music induced euphoria: 2010-03-07

Saturday, March 13, 2010

The Strokes Post #384

Julian on SNL tonight. Boombox? yes, please.

cheers to Olivia for the tip.

I am currently revisiting Transference and g-d damn Britt Daniel owns my soul, yes he does.

Free Energy to play Letterman on Wednesday

the fantastic Philly band will grace your television this St Patty's. the band is also all over SXSW this year.

their debut album, Stuck on Nothing, was released digitally last Tuesday, and I will review it when it gets its physical release in May.

in the mean time, enjoy the following live version of one of the tracks from the album

Free Energy - Bad Stuff (Live From KEXP) [mp3]

visit them on MYSPACE

Ryan Adams is back!

because, all amazingness aside, his youtube channel has never quenched my relentless thirst for Ryan Adams. thankfully, though, he's gone back on his "I have quit music" schpeal and it looks as though a new LP is about to see light of day! huzzah!

from his website:

"We're going to begin pressing ORION -- my most legit METAL record -- on vinyl next week."

is it bad that I am rooting for his marriage to fail?

Ryan Adams - Electrosnake [mp3]

The Strokes Post #383

I love Record Store Day.

cheers to Shane for the heads up about Julian's 11th D 7". I still haven't gotten my xmas single from amazon. bastards.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Classic Track Thursday

is this not the perfect mixtape song?

Dramarama - Anything, Anything (I'll Give You) [mp3]
from Cinéma Vérité (1985)

The Strokes Post #382

I am currently reading I Drink for a Reason by David Cross and laughing my ass off. I had no idea he had a book up until two days ago. anyhow, no offense to Tobias, but Mr Cross's greatest moment can be seen below:

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

concert review: Delta Spirit @ Bottom of the Hill (08 March)

Delta Spirit shows get me pumped like no other. They are real people making real(ly good) music and there is nothing more to it. You really don’t need anything else. Monday night’s show at Bottom of the Hill was their self dubbed trial run of songs from their forthcoming sophomore album, and it was fucking epic. The album, which will be called History From Below, was crafted as an ode to Howard Zinn before his recent passing. It was influenced by lead singer Matt Vasquez’s love for the late historian as well as Tom Waits and will see a release on June 8th. A supporting tour will follow.

Now for the good stuff. The band had me and the rest of the crowd completely mesmerized by their newer material. I was just spinning my copy of I Think I’ve Found It and realized how much Delta Spirit have honed their sound lately. The songs have a cleaner rock feel, which I realize sounds kind of bad but it really isn’t. The arrangements are more thought provoking, or as much as they will allow it to be, seeing as how noise making is their favourite thing. The only other band that makes music that makes me feel like Delta Spirit songs do is The Gaslight Anthem, but they’re in a completely different musical boat.

The second half of their set was composed mostly of older material, which the band nailed, no question. Damn it to hell I love them. They are definitely still my favourite live band, and will continue to be until August.

Dave Quon, the lead singer from opening band We Barbarians, has been filling the vacancy as guitarist since Sean left the band. He was really great and has my vote to become a permanent member of Delta Spirit.

Highlights of the set were “Strange Vine”, “Vivian”, and, of course, “Motivation" (which they closed the set with). When they encored with "Trashcan", I knew all was well in the universe. Bless them.

set list:

We Barbarians:

I’m still uploading videos so keep your eyes peeled for those, but here’s something to hold you guys over:

Dr Dog: free mp3 + tour dates

y'all might be familiar with Dr Dog via the incredible "Heart it Races" cover I've posted a few times on here. you'll be pleased to know that a new album, entitled SHAME, SHAME will be released April 6th. there will also be a Jimmy Fallon performance on the release date. you can grab a free mp3 of the album's first single below and then check out the tour dates

Dr Dog - Stranger [mp3]

March 18 SXSW Showcase @ Lustre Pearl (12midnight) Austin, TX
March 19 Filter Party @ Cedar St Courtyard (4pm) Austin, TX
March 20 Rachel Ray Party @ Stubbs BBQ - outside (1:30pm) Austin, TX
April 14 Lee's Place Toronto, ON
April 15 Blind Pig Ann Arbor, MI
April 16 Metro Chicago, IL
April 17 Fine Line Minneapolis, MN
April 19 Belly Up Aspen, CO
April 20 Gothic Theatre Denver, CO
April 22 Neuroluz Boise, ID
April 23 Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR
April 24 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA
April 25 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA **
April 27 Henry Fonda Los Angeles, CA **
April 29 Santa Fe Brewing Company Santa Fe, NM **
April 30 The Loft Dallas, TX **
May 1 Emo's Outside Austin, TX **
May 2 Warehouse Live Studio Houston, TX **
May 3 Majestic Fayetteville, AR **
May 5 Workplay Birmingham, AL **
May 6 Cannery Ballroom Nashville, TN **
May 7 Headliners Louisville, KY **
May 10 Port City Music Hall Portland, ME
May 11 Paradise Boston, MA **
May 12 Paradise Boston, MA **
May 13 Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA **
May 14 9:30 Club Washington, DC **
May 15 Terminal 5 New York, NY **
May 23 Magnet Berlin, Germany
May 24 Blue Shell Koln, Germany
May 25 Paradiso Amsterdam, Netherlands
May 26 Tabernacle London, UK
May 27 Nouveau Casino Paris, France
May 29 Primavera Sound Barcelona, Spain
May 31 Sasquatch Festival George, WA
June 4 Mountain Jam Woodstock, NY
June 11 Bonnaroo Manchester, TN
July 1 High Sierra Music Festival Quincy, CA

** With Deertick

visit Dr Dog on MYSPACE

The Strokes Post #381 (LOLLA LOLLA LOLLA!!!)

I totally scared my roommate when I started screaming when I read...

THE STROKES ARE CONFIRMED FOR LOLLAPALOOZA THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Julian says:

“It feels great, because I remember people writing things like ‘We’ll see if they’re still around in 10 years’ when we first came out.” (read more HERE)

to celebrate this momentous occasion, I'm giving away a vinyl copy of Is This It. leave me a comment telling me what your best festival experience thus far has been and how it inevitably will be trumped by August's epicness.

I hate birthdays but this year will change everything. I'm turning 21 the day after the festival ends.

new songs: MGMT - Flash Delirium + Congratulations

MGMT - Flash Delirium [mp3]

MGMT - Congratulations [mp3]

there's something about being absolutely exhausted and then listening to trippy music...mmm

I am very much digging these two tracks. way to go, Andrew n Ben.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

The Strokes Post #380

Q magazine, ladies and gents:

that photo makes him look like he did in 2002. glorious.

Monday, March 8, 2010

The Strokes Post #379

Sunday, March 7, 2010

band of the week + record review: The Morning Benders

The Morning Benders are very good at many things, and likeability is high on that list. On Talking Through Tin Cans, their irresistibility came from their channeling of The Shins but executing it like early Beatles. Syrupy, instant feel good record? Yes please.

And, just as alluring as the opening chords to “Dammit Anna” were on their previous full length album, The Morning Benders begin Big Echo with the ever comforting crackling sound of vinyl, and diffuse into a ballad—yes, a ballad and a fucking good one at that—“Excuses”.

When did this happen? When did The Morning Benders graduate from elementary school and enter the quiet realms of teenage heartbreak? The atmosphere evoked is like journeying through 80’s melancholia, whilst refraining from actually channeling bands like Joy Division or The Smiths. Big Echo is like that quiet kid in the class who was secretly in love with you…subtle, reserved but overflowing with emotion just waiting to be found out.

But it doesn’t stop at that, the record is full of surprises, like when they dabble into the musical territory of fellow SF band The Dodos on “Cold War (Nice Clean Fight)” or when they get uncharacteristically aggressive on “Hand Me Downs”. Go out on Tuesday and buy this record, and listen to it as you drive to the beach, before it gets sunny and warm. Cloudy days have never seen a better soundtrack.

4.2/5

The Morning Benders - Hand Me Downs [mp3]

you can stream the whole record HERE, but just know that it's gonna make you want to hold this album in your hands even more than you already do.