music induced euphoria

I was looking through old journals and came across something my younger brother said about my favourite band:

"It should be illegal to listen to The Strokes. They’re too amazing."

timeless wisdom from a 15 year old kid. genius.

Thomas James Speight hails from the UK, but instead of being another Brit-pop artist or jumping on the electronica bandwagon, he relies on the appeal of minimalist song writing, much in the vein of our very own Ryan Adams. His songs are simple and pretty, primarily driven by his acoustic guitar and delicate vocals, with the occasional harmonica here and there. The songs remind me of the soundtrack to Once, the 2007 movie starring the lead singer of The Frames, Glen Hansard.

Speight’s gentle songs sound like they were written in the intimate settings of a bedroom, turning on old journal entries and photographs to supply inspiration. His music can give you much needed respite from the tiring frenzy that is rock music, and allow you to simply reflect on life and maybe enjoy a cup of tea.

His singles won’t be out until September, but I have an mp3 to share with you all in the mean time

Thomas J Speight – This House [mp3]

visit him on MYSPACE

check out the articles and free mp3s!

Black Lips on DAYTROTTER

Dinosaur Jr on DAYTROTTER

for fans of: Radiohead, Elliott Smith, Muse

Last Saturday, I went to a music festival called BFD that a SF radio station (live 105.3) puts on every year. I had a great time, but forgot to bring my camera, so I couldn't snag any photos or videos. Suffice to say that it was awesome. I checked out some local bands on the local stage, but was super happy to see Audrye Sessions on the Bud Light Festival stage, a step up from their previous BFD performances.

Their (too short) set was spectacular, and my younger brother now loves them. This is why I take him to rock shows, to expose him to good, good music. The poor sap goes to school with kids who listen to 3OH!3 and Chris Brown.

Anyhow, Audrye Sessions are my favourite local band, hailing from Oakland. They combine intricate songwriting with spectacularly gripping live shows. They've been on tour for forever and a day in support of their fantastic self-titled debut album (issued by Black Seal records, Albert Hammond Jr's label), and they're not stopping anytime soon.

The hardworking band is composed of

Ryan Karazija- Vocals/Guitar
Alicia Marie Campbell- Bass
Michael Knox- Guitar
James Leste- Drums

They also tour with various violinists and cellists, and the three times I saw them perform, their friend Dustin manned the trumpet.

Audrye Sessions may sound like something you’ve heard before: the siren guitars in “Paper Face” sound like Yellowcard’s “Way Away” and “New Year’s Day” evokes Parachutes-era Coldplay, but the album nevertheless manages to sound fresh, not to mention vastly superior to either of those bands. Although the songs don’t flow in a conventional way, the songs’ ordering is perfect. The band has a knack of creating incredible aural equilibrium. The lyrics tell a million stories, and lead singer Ryan even throws in a Beatles tribute in “Where You’ll Find Me” when he sings “it’s just the walrus and me”.

The band has even caught Rolling Stone's eye, and they were featured as a "breaking" band. Check that out HERE

I highly recommend checking them out, this band is going to get big, I know it.

Audrye Sessions - Turn Me Off [mp3]

Audrye Sessions - Where You'll Find Me [mp3]

visit them on MYSPACE

here are some more tour dates:

Jul 2 Summerfest Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jul 4 80/35 Festival @ Western Gateway Park Des Moines, Iowa
Jul 6 Southgate w/Paper Route Newport, Kentucky
Jul 7 The Garden Bowl @ Magic Stick w/Paper Route Detroit, Michigan
Jul 8 Grog Shop w/Paper Route Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Jul 9 The Basement w/Paper Route Columbus, Ohio
Jul 11 Jerky’s Live Music Hall w/ Paper Route Providence, Rhode Island
Jul 12 Middle East Upstairs w/Paper Route Boston, Massachusetts
Jul 14 Mercury Lounge w/Paper Route New York, New York
Jul 15 Dc9 w/Paper Route Washington, Washington DC
Jul 16 Maxwells w/Paper Route Hoboken, New Jersey
Jul 17 Kungfu Necktie w/Paper Route Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jul 18 Eleanor Rigby’s w/ Paper Route Jermyn, Pennsylvania
Jul 19 Garfield Artworks w/Paper Route Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Jul 21 The Intersection- Front Grand Rapids, Michigan
Jul 22 Schubas w/Paper Route Chicago, Illinois
Jul 23 Firebird w/Paper Route St. Louis, Missouri
Jul 24 Mojos w/Paper Route Columbia, Missouri
Jul 25 Box Awesome w/Paper Route Lincoln, Nebraska
Jul 26 Marquis Theatre w/Paper Route Denver, Colorado
Jul 27 Club Vegas w/Paper Route Salt Lake City, Utah
Jul 31 Hawthorne Theater w/The Script Portland, Oregon
Sep 7 Bumbershoot Seattle, Washington

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING AUDIO IS SUPER AWESOME AND MAY CAUSE OVER-STIMULATION. CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE YOU DOWNLOAD THESE SONGS.

my reader K. and I have been hunting for this concert, The Strokes in Australia in July 2001.

the blogger wouldn't reupload it but I bothered enough people to finally get a hold of the thing.

Keith at the IndieLimerick blog was kind enough to reupload the concert and send it to me, so head on over to his site and say thanks, or just check it out, it's a great blog

anyhow, this concert was before Is This It was released, and they play the first nine tracks off the UK version IN SUCCESSION and it's freaking amazing. I've fantastized about hearing them play an album in full in concert, and this is the closest thing I've ever come to that.

I need you all to hear it immediately, so without further ado, here you are

download the entire thing HERE

or, song by song, below:

1. The Strokes - Intro (Live at the Laundry, Melbourne 2001) [mp3]

2. The Strokes - Is This It (Live at the Laundry, Melbourne 2001) [mp3]

3. The Strokes - The Modern Age (Live at the Laundry, Melbourne 2001) [mp3]

4. The Strokes - Soma (Live at the Laundry, Melbourne 2001) [mp3]

5. The Strokes - Barely Legal (Live at the Laundry, Melbourne 2001) [mp3]

6. The Strokes - Someday (Live at the Laundry, Melbourne 2001) [mp3]

7. The Strokes - Alone, Together (Live at the Laundry, Melbourne 2001) [mp3]

8. The Strokes - Last Nite (Live at the Laundry, Melbourne 2001) [mp3]

9. The Strokes - Hard to Explain (Live at the Laundry, Melbourne 2001) [mp3]

10. The Strokes - New York City Cops (Live at the Laundry, Melbourne 2001) [mp3]

enjoy!

the band will perform live on FROM THE BASEMENT June 22nd at 9pm. I'll remind you guys the day before.

The Dead Weather - No Hassle Night (Live At Bowery Ballroom)[mp3]

The Dead Weather - I Cut Like A Buffalo (Live At Bowery Ballroom)[mp3]
Jack singing lead vocals, and it's fantastic. Mr. White said that he's obsessed with this song, and it's getting under my skin too.

The Dead Weather - Hang You By The Heavens (Live At Bowery Ballroom)[mp3]

The Dead Weather - 60 Feet Tall (Live At Bowery Ballroom)[mp3]

PRESALE BEGINS: Friday, June 12th from 10am -10pm
password: reunion
tickets can be purchases HERE

I'm still debating whether or not I want to go to this show. probably not, but I haven't ruled out the possibility completely

it's called Humbug, and will see an August 25th release in the US; UK bastards get it a day early.

now we need album art, lads!

once again, here's the track listing:

01. My Propeller
02. Crying Lightning
03. Dangerous Animals
04. Secret Door
05. Potion Approaching
06. Fire & The Thud
07. Cornerstone
08. Dance Little Liar
09. Pretty Visitors
10. The Jeweller's Hands

last night, I was having a conversation with my younger brother about the next Strokes tour, and I voiced my concern that they wouldn't play much off Room on Fire. even with their 2006 tour, it was mainly the singles "12:51", "Reptilia", and "The End Has No End" that got played. It made sense, as they were supporting First Impressions of Earth and they knew that their fans just adored Is This It. But I feel like Room on Fire will get left out of the loop again this time around. I dunno, Julian always just seemed a lot happier with how their third album turned out, and I hope he doesn't forsake Room on Fire completely because both my younger brother and I are dying to hear "Under Control" live. that, and I wouldn't mind "I Can't Win" and "Between Love and Hate". ah, they're all such fantastic songs

anyhow, the point of that paragraph was to preface the following live show (which I will break up into three Strokes posts). It's at a place called Alexandra Palace in 2003, so it has a nice helping of songs from Room on Fire. and the sound quality is absolutely amazing (by which I mean both the technology and the freaking band sound incredible)
they played 8/11 songs from Room on Fire and 7/11 from Is This It...great set list.

1. The Strokes - Reptilia (live Alexandra Palace 05 December 2003) [mp3]

2. The Strokes - Under Control (live Alexandra Palace 05 December 2003) [mp3]

3. The Strokes - What Ever Happened (live Alexandra Palace 05 December 2003) [mp3]

4. The Strokes - Alone, Together (live Alexandra Palace 05 December 2003) [mp3]

5. The Strokes - The Modern Age (live Alexandra Palace 05 December 2003) [mp3]

this makes me incredibly depressed, as I was listening to really shitty hip hip in 2003 instead of The Strokes...if only I could have wised up sooner...

I can never get through this version of Trying Your Luck without tearing up a bit...well, really, any version of Trying Your Luck. this song is simply heartbreaking and perfect in every way imaginable.

The Strokes - Trying Your Luck (live, Los Angeles, February 2002) [mp3]

There’s a popular idiom in American society that tends to come up in conversations about music: “I listen to everything, well, except for country music”. As a lover of rock n roll, the only times I tread into country territory is if I’m spinning some Allman Brothers, Johnny Cash or Ryan Adams, and none of these artists can be described as purely “country”. No, I don’t listen to Tim McGraw or Taylor Swift. That type of music just doesn’t strike me as particularly poignant, but maybe that’s just because I’m from California and come from a Middle Eastern background.

Regardless, when I heard that Elvis Costello’s new album— Secret, Profane & Sugarcane was a project which the English singer embarked upon in Alabama with nothing but an acoustic guitar, I was intrigued. Elvis Costello is one of my favourite recording artists of all time, and I consider the man nothing less than a genius. I own all of his albums from his debut My Aim is True (1977) until 1986’s Blood and Chocolate, plus a couple of compilation albums and his recent collaboration with Allen Toussaint, The River in Reverse. Anyhow, less about my record collection and more about his latest effort.

If I’m going to be completely honest, it’s actually quite terrible. Even though I don’t know too much about country music, I know enough to discern that right now, we don’t need a prolific British songwriter contributing to the genre. The album is completely forced, as if Costello is trying to prove a point, that he can do anything in any genre and it’ll be a work of genius. The problem is, he kind of accomplishes the opposite, and what we are left with is fifty minutes of unbearable mess.

It was actually kind of painful to listen to, and when I tried to give it a second go, I just couldn’t get past the fourth song, “My All Time Doll”, which incidentally, is the least atrocious of the bunch. I don’t know what inspired Mr. Costello to make music in Alabama with Jim Lauderdale, but the only good thing about the whole fiasco is that he probably got it out of his system. We can only hope.

1.5/5

you can stream some of it on his WEBSITE, but I wouldn’t recommend it…you might get a better listening experience out of hearing the crow on his album art sing...

The Strokes - Is This It (live, Oxegen) [mp3]

epic. I'd honestly trade everything I own (except for my Strokes records) to have been at the Oxegen festival. it's not fair that I don't live in Ireland.

Wilco - Love and Mercy (Brian Wilson cover) [mp3]
Wilco are not as bad as I thought they were. I've been spinning disc one of Being There over and over, in a few days I'll be ready to move onto disc two.

Iron and Wine - Such Great Heights (Postal Service cover) [mp3, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]
this is one of my favourite covers of all time

Devendra Banhart - Fistful of Love (Antony and the Johnsons cover) [mp3]
this might sound like a disastrous proposition, but it turned out really well.

The Black Keys - She Said, She Said (The Beatles cover) [mp3, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]
I think this is my favourite Beatles cover, it's so great

David Bazan - Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen cover) [mp3]
this guy was lead singer of Pedro the Lion. I really love the end of this song

Lissy Trullie - Ready For The Floor (Hot Chip cover) [mp3]
there's an mp3 of Lily Allen's cover of "Straight to Hell" floating around the internet [it's off of this charity compilation album], and it sucks. this is much better.

Matt Pond PA - Champagne Supernova (Oasis cover) [mp3]
a great (and underrated) band covering my second favourite song by the Gallaghers et al

Editors - Road To Nowhere (Talking Heads cover) [mp3, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]
this is fantastic.

BONUS:
Muse - Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Frankie Vali cover) [mp3]
this is probably the most popular cover I've ever posted (based on the 1000+ downloads of the damn thing), so here's a repost for anyone who hasn't heard it yet

an interview predating the release of Is This It. they have always been too cool for everyone. and Jules is just stagnant haha

BFD today! I hope everyone's summer festival goings are superb this year.

David Bowie - Memory of a Free Festival [mp3]
from Bowie at the Beeb =)

Ra Ra Riot - St Peter's Day Festival [mp3]

Sigur Ros - Festival [mp3]

Adam Green - Festival Song [mp3]

Current lineup:
Henry Kaye -guitar
Ian Devaney -vocals
Spencer Kimmins -bass
Nick Brennan -drums
Michael Sue-Poi -guitar

Ah, youth. It seems like all of the best music is derived from those too young to worry about mortgages or driven by ego-maniacal motives like wanting to be heard on the radio or winning five grammys.

The Static Jacks are from New Jersey. They’re five eighteen years olds who play good rock n roll music, but don’t be fooled, they aren’t a “new band” per se, as they have been together since they were thirteen. Their latest release and second EP entitled “Bridges and Tunnels” has entranced me beyond measure. I haven’t been able to stop listening to it since I first clicked play, and this troubles me, as the band is still in its early stages and I have no idea when they’ll come to California. And this is definitely a band worth seeing live.

On the rise, the band has opened for Tokyo Police Club at Bowery Ballroom and Blind Pilot at Mercury Lounge, two sold out shows that have hopefully opened people’s eyes (and ears!) to this fantastic band.

The Static Jacks are all about bringing the good stuff back to the table. Guitarist Henry Kaye told me “We're sick of synth music too..that is why we are here, to try and help fill the void of straight set up garage rock bands.”

The first thing I thought when I first heard the band was “damn, these boys are exactly what I need right now.” Guitar, bass, drums, vocals. No synthesizers, no special effects. Stripped down, exactly how I like it.

RCRD LBL sum it up quite nicely: "be stoked that there are kids still buying guitars out there instead of Ableton". The Static Jacks have recently been featured on the website, click here to check that out.

Lead singer Ian Devaney’s voice actually has the same nasally quality that Donald Cummings of The Virgins has, but the delivery is much more urgent, like Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters.

The Static Jacks have lyrics that’ll blow you out of the water. They are dreary and incredibly insightful for such a young band, but I’m not complaining.

On the opener, “Resistence/Self Control”, Ian sings: “so give up on hope and cast down your dreams/resistance is as resistance seems/and nothing's gonna happen if you stay or go.” The songs are riddled with references to lovers that are strikingly mature; this is clearly a band beyond its youth and ahead of its time. On “Fire on the Bridge and in the Tunnel Below”, a highly dramatic scene is rendered: “it was a crime of passion/done in my own fashion and I couldn't escape it/it was an act of war”. These first two songs are the darker of the bunch, the latter two flirt more with melody and strangely optimistic hooks.

“Stay a Lover” sounds like a Ramones song with more intricate lyricism. This, and the closing track, “Wine Cellar” even flirt with Beach Boys-esque guitar licks. Needless to say, I’m hooked. Now you can be too.

The Static Jacks on MYSPACE

The Static Jacks – Resistence/Self Control [mp3, highly recommended!]
My favourite of the bunch, it’s instantly gripping and heartbreaking as it shatters your ears with glorious sound. “We wouldn't fall in love, we'd just fall down,” Ian declares. Little does he know of how much power The Static Jacks’ modest handful of songs have, most importantly: the the power to help people rediscover their love of rock n roll, pure and simple.

And I’m pretty ecSTATIC about that.

DATES:

Jun 18 PERSONALITY CRISIS @ Crash Mansion New York, New York
Jun 25 Velvet Lounge w/ PANSY DIVISION WASHINGTON, Washington DC
Jun 26 The Fire Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jun 28 Billy Baloneys Danbury, Connecticut
Jun 29 The Middle East Cambridge, Massachusetts

the last time I posted shows local to the area which an impressive band hailed from, about a month later, they went on a full on US tour! I'm hoping that the same thing will happen with The Static Jacks.

finally!

"Kids" was my absolute favourite song of last year, and I am really quite enjoying the Bowie-esque get-ups which Andrew and Ben are sporting.

also, I just learned from indieblogheaven that this was the first song the boys ever wrote. that's so great =)

The new Grizzly Bear album is one of the most boring things I’ve heard all year. Regardless of how many times their lead singer sings “oh whoa” in “Cheerleader”, he never comes across as either sincere or even mildly interesting. All I’ve read about this album is how perfect it is, how it’s the embodiment of everything that is right about current indie-pop (sorry, guys, but that title belongs to Phoenix’s new record).

So why is it that the first time I put the record on, I couldn’t get past the fourth track? That I had to force myself to go back and give it another couple of chances, none of which left any lasting impressions? Reality check: this record will not change lives. It lacks substantial creativity, it is by no means melodic or riff heavy, and I can’t imagine how anyone would have any parts of any of the twelve songs stuck in their head. Even lead single “Two Weeks” fails to sustain my attention, all it does is remind me of a toned down version of a really annoying MIA song. Am I supposed to enjoy the rattle of cell phones buzzing?

I know what people will say:
Hanan, you just don’t understand Grizzly Bear. You don’t like this kind of music. Your brain isn’t advanced enough to wrap itself around this Pitchfork-approved genius.

To this, I have my reply ready:
Give me one song on Veckatimest that moves you to tears. That urges you to get up and dance uncontrollably. One song that tickles your soul or prompts you to be politically aware.

Yeah, that’s what I thought.

Fuck this shit, I'll wait for the new Arctic Monkeys release instead, thank you very much.

2.5/5

Now don't get me wrong: I think Grizzly Bear is a decent band. I prefer Department of Eagles, but I did enjoy their last release, Yellow House. I even liked their contribution to Dark Was the Night. Furthermore, the following performance really did take my breath away, so I suggest that you all watch it a few times rather than waste your time with Veckatimest :

Now excuse me, I’m going to go listen to Meat Is Murder--a true work of inspired art--rather than delude myself into thinking that something is great just because everyone is raving about it. And this is where the entire blogosphere hunts me down with their pitchforks. haha, look at that, an unintended pun.

The Strokes - Last Nite (live on Jools Holland) [mp3]

such an incredible set. expect one more tomorrow.

when I previously posted the track, I forgot to mention that the single is available for purchase as a 45...you can get that ONLINE or at your local record shop, if they have it in stock (they probably do)

previous single "Hang You From the Heavens" is also available.

in any case, here's the mp3 for those who haven't heard it:

The Dead Weather - Treat Me Like Your Mother [mp3]

it's amazing how splurging on vinyl can ALWAYS appease your guilt for downloading music...

just stumbled upon this band, after receiving an email from NoahLinn Wheeler, half of the NY male/female duo. they're nothing like the White Stripes, but they are QUICKLY growing on me.

anyhow, a more thorough post will come later, stream some songs on their MYSPACE and decide for yourself if they're worthy of your time (my vote goes to yes)

JUNE 11th
*Pretty Blue Presents*
@ HOUSE OF NOSTROMO - Oakland.
w. PWRFL Power, Cap Lori, Kitchen, 100 Swans

JUNE 16th
@ THE KNOCKOUT - SF.
w. PWRFL Power, Cap Lori, Daniel Francis Doyle, That Ghost

so the boys and girl of Grand Lake (well, now with a different boy behind drums, as over-booked Ryan Parks was replaced by John Pomeroy...guess he's no Jack White) have released what is probably my favourite song of theirs so far, previously dubbed "Werewolf Workweek" but now shall be known as "Sandusky Sunset"

a couple of things worthy of note, the single will be released as a CASSETTE with a free mp3 download and a nifty button (I'm speculating on the qualifier here, I haven't seen them but I think it's safe to guess that they're probably quite awesome) AND the limited 100 copies will be solely available for purchase at their concerts.

so, as not to deprive your wonderous collection of these soon to be priceless artifacts (I don't think teenagers these days even know that cassette tapes contain music in them, they probably think they're old school birth control dispensers or something), head on out!

6/11 - The Deli Presents, El Rio, San Francisco, CA
6/20 - Old Ironsides, Sacramento, CA
6/22 - Steynberg Gallery, San Luis Obispo, CA
7/11 - Mission Creek Music Festival, Oakland, CA
7/16 - Sophia's Thai Kitchen, Davis, CA
7/22 - The Stork Club, Oakland, CA
8/20 - Silver Factory Studios, Los Angeles, CA
8/21 - Tin Can Ale House, San Diego, CA
8/22 - The Uptown, Oakland, CA
8/25 - The Comet Tavern, Seattle, WA
8/27 - Guidance Conselor Release Party, Portland, OR

Grand Lake on MYSPACE

Kings Of Leon - Notion

I kind of prefer THIS VIDEO but I am completely and unabashedly biased.

an mp3 of my favourite rendition of a damn perfect song, here you go:

The Strokes - Heart in a Cage (live, Jools Holland) [mp3]

and here is the heartwrenchingly awesome video:

(I think I've posted the above video seven times now, but hello, total eargasm)

Listening to this record is like frolicking through a mystical forest in a JRR Tolkien book. But that’s just one aspect of it. The Bachelor 's eclectic collection of songs is really radically different from Patrick Wolf’s old work, but strangely, completely appropriate. It is darker, but different in a good way (think Beck's move with Modern Guilt ).

The record itself embodies an obvious internal struggle Wolf must be experiencing with his creative genius: he obviously is trying to evolve past his established persona as a king of all things electronica and industrial (only an Anglo could pull that one off), and while he cannot completely detach himself from his past, the first six songs on the record deliberately tread into classical territory, emulating (recent) Radiohead and Andrew Bird more than anything else (strangely, while managing to sound nothing like either artist). In these songs, he layers soaring violins and urgent pianos with his always powerful vocals to deliver an incredibly chilling and enthralling listening experience.

The title track echoes QOTSA’s “No One Knows”, first with a violin, and then with a thumping piano beat. The lyrics “I will never marry, marry at all” are much more straight forward than that Morrissey song, and the delivery is equal parts Antony Hegarty and Kurt Cobain.

The sixth song, “Thickets” takes you into the world of hobbits and other fantastical creatures, but only if you want to go. It also serves as the definitive divide between the first, experimental, classically-approved portion of the record, and the latter half, in which Wolf reverts to his old ways, and does so beautifully. It’s as if he is reminding you that he is still the Patrick Wolf from The Magic Position, only smarter and more worldly, not to mention much more musically proficient.

This record is epic but not contrived, complex but not pretentious; best of all, it’s one of those great rare albums that truly allows you to imagine things and leaves so much room for interpretation, making you feel half as creative as Wolf (as opposed to listening to, say, Zach Condon’s music, which always leaves me incredibly depressed, feeling like a useless, talentless piece of shite in comparison to anything with the label Beirut).

Each song tells a different yet equally gripping tale, enticing me to analyze the entire thing track by track. But I’ll leave that to you, dear readers, because that’s half the fun.

This is, by far, the best, most innovative, well rounded and musically advanced record I've heard all year. And it's only part one of a double album, the second half of which shall be released next year, and will be called The Conqueror.

Highly fucking recommended.
4.95/5

Patrick Wolf - Damaris [mp3]
from the first ("classical") half

Patrick Wolf - Count of Casualty [mp3]
from the second ("electronica") half

the record dropped today, so what are you waiting for? get your butts out to your closest indie record shop and assert your rights as consumers with great taste.

Patrick Wolf will be playing a show at Slims next Monday. Atrocious band Jaguar Love is one of the openers, but aural redemption will inevitably ensue.

visit him on MYSPACE for more music and tour dates.

two weeks and a day after my twentieth birthday, my very favourite British band of the modern era (and probably my [current] third favourite band of all time, after The Strokes and The Clash...well, maybe fourth after The Smiths...) will release their much anticipated third album, produced by Josh Homme of QOTSA and James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco

tracklisting:

01. My Propeller
02. Crying Lightning
03. Dangerous Animals
04. Secret Door
05. Potion Approaching
06. Fire & The Thud
07. Cornerstone
08. Dance Little Liar
09. Pretty Visitors
10. The Jeweller's Hands

to be released on 24th August 2009

Stuart Murdoch's new musical endeavour is called G-d Help The Girl, and here's a taste of what you all can expect:

G-d Help The Girl - Mary's Market [mp3]
it sounds like B&S stuck in a really awesome supersmash bros video game. good stuff.

it's going to be a b-side to the forthcoming single, "Funny Little Frog"

Stuart's on lead vox,
Brian MacNeill on vox organ.
Francis MacDonald drumming,
David MacGowan on electric bass
Kenny McKeeve guesting from Camera Obscura on guitars
Tim Davidson guesting from Attic Lights on guitar also.

for lyrics click HERE

starting this Wednesday (June 3rd) at 12:01AM, Live Nation will not charge ticket fees for Ampitheatre shows if you purchase the tickets on a Wednesday.

perfect, they announce this a few hours after I drove all the way to Mountain View to pick up a pair of tickets to BFD in order to avoid 20 dollars worth of surcharges.
this is my life.

anyhow, as you all know, Live Nation and Ticketmaster recently joined forces, so this is an attempt on their part to appear less evil and wallet-raping. I am partially appeased.

how perfect, the epicly round number of 100 deserves an epic post of Strokes greatness.
this one is courtesy of K., who linked me to a video I hadn't seen in ages. it's an ENTIRE SET of pre-Is This It Strokes, complete with four unreleased songs, and a live version of SOMA, which they never play! or barely ever, same difference.

have fun, kids!

I woke up this morning with an undeniable urge to listen to Ryan Adam's amazing debut record. So I did. And now, I must dedicate this post to that album, and Mr. Adams, in all of his painstaking eccentricities.

Led Zeppelin - Heartbreaker [mp3]

Ray Charles - Heartbreaker [mp3]

Ryan Adams - To Be Young [mp3]
first song on Heartbreaker

Ryan Adams - Come Pick Me Up [mp3]
my favourite track on Heartbreaker, and my favourite Ryan Adams song in general

if I ever find an original issue of Heartbreaker on vinyl, I would be happy x 34809345

also, that album art is simply gorgeous.

another unreleased gem for you all:

The Strokes - Sagganuts [mp3]

I think a lot of people thought this was a Velvet Underground cover because someone (I think it's Nick) declares: Run Run Run! a few times, even though the song in no way resembles the VU song of that name.

For fans of: Death Cab for Cutie; Jack’s Mannequin; Voxtrot; The Smiths; The Morning Benders; fantastic chord progressions

I’ve been doing something that I haven’t done since high school, and back then this was done primarily with Jimmy Eat World albums. I’ve been poring over the liner notes for the band’s eponymous debut album. The reasons I haven’t been doing this recently is a.) most bands don’t include their lyrics in their liner notes anymore [mostly because…] b.) the state of lyricism in modern pop music is pretty bad.

The album begins:

“I’ve got a heart but it’s afraid to love,
Sometimes I think the damn thing’s full of rust”

which really, really makes me nostalgic for my high school days when I spent all my time with headphones on, writing in my journal constantly and thinking of ways to better myself and the world. This album makes me miss my old self: slightly more erratic, but more driven and passionate and happily less aware of the dreariness that is the world.

It’s funny, I can always rely on Seattle based bands to come through with great song writing. That being said, two things are absolutely transparent on Telekinesis’ fantastic s/t album: Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie produced it (and this album is a million times better than Walla’s solo album…that effort was actually pretty awful) and the guy manning the drums most certainly writes the songs. The self assured cadence emanating from the drum set flows far too well with the guitars to be coincidental.

Songwriter Michael Benjamin Lerner is a purely and simply an incredibly insightful genius, clearly manifest musically to my ears’ delight. He plays all the instruments on record, but sticks to drums and vocals during live performances.

His singing style closely resembles Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend, but much softer, less piercing. I haven’t enjoyed a slew of 11 songs like this in ages. The album actually feels like an album. Something that flows, not just a random assortment of thrashing sonic explosions to blast in clubs as twenty-somethings rub up against strangers. Telekinesis! feels like the perfect Spring album, but I swear I'll feel the same way in the fall, and in the winter, and even when the weather gets really hot soon. An album for all seasons, an album for all listeners. Listening to Telekinesis creates this simultaneous rush of feelings of intimate solitude and a universal connectedness to the whole world. In short, it does everything that an album should. This record sounds great with headphones or without, and it isn’t too far removed from their top notch live set. However, their EP is slightly weaker in comparison, so I wouldn’t recommend that you guys start with it (I actually had purchased the EP at the merch table, and then, dissatisfied, I headed down to Amoeba and picked up the full length, a very wise decision if I do say so myself).

I am thrilled to say that I’ve found my happy-yet-reflective album of the year. The one that combines sunshine-y guitar bits with semi-dreary lyrics, all delivered in a wonderfully melodic manner.

The album ends:

“I want to care for you when you are all alone,
sit inside our house and unplug all our phones
Watching raindrops stream down on the windowsill,
Let’s be in love”

Mr. Lerner, thank you for reminding me that not all modern music is crappy synth driven dance beats devoid of any actual substance.

If you guys will buy one album this year, make it this one. Telekinesis! is definitely my favourite release of the year so far and none of you can afford not to listen to it.

4.8/5

Telekinesis – Coast of Carolina [mp3]

Telekinesis – Calling All Doctors [mp3]=

visit the band on MYSPACE

tour dates:
May 30 Immergut Festival Neustrelitz
May 31 FRITZ Ken FM radio show Berlin
Jun 1 Chelsea w/ Kristoffer Ragnstam Vienna
Jun 2 Orangehouse w/ Kristoffer Ragnstam Munich
Jun 3 Muz w/ Kristoffer Ragnstam Nuremberg
Jun 4 Magnet w/ Kristoffer Ragnstam Berlin
Jun 7 Schubas w/ An Horse Chicago, Illinois
Jun 8 Pike Room at the Crofoot w/ An Horse Pontiac, Michigan
Jun 10 Horseshoe Tavern w/ An Horse Toronto, Ontario
Jun 11 Club Lambi w/ An Horse Montreal, Quebec
Jun 12 Iron Hore Music Hall w/ An Horse Northampton, Massachusetts
Jun 13 Union Hall w/ An Horse Brooklyn, New York
Jun 14 Mercury Lounge w/ An Horse New York, New York
Jun 16 Kungfu Necktie w/ An Horse Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jun 17 Black Cat Backstage w/ An Horse Washington DC, Washington DC
Jun 18 Local 506 w/ An Horse Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Jun 19 The Earl w/ An Horse Atlanta, Georgia
Jun 20 The End w/ An Horse Nashville, Tennessee
Jun 21 Off Broadway w/ An Horse St. Louis, Missouri
Jun 22 The Slowdown Jr. w/ An Horse Omaha, Nebraska
Jun 23 Hi-Dive w/ An Horse Denver, Colorado

according to NME,

The new album is reportedly near completion, and according to the band, "the recordings have been going very well and that the album is taking form as a slower and more ambient record than með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust and takk."

well that totally came out of nowhere. somehow these Icelandic geniuses slipped off the radar in recent months.

Sigur Ros - Untitled 1 (Vaka) [mp3]

I have been singing "popular culture no longer applies to me" under my breath all day. coincidence? I think not. I think I have acquired the ability to summon things that I want (as Art Brut were previously only playing a 21+ venue in the city)...or maybe it's just that I'm signed up to a billion email lists...

anyhow, the show will be on JUNE 15TH at 6PM at AMOEBA SAN FRANCISCO

Art Brut - Twist and Shout [mp3]
from Art Brut vs Satan

[[from their debut LP Ode to Sunshine, as a kind stranger was good enough to remind me of this phenomenal video, derived from their I Think I've Found It EP]]

this was released about a month ago but I just discovered it:

yay Delta Spirit! a new album is on the way!

Delta Spirit - Strange Vine [mp3]

ah! flooded inbox and the day is nearly out.

I love this video for "Last Nite"
Julian thought it was retarded to lip synch in front of a camera so he gets drunk and tries to kiss Nick at 2:03 instead hahahah
love them.

you guys, I listen to a shit ton of music,
somehow, every time I listen to The Strokes, everything pales in comparision, and fades into mediocrity.

observe:

get on that new tour already, I am DYING here!

Kings of Leon played a sold out Bill Graham Civic last Thursday night and boy oh boy what an epic night of music it was. Having finished finals and turned in my thesis, I had nothing better to do than plop myself down outside the venue at around 1:30 in the afternoon (after sleeping in, taking a shower, grabbing a bite to eat and picking up something to read at Half Price Books), among 8 or 9 other fans who were as adamant as I was to be at the front of the massive venue.

The night commenced with a NY band that I quite like called The Walkmen, whose live show was nothing less than perfect. They shook up the stage with a powerful set led primarily by drummer Matt Barrick and lead singer Hamilton Leithauser. When I went back to listen to their recorded stuff after the show, it didn’t resonate as much (kind of like Born Ruffians). There is something about The Walkmen’s songs that cannot be captured in studio, and that is half a blessing and half a curse. Regardless, I will definitely be checking them out when they come back to the Bay Area, and I recommend that you all do the same. Seriously, just watch the following video and you’ll understand:

4/5

photos:

Everyone has gone on and on about how much Kings of Leon have changed; this is something which I couldn’t fully grasp until I saw their much changed live set last week. While anybody could see a vast discrepancy between Youth and Young Manhood and Only By the Night, I had received the change in sound as more gradual, as Because of the Times was slower and more reflective than either their debut or Aha Shake Heartbreak.

While the boys only played ONE song off of my beloved Youth and Young Manhood (“Molly’s Chambers”; the stubborn bastards would not acquiesce to my constant pleas for “Red Morning Light”), they surprised me by including a bunch of songs off of Aha Shake Heartbreak. But the way that they relayed all of the songs, including the ones off of their second album, was much more subdued, and had much less rock n roll swagger as old Kings of Leon.

It seems as though they really have cleaned up their act for good, something which I don't want to admit that I can actually appreciate. The boys are no longer boys: they're men. Most of them are in committed relationships, and they've matured into a sound that is far removed from their wonderfully carefree Youth, yet that isn't a bad thing. Evolution is just that. If they continued making songs with messy guitars and drunken choruses, people would eventually snub them as a one note act.

Kings of Leon are a rare example of a band who knows exactly how to progress as time goes by. But anyhow, back to their live show; I need to state this explicitly: just because their set wasn't what I was expecting, it still was perfect in every way imaginable. My one complaint (other than the inadequate amount of songs from their debut) would be that Matthew's guitar was turned down during most of the set, and you could barely even hear it during the iconic riff in "Sex on Fire". Regardless, all four Followills played their hearts out, and Caleb's voice was as pure and powerful as ever. Chills were abundant, and those of us in the front row were singing along to each and every one of their twenty one songs. Kings of Leon remain humble as ever, recognizing how lucky they are to be where they are. Caleb thanked the crowd for supporting the band and for spending money on a ticket in these tough economic times. That's another incredible thing about Kings of Leon: they have kept level heads throughout all of this fame and glory. They also miraculously managed to keep the massive show sounding intimate, and I will be watching the videos of the show on YOUTUBE indefinitely, reliving the glorious night.

While I still insist that the Kings’ increased “fanbase” doesn’t correlate with selling out, it did bother me that the two different people whom I spoke to on the train back home both had bought scalper tickets for more than a hundred dollars, and they weren’t even fans of the band: they had gone on their friends’ requests. But whatever, douchebags will be douchebags; if it means that one of my favourite bands is finally getting the attention that they deserve, I am not complaining.

4.5/5

set list:

photos:

the band showcased these two gems a few nights ago in Boston:

The National - The Runaway (live, Boston 23 May 2009) [mp3]

The National - Blood Buzz Ohio (live, Boston 23 May 2009) [mp3]

looks like the follow up to Boxer is going to be excellent. at least these Brooklyn boys won't disappoint me.

BONUS:
The National - So Far Around the Bend [mp3, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]
this is probably my favourite song from the compilation Dark Was the Night, one of the best releases of the year so far. do buy it if you haven't already, it's an incredible collection featuring some of my favourite artists (Spoon, Beirut, Sufjan Stevens, Andrew Bird and Arcade Fire off the top of my head) and it's for charity (AIDS research a la the RED campaign). pick it up on AMAZON

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Friday, June 12, 2009

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Monday, June 8, 2009

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Friday, June 5, 2009

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Monday, June 1, 2009

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Friday, May 29, 2009

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Tuesday, May 26, 2009