Silversun Pickups / Viva Voce at the Doug Fir, 10-28-06

I could not attend the Silversun Pickups/ Viva Voce show, but I did have a good friend of mine go and cover the show for you faithful reader(s). This blog has been notoriously quiet for the past 2 weeks but updates are on the way, I promise! Here is Laney's review of the show:

Let me begin by explaining that this show was my first foray into both the Doug Fir and watching a show to write about it later. I was nervous enough to do drugs.
The intimate venue was flattering to the music of the first band, The Golden Bears, who are good friends with Viva Voce. Though their overall sound was soft and hopeful, I found a grating edge in the untrained vocals of drummer/singer Julianna Bright. All Joel could think was "Tori Amos." At points other members of the band would exit the stage to sit on the edges, making room for the simplicity of the lead singer's voice in between bouts of energetic drumming. One of their songs borrowed from the Roxy Music classic "2HB" but none of their songs had enough draw to keep me interested.

Silversun Pickups were the band to be last night. Despite this being their last show of a 4-week tour, their energy was through the roof. As they started with "Meletonin," I found myself intrigued by the unique bass stylings of Nikki Monninger. It crackled like distortion through an old amp, really welcoming attention to Nikki's skilled bass lines. "Kick ASS!" was screamed loudly into my ear as lead singer Brian Aubert happily asked us how they sounded. A murmur of "Up the vocals!" was jokingly repeated back to us as "What? --FUCK-- the vocals? Ohhhhkaaay..." The screaming was deafening as they started "Well thought out Twinkles." It was a feast of drums so masterfully played, they sounded electronically fast. Drummer Chris Guanlao had a great stage presence, really playing for the audience, not just at them. His drums were set up at an angle and his symbols were pretty high, giving the audience a clear view of his raw energy. The third song was :Rusted Wheel," a slow and steady rock-out punctuated by dance moves indicative of crazy-mad style on the part of Aubert. Ethereal guitar musings akin to a voyage though space floated through the Doug Fir, followed by pitch blackness and exuberant cheering. "This was a nice welcome to Portland," Brian said. He continued, joking "We've been here the whole time--where have you been? Sorry about that last time. I tried to call you but you didn't answer." And they were off again, blasting into "Little Loving So Polite." I felt like I was running down the steps on the last day of middle school. My mind filled in the hand-claps that would have gone so great with the intro. The fifth song "Future Foe Scenarios" went out to "The pee-wee wee-wee," a Kevin sort of person whom they still loved despite having peed on something of theirs at some point. This song was quiet and absorbing, staggered by electrifying drum beats and singing that swayed between happy and pissed off. The sixth song was "Kissing Family." My ears are still ringing almost 20 hours later. I can't read my notes because I was slamming words onto paper so furiously. The words deafening, distortion, and talented are legible. This was quite a show. As they chatted us up before the next song, the lead singer started thanking bands they had worked with. When Wolfmother was mentioned, he smiled and said "Now that's getting ahead of ourselves." The next song, "Lazy Eyes" was to be their last. It rose to an amazing crescendo out of sheer cacophony...every one of them hard-wired into the moment, waiting to blast us away with their awesome musical power. I could not hear myself screaming in the aftermath. The crowd would not be satisfied without another. "Common Reaction" was our reward. They charged back into the chaos, and proved once and for all that music is way better when you're shaking your head.

Viva Voce had a tough act to follow. The energy of the large crowd dissapated during the short break between set-ups. The last time I saw Viva Voce, playing to a sparsely filled bar that used to be an alleyway in New Mexico, I remember thinking they were okay for a two-piece, but just a little boring. I was harshly rebuked for saying so at the time, but my feeling was they could actually be decent if they just had more people or elements. You could say I'm not a fan of minimalism or noise bands. I prefer substance to statement.

As they took their places on stage, I noticed no less than 5 guitars behind them. The first song heavily featured a wammy bar manipulated by the delicate hands of Anita. Her melodious guitar solos were punctuated by my personal favorite, the sweet sound of cowbell. The song brought to my mind images of an eagle soaring through Navajo canyons in the desert. It melted into absurdism and a kick-ass drum bit with a clean finish. Kevin leaned into the mic and said "We're Viva Voce, and that was our sound check." The second song had a great start and finish, but was total crap in the middle. The parts that I liked had invisible keyboard elements carried by Anita's back-up vocals chiming perfectly with the beat. The middle was marred by blandness and self-congrajulatory guitar playing. Next they played a song with a heavy kick-drum intro and Kevin playing acoustic guitar. In came the high hat and Anita's feminine vocals sweetly hovering above. Simple guitar chords were then added, as she struck and manipulated the notes with her wammy bar. Mr. Robinson's signing was barely audible but fun for its "bah bah bah's" nonetheless. The fourth song started off with Kev whistling and Anita's grounding vocals. Followed by searing guitar riffs. Why couldn't they just leave a good song alone? Does it have to be noise to be good? It does if you're Viva Voce. The fifth and sixth songs were a blur of distortion. It was similar to what happens to a pedal-to-the-metal attitude after 13 hours of driving. But when Anita's voice was allowed to come out, it shone. This was not the case in the seventh song, where she was being too cutesy with her voice and it ended up sounding false. Like Eagles of Death Metal fronted by Le Tigre. The 8th song was the last before their encore. "We have a theme song and this is it." The song was "We Do Not Fuck Around" and it was rendered by no less than every member of Silversun Pickups and The Golden Bears, who came streaming onto stage waving maraccas, carrying extra drum pieces, and wielding giant grins. It was fun to see them jumping excitedly and collapsing violently in the heat of the song. When it was over, I asked my friend John "How are they going to top that?" "Acoustic, no mic," he joked. Then, to our disbelieving eyes, stepped from behind the drums, grabbed his acoustic guitar, and started living John's dream, enthusiastically getting us to clap along. All in all, I was just as impressed by Viva Voce as I was the last time I saw them. A good band, but not good enough to tempt my wallet. But they don't need -my- money--as pointed out, they make "hundreds of dollars a year."

Laney Maxwell 10-28-06

The Decemberists Live at the Crystal Ballroom, 10-18-06

The Decemberists played to yet another sold out hometown show last night at the Crystal Ballroom. As the band took their places on stage Colin's opening proclamation of "We're gonna play some songs that haven't even been written yet" didn't come true, but the ones the band played made last night one of the most memorable shows I've seen in a while. The band were joined onstage by the recently added touring member Lisa Molinaro, of Talkdemonic, and she made quite a splash during the evening showcasing her multi-instrumental training on violin, accordion, guitar and even xylophone!

The band opened the show with the same opener from the night before, "The Crane Wife 3", the lead off track from their latest work, The Crane Wife. Next the band offered up the album's very prog-rock second track, "The Island" which proved to be a crowd favorite. What's funny is with as long as this song is, its still only two-thirds as long as "The Tain" which the band opted not to play this evening. The band then decided to bring out an older number, "We Both Go Down Together" which was simply amazing to hear live. The obligatory "Freebird" was yelled out by someone in the crowd around this time, so I guess the lesson here is that some things never grow old to some people. The band plodded along without even one errant guitar strain of "Freebird" being played, even in ironic jest to the heckler, as they launched into one of my favorites, "Engine Driver". I think the next song they played is one of Colin's favorites to play as he looked near manical on the near-disco heavy opening of "The Perfect Crime 2". His enthusiam definitely spilled over onto the crowd as by the end of it, everyone is singing along again. Even as big of a hit with the crowd as that was, "O' Valencia" probably had to be the most crowd pleasing song of the evening as nearly everyone I could see from my vantage point was dancing and singing along. It made the song even better live to see everyone enjoying it so much. Colin also looked like he really enjoyed playing this one as well. At this point someone in the audience hands Colin "The Biggest Origami Crane I've ever seen in my life" as he says and he makes a remark about Japan freaks coming out of the woodwork which drew laughs from the crowd. One of the songs I liked the most live was one I've not spent much time listening to on the album. The lights dimmed low for Colin as the opening chords of "Shankill Butchers" began. The song was amazingly powerful live and has since become one of my must repeats off the album. Mr Meloy's voice is perfect on this song, as it has been all night really, but I found this one especially moving due to the quietness of the song. It was about this time that I thought that the Chinese lanterns which were hung from the ceiling looked very much like the Eye(s) of Sauron. The song had a deeper meaner that night than it ever had for me before. I wish all of you could have been there to hear it. Another old one comes next, this time The Five Songs EP's "My Mother Was a Chinese Trapeze Artist". While I count myself fortunate to hear this song on tonight's playlist, I would have also loved to have heard "Angel, Won't You Call Me?" from the same but there are only so many songs a band can do in one night. I think there may have been another song played before "Yankee Bayonet" but due to my notes getting wet (and a little inebriation from the show) I cannot say for sure. If anyone knows feel free to drop me a line and I'll correct it. "Bayonet" however becomes a masterpiece played live. It's a song that is pure Decemberists from start to finish.

The Decemberists certainly have to be one of the best bands playing today in terms of lyrical quality, instument mastery and most definitely in the creativity department, at least in this writer's opinion. With their set winding down, they launch into "The Crane Wife 1 and 2". The chorus "and the winter's so long..." has me dreading the winter weather that will soon be the norm in Portland until spring comes again. The crowd seems to especially like this song, as they seem oblivious to any cares as the band plays and they dance. During Part 2 all I can think of for some reason again is the lanterns as the Eye(s) of Sauron. This song could not have sounded better or been played at a better time in the show.

What can you say about this setlist so far? There's been quite a nice mix of old and new tonight, a little for everyone. I do wish I had heard "July, July", but hey, to hear the new amazement that is "Sons and Daughters" live made the night perfect. From the first time I heard this one I knew it was going to be a crowd favorite and in that respect it did not disappoint one iota. As the opening stains drifted into the crowd, you could feel the energy building towards the majestic crescendo of the song, as if this were what the entire night had been building up to. The crowd singing along with this one was quite stirring, adding even greater depths to the vocal trade-offs of Colin and Jenny during the closing refrains. I always find myself getting a bit nervous at the Ballroom, due to the creaky floors; the fact that there were 1500+ people stomping on the floor in rhythm during this song didn't make me feel any safer, but thankfully the flooring held and the show went on.

For their encore, the group played a rousing version of "16 Military Wives" which found the crowd ecstatic, singing louder than they had all night for this one. "Legionnaire's Lament" sounded really spectacular live, being one I had only heard from bootlegs before. The band closed with "A Cautionary Song" which had the evening ending as magically as it had began. All in all, a fantastic show from start to finish. Anyone who might be on the fence about seeing this band on this tour should put aside any assumptions about corporate selling out or misgivings about the mroe prog-rock songs on this album and buy tickets now. The shows are gonna sell out, so get your tickets now to what will be one of the best shows you'll see all year.

Here's the Setlist:

The Crane Wife 3
The Island
We Both Go Down Together
Engine Driver
Perfect Crime #2
Odalisque
O Valencia!
Shankill Butchers
My Mother Was a Chinese Trapeze Artist
* (there may have been a song here, notes were unreadable)
Yankee Bayonet
Culling of the Fold
The Crane Wife 1
The Crane Wife 2
Sons and Daughters

ENCORE:

16 Military Wives
The Legionnaire's Lament
A Cautionary Song

For any of you who might not be friends with them yet, join them on Myspace, and don't forget to visit their homepage and buy some albums!

The live blog coverage of the tour continues with The Owl Mag.

Darren Hanlon

Australia brings us the incomparable Darren Hanlon today, who is about to release his third (!) full length album. I'll have to plead guilty to having never heard of him before this latest one I'm afraid. But that's just a small matter of triviality as this album and its first single will have you singing along with Mr. Hanlon in no time, whether you've known him for years or just now discovering him. The title of his latest oeuvre is Fingertips and Mountaintops and it is a success on all levels so far as my ears can hear, lol. It is fairly typical singer songwriter fare, but with a slightly off-kilter goofiness at times that makes the album more enjoyable than some of the usual snoozers one finds in this category. Mr. Hanlon also has help from a number of more well-known (at least to me, lol) guests on his latest, including Jesse Sandoval (The Shins), Katy Davidson (Dear Nora), Mark Monnone (The Lucksmiths), Cory Gray (Desert City Soundtrack) and Lenka Kripac (Decoder Ring). That should more than cover any doubts anyone has as to how good this is with those names alone! Here's my favorite so far from the album, Happiness is a Chemical:

MP3: Darren Hanlon - Happiness is a Chemical

Check his Myspace for a track from each of his previous albums, and of course, visit his homepage.

And so you can see some of the goofiness I spoke of earlier, the video for the same song:

BONUS VIDEO:

Irene

I imagine that it will take little effort to guess what country today's band calls home. Yep. You guessed it. Sweden. I'm not quite sure why I obsess over bands from this country so much. Maybe its just the fact that naerly every single band I hear from Sweden turns out to be another insanely great pop band. And today's feature, Irene will certainly not disappoint anyone who is a fan of great pop sing-along pop songs. Anyone taking a glancing pass at their site might think they were another I'm From Barcelona with all of the band members listed there (an incredible 11!) . Which to be fair, doesn't even top half as many as ...Barcelona's record 24, lol. But still, Irene have an incredible sound. Its indie pop mixed with a little surf guitar, not quite so much as say, the Specific Heats, but there's enough to give it one very catchy and bouncy sound. Its good stuff, I promise. So fire up the ol' Right-Click, Save As... or click the little blue play symbol and have a listen. After you do, head over to their site and you can order your very own copy of Apple Bay. Which I highly recommend as there are many more great songs on this album just waiting to be heard by you.


MP3: Irene - Stardust

MP3: Irene - Little Things (That Tear Us Apart)

Their Myspace.
Their homepage.
Order the album here.

Everyday Sensations

The love from Sweden never seems to end, as today as its time to do an actual post on Everyday Sensations. I previously posted the cover of Things We Never Had by Twinkling Streams. Here's the original version along with a bonus off of their Boxing Days EP. I highly suggest heading over to their site and ordering yourself a copy of it. Indie MP3 said Things... was "one of the best songs I have heard all year". High praise indeed coming from that site! So what are you waiting for? Download the songs, place your orders with the band and join up as friends on their Myspace.


MP3: Everyday Sensations - Things We Never Had

MP3: Everyday Sensations - Holiday Road

Their Myspace.
Their Homepage.

I Was a King

I Was a King may be the most amazing unsigned band I've heard lately. In fact, without a doubt in my opinion they are simply the best unsigned band of the year. The strength of the 8 songs on Remove the Crown cannot be underestimated, nor can they be refused their chance to be heard. This band may be the heirs apparent to the Pyschedelic Folk-Pop/Rock that the Elephant 6 Collective endeared to so many during the 90's and beyond. I have to say that I would put this album up there with any of the lesser bands of the genre (can we call E-6 a genre of its own now?) and would even go so far as to put it up against a few of the early works by the major bands involved. I know, I know, some of you will cry foul at my insinuation that this is the next NMH, Apples or OTC, but that's not the case at all. I Was a King can stand on their own without any of those names above, but they do provide one hell of a starting reference point What this album is then, is one insanely good piece of country/psychedelic folk-rock that could certainly share the shelf beside any of the E-6 works in your collections. trust me when I say you that if you lvoe any E-6 bands at all that you are going to love this album. Here's some songs so that you don't think I am completely off base with all my praise:

MP3: I Was a King - Across the Ocean

MP3: I Was a King - I Need Glasses

MP3: I Was a King - Make It Clear

Here is the band's Myspace and their homepage.

Columbus

One of the bands I've been most anxiously awaiting a full length from is Edmonton's Columbus. The band released Debut EP last year on Pop Echo Records. They have supposedly been recording the follow up to it, but neither their myspace or homepage reveals any new details. The band did release their split single with Bella this past June. Here's one of my favorite songs from the guys (which supposedely will be on another forthcoming 7" release):

MP3: Columbus - Christian Girls

Their Myspace.
Their homepage.

Be sure to stop buy their label and pick up some of their goods!

Mahogany

Mahogany's Connectivity is without a doubt my favorite album of the moment. Its one of those ones you throw on, expecting something fairly typical and solid, but are blown away within a few songs and then you find yourself repeating more and more tracks before the whole thing has even finished playing through the first time. It wasn't really all that hard to pick the track I wanted to post. I just picked the one I had listened to the most, lol. Otherwise it would have been quite tough. I mean, its like choosing a beer. There's all manner of good ones out there, and picking a favorite may sometimes just be the one you choose for that night's festivities only. So I was forced to go with the one I had put on repeat the most.

There is a bit of story behind the release of this album. The band had their studio broken into and most of their equipment was stolen. Along with the equipment went some of the demos for the eventual Connectivity. Its a shame things like that have to happen, but if the experience in any way helped make Connectivity what it is, then everything must happen for a reason. I cannot recommend this album highly enough. it has everything you could want. It really is as good as the hype that's already going around about the album. One of the things I like best about this album is the number of different influences you can hear on the album. Everything from tweepop to shoegaze to casiopop make their way onto the album, so you're bound to find something you like on it I know. So here's my current fave, I hope you like it:

MP3: Mahogany - Neo-Plastic Boogie Woogie

Oh and the group had Robin Guthrie producing and even guesting on some tracks! How cool is that? As always, be sure to join them as friends on myspace, and go to either their homepage or to Darla records to buy the album! While you're there don't forget to pick up their first release The Dream of a Modern Day and their compilation of early and rare material, Memory Column, both available from Darla!

And here's the video for the song as well:

BONUS VIDEO:

The Specific Heats

I've meant to post on the new Specific Heats' album for a while now but never got around to it for some reason. Well, today I am gonna make up for it, at least in a small way, by giving you a track off of Aboard A Spaceship Of The Imagination. This has to be my favorite album title of the year hands down. I last talked about the band here and Matt from Skatterbrain posted on them here and more recently here. The album itself is more the same fun boy/girl surf-influenced indiepop that the band does so well. As always, if its here, its highly recommended.

Here's a track off the new album to entice you to buy it and a remix: (all files right click, save as...)

MP3: The Specific Heats - Are You For real, Meghan O'Neill

BONUS MP3: The Specific Heats - Carl Sagan (remix version)

Once again their myspace (where you can cyberstalk them and shit), and their homepage (where you can read about and obsess over them). Buy their new album from Total Gaylord Records. You'll thank yourself, trust me.

Twinkling Streams

Stockholm, Sweden provides us with another great tweepop band today in the Twinkling Streams. I can't remember if I found this band off of Pas/Cal's myspace or off of Hello! Surprise. In either event they make some really catchy jangly songs. Well worth the price of admission here, which, BTW, is free. And free is good, right? Of course it is. I've not found any info on them, so for now you'll have to make do with just hearing them, but if it counts for anything, they're friends with Bobby Baby, My Darling YOU!, [ingenting], the Everyday Sensations and just about every other Swedish group that's cool. If that's not enough recommendation to check them out, you're reading the wrong blog . Here's a couple tracks for you to hear what I'm talking about:

MP3: Twinkling Streams - Things We Never Had (Extremely Recommended!!!)

MP3: Twinkling Streams - Relations Failure

The ubiquitous myspace. No homepage as of yet that I can find.

(Yes I know the Things We Never Had is a cover of the Everyday Sensations, look for a post on them soon!)

Little My

Little My is yet another up and coming twee pop band that calls the United Kingdom home, specifically Cardiff, Wales, which of course is where Los Campesinos! call home, so you should know already that this band is worth a listen or three. Their myspace and homepage give no clues as to the members of the band, but that's of little consequence when you have a sound that is this gorgeous. Just from the art alone one should discern the band obviously has that poppy twee sound. As of yet the band is not signed to any label, but with 2 EPs and a third in the works, I am sure it will not be long before there's a compilation of these early EPs, so you'd do well to head over to their homepage and order some while they last!

MP3: Little My - You're Told You Are

Their myspace.
Their homepage. (Where you can buy the EPs!)

Check out their myspace and listen to streams of 3 other songs, one of which is going to be on their third EP!

Oppenheimer w/The Mosquitos

I suppose one might count this post as a continuation of the great bands from Ireland series, but first and foremost I would file it under absolutely outstanding fucking indie-pop as Oppenheimer's debut album has been one of my favorites all summer. The album itself is full of beautiful harmonies, lush melodies and some of the catchiest synth sounds you'll hear this year. I've no clue as to why I've not posted on them now, I guess I've been waiting for the chance to see them live, which is happening tonight and I cannot wait. I think this show is going to be one of the best I've seen in a while.

The band opening for the Belfast lads are the New York band, the Mosquitos, who I had not heard until I saw the press-release for the show. But I can say this now: I absolutely love their bossa nova meets indie/casio pop sound. I feel bad that I've not heard them before now and they're about to release their 3rd (!) album. But enough of past omissions and oversites, here's a couple tracks from Oppenheimer and some from my newest addiction, the Mosquitos:

MP3: Oppenheimer - This is Not a Test

MP3: Oppenheimer - Breakfast in NYC

Check out Oppenheimer's myspace for the video for Breakfast in NYC, which is quite entertaining.

MP3: The Mosquitos - Ele

MP3: The Mosquitos - Avocado

The Mosquitos' myspace sadly doesn't have any videos, but if you haul your lazy carcass over to their homepage you will find a ton there for your viewing pleasure. Also they have their own remix/mash-up tracks available for your experimentation here.

Here are the rest of the tour dates so go out and catch this tour if its coming near you (I'm looking at you Jane! and you too Mike, I guarantee C-Money will love this stuff so get her tickets to that LA show already!):


Oct 4 2006 8:00P Mississippi Studios w/ Mosquitos Portland, OR
Oct 5 2006 9:00P Hotel Utah w/ Mosquitos San Francisco, CA
Oct 7 2006 9:00P Hotel Cafe w/ Mosquitos LA , CA
Oct 8 2006 8:00P House Of Blues w/ Mosquitos San Diego, CA
Oct 9 2006 8:00P Anderson's Fifth Estate w/ Mosquitos Phoenix, AZ
Oct 10 2006 8:00P Solar Culture w/ Mosquitos Tucson, AZ
Oct 12 2006 8:00P Gypsy Tea Room w//Mosquitos Dallas, TX
Oct 13 2006 9:00P Cactus cafe w/ Mosquitos Austin, TX
Oct 14 2006 8:00P Walter's on Washington w/ Mosquitos Houston, TX
Oct 15 2006 8:00P Limelight w/ Mosquitos San Antonio, TX
Oct 17 2006 8:00P Exit In w/ Mosquitos Nashville , TN
Oct 21 2006 8:00A World Cafe w/ Mosquitos Philadelphia, PA
Oct 22 2006 8:00P TT the bear's Place w/ Mosquitos Cambridge, MA
Oct 24 2006 8:00P Cake Shop NYC, NY
Oct 25 2006 8:00P Darkhorse Tavern State College, PA
Oct 26 2006 8:00P Union Hall Brooklyn, NY
Oct 28 2006 8:00P galaxy hut Arlington, VA
Nov 1 2006 9:00P CMJ at Tonic NYC, NY
Nov 18 2006 8:00P Willy Rambler's w/ Mojo fury Enniskillen
Dec 19 2006 8:00P Adelphi HULL
Dec 21 2006 8:30P Christmas show @ Empire Music Hall Belfast

The Mary Onettes

Today's band isn't from Ireland, but that hasn't stopped them from making some of the catchiest pop songs to have ever come out of Sweden. And that my friends is a bold statement with all of the bands we're hearing from these days. Honestly, is there anything the Swedes can't do with some music instruments and a notebook full of English lyrics? The Mary Onettes are yet another great band to come out of Gothenburg. That city has to have more great musicians per square mile than any place else on Earth.

Here's a couple tracks for you, if you'd like to know the bands history, check out their myspace and their homepage. To order their forthcoming EP check out Labador Records for the info. Labraodr also have their label's songs available on iTunes, so check them out and buy some good music for a change!

MP3: The Mary Onettes - Lost

MP3: The Mary Onettes - What's So Strange

The Chalets

So I did a little digging and I've several Irish bands for you for the next few days. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be typing both Irish and Indie as search terms on Myspace, lol. First up is the Chalets. The Chalets released one of the poppiest albums last year on Setanta Records. The whole thing is incredibly fun to listen to, though I confess I sometimes repeat just a few of the songs when I play it. But don't let that stop you from checking out the rest of the songs from this album. Here's my personal fave off the album:

MP3: The Chalets - No Style

If you drop by their myspace, you can watch the video for both this song and for Feel the Machine. Then, after you've befriended them, which I know you'll do... head over to their homepage and order some records, especially Check In!!!