BumpTunes

This guy has hacked an Apple Powerbook to skip ahead songs by, yes, shaking his laptop… or rather, his friend’s laptop. He calls it “BumpTunes”.

It seems there’s a nifty thing in the new Powerbooks called an accelerometer. I know what you’re thinking: Didn’t the mechanic say I needed a new accelerometer when I got my tune-up last month? If he did, boy you got screwed.

A real accelerometer senses when your Powerbook picks up speed… primarily in the case of drop-age… and parks the drive heads to save your hard drive. That’s why astronauts can’t listen to iTunes during lift-off.

This guy has hacked it so that instead of parking the heads –hehehe- it can well, “You rock the machine backwards for the next track, and rock it forwards for the previous track.”

Awesome? Yes. Useful? Not really.

Someone Monkeyfilter responded to the idea, “When I used records, if I didn't like a "track" I would just smack the record player... it would jump to the next one...seriously...does someone really think that the best way to control iTunes on a Powerbook is to smack the thing????

And the Pelican Picnic is….

...another incarnation fronted by Alec Ounsworth… just as I expected.

If there is one thing about Alec, it’s that there's no predicting what he’ll do. Debut album? Open with a crazy carnival song. Hyped sold-out gig at Southpaw? Open with a brand new song no one knows. Going on a national tour? Start a completely different band and perform for the first time two days beforehand.

Where did he find four completely different members for a second band? Under a rock? And they played just as tight as Clap Your Hands does. The songs themselves were good, if you like Alec’s voice, which I do. I actually recognized about four songs, but I'm not sure where from. Were they the new songs played at the CYHSY shows? Did I hear them when he played solo at Pianos? I really don't know. But they were good.

Anyway, I’m jumping ahead. After Doveman, (see previous post), The Silent League came out and they blew me away too… all 9 of them. I figure if you are in a band with nine (9) people, you gotta be good, right? Talk about a nightmare for the soundman. Fortunately, the guy on the mix was spot-on all night. I even had to go up to him and give him props at the end. I don’t know where to begin with them. They had every instrument covered up there at some point… even a darn flute! A flute, I say!

King of France came on after that production, and looked minimal with only three guys. Three dudes covering drums, keys, and guitar. It’s hard to judge them because while they were indeed good, I had just seen two really awesome acts.

Even between acts, Mercury Lounge played the latest from Spoon and New Pornographers. One non-stop fun night.

So what’s that make it? 22 total musicians on stage. That’s $0.46/musician. What a deal.

Review: Doveman at Mercury Lounge

Did you know that the door at Mercury Lounge from the bar to the main space squeaks? Every single time. Rrrrrrrrt.

This gives you an impression just how quiet it was for Doveman last night. I walked in a bit late, giving up seeing Mommy and Daddy at Cake Shop. I did, however, speak with the actual mommy of Daddy for a bit. Take that irony and eat it. So after having some of that delicious pizza there, I went over to the Merc show.

As I was saying… I walked in a bit late, and was just floored by what I saw.

There were a few people standing in the back, but mostly everyone was sitting to the side or right on the floor. It was hard not disturbing the stillness in the room as I found my own seat. And then. More quiet. I mean, they were playing, but I can’t remember the last time I witnessed something so fragile… so intensely still. It was like some Taoist contradiction, moving at an incredible speed, yet remaining still. The quintet played so reserved, so calculated, that they could have been reading sheet music. There were times when the banjo would be resting for a few dozen measures, come in briefly for a moment, and the exit the piece. The last song had a few chaotic nuances that were quite unexpected and just incredible. I was floored, I tell you. And not just because I was sitting on it.

Claude Debussy once said, “Music is the silence between the notes.” Doveman was able to capture it within them as well, packing so much into so little.

Oh My Free-ness.

I really can’t complain when it comes to free shows. Especially, of course, if there is free food. The GoStation had the former but not the later last night at non-grocery-like Arlene’s Grocery, and I thought they were much better than when I saw them a few weeks ago. Oddly enough, when the crowd was asked how many of us came for one of the previous weeks, fewer people raised their hands than when just asked how many came last week. I don’t know math very well, but something was amiss.

Anyway, if you can’t have free drinks at a free show, then at least have free pizza. That’s right Fourth-graders, the people at Kanine are giving away free pizza for early birds to the Mommy and Daddy show tonight at Cake Shop. I hoped you RSVP’d! Hopefully I won’t gorge myself too much and can make it to Doveman in time. There, I’ll be parking it at Mercury Lounge all evening. Speaking of which… tonight’s best-bet in AM New York (free paper) is Alec Ounsworth and the Pelican Picnic. Yet, no one knows for sure what the hell this picnic thing is about. Or if they’ll even have sandwiches!

If all this free-ness isn’t for you, then don’t go to the free Comas show at Cake shop Thursday. I don’t think there’s free food, but it is at the Cake Shop. Yum!

I think it’s time for lunch.

This is the LAST time...

...that I'll analyze mathematically anything a website does.

Before a revolt breaks out... I have nothing against Pitchfork. I'd like to complete that chart so that the 12 reviewers that have over 100 reviews are shown more accurately. (If I have time, I'll do it... but there are more important things to do: like go to shows). Update: I've finished all but six. That's as much as I'll do.

Anyway. If you didnt know, Chris (GVB) had a contest to guess the rating for DCFC's Plans. My guess: 6.3. Actual: 6.5

All that analysis got me close at least.

Pitchfork Consistency?

Here is a chart I made by averaging the ratings by PFM reviewers. It's by no means perfect. It doesnt include contributers that are not active. UPDATE: All averages are included except for the 6 reviewers who have the most. I've placed them within the chart solely based on the first 40 reviews that came up. Also, Sean Fennessey who recently wrote the 9.5 review for Kanye West's latest is not listed because he only has 3 prior reviews.

I was inspired by the consistency of Jason Crock's low reviews, and wondered what was up (he gave the Editors, The Cribs, and Youth Group all pretty poor reviews). Talk about a "Crock of Shit."

I'm also posting this incomplete list b/c Brooklyn Vegan just mentioned an article in the Times. The Times pieces states how 'precise' Pitchfork's system is: "Pitchfork steps up to the plate with a rigorous rating system, serious (if idiosyncratic) critical standards." (NY Times)

It may be more rigorous than most... but it's still quite arbitrary. Then again, maybe certain reviewers just have the consistent bad luck of listening to bad music. But then if Crock thinks everything's bad, then that should boost, not deflate those three album reviews.

Another thing to consider is the editorial staff approval of these ratings and reviews. Obviously with a high mark, more than a single dude or dudette will be conferring on that 9.5.

Something to think about... or just discard as this Yeti's stupidity.

Friday Night: Les Savy Fav

Friday night, with full intentions on getting to the Bowery Ballroom fairly early, I did not. Instead, I drank. First a 40 oz. at home, then several Specials at the Cherry Tavern. When the Tecate started to slow down my pace, I abandoned the Special and stuck to straight Tequila.

Note: If you order two shots at once, you won’t order half as often. Instead, you’ll just drink twice as fast.

By the time we got to the show, with a Gin and Tonic in hand, we watched Fred Armison get practically boo-ed off stage. I don’t feel completely bad since I thought he bombed at the Thermals show as well –when he did get laughs.

Les Savy Fav went on and the whole place went nuts… including my drunken self. Now, I have never heard a note played by these guys, but that didn’t stop me from occasionally go crazy with the rest of them. When I got tired, I just moved to the side and let the real rabid people keep on. In all honesty, I didn’t think LSF were that much better than a load of other bands that SHOULD get that reaction but don’t. But when you’ve been around as long as they have, with what I am told are great albums, that will do it.

Bands I missed. Bands I wont.

Bands I missed on Friday: Tigers and Monkeys, Ted Leo, Rahim, Thunderbirds are Now!, The Comas.

Band I actually saw: Les Savy Fav.

Why is this? Two words: Tequila shots.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Shows this week for me:

Tuesday:
Mommy and Daddy @ Cake Shop
Doveman, Silent League, King of France, Alec Ounsworth @ Mercury Lounge (don’t expect any CYHSY)

Thursday: The Comas @ Cake Shop

Sunday: Out Hud @ Motherfucker Party

U.S.E. Tour Dates:

United State of Electronica tour dates are up. If they're coming to your town, you're in for a treat:

8/26/05 The Old Firehouse, Redmond WA
9/16/05 BerBati's Pan, Portland OR
9/17/05 Indigo District, Eugene OR
9/18/05 Cafe Du Nord, San Francisco CA
9/19/05 Knitting Factory, Los Angeles CA
9/20/05 Cinespace, Los Angeles CA
9/21/05 The Casbah, San Diego CA
9/24/05 Emo's, Austin TX
9/29/05 Red Star, Baton Rouge LA
9/30/05 Club Downunder, Tallahassee FL @ Florida State University
10/3/05 Will's Pub, Orlando FL
10/5/05 Cat's Cradle, Carrboro NC
10/7/05 Knitting Factory, New York NY
10/8/05 Great Scott, Allston MA
10/9/05 North Star Bar, Philadelphia PA
10/12/05 Beachland Tavern, Cleveland OH
10/13/05 Schubas, Chicago IL
10/18/05 O'Leavers, Omaha NE
10/21/05 Neurolux, Boise ID

Vicious Shows: (Comas tonight)

Vicious sponsoring a "secret" show tonight with the Comas:

August 26 2005 @ otto's shrunken head 538 E 14th St @ ave b FREE!

Vicious has a lot of interesting shows coming up... most notably will be The Head Set with Saints & Lovers on Sept 27 at Knitting Factory.

Check out the vicious site. (there's another "secret" Comas show next week...but I aint sayin when) Shhhhhh.

"Digg!" said the mother. "I digg," said the one.

My favorite story as a child began:

"Over in the meadow, in the sand, in the sun,
Lived an old mother turtle and her little turtle one.
"Dig!" said the mother. "I dig," said the one.
So he dug all day, in the sand, in the sun."

Strolled into the LES last night, tearing myself away from “Sweet Home Alabama” on network TV. Showed up at Sin-e and saw the Diggs introduce a lot of newer songs. They opened strong, but then quickly followed with a few that failed to make a mark on me; they just weren’t distinctive like their other stuff. Luckily they closed with a few of the best songs.

The Diggs are their best when the vocals aren’t drowned in waves of sound (or at Sin-e: noise). Of the five tracks I have of theirs, Stagg is the least interesting; but that type of song was largely the direction the show took last night. The trio really shines when they allow the songs to be reserved; when they get confident, they begin to become anonymous. Now that they’ve finished recording, hopefully this aspect will come across in the final production.

You dig?

Kanye West Vs. Sufjan Stevens

GVB posted this a while back, but I never listened to it until this morning. It's a mash-up of KW's "Jesus Walks" and Sufjan Steven's "They are night Zombies!" Reading the Time article on the subway today, and seeing both Coolfer and Stereogum bring him up, I remembered the track. I thought I'd link to it myself since it's a damn good mash-up, whoever did it (someone that goes by "Two Faced John McCartney"?).

Zombies Walk (mp3) [link courtesy of Crabwalk]

Thursday Downloads

The Diggs - "Brighton" (mp3) Play Sin-e tonight.

The Crimea - "Lottery Winners on Acid" (mp3)

The Head Set - Last Call Doll (mp3) Gives me a chill every time.

Youth Group - Someone Else's Dream (mp3) Just got this album. I love it all.

Playing a Platinum Record

My second post today comes via Kathryn Yu in case you missed it. It's about a guy from a former Christian rock band wondering if a record made of Platinum can be played... and what it would play:

My wife and I moved into a new place and I stuck the Platinum Record in my bathroom, over the toilet. There it sat with my two Dove Awards (another Christian-Industry joke). One day I was talking with some friends about the Platinum Record and rumors started coming. My friend Nate had heard that every Platinum Record that Capitol Records gave out was actually a copy of come Frank Sinatra record. Actually, that’s the only rumor that was mentioned. The rest of our talk was speculation. We decided that something had to be done to get to the bottom of all this

I won't spoil what happens next. Read the whole thing here.

Steven Seagal Energy Drink?!?

What's next? This is insane. When I found out about his forthcoming album [Amazon.com says: 'Comes with a free poster.'], I thought that was the craziest thing this guy could do. Now Dave over at Prefix points this out: Steven Seagal's own energy drink.

Whoa whoa whoa, Steven. As I recall you had trouble with ideas like "MP3's". I think you should concentrate on your music -your life passion!- before conquering other sectors of the American economy.

Or... go even further! Forget those two punks McCain or Clinton for 2008 - (just look at them!) I pray for a Steven Seagal- Chuck Norris ticket in '08. Those two alone could put democracy in Iraq. Who needs all this expensive war shit?

Go here for Seagal's Drink's own website. You can get a free DVD. Do you really want a free DVD?

Guess who stars?

Postponed and Canceled: A Conspiracy Theory

Editors - Fall (mp3)
Editors - Forest Fire (mp3) Awesome song. Not on "The Back Room."

We Are Scientists - Pop Gem (mp3) From first "Inaction" EP
We Are Scientists - Selective Memory (mp3) Also from "Inaction"

------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, first the Editors supposedly are to play Mercury Lounge on September 19th. Then it's postponed.

Second, We Are Scientists were suppose to have a Rothko residency starting the following day, on September 20. That has totally be abolished. They do play CMJ at 9:00 on Saturday at Scenic, but there's just so much going on that week.

Is it coincidence that these two bands are chummy... and are touring the UK together starting September 27th?

There are a lot of conflicts for CMJ, especially that Thursday and that Saturday, while Wednesday and Friday are easier. My biggest conflict seems to be between Youth Group at Mercury Lounge and Wolf Parade at Bowery. Wolf Parade is playing Bowery Ballroom in October...and Youth Group is only playing with DCFC at the cavernous Hammerstein.

Youth Group cancelled its show this Friday in Newcastle.

Maybe they are in cahoots with the others.

Review: Sufjan Stevens - Tuesday's show

I feel like I am the only one not into Sufjan Stevens and this puzzling phenomenon over Illinois. It’s like a joke with a non sequitur punchline. I even sold my Saturday night tickets to Bowery Ballrom a while back, but then bought some for Tuesday just in case. Probably a smart move, but even smarter would be to pass it up altogether. Yet, I was convinced that the subliminal messages that must be making everyone love this album would somehow just hit me. Maybe I had to see him perform LIVE… I mean, that would really liven up what I felt were boring songs. Right?

So, when I arrived last night at 10:00, the opener was already into their set. If I could describe how unpleasant they were, I would. I really would. The guy’s voice was so high-pitched and whiny, that I could only grimace and wait it out. Imagine a yelping stray cat singing along.

Following that, ANYTHING would have been good. Except, of course, a 40 minute wait. My wee legs were wearing thin by the time Sufjan and Posse came on at 11:20. Despite being both really tired and not-at-all into his sedate music, the next 40 minutes flew by fast. Then at midnight, I turned into a pumpkin and struggled to remain standing while nodding off.

He opened his set with the 50 States Songs and then played the Star-Spangled Banner in his own depressing melodic style. Was I at a U.S.O. show? Closing the set, he woke me up again with probably the only two songs that could: Come On Feel the Illionois! and Man of Metropolis.

I left shortly before the encore. Even if I missed something spectacular, I doubt I’d appreciate it anyway. I did really like the green Illinois t-shirts at the merch booth on the way out.

That counts for something, right?

This Thursday: COMA, Diggs, Autodrone

Don’t forget that on Thursday the Diggs play Sin-e. The Gothamist mentioned this show as part of a armada of bands they wanted to check out. The other two? Well, one is COMA, spelling each letter with the caps-lock engaged. You can download two mp3 clips from their website, but that will only make you want the whole tracks:

Now for Many Years (mp3)
Untitled (mp3).

[You can also find vocal-less demo via their parent directory, but the song is in a folder labeled “New Crap”, so you can guess how far along it is]

The other band Thursday is Autodrone. If you think the Harlem Shakes’ tragic Vespa accident story was bad… their bassist had an avocado-pitting accident that required an 11-hour surgery. The ER is starting to look like an after-bar. With that in mind, here are two songs. Not sold on them yet:

Autumn (mp3)
Pyranees (mp3)

As always, Diggs mp3s can be found via here.

Underage Drinking Does Not Help Starving Kids

Today, in the morning Metro paper, some guy wrote in a letter to the editor about not allowing underage drinking. At the end, as a conclusion, he wrote, “Also, the drinking age should be the least of our worries. How is letting a 15-year old build a tolerance for wine going to end starvation in Africa?”

That’s a good point. I never viewed it as an either-or issue: either Africans starve or the kids will drink. But it must be so. In fact, every issue should go to help solving starvation in Africa. I mean, it’s easy to see how stem cells and the Space Shuttle program help, but 15-year olds drinking wine? It doesn’t. And that’s why we MUST HAVE laws against it.

You see, it’s only when you are 21 can one reeeeaaallly start building a tolerance for wine to help those in need. Drinking before then is, I guess, a waste of your time.

So, drink on! if you are old enough. Do it for the kids in Africa.

Cuddling to "Jaws"

I went to Bryant Park last night for the Monday night movie: Jaws. I have actually never seen the film before, and being a half-mile away around dozen of chit-chatterers, I wasn’t about to either. Was I scared? Not around thousands of people who cheer every time someone dies. I wanted more death and blood.

Halfway through, I left, sick of seeing couples cuddle oh-so-close. C’mon folks! These are SHARKS. They kill you. Hell, I kill you. Go ahead and snuggle together so I can't see around you. Occasionally their heads would separate and you’d have a window between them…almost heart-shaped. Right now my impression of Jaws is more of a romantic comedy than anything. Probably not what Spielberg had in mind. Schindler’s List…now that’s a cuddle movie.

So, I bounced early to go, yes… do laundry. Not fun, but a necessary requirement to wear clothes. Clothes: also not fun. While leaving, I passed a sign that read, “MEN’S ROOM – ON SIDEWALK.” I was tempted, but definitely not drunk enough.

And when I am... who need's a sign?

!!! CMJ Tix on sale for SOB's

!!! (Chk Chk Chk) tickets are on sale today. You can go through ticketmaster (yuk!), or go to 200 Varick street, go in the basement and knock on the door. $17 each, cash only... but no fee. M-F: 11-6, Sat: 12-6.

!!! plays at SOBs on Friday night (Saturday Morning) at 1 AM.

Swimming in the East River and more: My weekend.

What a weekend.

As you may know, I went to see Neil Diamond on Friday because I had free tickets. Even though we were in the second-to-last row, it was awesome. Highlights were “America” and “Sweet Caroline.” It was ridiculous seeing parents and grandparents of all ages dancing around like I’d never seen before. People go insane for Neil. It’s a sight to behold. I would have paid $20 for the show, but still that’s nowhere near the 70 that they went for.

Saturday I spent all day drinking… started at noon and continued through midnight. I even went for a quick swim in the East River, alla Kramer. Now, before you think that’s dumb, the East River has been swimmable for years now. Don’t believe me? Read this. It made me feel like a kid on a carefree summer night. And it's far cleaner than that Erie Canal I swam in growing up.

My lack of sobriety was made more apparent by falling off my Mongoose battecat and stopping my momentum with my face. The pavement felt pretty soft in what was then my current state. It hurts more now two days later. As a plus, a banged-up face is kind-of attractive to the ladies. It’s the hunter-gather look, like I just wrestled a saber-toothed tiger or something. Or my battlecat an ASTEROID!

On Sunday, after completely sucking out at Bocce in Central Park (I go from being He-man one day to Retiree the next), I went to see the Aristocrats. Very very funny. The end came a bit abruptly, but it was great. One highlight at the end was with Andy Richter and another comedian telling the joke to their infant children like a fairy tale. Classic. Not something my folks would like though. Nothing I did this weekend my folks would like.

Oh man, I feel like summer has just finally begun. How many days left in it?

WTF?: Reviews on PFM

This is how I really think PFM rates their albums… that wheel there to your left. That’s the only way to explain these reviews and rating:

The Editors – Back Room …. 6.0

The Cribs – New Fellas …. 3.0

And this is why I read PFM only when I’m really bored. (Julseas is the one was brought to my attention that dismal 3.0, and Metacritic is the one that pointed out the 6.0.)

The Editors are great regardless. The news is circulating that they’ll play Monday September 19 at the Mercury Lounge. (via CV and GTR). If you don't have the album, I recommend it, even if haven't particularly liked individual songs you've heard. The sum is greater than the parts.

Friends of the Editors, We Are Scientists play part of their residency at Sin-e the following day on Sept. 20. I wonder if there'll be any cross-over.

[Neil] Diamond Nights

I’m going to see Neil tonight rock the Garden. I haven’t been familiar with Mr. Diamond in years…not ever since my Mom bought the Flower that Shattered the Stone and played it incessantly. Yesterday I urged my co-worker to bring in a greatest hits album, and so I’ve been rockin’ the iPod all day.

I must say, I am pretty damn excited for this show now. I’ll report back on Monday.

Have a good weekend. I'll leave you with this interesting shirt available at Busted Tees:

Other Takes on Stars, Decemberists, DCFC

Here are other reviews from around the interblogowebsphere. I agree most closely with Fake Century’s, although all are pretty much a consensus.

Fake Century
Brooklyn Vegan
Central Village via Gothamist
Central Village on Gibbard's Saliva
Script.blogs
Daily Refill
BV’s Smoosh shots.
Julseas

Stars, Decemberists, Death Cabs; Smoosh looks on.

Photo taken by Brooklyn Vegan.

I arrived at Summerstage much later than I expected. By the time I got in, Stars were already rocking away. I got my first and only drink (beer is obviously at $70/barrel now), and weaseled my way past the blanket-sitters to a good spot. At 7:03, Stars announced their last song. Bummer.

Decemberists came on and like their Irving Plaza show, opened with The Infanta and closed with Mariner’s Revenge. The latter alone was worth every nickel of admittance. Running at 8 minutes and 46 seconds on the album, it grows longer on stage, like a tale your Grandpa retells over and over and gets more fantastical each time.

Death Cab had a chore following that epic, but they did well. They perform like pros and show little trace of an indie-past. Perhaps it was the younger crowd that gave me that impression. I’d love to see them play a 21+ gig at Irving Plaza. Don’t get me wrong… I love the high school girls and all, but I’d rather have an intimate performance with the Death Cab than the cuties around me. And I mean that in the least homo-erotic way as possible.

Speaking of young girls: the girl from Smooth was rocking out in the wings on stage…especially to “Soul Meets Body.” I’m sure other blogs will have pictures.

The encore saw the Decemberists join DCFC for a rendition of some famous cover that I can’t remember the name of now. I have such a bad memory. Maybe I wasn’t even at the show. I know it wasn’t “Sick of Myself” by Matthew Sweet (I heard that Gibbard covered that recently for Sirius). Brooklyn Vegan just reminded me: it was “Go Your Own Way.”

DCFC finished precisely at 9:59, a minute shy of the 10:00 curfew. By the end, I was getting bored. They sounded polished, and seemed to rock out as much as the could, but it didn’t give me much more than what I get on my own (non-sexual, c’mon people) listening to the album.

I need whales and mayhem on stage. Whales and Mayhem.

Review: The Head Set.

First of all, I must repeat that Head Set is amazing.

I know I complain about mix and balance a lot, but last night was disappointing. The problem was that the Jordan’s vocals were significantly louder than the rest of the band. They weren’t aware of this because he even asked for more vocal in the monitor. I know this guy can sing. So when it sounds less than ideal over those speakers, I know it’s not him. Luckily, it didn’t persist for the entire set, and the last few songs were fantastic. And they definitely packed the place. These guys deserve that and more.

Jay was there too and loved it more than me – but I had just seem them at Pianos a couple weeks ago when the mix was incredible. He says: “Now I don't want to gush, but more often than not it happens. More than ever, the band is ready to break.” [One song (possibly Last Call Doll)]“has a distinct Doo Wop feel that had me creaming my jeans for more. For such an unsuspecting bunch, they've written some great material that should draw the attention of a larger audience.”

Jay also got the dirt on the Dirty On Purpose party tomorrow night. I’m not sure if they actually play at their own parties. Hopefully I’ll make it, but I got a bunch of free $70 tickets to go see Neil Diamond at MSG. That’s right. Neil Fucking Diamond. I just got to find some more friends that want to go. Not as easy as I imagined.

Also Jay pointed out that Coolfer pointed out that Morning News has the video of that guy dancing at the CYHSY show. “Video of the year” says Glenn. I agree. Watch (mov).

The Blue Scene Sounds Like:

Blue Scene- Morning of Kafka (mp3)
Blue Scene- New Wave Girls (mp3)

I saw the Blue Scene open for the Head Set last night, and they were actually good, especially considering it was pretty much a “bringer”: their friends were the only ones there. But they were surprisingly tight.

According to their Myspace profile they “sound like the Blue Scene.” Hmmmm. I’d say they sound more like the Beach Boys who listened to too much Blink 182. Their lyrics are about as deep as a drained kiddie pool, but you just try listening to “Morning of Kafka” and sit still during that chorus. It’s the catchiest thing since Velco Ball.

In a song titled “I Will Be There,” you don’t expect depth. You expect candy and flowers on Valentines Day. And they deliver with lyrics like “Girl, you mean everything- The world- feels like a summer breeze. Girl, you mean everything to me.” Yeah, they have some growing up to do. But Gosh Darnit if that song’s not catchy as well.

Dumb? Yes. Guilty Pleasure? Definitely. Just pretend you don't speak English.

Maybe they do in fact sound a bit like the Blue Scene.
They play Arlene’s Grocery on September 23.

U.S.E. back in town! Knitting Factory 10/07

"Open your eyes. Everybody!"

Thanks to Kathryn for speculating that the USE/Candy Whales show listed on the Knitting Factory website might be the U.S.E. -United State of Electronica. Well, I've confirmed that is indeed them.

Last year for CMJ, they absolutely killed at Pianos...and then repeated that at their afternoon show at the Gigantic shop (pictured above). Whatever you do... do not miss this.

Spin's Band of the Day: Dirty on Purpose

With potentially 365 winners a year, today Spin.com features Dirty on Purpose, a band that I really like -but many do not. Read their feature here. Congrats to them!

Also recently featured were Rahim (August 2), the Upwelling (August 5), Mobius Band (August 9) and Shelby (August 10). I saw Shelby play last night and only liked a song or two. I saw Mobius Band over the weekend and liked 50% of it.

Other random bands featured:
United State of Electronica (March 25) Come back East!!!!
The Mountain Goats (April 26) at Bowery Ballroom Oct. 28
Smoosh (January 4) In town this week.
Hockey Night (July 13) Play Mercury Lounge on Saturday
Love As Laughter (April 20) just opened for the Hold Steady w/ Andy from the Comas on bass.

And the most in-depth coverage ever on Clap Your Hands (January 4).

PBR and BBJ, but no PB and J

Right after Bloc Party, my favorite band to see live is Bobby Bare Jr. His albums are amazing, and when he performs, he cranks up the volume and simply rocks. I always say that Bare Jr. is what I wish Wilco would be like. Not that Wilco is bad, but his shows don't nearly have the energy that he has.

I just saw on the KEXP website that they are sponsoring a BBQ at Union Pool in Brooklyn for CMJ, on Saturday 9/17. So go! And see Bare Jr. win you over.

Bobby Bare Jr. - I'll Be Around (mp3)
Bobby Bare Jr. - Valentine (mp3)

He was featured on NPR. (Real Audio)

-Ice Cream Man reviews his Sasquatch performance.
-Drink Bobby Bare Jr. beer here.

Beat Radio. mp3s & experiment

Beat Radio – Mexico (mp3)
Beat Radio – Ancient As the Stars (mp3)
Myspace has 3 other songs which are even better.

If you aren’t going to the big Summerstage show tomorrow, then go check out Beat Radio and the Diggs at Sin-e. Of all the groups playing with the Diggs over their residency, these guys have the most potential. The singer has one of those voices that just cuts right through you. And with all my recent complaining about locals lacking vocals –good ones that is- it’s nice to have them around. By the way: that’s a potato radio pictured... not too many pictures of beats around.

Go here to make your own radio. Or here to buy one.

Granny Rocks the Harlem Shivers

Remember that old lady that was at the Hysterics show back in June? (see left, taken by Music For Robots). Well, she was at the Harlem Shakes show last night.

I know, I know: all old people look the same... so it probably wasn’t the same lady. But I like to believe this same woman goes to all of these shows to check out the scene. Who needs David Byrne, eh?

Actually, I was stuck in the back with all the relatives of the band: moms, dads, aunts, etc- each who sang along in a different key. I myself only went because it was free, and I wanted to see if the same rabid crowd would show up from their last show. The answer: sorta. The people up front were having fun, but not nearly to the extent as a few weeks ago. Even the bassist who was insane last time was a bit more reserved.

In the end, the Harlem Shakes have one good song, and consequently they always play it at the end. They would probably have more, but the singer looks and sounds like he’s in pain. I mean, how far can one’s neck stretch?

New Amsterdams - Not So 'New'

New Amsterdams – Proceed With Caution (mp3)

Freshman year in college, a friend gave me the New Amsterdams album Never You Mind. Although I’ve never really liked “emo,” I did like this side project of Matt Pryor -well, at least this first album. Although The Get Up Kids are no longer kids -and no longer a band- The New Amsterdams project is still around. Like CBGB, I'm not sure if that's a neccessarily a good thing. They come to play Northsix on October 28th and although I've never seen Pryor live, I don't think I'm about to start. Want to see how bad it's gotten? You can download a recent 5-song EP from their website. Here it is:

Killed or Cured (zip)

Even Ben Lee’s latest had redeeming moments. This is just so shallow and tired, just what you'd probably expect. It's the same old emo that's been around for the last dozen or more years. And in retrospect, it wasn't even good to begin with. You would hope that Pryor would take his talent and grow out of that transitory stage of adolescent drama. Five years after Never You Mind, he's lost control over his lyrics and dumbed-down what actually worked on the album.

My Week Ahead:

Monday, tonight, there is a free Harlem Shakes show at Pianos at 7:00. These locals have one enthusiastic fan base.

Tuesday, tomorrow, Shelby is having their record release party 8-11 at Passerby with Audrey and Aurelio (of Calla …Ug) on the decks. RSVP to elissa@giganticmusic.com

Wednesday – The Head Set and Group Sounds at Pianos. You should already know how awesome I think the Head Set are. Group Sounds sound good as a group too. Go to this post for Head Set mp3’s, and go see this band!

Thursday – the big Summerstage show with Stars, Decemberists, and Death Cab.

And then my weekend is free to hopefully enjoy some nice mid-70 degree weather.

Sweatin' to the Indies

Friday night, shortly after nearly severing off my index finger with my glass of Guiness (don’t ask), I went to Crash Mansion for the free Morning Theft show. I thought the band was fine, but to be honest- I didn’t pay surgical attention to them as much as I did to my throbbing finger. After that, I went to Voxtrot at Rothko, and 'cut' my night short following that.

Saturday night I went to that party in Dumbo. Although my name wasn’t on the list, I was able to show her my email confirmation on my cell. Yay for technology. Once inside that oven-of-a-loft, I started drinking Red Stripe like it was Gatorade. Yum yum yum. Anyone else think it was hot there?

Unfortunately I wore the world’s worse shirt. It quickly changed from gray to dark-gray with my sweat - like one of those old hypercolor shirts of the 80s. By the end, it was so drenched, I could have just been wearing a dark-gray shirt. Just don’t touch me.

Charles Bissell played well, but no one in the room cared to listen except for maybe a dozen. Perhaps it was because the equipment was set up in the hottest part of the room, or because the people (a remarkable absence of hipsters) were allergic to Mr. Bissell.

The Mobius Band followed, and finally drew the attention of others. The band was decent; I felt the guy to the right with the green striped shirt sang all the good songs, while the other guy sang the rest. It took me forever to realize the pun of ‘mobius band,’ because in architecture school I always called it a ‘strip.’ After realizing how dumb I was, I got the idea to start a place called the “Mobius Strip Club."

I left the party before Elkland came on, mostly because I didn’t have anymore sweat left. On the walk home, Ang and I passed this: the world's largest washing machine. It’s humungous! That’s Ang, modeling the appliance as if it was about to be won on the Price is Right. Oddly enough, I could actually see that happening.

Voxtrot Last Night

Good and drunk. That’s what I should be this morning. But I’m not. I don’t even have a hangover. Considering my state last night, I am baffled that I’m so… so… functional.

When I arrived at Magnetic Field last night just as Noah from Sam Champion did, I don’t think I made a very good impression. He probably thinks I’m some crazed fan. And then, later plopping my drunken ass front and center for Voxtrot probably only made me look more crazed. Oh well. Maybe I am.

So, yeah… Voxtrot fucking ruled. I might just go tonight to see them tear it up at Rothko. Who knows how often they’ll be back-Update-they'll be around for CMJ.

Magnetic Field has been added to my list of favorite venues. Dinky, intimate, cheap drinks, and one incredibly impressive sound system.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Voxtrot saved my cat from a tree. They seriously sang it down!”-Dreams of Horses

Yeah, those trees. They sure are voracious.

CYHSY, Devotchka, Boards of Canada, Fleetwood Mash (mp3s!)

1. CYHSY played well last night… despite the sound technician fucking up half their set. “Yellow Country Teeth” sounded unbalanced and horrible, and it’s my favorite song. The highlight was “Is this Love,” when the mix finally came in line. Everyone is a fan of the new Satan song. It’s ok. And although people hate for them not being the Savior himself during their live show, they still rock and have the some of the best songs out there. And that, my friends, is what gives their album longevity.

2. Devotchka played well last night too. I stayed for almost the whole thing, but I wanted them to be even more ethnic sounding. I guess I could just go to some Latvian dance recital or something. Props to them for using a tuba.

3. Boards of Canada listening party. I went to this thing… mainly for free drinks… and thought that the music was perfect for the dim lounge. I’d never listen to them on my own, but it was alright. The girls were pretty all dressed up for a Saturday night on the town. I bought one drink and glad I did (although it was damn expensive), because once the open bar started at 10:00, the people swarmed the bartender like flies to cow shit. Realizing I could drink for nearly free at my place, and I went home. I’d tell you what the new BoC sounds like, but I’d have better luck biting my ear.

4. Fleetwood Mash. It’s the imaginary super group of Mick Fleetwood on drums (Fleetwood Mac), Rudy Sarzo on bass (Whitesnake, Ozzy Ozbourne), Bill Laswell on a bunch of stuff (producer for Bob Marley, Mick Jagger…), and ILONA! on vocals. Pretty funky shit. Actually really funky shit. Download individual tracks, or a zip (recommended) of the whole thing (10 tracks - 30 minutes total).

Alec Ounsworth and the... Huh?

Just when I thought I'd skip Doveman's Mercury Lounge show 'cause their playing everywhere else.

Alec Ounsworth has a knack for odd band names: Clap your Hands Say Yeah, Flashy Python & the Body-Snatchers, and now Alec Ounsworth & The Pelcian Picnic... coming August 30th.

I liked Alec's solo folk performance at Pianos a few weeks ago. And you can see CYHSY for free tonight at the South Street Seaport with Devotchka, advertised to start at 7:00.

Nokia Theater:

If you picked up the Village Voice yet, you’ll notice the Nokia Theater spread dominating several pages of the music section. It'll be opening this fall in the never-to-cramped-for-more-attractions Times Square… not all that far from the Town Hall. Whereas the latter hosts more subdued musical acts -recently the Eels and Anthony & the Johnsons- Nokia will sport an eclectic range of guests from Slipknot (3 nights, oh my!), to Hanson (oh yes!). Tickets range from $25 for Rusted Root to $60 for Olivia Newton John (my sympathy to all the ONJ fans that read this blog).

Ticketmaster has all those details available here. I’ll definitely go to the Rusted Root show… I was too drunk to remember anything from their February stop at Irving Plaza.

And since I’m big into stats and numbers: capacity for the place is 2100… compared to 1100 at Irving Plaza, 1400 at Webster Hall, 1500 at Town Hall, 2500-3000 at Roseland, 3000-3700 Hammerstein, 6000 Radio City Music Hall.

Doveman is Everywhere... (Not the Christian Superhero)

I hope you like Doveman. If you don’t, well, I got news for you: their everywhere! As you probably know, BV announced they are playingwith Cloud Cult at Tonic on September 13. Tickets Available here.

Doveman was also added to Moveable Hype 4.0 on August 22 at the Knitting Factory. Go here for a rundown on the other artists and downloads from them. Get tickets here.

Annnnnnd, their playing at the Mercury Lounge on August 30.

Get this. According to KLTV , "Doveman is a Christian super hero, who relies on his faith in Jesus, to help defeat evil and calm the fears of Funville."-(Via Doveman's Blog -and he doesn't dig Sufjan either)

How unfortunate.

"We take a character such as Doveman, add a bad character, put them in a bag and shake it all up and out comes a story."

I think that's how they wrote the Bible...

Voxtrot: Thursday... or... Friday?

Instead of seeing Voxtrot with Au Revoir Simone at Rothko, which might sell out -and I don't feel like going through Ticketweb, I figure I’ll just go see the former on Thursday in Brooklyn, bicycling distance from my house. I’ve never been to Magnetic Field before, so that's another reason to go. If you don't have these tracks by now, here are some:

Voxtrot – Start of Something (mp3)
Voxtrot – Missing Pieces (mp3)

Au Revoir Simone – Back in Time (mp3)
Au Revoir Simone – Backyards (mp3)

I also finally got the Editors album and have been very impressed. Solid from beginning to end, including the 6 tracks on the "Cuttings" disc that came with it.

3 Decent Bands = 1 Decent Night

I swung by Arlene’s Grocery last night to catch a bit of the Go Station. They were pretty good. The singer’s voice was quite strained and a little flat. On the other hand, he did have good stage presence, which is hard when you don’t have an instrument to put between yourself and the audience. What they called their “single” was the easiest to like, but also the least interesting. I beleive Nora was there as well. They are definitely worth checking out during their free Mondays in August residency, at 8:30.

I went over to the Mercury Lounge from there and saw the Redwalls. Usually when people get on stage they look taller. Somehow these boys shrunk, or at least their pants did. With their super-tight tapered jeans and short statures, I can't say they didn't vaguely resemble elves. Overall, they were decent, but not spectacular.

The Shout Out Louds completed the night, and they too came off fairly bland. They started off great, with Please Please Please followed by The Comeback. After that, they fell in a rut. It got a bit better as it went on, but definitely didn’t live up to how much I wanted to like them.

If you consider all three together, it was a really good night. On their own, it would have been quite a snore.


-By the way… Sufjan sold out Day 5 at the Bowery Ballroom! Anyone sensing a Day 6?

Shout Out Louds Tix available, other Merc shows:

Tix are on sale for tonight's sold out Shout Out Louds/Redwalls show at Ticketweb. No longer, since the show is in an hour or so.

Other noteworthy upcoming Mercury Lounge shows:
-Doveman playing on August 30 (I totally forgot about that show last week)
-Cracked Out on Thursday (introduced to me by CV)
Download Cracked out tracks (warning: wear headphones-very very explicit):
Intro/Fuckin Yo Moms in Da Ass (mp3)
We Fuck Animalz (mp3)
more here

Across the Narrows Tickets

Tickets will be $55 for one event, $100 for two. On sale Friday at 10AM. Brooklyn defintely won out here.

Go here for more details. That's the official website.

Thanks to Fake Century for the link.

Review: Hold Steady, Saturday Night

Saturday night, the Hold Steady played an unbelievable set …or two. Maybe I was so awestruck because I thought they were pretty shitty when I saw them in January at the Mercury Lounge. This time around, as soon as they opened with Hornets!, I felt like Saul falling off his horse, and it solidified my thoughts on their album.

Beginning somewhere around midnight they played a solid set that opened strong, but lost quite a bit of steam as it progressed. By one o’clock, I was losing energy fast. When they came back on for the encore, things started to pick up.

Actually, the whole show exploded. I could first feel it as a little nudge on the back. Then, the increasing movement to my sides. Then, as I sensed a sweet guitar riff building, things opened up… and the crowd (at least up front where I was) went nuts. It never got out of control nor too crazy, but it made my adrenaline rise and the Hold Steady continued to play one of the longest and energetic encores in recent memory… Hell, I should just call it a second set.

Unlike another local band who like to disdainfully shower their legions in beer, Hold Steady sprayed each other, and the crowd, in celebration with champagne. Craig Finn seemed so gracious at the end, and right when you’d expect that it was over, they’d rip right back into another one. When it was finally done, it was past 2:00, and I was ready to party. At least, until I got on the subway and quickly fell asleep.

Angela, still not a very big fan, even whispered in my ear, “What kind of encore was that? They should just skip the show and play the encore.”

Kathryn Yu has pictures here.
Wassanova has pictures from Friday.

Awkward Moment, with Relatives.

I had family in town over the weekend: a cousin I had not seen since I was seven, the age that I promised myself to become a paelontologist/astronaut. While waiting for her at Rockefeller Center, I wondered how I would even recognize her. Suddenly, and frighteningly, every female around me had the potential to become my cousin, even Asian women, which I knew my cousin was clearly not. As such, I instantly felt sexually neutral to everyone around me.

Momentarily castrated, I was releived to finally run into her... when a stranger who had been standing next to me for a few minuites said to her 11-year old son, "Ok, let's go find Jerry."

"I'm a Jerry" I said, including the article "a" incase there were others around.

Later on, while we were having lunch, she mentioned her other kids, including her 19 year-old step-daughter. She took out her wallet and showed me pictures. The 11 year-old was, of course, wearing the exact same shirt as he was in the photo. Kids that age only really have one shirt anyway.

However, I noticed on her daugter's prom picture, some blue make-up had smeared onto her neck and face. And being the jokster that I am... well...the conversation went like this:

Me: So is that her tatoo?

Mother: Noooo. Ha. Ha. Ha. That's just make-up from my purse.

Me: That's good, cause it'd make her look like a Star-Trek alien.

Younger Brother: No, her tatoo is on her stomach.

Mother: What? He's just kidding. (then, to her son): Right?

Younger Brother: No, I saw it, it's on her stomach right here (points to lower stomach)

Mother: Nooo. When did you see it?

Younger Brother: When she went swimming.


Oh, to be 11 forever…. that naive about what you shouldn't say to your mom about your sister's tatoo.

The 411 on Moveable Hype 4.0

The Moveable Hype 4.0 line-up was announced earlier this week, so now it’s time to do some research to find out who the hell these people are:

Langhorne Slim – “Langhorne’s songs come out of American vernacular music -- the race and hillbilly sounds that peaked in the ‘20s and ‘30s in what Greil Marcus so famously called ‘the old, weird America.’ Well, Langhorne makes music for the new, weird America.”

-read more here, or at the antifolk site here.
-In the Midnight (mp3)
-She Don’t Want (mp3)
-Stream interview/performance: mp3 stream / real audio stream
-Listen to 5 more on his website, but you have to keep your mouse over the song title for it to keep playing. Oh botha.

Bravo Silva –“artful pop rock music that is at once extremely listenable and sonically complex…Their synergetic collaboration is musically dynamic: while Silva's husk-and-silk voice reaches for far ends of a dramatic range, Bravo's subtle yet deft guitar work supports and challenges hook-filled song writing.” –their website. Oh boy.

-Listen to 3 songs on their site or on myspace.

Raising the Fawn – (led by John Crossingham of Broken Social Scene), “And now that we are asked to introduce ourselves to the world as it were, we walk the red carpet in this same raggedy sweater. We bring to the after-party some leftover stew. And somehow, it all makes sense to us… If it means a tenth to you what it means to us, we are pleased the sweater fits you too." -site

-Gwendolyn (mp3) via Jen
-Into Ashes White (mp3 zip)
-Download their album North Sea or the EP By the Warmth… on eMusic.

But tickets to Moveable Hype here.

The Head Set: Free Music Dammit!

If you download anything this week, make it this:

A Regular Bonnie and Clyde (mp3)
Don’t Panic (mp3)*
1982 (mp3)
Late for the Show (mp3)*
Pure Convenience (mp3)*
Come On, Come On (mp3)

I’ve been listening to the Head Set non-stop for the past week and I can’t yet figure out what it is I’m addicted to. I could rattle off possible influences, similar groups, but none of that would really add up. And such comparisons never really make sense to anyone else. Their forthcoming album is remarkably cohesive, and one in which after listening to it the first time, I replayed it from the beginning, twice.

The singer, Jordan Blaugrund, at times sounds a lot like Hamilton Leithauser of the Walkmen (there I go, making damn comparisons). However, unlike Bows and Arrows, which I found good but frustratingly inconsistent, Head Set sound more Indie-Pop, and maintains its hooks from the first song to the last. When they slow things down, Blaugrund’s voice only gets more intense, and the result is quite moving. I’m actually surprised that I’m drawn to these slower songs, since I always prefer the opposite. “Last Call” and “Modern Class” are some of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard this year.

Put it simply, they might just sneak their way onto a Best-of list by December.

(*)denotes that a version of this song will be on their forthcoming album

Story of the Day.... Jimi's Military Records

Everyone will be talking about this one today. The Smoking Gun has found and posted Jimi Hendrix's Military Records. You should read it. It's both humorous (his name is dead last on the list for markmanship) and sad. From Page 8, when asked about his characteristics, good and bad, it reports, "Poor character. No known good charateristics."

Nothing? Absolutley nothing?!? C'mon. Even in kindergarten we are taught to find the good in other people. Doesn't sound like they tried too hard. Just cause he couldn't shoot a gun or go to bed on time.

From page 10: "At times Hendrix isn't able to carry on an intelligent conversation, paying little attention to having been spoken to... Pvt Hendrix plays a musical instrument during his off duty hours, or so he says. This is one of his faults, becasue his mind apparently cannot function while performing duties and thinking about his guitar."

Oh, yeah, and he was caught masturbating once. It's mentioned about two dozen times in the report.

Album Names, Baby Names, but No Planet Names

Damn slow day this is.
Well... here are some flyers. Yay flyers!


The Diggs play with The Octagon on 8/18, COMA on 8/25, and Joy Zipper on 9/9. They have a title for their forth coming album which they are recording right this very second: Commute.

The weird thing is that if I ever wrote songs longer than 30 seconds, I think they'd probably sound alot like the Diggs. And if I did, I always liked the band name "The Commute." So, I approve.
Go here for my review of their show, and a couple tracks.



Remember when I said there were hot girls at the Head Set show? Well, here you go. Looking forward to this show now that I've been listening to them quite a bit. I'll write more about them tomorrow or so. No official title for their album yet.

Baby! My co-worker's wife is having a baby today. No word on a name yet. I'm still campaigning for 'Waldo.'

In other news you've already heard about: Franz Ferdinand decides to name their sophmore album. Unfortunately, the title is just as boring as not having one.

NON NAME NEWS:
-We Are Scientists have a residency at Rothko, the first two shows with the Underrated favorite Five O'clock Heroes. Every Tuesday from Sept 20 through Oct 11.

-Bloc Party has a secret song on their album Silent Alarm? I did not know that. Do you think that'll get remixed on the Remix album? I'm going to have to pull out the ol' CD Player tonight to listen to it (rewind from the first track).

Naming the Tenth Planet

This article, see left, was taken from today’s free Metro paper.




See a pattern?



Tomorrow’s headline will read: “New Yorkers Propose 8,000,000 Different Names for Tenth Planet”

I, myself, think the issue has been settled.

Indie Night School

Indie Night School at Pianos, August 3rd and 17th

INS, that also stands for International Naturalization of Supernintendo, is a (panel/forum/diguised AA meeting) for discussing how to rule the world, or just your half of it, with your band. I'm not fully sure exactly or even remotely what they discuss, although I have a good, sometimes contradicting, perfectly clear idea.

According to their blog, (btw, the panel has a bunch of high-profile bloggers -fancy that):

For the third session of Indie Night School - on Wed. Aug 3 upstairs at Pianos - we are excited to work with Jay Ruttenberg from Time Out NY and Leah Greenblatt from Entertainment Weekly, not to mention basically every major music blogger in the city (more on that later).

Those major bloggers being:
Oh My Rockness, Ultragrrrl, Modern Age, Gothamist, Melody nelson, Jenyk, Aeki Tuesday, Simple Mission, Underground Fairy, and Verbose Coma.

Ohhhh, yeah. And it's all put together by the Black Spoons. And they did an interview with my favorite local band, We Are Scientists. It mainly discusses further in depth about signing to Virgin, and as such, lacks the humour notorious on their website.

CMJ Sub Pop Showcase

Perhaps you can guess which promises to be one of the best CMJ shows this year, without even knowing who’s playing: Saturday night at the Bowery Ballroom.

It’s the Sub Pop showcase featuring, among others: the Constantines, Rogue Wave, the Fruit Bats, and Wolf Parade. Tickets will sell out fast for that, assuming the public will have access to such an event. I didn’t like Rogue Wave all that much last time they were in town, but the Fruit Bats have a new album (is it good?), and well… Wolf Parade... we're waiting to see if their LP on September 27th will propell them even further than their EP.

Tracks:
Rogue Wave - Every Moment (mp3)
Rogue Wave- Endless Shovel (mp3)
Rogue Wave- Nourishment Nation (mp3)

Fruit Bats - Lives of Crimes (mp3) –from their new album Spelled in Bones
Fruit Bats - A bit of Wind (mp3)
Fruit Bats - Slipping through the Sensors (mp3)
Fruit Bats – When You Love Somebody (mp3)

Wolf Parade – You Are a Runer (mp3)
Wolf Parade – I'll believe in anything (mp3)
Wolf Parade – This heart’s on fire (mp3) via Scenestars

Last Night: Ted Leo @ CBGB

I went to the post-midnight show yester—er- this morning- with Ted Leo at CBGB. The gin and tonics were flat, the beer was warm, and the openers were, well, openers. The Star Spangles weren’t bad, but lacked any sort of dynamics. Every song tried to be a home run. I think they were the ones who ended with Blitzkrieg Bop…sung by the crowd mostly in collared shirts. The Five Maseratis were worse. I thought it was ok, until Angela told me to imagine if I was listening to this on my iPod. I just couldn’t. Afterwards when they handed out demos I remembered this thought and passed.

Ted Leo, luckily, made the late night worth it. He continually impresses me by giving it all when he rocks out. He broke his strap on the second song, and the mic had trouble staying still as he bounced around. After teasing to play the third song sitting on the ground, someone lent Ted his strap, and he got up.

The crowd was small. I’d estimate around 150. They weren’t as hyper as his Irving Plaza show, that show still baffles me, but there were many who into it nonetheless. After attempting to turn the amps back on following his set, he obliged tradition with an encore, and concluded the night with a Springsteen cover.

Great night… would have been better earlier… or with a cold beer.

Where, Oh, Where did my post go?

These are bouncy balls rolling down the street in San Francisco. Pretty surreal.

I posted this image yesterday taken by someone called 'Sem' on flickr. The origin of the picture can be found here. That post has vanished over night. I'm re-posting to see if the picture is magical and will disappear again.

Pianosaurus. ROAR!

Pianosaurus – Sun Will Follow (mp3)

I came across Pianosaurus via MOKB who found it via Little Hits. I wouldn’t normally re-post something that’s already been posted twice elsewhere on the blogosphere, except that I myself generally don’t download something unless I’m confident it’s worth my time, and others have recommended it. Who has time to DL every mp3 off every blog? Not me.

Pianosaurus caught my eye solely because it is one of the coolest bandnames I’ve heard. (Disclaimer: I was a big dinosaur fan when I was 7). They play entirely on toy instruments. At the time, circa 1987-1990, this was novel. Now, such bands as By the End of Tonight who utilize a toy drum kit as the backbone to their brand of heavy rock/metal, it is more common.

Film Cement has a list of other toy bands, although I’m not familiar with any of them, so I can’t vouch for the quality of their musicianship.

“Sun Will Follow” sounds like it could pair well with Boy Least Likely To’s “Be Gentle With Me”. If you want more Pianosaurus tracks, Amazon.com has two, although they aren’t nearly as interesting. One of them is titled hipster-friendly “Thriftshoppin.”

Everybody Dance Now

I went to the Brooklyn Cyclones game Friday night, and since we were down 3-0 since the first inning, it was pretty damn uneventful… up until the 8th when we scored 8 runs with 2 outs. Never had I been more excited at a single-A short-season game (that's the lowest of the low of all the minor leagues).

This sign was posted in the men’s room. If you’re distracted by the awesome clip-art, it says “Join us on the field as we attempt to set the record for the world’s largest hora dance at a minor league baseball game!”

“The world’s largest hora dance at a minor league baseball game,” I repeated, imagining minor-league baseball parks all over the globe trying for decades to out-do their small-city neighbors. I was always under the impression that the record was somewhere hovering around zero. The people at Guinness must be bored.

I was curious to see what other types of Hora dance records have been attempted. So, I did some research –meaning I’ve Googled ‘world’s largest hora dance’- and it appears that such attempts are a dime a dozen. Just two months ago Philadelphia tried their own.

No minor league teams in Philly, though, so we’re safe to set our own.