August 21, 2007

"Bed Clothes, Why Am I In Bed Clothes?"

So about 2 weeks ago (I know, I know, I've been slackin) I went to a show every night, and it was amazing. Great Northern was Monday, and I've all ready blogged on them, but I've skipped out on talking about the other peps I saw that week. Time to correct that:

2 weeks ago Bishop Allen and Page France decided to pay a visit to our smokin little town. Now, I don't claim to understand why people like Page France, but by golly they had a lot of fans there. Up to this point I'd only heard their Daytrotter session, so I wasn't really all that well versed in their tunes, though I had heard that they were building quite a fan base. Needless to say, I was curious as to how they would rock us that night. They took the stage, and proceeded to marvelously half-swoon me. That is to say: I was disappointed. Maybe it was caused by the ear plugs and, consequently, me not being able to feel the music, but, to JJ and I, every song seemed to sound the same. Around this time I recalled that I wasn't that impressed with the Daytrotter session. There was 1 highlight though: I do rather enjoy their song Antarctica. So there you have it. I recommend going to their Daytrotter session and downloading Antarctica. Because I can't break this habit, I will also host some of their other tunes, which, really, I have no real affinity towards (but hey, maybe you will. God knows their fans have to come from someplace):

Page France - Northern Light
Page France - Bridge
Page France - So Sweetly Around Me

Have you heard Bishop Allen's new album yet? In a way, even before it was released (or, for some people, leaked), you could very easily answer "yes" to that question. That is because Bishop Allen's new album is essentially a "best of" of the 12 EP's they released (once a month) last year. It's a best of with a twist, however, because the songs are now heavily produced. Oooooh, scary word, I know, but in this case, it's a good thing. The damn thing sounds beautiful, and it's a contender for the "top 10 albums of 07" list that I, and every other music blogger, am compiling. Seriously people, this album, in a nice world where general populations are intelligent, could rocket Bishop Allen into the public eye. Not saying I think that's going to happen, but I'd go as far to say it's a pop sensation, as well as an indie triumph. So, with all that said, I think it stands to reason that I would be a bit ... excited to see my boys and girl in Bishop Allen. Sweet and salty Jesus did they not disappoint. See them people ... and learn to love again:

Bishop Allen - Rain
Bishop Allen - Like Castanets
Bishop Allen - Click, Click, Click, Click
Bishop Allen - Bishop Allen Drive (cutest song ever. I was sad they didn't play it)
Bishop Allen - Charm School

Their Daytrotter session is, of course, highly recommended.

Next blog: 3oH!3, Captain Ahab, Mr. Pacman, Milton Melvin Croissant III, Yourchestra, High Places

August 7, 2007

"Sometimes I Get Drunk And I Scream and I Scream And You Breathe, So I Breathe"

Does anyone know how horrendously difficult it is to type without the use of your middle finger? It's hella hard ... well ... okay it's hard at first, but you get better at it. Anyway... First, this short bit:
I've run into this awesome new band (super super new) called The Nextdoor Neighbors out of what appears to be Olympia, WA. Basically I know nothing more than what their myspace says, as I am not a resident of Olympia. What I can tell from their music and myspace is that these two girls are as fun loving as they are talented (that means I think they're probably really fun loving). Anyway, check them out at their myspace.

(EDIT: Now the songs work! so d/l to your hearts desire)

The Nextdoor Neighbors - Atomic Fabric

Now on with the show:
Tonight Megan (my co-worker) joined me at the Hi-Dive (the first of many shows there this week) after we closed up shop. Who was playing, ask you? Why it was none other than Le Boom, The Comas, and Great Northern!

Megan and I got there rather late (seeming how we both worked the closing shift), so we only got there in time to see Great Northern, but it was hella worth it. But so this blog feels more complete, here are some tunes by The Comas:

The Comas - Invisible Drugs
The Comas - Red Microphone (RAC Remix)
The Comas - All Over The School

Great Northern had one of a most enchanting stage presence, casting a wintery spell on what remained of the night's 21+ crowd. Red and white Christmas lights snaked around keyboards and drums, illuminating the set with their faint glow, giving the band members an almost "camp-councilor-telling-a-ghost-story" style look. Invoking an almost My Bloody Valentine-style wall of sound, they lifted the audience dreamily into their arms, and serenaded us with a lullaby so touching it shook our souls. ... Okay ... that's a bit dramatic ... but it was damn good whatever it was. If you haven't heard their new album yet, then you should basically just give up on trying to stay in touch with good music. If you're not ready to give up so easily, here's a sampler:

Great Northern - Just a Dream
Great Northern - A Sun a Sound
Great Northern - Low Is a Height

Cause=Time is bound to have pictures from the show, so check his stuff out.

Great show. Tonight: Bishop Allen!

August 4, 2007

I Wish Technology Did Everything I Wanted It To And Never Broke ... Ever

Hey, I just thought I'd mention that Mydatabus, the website I upload my mp3's too, is kinda crapping out on me tonight, so if you want to d/l a song, just wait until tomorrow, and it'll prolly be working. if it's not, I'll figure out what's going on, and find a way around it/fix it/give up and just use something else ;)

August 3, 2007

"You Are So Not Delta."

In case you guys didn't know, We Need Girlfriends has another episode out (It's basically the best one yet):



Featuring music by Denver's own The Pirate Signal.

August 2, 2007

"This is What They Make You Take The Medication For"

New Aesop Rock album to feature John Darnielle (of The Mountain Goats of course). Guess who's happy :)

Aesop Rock (feat. John Darnielle) - Coffee

What's with John and colt 45's?

"So If Your Love Won't Go, and Your Rivers Don't Flow..."

T'other night I decided to whisk myself away down to one of the local pub/venues by the name of Hi-Dive so see the demi-legend that is Aqueduct.

Opening first was a bunch of guys going by the name of Blitzen Trapper. Imagine if CCR and Bob Dylan were to start a band, and then Vietnam were to cover them. That's what came to (my) mind when I saw them. Love their stuff. (truthfully, they were my favorite act of the night).

Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation
Blitzen Trapper - Summer Town
Blitzen Trapper - The All-Girl Team
Blitzen Trapper - Country Caravan

Next would have been the dynamic duo Smoosh, but Asya and Chloe decided to let their little sister, Maia, play bass (she is, apparently, now an official member of Smoosh). The first thing that comes to mind when I think of this band is this heavy metal cover band that I saw a few weeks ago. This heavy metal cover band was made up of 11-14 year olds. They were good, but, really, only because I just couldn't bring myself to take them seriously, and think anything other than "wow, these kids are good ... for kids." Smoosh is good ... regardless of their age (i.e. they've moved beyond being the novelty act that the 12 year old metal band is). I cannot wait to see what they do in the future, be it with each other, solo projects, or other bands, these girls are going to be astonishing.

Smoosh - Find A Way
Smoosh - This Is Not What We've Become
Smoosh - Pygmy Motorcycle

On next was Aqueduct, the band. As soon as they started I began to appreciate the fact that it was no longer a one man band, because these guys destroyed. Now, I'm not gonna say it was the loudest show I'd ever been to at the Hi-Dive (that'd be the Thermals), but it was damn close. they rocked the indie pop so hard you could have had trouble discerning that it was, in fact, indie pop. Anyway, here's some tunes:

Aqueduct - Growing Up With GNR
Aqueduct - As You Wish
Aqueduct - Just The Way I Are