Misc. Music Archives
« Page 4 of 29 »Jeebus, it's been all Bruce all the time around the internets lately. Bruce just announced a new U.S. tour, and don't forget about that Super Bowl performance this weekend. What will he play? Post Rock has a good idea (and some insider info).
Best of all, Chris Klimek has an in-depth examination of all of Bruce's horrible cover art and Pitchfork records Ted Leo playing "Dancing in the Dark." Best.
I'm not exactly a fan of Metallica, but they were pretty great last night. At least the three songs I saw. I'll have a full gallery up soon.
Also, if anyone is looking for something to do tonight, don't forget the Middle Distance Runner show at the Rock n Roll Hotel. They're playing with Mobius Band. Should be a great show. Instrumental Analysis has MDR's new song "Brother John" for your downloading pleasure.
Q-Tip | The Renaissance
Basically a Tribe record without Phife. Ali might as well be on here because all of the tracks produced by Tip sound just like Tribe. That said, I love Tribe.
The Dodos | Visiter
I really love the percussion on this record, all snare rims and toms. They were enthralling live, which really opened the record up for me past "Fools" and "Jody". I cannot get enough of the toy piano in "Red and Purple".
[MP3] The Dodos | Red and Purple
Ra Ra Riot | WOXY Lounge Act
Honestly I was a little disappointed in the production on The Rhumb Line, but that's probably because I absolutely wore out the eight songs RRR recorded for this radio session. It has this frenetic, vibrant vibe that is missing from the actual record. Highly recommended.
[MP3] Ra Ra Raiot | Run My Mouth Off (live on WOXY)
[MP3] Ra Ra Raiot | Oh La (live on WOXY)
Lykke Li | Youth Novels
Sleeper of the year. No doubt we'll still be talking about her plenty in '09.
Oasis | Dig Out Your Soul
I fucking love this record, nevermind the critics. I must have listened to "Shock of the Lightning" at least 200 times this year. This isn't exactly the record they should have made instead of Be Here Now, but it's the direction they should have gone in. A good producer makes all the difference. Hat tip to you, Dave Sardy.
Glasvegas | Glasvegas [Explicit]
Other than "Geraldine" and one or two others, the lyrics on this record are basically recycled nursery rhymes (and total shite), but the tunes are there. The wall of sound is back.
The Whigs | Mission Control
I immediately fell in love with this record when I finally gave it a try. It's full of bouncy, earnest rock, the kind that just doesn't seem to get made these days. This was in constant rotation on my iPod at the start of 2008.
[MP3] The Whigs | Right Hand on My Heart
Portishead | Third
This thing sounds like a fucking nightmare, and I mean that as a compliment. Took me a while to get my head around it, but the payoff was worth it.
Elbow | The Seldom Seen Kid
Been a big fan of Guy Harvey and Co. for a while now and it's nice to see them get some sort of payoff for all of their hardwork. They're the non-evil version of Coldplay. If there was any justice in the world, they'd be just as big.
[MP3] Elbow | Mirrorball
The Big Sleep | Sleep Forever
Remember in the early 2000's when ...Trail of Dead were tapped as the next Sonic Youth (before they decided they'd rather go prog and fail miserably at becoming the next Rush)? The Big Sleep do. They just kick ass and leave the rest of that other stuff to the other bands.
[MP3] The Big Sleep | Pinkies
[MP3] The Big Sleep | Bad Blood
Worst Albums of the Year
The Ting Tings | We Started Nothing
Was this crap recorded at cheerleading camp? It gives me a headache. Could not think of a more apt title.
Travis | Ode to J. Smith
They deveated from their formula and finally made a bad record. Maybe they just needed to get this out of their system?
My Morning Jacket | Evil Urges
Some quality tracks on here, but overall, not up to snuff.
The Verve | Forth
Total and complete shite. Unquestionably the year's biggest disappointment and a total disaster. It pains me to listen to this album. The real Captain Rock would never sing about fucking latte's. Such a waste. But I'd go see them live in heartbeat.
Past Years:
Albums of the Year 2007 (Kinda)
Top Albums of 2006
Top 10 Records For The Year 2005
Top 10 Records For The Year 2004
Although the Thanksgiving holiday is bearing down on us, I have much more than turkey on the horizon. Mrs. Leaf and I are staying in town and have a bunch of thing on our plate (no pun intended). We're spending Thanksgiving at the Verizon Center with the Wizards and Magic and then on Sunday night we're heading to the 9:30 Club to catch comeback kid Q-Tip and The Cool Kids.
Tip is back in the limelight after the release of his excellent new album, The Renaissance and although he's been away for quite some time, he still sounds fresh and new. I've seen Tribe no fewer than 10 times, and he's always been a great performer. I caught The Cool Kids over the summer and they weren't exactly slouches. I've been rocking their album The Bake Sale quite a bit lately.
Thanksgiving, not just for turkey anymore!
I am a bit spoiled when it comes to Stereolab. When I lived in NYC from '97-'03 I must have seen them 10 times in that period and I never paid for a single show. My roommate and one of my best friends both worked for Elektra, so I could always find a free ticket when they came through. Looking back I don't think I realized that I was getting to see the band on a regular basis smack in the middle of their heyday. Much like Luna, I took these guys for granted because they were always around, always releasing records and always playing shows in the city.
Five or so years on and one amazing show in D.C. and I am falling back in love with the 'Lab. it certainly doesn't hurt that they are touring behind their supremely catchy new record Chemical Chords (pick it up if you haven't already). The set alternated between old faves ("Ping Pong", "Lo Boob Oscillator") and soon to be faves ("Neon Beanbag") and was totally enthralling. I am so mad that NPR wasn't there (are they out of money for the concert budget or something, they've been very silent in the last few months), but luckily NYC Taper was on the scene at Irving Plaza.
My only regrets were leaving before the band played "Cybele's Reverie" (I was exhausted) and not getting to hear the dearly departed Mary Hansen sing back up vocals on songs like "Lo Boob Oscillator." I am a sucker for backing vocals and Mary was one of the best. That was my first time seeing the band since her passing and she was definitely missed.
The band are on tour in the US and Canada until the end of the month. Go see 'em!
[Photo Gallery]
Stereloab @ 9:30 Club
THE GOOD:
The Tunes: Hard not to love their decidedly retro Editors-meet-Phil Spector arena ready pub rock. "Geraldine" is a total smash, as is "Go Square Go."
The Accents: If it's not scottish, it's crap!
The Look: Poofy hairdos, leather jackets and Ray-Bans. They've got the retro look down.
The Crowd: It was crowded without being packed and everyone was really into the show. It was a great vibe. Also, I got to chat with Howard Wolfson, who is incredibly nice and a great guy.
The Openers: By far the best set I've seen the Soft Complex do.
The Bad:
The Sound: I really hate to play the sound nazi card (because I absolutely hate it when other people do it) but at times I think the sound at the Rock n Roll Hotel might be the worst in the city. I think the extremely low ceilings are to blame, but I have yet to walk out of that club saying "Wow, they sounded amazing tonight!" Pela came closest earlier in the year but that's the only show I can think of. On Friday all I could hear was the bass and the vocals, the guitars were all over the place and not in a good way.
The Roadies: The band positioned a very large roadie at the side of the stage and he refused to let anyone use the downstairs bathrooms (you have to walk by the side of the stage and down a long hallway to get to access said lavatories). Plus, he wasn't very nice about it. Methinks someone (and by that, I mean the band) are a bit too big for their britches.
The Lies: Lead singer James Allan told the crowd this was their favorite gig on the tour. Yes, I am sure a mostly filled Rock n Roll Hotel holds no water to Radio City Music Hall. Please.
I would definitely go check out the band when they come back through in January. Hopefully that gig, wherever it is, will have good sound and access to all of the venues bathrooms.
Jeebus! Look at all these great shows on Saturday!
Black Cat
Jukebox The Ghost, Say Hi & Junior League Band, $12
I STILL haven't seen Jukebox The Ghost (although I really cannot get into their album), but I am more bummed about missing Say Hi. They were great when I saw them earlier this year.
9:30 Club
Chromeo & Treasure Fingers - SOLD OUT
Chromeo was pretty damn good when I saw them at the Virgin Festival in August. Should be a fun show.
Rock and Roll Hotel
Evangelicals, These United States (CD RELEASE PARTY), Parenthetical Girls, The Silent Years, $12
Man, I haven't seen tUS in what seems like forever. it's been really satisfying to see them get love from Daytrotter, Brooklyn Vegan and other bigtime online outlets. So happy for Jesse, Tom and Co. You'd be hard pressed to find nicer people in this town.
Velvet Lounge
Matmos and a whole bunch of other bands as part of the Sonic Circuits Festival.
Which one will I be at? None of the above. I'll be at the D.C. United game on Saturday.
I'm going to a gig tonight, though: Glasvegas & Soft Complex at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Looking forward to it. If you need a Glasvegas primer, head over to Gotham Acme, aka Glasvegas-central. Not only did H.W. interview the band, he interviewed their producer. Producer interviews: Some say best.
See you there!
I skipped the Jenny Lewis show last night to check out the New Kids show at the Verizon Center and have no regrets about doing so.
[Photo Gallery]
New Kids on the Block @ Verizon Center
After the hype and the accompanying backlash against The Black Kids I had to go down to the Cat and check them out last Saturday. The verdict: I thought they were great. Great energy, great hooks and lots of fun. I haven't listened to any of their recorded output but they definitely won me over with their live show, which was one of the loudest sets I've ever heard at the Black Cat.
The Virgins opened up and while I'm not sure the world needs yet another dancey, indie-rock J. Giles Band, they are good at what they do. But over the course of a 40 minute set, their one trick started wearing thin.
In case you want another POV, Valerie has a great review of the show over at DCist.
[Photo Gallery]
The Black Kids at the Black Cat
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