Tell you what, it's been a long, LONG, time since EAR FARM has checked in with the Elbo.ws top 10 'hot' artists. We used to enjoy doing so every now and then to get a better idea of what the rest of the music blog world is talking about. But then the top artists weren't changing often enough to make a weekly visit to the Elbo.ws Top 10 a worthwhile effort. And THEN we got lazy.
But hey, checking in with the Elbo.ws top 10 gives EAR FARM a chance to feature artists that everyone else is talking about who might not exactly be our "thing". Doesn't mean they can't be your thing though, right? Hey, maybe as a result of adventures like these we'll together find much joy and entertainment and a few new bands we used to laugh at but now love. Let's face it, sometimes this can be fun. Yeah?
Well fire up those colortinis; this joint 'bout to blow up. Click through for the goods.
Elbo.ws top 10 'hot' artists - 29 February 2008 @ 9:18am EST
Beach House - EAR FARM's Band of the Week is getting lots of attention, and for good reason - their new album Devotion is at least as good as everyone is saying. Hey, did you catch that interview Mike did with them? I'm just saying... better 'n what I've seen elsewhere. Biased? Yep. Calmer 'n you are.Listen: "Heart of Chambers" (via EF)
Hot Chip - Though this track kind of sounds like a recording of a drunken late night "twee" lounge act, I like it. Which, I suppose, means I must "kind of" like Hot Chip. That's news to me.Listen: "Made In The Dark" (via Ryan's Smashing Life)
Foals - From GoEnglish.com: "A dime a dozen - cheap and easy to get... if a thing is very common and easy to get, we say it is a dime a dozen." Example: music that arouses no interest or curiosity in the listener, such as Foals, has been a dime a dozen for as long as I can remember. Their songs touch listeners in such a fleeting manner that I challenge you to listen to the song below and remember it 10 seconds later. Do people spend money on this stuff?Listen: "Balloons" (via Largehearted Boy)
Bon Iver - Do you know what I used to think about Bon Iver? Well, it's embarrassing, but I'll tell you. Bon Iver made me think of James Taylor and Dave Matthews and the music listening public's obvious desire to have an artist that's "delicate" but "interesting" yet thoroughly undemanding to listen to and call "great". As each generation ages and their taste erodes, their collective listening palate becomes extremely predictable. This is how Jack Johnson suddenly became a multi-festival headliner. ANYway, my point in all of this is that I was wrong about Bon Iver. There's much quiet power in his music, it reminds me of home in a way... and what a voice. I'll admit when I'm wrong: Bon Iver's album For Emma, Forever Ago is pretty great.Listen: "Skinny Love" (via Jagjaguwar)
Daft Punk - Amazing live show or not, do people actually listen to Daft Punk often? Like, is this someone's "go to" music? I can't imagine. I mean, as foot-tapping music, I enjoy what they do and all, but I think that's because I hear Daft Punk sparingly. Does anybody else feel hornswoggled by this band?Listen: "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" (via Kickin' the Peanuts!)
LCD Soundsystem - I'll give James Murphy credit: ripping off more-or-less all the Kosmische Musik there ever was, plus the Beatles, AND Prince, all within the one song "Big Ideas" is a fairly guaranteed way to attract listeners. It is not, however, ANY kind of "big idea"; no, in fact, it's rather simple-minded and completely bored me the first time around when it was called Beck.Listen: "Big Ideas" (via Pop Tarts Suck Toasted)
Vampire Weekend - In regards to their debut album, I couldn't agree more with Nitsuh Abebe's Pitchfork review: "Bring any baggage you want to this record, and it still returns nothing but warm, airy, low-gimmick pop, peppy, clever, and yes, unpretentious--four guys who listened to some Afro-pop records, picked up a few nice ideas, and then set about making one of the most refreshing and replayable indie records in recent years."Listen: "A-punk" (via Instrumental Analysis)
The Diggs - :) that's what this song posted below makes me do. Why? 'Cos it sounds like high school. Like The Breeders meets Ned's Atomic Dustbin meets teenage naivete. Glorious.Listen: "Careen" (via Sugarspun Records)
Feist - What else to say about Feist? Interesting fact: her father, Harold Feist, is an abstract expressionist painter.Listen: "I Feel It All (Britt from Spoon Remix)" (via i guess i'm floating)
Radiohead - All Points West? Gross. Since Radiohead is so "innovative" with how they approach the world of music, how about they get interesting with their live shows too... eh? I'm thinking that they should do a year-long residency in NYC wherein they play each of their albums in their entirety at increasingly larger venues: Pablo Honey @ Mercury Lounge, The Bends @ Bowery Ballroom, OK Computer @ Carnegie Hall, Kid A/Amnesiac @ the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, Hail to the Thief @ Radio City Music Hall, and then In Rainbows @ Madison Square Garden. At the very least this would mean they'd have an entire year of concerts that people could take public transportation to, right?Listen: "Up On The Ladder" (via EF)
29 February 2008
EAR FARM checks in with the Elbo.ws top 10
EAR FARM Rock History Lesson: Leap Day AND March 1st
Following up on our first Rock History Lesson a few months back, we thought it would be interesting to crack open the cadaver of yet another day of the calendar year and see what rock goodies lie within. In doing so, we've decided to up the ante as well, featuring TWO days in music history this time around. Why two? For starters, Leap Day is at a distinct disadvantage to the other 365 days; there's like 25% as much of a chance that anything rocking happened on it. I think it deserves our sympathies. Also, you just know a day is worth noting when McDonalds gives away free breakfast burritos to commemorate it.
Okay, so why March 1st too? Well, there are broader considerations to keep in mind here, namely the fact that tomorrow is my birthday and I like to know what kind of company I'm keeping in the grand scheme of things. So, (once again) without further ado, here's a very loose guide to today, Leap Day, and tomorrow, March 1st, in ROCK:
February 29th - The Rarest Day in Rock?
1792 - Composer Gioacchino Antonio Rossini was born. Little did he know that 215 years later, his grave would be the setting for a Chuck Klosterman and Frosty the Snowman-themed 8+.
1972 - John Lennon's US immigration visa expires, starting a three-and-a-half year battle to remain in the country. A battle waged mostly naked. And in bed.
1972 - Saul Williams is born
1976 - Ja Rule is born. His physical stature and views on homosexuality would make sense if Leap Days actually made people mature 4 times as slowly.
1980 - Police discover a file containing Buddy Holly's glasses and a watch owned by The Big Bopper that were found in the wreckage of their plane crash in 1959.
That's it? Kind of a letdown, Leap Day. Is it possible free McSkillet Burritos are the most notable thing going on here? No need to dwell further, on to the next day in history, which just happens to be....
March 1st - I'm Completely Biased
1927 - Harry Belafonte is born.
1944 - Roger Daltrey is born. Despite his many assurances, he's been fooled many times since.
1958 - Buddy Holly begins his only British tour. To ensure stereotypes of bad dental health in the UK would persevere stateside, his front teeth would get knocked out before a British television appearance. Ouch.
1964 - The Beatles start working on A Hard Day's Night, their very first film, while also holding the top two spots on Billboard's Hot 100 with "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "She Loves You".
1968 - Johnny Cash and June Carter get married. Their honeymoon plans involve a stop in Reno with vague talk of renting firearms and befriending a drifter.
1969 - Jim Morrison is arrested for exposing himself during a Doors concert in Miami.
1982 - Pete Townshend, Stevie Nicks, Mick Jagger, Adam Ant, Pat Benatar, the Police and David Bowie kick off the “I Want My MTV” advertising campaign. A two-year old Mike asks for cable for his birthday and nudges closer to the TV set.
1991 - Oliver Stone's The Doors premieres. Jeez, Frank Whaley just represents in these EF History Lessons, doesn't he?
1994 - Aretha Franklin receives a Lifetime Achievement Grammy award. Beyonce watches on with a cold stare, carefully enunciating the words "Queen of Soul" and "Tina Turner" together in the same sentence.
Ta da, that's just about all folks. To those history buffs and steel-trap minded brethren, anything else? Happy Leap Day....
OPP
New Animal Collective EP is on the way
RIP, Dave Clark Five lead singer Mike Smith
Finally, we have a name to the new Grizzly Bear tune: "While You Wait For The Others", now watch and listen to their KCRW show and see it for yourself
The A.V. Club interviews Daniel Johnston
Bret Michaels to pen autobiography, awesome
Bumpershine: presale for the April 8th Ray Davies show at the Beacon Theatre starts TODAY at 10am
Elliot Smith memorial wall defaced and then restored, proper monument on its way
Vampire Weekend drummer to leave hospital today after hit and run
Drowned in Sound: 764 bands compiled onto free SXSW torrent
NY Post: Labels not sharing their RIAA settlement money with artists
28 February 2008
8+
"The Telephone Call" by Kraftwerk which clocks in at 8:03
From Wikipedia: "Chinese whispers or Telephone is a game in which each successive participant secretly whispers to the next a phrase or sentence whispered to them by the preceding participant. Cumulative errors from mishearing often result in the sentence heard by the last player differing greatly and amusingly from the one uttered by the first. It is most often played by children as a party game or in the playground."
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What I've done here is to play with the traditional game of telephone, or Chinese whispers, in two separate ways that involve the song "The Telephone Call" by Kraftwerk. Taken on its own the song is a fairly average Kraftwerk song from one of their less important albums. Viewed in the following two contexts the song will (hopefully) take on new life.
Our two versions of telephone are as follows. First you'll find a Babelfish version of telephone that involves multiple translations translating with, through, and against each other; beginning in German, passing through English, and ending again in German. Secondly, there's a quickie music video I've created using found YouTube footage of some business people playing a physical/breakdance version of telephone at some kind of team building conference. Click through and enjoy.
Babelfish Telephone
Below: A variation on the traditional game of telephone done using Alta Vista's Babelfish language translator. I first started with the title of the song as it is listed on the German release of Electric Cafe: "Der Telefon-Anruf". This title was then translated through a variety of languages in the manner listed above to end up with the results you see here. Notice the difference in both the German and English versions of the phrase from number 1 to number 7.
1) beginning phrase: Der Telefon-Anruf (in English: The Telephone Call)
2) German to French: L'appel téléphonique
3) French to Dutch: Het telefonische verzoek
4) Dutch to English: The telephone request
5) English to Italian: La richiesta del telefono
6) Italian to French: La demande de je téléphone
7) French to German: Der Antrag von telephoniere ich (in English: The request of I telephone)
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Music Video Telephone
Below: A music video created (by me) using this footage found on YouTube (by searching for "Chinese whispers") coupled with a portion of the song "The Telephone Call" by Kraftwerk. Watch the dance evolve as it's passed from one person to the next.
*above photo of Thai girls playing game of Chinese whispers from HERE.
Buy Electric Cafe on Amazon.
EAR FARM's 8+ is a weekly feature that showcases songs longer than 8 minutes. In the recent past these songs were featured on EF's 8+:
Neutral Milk Hotel - "Oh Comely"
George Gershwin - “Rhaphsody in Blue"
Múm - "Smell Memory"
Tool - "Lateralus"
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks - "Real Emotional Trash"
Iron Maiden - "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son"
Mandy Reid - "Tornado"
Genesis - "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight"
To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM's 8+ click HERE.
The Secret Life Of Sofia @ The Delancey - 26 February 2008
The Secret Life Of Sofia (above) performed at The Delancey this past Tuesday night. They played a set consisting mostly (entirely?) of songs from their upcoming soon-to-be-released album Seven Summits which they've just finished mastering. The show found the band joined at times by some guest musicians: Leah Paul on flute (pictured above, from the band The Bridesmaids) and Nadim Issa on keys (from the band Mancino*, who also played a set after Secret Life - watch live video of a new song from this performance over on EARF).
As usual, The Secret Life Of Sofia delivered a very strong performance that showed off their full range of abilities from middle-of-the-woods haunting delicacy to full-bore pop rock. This is a band that's equally well matched for an intimate set at a venue like the Living Room as well as a support slot at a place like Bowery Ballroom for a band like Grizzly Bear. Not that I'm telling the powers that book what to do; but yeah, I guess I am. In fact, if I were playing matchmaker, I'd say that a label like Dead Oceans might want to consider looking their way in regards to putting out this Seven Summits album of theirs. One thing's for sure, The Secret Life Of Sofia is one of Brooklyn's top unsigned gems. More pictures, as well as live video of a few songs, after the jump.
Watch:
"Weathering" by The Secret Life Of Sofia live (from this show) on YouTube | download QT
"Seven Summits" by The Secret Life Of Sofia live (from this show featuring Nadim Issa) on YouTube | download QT
See more pictures EF from this show (and others): The Secret Life Of Sofia | Mancino
*full disclaimer - Mancino is the band of EAR FARM Mike - head over to EARF to watch a brand new Mancino song called "Crossing Guards".
OPP
Radiohead passed on Glastonbury because of the lack of public transportation options
RIP Buddy Miles, Jimi Hendrix's drummer and former claymation California Raisin
Eminem to release his memoirs this fall
Disney enters Guitar Hero and Rock Band fray with Ultimate Band
John Mellencamp and Stephen King team up to create a musical
PASTE and Stereogum host a 3-day SXSW event
Sony trying to lure Jay Leno into signing new deal with music incentives?
The Verve schedule some additional U.S. dates (including WaMu Theater) and prep a new album
NME reports that Britney Spears is pregnant again
27 February 2008
Band of the Week: Beach House (Exclusive EF Interview)
Band: Beach House
From: Baltimore, MD
Sound: dreamy, shimmery ballads; think melancholy but hold the depression
Similar Artists: Mazzy Star, Cat Power, Galaxie 500, Nico
Listen Now: "Heart of Chambers"
Let's begin with a simple plea: go get Beach House's new album Devotion right now. Go ahead, we'll wait for you. Wait, where are you going? You don't have to leave the comfort of your computer/cubicle/sofa, just click above on the album title or troll the digital store of your preference.
Okay, time to regroup; everyone back here and all ready to go? Good. Hit play on track one and let's do this...
Beach House is the Baltimore-based duo of Victoria Legrand (vocals, keyboards) and Alex Scully (guitar, keyboards), but perhaps you already knew that. After all, their self-titled debut album was released to near-universal praise in 2006 while Devotion has been on store shelves for a mere two days and yet has already amassed a thesaurus's worth of glowing superlatives (I'm doing my best to add to the mass, just wait for the next sentence).
Purveyors of ethereal, delicate, and deeply affecting compositions, sorcerers of instant atmospheric immersion, and also very nice folks to gab with, Legrand and Scully took some time out from preparing for their upcoming headlining tour to talk with EAR FARM about the joys of life on the road, the inspiration behind Devotion, covering (and then meeting) Daniel Johnston and how to answer the phone with your ass....
Cue Scene: I call Alex's cell phone and awkwardly repeat "Hello? Hello? Hellloooooo?" while listening to about a minute of rustling and muffled conversation before he explains
Alex: That’s hilarious. Sorry, my butt answers it, I don’t even hear anyone call and my butt just answers it. We were talking about women’s fashion. We were just at the mall buying white pants. We’re just kind of doing all the last minute stuff before going on tour.
EF: How are you guys feeling about heading back on the road starting on the 28th for yet another long tour?
Alex: We’re both really excited. Personally, I haven’t really been doing anything creative for a while and even though it’s playing songs we’ve already written it feels good to be intensely musical again.
EF: Have you been playing these new songs from Devotion live a lot lately?
Alex: Well we haven’t really played since November and we didn’t play all these new songs so we’re definitely excited to play a bunch of them, and also Jason Quever from Papercuts is going to be joining us on percussion so I feel like the songs are going to feel very exciting and feel really alive. I’m excited.
EF: When did you finish recording and mastering for Devotion? Was it not until after you wrapped up playing live shows in November?
Alex: No no no, they make you finish records so early now…I think it was totally mastered by late September and we had started recording in early August. There’s such a delay with things. It’s like whenever you see a band on tour with a new record you know that that was due for them at the earliest 6 months ago.
EF: Right, well that’s why I was wondering whether maybe you guys were already sick of the material from Devotion but it's great that that’s not the case.
Alex: It is great. When we toured after our first record it was tough because we’d already been playing those songs for a year, so it’s definitely going to feel a lot more alive this time around.
EF: Well, you’re basically veterans of the road at this point. Is it possible to have any sense of normalcy or schedule on the road or does that all just go out the window?
Alex: I think schedule and normality go out the window on tour, you’re sort of suspended in mid-air in a sense.
EF: Is that an environment that you find to be at all beneficial?
Alex: When we’ve had really good tours – certain parts of tours have been good and other parts not so great – the good times were really amazing because I think you get a lot of energy from people enjoying what you made and that feels really great, and of course I think that sustains you. But then you have a lot of bad shows, like when we went to Europe the record had been out for so long that things didn’t feel special. So, the worst is when things don’t feel special and then I think the best is when everything does feel special and every show is unique and exciting.
EF: It sounds like you feed off the vibe you get from the audience then and that dictates a lot?
Alex: Yeah definitely. And then it also goes into the day you’re having before the show. When that good stuff is happening, you start feeling good about everything and having more fun and taking things less seriously and you’re able to stay excited.
EF: Yet because your music is very lulling and gentle, I was curious if at times playing shows there was ever a barrier in reaching people who may either be standing there with their arms folded or wanting something heavier?
Alex: Not that I’ve noticed. Generally, the people who probably come out for us know what they’re getting.
EF: Well, it’s just that I could see the potential for you being mismatched with other performers on a bill. It could be a barrier to cross because your music is so delicate.
Alex: Yeah actually, we went on a tour in Europe with a really great band Arbouretum and they’re really heavy, they’re loud and they can play really hard and at some of those shows when we opened for their fans it was a little hard to be exciting, but I still think it went okay. I think a live drummer too will help whatever amount of that still exists. But also, this is our headlining show and I think most people coming will know what to expect. Plus its a lot more abrasive, the sounds are louder and more intense too than on the record.
EF: Are the arrangements any different than the record if that’s the case?
Alex: The arrangements are the same but it sounds a lot different as you’d expect.
EF: I was wondering if we could talk about Devotion now while on the subject. It feels like such a cohesive album and cohesive statement, obviously I don’t want to set you up and say “concept album” but it seems like there are some common themes running throughout?
Alex: I’ll start the answer and then I’ll pass it over to Victoria because she writes all the lyrics. I think we’ve always described both our albums as families – like each album is a family of songs – and I don’t think it’s a concept album, but it is a family seeing as they were all written in a similar phase and with similar energy. I’m going to pass you over to Victoria…
Victoria: yeah I mean they’re all birthed from different places but I think there’s a lot of connections with love, absence and the unknown and small things like that. In the end, if you were to do one of those drawings with a list of words on the left and then some categories on the right they would all connect, and you’d be able to draw many different lines across. I mean it’s not that thought out, but I did do a whole lot more crafting this time on the lyrics because I guess there was a lot more that I wanted to come out.
EF: It definitely does all seem to have sprung from a similar mindset. Now what about the song cycle and sequencing? Is that something that you guys really deliberately sat down and mapped out?
Victoria: Yeah. We did figure out where each song fit best and the natural build of the record, putting “Some Things Last a Long Time” kind of in the middle there as a little moment of rest or moment of clarity or some other insight or something like that. So we did really focus on it, it wasn’t random.
EF: Right, and I actually wanted to touch on that song briefly too. The lyrics and everything fit in perfectly with the rest of the album, which is funny because you guys didn’t write that one. How did you come across it and know it would fit well with the album?
Victoria: Well with that song, it just feels like a Beach House song. Something in it is haunting and obsessive but really gentle and delicate. Actually, we saw Daniel Johnston play last night in Baltimore and I got to meet him. I got to shake his hand and tell him that I was in a band that covered his song. It was just really crazy timing because our record’s coming out tomorrow and then he performed “Some Things Last a Long Time” with a piano player from Baltimore playing these chords that I know so well and just singing by himself and shaking and holding the microphone with this small fragile voice. It was just the essence of that song, and we didn’t want to damage or beat that essence or try to think we could do it better. That’s not the point. When you cover music, it’s because you have an instantaneous attraction or connection to that song as an artist. Words can’t often describe it. So for that song, it was very emotional immediately, and our record is a very emotional record, I think. We just wanted to capture a little bit of its essence, not take it too much further than it is, and it ended up that that was one of the last songs that came together. It’s not that long, and we don’t do the whole song,
EF: I was going to say, it’s almost as though you hint at it, play the first verse and then gently fade out and go on to the next song…
Victoria: Which in the original version there is that essence, something going away and something being there on the wall and lasting. The chords are so simple and that’s also what attracted us. We being two people and not having a lot of other members and having two instruments, we’re trying to work from a pretty minimal level and trying to create things out of nothing, creating something more than would be imaginable from two people.
EF: Just in general, how do vocal melodies work when writing? Do you have the actual songs in place and the melody and lyrics is the last thing that comes or do you toy with the vocal melody first and build the song around it?
Victoria: It changes often. Sometimes I’ll have chords and then a melody that comes instantaneously and the words emerge from that but usually it’s some feeling, it’s just something that clutches me and it’s like I’m grasping it from the air. Not that you’re just plucking whatever but it’s like the way you can sense harmonies when you’re singing and you know what other voices work with it. I think the same thing applies when writing music, it’s like you’re writing words and suddenly this entire thing manifests itself. The good ones, they appear out of nowhere all of a sudden.
EF: Any examples of a song off the new album that just came together seemingly effortlessly like that?
Victoria: “Turtle Island”
EF: And is that actually about the place Turtle Island?
Victoria: Turtle Island is a name of a place from my childhood where I used to hang out. But the story isn’t necessarily about that, and it’s not necessarily a story either. It’s more about a moment, an opening, and a sense of blossoming.
EF: I know you’re more in favor of other people interpreting lyrics more so than you laying out concrete definitions of everything but that being said, is there an actual “Gila”? Where did that come from?
Victoria: (laughs) “Gila”, well, that just started out as a great word as we were traveling throughout the Southwest. I don’t know, words tend to do that; they don’t go away, they build levels of subtext, they become characters themselves. “Gila” is definitely a feeling, it’s indescribable, it’s not necessarily a gila monster. It can be something that’s actual or something that’s untouchable.
EF: I alluded to this with Alex already but what is it you’re looking forward to most about touring?
Victoria: Performing. To challenge myself and to get into the groove (laughs). We’ve really been hacking it out with all the business stuff, and the thing that’s fun is playing music. It’s cathartic, it’s a release and very intense too when you have those shows when there are a few people that you’re making intense contact with and then you’ll never see them again, that’s what I’m looking forward to.
EF: So you also feel a connection with the crowd when things are going well?
Victoria: Definitely, those are the shows that are good. If there’s not a connection it’s not a big deal, but the best shows are the ones where the people are there because they’re curious or want to hear a story and feel intimate. Even a large space can feel intimate, it’s just really a gamble.
EF: Well, you’re going to be coming to Bowery Ballroom again (on April 2nd). You had played there with Grizzly Bear on your last tour, do you like playing there?
Victoria: Yeah we played there with the Clientele too. Headlining it is nuts for me. We really like playing there, it’s a good-sized place it doesn’t feel intensely huge. We’ve played bigger places and obviously not filled them up but, we’ll see what happens. I’m expecting like 60 people (laughs).
EF: I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the turnout.
Victoria: I just hope there’s not like 40 people there or something...
EF: I don’t want to take up too much of your time and I’m sure this is going to be one of the go-to questions you’ll have to answer for the next month or so but I too am a Rock of Love fan and I want to know: who do you have winning this season? Who’s going to make it?
Victoria: Awesome. I think it’s a toss up between Kristy Jo and Daisy. I think that Kristy Jo – he said himself he likes crazy girls – and for TV they’ll keep whoever makes the most drama. I think Ambre might be there also.
EF: She’s kind of the dark horse.
Victoria: She is, but I’m thinking Kristy Jo. What about you?
EF: I don’t know, I just felt like last season there were more people to root for and this season I don’t root for anybody. It’s more just the thrill of watching a train wreck.
Victoria: Ambre’s really solid though, she could be there for a while, she’s a really good kisser. They should really be paying us for talking about this stuff!
Listen: "Heart of Chambers"
Watch: "You Came To Me"
See Beach House Live:
28 Feb - Baltimore, MD @ G-Spot w/ Papercuts
29 Feb - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 w/ The Papercuts
01 Mar - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl w/ The Papercuts
02 Mar - Birmingham, AL @ The Bottle Tree Cafe w/ The Papercuts
03 Mar - Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone Cafe w/ The Papercuts
04 Mar - Hattiesburg, MS @ The Thirsty Hippo w/ The Papercuts
05 Mar - Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon w/ The Papercuts
06 Mar - Houston, TX @ Walters on Washington w/ Papercuts
07 Mar - Austin, TX @ Emos w/ The Papercuts
08 Mar - Denton, TX @ Haileys w/ The Papercuts
10 Mar - Tucson, AZ @ Solar Culture w/ The Papercuts
11 Mar - Phoenix, AZ @ Modified w/ The Papercuts
12 Mar - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah w/ The Papercuts
13 Mar - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo w/ The Papercuts
14 Mar - San Luis Obispo, CA @ Steynberg Gallery w/ The Papercuts
15 Mar - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill w/ The Papercuts
17 Mar - Portland, OR @ Holocene w/ The Papercuts
18 Mar - Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey w/ The Papercuts
19 Mar - Vancouver, BC @ The Media Club w/ The Papercuts
21 Mar - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court w/ The Papercuts
22 Mar - Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive w/ The Papercuts
24 Mar - Omaha, NE @ The Slowdown w/ The Papercuts
25 Mar - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry w/ The Papercuts
26 Mar - Chicago, IL @ Schubas w/ The Papercuts
27 Mar - Cleveland, OH @ The Grog Shop w/ The Papercuts
28 Mar - Toronto, ON @ El Mocambo w/ The Papercuts
29 Mar - Montreal, QUE @ Casa del Popolo w/ The Papercuts
30 Mar - Burlington, VT @ The Monkey House Burlington
31 Mar - Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Upstairs w/ The Papercuts
1 Apr - Middleton, CT @ Wesleyan University w/ The Papercuts
2 Apr - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom w/ The Papercuts
3 Apr - Philadelphia, PA @ The Barbery w/ The Papercuts
4 Apr - Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel w/ The Papercuts
Visit Beach House on MySpace
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In the recent past, the following bands have been featured as EAR FARM's Band of the Week:
Computer Perfection
Goes Cube
Magic Arm
Drink Up Buttercup
The Big Sleep
Pete and the Pirates
Dead Confederate
Throw Me The Statue
See the entire list of bands featured as EAR FARM's Band of the Week HERE.
Super Furry Animals @ Bowery Ballroom - 25 February 2008
The premise itself was immensely appealing: Super Furry Animals trade in their stadium-sized visual feast of a live show for a scaled-back club tour of America. In the process, they throw this widget up on their site and ask fans in each city to vote on that night's set list. The results? A tightened focus on the band's actual music over the bells and whistles of tours past and the day-late dollar-short realization that you're watching one of the best live bands in the world do their thing about 6 feet from where your jaw hits the floor. And to think you could have seen it three other times this past month....
Well better late than never, because Monday was the final show of their US tour and who knows when the next time Gruff, Huw, Guto, Cian, and Dafydd decide to go the way of those dueling piano guys at the corner Irish bar and take requests for the entirety of a show (or the entirety of a tour for that matter).
Taking the stage to the robotic pre-recorded intro of Phantom Power's "Slow Life", the band (minus Gruff) seamlessly blended live instrumentation with the synthetic blurps and beeps before Rhys emerged with his trademark super-sized Power Ranger helmet to officially begin the evening.
What followed was a 90-minute career-spanning set....
And perhaps the biggest payoff in being treated to such a smattering of material was - for the first time - a FULL appreciation of what amazing songwriters the Super Furries are. Seriously, all these guys do is craft top-notch, impeccable rock and roll that flirts with everything from Phil Spector-esque doo-wop (see recent single "Run-Away") to vocoder-laden slow jams (the slithery "Juxtaposed With U").
As a result, every song cast its own formidable vibe over Bowery, transforming it from a Lothario's love den during "The Gift That Keeps Giving"....
...to an anarchist's rally for the rousing "The Man Don't Give a Fuck" (picture not included).
Other highlights for me included the Beach Boys-with-balls crunch of "Rings Around the World", the always amazing "Receptacle for the Respectable" (complete with carrot-eating solo as usual), and - much to my surprise as the version on Hey Venus doesn't do much for me - "Baby Ate My Eightball", the live version of which showcased one of the slinkier rhythm guitar parts I've heard in a loooong time. It's somewhat of a shame that SFA's many and varied quirks - Power Rangers helmets, Yeti suits, pun-heavy song titles, carrot solos, funny videos, etc. - at times can overshadow their sheer mastery of the rock genre, but therein also lies the appeal. They make everything look so effortless and like some sort of improv gag that you forget how consummately professional and ridiculously talented these guys are. Monday was a powerful reminder.
Listen: "Run-Away"
Visit Super Furry Animals on MySpace
OPP
The New York Times profiles former Joe's Pub (and current Lincoln Center) booker Bill Bragin
Michael Jackson faces sale of Neverland
Slate: What happened to Jeff Mangum?
SPIN listens to 600 mp3s of SXSW bands to separate the wheat from the chaff
Wired editor Chris Anderson explains the move from the Long Tail to Free
Knitting Factory on 14th Street?
Brian Wilson plans a series of Greatest Hits shows in the UK this summer
26 February 2008
I Want My MTV - Madonna & JT
Justin Timberlake is going to justify his love of Madonna by inducting her at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony?? Gosh, I've never wanted my MTV so badly in my entire lifetime!
Below are nine of EAR FARM's favorite Madonna/JT videos. Dig.
"Express Yourself" by Madonna (above)
"Let Me Talk To You / My Love" by Justin Timberlake featuring T.I. (above)
"Into the Groove" by Madonna (above)
"LoveStoned / I Think She Knows Interlude" by Justin Timberlake (above)
"Open Your Heart" by Madonna (above)
"Rock Your Body" by Justin Timberlake (above)
"Justify My Love" by Madonna (above - NSFW!)
"SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake (above)
"Sorry" by Madonna (above)
Three for Free - The Mountain Goats
EAR FARM's Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted each week. This week - three from The Mountain Goats.
Listen:
"Sax Rohmer #1"
"New Monster Avenue"
"Lions Teeth"
The National @ BAM Howard Gilman Opera House - 23 February 2008
Having the opportunity to see a rock concert in a venue as special as the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Howard Gilman Opera House is a rare treat. Generally, modern rock bands are relegated to the confines of various banged up ballrooms (at best) and/or basement bars (or worse) in this city. While abundant in character and rock and roll charm, these standard kinds of venues lack quite a bit in terms of mood-setting ambiance and happy acoustics. However, these characteristics are precisely where opera houses excel. Given that Boxer was perhaps my favorite album released last year, it should come as no surprise that I headed into Saturday night's performance by The National with great hopes, expectations, and anticipation. Just what, exactly, would such a glorious venue do for one of my favorite current American rock bands, and how would The National treat the opera house in return?
My Brightest Diamond (led by/aka Shana Worden) opened the show with her unique blend of cabaret, chamber music, rock, and opera influence. Though she's no stranger to the NY music scene (honing her chops over the past few years on stages throughout the city, and previously finding work as a backup vocalist for Sufjan Stevens) this was my first time seeing her in person. During the opening songs she had me thinking of Edith Piaf (vocals), Antony Hegarty (vocals), Lindsey Buckingham (guitar), PJ Harvey (guitar), and Roy Orbison (hair/vocals); but by the end of her set all I could think of was of how much I needed to see this woman/band perform again. The contrast of the string quartet arrangements, soaring vocals, and delicate-rocking-diving-detuned guitar work was quite the perfect way to set the scene at the BAM Opera House for The National to take the stage. And thank goodness for that, because as good as My Brightest Diamond was on that night, all we all really wanted was The National. Badly.
Against a shiny Vegasesque backdrop, and to the tune of Bon Iver's excellent song "Flume", the band took to the stage with a small orchestra in tow. I expected the accompaniment, but still found myself supremely pleased when I saw the trumpet, bassoon, flute, violin, cello, saxophone, piano, and two trombones. For this meant that The National meant business. And that they did.
The show began with "Start a War", a perfectly building opener, and continued through song after song from the band's two most recent (most outstanding) albums, Boxer and Alligator. In fact, the entire set list was comprised of songs from these two records, save two cuts from Cherry Tree and one brand new song. As I listen to 19 of the 20 songs right now, in the order they played them that night, it strikes me how well thought out this set list was. Like anything worth enjoying, the songs put together in this order create a mood that slowly builds up, gloriously falls apart, and then rebuilds itself again and again multiple times. It was a magnificent concert.
In person there were two very distinct moments that stood out: the series of songs from "Secret Meeting" to "Mistaken for Strangers" to "Squalor Victoria" to "Abel" (a sequence which had me smiling the rarest of concert smiles - my "I'm seeing Morrissey" smile), and the first encore which saw lead singer Matt Berninger venture out into the middle of the audience for the chorus of "Mr. November". It's not an exaggeration to say that the show gave me chills once or twice. And the sound? Oh the sound! The whole thing felt like all of those times I've found myself watching a concert film and wishing that I was fortunate enough to be one of the lucky few who got to see the recorded show live, in person. The magnitude of excellence was not lost on me.
The audience was the only thing that marred the show at all, sometimes with their sceneyness (including some girls behind me critiquing female audience members' fashion during the show), sometimes because of their collective body odor, sometimes because of "witty" repartee ("Freebird!" and "Brooklyn!" among the standout shout-outs), but mostly because of all of the clapping along to the songs. I'll save you my extended and annoyed ranting on the subject, save for a single question. Question: do you ever feel like a rhythmically challenged deaf monkey when you clap along to songs at a concert? Because you look and sound like precisely that. Regardless, no amount of annoying audience behavior could do anything to ruin this show. And after all, most of what I found annoying from other people was a result of fandom. A fanatical response to the greatness of the musicians on stage. Can't really knock that. On this night the band had people moving, singing, shouting, and clapping along - the old man across the aisle seemingly moved to tears even (though I think that was because he twisted his knee "dancing") - doing whatever we could to somehow reflect our adoration for the performance. To let the band know how much we approved. Something about the look on each of their faces tells me that they knew.
The National is one of those rare bands with the power to both touch you with their words and move you with their playing. They can floor you with gentle beauty at one moment and rouse you out of your seat with anthemic emoting the next. For all of you people across the US wondering if you should consider seeing The National open up for R.E.M., don't make the mistake of missing out when they come to your part of the world. This past Saturday night the band was given the rare opportunity to grace the stage at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, and in return they gave each of us in attendance a glimpse at The National at their very best. They had us all up, out of our seats, and in the palm of their collective hand. We'd have taken ten encores if they would've given them.
Set list:
Start a War
Brainy
Baby, We’ll Be Fine
Slow Show
Secret Meeting
Mistaken for Strangers
Squalor Victoria
Abel
Wasp Nest
Racing like a Pro
Ada (feat. Sufjan Stevens)
Apartment Story
unknown NEW song
Green Gloves
Fake Empire
--
City Middle
Mr. November
Daughters of the Soho Riots
--
Gospel
About Today
Listen:
"Something Of An End" by My Brightest Diamond
"Wasp Nest" by The National
See The National live - tour dates HERE.
Visit The National on MySpace.
Download The National's performance at BAM on the 22nd of February over on NYCTaper.
*above image from HERE.
Today's NEW Releases
It's all about Beach House this week:
- Beach House - Devotion
- Ghostland Observatory - Robotique Majestique
- Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree
- Tift Merritt - Another Country
OPP
Impressive lineup for this year's Sasquatch Festival unveiled yesterday
New York Philharmonic performs in North Korea
The AV Club and Pitchfork both like the new Beach House album as much as we do
World's greatest record collection gets fraudulent bid
Perez Hilton could land a cushy A&R job at Warner Brothers Records
Stereogum was also at Friday's Black Mountain show
Customize your car horn with any mp3
Why are Van Halen canceling some of their shows?!
Blur's Dave Rowntree to run for Parliament seat in next election
25 February 2008
Hit-or-miss: "I Would Work If I Could" by Brian Michael Roff And The Deer
Listen:
"I Would Work If I Could" by Brian Michael Roff And The Deer from Inventory
View:
Image search results for I Would Work If I Could - above image is from the eleventh page of results (and was originally from HERE).
--
In the recent past these songs were featured in Hit-or-miss posts:
"My Last Kiss" by The Durutti Column
"Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone" by The Walkmen
"Cosmic Dancer" by T. Rex
"I Just Called to Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder
"Stay On Your Toes" by Del Tha Funkee Homosapien
"The Queen Of Outer Space" by The Wedding Present
"Powder Blue" by Ween
"Good Morning, Captain" by Slint
To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM's Hit-or-miss (and to find out just what this Hit-or-miss is) click HERE.
Black Mountain @ Bowery Ballroom - 22 February 2008
The first time I saw Black Mountain was in 2005, and I'm pretty sure the number of folks crammed onstage alone would have constituted a fire code violation.
Such is the benefit of sharing members with opening bands (as was the case then with Blood Meridian and Ladyhawk); when a given tune simply must have four additional people playing cowbells and maracas, you get to have four extra people playing cowbells and maracas. That night, the Mercury Lounge stage looked more like a hippie commune than a setting for a proper rock show.
And let's face it, if you're into Black Mountain it's because you want a big ole' thick-cut slice of ROCK. And while it wasn't as though they failed to deliver the ROCK then, it was just a bit difficult at times to discern the ROCKING through the mass of unwashed bodies onstage.
Nearly three years later, Black Mountain traded in the cramped digs of Mercury (cramped when you have a dozen folks onstage) for the more spacious environs of Bowery Ballroom. In the process, they also shed their superfluous entourage and rocked a sold-out crowd with the devastatingly effective lineup of their five core members.
Let's cut to the chase: if the 2005 version of Black Mountain was a traveling band of noodling gypsies, the 2008 version is a revved-up Mystery Machine, with singer/guitarist/mastermind Stephen McBean at the wheel (he's Shaggy of course) and vocalist Amber Webber riding shotgun (as Daphne). Up to you to figure out who's Velma, Scooby, and Fred...(more pics and exclusive audio and video after the jump)
Done? Good. The band blazed through a set that at first leaned heavily - and sequentially - on tracks from In The Future, lulling the crowd into thinking they'd be playing the entire album in sequential order before shifting gears into "Druganaut" - a standout from their self-titled debut - following an epic version of "Tyrants". The remainder of the set seamlessly mixed old and new into a steaming cauldron of fuzzy, bottom-heavy, organ-drenched psych-rock bliss. Apologies, but I just can't help evoking witch/goblin/medieval imagery when talking about these guys (it's either that or Scooby-Doo again so you tell me what's better).
It was also nice to hear the stellar sound at Bowery used to its full potential once again; every sustained guitar note, organ vamp, and throaty vocal howl cut through with impeccable precision and immediacy while still managing to coalesce and surge into a unified wall of ROCK.
Watch:
"Evil Ways" (live from this show) on YouTube|download QT
Listen:
"Evil Ways" (live from this show)
See more EF pictures from this show HERE
See Black Mountain Live:
25 February - Portland, ME @ The Space Gallery
26 February - Moncton, New Brunswick @ The Manhattan
27 February - Halifax, Nova Scotia @ The Marquee Club
29 February - Montreal, Quebec @ La Sala Rosa
05 March - Toronto, Ontario @ Lee's Palace
06 March - Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop
07 March - Louisville, KY @ Headliners
08 March - Newport, KY @ Southgate House
09 March - Knoxville, TN @ The Pilot Light
10 March - Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
11 March - Little Rock, AR @ Sticky Fingerz Chicken Shack
12-16 March - Austin, TX @ SXSW
16 March - Houston, TX @ Meridian
19 March - Norman, OK @ The Opolis
20 March - Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar
21 March - St. Louis, MO @ Bluebird
22 March - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
23 March - Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
24 March - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry
25 March - Fargo, ND @ Aquarium
27 March - Winnipeg, Manitoba @ Pyramid Cabaret
28 March - Regina, Saskatchewan @ The Distrikt
29 March - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan @ Amigo's
31 March - Edmonton, Alberta @ Starlite Room
01 April - Calgary, Alberta @ The Warehouse
02 April - Kelowna, British Columbia @ Habitat
05 April - Vancouver, British Columbia @ Commodore Ballroom
25 April - Indio, CA @ Coachella
09-11 May - Rye, England @ Camber Sands Holiday Centre (ATP vs. Pitchfork)
05-15-17 Brighton, England - Great Escape Festival
Visit Black Mountain on MySpace
OPP
Atonement and Once triumph in music Oscars
Marion Cotillard: A note-perfect Edith Piaf
The Daily Swarm has an Oscars weekend music roundup
Maxim reviews the new Black Crowes album without having listened to it!
The Los Angeles Times reviews a Liars show at El Rey
NY Times: A show business fortune at risk in the drama of Britney Spears
Tragic past follows Great White on tour
22 February 2008
Earfcyclopedia (Oscars Edition): Musicians as Actors
Is there any argument that music and film are perhaps the two most celebrated, recognized and lucrative forms of artistic expression in our popular culture?
Is there any argument that they also generate more arguments than all other popular artistic mediums combined?
So why then, despite our obsessive dissecting, debating, analyzing and chronicling of the two, doesn't there exist a comprehensive list detailing the intersection of music and film? Somewhat related, are you sick of us asking rhetorical questions? Fair enough, we get it.
Less questions, more solutions! In this, our first installment of the Earfcyclopedia - just in time for the Oscars - this glaring omission within the annals of pop culture will stand no longer. We present you with a comprehensive as hell list of musicians who have crossed the line and tried their hands at acting. Sure, other reputable sources such as MTV and Rolling Stone have lamely attempted to chronicle this merging of artistic mediums, but frankly most of those lists suck.
Where's the love for the Kristoffersons, Kowalczyks, and Kiedises of the world (and that's just the K's)?
After the jump, peruse our list of 110+ alphabetized names of musician actors and please feel free to add any we might've overlooked. As well, before the jump you'll find lists of each of our own personal top 5 favorite musician actors. But first, some rules...
The rules are simple. First and foremost, chronology matters. In the arc of said artist's career, first singles, albums or musical performances must come before first pilots, sitcoms, movies or plays (bye bye Brigitte Bardot, Rick Springfield and Jennifer Lopez). And on that note, the musician must have been accomplished enough BEFORE trying acting that it's not laughable to imagine them performing onstage. For this reason, we've struck Bruce Willis from the list even though he was in a band before gaining recognition on Moonlighting. Also, documentaries obviously don't count, it's gotta be fiction or else.
Now - with some accompanying music selections - our own wholly-biased top 5's (with the full realization that as former Oscar winners Cher and Babs deserve to be at the top of an objective list but hey, we like playing arbitrary favorites). Ready?
5. Kris Kristofferson - Who is the more manly man, Sam Elliot or Kris Kristofferson? Unless they arm wrestle in public the world may never know. However, I submit Kristofferson's work in Convoy, Blade, and The Jacket as evidence supporting his claim to the title. Something about seeing him on screen is like a big warm blanket of masculinity. And I like it. What??
4. Olivia Newton-John - With Olivia's appearances in Grease and Xanadu it's pretty safe to say that she's forever etched into the hearts and minds of people my age everywhere. Plus, I think there was a brief time in 1982 when I was certain she'd one day be my wife. Or workout partner. Blame the video for "Physical" I suppose.
- Listen: "Magic" (from Xanadu)
- Listen: "9 to 5" (from Nine to Five)
- Listen: "Magic Dance" (from Labyrinth)
- Listen: "Who's That Girl" (from Who's That Girl)
5. Reba McEntire - With her work in Tremors, she did what Meredith Baxter (Birney) never could: make being married to Michael Gross appear natural and believable.
- Listen: "Why Not Tonight" (from Tremors)
3. Ice Cube - More Boyz in the Hood, Friday, and Three Kings, less Anaconda please. Bonus: Cube is also rumored to be playing B.A. Baracus in an upcoming adaptation of The A-Team. Sold.
- Listen: "How to Survive In South Central" (from Boyz in the Hood)
1. Dwight Yoakam - His music isn't really my thing and he may look like Sloth, but goddammit he can act. See: Panic Room, Wedding Crashers.
- Listen: "A Thousand Miles from Nowhere" (from Red Rock West)
50 Cent
Andre 3000 (Andre Benjamin)
Marc Anthony
Harry Belafonte
Big Boi
Bjork
Jon Bon Jovi
Bow Wow
David Bowie
James Brown
David Byrne
Mariah Carey
Johnny Cash
Cher
Phil Collins
Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs
Common
Harry Connick Jr.
Alice Cooper
Elvis Costello
Bing Crosby
Billy Ray Cyrus
Roger Daltrey
Sammy Davis Jr.
John Denver
DMX
Eminem
Gloria Estefan
Fat Joe
Joey Fatone
Stacy Ferguson (aka Fergie)
Flea
Aretha Franklin
Kim Gordon
Omarion Grandberry
Dave Grohl
George Harrison
Isaac Hayes
Jeff Healey
Levon Helm
Robyn Hitchcock
Susanna Hoffs
Jennifer Hudson
Michael Hutchence
Ice Cube
Ice T
Iggy Pop
Chris Isaak
Janet Jackson
Michael Jackson
Mick Jagger
Ja Rule
Seu Jorge
Alicia Keys
Anthony Kiedis
Jewel Kilcher
Beyonce Knowles
Ed Kowalczyk
Kris Kristofferson
Cyndi Lauper
Avril Lavigne
John Lennon
Huey Lewis
Courtney Love
Lyle Lovett
Ludacris
John Lurie
Madonna
Marilyn Manson
Chan Marshall (Cat Power)
Dean Martin
Dave Matthews
Paul McCartney
Reba McEntire
Meat Loaf
Bret Michaels
Mandy Moore
Alanis Morissette
Tom Morello
Mos Def
Ricky Nelson
Olivia Newton-John
Dolly Parton
Pink
Elvis Presley
Prince
Queen Latifah
Lou Reed
Justin Rice
Keith Richards
Jonathan Richman
Henry Rollins
Diana Ross
Gavin Rossdale
Erik "Everlast" Schrody
Tupac Shakur
Paul Simon
Jessica Simpson
Frank Sinatra
Will Smith
Snoop Dogg
Britney Spears
Ringo Starr
Gwen Stefani
Sting
Barbra Streisand
Justin Timberlake
Tina Turner
Eddie Vedder
Tom Waits
Donnie Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg
Jack White
Will.I.Am
Andy Williams
Dwight Yoakam
Tell Wikipedia that EAR FARM's a-knockin'...
*above photo found HERE
New Evangelicals Video: "Midnight Vignette"
This little doozy of a video fits in perfectly with our forced attempts all week at providing film-related music content in celebration of Sunday's Oscars.
It's inspiration is pretty clearly derived from the song's title (and the whole vibe of The Evening Descends for that matter): a spooky, grainy, midnight B-movie. Directed by Matt Leach. Enjoy!
Also, don't forget to catch Evangelicals this Sunday (2/24) at Mercury Lounge and next Friday at Union Hall (2/29), both of which are with Headlights
OPP
Atlantic Avenue's Magnetic Fields closing its doors for good on March 31st
Throw Me The Statue does a Take Away Show on a Seattle ferry
Gridskipper: Songs That Drop New York Addresses
Gothamist chats with Matt Berninger of the National
And across the pond, Drowned in Sound has a chat with Pete and the Pirates
Friday Night Lights may live to see another season!
Tumblr's founder reveals his revenue plan for the site = make money off of EARF
All Points West Festival unveils its full lineup
The Breeders announce the first single from upcoming album Mountain
21 February 2008
8+
"Oh Comely" by Neutral Milk Hotel which clocks in at 8:18
Or, The Assassination of Jeff Mangum by the Coward Colin Meloy.
No, I do not think Colin Meloy is a coward; I actually like him as well as the Decemberists. The above is simply a strained haymaker aimed at timeliness, a one-two punch if you will. Punch one, right in the gut: Neutral Milk Hotel's seminal album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea turned ten this month, what ideal fodder for this week's 8+....except that last week was it's actual anniversary, so perhaps then would have proven more ideal. Alas.
Punch two, a stiff uppercut: the Oscars are Sunday and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford garnered two nominations, a best supporting nod for Casey Affleck (the likable Affleck) and best cinematography for Roger Deakins (also nominated for No Country For Old Men).
Okay, so at least one of these references comes at a perfect time. And, in watching this film this past weekend, it seems I unwittingly constructed a parallel between its narrative and last week's timely item du jour: Jeff Mangum and the anniversary of In the Aeroplane Over the Sea....
Now, Pitchfork and other outlets did more than an admirable job of lionizing this album through a good ten years of beer goggles, so I'll spare you from attempting to do the same. Fact is, I'm a casual NMH fan at best; yes, I enjoy In the Aeroplane just fine thanks, but couldn't Robert Schneider have coaxed some less "pitchy" vocal takes from Mangum throughout the sessions? "Blasphemy!" you and everyone you know say - and you're probably right - which is why I'm declining to speak of the greatness of this album; I'll pass on that Kool-Aid for now.
Instead, I want to set our sights on the most eager (or at least the most visible...err, audible?) graduate of the Jeff Mangum School of Hard Vox, Colin Meloy.
As Mike McGonigal wrote last week in the intro to Pitchfork's tribute to In the Aeroplane, "I've always joked that David Karsten Daniels and Colin Meloy would each do well to send partial royalty checks to Mangum."
Absolutely right. And don't you ever get the feeling that Meloy's studied take on the literate nasal delivery resulted from hours upon hours spent locked in his dorm room absorbing Mangum's warbly vocals? I know I do.
Back to the film...I won't spoil anything but just paint the broad strokes and emphasize that among other things, The Assassination of Jesse James is a study in obsession. In the film, Robert Ford grows up worshiping the figure of Jesse James that has been immortalized in countless penny comic books and crackerjack novels. The Academy probably felt Affleck deserved a nomination if nothing but for the convincing "holy shit I'm chilling with my hero!" look he masterfully wears throughout his scenes with Brad Pitt (as James). I don't need to tell you how it ends, but in one scene Ford is coaxed by his older brother into telling James about his childhood obsession with him and all the similarities he had once catalogued between himself and his hero. The list is frighteningly comprehensive and includes such trivial observations as the fact that their names contain the same number of letters, they have the same number of siblings, their fathers were both ministers, etc etc etc.
It got me thinking: what if Colin Meloy is off somewhere constructing a similar list between he and Mangum? Is this so hard to believe?
He would actually discover quite a few (if at times strained) similarities. Riffing off Ford's list, most obviously there's the same number of letters in each name, coincidentally the same number that Ford and James shared as well.
C-O-L-I-N-M-E-L-O-Y = 10 letters
J-E-F-F-M-A-N-G-U-M = 10 letters
Oooooooooh spooky. Next are the overlapping background details: both grew up in somewhat rural and remote locations (Meloy in Helena, MT and Mangum in Ruston, LA) before moving to more progressive urban areas (Meloy to Portland, OR and Mangum to Athens, GA).
Both also fronted at least two other bands before settling in with the groups from which they're most well-known - Meloy in Happy Cactus and Tarkio prior to the Decemberists and Mangum in the Olivia Tremor Control and Synthetic Flying Machine leading up to Neutral Milk Hotel.
Not surprisingly, their actual songs and albums also bear similarities beyond just that of nearly identical vocals. Both have evoked WWII imagery on numerous occasions, Meloy most directly doing so on "When The War Came" - a rumination on the Siege of Leningrad - and of course Mangum throughout In the Aeroplane, itself a concept album about Anne Frank.
Not to be outdone, Meloy has also been accused of catering to the C-word (that's concept okay?) on The Crane Wife, as many whispered that it was actually a concept album about a Japanese folk tale. Regardless of the validity of such claims, this album is at least guilty of demonstrating another Meloy/Mangum parallel, that of their penchant for multi-part songs. There's "The Crane Wife 1 & 2" and "The Crane Wife 3" just as In the Aeroplane features "The King of Carrot Flowers, Pt. 1" and "Pt. 2" as well as "Two-Headed Boy" and "Two-Headed Boy, Pt. 2". Hmmm.
Finally, there's the whole meta-similarity of the "one-take" urban legends that has arisen around two of their best-known songs. It has been said that Meloy and the rest of the Decemberists recorded "The Mariner's Revenge Song" from Picaresque (and previous 8+) in a single take while all huddled around one microphone. Similar claims surround the recording of this week's 8+, "Oh Comely". According to Wikipedia (and take it for what it's worth):The song is one of a few on the album (notably, "Two-Headed Boy") to be recorded with mostly just Mangum's vocals and acoustic guitar present. The take for "Oh Comely" used on the final album actually started as a test; producer Robert Schneider, the three other members of Neutral Milk Hotel and various Elephant 6 performers were listening to Mangum play the song in the Pet Sounds Studio control room, assumming he was just checking how the microphone sounded. The crowd was surprised when Mangum ended up playing the entire eight-minute song in one go, and the room erupted in cheers and applause when he finished. At the very end of the song, an almost inaudible exclamation of "holy shit" can be heard, believed to be Scott Spillane. Mangum's track remains a sparse production on the final album, with only a few overdubs near the end (including Spillane's horn part).
To borrow a phrase from Bret Michaels, whassa goin' on? Did Meloy himself start the rumor about "The Mariner's Revenge Song" as the ultimate act of fan-boy emulation? Are these similarities merely superficial coincidences that, like most conspiracy theories, are only tenuously cobbled together? Beats me, but as the title of the film may suggest, Jeff Mangum may want to watch his back whenever Colin Meloy's in town.
*above photo from HERE
Buy In the Aeroplane Over the Sea on Amazon
EAR FARM's 8+ is a weekly feature that showcases songs longer than 8 minutes. In the recent past these songs were featured on EF's 8+:
George Gershwin - "Rhapsody in Blue"
Múm - "Smell Memory"
Tool - "Lateralus"
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks - "Real Emotional Trash"
Iron Maiden - "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son"
Mandy Reid - "Tornado"
Genesis - "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight"
Metallica - "Master of Puppets"
To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM's 8+ click HERE.
NME is silly
Let's play that game from Highlights where we search for what's wrong in the above picture, sound fun? Okay, ready, set, oh you found it already....
Yes, didn't have to look too far. Earlier this month it was NME misremembering (Roger's words not mine) Lez Zeppelin as Led Zeppelin in erroneously breaking the "news" that they'd be headlining Bonnaroo (screen-grab expertly captured by Matt prior to them taking it down in shame available after the jump).
And now ladies and gentlemen, we get "The Walkman". Didn't realize Sony's personal portable cassette player had a band, but hey...slow your roll NME, the internet will still be here after you've spell-checked and fact-checked stuff.
Listen:
"All Wrong" by Morphine
OPP
Sadly, Die Romantik has decided to call it quits
Pitchfork's Guest List features Beach House's Alex Scully and Victoria Legrand
Pop reigned supreme at Wednesday's Brit Awards
Rolling Stone: The Kinks' Ultimate Album-by-Album Guide
Hot Freaks unveils yet another impressive lineup for this year's SXSW
Radiohead to apparently headline two nights of Jersey City's All Points West Festival
FNAC: Vinyl never dies
Spoon, The Walkmen & White Rabbits are touring together, playing Terminal 5 on April 9
Woman who stalked Linkin Park's singer sentenced to two years in prison
20 February 2008
Band of the Week: Computer Perfection
Band: Computer Perfection
From: near Detroit, MI
Sound: jangly indie pop with sunwashed synthesizers
Similar Artists: Bishop Allen, Evangelicals, Michael Andrews, Broadcast
Listen Now: "Able Archer"
Let's get one thing clear: as much as EAR FARM maintains a solid focus on all manner of music, I've never shied away from sharing my love for a few key movies. Usually this happens in relation to the music within them; sometimes, just to let you know where I'm coming from, I'll drop a quote or two from one of my favorite films. Most obviously/frequently, and at the top of my list of favorites, is The Goonies. There's always been a well-known quote from the film here/on the sidebar of this site at the top right; another here. In fact, EAR FARM was nearly called The Goondocks. Don't tell anyone. It was also nearly named after something to do with the music from another of my favorite films, Me and You and Everyone We Know. Man, I love that score. But enough about me - just use this background information to imagine my joy when a band from Michigan got in touch with me and listed The Goonies amongst their influences; when the first song that played on their MySpace page sounded as though it'd fit in perfectly on Michael Andrews' score for Me and You and Everyone We Know. I was like this :)
Computer Perfection hails from just outside of Detroit, Michigan, does indeed list The Goonies in their MySpace list of influences, and is made up of Amy Bem, Gene Corduroy, Little Tommy Daniels, and Nathaniel F.H. Burgundy IV. The bio on their MySpace explains: "Until recently, Bem & Corduroy lived in Brooklyn while Burgundy and Little Tommy Daniels resided in the exurbs of Detroit. As 4 members of PAS/CAL, the comrades often traveled between both cities for recording sessions, performances and late-night meals. A cozy old apartment in Red Hook served as the satellite recording facility for several songs, and was the setting for many Computer Perfection demos. Bem & Corduroy recently parted ways with their beloved 3rd floor walk-up, making tracks back to the Renaissance City with a baby daughter in tow. Mr. Nathaniel F.H. Burgundy IV, heir to the Burgundy fortune, returned from a two year quest ("mystical studies" & "mystical bird-watching") to join Bem & Corduroy in residence at the new Pinecrest division of the Romantic Air Recording Company in Ferndale. By way of fate, coincidence, and careful planning, Little Tommy Daniels had already taken lodging within pedaling distance. And so the band plays on, on occasion."
Thank goodness for these occasions that find Amy, Gene, Little Tommy Daniels, and Nathaniel F.H. Burgundy IV together making music as Computer Perfection. They've so far produced a quartet of songs that have been spinning 'round the clock at EAR FARM central for a couple of weeks now, including two songs that just about everyone reading this is certain to adore. Oh you'll like these songs alright, "I'll stake my Pulizter on it." (don't get confused, this one is from another movie altogether - anyway, stop staring at my movie quote and click through to get to the music!)
The first song posted below, "Able Archer", is the band at its most poppy, accessible, and guitar-forward; yet it's also a study in nuanced melancholia. Beginning with a series of gentle builds, the song begs you closer with hushed vocals and a perfect balance between the organic guitars/drums and synthesizer touches throughout. There's some power behind the percussion and a touch of Johnny Marr in the guitar work. Start here if you can't get enough of the mood that pervades last year's extremely popular Juno soundtrack. It's okay, I like (most of) that soundtrack too (out, out damn Moldy Peaches).
"Silence Is A Shadow's Dream" continues along the same quiet beautiful path forged in "Able Archer", but does so with a touch more reverberated informality. The song is equal parts Hazelwood/Sinatra, Belle & Sebastian, jazz influence, and Computer Perfection. As the melody wanders about, the rhythm section drops fills with wicked skills. Listened to together, the duo of these first two songs offers a nice hint at what we can expect as the band writes more music together.
The third song below, "The Strange Echo", is where you should head for your extra-melancholic synthesizer fix. As I've already mentioned, this song is very much in line with the Michael Andrews score to the film Me and You and Everyone We Know and I love it. Equally impressive, in a completely different (yet strangely similar) manner, is the band's cover of the Greg Kihn Band classic "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)". Do yourself a favor and visit their MySpace page for an entirely worthwhile listen.
Given that Computer Perfection's official bio didn't offer a complete explanation of what makes them who they are, of why this band personifies two of my favorite movies, I got in touch with a few questions via email. You can find their collected responses below with three MP3s for your listening pleasure below that.
EAR FARM: Alright, basic band question #1 - where did the band name come from?
Little Tommy Daniels: I'm glad you guys called me. Otherwise I would've just been at home watching [American Idol], singing along to myself.
Burgundy: I know I already had a piece of pie, but can I have a brownie, too?
Gene: For years I was trying to find this toy I had when I was ten. I didn't know how to find it because I only knew what it looked like. After searching the internet to no avail, I saw it on TV on the Discovery Channel & discovered it was invented by the same guy who created the game Simon.
LTD: Right, so you’re a dork.
EAR FARM: How would you describe the band's sound? Have there been any descriptions by others that you find particularly accurate?
Gene: A goldmine miracle.
Burgundy: A little bit of a mix of the following: folk, pop, the brighter side of psychedelia, bleepy synths, restless hearts, optimistic melancholy.
LTD: Smooth.
EAR FARM: How & when did you all get together?
LTD: Gene came to my house one day. Then Burgundy showed up at Gene & Bem's house & I was there. Are these brownies fresh?
Burgundy: Basically, we had to come together. It was inevitable. How does the universe come together? It just does.
Gene: About three years later than we should have.
LTD: That's kind of cynical.
Gene: I'm sorry, that's not hopefully optimistic. Wait, erase that. Autumn of 2007.
LTD: We were & are all members of PAS/CAL.
EAR FARM: What's the music scene like where you guys are living now & how would you compare it to Brooklyn?
LTD: The music scene around here really is like a craft show. You know the same people that are at every craft show every year, you know?
Burgundy: Actually, I feel like a lot of younger indie rock/pop oriented bands have popped up lately. I've been such a recluse lately I hardly know what anyone sounds like.
Gene: I never went to a single show in Brooklyn.
LTD: Wait, I want to add to my answer.
Gene: Can we move on to the next question?
LTD: There's a school of rock in the county.
Burgundy: 'County'? Let's say 'area'. I feel like only policemen talk about counties.
LTD: I talk about counties. Will you change it back? I want it to say 'county'.
EAR FARM: How old is your daughter & are there any plans to make her a full-fledged member of the band?
LTD: My daughter is sixteen, but we don't speak.
Gene: She's a year & a half. Um, yeah, she's gonna be the future singer. That's why we gave her her middle name [Astrud].
EAR FARM: What are Computer Perfection's plans & goals for 2008? Are these demos the seeds of a forthcoming full-length/EP? Any touring/live show plans?
Burgundy: We intend to be to our ideal weights by April 1 & to be ready to play some fun shows.
LTD: Yes, a beautiful full-length plant.
GenLTD:e: What did you just say?
LTD: Do I look like Robert Plant?
EAR FARM: Why "The Breakup Song"? Was this a collective decision to cover this song or did one member in particular just NEED to cover it?
Gene: I just felt like I needed to do it.
LTD: Did I play drums on that?
Gene: Ha ha. Matt Jacobson [head of Le Grand Magistery Records] was going to put out compilation of break-up songs.
[Note: This song has electronic drums. Hence, Gene's response.]
EAR FARM: You list The Goonies under your MySpace influences. That really tugs at my heartstrings. So, why The Goonies & can you draw a parallel between certain band members & certain Goonies?
Bem: I'm Stef. LTD is Chunk. Burgundy is Mama Fratelli. Gene is Sloth.
Gene: BABY...RUTH?
Burgundy: I was trying to tell Gene this story about an old coworker name Ruth & his only response was a poor imitation of Sloth that honestly sounded more like a mentally retarded Scooby Doo.
LTD: I don't wanna be Chunk. Put 'I don't wanna be Chunk.'
--
Alright Little Tommy Daniels, then I'll be Chunk. All alone at my computer. In the dark..."I'm not all alone in the dark. I like the dark. I love the dark... But I hate nature! I HATE nature."
But I do like computers. I LOVE computers. And I love Computer Perfection. You will too.
Listen:
"Able Archer"
"Silence Is A Shadow's Dream"
"The Strange Echo"
Visit Computer Perfection on MySpace (go there and listen to their version of "The Breakup Song").
--
In the recent past, the following bands have been featured as EAR FARM's Band of the Week:
Goes Cube
Magic Arm
Drink Up Buttercup
The Big Sleep
Pete and the Pirates
Dead Confederate
Throw Me The Statue
Screaming Tea Party
See the entire list of bands featured as EAR FARM's Band of the Week HERE.
Drink Up Buttercup @ Pianos - 19 February 2008
Drink Up Buttercup began their residency at Pianos last night with a bang...and a thwack, and a kablammo, and tons of other onomatopoeic expressions as they literally smashed their way through a raucous early set with little more than trash cans, a few worn instruments, and a hell of a lot of energy.
Seeing these guys live was a big payoff for us, as we've been spinning their new demos regularly since their turn as Band of the Week and were left wondering just how they could pull it all off live. Well let me tell you something Mean Gene, the Bucks County crew proved their ability to morph the great promise shown on demos such as "Gods and Gentlemen" and "Sosey & Dosey" into something else altogether when played live, an infectious blend of harmony, deceptively enthralling rhythms, and workmanlike showmanship.
Arms-folded New Yorkers, you've been warned twice now: this band rules. Do yourself a service and make it out to their upcoming shows. We'll even make it easy for you....after the jump, check out pics, mp3s, live video from last night's show, and upcoming dates.
Watch:
"Sosey & Dosey" (live from this show) on YouTube|download QT
"Seasickness Pills" (live from this show) on YouTube|download QT
Listen:
"Gods and Gentlemen" (Demo)
"Seasickness Pills" (Demo)
See Drink Up Buttercup Live:
20 February - Philadelphia, PA @ Silk City
26 February - New York, NY @ Pianos (Residency)
1 March - New Hope, PA @ John & Peter's
4 March - New York, NY @ Pianos (Residency)
7 March - Philadelphia, PA @ The Khyber
29 March - Washington, DC @ DC9
4 April - Philadelphia, PA @ Millcreek Tavern
5 April - Brooklyn, NY @ Luna Lounge
11 April - Doylsestown, PA @ Stephanie's
19 April - New York, NY @ The Annex
Visit Drink Up Buttercup on MySpace
OPP
Drowned in Sound has a night out on the town with Stephen Malkmus
Slate reviews the soundtracks for No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood
XLR8 reveals their SXSW Gig Guide
And on that subject, Donewaiting lists their 3rd SXSW Super Update
Rolling Stone lists rock songs by their usage of numbers
Blitzen Trapper tours and releases iTunes exclusive EP
Watch Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings on Letterman
Green Jelly reunites, plans US tour
Wired nerd alert: Trio Creates Rock iBand with modded iPhones
19 February 2008
I Want My MTV - Eisenstein and Prokofiev edition
Below are a few clips from the 1938 film Alexander Nevsky (Александр Невский). The film was directed by Sergei Eisenstein who worked closely with composer Sergei Prokofiev to create a powerful match of music and imagery that remains a standard for filmmakers today. As a result of being one of the first films to truly explore coordinated interaction between images and music, Alexander Nevsky features many moments that were some of the earliest examples of "music videos" in history.
The Battle on the Ice scene from Alexander Nevsky (above)
German Knights Attack Russian Village scene from Alexander Nevsky (above)
A Movie Lover's Guide to Film Language explores Eisenstein's use of music/sound in Alexander Nevsky (above, with commentary)
Three for Free - Apes & Androids
EAR FARM's Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted each week. This week - three from New York's Apes & Androids.
Listen:
"Nights of the Week"
"Golden Prize"
"Creepy Girls"
Today's NEW Releases
Wowza, this week is stacked with EF Band of the Week alums (check out the first four), good stuff...
- The Big Sleep - Sleep Forever
- Graveyard - Graveyard
- Pete & the Pirates - Little Death (Import)
- Throw Me The Statue - Moonbeams
- Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
- Cryptacize - Dig That Treasure
- The Epochs - The Epochs
- Headlights - Some Racing, Some Stopping
- Heavenly States - Delayer
- Kula Shaker - Strange Folk
- Megafaun - Bury the Square
- Mike Doughty - Golden Delicious
- The Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride
- No Kids - Come Into My House
- The Raveonettes - Lust Lust Lust
- Ray Davies - Working Man's Cafe
OPP
Oscar-nominated movie scores push boundaries
McCartney and Mills can't work it out, settlement forthcoming
BBC to announce deal with iTunes today
Austin-American Statesman reviews Kurt Cobain: About a Son
5 years after the Great White fire in Warwick, R.I.
A.V. Club's The Hater: VH1 is officially out of ideas
A song audible only to dogs has topped New Zealand record charts
And, not really music-related buuuuttt Fidel Castro resigns as Cuba's president
18 February 2008
Hit-or-miss: "My Last Kiss" by The Durutti Column
Listen:
"My Last Kiss" by The Durutti Column from Time Was Gigantic... When We Were Kids
View:
Image search results for My Last Kiss - above image is from the seventh page of results (and was originally from HERE).
--
In the recent past these songs were featured in Hit-or-miss posts:
"Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone" by The Walkmen
"Cosmic Dancer" by T. Rex
"I Just Called to Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder
"Stay On Your Toes" by Del Tha Funkee Homosapien
"The Queen Of Outer Space" by The Wedding Present
"Powder Blue" by Ween
"Good Morning, Captain" by Slint
"Septopus Theme" by Brendon Small
To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM's Hit-or-miss (and to find out just what this Hit-or-miss is) click HERE.
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings @ the Beacon Theater - 15 February 2008
One lucky day back in October I caught a portion of the Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings performance at the Virgin Megastore in Union Square. Though I was brand new to the Dap King phenomenon, though the venue did the band no justice and I had to be someplace else that day/left midway through their set, a lot stuck with me about the performance. Even in the midst of barcode beeps and unbridled commerce the pure greatness of Sharon & the Dap Kings shined through. I left wondering what kind of show this band might deliver at a proper venue filled with more than a few shopping commuters; yet, for no good reason, I missed their performance at The Apollo Theatre a few days later and cursed my idiocy. Thankfully, I'm wise enough not to make the same mistake twice.
On the 15th of February, 2008, New York's Beacon Theater played host to a Daptone Super Soul Review: a sold out evening of rhythm and blues, soul and funk, featuring The Budos Band, the Bushwick Philharmonic, The DansettesThe Sweet Divines, a trio of white boy audience members dancing poorly on stage, Sharon Jones, and (of course) The Dap Kings. Though the audience was slam-packed full of many people who seemingly came across the band by asking the clerk at their local Barnes & Noble music section what music was currently playing in the store (aka, more of the same shopping commuter types that were at the Virgin Megastore show - aka, lots of Johnny-come-lately folks (myself included), and lots of stiff-ass suburban-looking frappuccino drinkers instead of the hard-core fan types I'd hoped for), the evening would turn out to be one of the more memorable concerts I've ever been to in my life.
After a solid opening set from The Budos Band, the Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings portion of the evening got started with The Dap Kings (recently receiving tons more attention as a result of their standout work backing Amy Winehouse) taking to the stage without Sharon to warm up the audience for a few songs. The musical foreplay worked like a charm - by the time Sharon Jones finally took to the stage the audience was collectively quivering with anticipation, wide to receive whatever funky soul goodness that might be thrown our way. It came, at first, in the form of 2004's little-known gem "Genuine (parts 1 & 2)". Wasting no time, mid-song, Sharon beckoned to the crowd "I need me a man up here on stage" as she pulled the biggest, whitest, baseball hat wearing, frat boy guy she could find out of the audience and onto the stage with her. He "danced" with her and I considered myself lucky to be seated in the balcony: no chance of me making a fool of myself on this night.
The show continued with a stompingly strutty version of "Nobody's Baby". Sharon did her best to work through her new shoe blues (complaining aloud that her shoes weren't yet broken in before ditching them to dance and strut around barefoot) as the band behind her seamlessly, and perfectly, handled each note and personnel change. More than a few times I wondered to myself if The Dap Kings (et al.) weren't perhaps the best backing band on the planet. Working in their favor in this regard was the fact that the Beacon's sound was literally perfect. This allowed the band to dominate the evening from the shadows just exactly as they should have and added to the intangible "we're seeing something very special" feeling that was in the air all night.
Sharon and crew worked through "How Do I Let A Good Man Down?" and "You're Gonna Get It" before she again found herself searching for a man from the audience to join her on stage for "How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?" - what she found was another hopeless white guy (pictured above), this one even more willing to shake it than the last one. Was it white boy day? I didn't realize it was white boy day! Suddenly, a few whiskeys into my evening, I found myself wishing that I was down on the floor with a chance to be the next goof grooving with Sharon. Did anybody in the building have any idea how much my legs yearned to burn?! For every remaining moment of this concert I had tiny cartoon hearts floating above my head...
I believe the next song was "What If We All Stopped Paying Taxes" which then gave way to Sharon's cover of "This Land Is Your Land". By this point, nearly every stiff audience member in the balcony with me was up out of their seats and dancing. The floor bounced, a couple next to me nearly made a baby as they danced/felt each other up in the aisle, and Sharon decided to give three ladies a shot at dancing with her on stage during "Tell Me". 
From "Once I Had A Good Man" into "What Have You Done For Me Lately?" and "Let Them Knock" Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings gave a clinic on the art of the concert, on modern soul music, and on what it means to be a woman in control. "Let them knock up on my door until their hands are black and blue, I'm not answering for no one until my man and I are through" Sharon sang. I swooned. The band didn't seem to notice, however, as they wasted no time flowing directly into a cover of Marva Whitney's "What Do I Have To Do To Prove My Love To You?" before closing out their set with "Humble Me" and the crowd favorite "100 Days, 100 Nights".
After all of this, after nearly two hours of Daptone Super Soul Review goodness, what did the band have left in the tank for an encore? Why, Sharon on piano for "Answer Me" and a faithfully spot-on cover of the James Brown classic "This Is A Man's World", naturally. But clearly, on this night, it was Sharon's world.
It struck me late in the course of the concert that, though it was a real shame to have taken so many years for her to finally find her audience, Sharon couldn't very well have reached so many people at any other time. Like a fine wine uncorked at the perfect moment, Sharon Jones (turning 52 in May) & the Dap Kings delivered the kind of performance that positively wowed all 2,800 people in attendance and converted even the least malleable of old white people into dancing soul freaks. We were but putty in the hands of a group of master craftsmen/women; and though I've not seen every concert of 2008, I submit that there's been no finer concert in all of New York City so far this year. There's just no way any other evening anywhere else was "better" than the concert I saw last Friday night at the Beacon Theater. I can't wait until the next time - I'll be on the floor.
Listen:
"100 Days, 100 Nights"
Watch:
"How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?" (live from this show)
Visit Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings on MySpace.
Also there: BrooklynVegan | Intelligent Rectum | Fresh Bread | The Music Slut
*above photos from HERE and HERE.
Spam Filter: Islands are a comin'
For once, Ticketmaster graced our inboxes with a worthwhile announcement: it appears perpetual EF favorites Islands will be returning to Webster Hall on Saturday, May 24th. Tickets are on sale TOMORROW at 5:00 pm - random time, yes? - and you can find them HERE.
If you're stressed because you already have plans that night, fear not. Given that it's a Saturday night at Webster Hall the show should wrap up while it's still light outside.
In other Islands news, their sophomore album Arm's Way is set to drop on Anti- Records on May 20th. If you happened to miss Pitchfork's interview with the artist-formerly-known-as-Nick Diamonds (it's Nick Thorburn now in case you forgot) this past week, definitely check it out.
After the jump, peruse Islands upcoming tour dates and listen to their excellent new song...
18 Feb - Dublin, Ireland @ Whelan's
19 Feb - Belfast, Ireland @ Speakeasy
20 Feb - Manchester, England @ Night & Day
21 Feb - Bristol, England @ Thekla
23 Feb - Nottingham, England @ Liar's Club @ Stealth
24 Feb - Brighton, England @ Brighton Barfly
25 Feb - Cambridge, England @ Cambridge Barfly
26 Feb - London, England @ Hoxton Bar & Grill
27 Feb - Paris, France @ Point FMR
28 Feb - Rotterdam, Netherlands @ Rotown
29 Feb - Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Merleyn
01 March - Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
02 March - Brussels, Belgium @ Botanique
03 March - Utrecht, Netherlands @ Tivoli
09 March - Pontiac, MI @ Eagle Theater
10 March - Newport, KY @ Southgate House
11 March - Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone
12 March - Denton, TX @ Hailey's
13 March - Austin, TX @ Emo's (SXSW Anti-Showcase w/Man Man)
15 March -Austin, TX @ Waterloo Park (SXSW)
17 March - Norman, OK @ Opolis
18 March - Columbia, MO @ Blue Note w/Man Man
19 March - Lawrence, KS @ Off Broadway
20 March - Bloomington, IN @ Rhino's
16 April - Buffalo, NY @ Soundlab
26 April - Indio, CA @ Empire Polo Field (Coachella)
30 April - San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo's
13 May - Chicago, IL @ Logan Square Auditorium
24 May - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
Listen: "The Arm"
Visit Islands on Myspace
OPP
Drowned in Sound has the world exclusive premiere of Yeasayer's video for "Wait For The Summer"
Also, watch Yeasayer's performance of "2080" on Conan from Friday night
Jarvis Cocker and Beth Ditto's duet is available starting today
The New York Times catches a Pissed Jeans show at Silent Barn
The Boston Globe profiles Red Abbott, a band that writes songs and manages to stay together via email
Tom Petty's digital sales through the roof following Super Bowl headlining gig
Sharon Jones played Union Hall on Saturday night
"Guitar Hero: Aerosmith" to hit stores this summer
New Spoon single/EP due in April
15 February 2008
Merch Gone Wild - The Brian Wilson Kimono
Think you're a super-fan because you scooped up such and such's exclusive tour-only hand-numbered 7" at their last show? Puhleeez, times have changed son. There's a whole universe of bizarre band memorabilia out there; the merch table's only the tip of the iceberg. So, for those bold few whose obsessions trump financial considerations and simple self-restraint, we've got the cure for your insatiable band-lust. Behold, we present MERCH GONE WILD...
What? - Brian Wilson Embroidered Kimono Robe (one size fits all)
Where? - The Chaser Merchandise Brian Wilson Page
How (Much)? - $125.00 (plus shipping, natch)
Who? - The perfect business casual outfit for bloggers as well as this guy of course (after the jump)...
When? - The kimono is equally suited for use at home or in the office (oh wait, there's no difference)
Why? - It provides that necessary extra layer of genital-to-laptop insulation for those long bouts of PR email cut-and-pasting while still in bed.
I think I need one of these. Somewhat related, my birthday is March 1st, I'm just sayin'...
Listen:
The Beach Boys - "Gettin' Hungry"
Tapes 'n Tapes - new song, tour/tickets info
"See, you guys never listen to me! I said that there was going to be trouble, but you didn't listen to me." - Lawrence 'Chunk' Cohen
--
Tapes 'n Tapes have a new album (Walk It Off, artwork pictured above) due out on XL on April 8th. They've also got a very large tour lined up for spring (get your tickets HERE) and have just made a brand new song available for download. Listen below.
Listen:
"Hang Them All"
Visit Tapes 'n Tapes on MySpace.
EAR FARM's All-Star Weekend Indie Rock Starting Five
Tonight begins the NBA's All-Star Weekend in New Orleans, excited?
No? Perhaps this annual gala - as well as professional basketball's regular season, playoffs, and championship - aren't up your alley? Well tough noogies, because we are excited, and we want you to be too. God knows the NBA did an awful job trying to lure music fans to the All-Star festivities last year, wheeling a botoxed and tanorexic Wayne Newton out to lip-synch along to "Viva Las Vegas" before the game. Shame on them.
Instead, we propose a bit of a shake-up this year. Rather than pit the same terrible "stars" against each other along with washed-up players in the Celebrity Challenge (think Frankie Muniz and Nick Carter chest-bumping and talking trash and you get the picture), why don't they recruit a team of Indie Rock All-Stars to take on these chumps, eh? Keep reading for our selections for the First Annual EAR FARM All-Star Weekend Indie Rock Starting Five...
Center: Win Butler, Arcade Fire. He's tall, athletic and perhaps the only person on this team who has proven he can dunk a basketball (see below). Represent the Great White North with pride, son.
Listen: "Keep The Car Running"
Power Forward: Tim Harrington, Les Savy Fav. We see him as a Charles Barkley type player. Perhaps a bit undersized for a power forward but more than able to compensate via girth, spastic tenacity and the will to do whatever it takes to put on a show. Plus, he'd be a master of the tear-away warmup duds based on his recent Conan performance (the fun starts at 1:33):
Small Forward: Danny Seim, Menomena. He's like 7'2", has decent coordination (he is a drummer after all), and seems to like basketball (we spotted him wearing a Blazers shirt at Menomena's last Webster Hall show). We think he could swat the shit out of Nick Carter.
Listen: "The Pelican"
Shooting Guard: Ivan Howard, the Rosebuds. Judging from the Rosebuds' MySpace blog, Ivan apparently has real skills. A former Seahawk, he's actually played against Erik Dampier!
Listen: "Blue Bird"
Point Guard: Satomi Matsuzaki, Deerhoof. She somehow manages to rein in Greg Saunier's outlandishly improvised beats alongside John Dieterich's manic guitar lines and make it all work....a natural leader and floor general. Watch your back Malcolm in the Middle.
Listen: "Kidz Are So Small"
And of course, our trusted head coach: Robert Pollard, former high-school basketball stud turned Guided By Voices frontman turned alcoholic. Call it the Dream Team 3.0 , a squad we can all get behind.....ready...1, 2, 3, go team!
OPP
Borders to open 14 digital/physical hybrid stores in 2008 with NO ipod compatibility
NY Times: European Union seeks longer music copyrights
The A.V. Club has a beginner's guide to the Kinks
John McCain's daughter is a music blogger
Brooklyn Based looks at the growing trend of having shows at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple
Beyonce's dad has her back after Grammys dust-up with Aretha Franklin
14 February 2008
8+
"Rhaphsody in Blue" by George Gershwin which clocks in at 14:25
It's Valentine's Day, and I'm in love.
It's not a new love.......
I've been in love with George Gershwin's "Rhaphsody in Blue" since fa-ever. I know I'm not the only one, I know it's one of humanity's all-time great songs (actually, just think about that for a minute, because it truly is... I wonder, what are some others? ) and as such, this is an extremely difficult 8+ to write about. In fact, I simply can't. What new thought can I bring to the table on the topic of this song?
I could tell you that it just might be my favorite song ever (which, all things considered, is true). I could tell you that I really love the use of it in Woody Allen's Manhattan and in Disney's Fantasia 2000 (check out clips of the song, as used in these films, over on EARF), but really didn't care for the arrangement that was presented when Herbie Hancock & Lang Lang played the song at the 2008 Grammys (also viewable on EARF) because of the way it was hacked to pieces. Not by the performers, it was a real treat to see those two men play a two-piano version of the song with an orchestra, but by whoever arranged it to be a full eight minutes shorter than the version of the song that's posted here. Which, in my highly uneducated opinion, is a nearly criminal offense, given that the best version of "Rhaphsody in Blue" that in existence is the one posted above. Sure, it lacks the signature clarinet and trumpet touches because it's simply a two-piano version of the song, but that's the beauty of it. It's a stripped down listen to a masterpiece; great music doesn't get any more perfect than this. In fact, to achieve what you hear here, the original Gershwin-recorded piano roll was played on a grand piano which was then placed in a concert hall. It's a recording that comes across sounding as something you might've heard if you were around and fortunate enough to hear George Gershwin play the song on piano in person. And I love it. Now you go and love it.
If you're interested in learning more about "Rhaphsody in Blue" start by checking out the Wikipedia page about it and continue by reading the excellent book Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue by David Schiff.
*above photo of the original sheet music of the two piano version of "Rhapsody in Blue" from HERE.
Buy Gershwin Plays Gershwin - The Piano Rolls on Amazon.
EAR FARM's 8+ is a weekly feature that showcases songs longer than 8 minutes. In the recent past these songs were featured on EF's 8+:
Múm - "Smell Memory"
Tool - "Lateralus"
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks - "Real Emotional Trash"
Iron Maiden - "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son"
Mandy Reid - "Tornado"
Genesis - "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight"
Metallica - "Master of Puppets"
British Sea Power - “Lately”
To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM's 8+ click HERE.
EAR FARM's Valentine's Day Mix 3: Easily the Cheesiest
Ah Valentine's Day. That syrupy sweet, send flowers to your special someone, son of a gun of a shopping day holiday. If the lords of commerce didn't make off with all of your available credit over the Christmas/Chanukkah season then here comes good ol' February 14th to finish you off. But, but, you don't have to go spending money at the chocolatier, or Hallmark, to get the most out of this holiday. The way we here at EAR FARM see it, whether you've got a sweetheart or not, chances are you'll be listening to music today. And that's where EAR FARM comes in...
My own favorite gift to give (and receive) on this special day has always been the old reliable personalized mix. Not the most original idea, but there is a great deal of genius (and/or love, lust, longing, displeasure, disdain...) that can be relayed in the execution of a well put together mix. The past two years EAR FARM has posted a couple of very special (cheesy) mixes for your enjoyment (links below) and it's become a bit of a tradition. So, this year EAR FARM is back with another very special Cheesy Valentine's Day Mix. And this time it's all about SLOW JAMS.
Slow jams: "the term is most commonly reserved for soft-sounding songs with heavily emotional or romantic lyrical content". In other words, it's the cheesiest EF Valentine's Day mix yet. Irresistibly cheesy. We've highlighted some choice "emotional or romantic" lyrical content from each jam below.
Please enjoy this special gift from EAR FARM to all of you. Download it and give it to your sweetheart and tell him/her that you put the mix together yourself, or enjoy listening to it together and watch the sparks fly (remember, this is a mix meant to be listened to first song to last - it's better that way, trust me), OR (if you're without sweetheart) download this over-the-top get-in-your-pants cheesy slowjam fest and burn it to CD and smash it. One way or another, we hope you enjoy. Click below to view/download the mix.
EAR FARM's Valentine's Day Mix 3: Easily the Cheesiest
1. "My, My, My" by Johnny Gill - BUY the album
"Girl you are so fine
I can't believe you're mine
And all I wanna do
I wanna make love to you"
2. "Shake You Down" by Gregory Abbott - BUY the album
"Girl I wanna shake you down
I could give you all the loving you need
Come on let me take you down
We'll go all the way to heaven"
3. "Stroke You Up" by Changing Faces - BUY the album
"Do you mind if I stroke you up (I don't mind)
Do you mind if I stroke you down (I don't mind)
All through the night (I don't mind)
Until your body's tired"
4. "All My Life" by K-Ci & JoJo - BUY the album
"Girl you are close to me just like my mother
Close to me just like my father
Close to me just like my sister
Close to me just like my brother
You are the only one, my everything, and for you this song I sing"
5. "Come & Talk to Me" by Jodeci - BUY the album
"Tell you what it means to me
To see you walking by my way
It really makes my day
Before I go to sleep and dream about you
I'm a single man
I hope that you are single too"
6. "Let Me Love You" by Mario - BUY the album
"If I was ya man (baby you)
Never worry 'bout (what I do)
I'd be coming home (back to you)
Every night, doin' you right
You're the type of woman (deserves good thangs)
Fistful of diamonds (hand full of rings)"
7. "Let's Chill" by Guy - BUY the album
"From the first time I saw your face
Girl, I knew I had to have you
I wanted to wrap you with my warm embrace
Visions of your lovely face"
8. "Your Body's Callin'" by R. Kelly - BUY the album
"Whatever it is you want from me, baby
You see you don't have to say nothing
Knowing your body wants something
And it's easy for me to see
That your body's callin' for me"
9. "Freak Me" by Silk - BUY the album
"Let me lick you up and down
Til you say stop
Let me play with your body baby
Make you real hot
Let me do all the things you want me to do
Cuz tonight baby I wanna get freaky with you"
10. "I Wanna Sex You Up" by Color Me Badd - BUY the album
"Don't be shy girl come to me
Open up your heart and I'll set you free
I want to touch you in all the
right places, baby
I want to make love to you
All night..."
11. "Have You Seen Her" by MC Hammer - BUY the album
"Oh, my sweet love,
searching 'round the world, what more can I say?
the girl is hard to see like an unseen VJ,
Have you seen her? Tell me have you seen her?"
12. "Secret Lovers" by Atlantic Starr - BUY the album
"In the middle of making love we notice the time
We both get nervous ‘cause it’s way after nine
Even though we hate it, we know it’s time that we go
We gotta be careful so that no one will know"
13. "You Are My Lady" by Freddie Jackson - BUY the album
"There's something that I want to say
But words sometimes get in the way
I just want to show my feelings for you
There's nothing that I'd rather do
Than spend every moment with you
I guess you should know - I love you so"
14. "Roni" by Bobby Brown - BUY the album
"The truth about a roni, she's always on the phone
Talking to her homeboy, wishin' they were home alone
She sends ya lovely letters, with the smell of sweet perfume
This is what a real tenderoni likes to do for you"
15. "For the Love of You (Pt. 1 & 2)" by The Isley Brothers - BUY the album
"Now and then I lose my way
Using words that try to say
What I feel, yeah, love is real
Oh love is real oooh!
I might as well sign my name
On a card which could say it better"
16. "Close the Door" by Teddy Pendergrass - BUY the album
"Close the door baby
And let me know you're mine
Plenty good lovin' all through the night
And then again, and then again,
When the morning comes"
***Download the entire mix as a .zip HERE***
*check out a bonus (live) slow jam over on EARF.
See also:
EAR FARM's Easy Cheesy Valentine's Day Mix (2006)
EAR FARM's Valentine's Day Mix 2: Easy Cheesier (2007)
(above image - the cheesiest Valentine's Day image we could possibly find - found HERE)
Spam Filter: Mobius Band Releases Free Valentine's Day EP Today
Available for free TODAY as either a nudge nudge wink wink to Cupid or straight-up celebration of that thing called love (your call really), Mobius Band is offering a free covers EP - appropriately titled Love Will Reign Supreme - of loooooove songs.
Head HERE today for your free download plus album art or click HERE for the ZIP file.
Here's the tracklist:
1 Razor Love (originally by Neil Young)
2 Baby We'll Be Fine (The National) - this cover pretty much rules
3 True Love Will Find You In The End (Daniel Johnston)
4 Mobius Band In A Green Cotton Sweater (Casiotone For The
Painfully Alone)
5 I'll Keep It With Mine (Bob Dylan)
6 Digital Love (Daft Punk)
OPP
PopMatters: It's VILE-entines Day, so here are ten other things to love
NY Times' Kelefa Sanneh marvels at Foals' short guitar straps
Wired checks out a Japanese acne-fighting MP3 player?
Donewaiting has many SXSW showcase updates
As promised, Pitchfork talked to Islands' Nick Thorburn
Brooklyn's Crystal Stilts had their van stolen
An ongoing battle in Belgium over an Eminem song
13 February 2008
Band of the Week: Goes Cube
Band: Goes Cube
From: Brooklyn, NY
Sound: heavy '80s & '90s hardcore/metal influences, '00s sound
Similar Artists: Helmet, Slint, Melvins, Fugazi, Isis
Listen Now: “Goes Cube Song 57”
Goes Cube... say it with me now... is one of EAR FARM's top, most favorite, best loved, bands in the WORLD. "Yeah yeah, we know we know," I can hear you now mocking me like those chipmunky vocals in "Jam On It". But, well, it's true. And I have to keep reminding everyone because not enough people are believing me! Come on world, there's no time like the present to wake up and smell the Cube (ew), right? Metal is cool again, the '90s are back, and the time couldn't be any more perfect for you to suddenly discover your inner loud-music-oholic and dive headfirst into one of Brooklyn's top unsigned bands. Here's your wicked simple cheat sheet: Helmet + Slint + Melvins + Fugazi + Isis = Goes Cube. If that combination doesn't whet your appetite then you've got some serious research to do once you realize how much you love this band.
A bit of history. Goes Cube is comprised of three guys from Brooklyn, NY - Kenny Appell (drums), Matthew Frey (bass guitar), and David Obuchowski (guitar/vocals). David and Matt met in college at the University of Illinois where they played in a few college bands together. Years later they found themselves together again in Brooklyn and formed Goes Cube, originally using a drum machine to handle percussion. Songs were written and the duo caught a bit of attention around New York as a band to watch out for. But also, as a band in serious need of a drummer. This, coincidentally, is where both Kenny and myself come into the picture one fateful evening over two years ago at an extinct Lower East Side club called Sin-é.
The night I'm referring to was Goes Cube's first show with their new drummer Kenny. Ever since seeing them play this first show as a three-piece (click here to see a post about the show, and to see a much younger looking Goes Cube/EAR FARM) I've wanted - needed - more and more of their music in my life. It was pretty simple really, I needed loud and awesome, this band needed to deliver it, and I've gobbled up every number they put out there since then. From 17 all the way to 60 (if you're new here, the titles to Goes Cube's songs are numerical - they don't lack titles, they're simply numbered titles, you'll see), Goes Cube's music became part of my world; fitting so well with all of the happy times, the sad times, and mostly, the angry times. Which, if you happen to interact with other people at all (especially in a strenuous work environment), can often outnumber the happy/sad times. The angry times can, I mean.
Anyway, if you've spent any time, whatsoever, on this site since early 2006, you already know most of this. What you might not know is that Goes Cube is getting set to go on another expansive tour of the US, getting ready to blister SXSW with their music, and to release an outstanding tour-only EP called Not What We Thought. For these reasons they appear here, this week, as EAR FARM's band of the week. Alert the neighbors, it's about to get loud...
From the very moment play is pressed, Not What We Thought finds Goes Cube in full-on attack mode. At the risk of losing your eyes permanently to the sheer power of Goes Cube, I suggest you go ahead and click on “Goes Cube Song 57” below, right now. It's the first track from Not What We Thought and will help illustrate what I'm trying to convey better than any combination of my words might. Turn it up and I'll do my best with language, but by all means feel free to hop up from your chair and thrash around.
“Goes Cube Song 57” - visceral, immediate, imposing, electrifying, mathy, and METAL. I liken the start of this song, of the entire EP, to waking up from a deep sleep only to find that you're in the middle of being pushed out of an airplane at 10,000ft. The experience at first shocks you, then terrifies you; but once you've pressed play, it's already too late. For those already familiar with this band, it's worth noting just exactly how heavy the band has become over the past year and a half. Listen. The work of producer Dean Baltulonis is completely top notch, every element of this song (and every song on the EP) shines exactly as it should: deep grooving bass acts as an anchor, the drums blast through the mix with a flurry of savage fills, and the guitar rises up to the front perfectly at just the right moment, time and again, to remind us exactly what this band is really all about. “Goes Cube Song 57” is pure magic - a perfect example of where the band is now and where they're likely headed in the future.
Track two, “Goes Cube Song 53”, is a bit plodding as it begins. As such, it's a potential sand trap for impatient first time listeners. But stay with it, because Goes Cube always delivers an oh-my-GOODness moment in each song. Here that'll come in the form of time changes and a truly vicious finish that leads rather nicely into the welcome calm of the beginning of "Goes Cube Song 49". 49, the only track recorded at a different time than every other song on this EP, is a personal favorite for me and reminds me of my time spent with the band on tour in 2007. It's full of melancholy, memories, and nostalgia. Again, place your trust in Goes Cube as the song evolves effortlessly from its humble beginnings of listless melancholia to a full bore sledgehammer assault at the blink of an eye around the 2:40 mark. Watch that you don't get too attached to it though - it's MY song and you can't have it.
The fourth track, "Goes Cube Song 56", is Not What We Thought's second two minute explosion song. It's relentless, just listen to the fills and the METAL of this song. By looking back at what's made so many hardcore & metal bands of the '80s and '90s successful, Goes Cube has offered a road map for the future of heavy music right here in Song 56, on all of Not What We Thought. Deadly.
The real heart of the record can be found on the final two tracks, "Goes Cube Song 54" and "Goes Cube Song 50". The songs are technically separate, but act together to form a cohesive whole that does more than any other song on the EP to state the band's case for how on top of their game they are at the moment. 54 finds the band exploring a bit more of their atmospheric and heady side and the recording of the drums in this song is particularly worth noting. "Goes Cube Song 50" is the band's final push towards the finish line. Here's a tip: give your stereo an extra boost on the volume throughout the track as you're listening. It'll knock you out. Slowly at first, and then like a machine gun. Like that scene in the beginning of Robocop when Ripley gets thoroughly blasted by the bullets of every bad guy in all of Detroit, you'll be left lying there blistered and happily thrashed as Song 50 rings out and brings the record to an end.
Overall, Not What We Thought signifies a band that is maturing, growing. The vocals throughout the EP are more forward in the mix (refreshingly so) and the guitar work is more studied and intricate without losing one ounce of punching power. The bass is also both of those things and the drums are a tad more nuanced without losing any of their fury. I highly recommend seeking out the band in the coming weeks to pickup a copy of this record.
As I already mentioned, Goes Cube is getting ready to head out on another big tour (dates below), this time connecting with their friends from the bands The Giraffes, Freshkills, Hull, and Constants on select dates as they melt faces across the US heading to/back from South by Southwest in Austin. In fact, they're currently actively seeking out shows during SXSW - anytime/anywhere - so get in touch with the band if you'd like to fill out your SXSW bill with one seriously loud, honest, kick-ass rock band. Having seen a remarkable number of Goes Cube shows myself, I can promise you this: if you are wise enough to attend a Goes Cube concert, regardless of the time/date/venue/your own state of mind, you will be impressed, well-rocked, and very very happy that you saw them. What more can a fan of live music ask for?
Listen:
“Goes Cube Song 57” (from Not What We Thought)
“Goes Cube Song 46” (previously recorded)
See Goes Cube Live:
22 February - BAM Next Festival @ Magnetic Field, Brooklyn, New York
23 February - Backstage at Rose’s Cantina w/ SUICIDE DOLLS and MYTY KONKEROR, Groton, Connecticut
5 March - The Red And The Black w/ The Giraffes, Washington DC, Washington DC
6 March - Lava Lounge w/ Medic Medic, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
7 March - Gypsy Hut, Cincinnati, Ohio
8 March - Mike & Molly’s w/ Audrye Sessions, Champaign, Illinois
10 March - Soundpony w/ The Counterlife, Tulsa, Oklahoma
11 March - Lakewood Bar & Grill, Dallas, Texas
12 March - The Big Texas Jumpstart at the Creekside Lounge with Spinto Band, Division Day, AA Bondy, and more, Austin, Texas
13 March - TBA, Austin, Texas
14 March - TBA, Austin, Texas
15 March - TBA, Austin, Texas
16 March - TBA, Austin, Texas
17 March - SXSW Overflow Fest @ Super Happy Fun Land w/ Cougar Den, Pleasureboaters, and Pharmacy, Houston, Texas
18 March - Unity Print Co. / Art Gallery w/ Johnny 2x4 and the Ripshits, and Jerusalem High, Gulfport, Mississippi
19 March - North Gate Tavern w/ Freshkills, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
20 March - The Gravity Gallery w/ Freshkills, Clinton, Mississippi
21 March - Newby’s w/ Freshkills, Memphis, Tennessee
22 March - Springwater Supper Club, Nashville, Tennessee
23 March - Soundlab 84, Atlanta, Georgia
24 March - Crack Soup w/ Hammer No More The Fingers, IED, Urban Turban, Charlotte, North Carolina
25 March - Hell Bar w/ Hammer No More The Fingers, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
26 March - Nara Sushi w/ Onion, Pharmacy, and Snorklewhacker, Richmond, Virginia
27 March - Talking Head Club w/ Paul Michel, Baltimore, Maryland
28 March - Homecoming show w/ Constants, Hull, Look Mexico @ Union Pool, Brooklyn, New York
30 May - Pilam, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
31 May - Brillobox, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Visit Goes Cube on MySpace.
Checkout a Goes Cube music video over on EARF.
*above photo courtesy of Jackie Roman.
--
In the recent past, the following bands have been featured as EAR FARM's Band of the Week:
Magic Arm
Drink Up Buttercup
The Big Sleep
Pete and the Pirates
Dead Confederate
Throw Me The Statue
Screaming Tea Party
Graveyard
See the entire list of bands featured as EAR FARM's Band of the Week HERE.
Pinback does Fuse TV, SSLYBY shills Mastercard (?) and Other News = Yesterday in MySpace Bulletins
Who needs RSS feeds, PR email blasts, and hyperbolic blog posts* when you've got a good old fashioned community bulletin board still up and running on MySpace?
True, the 21st-century equivalent to cork-board and thumbtack affixed solicitations for ride shares and pottery classes down at the rec center may have lost some of its shine to Facebook, but there's still much desirable info to be collected. Keep reading to hear about Pinback playing live on Fuse TV, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin shilling Mastercard, and Evangelicals waxing on Neutral Milk Hotel. Call it OPP part deux...
Example: The Bulletin Board Exclusive - This is breaking news direct from the horse's (err, Rob Crow's) mouth.
Case Study: Pinback
Bulletin Subject: Pinback invited onto Fuel TV's "The Daily Habit"
Body: Fuel TV's "The Daily Habit," which covers the best in alternative sports, pop culture, music and comedy, has invited Pinback to perform live on Friday, February 22 at 9pm EST. If you don't have cable, find a friend that does! If you do have cable, find a friend that doesn't! What we're trying to say is find a way to watch, and make sure you spread the love. Tune in and tune up!
Prognosis: I didn't know that, did you? Who pays attention to Fuel TV? EXACTLY. Circle the date...
Listen: "Good To Sea"
Example: The Hidden News Item - Mentioned as almost an afterthought within a bulletin board post.
Case Study: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
Bulletin Subject: Our Show Tonight = Cancelled
Body: We have to cancel our show tonight because of icey roads. It's rescheduled for Tuesday, March 25th. More info soon...
Oh yeah, that Mastercard commercial got canceled too... it'll probably air in a couple weeks.
New tour dates really soon!!
Prognosis: Mastercard commercial? That's the first we've heard of SSLYBY shilling plastic. Heck, even a Google search undertaken in the guise of journalistic integrity failed to unearth anything about this. Details please?
Listen: "Glue Girls"
Example: The "On Second Thought" Bulletin - Or, one that makes me go back and read an article I otherwise would have skipped.
Case Study: Evangelicals
Bulletin Subject: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.
Body: Sup dudes...
This month is the 10 year anniversary of Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea... I wrote a few words on how I feel about the record over at Pitchfork. You can read about my embarrassment of not liking it and how I eventually found redemption.
Also, did any of you guys catch Friday Night Lights this last Friday? I was in Europe visiting my brother so I missed it but apparently they played "Diving" from So Gone during a scene taking place at a megachurch. Now we sit back and wait for the royalties to come flooding in....!
Prognosis: My eyes usually glaze over when I see the words "Neutral Milk Hotel" and "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea", not like I don't enjoy the album but I just find the fuss made over it disproportionate to it's actual worth. Hearing someone else's take on the album however - and this being someone whose music I respect very much - makes for a nice angle from which to submerge myself in NMH overkill (Happy 10th Anniversary). Oh right, this post also garners consideration as a "Hidden News Item"...Evangelicals on Friday Night Lights? How did I miss this?
Listen: "Diving"
*please don't ever stop reading these hyperbolic blog posts
OPP
Beck talks to Rolling Stone about the secret history behind each track on Odelay
Martin Scorcese sets his sights on making a Bob Marley documentary
Islands sign to Anti- Records, Pitchfork interview with Nick Thorburn forthcoming today
The A.V. Club interviews zombie O.G. George Romero
Stereogum has Radiohead's video for "Videotape"
It's official: Stone Temple Pilots reuniting for Ohio festival
Go git you some Ratatat's Remixes VOL II for free
New York Times reviews the new play Mom, How Did You Meet the Beatles?
12 February 2008
I Want My MTV - Grammy Award Winners
Below is a selection of eleven music videos from artists who won an award at the 2008 Grammy Awards.
"Rehab" by Amy Winehouse (above, winner of Grammy for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album)
"Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (above, winner of Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals)
"Icky Thump" by The White Stripes (above, winner of Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals, Best Alternative Music Album)
"Stronger" by Kanye West (above, winner of Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Album)
"Umbrella" by Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z (above, winner of Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration)
"God's Gonna Cut You Down" by Johnny Cash (above, winner of Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video)
Unembedable:
Three for Free - Cheeseburger, Dirty On Purpose, Gabby Glaser
EAR FARM's Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted each week. This week - three that came to us via On the Moon Music. Click on the artist name to go to their site, click on the song name to listen to the song.
Listen:
Cheeseburger - "Easy Street"
Dirty On Purpose - "Mind Blindness"
Gabby Glaser - "Naturally High"
FREE White Rabbits Show at BAM Cafe This Saturday
I hadn't noticed this before and did a bit of a double-take when I stumbled across this show announcement listed on the White Rabbits' site, but sure enough...
The fine folks behind the McCarren Pool Parties - JellyNYC - are sponsoring a free Brooklyn Next event this Saturday evening, Feb 16th, at the BAM Cafe with White Rabbits as headliners. Miss Fairchild and EFFI BRIEST are opening and the evening kicks off at 10pm.
Also also, the night before features another kickass free event, as the Black Rock Coalition presents Power Douglas with Dragons of Zynth and Tunde and Kyp from TV on the Radio as openers. Wowza.
Two nights of amazing free music at BAM. Do it.
*above photo taken by me at 12/13/07 Bowery show, read the original show review HERE.
Listen: "While We Go Dancing"
Visit White Rabbits on MySpace
Sonic Youth New Album and Art Show? An EF Cover Art Psuedo-Retrospective
Some snooping around on the internets has yielded two pieces of welcome info for all of us RATHER RIPPED and DIRTY with GOO in desperate need of a WASHING MACHINE somewhere on MURRAY STREET and okay okay I'll stop, sorry.
Firstly, Twisted Ear (no affiliation) has reported that Sonic Youth will begin writing their new album this spring with the hopes of releasing it early next year. In the piece, Thurston Moore is quoted as saying, "We haven’t gotten together in about four months, we’ve been taking a nice sort of break, which is good. I’ve been actually able to escape into the basement. We’re going to Australia next week for about two weeks then we’ll come back and start writing."
Second, New York Magazine's Vulture blog picked up another scoop from Moore during Fashion Week, in which he told them that the band is launching an art show that will stop in several cities. More Moore words: "We're putting together this museum show that's utilizing all the artists that we've worked with on different covers and concepts, and that's going to happen for two or three years."
The rumored New York location is the Whitney. Hot dog. In celebration of this news, EF has put together a little picture show (with mood music) of some of our favorite Sonic Youth album covers (excluding compilations, solo outings, one-offs etc) with credit info to give you all a little taste of what to expect when this exhibit touches down. Visually, my personal favorite has always been Murray Street. And you? Anyway, check them out after the jump...
Sister - 1987 - Cover Photos from Public Domain* 
*note: A Richard Avedon photo sat where the black patch is now but was removed from the collage after he threatened legal action
Dirty - 1992 - Artwork: Mike Kelley
Washing Machine - 1995 - Photography: Lance Acord
Murray Street - 2002 - Photography: Stefano Giovannini, Art Direction: Frank Olinsky
Sonic Nurse - 2004 - Photography, Paintings: Richard Prince, Art Direction: Frank Olinsky
Listen: "Disconnection Notice"
Today's NEW Releases
Perhaps by now you've deduced we're particularly excited for the BSP album:
- British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
- Michael Jackson - Thriller (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
- The Two Man Gentleman Band - Heavy Petting
- Widespread Panic - Free Somehow
- Smashing Pumpkins - American Gothic (Import EP)
OPP
NYU Researchers study music blog buzz
Drowned in Sound likes EF Band of Week alums Pete and the Pirates
LA Times: 25 facts about Thriller
NME rumormongers about the potential of a Pavement reunion
First The Black Crowes, now Dolly Parton to cancel SXSW shows
Pitchfork doesn't like the new British Sea Power album, the A.V. Club does though
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills face off in court
11 February 2008
Hit-or-miss: "Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone" by The Walkmen
Listen:
"Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone" by The Walkmen from Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone
View:
Image search results for Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone - above image is from the tenth page of results (and was originally from HERE).
--
In the recent past these songs were featured in Hit-or-miss posts:
"Cosmic Dancer" by T. Rex
"I Just Called to Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder
"Stay On Your Toes" by Del Tha Funkee Homosapien
"The Queen Of Outer Space" by The Wedding Present
"Powder Blue" by Ween
"Good Morning, Captain" by Slint
"Septopus Theme" by Brendon Small
"Hilary" by The Fall
To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM's Hit-or-miss (and to find out just what this Hit-or-miss is) click HERE.
British Sea Power: new album, live videos, massive US tour with The Rosebuds, Colourmusic, and 1900's
What happens when two of EAR FARM's most favorite bands play two shows in NYC together over a single weekend in May? Up to this point, one could only imagine; however, we'll get a chance to see for ourselves when British Sea Power and The Rosebuds return to New York TOGETHER to hit up Bowery Ballroom and the Music Hall of Williamsburg on May 10th and 11th respectively.
The fun doesn't begin and end there: British Sea Power have a whole slew of US dates lined up for 2008 and will be dropping their third LP (titled Do You Like Rock Music?) tomorrow. Full tour dates, an MP3, live video, and links to where you can stream the entire album, after the jump.
British Sea Power - 2008 Tour Dates
Feb 25 San Diego, CA @ Casbah *
Feb 27 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo *
Feb 28 Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland *
Feb 29 Visalia, CA @ Cellar Door *
Mar 01 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill (NoisePop) *
Mar 03 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir *
Mar 04 Seattle, WA @ Neumo's *
Mar 05 Vancouver, BC @ Plaza Club *
Mar 08 Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive *
Mar 12 New York NY @ Late Show w/David Letterman
Mar 13-16 Austin TX @ SxSW
Mar 19 Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room *
Mar 20 Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews *
Mar 21 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock *
Mar 22 Urbana, IL @ Canopy Club ++
Mar 24 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle ++
Mar 25 Pontiac, MI @ Eagle Theatre ++
Mar 26 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop ++
Mar 27 Columbus, OH @ The Basement ++
Mar 28 Louisville, KY @ Phoenix Hill Tavern ++
Mar 29 St. Louis, MO @ Billiken Club ++
Apr 11 TBC
Apr 12 Austin, TX @ Club Deville
Apr 13 Houston, TX @ Engine Room
Apr 15 Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
Apr 16 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
Apr 17 Tallahassee, FL @ Club Downunder - Florida State University
Apr 18 Orlando, FL @ The Social
Apr 19 Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
Apr 20 Mount Pleasant, SC @ Village Tavern
Apr 21 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
Apr 22 Birmingham, AB @ Bottletree
Apr 23 Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone
May 1 Columbia, MO @ Mojo's **
May 2 Oxford, MS @ Proud Larry's **
May 3 Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge **
May 4 Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle **
May 6 Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle **
May 7 Charlottesville, VA @ Satelite Ballroom **
May 8 Washington, DC @ Black Cat **
May 9 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's **
May 10 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom **
May 11 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg **
May 13 Boston, MA @ Paradise **
May 14 TBC
May 15 Montreal, QUE @ La Sala Rossa **
May 16 Toronto, ONT @ Lee's Palace **
May 17 Buffalo, NY @ The Tralf **
May 18 TBC
* w/ Colourmusic
** w/ The Rosebuds
++ w/ 1900's
Listen:
"Waving Flags" by British Sea Power
Stream Do You Like Rock Music? in its entirety on Spinner or BSP's MySpace.
Check out video from British Sea Power's recent appearance on Later… with Jools Holland over on EARF.
***tour date listing shamelessly copy/pasted from HERE***
Previously on Lost
Previously on Lost is a band. A band you say? That's right. Two guys, Jeff Curtin and Adam Schatz, who've decided that the best way to recap each week's brand new episode of the television show LOST is to make an original song about it as soon as possible. They call it re-cap rock. I call it worth checking out... if you're a LOST nut too. Each new song will be posted on the band's MySpace page on the Monday following the previous Thursday's broadcast of LOST. Check out lyrics to this week's song "Just Wink" after the jump."Just Wink"
Visit Previously on Lost on MySpace.
No one seems to say what they mean anymore
People won’t say what's on their mind
I’ve had it up to here with Jack’s Jears and Sawyer’s Snark
Dan says the light doesn’t scatter quite right
Maybe that’s why I’m always in the dark…
Four new visitors brought to our side
They have purposes here which they won’t confide
Their jobs are unclear, why are they here?
What are they doing in this hemisphere?
Got guns to our heads but there’s no sense to argue
I don’t know Miles, how stupid are you?
As his comrade went down, she said under cover
Remember to tell my sister I love her…
When you can’t just say what you think
When you can’t just say what you think
...just wink
Locke seems to know when the storm’s gonna hault,
But he gets all his secrets from taller ghost walt
You can block a bullet with a bullet proof vest
Or it’s cool to use missing organs in your chest
If you saw Jacob’s cabin keep it in your brain
Just say that you thought they were talking ‘bout the plane
The knowledge Ben holds is as old as the sphinx
But he can’t just say what he thinks
When you can’t just say what you think
When you can’t just say what you think
...just wink
But no wink could explain
Why a passenger plane
With a surgeon on board
Who commanded us stranded us,
Lost on an island, we’re low on supplies and…
(well not really, and we have TONS of guns)
Our hope is starting to shrink!
What's in a wink?
Naomi’s dead, Locke had to stop her
Said she and the others were all imposters
And this didn’t fly with the righteous doctor
Who wants to ride in a helicopter??
When you can’t just say what you think
When you can’t just say what you think
...just wink
Liars and No Age @ Warsaw - 9 February 2008 (pics, video, MP3s)
Liars (above) and No Age played an amazing show at Warsaw this past Friday night. Both bands were on point: No Age proving themselves (at least) worthy of all of the attention they've received over the past six months and Liars simply proving themselves to be one of the best bands on the planet. More pictures, as well as live video/MP3s of three Liars songs, after the jump.
Listen:
"Houseclouds" by Liars (live from this show)
"Freak Out -> Drum And The Uncomfortable Can" by Liars (live from this show)
Watch:
"Houseclouds" by Liars live (from this show) on YouTube | download QT
"Freak Out -> Drum And The Uncomfortable Can" by Liars live (from this show) on YouTube | download QT
See more EF pictures from this show: Liars | No Age
Other coverage of this show: Sound Bites | Promethium Dreams | Product Shop NYC | punkphoto | Pop Tarts Suck Toasted | BrooklynVegan | Subinev (pics)
OPP
Winehouse, West, Hancock Win Big At 50th Annual Grammys
Originality abounds - Idolator live-blogged the Grammy Awards last night; and so did Stereogum and so did BrooklynVegan... total comments 954, worthwhile content 0.
The 7 Most Unforgivable Grammy Award Snubs of All Time
Popmatters: The Phases of Pink Floyd
The Guardian: 10 essential albums for spring
Radiohead greatest hits album on the way?
Deaf Indie Elephants celebrates the 10th anniversary of In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Universal Music is recruiting monks and other sacred singers to record an album
08 February 2008
Adagetude: Clinic, Liars... PB Max?
Murphy, whoever he was, clearly was more opportunist than optimist, somehow getting his name attached to perhaps the most well-known (yet pessimistic) adage under the sun. But what about the lesser-known eponymous laws, the proverbs that lay in semi-anonymity just waiting to be referenced at dinner parties and the like? Buckle up, because it's time you adjusted your adagetude. This week:
Herblock's Law - "If you like it, they will stop making it."
Arrested Development, PB Max, Pepsi Clear, the Unicorns, Freaks and Geeks, where have you all gone? You were cut down in your prime, achieving mythic status in sharp relief to the gaping void left behind. How do you explain yourselves?
Arrested Development (think Ron Howard's voice): Are you kidding me? At best, you were a casual viewer during our three-season death march to cancellation.
Me: Well, if Fox hadn’t changed your time slot every week maybe I could have adjusted accordingly. Remember, this was pre-DVR for me, and I did the best I could. And, who was the first to buy all three seasons on DVD when they came out?
AD: Your roommate.
Me: Right, okay, but who dressed as Tobias Fünke for Halloween two years ago, shivering in the freezing cold in never-nude jean shorts?
AD: You. But would you have even entertained that idea if we were still on the air?
Me: I don’t like your tone…..PB Max, what’s your excuse?
PB Max (think James Earl Jones' voice): Excuse? For what?
Me: We had a beautiful thing, the two of us! I can still close my eyes and see THIS and it all comes back to me...Spending my hard-earned allowance for a fix of your peanut-buttery goodness, getting grounded for sneaking out to get you and ditching dinner. And yet you left me, why?
PBM: Did you ever think the only reason you wanted a hunk of the Max was because you weren’t allowed to have it? AND, don’t you suppose that the valuable lesson here is that forbidden fruit is always sweeter?
Me: You weren’t fruit Max, you had something like 30 grams of fat per serving.
PBM: My point stands.
(end scene)
------
Ahh forbidden fruit. That which is out of reach, unattainable, or ceases to exist is that which we covet most. What “we” like is what “they” stop making, and vice versa. And while it may seem that the gods always conspire to cancel, cease production, foreclose on, or disband all of that which we hold semi-sacred, is this really a bad thing?
No way Fünke....
When you stop moving forward and simply repeat what's expected of you, things get stale real quick. Take Clinic for example. Had they chosen to remove their scrubs and face masks after their 2000 full-length debut Internal Wrangler and called it quits, that album most likely would be viewed as a modern classic. Taken on its own, it’s an incredible listen, one that creates its own world of pulsing landscapes haunted by ethereally clenched-jaw vocals amidst a reverb and static-soaked atmosphere. After its release, we all breathlessly swooned over the possibilities of what new direction these Liverpool lads would turn for their next album.
What we got with their sophomore offering Walking With Thee was pretty much the EXACT same album. Okay, but surely the third would be different? Nope. Winchester Cathedral and even Visitations still mined the same familiar territory. The cupboard had been stripped bare. In this case, we liked it and they kept making it. And now as a result I can’t even listen to it.
There may be hope though. The group's latest single "Free Not Free" comprises a step - albeit a small and tentative baby step - in a new direction. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but it just feels oh so slightly.....different. In place of that cold metronomic pulse that has defined their entire catalog to this point is a sputtering blast of distortion offset by a relatively lilting and loose beat. Granted, it's small potatoes, and you can still tell its Clinic within the first 15 seconds, but at least it's an attempt to switch up a staid formula. That it's also the advance single from their new album Do It! bodes well for the rest of the record. Is it too much to hope this is only a warning shot, a vague teaser for an album that offers something different? Or will they continue to defy Herblock's Law? Stay tuned, we'll find out on April 8th.
At the far opposite end of this spectrum are Liars. The ONLY thing this LA by way of Berlin by way of Brooklyn band does consistently is hold true to Herblock’s Law. In 2001 the group (alongside the Rapture) essentially gave birth – or at least acted as midwives – to the burgeoning dance punk sound with They Threw Us All in a Trench and Stuck a Monument on Top. Kids from Williamsburg to Silver Lake (and excluding many points in between) collectively creamed themselves over the album and clamored for another heaping dose of the new hot shit.
Then, to everyone’s amazement, Angus Andrew and company returned in 2004 with They Were Wrong, So We Drowned, a complete departure that had as much in common with their debut as Dave Sitek has to Scott Storch. People were outraged, the media outlets exclaimed, “Sadistic is the only way to describe it-- a conscious effort toward slapping away all the little hands clamoring for more of They Threw Us All in a Trench and Stuck a Monument on Top's antagonistic punk-funk,” and you know what happened next? Horrible bands like the Bravery came sniffing around and gleaned the very dregs of the sound Liars had created on their first album. By then, people could have given less of a shit. The Bravery recognized what people had at one time liked and force-fed it to them. Liars simply stopped making it, instead moving forward and releasing two more critically adored albums that have even less in common with each other than the first two. And the beauty is that people keep liking it just as they continue to stop making it (let's just hope Andrew's back holds up for the Warsaw show on Saturday).
Now, to muddy the conversation by injecting another adage into the fray, it’s often said by everyone from sideshow freaks to virginal zealots - think Lyla from Friday Night Lights - that when God (or whoever/whatever your thing is) closes a door, he opens a window.
Example: the Unicorns. I liked it and they stopped making it, disbanding and leaving us all panicked for a spell. Yet, this move that felt catastrophic at the time prompted Nick Diamonds and J’aime Tambour to form another (and almost as kickass) entity, Islands. And now with Tambour quitting Islands, even more opportunities should arise for future collaborations. Dig Diamonds and Tambour’s recent incarnation as Juiced Elfers for proof.
Finally, look at this past summer’s box office and the phenomenal success of Knocked Up and Superbad, both just a few of the products of the creative diasporas resulting from the dissolution of Arrested Development and Freaks and Geeks. So lighten up Herblock, because most times “when they stop making it,” they start making something else worth our while. And even when they don’t, there’s always the chance for a reunion tour. Oh right, did I mention they're making an Arrested Development movie?
Listen:
"Free Not Free" by Clinic
"Houseclouds" by Liars
"I Was Born (A Unicorn)" by the Unicorns
--
Previously:
Adagetude: Chinese Democracy
The Musician As Artist: Beth Tacular
Very often, the need to create does not manifest via singular passion but instead in a variety of artistic endeavors. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Goethe, the list of polymaths throughout history is extensive. In fact, during the Renaissance period, a gentleman was expected to speak several languages, play a musical instrument, write poetry, and generally dabble in arts and sciences of all variety. To translate that for you, it's like every dude was a walking internet machine and shit - damn!
While science and art don't dance together in one person's mind as often as they perhaps used to, it's not at all uncommon for artists to create not only in a wide variety of mediums, but also across a vast array of fields. You know, the actors who have bands on the side, the chefs who write books, and the musicians who also create various forms of visual art.
--
Today we'll be taking a look at a small selection of work by Beth Tacular. You may know her as the woman who plays accordion, bass drum, and sings in the North Carolina band Bowerbirds, I knew her first as a friend and visual artist. Beth creates across a variety of mediums: pen and ink drawings, watercolor & gouache paintings on paper, acrylic paintings on wood, and three dimensional art constructed of fibers, clay, wood, found objects and papiér maché. She explains... "I love learning about ecology and about the variety of species on earth, and also about human origins, both cultural and anthropological, and I try to learn from my ancestors who still lived off the land. I am inspired to make art, by plants, animals and fungi I encounter in my life, and that I read about in books. I also want to try to slow civilized human culture's nonstop destruction of what's around us. Most of what I do comes out of that desire, so a lot of my art has an underlying socio-political meaning."
View a selection of Beth Tacular's art, and listen to EAR FARM's favorite Bowerbirds song, after the jump.
Listen:
"In Our Talons"
Bowerbirds 2008 Tour Dates:
Feb 23 - Duke Coffeehouse with Midtown Dickens, Durham, NC
Feb 24 - Black Cat Backstage w/ Deleted Scenes, Kitty Hawk - Washington DC
Feb 26 - Johnny Brenda’s with Phosphorescent, Philadelphia, PA
Feb 27 - Union Hall with Phosphorescent, Brooklyn, NY
Feb 29 - Mercury Lounge with Phosphorescent, New York, NY
Mar 1 - Iron Horse Music Hall with Phosphorescent, Northampton, MA
Mar 3 - Waldron Arts Center with Phosphorescent, Bloomington, IN
Mar 4 - Schubas, Chicago, IL
Mar 5 - 7th Street Entry with Phosphorescent, Minneapolis, MN
Mar 6 - The Slowdown with Phosphorescent, Omaha, NE
Mar 7 - Jackpot with Phosphorescent, Lawrence, KS
Mar 8 - The Opolis w/ Phosphorescent, Bodies of Water, Norman, OK
Mar 10 - The Cavern w/ Phosphorescent, Bodies of Water, Dallas, TX
Mar 12 - South by Southwest @ TBA, Austin, Texas
Mar 13 - South by Southwest @ TBA, Austin, Texas
Mar 14 - South by Southwest @ TBA, Austin, Texas
Mar 15 - South by Southwest @ TBA, Austin, Texas
Visit Beth Tacular's site where you can contact her about purchasing original works.
Visit Bowerbirds on MySpace.
--
Previously:
The Musician As Artist: Daniel Johnston
OPP
SXSW announced the first official list of bands playing the festival in Austin this year
Bob Marley documentary next up for Martin Scorsese
Winehouse won't be at Grammy Awards, instead to perform via satellite
Feds eye music site backed by two labels
People actually pay to use Napster?
Timbaland creating mobile album for Verizon
Songerize is the "I'm Feeling Lucky" of online music (unlucky for some however, based upon the two songs I searched for)
The 50 greatest UK indie records of all time
Justin Timberlake signs on to star in The Open Road
Neil Young has a pessimistic message: music has lost its power to change the world
07 February 2008
8+
"Smell Memory" by Múm which clocks in at 9:23
Two days ago, early Tuesday morning around 1am, I lost internet service at my home. A mini-disaster for someone such as myself, without doubt. I spent the better part of the evening troubleshooting everything I could think of - trying in vain to crack the codes to the other secure networks in my apartment building and unplugging/re-plugging the power to my cable modem and AirPort thirty-two times each. I know, I counted. Come on, what else was there for me to do without the internet?? Needed internet! But, nothing. I pacified myself by digging through some old bits and pieces of things I've begun writing and never finished, my "saved for later" folder. You'll find one such example posted below. It's something I honestly never figured would see the light of day.
Anyway, I went to bed that night hungry for information, dissatisfied (and even disgusted - you'll see) with my own writing snippets, and well aware of the fact that a dreaded phone call to Time Warner and a visit to a public internet cafe awaited me whenever I awoke. I barely slept.
The following morning, after clearing many of life's miniature hurdles, I found myself in quite a quandary. There I stood outside the door to the bathroom in one particular New York City Dunkin' Donuts - doing my interneting and having asked for a medium coffee but having received (and consumed) a large - painfully needing to urinate but entirely unable to open the restroom door. It wasn't locked, but rather blocked. Blocked by that smell. THAT smell. That smell. You can probably (kind of) guess what I'm talking about here, but this was a very particular stench I'd smelled only once before. A scent wall so imposing that it brought little tearlets to the corners of my eyes and a touch of the taste of whatever had caused this smell to my tongue. Nearly cramping, considering either pissing my pants or grabbing an empty coffee cup to use as a toilet in the corner, I suddenly considered a potentially larger problem than my bladder. Impending vomit. I was a complete and utter wreck. Surrounded by the inferior aroma of donuts and brewing coffee, I did my best to conjure the one happy smell I knew that just might bring an end to my misery. Sweet chocolate chip cookies.
You might remember a mention I once made of the first time I realized the ability of olfaction to elicit memories... the short version of the story is that it happened when I was a child: I smelled fresh, baking, chocolate chip cookies and it sent me back. How far back is debatable, since I was about eight years old at the time and thus didn't have very far back to go, but I realized in that very moment that I was experiencing some manner of time travel brought about by the smell of those cookies. Often I find that pleasant memories are tied to familiar food smells and that those can bring you back to happy moments from the past, but this smell? Not happy. This Dunkin' Donuts bathroom stench that was so powerful that it could penetrate a closed door? This smell unfortunately catapulted me back to last November...
--
There is this shit building up inside of me. Angst? No. Shit. Shit, like shit. Like, poop. You know? Feces? Yeah that, shit. I can feel it rumbling around in the lower portion of my insides, twisting me into knots and making churning grunt and grumble sounds audible only to me. It does this because I'm holding it in. I refuse to let go of it, even as it poisons me from the inside. Disgusting, I know. You don't have to tell me, it's my shit. And though I could get up and let go at any moment, I refuse to. I'm holding it in. I've been doing so for a good two hours now. I'm holding it in because I'm on a train from Amsterdam to Brussels, but that's not truly the reason. I'm holding it in because early on this journey I surveyed the facilities and found them to be far less than desirable. By this, I mean to say that when I walked into the WC (aka "shitter" in mid-American speak) I found urine sprayed recklessly about the 2'x2' human litter box. It was all over the toilet, the wall next to the toilet, the sink, and the mirror (I'm guessing about the last two - it could've been water or some other liquid (doubtful), but the entire tiny room smelled like piss regardless). The floor was covered with no less than seven distinct piles of wet (used) pieces of toilet paper, and there was something dark and brownish smudged in the corner. I don't think an anus could've gotten close enough to that spot in the corner, so I'm guessing that the smudge was not created via the traditional catcher's squat tactic, but rather that this fecal-smear placement involved direct hand to feces to spot in the corner contact. I considered this topic as I stood there and urinated, disgusted with myself and humanity. Still, the site of disastrously discarded human waste was not the worst aspect of this miniature toilet. Truth be told, it's not the reason I instantly (and permanently) decided to hold my #2 for as long as it took, my own health be damned.
What penetrated the horror of this particular loo more than anything else, more than the wet TP and probable shit and piss all over everything, was a very particular smell. It was mellow at first but I think that's only because it was so unfathomably powerful. Otherworldly. A smell so nastily strong that I almost didn't notice it; however, within seconds of standing there it hit like lightning. It instantly could've induced vomiting if I let it, and might've caused my eyes to tear up if I didn't close them and hope against all hope for it to simply be over very quickly. Even now, safely seated on the train in the non-terrifying passenger section, I shudder at the memory of it and I fear that it will soon take over everything - the car I'm in, this whole train, and eventually the entire planet.
It's a sour, biting, broccoli and Brussel sprout infused, sulfuric-fart-strength, piss gas. Probably something along the lines of what dragon waste smells/smelled like. Do you understand what I'm saying? If this disgusts you reading this now, imagine being here. I'll never forget the sight, the smell, the TASTE - yes the taste - of that bathroom. I can smell it still in my mind, now and forever, and I think it's following me back to my seat. I decide to think of happy smells. The smell of a girl's hair when you're dancing with her, the smell of fresh apples, the smell of cookies... chocolate chip cookies! Wait, I can remember that smell. It's helping. Barely.
(an hour later) It's gotten worse and I know I can't escape it. I know I'll be smelling this piss-ass stink pot for the rest of the trip from my seat, likely from anywhere on the train, and most probably in the dark recesses of my mind for the rest of my life. I simply hope that if it (the smell), or the crippling shit-cramps in my stomach, somehow does me in... I hope that this computer survives and people are able to cull from it mankind's best hopes for survival in the battle against the dragon stench: smell memory. I've lasted for nearly three hours in the belly of the beast thanks to visions of freshly baked cookies. Hear me now people, there's hope in the smell of sweet chocolate chip cookies.
*above photo from HERE
Buy Yesterday Was Dramatic - Today Is Ok on Amazon.
EAR FARM's 8+ is a weekly feature that showcases songs longer than 8 minutes. In the recent past these songs were featured on EF's 8+:
Tool - "Lateralus"
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks - "Real Emotional Trash"
Iron Maiden - "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son"
Mandy Reid - "Tornado"
Genesis - "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight"
Metallica - "Master of Puppets"
British Sea Power - “Lately”
The Decemberists - “The Mariner's Revenge Song”
To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM's 8+ click HERE.
Introducing EARF
Some of you may have already noticed the link in the sidebar, but for the rest of you who don't tend to scour the right hand side of this site for updates, it's time we finally introduced you to EARF.
What is EARF? An alternative to EAR FARM. Much less talk, more action. A bit of irreverence, non sequitur, and often some kind of tie-in to the content you'll see featured on EAR FARM proper. Its daily content will mostly take the form of music related videos, photos, quotes, and (of course) songs.
EAR FARM's little brother, if you will.
Listen:
"Little Brother (Electric)" by Grizzly Bear
OPP
Jared McGuinness, the singer and guitar player for Brooklyn band PRINT, passed away on January 24th
--
McCarren Park Pool will have concerts this summer
Warner Music Group Announces Environmental Initiative at Post-Grammy Event
US News & World Report: Drugs and Alcohol and Your Kids' Music
Billy Joel to perform final concert at Shea Stadium
Music Industry Sics Its Lawyers on Chinese Websites
Fight Club... on Broadway?!
Grammys to celebrate the historical significance of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Arctic Monkeys and Justin Timberlake to Collaborate?
NPR asks: What's Your Favorite Love Song?
06 February 2008
Band of the Week: Magic Arm
Any market research or cool-hunting firm worth their salt would do well to wrangle Grizzly Bear's Ed Droste into their focus groups. The man's got taste, he's got opinions, and most importantly, people follow his tastes and listen to his opinions. Long a champion of emerging artists - as well as those already emerged if we're to think back to the EF interview where he declared his love for Rihanna - Droste has often used the Grizzly Bear blog to help disseminate great new music (and for once we're not talking about the Smash Mouth track he posted).
So it went late last March in an innocuous post titled "Two Things I Love". The first "thing" in question was his dog; the second was the song "Outdoor Games" by a somewhat unknown UK band named Magic Arm. Who are Magic Arm?
Who IS Magic Arm would probably be more accurate. The alias of Manchester-based Marc Rigelsford, Magic Arm creates music that is alternately playful and somber, organic and electronic, dressed-down and intricately layered, but always in service of a well-constructed pop gem...
Following Droste's endorsement, Said The Gramophone and I Guess I'm Floating (among others) also wrote glowing reviews of "Outdoor Games". Around the same time, Magic Arm's debut EP - the aptly titled Outdoor Games EP - dropped in the UK on Switchflicker Records (also home to The Ting Tings). Well, EAR FARM figured it was high time for us to officially announce our endorsement - whoa, delayed Super Tuesday talk? - of Magic Arm as well.
"But the EP was released way back in June," you may be thinking to yourself in silent horror. "That's an eternity in blog years!"
Yes, and the timing couldn't be any better. As it turns out, Rigelsford is set to pack up his laptop and assorted toys for a trip to Austin during South By Southwest for a very rare performance on US soil. And after repeated listens to the Outdoor Games EP, it's becoming increasingly evident that Magic Arm has a lot more tricks up his sleeve (terrible pun alert) than is let on by the plaintive strum of the lauded title track.
While "Outdoor Games" is certainly a gorgeous song, it only hints at a portion of the sonic ground covered by Rigelsford. Recorded entirely on his home computer, tracks such as "Move Out" juxtapose warbling Eastern-tinged synth lines with delicate harmonies and a barely-there rattling bass line that could have come from a 4-track studio session with Timbaland. Elsewhere, "People Need Order" neatly incorporates the kitchen-sink mentality of Odelay-era Beck into a chugging bedroom anthem. It's a rare accomplishment for a 7-song EP to flirt with so many different genres and vibes while still maintaining a sense of coherence and focus in the way that Outdoor Games manages to do.
Now, if you'll excuse us we're going to head back to Ed's blog to listen to Daniel Rossen cover JoJo. You'd be well advised to head HERE and pick up a copy of the Outdoor Games EP for yourself.
Listen:
"People Need Order"
"Outdoor Games"
Visit Magic Arm on MySpace
See Magic Arm Live:
16 February - Coimbra, Portugal @ Teatro Academico Gil Vincente
26 February - Sheffield, UK @ The Raynor Lounge
12 March - Austin, TX @ SXSW
30 May - Liverpool, UK @ The Bluecoat
--
In the recent past, the following bands have been featured as EAR FARM's Band of the Week:
Drink Up Buttercup
The Big Sleep
Pete and the Pirates
Dead Confederate
Throw Me The Statue
Screaming Tea Party
Graveyard
Helvetia
See the entire list of bands featured as EAR FARM's Band of the Week HERE.
New Man Man Song - "Top Drawer", live video, tour dates, album info
Man Man are set to hit the road next month to promote their forthcoming album Rabbit Habbits (tracklisting and tour dates below/after the jump) and they've just made available a brand new track from the record to boot.
The song is called "Top Drawer" and it's got everything you've always loved about Man Man going on, and then some. You may remember seeing/hearing it on EAR FARM in a video from their show at Bowery over a year ago (above photo/below video from said show, taken by me). Well, in addition to the studio version of "Top Drawer" that was just released on Pitchfork, we've reposted the video and MP3 from that show below/after the jump. Enjoy.
Listen:
"Top Drawer"
"Hot Bat" -> "Top Drawer" (live @ Bowery Ballroom - 5 January 2007)
Watch:
Rabbit Habbits tracklist:
01 Mister Jung Stuffed
02 Hurly / Burly
03 The Ballad of Butter Beans
04 Big Trouble
05 Mysteries of the Universe Unraveled
06 Doo Right
07 Easy Eats or Dirty Doctor Galapagos
08 Harpoon Fever (Queequeg's Playhouse)
09 El Azteca
10 Rabbit Habits
11 Top Drawer
12 Poor Jackie
13 Whalebones
See Man Man live:
03-04 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar ^
03-05 Greensboro, NC - Greene St. Club ^
03-06 Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle ^
03-07 Mt. Pleasant, SC - Village Tavern ^
03-08 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club ^
03-09 St. Augustine, FL - Café Eleven ^
03-10 St. Augustine, FL - Café Eleven ^
03-11 Pensacola, FL - Sluggo's ^
03-12 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon ^
03-13 Austin, TX - SXSW
03-14 Austin, TX - SXSW
03-15 Austin, TX - SXSW
03-17 Lawrence, KS - Jackpot Saloon ^
03-18 Columbia, MO - Blue Note ^
03-19 Bloomington, IN - John Waldrom Arts Center ^
03-20 Louisville, KY - Headliner's Music Hall ^
03-21 Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig ^
03-22 Millvale, PA - Mr. Smalls Theatre ^
05-09-11 Rye, England – Camber Sand Holiday Park (ATP vs. Pitchfork) *
^ with the Extraordinairies
* with Hot Chip, Les Savy Fav, Of Montreal, Los Campesinos!, No Age, Meat Puppets, the Black Angels, Shit and Shine, Sebadoh, Caribou, Glass Candy, Dirty Projectors, Ween, Pissed Jeans, Fuck Buttons, Apse
Visit Man Man on MySpace.
OPP
The Beatles' Indian guru Maharashi Yogi dies at age 91
Mastodon will be going on Rockstar Energy Mayhem Tour
The Seattle Times takes a look at what it's like growing up with the Jonas Brothers
Tapes 'n Tapes announce North American tour with White Denim
British Sea Power head to Canvey Island for a special exotic show
Sentimentalist Magazine was at "Barack Rock" benefit show at Bowery on Monday
Feist wins Shortlist Music Prize, as easy as 1-2-3-4
Check out the White Rabbits Daytrotter session
The whole sad Britney Spears saga takes another bizarre turn
Bonnaroo 2008 Lineup Announced: Pearl Jam, Metallica, Kanye West to headline (no Led Zeppelin)
Bonnaroo has announced the lineup for the 2008 Bonnaroo Festival. Read carefully or you just might misread Lez Zeppelin as Led Zeppelin. Hey, it happened to the NME, Pollstar, the Associated Press, and Billboard before they rushed to change their story. Click through for a list of all actual artists currently scheduled to appear and a few MP3s from those who'd like for you to have them.
Bonnaroo 2008 Lineup:
!!!
A Very Special Acoustic Performance by Larry Campbell, Jackie Greene, Phil Lesh & Teresa Williams
Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet featuring Bela Fleck
Against Me!
Aimee Mann
B.B. King
Back Door Slam
Battles
Ben Folds
Black Kids
Broken Social Scene
Dark Star Orchestra
Death Cab for Cutie - "Bend to Squares"
Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi’s Soul Stew Revival
Donavon Frankenreiter
Drive-By Truckers
Ghostland Observatory
Gogol Bordello - "God of Sameness 1"
Grupo Fantasma
Iron & Wine - "Innocent Bones"
Israel Vibration
Jack Johnson
Jakob Dylan
Jose Gonzalez
Kanye West
Ladytron
Levon Helm and the Ramble on the Road
Lez Zeppelin
Little Feat
Lupe Fiasco
Metallica
M.I.A.
Mason Jennings
Mastodon
MGMT
Minus the Bear - "Throwin' Shapes"
My Morning Jacket
Nicole Atkins
O.A.R.
Orchestra Baobab
Ozomatli
Pat Green
Pearl Jam
Phil Lesh & Friends
Rilo Kiley
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Robert Randolph’s Revival
Serena Ryder
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
Sigur Ros - "untitled #4 (a.k.a. njósnavélin / the nothing song)"
Solomon Burke
State Radio
Steel Train
Talib Kweli
Tegan & Sara
The Allman Brothers Band
The Avett Brothers
The Bluegrass Allstars Feat. Luke Bulla, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Bryan Sutton
The Felice Brothers
The Fiery Furnaces
The Lee Boys
The Raconteurs
The Swell Season
The Sword
Two Gallants - "Despite What You've Been Told"
Umphrey’s McGee
Vampire Weekend
Willie Nelson
Yonder Mountain String Band
Bonnaroo 2008 Comedy:
Bonnaroo Late Night Chat About with David Cross
Janeane Garofalo
Zach Galifianakis
Jim Norton
Brian Posehn
Mike Birbiglia
John Mulaney
Michelle Buteau
05 February 2008
I Want My MTV - Super Tuesday Special (music videos for Clinton, Huckabee, and Obama)
Super Tuesday! In honor of today's election process, we've rounded up some music videos that have been produced in support of three of the remaining 2008 Presidential candidates: Hillary Clinton, Mike Huckabee, and Barack Obama. Perhaps unsurprisingly we were not able to locate any halfway professional music videos made in support of McCain and/or Romney. That doesn't mean they don't exist however, so if you know of any 2008 Presidential Candidate music videos that we've overlooked, give a shout in the comments.
You can see the video for Hillary Clinton directly below - click through to see the video for Mike Huckabee and the two videos for Barack Obama.
Happy voting!
"Hott 4 Hill" by Taryn Southern (above, in support of Hillary Clinton)
"High Hopes" by Anne Johnston-Brown (above, in support of Mike Huckabee)
"Yes We Can" by Will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas (above, in support of Barack Obama)
"I Got a Crush on Obama" by Leah Kauffman (above, in support of Barack Obama)
See also:
Three for Free - pacificUV, Crushed Stars, Pattern is Movement
EAR FARM's Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted each week. This week - three that came to us via Team Clermont. Click on the artist name to go to their site, click on the song name to listen to the song.
Listen:
pacificUV - "Need"
Crushed Stars - "Spies"
Pattern is Movement - "Right Away"
Today's NEW Releases
Not too shabby this week:
- Bob Mould - The District Line
- Dead Meadow - Old Growth
- Hot Chip - Made in the Dark
- Lightspeed Champion - Falling Off The Lavender Bridge
- Morrissey - That's How People Grow Up (Import Single)
- Nada Surf - Lucky
- Nick Cave and Warren Ellis - The Assassination of Jesse James (Soundtrack)
- Say Hi - The Wishes and the Glitch
- Sons & Daughters - This Gift
OPP
Grateful Dead members reunite for Obama
Wired: Want Better Music? Don't Stiff the Songwriters
Some more bands have been announced for SXSW
Cracked: The 7 Most Heinous Grammy Award Snubs of All Time
The Denver Post has a glowing review of a recent Van Halen show
Matt's favorite CMJ band signs to Almost Gold outside North America
What's going on with the Arcade Fire Super Bowl ad controversy?
04 February 2008
Hit-or-miss: "Cosmic Dancer" by T. Rex
Listen:
"Cosmic Dancer" by T. Rex from Electric Warrior
View:
Image search results for Cosmic Dancer - above image is from the first page of results (and was originally from HERE).
--
In the recent past these songs were featured in Hit-or-miss posts:
"I Just Called to Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder
"Stay On Your Toes" by Del Tha Funkee Homosapien
"The Queen Of Outer Space" by The Wedding Present
"Powder Blue" by Ween
"Good Morning, Captain" by Slint
"Septopus Theme" by Brendon Small
"Hilary" by The Fall
"The Weight Of A Rock" by Marnie Stern
To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM's Hit-or-miss (and to find out just what this Hit-or-miss is) click HERE.
Joanna Newsom @ BAM - 1 February 2008
Dave Eggers' short-lived SPIN column "And Now, a Less Informed Opinion" was, to the best of my understanding, the first soapbox from where a somewhat nerdy male age 18-34 stood and sloppily gushed his praise upon Joanna Newsom.
I had no clue who Newsom was at the time - I don't think The Milk-Eyed Mender had been released yet - but I remember this particular piece very clearly because of the peculiar rant Eggers went into regarding her looks. He felt her voice was so oddly enchanting that he wished her to be physically revolting, his rationale being that for once a singular female talent could gain recognition without the assistance of her looks. Then of course, he went and saw her live and realized she was in fact a stone (elfin) fox. His conclusion: he would now have to share her with the world.
Had Eggers been in the audience at BAM on Friday, he probably would have been shocked at just how accurate his fearful prediction had become. The sold-out room was easily 70% male, age 18-34, and completely smitten for the entirety of her 2-hour-plus performance. You know those cartoons where a hungry dog or what have you gets a whiff of a freshly baked pie on the windowsill and then literally floats over to it via their nostril compass? Substitute 1000 or so blissed out skinny-jeaned dudes for the dog and Newsom for the pie and you get the idea.
The fact is, it's pretty impossible to divorce her appearance from her music (sorry Eggers). A tiny woodland sprite in a firetruck-red cocktail dress SHREDDING on a harp twice her size is simply unlike anything else you'll ever see. Throw in members of the Brooklyn Philharmonic as a backing band and you've got something special. Add the fact that it was her last time performing Ys with an orchestra for the foreseeable future and you've got something extra special. Subtract a meandering Obama monologue (yes, they did it again) and you've still got something extra special....
The show began with Newsom and her Ys Street Band (Neal Morgan on drums and vocals, Ryan Francesconi on mandolin and banjo and Lila Sklar on violin and vocals) performing Ys in its entirety alongside 28 members of the Brooklyn Philharmonic. The result was frankly mesmerizing. True, this album can be a difficult pill to swallow in one sitting. Not counting all the instances I've had it on as background music, I've probably only played Ys straight through three or four times since its release. It's a sprawling, dense, unrelenting affair, one that I prefer to savor in smaller portions.
And yet, seeing it come to life before my eyes and ears gave me a newfound appreciation for the album as a whole (as cheesy and trite as that may sound). Played one after another, these five songs were powerfully engaging , each melodic twist and turn crackling with the same quirky fervor as Newsom's voice.
(Now, an aside. While barely on the subject of her contentious pipes, let me go on record as saying that her voice is remarkable in its range and emotional depth. It may not be for everyone, but the conviction and power she is able to summon when singing is undeniable. I love it.)
Okay, back to Ys. In being translated to the stage, new flourishes and wrinkles in this well-worn catalog of songs became evident as well; a staccato burst of french horn during "Monkey and Bear", subtle touches of marimba in "Cosmia", the vulnerably unadorned arrangement of "Sawdust and Diamonds". After its completion and a short intermission, Newsom returned with her touring band (sans Philharmonic) and appeared almost relieved to have the Ys portion of the evening behind her.
What followed was a looser and more playful run-through of material from The Milk-Eyed Mender, the Ys Street Band EP as well as some new songs. It's funny because most of the people I was with clearly preferred this half of the show to the Philharmonic portion, at least in part due to the unrelenting nature of Ys I'm guessing. This second act was definitely a welcome respite from the sheer power of earlier, and it was nice to see Newsom and her band wax nostalgic as the realization that her tour was coming to an end began to sink in. However, it's the experience of witnessing Ys come to life that will stay with me for quite some time. I suppose you should add me to the ranks of fanboys floating towards the siren song onstage.
*above photo from HERE
Listen:
"Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie"
Visit Joanna Newsom HERE because she doesn't seem to dig on MySpace
Giants fly high, slay "the giant" 17-14 to win the Super Bowl
Perfect.
Not 19-0 perfect; but a perfect catch (above), a perfect performance from the Giants defense, a perfect on-the-field response to Tom Brady's laughter at the notion of the Pats being held to 17 points, and the perfect ending* to (perhaps) the greatest Super Bowl ever.
Big ups and congrats to the NY Giants who simply beat the crap out of the stunned Patriots for four straight quarters.
Listen:
"New York Giants (Featuring M.O.P.)" by Big Punisher
"We Fly High (N.Y. Giants Remix)" by Jim Jones
Give us your thoughts on the game, the musical performers, and/or the commercials in the comments below. For me, Jordin Sparks did an amazing job and Tom Petty was solid to very good. The commercials, I thought, weren't so great. And lastly, can I take a moment right now to suggest Van Halen as the halftime entertainment for next year? Just do it.
*perfect, that is, if you're either a NY Giants fan, or just simply a person who loves to believe in the ability of the underdog to beat the "better" team.
**above photo from HERE.
OPP
Tom Petty accused of lip-synching during Super Bowl Halftime Show performance
La Blogotheque's latest Take Away Concert features Animal Collective!
Joanna Newsom played a surprise set at small fashion week party
The A.V. Club downloads and grades the top 20 songs from the Billboard Hot 100
San Francisco Chronicle: Top songs or bands that feature the word RAT
The Boston Globe takes yet another look at Vampire Weekend and the speedy backlash against them
02 February 2008
Groundhog Day: Don't forget your booties, 'cause it's cold out there today...
It's cold out there everyday.
You know what today is right? Thats right, woodchuck-chuckers, it's