Favorite Albums and EPs of 2011

"There was time now..."

It seems as though what once was a weekly (or bi-weekly) posting schedule is now an annual event. Life moves fast but music moves faster. I haven't lost touch yet!

These are my favorite albums and EPs that came out this year. In no particular order:

Favorite Albums (Yes, a Top 11):

Smith Westerns - Dye it Blond

- These guys are young but they made one hell of an album. Saw them at FYF Fest and they were fantastic live as well.

Male Bonding - Endless Now

- If Blink-182 understood that growing up doesn't mean making boring music, it just means understanding the science of power pop. I probably listened to this album the most.

400 Blows - Sickness and Health

- Makes you want to throw Molotov cocktails at strollers.

Future Islands - On the Water

- Lush synth landscapes

Atlas Sound - Parallax

- Whether it's with Deerhunter or as Atlas Sound, Bradford's genius always makes him a fixture on most end-of-year lists.

Wilco - The Whole Love

- It's Wilco.

Yuck - self-titled

- If you love 90's indie, this is a must have.

The Kills - Blood Pressures

- Aside from The Black Keys, maybe the best duo in rock.

Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost

- Girls continue to put out melodic records that are a joy to listen to. with a retooled line-up, I was looking forward to the next album as soon as I was done listening to this one.

My Morning Jacket - Circuital

- The best live band touring right now.

The Rapture - In the Grace of Your Love

- Dance your ass off then dance some more.

Favorite EPS:

DOM - Family of Love EP

- I think this was the best under-the-radar album this year. Extremely melodic and completely blissed-out.

Wavves - Life Sux EP

- While the beachy-rock imposters continue to fall to the wayside, Wavves gets better.

Radiohead - King of Limbs EP

- Despite what several people have said, this was a great EP. Watch their 'From the Basement' special if you are not convinced.

Biggest Disappointment:

Mastodon - The Hunter ('dad metal' - see 'Blasteroid')

Review: Autolux – 'Transit Transit'

Image credit: Autopia

Six years in coming, it's needless to say that Autolux fans have been waiting for the 'Future Perfect' follow-up with the patience of a saint. Though always appeased by new songs at their live shows, I don't know if I'd consider that more torturous or a gifted taste of things to come. But, if patience is a virtue, indulgence is the tastiest sin.

'Transit Transit' delivers a balanced attack, showcasing all sides of the band and taking on the expert track placement of albums like Kid A or OK Computer where the mellow tracks are balanced out by the songs 'with teeth'. The album lacks no showcasing of Carla Azar's spectacular drumming, Greg Edwards' trance inducing and post-rock melodies nor Eugene Goreshter's gliding vocals and rhythm appurtenant bass playing.

Where 'Spots' and album closer 'The Science of Imaginary Solutions' (here Azar assumes lead vocals) take on the Radiohead feel that is synonymous with the afore mentioned albums yet, seemingly more in the vain of Thom Yorke's solo work with a textured, aural display that takes the listener out-of-body for a moment, songs like 'Census', 'Supertoys' and 'Kissproof' reaffirm that post-rock assault that Autolux listeners were first smitten by.

Even if it takes another six years for the next Autolux album, the band has produced an assuredly solid and satisfying follow-up to 'Future Perfect' while providing a blueprint for where they are headed but, also where they've been.

Rating: 9.4/10

Key tracks: 'Census', 'Kissproof'

VIDEO: Autolux - 'Supertoys' (Live @ From the Basement)

Show Review: LCD Soundsystem @ The Palladium

(photo courtesy of Ben Wener, OC Register)

For as much as LCD Soundsystem is a New York band, they are as much a Hollywood one with their Sunset Blvd. special ability to get hipsters and middle-aged men alike shaking their ass on the dance floor.

Bringing the party to the Palladium on Friday night, DFA label mates Holy Ghost! set the vibe with a handful of retro-dance tracks before the crowd energy swelled and LCD took the stage.

Starting things off with 'Us v. Them', the band was on a steady roll until one of Nancy Whang's keyboards died as 'Get Innocuous!' started to build. After aborting the song and retooling with a Wurlitzer, they launched into the track again treating us to a version that lent itself to an acid-lounge feel - it worked.

The rest of the evening saw the band equally visit all of their albums. Highlights of the night include an extended play cut of 'All My Friends' which seemed to re-energize the crowd, though there never seemed to be a lull all night. Additionally, 'Daft Punk is Playing at My House' turned the entire floor and the mezzanine area into a mega dance floor.

Ending the main set with the hypnotic 'Yeah' before a three song encore which included 'Losing My Edge', the night concluded with their favorite show closer 'New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down'.

Another great LA visit from James Murphy and gang that as always, left us wanting more.


SET LIST:

Us v. Them
Drunk Girls
Get Innocuous!
Yr City’s a Sucker
Pow Pow
Daft Punk Is Playing at My House
All I Want
All My Friends
I Can Change
Tribulations
Movement
Yeah

ENCORE:

Someone Great
Losing My Edge
New York, I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down



VIDEO: 'Daft Punk is Playing at My House' @ Palladium


(Thanks to weilub106 for the nice vid.)

Your Ten Desert Island Albums?

Inspired by something Bender said on Futurama, what are your ten desert island albums?

I'm sure this list will probably change next week but, here's how it stands as of today. And of course, I'm making it more complicated by trying to take into account my mindset and moods while being stranded on an island - don't overthink your own list.


QOTSA – Rated-R
While it's not my favorite Queens album, the variety on it seems like something that would give me an even slice of that robot-rock sound.

'Auto Pilot'



Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric Ladyland
Good for both licking mysterious toads and eating random plants on the island.

Built to Spill - Keep It Like a Secret
This BTS album would pretty much make any list I was putting together for anything.

My Morning Jacket – Z
Yim Yames is coming with me to the island whether he wants to or not!

Radiohead - The Bends
Kid A or Hail to the Thief are probably my favorite albums but, like the Queens selection, the variety on this LP lends itself to well, life alone on an island.

'Planet Telex'



Pavement – Crooked Rain Crooked Rain
What's a desert island existence without some jangle-pop goodness? Plus, I can go insane singing 'I'm just a boy with a new haircut' over and over. Check annnnd check.

Smashing Pumpkins - Pisces Iscariot
By now, we're all sick of Corgan and his bullshit but, this album is amazing and way before he became too annoying to talk about, look at or listen to.

'Hello Kitty Kat'



The Beatles – Revolver
If you aren't taking your favorite Beatles album with you then, wow.

The Black Crowes – The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion
Just like Yim Yames, Marc Ford is coming with me to this goddamn island! But, this is the Crowes' best album, too.

The Velvet Underground and Nico – Self-Titled
Jimi, The Beatles and Velvet make up the holy island trinity.

Show Review: Japandroids @ The Echoplex

Brian King, (photo courtesy of sleepydoll)


I think my buddy Kevin described Japandroids best when he said 'time to watch two guys make four guys worth of sound'.

After sets by electro, grind-core rockers All Leather and rabbit-accessory clad surf(?) band NoBunny (who's set will forever lurk in the dark corners of my mind), Vancouver garage-rockers Japandroids took the stage to a warm, LA reception.



NoBunny


Starting things off with 'The Boys Are Leaving Town', the band ferociously ripped through their entire album and then some with my favorite track 'Wet Hair' being played a time and a half due to a 'we effed up' moment.

The crowd was extremely active and really hit their peak during the desert-groove track 'Crazy/Forever' starting a mini-mosh pit which saw several small, hipster girls get carried away in the swirl of humanity.

Dressed in all white, guitarist/vocalist Brian King was his usual energetic self, 'exploring the space' and taking many of his normal drum-kit perches as he and drummer David Prowse traded vocals over most of the set.

Concluding at a peaked energy level but noticeably drained after really given it all out and leaving it on the stage, Japandroids thanked everyone for coming out and ended things.

As my buddy Randol said, it is nice to see that not all bands feel compelled to play an encore especially with the performance level these guys put out. He was right, too. An encore would have seemed like taking the foot of the throttle. I'm glad they took us all off the cliff.



VIDEO: Japandroids - 'Wet Hair'



Website: www.japandroids.com

No, not THAT Genesis...

We don't often speak about those bands where the drummer has moved from behind the kit to handling lead vocals. Probably because this doesn't always work out to the best of circumstances.

I suppose, as of recently, I could name a few successful kit-to-mic transitions with The Stills and Band of Horses, the latter of who's formation resulted in this move. But looking back, of these movements, Genesis is the band that always comes to mind.

While being a late comer to the Peter Gabriel prog-rock sound of it's earliest incarnation, I always hated them because Phil Collins was a douche and not just because of that Lion King song. I remember being a kid and hearing 'Hold On My Heart' on several of those in-store 'muzak' radio stations and even with not having a well-developed musical pallet at that time, I still knew it was trash.

But, I can thank my buddy Jason for sharing the story of Genesis, not THAT Genesis. So, enter the 'classic era' of that band:

Phil Collins is the drummer, totally spaced on some, from the looks of it, very good drugs. Peter Gabriel is a twentysomething, stud frontman wearing insane costumes while reciting lyrics about the first hermaphrodite who lived on Mount Ida.

Case in point:












(Gwar, eat your heart out.)

The band records, releases and tours on The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. During the tour, Gabriel tells his band that he's leaving, something they say they knew was coming.

Deciding to carry on as Genesis, Phil Collins becomes the drummer/lead vocalist. And, needless to say, he wasn't dressing up in any costumes. Initially, things sounded great. If you weren't aware, Collins does a great Gabriel impression...

Because of the extra vocal duty, the band brings in a second drummer (quite a spectacle to watch because, Phil Collins is actually a stellar drummer despite his other douche-y qualities). After this lineup, the band began to shift again and after a couple lineup changes, the three-man, 80's carnation that I grew up despising was upon the world.

And, after all that, my point - Peter Gabriel is it. Look at the pictures, watch the vid and go get an album or two.

It's a compact and biased version (only to Phil Collins) but, it's my blog.


Genesis Live in Shepperton '73 - 'Watcher of the Skies'

Review: Future Islands - 'In The Evening Air'

If it means anything, this was the first album I had heard in a while that made me want to come out of a writing 'hiatus'. Well, that and a break from classes.

---------
Future Islands is a synth-pop band (they use the term post-wave) that explores the darker regions of early Killers and TV on the Radio territory. Lush-soundscapes fill the tracks while still allowing breathing room for the songs to flex.

On the opening track 'Walking Through That Door', the synth hook is immediate. Lead vocalist Samuel T. Herring sings with a controlled urgency that juxtaposes against the reeling squeal of the key-laden chorus. Each track has it's own personality yet, the cohesion binding everything together is strong.

'Long Flight' displays a bit of a tribal influence to the percussion but, the drive stays true to a dark-corner disco sound. Spanning the track, an echoed, steel-drum line leads the rhythm. Some sound motifs reappear on later tracks without becoming repetitive. This is especially true with the third song, 'Tin Man', which I see as being the playlist single that brings in the new listeners. 'I am the Tin Man', Herring proclaims over a buzzing wave of fuzz and rapid fire guitar attacks before ceding to it's conclusion, burning out with a ferocious blast of sound.

Setting up a hazy dreamscape, the title track, rather than going the usual route of setting itself up as a lead single instead acts as a break in the album. 'In The Evening Air' is a short one-minute (and 15 second) intermission that creates a buffer between the album's two sides without breaking up the familiarity of sound. It leads into 'Swept Inside' which is reminiscent of Arcade Fire's 'Rebellion (Lies)' with it's anthemic, driven bass-line. But, a sped-up drum tempo makes it a great, mellow dance track.

If you love 80's music, 'Inch of Dust' will be your song. Conjuring some Bowie vocals over a simple and drawn out bass-snare drum beat, the band always makes sure to pepper in little bursts of electronic rain drops before pushing the throttle again.

'Vireo's Eye' returns Future Islands to the epic sounding intro lines that may be their best selling point for new fans. While not fully bringing the album out of the clouded atmosphere, the track opens things up for a moment of sunlight.

The final song is the culmination of the LP – the way a solid one should conclude. A great dance groove and textured sample driving the bass and vocals while somber lyrics keep 'As I Fall' grounded before it melts away, leaving the last two minutes to deconstruct the composition into a moaning, brooding section of strings.

Rating: 8.9/10

Key tracks: 'Tin Man', 'Walking Through That Door', 'Swept Inside'
---------

There has been some slight underground buzz that this is an early contender for album of the year and, while still early, I can't say it's unwarranted. But, while this isn't the band's first album, it's definitely going to be their 'coming out' one.

If you're in LA, they are playing at an art space on Melrose called Sync Space on 5/21 -and let's face it, seeing an artsy band at an art compound is always cool. Right?

'In the Evening Air' is out on Thrill Jockey on 5/4.

MySpace: www.myspace.com/futureislands


'Tin Man'

A cold, rainy day in LA (what?)...go with it.

Queens of the Stone Age - Better Living Through Chemistry (live at Rock AM Ring 2003)

The Exploding Hearts - brighten up that grey, LA day!

You have to love a group that looks like a Clash cover band and has got that bright, jangly, garage-pop down.


VIDEO: The Exploding Heart - 'Rumours in Town'

Best Albums and Songs of 2009

It was a great year for music, even for us indie kids. So many solid albums and even more stellar songs/singles. On my list, it was a good year for Bradford Cox, repeating his place at the top - this year as Atlas Sound and in 2008 with Deerhunter's 'Microcastle'. What can I say? This dude knows how to put together great tracks while keeping the cohesion necessary for a solid LP.

Soooo, without further ado-

Best Albums of 2009

1. Atlas Sound - Logos

Prior to it's release, Bradford said his second album under the Atlas Sound name would be more poppy and accessible than 'Let the Blind Lead Those...' - he was right. 'Logos' is a beautiful collection of bliss and pop-hooks, peaking with the sparkling 'Walkabout' ft. Noah Lennox. This song actually came about from a meeting between Cox and Lennox, a subsequent discussion about sampling and a Boss SP-303.


2. Flaming Lips - Embryonic

At least we can say that we won't hear any of these songs on a commercial. The Lips have managed to reinvent themselves once more, strongly venturing into an album full of electronic blips and acid-grooves. The blown-out speakers mixed with the simplistic layering of many of the tracks makes 'Embryonic' a true headphone album that is a pleasure to listen to again and again.


3. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavillion

These boys just keep getting better, eh? I did go on a bit of a rant about A.C. but, always maintained that these guys were genius' and this album definitely reflects that. Lush samples and inter-track, evolving loops provide a treat to active listeners. Coupled with the late quarter release of the 'Fall Be Kind' EP, solid activity has proven to be the best medicine for a group of hearty, soul-brained, sampling conductors.


4. Eels – Hombre Lobo

While the Eels tend to come and go from the radar screen, E certainly will be staying on it through the next release 'End Times' whose news has already started to leak out as the band has offered a free mp3 download from the album and some nice looking pre-orders on their site. 'Hombre Lobo', as with all the Eels releases, has plenty of the lonely man watching his dream girl from afar lyrics but, the songs are all presented with great variety - electronic, garage blues, delicate arpeggios and sharp distortion, as well.


5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It's Blitz

I'll be honest, I'm still not a fan of 'Zero' but, the album as a whole is brilliant. The return to 80's sounding synths was an excellent move. I think the heavy reverbed guitars as their complete sound had grown a bit old. Nick Zinner, the sonic architect gets a MicroKorg popped in front of him and told he needs to not play as much guitar and produces a masterpiece. Not too shabby :)


6. Girls - Album

A late-comer with their release, Girls skyrocketed up people's play lists after getting a nice boost from Pitchfork. While some of the depth of these songs gets lost in the live tracks I've seen, 'Album' delivers with 50's era harmonies and chord jangles fresh from a Kinks-era of pop perfection.


7. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

The early front runner behind the 'Two Weeks' single (even before it was a single), just re-established what we already know about Grizzly Bear - chamber pop is not dead and soft does not mean lacking.


8. Bat for Lashes – Two Suns

A beautiful, musical prodigy who pens all of her own songs, moulds the soundscape and has such an alluring, haunting voice too? I couldn't be happier - anything to flush out that negative female pop-star image that poisons people's brains with Hannah Montana and High School Musical. The darkness of a lot of the songs intrigues me yet, subtle fillers and bright chord rips reveal something new on every listen.


9. Mastodon – Crack the Skye

Ah, nothing like being able to put a metal album in a best of the year list - I cry black tears of joy. Seeming to be more of a prog-metal band, Mastodon's 'Crack the Skye' sounded more like Pink Floyd turning up to 10 on a Mesa Boogie triple-rectifier and eating a bunch of acid. If that doesn't sound appealing, throw away your headphones.


10. Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures

Supergroup is a dangerous word but, if it's composed of Josh Homme, Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones, 'supergroup' is no longer the right term - I believe mega-coalition is more like it. Filled with Zeppelin-esque riffs, Grohl's ferocious drumming and just enough of that Desert sound sprinkled throughout, TCV kicked down the door and is still stomping on the panels. The smart and controlled marketing campaign of 'Follow What's Heard' dropped teasers and hints throughout various web pages and got everyone's mouths salivating at the prospect of what was to come - and come I, I mean, it did.


Honorable mention

Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains

A new band whose sound is larger than their 3-piece set-up and said they learned how to make a record by listening to Wilco's 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot'. If there is any prerequisite for checking out a new band, following the Jeff Tweedy method is one of them. Early in their career, they've learned how to leave room to explode in songs and seamlessly flow into a different track. Expect big things from these guys, I do.

Spiral Stairs - The Real Feel

As the second guitarist in Pavement, Scott Kannberg held his own. In his first, proper solo release, his song writing is as good as anything Pavement put out and instead of a compilation of quirky b-sides, we get a complete album with strong structure and a nice journey of tracks.


Obits - I Blame You

Sub-Pop has been on a role these days with their signings and Obits was no different. I have a soft-spot in my heart for bands made up of grown-ups and not young kids so, I immediately was spinning this album non-stop. Garage pop with a solid helping of punk riffs and single coiled guitars made their rookie release a fresh listen and excellent palette cleanser when you are not quite sure what to throw on your iPod.


Future of the Left - Travels With Myself and Another

From the ashes of the band McLusky, singer/vocalist Andy "Falco" Falkous and drummer Jack Egglestone may have put together the most deceptive and aggressive dance-rock album of the year.


Best Songs

1. Atlas Sound ft. Noah Lennox - 'Walkabout'

As far as I'm concerned, this song is the pinnacle of all those chill-wave songs but with some bite. I don't really think much else needs to be said about this song except that it truly is pop-perfection and, I refuse to number any of the songs after this because, without the context of the albums it's not fair and well, this track pretty much transcends them all. It wasn't even close.

But, the rest...

Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes
Eels – In My Dreams
Cymbals Eat Guitars – ..And the Hazy Sea
No Age – You're a Target
Spiral Stairs – True Love
Bat for Lashes – Daniel
Thom Yorke – All For The Best
Deerhunter – Disappearing Ink
Mastodon – Oblivion
Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks
Dinosaur Jr. - Over It
Sonic Youth – Sacred Trickster
Sunset Rubdown - You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)
Wilco – Wilco (The Song)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Soft Shock
Girls – Laura
Built to Spill – Aisle 13
Monsters of Folk – Say Please
The Dead Weather – Hang You From the Heavens
Them Crooked Vulture – No One Loves Me (And Neither Do I)
The XX – vcr
The King Khan and BBQ Show – I'll Be Loving You
Arctic Monkeys – Crying Lightning
Future of the Left – Arming Eritrea
Small Black – Despicable Dogs


Best Album Concept

The Mountain Goats and John Vanderslice - Moon Colony Bloodbath EP

All I need to say is that it's about organ harvesting colonies on the moon.


Top 5 Shows I Attended in 2009

1. The Flaming Lips @ The Greek Theatre
2. Them Crooked Vultures @ The Wiltern
3. Sunset Rubdown @ The Troubadour
4. Wilco @ The Wiltern
5. TV on the Radio @ The Ventura Theatre

Show review: Lilys @ Spaceland

It has certainly been a while since Kurt Heasley brought his band out for a live run. But, the pleasant surprise of seeing an ad mid-week that said Lilys were playing that Sunday changed that.

Lilys hit the road for a small cluster of West Coast tour dates and a couple Sundays ago, saw them bring their show to the small and David Lynch-esque Spaceland venue in Silverlake. While the place was virtually empty through the opening bands, there couldn't have been more than 100 people there by the time their set ended.

Kicking things off with 'Squares' and providing peppy and jangly renditions of tracks including (my favorite song) 'Ginger' and 'Nanny in Manhattan', the band looked happy and Kurt was talkative throughout - though sometimes a bit incoherent.

While there were no lush, shoe-gazey offerings of anything from 'In the Presence of Nothing', there was no love lost among the committed - surely, anyone at Spaceland on a Sunday night doesn't just 'happen to be there'.

All in all, the bartender mixed some strong drinks which kicked in at the right time and LA was treated to a rare Lilys appearance, well, since their last time at Spaceland.


VIDEO: Kurt Heasley - 'Ginger' (acoustic)

Johnny Marr: Guitar Mercenary

After catching The Cribs on Letterman and watching the guitar master of Manchester do his thing with his newest band, I realized that Johnny Marr is now officially a mercenary guitarist-for-hire and well, that's awesome.

We have all too often seen great ax men eventually part ways with their main band only to roll out a solo project with a title that is somehow a play on their name, full of rehashed riffs, 'special guests' and knob-polishing, ego-gluttonous soloing.

Not Johnny Marr.

While he did have his stint with The Healers, he easily shrugged off that iteration of his ability and moved on to being a hired gun (of sorts) for Modest Mouse and helping write the phenomenal 'We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank' while putting enough of his own swoon-worthy riffs to let you know he's there but, not envelop the sound. Isaac Brock, frontman for Modest Mouse, has openly stated that Johnny Marr has an open door policy with the band to come and go as he wishes.

The latter provided him with the ability to join The Cribs, a favorite band of his from the UK. An already talented group, Marr fit in seamlessly and has since put his Jaguar to work.

We may never see a Smiths reunion. Morrissey will probably continue to put out the same solo album again and again. But, before long, we may just see another Johnny Marr infused band and I couldn't' be happier.


VIDEO: The Cribs on Letterman

Halloween show review: 400 Blows @ Nomad Gallery

It was a beautiful All Hallows Eve in Echo Park – a crisp and cool night, several Jack Skellingtons walking about and yes, there was even street parking! Nomad Gallery and art compound opened their doors to host a Halloween event which showcased several great costumes (I think zombie Jesus was my favorite), old horror flicks projected on the walls and a great set from LA's own 400 Blows.

The band's following is a hearty mix of off-the-path scene kids, devout metal/punk fans and hardcore tone chasers. Mostly unheard of outside Los Angeles, the band has managed to cruise below the radar even after releasing two stellar albums - 'The Black Rainbow' (2003) and 'Angel's Trumpets and Devil's Trombones' (2005).

Playing their first show in sometime and with a slightly re-tooled lineup (though no ferocity lost), they erupted into 'The Beauty of Internal Darkness'. Lead vocalist, Skot, let it be known that 'this wasn't a reunion' and that 'they never left'. After proceeding to tear through a few new songs, Blows capped their night with the explosive 'Electric Wilderness' which sent the crowd into a beautiful chaos.

It would be a shame if this band didn't gain a larger following but, from what I can see, they don't mind one bit as long as their friends and fans are the same thing.

VIDEO: 400 Blows - 'Electric Wilderness' (live)

MySpace: www.myspace.com/400blows

Show review: Sunset Rubdown @ The Troubadour

On Tuesday night, Sunset Rubdown concluded their North American tour at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. 'This is the last one for a while', said front man Spencer Krug who added, 'all good things must end'.

Suffering from a cold, Krug started the set with just a guitar before being joined by the rest of his band which included the brilliant multi-instrumentalist (though the band has a few) Camilla Wynne Ingr who was just fascinating to watch perform albeit, spurned on by the intrigue of watching her play a xylophone with a vibrator.

The band's set list spanned all of their releases and even offered up a new song. Overall, their live sound was polished and top notch. And, even on songs that featured tandem drummers, nothing was over done and there was plenty of breathing room for all the brilliant fills that fans have become accustomed to while swooning with their headphones on, to ring through.

While nobody hopes that we've seen the last of Sunset Rubdown, at least we have plenty of side projects to keep us entertained :)

_Major thanks to Sean at Speed, Glue and Music for introducing me to this band a few years back. Well done sir.

VIDEO: Sunset Rubdown - Troubadour, 10.27.09

Julian Casablancas - November residency in LA

I hate posting 'news' on here but, the tidbits I do post are for the LA brethren, cool happening, cool happenings :)

That said, Julian Casablancas is doing a November residency at the Downtown Palace Theatre in LA - dates and address below.

November 6 - On Sale 10/23 @ 10am
November 13 - On Sale 10/26 @ 10am
November 20 - On Sale 10/28 @ 10am
November 27 - On Sale 10/30 @ 10am

Downtown Palace Theatre
630 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA


VIDEO: Julian Casablancas - 'Phrazes for the Young' Sampler

coming soon! NOTHING.COM

tee in pic courtesy of Threadless.com

How about a music site to satisfy the most elitist of the elite where basic e-snobbery is done with? The new 'site' can be called nothing.com. It will be no-fi, no-wave and where it's cool to listen to nothing but, even nothing is something so they'll have to be an anti-website which doesn't exist and only thought to be in existence somewhere at sometime but, if you know about it, you are already too mainstream.

Review: Spiral Stairs - 'The Real Feel'

In June, we were all pleasantly surprised by Matador's announcement (on their Matablog) of Scott 'Spiral Stairs' Kannberg's first-official solo-outing 'The Real Feel'. The news was accompanied by a memorable album cover and presumably the lead single, 'Maltese T' with it's Pavement-esque jangle-pop which instantly rooted itself in my mind and my play list with a stellar follow-up single, 'True Love' hitting the net a couple weeks ago.

Last week, I spun the full album for the first time and it is as good as the two singles would lead one to believe. Kannberg has put together a grown-up pop album with a decent amount of alt-country influence including lush slide-fills and banjo riffs too. But, undoubtedly, plenty of his sound contribution in Pavement is present in the LP as well.

On 'Call the Ceasefire', Kannberg sings 'did you realize, that was betrayal'. Perhaps the album may have been during the Pavement era but, the hiatus/break allowed him to polish up and offer a release as good as anything else that you've heard this year and comparable to most of the Pavement albums.

The album bobs and weaves through genres without losing it's focus or the listener's attention but, always comes back to that slight country twang that separates this album from the pack - it's cohesion is in it's diversity. 'Wharf Hand Blues' reminds me of an early-90's, contemporary jazz, Sade type vibe. While 'Subiaco Shuffle' is a foot-stomping, blues jam that could have easily been a Black Crowes b-side.

The album hits stores 10/20/09. If you are in LA, catch him at The Troubadour on 10/19 – he is supporting Bob Mould.

Rating: 8.5/10

Key tracks: 'Maltese T', 'True Love', 'Cold Change'

VIDEO: Pavement at Lollapalooza

Stellar follow-ups and solid debuts

A couple interesting blips popped up on the NME site today that hadn't hit any of the other music blogs-

James Murphy talks 'Sound of Silver' follow-up

Posted from the NME site-

LCD Soundsystem: 'We're making the album of the decade - but it's late'

James Murphy speaks about follow-up to 'Sound Of Silver'

• LCD Soundsystem
• LCD Soundsystem: 45:33
• LCD Soundsystem
• LCD Soundsystem
• LCD Soundsystem
• More LCD Soundsystem reviews

• LCD Soundsystem - 45:33
• LCD Soundsystem - Someone Great
• LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends

LCD Soundsystem claim their forthcoming album would have been the album of this decade - if it was released in time.

James Murphy is currently working on the follow-up to 2007's 'Sound Of Silver', and joked that if he had got his act together he could have stolen all the plaudits for the last 10 years.

"I'm opening a book on how long it will take after this record's release for people to be saying 'If this was released five months ago, it would have been the album of the decade...'," he told Mojo.

Currently the album - which is being recorded at "a mansion. It sleeps ten and there's an amazing pool and it felt pretty amazing" - is all instrumental, but Murphy intends for it carry a some real messages by the time he's finished.

"I'm working on a song called 'Why Do You Hate Music?'. Everyone seems to hate music right now, even people who make music," he explained. "There's a song called 'Love In LA', which has an Eddy Grant, Sly & Robbie feel.”

He added: "I'm doing what I set out to do on 'Sound Of Silver', which is take more chances."


AAANNNDDDDD....


Jesse Hughes a.k.a. The Devil a.k.a. Boots Electric readies solo debut

Eagles Of Death Metal's Jesse Hughes to release solo album

And Hughes wants to recruit Dr Dre to work on it…

Eagles Of Death Metal singer/guitarist Jesse Hughes is working on a solo album.

The impressively moustachioed frontman told BBC 6music that the album, his first as a solo artist, would be named 'Boots Electric Fabulous Weapon'.

He has been recently going under the nickname 'Boots Electric' after formerly being referred to as 'The Devil'.

Hughes said he had some rather ambitious production wishes for the album. "I'm trying to work with Dr. Dre and my dream job of all time would be to work with [Outkast's] Andre 3000," he said. "But I'll probably end up working with someone at K Mart."

Eagles Of Death Metal played at the Reading And Leeds Festivals last weekend (August 28-30). Watch a video interview with Hughes backstage at the Leeds bash by clicking on the right.

-----------------

I can't wait for a headlining LCD show. I saw them open up for Arcade Fire at the Hollywood Bowl and have been jonesing ever since.

Last time I saw Jesse was at the Natasha show and he lit everyone up-

Noel Gallagher quits Oasis

Looks like it broke on Rolling Stone - basic statement is:

“It’s with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight..."

Is this really it or another faux-ending?

Here is the Rolling Stone link-

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/08/28/noel-gallagher-quits-oasis-with-great-relief/

Surprise! Third Man Records L.A. pop-up store

Thanks to the lads and ladettes at La Weekly and he West Coast Sound column for this juicy tidbit.

The Regent Theatre in downtown has been made over into a pop-up store for Mr. Jack White's label/record purchasing hut.

It's a three-day shindig-

Wednesday AUG. 26: 10 am to 8 pm
Thursday AUG. 27: 12 pm to 8 pm
Friday AUG. 28: 12 pm to 8 pm

I'm there :)