TV on the Radio & Grizzly Bear @ The Tabernacle, 6/13/09

June 16, 2009

After a week long debate with myself on whether or not I wanted to make the Saturday night trek down to Atlanta to catch the TV on the Radio and Grizzly Bear show at The Tabernacle, I finally caved in on Thursday and bought my ticket. I didn’t want to look back on this opportunity and regret passing it up, and when all was said and done, I was very happy with my choice. The day started out a little rough as about 30 minutes outside of Greenville, they guys I was with realized their gigantic, bright red, Live Nation provided tickets were still sitting on the kitchen counter. Luckily, since we left early enough hoping to enjoy some dinner and drinks before the show, we had plenty of time to turn around and go pick up the tickets, albeit that cut our pre-concert festivities short. About 4 hours after we originally left Greenville we finally made it to dinner at a fine “delightfully tacky” eating establishment close to The Tabernacle when the next bit of rough news came through that Dirty Projectors was no longer opening the show. This was a bummer, as Bitte Orca had just been released to rave reviews and talks of the fine show they put on had us all excited…oh well. There was no time to harp on the bad news though, as we were about to enjoy a fantastic show from a couple Brooklyn acts and two of the best bands going today. (No pics from the show though…sorry.)

GrizzlyBear-BandAtTable

Grizzly Bear

Grizzly Bear took the stage around 8:20 and started off with “Southern Point”, their fantastic opener on Veckatimest (album review coming soon!). This was honestly one of the highlights of the set for me as the song is instantly recognizable and really got me even more pumped about the upcoming set than I already was. The rest of the show featured a good mix of some of the highlights from Yellow House as well as all the fan favorites from Veckatimest. I was standing on the floor level to the right facing the stage and didn’t have a great view of the whole band but was able to see everything if I shifted my head a little to the left every now and then to see by the noggin of some fella and his girlfriend who got there about halfway through the set only to stand right in front of me and promptly ask me if they had already played “Knife”. Yep, they sure did…better luck next time. Meanwhile, the piano was just starting up for “Two Weeks”, so I told them at least you didn’t miss what’s maybe their best song. My best unobstructed view was of drummer Christopher Bear and I enjoyed watching him throughout the set as often times drums are the most underappreciated part of a band. So it was nice to see what he brought to the table and I went away impressed with his playing. I would loved to have heard more from Grizzly Bear as by the time “While You Wait for the Others” closed it out, I wasn’t really ready for them to be done, but they were just the opener so considering that, it was an amazing hour long (or so?) experience. A venue like The Tabernacle compliments their music perfectly being a band built quiet harmonies and not nearly as loud as what was about to follow.

tv-on-the-radio

TV on the Radio

Things started to get a good bit more crowded on the floor level in preparation for the TV on the Radio set and we actually ended up losing our spots and had to move back about 15 feet, but it wasn’t that big of a deal.  I was impressed at the amount of people at this show. The last (and first) show I went to at The Tabernacle was to see The Hold Steady and Drive By Truckers last fall, but that crowd was nothing compared to this which is actually kind of cool considering TVotR and Grizzly Bear are a couple northern acts and the show in the fall was headlined by true Alabama bred southerners Drive by Truckers. Good for you Atlanta! As TVotR took the stage, the first thing I noticed was the awesomeness of Kyp Malone’s beard. That thing is crazy and looks even more amazing seeing it person. I felt that the sound was a bit off for pretty much all of the set as TV on the Radio has to be a pretty tough band to get everything sounding perfect with the amount of stuff they have going on (just ask SNL). The vocals were muffled a bit, and the guitars just weren’t that crisp, but the energy and stage presence they brought to the set, highlighted by Tunde Adebimpe’s hand gestures and bouncing around the stage, was easily enough to overlook the slightly less than desired sound quality. And who knows, it may have just sounded like that from where I was standing. The band really hit it’s stride about 3 songs in during “Halfway Home” which is one of the many standouts from Dear Science,. But the absolute highlight of the entire night, for either band, was the best song TVotR has done (and will probably ever do) in “Wolf Like Me”. It was clearly the crowd favorite and what many had come to hear. And the band knew it too, as they gave their best performance of the set. Maybe the only thing that can rival that was the 2nd song of the encore, “A Method” which featured some members of Grizzly Bear. When all was said and done, the resounding feeling I was left with from the set was something every concert should do and that’s give you a feeling that life is good. Damn good. And while we may not quite yet be in the “Golden Age” TV on the Radio sings of, for a few hours one Saturday night in Atlanta, it sure as hell felt like it.

How about a song from each band?  Well, here ya go.  No, these are not live versions.

[“Southern Point” – Grizzly Bear :: Veckatimest]

[“Wolf Like Me” – TV on the Radio :: Return to Cookie Mountain]

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Pay just $1 for Fanfarlo’s Reservoir

June 10, 2009

2071712I saw this reported all over the internet today, but The Yellow Stereo was where I first caught wind of Fanfarlo making their fantastic debut album Reservoir plus four bonus tracks available for only a buck on their website until July 4th (it’s also a much better quality than you’ll get on itunes, where it’s also pretty cheap at $6)!  Fanfarlo is a London based band that I first heard on the All Songs Considered podcast a few weeks back featuring lesser known bands that listeners suggested for the show.  I consider the band kind of a mix between Beirut, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and maybe even a little Arcade Fire.  The Beirut comparisons jump out at me right away in “The Walls Are Coming Down” which at first could be mistaken for Beirut’s “Elephant Gun”.  But find out for yourself for only $1 by skipping over to their site…you won’t be disappointed.

[“The Walls Are Coming Down” – Reservoir] – Download the album here for just $1 until July 4th!

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Recent Additions

June 6, 2009

Lots of new albums I’ve come across in the last few weeks, so I figured I’d just lump them all together here in a post mainly because I don’t really have time to do a review for each of them.  I will, however, save the Grizzly Bear and Phoenix releases for full reviews…maybe.

pictureWhite Rabbits – It’s Frightening

It’s Frightening is the sophomore release from the Brooklyn sextet and was produced by Spoon’s Britt Daniel so it is of course very Spoon-like.  These guys drew Spoon comparisons ever since their debut, Fort Nightly, but bringing Daniel on only enhances those comparisons and considing Spoon is one of my favorites, I’m totally okay with it.  It’s a very percussion and piano driven album with some great tunes and some throwaways.

[“They Done Wrong/We Done Wrong” – It’s Frightening]

pictureAu Revoir Simone – Still Night, Still Light

Another Brooklyn based band, this one a electronic indie pop female trio with a name referencing a line from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.  Still Night, Still Light is their follow up to 2007’s The Bird of Music.  I haven’t given it too many listens so far, but I’m pretty sure it’s a grower.  It’s not as twee as you would expect from an all female electro-pop group, and that’s a very good thing.

[“Another Likely Story” – Still Night, Still Light]

Jeremy Enigk – OK Bear

Maybe only Jeff Mangum can say he has the indie rock super god status of Jeremy Enigk, but whereas Mangum has drifted into reclusiveness to create more of a cult following, Enigk is still out there releasing solo albums since his Sunny Day Real Estate days.  However, I can’t help but think Enigk’s legacy would have prospered even more if he had followed Mangum’s path because Enigk has basically become a less edgy modern adult rock artist and OK Bear only helps solidify that.  There are rumors of a SDRE reunion…let’s hope that happens sooner rather than later.

[“Life’s Too Short” – OK Bear]

The Love Language – The Love Language

I was introduced to this group by Paste Magazine‘s May music sampler and was impressed enough to do some research and I liked what I heard so I decided to get the album.  Now, the song on the sampler isn’t on this album, but the 9 songs that are make The Love Language’s eponymous debut full-length a very nice addition to my 2009 album collection.  There are hints of Arcade Fire in the songs, but of course not nearly as epic.

[“Lalita” – The Love Language]

Dananananakroyd – Hey Everyone

I first heard of these guys on NPR’s SXSW preview show when they were mentioning bands with funny names.  They came up a couple more times but the music was never really mentioned, but when I started to hear Los Campesinos! comparisons, I jumped on this album right away.  The Glasgow, Scottland sextet certainly has the energy of Los Campesinos! but some of the songs are a little more hardcore sounding than what I prefer.  But the songs that don’t feature the screaming are indeed the indie pop tunes I would expect from the group.

[“Black Wax” – Hey Everyone]

pictureAkron/Family – Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free

This was my first Akron/Family experience that I came across by going to their website.  And well, that pretty much sold me on the album.  Akron/Family is a experimental indie rock group with folk influences and Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free is their fourth album.  I’m not that impressed with the rest of the album, but there are some keepers, especially “River” which is one of my favorite songs of the year so far.

[“River” – Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free]

Great Lake Swimmers – Lost Channels

For some reason, I held off on getting this 4th album from Great Lake Swimmers, but once I got Lost Channels, I was very pleased.  It’s just basic indie folk rock songs that serve as a very easy listen…nothing more, nothing less.

[“Pulling on a Line” – Lost Channels]

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Passion Pit – Manners

May 22, 2009

61rHyWGC46L._SL500_AA240_I’ve been criticized (I won’t name names) for having music tastes that are often devoid of any feel good, singing with the windows rolled down, rockin’, happy tunes, but rather focuses on being different from the norm and usually less rockin’ or poppy than what most would consider instantly gratifying tunes…aka “weird”. This is, of course, a criticism I vehimately deny. I will admit, however, that when it comes to picking my best albums, they are usually albums that do not fit into the mainstream or pop music crowd. This isn’t to say that I don’t like some bands like that, it’s just that I do not consider those albums to be the best albums of whatever year. This is one reason why I always differentiate my year end list by calling it the best albums of the year, rather than my favorite…because those are two different things, however, I will say, oftentimes they are one and the same.

You can think of it in terms of movies. For example, a couple years ago a movie like Transformers was an insanely entertaining and very fun movie to watch and was probably one of my favorite movie going experiences of the year. However, that movie has no business even being uttered in the same sentence as The Academy Awards (unless it’s for a technical category), and this is something that can be said for most Summer blockbusters (Transformers 2 this Summer!!!) and thus I rarely consider to be the best movies of the year however enjoyable they may be.  Music is the same way. There are many catchy, fun to listen to albums, but ultimately they lack substance and really are just cheap thrills…and that is something I don’t find much artistic value in. However, every now and then an album comes along that merges both sides of this spectrum. Manners is one of those albums.

Click for the rest of the review >>

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Frenchkiss Picks Up Hospice

May 18, 2009

antlers_hospiceBack what seems like ages ago, I made mention of the brilliant album Hospice by The Antlers as one of, if not my favorite albums of the year so far.  What I didn’t mention is that Hospice was self-released by The Antlers which may have something to do with what little press it has been getting outside of the blog world.  Well, news has surfaced that Frenchkiss Records has picked up Hospice and plans to remaster the album before re-releasing it in August.  I expect a similar reaction to the release that surrounded Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago when it was re-released on Jagjaguwar last year (without the whole controversy of releasing an album in two different years that screwed around with soooooo many “Best of” lists).  So, a nice little week for Frenchkiss, which as I recently noted has an album being released tomorrow that could also be one of the year’s best.  Anyway, this is very cool news for The Antlers, and very well deserved.  So here’s another track from Hospice as well as the two that I featured back in my original post.

[“Kettering” – Hospice]

[“Bear” – Hospice]

[“Two” – Hospice]

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A Round of Sound: Last Songs

May 17, 2009

DSC00164

The last song is often one of the most important tracks on an album.  It’s the last thing the listener hears and should serve as closure to the album while leaving the listener wanting more, but not to the point where it feels like the album is ending to soon.  It’s a tricky mix to get right.  There are plenty of closing tracks that are good songs but do not have that vibe of being a perfect closer.  Some of my favorite songs are last songs because they just have that special something.  Here are a few of those.

[“Falling” – Ben Kweller :: Sha Sha]

[“The Weather – Built to Spill :: Ancient Melodies of the Future]

[“I’ll Catch You” – The Get Up Kids :: Something to Write Home About]

[“Slapped Actress” – The Hold Steady :: Stay Positive]

[“Makers” – Rocky Votolato :: Makers]

[“1000 Seconds” – Secret Machines :: Ten Silver Drops]

[“The Past and Pending” – The Shins :: Oh, Inverted World]

[“Funny Thing” – Travis :: Good Feeling]

[“Only in Dreams” – Weezer :: Weezer (Blue)]

[“Shoot a 45” – 764-Hero :: Nobody Knows This is Everywhere]

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New Track: “Moth’s Wings” – Passion Pit

May 11, 2009
PassionPit

Passion Pit

It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve come upon an album that is sure to be one of the year’s best (I’m holding off on the Camera Obscura and St. Vincent releases for now until they hit eMusic), but that’s about to change with the upcoming release of Passion Pit’s debut full-length album Manners, set to drop on May 19th.  The electronic pop group released their Chunk of Change EP last year that was well received and built the hype for these guys a bit.  The first single, “The Reeling” is already streaming on their myspace page, but today Pitchfork featured another one of the tracks on the upcoming album and I just got even more excited for the album’s release.

[“Moth’s Wings” – Passion Pit :: Manners] – to be released on May 19th via Frenchkiss Records

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Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band – Outer South

May 10, 2009

51-dAzMzTaL._SL500_AA240_The cover of the latest release from the Conor Oberst catalog features a picture of himself along with his backing band, only Conor is wearing a blindfold as a way to symbolize his first album where he gives credit to a backing band and allows them to rise to the forefront.  Well that’s all good and nice, and a fine gesture from Conor, but hopefully it’s nothing that we’ll have to get used to.  Just 9 months after his self-titled album, his first released under his own name, Oberst returns with Outer South which features 16 songs, a handful of which Conor didn’t write and does not contribute vocals to.  Predictably, the Oberst songs are the strength of the album (with a few exceptions).  “Ten Women” and “White Shoes” are the kind of stripped down acoustic folk ballads that show Conor at his best, and along with free-wheelin’ rousers like “Slowly (oh so slowly)” these are the kind of songs that helped Conor earn the tag of the “New Bob Dylan”.

The seven songs led by members of The Mystic Valley Band aren’t nearly as strong (with a few exceptions) with “Difference in Time” and “Eagle on a Pole” being the highlight of those (both Jason Boesel led tracks).  And a quick shout out to bass player and Birmingham, Alabama native (and fellow Homewood High School alum) Macey Taylor who sings lead vocals on “Worldwide” which is the lone Oberst penned track that Conor doesn’t sing himself.  However,  a song as bad as “Air Mattress”, a non-Oberst written song, should never find its way onto a Conor Oberst release.  As a whole this album is exactly what it was meant to be: a collection of fun folk-rock songs that Conor and the band wrote while on tour supporting the self-titled release.  However, that’s all it is…a collection of songs, which is why it’s nothing special.  What Conor has always done so well, as his Bright Eyes releases can attest, is create an album that is more than just a bunch of songs thrown together.  So kudos to Oberst for allowing his friends and back-up band to get a little credit, but when’s the next Bright Eyes album already?

[“Slowly (oh so slowly)” – Outer South]

[“White Shoes” – Outer South]

[“Eagle on a Pole” – Outer South]

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Posted by Hawkins

2009…so far

April 25, 2009

Well, with 1Q 2009 (that’s first quarter of 2009 for you non-business savy) in the books, its time to highlight some of the releases so far this year that deserve mentioning.  It’s been a semi-disappointing year to this point, but there have been a few excellent releases.  Here’s a few that were released in the first 3 months of ’09 that are sure to stand out when all is said and done for this year.

The Antlers

The Antlers

The Antlers – Hospice

For me, any talk of the best albums so far this year has to begin with this haunting album from the Brooklyn based 3 piece, The Antlers.  A concept album of sorts, Hospice tells the story of a relationship forged in a hospital, which inevitably ends in sadness, and the effect it has on the protagonist from there on out.  It is truly one of the most emotional albums I have heard in quite some time, and while it does tend to come off as slightly pretentious, after a few listens that mindset fades away and the gravity of the songs really set in.  Musically, Hospice is an immensely dense and atmospheric album with gorgeous production thanks to the inspired work from Peter Silberman, who is the heart and soul of The Antlers.  The backstory of this album is similar to Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago and the results are just as heartbreakingly beautiful.

[“Bear” – Hospice] – Download this track free from The Antlers website by clicking here.

[“Two” – Hospice] – Download this track free from The Antlers website by clicking here.

Merriweather Post PavilionAnimal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

In what is sure to garner numerous album of the year awards by the time 2009 is over, Merriweather Post Pavilion is possibly the best of Animal Collective’s 9 full-length releases.  I’m probably not the best source for saying something like as the only other album of theirs I have is 2007’s Strawberry Jam, but the consensus on MPP is that it is indeed their best.  However, there’s no arguing that this album definitely was their most anticipated.  The hype surrounding this album pretty much won it album of the year before it was even released (Pitchfork’s 9.6 didn’t hurt either).  I wouldn’t call myself an avid Animal Collective fan, but I do enjoy them to a degree and there is no denying that this is a fantastic album; much more accessible than what I’ve heard in the past.  Who knows where it will rank in my list, but it is certainly deserving of the hype. (Old People don’t agree)

[“My Girls” – Merriweather Post Pavilion]

picture-11Antony and the Johnsons – The Crying Light

To say Antony Hagerty’s voice is an acquired taste is an understatement.  And considering I didn’t quite get the hype behind 2005’s breakout I Am a Bird Now, but now find myself coming back to it over and over again, I guess I have acquired that taste.  Now here we are four years later and Hagerty has finally released the follow up with his much anticipated The Crying Light. Hagerty gets help from Nico Muhly with the musical arrangements which is an added bonus, but the star here is still Hagerty’s haunting voice.  Hagerty has created another beautiful and engaging album with The Crying Light, one that is sure to go down as one of the best of ’09.

[“Her Eyes are Underneath the Ground” – The Crying Light]

picture-2The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Last year M83 filled the void for 80’s indie pop retro bands, but this year The Pains of Being Pure at Heart has decided to step in.  However, whereas Saturday=Youth was more electronic and synth based, Pains is straight up guitar pop with some synths sprinkled in.  The New York City four piece is set to be this year’s indie darlings with their self titled debut full-length.  It’s rare for a debut album to show this much confidence and the group shows a very good knack for songwriting while still having room to grow.  It’s more shoegaze than what most indie-poppers might be looking for, but for those looking for a mix of shoegaze and twee-pop, Pains has pretty much nailed it.

[“Young Adult Friction” – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart]

Laura Gibson – Beasts of Seasons

With her second album, Gibson has created another intimate masterpiece full of her gentle folksinging that helped launch the All Songs Considered’s Tiny Desk Concert series.  Gibson is to be appreciated in an intimate setting and as a way to showcase that intimacy, All Songs invited her to perform at the desk of Bob Boilen.  That is how I was introduced to Gibson and Beasts of Seasons hasn’t disappointed one bit.  Her voice reminds me of a less crackly and quirky Joanna Newsom, while also not being nearly as freak-folk as Newsom.  It’s not easy to stand out as a folk singer-songwriter, especially based out of Portland, but with her subtle musical nuances and lyrics, Gibson is able to pull it off.

[“Spirited” – Beasts of Seasons]

Other Notables:

The Decemberists – Hazards of Love

It’s pretty ballsy for a band on a major label to create a “rock-opera” concept album with only one real radio song on it, however Colin Meloy had been dabbling in prog rock for a while now so it was about time.  But The Decemberists pull it off and while it is their worst album, that’s more of a compliment to the Portland band’s previous 4 releases.  This is still an epic release.

[“The Rake’s Song” – The Hazards of Love]

Neko Case – Middle Cyclone

Middle Cyclone doesn’t do it for me as much as Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, but it is still classic Neko Case.  And that voice…oh, that voice.

[“People Got a Lotta Nerve” – Middle Cyclone]

Andrew Bird – Noble Beast

Bird is easily one of the most talented musicians going today and Noble Beast does plenty to showcase that.  However, for me the length of this album holds it back.  It’s just a little too long…a few unnecessary tracks.

[“Oh No” – Noble Beast]

M. Ward – Hold Time

Another fine release from the Portland folk singer (yes, again Portland…are we seeing a theme here?).  It’s a shame that She & Him is how he was introduced to the masses, because his solo stuff has and always will blow that project out of the water.

[“Never Had Nobody Like You” – Hold Time]

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First Post: Some Post-2008 Goodies

April 19, 2009

Here’s my big intro to this blog:  Its new.  It’ll be mostly about music with a few pictures sprinkled in and also some posts about some of my other interests (but mostly music).  So there you have it…lets get right to it.

Every year, long after I’ve completed my Albums of the Year List, I come across a few albums from the previous year that I never got around to getting a hold of for whatever reason.  So for the first few months of 2009, I’ve been listening to a good bit of 2008 releases that I missed out on last year.  So what are some of these albums?  Well thank you for asking.  Here they are in no particular order.

Blind Pilot – 3 Rounds and a Sound

Blind Pilot is made up of a couple guys from Portland, Oregon and while they aren’t breaking any new ground, it’s clear they are great songwriters.  I heard about these guys last year on NPR, but never really gave a listen until NPR featured Blind Pilot’s SXSW show on their Live Concert Series.  After that, I got 3 Rounds and a Sound right away and haven’t stopped listening ever since.  Currently on tour with fellow Portlanders The Decemberists, people like to consider them a folkier version of The Shins, which I can see.  I can also see them experiencing a breakout similar to what The Shins went through as soon as they release a follow up to this wonderful debut. (And no, I didn’t get the name of the blog from this album title.)

[“One Red Thread” – 3 Rounds and a Sound]

FurrBlitzen Trapper – Furr

Yet another folk band from Portland, Blitzen Trapper was actually one of the breakout bands of 2008, but for some reason I never got around to getting this release.  Once I got an itunes giftcard for Christmas, this album was tops on my list to get. Furr is the fourth full-length from these guys but first on Sub Pop Records.  It’s a fine album and the title track is easily the highlight of the album and one of the best tracks of 2008.

[“Furr” – Furr]

Marching Band – Spark Large

I checked these guys out thanks to a recommendation from a friend who discovered the band at this year’s SXSW.  And man, this is catchy indie pop at its best.  The Swedish band uses some great harmonies and fine percussion to create what I consider a more standard and twee version of Anathallo (although not quite as ambitious).  I would like to see them change things up sonically a little more from song to song, as the album can get a little repetitive.  However, Spark Large is only their debut album so there’s plenty of time to grow, but for now this is an insanely entertaining and fun listen.

[“For Your Love” – Spark Large]

Son Lux – At War With Walls and Mazes

At War With Walls and Mazes is the debut full length from New York based Ryan Lott, aka Son Lux.  The album was released on anticon records which is home to some hip-hop and electronica versions of post rock acts.  So yeah, Son Lux is kind of hard to describe.  Robin Hilton of NPR’s All Songs Considered voted Son Lux as his best new artist of 2008 and this release as the top unknown album of last year.  The music consists of tightly composed soundscapes and is an emotionally draining album.  But it certainly isn’t for everybody.

[“Break” – At War With Walls and Mazes]

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson

This guy was one of the discoveries Carrie Brownstein talked about on NPR’s SXSW ’09 Wrap Up show and the song featured, “Buriedfed”, starts off slow before erupting to anthemic proportions that took me by storm.  I quickly got the album and have been very impressed by this self titled debut from Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson.  It takes a lot for me to get into any singer-songwriter, but there’s something special about MBAR and it doesn’t hurt that he gets contributions from members of Grizzly Bear and TV on the Radio to help out with this release.

[“Buriedfed” – Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson]

picture-1The Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound

Of all the ’08 releases that I’ve gotten into since 2008 ended, this album (and maybe Blind Pilot’s) is the only release that could’ve battled for a top 10 spot in my albums of the year list.  I was introduced to these guys when eMusic named The ’59 Sound their album of 2008 and after checking Pitchfork to find a review of 8.6, I still can’t figure out how I missed them.  These guys are a straight up rock band similar to The Hold Steady, but even more of a retro throwback to Springsteen and pull it off perfectly.  This is their second full-length album, but whenever they decide to release their follow up, I certainly won’t plan on missing out on that one.

[“The ’59 Sound” – The ’59 Sound]

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