Red Sparowes - Like The Howling Glory of the Darkest Winds…
ULU
London, UK
7/8/08
Red Sparowes almost made my top 10 list of 2008 live shows. This video is an amazing recording of their July tour which takes it’s audio source from the soundboard and uses two cameras. I believe you can watch the full show on their MySpace page.
Download: Red Sparowes - Like The Howling Glory of the Darkest Winds… (Live Video)
Love And Rockets
Loveline Interview
KROQ Radio
Los Angeles, CA
3/12/96
Here is a recording of one of two appearances Love And Rockets made on KROQ’s call-in interview sex show “Loveline” with Dr. Drew and Adam Corolla.
Setlist:
1. Interview
Sample: Interview
Download: Love And Rockets - Loveline - 3-12-96 - 363 MB
Avalanche
2008 Top 10 Albums
Having read a few ‘best of’ lists already, it seems that many find 2008 a disappointing year for music. I, on the other-hand think that 2008 year was far better than 2007 with plenty of records that will make my permanent rotation. Here are my most played albums of 2008 in no particular order.
Cut Copy - “In Ghost Colours”
I loved “The Cutters” New Order-channeling synth debut ‘Hot Like Neon Love’ but this record blew its doors clean off. How this synth-pop masterwork isn’t topping every Top 10, is beyond reason.
Hot Chip - “Made in the Dark”Anytime you have Kylie Minogue clamoring for your songs (as ‘The Chippers’ do) then you are doing something right. Like many on this list (Cut Copy, Ladytron, and Ruby Isles) this is a standout New Wave synth record. Hot Chip probably has more song-writing depth than Cut Copy, but this record isn’t quite as consistently awesome as “In Ghost Colours”. Do I see a modern Beatles vs. Stones rivalry brewing?
Laibach - “Volk Songs”These eastern bloc agro-industrial behemoths provide 13 anthems, one for each of 13 countries some of which include ode’s to Russia, USA, Turkey, and Vatican City (!?!). The tracks are loosely based on each country’s national anthem as well as text from important leaders - a multi-nation nationalistic anthem album. Now that is a concept album.
Ladytron - “Velocifero” ‘Velocifer’ is a beautiful and consistently great synth-based record. What a great year for keyboard driven bands.
Ruby Isles - “Night Shot” This is the return of the mastermind of one of my all time favorite bands, I Am The World Trade Center in the form of the recently formed Ruby Isles. If you like your synth pop driving and bouncy, this album has some rare gems.
The Kills - “Midnight Boom”Outside of perhaps the very stylistically different Dean and Britta, The Kills make the best m/f duet going. This band of bad-ass drum-machine backed rock is the coolest outfit going. “Midnight Boom” is a concerted move forward from their previous two stellar records. A Must have.
The Weather Machines - “Bones and Brains”The Weather Machines and their “Bones and Brains” ep makes the best (and only!) entry out of the West Coast. The Weather Machines with their sleight ‘Big Star’ leanings make for the latest in the great tradition of excellent Portland, Oregon based bands.
Bauhaus - “Go Away White”With “Go Away White” Bauhaus managed to come up with a record that sounds like a long-lost never released Bauhaus album. I was expecting a ‘what-might-have-been’ and got a prequel instead which I didn’t think was even possible.
Jeremy Jay - “A Place Where We Could Go”If Jeremy Jay had a better backing band, I could see this guy putting out full-tilt hum-dinger of a record in the near future. Jeremy Jay has some of the trappings that befall singer-songwriters but I have to say I enjoy this record.
Oranges Band - “Are Invisible”This, the latest from The Oranges Band, is straight up killer hook-laden rock and roll. This former Lookout Records Baltimore based band hopefully should become more ‘visible’ with this record.
Side Note:
The Wedding Present - “El Ray” should be on here, but I was out of town when they played NY, and since I was expecting to get the record at the show, haven’t heard it yet. My bad.
Here are two albums that, by all rights, should be on this top 10 list but aren’t because, well, I am a petty, nit-picking jerk:
Magnetic Fields - “Distortion”
At the onset of this year, this was a sure-fire Top 10 record. Although many of the songs are characteristically prime Merritt, this album disappoints a bit due to their own ridiculously high expectations set by previous output and poor production.
Rosebuds - “Life Like”Probably due to officious pressure from fans and/or critics The Rosebuds ditched the keyboards that I thought suited them so well in “Night of the Furies” record which made my last Top 10 list. They lost the keyboards and I was let down, so this misses my Top 10. Tsk Tsk.
2008 Top 10 Shows
If 2008 was a good year for releases, it was a monster great year for live shows. I had a tough time getting this list down to 10. I was pretty good about posting a track from the most memorable 2008 shows, so be sure to check out the TSOI archive, when available, if you want to hear a track and comments about the top 2008 shows. It is worth noting that most of these are veteran bands, which doesn’t come as a huge surprise, but should come as a heads-up to the young bands. Again, in no particular order:
Siouxie Sioux - Irving Plaza (see Feb 21 TSOI post)
Peter Murphy - Blender Theater (see July 03 TSOI post)
Killing Joke - Irving Plaza (see Nov 21 TSOI post)
Low - Bell House (see Oct 29 TSOI post)
Daniel Higgs (Lungfish) - Knitting Factory (see May 09 TSOI post)
Dean and Britta - Zipper Factory (see Nov 10 and Sept 09 TSOI posts)
Swervedriver - Bowery Ballroom(see June 26 TSOI post)
Wire - South Street Seaport (see June 13 TSOI post)
Laibach - Town Hall(see June 18 TSOI post)
Vaselines - Southpaw (see July 29th TSOI post)
Some Honorable Mentions:
OhGr - Blender Theater
Magnetic Fields - Town Hall (see April 01 TSOI post)
Robyn Hitchcock/Nick Lowe/Elvis Costello - Grand Ballroom (see April 24 TSOI post)
National - Roseland
Cut Copy - Studio B (see April 08 TSOI post)
Sigur Ros - United Palace (see Oct 09 TSOI post)
Circle Jerks - Club Exit (see Aug 05 TSOI post)
Ladytron - Terminal 5 (see Aug 07 TSOI post)
Rancid + NOFX - Irving Plaza (see Aug 20th and Nov 25 TSOI posts)
Wayne Hussey - Highline Ballroom (see Sept 17 TSOI post)
Casiotone For The Painfully Alone - Silent Barn (see Dec 19 TSOI post)
John Vanderslice - Mercury Lounge (see May 30 TSOI post)
Matt and Kim - Club Exit (see Aug 01 TSOI post)
The Faint - Terminal 5 (see Sept 05 TSOI post)
Suicide - Europa
Nick Cave + Bad Seeds (see Oct 07 TSOI post)
Hercules and Love Affair (see Aug 13 TSOI post)
Echo and the Bunnymen - Radio City Music Hall (see Nov 12 TSOI post)
Stinkers:
There were a few stinkers this year:
My Bloody Valentine - Roseland (see Oct 17 TSOI post)
Yaz - Terminal 5
These old farts started so early that they were done by the time I showed up at 9:30. Lame.
Oasis - Terminal 5 I was inordinately lucky to get tickets for this rare club performance but Oasis cancelled due to a Gallagher brother injury, which somehow didn’t prevent them from monkeying around at the Paul Weller show (see Oct 01 TSOI post).
Kevin
2008 Top 10 Shows
1. The Cool Kids - Echoplex/Key Club
The combined awesomeness of both shows puts Cool Kids at the top of the list. Even though the sound at The Key Club wasn’t the best, the crowd rushing the stage made the show one of the more memorable of 2008.
2. Cornelius - Disney Concert Hall
The set list wasn’t quite as good as their previous show at The El Rey, but seeing Cornelius playing in The Disney Concert Hall was the perfect setting.
3. Autechre - Echoplex
Their first show in years was in LA and they put on a great show. The sound was insanely loud, so loud that the bass would give you an upset stomach.
4. Jens Lekman - Henry Fonda Theater
A typically great Jens show. The audience was captivated as always.
5. Gil Mantera’s Party Dream - The Echo
I can already say that Gil Mantera is going to be on my 2009 list. GMPD are always a must see.
6. Duran Duran - Nokia Theater
Best birthday present I got this year. It was the first time I was at the Nokia Theater which was a great space to see a “huge” show. The set was perfect with the highlight being the “Kraftwork” style synth section of the show.
7. Love And Rockets - The Glasshouse
Their warm-up show was just what I was hoping for and gave us the perfect excuse to skip Coachella. We missed The Bubblemen, but we were also able to skip seeing them in 100 degree weather.
8. Quintron - The Echoplex
The best Quintron show I’ve ever seen. Dancers on stage, jumping in the crowd, smoke and lights. Top notch!
9. The Wedding Present - Troubadour
George and company always put on a great show. Though it’s strange that they don’t play more often seeing that they now live in Los Angeles.
10. Point Juncture, WA - The Silverlake Lounge
I wasn’t sure how they were going to pull off all the parts that are on the record between just four people, but they had no problem. I really regret not recording the show.
Honorable Mentions:
Red Sparowes, Flying Tourbillon Orchestra, Moonrats, Thee Mad Lovers, Darker My Love
2008 Top 10 Albums
1. The Legends - Seconds Away EP
2. The Cool Kids - The Bake Sale
3. The Wedding Present - El Rey
4. Point Juncture, WA - Heart To Elk
5. Annabel - Now That We’re Alive EP
6. Dream Bitches - Coke-and-Spiriters
7. Darker My Love - 2
8. Ladytron - Velocifero
9. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
10. The Weather Machines - Bones And Brains EP
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, the one-man band of Owen Ashworth, has long been a TSOI favorite. Owen and his battery of keyboards and tape loops have been quietly releasing a string of the best albums of the decade.
TSOI has gathered intel from high-ranking CTFTPA sources that a new singles album will be out in February and a new album of new material to follow in March. Currently CTFTPA is touring behind his new Town Topic EP which includes CTFTPA work to be included in a movie soundtrack. “Ice Cream Truck” included in its live form here is one such track. As usual the show was put on by Todd P in a lawless DIY fashion in a where unfettered indoor smoking is condoned and Busch Beer is sold out of coolers. Good times.
Download: Casiotone For The Painfully Alone - Ice Cream Truck (Live)
These guys opened for Casiotone for the Painfully Alone at the CMJ showcase at Silent Barn in Bushwick Queens. With a few albums and a few tours behind them they have a good shot of releasing a decent record. Hopefully I will see them in a year or two making good on their potential. This track sounds to me like a cross between Detroit’s Pascal and what it might sound like to hear a basement recording of The Smiths when Johnny Marr, Morrissey and co were 15 years old. Speaking of which, does anyone have any intel on Pascal? If so, please fill me in on their prospects of a new album.
Download: City Center - Magenta Green (Live)
Every CMJ I witness at least one band that is under the assumption that this is their big break and therefore performing with a tuned blasé rock posturing meant to endear them to that one label-head in the audience. Friendly Fires came across as such wankers I didn’t bother recording them. I think they would have saved themselves and the audience a lot of trouble by just repeating: “We are the next Vampire Weekend, promise.”
I don’t have a recording to make my point but instead will drop another Magnetic Fields track or two to show that I am a good sport.
Download: Magnetic Fields - Oh Yeah (Live)
Download: Magnetic Fields - Old Fools (Live)
Magnetic Fields were not part of CMJ but played during CMJ week which, this year, is good enough. Live, Stephin Merritt and company dip into the many MF albums, along with choice tracks from his many side projects and soundtrack work making each show full of surprises. As mentioned in an earlier post, the newest MF album, ‘Distortion’ missed its mark a bit, in part, due to a retardedly high bar of expectations that Stephin Merritt has set for long time MF fans. A pre-release proclamation that ‘Distortion’ is “more like Jesus and Mary Chain then the Jesus and Mary Chain” didn’t help either. The conceit made for good copy at press time but just further raised the impossible expectations and, in practice, resulted in muddy production that didn’t do the songs any favors.
One of many reasons to see Magnetic Fields live these days is that the songs off of “Distortion” are played as they probably should have been recorded - minus the busy melody burying ‘JMC-esque’ production. Here is one such buried gem.
Download: Magnetic Fields - Zombie Boy (Live)
CMJ 2008 Roundup:
The CMJ Music Marathon is a yearly event where thousands of bands descend upon NYC for a protracted long weekend and take over the city and feast on it and its many venues. CMJ tends to feature up-and-coming bands, label showcases, and surprise shows. Generally at CMJ there is ample opportunity for me to go berserk and go to 4 or 5 venues a day/night for the better part of a week. When it is done, I document my CMJ related exploits in a CMJ Magnum Opus. I am afraid that this year’s CMJ Magnum Opus will fail to live up to being either ‘magnum’ or ‘opus’. As far as I could tell, this year’s line-up was nowhere near as good as last year or year’s past and along with work and other lame excuses, I missed most of what little was worth checking out. Nonetheless I managed to get to a few shows and managed to ring up a few CMJ staples, i.e.: the band with a palpable buzz and break-out potential, the over-reaching trend-hopping band that presents itself as if to say “if you just sign us, we will fill your arenas”, the band seen by accident in its fetal form that has future potential, and the band of reliable quality that you have seen before but see again at the risk of ‘missing’ something new. This week will feature live tracks gleaned from CMJ 2008 weekend.
Lykke Li
Music Hall of Williamsburg
Brooklyn, NY
10/20/08
Lykke Li is the band with probably the most hype and break-out potential coming into CMJ 2008. Lykke Li is presumably the name of the lead singer, who has fashioned her live persona as a young Swedish proto-Stevie Nicks. It is no secrete that anyone here involved with TSOI has a pronounced ‘Swede Tooth’…that is anything Swedish gets ours ears perked up, and in this case Lykke Li came armed with a catchy pop track “Little Bit” that didn’t need to plant the hook very deep to get my attention. This track along with a few others and a cover of Eddy Arnold’s “After the Laughter Comes Tears” were pretty snappy. I think I would not be too far off to liken Lykke Li to an updated version of Robyn (also a Swedester). You can make your own call. The full Lykke Li set is here.
Setlist:
1. Dance Dance Dance
2. Let It Fall
3. I’m Good I’m Gone
4. Hanging High
5. Little Bit
6. Complaint Department
7. After the Laughter (Comes Tears)
8. Window Blues
9. Breaking It Up
10. Tonight
11. Can I Kick It
Sample: Little Bit
Download: Lykke Li - Brooklyn, NY - 10-20-08 - 254 MB