I will be traveling overseas for the next month (without a computer/Internet). But, I WILL BE BACK. If you discover anything interesting, feel free to shoot me an email. I also love sample mp3s!
May 22, 2008
May 19, 2008
Chairlift - Bowery Ballroom 05.18.08
This post definitely deserves much more depth. Alas, I have no time and I am going to be MIA for a month.
Not too long ago, I blogged about an awesome song by Chairlift. Now that I have discovered more of their songs (Thanks, David!) and have finally seen them live, I am completely hooked. And you will be too.
With so many bands based in Brooklyn, it's hard to keep up with the scene. Thinking back to the obscure acts I've seen this year, I realize that so many bands are just not good (Just because you can play instruments doesn't mean you have to share your bad music with other people). Also, it's such a stereotype for a band to be based in Brooklyn. Whenever I go to a band's MySpace and see that they're from Brooklyn, I chuckle to myself because OF COURSE this new, obscure indie band is from Brooklyn. It's almost a running joke. But, then I discover a band like Chairlift and I stop drinking the Brooklyn haterade.
Chairlift is definitely one of the most exciting acts that I've listened to this year. I normally don't like female vocalists, but I dig Caroline's voice and she sounds incredible live. Unlike many other acts, Chairlift is not a one-hit wonder. During the Bowery show, I kept on saying, "Oh yea, I like this song." But, I said that for every song that I recognized. Although most of Chairlift's music has a psychedelic vibe, the variety and originality of the songs keep me engaged. If you think "Evident Utensil" is awesome, wait until you hear the other stuff.
For an early opening act, there were a fair number of people who made it out to the Bowery for Chairlift. This makes me think that more people are starting to follow this band. As they should! I wish I could share more of Chairlift's music with you. It really just speaks for itself. Alas, you will have to wait for the release of their LP.
From looking at their MySpace, it seems like their upcoming LP is titled Does You Inspire You. Word is that the LP will be released sometime this summer. From what I've heard, the LP is going to be well worth the wait. "Deer Hunt" and "Planet Health" are my current favorites.
Setlist
Deer Hunt
Garbage
Planet Health
Earwig Town
Evident Utensil
Home Alone
Bruises
Make Your Mind Up
Evident Utensil - Chairlift
May 15, 2008
Cut Copy - Bowery Ballroom 05.14.08
I've been looking forward to this show since I missed them in March. I was smart to buy tickets immediately after the show was announced, because tickets sold out quickly and rightfully so. You can pretty much deduce from listening to the music that Cut Copy would put on a fun, energetic show. They do not disappoint.
Right before Cut Copy went on, I lost my right contact. So, I was pretty much blind for the entire set. Even though I couldn't see that well, the lights and music were still on my mind (hardy har har). The band kept encouraging the crowd to dance with them, and people actually uncrossed their arms and jumped around. I saw a few guys wearing 3D glasses. You can see the effect here. I may have pointed and laughed at them at the show but in retrospect, I wish I had a pair with me.
It seems like there is some controversy involving a possibly lip-synching lead singer. Did anyone notice that? I don't remember if the music sounded recorded, and I certainly could not see well enough to make out that detail.
Cut Copy played most of their new album, In Ghost Colours with a few old favorites from Bright Like Neon Love. When people were yelling out the names of songs, I obnoxiously yelled out, "PLAY THEM ALL!" The lead singer responded," Yes, we will play them all. Every single one." Or something to that effect. Alas, they lied. Still, I loved their selection of songs from Bright Like Neon Love, especially "Times Stands Still." I just wish they would have performed all of the new album, which is one of the most danceable records. Cut Copy doesn't even need any stage banter, which was very minimal. Their music and use of flashing lights is more than enough to get everyone's attention.
Time stands still when I think of you. I love cheesy 80's dance lyrics.
Setlist
Out There On the Ice
Time Stands Still
So Haunted
Unforgettable Season
That Was Just a Dream
Nobody Lost, Nobody Found
Lights & Music
Future
Hearts On Fire
Far Away
Saturdays
Check my past post for more songs.
Unforgettable Season - Cut Copy
Out There On the Ice - Cut Copy
Time Stands Still - Cut Copy
May 11, 2008
My Morning Jacket - "Evil Urges"
Sometimes, I don't even realize what songs I listen to the most often. After finally joining big-brother Last.fm, I'm seeing that I listen to My Morning Jacket's "Evil Urges" a lot. In fact, I've been listening to it every day for the past few weeks. Even though I should be writing my final papers right now, I figured I could share this one with you. Plus a couple more.
My Morning Jacket performs "Evil Urges" on SNL
The highly anticipated Evil Urges hits stores on June 10. You can preorder here. The My Morning Jacket summer tour kicks off in New York on June 20 at Radio City Hall. Click here for more dates.
Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket
Two Halves - My Morning Jacket
Smokin' From Shootin' - My Morning Jacket
May 6, 2008
The Teenagers - Bowery Ballroom 05.05.08
To state the obvious, The Teenagers are really French. I usually describe The Teenagers as a cruder, French version of Art Brut, another band that features spoken words instead of actual vocals. If you've listened to any of The Teenagers' music, you've probably found that they are not very serious. Well, The Teenagers didn't start out as a real band; they formed as a joke. They wrote a song based on the comments on their MySpace, and a label thought they were good enough to sign on. Note to self: Create fake band and become indie-famous.
I had watched enough youTube videos to know what to expect from the live show: three French guys playing absurd songs. Dorian on guitar and Michael on bass, both completely stoic and expressionless. Quentin, swinging his hips around as he spoke the lines. They could only get away with it because they were French. And we were les Américains.
It was obvious by this Bowery Ballroom show that The Teenagers have a huge female fanbase. Maybe it's the band's French charm, but there were definitely more crazy girls than I'm used to seeing. For the performance of "Homecoming," Quentin (lead singer/speaker) invited a gaggle of overexcited girls onto the stage. Some of them may have refused to let go to Quentin's hand after he helped them onto the stage. I know that "Homecoming" is a joke song, but I would never publicly perform the female part of that song in front of hundreds of strangers. Although the song is meant to be ironic, there is still something degrading about it (If you've listened to the song, you would know what I'm talking about). But, the girls looked like they had fun, so I guess I won't judge...too much.
Out of set, my favorite was "Starlett Johansson," probably because that's my favorite song overall. My friend was reading the setlist and told me that they were playing "Starlett" next. So, being the smart person that I am, I started yelling out, "Starlett! Starlett!" Quentin turned to me and said, "You want Starlett? Then you will have it." Or something to that extent. Also, my friend and I talked to Dorian after the show. It turns out that Dorian is Korean-French! No wonder he's so cool.
Setlist
Feeling Better
Fuck Nicole
Love No
III
Starlett Johansson
Trouble
French Kiss
Make It Happen
Homecoming
Streets of Paris
Starlett Johansson - The Teenagers
Love No - The Teenagers
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