tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221044252024-03-07T02:36:35.762-06:00I Wonder Why We Listen to Poets...<i>A reference point for all the songs, bands and live stuff that I keep e-mailing to my friends... </i>newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-65824871610655074982007-04-30T18:24:00.000-05:002007-04-30T18:28:25.847-05:00Songs for living the high life...I put this playlist/mix together for a friend, but feel free to poach as you see fit. YSI links will expire in a week, so act quickly...<br /><br />01. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=B5BB144C47417420" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Snow (Hey Oh)</a> [Red Hot Chili Peppers]<br />02. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=8ED3727D252A9B98" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> Jacksonville</a> [Sufjan Stevens]<br />03. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=DEACB7DD418EC686" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rock & Roll</span></a> [The Velvet Underground]<br />04. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=04CD99426A99ECD8" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crazy</span></a> [Ray Lamontagne]<br />05. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=330864380734E76A" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Burning</span></a> [The Whitest Boy Alive]<br />06. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=12906E4E740A0B81" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sympathy For the Devil </span></a> [The Rolling Stones]<br />07. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=5AB71ECE2FD6B91D" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-weight: bold;">You Only Live Once</span></a> [The Strokes]<br />08. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=C073F98D3A7FA55B" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Acquiesce</span></a> [Oasis]<br />09. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=41CD47FC23A11F52" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Seed 2.0</span></a> [The Roots]<br />10. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=09B07A082BC1D80E" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stuck Between Stations</span></a> [The Hold Steady]<br />11. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=4CC5B33E1707498D" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">West Coast</span></a> [Coconut Records]<br />12. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=6096B50553496D91" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Baby One More Time </span></a> [Travis]<br />13. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=2C4463F314DC5636" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Riot Van</span></a> [Arctic Monkeys]<br />14. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=FA348B5A6477DF92" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kick, Push</span></a> [Lupe Fiasco]<br />15. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=392F77FC4A66A523" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-weight: bold;">5-4</span></a> [Gorillaz]<br />16. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=3C37041F73B432B9" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lucky Man</span></a> [The Verve]<br />17. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=71843E6F67736EB8" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Holiday</span></a> [Green Day]<br />18. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=7C60A89A291732DE" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Badfish/Boss DJ</span></a> [Jack Johnson]newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-33216553668657529802007-04-23T16:35:00.000-05:002007-04-23T17:06:05.105-05:00New Ben Harper studio album in AugustVirgin Records' Upcoming Releases site has been <a href="http://www.virginrecords.com/home/releases.html">updated</a> to include a listing for a "new studio album" from Ben Harper, slated for an August 28 release.<br /><br />According to <a href="http://benharper.net/"><span style="font-style: italic;">benharper.net</span></a>'s Gavin Connity, the new album is called <span style="font-style: italic;">Lifeline</span> and will include 11 songs, including the title track (which has been performed live a handful of times over the last two years) and "In the Colors" which <a href="http://www.benharper.net/?page=concert§ion=setlist&id=2443">debuted April 5</a> during a live session on Triple J Radio.<br /><br />More: [<a href="http://forum.benharper.net/read.php?2,169870">here</a>]<br /><br />UPDATE: <span style="font-style: italic;">A little digging (and I do mean </span>a little<span style="font-style: italic;">) through the message boards turned up an mp3 of "</span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.sendspace.com/file/up4735">In the Colors</a><span style="font-style: italic;">" from Triple J. As one of the board posters commented, it sounds like Ben's channeling his inner Van Morrison and the early results sound good. The last time I got to see Ben in concert, I remember taking away the impression that he's really starting to transform into a more soul, crooner mold which this track certainly backs up..</span><br /><span style="" in="" the="" colors="" which=""></span>newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-22487613072020828582007-04-18T09:49:00.000-05:002007-04-18T10:06:01.645-05:00Anxiously awaiting the return of Jack & MegThe media got a first listen to the next White Stripes release, <span style="font-style: italic;">Icky Thump</span>, at the XL Records offices a few days ago. After reading a couple of reviews, I'm not sure I could be more interested to hear this one. Some of the reports remind me of hearing that <span style="font-style: italic;">Get Behind Me Satan</span> featured the marimba... <span style="font-style: italic;">marimba!</span> ... and having absolutely no idea how that sound would work out. Of course it did (settle down 'Nurse' haters), and we're all the better for it.<br /><br />So when I hear things like this:<br /><br /><blockquote>The strangest two tracks are "Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn" and "St Andrew (This Battle Is In The Air)". The former begins like, yes I know, "Gallows Pole" before the bagpipes turn up and the Scottish imagery gets denser and wilder.<br /><br /></blockquote>...I am definitely intrigued. Then to contrast the above with word that there are some songs that recapture the early sound of songs like 'Astro' means that this album promises to be yet another sonic pinball machine from the Stripes. The full run-down is <a href="http://www.uncut.co.uk/blog/index.php?blog=6&p=119&amp;amp;more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more119">here</a>.<br /><br />More: [<a href="http://www.nme.com/news/the-white-stripes/27768">NME</a>]newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-89837374587948421762007-04-16T13:28:00.000-05:002007-04-16T13:56:09.538-05:00Gomez Live from the Vic webcast April 18<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2vSOiUKa-AkxNoyyB4YUZpbb7vhoE4UVvK6xRqHuJrkWTIJskgWhqEkbXEkY-yNJllzSMidgg6GSQpuBsf6rjI6R3W1U6bCvJgTd9hepACvmkFkcfjBRWsB9Yfkt0oQrOeIPCg/s1600-h/gomezlive.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2vSOiUKa-AkxNoyyB4YUZpbb7vhoE4UVvK6xRqHuJrkWTIJskgWhqEkbXEkY-yNJllzSMidgg6GSQpuBsf6rjI6R3W1U6bCvJgTd9hepACvmkFkcfjBRWsB9Yfkt0oQrOeIPCg/s400/gomezlive.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054098609559863890" border="0" /></a><br />Gomez's March 2 show from the Vic Theatre in Chicago is going to be webcast at MSN's "<a href="http://music.msn.com/gomez">Control Room</a>" on Wednesday, April 18 at 1 p.m. CT.<br /><br />MSN currently has a teaser of the concert online, featuring clips from the concert mixed among portions of an interview with Ben Ottewell and Ian Ball followed by the night's full rendition of 'Get Myself Arrested.' <span style="font-style: italic;">He only grows for guuyyyys he knows, and me..</span><br /><br />Hopefully this won't be the only medium that sees the concert's release, I'd be thrilled to have the show as a DVD some day (it looks like the show will see a lengthy <a href="http://music.msn.com/inconcert">online archival</a> at MSN at least).<br /><br />I'll be watching the 'cast with vested interest regardless; I'm dying to see how the encore break was edited. My friend and I jokingly started chanting 'ole, ole, ole' we could no longer sustain a more American encore-invoking tradition (i.e. clapping/yelling). To our surprise the whole room picked it up until the band came back to the stage. It was incredible to hear... hopefully it makes the cut.<br /><br />Related: [<a href="http://www.last.fm/user/newbobby/journal/2007/04/3/386692/">full setlist</a>]newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-7843747496074066192007-04-11T02:43:00.001-05:002007-04-11T03:15:58.811-05:00Take Away Shows: Vincent MoonIt has been difficult for me to write about the work of French filmmaker Vincent Moon without sounding like a overbearing first-year film student, but I do want to try to pass along some of his amazing work. Over the last few weeks, Moon's <a href="http://www.blogotheque.net/takeawayshows/">Take Away Shows</a> have earned a lot of attention on my computer and iPod. The concept behind Take Away Shows is to present some of the world's most talented musicians performing spontaneous, single-shot takes of their songs in an urban environment.<br /><br />Several weeks ago, Moon debuted <a href="http://www.blogotheque.net/article.php3?id_article=2839">Episode 40</a>, featuring two songs from <a href="http://www.americanmary.com/">The National</a>'s forthcoming LP <span style="font-style: italic;">Boxer</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">(Those of you that are familiar with this blog might remember my </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://newbob.blogspot.com/2006/02/more-on-national.html">second-ever post</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> featured three Moon-shot videos of The National performing live. In my mind, Moon's take on "</span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47yqXh52NDw">About Today</a><span style="font-style: italic;">" is still a perfect marriage of the music and moving image.) </span>Moon's use of light and shadow is again a perfect foil for the acutely nuanced mood The National creates in its songs.<br /><br />On the acoustic "Start A War," the band enlists its dinner guests to join in on percussion with whatever they have in front of them, a seemingly happenstance occurrence that succeeds in creating the kind of shared yet intimate moments evoked in the music.<br /><div style="margin-bottom:25px;margin-top:25px;"><div style="width:425px;text-align:left;"><style type="text/css"><!-- #iiffq0o6vw7rw38tw0ymlxxnd9szqspad0dp9vrl4{width:425px;height:340px;border:none;margin:0px;} --></style><iframe src="http://www.dailymotion.com/blog/video/2421735?key=iffq0o6vw7rw38tw0ymlxxnd9szqspad0dp9vrl4" style="width:425px;height:340px;border:none;margin:0px;" width="425" height="340"frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" id="iiffq0o6vw7rw38tw0ymlxxnd9szqspad0dp9vrl4">Dailymotion blogged video</iframe></div></div><br />Other Take Away Show highlights:<br /><a href="http://www.blogotheque.net/article.php3?id_article=2867">The Arcade Fire, "Neon Bible/Wake Up"</a> - An amazing take on <span style="font-style: italic;">Neon Bible</span>'s title track performed by the band in a service elevator. Watching Jeremy replicate the song's understated percussion by ripping pages from a magazine is a moment of genius. [<a href="http://www.blogotheque.net/article.php3?id_article=2868">In English</a>]<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogotheque.net/article.php3?id_article=2507">Tapes 'N Tapes, "Insistor"</a> (2nd video) - The best moment comes at the end when the band punctuates the closing moments of the rhythm-heavy song by kicking the scaffolding that lined the street as they walk by. [<a href="http://www.blogotheque.net/article.php3?id_article=2595">In English</a>]<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogotheque.net/article.php3?id_article=1927">Okkervil River, "Song Of Our S0-Called Friends"</a> (2nd video) - Will Sheff and an acoustic guitar performing one of my favorite songs from <span style="font-style: italic;">Black Sheep Boy</span>.newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-91828307659242469042007-04-05T13:26:00.000-05:002007-04-05T13:55:25.383-05:00Love for the new collection at Full Bleed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVJuRL0XYDcz2S6uXOYSsoM5ZWO1F_WZfCpaJrUaPlLSrzVP-qHbmN5cz2BgftErTZWMgQg65VPa6E0KzowMe8gUEh-U5O01M1t1Gmiltpc7xqiTxndNj3KtTnnyDakPNNSOSNA/s1600-h/FULLB_surfsup_thmb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVJuRL0XYDcz2S6uXOYSsoM5ZWO1F_WZfCpaJrUaPlLSrzVP-qHbmN5cz2BgftErTZWMgQg65VPa6E0KzowMe8gUEh-U5O01M1t1Gmiltpc7xqiTxndNj3KtTnnyDakPNNSOSNA/s320/FULLB_surfsup_thmb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050017818637715586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleClxhGWKzaUHMfC8aItLQHT9lRBp4885yARSdFMSGy6OubcYG9TVbwQi9h8Ibl_2kLj7SzwFcF-VXpkxvL35hLVIVh7KQoba1YkOtyzUr2lJHQ-_ewlHdDZgeVBG0S9q1INKEg/s1600-h/FULLB_relief_thmb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleClxhGWKzaUHMfC8aItLQHT9lRBp4885yARSdFMSGy6OubcYG9TVbwQi9h8Ibl_2kLj7SzwFcF-VXpkxvL35hLVIVh7KQoba1YkOtyzUr2lJHQ-_ewlHdDZgeVBG0S9q1INKEg/s320/FULLB_relief_thmb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050017578119546962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Zk1gc1EnUw0LbJiDl0wHuswyB7d9lrIiF_ANXJRFNhpuZbOHOdUpA2bQHXUXy3VmQ9Z9LtydC4meY98czzuJZs7r23YEi76R4-Y8aQzPL8in49Mu8PraoG_1f2wCHYOrnfqigA/s1600-h/FULLB_cuttingcorners_thmb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Zk1gc1EnUw0LbJiDl0wHuswyB7d9lrIiF_ANXJRFNhpuZbOHOdUpA2bQHXUXy3VmQ9Z9LtydC4meY98czzuJZs7r23YEi76R4-Y8aQzPL8in49Mu8PraoG_1f2wCHYOrnfqigA/s320/FULLB_cuttingcorners_thmb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050017754213206130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgps5gCyz1gqOWuFf_0RHXZYdM1wTR12xggHjnWBiuKNDlCHYJiFyAJxi5vtJ6Mauif9wbw6RVklyRPNCoZJQchCSNl88nvBxxBISU9goxadOFPaZ0h7OZWCgSi35jAaEtR_ukGfg/s1600-h/FULLB_butterflies_yel_thmb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgps5gCyz1gqOWuFf_0RHXZYdM1wTR12xggHjnWBiuKNDlCHYJiFyAJxi5vtJ6Mauif9wbw6RVklyRPNCoZJQchCSNl88nvBxxBISU9goxadOFPaZ0h7OZWCgSi35jAaEtR_ukGfg/s320/FULLB_butterflies_yel_thmb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050017664018892898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I wanted to take a break from only surveying music and show some love for the collection to tees at <a href="http://www.dobi.nu/fullbleed/">FullBleed.org</a>. The work of Rob Dobi, his Series 5 shirts have been on my wish list for the last few days. Well, I held out as long as I could, but caved this morning and <a href="http://www.merchline.com/fullbleed/categorydisplay.1967.c.htm">ordered</a> <a href="http://www.merchline.com/fullbleed/categorydisplay.1324.c.htm">two</a>. Thank you to my credit card companies for making it possible..<br /><br />Aside from the amazing artwork on each shirt, I appreciate FullBleed's dedication to letting the shirts speak for themselves:<br /><blockquote>"I decided early on that FullBleed wouldn't be branded like the rest of the 'clothing companies' that exist nowadays. You pay enough money for a shirt, why have it act as a billboard?"<br /></blockquote>Judging from the work I've seen, such branding isn't necessary. I can already see random people coming up to me and asking where I got my shirts.<br /><br />From what I can tell the Series 5 line was just launched April 1 and people far more in the know than I have jumped on it. I missed out on a couple of my favorite designs because my size was already out of stock. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for the second runs.<br /><br />FullBleed on <a href="http://www.myspace.com/fullbleed">myspace</a>.<br />[<a href="http://www.joshspear.com/?s=full+bleed&x=0&y=0">via</a>]newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-18297088740725682912007-04-03T15:44:00.000-05:002007-04-03T15:52:15.689-05:00Live: Bloc Party at the Congress<span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday, March 23, 2007</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chicago, IL</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Set:</span> Song for Clay (Disappear Here), Positive Tension, Hunting for Witches, Waiting for the 7.18, Banquet, This Modern Love, Sunday, The Prayer, Uniform, Little Thoughts, So Here We Are, Like Eating Glass. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Encore:</span> I Still Remember, She's Hearing Voices, SRXT, Helicopter.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Encore 2:</span> Pioneers.newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-36282280485741237352007-03-14T13:55:00.000-05:002007-04-03T16:53:20.475-05:00Live: TV On the Radio at the Metro<span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday, March 12, 2007<br />Chicago, IL<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Setlist:</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Dirty Whirl, The Wrong Way, Dreams, I Was A Lover, Province, Young Liars, Wolf Like Me, Blues From Down Here, Blind, Wash the Day. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Encore:</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> A Method, Staring At the Sun.<br /><br /></span><span>It should come as no surprise to anyone any more that TV On the Radio </span><span>doesn't lose much in the live presentation of their songs. I had read about the band's ability to translate from studio to stage, but this was my first chance to experience with the band live. I was not disappointed; the band was adept and innovative in creating the textures you hear on the records and invigorating them with an extra adrenaline rush of guitar and drums.<br /><br />The opening 'Dirty Whirl' set the tone for the performance, with extra attention to Kyp and Dave's guitar playing, the song had the extra muscle it needed live. 'A Method' was also a highlight. Joined by members of the opening band with everyone playing some kind of percussion, the resulting sound was something only a band like TVOTR is capable of right now. I'll also commemorate Dave Sitek's use of chimes hanging off the end of his guitar as an ingenious little detail from the show that I'll look back on from time to time.<br /><br /><br /></span>newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-19162248240295916772007-03-05T12:57:00.000-06:002007-08-21T16:19:06.110-05:00Live Music Log 2007Well, it's a new year and a new list. I'll be using this space to keep the list for the coming year.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Upcoming Shows:<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">15. </span><span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Bloc Party, Andrew Bird & more. - 9/7-8, Hideout Block Party</span><br />--<br />14. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Handsome Furs/The Besnard Lakes</span> - 7/24, Schubas Tavern<br />13. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Catfish Haven</span> - 7/21, Sheffield Garden Walk<br />12. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pela</span> - 7/18, Schubas Tavern<br />11. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Decemberists w/ Grant Park Orchestra</span> - 7/18, Millennium Park [<span style="font-style: italic;">two songs only</span>]<br />10. <a href="http://www.last.fm/user/newbobby/journal/2007/06/10/447728/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The National</span></a> - 6/9, High Noon Saloon (Madison) [<a href="http://www.madison.com/post/blogs/gga12/177158"><span style="font-style: italic;">More</span></a> | <a href="http://www.muzzleofbees.com/2007/06/10/review-the-national-the-high-noon-saloon/">2</a>]<br />09. <a href="http://www.last.fm/user/newbobby/journal/2007/06/10/447729/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The National</span></a> - 6/7, The Metro<br />08. <a href="http://www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com/tourarchive/2007/05/24/?s=731"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Black Rebel Motorcycle Club</span></a> - 5/24, The Vic [<a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://thescenestar.typepad.com/ss/2007/05/brmc_perform_in.html">More</a>]</span><br /><span>07. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kings of Leon</span> - 5/17, The Rave (Milwaukee)<br /></span><span>06. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Arctic Monkeys/Be Your Own Pet</span> - 5/8, The Riv</span><br />05. <a href="http://newbob.blogspot.com/2007/04/live-bloc-party-at-congress.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bloc Party</span></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">/Albert Hammond Jr.</span> - 3/23, Congress Theatre<br />04. <a href="http://newbob.blogspot.com/2007/03/live-tv-on-radio-at-metro.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">TV On the Radio</span></a> - 3/12, The Metro<br />03. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Badly Drawn Boy</span> - 3/10, The Metro<br />02. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Razorlight</span> - 3/3, Martyr's<br />01. <a href="http://www.last.fm/user/newbobby/journal/2007/04/3/386692/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gomez</span></a> - 3/2, The Vicnewbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1159375915247965772006-09-27T11:43:00.000-05:002007-04-03T16:54:13.163-05:00Rise and shine, all you gold digging mothers...Feels like an ideal title for a post offering a live Kings of Leon bootleg...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kings of Leon</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> @ Big Day Out<br /></span>Sydney, Australia || January 26, 2006<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">FM source: sounds great but there are a couple of radio promos thrown inbetween songs that distract from the 'live' ambiance... still crisp though...</span><br /><br />1. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=181603">Triple J Intro</a><br />2. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=180835">Molly's Chambers</a><br />3. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=180840">Pistol of Fire</a><br />4. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=180844">Wasted Time</a><br />5. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=180853">Razz</a><br />6. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=180858">Soft</a><br />7. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=180866">The Bucket</a><br />8. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=180868">Milk</a><br />9. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=180869">Four Kicks</a><br />10. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=181589">King of the Rodeo</a><br />11. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=181593">California Waiting</a><br />12. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=181594">Spiral Staircase</a><br />13. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=181600">Slow Nights, So Long</a><br />14. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=181604">Trani</a><br />15. <a href="http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=181601">Head to Toe</a> <span style="font-style: italic;">(out of order)<br /><br /></span>Great to hear a nice live version of "Trani." This song is rather surprising, in that it's a showstopper. I would generally assume the band would go out with a hard rocker, but the band picked well to make this their set closer... a slow burner, that just completely takes off at the end. Another reason why Kings of Leon is one of the best bands around right now. I'm anxiously awaiting the new album. The new songs they played when I saw them at Summerfest were already <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> strong.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(I've switched to using yourfilelink.com to host these songs. It is an easier DL process than rapidshare.de and offers the same link activity, etc. I think you can only DL one at a time, but that appears to be the only drawback. In general you should find it an improvement. As always, if you're not already supporting this band by buying their music, you should be ashamed.)</span><br /></span>newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1158873257052959532006-09-21T16:04:00.000-05:002006-09-21T16:19:23.690-05:00Bob Marley Live from Rotterdam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7543/1951/1600/marleylive.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7543/1951/400/marleylive.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Back in the day, I had an amazing Bob Marley bootleg on tape from Holland's Ahoy Club. It was a a really crisp SBD -- especially considering it was recorded in 1978. Well, I lost the tape (left it in a friend's car and it got "lost") and vowed to try to get another copy of the show if at all possible.<br /><br />After years of searching, I finally found it! I thought I'd post some highlights for anyone who wants to take a listen.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bob Marley and the Wailers</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ahoy Hallen - Rotterdam, Holland</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">July 7, 1978</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Setlist: </span>Positive Vibration, The Heathen, Dem Belly Full, Concrete Jungle, Rebel Music, War > No More Trouble, <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/33965725/bmw1978-07-07d1t07.mp3.html">Crisis</a>, Running Away > Crazy Baldheads, I Shot the Sherrif, <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/33966941/bmw1978-07-07d1t10.mp3.html">No Woman No Cry</a>, Is This Love?, Jammin'.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Encore: </span>Easy Skanking, <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/33965811/bmw1978-07-07d2t02.mp3.html">Get Up Stand Up</a> -> <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/33966115/bmw1978-07-07d2t03.mp3.html">Exodus</a>.newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1157729034433836732006-09-08T10:05:00.000-05:002006-09-08T10:28:09.450-05:00You do it to someone else...Generally, I find tribute albums pretty unfulfilling. It is difficult for another artist to come in and recreate the brilliance of another's piece of work and most attempts just don't resonate. While the occasional cover can absolutely make a performer's live show, recording those versions are often a mistake.<br /><br />That said, you have to hear this version of Radiohead's "Just" from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Exit-Music-Songs-Radio-Heads/dp/B000EJ9N32/sr=8-1/qid=1157728397/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-6430367-9655048?ie=UTF8&s=music"><span style="font-style: italic;">Exit Music</span></a> tribute. DJ/producer <a href="http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:5tk0ikcabb29">Marc Ronson</a> absolutely nails it. The song is completely reimagined with big band horns and <span style="font-style: italic;">Shaft</span> guitars. It smokes... and is just the type of song that begs for mix tape inclusion.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mark Ronson feat. Alex Greenwald</span> || <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/32389075/05_Just__Mark_Ronson_feat._Alex_Gree.mp3.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Just</span></a> (Radiohead cover)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Songs hosted by rapidshare.de will be avialable until one month past the last download activity. Please support the artists and purchase the music if you enjoy it.)</span></span>newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1157654609972189352006-09-07T13:37:00.000-05:002006-09-07T13:45:17.336-05:00Conan O'Brien 1864 Baseball<table xmlns="http://purl.org/atom/ns#" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><embed id="VideoPlayback" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=7486119555302295313&hl=en" style="width: 400px; height: 326px;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"> </td></tr><tr></tr><tr><td></embed>There should be no argument that Conan is the funniest man in late night television. As good as he is on the set, however, he's at his best in segments like this one where his ability to think on the fly and improvise really shines. The Onion AV Club had a great interview with Conan last week. <a href="http://www.avclub.com/content/node/52144">Well worth a read</a>.<br /> </td></tr></tbody></table>newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1157050403069715362006-08-31T13:49:00.000-05:002006-08-31T14:01:47.793-05:00Brewgrass<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7543/1951/1600/brewgrass1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7543/1951/320/brewgrass1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thinking of hitting up the <a href="http://www.brewgrasslive.com/bl/home/">Brewgrass Microbrew & Music Festival</a> in a couple of weeks. I haven't seen Keller and think this might be a good venue to accomplish that. Don't know much about a ton of the people playing, but this is the kind of thing that would probably be pretty cool irregardless of the music.<br /><br />Patchchord has a <a href="http://www.patchchord.com/article/202/brewgrass-festival-ticket-giveaway">contest for two free tickets</a> (ends 9/6).newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1156438574990107292006-08-24T11:49:00.000-05:002007-02-01T12:39:36.040-06:00Live Log 2006A list of the concerts I've seen in 2006...<br /><br />16. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Raconteurs</span> - 12/30, The Riviera Theatre (Chicago)<br />15. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Keller Williams</span> - 9/9, Brewgrass Music Festival (Bircham Park, Lawrence, KS)<br />14. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals/Damien "Jr. Gong" Marley</span> - 8/25, Starlight Theatre<br />13. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rusted Root</span> - 7/3, Harley Davidson Roadhouse (Summerfest, Milwaukee)<br />12. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kings of Leon</span> - 7/2, Miller Lite Oasis (Summerfest, Milwaukee)<br />11. <a href="http://newbob.blogspot.com/2006/06/live-constantinesoakley-hall.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Constantines/Oakley Hall</span></a> - 6/19, recordBar<br />10. <a href="http://newbob.blogspot.com/2006/05/live-starlight-mintsdios-malos.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Starlight Mints/Dios (Malos)</span></a> - 5/20, recordBar<br />09. <a href="http://newbob.blogspot.com/2006/05/live-gomez.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gomez</span></a> - 5/15, Grand Emporium<br />08. <a href="http://newbob.blogspot.com/2006/04/live-martin-sexton.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Martin Sexton</span></a> - 4/28, The Bottleneck<br />07. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Destroyer/White Whale</span> - 4/2, recordBar<br />06. <a href="http://newbob.blogspot.com/2006/04/live-soledad-brothers.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Soledad Brothers/Heartless Bastards</span></a> - 3/31, The Bottleneck<br />05. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah</span>/<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Brunettes</span> - 3/30, The Bottleneck<br />04. <a href="http://newbob.blogspot.com/2006/03/live-wilco-mess-hall.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wilco</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">/Mess Hall</span></a> - 3/21, Uptown Theater<br />03. <a href="http://newbob.blogspot.com/2006/03/live-arctic-monkeys-spinto-band.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Arctic Monkeys</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">/Spinto Band</span></a> - 3/18, The Metro (Chicago)<br />02. <a href="http://newbob.blogspot.com/2006/03/live-railroad-earth-hakensaw-boys.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Railroad Earth</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">/Hackensaw Boys</span></a> - 3/8, The Bottleneck<br />01. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Robert Randolph and the Family Band</span> - 2/10, Uptown Theater<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1155928984611735832006-08-18T14:15:00.000-05:002006-08-18T14:23:04.646-05:00Three More Days...Apparently Ray Lamontagne is <a href="http://outtheother.typepad.com/blog/2006/07/guster_and_ray_.html">a bit</a> of a <a href="http://www.fatampmusic.com/live-shows-RayLamontagne.html">Sensitive</a> <a href="http://www.glidemagazine.com/news3264.html">Sally</a>, but his new song is the balls.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ray Lamontagne</span> || <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/29896574/04_Three_More_Days.mp3.html">Three More Days</a> (from the upcoming <span style="font-style: italic;">Till the Sun Turns Black</span> LP out on Aug. 29)newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1155867162531554822006-08-17T21:00:00.000-05:002006-08-17T21:35:41.026-05:00From my computer to Graham's...Here's a mix (mostly of some crisp live tracks) to celebrate the new design of <span style="font-style: italic;">I Wonder Why We Listen to Poets...</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://rapidshare.de/files/29810404/Gold_to_Me___Fight_For_Your_Mind.mp3.html">Gold To Me > Fight For Your Mind</a> || <a href="http://benharper.net/">Ben Harper</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Summer '96 Mix)</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://rapidshare.de/files/29810291/Here_Comes_the_Breeze__live_.mp3.html">Here Comes the Breeze</a> || <a href="http://www.gomeztheband.com/">Gomez</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Live from Chicago '98)</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://rapidshare.de/files/29809993/02_Twist.mp3.html">Twist</a> || <a href="http://www.leokottke.com/cgi-bin/recs/discinfo.cgi?performer=Leo+Kottke&rectitle=Sixty+Six+Steps">Mike Gordon & Leo Kottke</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Live from </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=39&agg=1">World Cafe</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, Phish cover)</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://rapidshare.de/files/29810308/Blue_Ridge_Laughing.mp3.html">Blue Ridge Laughing</a> || <a href="http://www.carbonleaf.com">Carbon Leaf</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(</span><span style="font-style: italic;">Ether</span><span style="font-style: italic;">... the first CL song I really got into)</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://rapidshare.de/files/29810298/03_The_Weight.mp3.html">The Weight</a> || <a href="http://www.travisonline.com/">Travis</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(b-side from the </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Coming Around</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> single)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/29811125/03_Astral_Weeks.mp3.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Astral Weeks</span></a> || <a href="http://www.secretmachines.com">Secret Machines</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Van Morrison cover, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Road Leads Where It's Led </span><span style="font-style: italic;">EP)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/29810913/02_Staring_At_The_Sun.mp3.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Staring at the Sun</span></a> || <a href="http://www.thesubways.net/flash.php">The Subways</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(live, </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.tvontheradio.com/">TV On the Radio</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> cover)</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://ul36l3.rapidshare.de/cgi-bin/upload.cgi?rsuploadid=10925171545041746#">Better Man/Save It For Later</a> || Pearl <a href="http://pearljam.com">Jam</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(live 9-11-98)</span>newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1155746610947524362006-08-16T11:33:00.000-05:002006-08-16T11:43:30.963-05:00More on the WhigsScratch that "Southern Strokes" thing from yesterday ("Technology" does ape "Take It Or Leave It" though). If Parker Gispert was <a href="http://www.spoontheband.com">Britt Daniel</a>, you would have already heard this:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Whigs</span> || <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/29632264/07_Half_the_World_Away.mp3.html">Half the World Away</a> (from <span style="font-style: italic;">Give 'Em All a Big Fat Lip</span>)<br /><br />I had the chance to give <span style="font-style: italic;">Give 'Em All a Big Fat Lip </span>a listen last night and it has some pretty good parts. The middle gets a little same-y, but the two closing tracks and a couple of other stand-outs (see above) are really solid and show that the band has the potential to grow into its own style.<br /><br />If they sound a little like Spoon in the meantime, that's not that bad either.newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1155684046401453212006-08-15T18:05:00.000-05:002006-08-15T18:40:35.606-05:00Tracking: The Whigs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7543/1951/1600/whigs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7543/1951/320/whigs.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Rolling Stone calls them:<br /><blockquote>"A fiery, young and timelessly tuneful rock trio from Athens, Georgia -- may well be the best unsigned band in America."</blockquote><br />ATO Records took care of that last part, by signing them and re-releasing their debut <span style="font-style: italic;">Give 'Em All a Big Fat Lip</span>. ATO generally doesn't go wrong with its artist roster (Mike Doughty, North Mississippi All-Stars, etc.) so you know they're worth a listen.<br /><br />Sometimes it just takes a week.<br /><br />Every once in awhile while I'm actually hard at work, my iTunes will wander. Most of the time I know where it goes, however, sometimes a song from uncharted territory will find its way into the queue. The Whigs, specifically "Technology" found the balance between being instantly familiar and being unable to place the song/artist playing from my computer.<br /><br />I never thought Kings of Leon's "Southern Strokes" label fit the Followill brothers all that well, but the Whigs of Athens, Ga., might be the band that wears that brand well -- at least with "Technology." The song is a looser take on "Take It Or Leave It," full taut guitars, vocal distortion and that rhythm the Strokes practically invented back in Ought-one.<br /><br />More:<br /><a href="http://www.emusic.com/album/10943/10943485.html">eMusic<br /></a><a href="thewhigs.com">thewhigs.com</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Whigs </span>|| <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/29546680/03_Technology.mp3.html">Technology</a> (<span style="font-style: italic;">Give 'Em All a Big Fat Lip</span>)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Whigs </span>|| <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/29546666/05_Don_t_Talk_Anymore.mp3.html">Don't Talk Anymore</a> (<span style="font-style: italic;">Give 'Em All a Big Fat Lip</span>)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Songs are for sampling purposes only. Hosted by rapidshare.de and are available until 30 days after the last download. Please support the band however you can. Thanks.)</span></span>newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1154554614283089282006-08-02T16:23:00.000-05:002006-08-17T09:45:15.136-05:00Dude, I missed July...Sometimes it takes a break to show you who your readers are... because they yell at you and tell you that you had better stop being such a slacker and post something soon... or else. Well, no promises on discontinuing my slacker ways, but here's some good stuff I've been checking out recently.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Drive By Truckers || <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/27963215/02_Gravity_s_Gone.mp3.html">Gravity's Gone</a></span><br /><br />Great chorus: <span style="font-style: italic;"><blockquote>"So I'll meet you at the bottom if there really is one / They always told me when you hit it you'll know / But I've been falling so long / I feel like gravity is gone / And I'm just floating"</blockquote></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> The Black Keys || <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/27963702/02_Have_Mercy_on_Me.mp3.html">Have Mercy On Me</a></span><br /><br />From the Keys' Chulahoma tribute to Jr. Kimbrough. A bit of a break from the Black Keys' minimalist two-man blues stomp, the songs on this album see the guys stretch out a bit more. I wish there were more than six songs on this one. Hopefully you'll see some of this vibe work its way into the upcoming release of <span style="font-style: italic;">Magic Potion</span> (due out Sept. 12).<br /><br />Well, I've got to run out for the day. I have a working computer at home now, so maybe I'll try to post more from there. Enjoy for now!newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1150927652814380672006-06-21T16:26:00.000-05:002006-06-21T17:12:08.406-05:00The Secret Machines<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7543/1951/1600/tsm%20live.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7543/1951/400/tsm%20live.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I've become a big fan of the <a href="http://www.thesecretmachines.com/">Secret Machines</a>' latest effort <span style="font-style: italic;">Ten Silver Drops</span> of late. The Brooklyn-via-Austin three-piece has been burning up my iPod for the last few weeks.<br /><br />A perfect soundrack for traveling -- or perhaps, <span style="font-style: italic;">time </span>traveling -- <span style="font-style: italic;">TSD </span>makes any trip feel epic, be it flying home for the weekend or heading out to the grocery store. Every time I hear "Lightning Blue Eyes" I feel like something significant is poised to happen.<br /><br />Thanks to the <a href="http://www.livemusicblog.com/news/06/04/18/secret-machines-tour-dates.php">Live Music Blog</a> for championing the band and <a href="http://www.livemusicblog.com/reviews/06/05/16/secret-machines-at-the-metro.php">posting the picture</a> (second one down) that made it essential I check them out. Sometimes getting turned on to new music takes the perfect synergy of strong reviews, positive endorsements and a stunning visual hook. Secret Machines seem to have all of that and more.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Secret Machines || </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://rapidshare.de/files/23729494/03_Lightning_Blue_Eyes.mp3.html">Lightning Blue Eyes</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Secret Machines || <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/23729665/08_1_000_Seconds.mp3.html">1,000 Seconds</a></span><br /><br />I've recently purchased the group's spectacularly-titled debut <span style="font-style: italic;">Now Here Is Nowhere</span>, so hopefully I'll have the chance to dig deep into that one soon as well. From what I've read, it is a pretty stellar effort and I'm excited to check it out.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(Songs hosted by rapidshare.de until they have been inactive for 30 days. The intent is to preview, so please support the band any way you can.)<br /></span>newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1150824028130008952006-06-20T11:42:00.000-05:002006-06-20T12:38:28.026-05:00Live: The Constantines/Oakley Hall<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7543/1951/1600/thecons-nemeroff.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7543/1951/400/thecons-nemeroff.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">recordBar || Kansas City, MO</span><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday, June 19, 2006</span><br /></div><br />While <a href="http://www.muzzleofbees.com/2006/06/20/radiohead-in-chicago-night-1/">some people</a> in the Windy City got to see a life-affirming Radiohead show last night, those of us who weren't able to score tickets had to find other things to keep us occupied. For that I turned to Canada; taking solace in the season finale of our northern neighbors' national sport and a show by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/constantines">the Constantines</a>, who -- if they are not already -- should be the country's national rock band, Tragically Hip be damned.<br /><br />The Constantines are the current torch-bearers to the legacy of Joe Strummer, creating earnest, driving rock music for the people. Despite the intimate crowd, there were the makings of an epic experience from the beginning. Lead vocalist Bryan Webb sounds like he's singing through gravel, and the hard-won vocal style fits the band's blue collar persona.<br /><br />Lyrically, the band's songs play populist. One of the night's standout moments came in "Sub-Domestic." Behind a loose delta blues vamp, Webb's line "seeking out a living through the postures of politics" is weighted with sharp contempt for a political system that rewards fake and ineffective politicos to the detriment of anyone else.<br /><br />Seriousness aside, the Constantines really only seem to care about one thing: the rock. Up close you can appreciate the constant comparisons to Springsteen the band receives. It is not necessarily the music, but more the band's work ethic that draws the more potent parallel. Keyboardist Will Kidman and bassist Dallas Werhle play convincing rock star roles, providing energy and excitement to the stage show, while Webb inhabits the more austere role of the serious artist. Combined they create a force to reckon with, a band that sounds much larger than their venue.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Constantines || </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://rapidshare.de/files/23609163/02_Shine_A_Light.mp3.html">Shine a Light</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> [from </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Shine a Light</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> LP, 2003]</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Constantines || </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://rapidshare.de/files/23609139/03_Nighttime_Anytime__It_s_Alright_.mp3.html">Nighttime/Anytime (It's Alright)</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> [from </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Shine a Light</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> LP, 2003]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Constantines || <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/23609797/12_Sub-Domestic.mp3.html">Sub-Domestic</a> [from </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Shine a Light</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> LP, 2003]</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Songs are hosted by rapidshare.de and are available until they have been inactive for 30 days. Songs are provided for sampling purposes and those that download should try to support the bands in any and every way possible.)</span></span>newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1148346726304150812006-05-22T19:57:00.000-05:002006-05-22T20:40:28.006-05:00Live: Starlight Mints/Dios Malos<span style="font-weight: bold;">Record Bar || Kansas City, Mo. || May 20, 2006</span><br /><br />Went for Dios, was redeemed by the <a href="http://www.starlightmints.com/mint/home.html">Starlight Mints</a>. Saturday night's set at the <a href="http://www.recordbarkc.com">recordBar</a> was a study in contrast. I had known a little about <a href="http://www.wearedios.com/">Dios Malos</a> going into the night and was looking forward to seeing how they played out; my feeling now is that Dios is one of those bands that is well suited for the recording studio with their brand of melodic, too-indie-for-<span style="font-style: italic;">The OC </span>Cali rock. Live, the vocal melodies that define the records take a back seat to the muddled sounds of the band's playing. I've come to trust recordBar's sound system for its quality, so there was something in the Dios mix that didn't quite gel.<br /><br />The kicker is that there are some really interesting songs I've heard on the albums, so it was dissapointing to have them sound so one-dimensional at the show. On the plus side, I've never seen rhythm guitar played exclusively on a 12-string.<br /><br />The feeling of dissapointment was short-lived, however, as a band I knew nothing of before their set, proved to be immensely entertaining. The Starlight Mints play light-hearted indie pop, that is too weird to be mainstream, but too infectious to be dismissed. The stage show was impressive, as the Norman, Okla., five-piece played with multi-colored background images that moved and changed to the music, turning the recordBar from intimate dive to de facto art house.<br /><br />The Mints' energetic pacing played nicely following Dios' stoner-friendly plodding, making the Mints' set feel that much more fresh. However, while Dios is a band I'll still check out on CD (okay, download), I'm nervous that the Starlight Mints lose something in a singular-media format. The songs were good, but the mixed-media presentation gave them more depth.<br /><br />In all, it was a night that inspired compound adjectives, good and bad. In the end, that's all you can really ask for from your $8.<br /><a href="http://myspace.com/starlightmints"><br />Hear the Starlight Mints on myspace</a> (check "The Bandit").<br /><a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=4381721">Hear Dios Malos on myspace</a> (check "Feels Good Being Somebody").newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1148073315286280442006-05-19T15:55:00.000-05:002006-05-19T16:15:35.640-05:00Gomez on KEXP<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7543/1951/1600/Mezheader.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7543/1951/400/Mezheader.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I failed in ripping Gomez on Morning Becomes Eclectic this morning (ugh!), but I did capture the Ben, Ian and Tom's in-studio performance on Seattle's <a href="http://www.kexp.org/aspnet_client/KEXPViewMediaGroup.aspx?rID=3172&pID=528&fID=539&artist=AI">KEXP</a> a few weeks ago. The set is pretty standard, but does showcase a good portion of <span style="font-style: italic;">How We Operate</span>. I'm a big fan of "Chasing Ghosts With Alcohol."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Live on KEXP (March 21, 2006)</span><br />1. <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/20880254/01_How_We_Operate.mp3.html">How We Operate</a><br />2. <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/20879950/02_Hamoa_Beach.mp3.html">Hamoa Beach</a><br />3. <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/20879923/03_Chasing_Ghosts_With_Alcohol.mp3.html">Chasing Ghosts</a><br />4. <a href="http://rapidshare.de/files/20879986/04_Girlshapedlovedrug.mp3.html">girlshapedlovedrug</a><br /><br />Check out the streaming performance from MBE <a href="http://www.kcrw.com/cgi-bin/db/kcrw.pl?show_code=mb&air_date=5/19/06&tmplt_type=show">here</a>. The live, extended "How We Operate" is worth a listen. Songs played were: Notice, See the World, HWO, Interview, Hamoa Beach, gsld and Chasing Ghosts.newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22104425.post-1148007602656388202006-05-18T21:37:00.000-05:002006-05-18T22:23:29.710-05:00Live: GomezI've been really enjoying the new <a href="http://www.gomeztheband.com">Gomez</a> effort, <span style="font-style: italic;">How We Operate</span>. The band has created a strong set of songs that sound very refined, but without sacrificing the essence of what has made them a great band -- the songs are polished, but Gomez sounds very loose. The band's signature diversity is still present, but is presented in a way that doesn't isolate a song or group of songs as prior albums had at times. After four proper albums, Gomez finally play to their stregths all the way through, namely Ben Ottewell's raspy vocal and a strong sense of melody.<br /><br />ATO Records has done a strong promotional job behind the release as well, something Gomez deserves after Virgin glossed over it last two efforts. The title track, and lead single in the U.S., is one of the band's best songs to date. I'm still not sold on the lead U.K. single (and presumably the second U.S. release) "girlshapedlovedrug." The album's lone plateau, the song isn't catchy enough to make it stand out from its competition on radio, nor enough of the band's signature sound to further the Gomez brand. A fine song, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't shine like so much of the album. A record label wouldn't be brave enough to release it, but I think "Cry On Demand" would be a stellar choice to release to radio. It isn't Ben sung, but it's both interesting and poppy enough to be a player on the major rock radio formats. My release schedule would be as follows (planned U.S. releases in parenthesis):<br /><br />1. How We Operate<br />2. All Too Much (girlshapedlovedrug)<br />3. Cry On Demand (See the World)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grand Emporium || Kansas City, Mo.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">|| May 15, 2006</span><br />On Monday night, I had the chance to see the band play live, packt like sardines in the tiny Grand Emporium. The band was dynamic as always and proved itself to be one of the better live bands around.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Setlist:</span> Shot Shot, All Too Much, Silence, See the World, Nothing Is Wrong, Ping One Down, Notice, Blue Moon Rising, "Who's taping Grey's Anatomy?", How We Operate, Ruff Stuff, Hamoa Beach, Girlshaped, Detroit Swing 66, Tear Your Love Apart, Fill My Cup, Get Myself Arrested.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Encore: </span>Chasing Ghosts, Devil Will Ride, Whippin' Piccadilly.<br /><br />"How We Operate" is already an amazing live song, the band take it for a little walk when the song-proper winds down; it also served as the marker when the night really started to pick up some momentum and the Monday night crowd started to loosen up, a bit. "Ruff Stuff" and Ben's brilliant delivery on the "Come backs" was the tipping point and the remaining laggards in the crowd were overwon.<br /><br />Tomorrow, I'll put up some live stuff from recent radio sets. I'll also try to update more steadily. It's hard to think what I'm listening to is post-worthy, since it's either Gomez or albums that I didn't dive into when they were released (Elbow, Bloc Party) or have covered already (<span style="font-style: italic;">Both Sides of the Gun</span>).newbobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084475955838104456noreply@blogger.com3