Links Express : Choo Choooo!

+ Jason Anfinsen, The Tripwire's most interesting wordsmith, wrote a lengthy but thorough review of the new Black Lips record. I'm not a fan, but I'm trying - not so much to like it, but to "get it." [read more...]

+ Basstown, Sinden and the ever-wonderful Hearthrob are bringing Graeme Sinden to the Middlesex Lounge tomorrow night. First time in Boston! This will be awesome. [read more...]

+ Kyle Brandse is a local graphic designer who makes some of the most mind-melting fliers out there. Consider him for your next gig - I've never seen work like this before. [read more...]

+ Patton Oswalt - our new dirty-mouthed stand-up comedian Jesus - is coming to the Roxy on October 25th. With him will be Brian Posehn (watch this video!), Maria Bamford, Eugene Mirman. [read more...]

+ Michael Brodeur has departed from Boston's Weekly Dig. I'm actually really disturbed by this...Brodeur IS the Dig, if you ask me. So, now what? [read more...]

Andrew Bird @ Higher Ground, Burlington VT

Andrew Bird
Higher Ground
South Burlington, VT
September 28, 2007
by Laura Selkirk


From what I can tell, there are two reactions to Andrew Bird. The first is "Who?" The second usually includes some amount of excited yelping and clapping. Bird's albums are an eclectic mix of songs that are what pop music tries to be. Beautifully arranged and produced, there is no sense that various parts are included because they are part of a formula; everything in integral to the story telling process. Bird is not trying to make good music; he is, rather, wildly succeeding.

To be truthful, I was a bit worried about seeing him in concert. I wasn't sure if his songs could hold up without the layers that are present on his albums. Thankfully, if not a bit overwhelming at times, the layers were there. Bird will often start songs by creating the string sections from the ground up with multiple delay pedals and his violin. By the end of a song, there is an entire violin section accompanying him and his band. Many times effects were used to lower the pitch on violin loops turning them into a gut-vibrating sea of basses.

Bird may have been at his absolute best by himself. He played “Why” from 2001’s The Swimming Hour (when he still went by the moniker Andrew Bird’s Bowl Of Fire) as a solo, and turned it into an impromptu one-man show. He had the audience in fits of laughter as he reenacted the song as a conversation, playing both the exasperated and cool-and-calm character. He also used an old Fisher-Price See ‘n Say for his signature sound effect of chirping birds. Combined with his amazing voice and violin playing it may have been the best example of musical storytelling I have ever seen.

There is nothing accidental about Bird's stage presence. He will often pause for long moments as if in deliberation of his next move. Many songs had been given different rhythm to their lyrics, which went along with Bird's deliberations. At times, he would raise his hands in gesture to emphasize his words as though he was trying to tell us a very important point. Combined with his Causal Fridays outfit (replete with skinny tie) I could not shake the notion that this man had very relevant information.

Venue: http://www.highergroundmusic.com
Recent: Andrew Bird: Armchair Apocrypha

New Interpol Video : There's No I In Threesome

Tell me about it...



...I mean, what?

TECKTONIK

By far one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I am completely mesmerized by this, not to mention that I've been in love with Yelle for nearly a year now. Oof!



Wiki: Tecktonik

LEEV BRITNEY ALOHN! (Trance Mix)

I'm dying. I love this. Don't tase him, bro.

Long live VIRAL MEDIA!











*sigh*

Love it.

Andrew Bird : Armchair Apocrypha

I'm often picky with solo artists. Also picky with the likes of anything that ranges from Rufus Wainwright to Coldplay just because of the mediocre garbage that has come out in the last ten years along the lines of male solo artists. Do you go by your first and last name and have testicles? Is your name Howie Day? Are you going to lock me in a bathroom?**

Andrew Bird.

Someone pointed me towards an Andrew Bird and his latest record, Armchair Apocrypha, and I am continually impressed as how beautiful this Illinois-native songwriting and execution of creativity is. It's 2007 and I'm still trying to figure out the formula of Sufjan, but Bird? He's taken off. Everyone should know who he is. His music will make your skin feel like a warm blanket on the coldest nights.

Audible: Andrew Bird - "Armchair" (also check out "Simple X")
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/andrewbird
WiKi: Andrew Bird


**Actually, that's a lie. I hate Howie Day. I can't stand Ryan Adams. But you know what? I love Mark Kozelek. David Bowie. Peter Gabriel. Patrick Wolf. So...I take that back. I guess I just wanted to point out that Howie Day sucks...except for the title track off of the Madrigals EP...fuck!

Dragons Of Zynth-ynth-ynth-ynth

Who doesn't love TV On The Radio? Though this is a very valid question, it was also my first thought upon FINALLY giving in to Dragons Of Zynth, a band that I've been hearing about on the Interblogz, but have avoided because something about the name just turned me off. Upon first listen to any band, I immediately tend to fall into the gap of Hmm, who does this sound like? I was, if anything, proud of myself for undoubtedly thinking TVotR, but rather than pat myself on the back, here are the facts: with DoZ's LP coming out soon, it is of note that it was produced by TVotR member David Andrew Sitek, who has gained most of his cred from producing the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' finer moments. Coronation Thieves is out October 2nd, and based out of Cleveland they do have a very pure art-rock sound that combines the craftiness of Brooklyn cracks and corners with the unmistakable self-control of midwestern noise bands.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/dragonsofzynth

Beautiful Discoveries: Familjen

Ahh, Swedish techno-pop. Got to love it. Sadly, I am way too swamped right not to look up more, so here's the video in question and their myspace link. Enjoy!



MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/familjen

Plushgun : Pleasant Surprises

"Plushgun is a beautiful mix of indie rock sound with high-voltage electronic backbeats. Created entirely by the 23 year old New York based trained classical composer who lives, sleeps and records everything in a tiny 8 by 5 closet/bedroom that has no windows or ventilation. The isolation and cramped space does not seem to have cramped Plushgun's musical stylings though. With a voice born to croon over these beautiful orchestrated tunes that seems to come from a soul much older than his 23 years, Plushgun will definitely be on my radar for a long time to come and should be on yours too." - From Yourstandardlife.com

You know...sometimes other people just say it better. Dan, the genius in question, e-mailed me to introduce himself and offer both an mp3 and an invite to Plushgun's premiere show - Thursday, 09.27, at The Bitter End in NYC - and I am just, well, wowed.

Listen for yourself.

Audible: Plushgun - "Just Impolite"
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/plushgun

Art Brut Tour...Errr, That's It.

Ooh! Tell you what...Art Brut really need no introduction. Sure, they're not The Who or anything, but with the recent release of It's A Bit Complicated, they're one of those "If you don't already know then you never will" bands. I was eh about their first record, but then seeing their live show, it all clicked, and though an overdose could lead to possible redundancy, it's an arguable fact that this is one of the most entertaining bands around. So, with all pretention aside, here are some tour dates where they'll be supporting The Hold Steady.

Oct 21st-- Lupo’s at the Strand -- Providence RI
Oct 22nd -- The Roxy -- Boston MA
Oct 23rd -- Electric Factory -- Philadelphia PA
Oct 24rd -- Disco Rodeo -- Raleigh NC
Oct 25 -- 40 Watt -- Athens GA
Oct 26 -- Bijou Theatre -- Knoxville TN
Oct 27 -- Newport Music Hall -- Columbus OH
Oct 29 -- Crofoot Ballroom -- Pontiac MI
Oct 30 — Metro -- Chicago IL
Oct 31 — Metro -- Chicago IL
Nov 4 -- HUB Ballroom -- Seattle WA
Nov 5 -- Crystal Ballroom -- Portland OR
Nov 6 -- Warfield Theater -- San Francisco CA
Nov 7 -- The Wiltern -- Los Angeles CA
Nov 8 -- Canes Bar & Grill -- San Diego CA
Nov 9 -- Marquee Theatre -- Tempe AZ
Nov 11 -- Fox Theatre -- Boulder CO
Nov 12 -- Ogden Theatre -- Denver CO
Nov 13 -- The Granada Theatre -- Lawrence KS
Nov 14 -- Palladium Ballroom -- Dallas TX
Nov 15 -- La Zona Rosa -- Austin TX
Nov 17 -- The Bottletree Annex -- Birmingham AL
Nov 18 -- Variety Playhouse -- Atlanta GA
Nov 19 -- Toad’s Place Richmond -- Richmond VA
Nov 20 -- 9:30 Club -- Washington DC
Nov 21 -- Terminal Five --New York NY (wtf is Terminal Five? have i been out of NY that long?)

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/artbrut

Sunday Night Randoms

Oof. Seeing something like this burns my heart a little bit. It makes me say, "Why am I living in America, where Supermayer is not going to come and play a gig because a blog says 'We love you.'" Maybe it's more complex than that, but still...oof.

- Allez-allez has a new mix up by Samim. Merry Christmas.

- Nialler9 has posted a new Battles video! This one is for "Tonto" from Mirrored. Happy Birthday.

- Discobeeeeelle has the newwwwwww Hot Chip traaaaaack. Be My Valentine?

- Exitfare has a list up of shows in Boston. He's missing a few things. Don't worry, I'll set his ass straight. Compliments of the house.

- IIII fucking hate the Black-Eyed Peas, but I would gladly eat some vegan Black-Eyed Pea Cakes. Enjoy your meal.

I think we're good for now, ya?

Never Over Underworld

Oof! It's been a busy week. Underworld played at the Bank Of America Pavilion last night, and I was dead center, 3rd row in. Truly incredible - I hadn't seen them since Barcelona in 2003 (Sonar), and time has fogged my memory of how great they are. I think that show was only Karl Hyde + Rick Smith, but now the addition of Darren Price made it all the better. I'll tell you two things: A.) Karl Hyde is getting old B.) but the only thing getting old about him is whatever his passport may claim about his age. The man looked happier than anyone I'd seen on a stage in so long, and seemed so thoroughly pleased by the show and the crowds' excitement. I won't deny I was dancing harder and with total abandon - "Born Slippy" was climactic, but "King Of Snake" and "Pearl's Girl" were epic, epic and epic.

Oh, don't forget about the ENORMOUS.INFLATABLE.GLOWSTICKS.


Oblivion With Bells, their first studio album in five years, comes out on October 16th. Last night they played "Beautiful Burnout," "Crocodile," and some other track which I haven't deciphered yet but has completely injected the band's mid-90s genius into the year 2007.

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/underworld

Me & Maya

So cute

New UNKLE Video : Burn My Shadow

You Can Stand Under My-My-My Um Ber-Rellah

When I flip to MTV these days, sadly enough, I have NO idea who the frig anyone is. I do, however, know enough to love that Rhianna song, "Umbrella," whose remixes have exceeded the original's beauty by extreme measures. The greatest example is this four minute insertion in an hour 'n eight minute Diplo remix that was just released in conjunction with a lengthy interview done for Pitchfork with a friend of mine. The interview itself is very interesting but the directions are as follows:

A.) Go here.
B.) Download this.
C.) Listen to it all, and focus on the 50min-54min mark.
D.) Die of pure joy.

Audible: Rhianna - "Umbrella (Vandalism Mix)"

Woah Moment: The Silver Seas' "Imaginary Girl"

Wow, in all honesty...I just clicked on this here link for The Silver Seas with the preconceived notion of ehhh, I don't know about this but "Ms November" was a beautiful slap in the face. So simple, so...perfect. I don't think I even want to listen to their other songs yet because that was just so damn good. It's soft, it's pop, and there's a prominent strum of the acoustic guitar along with vocal harmonies that make me think of the very very very few times a year I give in to musical history and listen to the Beach Boys. Apparently, "Imaginary Girl" is their biggie, so I'm going to go check that out. What do youuuu think?

One-minute later: This song makes me want to be in love. Or for the sun to be out. Incredible.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thesilverseas

YO! MTV Raps + Puma + Beer + DJs = <3

Puma and, of all people, YO! MTV Raps are getting together to launch a new line of sneakers that pay homage to Doug E. Fresh, MC Shan, Big Daddy Kane, and Dr. Dre & Ed Love. They'll also have New York City DJ Stretch Armstrong (yes, of Stretch + Bobbito) and free beer in town. Count me in.



MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/djstretcharmstrong

Bring The Noise / Violin Hip Hop

I am absolutely loving Benny Benassi's "Bring The Noise" remix. It's so bass-heavy and sounded incredible driving past sweaty folks on move-in day as I was only able to go about 5MPH. In any case, you should go listen here.

But aside from this, you should check THIS out:



That's all for now. It's Labor Day. Go eat a fricking hot dog!

Love,
OC

WHAAAAT THE FUUUUUCK