Sigur Ros "Fljótavík" Live on The Interface

Sunset Rubdown "The Empty Threats of Little Lord" Live in Austin, TX 6/20/2009

I'm so glad somebody captured this. Awesome version of "The Empty Threats of Little Lord" and a great transition into "Idiot Heart."

Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer

I have been putting off writing a review for Sunset Rubdown's Dragonslayer for a multitude of reasons.

1. As soon as I finish writing this review I will feel like the "newness" experience of the album is over
2. Sunset Rubdown offerings take a while to digest
3. I made up my mind 5 minutes ago whether I like this album more than SR's last offering Random Spirit Lover (RSL)
4. I find it odd that I hate writing reviews for my favorite band
   

I don't like reviews that compare a new album to prior works from the group but I will be guilty of that here with Sunset Rubdown. The reason I am going to compare Random Spirit Lover to Dragonslayer is because RSL has become and will stay my favorite album of all time. I have to get this out of the way because RSL was virtually flawless as far as I am concerned and it changed my life as far as music is concerned. So my opinions may be biased and filled with nostalgia but I feel the need to preface my opinions on Dragonslayer by letting you know where I stand with Sunset Rubdown.

That being said, Dragonslayer is absolutely stunning and a force to behold. The live feel to the album lends well to the greater use of percussion and how the songs are structured. Chief songwriter Spencer Krug has hit his stride and is most certainly at the peak of his craft. The entire band has matured and hit their stride too as Camilla's vocals are prominante and awesome, Michael's guitar work is phonomenal and Jordan's guitar and drum work makes the kid a prodigy. We knew about these guys/gal from the beginning but Mark Nicol's adition to the band has taken their live show and put it on steriods with his percussion and ability to play bass.

On to the recordeding of Dragonslayer... Songs like "Silver Moons", "Apollo and the Buffalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh!", "You Go On Ahead (Trumpet, Trumpet II)" and "Dragonslayer" all command your ears, your respect and some good old fashion goose bumps. Dragonslayers' sound is an evolution from RSL but the lyrics and themes seem to be an extension of the worlds created by Krug in both Shut Up I am Dreaming and RSL. In fact, Krug refrences back to prior songs such as "The Men are Called Horsemen There" off of Shut Up I am Dreaming when he sings "If I was a horse I would throw up the reigns if I was you" and in "Idiot Heart" Krug refrences "For The Pier (And Dead Shimmering)" off of RSL when he sings, "we can watch them change shape without pushing off the pier." Krug's fellow Swan Lake bandmate Dan Bejar utilizes this trick fairly often in his band Destoyer and Krug pulls it off here without leaving the listener feel cheapened that Krug has borrowed from himself. Everything on Dragonslayer is in its right place whether it is new or a flavor from the past but rest assured Spencer Krug has it where it needs to be and I will defer to his genius any given day.

I could write an essay regarding the album but the main point is to get people to listen to the greatness that is Sunset Rubdown. If you are not familiar with Sunset Rubdown I think Dragonslayer is the best possible way to indoctrinate yourself. The songs of the album are all a little more accesible than the RSL offerings as they are very melodic, guitar friendly and plain rockin'. RSL is more of a concept album that blends together conveying an experience as a whole. Regardless of what I write here you should own every Sunset Rubdown album and give them the listens they deserve. Which album I like better is really irrelevant as it iwould be the equivalent of making me pick which of my children I love more. All in all, there will be nothing that comes out for this rest of the year that challenges this as The Album of 2009. Period. -(10/10)

Sunset Rubdown - "Silver Moons"
Sunset Rubdown - "You Go On Ahead (Trumpet, Trumpet II)"

Girl Talk - "What It's All About"

Wired magazine has created this cool graphic that breaks down all the samples Girl Talk uses in his song "What It's All About" from his latest album Feed the Animals. If you have ever heard the awesome mashups that Girl Talk puts out you will recognize all of the music but can't ever put your finger on quite every song that he samples. This is so cool that it should become the standard lyric sheet for all Girl Talk Albums. Click on the image (well again after the link) for the full size picture.

Girl Talk - "What It's All About"

Sunset Rubdown - Mohawk's (Austin, TX) 6/20/2009

It all begin with the idea of making a road trip from Fort Worth, TX to Houston and then on to Austin, TX to see Sunset Rubdown play twice. Unfortunately, only half of this well laid plan came true. I had bought tickets for both shows early this past week, but illness reared its ugly head as I came down with some sort of respiratory infection on Tuesday night. Granted, I think I could have still made it to the show in Houston on Friday night but my cousin that I would have stayed with has a 2 month old baby so I wasn't about to put her at risk for my own sake.

Austin graced us with a lovely 90 degree night and yes the venue was an outdoor one. Spencer remarked, "So you guys are used to this? I guess I am just not as strong as you guys are." Well, I have lived in Texas my whole life and it was fucking hot. Spencer and the gang trugged along and were in good spirits and seemed to really appreciate the crowd. This was great to see as the band was less than impressed by the Dallas fans when I saw them last fall.

Onto the show. One word: AMAZING! We all know that Sunset Rubdown is the best band in the world and their live show is only getting better (3rd time I have seen them). Spencer's songwriting is stronger than ever but the percussion is taking these songs to a whole new level live. I made it to the venue in the middle of the Elfin Saddle set but there must have been some early issues as Sunset Rubdown was rushing through their set. They seemed to be trying to get everything in before midnight because there are condos across the street and it must be city ordinance (damnit!). Spencer was apologetic and cool about it so I guess we should let it slide. The surprise in the show was the coolest version of "The Empty Threats Of Little Lord" I have ever heard. The set list was a heavy dose of Dragonslayer and I remember thinking the only thing that would have made the night any better would have been "Stadiums and Shrines II" and "Apollo and the Buffalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh!" I wasn't expecting to hear "Stadiums" as I had read a prior setlist Bill posted over at Vague Space but I am guessing "Apollo" got axed due to the time issue as previously stated. Awesome night nonetheless and worth every minute in the car.

Setlist:

1. The Empty Threats of Little Lord
2. Idiot Heart
3. Black Swan
4. The Taming of the Hands that Came Back to Life
5. Silver Moons
6. Coming to At Dawn
7. You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)
   
8. Mending of the Gown
9. Winged/Wicked Things
10. Dragonslayer
11. Nightingale/December song

My clip of "The Taming of the Hands that Came Back to Life." The best 1:14 you will ever see live!

Fanfarlo - Reservoir

Fanfarlo sound like Arcade Fire if they decided to take a Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah approach to vocals. Whether this description interests you or not the music should be judged on its own merit. Plus, the album can be downloaded for $1 on the band's site so what do you have to loose?

This is Awesome... PERIOD!

Star Wars: The Old Republic Trailer (New)