Giveaway: Beirut, Group Sounds, Irving

Since I approve of the line-up so thoroughly, I’ve agreed to bend my “no-contest” rule and offer up pairs of tickets to Beirut, Group Sounds, Irving at the Knitting Factory on May 10th. Otherwise tickets are only $8. Email me here.

Beirut – Postcards from Italy (mp3)
Beirut – Mount Wroclai (Idle Days) (mp3)

Group Sounds – Goodbye (mp3)
Group Sounds – Bellyup (mp3)

Irving –Curious Thing About Leather (mp3)
Irving – Situation (mp3)

Your Five-day FutureCast

[pic cred]

To sum up Monday night in a neat little phrase: Sam Champion blew my mind. Sure, the Two Gallants were the national headlining act playing their only gig in town, and Sam Champion were the local act we’ve all seen before, but if I’ve ever said anything before –and I have, believe me- then let me say that I’ve said almost nothing of what is to be said yet of these local boys.

You follow?

I caught “Noah Chernin and the Charmin Ultra” four times in 2005. I really liked their debut Slow Rewind and thought they were a solid act through and through. If they played their cards right, I believed they could gain a wider national audience. There was some doubt of course, but then again I've seen worse bands go far. When Slow Rewind didn’t get the attention it deserved, I wondered what would happen next. Go back and record a second album to be equally ignored?

Sam Champion, aka CHERnin and the Band of Thieves, had an answer: start to kick ass. Seriously, I’m not sure what fire ants got down their britches, but some time between September 2005 and January 2006 they got tighter than, well… a fire ant’s puss... hamstring. Their opening slot for Tapes ‘n Tapes at Rothko (review) opened my eyes. The band started to jam harder, louder and more together than ever; and moreover, they had the commanding stage presence to back it up.

In the past few months, it’s escalated even further. Sean on guitar provides confident and exciting solos, swelling with the other three to a resolution and then successfully back into the chorus. Sean will whip any song into a frenzy. Noah still has that slight timidity to his vocals that provides an even more compelling dynamic now that the band rocks. Just go and see them. Even if you saw them in 2005, it’s not the same band.

In '06, Sam Champion has the ability to upstage most any band with the guts to play afterwards.

Sam Champion – Slow Rewind (mp3)
Sam Champion – Now Look At Me (mp3)
Sam Champion - Too Broke (mp3)

Buy the album here.
I wasn’t the only one impressed. Jeff, Amrit, Wes, and Ang were all in agreement.

Obligatory Lego Post

Blogs were invented for the sole purpose of linking to insane Lego creations. So, it's only fitting that every X number of entries we visit our roots.

So Look! A Gorton’s Fisherman made from Legos!

Seriously, they make ev-er-y-thing out of legos nowadays.

But hold on a second... if that’s crazy... then what do you call this?!?!

Jens Lekman On Sale

I knew it'd probably be too much to ask for him to play Mercury again. :(

July 21st Jens Lekman - Bowery Ballroom (Tix)

All his tour dates here.

Clap Your Hands PreSale

9/28/2006 Summerstage, Central Park, NYC
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah PreSale @ 10:00 Today. Go here.

I thought I was done with seeing this band up until a few weeks ago. That's how good the Bowery gig was. I'll pass on the presale and get them when at public sale to save on fees. Arcade Fire sold out Summerstage in three days. I'm curious how long it'll take these guys.

¡Forward, Russia! Video - "Twelve"

Today I mashed up Sesame Street with ¡Forward, Russia! Seemed like the logical thing to do. I don’t know a thing about editing video, but if I did I would have made this video even better.

Watch on YouTube. It takes a minute to load (sorry).

¡Forward, Russia! – Twelve (click picture)

I lovelovelove that song.

The official video for "Nine" can be seen here. It's ace.

El Ten Eleven on Tour

OC weekly said: El Ten Eleven are “ridiculously good”…. (looking).

Do yourself a favor and see El Ten Eleven next week. Why? Because it’s your only opportunity. After next week they return to LA, never to leave again until next year.

I’m deadly serious. Deadly. They (there’s two of them) create some of the only non-vocal music I can stand to listen. But even more than the music itself, it’s downright magical watching them create it. There’s some musicians who play around with a loop pedal, and then there’s Kristian who has mastered it. He plays a double necked guitar/bass to create as complex as sounds as possible.

Trust me. See them. You have one chance. Don’t blow it.

In NYC:
El Ten Eleven @ Northsix 5/4 tix
El Ten Eleven @ Pianos 5/7 @ 5:00 PM

El Ten Eleven – Central Nervous Piston (mp3)
El Ten Eleven – Thinking Loudly (mp3)
El Ten Eleven – A Watched Pot (mp3)
El Ten Eleven – Connie(mp3)
Get more at myspace.

A few more dates:
Apr 26 2006 Vaudeville Mews Des Moines, IA
Apr 27 2006 O'Leaver's Pub Omaha, NE
Apr 28 2006 Corral Room Madison, WI
Apr 29 2006 Three 1 Three Belleville (St. Louis), IL
Apr 30 2006 Darkroom Chicago, IL
May 2 2006 Club Cafe Pittsburgh, PA
May 3 2006 the Otto Bar Baltimore, MD
May 5 2006 Cafe Metropolis Wilkes Barre, PA
All dates here.

Sasquatch 2006 in 31 days

I’ve booked my flight for Sasquatch! The are a lot of bands I can't wait to see at the Gorge (even many of whom I'm sick to death of in NYC). In addition to the dozens of well-known artists, they are a bunch I know absolutely nothing about. Are any worth considering catching? Here they are:

Bedouin Soundclash, Matt Costa, Tim Seely, Korby Lenker, Common Market, Slender Means, David Ford, Brett Dennen, The Heavenly States, Rocky Votolato, Mercir, The Village Green.

Is anyone else going? I'm going with my sister whose knowledge of music is very limited.

Wolves:Bands as Planes:Movies

J has Steven Seagal news! I am obviously a huge fan of the concept of Steven Seagal:

- I posted on his album Songs of a Crystal Cave here (comes with a free poster!).

- And I posted on his Energy drink here (comes with a free DVD!).

The big news for me, however, is that he’s in a third (1, 2, 3) Under Siege movie. The title? Plane Danger! You couldn't make this stuff up if you tried. It’s about snakes Muslim terrorists who hijack a plane.

Can’t wait until 2007? You’re in luck! United 93 opens this week and also is about...snakes Muslim terrorists who hijack a plane.

Opening in 2008 from Miramax: "Don’t Fly!"

So many shows, so few posts.

I’m slacking, so I’ll just say a few words about the weekend:

Cloud Cult @ Arlene’s Grocery 04/21/06 - Everytime I see this band, it’s never the same. Last BMJ the band had a live person painting! A live freaking person! Monday they had a video display; Tuesday was stripped-down bare and intimate; but this show… this show had a smoke machine and magic lights. I hummed Europe’s Final Countdown expecting David Copperfield to materialize from a trap door any second. Then Craig switched on a green lazer and I suddenly felt like I was at the Planetarium (“Allinall its justa….nother brick - in - the wall”). The set list was a little weaker than Monday’s show, and thus made it my least favorite of them all.

Elvis Perkins in Dearland @ Rockwood 04/21/06 – Also my least favorite performace by them. Played a lot more upbeat stuff –including some Oldies covers- which many in the crowd seemed to like, but don’t highlight their strengths and relevancy.

The Big Sleep @ Fontanas 04/21/06 - I was fading, ready for my own Big Sleep. What I stuck around for was hit or miss. It was late and I was still reeling from Thursday.

Islands @ Soundfix Coffee Ship 04/22/06 - I got over my sulking about the breakup of the Unicorns enough to check out the Islands noonday show in Williamsburg. I’m glad I did. Not only was the band interesting, and hilarious, but they sound just like the Unicorns. That may seem like it should be obvious, but I didn’t like anything I had heard by The ‘Corn Gang, the other off shoot. It was intimate, and Nick made me laugh out loud repeatedly. I even went out and got the album.

Scissor Sisters @ Bowery Ballroom 04/22/06 – I’ve seen the ‘Sisters twice now, and I only really know their song “Filthy Gorgeous.” Last year’s Mercury gig was one of my favorites of ‘05, and this year’s Bowery gig is in contention as well. Jake and Ana are so animated and their songs undeniably fun, it doesn’t matter; new songs, old songs… all the same to me. Gay, Straight; Black, White; Dungeon Master, Warrior Elf. Nothing mattered.

Even after the Scissor Sisters concluded their filthy set (with an encore of Filthy Gorgeous!), Tiga continued to DJ on, and we found ourselves with the rest of the stragglers. The fifty of us spread across the floor partied on. It was then that I realized just how kickass it is to dance to Knife’s Silent Shout.

Beirut: album buzz, live

“That Beirut is so hot right now. Beirut.”

Beirut – Postcards From Italy (mp3)
Beirut – Mount Wroclai (Idle Days)

(StG offers two more)

Sounds like: An exodus of kulaks across Arabia on the back of a Russian camel. Or something like that.

The buzz around Brooklyn transplant Beirut (myspace) has picked up in recent weeks. It’s about to get even louder. With Catbirdseat saying that “in 4 years, I've never seen a response to a track like the response I've seen since posting Beirut's ‘Postcard's From Italy’ a few weeks ago.” Said the Gramophone posted approval, followed a couple weeks later by isolating it as one of the best of the year (!). GvB mentioned them back in February, and then last week also highlighted it as year-defining.

And...Kathryn Yu likes too.

Beirut play the Knitting Factory on May 10th opening for Group Sounds and Irving. All three should be a great show, and for only $8! Beirut go early in case you have plans for Pinback or Phoenix later that night. According to CBS (not CBS), it’ll be their "live debut." Not sure what one would call their SxSW dates then.

From the bio on their website:
“Live, he’s used to pushing play on some recordings and marching around onstage with a trumpet. But, for the first time, he’s assembling a band to recreate the melodies in his head live.”

Buy tickets! Buy Buy Buy!

Blue States

I usually forget to check Blue States Lose ever since it migrated to Gawker. The latest entry had me laughing out loud with #4's photo.

Clubber Guy: “Yeah, motherfucker! I’m on Spring Break! I’m in New York! I’ve got a glass of champagne and I’m gonna get wasted! Then I’m gonna dance! Yeah!!!! What do you think about that, Angry Goth?”

Go to the photo.

Tapes n Tapes Sold Out, Add Show

I told my friend Nadine not to wait until Monday to get TnT tickets, that it’d sell out before then. It has.

Tapes ‘n Tapes June 6th @ Bowery Ballroom – Soldo Outo

But, they’ve added:
Tapes ‘n Tapes June 4th @ Bowery Ballroom

Tonight: Stringing it Together

1. You could pay $15 to see Elvis Perkins play Joe’s Pub on May 22, if you want. Or you could see him for free at Rockwood Music Hall at 7:00 tonight.

2. Following that, you can head over to see Cloud Cult at Arlene’s Grocery at 8:00. Ryspace has the mp3 of Cloud Cult’s new “Chemicals Collide” recorded from Monday’s show. I'll be singing along.

3. Then off to Fontana’s for Jay & Friends Birthday Extravaganza with the Big Sleep.

The Walkmen, or How I learned to love the...

I was in full-throttle party mode last night. While I’ve never seen a band actually play on the O.C. –I’m well aware they do- I imagine they play largely as a backdrop over intermittent dialogue. That was me last night with Walkmen as my soundtrack. A fitting analogy since the Walkmen have themselves played the O.C.

There were opens bars! open cars! open (perhaps) scars! I was up near the front for the first few songs, and the speakers sounded pretty damn good. As I wandered around after my favorite song was played ("Little House of Savages" beats "The Rat" anyday), I realized everywhere else the sound sucked. I've seen the Walkies before, but I’ve never noticed they’re diminutive drummer. “Honey I shrunk the drummer” I joked last night. A joke that's not so witty in the light of day. Damn you, alcohol!

After the Ewokman, most people left. Not us troopers. Nora, Kristin, Prav, Chris, and others (including Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. with which whom I didn’t speak). We stayed. We stayed ‘till they ran out of Sprite. We stayed ‘till we had whatever concoctions remained. Diet coke and lime vodka? Fill me up. At the end they ran out of cups, and it should have signaled for us to leave. It didn’t. We recycle.

Thank god they eventually ran of booze. Who knows where I’d be today.

Which brings me to today. I’m at work. Barely.

But hanging in there. Nora has photographic evidence -and now an entry- about the night (and a reminder to myself it's time for a haircut).

Fulltime Hobby to release Voxtrot 7"

It's sorta a record deal. UK's Fulltime Hobby (dios malos, Tunng, Viva Voce, Nightmare of You) are releasing a "limited-edition heavyweight 7inch featuring the tracks Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives and Rise Up In The Dirt, and will hit stores on June 12th."

New (and awesome) Voxtrot Songs

Ryan Ryspace has entered the NYC music blog scene and gained attention this week for his Cloud Cult review. What you might have missed, however, is his second post ever. That was on Voxtrot at Mercury Lounge. What you probably missed is that he offers up the entire April 9th gig as a Zip, and the new song they played as an mp3. I've also unzipped that opening song that is unreleased. Anyone know the title? It's been a part of the live shows for a while. I think it might even be my favorite Voxtrot song.

Voxtrot - Unreleased Song, Live @ Mercury Lounge 4/9/06 (mp3)
(as recorded by Ryan)

Voxtrot - New Song, Live @ Mercury Lounge 4/9/06 (go to ryspace)

Go there also for a zip file of the whole show.

Shhhh! Shhhecret Guests?

Art Brut is playing, and curating, the Knitting Factory on May 17 and 18. Tix ‘n Tix.

Who else is playing? Lessssee… for one, some band called “Art Brut 47.” Ahhhh yes. Of course. Art Brut 47.

I won’t spoil whom we (me) at Yeti Don’t Dance think “Art Brut 47” really are but it isn’t exactly model rocket “science”. (if that’s not a big enough clue, the answer might be in this article).

Tickets on Sale

Sure, Joey Ramone passed away in 2001, but it’s still nice to know Ticketmaster is holding out for an Easter miracle. You can sign up for email alerts here in case he tours again.

Joey Ramone’s Birthday Bash – May 19 @ Irving Plaza (with Dead Boys and -reportedly- the Strokes) Tix.

At least Joey doesn’t have the multiple personalities of Diplo.
Jerry Yeti’s Birthday Bash – July 19 @ Avalon (with Diplo, Cansei De Ser Sexy, Bonde Do Role) Tix.


And don’t forget, on sale today:
Tapes ‘n Tapes - June 6 @ Bowery Ballroom
Starlight Mints – June 12 @ Bowery Ballroom (I wish I knew this at noon before I went to the boxoffice)

And on sale Friday:
Broken Social Scene – July 6 @ Prospect Park

Yeti Shirt

Animals Have Problems Too makes a yeti shirt.
Buy.

(thx Tina)

Starlight Mints' New Album, Tour

I’ve been meaning to post about the Starlight Mints new album Drowatin for a while. They are now going on tour and shall be hitting the Bowery Ballroom on June 12th. Drowation is available this Tuesday and it’s very good. All tour dates here. Tix are available for some shows, but not Bowery yet.

In addition, they are dragging along the Octopus Project and dios (malos) . I’ve heard a ton about the Octopus Project so I guess it’ll be time to look into them some more.

Here’s a great song off Drowation. Highly recommended:

Starlight Mints – Seventeen Devils (mp3)

Cumulus Cultus

“Man of Constant Sorrow!” I requested as Cloud Cult and the M Shanghai String Band discussed what they’d improvise for an encore. I didn’t get my Constant Sorrow, but I got the next best thing…

So now, without further ado, and by
way of endorsin' my candidacy, the
Soggy Bottom Boys is gonna lead us
all in a chorus of 'You Are My
Sunshine' - ain't ya, boys?

And so the Soggy Bottom Boys –er, Cloud Cult and M Shanghai- led the disciples in the upstairs room at Pianos into a long version of the classic tune, with solos on mandolin, harmonica, banjo and guitar while we all sung along to the chorus. It wasn’t the best version you’ll ever hear, nor the best song played last night, but it embodied the intimate setting that Cross Pollination set up for the two bands.

Cloud Cult should be huge. Huge like CYHSY, TnT, Vxtrt, ArcdFr, etc etc etc. Their album last year was a little too ambitious to be perfect (22 songs!), but you can’t hate a band in its quest for the epic. It’s not as if one needs to edit out 10 of the worst. It’s more like 4. Even then, with the remainder 18 or so, it’s a lot to digest. Some will disagree, but it’s the only excuse I can think of as to why Craig Minowa and the Minnows aren’t huge.

In concert these past two nights, Cloud Cult has kicked off each set stunningly with five or six of their best songs. The opening tune, a new one, is incredible. I could view it -after the two times I’ve heard it- as a counterpoint to Jimmy Blunt’s shallow crap. It’s not entirely different in its intention, but universes apart in its execution.

I feel the band excels live equally as much as on the album; I don’t sense the roughness that others have mentioned. The other new song on Monday night at the Knitting Factory was the only real drag on the show. “Clip Clop” at Pianos also didn’t impress as much as I had thought it would. It was a little too bare, with the three piece drum kit (miniaturized for the small room) and Craig basically playing on only one or two strings (despite the lyrics “strum strum giddy guitar").

I'm a little surprise Cloud Cult didn't play (and have M Shanghai join in) their old timin' reel "Lucky Today." A missed opportunity for sure.

I wasn’t sure if I would be seeing them at Arlene’s Grocery on Friday, but now my mind is made up. I’ll be there. Cloud Cult should be huge… and anyway, Mama says they’re bona fide.

State of the Year in Songs, Part III

My 10 most recent favorite, and most-played songs I’ve listened to in 2006. Most of these aren't very "indie," but that's the type of month it was. You might have to try the ezarchive links a couple times; it's being a bitch but they should work.

1. Richard Hawley – I Sleep Alone
Richard’s velvety voice over the descending bass lines and upbeat accents make for an intrinsic favorite.
Previous Post.

2. Belle & Sebastian – Sukie in the Graveyard
I tried to pass on this album, but this song sat me down in the den, looked me in the eye and said, “Listen to me. Are you listening? We have to have a talk. ‘Why do act so messed up towards me sometimes?’” So, yeah. I like this song.

3. The Boy Least Likely To – Rock Upon A Porch With You
A B-side that easily would now be an A-side. This is probably my second favorite song by the band.

4. Sono Oto – Norman Rockwell (mp3)
Sometimes I want to rave like a lunatic without sounding like a raving lunatic. I think this song is brilliant. The more I listen to it, the more I’m convinced. Oddly enough, when I first heard Band of Horses (see #8 below), I mistook it for Sono Oto.
Previous Post.

5. Midlake – Roscoe (mp3)
I don’t like Midlake very much. Still, every time at 2:16 into this song with the line that begins “Whenever I was a child…” I can’t deny it’s value; it’s the way the words are grouped, phrased, and melded with the melody, and how it changes for every line of every verse. It just works.

6. Neko Case – Star Witness
Neko’s far more interesting than Jenny Lewis. This is zee proof.

7. Low Skies – You Can’t Help These People (mp3)
Every song by this band takes a minute or two to warm up, but it is rewarding each time. After a few listens I was hooked. I feel Low Skies will be one of the most overlooked bands this year.
Previous Post.

8. Band of Horses - St. Augustine
This is the song that initially piqued my curiosity about this group.

9. Spider – Don’t Be Afraid, I’ve Just Come To Say Goodbye, The Ballad of Clementine Jones (mp3)
There is no rush here
listening to Spider play.
Previous Post.

10. Hot Chip – The Warning
Easily my favorite Hot Chip song. The vocals melodies and electronics are never more complimentary than seen here. Reminds me ever so slightly of that other band I sorta like, Tunng.
Previous Post.

Taxes

Amount I owe Uncle Sam: $11.00
Refund I am getting from NYS/NYC: $2.94
My Net Loss in 2005 Tax Filings: $8.06
Cost to see Cloud Cult tonight: $8.00

See you punks at the Knitting Factory. If any of you wanna use $8.06 of your return to buy me a drink, I won't refuse.

New Tunng Single, Video

I haven’t posted on Tunng in a relative while. I overdosed on them earlier this year and forgot how much I love love love them. Now that their new single “Woodcat” is out, I’m excited once again. The sophomore album is out May 22 in the U.K. on Fulltime Hobby. I can’t find an mp3 of “Woodcat” yet, but they do have a video. It’s the only audio I can find.

Tunng – Woodcat Video (mov) (23 MB)

Friday, 04-14-06

3:45 PM – Franz Ferdinand @ Hammerstein Ballroom.
Venue was 1/3 full for the very laid back set. They had some of us jumping around for a few songs, but most of audience was sober, stoic, and/or underage. With so much space, there wasn’t enough crowding for the energy to feed off each other. Just as well, it was an odd time. 15 kids brought up on stage near the end; made me feel like I was at a Kidz Bop concert. It was awesome. Played a full 45 minute set, but no “Take Me Out.”

7:20 PM – Elvis Perkins in Dearland @ Rockwood.
Day Two of the residency. Wes Gilmoreboy and Julseas saved me a seat, (kinda not really... but I rummaged for one). The venue was p-a-c-k-e-d to the gills. Opened with a bit of “Good Friday” straight into “May Day.” Book-ended the set and closed with an outgoing version of “Good Friday.” Ran into Elvis later at the Bowery Ballroom after the Clap Your Hands gig.

8:20 PM – Doveman @ Tonic.
My #1 live act of last year never disappoints. Mostly new songs, all are engaging. I still get goosebumps. Very few people in attendance and I like it like that. I like Doveman being an open secret. They fluidly connect four or five songs together, I almost feel odd applauding between “movements” in their set.

10:00 PM – Brunettes @ Bowery Ballroom.
By this time the couple beers and the 180 & Vodkas were catching up. Amrit, 3xWes, and I were three foolios cracking jokes, all pretty dumb I’m sure. I liked the Brunettes a lot this time (I disliked them opening for the Shins last year). If Love is All had a baby with Sufjan Stevens’ Illinoisemakers, (and it wasn’t a PR hoax), I’d imagine it’d resemble a lot like the Brunettes. They even do cheerleader letter-spelling. Or whatever it’s called.

11:50 PM – Clap Clap Clap For the Band.
See Prev Post.

"And away we go..."

“Audience enthusiasm has always been great. I can't imagine it being any better.”
–Alec Ounsworth of CYHSY, July 01, 2005

Really, Alec. Give us more time. We'll get better.

As soon as Clap Your Hands Say Yeah took the stage Friday night, my excitement was bubbling over, and as they played their first notes it showed. 2006 would be different. “Let’s move up! We’re the only ones dancing!” a random girl said into my ear shortly after “Let the Cool Goddess.” I would have felt inclined, except that we were already "moved up." We were in the fourth row and center; how close does one need to be? Do you need to feel the sweat pouring off Alec’s shirt?

She ditched me for the second row, a good 3 feet away.

Alec had more presence on stage than I have ever witnessed by him, pre-hype, post-hype, and now post-post-rehype. People complained last summer about their lack of energy, but when you figured they had only played a few dozen shows as a band, and that Alec was a folk guitarist, people had too much to expect too soon. Give them time. Let the naysayers stay home. Friday night the band and crowd finally caught up with each other.

Unlike Dave, who said they had a lot of energy last March, I must disagree. I saw them around the same time, also at Crash Mansion but a week earlier, and they were comparatively flat characters to their intriguing and addicting demos. Every subsequent time I caught them, they improved, and I felt that after enough touring they would come back from their National “National” Tour and rip it up. Times like these you could drop a “I saw them back when” comment conclude it with “… back when they weren’t very good.” Times have changed. They now play the album opener “Clap Your Hands!” and it’s fantastic. The whole show is.

Let’s revisit Alec’s full answer from last year:

Yeti: According to your website, you’ve only played about 25 gigs together. Have things tightened up with more live experience? Has the audience enthusiasm improved, or do we still suck?

Alec: I'm not sure. sometimes it's tight and sometimes we're still quite loose. I am constantly working on new material and so there are songs we try at shows which not everyone has such a handle on but i think it makes a show a bit more suspenseful. Audience enthusiasm has always been great. I can't imagine it being any better.

Elvis Perkins: Album, Live Review

Live: Elvis Perkins in Dearland @ Rockwood, 04/07/06
Plays again tonight at Rockwood at 7:00. Get there early and get a seat.
Get many mp3s here.

My original, glowing, review of Elvis Perkins was after only a single day listening to the sad, sad world that Perkins habits with his talented band 'in Dearland.' Since then, I’ve only been drawn further in, and further convinced. As live performers, the quartet never quite captures the fragility on the record. They come close, as long as everyone watching remains perfectly still. At Rockwood, the barwench wanders around during every single song, taking orders and delivering booze, and each time it disrupts the mindset they're striving to achieve. That’s why I say: get there early and get a seat. Last week, the band played their normal set and then continued for an additional 20 minutes with the assent of the owner. We were then treated to many songs that Elvis in Dearland never typically play, mostly being light and cheerful.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Album: Elvis Perkins in Dearland – Ash Wednesday
I finally procured the ever illusive “album.” Ash Wednesday begins with the sweet “While You Were Sleeping” starting with only Perkins and his guitar and evolves with adding instruments. When the drum swings (even more on "Without Love"), it’s easy to forget that even the most upbeat are rather melancholy. Without Love? Yeah… it’s sad. The third song, "May Day" then is even more upbeat, and if there’s any flaw in the track-listing it’s that these engaging three openers leave some relentlessly depressing moments later on. "May Day "might be better used between "The Night & The Liquor" and "It’s a Sad World After All." That’s when you hope your Zoloft kicks in.

“Ash Wednesday,” being the title track is also the signature song. Yet, by the time it appears on the album (practically “buried” as the seventh song), it blends in so well that it almost disappears among the others. And that's great; it would be catastrophic if it stood out. Then, after the dreary 1-2 punch of the “Zoloft” tracks I mentioned above, “Sleep Sandwich” promises “Someday everyone will know who you are / everyone will know who I am” backed by it's warm chamber sounds… just in time too.

The album winds up with a moment of brilliancy. “Good Friday” seems to take its cues from classical song-cycle composers leaving the listener with it’s soft pensive gentle subtleties. It's a much better conclusion than this paragraph.

Richard Hawley's Returning

Richard Hawley is returning this summer to play at South Street Seaport on July 28th (well, supposedly. See my update). That's exactly one week after fellow balladeer Jens Lekman will be back. A little late, I now totally dig his Cole's Corner, and much enjoyed his gig at Sin-e a bit ago.

Update: I'm now informed "it's very, very, very, very uncertain."

Here's a video of his song, "Born Under a Bad Sign."
Real Player Hi Lo.
Windows Media Hi Lo.

No other tour dates at this time.

Still my favorite track off Cole's Corner:
Richard Hawley - I Sleep Alone (mp3)

Learning to Hate

Remember those young non-Smoosh Nazi girls that sing about white supremacy etc? Their mom has a couple blogs for their children. The girls also have a younger sister (see picture left). Sad.

Parlour Boys

Parlour Boys – Sick Friends (mp3)

Yeah they sound like everything, but they are still fun. Kinda Stellastarr with a pinch of something like Forward Russia. Avoid downloading it if you hate everything. I guess they just won some “Star Search” like thing from Myspace and Verizon.

They are from Kentucky, so sure enough Dodge has already been on to them.

Franz Ferdinand plays Holy Day, Holy Time

Who else is going to the Franz Ferdinand "secret" matinee show tomorrow? Drop me an email or leave a comment. Right now I'm going alone (sorry Vaso).

Doors are at 3:00, which is also the moment on Good Friday (also tomorrow) when Jesus dies.

Bonde Do Role; Cansei De Ser Sexy

Bonde Do Role might just be a new Yeti favorite. Ever since The BeaV announced they are playing July 19th Day at the Avalon with party-ers Cansei Se Ser Sexy and Diplo, I’ve been really digging them. Last year’s July 19th Day fiasco shall not be repeated, and despite being more than three months away, I’m super excited. Is there more fun music to drink and dance to on a weekday? Ok, there is. But U.S.E. isn’t touring. Bonde Do Role is good though. I think 80% of the BDR I've founs are remixes of the same damn track. It took far too long to figure that out. Of course, I don’t know baile from braille.

Bonde Do Role – Melo Do Vitiligo (mp3)
Bonde Do Role – Melo Do Tabaco (mp3)

“die die die itchie lingua.” (or something like that)

Cansei De Ser Sexy – Alala (mp3)
Cansei De Ser Sexy – Art Bitch (mp3)

“Suck Suck Suck my art hole.”

BV called it “Hottest tour of the summer? Of the year?”

The Boy Least Likely To back in June

The Boy Least Likely To @ Knitting Factory June 13th.
Tix On Sale Friday at 11:55. sharp!

Concert in 3-Dimensions

As you might know I never take photos at shows. Sunday night at the Mercury Lounge I was lucky enough to be enjoying the Vox with Amrit writing for S’Gum, and 3xWes reviewing for PSNYC. That’s Amrit’s shot on the left, and Wes’s shot on the right. Put on your 3-D glasses...now:


Take that Gorillaz!

Previously: Moorish Voxtrot

Five Items of Note

1. 3xWes, a man of many words, reviewed Friday’s show: “I also saw The Gaskets on Friday at Pianos. They were too much fun.”

2. Voxtrot night #2 was great, but lacked the charm of night #1. Played “Heaven,” but no “Long Haul.” 15% less bopping around by Ramesh. Very little chatting between songs compared with Sunday. Forgot my tickets beforehand; roundtrip cab: $17.80.

3. I saw a set by Head Like a Kite on Saturday. The Super-8 movies in the background make no sense add nothing to mostly average songs. I’m told the Super-8’s are run through samples and create guitar effects, but just because saying such sounds cool, in reality it adds nothing. Head Like a Kite are from Seattle, which is also the old hometown of the Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players; this leads me to believe Seattle is the Mecca of found footage. All in all, a couple nice melodies at times (“Noisey At The Circus,” which has Smoosh singing on the album ), but not much else.

4. People are talking about My Latest Novel, and I really really (really) like this song:

My Latest Novel – The Reputation of Ross Francis (mp3)

5. Finally, I mentioned the Little Ones last week, but seriously, I am overplaying this track, so I'll draw attention to it by posting it three times, one for each planet in our inner solar system without pizza:

The Little Ones - Cha Cha Cha (mp3)
The Little Ones - Cha Cha Cha (mp3)
The Little Ones - Cha Cha Cha (mp3)

Mmmmmm Pizza.

Voxtrot Night #1; Irving

My last minute decision to go to Voxtrot night #1 was more than worth it. I’ve always seen Voxtrot in pairs, between last July, CMJ, last December, and i couldnt stop now. I’ve still as of yet to exhaust myself of them. They are getting better and better and…

Songs from EP #2 stole the show, especially “Rise Up in the Dirt.” I think I was going to explode with joy. They played for nearly a full hour, and for a band with only two EPs they didn’t stop because they ran out of songs, but because they had already expended all their energy.

P.S. Swung by the after party hoping to hear the Brooklyn Vegan work the DJ booth. I was planning to rip on his song selection, but alas… the night grew late and Monday 9:00AM was only 7.5 hours away. I put in a request for a series of Doveman songs and called it a night.

P.S.S. The opener, Irving were super as expected. “Jen,” “L-O-V-E,” among others, and closed with a righteous version of “The Curious Thing About Leather.” I love that song, especially the ending:

Irving – The Curious Thing About Leather (mp3)

Gaskets Bring High Fives to Pianos

When was the last time you went to a show and high-fived your neighbors? If the answer isn’t “Friday” then I pity the fool.

I'll quoth the Music Slut:

"My friends and I stared at each other in disbelieve once they had begun, this was great! They had the exuberance of the Boy Least Likely meshed together with 80's electronica, a funky beat and some great themes. They sung about money and love...When it was all over I went and gave Jerry a huge kiss for writing about them, I was that happy."

Pretty much the Gaskets, as seen on myspace, ruled the universe for 45 brief minutes Friday late night. For those willing to stick around (see the list and shitlist below), we were treated to intense, dancey, pop, sugary sweetness… the ideal music for kick-starting the weekend and boogying the night away. Guilty fun, without the guilt.

The first song was a little awkward as the crowd adjusted to the “What the Hell is This?” factor that the Gaskets require. They played their staple cover "Set on You" which got the last people in the room moving, and highlighted with "Hold Steady Hot Weather" and the superb "Easy Life" (mp3s below). Of course, no set is complete without their song “inspired by the movie 8-Mile.” You kinda gotta see it to believe it. They finished the set with the “High Five Club” which, yes, had everyone high-fiving each other. The dude I was next to insisted on perfecting our connection.

Their live show is the definition of “tongue-in-cheek fun.” Afterwards I was asked by people who has fun if the album was any good. The answer is: most definitely, because the tongue-in-cheekiness that would flop on a recording is absent, leaving only well-crafted and highly-awesome goodness.

Boos: Amrit, Rachael, Angela, Dave G.
High-Fives: 3xWes, Jen

Gaskets – Easy Life (Original Version) (mp3)
Gaskets – Left Hand (mp3)
Gaskets – Hold Steady Hot Weather (mp3)

Quick Notes

Also from last night...

A Brief Smile @ Fat Baby. The thing I liked about this band last time at Pianos, was how much fun they appeared to have. I said, “Take Note!” Last night, the five-piece crammed into the small Fat Baby stage and any rocking out was stifled. Their newer songs didn’t capture my attention the way their four older songs did, and the sound system at the venue muddled any redeeming qualities those new song might have.

Rahim @ Rothko. I arrived too late to move up front, so I was stuck in the back, which you can gather that the venue was about 80% full. I like Rahim’s erratic and percussive style; it reminds me of the Joggers and Akron/Family (the former I love, the latter I don’t get) without sounding like either. I will continue to investigate, and next time get closer. The encore song was the highlight.

An Honest M!STAKE

Sucker punches are not cool. Two summers ago, one met my face thrown by a miscreant in Bed Stuy. I had blood in my eye for weeks. Anyway, I get ahead of myself…

I had never seen the M!STAKES before, nor heard them, or even heard of them; but that didn’t stop me from catching a set at Fontana’s last night. I was told they might or might not sound like ska. Immediately their appearance had me wondering. The frontman had a mohawk, two knee-length wallet chains, and a shirt with cut-off sleeves. He had written on the back in magic marker “SUCKER PUNCH.” Oh, and the bassist had skulls on his guitar strap. I expected a distorted, noisy, off-key, garage band version of Misfits… the M!STAKES.

Then as soon as they start playing, I hear clear and discernable pop riffs. The frontman, aka Sucker Punch, in all his toughness, also plays the freaking xylophone. Suddenly they are more like Boy Least Likely To than I had prepared myself for (of course, without sounding anything like them). The backing vocals by the guitarist and keyboardist are full of Oooos and Ahhhs, but it never gets sugary sweet, even with a tambourine… that’s because Sucker Punch is a maniac! Flailing about, kicking down imaginary doors, swinging his microphone, and going –in a word- apeshit. They play through their repertoire of rock, and even display an ability to through some dance beats when required (see NYC Local Law 88).

So much fun, and such a surprise, that you could say that I was blindsided by, yes, a sucker punch.

M!stakes - Mobile (mp3)

RIP Cokemachineglow

Cokemachineglow will be no more?

Update: I guess it's not gone afterall. Was it an April Fool's joke.... on April 6th?

"I have a few seconds left to tell you to enjoy the last ever Cokemachineglow update. While I may never know you, laugh with you, or get drunk with you, don’t forget, no matter what anyone would have you believe, the Magic Numbers are better than the New Pornog---"

CMG didn't update as often as PFM, and didn't have nearly as much sway, but CMG's reviews were entertaining and informative without being snarky or pretentious. If I didn't like PFM's opinion, I could always count on CMG.

Art Brut Slays Again

That’s a picture of me pumping my fist last night at Art Brut. It was wild. I will only say one thing: I’m in love with being in love with Emily Kane. When he stopped the song and gave us and update on his former love, and then started up again, I don’t think I’ve every seen a crowd go from 0 to 80mph so fast.

Art Brut – Emily Kane (mp3)

The Little Ones

Off the recommendation of...

1. Coolfer said, “before the song [Lovers Who Uncover] had ended I was on the band's website and ordering a copy of its upcoming EP.”

2. Underrated said, “I've found my new favorite band… the kind of music that makes the day more bearable.”

The Little Ones – Cha Cha Cha (mp3)
The Little Ones – Lovers Who Uncover (mp3)
The Little Ones - High on a Hill (mp3)

April Residencies

Every Monday in April: Pela @ the Delancey. I'm itching to see this band again.
Pela - Episodes (Diphenhydramine) (mp3)


Every Thursday in April: A Brief Smile @ Fat Baby. Young and talented; fun to watch.
A Brief Smile - We Could Get In Trouble (mp3)


Every Friday in April: Elvis Perkins @ Rockwood Music Hall. One of my favorite new artists. Big things are in store...
Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Without Love (mp3)
Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Ash Wednesday (mp3)

Rahim Record Release

Friction, a periodic show sponsored by the Crackers-U gang and KEXP is host tonight to the record release of NYer's Rahim at Rothko. I haven't the album yet but I'll be trying to learn it in time to debut dance moves tonight.

Where Have All the Good People Gone?

Ok, I know I just linked to this in my very last post, but I'm now in love with this song. All three of those Sam Roberts songs are good, but this... this is too good not to go absolutely mad about.

Sam Roberts Band – Where Have All the Good People Gone? (mp3)

Crank it up, loud. Why haven't I been goo-goo over these this before?

Sam Roberts Band, Stills @ Mercury Lounge

When Sam Roberts Band took the stage last night, they looked like quintuplets, all of them with longish brown hair and scruffy beards. All except for the bassist, who was sporting the look of such bassists as those in Arctic Monkeys and Editors. It’s a trend I think. I tried to imagine which band member looked most like a renaissance Jesus, and decided upon the keyboardist’s facial structure and the singer’s hair.

Musically, I really liked them. They have an instantaneous likeability, with catchy songs and rocking out. A simple concept, but one easier said than done. Reminds me a little of earlier Wilco.

Listen:
Sam Roberts Band – Don’t Walk Away Eileen (mp3)
Sam Roberts Band – Where Have All the People Gone? (mp3)
Sam Roberts Band – This is How I Live (mp3)

The Stills on the other hand were very good, but less than I was hoping. I’m sure they are headed to Bowery Ballroom and/or Webster Hall, but they didn’t keep me that excited for their 75+ minute set. Go check out the two new tracks Rachael posted… both highly recommended. I’m sure the Stills are the “better band” (I'm told the new album is super) but something made me gravitate to Sam Roberts’ outfit more.

Moorish Voxtrot

Yesterday I gave you “More-ish Voxtrot.” Today I present Moorish Voxtrot. So here’s a gratuitous picture of what Voxtrot would look like playing the Alhambra.

Also, here's a band that could be a French-ish Voxtrot, if they weren’t from Kentucky.

Melody Function – Roucoulement (mp3)
[link hijacked from my friend Matt Ear Farm]

[Source 1 and 2]

Gaskets This Friday

Knock Knock

Who’s There?

Yeti Love

Uhhh…. Yeti Love who?

Gaskets!

The Gaskets are not playing Friday at Crash Mansion, but instead they are playing Friday at Pianos at midnight. You can buy advance tickets, under the "headliner" "R Star" but they are actually going on after "R" "Star." I’m not sure if this is in jeopardy of selling out, and if it does, I’m not sure if it’ll be hard or not to get in. Either way, it’s only $8. Loose Change is simply a great, fun album; my third most-played in the last two years.

Gaskets – Left Hand (mp3)
Gaskets – Hold Steady Hot Weather (mp3)

-Buy the album here.
-My original thoughts on the album.

Sandi Thom Influence-za

Remember my Sandi Thom post a short while ago? Don't worry. I barely do either. She's that singer that wrote her own rags-to-riches fairy tale, sent out the press release, and then waited for the "riches" half of the story to materialize. So today, I see I was getting bombarded with hits from Google (I'm #2).

Then I got a comment: "well...what do you think of sandi thom and punkrock girl now?" Should I think something?

Apparently I should. She just signed a $3 billion $3 million dollar record deal with RCA/Sony/BMG. (Actually £1 million, but who's counting/coverting currency?) Link.

A million pounds or not, the song "I wish I was a punk rocker" is still pretty bad. And thus, I reckon, it'll be wildly popular.

FWD:CCCP! N3W 4L8UM

¡Forward, Russia!('s) debut album 'Give me a Wall' will be out on May 15th in the UK.

(Picture of several Editors dressed up as FWD:USSR taken by BM Rant in Philly)

¡Forward, Russia! - Eighteen (Live) (mp3)

Tom Vek Only Has One Testicle

Testicle, Test Icicle, whatever. Tom Vek has linked up with one of the former Test Icicles to make "Naked Babes." I'm not making this up.

"Domino Records warns us that these blokes get together and form bands for kicks like most college-aged kids drink beer on the weekends. "

Naked Babes on myspace.

This first gig is tonight in the UK.

More-ish Voxtrot

WF Greg, aka DJ Never Forget, sent some Voxtrot happiness last night to QF Jerry. It was days ago since CV Jeff collectively proposed to bloggers to rip the KEXP session to mp3. I would have taken the initiative, but my firewall now blocks my Real Player recorder. Everyone's slipping.

Voxtrot Live on KEXP (zip)
Songs:
Heaven (Talking Heads Cover)
Mothers Sisters Daughters & Wives
Rise Up in the Dirt
Soft & Warm


In other news, Amrit gets mauled by a bear. bear hug. white bear hug. bear hug by Jack White.

April Fools! Wait.... What?

Wikipedia has an exhaustive list of various internet pranks played on Saturday. At the bottom, it lists true items that were mistaken for jokes. My favorite? There is going to be a Bob Ross Video game. Yes, that Bob Ross.

Yes. For serious.

Spider

Unfortunately last night they switched set times around and thus I completely missed Spider playing Pete’s Candy Store. Spider is Jane Herships, a singer/songwriter from Brooklyn making music at a volume barely above a whisper. Quiet, hushed vocals and gentle guitar, to the point of intense fragility. I only regret not seeing them performed. These are excellent:

Spider – Don’t Be Afraid, I’ve Come to Say Goodbye (mp3)
Spider – Maggie’s Song for Alice (mp3)
Spider – Midnight on the Nile (mp3)

Website
Myspace

Human TV; Spinto Band

I'm a shade of green this Monday after seeing all the pictures from the Flaming Lips shows. Had I gone, I doubt I’d consider it the defining experience of 2006, but still, it'll be a great regret. Oh well. The great thing is that there’s always something right around the corner. And this week it’s Art Brut. And next week it’s Art Brut again.

Friday night I went to see Human Television and the Spinto Band at Mercury Lounge. I haven’t yet heard HTV’s coming album, but the BeaV has expressed approval. According to the band, they hadn’t played live together in a long time, and sadly it showed. I’ve seen them several times, and they’ve always had good songs, even if the members of the band aren’t particularly emotive. This time around, they played mostly new stuff, which in it’s maiden voyage to my ear drums strayed a little off course. Not all was disappointing however; they played my favorite, “Tell Me What You Want,” and the only new song I knew, “I Laughed.” Both of those worked.

The only thing I’ll say about the Spinto Band is that they didn’t play "Atari." Again. I requested it to two of the band’s eight guitarists, but they told me “go suck an egg.” Actually, they told me they hate the song and that it was put on the album only because it was a “hidden” track. Whatever. Just play it.

Human Television – I Laughed (mp3)
The Spinto Band – Atari (mp3)

I think I post "Atari" once every six days or so. If you miss it, just come back later.