via Music Snobbery
It’s true that euphony cannot exist without dissonance, but sometimes noise, even when deliberate and carefully executed, is still just noise. I hadn’t completely bought into Micachu & the Shapes prior to seeing them at Pianos, but glowing reviews from the fathers of music blogging and my favorite person on Twitter convinced me to put aside my skepticism for a night. After last night, I think I’m in the camp of people who think Micachu is mostly hype, as much as I do enjoy some of their songs.
Perhaps I’m missing some glaring point, but I’m fairly confident that I “get” Micachu’s music. No note, yell, crash, or jangle is a mistake or slip; every piece is intentional. Seeing Micachu & the Shapes in person makes this meticulosity even more apparent. They confront chaos and embrace it fully, making for a one of a kind listen. In the end, my thoughts on Micachu come down to my personal preferences for musical styles and ideas. Last night at Pianos, I realized that about 80%+ of the music was rough discordance, which is not what I expected. Maybe because I’m drawn to the more melodic songs of Jewellery like “Golden Phone” and “Vulture,” I thought the set would be more along the lines of those songs. “Golden Phone” is an incredible song that is both fun to listen to and unlike anything I’ve heard before. It’s playful and like a musical riddle, as the song bounces around different degrees of consonance and dissonance. Most of the time, the lines between the two are blurred, which only makes the listener want to hit the back button in order to figure it out. But, when the melodic snippets were removed from Micachu’s music, I was left a little confused. It’s like a joke with no punchline. I needed more melody to balance out the noise. Judging by the faces around the room last night, I don’t think I was the only one who was a little puzzled.
So, I didn’t exactly like Micachu’s final show in NYC. But, don’t let this deter you from listening to Jewellery, since there are definitely some tracks worth checking out. I’m not ready to make abstract listening a regular activity, but kudos to those of you who do. For now, I will stick with my Grizzly Bears.
Jewellery will be officially released on April 7. Pre-order it here.
Golden Phone - Micachu & the Shapes | Alternative Link
Vulture - Micachu & the Shapes | Alternative Link
March 26, 2009
Micachu & the Shapes - Pianos 03.25.09
March 19, 2009
Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
via Grizzly Bear Blog
I’ve been really torn about whether or not I should be writing this post so far in advance of Veckatimest’s official release date of May 26. But, now that a high-quality “Cheerleader” is available for legally free download, I feel like I’ve been given the green light. That being said, if you don’t give this album a listen, then you are missing out on one of the best albums of the year. I don’t want to spark a debate on whether Veckatimest is better than Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavillion (You can head over to the comments on Brooklynvegan or Stereogum for that entertainment), but this new Grizzly Bear album is particularly special to me because it’s made me reevaluate my thoughts on the way humans consume and pay for recorded music. Even if Veckatimest is not enlightening in that way for you, at the very least you will listen to some wonderful tunes.
Recently on Idolator, there was an article about how an initial reaction to music can be similar to the physical effects of love at first sight. I can’t think of a better way to describe my first reaction to Veckatimest than to say that I fell in love with it, as corny as that sounds. Even with the crappy quality of the leaked rip (that spurred a lot of douchebaggery on Twitter), I am confident in saying that I really really really like it. The album opens with “Southern Point,” such an explosive start that I could have repeatedly hit the back button for the next few days. Musically playful with interplay between the acoustic guitar and the other instruments, this song is just fun to listen to. Fun is a word that I don’t normally associate with Grizzly Bear. Beautiful, haunting, and heartbreaking are adjectives I would generally use to describe the band’s music. With the first song, Veckatimest is already changing everything that I thought I knew about the band. And, from there, the album continues to delight the senses, whether it’s with the soft harmonies of “Two Weeks” or Grizzly Bear’s signature hollow body guitar sounds in “While You Wait for the Others” and many other songs. And, thanks to this high-quality download of “Cheerleader,” legally available here, you can actually hear and appreciate the production on the album. If you’re a talented live band like Grizzly Bear, then the goal of production is to make recorded music sound as close to the real thing as possible. But, how do you capture the essence of a band in a recording?? ‘Tis a mystery that the talented Chris Taylor has solved, methinks.
Generally, Veckatimest is much sunnier and more poppy compared to previous Grizzly Bear albums. Compared to Yellow House, an album that I have grown to love, Veckatimest is much more of an immediate like. But, it has areas that take more time to appreciate, which makes for a rewarding listen. Basically, Veckatimest has the crisp first sips of Pepsi but the overall more satisfying drink of Coca-Cola. But, what makes this album and the band so good is their ability to invoke different images and emotions with their music. Maybe I’m alone in saying this, but I listened to Veckatimest with more than just my mind, all unintentionally. There is a certain musical je ne sais quoi to the album that just encourages me to let down my guard and get lost in the music. And, folks, this magical quality is the reason why I love music.
Yes, so you get that Veckatimest is a good album. But how has it changed the way I think about music consumption? Well, I first listened to this album in the same way that you probably did. I downloaded it and listened to it on my computer. While listening to the album, I talked to a couple friends online about the songs. Sound familiar? This is how I consume most new music, and you probably do too, whether you want to admit it or not. In the modern day, listening to and sharing recorded music has become too easy. What we've gained in convenience, we've lost in human interaction. When I was listening to Veckatimest for the first time, I wished that I could have shared that moment with someone in person. For me, a part of my music experience is the sharing of said experience. That's why I started this blog in the first place. But, writing things here is not the same as saying them in real-time. We still pack venues to see bands, so we can't all be lazy hermits. Still, I don't know anyone who still holds listening parties, besides the people who hosted them for the "unheard" Sufjan song. So, I have a proposition. Next time you plan on listening to an album in its entirety, invite some people over. Humanize sharing again. It doesn't even matter if you and the other people have all heard it before. I may even host a listening party in Brooklyn for Veckatimest if there's any interest...
Of course, everything I've said about the album up to here is all a premature evaluation since I haven't had a proper listen yet. I've decided to stop listening to the leaked rip, as much as I can help it, until I get the real thing on vinyl. That's right, I'm paying for music. And, I've decided to start buying vinyls of albums that I consider to be incredible so that I feel like I'm actually getting something of everlasting value when I pay for recorded music. Pre-order information for Veckatimest can be found here. It's worth it.
Post on Grizzly Bear's show at BAM with the Brooklyn Philharmonic here.
Grizzly Bear, see you at Pitchfork. Grizzly Bear play Town Hall on May 28 and May 29.
Cheerleader - Grizzly Bear
Two Weeks (Live @ Boston MFA 08.14.08) - Grizzly Bear | Alternative Link
While You Wait for the Others (Live on Morning Becomes Eclectic) - Grizzly Bear | Alternative Link
March 16, 2009
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Bell House 03.13.09
It took me awhile to correctly remember this band's name, so I surprised myself when I jumped on The Pains of Being Pure at Heart wagon last month. I didn't think that TPOBPAH was particularly amazing at first listen, but it turns out that they're more infectious than the This is Why You're Fat meme and way less gag-inducing.
For whatever reason, I really love starting and ending my weekend nights with TPOBPAH. I must be quite a sight, jamming on the street while walking home in the early hours of the morning, but I can't really stop myself. So, it only seemed appropriate that I kick off a weekend with a Pains show at one of my favorite venues, the Bell House. Riding the Pitchfork BNM wave, TPOBPAH packed the room with eager spectators, myself included. I expected a dancing-good time, and Pains absolutely delivered. Seriously, I don't understand how anyone could not have had fun at this show. Sure, the band wasn't always perfect on the technicals, but they make up for the lack of precision with irresistible songs like "The Tenure Itch" and "Everything With You." I really hadn't been giving TPOBPAH enough creative credit. Yes, some of their songs sound a little indistinguishable, but that's sort of the nature of their genre. After listening to the opening acts, I could see that shoegaze/dream pop is not as easy to execute as Pains make it sound. I only wish they had more songs because 30 minutes of TPOBPAH is not enough.
Like I said before, I can imagine listening to TPOBPAH during the middle of the day at an outdoors festival. Looks like we will be doing just that at Pitchfork Music Festival this July. And the July countdown begins...
The Tenure Itch - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart | Alternative Link
Everything With You - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart | Alternative Link
March 15, 2009
"Already Over" - Violens
via Sonic-Exposed
When David asked me if I had heard Violens, I replied with an immediate, "Of course." But, when I searched through my library, I realized that I actually had none of their music. Then, how the hell did I know the name Violens? It slowly dawned on me that I may have seen them perform before. Don't think that my lack of memory implies that they are not worth knowing, because I'm currently very addicted to a couple of Violens songs. One of these songs, "Already Over" is pretty much on permanent repeat because I can't get enough of it. Simple components like a moving bass line, reverby vocals, and light snare drum all come together in the most delightful way in the first verse. Less than a minute in, and I'm already completely won over.
Violens' self-titled EP is currently available for download on iTunes with a physical release on March 17. I tried to see them again last night, but a long door line deterred me. Epic fail.
Thanks to David for the reintroduction.
Already Over - Violens | Alternative Link
March 7, 2009
Handsome Furs - Mercury Lounge 03.06.09
via Modage's Flickr
A remedy for any case of the blues, Handsome Furs' forthcoming Face Control is an album that I've cranked up while walking around the city, especially very late at night. With his wife Alexei Perry, Dan Boeckner (of Wolf Parade) has created an irresistibly fun dance-rock album. I was pretty bummed about being thirty minutes too late in buying tickets to the sold-out show, but I managed to grab a pair via the miracle that is Mercury Lounge's Twitter. I'm so addicted to Twitter, for all the right reasons.
Sometimes after a long week, all you want to do on a Friday night is grab a few drinks and let your body move to the grooves. After standing through two opening acts, surprisingly good/appropriate (The Hundred in the Hands) and not-so-much (Iran sans Kyp Malone), Handsome Furs finally took the stage to start a much-needed dance party. For whatever reason, I had expected some sort of elaborate stage set-up with lots of gear. Because they really pack the punch on record, I just assumed that they performed with traveling back-up members. Instead, Handsome Furs is truly a duo both on and offstage. It was just Dan with his guitar and Alexei on synth/drum machine, and that was all I needed to hear.
Unsurprisingly, with the release of Face Control in just a few days, Handsome Furs played most of their new record, which four lucky winners of an impromptu trivia challenge received last night. Not only was the music perfect for dancing, the shoe-less Alexei was so energetic and fun to watch. I may have a new idol (Sorry, Karen O). And how does Dan make the guitar look so easy to play? Seriously, he makes it look completely effortless.
Although I've been living in New York for nearly five years now, I can never get over how much the crowd can suck sometimes. While I was dancing and having a good time, not many people within my (limited) range of vision were moving more than just their heads. Tragic, since the Handsome Furs show was one of the most fun ones I've been to in awhile. They definitely deserve a warm reception.
Face Control is officially available on March 10. Pre-order via Sub Pop here. It's great for personal dancing in your underwear...not that I would know.
Talking Hotel Arbat Blues - Handsome Furs | Alternative Link
All We Want, Baby, Is Everything - Handsome Furs | Alternative Link
"Spirited" - Laura Gibson
via Hush Records
If you're in New York, then you were lucky enough to awake to a beautiful spring morning today. Unfortunately, the sun is playing a game of hide and seek, but it's still warm enough to abandon your jackets and scarves. I was taking a leisurely stroll to the library earlier today when Laura Gibson's "Spirited" starting playing on my iPod. The gentle vocals, soft drums, and sparse guitar picking of the song seemed to perfectly complement the spring weather preview we're experiencing at the moment. On a day like this, I just want to slow down and appreciate the uncomplicated joys that life offers us. So, the minimalist song of Gibson immediately caught my ear. From Portland, Laura Gibson is a name that I've come across several times in the last month or so, but I had yet to listen to any of her music until this cosmic day. I haven't listened to her latest album Beasts of Seasons, but I hope the rest picks up from where "Spirited" ends.
Showers are in the forecast for tomorrow, so take advantage of this perfect Saturday before the spring forward.
Spirited - Laura Gibson | Alternative Link
March 1, 2009
Final Fantasy, Grizzly Bear - BAM 02.28.09
via willshu
Grizzly Bear and Final Fantasy with the Brooklyn Philharmonic. Enough said, I had to go to the show that seemed like years in the making. I'd seen both Final Fantasy and Grizzly Bear before, but not with an orchestra! I am not one to pass up on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially when it's related to music.
As I arrived a little late, the first song that I heard was "Horsetail Feathers," a song off Final Fantasy's Plays to Please that was originally recorded with an orchestra (Listen here). To my surprise (and dismay), Final Fantasy aka Owen Pallett was without his usual main instrument. Trading in his violin, he was behind an upright piano and an electric piano for this performance. Maybe because he was accompanied by fifteen violinists, there wasn't really a need for another one. Perhaps I missed him on violin for an earlier song. Can someone fill me in on what happened before "Horsetail Feathers?" Either way, Final Fantasy sounded fantastic with the Brooklyn Philharmonic, as was expected by the nature of his music, and he even previewed some of his new material. Surprise guests Aaron Dessner and Bryan Devendorf of The National also joined Owen onstage on bass and drums, respectively. Bootlegs from the set, including two new songs, are available here via One For The Good Days.
Although listening to Final Fantasy with an orchestra was an incredible experience, I couldn't help but think that I preferred seeing Owen perform with Matt Smith a few weeks earlier at the Kitchen. If you missed out on that, imagine seeing just Owen play the violin but hearing the fullness of a much larger ensemble. It's an illusion, not a trick, that fools your eyes and ears. You can read about that show here. So, if you were somehow not very impressed by Final Fantasy, I strongly suggest that you see one of his solo shows and listen to his entire discography in the meantime. He is a brilliant artist and his music never fails to move me in some way.
While I had a clear idea of what Final Fantasy would sound like with the Brooklyn Philharmonic, I didn't really know what to expect from Grizzly Bear's set. They played a show with the LA Philharmonic last year, but it seems like they played a set separate from the orchestra. With arrangements by film score prodigy Nico Muhly, the show was guaranteed to be good. What an understatement. Nico did a phenomenal job of creating arrangements that enhanced Grizzly Bear's music without reinterpreting it to a point where its integrity was compromised. The guys also had some fun and dug out songs that they didn't normally perform, and Aaron and Bryce Dessner of the National made a couple appearances on the banjo and guitar throughout the night. One of the rare live songs, "Central and Remote," was one of my favorites of the night and one of the many songs that were complemented by the orchestra. For "Reprise," Daniel even brought out his banjo, which he said was a first for a Grizzly Bear show.
Whenever the orchestra rested for a song, I liked to watch the members watching the band. While most of the ensemble remained very composed, I caught one cellist tapping his bow to the beat (Hah!). Even when the orchestra did not play with Grizzly Bear, I never felt that there was a lacking depth of sound. Grizzly Bear didn't need an orchestra to put on a fantastic show, but it was a wonderful combination to experience, especially since we heard songs that they will unlikely play again unless they're with an orchestra. One thing to note was that they didn't perform "Knife," otherwise known as the perfect masochistic break-up song. Like Ed said in this interview with Pitchfork, Grizzly Bear seems to be tucking away the much-loved song, and tonight may have been the beginning of that end. But, that's okay with me, especially since they performed "Deep Blue Sea," my wish list song from last April.
Every time I see these guys, in whatever shape or form, I end up liking them even more. At this performance, I spent a lot of time watching the individual members of the band. Chris Bear never fails to entertain me, and I always enjoy watching him play the drums. He seems to play with restraint most of the time, until his hair goes flying around. But, even that is a bit restrained. Daniel Rossen always has the most serene look on his face when he sings, as if he were singing a lullaby. Chris Taylor has an essence that's been described as otherworldly. It's true, I sort of freeze whenever I see him. I once stood next to him during a Chairlift set, and I was distracted the entire time by the fact that I was standing next to Chris Taylor. The man plays so many instruments, he sings, and he has a list of production credits. Is there anything he doesn't do? And, there is Ed, the seemingly shy lead who never smiles at his own jokes. I'm pretty sure that Ed was wearing the same shirt from the last time I saw him. I'm not going to deny that he is my favorite person to follow on Twitter, and I love reading the Grizzly Bear blog. He's just so funny and witty!
The much-anticipated Veckatimest will be released on May 26. Of the set list below, "Ready, Able," "Two Weeks," "Dory," "While You Wait for the Others," and "Foreground" are all from the forthcoming album. I was obsessed with "While You Wait for the Others," but now "Ready, Able" may be my current favorite.
More on Final Fantasy here, Grizzly Bear here. Bootleg of the Grizzly Bear set posted on At Ease and can be found here (via You Ain't No Picasso). Great quality recordings of rare and new songs at One For The Good Days.
Pictures were prohibited and I managed to delete the one picture I had taken
Final Fantasy Setlist (via brooklynvegan comment)
None of You Will Ever See A Penny
Horsetail Feathers
Keep the Dog Quiet
Lewis Takes Action
Arctic Circle
He Poos Clouds
Midnight Directives/End of Time
Tryst with Mephistopheles
The CN Tower Belongs to the Dead (Many Ives Version) 
Grizzly Bear Setlist
Easier
Central and Remote
Ready, Able
Two Weeks
Plans
Colorado
Reprise
Little Brother
Campfire
Dory
While You Wait for the Others
Foreground
-----------------------
Deep Blue Sea
He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)
Grizzly Bear encore Deep Blue Sea at BAM from lofi.tv on Vimeo.
This guy was ballsy. I could clearly see him taping this song, yet none of the BAM vultures were on him to make him stop.
The Butcher - Final Fantasy | Alternative Link
This Lamb Sells Condos - Final Fantasy | Alternative Link
Two Weeks (Live @ Boston MFA 08.14.08) - Grizzly Bear | Alternative Link
Easier - Grizzly Bear | Alternative Link
Head over to One For The Good Days for great quality recordings.
February 25, 2009
"You Were Young" - Giantess
via Giantess Myspace
If you can't get enough of Passion Pit, fear not because another Boston-based band is bringing you all the electro ear candy that you could possibly handle without exploding. Giantess comes recommended to me by the same friend who introduced me to Passion Pit last July. If you take a listen to "You Were Young," this recommendation will be unsurprising since I could imagine people easily mistaking this for a PP track. I did a little searching and turns out Ayad (synths) of PP produces the band. Mystery solved.
Beware, this song is extremely catchy. I didn't think too much of it at first, but then I was humming it at work today. It's kind of annoying that I can't get it out of my head. And, now I'm dancing in my chair. The best kind of dancing, of course.
Giantess' debut is expected to drop on Neon Gold next month. Hopefully, an upcoming NY show is in the works.
In other semi-related news, Neon Gold is raving about the upcoming Passion Pit LP. Hope it lives up to the hype.
You Were Young - Giantess | Alternative Link
February 21, 2009
"Everything Is Moving So Fast" - Great Lake Swimmers
via Aquarium Drunkard
My current living situation has become so unbearable that I almost dread waking up in the morning. But, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and a certain new Great Lake Swimmers song has been coaxing me out of bed. Premiered by You Ain't No Picasso earlier this week, "Everything Is Moving So Fast" is a free mp3 off Lost Channels, Great Lake Swimmers' upcoming follow-up to Ongiara. To be honest, I wasn't too enthralled by "Pulling on a Line," the first single off Lost Channels. I was expecting something more along the lines of "Your Rocky Spine," which is a song that I immediately liked and played constantly. But, this new track makes me excited for the rest of Lost Channels, and it puts a smile on my face in the morning. The perfect, serene start to any day. Take a listen and feel soothed.
Lost Channels is due on March 31. Great Lake Swimmers return to New York on April 16. Catch them at Bowery Ballroom.
Everything Is Moving So Fast - Great Lake Swimmers (via You Ain't No Picasso)
Your Rocky Spine - Great Lake Swimmers | Alternative Link
February 20, 2009
"Creekmouth" & "Thanksgiving Moon" - DM Stith
via Lost At E Minor
In an Ambien-induced stupor a few nights ago, I came across the most appropriate album for my mood. One of the Asthmatic Kitty family members, DM Stith first emerged as a My Brightest Diamond collaborator. Although he still collabs with his labelmates and most recently contributed back-up vocals to Sufjan and Buck 65's "Blood, Pt 2" off Dark Was The Night, David Stith is releasing his first full-length album, Heavy Ghost, on March 10.
While "Pity Dance" was my introduction to the album, the eerie "Creekmouth" was the track that really drew me to listen to Heavy Ghost in its entirety. The song is spooky in an oddly spiritual and tribal way, and the rest of the album continues in this manner. Another favorite of mine, "Thanksgiving Moon" is a song that personally speaks to me since I'm going through something that most people refer to as a quarter-life crisis. I just rolled my eyes at myself, but you get the idea. While the opening lyrics are somewhat hopeful, the minor key and melancholy vocals reveal the conflicting duality of the piece. It's a stunning piece that haunts me every time I take a listen. A demo version of the song is available on DM Stith's official website here.
Although my writer's block is prohibiting me from communicating how much I enjoy this album, I'm pretty confident that DM Stith's Heavy Ghost will end up on my list of top albums of 2009. I hope I don't have to eat these words in December.
Heavy Ghost is available for pre-order. If you're in the NY area, catch DM Stith with Pterodactyl at Cake Shop on February 27.
Creekmouth - DM Stith | Alternative Link
Thanksgiving Moon - DM Stith | Alternative Link
And, if you're curious, you can read the official album press release for extensive lyrical and musical context.
February 11, 2009
"The Lonely Man of Winter" - Sufjan Stevens
via Brooklyn Based
On January 28, I read something on Brooklyn Based that literally made my heart skip a beat. Over a year ago, Alec Duffy of Hoi Polloi received exclusive rights to "The Lonely Man of Winter" for winning Sufjan's Xmas Xchange with an original song that you can listen to here. After holding onto the song for a year, Alec decided to host listening sessions every Wednesday for about a month. With three sessions a night, each limited to four listeners, Alec truly intended to create an meaningful experience for those who were able to attend. Promises of tea, cookies, and a virtually unheard Sufjan Stevens song were more than enough motivation for me to shoot an email to Alec.
As I entered Alec's home in Prospect Heights, I was immediately greeted by co-host Dave Malloy, the musical director of Hoi Polloi. I was the last to arrive of the group, as everyone was already situated in chairs and couches with mugs of tea. We all introduced ourselves and talked about how we became fans of Sufjan Stevens. Of course, we had different backgrounds, but we came together by chance to hear Sufjan's "The Lonely Man of Winter." After some convo, Dave and Alec set us up with some headphones so that we could listen to the now famous (or infamous) song.
Immediately, the looped guitar intro of "The Lonely Man of Winter" sent chills down my spine. I could almost imagine him building the loops by himself to produce the song. Because I generally prefer the more somber Sufjan pieces like "Casimir Pulaski Day," the melancholy lyrics of this holiday song seemed to deliberately cater to my tastes. The song ended with a beautifully haunting piano coda, reminding me of my recent reconnection with the instrument. Clocking in at 3:11, "The Lonely Man of Winter" ended before I knew it. After hearing it one more time, I'd say that it's one of Sufjan's best Xmas songs. In fact, "The Lonely Man of Winter" is a track that could stand on its own on any Sufjan album, not limited to just his yearly holiday albums. Sadly, I can barely remember the song now. Alas, some beauty is meant to be transient.
Even after Alec fulfilled his end of the bargain, the small group continued to linger a little longer. But, with the group picture taken and the guestbook signed, we knew that it was time to depart. Maureen, one of the attendees, said that she really enjoyed what Alec and Dave were doing with the small listening parties because they humanized the act of sharing. It's true that with the digital age, connections and relationships have become rather impersonal. I am guilty of this, since I hardly ever pick up the phone and prefer communication via text or email. While some people are upset with this method of distribution, I really appreciated listening to a new song in this manner. Alec and Dave created an environment for a unique experience: connecting with a small group of strangers over a common interest. Let's be honest. If this song had been readily available on the Internet, I would have downloaded it, listened to it once or twice, and then it would have been added to my exponentially growing iTunes library. I download something like at least four albums a day plus at least fifteen other songs. Because I go through so much music, I'm no longer able to keep up with how I discovered certain songs and artists, which is rather sad since I like having background stories.
Thank you, Alec and Dave. I hope to hear this song again in some shape or form, because it is too good to be kept "unheard" forever. Also, thank you for introducing me to strangers who informed me of "secret" bars and possibly illegal sushi joints in Brooklyn, all très important info since I'm moving across the bridge in a couple months.
Casimir Pulaski Day (demo) - Sufjan Stevens | Alternative Link
By the way, this is a real holiday in Illinois. I wish I could still get a day off for it.
February 8, 2009
Nodzzz, Wavves - Underground Lounge 02.08.09
Wavves @ Less Artists, More Condos
via .
Nodzzz @ Underground Lounge
Morningside Heights is probably one of the last places I would voluntarily trek to on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, but I happily returned to my old stomping grounds today to check out Nodzzz and Wavves. WBAR has been keeping the kids cool with acts like Crystal Stilts, Fujiya & Miyagi, and Telepathe over the last couple years, so I wasn't surprised when they came together with Todd P to bring some of the most anticipated acts of late. I'd never been to Underground Lounge during the day, nor had I ever ventured away from the front bar area, but somehow it made sense to me that the "performance space" was more like a dark corner in someone's exposed-brick basement. The small raised stage could barely support a drum set and some amps, and the room was more than cozy. Basically, it was a perfect place to listen to some Californian garage pop/punk bands during the daytime.
Usually, lo-fi/garage pop tends to be a hit-or-miss for me, but Nodzzz is exactly what I needed to get over my endless winter blues. Their music makes me want to skip and jump outside, which I would never do under any circumstance. I don't really get it, because I don't think they're particularly good in the traditional musical sense. But their lack of musical precision is exactly the reason why I can't stop listening to them. And, I always enjoy half-serious lyrics. With songs that were mostly under the two-minute mark, Nodzzz delivered controlled doses of their catchiness. I would love to see this band again somewhere outdoors.
Of the acts that I caught, Wavves was probably the most hyped one. Nyctaper said that Wavves had found fame on the Internet, and to a certain extent, it's true. You can't click through the major music websites and blogs without some mention of the Wavves buzz. While he's 22, Wavves aka Nathan Williams looks like a young child prodigy of some sort. As I was waiting for him and his drummer, Ryan Ulsh, to set up, I overheard some students talk about how much they admired Nathan's genius and how Wavves made them think, "Dude, I just want to make some experimental music." Roll eyes. As a live act, Wavves was far less distorted than he is on record, and he sounded more like straight garage punk. I don't know if this is the case at all his shows, but don't take this as a complaint. The sound was still ear-ringingly loud, and the music was just as fun. Creating fun in a cramped, warm basement with no air circulation is no ordinary feat, but Wavves did it. No surprises that Wavvves, which will officially drop in March, is already making some preliminary Top of 2009 lists. Personally, Wavves hasn't given me any musical revelations (and some of you will fiercely disagree with this), but I can't help but enjoy listening to the songs, either recorded or live. If anything, Wavves has made me think that noise can be done in a way that's listenable and not too abrasive.
How was Blank Dogs? I left before they got on.
Losing My Accent - Nodzzz
So Bored - Wavves
Pre-order Wavvves here.
Ffiinnaall Ffaannttaassyy - The Kitchen 02.07.09
via brooklynvegan from Friday's show. Owen wore a bright yellow shirt on Saturday.
Last night, Owen Pallett aka Final Fantasy and Matt Smith played the last of three shows as Ffiinnaall Ffaannttaassyy. Even if you've never heard of his pseudonym, it's likely that you're still familiar with Owen's other work. A go-to for string arrangements, Owen has worked (and at times toured) with Arcade Fire, Beirut, Grizzly Bear, and The Last Shadow Puppets. But, it is his work under Final Fantasy that really defines him as a must-listen.
As the program described, Owen Pallett and Matt Smith created more dissonant and abstract versions of Final Fantasy's music through some improvisation. With Matt, a Toronto-based musician and composer, Final Fantasy performed music that I could barely believe with my own eyes and ears. For one, Owen is a tremendous vocalist, and his tone was never compromised by whatever complex things he was doing on violin. During the show, I remember thinking to myself, "Is that REALLY his voice? Or is he pulling a Jennifer Hudson at the Super Bowl?" Nope, last night was all real-time, which was clear when Owen made a little slip-up while setting up a loop for "The Great Elsewhere." Behind a table of equipment, Matt Smith manipulated Owen's violin-playing and used samples to make the audience believe that a quartet, or even an orchestra, was performing onstage. It is quite strange when your eyes tell you that what you're hearing just cannot be, but that was the beauty of this show. I have no idea what Matt was doing, but I would really appreciate an explanation for I am very curious about his wizardry.
An experimental performance space, The Kitchen allowed for a unique stage set-up. If you take a look at the pictures on brooklynvegan, you'll see that audience members were invited to move around the stage to experience how the sound changed from location to location. Owen enticed people with organic fuji apples from Chelsea Market, and the opportunity to get up-close and personal with Ffiinnaall Ffaannttaassyy. He also invited offers for his clothes, but people refrained from going there.
Final Fantasy performs with the Brooklyn Philharmonic at a joint show with Grizzly Bear on February 28. Brooklynvegan is under the impression that Owen intends to exclusively perform with orchestras in the future. As much as I am excited to hear Spectrum, 14th Century and Plays to Please with a full backing ensemble, I hope Owen does not abandon his solo shows. He didn't insinuate said intention last night, and the program seemed to imply that Ffiinnaall Ffaannttaassyy (Owen and Matt) will be releasing the forthcoming Heartland, the full-length follow-up to Final Fantasy's last album. So, I'm hopeful that people will have the opportunity to see this duo in its current incarnation.
Friday's setlist is below. I believe it was the same for Saturday, but please correct me if I'm wrong.
Setlist (via brooklynvegan)
Random fact: Final Fantasy's last album, He Poos Clouds, is "a satirical song cycle based on the eight schools of magic according to Dungeons and Dragons."
Song Song Song - Final Fantasy
Hey Dad! - Final Fantasy (with Zach Condon of Beirut)
February 7, 2009
"The Tenure Itch" - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
via RCRDLBL
When K. of Escape Sounds asked me earlier this week if I had listened to any The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, I confessed that I had started to see some reviews for the band's self-titled album but that I had yet to really listen to any of their music. Also, this band could be in the running for winning a superlative for their bad band name. When I had a chance to check my library, I saw that I had a couple of their tracks that I hadn't even played. My iTunes has become an overwhelming inbox with no foreseeable bottom, so I'm not surprised that this one slipped through the cracks. Per K.'s recommendation, I finally got the rest of TPOBPAH's album and came across this gem. "The Tenure Itch" is my current favorite and is probably a good starting point for this album. Two of the songs available via RCRDLBL, "Come Saturday" and "Everything with You", are a little too indistinguishable for me to listen to repeatedly. But, "The Tenure Itch" is catchy dream pop song that makes me long for the summer. I can just imagine listening to this during the middle of the day at an outdoors festival. Winter, when will you end??
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart play Mercury Lounge tonight and the Bell House on March 13. Their self-titled album is currently available for purchase. Check out Escape Sounds' thoughts on TPOBPAH.
The Tenure Itch - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
February 5, 2009
Beirut - MHOW 02.04.09
Thanks to an intimate night of a scaled-down Beirut, I’ve had “Postcards from Italy” stuck in my head all day. While I’ve had Beirut on rotation since Gulag Orkestar, I didn’t fall hard for this band until Zach cancelled their European tour and called for a hiatus last April. It’s true, I took Beirut’s existence for granted until they were temporarily absent from the scene. And, ever since I missed them at their MHOW show last May, I’ve been kicking myself for making poor life decisions.
Over the last few months of Beirut’s hiatus, I’ve found myself going back and listening to a significant amount of their music. You would think this would be a fairly normal action for any music lover, but that’s not necessarily the case with me. Most of my time is dedicated to listening to new music (or music that is new to me), and I’m constantly seeking my next “obsession.” Rarely do I spend an exorbitant amount of time on albums that are collecting virtual dust in my iTunes library. But, as confirmed with my Last.fm, Beirut falls into my top five most listened artists in the last 12 months. Not only have I been giving them heavy play, Beirut has become sort of a musical motivator/inspiration to me. Beirut is the reason why I picked up a ukulele. More importantly, they have helped me rediscover my love of piano performance, something I’d lost many years ago. So, it’s safe to say that I was ecstatic to finally go to a Beirut show, especially since I had never seen them live before.
Beirut kicked it off with the lyrically appropriate “Nantes,” a favorite off The Flying Club Cup. While I am not normally a fan of loud audience sing-alongs, it was almost appropriate for this song since it really had been too long since Beirut had an officially announced Brooklyn show. After the song ended, a guy from the audience yelled out to Zach, asking him to sign the ukulele that he had lugged to the show. Of course, Zach obliged (Note to self: Bring uke to next Beirut show), and the crowd aww’d. As expected, Beirut played new material, old favorites, a cover of “Brazil” and a tribute to Serge Gainsbourg. Upon first listen, the new Beirut double EP March of the Zapotec/Realpeople Holland did not leave much of an impression on me. But, when Beirut performed tracks off the EP last night, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed them. Either the songs have grown on me during the last couple of weeks, or they were just meant to be heard in person. What I know for sure is that Beirut really knows how to romanticize horn instruments (see here for the exact embarrassing words I used). There’s a certain charm of the instruments’ timbre that is unfortunately not captured by recordings. Also, I have no idea what you haters of Beirut’s last secret show at Coco66 are talking about. I would have loved to have gone to drink and be merry with Beirut. Almost felt like the band was TOO sober for the music they were playing, but I do appreciate the musical precision.
Unsurprisingly, nothing on my wish list came true. I probably would have died on the spot if Owen Pallett had walked onto the stage for “Cliquot.” As outrageous as this sounds, I really hoped that it would happen. Ed Droste is out of town, working on the production of Grizzly Bear’s upcoming album, but Owen is supposed to be here for two shows on Friday and Saturday. Also, is “Transatlantique” just not a song that they practice? Am I the only person who is in love with that song?
Beirut performs at BAM this Friday and Saturday with the Vassar Orkestar. I should have held onto the tickets I had for Friday…
Oh, and Tune Yards, the first opening act, was awesome. More info on her here.
Setlist (via Stereogum)
Nantes
Mount Wroclai (Idle Days)
East Harlem (Unreleased)
Cherbourg
Elephant Gun
The Shrew
The Concubine
Postcards From Italy
La Javanaise
After The Curtain
The Akara
Cocek (Unreleased)
- - - -
My Night With The Prostitute From Marseille
Scenic World
Gulag Orkestar
I believe the second encore included “Sunday Smile,” “Forks & Knives,” and “Brazil.” Thoughts?
The Akara - Beirut | Alternative Link
Transatlantique - Beirut | Alternative Link
February 2, 2009
"Untitled 18" - The Real People (Zach Condon)
via brooklynvegan
Roughly around the time that I was dedicating most of my time to teenage angst and emo music, Zach Condon was doing something slightly more constructive and arguably cooler (by a very slim margin, of course). Pre-dating the Balkan folk style that distinguishes Beirut's music, The Joys of Losing Weight was an unreleased album that Condon had put together at age fifteen under the moniker of The Real People. I read that Zach had some solo material before Beirut, but I didn't know of the digital availability of The Joys of Losing Weight until recently (Thanks, Nate!). When I started listening to "Untitled 18," I felt like I was given a rare glimpse into Zach's musical development. For one, the track opens with a beautiful guitar intro, which is something I did not expect from him. But, this album is from a time when Condon was still able to wrap his wrist around a guitar, before he underwent surgery and traded in the guitar for a ukulele. Although I absolutely adore the uke and Beirut is my inspiration for buying one, I didn't miss it one bit in this bossa nova-inspired track. As a fan of Beirut, I think it's exciting to hear something that is distinctively different, even if it was from seven years ago.
Beirut explores more of this project with their Realpeople Holland EP, which is currently available for download with the March of Zapotec EP. Grab the rest of The Joys of Losing Weight here. Beirut plays three shows this week, one at MHOW and two at BAM. I may possibly have an extra ticket to MHOW, if there are any takers.
Yes, this was a pre-show hype post. I can't help it, I am so stoked to see them. My fingers are crossed for one of the following events to occur:
1. "Transatlantique" is on the set list. Unlikely but not impossible.
2. Beirut plays rarities from The Joys of Losing Weight. Highly unlikely and pretty impossible.
3. Owen Pallett or Ed Droste join Beirut for "Cliquot." I must be insane for wasting a wish on this one.
Untitled 18 - The Real People (Zach Condon) | Alternative Link
January 26, 2009
Andrew Bird - MHOW 01.26.09
Absolutely stunning. Andrew Bird is a true virtuoso. Not only is he a phenomenal violinist, in both the classical and experimental senses, he's also made whistling into an art form. Seriously, I feel like he could win some prestigious whistling competitions, if they exist.
Even before the show tonight, I had a little music-crush on Andrew Bird. I've unavoidably picked up some bio facts on him since his name is everywhere. We're both from Illinois, an awesome state in the Midwest (No Blago puns, please). We both started training in the Suzuki method when we were four, respectively, and both on stringed instruments (Piano for me). But, that's where the similarities end. Andrew Bird is a remarkable composer and musician, and I never made it that far on classical piano. Andrew is so talented that it's almost unfair. It's unfair that one man can play something in such a way that I'm left completely defenseless against my own emotions. But, I guess that's what we call music-love. As always, I am a sucker for beautiful string arrangements.
I didn’t really know what to expect from Andrew Bird’s live act, but M. assured me that it would be amazing. While I wasn’t sure how it would all come together, I knew there would be whistling and strings, both signatures of Andrew Bird. What I wasn’t prepared for was the insanely beautiful moments that Bird created with only his violin and loop pedals. They were the seconds that reaffirmed my belief that music has the power to change one’s outlook on life. During the instrumental break in “Masterswarm,” one of my favorite songs off Noble Beast, I couldn’t help but smile. Combining impressionist music elements with equally impressionistic lyrics, Andrew Bird has concocted songs that appeal to the geekiest of music geeks, the kind that have Maurice Ravel and C.T. Griffes along with Radiohead in their music collection. I wish he would do a small secret show where he performs without his backing band.
After an incredible night of music, I returned home to see that Beirut played a last-minute show at Coco66. I'm feeling some serious heartbreak right now, so someone please tell me that the show was as bad as comments on brooklynvegan are recounting.
At least there will be snacks. All kinds of snacks.
Andrew Bird performs on Letterman tonight. He will be performing a sold-out show at Carnegie Hall tomorrow.
Noble Beast/Useless Creatures is currently available for purchase. Amazon suggests that you buy it with the new Animal Collective and Antony & the Johnsons.
The thing in the background is a spinning double horn.
Masterswarm - Andrew Bird | Alternative Link
January 20, 2009
Here We Go Magic, Department of Eagles - Bowery Ballroom 01.19.09
Here We Go Magic
Department of Eagles
It's really astounding that the two bands that I saw tonight have performed only a handful of live shows together with their respective members. When Department of Eagles, a favorite of mine since I saw them at their album release show, announced another New York show, I decided to go without a second thought. Then, about two weeks ago, I found out that one of my newest obsessions, Here We Go Magic, was opening for DOE. Needless to say, I freaked out a little at my desk at work when I learned of this news.
Although Luke Temple is a regular performer and even played a solo set at Le Poisson Rouge last Friday, this Bowery Ballroom show was only the third show that Here We Go Magic had ever played together. Even if that were the case, I couldn't tell by the polish of their set. I'd been wondering how Here We Go Magic's sound would translate onto the stage, especially since there are some electronic-ish instrumental tracks on the forthcoming debut album. Basically, Here We Go Magic skipped the instrumental tracks and played songs that were more like "Fangela" and "Tunnelvision" (Listen to the songs here). I thought they would do some strange experimental stuff onstage, but they were more like a band that plays real instruments. And, they sounded absolutely amazing. With the support of a full band, the live Here We Go Magic sounded much warmer and richer. Now, when I listen to the recorded album, I feel like I'm missing quite a bit of depth. If you have a chance, GO SEE THIS BAND. And, if you're curious, they do have more songs that are not on their upcoming self-titled, and they performed them at the Bowery.
After Here We Go Magic, Department of Eagles took the stage for what was something like their fifth show ever. Daniel Rossen kicked off the set on the banjo with "Balmy Night," a song that makes me want to buy the instrument and learn to play. As Fred and the rest of the band joined Daniel, I noticed that Chris Taylor was once again missing. Someone named Matt or Max (I think) filled in on the bass. Does anyone know what his name was? I almost want to assume that he must be involved in a Grizzly Bear-related project since the last bassist, Nat Baldwin, was once a member of the Dirty Projectors. Anyway, DOE played two new songs, one of which was only two weeks old. Each piece involved the looping of Daniel's voice, and it was an experience to hear and watch him build his own harmonies. But, my favorite moment of the night was when Daniel and Fred performed a beautiful guitar-only version of "Sailing by Night" (Listen here). I have a particular weak spot for that song, and I can't help but swoon every time I hear it performed live. No JoJo's "Too Little, Too Late" or "Deep Blue Sea," which is now a Grizzly Bear song, but I was still happy to have seen this talented band again.
And, yes, Ed Droste was in the audience.
Here We Go Magic
Department of Eagles
1997 (Daytrotter Session) - Department of Eagles | Alternative Link
Ahab - Here We Go Magic | Alternative Link
January 17, 2009
Still Working on the Layout!
Sorry that things look very messy right now. I should have everything up and running by Monday. Please bear with me :). If you have any suggestions for what should go in that bottom bar, leave a comment!
School of Seven Bells, Free Blood - Le Poisson Rouge 01.16.09
School of Seven Bells
Can you tell that I finally got a new camera with a functioning LCD screen?
Finally, I got to see School of Seven Bells. After missing them open for M83, I thought I wouldn't have another upcoming opportunity to see them. Thankfully, H. asked me to go see Free Blood at Le Poisson Rouge, and School of Seven Bells was also making an appearance.
While I don't like many female vocalists, the twin singers of School of Seven Bells sound ever so haunting together. For their shoegaze-type genre of music, the light and sweet voices are a perfect complement to the dreamy instrumentals. I only wish that their vocals were turned up a bit more so that they wouldn't have been drowned out at any point. Their set at Le Poisson Rouge was uninterrupted by banter, which I preferred because any space in between the songs would have distracted from the mood that the band was creating. Normally, I am not a big fan of smoke machines, but the smoke was very appropriate for School of Seven Bells. But, at one point, there was so much smoke that I couldn't make out any of the band members. I have no idea how they were able to keep playing without being able to see.
After School of Seven Bells, Free Blood took the stage and put on a relatively tame show. The first time that I had seen Free Blood was when they opened for Hot Chip last April. John Pugh (formerly of !!!) and Madeline Davy are quirky duo, and they are not afraid to get down - literally. They will sing and dance for your entertainment, and you can't help but crack a smile at their clever lyrics. If you like !!! (chk chk chk), then this is for you.
School of Seven Bells' Alpinisms and Free Blood's The Singles are both currently available.
School of Seven Bells
Free Blood
Half Asleep - School of Seven Bells
Grumpy - Free Blood
