The Show Archive
February 13, 2006: Laura Veirs, Cabaret Voltaire Edinburgh
February 5, 2006: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah + Two Gallants, Liquid Room Edinburgh
February 4, 2006: Jose Gonzalez + El Perro Del Mar, Liquid Room Edinburgh
February 1, 2006: Regina Spektor + Only Son, Cabaret Voltaire Edinburgh
January 13, 2006: Camera Obscura, Teviot Union Edinburgh
November 24, 2005: Rosie Thomas + Ester Drang, Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh
November 17, 2005: The National + Film School, King Tut's Glasgow
November 5, 2005: Buck 65 + Tim Fite, Cabaret Voltaire Edinburgh
November 4, 2005: Four Tet + Explosions In The Sky, Liquid Room Edinburgh
blogs
I won't be updating for a wee while, so check out these great blogs that I've recently discovered:
Clever Titles Are So Last Summer - Strong, honest work.
Motel de Moka - Moka is eclectic and awesome.
Ear Farm - They posted British Sea Power's "Lately," what could be better?
Enjoy the food and the presents and the company and everything else you've got, see you soon!
Welcome
Most bloggers in this situation would say "Hey, check out Ryan's interview today with this clown" but I'm guessing that would be pointless because all my traffic will be coming from there anyways. So I'll say a big "thank you!" to Ryan and his wonderful site.
The updates have been a bit goofy lately, as I've just got back to California for the holidays. All apologies.
Catfish Haven. Have you heard of them? Their debut comes out next year, and you will probably want it after you hear this song. "Plase Come Back" is nearly perfect, simple and urgent and catchy-as-hell. It's a short and sweet burst of raw overdriven rock, a simply awesome song. Too bad they're called Catfish Haven.
These are the band's new demos:
Catfish Haven - Please Come Back (highly recommended)
Catfish Haven - Madaline
Enjoy the rock.
new demo: Spoon
Good Spoon fans among you have probably downloaded "My First Time Vol. 3" from iTunes already, and if you haven't you really should. It's the jam, dudes. However if you need more convincing, check out the demo of the song Spoon has made available and see if you can resist.
Spoon - My First Time Vol. 3 (demo)
Enjoy the new merch they've got in store for you!
My One Favorite Song of 2005
One of my favorite Christmas presents every year, the Pitchfork list, has been revealed, and I find myself oddly relieved that Illinois came out on top. Vindication, I guess (and I know it shouldn't matter).
If you want more lists, I'll call this one My One Favorite Song of 2005. It's short and sweet.
1. Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek
I've listened to this song a million times. I believe I wrote about it too at some point. About the way it darts and fades and builds atop itself with such a natural, fluid feel. Even though it's just a heavily processed voice, it's incredibly human, mimicking the rise and fall dynamics of breathing. And for a pop song, the lyrics aren't bad at all, from the gorgeous image of "crop circles in the carpet" to the heartbreakingly direct ending mantra of "you don't care a bit."
I heard this song tonight in the movie theatre bathroom, which, when considered, is significant. It's where you would normally find the most inoffensive and bland pop music, songs which are universally acceptible and accessible. The exciting part is that "Hide and Seek" is considered both of the latter, but is far from being bland. It's entirely original and infinitely interesting, so to think of it as the future of true pop music is both relieving and intriguing.
Enjoy.
contest: Parker Street CinemaCameron Deyhle has a few copies of Parker Street Cinema's self-titled EP, one of which could be yours if you act quickly. All you have to do is a little detective work, answer four questions, and if you're one of the first three to submit the correct answers you win!
Go here for the questions and the rules (listed after the album review). Good luck!
From Parker Street Cinema:
Parker Street Cinema - Midnight Shakes The Memory
Dig the breakdown, I hear the Secret Machines!
Enjoy.
What I Missed in 2005
My Top Best 24 Favorite Albums of 2005 didn't include some amazing music I heard this year. It's because, for various reasons, these albums didn't get the attention they needed for me to feel like I really knew them. I'm sure I'll come around next year, though, and many of these would have made my list this year. So I present, in no particular order, the albums I missed:
The Constantines - Tournament of Hearts
I'm sure this one would have made my top 10. They're my most played artist according to Last.fm, so what's the problem? I can't find the album anywhere. I still haven't heard half the songs, but am obsessed with the ones I know. They burn slow and intense, and the lyrics make them all the more powerful.
The Constantines - Working Full-Time
Grizzly Bear - The Horn of Plenty + Remixes
I bought this one, but had it delivered to my home in California. So it's another I have yet to hear in its entirety. I fell in love with "Don't Ask" as soon as I heard it, and Final Fantasy's remix was even better. I'm not sure what separates this from the ubiquitous lo-fi bedroom folk, but there's definitely something special there.
Grizzly Bear - Don't Ask
Grizzly Bear - Don't Ask (Final Fantasy Remix)
Final Fantasy - Has a Good Home
Which brings us to Final Fantasy. The bits I heard of Has A Good Home really impressed me - hopefully I'll get to hear it all soon.
Final Fantasy - The CN Tower Belongs to the Dead
The Rosebuds - Birds Make Good Neighbors
Before, this band seemed merely pleasant, another indie-pop duo. When I heard "Blue Bird" I changed my mind entirely - it was dark and cool and very very interesting.
The Rosebuds - Blue Bird
Devendra Banhart - Cripple Crow
I like this guy, and I've heard good things about this one.
Devendra Banhart - I Feel Just Like a Child
And then there are the ones I have heard and like, Twin Cinema and I am a Bird Now come to mind, but for whatever reason haven't listened to enough. Antony in particular I'm just coming around to, he is truly gifted. The New Pornographers I already knew were awesome.
The New Pornographers - Use It
Antony and the Johnsons - Fistfull of Love
Finally, there were the ones that didn't grab me at first, and I haven't listened to them much since. They may be amazing, but it will take a little more time. My Morning Jacket's Z and Broken Social Scene's self-titled are the most prominent among these.
My Morning Jacket - Gideon
Broken Social Scene - 7/4 Shoreline
Here's to next year.
Top Best 24 Favorite Albums of 2005
This was a chore and a half! Mostly because there were a lot more excellent albums released this year than I realized. I mean really, really good stuff. The following are the 24 I liked and listened to enough to include on the list. Of course, it's purely personal. That being said, leave some feedback on what you think, if in fact you do think. I know there are a lot of albums I missed, maybe tomorrow I'll do a little follow-up on what I wish I listened to more this year.
Enjoy!
24. Kings Of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak
This album is underrated and this band is unfairly ragged upon. But I've got the love. "The Bucket" was one of the year's best tracks.
Kings Of Leon - The Bucket
23. Architecture In Helsinki - In Case We Die
It took me a while to get around to this, I had to get past the annoying preciousness in some parts. It's paid off, though, and there are some amazing songs on here.
Architecture In Helsinki - It's 5!
22. British Sea Power - Open Season
Not as good as The Decline Of British Sea Power, but a good record anyways. The icy and crisp production creates a gorgeous and fitting glacial atmosphere.
British Sea Power - It Ended On An Oily Stage (.wma)
21. Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better
Another sophomore effort that is at once a disappointment and a success on its own terms. The band's coolness makes up for it though.
Franz Ferdinand - Walk Away
20. M. Ward - Transistor Radio
M. Ward is one of the finest folk musicians around, and his output is consistent and varied enough to remain interesting.
M. Ward - Fuel For Fire
19. Kanye West - Late Registration
Like you've never heard Kanye. I can't help but love a guy who so unabashedly loves himself (and makes great music).
18. M83 - Before The Dawn Heals Us
Whereas their last album was very involved with nature and outdoors, this one has a tight late-night city lights atmosphere. Fortunately they (he?) pulls it off just as well.
M83 - Don't Save Us From The Flames
17. M.I.A. - Arular
I love when hype pays off. I love when it makes for fun and dancing, as well.
M.I.A. - Pull Up The People (from Rock Insider)
16. Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production Of Eggs
The man's a virtuoso! Lyrically and musically - he even whistles better than I've ever heard. I love the Malkmus slacker-genius vibe I get from listening to his songs, it's impossibly cool.
Andrew Bird - A Nervous Tic Motion Of The Head To The Left
15. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
I listened to this album an unhealthy amount when it came out - "This Modern Love" by far surpassed all other songs in my playcount. A case of too much of a good thing, I guess, because it really fell off my radar since then. The songs are good, but I wish the band would have a little more fun, take themselves less seriously.
Bloc Party - Banquet
14. The Decemberists - Picaresque
I'm torn as to how I feel about the band's new sense of topicality. The urgency is welcome, but at the same time I miss the dreaminess of old classics. That said, this is a wonderful album with some of their best work.
The Decemberists - The Engine Driver
13. Lowlights - Dark End Road
This band needs more attention. I was very surprised to find the album so consistent and accessible.
Lowlights - Dark End Road
12. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - s/t
Maybe they're not everything I was led to believe, but they're almost there. I think it's when everything comes together - the voice and the music and the intangibles - that they capture some real magic, something unique.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Upon This Tidal Wave Of Young Blood
11.a. Iron & Wine - Woman King
b. Calexico/Iron & Wine - In The Reins
Woman King has my favorite production of all the varied Iron & Wine releases. It's beautifully percussive and crisp, with the sounds woven together loosely so the space between instruments is palpable. Despite being so gentle, Iron & Wine is one of the most exciting bands around.
Regarding the collaboration: it's better than I expected, and I expected great things.
Iron & Wine - Woman King
Calexico/Iron & Wine - History Of Lovers
10. Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy
This record is dark and volatile, and affecting. I'm sure it will keep growing on me as I give it more attention.
Okkervil River - Black
9. Feist - Let It Die
I think this is one of those albums that can be either 2004 or 2005, depending on where you live. It doesn't matter - it deserves the attention. You know it's something special when your mom likes it as much as you do.
Feist - Mushaboom
8. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
I love how Spoon can sound so diverse while remaining so familiar. They've got a signature sound, it's dynamic and unpredictable but consistently good. Great, even. Another remarkable album.
Spoon - I Turn My Camera On
7. Page France - Hello, Dear Wind
It was love at first listen! I suppose that's what happens when an album begins with a song like "Chariot." Themes and images pop up again and again on this celebratory album, making it cohesive and surprisingly complex while retaining a simple charm.
Page France - Chariot
6. The Mountain Goats - The Sunset Tree
John Darnielle's documentation of a difficult childhood is heartbreaking, but somehow optimism seeps through and transforms this into an incredible record.
The Mountain Goats - This Year (from Catbirdseat)
5. Wolf Parade - Apologies To The Queen Mary
Wolf Parade's unbridled energy makes this album rock, but it's the passion and conviction that give it power. To me, it really does sound like Modest Mouse. Or rather, what I wanted Modest Mouse to be; what they were approaching with their last album but didn't quite capture.
Wolf Parade - You Are A Runner And I Am My Father's Son
4. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake It's Morning
This is the album I've been waiting for Oberst to write. It's unmistakably Bright Eyes, but more mature and remarkably consistent. Listening to this I get a wonderful sense of self-affirmation, which I couldn't say for any of his past work.
Bright Eyes - Lua
3. The National - Alligator
Alligator is a quintessentially American album, darkly moving throughout with a gorgeous and subtle glimmer. Matt Berninger's lyrics are haunting; horribly honest and frighteningly easy to relate to.
The National - Abel
2. The Hold Steady - Separation Sunday
I listen to this one straight through, every time - that's how captivating this literary story of salvation through rock n' roll is. And it always leaves me breathless. Masterful lyrics and masterful rock n' roll, I don't think this could get any better.
The Hold Steady - Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night
1. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
I've thought so long and so intensely about this album, that no description I can come up with seems to do it justice. Sufjan Stevens has made an album of scale, a piece addressing all that it means to be human, with an awe-inspiring grace and passion allowing grandeur without pretense. An album of admiration and intention and compassion and mistake and love, of faith.
Sufjan Stevens - John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
Marah: Christmas
I hope you enjoyed the Walkmen track. If you want a more conventional tune maybe your mom would like too, Marah have got it covered. The Philly kids recently put out A Christmas Kind of Town, a full-length holiday album which includes the following - a lovely jingle indeed.
From A Christmas Kind of Town:
Marah - New York is a Christmas Kind of Town
Buy dat + enjoy!
The Walkmen: Christmas
The Walkmen's Christmas Party was released last winter; a fun and festive (read: drunk and funny) few tracks in the for the holidays. The title track, which I present to you, is available free of charge. It's the season for giving.
From Christmas Party single, which also features a Modern Lovers/Jonathan Richman cover and the riculous "Eggnog":
The Walkmen - Christmas Party
I cannot wait for the band's new album, which they describe as "slamming." Slamming!! And for their novel, for that matter.
Enjoy!
Morgan PageI'm getting into remixes more and more, just beginning to understand and appreciate. It's a good thing too, because everyone and their mothers are releasing remix albums these days. Here is a Morgan Page album of remixes of everything from Tegan & Sara to Dvorak. I like it!
Free from his website:
Morgan Page - Cease and Desist
Buy Morgan Page music here if you'd like.
Enjoy!
Mad Juana
Too bad today isn't Wednesday, because then I could call it "Weird Music Wednesday." "Weird Music Sunday" doensn't have the same ring to it, but it'll have to do.
The same friend who showed me the lovely Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players also introduced me to the strangeness of Mad Juana. It's a self-described melting pot of styles, and to me sounded like gypsy music. I could be way off. At first I didn't really like it, but we let it play for a while and it really set a cool atmosphere.
From the Acoustic Voodoo EP:
Mad Juana - 7 Below
Mad Juana - Howlin' Moon
Enjoy!
