Surprise Surprise

So ... The Editors ... lets just say they were an awkward surprise. I say that because they really shouldn't have been a surprise. I actually really liked they're new album (even though, like many critics have been saying, a lot of the songs sound like all the other songs), so I should have thought that they would be amazing, but when they came out and just straight up rocked the place, I was floored. I think I expected them to be boring. Instead they were an excitement explosion.

Editors - An End Has A Start

I skipped out on the end of the Editor's set to see the awesome De Novo Dahl. I certainly loved their double disc 2005 release, but, really, who didn't? That shit was terrific. And, as I had assumed, they were as lively and spunky on stage as they were on their album. Did I mention adorable? Add that to the equation and you have one good time.

De Nova Dahl - Dinosaurs!

When I got down on the Main stage The Decemberists were setting up (because I got down there a little early). In waiting I remembered how I'd first heard them, and thought of them as a dreamer's dream band. A fantasy's fantasy. Okay, that's going a little overboard. Almost needless to say, I was wrapped up in the Decemberists' for a moment or two. I also remember the amazing NPR live set Colin Meloy did a while back (which I just happen to have hosted right here on this very blog). I was a little excited to see the whole shebang. Then they came out, and played what was very much like a new genre that could be coined "medio-core" (a play off of mediocre [thanks tom]). Look, The Decemberists are a good band. I'm not saying I don't like them. But they just plain sucked at this festival. I blame everything expect for them.

The Decemberists - Everything I Try to Do Nothing Seems to Turn Out Right

Now, I could have run upstairs to go see Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (who I hear had an awesome set), but, seeming how that was what half the Decemberists crowd was thinking, I decided to hop up to the front row, so I could have an amazing vantage point for the first time seeing Cake (I've been waiting since childhood to see these guys, I wasn't passing this shit up). They came on and were more amazing than expected. They were, surprisingly, one of the biggest surprises of the event. I remember remarking to the people around me that I didn't know there were enough Cake fans to fill Red Rocks (which was exactly what happened), and they responded that they felt the same way, that they loved Cake, but didn't really think anyone else understood how good Cake really was. Cake is legend. But you know that.

Cake - Excuse Me I Think I've Got a Heartache


And that ends it for day 1. Day 2 soon ... 4 reelz.

I've Got Some New Dance Moves ... Thanks Ghostland ;)

Ugh, so I'm not going to be able to fulfill my promise to have everything reported on by the end of the week, because things have been just toooo crazy. but here's a bit more on Monolith:

After leaving The Broken West, I went down to the main stage to see the much acclaimed Ghostland Observatory. I'd first heard about them by eaves dropping on a couple who had apparently gone to the show they did with The Magic Cyclops. So I checked them out and discovered that the pairing of Ghostland and Magic couldn't have been better, because Ghostland is essentially an upscale version of the Magic Cyclops, with a dash of power-stancey Daft Punk, and a hint of machismo-y Ratatat. Hella dancey. All I really have to say about their stage performance is that I certainly have some new moves to try out on the dance floor.

Ghostland Observatory - Rich Man

Back up the stairs I went to see one of the bands I was just dying to see: Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band. I got to the stage as they were finishing up a jam that seemed to have gone over well, as the crowd just ate them up. The rev launched into a story about the next song, talking about how it was based on true events, and will most certainly be on the next album (even though they just released one two days prior to this performance). The song? Your Cousin's on COPS. Funniest ... shit ... ever. Awkwardly one of the most memorable moments of the festival (for me). I sure with I had an mp3 of it to share with you, but alas, I cannot track down a live recording of it.

Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band - That Train Song

After RPBDB ended I moseyed on down back to the main stage to see Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, who seemed to be about as thrilled to be there as they always seem (i.e. not very, save for the one crazy member). I'd seen them live at the Gothic about a year or so ago, and I'd have to say that even then, near the end of the huge typhon of fame that hit them all at once, they were still rather bland. Granted, some of their songs are just righteous, but they just don't seem to be into it. I hate to say it, but I like the albums more...

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! - The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth (if you don't all ready have this song ... who are you?)

Ra Ra Riot was one of biggest surprises of the festival. Like the Trickster, I just didn't seem them coming. I admit that I had only heard 2 or 3 songs by them prior to seeing them at the festival, but after their performance, I tracked down as much as I could. These kids rock. They played their flippin souls out. Their new drummer was also one of the best drummers I saw all weekend. They .... I don't even know ... they were just good. Since they played the WOXY.COM Stage, you'll be able to hear their performance in it's entirety on their site. DO SO. Check the WOXY Monolith Recap Site for updates. I'm sure it'll be there at some point.

My fellow Colo-blogger Josh is all about Kings of Leon. I'd heard the hits, and a few of the other songs, but nothing too much. He said I'd love them. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I was disappointed. I, however, equate this to the fact that they played the main stage and, if I haven't said this before, I just didn't enjoy the Main Stage bands as much as I probably would have had 1) I been closer, 2) it been louder. Sorry Esurance Stage, I like my music in front of me, and making my body shake it's so loud. I'll just have to see them again I guess.

Kings of Leon - Wicker Chair

Last 4 bands of Day 1 still to come. Plus Day 2 and then the Arcade Fire/LCD Soundsystem show! Again, sorry I'm busy :(

The Ultimate Irony: Smoking Indie Kids Forced to Hike in Order to Enjoy Hipness

Aaaaaaand go!:

The drive to Red Rocks last Friday was, for me, a little stressful, as is every drive to an unfamiliar event or location. But, as with every stressful moment, there was a hint of excitement. I had been looking forward to the Monolith Music Festival for some time now. I finally got to a parking lot, and started the hike up to the venue, laughing internally at the ultimate form of irony occurring around me (smoking indie kids forced to walk a mile up hill to get to the hippest thing going on in our time zone).

Standing in line getting my stuff checked, I found myself being serenaded by the every loving Everything Absent or Distorted (A Love Story). The first time I'd heard them was, actually, just last year at the South Park Music Festival. It was either the year's worth of continuing to play together, or the amazing sound technicians at Red Rocks, but this time around they were one of the most convincing groups I saw at the festival, meaning: they seemed the most together, especially for being such a large group. I couldn't have expected a better welcome than EAOD's best performance to date (that I've seen that is).

Everything Absent or Distorted (A Love Story) - The Exit Parade

From the main stage I went up and then back down another flight of stairs to reach the WOXY.COM stage to see Mason Proper. They had kind of a slow start, performing a few songs sans a member (they kept saying things like "he must have wandered off into the captivating mountainous landscape"). I'd not seen them live yet (as was the case with a bunch of the bands), but from their live set reminded me much of the Weezer/Strokes/dash-of-Hives-and-Stripes early 2000's era of music. It was a nicely refreshing. On top of that, I loved their pop-and-lock minimalistic (though still inventive) drummer. I didn't stay through their whole set, and never got to see their arrant member perform along side his companions, but I'm sure it went over well.

Mason Proper - The World Is Smaller Than You Think

I jauntily walked upstairs to the New Belgium stage, where The Broken West was playing. They reminded me of a groovier Blitzen Trapper, riding the wave of "lets bring back 60's rock n' roll" type thing that seems to have been going on, and getting stronger, for a while now. Truthfully, they didn't hold my attention very long, and I was kind of bored with them. But, in all fairness, other people did seem to be enjoying their set, so they can't be all bad. Maybe I'm just not a big enough fan.

More to come

"Squirrel"

I'll start with the thing that I don't really have a whole lot to say about:

We Need Girlfriends, an internet Television Show, recently "aired" it's final episode. I highly recommend not only that episode, but the entire series, and since you can watch all of them for the amazing price of free, there should be nothing stopping you. I sure hope Season 2 isn't too far away ... I need to know why Rod was called Dennis! (and it better not be why I think it is ;))

Episode Eleven: Goodbye Forever!

oh, p.s.

just a teaser: I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The Arcade Fire is the Led Zeppelin of our era

This is probably going to be the busiest couple of days for a while for me, and I have a lot to report on (Monolith Music Festival, We Need Girlfriends Season Finale, Arcade Fire/LCD Soundsystem show). I'll be doing quick shots of all that good stuff over the next few days, but expect everything to be talked about by the end of the week.

"Time and Time Again..."

Four days...


I'm so ready


P.S:I'm bummed I missed Paleo's return to Colorado... but I'm sure that since he's awesome, and Colorado is awesome, he'll come back again :) That boy has been keeping busy though. I was a little surprised to find he had continued (to some degree) his ambitious recording project, but not a bad surprised. I'm interested in seeing what his book of lyrics is going to look like.

"I Got A, Shock Colla For My, Rottweiler"/"I Don't Want To Be Another Foot In Mouth Kid"

(that's just some random picture that I came across that I found interesting and cool. it's unrelated to the blog :))

OH EM GE I'm out of control with this whole "not blogging forever thing." Sorry, but on top of taking 3 insanely hard psych classes, jamming with numerous folks, and having a relatively active social life, the blog seems to be suffering. maybe if I change the format ... but that's a pondering for another day. Today, we blog:

I promised some words on a few artists whom I've recently saw (3oH!3, Captain Ahab, Mr. Pacman, Milton Melvin Croissant III, Yourchestra, and High Places), and here they are (short and sweet):

3OH!3 is a fun little duo that I can only describe as White-Boy Crunk. They're full of energy and embody the ideals behind "letting lose" more so than anyone else that I've ever witnessed. Their music is unabashedly outrageous, borrowing heavily from obvious inspirations such as Lil Jon ... and probably some other people too ... not gonna lie, I don't follow the Crunk biz all that closely. all I know is that it's fun as hell. See them live. Period.

3OH!3 - Chokechain
3OH!3 - Don't Dance
3OH!3 - Holler Til You Pass Out

Captain Ahab is also a duo. These two, however, seem to be a lot more comfortable around each other than not only 3OH!3 is, but, realistically, any two straight guys... Lets just say there was a lot of groping and mouthes in interesting places. Their music was okay at best, though fun to hear and dance around to live, with lyrics ranging from misogyny to STD's (Rock n' Roll STD's that is), none of which should be taken too seriously. These guys don't only know how to party, they probably were there to invent it.

Captain Ahab - (Check their myspace)

You know who was a let down? Mr. Pacman, that's who. There had always been so much hype around these fellas, and, with dance-yer-face-off openers like 3OH!3 and Captain Ahab, I was expecting the ultimate in videogame-dancery. With little driving force, Mr. Pacman's only real appeal to me was that they were quite the oddity, playing Mega-Man influenced songs at a less-than-break-neck/not-very-dancy speed. That and they had phenomenal stage presence, these guys were no stranger to performance. I'm sad to say that I probably would have liked them more if they had opened. But, really, it was worth it too see them once.

Mr. Pacman - (check their myspace)

My pal Milton Melvin Croissant III played a couple shows over the last few weeks, one of which I attended. I'll tell you one thing about this guy, and that he has the most haunting music I've ever heard. Hearing his music is similar to being lulled to sleep, not unlike a drug-enduced coma brought on by a friend who you don't entirely trust not to kill you for your own good while muttering words concerning how it's hurting him more than it's hurting you. Wow, super wordy, but I'm keeping it. Here he is singing Rock 'n' Roll funeral lullabies (by the way, he's a 1 man band, so he records something, loops it with a looper pedal, and builds off of it):

Milton Melvin Croissant III - The Spice of Life
Milton Melvin Croissant III - Coyote
Milton Melvin Croissant III - Untitled track from the Still Soft Recordings Compilation 2: "Denver"
(another mp3 in this blog) (also MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT HIS MYSPACE FOR SUPER NEW SONGS!)

Yourchestra, from Tempe, Arizona, is one of the most inventive bands I've seen in a long time. It was as though we were watching 3 guys recreate what it would be like to just be sitting around in the 30's listening to the radio play some of the current radio hits, except the station cuts out every once and a while, picking up random space noises, feedback, static, and government stations. I'm serious. Yourchestra would play these awesome war-time songs, and then fade out into noise, then back into war-time songs. Trust me (I don't know names of the songs or the album. The album had "Meow" written on it, so that's just what I called the album when I ripped it after I bought it at their show):

Yourchestra - Track 10
Yourchestra - Track 02
Yourchestra - Track 05
Yourchestra - Track 08

High Places is one of those kinds of bands that one would never expect to really go anywhere, and then bands like Psapp cut a record and are featured on cult-classic TV (Grey's Anatomy). A mix of tribal, noise, and straight-up Singer-Songwriter-style tunes, with a hint of whatever the heck "using a bunch of toys and bells and blocks" is called. Super fun and oddly entrancing. Also incredibly touching.

High Places - Hello
High Places - Sandy Feet
High Places - Shhh... Hide From The Shadow

Woot. There ya go. I'll keep up, I swarez.

"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

"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!

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 ;)

"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.

"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

I swear I'll be back on top of this "blog" thing in like a week. By-the-by, the new Sum 41 album is pretty bad, save for like 2 songs. Come on guys, the era is dead, move on. I mean, I probably would have liked it more if it didn't, at times, sound like a half-hearted rip off of not only their own material, but American Idiot. I would like to admit that, when they do start to get a lot of shit for being Canadian and talking shit about GWB, I think they have a right to complain about him, because his actions do effect the world (*shrudder*), and everyone has a say in how they feel about that.

"I Drink Only That Which Makes Me Thirsty"

(That is a picture by a girl named Thao Nguyen, but not the same Thao that I'll be highlighting today)

A couple things have been going down in the world of Thao Nguyen (for refresher course in Thao Nguyen, see this older blog). She's gathered up some peps she now likes to call her band (they go by the awesome name The Get Down Stay Down), she's been signed to Kill Rock Stars, and she's been writing a new album. As some of you might know, I'm a huge fan of Thao, and am desperately awaiting her new release. Until then, however, I'll just have to bide my time listening to newly recorded Radio Shows featuring Thao and the Get Down Stay Down:

Band: Thao Nguyen & The Get Down Stay Down
Date: 2007-07-14
Venue: KPFK Studios (Aziatik Rhythmz Show) Los Angeles, CA

Interview
Big Kid Table
Interview
Feet Asleep
Interview
Tallymarks
Interview
Fear and Convenience (fade out)

Monolith Music Festival Update

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club has been added to the line up, so, in response, I'll add an mp3 of theirs to the ever-growing list:

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Shuffle Your Feet (Acoustic)

A new blog will be up tomorrow :)

"Leave All The Secrets Under the Bed"

Laura, a fellow blogger, recently been turned on to a little band that happens to have a cult following much like similar bands such as DMB, Ben Folds, and O.A.R.. That band is Guster.
Much like their genre compatriots, Guster has always had a lax taping policy, which has, in turn, has been a large part of their success as a band. That said, the largest part of their success is the fact that, on top of being genuinely good guys (an assumption drawn from interviews and live banter), they are great musicians.

This, in my opinion, is aided by their reluctance to "jam" out for 12 minutes at a time, something similar acts can't claim. That may sound like an odd statement, but if there's one thing you'll learn about me is, sometimes, I simply don't want to hear the same damn riffs for half an epoch. This is probably why I don't much like The Grateful Dead. Seriously guys, take a second, relax, and move on.

Sorry. Tangent. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Guster's fans have, because of their band's lax taping policy, become fairly good at bootlegging live sets. I mean, I'd go so far as to say some of the recordings I've run across of these guys are the best quality recordings I've ever heard. Listen for yourself, here are two great sets:

Band: Guster
Date: 2003-06-20 (first day of their tour after the release of Keep It Together)
Venue: Woodstock Playhouse, Woodstock, NY

Demons
What You Wish For
Two Points For Honesty
Careful
Amsterdam (hilarious banter after song)
Mona Lisa
Barrel Of A Gun
All The Way Up To Heaven
Ramona
(Nothing But) Flowers (Talking Heads Cover)
Keep It Together
Homecoming King
Either Way
Airport Song (This set was the first time I ever really gave Guster a shot. I listened to all the songs leading up to this one, and they were all good, but for some reason when this song came up, I instantly thought "WOw ... Guster is good.")
I Spy
Fa Fa
Diane
Happier
Jesus On The Radio (Completely Acoustic [no PA system used])

Band: Guster
Date: 2003-07-02
Venue: The Odeon, Cleveland, OH

Intro
Demons
Barrel Of A Gun
Ramon
Amsterdam
Diane
Two Points For Honesty
I Spy
Come Downstairs & Say Hello
What You Wish For
Airport Song
Happier
Red Oyster Cult
Keep It Together
"Cleveland story"
Center Of Attention
Fa Fa
Parachute
(Nothing But) Flowers (Talking Heads Cover)
Jesus On The Radio (Acoustic)

Dormancy

I love finding Postsecrets that I agree with almost as much as finding ones I don't agree with at all. Sorry about the lack of postings, something outside the blog-o-sphere has caught my attention, and it's not letting go (but, then again, neither am I). Expect a large 2 live set post in less than 5 days ":)

Boing, Boom Tschak

77Boadrum youtube stuff (if you look, there's about a billion videos, so here's a small taste):

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3: