Toofer Toosday - 13Ghosts & Neva Dinova

I dreamt last night I was a member of the Eagles and somehow Don Henley and company were short on luck, losing everything in Vegas. So there we were, riding in an old beat up boxcar, traveling where ever the train took us. What instrument did I play, you ask? Why a drum sequencer and sampler, of course. When I woke up the next morning, I realized I had fallen asleep listening to 13Ghosts new LP, The Strangest Colored Lights. This Birmingham, Alabama 6 member band plays country infused classic folk rock with a large dose of distorted reality painted all over it. Very intriguing indeed.

mp3: 13Ghosts - Beyond The Door --> website --> buy
mp3: 13Ghosts - Whip Poor Will

Imagine. You're down south. It's hot. You stroll into a dank bar and the smoke swallows you whole. The ceiling fan is spinning slow as the wallpaper begins to peel off the wall (as if you're in a Coen brothers movie). Sounds gradually drift your way. A moody southern slow rock with a twist of the unkown. You then mosey on over to a empty bar stool and replenish your tired mind with booze and the salty tunes of Omaha's Neva Dinova. If you like that kind of cinematic song writing, then Jake Bellows' Nevo Dinova, who just released You May Already Be Dreaming on Saddle Creek, might be a good play for you. Check them out on May 11th at DC9.

mp3: Neva Dinova - Squirrels --> website --> buy
mp3: Neva Dinova - Supercomputer

The Run Down - Tuesday April 29, 2008

Well if you missed any of the superb shows in Philly last night, you have a chance to check them out in DC tonight, butmaybe you want to stick to Baltimore. The Recher Theatre has a great one with Josh Ritter and Langhorne Slim. In DC the Black Cat has Tokyo Police Club, Meligrove Band and Smoosh, while the 9:30 Club has Atmosphere.

mp3: Tokyo Police Club - Centennial --> website --> buy
mp3: Atmosphere - That Night --> website --> buy
mp3: Josh Ritter - Mind's Eye --> website --> buy
mp3: Langhorne Slim - She's Gone --> website --> buy

Random Randomness For A Random World

I might be wrong, long as I can see the light... going , going , gone ...it's that time again. Right?

image via nick

The Run Down - Monday April 28, 2008

There are some fantastic shows tonight for a Monday...all in Philly...close, but not that close. The First Unitarian Church has Tokyo Police Club, Meligrove Band. The Troc has Atmosphere and North Star Bar has The Secret Machines, Bellmar Dolls, and The Sunshine Recorder.

mp3: Tokyo Police Club - Your English Is Good --> website --> buy
mp3: Meligrove Band - I'm Easy --> website --> buy
mp3: Atmosphere - Get Fly --> website --> buy
mp3: The Secret Machines - Nowhere Again --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Sunday April 27, 2008

I hope you all are having a nice relaxing Sunday. Here' some shows that you might fancy going to tonight. In Baltimore, if you have the chance, Myspace is putting on a secret show at the Talking Head for TOKYO POLICE CLUB!!! Holy crap! If you can't get into that one then be sure to head to Sonar because they're serving up The Spinto Band, The Sw!ms, Explorers Clb, The Mishaps, and The Payola Reserve. In Philly, you might not want to miss Feist take over The Academy Of Music. Enjoy!

mp3: Tokyo Police Club - Your English Is Good --> website --> buy
mp3: The Spinto Band - They All Laughed --> website --> buy
mp3: Feist - My Moon My Man (Boys Noize Remix) --> website --> buy

Sunday Buffet

Another Sunday....another buffet. What more could you ask for?

Aderbat is the brainchild of Matt Taylor from Doylestown, PA. They play silky smooth indie pop rock that pleases me every time I take it for a spin. Pick up there Man Overboard EP that's out now or check them at John & Peter's on May 14th in New hope, PA or at Pete's Candy Store in NYC on May 21st.

mp3: Aderbat - I Need Someone --> website --> buy

Destroy Cowboy is five member band from Birmingham, UK that plays sensory healing electronic-ish music. You may have seen them supporting Stars, Apostle Of Hustle, or Tokyo Police Club. If not, here's your chance.

mp3: Destroy Cowboy - 1000 Candles --> website --> buy

The Winter Sounds are a fine band from Athens, Georgia. They have a kind of emo-crazed Shins sound going on which is quite intoxicating. Catch them playing shows all over the south and Georgia (check their myspace for 'em).

mp3: The Winter Sounds - Oblivion --> website --> buy

Future Tips are a five piece from Philly. They describe themselves as "Archers of Loaf getting drunk with The Who." Nuff said.

mp3: Future Tips - Chins Up --> website

The Run Down - Saturday April 26, 2008

Welcome to a great Saturday of shows. Here in Baltimore, don't miss Among Wolves at Frazier's on the Avenue in Hampden. Or head north to Towson, MD to see The Roots tear down the Recher Theatre. In DC, Jimmy Eat World take on Bender Arena, while the B-52s take out the 9:30 club with Eagle Seagull, and Five Four take over the Rock and Roll Hotel with Hello Tokyo and The Frustrations. In Philly, the Fillmore has Drink Up Buttercup, Poi Dog, and Abra Moore, while Johnny Brenda's has the A-Sides, The Explorers Club, and The Sw!ms.

mp3: Jimmy Eat World - Blister --> website --> buy
mp3: Drink Up Buttercup - Young Ladies --> website --> buy
mp3: The Roots - Black's Reconstruction --> website --> buy
mp3: Among Wolves - The Lesson --> website --> buy

Royal Bangs Cut It Up

What's there not to like about Knoxville, Tennessee? I mean come on. Superdrag... AWESOME. The Sun Sphere .... AWESOME. The Wig Sphere.... AWESOME. Now.... Royal Bangs... yup... AWESOME. This five member group blazes out of the 'ville brandishing a unique electro rock sound that sounds too old school to be new wave and too new school to be...um... old school. They've pretty much played everywhere down south including a stint at some festival called Bonnaroo. Now they have an album coming out on May 13th called We Breed Champions on Audio Eagle. I was pretty taken when I first listened to it. The Knoxville Voice compared them to "Radiohead vs. fifteen bottles of Southern Comfort." First of all anybody with 15 bottles of So-Co is not going to sound good, but I see where they're going with that. Second of all, I would say they sounded more like the Rolling Stones gettin' all crazy-like with keyboards when Van Morrison kicks down the wall and goes crazy (like Aerosmith vs. Run-DMC 'Walk This Way' style). This is Royal Bangs. Intelligent, yet rough around the edges, electro rock that knows no boundaries.

mp3: Royal Bangs - Broke Calculator --> website --> buy
mp3: Royal Bangs - Cat Swallow

New Wolf Parade Tour Dates

To coincide with the release of their new LP, Wolf Parade has announced the following tour dates :

July 7: Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom

July 8: Chicago, IL @ House of Blues

July 9: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue

July 12: Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom

July 13: Seattle, WA @ Marymoor Park

July 15: Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom

July 17: San Francisco, Ca @ Fillmore

July 18: Hollywood, CA @ Henry Fonda

July 19: Hollywood, CA @ Henry Fonda

July 20: San Diego, CA @ Cane's

July 21: Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre

July 24: Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom

July 25: Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa

July 26: Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon

July 28: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse

July 29: Raleigh, NC @ Disco Rodeo

July 30: Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory

July 31: New York, NY @ Terminal 5

Aug 2: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club

Aug 3: Montreal, QC @ Metropolis

Aug 9: Toronto, ON @ Koolhaus

To buy tickets: CLICK HERE

DC? Baltimore? Next time I guess.

mp3: Wolf Parade - Call It A Ritual --> website --> buy

VIDEO - LIVE - Radiohead (Conan) & Vampire Weekend (Jimmy Kimmel)

Just in case you missed these performances on late night t.v. this week. Which is your favorite?



mp3: Radiohead - House Of Cards (Live On Conan 080423)
thanks to Culture Bully & ryanpoorman



mp3: Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
thanks to musickimmel

Friday (I'm A Remix)

The news has angered me this week. Damn you FRONTLINE and your revealing insights! I recently watched their expose on the environmental policies that were pretty much pushed aside by every president since 1988 (what's up with that Clinton/Gore). Many politicians didn't even believe global warming existed (some still don't) while others knew it was there, but felt mandatory CO2 caps would affect the economy, so they decided they would make them optional. Then the new Bush came in promising the mandatory caps, but basically backed out of that as soon as he was elected. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....pop! So here's my question to the new candidates. You say you're for change and happiness and greatness? What will you do? Sorry for the rant... here's some earth friendly remixes.

mp3: Sohodolls - Trash The Rental (Crystal Castles Remix)
mp3: The Rolling Stones - I'm Free (Hot Chip Remix)
mp3: Tapes n Tapes - Cowbell (The Black Eyes Remix)
mp3: Mystery Jets - Hideaway (Switch Remix)

image by Satoboy via Wooster Collective

The Run Down - Friday April 25, 2008

It's FRI-day! You should head on down to the 8x10 in Baltimore to check out the Herd Of Main Street with June Star, Til Sunrise, and In The Fur. If you're in DC, the Black Cat has Destroyer and Andre Ethier, while the Rock and Roll Hotel has Telograph, Len Bias, The Red Romance, and The A-Sides. If you're in Philly, you should check Johnny Brenda's to see Drink Up Buttercup, Buried Beds, and American Music Club, while the B-52s and Eagle Seagull are at the Electric Factory. Finally if you manage to get out to Wilkes Barre, PA, Cafe M has The Sw!ms, The Spinto Band, The Explorers Club, and The Moneynotes.

mp3: Destroyer - Your Blood --> website --> buy
mp3: Drink Up Buttercup - Mr. Pie Eyes --> website --> buy
mp3: Buried Beds - Insomnia --> website --> buy
mp3: Eagle Seagull - Beauty --> website --> buy
mp3: The A- Sides - A Florida Grove --> website --> buy
mp3: The Sw!ms - We Need Lava --> website --> buy
mp3: The Spinto Band - Summer Grof --> website --> buy
mp3: The Explorers Club - I Lost My Head --> website --> buy
mp3: Herd Of Main Street - Stumble and Fall --> website --> buy

I love my job - Arden and Georgie James at UMBC

Sometimes I really love going to work. Saturday's in April when its 80 degrees and awesome bands will play live music all day are certainly included in that category. Last Saturday was "Quadmania" at UMBC; Our big spring festival. Its usually at least entertaining, but this year included a bunch of really amazing campus and local acts, including Arden and Georgie James.

I'd seen Arden once before, but for only about five minutes, so this was my first valid impression of them, and the impression is FUN. Arden will likely be compared to fellow B-more band Karmellas Game, what with the female singer who play some keys, but this is not a copycat band. Arden has the full package. Great drums, tight bass, exceptional guitars, and of course, intriguing vocals. They are energetic and captivating. Catch them at Fletcher's this Friday, April 25th or the Brass Monkey on May 3rd.

Mp3: Arden - Kiss & Make Up --> Website --> Buy


Closing the night was D.C.'s Georgie James. Our admiration for GJ has already been stated HERE, but this was my first chance to catch them live. And it was glorious. Playing an acoustic set actually showcased how talented GJ are. Often when you strip a band down to its core, it can be disappointing, but GJ were well within their element. They were loose and were clearly amused by all the weird noises coming from the surrounding carnival rides. Laura Burhenn's vocals really matched the feel of the night. It was warm and blustery, and her voice sounds like a warm spring breeze, refreshing and liberating. A great performance indeed.

For those lucky people at Western Kenturcky University, GJ are playing w/Army of Me and Martin Royle & Pash on April 29th. Enjoy Washington D.C.'s finest in your back yard.

Long Week


mp3: Georgie James - More Lights --> website --> buy
mp3: Georgie James - Hard Feelings

Lots more pix from both shows are HERE

TOKYO POLICE CLUB TO PERFORM AT MYSPACE SECRET SHOW IN BALTIMORE, APRIL 27

Just Announced!!!

Tokyo Police Club (http://www.myspace.com/tokyopoliceclub) celebrate the release of their debut album Elephant Shell in Baltimore Sunday, April 27 at a free MySpace Secret Show at The Talking Head. The Canadian band, signed to indie Saddle Creek, is a critics darling with Rolling Stone opining, “If only all young guitar bands were smart enough to rock out this fast, banging out seven first-rate mod-punk party starters in barely more than sixteen minutes.”

Elephant Shell was released on April 22, and the band is currently on tour to support the release, with the secret show being by far the smallest most intimate venue Tokyo Police Club will play. The band was recently featured on MTV’s Discover and Download program and their new single, “Tessellate,” is being played on such influential radio stations as Indie 103 in Los Angeles.

Did I mention it's FREE. Don't Miss it!

mp3: Tokyo Police Club - Tessellate --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Thursday April 24, 2008

DC and Philly are where it's at tonight. The Black Cat has Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and Via Audio. The Rock and Roll Hotel has the French Kicks and Ravens and Chimes. The North Star has Destroyer and Andre Ethier. The Khyber has National Eye, Cheers Elephant, East Hundred, Street Girls, and Cary Ann Hurst & The Gun. Finally the First Unitarian Church has I'm From Barcelona and Pepi Ginsberg.

mp3: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - I Am Warm and Powerful --> website --> buy
mp3: Via Audio - Modern Day Saint --> website --> buy
mp3: National Eye - The Switch --> website --> buy
mp3: Cheers Elephant - Wide Eyed --> website --> buy
mp3: Ravens And Chimes - For M --> website --> buy
mp3: I'm From Barcelona - Oversleeping --> website --> buy
mp3: Destroyer - Rubies --> website --> buy

Tokyo Police Club Expanded

When I first heard A Lesson In Crime, Ontario's Tokyo Police Clubs debut EP, I was immediatley taken by the energy that was thrown at me, but really didn't have enough time to enjoy it since it only ran around 16 minutes. Luckily for me, the EP garnered them some success and they signed to Saddle Creek to release their debut LP, Elephant Shell, which came out on April 22nd. On this one they have seemed to limit their hyperness... and it's poptastic. It could even be considered more 'main stream'. All of these things seem to be negatives, yet this album hasn't left my rotation all week. The lyrics are captivating enough and catchy enough to hold my attention long enough that I'm singing along by the end. This is sure to be a favorite of many...so go ahead and dive in.

mp3: Tokyo Police Club - In A Cave --> website --> buy
mp3: Tokyo Police Club - Listen To The Math

VIDEO - Mystery Jets & Mates Of State

Mystery Jets have brand new video out for the song Two Doors Down. Check it out:



mp3: Mystery Jets - Two Doors Down

Also just released is Mates Of States video for Get Better off of their upcoming LP. Thanks to The Yellow Stereo for this.



mp3: Mates Of State - Get Better

Rolling Stone Gets In On It

I'm not an avid reader of Rolling Stone, but when they have their little lists they like to put together I usually take a gander so I can be one of those people that argues with a speechless magazine. This months edition chronicles 2008's best so far. My Morning Jacket, Radiohead, Vampire Weekend, etc. Low and behold guess who the Best Scene belongs to....BALTIMORE. Yes, apparently thanks to the success of Dan Deacon and Wham City combined with the growing number of indie acts, good ole Charm City has gained some props from the 'big media'. I can't really disagree, partly because we're based in Baltimore, but mainly because there's some great music coming out of here. Tons of variety....indie, folk, hardcore, club, electronic, experimental...screamo. Dan Deacon, Celebration, Animal Collective, The Death Set, Wye Oak, Double Dagger, and Among Wolves (one of our faves) just to name a few. Sure Baltimore isn't perfect (with all the crime and all), but hey, at least we've got a scene. Here's the article.

mp3: Among Wolves - Baltimore
mp3: Dan Deacon - Wham City
mp3: The Death Set - Selective Memories
mp3: Celebration - Lost Souls
mp3: Animal Collective - Did You See The Words?
mp3: Wye Oak - Orchard Fair

Riddle Of Steel For Rock

Sometimes music needs to stop messing around. What's up with all these samples? What's up with all this disco? Where's the rock...umm...I...mean...where's the R O C K? Apparently it's in St. Louis...what, you didn't know that? There's a rumor that a three piece band lives in Missouri that produces the kind of rock that makes me nod my head back and forth when thinking about it. Well actually it's no rumor, it's a fact. Riddle Of Steel. Three guys, Andrew Elstner, Jimmy Vavak, and Rob Smith, crank out rock that sounds like Queens of the Stone Age dreaming of Jawbox or maybe Van Halen partying with Shudder To Think. Whatever. That doesn't matter. What matters is now is the time to test that little stereo of yours. How loud can it go (does it go to 11)? Riddle Of Steel will solve that...riddle. Their debut album, 1985, is out now.

mp3: Riddle Of Steel - It's Called A Turbo --> website --> buy
mp3: Riddle Of Steel - Who's The Fella Owns This Shithole?

The Run Down - Wednesday April 23, 2008

There are five quality events tonight in the surrounding areas. In DC, the 9:30 club has Tapes N Tapes with White Denim, while the Rock and Roll Hotel has Foals and Tereu Tereu. In Philly, Johnny Brenda's has Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin with Via Audio and Aderbat, while the Electric Factory has Animal Collective and Kria Brekken. Finally don't miss DC's Le Loup at Messiah College.

mp3: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - House Fire --> website --> buy
mp3: Via Audio - We Can Be Good --> website --> buy
mp3: Aderbat - I Need Someone --> website --> buy
mp3: Tapes N Tapes - Manitoba --> website --> buy
mp3: Animal Collective - The Purple Bottle --> website --> buy
mp3: Foals - Electric Bloom --> website --> buy
mp3: Tereu Tereu - Don't Be Sore, Farmer John --> website --> buy
mp3: Le Loup - Planes Like Vultures --> website --> buy

I thought I'd lost the Static Of The Gods

Sometimes I lose CD's. Even ones I like. I listened to Peluche, the new EP from Boston's own Static Of The Gods weeks ago. I thought it was great. It reminded me of fellow Boston rockers, The Sheila Divine mixed with B-more's Avec. I actually left the three song EP in my CD player for three days. And then I'm pretty sure my car ate it. I can't blame my car, as it is a delicious EP, but yesterday I managed to dig it out from between my drivers seat and E-brake.

Static of the Gods have a great sound: Poppy enough to grab you right away, but deep enough to keep you coming back. For those who can't be in Boston, catch them at The Fire in Philly on May 16th.

This EP is the follow up to their 2006 LP release Cycles Follow Signs, which also rocks.

Mp3: Static Of The Gods - Jaguar Song
Mp3: Static Of The Gods - 2.33 (from Cycles Follow Signs) ---- Website ---- Buy

Toofer Toosday - Magnetic Morning & Man Plus

Magnetic Morning (formerly the Setting Suns) are made up of Swervedriver's singer/guitarist Adam Franklin and Interpol's drummer Sam Fogarino. They met and formed in New York in 2006. Last year they released their first self titled EP on Itunes in Novemeber while the physical copy came out on April 19th of this year. Adam Franklins bassy drawl defines their sound while stacks of whistles, strings, and organs flow beneath him covering the deep bass and drums like a winter jacket. Bundle all that up in a nice neat package then drop into a bath of reverb and you will have the majestic orchestral indie rock of Magnetic Morning.

mp3: Magnetic Morning - Cold War Kids --> website --> buy
mp3: Magnetic Morning - Don't Go To Dream State

Man Plus get their name form a science fiction novel by Frederick Kohl where a man slowly becomes a cyborg so he can live on Mars. Well the band isn't from Mars, but from Seattle, and they're not cyborgs (though I could be wrong). Instead their a five piece band that sounds like electronics shaing hands with drums that pat male/female(Jared and Ellen) duo vocals on the back. Jared's voice wavers between po and aggressive often complementing the rhythm of each song while Ellen's calm vocals sway with the musical patterns that underly them. Man Plus plays BEASTLY/light indie rock...or bi polar indie rock...or something else that I haven't thought of yet...hmmm...it's good. And they've got a new album out called The Hungarian Suicide Songbook...go get it!

mp3: Man Plus - Kids Gone Bad --> website --> buy
mp3: Man Plus - A Ghost Is A Ghost Is A Ghost Is A Ghost

The Run Down - Tuesday April 22, 2008

There are great shows all over the place tonight. Here in Baltimore the Ottobar has Ra Ra Riot, The Little One, and Kadman. In DC the Red and the Black has Mahjongg, Mystery Palace, and Outputmessage. In Philly, Johnny Brenda's has Foals and Ghosts, while the First Unitarian Church has Tapes N Tapes and White Denim. Finally in Virginia, Iota has Shortstack and The Wilders.

mp3: Foals - Balloons --> website --> buy
mp3: Mahjongg - Aluminum --> website --> buy
mp3: Mystery Palace - Nascar Survivor --> website --> buy
mp3: Ra Ra Riot - A Manner To Act --> website --> buy
mp3: The Little Ones - High On A Hill --> website --> buy
mp3: Kadman - Sorry --> website --> buy
mp3: Shortstack - Wiseblood --> website --> buy
mp3: Tapes N Tapes - Omaha --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Monday April 21, 2008

There are two small time indie shows that shouldn't be missed tonight. At the Lo-Fi Social Club has Mystery Palace and Digitata while the Red and The Black in DC has Band Marino from down south. Enjoy!

mp3: Band Marino - Chasing Rainbows --> website --> buy
mp3: Mystery Palace - Nascar Survivor --> website --> buy
mp3: Digitata - Spring Fever --> website --> buy

Random Randomness For A Random World

Cool kids keep going outside. Hide and seek when you sleep.

image by Dudu Geva via Wooster Collective

The Run Down - Sunday April 20, 2008

So it's that day again....why not slowly make your way over to some great events around town. The National Mall in DC has some sweet performers for the Green Apple Festival including Talib Kweli, The Roots, and Thievery Corporation. OR maybe you would like to be indoors fo Greenland and Pranir at the Black Cat in DC or Mystery Palace, Grandchildren and DJ Heavy Flow at the Millcreek Tavern in Philly.

mp3: Greenland - We Are Clipper Ships --> website --> buy
mp3: Prabir & The Substitutes - Oh Marie --> website --> buy
mp3: Mystery Palace - Nascar Survivor --> website --> buy
mp3: Grandchildren - Saturn Returns --> website
mp3: Talib Kweli - Get By --> website --> buy
mp3: The Roots - Web --> website --> buy
mp3: Thievery Corporation - The Cosmic Gate --> website --> buy

Record Store Day

So today is the official Record Store Day. Today record stores all over will be holding events and free give-aways so make sure you get out there and support them. Merge Records has gone and done a fabulous thing by giving away a select split 7 inch featuring Destroyer and Wye Oak. Click here to see if a record store near you will have it. Merge also is giving away a free download of the entire Rosebud's Remix album. Get it here.

mp3: The Rosebuds - Silence By The Lakeside (Portastatic Remix)

The Jealous Girlfriends...Finally

By all accounts I should have heard of The Jealous Girlfriends before. Their song Lay Around played on Showtime's The L Word, two of their songs (off their upcoming album), Roboxulla and Something In The Water, were used on Grey's Anatomy, while the song Carry Me was on CSI: Miami (which I usually turn off after the sunglasses go on). Their music video for How Now even won the IPod music video contest. So how is it that it took me so long to hear and love them? I guess it's a thing called fate that brought me to them...or maybe it's the fact that they opened for Nada Surf (wait...that's probably it). The point is, if you haven't heard them, DROP EVERYTHING and take a listen. Aside from the fact that their live show is an intense display of sheer rock goodness, The Jealous Girlfriends self titled LP (due out on April 22nd on Good Fences) grabbed me, slapped me, then hugged me. Blending the soulful voice of Holly Miranda with the soaring guitar of Holly Miranda with the smooth deep voice and red hair of Josh Abbott with the lush bass and keys of Alex Lipson with the daringly great drums of Mike Faden, this wonderful quartet from New York puts together a hypnotizing selection of spirituous pop rock. Many would probably say they have a New Pornographer type of sound, but I'll take it a step further and say they are channeling the Pixies covering Fleetwood Mac. Decide for yourself when they play at the Rock and Roll Hotel with Sea Wolf on May 25th. Make sure you pick their album up on Tuesday.

mp3: The Jealous Girlfriends - Secret Identity --> website --> buy
mp3: The Jealous Girlfriends - Something In The Water

The Run Down - Saturday April 19, 2008

There's a few shows of note around the area tonight. The Rock and Roll Hotel has Cloud Cult, Exit Clov, The Forms, and The Beanstalk Library, The Red and The Black has Bandazian, The London Souls and Finver Four, and finally the Trocadero has Kate Nash.

mp3: Exit Clov - Violent Berries --> website --> buy
mp3: The Forms - Knowledge In Hand --> website --> buy
mp3: Kate Nash - Mariella --> website --> buy

Mash It Up Why Don't You

I know it's Friday and I've already posted some quality remixes for your listening pleasure, but I've been receiving some grand mash-ups for the last week or so from Immuzikation (aka Alfredo Lapuz Jr.) that I just had to put up. Enjoy!

mp3: Immuzikation - Jeumie (Yelle vs. Weezer) --> website
mp3: Immuzikation - All My Children (LCD Soundsystem vs. MGMT)

Friday (I'm A Remix)

So this week is...well...over. Time to sit back and relax...take a load off...shoot the breeze...ease on down the road...chill...shoot the willy bo-bo...and...of course...sleep...(that's where I'm a viking)...

mp3: Jesse McCartney - Leavin (MSTRKRFT Remix)
mp3: Beck - Que Onda Guero (The Mae-Shi Latino 96.3 Remix)
mp3: Robyn - Who's That Girl (Styrofoamkid Remix)
mp3: Le Tigre - Deceptacon (DFA Remix)

The Run Down - Friday April 18, 2008

Is there ever a Friday when there aren't great shows? The Recher Theatre has Kate Nash, The Rock and Roll Hotel has Zulu Pearls, Double Dagger, B&W Jacksons and Imperial China, The Third Floor has Bellman Barker, In Technicolor and Tsarina, while the Khyber has Audible.

mp3: Kate Nash - Skeleton Song --> website --> buy
mp3: Audible - Sunday Bell --> website --> buy
mp3: Zulu Pearls - Dark Ages --> website --> buy
mp3: Bellman Barker - Pockets --> website --> buy

Weezer Strikes Back

So many of you have heard the leaked single Pork and Beans (actual release date on April 24th) floating around the "net". So have I. In my opinion, it's pretty friggin' good. You see, like many of you, I'm a big Weezer fan, and, like many of you, I was deeply "pained" by Make Believe. I mean, what was that? The thing about this song, Pork and Beans, that makes me smile is that it seems Cuomo and company have gone back to their original recipe of fuzzed out guitar pop with honest and sometimes hilarious lyrics. And it's catchy...the main ingredient to all great Weezer songs. Now we just have to wait until June 17th(maybe) to hear the full self titled(maybe) red(maybe) album that was produced Rick Rubin(partly), Weezer, and Jackknife Lee(R.E.M., The Hives, Editors, Bloc Party). That's right around the corner folks, so get your ears (and your thumbs) ready.

mp3: Weezer - Pork And Beans --> website --> buy
mp3: Weezer - Why Bother
mp3: Weezer - In The Garage

VIDEO - Annuals "Sore"

Annuals just released the video for their song Sore off of the Wet Zoo EP. After watching it I can honestly say that I never imagined this song would feature tribal wars and exploding temples, but maybe I just missed that. Great video though.



mp3: Annuals - Sore --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Thursday April 17, 2008

Today seems to be the busiest show day of the week. The 9:30 club has Kate Nash, DC9 has Tally Hall and The Republic Tigers, The Red and The Black has The Dig, The Incorrigibles , Motel Motel and Red Shift, while the Ottobar has Abby Mott, Golden Jubilee, and Pulaski.

mp3: Kate Nash - Nicest Thing --> website --> buy
mp3: The Republic Tigers - Made Concrete --> website --> buy
mp3: The Dig - Any Day Now --> website --> buy
mp3: Abby Mott - Snow --> website --> buy

Wye Oak Revisted

Quiet music kills me sometimes. I'll admit it, I like to rock. Baltimore's Wye Oak have made me give quiet another look. Though there are some up beat songs on If Children (just released on Merge), Wye Oak truly binds me into the laid back, cool yet humid, landscae of memories and brushings. Please Concrete, the opening track, sets it all off with light guitar and organ as the rhythm timidly comes through before blasting off at the end. These types of mood swings embody the rest of the album. There's aggressive sounds, but not over the top, and certainly transformed by Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack's knack for creating harmonies where you wouldn't think there'd be harmonies. The slow songs are just pleasant to listen to. They don't exaggerate, they simply state, letting any sappy sentiment float away. Check their myspace for tour dates.

mp3: Wye Oak - Regret --> website --> buy
mp3: Wye Oak - Family Glue

The Run Down - Wednesday April 16, 2008

Good ole hump day seems to be providing some good middle of the week acts. The 9:30 club has Grand Ole Party and Rogue Wave, The Khyber has The Epochs and Lightning Bugs, while the North Star Bar has Tally Hall and The Republic Tigers.

mp3: Grand Ole Party - Nasty Habits --> website --> buy
mp3: Rogue Wave - Nourishment Nation --> website --> buy
mp3: The Epochs - Collision (TheDeathSet) --> website --> buy
mp3: The Republic Tigers - Weatherbeaten --> website --> buy

Mr. Jones

So the folk scene is HIGHLY SATURATED. I often tire of actually. So what does it mean when a folk album passes through my hands that I end up enjoying? It means it's damn good. Why? There's personality, charm, pain and sorrow leaking out of every crack of the album. Every track doesn't hit me the same way, but on the whole Hezekiah Says You're A-OK by Hezekiah Jones comes together well with no strings attached. No booming choruses, no xylophones and tubas. Just a guitar, some choice melodies and vocals, and the occasional spice of an instrument. Being from the Philadelphia region, you can find Hezekiah Jones playing up and down the east coast frequently. Check their myspace for current dates.

mp3: Hezekiah Jones - Postpone --> website --> buy
mp3: Hezekiah Jones - Agnes Of The World

New Wolf Parade & Nada Surf Live Concert Stream

The news keeps on coming in and it seems to always be great. You may have heard that Wolf Parade will be releasing a new album on June 17th. You may have also heard me say years ago that Wolf Parade was the best thing to happen to music since sliced Bread...no? Well maybe I'm a tad crazy, but go ahead and feast on this new track.

mp3: Wolf Parade - Call It A Ritual --> website --> buy

=======

In other news, NPR has done us all a great thing by streaming the entire Nada Surf show from the 9:30 club that we attended last Saturday right here. Enjoy!

Toofer Toosday - The Sound Of Arrows & Oren Lavie

The Sound Of Arrows are Swedish duo Oskar Gullstrand and Stefan Storm. They make music. The kind of music that does circles around your heart with crazy liquid reverb and transfigure analog piano lines. Gullstrand and Storm have a new EP, Danger!, set to be released on May 7th and then will follow it up with a LP in the fall. This EP teases you with textured pop songs so that when it ends you have no choice but to listen again. Throw some solid remixes onto the backside of it and you've just scored the perfect after midnight snack.

mp3: The Sound Of Arrows - Danger! --> website --> buy
mp3: The Sound Of Arrows - Danger! (Panache Remix)

Here we are, riverside, at midnight watching the moon speckle light between the trees while the sound of the water flowing is like a nocturnal symphony. this is Oren Lavie, a songwriter from Berlin via New York. A rising talent in Europe, Lavie decided to start his own label in New York this year, Blue Smile, using his album The Opposite Side Of The Sea as it's inaugural release sometime soon. He makes gentle music for gentle times and he might even garner comparisons to Drake. He should. A deep beautiful voice paired with quality recording and production leave me with nothing bad to say about him. Oren Lavie is nice.

mp3: Oren Lavie - Her Morning Elegance --> website --> buy
mp3: Oren Lavie - The Opposite Side Of The Sea

The Run Down - Tuesday April 15, 2008

TAX DAY!!! Argghhh! If you want to unwind after this trying day then head on up to the First Unitarian Church in Philly to see Grand Ole Party, Rogue Wave, and Evangelista. Or maybe you have tickets to the sold out 9:30 club show of The New Pornographers and Okkervil River. If so, enjoy!

mp3: Grand Ole Party - Look Out Young Son --> website --> buy
mp3: Rogue Wave - Bird On A Wire --> website --> buy
mp3: The New Pornographers - Streets Of Fire --> website --> buy
mp3: Okkervil River - War Criminal --> website --> buy

VIDEO - Death Cab For Cutie & The Spinto Band

For some reason I slacked a bit on posting these videos, but here they are in all their glory. I'm super excited about the new D-Cab and you can't go wrong with the Spinto Band.



mp3: Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess your Heart****REMOVED****



mp3: The Spinto Band - Summer Grof

Nada Surf @ 9:30 club - In Review

After making the commitment to road trip to New York for Nada Surf, of course it was a no brainer that I would make it to the 9:30 club Saturday night. It felt a little strange to be waiting in line while the sun was still up, as this was an early show, but there we were. Openers for the show were The Jealous Girlfriends and Kaki King.

TJG’s were up first. Although they seemed a little sheepish while taking the stage, possibly because of the early hour, lead singer and guitarist Holly Miranda soon surprised the crowd with her energy and gripping voice. She also proved to be a pretty kick ass guitar player. Their songs were frenzied yet still very tight. This was the last night of the tour for TJG’s with Nada Surf, but I’d expect to see them to be headlining shows very soon.

Next up was Kaki King, formerly a solo singer/guitar player, but now with a full band. Immediately clear was that King is an excellent guitar player, leading with a display of slapping and finger picking an acoustic guitar before her band joined in. Also obvious was that Matt Hankle is a fiercely talented drummer. He stole the spotlight several times through their set. Overall, the set seemed to vary a bit too much for my taste. I don’t really know how to describe their sound, because it changed every song. How do you go from acoustic jam band to covering German metal?

After a lightning quick set change, Nada Surf took the stage. Although a very similar setlist to the Terminal 5 show, this one had a unique feel. Of course, it was more intimate, but it also felt a little more loose. The crowd was more energetic and seemed better versed in their music. Everyone seemed to sing along to every song, whether prompted or not. The beginning of Fruit Flies was epic, with the crowd almost forcing Matthew off the mic because they were so loud. Speaking of Fruit Flies, Ira played these wicked cool glowing drumsticks. Watch the video below. The other amazing crowd moment was during Inside of Love, when Matthew asked that the crowd do a two step sway in time with the music, and we all happily obliged. It was very cool.

Anywho, Martin Wenk of Calexico joined Nada Surf again, adding wonderful depth to the sound. Keys, synth and awesome horns popped up all over the set. Seriously guys, you need to keep him. Or maybe clone him.

Ahhh, another amazing Nada Surf show. These guys just get better and better.

Blizzard of '77


Crazy Glowing Drum Sticks


Some pictures HERE

Setlist:

High Speed Soul
Happy Kid
Whose Authority
What is Your Secret
Weightless
Killians Red
I like What You Say
Inside of Love
Fruit Flies
80 Windows
Ice on the Wing
The Fox
Do It Again
Beautiful Beat
See These Bones

Blizzard of '77
Blonde on Blonde
Always Love
Blankest Year

The Run Down - Monday April 14, 2008

Given the extreme amount of shows there were last week, this week there's a pleasant lull. There is one quality show tonight, but unfortunately it's sold out. If you are going to the New Pornographers/Okkervil River show tonight(and tomorrow) at the 9:30 Club, please let us know how it went.

mp3: The New Pornographers - Use It --> website --> buy
mp3: Okkervil River - Black --> website --> buy

Random Randomness For A Random World

Whistle for will time stands still. A good man is easy to kill on peak hill.

image via K!WA

Nada Surf and Superdrag @ Terminal 5, NYC - In Review

The dream pairing of Nada Surf and Superdrag co-headlining in New York City was far too enticing for this blogger to pass up, even if it meant a trip up from B-more. And wow, was it ever worth it. First off, I need to compliment the incredible Terminal 5. What an amazing venue. 50 foot ceilings, two balcony levels, chandeliers, and a wonderful sound and lighting system. This was one of the best produced shows I've seen, and probably the best sounding show in any club. I'm so jealous.

Anyway, Superdrag began the night with a blazing set of songs from Regretfully Yours and Head Trip. They were very energetic and genuinely thankful to have such a large and boisterous crowd. They graced the crowd with two new songs and a John Davis song from his last solo album. Their set lasted an hour, which certainly meant they weren't the "opening band," but not quite the main event. I didn't track the full setlist, but heres the last four songs of the set:

Keep It Close To Me
Sucked Out
Cynicality
Destination Ursa Major

By the time Nada Surf took the stage, Terminal 5 was paaaaaacked. Well over 2000 people packed the floor and balconies. All were witness to what Nada Surf has become. I've seen them perform over 10 times, and they have always been good, but now they have reached another level. Nada Surf has become an elite live band. They captivate the crowd, their transitions are razor sharp, and the versions of the songs they play make the album versions seem mediocre.

Helping to up the ante for this tour was the addition of Martin Wenk of Calexico, who played keys, synth, and horns. He added very nice touches, especially on Killians Red (see video below) and 80 Windows. Other interesting moments were provided by Ira's ridiculous drumming antics. For Fruit Flies, he used a pair of sticks that had glowing tips, especially cool because the start of the song focuses the crowd on Matthew's vocals. Even more fun was provided by the breakdown at the end of Stalemate. Already an amazing song, which includes the Love Will Tear Us Apart Joy Division medley, but Ira played so powerfully at the end that he bounced one of his symbols away from him by about a foot. He was fun to watch throughout the show, making goofy faces and doing crazy fills constantly.

I am so happy for these guys that the years of hard work and touring seem to have finally payed off. I will miss the days of watching them play to crowds of 50 people, but as long as they keep playing shows like this, I will never complain.

Some pics from the show HERE

Killian's Red


High Speed Soul
Happy Kid
Whose Authority
What is Your Secret
Weightless
Killians Red
I Like What You Say
Inside of Love
Fruit Flies
80 Windows
Popular
Stalemate
Paper Boats
Ice on the Wing
The Fox
Do it Again
Beautiful Beat
See These Bones

Blizzard of '77
Blonde on Blonde
Always Love
Blankest Year

The Run Down - Sunday April 13, 2008

I'm crazy tired right now...but if you have an abundance of energy...GO SEE SOME SHOWS!!! My suggestion would be to check Nada Surf at the Troc in Philly with Illinois or perhaps Casiotone For the Painfully Alone and Clue To Kalo at the First Unitarian Church. There's a banger in DC with Wye Oak and These United States at the Black Cat or how about Colin Meloy and Laura Gibson at the 9:30 club.

mp3: Laura Gibson - Hands In Pockets --> website --> buy
mp3: Nada Surf - Do It Again --> website --> buy
mp3: These United States - Burn This Bridge --> website --> buy
mp3: Wye Oak - Obituary --> website --> buy

Sunday Buffet

Again...I'm fairly tired. Tired enough to skip Sunday Buffet...no.

Broken Records are a 7 Piece(wow) from Edinburgh Scotland who play European folk dipped in modern Scottish alternative. They had me at glockenspiel and accordian.

mp3: Broken Records - Slow Parade --> website --> buy

Cobra Collective is a group of four from DC. Like many a band nowadays they take on that new wave dance rock sound. Luckily for them that their DC rock roots overshadows that a bit to make a truly great music.

mp3: Cobra Collective - Legionnaire --> website --> buy

Hot Lava is a quartet from Virginia that remind me of Enon and Deerhoof but with loads of time working a computer desk job (like me). They play The Velvet Lounge on May 12th.

mp3: Hot Lava - Jpg In The Sun --> website --> buy

The Dig are a band from New York and guess what? They play great indie rock (a shocker). So good you should definitely press play....NOW! Catch them at the Red and the Black on April 17th and at the Sidebar on June 18th.

mp3: The Dig - Marianne --> website --> buy

Portishead Third - This Time It's Personal (for you)

Portishead's here again with dark rooms, candles, and ancient robots in love. The magical thing that is Portishead can wisp you away like Phantom of the opera then boil you over with industrial hip hop style grimy beats. On their new release they don't reinvent their sound, but why should they? I've been waiting to hear these trip hop pioneers produce new music for years (that rhymes and you know rhymes, admit it). Now that it's here, I couldn't be happier.

mp3: Portishead - Hunter --> website --> buy
mp3: Portishead - We Carry On

The Run Down - Saturday April 12, 2008

The weekend is here and a swarm of shows have come with it. In Baltimore check out Casiotone For The Painfully Alone, These United States, Clue To Kalo, and The Cotton Jones Basket Ride at The Talking Head. In DC the 9:30 has Nada Surf, Kaki King, and The Jealous Girlfriends, while the Velvet Lounge has De Novo Dahl, Modern Skirts, and Parachute Musical. Finally in Philly the M Room has The cobbs, The December Sound, and Asteroid #4, The Fire has An American Chinese, East Hundred, Akudama, and Bebek, and Johnny Brenda's has Superdrag.

mp3: Nada Surf - Treading Water --> website --> buy
mp3: Kaki King - 2 O'Clock --> website --> buy
mp3: The Jealous Girlfriends - How Now --> website --> buy
mp3: An American Chinese - Panic Pilgrim, Quick Grab Your Suitcase --> website --> buy
mp3: East Hundred - Climbing Up The Walls --> website --> buy
mp3: De Novo Dahl - Marketplace --> website --> buy
mp3: These United States - Burn This Bridge --> website --> buy
mp3: Asteroid #4 - Outside --> website --> buy

Radioheadings with the ASO

Last night the Alabama Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Justin Brown performed Jonny Greenwoods 'Popcorn Superhet Receiver' at the Alys Stevens Center in Birmingham, Alabama. I know i don't qualify to write about classical music since i don't have much to compare it to but I'll do my best. The last time I was at the symphony was to see a production of The Who's 'Tommy'. That's about the extent of my experience but judging by the peoples reactions after the show it didn't matter. Something happened tonight that was so radically different from what usually happens at the symphony and i think it had an impact on everyone young and old. Jonny Greenwood clearly does things differently. As evidenced on the cacophony of violins at the end of 'Climbing Up The Walls' to the use of really heavy strings on 'Down Is The New Up', Jonny just really likes the way they sound.

The Piece performed tonight was "Popcorn Superhet Receiver' which he composed while in residence at the BBC in 2005. Sections of this work were also used in the soundtrack to ' There Will Be Blood' and anyone who saw that movie knows half of the reason that movie was good was Daniel Day Lewis' acting and the other half was the soundtrack. It starts out with what sounds like each played slowly tuning their instrument until the sound builds and roars past you like a locomotive, repeatedly. A constant sound of something ominous, something right over shoulder but when you turn to look its everywhere at once. Leave it to Jonny to have a segment where the violinists are strumming their violins like guitars and the upright bassists are using their bows to create a percussive sound. The effect is somewhat tribal similar to that of the multi drummed attack of 'There There'. Having heard this piece before I thought the ASO did a remarkable job recreating jonnys work.

The second piece they did was by composer Paul Lansky and while that may not ring any bells, there is a connection. Paul Lansky is responsible for a sample that was used on 'Idioteque', the electronic noise that ushers in the song before Thom starts singing. You know the one. Well anyway this piece was written specifically for this evening and he was even there to introduce it. Having been the first time this was played with the composer in house made things really special. I was sitting really close to him and he actually seemed thrilled throughout the performance at the job they were doing.

All in all it was a wonderful evening. If more places did stuff like this I'd imagine a lot more people would get into it and have a positive experience. I love music.

De Novo Dahl Delivers

Have you ever been downtown sitting on a bench watching people go by at lunch time? It seems like madness. People rushing this way and that, bumping and running to their destination. This is the time you should pop on your headphones and listen to De Novo Dahl's Move Every Muscle, Make Every Sound. Their gorgeous pop sound with looming choruses that slap you across the face repeatedly until you clap along will drum over the avenues of work you see passing before you and make them seem almost beautiful. Oh yeah, add a dash of funk and punk and there it is! Good music.

mp3: De Novo Dahl - Been Kept Up --> website --> buy
mp3: De Novo Dahl - Marketplace

The Run Down - Friday April 11, 2008

Another Friday is here and it's a winner. Pasta Primavera will be in full swing up at Terminal 5 in NYC for Superdrag and Nada Surf, but there are some great shows around town also. In Baltimore Sonar has Spoon, The White Rabbits, and The Walkmen, while the Ottobar has Slick Rick with a full backing band! In DC the 9:30 club has Hot Chip and Free Blood, and The Rock and Roll Hotel has VHS or BETA and Tigercity. In Philly Johnny Brenda's has BC Camplight, The Swimmers, and The Capitol Years, The Fire has Thrushes, Boyskout, House Of Fire, Sonadors, and Music For Headphones, while the North Star has the Duke Spirit. Finally in Wilmngton, DE don't miss The Spinto Band and the National Eye at Mojo 13.

mp3: Nada Surf - The Fox --> website --> buy
mp3: Hot Chip - Shake A Fist --> website --> buy
mp3: Thrushes - Into The Woods --> website --> buy
mp3: Boyskout - Back To Bed --> website --> buy
mp3: House Of Fire - Twelve Stars --> website --> buy
mp3: Spoon - I Summon You (demo) --> website --> buy
mp3: The Spinto Band- Summer Grof --> website --> buy
mp3: The National Eye - Snowing In April --> website --> buy

Friday (I'm A Remix)

I like work weeks that just fly by, especially when you've scheduled a crazy busy weekend. This week started off with a long Monday then just zipped to Friday like it was nothing. Why is that? Is it the excess work load I've had this week? Not sure. Who cares. Here's some remixes that will hopefully slow your weekend down.

mp3: Ra Ra Riot - Each Year (RAC Remix)
mp3: Sally Shapiro - Time To Let Go (CFCF Remix)
mp3: Justice - DVNO (Surkin Remix)
mp3: Panda Bear - Comfy In Nautica (XXXchange Remix)

image via blu

Annuals are Perennial Favorites

Annuals new EP, Wet Zoo, has just been released and it's not shocking that it's great. There are 3 superb Annuals songs on the disc that sport the soaring vocals and mountainous drums that define the Annuals sound. There are also two tracks by Sunfold, a side project of member Kenny Florence, that sport the same cast as Annuals, but with a little switcharoo action. The Sunfold tracks are quite intriguing in that they have a similar quality to Annuals except that they hold a laconic feel that never gives too much, but doesn't feel lacking. All in all, this sweet little EP has easily perked my interest to the apparent Annuals LP being released in the fall.

mp3: Annuals - Sore --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Thursday April 10, 2008

As this week rolls on I've realized that there too many shows to be seen. Try your best I guess. In Baltimore tonight Wye Oak, Deertick, and Musee Mecanique play G Spot, VHS or BETA and Tigercity play the Ottobar, while Elliott Lipp and Bassnectar play the 8x10. In DC the Black Cat has Yeasayer and Ponytail. In Philly, The Fire has Jotto, Creaky Boards, Papertrigger, and Drink Up Buttercup, the Khyber has Throw Me The Statue and Except After Sea, The Electric Factory has Spoon and The Walkmen, and the Starlight Ballroom has Hot Chip and Free Blood.

mp3: Wye Oak - Please Concrete --> website --> buy
mp3: Yeasayer - 2080 --> website --> buy
mp3: Throw Me The Statue - The Old Believer --> website --> buy
mp3: Except After Sea - I Know --> website --> buy
mp3: Creaky Boards - I Cannot Love You --> website --> buy
mp3: Papertrigger - We Are Nations Now --> website --> buy
mp3: Drink Up Buttercup - Young Ladies --> website --> buy
mp3: Spoon - I Turn My Camera On --> website --> buy
mp3: Hot Chip - Made In The Dark --> website --> buy
mp3: Free Blood - Grumpy --> website --> buy

The Good Ole Days of Plants & Animals

Montreal's Plants & Animals take me back to my delivery truck driving days. No tape player. Just a run down radio that only picked up 100.7 the Bay (Baltimore's best of the 60s , 70s, and 80s). Many might consider this hell, but I quickly learned to love a majority of these songs. Many of the artists sought out big production, clever arrangements, and never failed to include the sultry hook that grabbed you by the ears and twisted until you sang along. Plants & Animals have that quality that defines classic rock, yet they don't seem dated. So that was my first impression. Then things started to warp my mind a bit as it swooned around these tunes...Arcade Fire ...hmmm...bits... Animal Collective...tiny bits...CSNY...more bits...Then all these pieces merge together and coagulate to my previous impression. Well if you can make any sense of what I just wrote, then you'll love Plants & Animals. They just released their full length, Parc Avenue, on March 25th on Secret City Records.

mp3: Plants & Animals - Mercy --> website --> buy
mp3: Plants & Animals - Bye Bye Bye

The Run Down - Wednesday April 9, 2008

Great shows everywhere tonight! First up in Baltimore, go see Superdrag at the 8x10 and don't forget they're playing a 2pm in store appearance at Soundgarden in Fells Point. Also in Baltimore, Minus The Bear plays the Recher Theater with Portugal The Man and the Big Sleep. In DC Dc9 has Riddle Of Steel and City of Ships. In Philly Johnny Brenda's has VHS or BETA, Tigercity, and Coyote, the Starlight Ballroom has Explosions in the Sky and Lichens, while in Lancaster, PA John Vanderslice plays the Chameleon Club.

mp3: Riddle Of Steel - John Frum --> website --> buy
mp3: Superdrag - In The Valley Of Dying Stars --> website --> buy
mp3: John Vanderslice - My Old Flame --> website --> buy
mp3: Minus the Bear - Throwin' Shapes --> website --> buy

Maddening March Musical Madness Part 7 - The Championship

There were 64 teams/bands that duked it out until yesterday night when one was crowned champion. An epic battle between the storied program/band of Kansas/Radiohead versus an up and coming new star in Memphis/Feist. She almost did it, but alas Radiohead ain't no walk in the park. This madness was a ride of fun. See you here next year?

mp3: Radiohead - Knives Out
mp3: Radiohead - No Surprises
mp3: Feist - Sealion (Chromeo Remix)
mp3: Feist - My Man Moon (Boys Noize Remix)

The Run Down - Tuesday April 8, 2008

Quick! Three Philly shows! Get to 'em! Johnny Brenda's has No Kids, Fillmore has Minus The Bear, Portugal The Man, and Elk, while the Starlight has Man Man, Dirty Projectors and The Extraordinaires.

mp3: No Kids - For Halloween --> website --> buy
mp3: Minus The Bear - Drilling --> website --> buy
mp3: Man Man - El Azteka --> website --> buy
mp3: The Extraordinaires - Neighborhood Watch --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Monday April 7, 2008

DC is where it's at tonight. The Black Cat has Dirty Projectors and No Kids, The 9:30 has Saul Williams and Dragons of Zynth, and the Rock and Roll Hotel has Ambulance LTD, Bear Hands, and Wild Light.

mp3: Dirty Projectors - What I See --> website --> buy
mp3: No Kids - For Halloween --> website --> buy
mp3: Dragons of Zynth - Get Off --> website --> buy
mp3: Ambulance LTD - Ophelia --> website --> buy
mp3: Bear Hands - Long Lean Queen --> website --> buy

Random Randomness For A Random World

Go it alone in this home on ice. High price, small reward, release me on the floor.

image via duster

The Toadies to tour east coast this June

Hot Diggity Damn!! The Toadies will be in the mid-Atlantic area for the first time since 2001. They put on one of the most energetic shows you will ever see. Full dates below:

6/20 - San Antonio - Sunset Station
Tickets on sale 4/11

6/21 - Fort Worth - Ridglea Theater (Sold Out)

6/24 - Atlanta - Masquerade

6/25 - Washington DC - Black Cat

6/26 - NYC - Bowery Ballroom

6/27 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Underground

6/28 - Philadelphia - Trocadero


NYC, Cambridge and Philly are on sale now HERE.

The Black Cat website says tix will be available on 4/11. No word on the Atlanta tix on either ticketmaster or the Masquerade site.

mp3: Toadies - Possum Kingdom ---- Website ---- Buy


UPDATE: Tickets for the Atlanta show go on sale Tuesday at 10:00am eastern HERE.

Sunday Buffet

It's Sunday again and it's time for the next installment of the Sunday Buffet. There's something here for everyone, so please be adventurous.

Headlamp is a four piece from Brooklyn that plays great indie songs held together by the vocals/song writing of Chuck Criss and some banjo(?). It's like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah turning out a wicked sweet hoe-down.

mp3: Headlamp - We Wish We Were Kids --> website --> buy

Honey Claws is a quartet from Austin. These guys jump from echoing electronica to house rap to pop without missing a beat. Must be the DJ duo they've got going on. Don't mess around...go check them out.

mp3: Honey Claws - Villains --> website --> buy

Johnny Neon is a synth pop duo out of South Africa . Their music is self described as "the pursuit of pop culture nightmares and vintage electronics." True. Very true.

mp3: Johnny Neon - Dance On Fire --> website --> buy

Kadman is a trio from Baltimore that plays quiet, almost ambient, folk pop that sounds better with the lights off. They are playing the Ottobar on April 22nd with Ra Ra Riot.

mp3: Kadman - Diesel --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Sunday April 6, 2008

There are some quality shows tonight in Philly and DC. In DC the 9:30 Club has Carbon/Silicon and Matt Pond PA while the Rock and Roll Hotel has Aloha, Anathallo, and Roofwalkers. Finally in Philly don't miss Greyhounds, The Major Leagues, and Neighborhood Choir at the Khyber.

mp3: Matt Pond PA - Emblems --> website --> buy
mp3: The Major Leagues - Alright --> website
mp3: Neighborhood Choir - Whalesong --> website
mp3: Aloha - Passengers --> website --> buy

Man, Man Man is Magnificent

Man Man's Rabbit Habits comes out on April 8th on Anti-. This is the closest thing I've heard to a modern reflection of what Waits and Zappa accomplished in their respective glory days. Rabbit Habits is full of wild circus ballads that create more genres than take to them. This style of play breeds stories and imagery without understanding the lyrics. The inflections of voice and bass tone carve out each fantastic mood directly from your ears to your brain. I just imagined a box car picking up musicians along it's travels through the midwest until the train gets so weighed down it has to stop. The final destination is an old run down paper mill. That's when all hell brakes loose. I know...I'm strange...this album's got a hold of me...help. Man Man is playing their record release show at the Starlight Ballrom on April 8th with Dirty Projectors and The Extraordinaires then heading out a major tour with Yeasayer.

mp3: Man Man - Top Drawer --> website --> buy
mp3: Man Man - Mister Jung Stuffed

The Run Down - Saturday April 5, 2008

Saturday's are always pretty grand and this one keeps the tradition going. In Baltimore there's a phenomenal show at the Talking Head with HEALTH, Ponytail, Ecstatic Sunshine, and Videohippos. In DC there's three dynamite events. The Black Cat has Georgie James, Tereu Tereu, and Olivia Mancini and The Housemates, while the Rock and Roll Hotel has Kelly Stoltz, Julie Ocean, and the Dirtbombs, and finally DC9 has Bellman Barker, My Robot Friend, and Wooly Mammoth. In Philly don't miss Ambulance LTD, Bear Hands, Will Light at the North Star.

mp3: Georgie James - Cake Parade --> website --> buy
mp3: Julie Ocean - At The Appointed Hour --> website --> buy
mp3: Ambulance LTD - Ophelia --> website --> buy
mp3: Bear Hands - Bad Blood --> website --> buy
mp3: Bellman Barker - Two Bees --> website --> buy
mp3: My Robot Friend - My Robot High School --> website --> buy
mp3: HEALTH - Crimewave --> website --> buy
mp3: Videohippos - Narwhals --> website --> buy

Pasta Does Threadless

Well sort of...many of you might not know it, but besides posting on this little blog all the time, I'm actually an illustrator. Today my first submission to Threadless was picked up and cleared for voting. So if you have the time it would be super sweet if you could mosey on over there and give me a nice score.



mp3: Portishead - Threads
mp3: Maritime - Parade of Punk Rock T-Shirts
mp3: Menomena - Shirt
mp3: Spoon - Fitted Shirt, The

Revamping Vampire Weekend

So we've all heard Vampire Weekend. They've got the hype. They've been compared to the Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, and the Beach Boys. Their debut is superbly arranged and recorded. What's not to like? Then you look at them. They look normal, average, swell, nice guys. They definitely don't look revolutionary by any means. Yet for a while there no one could stop talking about them (and obviously we're still talking about them). Vampire Weekend was actually one of our first posts, back when we were just getting our feet wet. I guess they were in the same place then too, just getting some buzz with a self released EP. Then it grew and grew into the boostified band we all know. The question now is, "Will success destroy them? Will their performance and sound falter because of popularity?" I hope not because when I listen to this album, I'm in pop heaven (you know the one with John Lennon at the pearly gates). There's nothing trite about it. Pure, unabashed wholesome pop treasures that should be in most people's music collection. Oh...and don't forget about the afrobeat.

mp3: Vampire Weekend - One --> website --> buy
mp3: Vampire Weekend - Walcott

Friday (I'm A Remix)

My brain is functioning at low capacity today...somehow I only managed around two hours of sleep last night...thank god the weekend is here...eyes heavy...slowly drifting away...the open sea calls...now I go a-sailing...mr. sandman bring me a dream...da da da da da da da da daaaa...I'm out...

mp3: DJ Topcat - Time To Listen (Talib Kweli vs. MGMT)
mp3: Justice vs. DATA - D.A.N.C.E. (Paste Black Remix)
mp3: Kanye West - Flashing Lights (Diplo Remix)
mp3: The Wellingtons - Gstaad (Victime Remix)

image via A1one

The Run Down - Friday April 4, 2008

Holy crap there's a multitude of events set to happen tonight! In Baltimore you should definitely swing on down to the Talking Head to check out some local favorites, Jason Dove, Caleb Stine, Finn Riggins, and Infinite Honey. If you're in DC you have a tough choice. You can go to the Black Cat to see Les Savy Fav, The Dodos, and The Big Sleep, or the Rock and Roll Hotel for Beach House and Papercuts, or the Velvet Lounge to see HEALTH, The Apes, and Womanhood. You could also head a bit further south to see Enon and The Epochs at IOTA in Virginia. If you're Pennsylvania bound the Millcreek Tavern has a sweet show with The Bee Team, Drink Up Buttercup, The Lisps, and An American Chinese. The Reading Terminal Market has Diplo, The North Star has the Handsome Furs and Violens, and Johnny Brenda's has Aloha, Anthallo, and Ape School. Buuuuuusy night!

mp3: Les Savy Fav - Tragic Monsters --> website --> buy
mp3: The Dodos - Fools --> website --> buy
mp3: Aloha - Body Buzz --> website --> buy
mp3: Enon - Believo --> website --> buy
mp3: The Epochs - Tug Of War --> website --> buy
mp3: HEALTH - Triceratops --> website --> buy
mp3: Handsome Furs - Dead & Rural --> website --> buy
mp3: Violens - Violent Sensation Descends --> website --> buy
mp3: Caleb Stine - Devil --> website --> buy
mp3: Jason Dove - End Of the Year --> website --> buy
mp3: Finn Riggins - Hraka --> website --> buy
mp3: Drink Up Buttercup - Young Ladies --> website --> buy
mp3: The Lisps - Brackish Water --> website --> buy
mp3: An American Chinese - Panic Pilgrim, Quick Grab Your Suitcase --> website --> buy
mp3: Diplo - Big Lost --> website --> buy

Kudos For The Dodos

The Dodos' Visiter starts off simple and unassuming with a generally good acoustic rattling light pop sound...much like the album cover might suggest (which was drawn by special needs kids from Ms. Dorsey's classroom in South Central Los Angeles). Minimal. Raw. Sketch. Then the second track, Red and Purple, storms in with pounding rhythms and jingling bells that would make Animal Collective blush. This sound continues onward with various depths of the drums, guitars, hand claps, choruses, and subtle ambients. By the end you feel overjoyed and heart broken at the same time. The Dodos consist of Meric Long and Logan Kroeber from California. When recording Visiter, their second album, they set out to capture the fervent energy of their live shows. With John Askew as the producer they recorded live tracks in the warehouse sized Type Foundry Studio with minimal post production. Instead they focused on drum sounds and mic placement to create an undercurrent of uninhibited vibrations that echo through the melodies and into your soul. Visiter is truly a powerful experience and is deserved all the praise it is receiving.

mp3: The Dodos - Red And Purple --> website --> buy
mp3: The Dodos - Winter

The Run Down - Thursday April 3, 2008

So the Beach House/Papercuts show is definitely tonight at the Barbary in Philly. Sorry for the miscue yesterday. In DC the Rock and Roll Hotel has Robbers On High Street and The City Veins. Finally in Baltimore the Ottobar has a sweet one in Enon, The Squaaks and Impossible Hair.

mp3: Enon - Shave --> website --> buy
mp3: The Squaaks - Be Dry My Bleeding Heart --> website --> buy
mp3: Impossible Hair - Find It --> website --> buy
mp3: Robbers On High Street - Crown Victoria --> website --> buy
mp3: Beach House - Gila --> website --> buy

Virgin festival headliners announced

The headliners of Virgin Fest 2008 at Pimlico here in B-more were announced today. They include the likes of:

Foo Fighters

Kanye West

Nine Inch Nails

Stone Temple Pilots

Jack Johnson (boo)

Not a bad set of headliners. We'll see how the supporting cast stacks up.

The Run Down - Wednesday April 2, 2008

There are some slammin' (sorry) shows in the DC and Philly area tonight. The Black Cat has Jens Lekman, The Honeydrips, and Marla Hansen (that's a pretty darn good line up). In Philly head to the Barbary to see Beach House and Papercuts (6:30 show) or swing over to the Fillmore to check De Novo Dahl and Jesse Malin (*****oops...scratch that...The Fillmore show has been postponed...dang!*****). ****OOPS I did it again...The Beach House show is tomorrow!!!!***** Sorry...my brain isn't working right today.

mp3: Jens Lekman - Black Cab --> website --> buy
mp3: The Honeydrips - Here Comes The Future --> website --> buy
mp3: Marla Hansen - Wedding Day --> website --> buy
mp3: De Novo Dahl - Make Some Sense --> website --> buy
mp3: Beach House - Gila --> website --> buy

Maddening March Musical Madness Part 6 - Final Four

So this is it....The Final Four. I can't really be sad that this is the way it turned out. Yeah you always want the cinderella team to win, but I also like to see a great competitive game. As for the music side of this, WOW. I'm still going with Radiohead/Kansas, but they did just barely beat Amy Winehous/Davidson. Can they handle Arcade Fire/UNC? As for LCD Soundsystem/UCLA versus Feist/Memphis... it's anyone's guess. Flip a coin and you'll probably be right. Who do you think will come out on top?

mp3: Arcade Fire - Une Annee Sans Lumiere --> buy
mp3: Radiohead - Videotape --> buy
mp3: Feist - Mushaboom --> buy
mp3: LCD Soundsystem - Daft Punk Is Playing At My House --> buy

The Death Set Kills It

25 Minutes. 18 Tracks. Worldwide. The album drops on April 22nd here in the US on Ninjatune (new favorite label? possibly). The Death Set define electropunk. Nothing else comes close. Worldwide will make you tap then bob then jump then sing then dance then yell then play the album all over again. Take the energy of punk, the coolness of lo-fi electronica, and the fun of...um...fun, shake it up in a tiny club atmosphere, and you've got Baltimore's The Death Set. I could ramble on with more comparisons and history and junk but screw that. Light the fuse and go!

mp3: The Death Set - Around The World --> website --> buy
mp3: The Death Set - Intermission