Live Glen Hansard and The Frames kick ass soft loud and everything in between. They probably can be considered world ambassadors because they tour so much, and maybe even to a fault. Dance the Devil and for the birds were such strong albums that I felt a little disappointed with burn the maps when it went full on song alternative, and I thought of a letter I should send Glen that he should stay home for a little while to re-tool and investigate what motivates him best. The problem was he would never get it unless I handed it to him directly at show. The Cost is evidence of this maturation, perhaps a metaphor for the artistic sacrifice of being a touring musician. It does seem to look back musically at the over all tones and subtle difference that made his band such a personable experience in the first place; like the type of feeling you get when you run into a friend you have not seen in awhile. These familiar faces are the stand-out tracks, “People get ready” which reaches radiohead heights while still keeping that back porch feel, might be a little self concious but with his Irish charm they can get away with anything, “True” is dance the devil redux which is all good for me as it has the dynamics that will probably be a show stopper and “Falling Slowly” raises a nod back to their pub days. Check them out for cheap on emusic and use your extra bucks for a pint.
I don’t know where his record was hiding from me in 2006. I’ve heard stories but for the un-initiated Thunder Down Under is a great Hot Snakes starter kit; temporary proof that the golden age of ‘indie roc’ died with their break-up. It’s guitar tightness and ear bleeding volume speaks to the fact that their live performance puts the fear in cancer. They shook the ground from 1999-2005 or so, and it easily can be said that this music is not safe for folkies, disco fans or the notion of tough guy rock. The first spin will hurt your sensibility of many things, this is pure rock control put out by Swami Records. The rock energy and speed of the Supersucker’s La Mano Cornuda can be compared as the evidence I submit to you (you have your homework), Thunder Down Under is on the same level demon seed level. They crush all the strokey, bloc party want to be’s on go. Where have all the loud, tight and fast bands gone?
I have a lot of catching up to do but right now you should be listening to the most recent dj spork show #16 Stereophonic Valentine Massacre that I recently posted(playa’ to your right). If it weren’t for Heather from fuel friends posting some awesome stuff and classic lost police tracks, elliot smith track listing from up comingnew moon lost archive album from Kill Rock Stars, and some Valentine love from some of her pals Some velvet blog and Duke from The Late Greats, i would not have any new music to mix up my lame daily commute to work. 1) because I am lazy, 2) because I do not have the time. This week she also turned me onto streetlab, which I’ll probably spin on an upcoming show, they do some weird shit to classic’s like “gimme shelter“, Not much else to report but enjoy the show, subcribe to dj spork review stalker rss, etc, and have a nice week.
If you are hitting this page and wondering why it has not been updated as frequently and why my 25 list is incomplete it is because I have been spending quality blog time hanging out and posting on the mog. I did find time to squeeze in a podcast show recently so you should be listening too the results right now. You can subscribe via rss to it or view descriptions of some of the other djspork shows here.
OTHER NEWS STUFF:The circle of trust for critics choice poll is smallish but the first set of results in. Tris McCall’s put a lot of effort into the editorialization is quite good about describing the state of music:
Top 2006 Album
1. Belle & Sebastian > The Life Pursuit
2. Camera Obscura > Let’s Get Out Of This Country
3. Ghostface Killah > Fishscale
4. The Hold Steady > Boys And Girls In America
5. Neko Case > Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
Read the full top 2006 album report here. I’m not disgruntled too much that my number one album didn’t get on the radar with this bunch in the top 20 but at least The Hold Steady made the top 5 and Tom Waits—Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards number 29. I’m looking forward to the smart ass question results personally as it is more telling of our times. [ read my mog write-up here on all the juicy questions in the poll ]
When you reach out to a friend he/she doesn’t answer. Insulated in their little world so you figure you’ll make a post for those that are listening. I have honestly been neglecting you bloggy and spending a lot more time on your mog pages but here is a little something for your belly. Of course post is duplicated on mog but whatever…
Your three pointer for the week:
1) There is a free single called “Another one goes by: from The Walkmen off of one of their older releases on emusic, Another One goes by. Very good stuff if you ever wondered what Dylan would do w/ alternative music and a different slant on VU interpretations.
2) In a 3 band twist-up, there are some nice nuggets by the starlight mints, The Winks and Portastatic on i guess I’m floating’s mp3 site as part of his Reach Around postings.
3) And my final offering from a electrical boards posting and for the few guitar indie snobs around here: chavez their whole Warsaw set from their recent brooklyn show. I asked Rbally to take the mv4 files and give them a little more gain, so lets see if he does. I posted a review of said Dec 2006 show before, but in case you missed it, and in recap, it reminded me why so many bands are week in scope and you should really just break up your band if there is no sort of hit, greatness or if the chicks don’t dig it. Chavez have always been 2/3 in this band qualifications in that respect. The wreckage is filled with some incredible guitar and drum work, with a zero tolerence nod to prog and is the place where the quick math rock geek might have reared itself first in me (don cab and shellac aside). They enable the type of guitarscapes where sonic tone actually speaks to me, in way that lets say mission of burma, gang of four or even jimmy page’s studio work. There is a certain way players handle a piece of wood and carve out music by the very way they touch it, bend strings, set-up the knobs, and well you just say, F it I could never do that. [start english accent here] “Do you know what i mean?”
LIVE BAND REVIEW: We know it is going to be a momentary thing. We know if we want to live for another chance. This was it – sorry baltimore and chicago you lost again. The time to experience the sonic bliss was now; already yesterday. The drumming of The James Low does not even have a suitable metaphor –it is just uncharted. We put up with the bassplayer just got off a plane jokes. The chance to hear a live set(1 of 3) mixed by Bob Weston was worth the price of admission — quality control- check. It was good to see these influencers of influencers. It was not perfect but so damn close to it; we wouldn’t have it any other way. Deep down we hope there is more than a box-set for the men of chavez but we know. They know what is best. So we wait and talk of the sausage fest. The next time it comes-up. We can say again, ,remember when we drank polish beer at Warsaw in Brooklyn and saw Chavez in 2006 and we ran into: walt of Aviso’Hara, those drinking bastardsPilot to Gunner, Morgan, Brian, Scott, Steve, Jen, etc. We hope the legacy and tradition continues; as the chavez brand of indie is in the same vain that howlin wolf inspired the rolling stones. They rose the proverbial bar. This we are certain of.
I’ve been pretty busy so here are three quick posts in one. Lots of stuff going on and during the holidays it is important to take a minute or two and think about the people you miss and people who made a difference in the world. Joe Strummer was one of those people.
CHRISTMAS MP3’sI’ve also been mining all the dang Christmas mp3 blog posts and top 2006 song posts. so if your are looking for music to spice up your mixes, well here you go:
I also, promised a mog review and I am now proud to say that I have risen from a below the radar user to a chill user while I tested and interacted on the site and got my music fix practically everyday since I joined. If you are looking to see what some of your favorite indie stars are listening too on the mog like: Mathew Caws from Nada surf or Mac from Portastatic you can do that. If you are looking for some quick music recommendations from people this is easy too. The mog-o-matic that interfaces with your itunes does slow down your computer processor a whee-bit but otherwise all the community magic happens right on site. The mog-sphere, where all your blog posts go, all land in the same pot. You can collect trusted moggers, etc. what is neat is that every connection is based how much interaction you put it. go ahead and try it. The mog has a much less corporate marketing feel than lastfm that only moggers can understand.
I thought this video of The Velvet Underground is fantastic.
Tomorrow: Gene(Aaron) and Dean(Mickey) Ween will be supporting Chris Harford when he appears on WXPN’s “Free at Noon” show, Friday Dec. 8th at NOON (duh, really?).
This is an hour long show that is performed live as it is broadcast from the “World Cafe Live” venue in Philadelpia. This very intimate event is open to the public and if you have never seen these guys perform together in a venue like John and Peter’s in New Hope, or at Stoneybrook farm years ago sucking on helium(fun story for another day), it is a once in lifetime opportunity to experience Chris’s “Band of Changes”; this time around it will be comprised of Dave Dreiwitz on bass (ween/instant death), Scott Metzger on guitar (rana, particle), Eric Slick on Drums (Adrian Belew), with Dean & Gene adding additional vocals & guitar.
“The boy Gedge has written some of the best love songs of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Era. You may dispute this, but I’m right and you’re wrong!” John Peel.
The premier screening of the film “The Wedding Present – Drive” is going to be on Thursday, December 7, at Bridgette Mayer Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, which documents their first tour of the U.S. and Canada in more than 8 years. My old pal Steve from vital cog records and now third hand films tells me seating is limited so get in touch with the gallery or him directly. I went to one of the shows he taped at Maxwells and it was pretty much exactly as they were 10 years ago, so if you missed them this is your chance.
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