Wednesday, July 29
Two shoegaze-y shows worth checking out - and the ambitious gazer might be able to swing both, since they are not more than a fifteen minute walk apart...
Screen Vinyl Image + Violet Hour @ Annex | LES, Manhattan
The Annex can be a little creepy and pricey, but Screen Vinyl Image are worth the trouble. An extremely loud, extremely dark electro-shoegaze outfit, SVI hail from Virginia. I haven't been quite as fond of them with their new drummer, but that may just be a matter of time and adjustment. Either way, the sheer volume and density of the music is exceptional. Violet Hour are a similarly-minded duo, less dark and less heavy, with a definite arty bent. They band frequently invites guests to join for sets, making each show a new experience. Bring earplugs!!! [SVI MySpace] [VH MySpace]
Soundpool, Me You Us Them @ Webster Studio | E Village, Manhattan | $10 adv. / $12 dos.
Soundpool's rich dreampop has been an NYC favorite for years, with swirling guitars, sweet melodies and warm distortion-fuzz. Me You Us Them makes a more post-punk form of noise pop, with more focus on vocals and the occasional open space than shoegaze proper. [SP MySpace] [MYUT MySpace]
Thursday, July 30
Method Man, Ghostface Killah @ Nokia Theater | Midtown, Manhattan | $35-$40
Every time I think of specific members of the Wu-Tang Clan, I start to say, "oh, that's one of my favorites," but then I realize they are all favorites. Bring da ruckus.
Iran @ Bowery Ballroom | LES, Manhattan | $15
Destroyer is actually headlining this show, but I don't really give two shitzus about that dude. I only recently got around to seriously listening to Iran's 2009 release, and I like it a lot. The band has the guitarist from TV on the Radio and while I recognize TVOTR has made greater strides in terms of originality, on a personal level, I prefer Iran, whose indie rock is more down-to-earth and satisfyingly cynical. [MySpace]
Friday, July 31
July goes out with a bang...
River to River: Polvo, Obits @ the Seaport | Downtown, Manhattan | FREE
Polvo were one of the original Chapel Hill math rock bands of the early 90's. Labelmates of Slint, Don Caballero and the rest of the best (on Touch & Go), Polvo rock loud and hard, arty, noisy and way better than the mathy post rockers of recent years (DD/MM/YYYY, I'm looking at you!). The Obits are far more recent, and play punk that's a bit easier to digest, but similarly hardhitting and similarly intelligent. [Polvo MySpace] [Obits MySpace]
Blacklist, Ringo Deathstarr, Vandelles @ Cameo | Williamsburg, Brooklyn
WOW. WOW. WOW. Three amazing bands, goth-tinted new wavers Blacklist, shoegaze masters Ringo Deathstarr and noise-surf rockers the Vandelles. Whoever selected this lineup is positively brilliant - it has plenty of variety, but enough common ground (post-punk/Jesus & Mary Chain influences) to appeal to the same audience. Ringo Deathstarr, I firmly believe, are the best shoegaze band of the present generation, and since they live in Austin, TX, you shouldn't miss the chance to hear them whenever they pass through town. [BL MySpace] [RDS MySpace] [Vandelles MySpace]
Mekons (acoustic) @ Bell House | Gowanus, Brooklyn | $15
I would be remiss not to mention the Mekons playing in town. Seminal punk/post-punks from the late 70's UK, the Mekons are known for the artistic daring and their ability to occasionally have a sense of humor. I don't think I'm trekking to Gowanus for an acoustic set, especially when so much else amazing is happening on Friday, but they are living legends and certainly merit a mention.
Saturday, August 1
Dean & Britta, Crystal Stilts @ Prospect Park | FREE
Dean & Britta are ex-Luna, and Dean ex-Galaxie 500. The two have been known to occasionally perform songs from their old bands, but their newer material together is equally excellent. British-inflected noise-pop so charming I dare you not to love it. And the Crystal Stilts...what to even say anymore? I don't like their attitude but I sure love their music. They sound like a C-86 version of Joy Division, or for those of you who have lives and don't spend your time reading about the indie rock scene in the 1980's UK, they have awkwardly jaunty but dark baritone vocal lines, melodies frequently coming from the bass, minimalist drumming and a certain noisy, unpolished guitar sound that's subtle but beautiful. [D&B MySpace] [CS MySpace]
So So Glos, Lovvers, Sundelles, Babies @ Death By Audio | Williamsburg, Brooklyn
So So Glos are punks with bad attitudes. Who doesn't love that? Lovvers are a really excellent UK punk band I just recently reviewed. Sundelles do a good job combining old-school rock'n'roll songwriting smarts with a noise-punk sensibility. I haven't heard Babies, but it features members of Woods and Vivian Girls. Which means it could go either way - painfully boring or amazing. I don't have high hopes, but we'll see. [SSG MySpace] [Lovvers MySpace] [Sundelles MySpace]
Sunday, August 2
Deerhunter, No Age, Dan Deacon @ Williamsburg Waterfront | Williamsburg, Brooklyn | FREE
In what will probably be the best "pool party" of the summer, experimental noise rockers Deerhunter and enthusiastic noise punks No Age will share the stage. They are joined by Dan Deacon, whom I've never listened to because I find his name uninspiring (no, I don't think that's a good reason, just being honest here). What am I carrying on about? You'll be there. [DH MySpace] [NA MySpace]
Showing posts with label Deerhunter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deerhunter. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Best Albums of 2008 - Part 1 - Rules and Runners Up
Here it is, the long awaited list! Well, it begins after few little notes, anyway.
Little note #1: You may have noticed that I just started the review in late October. Prior to that time, I wasn't paying much attention to new releases, so I've had a lot of catching up to do to get this list together. During that process, my brain ended up very cluttered, so I had to just eliminate some contenders for the sake of sanity. I just didn't have time to listen to it all this year. So here are the rules I made:
a. It has to be at least partly rock/pop, which in this case includes some electro and folk, but excludes most rap, blues, country, "world," etc.
b. No albums by "established" bands, which I defined as anyone who's been in the top hundred or so on the Billboard charts prior to 2008. That ruled out a lot of folks who would might have made it otherwise (Nick Cave, Portishead, Metallica, the Verve, etc.)
Yes, this is all very arbitrary and it's not ideal. But I started off too far behind, and I only have two ears and twenty-four hours every day to listen to all of this.
Little note #2: In general, this is a "Best of" list but it's got elements of a "favorites" list, in that some albums that were probably really great were too low key for me and my short attention-span (I'm thinking of Beach House, Grouper, etc.), so those didn't make the cut.
I tried to look for the most original, exciting albums more than for the most solid, most pretty or most polished - but obviously, these are all factors.
Little note #3: I always love comments! What did I miss? What's overrated? Share with the class!
OK, let's get started! First up, here are the albums that didn't make the top 20 (mostly on counts of originality) but deserve an honorable mention anyway:
Be Your Own Pet - Get Awkward
The Big Sleep - Sleep Forever
The Black Angels - Directions to See a Ghost
The Crystal Stilts - Alight of Night
Deerhunter - Microcastle
The Raveonettes - Lust, Lust, Lust
The Ruling Class - Tour De Force [EP]
Werewoves - ES [EP]
Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
Women - Women
NEXT >> Part 2: #20-16
Part 3: #15-11
Part 4: #10-6
Part 5: #5-1
Little note #1: You may have noticed that I just started the review in late October. Prior to that time, I wasn't paying much attention to new releases, so I've had a lot of catching up to do to get this list together. During that process, my brain ended up very cluttered, so I had to just eliminate some contenders for the sake of sanity. I just didn't have time to listen to it all this year. So here are the rules I made:
a. It has to be at least partly rock/pop, which in this case includes some electro and folk, but excludes most rap, blues, country, "world," etc.
b. No albums by "established" bands, which I defined as anyone who's been in the top hundred or so on the Billboard charts prior to 2008. That ruled out a lot of folks who would might have made it otherwise (Nick Cave, Portishead, Metallica, the Verve, etc.)
Yes, this is all very arbitrary and it's not ideal. But I started off too far behind, and I only have two ears and twenty-four hours every day to listen to all of this.
Little note #2: In general, this is a "Best of" list but it's got elements of a "favorites" list, in that some albums that were probably really great were too low key for me and my short attention-span (I'm thinking of Beach House, Grouper, etc.), so those didn't make the cut.
I tried to look for the most original, exciting albums more than for the most solid, most pretty or most polished - but obviously, these are all factors.
Little note #3: I always love comments! What did I miss? What's overrated? Share with the class!
OK, let's get started! First up, here are the albums that didn't make the top 20 (mostly on counts of originality) but deserve an honorable mention anyway:
Be Your Own Pet - Get Awkward
The Big Sleep - Sleep Forever
The Black Angels - Directions to See a Ghost
The Crystal Stilts - Alight of Night
Deerhunter - Microcastle
The Raveonettes - Lust, Lust, Lust
The Ruling Class - Tour De Force [EP]
Werewoves - ES [EP]
Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
Women - Women
NEXT >> Part 2: #20-16
Part 3: #15-11
Part 4: #10-6
Part 5: #5-1
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Live: Deerhunter and Violens
When: 12/8 at the Stereogum award thingy
Where: Music Hall of Williamsburg
Finally bringing my long run of shows by trendy bands to a close, Stereogum hosted some awards thingy and invited Deerhunter and Violens to play.
As with all the shows this week, I was more excited to hear the opener than the headliner. I've been pretty crazy about the Violens for a while now, but hadn't caught them live. The songs I'd heard online and around were really great New Wave gems that managed to maintain the spirit of the genre but make it fresh for 2008. Or that's what I thought.
The Violens
But the show was a complete disappointment. What I heard wasn't updated New Wave at all, it was a string of early-80's cliches, and on a more basic level, the pieces really didn't come together. The drummer was particularly weak - his playing was fine, but his beats short-changed songs that could have been made a lot better with the right groove. Likewise, the guitar parts were not great to begin with and were rather poorly executed. Moreover, the band was not fun to watch. They didn't move much, and they spent way too long between songs - mostly due to the fact that apparently the guitar player 1. had to change guitars for every single song (was this supposed to impress people?) and 2. could only afford one strap between all three guitars. Whatever their reasons, it was unprofessional, obnoxious and disrespectful to the audience.
The Violens were best when they were loudest and darkest. At those moments, their weaknesses seemed to fade and everything would come together. But those parts were lamentably few. Sure, the songs that sound strongest recorded (notably "Lightning Lightning") sound good live, but it wasn't worth listening to the others to get there.
I was about to get pissed about wasting $16, but I figured I'd stick around and hear Deerhunter. I had them down in my mind as overrated and uninteresting - initial attempts to listen to their album failed to pull me in and I hadn't bothered to go back to it. But since I was there, why not see what all the fuss was about?
Deerhunter
And it was great! I was immediately drawn in by the beautiful walls of sound, and quickly came to appreciate the songs' innovative compositions. Sure, I've heard better, and I don't think this band isn't worth quite all the hype (it's a lot), but I was pleased to learn that they've certainly earned some of it. Though they have some moments when their vision falters, their best moments are still outstanding.
As for the performance, I'd give it mixed reviews. I would have thought over a year of pretty serious success would have made the band feel more at home on stage, but they still looked young and uncomfortable. It seemed like they were genuinely trying to put on a good show, but there was a lot of rigidity and inhibition preventing them. Maybe I'm misinterpreting, but in any case, they need to get used to being professionals and start acting like they own the stage. Cause they do.
Where: Music Hall of Williamsburg
Finally bringing my long run of shows by trendy bands to a close, Stereogum hosted some awards thingy and invited Deerhunter and Violens to play.
As with all the shows this week, I was more excited to hear the opener than the headliner. I've been pretty crazy about the Violens for a while now, but hadn't caught them live. The songs I'd heard online and around were really great New Wave gems that managed to maintain the spirit of the genre but make it fresh for 2008. Or that's what I thought.
The Violens
But the show was a complete disappointment. What I heard wasn't updated New Wave at all, it was a string of early-80's cliches, and on a more basic level, the pieces really didn't come together. The drummer was particularly weak - his playing was fine, but his beats short-changed songs that could have been made a lot better with the right groove. Likewise, the guitar parts were not great to begin with and were rather poorly executed. Moreover, the band was not fun to watch. They didn't move much, and they spent way too long between songs - mostly due to the fact that apparently the guitar player 1. had to change guitars for every single song (was this supposed to impress people?) and 2. could only afford one strap between all three guitars. Whatever their reasons, it was unprofessional, obnoxious and disrespectful to the audience.
The Violens were best when they were loudest and darkest. At those moments, their weaknesses seemed to fade and everything would come together. But those parts were lamentably few. Sure, the songs that sound strongest recorded (notably "Lightning Lightning") sound good live, but it wasn't worth listening to the others to get there.
I was about to get pissed about wasting $16, but I figured I'd stick around and hear Deerhunter. I had them down in my mind as overrated and uninteresting - initial attempts to listen to their album failed to pull me in and I hadn't bothered to go back to it. But since I was there, why not see what all the fuss was about?
Deerhunter
And it was great! I was immediately drawn in by the beautiful walls of sound, and quickly came to appreciate the songs' innovative compositions. Sure, I've heard better, and I don't think this band isn't worth quite all the hype (it's a lot), but I was pleased to learn that they've certainly earned some of it. Though they have some moments when their vision falters, their best moments are still outstanding.
As for the performance, I'd give it mixed reviews. I would have thought over a year of pretty serious success would have made the band feel more at home on stage, but they still looked young and uncomfortable. It seemed like they were genuinely trying to put on a good show, but there was a lot of rigidity and inhibition preventing them. Maybe I'm misinterpreting, but in any case, they need to get used to being professionals and start acting like they own the stage. Cause they do.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Upcoming Shows: Deerhunter, O'Death, Mercury Rev and more!!!
There are so many amazing shows in NYC in the next week that if you don't live in New York, I don't recommend you read on, as it will be too depressing for you. And if you do live in New York, I recommend you sit down before reading this, as you might pass out.
The real party starts Friday, but first...
Tonight!!!
Gunfight! @Rehab Fontana's, LES, Manhattan ($8)
Gunfight! is a great band I already told you about.
She Keeps Bees @ Zebulon, Williamsburg, Brooklyn ($?)
This band makes indie, bluesy, acoustic-ish, very very lovely music.
Blonde Acid Cult @ Mercury Lounge ($12)
Fans of Primal Scream, the Happy Mondays and the Stone Roses probably already know all about BAC. If you are into that kind of thing, they are pretty much the best thing since the early 90's in Manchester.
OK, take the next two nights off, because...
Friday, December 5
O'Death, Wye Oak, Titus Andronicus @ Bowery Ballroom, LES, Manhattan ($12 adv / $14 door)
THE CONCERT OF THE YEAR (MBV reunion excepted), this show is headlined by O'Death, folky, punky rockers that won our hearts a couple of years ago. But the real highlight is that O'Death have chosen as supporting acts two of the hottest bands of 2008 - Wye Oak, the lovely indie-folk sweethearts that dominated the blogs during CMJ and Titus Andronicus, modern indie-pop-inspired punks and darlings of Pitchfork Media. DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW.
Yeasayer, Chairlift @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Brooklyn ($15)
So if you aren't missing the show at Bowery, you'll have to miss this one. Which is fine, because both of these bands are overrated.
Saturday, December 6
A quiet day. You can catch Yeasayer (sans their more-popular-than-they-are supporting act Chairlift) at Music Hall of Williamsburg or Nada Surf (sans Bear Hands) at Bowery Ballroom, but I wouldn't bother. Instead, check out these smaller-scale events:
Bridges and Powerlines, Naked Hearts and more @ The Delancey, LES, Manhattan ($8)
Both Bridges and Powerlines and Naked Hearts are great up-and-coming New York City poppy, noisy indie rock bands. [Update: 1. I thought this was a show by Jezebel Music, but their schedule doesn't have it. 2. The Spanish Prisoners are on some schedules (e.g. the venue's) but not others (e.g. their own). Don't get your hopes up, but do check back for an update.]
Phonograph @ The Studio at Webster Hall, East Village, Manhattan ($8 adv / $10 door)
Phonograph is southern-country-tinted indie rock of the highest order. I highly recommend checking them out.
Sunday, December 7
This is one of those days where your heart is going to break because you are only one person and cannot be in more than one place at a time.
Love Is All, Crystal Stilts @ Bowery Ballroom, LES, Manhattan ($13 adv / $15 door)
Love Is All and Crystal Stilts are two of the very best bands to surface lately. Love Is All plays arty, energetic music and come all the way from Sweden. Crystal Stilts play arty, energetic music and come from Brooklyn, but they are getting really famous now so don't count on hearing them around town a lot in the future. For fans of Joy Division, Jesus & Mary Chain and the like, attendance is required.
Mercury Rev, Dean & Britta @ Highline Ballroom, Chelsea, Manhattan ($25)
I still maintain that Mercury Rev hasn't been as great since David Baker left the band (which was in the mid-90's, I know) but they are still amazing masters of neo-psychedelia, just a little less engaging. Dean & Britta is Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500, Luna) and Britta Phillips (Bell Tower, Luna). They make quiet and gentle but upbeat pop music that will melt your heart.
Nada Surf, Bear Hands @ Webster Hall, East Village, Manhattan ($25)
Nada Surf have been around forever. They will play again (and probably for under $25/ticket), so I wouldn't make this show a priority. Bear Hands are a promising new band to keep an eye on, but they aren't the most original group in the world. I wouldn't recommend this show because it means missing the above two.
Creaky Boards, Soft Black @ Union Pool ($8)
OK, if you really don't want to deal with a huge crowd and huge venue, you can go hear these guys. Indie pop with a 70's rock spin to it.
Monday, December 8
Deerhunter, Violens @ Music Hall of Williamsburg ($16 adv / $18 door)
One more jaw-droppingly-good line-up to round out the week. Deerhunter are hypnotic experimental rockers that are absolutely worshipped by fellow musicians and critics alike. Violens are one of the very best New Wave-revival bands, because their music is a unique and modern interpretation, not just a copy of early 80's sound. They are getting very popular very quickly, and for good reason!
Don Caballero @ Europa, Greenpoint, Brooklyn ($12)
If you can't stand experimental music like Deerhunter, unfortunately, I can't offer you an escape because the only other show that can compete with the show at Music Hall of Williamsburg is Don Caballero, improv-based post-rockers from the 1990's, second only to the legendary Slint in the early 90's math rock movement, featuring brilliantly and deliciously shifting time signatures and key signatures.
Yeah, I won't be sleeping this week. It's going to be worth it.
The real party starts Friday, but first...
Tonight!!!
Gunfight! @
Gunfight! is a great band I already told you about.
She Keeps Bees @ Zebulon, Williamsburg, Brooklyn ($?)
This band makes indie, bluesy, acoustic-ish, very very lovely music.
Blonde Acid Cult @ Mercury Lounge ($12)
Fans of Primal Scream, the Happy Mondays and the Stone Roses probably already know all about BAC. If you are into that kind of thing, they are pretty much the best thing since the early 90's in Manchester.
OK, take the next two nights off, because...
Friday, December 5
O'Death, Wye Oak, Titus Andronicus @ Bowery Ballroom, LES, Manhattan ($12 adv / $14 door)
THE CONCERT OF THE YEAR (MBV reunion excepted), this show is headlined by O'Death, folky, punky rockers that won our hearts a couple of years ago. But the real highlight is that O'Death have chosen as supporting acts two of the hottest bands of 2008 - Wye Oak, the lovely indie-folk sweethearts that dominated the blogs during CMJ and Titus Andronicus, modern indie-pop-inspired punks and darlings of Pitchfork Media. DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW.
Yeasayer, Chairlift @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Brooklyn ($15)
So if you aren't missing the show at Bowery, you'll have to miss this one. Which is fine, because both of these bands are overrated.
Saturday, December 6
A quiet day. You can catch Yeasayer (sans their more-popular-than-they-are supporting act Chairlift) at Music Hall of Williamsburg or Nada Surf (sans Bear Hands) at Bowery Ballroom, but I wouldn't bother. Instead, check out these smaller-scale events:
Bridges and Powerlines, Naked Hearts and more @ The Delancey, LES, Manhattan ($8)
Both Bridges and Powerlines and Naked Hearts are great up-and-coming New York City poppy, noisy indie rock bands. [Update: 1. I thought this was a show by Jezebel Music, but their schedule doesn't have it. 2. The Spanish Prisoners are on some schedules (e.g. the venue's) but not others (e.g. their own). Don't get your hopes up, but do check back for an update.]
Phonograph @ The Studio at Webster Hall, East Village, Manhattan ($8 adv / $10 door)
Phonograph is southern-country-tinted indie rock of the highest order. I highly recommend checking them out.
Sunday, December 7
This is one of those days where your heart is going to break because you are only one person and cannot be in more than one place at a time.
Love Is All, Crystal Stilts @ Bowery Ballroom, LES, Manhattan ($13 adv / $15 door)
Love Is All and Crystal Stilts are two of the very best bands to surface lately. Love Is All plays arty, energetic music and come all the way from Sweden. Crystal Stilts play arty, energetic music and come from Brooklyn, but they are getting really famous now so don't count on hearing them around town a lot in the future. For fans of Joy Division, Jesus & Mary Chain and the like, attendance is required.
Mercury Rev, Dean & Britta @ Highline Ballroom, Chelsea, Manhattan ($25)
I still maintain that Mercury Rev hasn't been as great since David Baker left the band (which was in the mid-90's, I know) but they are still amazing masters of neo-psychedelia, just a little less engaging. Dean & Britta is Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500, Luna) and Britta Phillips (Bell Tower, Luna). They make quiet and gentle but upbeat pop music that will melt your heart.
Nada Surf, Bear Hands @ Webster Hall, East Village, Manhattan ($25)
Nada Surf have been around forever. They will play again (and probably for under $25/ticket), so I wouldn't make this show a priority. Bear Hands are a promising new band to keep an eye on, but they aren't the most original group in the world. I wouldn't recommend this show because it means missing the above two.
Creaky Boards, Soft Black @ Union Pool ($8)
OK, if you really don't want to deal with a huge crowd and huge venue, you can go hear these guys. Indie pop with a 70's rock spin to it.
Monday, December 8
Deerhunter, Violens @ Music Hall of Williamsburg ($16 adv / $18 door)
One more jaw-droppingly-good line-up to round out the week. Deerhunter are hypnotic experimental rockers that are absolutely worshipped by fellow musicians and critics alike. Violens are one of the very best New Wave-revival bands, because their music is a unique and modern interpretation, not just a copy of early 80's sound. They are getting very popular very quickly, and for good reason!
Don Caballero @ Europa, Greenpoint, Brooklyn ($12)
If you can't stand experimental music like Deerhunter, unfortunately, I can't offer you an escape because the only other show that can compete with the show at Music Hall of Williamsburg is Don Caballero, improv-based post-rockers from the 1990's, second only to the legendary Slint in the early 90's math rock movement, featuring brilliantly and deliciously shifting time signatures and key signatures.
Yeah, I won't be sleeping this week. It's going to be worth it.
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