. Well before the White Stripes, Rebecca Gates and Scott Plouf created sparse yet beautiful (and rocking) songs as a two-piece on 7" (including the infuckingcredible "Hawaiian Baby") and their debut album, Manos. I was a college DJ when Manos was released and got turned onto the band when they were on tour with Fugazi back in 1993. They recorded two more albums as a band, the latter of which was really a Rebecca Gates album with some help from Jerry Busher of French Toast.

As I searched the great world wide web for Spinanes' mp3s, I came across two good music blogs that had been off my radar. The first is Slowcode, which is run by Norm Arenas of Texas is the Reason fame. I first met Norm back in April of 1995 when he crashed at my apartment in Hartford after traveling up from NYC with my buddy Pat West for a Fugazi show. I went on to see him in Texas is the Reason and I was blown away by his guitar playing. Definitely the heyday of good emo (some may argue that is an oxymoron). The second is rbally, which is chock full of mainstream alternative live recordings. I just download some live Radiohead from 1995. Good stuff.

Punch Line Loser (mp3)

The Wrens - Updated Website

2006-07-13T10:44:00.000-04:00

Everyone's favorite indie rock band of thirty/forty-somethings from North Jersey have updated their website. Not exactly cutting edge, but so much better than before. Complete with the usual fare of news, tourdates and mp3s, the big addition for me was the inclusion of all of their videos (also available on YouTube). Also of note, some folks are working on a Wrens' documentary, which could be interesting given that these guys work regular jobs and live together - not exactly the taudry tales one might find in say a Motley Crue movie.

Everyone Choose Sides (mp3)
This Boy is Exhausted (mp3)
Boy You Won't (mp3)

Dinosaur Jr.

2006-06-25T10:44:00.000-04:00

Another quiet Saturday night in Providence found the Mrs. and I watching the Henry Rollins' Show on IFC with musical guests, Dinosaur Jr. I have to admit I had been less than enthusiastic about the reunion of all these bands that had a huge impact on me during late high school and college (the aforementioned Dinosaur as well as the Pixies, etc.). But with re-release of Green Mind and their performance of "Forget the Swan" on the Rollins show, I did get a little nostalgic. That said, seeing J. Mascis with his shoulder length silver hair reminded me of how much time has passed in the 17 years since I first heard You're Living All Over Me (half my life, in fact).

Dinosaur Jr. Freak Scene (mp3)

Jennifer O'Connor

2006-05-21T13:29:00.000-04:00

Last September, NYC-based singer-songwriter Jennifer O'Connor signed to Matador Records. Described as the label's next Cat Power, I quickly downloaded "The Color and the Light" from her website and was quickly blown away (See my Top 20 songs of 2005 for more details). And while her first long-player for the label won't be released until this August, she has released a single entitled "Exeter, Rhode Island" on the Matador website. This Rhode Islander, for one, wants to know the backstory.

Exeter, Rhode Island (mp3)

The Color and the Light (mp3)

Sister (mp3)

Remember the great Chisel

2006-04-23T20:43:00.000-04:00

I received an email last night from one of my oldest, closest friends with whom I hadn't talked with in some time. Our friendship spans over 20 years, countless drinks as well as more shows than I can remember. One of the greatest musical gifts he gave me was introducing me to Chisel back in 1996. At the time, we were roommates in Arlington, Virginia and Chisel were at their height in neighboring DC. The obvious Paul Weller influences on 8AM All Day was a welcome addition to my heavy rotation of post-hardcore and indie rock at that time.

I never got a chance to see them live, but in late 1997 or early 1998 (i can't quite remember which) I did get to see Ted Leo's first post-Chisel band at a fashion show in DC. This was not your average fashion show (although I have no idea what an average show is) as it featured the designs of Marge Marshall of Slant 6 and the models were those crazy Italian twins from Blonde Redhead, Amy Farina of the Warmers and now, the Evens, as well as Steve Gamboa from The Make Up (who is also Marge's husband). Pure absurdity! The show concluded with a set from the alway entertaining Make Up (see post below). I know, ridiculous tale that means nothing to most readers, but still fun for me to write about.

Chisel - 8AM All Day (mp3)
Chisel - Do Go On (mp3)

Spoon's plans for 2006

2006-04-11T09:10:00.000-04:00

Wow, a full month without a post. Sorry about that. I was reading on Pitchfork Media this morning that the great Spoon are planning a 2006 release in addition to a number of other projects for the incredibly talented Britt Daniels (solo release, film score, etc etc etc). As I have mentioned in previous posts, Gimme Fiction was one of my favorite albums of 2005, so I am eagerly anticipating new material. In the meantime, consider checking out some songs from 2002's Kill the Moonlight and 2001's Girls Can Tell courtesy of Epitonic.com. Enjoy.

The Way We Get By (mp3)
Jonathon Fisk (mp3)
Lines in the Suit (mp3)
Me and the Bean (mp3)