new: David Byrne and Brian Eno

"Someday's We Harmonize"

A great way to kick start the week. Listen to Everything That Happens Will Happen Today below, then buy it. Great to hear this classic pairing making tunes again. Highly rec'd.

we saw: Wilco

"Its Hot In The Poor Places Tonight"
(Photo by Mystic Childz)
The Wilco show at McCarren Pool on Wednesday was a prime example of a band maturing, aging with grace and being 'total pro's.' Not only was the venerable machine well oiled, but the band, more powerful than ever, delivers a genuine rock and roll show without any of the pretense often associated with indie rock (and Brooklyn). Of course, comedian Jeff Tweedy got into the mix, asking "Are you all too cool to clap?! Would it be better if we add the "Love Will Tear Us Apart" drum beat to it?!" The audience took the jab as best it could, and turned the standard crowd clap to new levels, adding a second beat and turning the whole thing on its side. Then Tweedy called us a bunch of "free thinkers." It was funny, but some people didn't take it in stride. Regardless, the sold out show delivered American rock and roll of the highest quality, especially during rhythmic machine that is "Spiders (Kidsmoke)" (which featured the clapping), and the triple guitar assault on Sky Blue Sky rocker "Impossible Germany." Twas also great to hear a couple off the criminally under rated Summerteeth and to finally hear Glenn tear up "Heavy Metal Drummer" (picture below). Check out a great video of "Poor Places" from the McCarren Pool show below.


Wilco 8/13/08 McCarren Pool, Brooklyn, NY

Via Chicago
Blood of the lamb (w/ clarinet)
You are my face
Hummingbird
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
A shot in the arm
Side with the seeds
Misunderstood
Far far away
Impossible Germany
Pieholden suite (w/ total pros)
California stars (w/ total pros)
Handshake drugs
Pot kettle black
Poor places >
Spiders (kidsmoke)

encore 1
Jesus, etc.
Can't stand it (w/ total pros)
Hate it here (w/ total pros)
Walken (w/ total pros)
I'm the man who loves you (w/ total pros)

encore 2
Heavy metal drummer
Late greats (w/ total pros)
Kingpin (w/ total pros)
Monday (w/ total pros)
Outtasite (w/ total pros)
I'm a wheel

"Poor Places" Live at McCarren Pool, 8/13/08

smooth: Marvin Gaye "Star Spangled Banner"

"...the twilight's last gleaming"

Marvin Gaye stunned the crowd with this silky version of our national anthem at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game. As featured in the latest Nike commercial.

we saw: Hercules & Love Affair

"You Belong To Him Tonight"

Friday night was truly epic. Radiohead's juggernaut of a live show made my legs so weary that all I could do to make it to Hercules & Love Affair was to take a nap on the light rail platform. (And another nap in the cab across town). But we are young and the young shall dance, so when we arrived in front of the Fillmore (still weird that its not Irving Plaza) we were injected with a few hours worth of second, third and fourth winds.

We arrived just past midnight, and probably missed the first 10-15 minutes of H&LA's show, but it didn't matter, the party was in full swing and the hyper-sexual gay club disco had the old IP feeling a lot more like 54 or Tunnel, or one of those obscenely hedonistic dance clubs of old that people like to reference. Moustached men in short, short shorts maneuvered the dance floor as if they were extras in the roller disco musical Xanadu, while drag queen supreme Nomi dominated the stage, all eyes on her. The band, which included a full horn section and a half nude male "Vogue" dancing all night, was so tight that the songs literally moved into and out of each other, as if they were having sex and each transition lead to a new disco-beast of an offspring. "Athene" and "You Belong" were full of sleek body shaking goodness, while the unstoppable crowd could have brought the balcony down during "Blind." For me, the unreachably high highlights were H&LA's cover of "Don't Fear The Reaper", the "my secret love of a man" jam "You Raise Me Up" and the encore, and house rattler, "Hercules Theme." It's nights like this, and acts like Hercules & Love Affair, that often make me dream of being a young gay male during the height of the cocaine fueled NYC disco years of yore.

Hercules & Love Affair- Don't Fear The Reaper (Live at Irving Plaza) (Courtesy of The Sound of Indie)


"Blind" Live @ Studio B (R.I.P.)

All Points West: Saturday

"All I Need"
(Photo by Jonny Leather)
If things hadn't gotten so down right dirty at the Hercules & Love Affair show, post-Radiohead on Friday, we probably could've made it to Liberty State Park a little earlier. But who wants to go to a clean disco show? Not I. And so was the case Saturday when we arrived at APW at the tail end of Metric's set on the Main ("Blue Comet") Stage. While Emily Haines was looking sexy as ever, the day didn't truly start for us until Animal Collective took over Jersey City. AC threw a monkey wrench into the very "accessible" All Points West lineup, which consisted of a lot of ear friendly acts more likely to win over new fans than scare the be-jesus out of them. But, hey, that's why Animal Collective rules. As expected the band stuck to the general set they've been bringing all summer, including Panda Bear's "Comfy in Nautica", the explosive "Fireworks -> Essplode", the philosophical psyche piece "House (Material Things)" and the new jam (gem) "Brother Sport." Needless to say, AC brought it hard and left us hard of hearing, literally. AC's set was so bombastic that the Geologist was literally moving the earth with gutteral bass and punishing %&^$% (unknown sound). It literally took Hunter and I a good twenty minutes and a nice jaunt around the park to fully regain our hearing...only to get our ears pooped on by Kings of Leon.

(Photos by Self-TitledMag)



(Photo by Jonny Leather)
After washing the urine and feces from our ear canals it was time to get serious. Night 2 of Radiohead. Night 1 was, well, everything you'd expect from one of the most talented bands in the world. Night 2 did not disappoint, with Thom and Co. ripping apart classics like "Planet Telex" and "Fake Plastic Trees", while also slaying "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" and "Weird Fishes/Arpeggio." There is something to be said about the goosebump inducing power of 40,000 strong singing "the beat goes round and round" in sync with Mr. Yorke. I'm not sure what that something is, but when I figure it out, I will cry, and then do my best to communicate it. Oh yeah, they ended the show with "Idioteque"... Shazam. The only bummer about Radiohead's set Saturday night was that I knew I wouldn't be seeing them Sunday. Oh well, guess I have an excuse to head to Japan in a few months.

"Idioteque" @ All Points West 8/9/08

All Points West: Friday

"It is now the witching hour..."

You know the difference between Radiohead and other bands equally long in the tooth? Radiohead can still bring it. More specifically though, what other band has been around so long and can play every song but one off their new (7th) studio album, and not just get away with it, but fucking rock it? Well that's exactly what happened Friday night at conveniently located All Points West Festival. And you know how eco-friendly cars are great for the environment, but kind of suck? Well Radiohead's lighting system uses solar charged batteries that use 1/4 the amps of similar systems (the better to reduce their carbon footprint, my dear), and it was still the best light show I've ever seen. Clearly these guys have a few things figured out.

Another reason why this show was unbelievable? Setlist highlights were not what I would have guessed (and I saw them just 2 months ago), even with typical standouts "Idioteque" and "There There" on the bill. "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" got the whole crowd bouncing, glitchy Hail to the Thief track "The Gloaming", which has been refitted with jumpy new drum and bass sections, surprised the hell out of everyone (see the shitty vid below, but you get the idea), and "You and Whose Army?" was accompanied by some black and white camera right in Thom Yorke's face (better than it sounds). And yes, okay, Idioteque was fucking sweet.
"Lucky" @ All Points West 8/8/08






....Aaaaand did I mention Grizzly Bear and Andrew Bird? Both wowed in different ways... while Grizzly Bear were more of the "That band sounds really great" variety, Andrew Bird was more a "Holy shit that guy's talent is goddamn intimidating". Both played some songs off their recent albums (Yellow House and Armchair Apochrypha, respectively), as well as excellent new stuff slated for release later this year. Of course I'm referring to everyone's new favorite Grizz song "Two Weeks", which you can watch below. No Doveman with the arpeggios on this one, but it's fantastic all the same...


Extremely awesome photo of Thom by baonguyen.

morning music: Jeff Hanson

"They Won't Ever Follow You"

Certain music just sounds better when the sun first bursts through the morning haze, like some cosmic score to the breaking dawn. Jeff Hanson is one of those special artists who crafts songs so intrinsically beautiful that they feel as home in the Brooklyn morning, as they do at 3 a.m. when all you can see is the radiant glow of the Citi Group building off in distant Long Island City. His latest offering, Madam Owl, is a majestic piece of baroque folk that cements Hanson's voice as one of the most unique in the pop cannon. Upon first listen you'll wonder, "who is the female vocalist?" Well, it's Jeff, whose voice is as smooth and pure as Joni's in her youth and as powerful as (former) Kill Rock Stars label mate Elliott Smith. Beautiful pop songs, sung in an absolutely mesmerizing voice that transcends space and time, so that everything is at a stand still, as if the world has vanished and all we are left with is reflections on the past.


Jeff Hanson- Night
Jeff Hanson- Your Only Say

mix: Rooftop Party Mix

"The Summer, With Me And My Friends"

A few weeks ago I was asked to curate a mix for a friend's rooftop party on the Lower East Side. Set ideally next to the Williamsburg Bridge on a beautiful July evening with good friends and lots of exemplary party favors [can you say (un)frozen Lemonade and Vodka?], this rager truly had everything, including an appearance by the legendary, and somewhat mythical, Schluss-burger. Cheers!

Jar-Ed's Rooftop Party Pre-Jam Jam Vol.1 (Mixed by McGregor)
The Lemon Fog- Summer
Velvet Underground- One of These Days
Girls- Lust for Life
The Shag- Stop and Listen
El Guincho- Kalise
Flying Lotus- Robo Tussin (Lil Wayne "A Milli" Remix)
Air France- Collapsing At Your Doorstep
M83- Graveyard Girl
Glass Candy- Rolling Down The Hills
Hercules & Love Affair- Hercules Theme
Lykke Li vs. Field- Dance Dance Dance In My Face (The Hood Internet Remix)
Bullion- I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
Pulp- Common Pulp
Music Go Music- Light of Love
Fleetwood Mac vs. Gwen Stefani- Everywhere (Paul Devro mix)
Santogold- L.E.S Artistes (XXXchange Remix)
Of Montreal- Gronlandic Edit
MGMT- Electric Feel
YACHT- I Believe In You
The Ruby Suns- Tane Mahuta
Gilberto Gil- Bat Macumba
Jeanette- Porque Te Vas
The Clash- Rudy Can't Fail
Stevie Wonder- Sir Duke
Arif Sag- Osman Pehlivan
Lord Rhaburn- Disco Connection
DJ Shadow- Organ Donor (Extended Overhaul)
Broken Social Scene- Pacific Theme
Caribou- Crayon
Caribou- Every Time She Turns Around It's Her Birthday
Black Moth Super Rainbow- Drippy Eye
James Pants- Crystal Lite (featuring Deon Davis)
Friend- Secret (Remix of Air France's "Collapsing At Your Doorstep")
Passion Pit- Sleepyhead

Jar-Ed's Rooftop Party Pre-Jam Jam Vol.1 (Mixed by McGregor) (Right Click & Save; or opt + click to save)

we saw: King Khan & the Shrins and Deerhunter

"It Never Stops"
{Bad Ass Photo's by Dese'Rae L. Stage}

First things first, King Khan is a fucking lunatic. That said, it should come as no surprise that he threw hundreds of banana's at the audience, spit the remnants at us, jumped on us, got a Beeej from Duffy (via Spin cover), hated on Germany, threw some more bananas, made a beautiful Man-gina, walked around with flowers in his ass crack, pulled Tim Harrington's cock out and then poured beer down his pants. If that wasn't enough, he rocked the park hard and then Deerhunter came on.

Bradford and Co did not disappoint, performing crowd favorites like "Strange Lights" and "Flourescent Grey", while also touching on Microcastle jams "Never Stops", "Nothing Ever Happened" and "Saved By Old Times." We didn't stick around for the Black Lips, but from the looks of it they brought there usual antics, and more King Khan pranks. Definitely a lot sweeter than the line at the MGMT show.

King Kahn & The Shrines


Deerhunter

we saw: Wolf Parade

"This Hearts On Fire"
{Bad Ass Photography by Dese'Rae Stage}

Wolf Parade rocked Terminal 5 last night. This is noteworthy because A) I have not listened to At Mount Zoomer once and B) I've been avoiding Terminal 5 like typhoid. Regardless, WP brought it. "You Are A Runner...", check. "Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts", check. "Shine A Light", check. "We Built Another World", check. "I'll Believe In Anything", check. And, thank little 8 pound 4 oz baby Jesus, "This (mother fucking) Heart's On (fucking) Fire", double check. Wolf Parade takes the stage at T5 again tonight around 9. Tickets still available, just do it. [Side note: Tix just went on sale for Spencer's return to NY with Sunset Rubdown, Merc is sold out, but Music Hall still available.] Mad props to whoever was doing lights last night, phenomenal job (peep video below for evidence).









"This Hearts on Fire" Live at Terminal 5 7/31/08

we saw: Light Pollution

Hand Crushes The Wheel
Light Pollution rolled into Manhattan the other day for a show at Piano's. To be honest, I'd never heard of them until Wednesday morning when I got a press release that said "Light Pollution's music is kaleidoscope of sound, encompassing everything from backward tapes to dissonant piano rolls to even crunching leaves." Sounds good to me. Piano's was empty Wednesday night, as if no one had gotten the memo. Despite much of a crowd, Light Pollution performed an enthusiastic set of soul bearing Americana backed by life affirming instrumentation. From my count the band played accordion, guitar, violin, mandolin, trombone, bass, drums, melodica, glockenspiel, keyboards, and a smattering of percussion. Not only did the band bring the songs on their recently self-released (and self-titled) EP to life, but they did it with so much enthusiasm you couldn't help but rock out in the corner all by your lonesome. The Illinois based collective is currently touring the Northeast promoting its self-titled EP, available on vinyl (comes w/a CD), and will be back in New York Saturday for a show at Brooklyn's Union Hall. Get there early, their the first band on the bill.

remixes: The Rosebuds

"I Know, It's Late"
I've been meaning to post these since early May but now that The Rosebuds have penciled in an October 7th release for their latest, Life Like, it seems like an appropriate time. Even more appropriate considering the album was co-produced by Portastatic’s Matthew McCaughan and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, who each contribute remixes to Sweet Beats, Troubled Sleep (Night of the Furies Remixed) . Matt's remix of "Silence By The Lakeside" is a mellow trip down bossanova lane, while Justin transforms "Get Up, Get Out" from an uptempo nu-disco cut into a slow burner complete with all the aching falsetto harmonies you'd expect from the man who crafted the insanely beautiful For Emma, Forever Ago. For those of you who forgot, Justin used to play in The Rosebuds, and also convinced them that they could record Night of the Furies by themselves. (Oh yeah, and we first discovered Bon Iver at the Rosebuds/Brooklyn Vegan showcase day 1 of CMJ 2007. Quite the family gig.)

Download Sweet Beats, Troubled Sleep (Night of the Furies Remixed) for FREE!

we love: Sic Alps

"Sha La La La La La La"
Ok, I don't know if we love Sic Alps, but I sure as hell do. For the last few months the San Fran band's singles, EP's and rarities compilation A Long Way To Get Around To A Shortcut has been on high, high rotation on my iTunes. In fact, I love this disc so much that I've actually given 5 of the 26 songs on ALWTGATAS a 4-star rating on iTunes, a huge compliment considering the only other bands to make the list are the Beach Boys, Yo La Tengo, Animal Collective and Joy Division. Granted, Sic Alps aren't for everyone. If you don't like tape recordings, spatial hissing, fumbling psych freakouts, desperation or noize, stay away. If those things sound kind of enticing, continue reading.

While unabashed lo-fi-ness is their steez, the duo of Mike Donovan and Matt Hartman is absolutely relentless in their pursuit of the most beautiful, delapadated pop music. To me, Sic Alps are the musical equivalent of a marble statue of a Greek God holding his crotch, on top of a steaming mountain of garbage being towed on a barge to its final resting place, only to be burned by men in Dickie's and steel toed boots. Truth is, there is something down right dirty and "wrong" to the Sic Alps sound, as if everything pop/rock music is supposed to be has been broken, burnt, twisted, swallowed, regurgitated, swallowed again and shat out, only to be filtered through a dictaphone, which, for whatever reason, makes it beautiful. Jangly melodies, raucous freakouts, noize excursions, whorishly pretty pop, and instrumental wonders, it's all here for your enjoyment.

Rumor has it that Sic Alps are playing the Pool Sunday with Deerhunter, Black Lips, King Khan and the Shrines and Tall Firs. Can't confirm, but I'm definitely psyched, since I was out of town when they slayed Death By Audio (and Union Pool).

{Ed Note: Sic Alps ALWATGTAS ends with a tune called "Microcastle", which is also the name of the new album, and a song, by Deerhunter.}

Sic Alps- The News Today
Sic Alps- Untitled/Digital Booklet/Deep Fruit


Sic Alps "A Story Over There"

new: The Streets

"Somebody Else Will"

Just got the new Streets in the mail. Here is the first single, "The Escapist", a sort of mournful soul jam, which finds Skinner in a low-key, reflective mood, as if he really is retiring. Hopefully Everything is Borrowed will see the return of the classic storytelling Skinner brewed up on Original Pirate Material and A Grand Don't Come For Free.

The Streets- The Escapist[direct download]

we saw: Atlas Sound

"I'm Waiting To Be Changed"
One might not think South Street Seaport's outdoor Mall food court vibe would be the best place to see an Atlas Sound show. Truth is Bradford Cox's loopy lo-fi psych-pop is probably better suited for a black light lite basement, or on headphones in your bedroom high on Nyquil. However, somehow, Bradford was able to translate the warmth of Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel for a crowd of screwed up kids, post-work partiers, middle aged couples, khaki clad tourists, and, yep, a few hipsters. Maybe it was my spot in the crowd (upfront left), but the sound was impeccable, way better than at the No Age show. Bradford played a truly hypnotic, euphoric set of Let The Blind... gems like "Quarantined," "Cold As Ice," as well as new cut "Logos," which Bradford said would be the last song on his next album. Be sure to check out the video of "Logos."

Atlas Sound "Logos" @ South Street Seaport

classicks: Follow the Leader

Often labeled the greatest year in hip-hop, 1988 saw the release of some of the best albums in hip-hop's history. It's tough to pick a favorite from the class of '88, but Eric B & Rakim's sophomore album, Follow the Leader, is a top contender. Released twenty years ago last Friday, Follow the Leader was a blazing follow-up to their 1987 debut, Paid in Full, and set Rakim aside as one of the innovators and pioneers of early hip-hop.

class of '88 muxtape

Check out the video for the title track (below).


Eric B & Rakim - Follow the Leader

Pitchfork Day 2: The Hold Steady

"Gotta Stay Positive"

"I Knew That We'd Arrived At A Unified Scene"

God Bless The Hold Steady.

we saw: Akron/ Family

Love Is Simple
The Akron/Family show last night at Castle Clinton in Battery Park was a soul-bearing celebration of warmth, energy, liberal grooming habits and good vibes. Heady, right? Yeah, it was, and in the most sincere, down-to-earth, free-loving way. It wasn't nonsensical or obnoxiously Utopian, because you could physically hear the band invoking the sound of the natural world, as if they were mere vessels for some never ending song. The collective had Megafaun in tow, who added beautiful textures to complex layers of ambient noize and free-jazz psych outs. This is not a band to miss....ever.

Here's a little taste of Akron/Family's liberating live show.

muxtape: Stormy Night in Brooklyn

"While You Wait For The Others"
Bored on a stormy night in Brooklyn, watching the sky light up and waiting to hear the new Grizzly Bear song on Letterman (which was sweeeet). Yep, that about sums it up. Here's the soundtrack to the evening.

Muxtape
Grizzly Bear - While You Wait For The Others
Yo La Tengo - You Can Have It All
Girls - Hellhole Ratrace
Galaxie 500 - Tell Me
Magnetic Fields - Abigail, Belle Of Kilronan
Sunset Rubdown - Us Ones In Between
The Rosebuds - Get Up Get Out - Justin Vernon of Bon Iver remix
(((Eagle Winged Palace))) - Hands of Doom
Blood on the Wall - Lightning Song
Atlas Sound - Marietta

Listen to the new
Muxtape

Pitchfork Day 3: Mahjongg

Tweaker Time
(This Great Photo by RobotClaw666)
Sunday afternoon kicked off with Mahjongg. We didn't know shit about them but figured we'd wander over to the B stage for its shade and ideal beer location. Not only did we find a nice spot to chill but Mahjongg played a killer set of hardcore experimental electro. Lots of knob tweaking, multiple percussive elements and super distorted vocals had the crowd bopping in a break neck sort of way. You could hear all the traditional elements of disparate experimental music, however, somehow Mahjongg made it enjoyable, even danceable, rather than say Health, who is more of a straight up noize band (not that there is anything wrong with that...If you were wondering, Health brought it hard.) Definitely keep an eye out for Mahjongg, who definitely have something going on.

Mahjongg Live at Pitchfork (audio is studio)

Pitchfork Day 3: King Khan and His Shrines

"Throw Some Mother Fucking Trash"
(This Great Photo by dde)
Day 3 of Pitchfork got off to a slow start, but that's just because we were still drained from having our heads warped by Animal Collective. While Mahjongg played one of the most unexpectedly enjoyable sets of the weekend, Sunday didn't really get started until King Khan and The Shrines brought their sex'd up punking psychedelic soul revue to the B stage. Needless to say, the dude did not disappoint, delivering a set that exceeded the hype and cemented Khan as the Indian love child of Iggy Pop and James Brown. We were also treated, although we didn't know it at the time, to a short set by King Khan, Bradford Cox and Jay Reatard later in the evening, but it was nothing like Khan's ridiculously raw powered afternoon show. Really excited to see him tear up McCarren Pool in a few weeks, when he comes to Brooklyn with Black Lips and Deerhunter (August 3rd).

King Khan killing Pitchfork

Pitchfork Day 2: Animal Collective

"Your Only All I See Sometimes"
What can I say about Animal Collective that hasn't already been said? Nothing. They absolutely destroyed Union Park on Saturday night. Anyone who was there will say the same thing. It was just outerwordly, like a space ship landed and we all willing got the anal probe....and it was good. Strawberry Jams like "Peacebone" and "Fireworks" were highlights, as was Panda Bear's "Comfy in Nautica", but the real madness came down on some of the new stuff. Not sure about exact names, but this bootleg from a May concert in Lisbon has a few of the new songs and they should not/will not be ignored. I can't recommend this live set enough. And now, for the next few weeks, I shall only think about two things: more Animal Collective and Radiohead. It's so on at All Points West. {Ed Note: GVB has some sick video of AC performing new jam "Lion In A Coma" from Pitchfork. Yes, you should check it out asap.)

Animal Collective 5-28-08 Lisbon, Portugal
01- The Dancer
02- Daily Routine
03- House (Material Things)
04- Lion In A Coma (new song)
05- Peacebone
06- Fireworks > Essplode > Fireworks
07- Walk Alone With You
08- Leaf House
09- Chocolate Girl (new song)
10- Comfy In Nautica
11- Brother Sport / Encore
12- Who Could Win A Rabbit?
13- Grass

Animal Collective "Peacebone" at Pitchfork

Pitchfork Day 2: The Ruby Suns

"When I Wake Up I Get The Morning Sun"
After chilling out with the Fleet Foxes, we roamed over to the B-stage for KiWi-via-Cali summer melody makers The Ruby Suns. With El Guncho's set nixed, I knew we had to catch The Ruby Suns, who play a similar sort of island oriented, sample based dance pop. While their sound was a bit muddy, the group (a mere two-some) served up Sea Lion gems like "Tane Mahuta", the second part of "Morning Sun" and "Oh, Mojave." I think we might've gotten "Kenya Dig It?", but my memory is a bit shot. Not gonna lie, Sea Lion seems to get better and better as the summer gets hotter.

Pitchfork Day 2: Fleet Foxes

"What A Life I Lead"
(This Great Photo was taken by Kristiecat)
After Caribou it was time to get down on another set of Fleet Foxes. After seeing them in two small (Bowery Ballroom and Union Hall, respectively) venues, I figured this afternoon slot on the main stage at a sort-of large festival wouldn't be the Foxes best. I wasn't wrong, but I wasn't right either. After a few sketchy tech problems that made it sound like Fuck Buttons were playing alongside them, the Foxes settled into their unique brand of baroque sylvan pop. Harmonies were high and tight, which Dizzee Rascal's crew didn't appreciate (they were heckling from their trailer). While the band doesn't play potent festi rock, as say Boris or !!!, the swelling audience didn't seem to have a problem getting entranced by the Northwestern boys with the pipes of gold. Be sure to catch them at an intimate club show while you still can.

Pitchfork Day 2: Caribou

"Now Our Hearts Are Wrapped Up Tight Again"
We caught a little bit of Titus Andronicus and Jay Reatard, but Caribou really opened up Saturday's festivities for us. And what a way to open it. Dan Snaith and comrades absolutely tore threw a euphoric set of Caribou/Manitoba staples, including Andorra favorites "Melody Day" and "She's The One." While technical difficulties plagued their sound check and rain loomed over head, all was made good by "Crayons", which transported the audience to some place far, far away where drums feed the rhythm of the human heart. {Ed Note: This show kicked off a weekend full of drums, drums and more drums.}

Wu-Tang Clan Ain't NOTHIN To F*ck With

Pitchfork loves Ghostface. And so do we. We especially love him with his fellow Clanmen Raekwon the Chef.

Siren Festival 2008

"Open your eyes and look around you..."

While some of the other Bobkats went to a different festival, this one had the pleasure of attending the Village Voice sponsored Siren Festival in Coney Island. And while some public transportation issues made it a 3 hour journey from Brooklyn (fuckin' G train), making me miss The Dodos (ahhhhhh!!!), how could one stay bitter on a day filled with such great music? Highlights included Jaguar Love rockin' out, being front row for Steven Malkmus and the Jicks, and seeing Ra Ra Riot finally, but no one topped Islands, who turned a lukewarm sometime listener into a full-fledged fanboy by putting together one of the best live shows I've ever seen. Beginning with "benevolent dictator"/frontman Nick Thornburn singing half of the first song with a silver trashcan over his head, it only got better from there, combining a two-violin attack with hard rock passages, epic marching themes, and some good-time boogying, all of which have made me strongly reconsider their new album, which I had written off after only a few listens. Hmm, maybe I need to see Evil Urges played live to get it...

Enjoy the only good Islands I could find...while this video doesn't come close to the show they put on today, it does have some good antics from their aforementioned dictator. And who doesn't love antics?



(Malkmus photo cred to Nick Scribner)

Tonight in NYC

Today is a great, albeit challenging, day for New Yorkers. Why? Because there are sooo many good shows tonight it's impossible to see everything you'd like to check out. (Un)Fortunately, I've side stepped this problem by leaving town for the weekend, go figure. But seriously, there really is something for everyone tonight. Just check out this list:

Brian Wilson @ Coney Island (FREE)
The Spinto Band and Ra Ra Riot @ Union Hall
James Pants & Peanut Butter Wolf @ Studio B
The Dodo's @ Cake Shop (Shhh, it's a secret)
Brendan Canning (of Broken Social Scene) @ Mercury Lounge (SOLD OUT)
Girls(!!!) @ Market Hotel
Ted Leo @ Castle Clinton (Battery Park, FREE)
The Fiery Furnaces @ East River Park (FREE)
Demon Rum @ The East India Club
DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist @ McCarren Pool
Devlin, XXXchange and The Rapture (DJs) @ Santo's Party House
Yaz @ Terminal 5
DJ Spooky @ Music Hall of Williamsburg


HAVE FUN KIDS!

new: Get Well Soon

"You Will Get Well Soon"
This popped in our inbox yesterday and I'm sort of taken by its message of optimism. There isn't much here in terms of traditional pop structure (you know, verse-chorus-verse), but Get Well Soon (25 year-old Berlin based songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and Philosophy student, Konstantin Gropper) sure knows how to build a track from mellow bell orchestrations into a beautiful and grandiose mantra, "Rest Now, Weary Head, You Will Get Well Soon!" Get Well Soon keeps it short, simple and sweet. Keep an eye out for Get Well Soon's LP Rest Now, Weary Head! You Will Get Well Soon!, which has yet to be released in the States.

Get Well Soon- Prelude

"Witches! Witches!" from Rest Now, Weary Head! You Will Get Well Soon!
WITCHES! WITCHES! REST NOW IN THE FIRE

psych: Christina 23 Onna

Fantastico
"When the going gets tough, the tough get weird" Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Christina 23 Onna- Fantastico
Christina 23 Onna- Space Mondo Topless

we saw: Amazing Baby

"I Can't Seem To Understand"

Hit up Music Hall of Williamsburg last night for the free post-Breeders Pool Party After Show featuring Amazing Baby and the Mobius Band. While the Mobius Band is a long time Bobka like, Amazing Baby only recently appeared on our radar after Bill at Sound Bites sung their praise a few months ago. Still in their infancy (played their first show 5/10/08), Amazing Baby have a sound that is way epic in a Bowie meets Pantera way. The bands psychedelic prog is fueled by schizophrenic sound manipulations, over indulgent/sex'd up lyrics and absolutely monstrous guitar riffs. Seriously, you gotta see these guys just to watch their lead guitar player, who is the quintessential Metal axe slayer, coax a violently angelic wall of rhythmic noise from his Gibson. We only caught the last few songs from Amazing Baby but the head bursting "Pump Your Brakes" was ill and set closer "The Narw hal" was definitely a climactic, hedonistic way to end (from what I saw) a damn good rock show. Cathartic in all the right ways. "Supreme Being" and "Head Dress" are also pretty unstoppable, and available for free download on their MySpace. You can also snag "Pump Your Brakes" courtesy of the Fader.

Amazing Baby- The Narw Hal
Amazing Baby- Pump Your Breaks

we saw: Fleet Foxes at Union Hall

"I'm Alive and Well"
Photo by Kyle Dean Reinford

Waking up at 4:30 a.m. occasionally has its advantages. Case in point, yesterday when I awoke to find that the Fleet Foxes announced a second show for this evening at Union Hall. While reports of Robin's health from last night weren't exactly positive, I was optimistic because when I saw them make their NYC debut in March, Robin was also under the weather. (Although that time it seemed to be the fluctuating weather, not the perils of the road.) Regardless, the late show at Union Hall tonight was a special affair. Robin definitely wasn't 100%, but the dude gave his God's honest all and everyone in the room was thankful. Not only were they thankful, but I have to give mad props to Brooklyn, as the audience at the late show was one of the most respectful, utterly entranced audiences I've had the pleasure to have been apart of in along time. (Probably since the last time I saw Fleet Foxes, or Joanna Newsome.)

Not gonna lie, even in a shitty situation the Fleet Foxes sound amazing. Their form is timeless, not some passing neon fad or Hype Machine fueled future top 40 act. "Blue Ridge Mountains", as expected, was an evening highlight, but I think the moment of most utter transcendence came during "Mykonos", where Josh Tillman's percussion lent a dark force to the best song on the Sun Giant EP. I heard someone mention that Tillman takes "Mykonos" to almost religious levels, and I can't do anything but agree.

While the entire band was on extra point tonight (due to Robin Pecknold's illness), it was Pecknold himself who stole the show. No doubt he could've sat the show out, hell if I were him I would've cancelled it, or not even scheduled it. But even under the weather, Pecknold delivered a bold, wholehearted and genuine performance that both enraptured the audience and wrapped them in warm blankets. I only wish I'd given Robin a proper bear hug after the show to prove how much his performance meant to the entire crowd. Like the show in March, he repeatedly thanked the crowd in the most humble, Northwestern way possible. Needless to say, I had to thank him back and I'm pretty sure everyone at Union Hall tonight would've done the same. That said, the band admitted that the early show was, well, shit. And it didn't help that folks in the front row scribbling notes (Tillman joked about his performance receiving a 7.2). Regardless, the Late night crowd was so attentive, I almost forgot I was in a packed room full of awe-struck compadres, which is probably the greatest compliment I could ever give band. I literally lost myself, in place and time, in the Union Hall basement tonight. It was beautiful, in the realest way possible. God bless the Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes- White Winter Hymnal

Fleet Foxes "Tiger Mountain Song" Live in London

the return: RANA

"Yes!"
Already the biggest rock news of the year, NJ pseudo-cult-rockers RANA have gotten back together after unofficially breaking up nearly two years ago. The news broke late this afternoon with the announcement that RANA would play middle bill this Friday night at Revolution Hall in Troy, NY with mates Sam Champion and The Duo. A future NYC show was also part of the announcement.

In an email to the RANA listserv, Rana (and Sam Champion) drummer Ryan Thornton announced, "It is true. Albany anyone? We hit the stage at 9:00. Look for a New York City show mid August. Yes! -Ryan ." Their MySpace page merely reads:

"Four friends from New Jersey. Been all over the country together. Rana loves music, loves to play. What the hell."

In honor of RANA's Return, I share some killer tracks that cover some of the many faces of RANA, and one song that does it all: "I Waste It."

pop: RANA - Charm Bracelet [from What It Is]
hard-psych-rock: RANA - It's So Hard (Believe Me) [LIVE]
alt-country: RANA - Backstabbing World [from What It Is]
RANA - I Waste It [from 2005 RANA Sampler]

classic albums: The Millenium- Begin

"The Island Is Calling"
The brainchild of Curt Boettcher and Gary Usher, The Millenium were a California super studio group affiliated with the Association and Sagittarius. The band only recorded one record, Begin, and were immediately dropped by Columbia Records. Ironically, Begin had been the most expensive album Columbia ever produced at the time. Too pop for the psych kids and too psych for the pop kids, The Millenium had trouble finding an attentive, commercially viable audience. In retrospect, its this juxtaposition of accessible pop and far out psych that makes them so wonderful.

A warm, enlightening mix of sun washed harmonies, glockenspiels, sky high production and even a harpsichord pounding loopy beat that could easily be sampled (and I'm surprised it hasn't been) by any number of retro-leaning electro-hop producers, The Millenium sounds like the Beach Boys doing acid with Sufjan Stevens' band (wings et all), or Tower of Power killing some day-glo drenced, Aquarius living hippies with kindness. For instance, every time I hear "The Island" I literally drift off to a deserted island where seagulls poop mescaline on my head and transform me into an all seeing, all knowing, all nude shaman capable of healing tree's and understanding dolphin speak.

When they aren't tripping out the happiest harmonies I've heard in a long time, they craft poignant bossa-nova influenced pop like "5 AM", which is the quintessential song about not being able to sleep, realizing that it's 5 am and that the world is about to wake up. And just so you're not misled by the pop, peep "Karmic Dream Sequence #1", which sounds exactly like you'd think "Karmic Dream Sequence #1" should sound...siiiick. See for yourself, then head over to Sundazed and buy this immediatly and make sure you listen, constantly, for the rest of the summer (and beyond).

The Millenium- The Island
The Millenium- 5 am
The Millenium- Karmic Dream Sequence #1

we love: The Dodos

"We can do this on our own..."

Shame on the Bobka for not mentioning them earlier, but we just can't get enough of S.F. duo The Dodos. After having originally listened to their album, Visiter, a few months ago (without properly paying attention), I gave it another spin last week and haven't really stopped, sometimes listening to it thrice a day. And while at this pace I'll no doubt burn out on it too quickly, (hellloooo Yankee Hotel Foxtrot), I just can't help myself. The music itself, which combines pop melodies, furious percussion, and the occasional full band presence, will no doubt fall into the sadly broad "freak folk" category, so I propose we coin the term "fuck folk", as this album sounds like what I imagine having sex with folk music feels like. Who's with me? No one? Ok, bad idea.

Here's the first single off the album, "Fools", live on NPR. Totally killer.

summer classic: Amadou & Mariam

Worldbeat makes excellent summer music.

Afro-Cuban jazz - Afro-juju - Alpine New Wave - Bhangra-wine - Bhangragga - Bhangramuffin - Biguine moderne - Burger highlife - Calypso-style baila - Campursari - Canto livre - Canto nuevo - Chicha - Chutney-bhangra - Chutney-hip hop - Fuji - Hip life - Lambada - Latin jazz - Merenrap - Mor lam sing - Nueva cancion - Punta rock - Rai pop - Rapso - Reggae highlife - Salsa - Sevillana - Slack-key - Songo - Zam-rock - Zouk

Amadou & Mariam - Camions Suvages [from Dimanche a Bamako (2005)]

sunday morning music: Chocolate USA

"I Gotta Get My Head On Straight"
An appropriate jam considering The Feelies just reunited, played Hoboken and New York and we didn't go. "I missed the Feelies Show/ I missed the Feelies Show/ I don't know how I missed the Feelies show." Sort of how I feel right now. Oh, well.

Chocolate USA- The Feelies Show

Fourth of July

"But I Feel Alright When You Smile"
I've been listening to this song a lot lately, and until yesterday afternoon I didn't even realize how timely my listening habits were. Needless to say, this is our requisite Fourth of July post. And yes, from Greenpoint the Empire State Building looks no bigger than a nickel.

Galaxie 500- Fourth of July

And for good measure, Animal Collective's festive "Fireworks", which appropriately debuted a year ago today.

soundtracking: Alligator

"Sleepy Alligator In The Noon Day Sun"
Aimless walks through the neighborhood are sort of my specialty. I never know where I'm going or why, or what I'm doing, but regardless, I go and I explore and I get lost. Two days ago I did just that and wound up half conscious in McCarren park, laying under an old oak tree while one woman experimented with doing sit ups on a high wire and another young lady roamed around on stilts. The eleven minute "Alligator" from Anthem of the Sun couldn't have been a more perfect soundtrack.

Grateful Dead- Alligator

hot: (((Eagle Winged Palace)))

"Fall Helplessly"
Treat yourself to a J and a meandering walk through a radiant forest...or a nap under a tree in your neighborhood park. Wherever you're going, (((Eagle Winged Palace)))'s "Hands of Doom" should accompany you. It will follow you like an ancient shadow, a haunting dream and a lover from the great beyond. "Embrace the powers that be."

(((Eagle Winged Palace)))- Hands of Doom **(highly rec'd)

we saw: Delta Spirit

"Wrapped Around My Neck Bone"

(photo by big sam thompson)
The photo above says a thousand things about Delta Spirit, but the one that immediately pops into my head is "timeless." If there weren't 6 million pixels, you could imagine it being an intimate tour portrait from one of the legendary Crazy Horse tours of the 70's, or a famed CSNY show in Laurel Canyon, or a basement recording session in Saugerties. Maybe its the chops (in fine form) or the plaid, but something about seeing Delta Spirit the other night for the third time in months has left me feeling that one day Ode to Sunshine will be framed on the wall of my hypothetical offspring.

Their show at Union Hall was another barn burner, providing a showcase for the bands ever evolving, yet still raw, Americana. Staples like "People Turn Around" and "House Built for Two" sounded at home with the jazz standard "St. James Infirmary", one of my favorite Louis Armstrong cuts. With their timeless American sound, it should come as no coincidence that Delta Spirit signed to Rounder Records (who released the essential Alan Lomax collection), who will be re-releasing Ode to Sunshine on August 26(CD/LP). Peep this video from Sasquatch for a little insight into the bands influences, tastes and why Rounder felt like home.

Setlist: People C'mon/ Strange Vine/ Streetwalker/ House Built for Two/ St. Francis/ Vivian/ Children/ Bleeding Bells/ Trashcan/ St. James Infirmary/ Tom G(?)/ People Turn Around


Matt and Jonathan of Delta Spirit at Sasquatch