A Christmas song befitting 2008

Recommended shows: Oct 6-12

Tuesday, Oct 7
- The Black Kids @ The Entry
- Jamie Lidell @ Varsity Theater
- Robert Pollard @ Turf Club

Wednesday, Oct 8
- Radio K Anniversary featuring Low, Dosh, et al. @ First Ave.
- Silver Jews @ Triple Rock

Friday, Oct 10
- The Magnetic Fields @ State Theater
- Cold War Kids @ Fine Line

Saturday, Oct 11
- Fleet Foxes @ Cedar Culture Center (2 shows)
- Nick Lowe @ Dakota Jazz Club
- Tegan & Sara @ State Theater

Sunday, Oct 12
- Stereolab @ First Ave.

New Releases: Tuesday, Oct 7

- Deerhoof, Offend Maggie
- Marnie Stern, This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That
- Mt. Erie, Lost Wisdom
- Castanets, City of Refuge
- Antony & The Johnsons, Another World (EP)
- Bob Dylan, Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series, Vol 8
- Department of Eagles, In Ear Park
- Fucked Up, The Chemistry of Common Life
- Jolie Holland, The Living and The Dead
- Oasis, Dig Out Your Soul

Pointless List #1 - participation encouraged

Without permission, I'm posting this e-mail chain recently begun by CV, a friend of mine in Austin. Since it's music-related and I do love lists, I wanted to share it with the hope that any readers might contribute in the comments.

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From CV:

So here is a list of my favorite songs from five different loosely defined genres. I've picked these genres because I feel that, with some degree of confidence, I can reasonably pick a favorite song from them. Obviously this task would be far too hard without much more thought than I have put into this for a genre like "Rock" or "Pop" or something. But within these cherry picked and ill-defined genres, here is my best attempt at naming my favorite songs:

Electronic: Gamma Goblins - Infected Mushroom

Metal: Revolution is My Name - Pantera

Pop R&B: You Make Me Wanna - Usher

Rap: Bust a Move - Young M.C.

Industrial: Closer - Nine Inch Nails

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From SS:

Here's mine, for now..

Electronic: Barbers Adagio For Strings - (Ferry Corsten Remix)

Metal: I get it - Chevelle

Pop R&B: One More Try - Timmy T

Rap: Jump Around - House of Pain

Industrial: Closer - Nine Inch Nails

Can I make up my own genres?

Piano Rock: Vienna - The Fray

Blues Rock: 3x5 - John Mayer

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From JTM:

I can't resist. I'll give this a shot using the constraints of your chosen genres. I may have to put in more than one song per genre, too. Sorry if that is a violation of the rules.

Electronic:
The Big Ship - Brian Eno
Little Fluffy Clouds - The Orb
Hyper-Ballad - Bjork
Everything In Its Right Place - Radiohead

Metal:
War Pigs - Black Sabbath
Thunderstruck - AC/DC
Welcome Home (Sanitarium) - Metallica
Hangar 18 - Megadeth

Pop R&B:
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Sign 'O' The Times - Prince

Rap:
Sabotage - Beastie Boys
California Love - 2Pac
Fight the Power - Public Enemy
Adrenaline! - The Roots

Industrial: This is the hardest genre category, since it's by far the most narrow on the list.
Head Like a Hole - Nine Inch Nails


Not sure what to do with Piano Rock, but I'll try:
Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
Tiny Dancer - Elton John
Ol' 55 - Tom Waits

Blues Rock. Disclaimer - This could easily get very long and I won't be able to narrow it down by song. Plus, you could easily make an argument that basically all rock is blues rock so again, it's tricky. So I'll just name a few obvious artists instead:
Led Zeppelin
Jimi Hendrix
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Eric Clapton/Cream
Rolling Stones
Allman Bros.
The Animals

and more modern...
White Stripes
Black Keys

Phew. That was fun.

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New Eagles of Death Metal video - 'Wannabe in LA'

Eagles of DM are a live favorite of mine and will be in the Twin Cities on November 8 at the Fine Line. I'd consider it a can't-miss show. They're touring in support of the new album, gloriously titled Heart On and in stores Oct 28.

SNL relevant once again as election approaches

I'm a fiercely political person but I am trying my absolute best not to bring up such matters in this forum. And that is no easy task over these last few months. I'll continue to keep things as apolitical as possible. But as an avid consumer and follower of pop culture, there's no harm in acknowledging SNL's sudden relevance this election season. As you've probably seen yourself, this resurgence of quality is primarily due to the now weekly Tina Fey appearances as VP-candidate Sarah Palin. In case you missed it, here's last night's VP debate send-up featuring a pitch-perfect Palin and a fine Biden parody, too. Queen Latifah has some impressive comedic chops herself.

Okkervil River video - 'Lost Coastlines'

I've been catching up on recently released videos, can you tell? Here's a video for my fav track off of Okkervil's The Stand-Ins, featuring former Okkervil member, current Shearwater front man Jonathan Meiburg.

007 Theme video - 'Another Way to Die' by White Keys

Yes, everyone has probably seen this by now but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't post it myself. The video sucks but the song itself is a decent James Bond theme, and could just as easily pass as a White Stripes song in another context (and without Ms. Keys).

Radiohead video - 'Reckoner'

Although Aniboom's animated Radiohead video contest ended up with 4 winners back in August, Thom has gone and singled out the Reckoner video in particular, proclaiming it to be the 'official' video for the track.

Radiohead - Reckoner - by Clement Picon

ACL 2008 - Day 3 in pictures (abbreviated and belated)

Sorry for the delay...we left for on our return trip to Minnesota immediately after Day 3 and didn't arrive back home until early Tuesday morning (2am or so). Only now have I had the time to wrap up this half-ass ACL coverage of mine.  Plus, my memory card ran out of space on Day 3 so pictures were few and far between.

Gillian Welch, my highlight of Day 3, performed with David Rawlings on the AMD stage.


Joined now by (not so) surprise guest Alison Krauss to sing 'Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby' from O Brother.


Neko Case a couple sets later at the AMD stage via jumbo screen.  As always, she put on a great show and this time to likely one of the biggest crowds she's ever performed.


Did I forget to mention it? On Day 3, HAM joined our team for the entire day of fantastic music, heat and the biggest crowds yet. This pic captures the Hankster having just awaken from a long nap during a pre-Foo Fighters set by Band of Horses.

Other acts from Day 3 not pictured here include: The Kills (probably the only new find of the fest), Stars, The Raconteurs (Jack White held up nicely with a slipped disc in his back), the very end of Gnarls Barkley featuring a cover of Radiohead's 'Reckoner,' Band of Horses and Tegan & Sara. We left Zilker Park just as the Foo hit the stage to begin the long drive home.

ACL 2008 - Day 2 in pictures

Fleet Foxes had an early set today on the main AMD stage. My wife found 'em too mellow for the heat of the day. I found their CSNY harmonies just right.


Man Man are a bunch of zany band geeks. That's not a slight, just a realization. Definitely one of the most entertaining shows of the weekend.


Spiritualized win honors for set of the day. Spaceman Jason Pierce stubbornly refused to face the audience but otherwise, I have not a single complaint. Best of all, they played 'Ladies and Gentlemen We're Floating in Space' with a 'Fools Rush In' coda and finished off the thrilling set with 'Come Together.'



Headliners Alison Krauss and Robert Plant. We couldn't get close enough for a decent picture, so I can only offer a shot of the video screen. Best part had to be the reimaginings of Led Zep classics, including 'Black Dog' and 'Misty Mountain Hop.'


Although not pictured above, we also caught partial or complete sets from these other acts: Drive-By Truckers, Les Freres Guisse (from Senegal), Mason Jennings, The Black Keys and Beck from a far distance. Dust was again an issue, as we fell victim to the Mud Booger Plague for the second day in a row.

ACL 2008 - Day 1 in pictures, David Byrne steals the day

View across Zilker Park, early on Friday. Today featured possibly the best weather of all my ACL experiences: low 90s, partly cloudy with a nice breeze.


Mark and my wife smile for the camera during Yeasayer set.

Yeasayer came first on the schedule. Here's bass player Ira Wolf Tuton.

M. Ward put on a bluesy show at the WaMu stage. Yep, that's right, the Washington Mutual stage.

 

David Byrne played the AT&T stage at sunset. How could this guy not have been the Day 1 headliner? He put on a hugely entertaining show mixing new Byrne/Eno tracks with classic Talking Heads songs such as 'Once in a Lifetime.'

Byrne put on a show and I mean this literally. Choreographed (kind of) dancers added a theatrical element to the performance as did the all-white attire. The steely-haired Byrne hasn't lost his herky-jerky moves and frequently joined in with dance moves of his own. The sound was fantatic, the crowd enthusiastic. It was a memorable set that lived up to my lofty expectations. It'll be hard to top over the next two days.

The audience at sunset during the Byrne's performance.



Other bands we saw today but not pictured above include Vampire Weekend, Mates of State, The Swell Season (i.e. those two from Once) and headliner Mars Volta.

ACL Mix

This morning we hit the road on our way to Austin. Before I leave, here's a little mix (via 8tracks.com) for you.

New Releases: Tuesday, Sept 23

Busy week for releases...

- TV on the Radio, Dear Science,
- Cold War Kids, Loyalty to Loyalty
- High Places, High Places
- Blitzen Trapper, Furr
- Brightback Morning Light, Motion to Rejoin
- Thievery Corporation, Radio Retaliation

Recommended shows: Sept 22-28

Monday, Sept 22
- A Place to Bury Strangers @ Triple Rock

Wednesday, Sept 24
- High Places @ Triple Rock

Thursday, Sept 25
- Sigur Ros @ Orpheum

Saturday, Sept 27
- Mogwai w/ Fuck Buttons @ First Ave

Brian Wilson plays Black Cab Session

It's safe to say this is the biggest name the Black Cab Sessions have ever taped by a long shot. Nice work, guys.

Bob Dylan concert scheduled in Twin Cities for election night

Bob Dylan is scheduled for perform at Northrop Auditorium on the University of Minnesota campus on Election Day, November 4th. The show, which will have no opening act, is set to begin at 8pm, right as the polls close. I'll actually be in Washington, DC over the election, but if I was in town, a Dylan show would have been a welcome distraction from the pundits and predictions on that fateful night.

TVOTR video - 'Golden Age'

TV on the Radio's homoerotic new video of standout Dear Science, track 'Golden Age.'

Ted Leo releases new digital EP in Rapid Response to RNC

In the two weeks since the Palin convention here in St. Paul, indie stalwart Ted Leo has been hard at work and steamin' mad. As proof, he's gone and recorded a new EP titled Rapid Response featuring four tracks: two originals, two covers, all political. The juicy (and impressive) part here is that one of the original tunes, "PARANOIA: Never Enough," was written in direct response to the RNC-related shenanigans. Can't wait to hear it. The digitial-only EP is for sale at Touch 'n Go Records right now for a variety of "donation" prices ranging from $4 to $20. Even if you're not gonna buy it, check out the link if only to read Ted Leo's entertaining liner notes. Here's a pull quote to give you a taste:

We yammer on about the efficacy of trickle-down economics, but we ignore the trickle down effect that eight long years of example of contempt for the standards of the very same reasonable society this government claims to desire to defend, and the cynical exploitation of the populace via their fears and willingness to allow any transgression against their rights in the name of comfort (to inadvertently quote Shelter), but the proof of that trickle-down effect is all around, and was on display during the RNC in St. Paul.

Although his opinions (and questionable sentence structure) aren't likely be endorsed by Obama or other Democratic leaders as an official party response to the RNC, Ted certainly has something to say and that in itself is refreshing. Seeing as I'm always complaining about the noticeable lack of politically charged music around, this is a welcome development from where I stand.

ACL trip coming up

After a one year hiatus, we're headed back to the Austin City Limits Music Festival on Sept 26-28. This go-round we're road tripping in a RV with the family. Could be a blast, or could be a disaster. We leave a week from today. Hopefully Texas will be hurricane free now that Ike's driven through like a battering ram. And speaking of Ike, the Arkansas v Texas game originally scheduled for this past weekend was postponed until the ACL weekend. Not sure how that will affect the crowds.

Without question the most exciting part of this year's festival experience will be having baby HAM in tow. Our plan is to bring HAM the first part of each day if the weather isn't too fierce (heat or otherwise). He's gonna love it!

Ok, here's my itinerary. As we know, things won't end up even close to the plan, but you gotta start somewhere. Still trying figure out how Austin Kiddie Limits will fit in, too.

Friday, September 26

* 1:30pm - 2:30pm Yeasayer
* 2:30pm - 3:30pm Vampire Weekend
* 3:30pm - 4:30pm Jamie Lidell
* 4:30pm - 5:15pm M. Ward
* 5:30pm - 6:30pm Hot Chip
* 6:30pm - 7:30pm David Byrne
* 7:30pm - 8:15pm The Swell Season
* 8:15pm - 9:30pm The Mars Volta

Saturday, September 27

* 12:30pm - 1:30pm Fleet Foxes
* 1:30pm - 2:30pm José González
* 2:30pm - 3:30pm Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
* 3:30pm - 4:30pm Man Man
* 4:30pm - 5:30pm Erykah Badu
* 5:30pm - 6:30pm Spiritualized
* 6:30pm - 7:30pm Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
* 7:30pm - 8:15pm The Black Keys
* 8:15pm - 9:30pm Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
* 8:30pm - 10:00pm Beck

Sunday, September 28

* 12:30pm - 1:30pm Nicole Atkins & the Sea
* 1:30pm - 2:30pm Octopus Project
* 2:30pm - 3:30pm Gillian Welch
* 3:30pm - 4:30pm Stars
* 4:30pm - 5:30pm Neko Case
* 5:30pm - 6:30pm Okkervil River
* 6:30pm - 7:45pm The Raconteurs
* 7:30pm - 8:30pm Band of Horses
* 8:30pm - 10:00pm Foo Fighters

Bjork video - "Dull Flame of Desire" featuring Antony Hegarty

Fantastic song now featuring fantastic video.

New Releases: Tuesday, Sept 16

- Ruby Isle, Night Shot
- Talkdemonic, Eyes at Half Mast

Recommended shows: Sept 15-21

Tuesday, Sept 16
- The Presets w/ Cut Copy @ Fine Line

Thursday, Sept 18
- Neko Case w/ Giant Sand @ First Avenue

Friday, Sept 19
- Panther w/ Ratatat @ First Avenue
- River Rocks Festival featuring Jakob Dylan, Ozmatli, OAR, White Iron Band @ Harriet Island

Saturday, Sept 20
- Soul Asylum @ Epic
- River Rocks Festival featuring The Roots, Mike Doughty, Live, The Alarmists @ Harriet Island

More tour announcements - Lucinda Williams, Calexico

Lucinda Williams hasn't played First Ave in a while but she's coming back this fall on October 23rd and then, in an odd scheduling move, for a second night two weeks later on Nov 5th. The last time I saw Lucinda at First Ave, my wife fainted mid-show and was carried out of the crowd by a heroic, large and hairy staff person. Definitely a night to remember, but not to repeat. Lucinda's new album Little Honey hits the streets on Oct 14 and supposedly features guest spots from Elvis Costello and Matthew Sweet among others.

Also heard today that Calexico kicked off their tour, fresh off this week's release of Carried to Dust. They'll stop by the Twin Cities on November 22nd to play the Fine Line.

Elbow wins Mercury Prize for The Seldom Seen Kid

In what amounts to an upset, Elbow's The Seldom Seen Kid took home the Nationwide Mercury Prize at the event held in London earlier today, beating out the likes of Radiohead, Burial and Robert Plant/Alison Krauss. Wouldn't have been my choice but it's easily Elbow's best release to date so congrats to them. This prize is a big deal in the UK.

Rocktober in the Twin Cities

I was pointing out that Deerhoof show and realized what a busy night that is for here in the Twin Cities. Oct 14th also includes David Byrne at the State Theater and Neil Young at the RNC-tainted XCel. Sheesh. Next, I took a gander at the entire month of October and was astonished...how's this for a potential month-long marathon:

Sept 30 - Beck
Oct 2 - My Morning Jacket
Oct 3 - Weezer
Oct 7 - Black Kids
Oct 8 - Silver Jews
Oct 10 - Cold War Kids
Oct 11 - Nick Lowe, Fleet Foxes
Oct 13 - Broken Social Scene
Oct 14 - Deerhoof, David Byrne, Neil Young, Death Cab for Cutie
Oct 16 - Rufus Wainwright, Ted Leo
Oct 17 - Wire
Oct 18 - Mason Jennings
Oct 20/21 - TV on the Radio
Oct 25 - Of Montreal
Oct 29 - Conor Oberst
Oct 30 - Yeasayer

Wow.

Deerhoof video - 'The Tears and Music of Love'

Who's excited for Deerhoof's upcoming Offend Maggie? Here's a video of the first single 'The Tears and Music of Love.' This live performance showcases the always entertaining seizure-like drumming style of Greg Saunier.



Remember they'll be in town on Oct 14th at First Ave.

Noel Gallagher attacked during Virgin Fest performance

You've probably heard by now what happened to Oasis guitarist and firebrand Noel Gallagher at the Virgin Festival last night in Toronto. If not, watch carefully about 16 seconds into the clip below. If it weren't for the fact that Noel may have actually sustained some injuries as he fell into the monitors, I'd be cheering the sentiment of the crazed lunatic on stage. I don't typically condone violence but if any rock star could use a beating, it'd be Noel or his younger bro Liam. But alas, the douche got injured enough to be taken to a hospital with possible broken ribs or torn ligaments. So I won't celebrate after all. Impressively, he came back on stage to finish up the set before seeking treatment. As for the attacker? He is now in jail and charged with assault. No doubt as the story unfolds we'll learn of his hire by Damon Albarn.

New Releases: Tuesday, Sept 9

- Okkervil River, The Stand Ins
- Michael Franti & Spearhead, All Rebel Rockers
- Kimya Dawson, Alphabutt
- Fujiya & Miyagi, Lightbulbs
- Chad VanGaalen, Soft Airplane
- Calexico, Carried To Dust

Recommended shows: Sept 8-14

Tuesday, Sept 9
- The Dandy Warhols @ First Ave

Wednesday, Sept 10
- Spiritualized @ First Ave

Friday, Sept 12
- Ra Ra Riot @ The Entry
- They Might Be Giants @ First Ave
- Motorhead w/ The Misfits @ Myth Nightclub

Saturday, Sept 13
- The Walkmen @ 400 Bar
- Joan as Police Woman @ Cedar Cultural Center

Dear Science leaks

All is good in the world because TV on the Radio's new album Dear Science leaked this morning.

Radiohead's final performance of US tour to be featured at NPR's All Songs Considered

I think it's been a day or two since I posted a Radiohead-related story...

Bob Boilen of All Songs Considered recently posted a marvelous story about his trip to Santa Barbara to see Radiohead's last gig of their U.S. tour. Perhaps, you'll remember this as the very same show streamed live by Radiohead themselves on the night of Barack Obama's DNC speech. Segments of that video broadcast are now readily available online.

Here's a sampling:

But I digress...the best news revealed here is that All Songs Considered was granted permission to record and post the entire show on their site as well. It'll be available on Monday, Sept 8 at noon for your audio streaming pleasure.

If you aren't already familiar with the extensive collection of concert recordings available on the NPR website, I absolutely recommend you check it out.

Out Magazine lists the '100 Greatest, Gayest Album of All Time'

Now this is a fantastic idea for a list. Out Magazine polled gay artists from all across the industry to come up with the 100 Greatest, Gayest Albums. There are oddities among certain selections but it's much easier to complain about omissions (no Depeche Mode?!). All the same, I find the results are mighty impressive as these kind of lists go.

What was the criteria? The list was not limited to only albums by queer musicians, but rather anything that had relevance in the life of those polled could qualify. Or as Out Magazine put it, it's a list of "the seminal, flamboyant, trailblazing, gender-bending, campy, theatrical, audacious, unforgettable albums that changed our lives."

Congrats to Madonna and Morissey/The Smiths who tied for most albums on the list. I was most pleased with the #1 selection of David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars, one of my personal all-time favorites.

100 The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
99 Joni Mitchell - For The Roses
98 Ferron - Testimony
97 Janis Ian - Between The Lines
96 Nick Drake - Bryter Layter
95 Culture Club - Kissing To Be Clever
94 Hair Original Broadway Cast - Hair
93 Sade - Lovers Rock
92 Morrissey - Viva Hate
91 Grace Jones - Nightclubbing
90 Kate Bush - The Kick Inside
89 Fifth Column - To Sir With Hate
88 Hüsker Dü - Zen Arcade
87 Madonna - Confessions On A Dance Floor
86 Madonna - Madonna
85 Nina Simone - Anthology
84 Cyndi Lauper - True Colors
83 Bette Midler - The Divine Miss M
82 Cher - Believe
81 Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah
80 Rufus Wainwright - Want One
79 T. Rex - Electric Warrior
78 Various - The Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack
77 New Order - Substance
76 Ani DiFranco - Imperfectly
75 Carole King - Tapestry
74 Michael Jackson - Off the Wall
73 Various - Fame Soundtrack
72 Donna Summer - Once Upon a Time
71 Elton John - Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
70 Rent Original Broadway Cast - Rent
69 Frances Faye - Caught In The Act
68 Nirvana - Nevermind
67 Hüsker Dü - Candy Apple Grey
66 Soft Cell - Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
65 Le Tigre - Le Tigre
64 Patti Smith - Easter
63 Björk - Debut
62 Jeff Buckley - Grace
61 Sleater-Kinney - Dig Me Out
60 R.E.M. - Automatic For The People
59 Bronski Beat - The Age of Consent
58 Liz Phair - Exile in Guyville
57 Prince - Dirty Mind
56 Team Dresch - Personal Best
55 David Bowie - Diamond Dogs
54 Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes
53 Culture Club - Colour By Numbers
52 Kate Bush - Hounds of Love
51 Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Welcome to the Pleasuredome
50 Rufus Wainwright - Poses
49 Patti Smith - Horses
48 Cris Williamson - The Changer and the Changed
47 The Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs
46 Madonna - Ray of Light
45 Bikini Kill - Pussy Whipped
44 Pet Shop Boys - Very
43 Prince - Purple Rain
42 ABBA - Gold
41 Melissa Etheridge - Yes I Am
40 Pet Shop Boys - Behavior
39 Laura Nyro And Labelle - Gonna Take A Miracle
38 Dusty Springfield - Dusty In Memphis
37 Blondie - Parallel Lines
36 Madonna - Erotica
35 Yaz - Upstairs At Eric's
34 Donna Summer - Bad Girls
33 The Smiths - Hatful Of Hollow
32 The Smiths - Meat Is Murder
31 Sarah McLachlan - Fumbling Towards Ecstacy
30 Diana Ross - Diana
29 Pet Shop Boys - Actually
28 Queen - The Game
27 Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
26 Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters
25 k.d. lang - Ingénue
24 Sylvester - Living Proof
23 Deee-Lite - World Clique
22 The Gossip - Standing In The Way Of Control
21 David Bowie - Hunky Dory
20 Queen - A Day at the Races
19 The B-52s - The B-52's
18 George Michael - Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. I
17 Lou Reed - Transformer
16 Queen - A Night at the Opera
15 George Michael - Faith
14 Erasure - The Innocents
13 Ani DiFranco - Dilate
12 The Velvet Underground & Nico - The Velvet Underground & Nico
11 Various - Hedwig And The Angry Inch Soundtrack
10 Antony And The Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now
9 Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual
8 Madonna - The Immaculate Collection
7 Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
6 The Smiths - The Queen is Dead
5 Judy Garland - Judy at Carnegie Hall
4 Indigo Girls - Indigo Girls
3 Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman
2 The Smiths - The Smiths
1 David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars

Walkmen perform 'The Rat' for Pitchfork.tv and it rocks

The Battle of St. Paul - RATM impromptu protest show at capitol comes to abrupt halt

Here's a report from Rolling Stone (and NPR video below) covering the Rage Against the Machine "surprise" protest gig held (and abruptly halted) earlier this evening at the State Capitol in St. Paul. A Zach-led march down to the XCel Center followed the festivities. Not the happiest of endings but all the same, what an experience that would have been? To march in protest against 'The Man' with self-proclaimed anarchists Zach and Tom. To think I could have spent the night in jail after having tear gas doused in my face; meanwhile the raging fury of Zach and Tom fly home on a comfy private jet after yet another raucous (and profitable) gig at the Target Center tomorrow night. Something doesn't seem right...nah, it'd be worth it.

New Releases: Tuesday, Sept 2

- Brian Wilson, That Lucky Old Sun
- Giant Sand, Provisions

Recommended shows: Sept 1-8 (RNC edition)

Monday, Sept 1
- 'Take Back Labor Day' featuring Steve Earle, Tom Morello, Billy Bragg, Mos Def, Atmosphere, et al. @ Harriet Island

Tuesday, Sept 2
- 'ProVention Concert for Peace' featuring Haley Bonar, Dan Wilson, The Honeydogs, et al. @ Midway Stadium Fitzgerald Theater

Wednesday, Sept 3
- Rage Against the Machine @ Target Center

Thursday, Sept 4
- GZA w/ P.O.S. @ Cabooze

Friday, Sept 5
- The Roots @ Epic
- Nas @ First Avenue

Saturday, Sept 6
- Xiu Xiu @ Triple Rock

Walkmen video - 'In The New Year'

Another new cut from TVOTR's Dear Science

Me very excited. 

Dancing Choose

Eight is Enough - Protest concert featuring Low tonight at Turf Club

I somehow missed this on my weekly recommended concert posting. Tonight The Turf Club is hosting the first of many local protest concerts over the next two weeks. Titled 'Eight is Enough,' tonight's gig will feature Low, Dosh, members of Tapes 'n Tapes, P.O.S., STNNNG and many more acts. Doors open at 7:30pm, 21+ show, advance tickets are apparently sold-out but there will be tickets sold at the door this evening.

I can't make it but for good reason. I'm going to see my bro-in-law Johnny Blaze's show with The Rez tonight at Trocaderos. 

What I'm listening to...

I was posting one new review a week for a while there, but I couldn't keep it up. Instead, I'll run through some quick one-liner reviews for several recent releases/leaks from the last few weeks. This will catch you all up on what's good and what's not.

Beck - Modern Guilt
Most consistent collection of tunes since Sea Change and the Danger Mouse production is a nice fit, but ultimately I was left with little to no lasting impact. The set is so consistent in sound and theme that each song sounds like the next. Luckily, it's a pretty decent song.
JTM Grade: 70%

David Vandervelde - Waiting for the Sunrise
Last time we heard from Vandervelde, he was Marc Bolan reincarnated. This go-round, we're still grounded firmly in the 70s, only now more Fleetwood Mac and Neil Young worn on our sleeves, rather than T. Rex. I prefer glam but it's a decent set nonetheless. Songs tend to meander on too long.
JTM Grade: 75%

The Walkmen - You & Me
I'd kinda lost interest in The Walkmen after the underwhelming A Hundred Miles Off but this new album delivers on all fronts. Even though there's nothing as immediate as 'The Rat' to be found here, the album may very well be more complete and satisfying from beginning to end than Bows + Arrows. Contender for AOTY.
JTM Grade: 90%

Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
Disco's dead and maybe it should stay that way. Even as camp, this doesn't work. Big disappointment from Kevin Barnes coming off career high Hissing Fauna.
JTM Grade: 45%

Okkervil River - The Stand-ins
Culled from the same session that produced last year's The Stage Names. I'm not sure if Will Sheff can write a bad song, but it's hard not to think of this as leftovers that didn't make the cut (i.e. Black Sheep Boy Appendix). For most bands, you'd think this would mean subpar material but that's not the case. Like I said, bad songs he cannot write. Welcome guest appearance by former bandmate and current Shearwater mainman Jonathan Meiburg.
JTM Grade: 75%

Mogwai - Hawk is Howling
Just leaked. Still absorbing. Initial impression has me thinking it could be their best in years. Bonus points for the best cover art and song titles of the year doesn't hurt either. And by best, I mean worst.
JTM Grade: pending

Bloc Party - Intimacy
Chaotic, borderline cheesy, only occasionally thrilling. For better or worse, there's a heavy Chemical Brothers influence going on. Mostly for worse unfortunately and I'm beginning to wonder if Silent Alarm was a beautiful fluke. As always, it's hard to take Kele seriously, but oh how he tries so hard.
JTM Grade: 55%

David Byrne & Brian Eno - Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
My expectations were high considering the two geniuses involved here and admittedly, I was surprised with the results. Far less experimental than Bush of Ghosts but that also means much more listenable. I'd even call these accessible, MOR pop songs, but man, these are some damn good songs. In a time where every other band swipes from The Talking Heads playbook, Byrne/Eno have delivered a decidedly untrendy set of songs. It's refreshing. I've had this almost on continuous repeat since I downloaded it last week.
JTM Grade: 90%

The Verve - Forth
The beloved UK act will never be able to re-create 'Bittersweet Symphony' but I that's what I keep hoping they'll do. The Verve are one of those bands I desperately want to love but can never really fall for. Forth is a pretty album (and so is the cover art), but even now, I can't think of a single memorable track other than single 'Love Is Noise.' And again with the long songs. Unless you're post-rock or a brilliant wordsmith, I see no reason for this kind of excess.
JTM Grade: 60%

Recommended shows: Aug 25-31

Wednesday, August 27
- Gnarls Barkley w/ Cloud Cult @ MN State Fair
- The Rez @ Trocaderos

Friday, August 29
- Ruby Isle @ Kitty Cat Club

Saturday, August 30
- The Black Crowes w/ The Black Keys @ MN State Fair

Fun Fun Fun Fest tickets on sale tomorrow

I think it's fair to say that Austin, TX has an inordinate number of music festivals, probably more than any other US city save NYC. Austin's a fantastic city and my hometown, but I don't live there so I'm sticking calling it inordinate. In March there's the industry catered, hipster haven of SXSW. September has the populist ACL Fest in all its sweaty glory. And the new pup is the overly-excitable Fun Fun Fun Fest. Now in its third year, FFFF has carved out its own little niche, with a focus on punk, indie and hip-hop. This year's event is held on Nov. 8-9 at Waterloo Park and tickets go on sale tomorrow. November is the ideal month for an outdoor Austin fest. If only ACL could snag such a late date.

Anyway, here are some highlights from the FFFF 2008 lineup.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
The National
Atmosphere
Minus The Bear
St. Vincent
Trail of Dead
Deerhoof
Islands
The Annuals
Bishop Allen
Centro-matic
Frightened Rabbit
Parts and Labor
Shearwater
Magnetic Morning
Bad Brains
Dead Milkmen
Clipse
Dan Deacon
Kool Keith/Dr. Octagon
Dengue Fever
Yacht

"Golden Age" - First single from new TVOTR album

Here's our first taste from the new TVOTR record. Funky bass, Prince/MJ vocals, glorious production by Sitek. Yes, this song is awesome and yes, I'm psyched for Dear Science to be released on 9/23 or leaked even sooner. On "Golden Age" Kyp Malone sings lead instead of the usual Tunde Adebimpe.