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)"

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!

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!!!

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!!!

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"

Sunset Rubdown's New Album: Dragonslayer

Jagjaguwar has announced the release of Sunset Rubdown's latest album to be titled Dragonslayer which is set to be released June 23... FREAKING AWESOME!!! I am already loving the cover art! Read more here.

The track listing is as follows:

1. Silver Moons
2. idiot Heart
3. Apollo and the Buffalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh!
4. Black Swan
5. Paper Lace
6. You Go on Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)
7. Nightingale / December Song
8. Dragon's Lair

Sunset Rubdown - "Stadiums and Shrines II" - Live

This really might be the greatest song EVER!

Sunset Rubdown - Granada Theater (Dallas, Texas) 9/29/2008

I need not write a review of the concert as you know I will say it was awesome. Spencer and the gang played several new songs as he put it that they needed to "warm up" to get these new songs ready to record. The highlight of the night for me was actually meeting Spencer and Camilla before the show. The venue was not very packed when I arrived and Spencer and Camilla were sitting at a table before the Hospital Ships set (which was great by the way). The two could not have been any nicer as they happily signed my copy of Random Spirit Lover and thanked me for coming to the show.

I was so star struck from meeting Spencer that both he and Camilla had to introduce themselves to me (as if I did not know their names). I asked if they were going to record a new record soon and Spencer said, "That's the plan." Thus, it looks as if Spencer is not going to rest on his laurels and his prolificness will continue.

Sadly, there was a fairly small crowd as I can only hope it was because the show was on a Monday night. Spencer had mentioned to me that it was their first show in Dallas but I hope it will not be their last due to the putrid turnout. To make matters worse some idiot near the stage kept clapping off beat and yelling loudly which obviously bothered the band. At one point Spencer acknowledged this idiot by saying, "That's cool but could you do it to the beat?" To further irritate the band the same idiot yelled requests for songs that had already been played which may have been a worse offense than a girl who yelled a request for a Wolf Parade song.

I enjoyed the concert overall on a personal level because I got to see my favorite band front row center and meet my musical hero (Spencer Krug). Meeting Camilla was very cool in its own right as if you have ever seen the band live (and know what to listen to on the records) she really does bring great personality to the songs. Let's hope the band makes it back to Dallas and that the area learns to love the musical theatre that is Sunset Rubdown.

Cool Indie Drum Songs Starring The New Pornographers

I am musician (using the term loosely here) and used to listen carefully to the instrumentation of songs, but I have found that lately I just listen to songs as a whole. The idea for this post came during my morning commute when the New Pornographer's "Bleeding Heart Show" popped up during a shuffle sequence. Now I know this song is the star of a University of Phoenix commercial but let's not hold that against it. Kurt Dahle absolutely rocks the drums at the end of the song. Some guy in a Chevy Tahoe gave me a funny look as my arms flailed about during my tribute of air drums. Floored by Dahle's amazing pounding of the 'skins' I pressed on to try and remember more great indie percussion. Immediately my mind went to another New Pornographer's song "Use It" (talk about percussion driving a song) that happens to be on the same album Twin Cinema. Anyways, here are some other songs that the drums and percussion truly drive the song and make me look like a fool on my morning commute.

Please feel free to leave comments and list other such songs where drums are king...

New Pornagraphers - "Bleeding Heart Show"
New Pornagraphers - "Use It"
Sunset Rubdown - "The Taming of the Hands that Cam Back to Life"
Broken Social Scene - "7/4 Shoreline"

Sunset Rubdown - Granada Theater - Dallas, TX

So I am going through the Granada Theater email with headlining groups "Deerhoof, The Mountain Goats and Electric Six" in the header and deciding to scroll down for grins "Holy $#!*,Holy $#!*, Holy $#!*" is spewing from my mouth as I see Sunset Rubdown is coming on September 29th. I just saw Wolf Parade on July 24th and they blew me away despite the high expectations I had entering that concert. Last time I saw Sunset Rubdown I had to drive 3 hours to Austin, TX so this will be a nice visit for me inside of the Metroplex to see the greatest band on the planet.

Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer

Millions of people wake up every morning and go about their daily lives but little do they know that they are sharing the planet with the new coming of musical genius in Spencer Krug and Wolf Parade. How is it that such genius is overlooked in popular culture while bands like Vampire Weekend grace the stage of Saturday Night Live and are widely acclaimed as the "next big thing"? I digress...

To be perfectly honest I was excited about the arrival of the new Wolf Parade album but was not floored as I am still reveling in the shear perfection that Spencer Krug last bestowed upon us in Sunset Rubdown's Random Spirit Lover. I thought about leaving any comparisons between Sunset Rubdown and Wolf Parade out of this post but when Random Spirit Lover and At Mount Zoomer are shaping up to be my favorite albums of this decade I think I should speak of both in the same breath.

At Mount Zoomer begins strong with a "Soldier's Grin" which has to be one of Dan Boeckner's strongest songs to date. Boeckner does not rest on his laurels with "Soldier's Grin" as "Language City" and "Grey Estates" are both top notch songs that have me holding Boeckner in higher regard than ever. I would even venture to say that Boeckner outshines Krug on this album and if you have ever read my blog you know that is a blasphemous statement.

Spencer Krug is no slouch and is not going to be outdone by any means. "Call It A Ritual" carries a stuttered pace of pure power and precision and I think will be the song that stands up best in time. "California Dreamer" has to be heard to be believed and when Wolf Parade comes to Dallas I know my mouth will be on the floor when I see the group perform this one live. "Bang Your Drum" is also a great song but a surprise as it seems more at home on a Sunset Rubdown album. I think this song is a great example in highlighting what Boeckner brings to Wolf Parade versus what Krug's bandmates do in Sunset Rubdown. Boeckner seems to bring out a more joyful and playful side of Krug as Sunset Rubdown plays on Krug's whimsical and fantastical imagery. The album closer "Kissing the Beehive" is not interested at all in slowing down the momentum as it takes what Boeckner and Krug have already thrown at you and decides to kick it up notch to make sure you are paying attention. Perhaps my favorite lyrics of the album show up here when Krug proclaims, "I wish I could believe in who you are. You hold your cup in the air and you call it a guitar. You put your face on the glass and you call it good cinema, oh. As if you didn't know that it would sting." As a master of imagery and passion Krug is making sure that when the album ends you are yearning for more.

At Mount Zoomer is a fantastic album and will likely top my Top 10 albums of 2008, but I want to qualify this album in that I don't think it has Wolf Parade's best song to date. I agree with Wayne over at Ocean's Never Listen when he states of At Mount Zoomer, "While there is probably no song as perfect as "I'll Believe in Anything", there are plenty of perfect moments." Apologies to the Queen Mary is full of magic and splendor but Boeckner and Krug are growing as artists and erasing doubts of any sophomore slumps as this follow up is stronger on the whole. Let me further qualify At Mount Zoomer in that I think Random Spirit Lover is a superior album. I really think that Boeckner has truly come into his own and Krug's offerings are solid as well, but the artistry of Random Spirit Lover is a feat that still boggles my mind.

Genius walks among us and yet little know of Spencer Krug and Dan Boeckner. What these guys are doing with their music is awe inspiring in the least. I began this blog for the purpose of spreading good music to people who would listen and while my passion wanes at times it is albums like At Mount Zoomer that remind me why I do this. Let's all appreciate what Boeckner and Krug have accomplished in their short careers as this is not just music but is truly art.

Sunset Rubdown - New Songs in You Tube Land...

Sunset Rubdown's tour of Europe finds new songs from the band surfacing on You Tube. Both of the songs sound great but are not a tremendous departure from the band's previous works. Without further ado...

My 10 Favorite Albums of 2007.

Wow, what a great year in music! I would say that my top 3 albums could be a #1 album in any given year, but the strength of releases this year has these great albums crowded at the top. Random Spirit Lover is easily my favorite album of the year, however, In Rainbows and Boxer might as well be tied at #2 as they are both that good. I wish I had more time to listen to all the well received albums released this year, but I can only critique the one's that found their way to me this year. Without futher ado...

1. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover

Random Spirit Lover (RSL) is the single best album I have heard in the past five years and maybe even in this decade. This album is so complex and quirky but in all of the right ways. The first several listens of RSL can be rough but it has some innate quality that makes one continually come back to it. The payoff is a musical adventure in which each song blends into the next like a true album should. Granted the songs themselves are amazing but it is the cohesiveness of the recordings as a continuous work that make this album so amazing. In my eyes Spencer Krug has become the writer of this generation and I can't wait to see what he has up his sleeve next.

Best Songs - "The Mending of the Gown", "The Taming of the Hands that Came Back to Life", "Winged/Wicked Things

2. Radiohead - In Rainbows

In Rainbows was released with a myriad of attention for the way in which Radiohead marketed and sold this album, but shouldn't we be focusing on the album itself? Let's forget the hype and what we find is arguably Radiohead's best album to date. In Rainbows finds a band that is finally comfortable in its own skin. The songs here do not sound forced or experimental as some of their past releases have come off as. Instead, In Rainbows finds a Radiohead producing an effortless and natural sound all being the culmination of their past works. If this album was released in any other year it could easily be my number one album, but 2007 was just too damn good.

Best Songs - "All I Need", "Bodysnatchers", "Reckoner"

3. The National - Boxer

The National have a crafted an album that is truly a classic. Boxer is an album that will age like a fine wine and be one that will hold relevance 10 years into the future. The songs have an understated beauty that reveals itself in each listen. I have seen numerous references to Boxer as a "grower" and while this sentiment is true there is still plenty of immediacy to this album as well. Buy it, enjoy it, period.

Best Songs - "Fake Empire", "Mistaken for Strangers", "Apartment Story"

4. Broken Social Scene Presents: Kevin Drew - Spirit If...

Broken Social Scene (BSL) references are inescapable but necessary as Kevin Drew is the chief songwriter for that outfit and it is with Kevin Drew's Spirit If... one can recognize his importance to the band's success. Kevin Drew is nothing other than a extremely solid songwriter and to discount this record because he released it under the Broken Social Scene moniker is missing the point entirely. Kevin Drew's songwriting will always be inseparable from the Broken Social Scene sound because of his major role in shaping that sound, and while Broken Social Scene members contributed to this album the majority of its sound is Kevin Drew steering the ship to its ultimate destination. This album smells and tastes like BSL but with a quality of its own. Mmmmm, yummy.

Best Songs - "Safety Bricks", "Lucky Ones", Frightening Lives", "Backed Out on the..."

5. Menomena - Friend and Foe

Friend and Foe is an album that seems so schizophrenic but somehow manages to hold everything together. This dichotomy of sound weaves between intense, driving, and beautiful and its many personalities are what makes this album so interesting. Inventive and creative all while finding itself accessible Friend and Foe is an album that I can see myself coming back to in the future and only appreciating more with time.

Best Songs - "The Pelican", "Wet and Rusting", "My My"

6. Handsome Furs - Plague Park

Handsome Furs is no more than Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade), Alexei Perry, a guitar, and a drum machine. Now this statement may lack the inclusion of synthesizers, but I want to reflect the simplicity of the approach taken in Plague Park. Boeckner has stated that the album was "to be as sparse and repetitive as possible" and while this repetition is achieved in sorts the album is not sterile by any means. Plague Park takes a bit of Wolf Parade and a little bit of New Order and lets everyone know that Wolf Parade is not a one man show.

Best Songs - "What We Had", "Dead + Rural", "Handsome Furs Hate This City"

7. Okkervill River - The Stage Names

The Stage Names is a songwriter's album in that Okkervill River has no gimmicks but just great songs. The songs are naked and raw and reflect the mature songwriting that one would expect of Will Sheff. The Stage Names is not trying to slap you in the face, but is that stray dog that gently finds a place in your heart and makes a home.

Best Songs - "Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe", "Plus Ones", "John Allyn Smith Sails", "Girl In Port"

8. Panda Bear - Person Pitch

The best way I can describe Person Pitch is if someone locked Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys in a room for days with only a knowledge of electronic based music/sampling and a month's supply of acid. The product is something that seems so recognizable but so new all at the same time. The only negative to this album is that it is not one that will find its way into your CD player on a daily basis. Person Pitch is a mood album and by this I mean you have to be in a certain mood to want to listen to it, but when you find that mood, it is well worth it.

Best Songs - "Bros", "Comfy in Nautica", "Im Not"

9. The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse

The two opening songs "Disaster" and "For Agent 13" are an extremely powerful opening to a great album, however, the album unfortunately cannot maintain the pace set by these great songs. Don't let this distress you though as the remainder of the album is good, but suffers from its own creation of high expectations.

Best Songs - "For Agent 13", "Disaster", "Because Tonight"

10. Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War

I am going to borrow from my review of this album as I took a lot of time in figuring out how I exactly wanted to describe this album so here it goes... Stars have always achieved a charming quality through the interaction of the voices of Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan and In Our Bedroom After the War continues this relationship without being 'rinse and repeat'. The duet of Campbell and Millan sing the gambit from feuding lovers to pop perfectionists and we are all the better for it in joining in for the ride.

Best Songs - "The Night starts Here", "Window Bird", "Take Me to the Riot"

Sunset Rubdown - Daytrotter Session Encore

For those unfamiliar with Daytrotter.com it can best be described by the site itself:

"We are going to contribute to the musical landscape, not just toss it around like a used book or a stolen pick-up line. We’re going to give you something that you truly have never heard. We are not giving you songs from someone you love’s record album, thereby stealing from someone you love. We’re giving you exclusive, re-worked, alternate versions of old songs and unreleased tracks by some of your favorite bands and by a lot of your next favorite bands."

I wish I had the resources to start a project like Daytrotter.com but my meager means leaves me to just pointing people to great music. Anyways, here are the products of Sunset Rubdown's encore visit to Daytrotter's studio which is truly great stuff.

Sunset Rubdown - True Colors (Daytrotter Session Encore)
Sunset Rubdown - Idiot Heart (Daytrotter Session Encore)
Sunset Rubdown - The Mending of the Gown (Daytrotter Session Encore)

Spencer Krug is a Musical Genius

Who wants to spearhead a Spencer Krug fanclub? I do, I do...

I woke up this morning to Spencer Krug and company performing "Stadiums and Shrines II" from the Sunset Rubdown album Shut Up I am Dreaming. I first heard this song about a year ago and it still gets to me every time I listen to it. The song just gives off such sincere emotion and passion one can't deny its power. The more I try to push Krug's projects aside to listen to newer music a Sunset Rubdown or Wolf Parade CD inevitably finds its way back into my CD changer (That's right, I buy CD's. I know, that's sooo 1990). I will stop gushing over Krug for the time being as I am starting to feel like some prepubescent girl who adorns her walls with NKOTB posters or NSYNC posters for you younger folks. Without further ado, here is "Stadiums and Shrines II". 0:18 seconds into the song is pure magic...

Sunset Rubdown - "Stadiums and Shrines II"

Mixtape 1

Band of Horses - Is There a Ghost?
Sunset Rubdown - The Meanding of the Gown
Kevin Drew - Safety Bricks
Les Savy Fav - What Would Wolves Do?
Yeasayer - 2080
Menomena - Wet and Rusting

Sunset Rubdown-Random Spirit Lover

Infectious, progressive and somewhat avant-garde Random Spirit Lover is not your father's "prog rock". Sunset Rubdown is yet another of indie darling Spencer Krug's (Wolf Parade, Frog Eyes, Swan Lake) side projects and with the release of their latest album Random Spirit Lover arguably his strongest work to date. Random Spirit Lover takes a while to sink in to your conscious but when it finally crawls into your head you will find yourself singing its melodies in your sleep. This album can only be described as the crowning achievement in the early, yet prolific career of Spencer Krug. I don't want to oversell this album but it is the most exciting music I have heard in years so buy yourself a copy and listen to it until your ears bleed. It will sink in eventually and you can thank me later. (10/10)