Surfer Blood - Dallas, TX - 3/15/2010

Surfer Blood's debut album got a lot of hype but after repeat listens these guys deserve the praise. Check them out in Dallas tonight at the Granada Theater. Shows starts @ 8PM.

Yeasayer - "O.N.E." Video

Yeasayer's video for the song "O.N.E." which in my opinion is one of the best songs of the year so far. Dudes need to lay off the acid though... Note: the song sounds remixed from the album for the video and I am still trying to digest the changes but the visuals are pretty cool.

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)

Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks" (Veckatimest Out Today)

I have to admit that I have never given Grizzly Bear's Yellow House the proper attention that it deserves but I am really enjoying the Brooklyn group's new song "Two Weeks" and this creepy video. Their newest album Veckatimest is out today on Warp Records and should arrive in my mail box today! Get it, got it, good.

Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer - It's F$#&*!@ HERE!!!

"And you've got to wait, and you've got to wait, and you've got to wait, and you've got to wait, and you've got to wait, and you've got to wait for it dear", well no longer IT IS HERE!!!

1. Click here: http://www.jagjaguwar.com/
2. Purchase the Pre-Order of Dragonslayer
3. Enter Credit Card Information
4. Open Email with Download Code
5. ROCK YOUR FUCKING SOCKS OFF!!!

Mass Effect 2 E3 Prelude Video

So how about some nerdiness? Bioware has been developing a sequel to their popular and successful RPG title Mass Effect and they plan to reveal a lot more information on Mass Effect 2 at E3 this year. Now this video doesn't give much away but it sure is getting me excited for Mass Effect 2.

Riceboy Sleeps - S/T- Album Due Out July 20, 2009

Riceboy Sleeps contributed the song "Happiness" to the ever so popular Dark Was the Night charity compilation. But exactly who is Riceboy Sleeps? Well, glad that you asked (well if you have read this far don't you want to know anyways?). Riceboy Sleeps is the combination of Sigur Ros' singer Jon Thor (jónsi) Birgisson and his partner Alex Somers. The two pair up to create breathtaking ambient music that hints of Sigur Rós' Takk if that album was mostly an instrumental affair. This is great as in my opinion Takk is one of the more under appreciated Sigur Rós albums that carried a gambit of emotions from joyfulness to despair. What I have heard of the album so far sounds great but I haven't given it enough time to truly absorb the music much less give a definitive opinion. However, you can make your own opinion when Riceboy Sleeps is released July 20, 2009 on Parlophone Records. If you enjoy Sigur Rós or good music I definitely recommend keeping this one on the radar. (Song links are to the videos found on the Riceboy Sleeps website).

Track List:

• happiness
• atlas song
• indian summer
• stokkseyri
• boy 1904
• all the big trees
• daníell in the sea
• howl
• sleeping giant

Happy Mother's Day from Emusic

In honor of Mother's Day 2009 Emusic is running a cool little write up in which they ask the mothers of famous indie bands which is their favorite song of their offspring's making. Here are a few of interest:

Teresa Perrin, mother of Spencer Krug (Sunset Rubdown)

My favourite song has, since I first heard it, been "Us Ones In Between." As to" why": 1) The piano that reminds me of all the hours spent hearing Spencer play when he was a teenager. 2)The images that the lyrics clearly define. 3) The quiet intensity that is indicative of Spencer's openness to others views and voices. "The Mending of the Gown" comes a very close second and for entirely different reasons.

Sunset Rubdown - "Us Ones In Between"

Narelle Scott, Mother of Mitchell Scott (Cut Copy)

I love this album so much that it is very difficult to single out just one song. The way the music flows from one track to the next makes it seem like one continuous musical journey anyway, with exciting sound bursts round every bend. I find myself moved by the emotional quality of Dan's voice in "Feel the Love" and "Far Away." The discordant phrases which lead into the beautiful harmonies in "So Haunted" make it such a strong tune for me. However, if I have to choose just one track, then it must be "Lights and Music." This is the one that makes me dance and snap my fingers, sing at the top of my voice and join in the "woo-ooo-oo"s like the best back-up singer ever. I wonder if they have a vacancy… Mitchell?

Cut Copy - "Lights and Music"

Debbie Chabot, mother of Randy Chabot (Deastro)

I am Randy Chabot's mom, Debbie. Thanks for the opportunity to respond to your Mother's Day question. I would have to say that my favorite song at the moment — and the reason I say "at the moment" is because at any moment there could be a new favorite, as Randy is always working on a new song — is "Light Powered". The reason I like this song is because there are no words — but for me, there are. They can be any words I decide to sing, and the music always makes me happy. It doesn't matter what I'm doing, whether cleaning a bathroom used by five men, cooking dinner, or my least favorite, ironing, I have so much more fun doing those things and I get them done faster it seems when I'm listening to that song. It also makes me want to dance. I'm not sure that's a good thing for everyone, but I enjoy doing it in the privacy of my own home, especially when no one is around. It also makes me marvel at the talent my son has, how proud I am of him, and how far he's come from playing "La Bamba" on his "tee-tar"( guitar). I love you, Randy, it's a privilege to be called your mom. Keep singing with all your might!

Deastro - "Light Powered"

Shari Devendorf, Mother of Scott and Bryan Devendorf (The National)

Wow, it's hard to pick just one song. Some of my favorites are "90 Mile Water Wall" and "Thirsty" (Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers), "Daughters of the Soho Riots" (Alligator),"Son" (The National), "About Today" (Cherry Tree) and "Squalor Victoria" and "Gospel" (Boxer). I love the unique sound each song has, and how the band pounds it out on one and soothes your soul with another. I love the passion that each member of the band has about their music and the friends they have made on this amazing journey. I am so proud of both of my sons. Thanks guys! Keep on drummin' and strummin.'

The National - "Gospel"

Judy Gurgiolo, mother of Lauren Gurgiolo (Okkervil River)

I really appreciate this opportunity to talk about Okkervil River, because I am a huge fan of the band, and of my daughter Lauren! Since they will be on tour in Australia over Mother's Day, this connects me to her in a special way. Okkervil speaks to me on many different levels — musically, lyrically, emotionally, and in a proud and happy way. I love all of their songs, beautifully written by Will Sheff, and my favorite changes from time to time. Right now, "For Real," a really un-motherly song, is in my head. The guitar riffs rock, the words are compelling, and the orchestration is brilliant. Thank you bloggers and You Tubers for posting comments, pictures and videos of the band while on tour — it's so fun!!!!

Okkervill River - "For Real"

Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer - on Jagjaguwar - 23.06.09

Trying to hide my obsession with Sunset Rubdown is frivolous and this preview of SR's album version of "Paper Lace" is too freaking cool not to post. I bought my tickets to see Sunset Rubdown In Austin, TX on June 20, 2009. I CANNOT WAIT!!!

Journey - "Seperate Ways"

This is an old post but I forgot how funny this is:

My friend Michael and I were discussing the sheer genius behind ESPN Page 2 writer Bill Simmons' take on Journey's "Seperate Ways" video:

• "29. Journey - Seperate Ways: A recipe for bliss: Take one of the cheesiest-yet-enjoyable bands of that era (Journey), bring them to an empty shipyard, have them play invisible instruments and lip-synch the hell out of their best song, throw in some ridiculous slow-motion closeups and multi-picture edits, and have a hot girl with a bad haircut walking around for no reason whatsoever. And if that's not enough, lead singer Steve Perry gives one of the greatest performances of the last 35 years -- he throws himself into this thing like DeNiro or Pacino. It's incredible. Everything about this slays me. If somebody gave me five minutes to sum up the '80s, I would just show them this video and be done with it."
  

You Tube disabled the embedding function so you can find the video here and Bill Simmons' entire article can be found here.

Album Quick Hits (The Antlers, Swan Lake and Handsome Furs)

I have to admit that my blogging has been a bit lazy of late but that does not mean that my appetite for new music has been subdued. Currently here are some quality releases that I would whole heartedly recommend in this almost 5 months into 2009. EDIT: Mp3's are up now.

The Antlers - Hospice

The Antlers are new to me but this album is so hauntingly beautiful and bitter sweet that I just cannot get enough of it. My initial impressions of the album were that it had quality tracks in "Kettering", "Two" and "Bear" but that as an album on the whole it was lacking. However, these initial impressions were quelled this weekend when I gave the entire album a more careful listen and could not have been more wrong as it is beautiful in its entirety. The honesty and emotion conveyed in Hospice can only be described as 'real' (sorry but I'm not going to the thesaurus here). At the present, Hospice is my front runner for album of the year but I beat Mr. Krug has something to say about that this summer. -(9/10)

The Antlers - "Kettering"
The Antlers - "Two"

Swan Lake - Enemy Mine

Speaking of Mr. Krug, he has teamed up with indie greats Dan Bejar and Carey Mercer for another installment of Swan Lake or as I will refer to them as the Band That Doesn't Tour (imagne this with announcer voice, tons of reverb and echoes). In all seriousness though I was not expecting much out of this album as I had never embraced Swan Lake's Beast Moans. Don't get me wrong as I believe Beast Moans had moments of brilliance but for the most part I could not get into Mercer's offerings. Well Mr. Mercer slapped me in the face with awesomeness in Enemy Mine as "Spanish Gold 2044" and "Warlock Psychologist" have blown me away. I still need to give Beast Moans a few more spins as maybe a fresh perspective will change my mind. In other news, Spencer Krug is brilliant here too... -(8.5/10)

Swan Lake - "Spanish Gold 2044"
Swan Lake - "Paper Lace"

Handsome Furs - Face Control

A familiar band around The Ego Handsome Furs were honored with having one of My Favorite Albums of 2007 and their latest offering Face Control does not change up their winning formula much from Plague Park. There are awesome songs such as "All We Want Baby is Everything", "Thy Will Be Done" and "Radio Kaliningrad" but on the whole the album just doesn't grab me like Plague Park did. Maybe some more time with the album will change my opinion but after such great offerings by Dan Boeckner in Wolf Parade's At Mount Zoomer I felt kind of disappointed with Face Control's inability to carry that momentum. I really think that Boeckner's music would be better served with a real drummer and not a drum machine... -(7/10)

Handsome Furs - "All We Want Baby Is Everything"
Handsome Furs - "Radio Kaliningrad"

Sunset Rubdown - "Idiot Heart" (Dragonslayer Version)

When I have trouble sleeping there is often frustration coupled with despair, but things have taken a great turn this sleepless morning. I was visiting one of my favorite music/whatever Bill is into blogs Vague Space and low and behold Bill has posted an album version of Sunset Rubdown's "Idiot Heart". Most Sunset Rubdown fans are familiar with the Daytrotter version of the song and while this album version carries many similarities it has a new personality out of Sunset Rubdown for the studio effort. Waking up at 4am when you were planning on sleeping until 7am sucks but it must be the hands of the indie gods that guided me to the awesomeness that is "Idiot Heart". Enjoy!

Sunset Rubdown - "Idiot Heart"

Billy Bob Thornton is a Prima Donna Douche

I saw ZZ Top and Billy Bob Thornton's band The Boxmasters at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth, Texas. I left the concert blown away by Billy Gibbons and company but was whether underwhelmed by the Boxmasters. Well, Billy Bob Thorton must not have had his morning cup of joe and decided to take out his frustrations on the interviewer. I think the interviewer did a great job in handling the brat and Billy Bob's pompous attitude makes me never want to support the jerk off again... DOUCHE!

NOTE: The video starts to pick up around the 7 minute mark.