Sasquatch Report Coming Soon

I'll be posting pictures and reviews shortly of all that was awesome at Sasquatch, "the holy grail of summer music festivals this year."

The Ice Cream Man was there (his pictures will be posted Wednesday).

Man, I am so sun burnt.

El Ten Eleven

Your new favorite band: El Ten Eleven

Downloads at the bottom.

My Last Post before Seattle:
Last night I was disappointed with the show the Trachtenburg Family put on. They played a lot of new stuff which just wasn’t funny or intriguing. It makes me think they have no clue as to what made their original songs/slides so good.

Luckily it ended early, so I was able to get to the Knitting Factory and see the show that Music for Robots sponsored for their CD compilation. Although I don’t listen to all the tracks MFR posts everyday, I figure if they produced a CD of their favorites, they must all be awesome. At the least, it’ll give something for my CD player to do while my iPod is fucked up.

I caught the last half of the Hysterics, which I figure must be in high school still, looking at the age of the crowd… and the shear size of it. No adult has that many friends.

Angela said to me when we first got there “do you notice the older people over there in the middle.”
Of course, I was “old” in that crowd, so I figured she meant 30…maybe 40 years old. No way. There were no less than 3 people over 70…surrounded by a throng of 16 year olds. Awesome.

El Ten Eleven went on next, and I was immediately enthralled. Just a drummer and a guitarist, they used an array of loops and lines to create wonderfully composed songs. Dropping a bass line, adding a guitar riff, back to the bass line to build intensity, adding new harmonics, and then cutting it all to reveal a new melody from within. It’s hard to describe, but fun to watch. In fact, I’m wasn't sure if it will translate into an audio-only experience. It does. It’s just great to watch this song come into being like a piece of clay molded into a jar, then glazed and fired to reveal stunning colors.

My new favorite band for this month.

Download tracks here:
Connie
Lorge
New-A Watched Pot..
Central Nervous Piston
Thinking Loudly

Reviews: Stellastarr, W.A.S.

5th Row Center at Town Hall

Listen...: Eels - Mother Mary (Rapidshare m4a file)

This will be my view for the Eels on June 30th. Hopefully that guy won’t be standing there when E goes on. Get tickets while there are good tickets to get.

Stellastarr on Friday, beneath the moniker the Ligers, were very good, but I was unable to get into the new stuff. This isn’t bad in-and-of-itself, but I couldn’t love it as easily as their previous release. To be completely honest, I was pretty drunk, and definitely in the mood for something I could sing along too… anything: if they played “Free Fallin”, I would have been happy. Unfortunately, I was too busy getting my buzz on to see Amusement Parks on Fire nor the Ordinary Boys, both of whom have received a bit of buzz of their own.

Saturday night, after tucking my parents into bed (who were in town), I hopped uptown to the last show at the Tank. As I watched We Are Scientists perform with 42nd street traffic in the background, I thought how very similar I imagine TRL on MTV to be. The crowd was not the sort of MTV however, but I did notice the ladies dressed up more… for a Saturday night on the town. W.A.S. rocked out as usual, and put on an awesome show. Bishop Allen followed with a decent performance too. Not that Bishop Allen should be a side note, but I’m overwhelmed by how fucking awesome W.A.S. was, and continues to be.

Those Scientists have two deals now with some BIG names: Virgin Records as known before, and Sony for publishing. I don’t understand how that works, but good for them. Will they no longer be Indie Rock now? They have a 7” single in the U.K. already, which they performed. That’ll be available over the summer. Their L.P. on Virgin Records will not be available until October. The wait begins.

Pinback… I’ll have to write about that later.
Pinback - Blue Screen Life (zip file)
I highly recommend Summer in Abaddon by Pinback or their self-titled. Both available at insound here.

Mark your Calendars (Additions):
05-26 Trachtenberg Family tonight at Tonic (or go to Knitting Factory for Music For Robots CD release party. Can I do both?)
06-09 Clap Your Hands @ Delancy, They’ll have their CD for sale.
06-17 Rogue Wave, Helio Sequence, Sam Champion @ Bowery Ballroom
06-21 Gomez @ Webster Hall (Do I go, knowing how much I depise WH?)
06-23 Junior Senior @ Mercury Lounge, Not a new addition, but get tickets while you can.
06-25 New Pornographers w/ Stars @ Celebrate Brooklyn
06-26 Tegan and Sara @ Central Park
06-26 Ted Leo @ Irving Plaza
06-29 Annie @ Scenic
06-30 Eels @ Town Hall.

I’m out to the West Coast for Sasquatch Festival tomorrow night. I’ll be bouncing between stages for, in order: U.S.E., Bloc Party, Menomena, The Dears, Ray Lamontagne, Arcade Fire, Wilco, Bobby Bare Jr., Joanna Newsom, Modest Mouse, Matisyahu, and Pixies.

Pictures will be posted next week.

Alexi Murdoch

Alexi Murdoch

Alexi Murdoch – ‘It’s Only Fear’ (rapidshare m4a file).

I haven’t noticed much talk about Alexi Murdoch. I guess being in Garden State and on the O.C. is all the publicity you need. Fortunately, he didn’t make the final cut to the G.S. soundtrack, which would have catapulted him into the stratosphere of the Shins. Maybe he is there already, but without the releases or extensive touring, no one quite knows how known he is.

Still waiting for his first LP… due out sometime in the coming months.

Listen or Watch to him live on KCRW (real player).
Or Live on KEXP Once or Twice.

Tonight: Ligers, Amusement Parks on Fire @ Bowery Ballroom
Tomorrow: We Are Scientists @ the Tank.

Thunderbirds Are Now!, The Good Life, Aziz is a Fucking Badass.

So I haven't been reviewing the shows I've been to recently. Here's a brief recap of the past week, with downloads:

5/12 Thunderbirds are Now! @ Knitting Factory 7/10
Good show. I had HUGE expectations. I'll check them out again over the summer "when they find a venue small enough". They certainly put out enough energy. Probably the only other band I've seen like this with as much raw energy was By the End of Tonight (What's with these names?). I still think BYEOT ruled more.
Download: Do the Splits and Say, 'Neat!'

5/13 The Good Life @ Knitting Factory -8/10.
Very Good show. The end dragged a bit... very slow and sleepy. I hadn't realized it was 'Emo' until halfway through. Then everything made waaaay more sense.
Download:
'A New Friend' - from ALBUM OF THE YEAR
'Notes in His Pockets' - from ALBUM OF THE YEAR
'Always a Bridesmaid' - from LOVERS NEED LAWYERS
'I m An Island' - from BLACK OUT
'Early Out The Gate' - from BLACK OUT

5/17 Gothamist Comedy Show 9/10.
Hilarious. It was first time seeing Aziz live, and he was funnier than his video on his blog (see link to the right side bar). I had seen a couple of comedians before (Bring them Up at Tonic), but they were still funny the second time. How long can a joke last? I think it's twice before it becomes old.
(I ran into Jason Trachtenberg again after the show... he was "going around to make sure the posters for [his] show next week were still in good shape".)

5/19 Star Wars Episode III 8/10.
Best of the Prequels. It seemed long (2.5 hours?), but neccessary. The opening shot is one of the best. The script writers should be burned in lava, but the story is strong despite the weak lines.
Download the whole film here.

Bishop Allen

Bishop Allen

Downloads:
Bishop Allen – Ghosts are Good Company (Park Drive Outtake)
Bishop Allen – People You Meet (Demo? Unreleased?)

First of all… Congratulations to Jay and the launch of Loose Records.

While scoping out that website, I read a review of the Bishop Allen performance a few weeks ago at CBGB. Although someone hated them (and I do not support that review at all), I thought it was one of their best performances of theirs yet. When I returned between B.A. and W.A.S., (for free beer at Orchard Bar), I was walking by some guy who totally just spilt half his beer on himself. I looked up and it was Christian from Bishop Allen, and he gave me a look as if to say “Oh well, this happens a lot.”

Buy their awesome album at Insound here.

Both B.A. and W.A.S. play at the Tank on May 21st.

Lot's of Eels today...

Eels' man "e"

The Eels – Railroad Man (m4a file)

After listening to The Eels today on KCRW (thanks Rachel for the heads up), I realized, Yes, I do like his new album. It has slowly crept into my mind and while watching him, I really really liked it. I haven’t touched disc two yet. Still repeating disc one. I’m the world’s slowest listener.

Here are some info I found interesting from the homepage (did you know his Dad invented the concept of “parallel universes”?):
“And an artist who was singled out by George W. Bush during the 2000 campaign for the U.S. presidency for writing "obscene" songs (the lovely "It's A Motherfucker" from DAISIES OF THE GALAXY, among them) and who, after being told by the Late Night With David Letterman producers that he could not use the term "goddamn" on network television, sang a medley of censored rock's greatest hits during his first appearance on the show -- all while standing on the very stage where The Ed Sullivan Show originally censored, or tried to censor them..."

And regarding the name of the album:
"There are two kinds of Christmas people," Everett says, "those who like their Christmas lights to stay on solid and those who like them to blink. As a kid, I always had a thing for sitting in the dark and watching the lights blink on and off at random." Now he says this fascination goes much further. "In the end, what we have are these little, great moments. They come and they go. That's as good as it gets. But, still, isn't that great?"

That quote might be overly reductive, but it still brings more significance to the album title than most.

Spoon, playing live tomorrow for free at Virgin, will be on KCRW on Friday.

Bobby Vs. The World, Sam Champion joins too...

Bobby

(Some downloads at the bottom)

What’s wrong with you New York? Bobby Bare Jr. sold out Seattle last week, to the tune of 500 people. I mean it’s nice to go to a show and have breathing room, but he deserves way more attention than anyone in this city is giving him. Where was everybody?

If that wasn’t enough to get you out, Sam Champion should have covered the difference. While Danko Jones last week was a great opener, more because of their novelty, Sam Champion was a better opener because they are just great. I’ll definitely keep an eye on them.

Flat Chested Girl From Maynardville – Bobby Bare Jr.
Bas As They Seem – Hayden
Let’s Explode – Clem Snide

Tonight: Maktub @ Mercury Lounge

I (heart) Petra

The Decemberists (Photo by Central Village)

I thoroughly enjoyed the Decemberists last night at Irving Plaza. Although some people do not like the venue, I actually have grown to appreciate it more than others, even Southpaw. For one, the sound is excellent… so confident that you can buy a recording of the show at the show. I got there late, so it was already packed, and couldn’t weasel my way anywhere where people were actually having fun. So I had fun right where I was. The show opened with The Infanta and only got better.

I actually didn’t care so much for Picaresque, but once I saw many of the songs performed live, I suddenly “got it.” I still don’t care for the boring guitar part of the verses in Bagman’s Gambit, but the chorus is great. Petra Hayden’s, who is adorable, cover of Kate Bush’s “Wuthering Heights” was fantastic. Her voice was a little weak in the beginning but recovered. You can download the song from last night over at Central Village.

By the encore, I wiggled my way into a better spot and continued to have an even better time. The epic Mariner’s Revenge was a great conclusion to a show that in my opinion just got better and better. Man, i didn't think such a long song about a whale would be good live; I don't feel sorry for those who left early. Best song of the night.

The whole band was undeniably cute. I just wanted to take them all home, drink, and play Scrabble. If you’re too lazy to go check out Central Village, here is the link to Wuthering Heights. I’m seeing if I can get a version where she doesn’t crack in the beginning.

TONIGHT:!!!! Check out Bobby Bare Jr. @ Mercury Lounge.

Tickets on sale now: Junior Senior

Junior Senior in town June 23

Junior Senior tickets for June 23 at the Mercury Lounge are on sale now. Buy here.

Today’s downloadds: Twin-A (more modern-rock than indie-rock, but it’s still good)
Something Good
Safety Net

Last night I saw Mike Doughty at Tower Records. Man I love his voice. The crowd was very non-responsive, but I’m not even sure how we were supposed to respond. It was good, but I can’t say I’m sorry I’m missing his sold out show at Bowery.

Tonight: The Decemberists at Irving Plaza.

Wait a Sec.... that's not Sufjan!

At a Sufan Steven's show...:


No, that's not Sufjan, but head over to Stereogum to get these tracks that are by him now available for a brief time (until the album comes out and you can own them all):

Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, IL

John Wayne Gacy, Jr.

Pictured above, also by Stereogum, is Suf's back-up singer. She’s even hotter than Sufjan himself. Not than I think he is hot, but I’ve heard others say that.

Tonight (@ 6:30) Mike Doughty performance at Tower Records on East 4th. It's free with CD purchase. I'm hoping it's free without.

Oh My...

Danger!

Jay Goodtimes first reported a special secret guest at the NY2LON show on May 20th. A few days later, he reveled it was none other than the Ligers. Oh, of course, I thought. The Ligers. Must be another band I haven’t heard of yet. After some quick Googling, I was puzzled. The Ligers were no where to be found. Is it a mythical band, I wondered? Must be. Bowery Ballroom posted The Ligers on the line-up thereafter, but by now, everyone realized that this mythical beast was odd. As the Brooklyn Vegan put it, this has the smell of a secret show all over it.

Yesterday, All the Young Mod Soldiers reported that the guest is Stellastar*. I actually don’t know much about them beside a few listens, and of course that they met at Pratt Institute. My own band started at Pratt also, although I have yet to find any other members other than myself.

Bands without Names

James (the band)

Download:
Ageless Beauty by Stars
Assassin by James

Why do bands chose unGoogleable names? Stars? Impossible! The National? Good Luck! And the UK band James? Ha! Do you know how many times I’ve been asked “What are some of your favorite bands.” “Well... I’ve always liked James.” “James who?” “It’s just ‘James’”. BTW: After being defunct for so long, James’s message board is still super active. I guess the kids in the UK have nothing else to do.

Well, I could write a review of the Stars at Southpaw, but I was sooooo damn tired. Instead I’d rather write about why Southpaw is quickly becoming my least favorite venue… on par with Webster Hall. I won’t get into it, but let’s just say the inexplicable wait between acts is baffling. (Redundant I know). Especially since they don’t have to set-up. It was 50 minuntes before Mason Jennings last month, and Saturday was 40 minutes before Stars went on. On top of that, the sound kept giving feedback all night. At least the crowd was happy.

You’ll have a chance to see the Stars on 6/25 at Celebrate Brooklyn with the New Pornographers. (Download new song here: Twin Cinema). Admission is about $3. Or see them with Decemberists and Death Cab in August at Central Park ($30 w/0 fees)

Speaking of New Pornographers: Them and my favorite, the Thermals, will be the special musical guest with David Cross and Todd Barry and Jon Benjamin. If only “Cross” was a first name, they’d have a half-dozen of’em between the three. It’s part of Tinkle at the Showbox in Seattle on May 20th and 22nd. Eugene Mirman will be a guest too. He’s performing tonight at Pianos (home of the original Tinkle), which is where I’ll be.