On Friday night, WHITE RABBITS, FRANKPOLLIS, SOFT, and THE SUBJECTS performed at the wonderfully accomodating THE RED DOOR, a rehearsal space in Chelsea. The night was a lot of fun: Here are some photos: 
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Monday, March 31, 2008
100th Post Special: THE RED DOOR / Photo Diary
On Friday night, WHITE RABBITS, FRANKPOLLIS, SOFT, and THE SUBJECTS performed at the wonderfully accomodating THE RED DOOR, a rehearsal space in Chelsea. The night was a lot of fun: Here are some photos:
Monday, March 10, 2008
what a waster / our tax money goes in panties
long time no talkie
notorious b.i.g. - big booty hoes
late winter sounds/recommends:
atlas sound - bite marks
white rabbits -kid on my shoulders
frankpollis - sleep of death
the raveonettes - hallucinations
mgmt - kids
aphex twin - flim
kings of convenience - learn the putdown (mojib mix)
kevin drew & broken social scene - cocaine skin
kylie minogue - speakerphone
and dedicated to eliot spitzer
notorious b.i.g. - big booty hoes
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Last Night ; Tonight ; Tomorrow Night
Last Night:
Frankpollis / Hymns / Indyans @ Pianos
The sound at Pianos is severely flawed, but it didn't destroy any sets - except for Indyans, who were just...eeek. And I never dislike a Frankpollis set.
Tonight:
Driving to and from Saratoga Springs in a big SUV.
highlights:
K.D. Lang's entire Absolute Torch and Twang - That girl can sing.
The Creation - Making Time
Colloseum - The Kettle (listen back to back with the Fatboy Slim sample of this song in "Push The Tempo." You'll like the original better.)
The Beatles - Please Mr. Postman
The Spinto Band - Oh Mandy (over the Tappan Zee Bridge, this was just heavenly)
Tomorrow Night:
Nothing.
Frankpollis / Hymns / Indyans @ Pianos
The sound at Pianos is severely flawed, but it didn't destroy any sets - except for Indyans, who were just...eeek. And I never dislike a Frankpollis set.
Tonight:
Driving to and from Saratoga Springs in a big SUV.
highlights:
K.D. Lang's entire Absolute Torch and Twang - That girl can sing.
The Creation - Making Time
Colloseum - The Kettle (listen back to back with the Fatboy Slim sample of this song in "Push The Tempo." You'll like the original better.)
The Beatles - Please Mr. Postman
The Spinto Band - Oh Mandy (over the Tappan Zee Bridge, this was just heavenly)
Tomorrow Night:
Nothing.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Gil Scott Heron @ SOBs
It was an absolute privilage:
The best part about this show, I think, wasn't even the music - which accentuated Heron's sage-lyness - It was his anecdotes about his tours with Stevie Wonder in the 70s and 80s. His first interesting tale was a story about how he was on the tour bus with Stevie and a couple of other guys, and they needed to make a show. They were coming from the west to the east, and they didn't take into consideration the time difference (losing an hour,) so their driver went way past the speed limit. They were eventually pulled over (Gah!) so their clever clever tour bus driver put on a cockney accent, charming the officer, and exclaimed desperately that he had the entire African Boxing team in the bus, and that they were going to be late for the fight. The cop, who happened to be an avid boxing fan, immediately dropped the ticket charge, and they not only arrived to the venue early, but with a police escort!
-and for the record, Stevie Wonder did mention John Lennon's murder in December of 198 at his concert in the South. Don't believe everything you read - in the words of Gil Scott Heron.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Blonde Redhead / The Raveonettes @ Terminal 5
I'll start by addressing the utter contradiction to my last post that I am about to spout at you - I walked into Terminal 5, having purposely missed the new Secret Machines band, and I was completely engrossed, even as I handed my ticket stub to the man at the door, by The Raveonettes. They were playing new stuff off of their soon-to-be-released Lust Lust Lust, including a finale with "Aly, Walk With Me," the song I accused of being listless and disappointing. Perhaps Terminal 5, a lacking venue, facilitated their ghost-surf sound. The chick drummer that was with them was, as well, was a good addition. She had such passion and vigor with the symbols and the snare, making the set sound like a thunderstorm. The Raveonettes conjured up a tempest, and it was damn cool.
Blonde Redhead, who always convey wisdom, misery and joy with their sets, came off as half-victims to a flawed sound system and half-sampling too much of the record; thus, it all peeled away at the illusion that there was this living euphoria being presented to you. Granted, this wasn't even 1/1000 as bad as the girls with cameras, taping entire songs for YouTube or some other purpose. Nothing pulled you out of the realm of a surreal concert setting more than camera screens capturing the entire thing in front of you. Our eyes are naturally dragged to the screen, so, stop! Highlights were Paul Banks's guest appearance, playing guitar on "23;" the melty sounds of "Dr. Strangeluv," "Falling Man," and by far, "Melody." As far as sampling goes, why would a band sample vocal tracks that doesn't need to. This isn't Disney - this is a band that used to collapse at the alter of Sonic Youth. As well, the sound, especially during my favorite song on 23, "Spring and by Summer Fall," was close to being baseless. The sound was too tinny to consume the audience in lush oohs and melodies.
Blonde Redhead, who always convey wisdom, misery and joy with their sets, came off as half-victims to a flawed sound system and half-sampling too much of the record; thus, it all peeled away at the illusion that there was this living euphoria being presented to you. Granted, this wasn't even 1/1000 as bad as the girls with cameras, taping entire songs for YouTube or some other purpose. Nothing pulled you out of the realm of a surreal concert setting more than camera screens capturing the entire thing in front of you. Our eyes are naturally dragged to the screen, so, stop! Highlights were Paul Banks's guest appearance, playing guitar on "23;" the melty sounds of "Dr. Strangeluv," "Falling Man," and by far, "Melody." As far as sampling goes, why would a band sample vocal tracks that doesn't need to. This isn't Disney - this is a band that used to collapse at the alter of Sonic Youth. As well, the sound, especially during my favorite song on 23, "Spring and by Summer Fall," was close to being baseless. The sound was too tinny to consume the audience in lush oohs and melodies.
This doesn't at all take away from my love for them. But, bands should just keep booking Webster Hall and not so much Terminal 5. Leave this venue for smaller bands and late night showings of World War II -era movies.
Blonde Redhead are incredible. Now I just feel bad.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Raveonettes have a brother they didn't know about.
The new band Death Valley Sleepers, straight out of Denmark, who have managed to acquire a following, and who have managed to put out some ear-pleasers...sound exactly like the Raveonettes. And The Raveonettes' anticipated album Lust Lust Lust was even expected to be dull with their newest single "Aly, Walk With Me"--an homage to every other song they've ever put out on either of their past albums. Death Valley Sleepers beat them to a release date. Whoopee-dee-doo. The sound is a nice Raveonettey pumpkin loaf.
...and DVS's top friend on myspace is Andy Warhol......trying a little too hard, DVS?
Ehh, whatever, I'm listening to them right now, and I'm enjoying it.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Tunes
30 great songs of 2oo7
30. The Bird and the Bee / How Deep is Your Love (unreleased)
Covering the Beegees, the bird and the bee really allow you to absorb the lyrics instead of the shrill harmonies of "how deep is your love." It's also nice when she goes into her lower register instead of in the rafters.
29. Beck / Soldier Jane (The Information)
It's always nice to hear Beck - this is the best song off of this album, which in my opinion, kindof sank.
28. Battles / Atlas (Mirrored)
Reminds me a lot of the guards' chant in the Wizard of Oz. I like that.
27. Animal Collective / Fireworks (Strawberry Jam)
Loud and amusing - this song is an epiphany of some sort.
26. Panda Bear / Ponytail (Person Pitch)
The Beach Boys' echoes once they have all passed, and their music travels through the realm of death into the realm of reality. A ghostly tune.
25. Britney Spears / Radar (Blackout)
There's some Goldfrapp in here, yet it is mostly Britney and her big old computer voice running the show. It's great.
30. The Bird and the Bee / How Deep is Your Love (unreleased)
Covering the Beegees, the bird and the bee really allow you to absorb the lyrics instead of the shrill harmonies of "how deep is your love." It's also nice when she goes into her lower register instead of in the rafters.
29. Beck / Soldier Jane (The Information)
It's always nice to hear Beck - this is the best song off of this album, which in my opinion, kindof sank.
28. Battles / Atlas (Mirrored)
Reminds me a lot of the guards' chant in the Wizard of Oz. I like that.
27. Animal Collective / Fireworks (Strawberry Jam)
Loud and amusing - this song is an epiphany of some sort.
26. Panda Bear / Ponytail (Person Pitch)
The Beach Boys' echoes once they have all passed, and their music travels through the realm of death into the realm of reality. A ghostly tune.
25. Britney Spears / Radar (Blackout)
There's some Goldfrapp in here, yet it is mostly Britney and her big old computer voice running the show. It's great.
24. The Arcade Fire / The Well and the Lighthouse (Neon Bible)
I didn't care for this album too much, but this song is reminiscent of the Funeral days more than any of the others.
23. The Rakes / When Tom Cruise Cries (Ten New Messages)
Melodic, Dancey, and British. Perfect.
22. The Shins / Australia (Wincing the Night Away)
Makes You Happy.
21. Bat for Lashes / What's a Girl to Do? (Fur & Gold)
I just can't help but love this song...reminiscent of Jane Birkin in "Je t'aime moi non plus"
20. The Cribs / Men's Needs (Men's Needs, Woman's Needs...)
Frontman Ryan Jarman's screech is endearing in this catchy dance rock song.
19. The Apples in Stereo / Same Old Drag (New Magnetic Wonder)
Trippy harmonies, 90s beat, hot all around.
18. Liars / Freak Out (Liars)
You have to have some noise on a best single list. While this latest Liars album was certainly their most mainstream, and this song is still slightly more melodic then their past hits, it delves back into the roots Liars fans love [i think.]
17. Spoon / My Little Japanese Cigarette Case (Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga)
An all around adorable song.
16. The White Stripes / Conquest (Icky Thump)
What an awesome Patti Page cover! What an awesome song!
15. Film School / Compare (Hideout)
Great stuff from the surfacing Film School. This second album Hideout proves the bad second album curse to be incorrect.
I just can't help but love this song...reminiscent of Jane Birkin in "Je t'aime moi non plus"
20. The Cribs / Men's Needs (Men's Needs, Woman's Needs...)
Frontman Ryan Jarman's screech is endearing in this catchy dance rock song.
19. The Apples in Stereo / Same Old Drag (New Magnetic Wonder)
Trippy harmonies, 90s beat, hot all around.
18. Liars / Freak Out (Liars)
You have to have some noise on a best single list. While this latest Liars album was certainly their most mainstream, and this song is still slightly more melodic then their past hits, it delves back into the roots Liars fans love [i think.]
17. Spoon / My Little Japanese Cigarette Case (Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga)
An all around adorable song.
16. The White Stripes / Conquest (Icky Thump)
What an awesome Patti Page cover! What an awesome song!
15. Film School / Compare (Hideout)
Great stuff from the surfacing Film School. This second album Hideout proves the bad second album curse to be incorrect.
14. Rihanna ft. Jay-Z / Umbrella (Good Girl Gone Bad)
Song of the Summer. Period.
13. Britney Spears / Piece of Me (Blackout)
We might wish that Britney wrote this herself, but a team of 10,000 people helped her - and her voice is slowed down, sped up, and utterly manipulated by a machine. It's SO GOOD
12. LCD Soundsystem / All My Friends (Sound of Silver)
This song is so much fun - and it's nice when a dance/electronic song has a good beat but is also pretty.
11. Deerhoof / The Galaxist (Friend Opportunity)
Inventive, incorporates many a' genre, and is both silly and profound.
10. The National / Mistaken for Strangers (Boxer)
Really great song - I just heard them for the first time a couple of days ago, and this song, with all of its acclaim, has landed the number 10 spot on this list.
9. Blonde Redhead - Dr. Strangeluv (23)
Incredible.
8. Of Montreal / Gronlandic Edit (Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?)
I put this on my Mom's exercise mix, and it was her favorite song. It's a lot of fun.
7. Deerhunter / Strange Lights (Cryptograms)
A really strong song from a really strong album. How vague of me.
6. Daft Punk / Harder Better Faster Stronger LIVE (Alive 2007)
One of the best live tracks I've ever heard.
5. Radiohead / Nude (In Rainbows)
Originally recorded in '93, ghostly vocals, and a beautifully produced level of atmosphere comprises "nude." Tom Yorke, at precisely 3 minutes into the song, holds a note that is so beautiful, it makes you want to cry.
4. M.I.A. / 20 Dollar (Kala)
I love the sampling of Pixies' "where is my mind" - the arrangement is so creative - how could the United States not let M.I.A. in??
3. Animal Collective / Unsolved Mysteries (Strawberry Jam)
I saw this song live, and it was incredible too. Yet another innovative track of the year. Really something.
2. Frankpollis / Malk (FPEP)
Frankpollis, a new band that just recorded their EP in Detroit, (its also being remixed right now for official release,) are going to blow up. I've been fortunate enough to see them live quite a few times, and its mesmerizing. They're playing at Piano's soon, and then they're off to Japan in April.
1. Blonde Redhead / Spring and by Summer Fall (23)
This song changed my life. Not only seeing them do this live, but the vocals, the delicious guitar yelps, the passion emitted from Amedeo, Simone, and Kazu - everything just comes together. The resulting sound is brilliant. The sexuality of Blonde Redhead is also so forthright in this particular song. The melody crawls up your body.
I love the sampling of Pixies' "where is my mind" - the arrangement is so creative - how could the United States not let M.I.A. in??
3. Animal Collective / Unsolved Mysteries (Strawberry Jam)
I saw this song live, and it was incredible too. Yet another innovative track of the year. Really something.
2. Frankpollis / Malk (FPEP)
Frankpollis, a new band that just recorded their EP in Detroit, (its also being remixed right now for official release,) are going to blow up. I've been fortunate enough to see them live quite a few times, and its mesmerizing. They're playing at Piano's soon, and then they're off to Japan in April.
1. Blonde Redhead / Spring and by Summer Fall (23)
This song changed my life. Not only seeing them do this live, but the vocals, the delicious guitar yelps, the passion emitted from Amedeo, Simone, and Kazu - everything just comes together. The resulting sound is brilliant. The sexuality of Blonde Redhead is also so forthright in this particular song. The melody crawls up your body.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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