concert review: Free Energy @ GAMH

30 June 2010
Great American Music Hall, San Francisco

Last Wednesday night, Free Energy graced San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall. The band, who have previously played shows at Rickshaw and Popscene, were thrilled to be where they were. And it showed. This was my second time seeing the band play live and I was pleasantly surprised that they outdid their Popscene set (which was superb). Lead singer Paul Sprangers was sprightly and enthused, bouncing along the stage as he happily delivered the lyrics, which often came across in a monotonous spoken word manner (yet never ever boring). The band relayed “Hope Child” as earnestly as a national anthem, drawing comfort from familiarity. Free Energy’s chemistry was clean and polished, but not pretentious. They performed their happy go lucky 70's pop-rock gems in a quirky yet precise manner. They included their new, Ramones-y song “C’mon Let’s Dance” but the true shining moment of the set was when they busted out “Something in Common”. The rich guitar tones on the b-side (which I consider their best song) quickly won over the audience, who swayed and jigged in merriment. Yes, merriment.

4.5/5

more photos:






Free Energy - Hope Child [mp3]

Free Energy on MYSPACE

new video: Rodrigo y Gabriela- Hanuman + tour dates

WHO IS THIS BAND AND WHY AM I ONLY HEARING THEM NOW?!

tour dates:

AUGUST
13 - Redmond, WA - Marymoor Amphitheater
14 - Troutdale, OR - Edgefield
16 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's
18 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
20 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
21 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre
24 - Vienna, VA - Filene Center at Wolf Trap
26 - Boston, MA - Opera House
28 - Highland Park, IL - Ravinia Festival
30 - Baltimore, MD - Pier Six Concert Pavilion
31 - Knoxville, TN - UT Knoxville

SEPTEMBER
02 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
03 - Austin, TX - Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheatre

new video: The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang

The Strokes Post #495

booooooooootleg time

The Strokes - Live at Bowery Ballroom, NY, 04 Nov 2003 [zip]

1. Someday
2. Alone, Together
3. Whatever Happened
4. Under Control
5. Automatic Stop
6. Between Love & Hate
7. I Can't Win
8. The Modern Age
9. 12:51
10. New York City Cops
11. The End Has No End pt 1
12. The End Has No End pt 2
13. Take It Or Leave It
14. Modern Girls & Old Fashioned Men
15. Reptilia

The Strokes Post #494

via sonic editions

99 pounds? er, my birthday is in 34 days if anyone is interested ; )

tomorrow night: the Rumble SF presents A B & The Sea, What Laura Says, So Many Wizards

Cafe Du Nord. doors 8:30, show 9:30

the show is free as long as you RSVP! $5 at the door otherwise.

What Laura Says - I'd Dance With You [mp3]

record review: Mister Loveless - Three Words [EP]

Three Words displays a marked development of Mister Loveless’ sound. The SF based quartet originated in Walnut Creek and have skirted around a few lineup changes in the past, but they’ve finally reached a point of aural homeostasis. The precise marching band beats from drummer Nick Clark and haunting baritone vocals from Rob Miller dominate the EP, surrounded by delicate chord progressions drowned in post-punk misery. The guitars surreptitiously emerge from the shadows in the vein of Echo & the Bunnymen, but by the third track (“What People Do”), they strike powerfully, spinning like sirens. The music is less angry, more chilling—and the lyrics lament the sinking feelings of loss and alienation. Rob sings about “feeling like the poorest rich kid” yet how "hope still remains, a slow burning flame that guides me through these dim lit times". The angst of the first few tracks fade into lulled acceptance in“Hidden Just Enough”, like a group of lost campers finally lying down and stargazing after hours of aimless wandering in the dark forest. Three Words stands as proof that it’s ok to be lost, and that we often have to make the best of the situations which we are faced with. Solace is probably lurking somewhere around the corner—come out to a gig and see for yourself.

4.5/5

Jul 23 2010 Ghost Town Gallery w/ Black Baloon and Human Toys (France) Oakland, CA
Jul 31 2010 The Casbah w/ TRANSFER (21+) San Diego, CA
Aug 6 2010 Mississippi Studios (21+) w/ The Prids Portland, OR
Aug 13 2010 MILK Bar (21+) w/ The Prids and Veil Veil Vanish San Francisco, CA
Sep 10 2010 The Loft @ The Siena Hotel & Casino (21+) w/ The Shames Reno, NV

Mister Loveless - What People Do [mp3]

Mister Loveless on MYSPACE

"And there's a white flag in my pocket never to be unfurled"

this is currently my favourite song. the buildup is monumental, then it explodes into a great punk ball of fury and nihilism. the lyrics are divine.

Titus Andronicus - A Pot in Which to Piss [mp3]
from The Monitor (2010)

Titus Andronicus on MYSPACE

the band is touring with Free Energy and will be coming by The Independent on Sept 8th.

The Strokes Post #493

apparently, we're looking at a March release for Strokes IV. once again I must reiterate, I don't give a damn about all of these set backs. I trust The Strokes and all of their decisions.

cheers to Eric and his diligent posting.

here's a kickass video of "Reptilia" at the Hurricane festival this year:



really, how can you argue with such perfection?

Sunday Morning Covers

Mika - Teardrop (Massive Attack cover) [mp3]

Beck ft. Liars, Os Mutantes, & St. Vincent - New Sensation (INXS cover) [mp3]

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - Take Me With U (Prince cover) [mp3]

The Morning Benders - He's a Rebel (Crystals cover) [mp3]

Thom Yorke -After The Gold Rush (Neil Young Cover) [mp3]

Rufus Wainwright - Chelsea Hotel No. 2 (Leonard Cohen Cover) [mp3]

Max Vernon - I Kissed a Girl (Katy Perry cover) [mp3]

LCD Soundsystem - No Love Lost (Joy Division Cover) [mp3]

The White Stripes - Walking with a Ghost (Tegan & Sara cover) [mp3]

This Is Ivy League - You And Me And The Moon (Magnetic Fields Cover) [mp3]

ZIP FILE!

The Strokes Post #492

sorry Shelby. it looks like it's Albert's hand after all.

Saturday Music Definitions: Best

Black Lips - Best Napkin I Ever Had [mp3]
from forthcoming split EP with Pierced Arrows (July 6 via Scion A/V)

Frank Sinatra - The Best is Yet to Come [mp3]

Foo Fighters - Best of You [mp3]

Vitamin String Quartet - The Best Deceptions (Dashboard Confessional cover) [mp3]

The Postelles - Boy's Best Friend [mp3]

Morrissey - Do Your Best and Don't Worry [mp3]

Dirty Pretty Things - Best Face [mp3]

Pavement - Best Friend's Arm [mp3]

Kaiser Chiefs - Try Your Best [mp3]

Death Cab for Cutie - Line of Best Fit [mp3]

A Classic Education - Best Regards [mp3]

Ray LaMontagne - You Are the Best Thing [mp3]

band of the week: Crocodiles

San Diego's Crocodiles have a lo-fi edge unparalleled this side of Black Lips. Cutting through you like a rusty knife, their songs perfectly meld essential noise rock elements with dizzying chord progressions that sound like they've been through a washing machine filled with absinthe. Their debut album, Summer of Hate (2009) bridges the gap between Hüsker Dü and T. Rex, and does it in such a careless flourish that you cannot help but be drawn into the séance-esque beats.

Crocodiles - Soft Skull (In My Room) [mp3]
from Summer of Hate

they are currently working on a new album with James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Klaxons, The Last Shadow Puppets)

here's a new track:
Crocodiles - Sleep Forever [mp3]

visit them on MYSPACE

The Strokes Post #491

this is probably the most underrated Strokes song ever. and it gets better every time I hear it.

must watch video: The National's entire set at Glastonbury

via PMA

I really love High Violet but this set made me really nostalgic for Boxer.

video: The Morning Benders do "Cold War (Nice Clean Fight)" in London

The Strokes Post #490

my roommate had the telly on and this commercial came on. at the end, I half-yelled "OMG IT'S JULIAN CASABLANCAS!" and she was all "what, where? I didn't see him" hahahhaha

anyhow, this movie looks cool. I totally dig Julianne Moore and the soundtrack is bound to be bitchin

Classic Track Thursday

take a moment to collect yourself before I introduce you to your new favourite band from yesteryear

Wipers - Don't Know What I Am [mp3]
from their 1980 debut, Is This Real?

crucial punk rock from Portland. that's all you need to know. now get listening.

record review: Band of Horses - Infinite Arms

Band of Horses have come a long way since their 2006 masterpiece debut, Everything all of the Time. The South Carolina band, originally from Seattle, retained their sweeping flourish of a sound well into their second album, Cease to Begin (2007). With this third LP, however, the band’s lineup has finally solidified, but the music has disintegrated. The starry album art for this new record would have been better utilized to express their earlier music—the songs found on this new offering do nothing to provoke the soul, let alone in the astral sense which you are misled lies within. Infinite Arms is a surrender to the mendacities of middle age—the oh-too-soft songs are like a testament to mediocrity and Bible camp. Half of the time, it sounds like a poor man’s Wilco via your grandmother’s weathered hymn book. The underdeveloped, cabin-recorded style is so far removed from the powerful songs that dominated their first two releases—there is no magic, just pitfall upon pitfall. There is a surplus of harmonies and none of them are anything remotely spectacular. If Ben Bridwell has any sense, he will get his ass back to the Northwestern coast and quickly, else he and his band fall by the wayside, just like the drippy songs found on this miserable excuse for a record.

2/5

Band of Horses - Factory [mp3]

The Strokes Post #489

Julian and JP inducing euphoria in Indio

a while ago, someone requested some Julian boots. here's one to start.

Julian Casablancas - Live at Coachella (2010) [zip file]

1. River of Brakelights [mp3]
2. Hard to Explain (Strokes cover) [mp3]
this literally drove me to tears.
3. Glass [mp3]
4. 11th Dimension [mp3]
5. Out of the Blue [mp3]
6. I'll Try Anything Once (Strokes cover) [mp3]
7. I Wish It Was Christmas Today [mp3]
8. Left & Right in the Dark [mp3]
9. Four Chords of the Apocalypse [mp3]