The DJ'ing skills of Matthew "Fluxblog" Perpetua will be on display Saturday, October 14 at NYC INDIEPOP DANCE PARTY 2005, presented by Shirley Beans and cable music program New York Noise.

Matty Flux will join Jens Lekman, Shirley Braha and Captain Analog at Cake Shop from midnight to 4 AM to celebrate the fifth year of this party. There's no cover.

As I mentioned a few weeks back, Brakes will play their first U.S. shows next week at Pianos in New York, October 3-4. Now if you can't make it out to either of those shows, the band will be at the Neighborhoodies store in Brooklyn, Tuesday at 5:00 PM, for an intimate performance. Only 40 people will be admitted.

Download "Heard About a Band" (MP3 from Insound) from Brakes' debut album Give Blood. Read my quick take on the album here. Brakes also have a video for their new single "Ring a Ding Ding". Tickets for the Pianos shows are still on sale.

Atmosphere is a quality infused with subjectivity. Considering all the external variables, it is exceedingly difficult for a band to control a listener's emotional reactions. Take The Clientele's new album Strange Geometry (releasing October 11 in the U.S.) as an example. Its soft focus orchestrations, whispered vocals, and shimmering guitars conjure emotions of delicate romantic melancholy. Will it still fill you with this wistful desperation if you listen to it while, say jack-hammering concrete? Or is the album successful only for a limited audience and in a very restricted environment?

Enduring albums, in my opinion, connect in nearly any locale and contain a variety of temperaments. If an album is 12 shades of yearning and disconsolation, it won't speak to me when I need anger or joy for a release. Thankfully the Clientele have learned to work with more than one reverb-drenched atmosphere, which is what makes Strange Geometry superior to its predecessor, 2003's The Violet Hour. It's not the most diverse of albums and it doesn't work in all situations, but it's still one of my favorite albums this year.

There are no severe mood swings, no anger, or outright happiness on Strange Geometry, but there is a measured degree of chirpiness to tracks like the amazing "Since K Got Over Me" (MP3), the swooning "E.M.P.T.Y", or the heavenly "Geometry of Lawns." The album goes a bit awry on "Losing Haringey", a spoken word piece that is pleasant, but meandering. Otherwise Strange Geometry is a focused and stirring step in the right direction.

It's a quiet day and interesting links are hard to come by...

- Camera Obscura are back in the studio, recording a follow-up to the underappreciated Underachievers Please Try Harder. The band is working with producer Jari Haapalainen, whose credits include The Concretes and Ed Harcourt. The new album is due in 2006. In the meantime, check out the new Camera Obscura web site and a blog the band will use to post updates on the recording process.

- Blur are going to make another album, sans Graham Coxon.

- The media blitz for the U.S. release of The Magic Numbers acclaimed debut album has begun. In case you haven't heard it via an import (or other less legal methods), you can listen to it here. Here were my feelings about it back in July. The Magic Numbers also have a MySpace page.

Here are eight downloads from seven bands. Decide for yourself.

El Ten Eleven - "Lorge"

Amandine - "Halo"

Amandine - "Blood & Marrow"

The Crimea - "Lottery Winners on Acid"

Early Day Miners - "Errance"

Tiny Amps - "Dance on a Crowded Floor"

Sound Team - "Don't Turn Away"

Beat Radio - "Elegy"

- Despite an intriguing lineup, I had very little interest in attending Spin Magazine's 20th anniversary party at Webster Hall last night. I've already seen LCD Soundsystem in a better venue (Bowery Ballroom), I'm not into Deathcab, and I'd much rather see Public Enemy on their own. Did I miss anything? Well, Chris was there and reported the results on his site.

- It's been a couple days since I finished watching Martin Scorcese's Bob Dylan documentary No Direction Home and it's still haunting me. Many of the most memorable scenes for me were those that featured Odetta, the Clancy Brothers, and Woody Guthrie. I recommend heading over to the Music and Credits page on PBS' American Masters site for a full list of songs featured in the film. Also recommended, Odetta Sings Dylan, an album of Dylan songs interpreted by Odetta. It's amazing.

- Mercurious secured a bona fide copy of the new Boards of Canada album, The Campfire Headphase, and reviews each track.

- Head over to Pop View to download a 42-minute Diplo mix featuring a bunch of DJ Shadow tracks.

Are Calla just another Brooklyn band to ignore? Or are they a Brooklyn band that is unjustly ignored? So few questions and so much time to figure it out. Wait, reverse that. I don't know if the scenester masses are turned on to Calla or not, perhaps it doesn't matter. I've quite enjoyed their dark new album, Collisions, the five or six times I've played it. You can stream a couple of the new tracks on the band's MySpace page.

Tomorrow night, the Beggars Banquet publicity machine kicks into gear to promote Collisions. For the curious:

Come out to celebrate the release of the new CALLA record, "Collisions." Join us for a special show at the Brooklyn Lyceum, located in a part of the borough that could be Park Slope or Gowanus, depending on if you're a realtor or whatnot. As an added bonus, a branch of Schnack (they of delicious burgers and hot dogs) has opened up at the Lyceum!

Thursday, September 29
Brooklyn Lyceum (www.gowanus.com)
227 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-857-4816
DJ at 7PM
CALLA performs at 8PM

Tickets are $10 and sale online through www.gowanus.com.
Hard tickets are also available at Other Music and Sound Fix (NYC)

I've always had a passion for heartbreaking music. A wounded song, steeped in love-torn sadness, will always captivate me. The sun may shine and life may be good, but a sorrowful tune can still be cathartic. When I heard the weary voice of lone Oxygen Pony Paul Megna, aching with hangover blues and incurable loneliness, I knew I would like his music.

Megna, in the guise of Oxygen Pony, composes mournful ballads with the classic instruments of the trade: moaning slide guitars, tinkling pianos, and delicate acoustic strumming. "Brooklyn Bridge" longs for the liberty of connections. An elusive woman waits on the other side, but she might be leaving soon; the bridge symbolizes a fading chance for release. A sudden flame of electric guitars scorches "Devotion". The buzz and distortion add deep wounds of pain to an otherwise elegant ballad.

Paul recently recorded these rough tracks and is working on a full studio release with the assistance of a number of friends, including Steve Salad and Matt Durant of The King of France. His MySpace page has four streaming songs, plus more information about himself and his influences. I'm looking forward to hearing more, as Paul describes it, "sleepy bedroom music for cutters".

Download "Brooklyn Bridge" (MP3), and other Oxygen Ponies tracks from Download.com.

This is a true story about the time Bob Dylan almost killed me:

Bob Dylan nearly ended my life in late December 1992 on a rain-drenched stretch of highway between Phoenix and Flagstaff. Zimmerman himself wasn't there in physical terms, but his music drove a car off a road and into a muddy ditch. The crash ended my innocence and exposed me to my mortality.

Now I wasn't the driver, but I was in that car, sitting in the back seat. We were taking turns playing tapes on the stereo; it was my turn and Dylan was my choice. It was a revenge pick. The driver and her shot-gun friend were selecting music I despised so Bobby was my dagger. The album was Blonde on Blonde, side A, "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35".

Out of high school and only nominally interested in college, I was instead seeking music knowledge of the kind not taught in schools. The world was changing for me, unfurling in shades in-between black and white. I had spent all my school years in private Christian schools. It was a good education and good protection from subtleties. For 12 years I learned about a stark universe of right and wrong, of blackest black and blinding white. Graduation from high school in 1990 kicked me into reality not ready, not even close.

I was unsure what to do next. Music was more interesting to me than college, but no one was going to pay me to listen to Pavement CDs and read NME and Melody Maker. I was looking for a direction. I read Kerouac's On the Road and dreamed of imitating Jack. I bought jazz CDs, a Robert Johnson box set and Dylan. The ancient, wandering world of beats and bohemians called out to me. Arizona was dull and small; Dylan's imaginary highways, cafes and lost souls so vast and promising.

Promise seemed to vanish that December day and I collided with reality on that December day. The "Rainy Day Women" was doing its trick. The girls were annoyed and searching for a Red Hot Chili Peppers tape or something. The driver's eyes were off the road and the car drifted across the white line and into the median. "Watch out" cried the shot-gun girl to the driver. She over-corrected and the car spun 360. Down into the wide and empty median we hurtled, heading towards oncoming traffic.

My life didn't flash before me, but I thought of death. I could do nothing but watch the end come. I felt nothing but fear. When the car rolled, we all gasped. Crunching steel now overwhelmed the sound of Dylan, still playing on the stereo. And then we stopped, the car was back on its wheels. All was silent, save Bob howling, "Everybody must get stoned." We were all alive. The rain had saturated the ground, turning the dry soil to mud, which slowed the car down. It softened our roll.

Somehow Dylan played through it all. The driver switched off the stereo and we staggered out to inspect ourselves and the car. It was the last time I listened to Dylan for a long, long time.

"Dean of American rock critics" Robert Christgau returns with another handy consumer guide and podcast on the Village Voice web site.

This edition includes recommendations for Amy Rigby (read Audio File's comments about Amy and download "Dancing With Joey Ramone"), Balkan Beat Box, Brakes, and The Rolling Stones.

If you're familiar with Christgau, you know that Robert has quite an interesting handle on the English language. Here are some of my favorite words and phrases in this month's guide:

- Describing Amadou & Mariam: "For social content, they take on the danger truck drivers pose to giraffes, hippopotamuses, elephants, chickens, and children".

- On Cantankerous: "Like the Lords of Acid after the cops broke up the party, these masked dancehall-industrial Brits sing about sex and money as if they'd as soon kill a rich guy as hear him squeal".

- Delivering a knock-out punch to Coldplay: "Conceived as a pop alternative to U2 and Radiohead, however, they're an argument for death metal."

This album is probably not the recommended jumping off point for a SFA tenderfoot such as myself. Perhaps 1997's Radiator would be a better starting point. It earned the All Music check mark; Love Kraft is in fact the lowest ranked SFA album on that site. No matter, I'm hooked on it.

Tracks like "Ohio Heat" and "Frequency" radiate an alluring, low-key vibe, while the album as a whole is rich with psychedelic, sunburned pleasures. One or two plays on crappy iPod headphones do this album's production no justice. Only some focus time on the hi-fi will reveal Love Kraft's subtle and intricate charm.

- Super Furry Animals play New York's Webster Hall on November 5-6. Check out the band's excellent web site for more dates.
- Metacritic has a round-up of Love Kraft reviews.

Tuning Fork's comments about Wolf Parade and their current ubiquity on the blogosphere and indie music sites like Pitchfork stirred up something in me today. Not to be too dramatic, but I want to make the following commitment:

While there will be no promises and I don't want to paint myself into a corner, I've decided to make a list of bands I will not write about, for awhile at least. So even if the Arcade Fire play a secret show in my apartment, I won't say a word.

Why put limits on myself? Because I'm tired of reading about the same bands on every site and I'm tired of writing about these same exact acts. It's no longer very inspiring. I want the freedom to comment on anything I find inspiring, interesting, irritating or disgusting, but there is such a saturation of coverage about certain groups that I don't see the value in talking about them anymore.

Now, for that list:

The Arcade Fire/Wolf Parade
Broken Social Scene/Stars/Metric/Feist
Bloc Party
Bright Eyes
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Coldplay
Interpol/Editors
Death Cab For Cutie
The Rakes/The Cribs/Hard-Fi/We Are Scientists
White Stripes
Franz Ferdinand
Devendra Banhart
Sufjan Stevens
M.I.A.
Antony & the Johnsons/CocoRosie

Thanks to Jerry Yeti for pointing out that tickets for Art Brut at Mercury Lounge on November 10 are now on sale. Tickets are $12.

Flipping through Entertainment Weekly's weak Fall Music Preview (come on, two Sheryl Crow articles?), I noticed The Joggers' With a Cape and a Cane was ranked among EW's "20 Albums We're Most Looking Forward To This Fall". Yes, they barely made it in at no. 20, but even being on the list is an honor for a relatively unknown band.

Joggers must have a very good PR agency. With a Cape and a Cane is not a bad album, it isn't worthy of such accolades. Other than two or three interesting songs, the album's highlights are too often bogged down by tuneless jamming. It's a frustrating album because trimmed of these dull moments, it could be quite good.

The EW blurb draws a comparison to Stephen Malkmus and Pavement. I can hear the Malkmus influence in singer Ben Whiteside's voice, but I would suggest that the Fall's Mark E. Smith would be a better example. Whitesides's vocals lack Smith's bitter drawl, though and Joggers are content to stick with stop-start jams that never quite explode or resolve. Where the Fall had drama and bite, Joggers have a pleasant, lounge-y vibe that is fun, but lacks consequence.

With a Cape starts with promise. "Ziggurat Traffic", the opening track, snaps along with sitar-like guitars and chanting vocals. "We've Been Talked Down" follows with a ragged, chugging guitar and synth line that remains interesting though the songs never really goes anywhere. It's a sign Joggers have potential, but it's not yet been reached.

Listen to "We've Been Talked Down" and "Era Prison" on MySpace.

Nearly one week ago, I wrote about Brian Jonestown Massacre leader Anton Newcombe's embarrassing lack of a performance at Pianos. I was among many who documented his on-stage rants, insults and failure to complete even one song. The Anton we saw that night was nothing more than the caricature of his Dig! persona.

If you read only about the Pianos show, it's understandable to think that Anton is certifiable and all BJM shows have devolved into a sideshow freak act. Not so, says commenter Amanda. She expressed her disappointment with the lack of coverage for BJM's September 18 performance at the Bowery Ballroom, which apparently did not feature any Anton meltdowns. Amanda offered to review that show in order to prove there is more to Anton and BJM than mental fragility. So here is Amanda's review and a great photo (see above) she took at the show. I added spacing, but the rest is unedited.

For some reason I tend to see really amazing shows from bands right after they get their shit ripped off. The last time was when I saw Sonic Youth at This Ain't No Picnic in California in high school. Again the instruments were one of a kind and irreplaceable and seemingly key to the band's sound, and once again they played anyway and they played great. It's kind of a weird test, to see what a band can do without their own stuff.

The BJM totally pulled off this show.

Clearly frustrated and disgruntled they managed to get together some gear from the bands that opened for them, and play like it was theirs. The feedback was different and the sound was altogether not the BJM sound, but that's what made it so great. Anton's ability to adapt and make ANY sound the BJM sound is why we love him in the first place. Anything he picks up is going to do something strange and beautiful and unexpected. I could hear the other members of the band telling him as he jammed a guitar against an amp, "“That'’s not ours Anton, remember that's not ours", but he was, as always, uncompromising. This show was not about to be sacrificed to the u-haul gods and if the guitar had to be the offering than so be it. Might suck to be the owner of said guitar but I doubt they would really mind.

They extended some songs into the usual BJM 15 minute droning jam and the place was in a trance. Watching Anton create the right sound on the spot was amazing, for a while he played the guitar with a plastic water bottle, a beer bottle, etc. How could anyone repeat that show? I think the last time I was that lost in the sound was that Sonic Youth show in high school, only this time I wasn't on LSD.

This sounds like it could be quite cool: Deerhoof have compiled a covers album of artists such as Nels Cline (Wilco), Gorge Trio, Madonna Over Yorkshire, and Vice Cooler playing Deerhoof songs. The best part is that all of the tracks can be downloaded for free. Check 'em out here.

Here is the tracklisting:

"My Diamond Star Car" - BREEZY DAYS BAND
"Milking" - NEW DECADE
"Sophie" - N.213
"Milk Man" - BEN GRNBRG
"Top Tim Rubies" - STUFFY AND THE FUSES
"Eagle Rockers" - NELS CLINE
"Flower" - LESBIAN AFTERNOON
"The Last Trumpeter Swan" - GORGE TRIO
"Gore in Rut" - MADONNA OVER YORKSHIRE
"Sealed with a Kiss" - LOS BITCHEN BRETHREN
"Wheely Freed Speaks to the People" - STEVE + PIXIE
"Spiral Golden Town" - VICE COOLER

Parties featuring the fabulous Metro Area have become a rare breed - it seems we get a chance to hear Morgan Geist and Darshan Jesrani play together only a few times a year. This week is a special one, then, as they're slated to play not one but TWO events in the NYC area - as far as I know, the first since their live set at Love in June. That night was a blast but surprisingly underattended - hopefully the same won't happen this week. (Especially they'll be playing on two of NYC's best soundsystems.)

On Tuesday (i.e. tomorrow), Metro Area will be at APT for a Hurricane Katrina fundraiser, with the excellent Derrick Carter also on the bill. Word is the night will be heavy on disco, which should be fun. There is a minimum donation of $8 at the door. Given the cause, the musical talent, and APT's kickin' new soundsystem, this event is not to be missed!

But in case you do miss it, or if you're looking for a second round, head over to Love on Saturday (10/1) for another night with Metro Area. I was really impressed with Love in June - killer sound (again), plus a big dancefloor and a wild crawlspace of cushions.

Oh and in case you're wondering why I seem to foam at the mouth at any mention of Metro Area news, perhaps a sample MP3 will do the trick. Samples are tricky with Metro Area, their lone full-length, because I think its greatest strength is its balance - each track brings out a different element of their sound, in sum becoming "a deceptively intricate maze of tight machine rhythms, tumbling bongos, smacking handclaps, warm keyboard stabs, zapping synths, tickling pianos, lively loops of flute, guitar flicks, and seesawing strings." (AMG's words, not mine.) But as the first song on the record, "Dance Reaction" (MP3) is as good a selection as any - check it out.

That it's taken me this long to review Isolée's visit to APT last Tuesday means not a thing about the gig - it was fantastic, even better than I'd hoped. It was billed as a "live" set but, based on how these things sometimes go, it was entirely possible that Rajko Müller would just click play and sit back. But no, it was definitely a live set - Müller was plugged into a 12 channel mixer and basically recreated (and tweaked) his songs live. He played a non-stop mix of lots of Wearemonster along with some older tunes that the rest of the crowd recognized more than me. The songs weren't drastically different from the record, but more than enough was in flux to keep it interesting - for example the way Müller messed with the vocal sample on a wicked version of "Enrico" to start his set, or how he split "Pillowtalk" in two. It all sounded noticeably dubbier as well, which is always a good thing. "Mädchen Mit Hase" was my favorite part of the 70 minute set, mainly because I've been itching to hear that song on a banging soundsystem for months now. But pretty much all of the set hit the spot, and Müller definitely left the crowd wanting more. Let's hope we get another chance to see him again soon.

APT's brand new soundsystem, BTW, was the clear co-star of the night. Loud, crisp, deep, and bassy - but not distorted or deafening - it's made the music even more of a focus there. Great DJ's are always on the APT calendar, and the new sound will make their visits even more of a pleasure.

Pavement comparisons, as a rule, pique my interest in a band, so I was curious about NYC locals Sam Champion right from the first review I read about them. (Of course, the genius band name would've done the trick on its own.) Even with all their area gigs, though, it took me forever to actually get around to hearing the band. But I recently got a copy of their new record Slow Rewind - their debut full-length - and I am definitely a fan. There is indeed more than a little Malkmus in the vocals and guitars, but the music doesn't sound derivative or unoriginal to me. It's also got a twangy alt-country vibe that fits in well - apparently one reviewer described them as Pavement covering CCR. "TV Fever" (MP3) is available on the band's website - not my favorite song on the album (that would be "Company Dance"), but still a good example of their sound.

Anyway, Slow Rewind came out a few weeks ago and the band is celebrating its release tonight - first with a show at the Mercury Lounge, and then with a party at Hanger Bar (217 E 3rd St. between B + C). They go on at 11:30 at the Merc, but playing right before them is the Spinto Band, who I've heard good things about. As for the afterparty, it's sponsored by the fine folks over at Loose Record and will feature free Red Stripe from 2 AM on. Check 'em out - both should be a good time.

- Not that I'm contemplating doing this or anything, but this article, "How To Disappear in America Without A Trace" is rather interesting. No, it wasn't written by Thom Yorke.

- Rolling Stone has an extensive list of New Orleans' best music. Now if it only had MP3s or a podcast, it might be as good as this list.

- Commenters on my review of The National and CYHSY at the Bowery pointed out that I should have seen Nicole Atkins. Nicole will be headlining a Hurricane Katrina benefit at Rothko on Tuesday, September 27. This bill also includes OL favorites Other Passengers (see our earlier post about this show here). Check out Songs:Illinois for more on Nicole Atkins, including an MP3 of "Skywriters".

- NME and MTV both has stories about the new Flaming Lips album At War with the Mystics.

This has been done before, but I thought it was time for an update...

I can understand why there may be some cases of mistaken identity when it comes to the following bands. I have a hard time keeping Wolf Parade separated from Wolf Eyes, or Black Dice from Black Keys. Why do so many bands have to pick such similar names?

For example:

What's up with the lupine fascination?

Wolf Parade (Canadian folk rock collectivists)
Wolf Eyes (hard core art noise)
Patrick Wolf (folksy chamber pop)
We Are Wolves ("Post-punk landscape filled with analogue trees")
Wolfmother ("Made Queens of the Stone Age sound like desparate housewives")

Why is everything on fire?

Arcade Fire (Montreal multi-instrument epic indie rock)
Comets on Fire (Psych rock)
High on Fire (Stoner metal)
Amusement Parks on Fire (Emo shoe gaze)
Fiery Furnaces (Avant garde, high concept art rock)

Go is very popular too:

Gogol Bordello (Eastern European Gypsy punk)
GoGoGo Airheart (dance punk)
Go! Team (cheerleader dance rock)
Go Station (Brit-influenced indie rock)
OK Go (indie rock)

Black is the new black, obviously:

Black Dice (Industrial noise)
Black Keys (Garage rock)
Black Mountain (Psych rock experimentalists)
Nine Black Alps (Nirvana-inspired guitar rock)
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Former Jesus and Mary Chain wannabes)
Black Moth Super Rainbow (Too good for Astralwerks)

And one name you'll never confuse with any other

The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers

This is another "Stop what you're doing and watch" videos. Courtesy of Music Thing, watch (WMV) the after-school percussion group at Minnetonka High School in Minneapolis brilliantly recreate "Building Steam with a Grain of Salt" and "Changeling" from DJ Shadow's seminal Entroducing...

The percussion group is called The Shadow Percussion Project and is instructed by Brian Udelhofen.

Until Largehearted Boy pointed it out today, I was not aware that Neighborhoodies has been offering one free MP3 download per day since late April 2005. Some of their recent picks include Brakes, Flotation Toy Warning, DFA 1979, and Wolf Parade. Today's download is American Analog Set's droning "Cool Kids Keep" (MP3), one of my favorite tracks from AAS's new record Set Free.

American Analog Set have been around for ages, but Set Free is the first record I've heard from them. That could explain why I think it's such a great record. The negative reviews I've read, such as Pitchfork's 6.8 from Joe Tangari, take issue with AAS's lack of variety, album to album. Without knowing any of their other albums, Set Free sounds fine to me.

The lukewarm response to Set Free did make me question my opinion though. To get another view, I decided to play "Cool Kids Keep" for some friends and co-workers. I'm afraid I'm still alone in loving this song.

Russ: Well polished but simple enough to be quickly forgotten. I wouldn't skip over it if playing the album straight thru, but I certainly wouldn't go back to give it another listen. You could take bored sounding two lines of lyrics out and beef up the strings for a decent instrumental though.

Ben: Sounds like the kind of song a nerd would listen to before he goes surfing.

Lisa: It's MAD repetitive - it sorta starts off w/promise but by the end I want to hurt myself. There's no variety - drummer plays same 2 beats, the guitar strums the same 2 or 3 chords as does the bass (is it even that many?). And it sounds like a joke to me - the way he annunciates his words (well the only 2 words of the whole song) "togetherrrrrrrr" "foreverrrrrrr" - is he for real?

JP: I don't have anything good to say about this song and I stopped listening after a minute. I scrolled through to see if the monotony would end, but it didn't.

Ouch is all I can say. Someone has to like this song.

In case you didn't already see the news about this here, Sufjan Stevens and a host of other interesting bands will play the Bowery Ballroom on October 3, all in the name of raising funds for the Salvation Army's Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

The current lineup for the show is as follows:

Sufjan Stevens (Acoustic performance)
Adam Green
Akron/Family
Grizzly Bear
Wooden Wand
Other Passengers

Dave Hill is either a brave man or he wears a very strong cup. You see, Mr. Hill is a member of Valley Lodge, a new band straight out of the musical wasteland of Brooklyn. No one comes from Brooklyn these days do they? What? Oh, sorry. Everyone comes from Brooklyn. But if Brooklyn has a sound, Valley Lodge would not represent it. A more appropriate valley would be the one they call "the valley", i.e. San Fernando. Valley Lodge are to the Pacific Coast Highway as Animal Collective are to Greenpoint. But that doesn't mean you can't rawk out - make that an irony-free ROCK OUT - to Valley Lodge here in New York. You can. Just listen to "All of My Loving" (MP3), or stream their entire album here.

Now back to Dave Hill and his courage. Here is his offer to anyone who doesn't like his music: "If you are not completely satisfied with your Valley Lodge experience, you can track me down and kick me in the nuts. So there." This is Dave's blog. Here is his profile on Blogger. Take him at his word. If you don't like Valley Lodge, find him and kick him in the privates.

Yes, Asobi Seksu live, in both senses of the word. Following an extended break from touring to work on their second album, Asobi Seksu are back and ready to play a few shows. Their first appearance was here in New York on September 14 for a CMJ show at Crash Mansion (anyone see that? Did they play anything new?).

Friday night will find them at Rothko for a Hurricane Katrina Red Cross benefit with Apartment, The Flesh, and Death of Fashion. Apartment headline at midnight, with Asobi Seksu on stage second, at 10 PM. Rothko and the bands will donate all proceeds to the American Red Cross. Tickets are $10.

In October Asobi will enter the Gigantic Studios in NYC to record Citrus, the follow-up to their debut self-titled release. According to their site, the band will work with Chris Zane, who has manned the boards for Calla, The Cloud Room, and Les Savy Fav.

- Once Rajeev is able to pull himself away from unimportant things like law school homework, he'll tell everyone about Isolée's peformance at APT last night. Apparently it was great. In the meantime, check out this Isolée profile in Boston's Weekly Dig.

- Have you heard the new Strokes single? I've downloaded it, but haven't got around to listening to it yet. If you can't find a source for this song, you're not looking hard enough. Here are a few comments from a few of my favorite sites:

Productshop NYC: "The song, "Juicebox", kind of confirms that the five New Yorkers have gone in a Stone Temple Pilots direction."

Between Thought and Expression: "I kinda like the new sound, which sort of conjures The Stooges. However, the lyrics and vocals are somewhat underwhelming."

One of many comments on Stereogum: "I like it. Yeah, it's kind of harsh at first, but the payoff at :50 or so where they break into the hook makes for some nice interplay. It's just one song, anyway, so I think it's a bit soon to be doing any bandwagon jumping (on or off)."

- Aurgasm wrote this excellent article on the music of New Orleans, MP3s included.

- More Strokes: Billboard's Jonathan Cohen previews a few tracks from their new album:

"Electriccityscape" blends new-wave shine with a vaguely U2-ish melody and comes up with something unexpected in the process, while "Vision of Division" is an uncharacteristically aggressive tune with a guitar solo seemingly inspired by AC/DC's "Thunderstruck."

- The BM Rant tells us a little bit about the new Depeche Mode album and links to a stream of DM's video for Precious

What can you say about a show that featured a singer who wouldn't sing, a performer who wouldn't perform? Anton Newcombe took the small stage at Pianos presumably for an acoustic performance of Brian Jonestown Massacre songs, or maybe covers, or even songs he would make up on the spot. But there would be songs, with discernable beginnings, middles, and ends. That would be the performance everyone in the room had paid for.

Of course with Anton you always get more for your money, or less, depending on your point of view. Last night, if you paid for songs, you got none. If you paid for Anton's predictable and sad antics, well then your money was wisely spent. Anton tried to play a song, maybe two, or three, but then he'd quit and start fuming about problems with the sound. There were many ghosts in the monitors, detectable only to Anton's tortured ears.

You can't go to a BJM show without hearing some opportune heckles from the audience and last night was no different. The more Anton struggled on stage, the more ruthless the taunting became. Sexual favors were promised, if only Anton would finish one song. It didn't happen. After an hour or so of mayhem, Anton left. The Morning After Girls, who had bravely loaned their equipment to Anton, were left to play to a quickly emptying room. Some were happy, some were angry, but all had another Anton story to tell.



See more photos from this show on Flickr

Being a student again has forced me to exhibit more discretion with NYC's endless shows and parties than I've shown in, well, years. But fate has clearly intervened - by chance, my classes for tomorrow were both cancelled, which means I have no excuse to miss Isolée's visit to APT tonight. Not that I'd be looking for one - this is an event I've had on my calendar for ages. Wearemonster is one of the best electronic records of the year. There's a rumor going around - just a rumor - that DFA may be releasing it here in the US, which would be great. It deserves all the exposure it can get, and articles like this recent SF Weekly feature (penned by Philip Sherburne) are a solid start.

I still rank "Schrapnell" (MP3) as Wearemonster's best starting point, but lately my go-to track has been "Pillowtalk," whose 10 bubbly minutes end the album. I think it's the sixth of the album's ten songs to have risen to the top spot on my iPod - not many records I can say that about. I'm not sure if Isolée will be playing those specific songs tonight or if he'll just be jamming on equipment, but he will be playing live and I'm looking forward to it.

Things get started at 9 PM (i.e. in like an hour) with opening sets from Kevin "Micromini" McHugh and The Invisible Roy Styles. Admission is $10, but the vodka is free for the first hour. See you there.

[Also on the APT docket - a Hurricane Katrina fundraiser with Metro Area (nice!) and Derrick Carter next Tuesday, and Carl Craig next Thursday.]

This is great news for Wilco fans: Jeff Tweedy's solo tour will bring him to New York, November 16-17, at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Tickets are not on sale yet, but will most likely be handled by Ticketmaster.

Here is Jeff's full tour schedule, via JamBase:

11.06 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
11.08 Michigan Theatre Ann Arbor, MI
11.09 Southern Theater Columbus, OH
11.10 Calvin College Grand Rapids, MI
11.12 Messiah College Grantham, PA
11.13 Calvin Theater Northampton, MA
11.16 Tribeca Performing Arts Center New York, NY
11.17 Tribeca Performing Arts Center New York, NY
11.22 Shepherd's Bush Empire London, UK

UPDATE: Rajeev reminded me that these Tweedy shows are part of the Wall Street Rising concert series. He also found ticket information on the Wilco web site:

Tickets for the TPAC Shows are free of charge as part of the Wall Street Rising Concert Series. Tickets can be picked up beginning on Monday, October 17 at 11 a.m. at the Downtown Information Center located at 25 Broad Street (corner of Exchange Place)

Right, so I just phoned Pianos and learned that Brian Jonestown Massacre will still play tonight despite having their gear stolen, hitting the stage around 11-11:30 PM.

That's about an hour later than scheduled because The Morning After Girls have been added to the bill. They'll come on between BJM and Lorraine Leckie & Her Demons (9:30-ish). Coyle Girelli of Your Vegas opens the night, followed by Silversun Pickups. I'm bringing my helmet.

A week ago I professed admiration for Goldspot's debut album Tally of the Yes Men. Now, thanks to the kindness of the band's label, Union Records, I can point out three MP3s to download and enjoy, free and legal.

These tracks, "Rewind" (MP3), "The Guard" (MP3), and "Time Bomb" (MP3) are among the best songs on the album and will hopefully inspire you to hear the rest. BBC DJ Steve Lamacq and KCRW's Nic Harcourt were among the first influential media figures to pick up on L.A.'s Goldspot. Lamacq played "Rewind" on his "Lamacq Live" radio program on May 16, 2005.

Goldspot were in New York for the CMJ Music Marathon last week, but I missed every opportunity to see them. Certainly they will be back in the area again. Based on this live review from the LA Weekly, they're an act worth seeing.

I've been meaning to post something about CocoRosie's new album Noah's Ark, but it keeps slipping from my mind. Noah's Ark has yet to connect with me like CocoRosie's debut La Maison de Mon Revê, however, I'm in awe of the track "Beautiful Boyz". Normally I'm not the biggest Antony fan (his voice bugs me - sacrilege, I know), but his singing is magical on this track. I'd like to say more about the album, but I need to give it a few more plays first.

The point of this ramble? Not much of one, other than to lead into the news that CocoRosie will play Tonic on Wednesday, October 12. Tickets are not listed on Ticketweb yet. Also, CocoRosie will appear in Philadelphia on October 10 at the First Unitarian Church. Those tickets are on sale.

I'm in complete agreement with the title of FREEWilliamsburg's post regarding the theft of Brian Jonestown Massacre's equipment: "Can't we all leave Anton Newcombe alone?" As if was not enough to harrass him endlessly during shows, now someone has to rip him and his bandmates off. While I think Anton actually loves the abuse he gets on stage and his outrageous antics are completely his responsibility, no one deserves to be violated this way.

Also like FREEWilliamsburg I have a ticket for tonight BJM acoustic show at Pianos. Hopefully the show will still go on, even with borrowed equipment. I can't wait to hear what Anton has to say about the theft. I'd advise everyone to stand well back from the stage as fists or feet may be flying.

Sometimes BJM member and producer Rob Campanella sent out the following email, alerting everyone to the theft and to be on the lookout for BJM's equipment at pawn shops. Read the full email after the jump...

Okay folks, so apparently a relatively tragic thing has happened tonight. In Brooklyn, before the BJM's Bowery Ballroom show, the band's van along with the U-haul trailer containing ALL OF THE BANDS EQUIPMENT was stolen. People I guess have hustled to get stuff together for them to play the gig tonight but that leaves Anton, Rickey, Frankie, Collin, and Dan without a vehicle and most importantly, without all of their precious musical instruments and amplifiers.

If everyone in the area (or even not so close) keeps an eye out at pawn shops, music stores, private sellers, and even e-bay for this missing gear- it could help eventually track some of it down. We'll try to provide a more comprehensive list eventually- but off the top of my head is this-

Gretch 1960's round badge drum kit-turquoise.
-kick drum has the BJM logo on it (who knows- the robbers might be stupid enough not to take it off)

Fender Bassman 1960's blackface head
-notable that the 'B' is blackend out so that it reads "assman"
-this is one of the most unique and amazing sounding bass rigs, has a really warm, big fucked up fuzz sound when turned up.

Frankie's 1970's siverface Fender Twin amp

2 Fender Twin re-issue black face amps
- the one Anton plays is notable for it's amazing huge sounding reverb. Basically it is a huge part of Anton's sound.
- notable for a sticker on the front that reads "Masonic" (again, the bandits might be stupid enough...)

Collin's Rickenbacker bass- red

Rickey's 12-string 1960's Gibson ES-335 (possibly (hopefully) he had this with him and it was not stolen)
-amazingly beautiful guitar

Vox Cheetah- maroon
-quite fucked up from years of tour abuse, but Anton's main guitar (owned by Frankie)

Vox 12-string Phantom- black and white

Vox 12-string Starstreamer- sunburst teardrop shape

Rickenbacker 12-string 360- black and white

Epiphone 6-string- sunburst

Frankie also has a Telecaster- I'm not sure the details of it.

I'm sure there was more but if people spread the word out there for this gear and people keep their eyes open- some of it might pop up - especially being sold/bought together, then there might be a chance of retrieving some of this stuff.

As of now, I do not know what will happen with the few remaining shows of the tour. We gotta still figure out how to get the guys home! Anyway, it's a terrible situation- a band's worst nightmare- and maybe through everyone's love and support we can get through it and hopefully getting some of the stuff back will lessen this huge blow that was dealt to the Brian Jonestown Massacre.

Please repost, spread the word, and keep an eye out.

Thanks very much,

Rob

- Drowned in Sound write an open letter to Franz Ferdinand regarding "Do You Want To[?]", Ferdy's new single. Quote: "Please, give me back the three minutes and thirty-eight seconds I spent listening to the aforementioned. I'll forego the repeat encounters."

- Watch Squarepusher's video for "Come on My Selector" (Quicktime). [Thanks Cliptip]

- Watch M.I.A. perform a cover of Kaiser Chief's "Everyday I Love You Less and Less" and if you like it, download the MP3 from Dream of Horses.

- CMJ roundups abound: Besides the usual suspects (NY Times, Gothamist, Coolfer etc.), Statute of Frauds reviews the Sub Pop showcase at the Bowery Ballroom. It's been awhile hasn't it Dave? Welcome back.

- This isn't the freshest of links, but here are Rolling Stone's "10 Artists to Watch".

- Music Cherry uses Google Fight to determine whether Bloc Party hasve more buzz than Arcade Fire. The winner: Arcade Fire. Jesus also puts Bono in his place, at least in web pages found by Google.

- Speaking of Bono and by extension U2, Eddie Vedder joined them on stage in Toronto, Saturday night to pay tribute to victims of Hurricane Katrina by warbling a cover of "Ol' Man River". U2log.com have a photo of Mr. Vedder on stage.

- The Illinois Times reviews Doveman's "gentle hodgepodge" of a record The Acrobat.

Broken Social Scene - S/T: Here is my summary of Broken Social Scene's formula for most of their new record: Start song with collage of noises, wait 10 seconds, and add some clicky drums for a rhythm section. Let 30 seconds or so go by and then combine drums with male and/or female (or both) vocals, guitars and random spoken bits left over from studio run downs. Wait another 30 seconds and throw in a big echoing chorus to bring to boil. After four or five minutes, song will break apart into complete mess. Serves eight. Prep times variable. This recipe is quite tasty on the first few bites, but the lack of variety, as compared to You Forgot it in People, causes Broken Social Scene to grow stale in the end.

Simple Minds - Black and White 050505: Simple Minds in return to form shocker? Close. Black and White 050505 is leagues better than anything Jim Kerr and crew have released since, oh, 1985. There are at least two tracks, "Jeweler" and "Dolphin" that deserve a place along side other SM classics like "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" and "Promised You a Miracle". If you're a fan of new school or old school "big music" (epic, soaring, earnest, etc.), you will love this record. Listen to clips here.

TK Webb - KCK: TK Webb, a New Yorker by way of Kansas is, as the Fader describes him, "the undiscovered blue genius of the East Village". KCK is a alluring collection of unadorned Delta blues; featuring TK's rugged steel guitar, crying harmonica and rusty nails vocals, all drenched in miles of lonely echo and tape hiss. Try "Lonely Wine" (MP3). [Thanks Songs:Illinois]

Plain and simple, Tom Vek totally killed it at the Tribeca Grand on Saturday night. Considering how high his debut We Have Sound sets the bar - it finally drops stateside on October 25 - the fact that his live show was up to par was a very pleasant surprise. Vek plays everything on his record, so I wasn't sure how it would translate live. Would his band be able to pull off the little details? (Yes.) Would they be tight? (Oh yes.) And what exactly would Vek play? (A mix of bass and guitar.)

They kicked things off with "C-C (You Set The Fire In Me)" (MP3), We Have Sound's stellar first track. With two basses, keys, and drums, Vek and his band were all about the groove and they nailed it. The drummer in particular was awesome, especially when he pulled off the song's stutter-glitch breakdown completely live. (He was also drenched in sweat about 10 minutes into the show.) They went on to play pretty much all of the album, and there wasn't a bad song in the mix. ("A Little Word In Your Ear" being my favorite, and "I Ain't Saying My Goodbyes" closing the set raucously.) I was consistently wowed by how well the songs translated to the stage. We Have Sound is a studio album with a fairly produced sound, but the songs didn't slip a bit when they lost the gloss live - they instead just sounded way more organic, and the band was totally at ease and incredibly tight. I almost find it hard to believe that they don't play on the record.

It helped that the crowd was super enthusiastic (free PBR will do the trick, plus we, um, all bought the import...) and the sound was about as good as I've ever heard it for a band at the Tribeca Grand. This was just Vek's second show in the US, but hopefully he'll be back again soon. If his gigs are always this good, he's got a very bright future in front of him.

JDH and Dave P did an excellent job spinning before and after Vek's set, as usual. Every time I hear them spin, I wonder why it takes a special guest to get me to their parties when they're more than enough reason on their own. And, as a special bonus, a DJ set from Mylo got added to the bill last week. What I heard of his set was pretty awesome - funky, catchy, banging, and the crowd was seriously digging it. I wouldn't hesitate to see him again. It was a little crowded, but all in all an excellent night.

Devil in the Details was also there, and a couple more shots are up on Flickr.

There are many reasons why most of the CMJ marathon passed me by. There's the aforementioned money issue. Then there's my job, which I couldn't skip out on. The job also drains me by the end of day. There would be no all-day and all-night gig hopping adventures for me. I'm a little jealous of those who can do it, but eventually I'll see all the bands I missed.

But I knew I did not want to miss Tom Vek's late night set at the Tribeca Grand Hotel. Rajeev and I are big fans of his We Have Sound album (it's on our list of 2005 favorites). I was very curious to witness how Tom would translate the album's jazzy electro rock grooves into a live experience. Rajeev will have more on Tom's show, but let me just say that Mr. Vek was amazing. He put on one of the best shows I've seen this year.

A few hours before Tom blew my PBR-addled mind, I paid my first visit to Scenic to catch We are Scientists and Living Things. Well, I was suppose to see Living Things, but the bands were about 30-45 minutes behind schedule so time ran out and so did I. Tom was calling. Hopefully there will be another chance to catch Living Things live. On my walk to the venue I listened to their debut album, Ahead of the Lions, and while it's not quite my thing (too many "Us-against-the-man", "We're going to take this city" rock clichés for my taste), I am curious to see them live.



When I arrived at Scenic, the place was just about empty. The first band to take the stage were Shy Child. They numbered all of two people and if you guessed what instruments they were playing, you probably guessed wrong. No guitars or bass. Just a drummer and a keytar player. Their sound was startlingly full and extremely enjoyable. Keyboardist and Singer Pete Cafarella surprised me by pulling out a number of dense and funky synths, all played in perfect time with Nate Smith's propulsive drumming. The room started to fill by the end and there were even shouts for an encore. Shy Child is one band I definitely want to know more about. Stream some Shy Child songs on their web site.



We are Scientists have received plenty of blogger love for awhile now, but rather unintentionally I've managed to never see them live or listen to them on record. So many bands just slip by and never get my attention, for right or wrong. While their sound isn't that original, they were highly energetic and tight.  They struck me as the type of band appreciated best live and up close, preferably in a packed room.

I waited around a bit after WAS finished, hoping Living Things (flash site warning!) would come on quickly, but it didn't happen. It was time to head to Tribeca for more free PBR and Tom Vek. My CMJ experience amounted to one night, three bands, and one DJ (Mylo, who came on after Tom). I guess quality always trump quantity, right?

Pre-sale details for all North American Depeche Mode shows were posted on the band's official site today. Here is the relevant information for shows in the New York area:

Sat, December 3rd, 2005
Atlantic City, NJ
Borgata
Pre-Sale (iTunes): September 27th @ 10 am to September 30th @ 10 am, local venue time
On Sale: October 1st, 2005
Opening Act: The Bravery
Order Details:
www - www.ticketmaster.com

Wed, December 7th, 2005
New York City, NY
Madison Square Garden
Pre-Sale (iTunes): October 4th @ 10 am to October 7th @ 10 am, local venue time
On Sale: October 10th, 2005
Opening Act: The Bravery
Order Details:
www - www.ticketmaster.com

While we're on the subject of various entertainment venues on fire, Amusement Parks on Fire and a ridiculous amount of other bands/DJs will be performing tonight at Supreme Trading.

Crashin' In, Filter Magazine and Vitamin Water combine forces to present Crashin' In Breakin' Brooklyn Party. Hard to say, easy to understand, right? The lineup is crazy. Check it:

Bands:
6:30 PM Silver Sun Pickups
7:30 PM Mixel Pixel
8:30 PM Amusement Parks On Fire
9:30 PM The Adored

Djs:
6:00 PM The Dandy Warhols "Odditorium Or Warlords Of Mars" new album release/listening party
6:30 PM Djs: Aorta (Crashin' In), Oil (Crashin' In/Kanine Records), and Toby Rascal (Kanine Records)
8:00 PM Paulie (Mute)
9:00 PM Duane (NegroClash/Other Music)
10:00 PM Gerald (Other Music/Burnside Project/Crashin' In)
11:00 PM Paul Epworth (Phones)
12:00 AM Simian Mobile Disco (Simian)
1:00 AM Mira and Daniel of Ladytron (Island)
2:30 AM Birdy P (Paradise Boys)
3:30 AM Oil (Crashin' In/Kanine Records)

If you're up for going, the details are after the jump

Crashin' In Breakin' Brooklyn Party
Presented by: Filter Magazine, Vitamin Water, and
Crashin' In
Friday Sept. 16 (6:00pm-4:00am)
Supreme Trading @ 213 N8th and Driggs Ave.,
Williamsburg Brooklyn
Doors 6:00pm
Special showcase with Bands from 6:00pm-10:30pm
Djs from 6:00pm-4:00am
Price $10

FREE Vitamin Water all Night Long!!!!!
Plus: Giveaways from Filter Magazine, Kanine Records,
Gigantic Music, Vitamin Water, and Sony including cds,
hats, t-shirts, buttons, posters, magazines, and more

I urge you to stop whatever it is that you're doing and watch this video.

Thanks Screenhead.

Irving Plaza is going retro '80's in November. First Echo and the Bunnymen on November 21 and now the "fathers of Electronic Body Music" Front 242. It's been ages since I've seen a Front 242 show (maybe 12 years ago?), but I remember it being amazing.

Personally I need to brush up on my Front 242 knowledge. Waste.org has a few tracks available (in .au format) for download. Also, Front 242: Unidentified Men For You has a wealth of information on the band.

Here's their full U.S. itinerary, courtesy of Pollstar:

11/03/05 Vancouver, BC Plush
11/04/05 Seattle, WA Fenix / Fenix Underground
11/06/05 San Francisco, CA DNA Lounge
11/09/05 Hollywood, CA The Avalon (Formerly The Palace)
11/10/05 Tijuana, MEX Oxigeno House
11/12/05 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
11/14/05 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
11/15/05 Cleveland, OH Odeon Concert Club
11/16/05 Detroit, MI Majestic Theatre
11/18/05 Toronto, ON The Guvernment
11/19/05 Montreal, QC Club Soda
11/21/05 New York, NY Irving Plaza
11/23/05 Buffalo, NY The Showplace
11/28/05 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
11/30/05 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade
12/02/05 Tampa, FL The Masquerade

At times last night at Summerstage, The Arcade Fire nearly owned the very humid air itself. At other moments, their energy seemed to be swallowed the moment it left their instruments. The flame may have flickered, but it was not extinguished, thanks to a final run of four inspired songs. By the end, after David Bowie helped Central Park literally Wake Up, the night was a success.

It's not really fair to hold last night up against the last time I saw the Arcade Fire live. That show, at Irving Plaza in February (it seems like that show took place years ago), was a church revival, intense and emotional. Summerstage on Thursday was akin to the symphony in the park, except fewer picnic baskets. Most of the audience came to observe, rather than participate.

The malaise was on the band as well. Despite an engaging start, the show slowed considerably when they chose to play a stretch of non-album tracks. I could really feel the audience's excitement dissipating with each mid-tempo obscurity the Arcade Fire pulled out. Disappointment was in the air.

Fortunately the band either sensed this or were incensed enough to shake off the stupor. Beginning with the stomping "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)", which then melted into an intense "Rebellion (Lies)" to close the set. Then, after a quick break, the Arcade Fire called up a pinch-hitter to deliver the insurance runs. Out came David Bowie, dressed in white, to join the band for one of his own songs, "Queen Bitch" and to close the night, a fashionably rocking version of "Wake Up." Cameras came out from all corners. So did the smiles. We could all go home happy and sweaty.

More Reviews & Photos:

Brooklyn Vegan
Chris's Music Snobbery
Daily Refill
Heart on a Stick
Productshop NYC
Stereogum

While I work on writing up my thoughts on the Arcade Fire show last night (not that there aren't about 500 other blogs already posting on that topic), here's some exciting news for New York Brakes fans. Brakes are coming! All hell is going to break loose. Sorry.

Brakes, if you're not familiar with them, are comprised of one part British Sea Power (Eamon Hamilton), two parts Electric Soft Parade (Alex and Tom White) and one part Tenderfoot (Marc Beatty). They released a highly enjoyable punkabilly record entitled Give Blood (You can listen to clips of it here). I wrote something about that record here.

Now to the good part. Brakes will play Pianos on October 3-4. Pianos is probably much too small of a venue for this band, but it will have to do. Tickets are not on sale as of yet, but stay tuned.

I've been trying to keep tabs on free or cheap CMJ events that seem interesting. It's doubtfully I'll be able to make most of these, but even just knowing their going on makes me feel like I have options. It's always good to have options.

Here's the latest:

TONIGHT

Startime & Insound CMJ Afterparty
Scenic, 25 Avenue B (between 2nd and 3rd)
FREE (with RSVP) + FREE PBR between 1 AM - 2 AM
- The Paradise Boys - 2:45 AM
- The Constantines - 1:45 AM

RSVP to cmjrsvp@insound.com
*Include "StarTime" in the subject line*
(All RSVPs include a +1)

Friday, September 16

Death By Audio/CMJ Rooftop Party in Williamsburg
49 S 2nd St(Wthye & Kent), $5 + FREE BEER
- The Lovemakers - 1 AM
- Youth Group - 12 AM
- A Place To Bury Strangers - 11 PM
- Dirty On Purpose - 10 PM
- VAZ - 9 PM

OR

The Palace Tavern, Greenpoint
206 Nassau Ave (corner of Russell), $5
- The Constantines 11 PM
- Oakley Hall 10 PM
- Oxford Collapse 9 PM

The Startime & Insound show tonight was mentioned in Erica's list of free shows, but I wanted to provide the details for anyone who was interested in checking it out.

Other Passengers are back in New York after completing the recording of their first album in Louisiana. Thankfully they were spared from the damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina. "Lady Luck kissed our faces twice as we left before Katrina," OP write in their latest email newsletter. "And our producer Grant Curry, his studio, his lovely wife, family and dogs ended up being only slightly effected."

Vocal problems have forced OP to cancel their CMJ appearance, but they will take part in a benefit concert for hurricane victims at Rothko on September 27. Joining them on the bill are The Upwelling, The Go Station, The Diggs, and Nicole Atkins, who will headline the event. Proceeds will be donated to Oxfam. The Upwelling take the stage at 8:30; OP will precede Nicole Atkins at 11 PM.

OP also have a Pianos residency on their schedule for October. Lineups are still to be determined, but the dates are 10.4, 10.11, 10.18, 10.25.

I went to a whopping zero CMJ-related shows last night, so I have no personal experiences to relate. My fun will start tonight with the Arcade Fire (and maybe David Bowie) at Central Park. I hope the rain holds off.

Here are a few reports on night one from the blogosphere:

- The Underrated Blog overindulges on the drinks and abstains from sleep to catch Sam Champion, Levy, The Cribs, and Jaymay.

- The Brooklyn Vegan went to a bunch of shows. Surprised? After hosting his own pre-CMJ showcase the night before, he still had the energy to catch Tim Fite, Youth Group, Motion City Soundtrack, Kaki King, Devendra Banhart, and Make Believe. He doesn't provide much commentary, but his photos speak a thousand words.

- Chris (of Chris's Music Snobbery) checks out Doves at Warsaw.

- If I didn't have Arcade Fire tickets for tonight, I'd probably head over to Pianos for the KCRW showcase with the iOs, Goldspot, She Wants Revenge, and The 88. I commented yesterday on my addiction to Goldspot and offered a couple MP3s from the iOs last week. This event starts with the iOs at 7:30 and Goldspot at 8:30, so get there early.

When influential independent radio station KCRW announced they would offer podcasts of their popular show "Morning Becomes Eclectic", the first band they picked to feature was Los Angeles' Goldspot. I downloaded the podcast, but never got around to listening to it. That's actually what's happened with the majority of podcasts I've subscribed to, but that's a subject for another day.

Even though I ignored their podcast, I did some research on Goldspot and found their unlikely combination of influences intriguing. "I grew up listening to whatever my parents had in their cassette decks - Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh," Goldspot's founder and singer Siddhartha relates in the band's bio. "And then one day when I was 14, I figured out that if you flipped the switch on the stereo from 'tape' to 'radio' you could hear music with English words. That's when I heard R.E.M.'s Green, and it was my first introduction to Western music."

The influences of Indian music are not immediately striking on Tally of the Yes Men, Goldspot's impressive debut album. Rather, the band's most distinct element is Siddhartha's quivering and passionate singing. His unaffected vibrato, which owes much to Roy Orbison, infuses Goldspot's highly melodic and upbeat sound with a surprising amount of emotional intensity. It's almost the same effect Morrissey's expressive crooning had upon The Smiths' charming golden pop.

But as it was with the Smiths', Goldspot's wouldn't be memorable without the accompaniment of interesting music. Their hook-laden sound is centered on the chiming guitar playing of Derek Horst and Seth McLain, but interesting effects and instrument choices embellish throughout. Lo-fi synth loops and sitar-like guitars highlight "Cusp", while a moving string arrangement on "Friday" adds heft to the song's climatic finish.

Goldspot are in New York this week for CMJ. I hope they get a great East Coast response and return again soon. If they can get the right exposure, they won't be L.A.'s little secret for long.

Check out Goldspot's MySpace page for streaming audio and information on their CMJ shows.

This may be a school-night event worthy of skipping sleep or study time. One Louder favorite Isolée will be the special guest at next Tuesday's Other Music party at APT. If you haven't already heard "Schrapnell" (MP3), I highly recommended you download it now.

Here are the details, from Other Music:

You won't want to miss this night with one of our favorite electronic producers. Next Tuesday, Isolée (Playhouse) will be performing a live set at Other Music's monthly APT party! There'll also be guest DJ sets from Kevin McHugh (The Novay) and The Invincible Roy Styles (Other Music).

Open vodka bar from 9-10 P.M.
$10 adv tkts available @ Other Music
APT: 419 West 13th St. (9th & Washington) NYC

Deerhoof's excellent new album The Runners Four will be released October 11 by Kill Rock Stars. Courtesy of KRS, here's a track from the album, available for free and legal downloading: "Wrong Time Capsule" (MP3).

I've yet to see Deerhoof live, but that's where they're truly in their element as Rajeev's reviews attest. Deerhoof will make two New York stops on their current tour, tomorrow at Cake Shop (at the Blue Ghost Publicity/5RC dayparty) and September 28 at Northsix.

The New Yorker is sponsoring Parting the Waters, an "evening of words and music from New Orleans and the Delta" that will raise funds for the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund. All ticket proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross and Conde Nast Publications will match the donation.

This event will take place on September 24 at Town Hall in Times Square. Tickets are available now from Ticketmaster at $50, $100, or $250. Visit The New Yorker's events page for more details.

Here's the lineup:

Allen Toussaint
Buckwheat Zydeco
Calvin Trillin
David Byrne
Elvis Costello
Gary Louris & Mark Olson (from the Jayhawks)
Kevin Kline
Leigh Harris (Little Queenie)
Les Miserables Brass Band
Lou Reed
Mary-Louise Parker
Patricia Clarkson
Queen Ida & Her Zydeco Band
ReBirth Brass Band
Richard Ford
Toni Morrison
Willem Dafoe
Woody Allen

I've randomly accumulated three Devo items over the past few days or so that I'd like to share this evening. Each of these do not feature an actual member of Devo doing anything. Rather, they're signs that the Devo fan base may be relatively silent, but it is immense. Check these out:

- Club Devo, official home for the band on the internets, has a section entitled Chosen Mutations. It's a gallery of people with Devo tattoos. I particularly like the one with "Q: Are We Not Men?" on one leg and "A: We are Devo!" on the other leg.

- Here's a video of a group of fifth graders performing Devo's "Whip It". I wish I was as cool as these kids when I was their age. [Thanks Screenhead]

- Finally, from Boing Boing via WFMU comes this a capella take on the Devo classic "Mongoloid" (MP3) by a German vocal group called PopChor Berlin. Someone should use this as a sample.

While I don't quite agree with the majority of critics who praised The Magic Numbers' debut album (the album's a little too tedious for me), their upcoming show at the Bowery Ballroom in November will still be tempting.

Here, courtesy of Pollstar, is their full U.S. fall tour itinerary, including a string of dates opening for Bright Eyes:

10/30/05 Las Vegas, NV Sam Boyd Stadium (Vegoose Music Festival)
11/01/05 West Hollywood, CA The Troubadour
11/03/05 San Francisco, CA Pop Scene
11/05/05 Portland, OR Douglas Fir Lounge
11/06/05 Vancouver, BC Richard's On Richards
11/07/05 Seattle, WA Crocodile Cafe
11/11/05 Minneapolis, MN Ascot Room @ Quest Club
11/12/05 Chicago, IL Schubas
11/14/05 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium*
11/15/05 Louisville, KY W.L. Lyons Brown Theatre*
11/16/05 Athens, GA Georgia Theatre*
11/17/05 Asheville, NC Thomas Wolfe Auditorium*
11/18/05 Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall*
11/19/05 Philadelphia, PA Academy Of Music*
11/20/05 Portland, ME Merrill Auditorium*
11/21/05 Buffalo, NY University At Buffalo*
11/22/05 Worcester, MA The Palladium*
11/23/05 Concord, NH Capitol Center*
11/25/05 Jersey City, NJ Loews Theatre*
11/26/05 Jersey City, NJ Loews Theatre*
11/28/05 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
11/29/05 Allston, MA Great Scotts
12/01/05 Toronto, ON Lee's Palace

* - Opening for Bright Eyes

Like I said before, cash flow issues will deny me the chance to see all of the CMJ shows I'd like to. At this point, I've got a ticket for the Arcade Fire at Summerstage and a reserved spot at Rogue Wave's KEXP shindig at the Museum of Television and Radio. That's it. I know, seriously lame. However, thanks to Erica at What Happened Was, I now know about a ton of free stuff going on. Oh My Rockness has a thorough list of CMJ events, with admission prices noted for each. Here's what interests me, courtesy of Erica's excellent post:

THURSDAY @ MIDNITE
Scenic
(FREE)
The Constantines
Paradise Boys
DJ Tom Vek

SATURDAY @ 1:30 PM
Rothko
(FREE)
Elkland
Voxtrot
Hot IQs
Benzos

SATURDAY @ 10 PM
Tribeca Grand Hotel
Tom Vek

Sunday, Sept. 18: Sub Pop post-CMJ blowout!
Soundfix Records
FREE
4pm: Chad Vangaalen
5pm: Fruit Bats
6pm: Rogue Wave

Check out the full roster of free events here.

As mentioned here previously, Depeche Mode will tour the U.S. for the first time in four years this November and December. The Touring the Angel show will make a stop in New York on December 7 at Madison Square Garden with The Bravery opening.

General ticket sale dates have not been announced, but DM have posted pre-sale information on their site. It's not as simple as entering a password on Ticketmaster to qualify. No, you'll need to first pre-order DM's new album Playing the Angel on the iTunes Music Store to receive a chance to buy up to four tickets during the pre-sale. Here's more from the site:

Los Angeles, CA - September 12, 2005 - Depeche Mode has teamed with Ticketmaster for the first-ever digital download, concert ticket pre-sale, scheduled to begin tomorrow on the iTunes Music Store. Depeche Mode fans will have a special opportunity to pre-order the band's new album, Playing the Angel, from the iTunes Music Store and to purchase advance tickets online from Ticketmaster for select dates on the band's upcoming North American tour before the album and tickets go on sale to the general public.

Beginning Tues., Sept. 13 through Mon., Sept. 26, Depeche Mode fans who visit iTunes Music Store in the US and pre-order the band's new album will receive a password for the chance to purchase up to four tickets from ticketmaster.com for select dates on the band's 2005 North American tour. The pre-sale offers Depeche Mode fans the chance to access priority concert seating before tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Sept. 24. Fans who pre-order Playing the Angel from iTunes will receive the album via digital download when it is released on Oct. 18 on Sire / Reprise Records.

Alas, a lack of cash keeps me from enjoying all that the CMJ marathon has to offer. That's why there's no "MY CMJ Schedule" post from me. But hey, this event is free so only laziness can keep me away from the following:



That's right, Robbers on High Street, The High Strung, The King of France, and Unbusted are hosting a CMJ kickoff party for free at Scenic tonight at 8:30 PM. Even better, there will be free Red Stripe (while supplies last, natch).

- Sign of the apocalypse? Bob Dylan is selling ring tones. Honestly, I've always wanted a "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" cell phone ring.

- Secretly Canadian will release domestically one of my favorite 2004 albums These Were The Earlies by The Earlies, natch. Look for it on October 25. Try "Morning Wonder" (MP3) and "The Devil's Country" (MP3).

- Show reviews: Chris's Musical Snobbery checks out Bloc Party in Philadelphia, while The Modern Age, Brooklyn Vegan and Gothamist take in Nouvelle Vague at Joe's Pub.

- I didn't expect much from the Mary J. Blige and U2 collaboration on "One" for the Shelter From the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast benefit, but the results left me stunned. Blige has an amazing voice and she really embraced the track. Several U2 fan sites are hosting video of the performance. [Thanks U2log.com]

Tickets went on sale for Echo and the Bunnymen's November 20th show at Irving Plaza on Saturday. Tickets are $22.50 plus a $6.70 convenience charge. Convenient for who?

Why not just go to the Irving Plaza box office (open noon to 6 PM, Monday-Friday and 1 PM to 4 PM on Saturdays) and save the cash for a drink at the show?

Despite my (many) negative statements about Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, I went to the Bowery Ballroom on Friday night anticipating seeing them live for the first time as much as the headlining the National.

The hype swirling around Clap Your Hands turns me off, but it also makes me curious.  Their debut album is good (I like about seven of their song, the others really annoy me), but the connection others have made with the band has so far alluded me. I've read both positive and negative comments about Clap's performances, and was anxious to see them for myself. I was anxious for insight into this phenomenon.

The insights I sought were not to be found. CYHSY put on a respectable show, no lapses or boring moments.  But they did not offer me any spectacularly persuasive evidence to alter my opinion. I still believe Clap Your Hands are a good, sometimes irritating band who may someday be great.

For me it comes down to this: When Alec Ounsworth keeps his vocal fits in check, I like CYHSY a lot. "The Skin of My Yellow Teeth" was my highlight. Ounsworth's signature trembling guitar refrain, combined with the Peter-Hooky bass line (imagine "Love Vigilantes" slowed down by half) proved CYHSY can write elegant and addicting songs. "Satan Said Dance", a clear crowd favorite was another highlight.

But when Ounsworth's David-Bryne-on-helium moans grate on me (which they do on "Is This Love" or "Heavy Metal" for example), I'd rather puncture my own ear drums. I suppose his often off key wailing live is meant to be charmingly sloppy, but I was just annoyed. I was glad they were just the opening band. Of course, that fact was easy to forget Friday night.

In case you're wondering, yes about a third or more of the audience left after Clap Your Hands finished. It's old news. CYHSY are simply the hotter band with a larger and more devote grassroots following. The National are musically more adept, their somber and darkly poetic sound absolutely more polished than CYHSY. They're also much less fun to root for. Where CYHSY are the tattered, but loveable slacker, The National are the confident perfectionist with the good grades and the letterman jacket. They try to do everything right, but can't figure out why they're not the center of attention.

I wish I could tell the people who left early that the National put on an amazing show, but I cannot. What these people missed was a performance highlighted by moments of brilliance spoiled by long stretches of dullness. With the room's energy depleted by the departing Clap fans, the National needed to quickly establish themselves. They needed to strike early with a tight set focused on the best tracks from Alligator, like "Secret Meeting" or "Lit Up". Instead the band took its time building up to these songs, losing the audience and any remaining momentum.

I'd really like to see the National live in better surroundings and circumstances. Removed from the distracting buzz of other more trendy bands, their sophisticated and challenging music might have a chance of winning the day.

This is about as last-minute as I can get - Crazy Rhythms, AKA Dan Selzer and Mike Simonetti, will be celebrating the release of their brand new (and decidedly awesome) mix CD RVNG PRSNTS MX4 at Capone's TONIGHT. MX4 has been a mainstay in my CD player ever since I got it. I was pretty vocal about last year's entry in the RVNG series, Tim Sweeney's MX3, so perhaps the best thing I can say about this new one is that I think it's even better. And we have more to look forward to - future RVNG mixes are on the way from Other Music's Scott Mou and Motherf*cker's Justine D.

But that's getting ahead of ourselves. Tonight is all about MX4, and I'm sure Dan and Mike will be spinning lots of the new wave, Italo disco, and post-punk that makes their disc so great. They'll also be selling the CD at the party, and there may be some free copies as well to go with the free pizza that comes with every drink at Capone's. (The disc is also available through RVNG for just $4.) Sticking with the free theme, there's also no cover charge. (Poor people - YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE.)

Capone's is in Williamburg on 221 North 9th St, between Driggs and Roebling. Things will get going at 10 PM with AllDisco's Jeremy Campbell opening up, and the party should be going all night.

My posts have been few and far between lately, unfortunately. My contributions for the last month would've taken me just an afternoon earlier in the year, but alas the start of school has me really busy. Things are starting to come under control though, and I hope to soon starting working through my (ever-growing) list of things to talk about.

This, though, can't wait. The situation is New Orleans is nothing short of heartbreaking. I find it difficult to pull myself away from the coverage, and it's so sad to see such a unique place suffer so much. This September 20 benefit at the Angel Orensanz Center sounds like a great way to help the recovery and hear some great music in the process. Jazz is the focus, but some rock may sneak in there - Deborah Harry and Elvis Costello will be performing with Jazz Passengers, and Other Dimensions in Music with be joining Yo La Tengo to close the night. ODM are a free jazz trio that have played with YLT a decent amount. I've seen them together a couple times and they've yet to disappoint; the horns bring a new flavor that fits in quite well. (Especially when they all jam out on "Now 2000.") Also worth nothing - Steve Buscemi will one of the night's MC's.

Tickets are $30, and will not be sold in advance. Here are the full details and lineup:

Tuesday September 20, 2005
Arts for Art, Inc. and the Angel Orensanz Foundation present
Vision Artists for New Orleans
A Jazz and Creative Music All-Star Benefit for the Artists of New Orleans
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Angel Orensanz Center for the Arts, 172 Norfolk St (just S. Of Houston)
5:30pm to midnight, Tickets $30 only at the door.

The order of appearances
5:30 pm The Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra and friends
* Masada John Zorn and Dave Douglas
* Tri-Factor, w/ Hamiet Bluiett, Billy Bang & Kahil El-Zabar
* Bill Dixon (solo trumpet)
* Matthew Shipp, William Parker, Whit Dickey Patricia Nicholson
* Henry Grimes, Oliver Lake, Ted Daniel, Cooper-Moore
* Kidd Jordan, Clyde Kerr, J.D. Parran, Reggie Workman, Kali Z. Fasteau, Alvin Fielder
* Muhal Richard Abrams (solo piano)
* Jazz Passengers with Deborah Harry and Elvis Costello
* Kidd Jordan, William Parker, Roy Campbell. Hamid Drake
* Amiri & Amina Baraka
* Yo La Tengo w/ Other Dimensions in Music

Emcees - Steve Buscemi, Steve Dalachinsky & Patricia Nicholson
each performance will be from 10mins to 30mins in length

Proceeds from the event will go to New Orleans artists.

Looking beyond the madness of CMJ and into October and November, here are a few upcoming concerts of interest:

- Kristin Hersh at the Knitting Factory, October 16, 2005 (tickets on sale)

- The Constantines at the Bowery Ballroom, November 6, 2005

- Go Go Go Airheart + The Joggers at the Knitting Factory, November 8, 2005 (tickets on sale)

- Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings at Southpaw, November 19, 2005 (tickets on sale)

- The Clientele + Annie Hayden at the Knitting Factory, November 23, 2005 (tickets on sale)

The iOs: If male/female vocal combos are your bag, check out these tracks from New York's The iOs. "Every Waking Moment" (MP3), from their forthcoming full length album is a brisk and breezy pop song made perfect with chiming keyboards and delicious harmonies. Also recommend is the fuzzy and dynamic "Forces Regrouping" (MP3) off the Center and Stop EP. The iOs play Rothko tomorrow night at 10:00 PM.

Heth & Jed: Heth Weinstein and Jed Weinstein are two brothers with a lot of dedication. Through herculean busking efforts, they have managed to sell over 10,000 copies of their debut CD, entitled Clean. Wow. I would never have guessed playing in the NYC subway could be so rewarding. Heth & Jed have a new CD out, Between the In and Out. Try "Sunday Driver" (MP3), a blissful trip through Eno landscapes or "Walking Away From Heaven" (MP3), which explores more straightforward melodic pop. Heth & Jed play a subway near you someday soon. As the MTA might say: If you see them, say something.

Aberdeen City: Earnest and epic, Boston's Aberdeen City write classic "modern rock" in a style fans of Echo and the Bunnymen, U2, Walkmen or The National would appreciate. Imagine trill guitars, wrapped in endless reverb, washing over driving rhythms and the emotive vocals of Christopher McLaughlin. Try the addicting "God is Going to Get Sick of Me" (MP3) from Aberdeen City's upcoming debut album The Freezing Atlantic. Dovecote Records will release the album nationally on October 25. Aberdeen City play the CMJ Late Show at Pianos on September 15 with Voxtrot and the Dovecote CMJ Showcase at CB's Gallery on September 17.

Back in July when the hype surrounding Clap Your Hands Say Yeah was perhaps at its peak, I posted some comments about The National and their unfortunate plight. Sure, The National are headlining a tour, but openers CYHSY are getting the majority of attention.

In that article, I linked to commentary from Deviated Septum, who wrote: "Knowing the hype would show no signs of abatement between now and September, I started to envision crowds streaming out of venues after Clap blows the roof off a packed bar, leaving The National with a sparse crowd. But you hope people are smarter than that." Based on a few reviews I've read of Wednesday's The National/CYHSY show at Warsaw in Brooklyn, Deviated Septum's fears have been realized. Witness:

"One band is the headliner; they've been around longer, and they have more records and a record deal with a respected indie, so they play last, and they play for longer, and the sound is somehow better..

The other band is the opener; they only have one album, and they put it out themselves, and they haven't been around for all that long, so they play earlier and for not as long...

Except somehow something happened, and some wires got crossed, and the opening band starts getting internet love, and all of a sudden they're getting press and filling venues by themselves. And then boom, they're more famous than the headlining band, but they're still opening. And so the crowd noticeably thins when they get done playing, and you end up just feeling kind of sorry for the poor headlining band [my emphasis added]."

The above paragraphs were written by Tom Breihan in the Village Voice. Here's more evidence:

"I was one of those people that left after their set and missed The National. Before you start throwing eggs or insults at me, I was way too early, way too drunk, and way too tired to stay out. That's all."

That's from Rachael at the Underrated Blog. Fair enough. Those are good reasons to leave early. I wonder what everyone else's excuses were?

A relatively quiet day today for links:

- Some have their daily Sufjan Stevens link. I have my Sigur Rós. Today's link: check out their new video for "Glósóli".

- More videos: Here is Levy's clip for "Rotten Love" (Quicktime) [Thanks Cliptip]

- The Tucson Weekly profiles the "female James Brown" Ms. Sharon Jones.

- Simon Reynolds reviews Richard D. James's Analord project.

While reading Chris's review of Coldplay at Madison Square Garden last night, something about the photos he took from the show seemed very familiar. Haven't I seen something like this before?



Oh yeah I have. It was at a U2 show. What? Coldplay stealing from U2? Never.

When I need to scratch an `80s new wave itch, the vintage labels - New Order, Depeche Mode, Yaz, Devo, etc - or the new models - Daft Punk, LCD Soundsystem, The Rapture, Junior Boys etc. - more than suffice. I'm satisfied with them. Sure, I'm maybe even a little complacent about accepting new attempts at adding to the genre.

So I approached checking out a promo copy of Cut Copy's Bright Like Neon Love without enthusiasm. I fully expected to dislike it. When I asked around for other opinions about the album, the reactions weren't positive. Generic, vanilla, nothing special; these were the reactions I received. After first listen, I was in agreement. Then I listened to it again.

Look, I tried to detest this album, but I failed. Yeah, I like it. A lot. If you're an aficionado of Bernard Sumner's stringy guitars, the posh robotics of Daft Punk, or the low-slung thunder grooves of the DFA set, it's nearly impossible to not enjoy Bright Like Neon Love.

The album's first two tracks "Time Stands Still" and "Future" are both solid (especially the latter), but for me Neon Light begins with the upbeat Avalanches-like sound fusion of "Saturdays" (MP3), followed by the slapping bass funk rave "Nowhere". Other highlights include the very New Order-esque songs (circa Republic/Get Ready/Sirens' Call) "The Twilight" and "Bright Neon Payphone" (which borrows its intro bass line from Devo's "Mongoloid").

UPDATE 1: A fact-checking cuz pointed out to me that this album was released in 2004. Very true. I've changed the title of the post. Thanks Old School.

UPDATE 2: Head over to Information Leafblower for an MP3 download of "The Twilight"

Finally, Depeche Mode have provided details for their upcoming U.S. tour, which includes a New York stop. This information is courtesy of Billboard.com. Here are the dates:

Nov. 2: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Office Depot Center)
Nov. 3: St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Pete Times Forum)
Nov. 5: Atlanta (Gwinnett Center)
Nov. 7: Houston (Toyota Center)
Nov. 8: Dallas (American Airlines Arena)
Nov. 9: San Antonio (SBC Center)
Nov. 11: Denver (Magness Arena)
Nov. 12: Salt Lake City (E Center)
Nov. 15: Vancouver (GM Place)
Nov. 16: Seattle (Key Arena)
Nov. 18: San Jose, Calif. (HP Pavilion)
Nov. 19: San Diego (ipayone Center)
Nov. 21: Los Angeles (Staples Center)
Nov. 25: Phoenix (Glendale Arena)
Nov. 26: Las Vegas (the Joint)
Nov. 29: Chicago (Allstate Arena)
Nov. 30: Detroit (the Palace of Auburn Hills)
Dec. 1: Toronto (Air Canada Centre)
Dec. 3: Atlantic City, N.J. (Borgata)
Dec. 4: Montreal (Bell Centre)
Dec. 7: New York (Madison Square Garden)
Dec. 8: Fairfax, Va. (Patriot Center)

The new DM album, Playing the Angel, is released October 4. The Bravery and The Raveonettes will take turns opening the shows. Ticketmaster has no on sale dates yet, but keep an eye on this space.

Maxwell's just announced its upcoming shows for October and early November and there's a run of four concerts I would like to see. Here's the list, with my picks in bold:

10/3 MC Chris $15
10/4 The Raveonettes $15
10/6 Rob Dickinson (of Catherine Wheel) $12
10/7 The Milwaukees/Spiraling $7
10/11 Project/Object $15
10/12 The Waco Bros. Bloodshot Revue $12
10/13 Wayne "The Train" Hancock $10
10/15 Detroit Cobras/Reigning Sound/Tralala $14
10/21 Marah/The Drams $10 adv./$12 d.o.s.
10/22 Los Straitjackets feat. special guest vocalist Big Sandy $12
10/26 Calvin Johnson/Old Time Relijun $7
10/27 Glenn Tilbrook $20
10/28 The Clientele/Annie Hayden $12 (on sale)
11/2 Dios Malos $9 adv/$10 d.o.s. (on sale)
11/3 The National $10 (on sale)
11/9 Art Brut $10 adv./$12 d.o.s (already got my ticket for this one)

Head over to Ticketweb for tickets to all of these shows and more. Maybe I should consider a move to NJ?

I keep telling myself to stop posting about the same bands. For some reason I just can't stop. I try to avoid posting about Bloc Party, but if I receive permission to share a song from the Silent Alarm Remixed bonus disc - "Skeleton" (MP3) - am I to pass up the opportunity?

Then there's Sigur Rós. Is there anything left to be said? Well, NPR will broadcast live Sigur Rós' entire performance from Bethesda, Maryland on Sunday, September 11. How could I pass up sharing that?

Now here's one group that I know I've never mentioned: Loggins & Messina. That would be Kenny "Danger Zone" Loggins and Jimmy Messina. Seems they're getting back together for the first time since 1976. I loved their song "House at Pooh Corner" when I was a kid.

Scrolling through Matador's monthly email, I noticed this brief comment buried in a list of Interpol tour dates:

We are now able to announce the final Interpol show of the tour (aside from the to-be-scheduled Mexico City show):

Interpol
Webster Hall
Sunday, October 2
With special guests Boom Bip and Child Ballads
Tickets $31
On Sale 9/23

Interpol plays the Across the Narrows festival on Staten Island the previous evening.

The Angry Robot has resigned again. Citing fatique, one of my favorite music sites will cease soon to exist. The plug has been pulled, the batteries depleted. In the end, the effort of creating unique and interesting content was not worth it for him. In his final posting, AngryRobot made several interesting comments about music blogging, including this statement on his motivations:

"When I (re)started this blog, I didn't have much of a plan regarding the content. I had more ideas about what I didn't want than about what I did want. I didn't want to just post a bunch of links every day to other blogs and new stories. I didn't want to host copyrighted music; I've never been comfortable with the "ask for forgiveness, not permission" disclaimers of MP3 blogs. I didn't have any pretensions towards being an official news source, or a one-stop-shop for the latest in indie-cool. I just wanted to write a personal, daily account of my music listening and discovery."

Read the rest here. I hope AngryRobot will reconsider powering down. I will miss his well written and insightful commentary.

I was hoping Beck would book at least one "small" in New York while he was in the area for the Across the Narrows mega-festival. I'm just not that compelled by the idea of seeing a little speck called Beck from the back of KeySpan Park in Brooklyn. So I was relatively happy to read that Beck will play the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 6. Hammerstein is not at the top of my favorite venues list, but it could be worse. He could have picked Webster Hall.

Pre-sale tickets go on sale tomorrow from 10 AM to Friday at 6 PM. The password is rentalcar. Death of a Party points out KROCK is also holding a pre-sale tomorrow, 9 AM to 9 PM, password: girl. Tickets are $42.

I'd like to suggest that Cablevision should rename Madison Square Garden to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Arena this October. Over the first 26 days of October, MSG will host inductees Sir Paul McCartney (9/30, 10/1, 10/4, 10/5), U2 (10/7, 10/8, 10/10, 10/11, 10/14), and now Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce, AKA Cream.

The super group will play three consecutive nights, October 24, 25, 26. Ticketmaster has yet to post any ticket information, but these shows will certainly sell out immediately.

UPDATE: Just as I published this I found this article on Billboard.com about the shows and when the tickets will be sold. Tickets will be sold first to American Express cardholders on September 12 and to the general public a week later.

If you notice a dearth of cool kids hanging out at your favorite bar on Thursday night, this is where they will be: the Sigur Rós Takk listening party at Seize Sur Vingt. Of course that's where I'll be, because I'm cool. Ha. More likely the cool kids are saying "Takk was so mid-August".

I will try to go to this not because I'm cool (there's no way I'll ever be cool, I accepted that a long time ago), but because Takk is a great album. It's not officially released until next Tuesday, which means I will have to act surprised during the party. I shouldn't have already heard the album, right?

Here are the details of the party, in case you're interested:

Filter Magazine and KCRW present an exclusive listening event for the new
Sigur Ros album "Takk..."
Thursday, September 8th
7-10pm
@ Seize Sur Vingt
243 Elizabeth St.
New York, NY
Come early to get special Sigur Ros giveaways [while supplies last]
Drink specials courtesy of Red Bull

RSVP with full name and number of guests to nycontests@filtermmm.com

I've missed out on every opportunity to see Voxtrot live in New York so far, but with this many upcoming chances I really have no excuse. The band will be in New York to play four (including three in one day!) CMJ-related shows. Here is their schedule:

Friday, September 16

- KEXP/F*ckno Day Party with Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers, Sugar Report, and The Octagon
Pianos, 3 PM, Free

- WOXY/Loose Records Day Party with The Cribs, Dios Malos, and Chin Up Chin Up
Tribeca Grand, 5 PM, $7.50/$9

- Official CMJ showcase with Goldrush, Spartan Fidelity, and Tiny Steps
Coda, 11 PM, $10

Saturday, September 17

- SESAC/CMJ Day Party with Elkland, Hot IQs, Benzos
Rothko, 3 PM, Free

An icon of my childhood has passed. Bob Denver, the man who was Gilligan on Gilligan's Island and Maynard G. Krebs on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, died Friday at Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital. Denver had been receiving treatment for cancer. He was 70 years old.

The Professor (Russell Johnson), Ginger (Tina Louise), and Mary Ann (Dawn Wells) are the only castaways still living.

Gilligansisle.com has a collection of sound clips from the show and an MP3 of the famous theme song.

112 people say Gilligan's Island never Jumped the Shark.

- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution names the top 100 songs of the South (excluding Texas and Louisiana - they each get their own list). Here are numbers 10-1: "Coat of Many Colors" - Dolly Parton; "Georgia on My Mind" - Ray Charles; "Rosa Parks" - OutKast; "Rocky Top" - The Osborne Brothers; "Dixie" - Daniel Decatur Emmett; "We Shall Overcome"; "Mississippi Goddam" - Nina Simone; "A Change is Gonna Come" - Sam Cooke; "Summertime" - George & Ira Gershwin and Dubose Heyward; "Strange Fruit" - Billie Holiday.

- WFMU posts a photo of the elusive Jandek, shopping at Mondo Kim's last Friday.

- Watch the video for Bloc Party's new single "Two More Years" (Windows Media)

- The Village Voice's Jessica Grose wishes she had an infant so she could create a Clap Your Hands Say Yeah music mobile to spin over the poor child's head. Is this an album review or the confessions of a sick mind?

- RSVP for Tom Vek's free show at the Tribeca Grand Hotel, September 17 at 10 PM. [Thanks BV]

- Watch Doves' video for "Sky is Falling" (Real) [Thanks Cliptip]

- Check out this Metamix mashup of M.I.A's "Bucky Done Gun" and New Order's "Blue Monday".

Not to suggest he intentionally predicted Hurricane Katrina and her effect on the Gulf Coast, but there are a few Bob Dylan songs that are eerily prescient. I listened to these over and over again this weekend while watching the hurricane coverage on TV.

Consider:

"High Water" (from 2001's Love & Theft):

"High water risin', the shacks are slidin' down
Folks lose their possessions - folks are leaving town"

High water risin', six inches 'bove my head
Coffins droppin' in the street
Like balloons made out of lead"

"Mississippi" (also from Love & Theft):

Got nothing for you, I had nothing before
Don't even have anything for myself anymore
Sky full of fire, pain pourin' down
Nothing you can sell me, I'll see you around

All my powers of expression and thoughts so sublime
Could never do you justice in reason or rhyme
Only one thing I did wrong
Stayed in Mississippi a day too long"

"Man in the Long Black Coat" (Real Audio) (from Oh Mercy, recorded in 1989 at Daniel Lanois's NOLA studio):

"Crickets are chirpin', the water is high,
There's a soft cotton dress on the line hangin' dry,
Window wide open, African trees
Bent over backwards from a hurricane breeze.
Not a word of goodbye, note even a note,
She gone with the man
In the long black coat."

"Blind Willie McTell" (Real Audio) (from The Bootleg Series, Volume 1-3):

"Seen the arrow on the doorpost
Saying, "This land is condemned
All the way from New Orleans
To Jerusalem."
I traveled through East Texas
Where many martyrs fell
And I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell"

According to postings on the Alex Chilton Yahoo! group and the Big Star Reference message board, Alex Chilton is in Houston "in good health and good spirits".

To further confirm this good news, WWOZ has added Alex to its list of surviving New Orleans musicians.

Realizing that Alex Chilton's life is no more important than anyone else caught up in this tragedy, his survival is at least one small good story amongst all this misery.

First, an unsolicited opinion. While it's clear the U.S. government was not adequately prepared to handle an emergency on the scale we're seeing in the Gulf Coast, I think it's too early to begin the blame game. After the thousands of stranded people have been rescued, the hungry feed and the water drained from our cities, then it will be time to fix blame. Guess what? We're all at fault. Just my two pennies.

- Sounds Familyre records, the home of Sufjan Stevens, Half-Handed Cloud, and Wovenhand is helping victims of the hurricane in two ways: 1) the label is auctioning art works by Paul Goode, designer of the Sounds Familyre website, with starting bids at $5 and $10; and 2) donating all profits from the sale of these t-shirts to the Salvation Army. Bravo! If anyone knows of other labels doing something similar, please let me know and I'll post it.

- The Village Voice covers the damage wrought by Katrina on New Orleans' musical scene. As far as I know, no one has heard from Alex Chilton yet, but the communication system in New Orleans has collapsed completely. It wouldn't surprise me if he's camped out somewhere in the French Quarter with no way to communicate to the outside world.

- WFMU's excellent Beware of the Blog reports on the status of New Orleans' independent radio station WWOZ. Sadly the station production studio and transmitter are under water. WWOZ went off the air at midnight on August 27, but continue to broadcast a webstream, titled WWOZ in Exile. Listen to the stream in Real Audio, MP3 or Windows Media. Check out the WWOZ home page for more information on how to help this station rebuild.

- More WWOZ: The station's home page has a list of found New Orleans musicians. Thankfully it's long. Hopefully Alex Chilton's name will soon be added.

- More WFMU: It's great to see WFMU going above and beyond for a fellow radio station. Much respect! Listen to their web stream in MP3, Windows, or Real Audio.

Courtesy of More Cowbell, here are Art Brut's full tour dates, including five, count 'em five chances to see Eddie Argos and crew in the New York area:

11/9 - HOBOKEN, NJ Maxwells (all ages) - Tickets on sale
11/10 - NEW YORK, NY Mercury Lounge (21+)
11/11 - BROOKLYN, NY Northsix (18+) - Tickets on sale
11/12 - NEW YORK, NY Tribeca Grand Hotel (Most likely free/RSVP, stay tuned)
Plus a special all ages instore gig at Other Music
11/14 - TORONTO, ON Lees Palace (19+)
11/15 - CHICAGO, IL Double Door (21+)
11/17 - LOS ANGELES, CA Spaceland (21+)
11/18 - LOS ANGELES, CA The Echo

While I was very happy to hear Fats Domino had been rescued from his home in the Ninth Ward in New Orleans, it appears the legendary Alex Chilton (of Big Star/Box Tops fame) is also missing.

Chilton lives near the French Quarter and was last heard from on Monday at 2 PM. Here are two missing person postings for Chilton on neworleans.craigslist.org. I hope he's safe somewhere. The French Quarter has been relatively free of major flooding, but certainly there are food, drinking water and safety issues.

- Read Alex Chilton's bio on Wikipedia.
- Alex Chilton's Yahoo! Group
- The Idler interviewed Alex Chilton in 1996.
- Brooklyn Vegan has more on Chilton.
- Jefitoblog has an MP3 of the Replacements song "Alex Chilton". Download it here.
- Big Star Reference has a number of excellent Alex Chilton and Big Star links.

- Always Familiar reviews the new Broken Social Scene album and has this to say: "My friend Justin Peroff, drummer for BSS, asked me if I'd heard the album. 'No,' was my answer. 'Well go download it and tell me what you think,' he replied. So here it is, after having listened to this thing on a daily basis for a week straight, I have my answer, and fortunately I can say - ostensibly without bias - that it's really good."

- Happy third birthday to Chromewaves! Keep up the good work.

- Coolfer recaps impact of hurricane Katrina on many New Orleans musicians.

- NPR's Morning Edition features New Orleans trumpeter Irvin Mayfield. Irvin hasn't heard from his father and brother, who stayed in the city during the hurricane.

- WFMU posts the September edition of their always vital Download Dinner Bell.

There are so many higher priorities to worry about right now in New Orleans (like life and death, food, water, shelter, etc) that it feels trivial to care about what may happen to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. It's eight months away, but with the scale of this disaster growing and growing, the future of this event may be in doubt. The festival takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course, which appears to be partially underwater in the satellite photo displayed above.

Held on the last weekend of April and the first weekend in May, Jazz Fest is vital to the cultural and economic life of New Orleans. Hundreds of artists, hundreds of thousands of fans and millions of dollars pour into the city during these two weeks. Along with Mardi Gras, New Orleans needs this festival.

I attended my first Jazz Fest in 2003 and it's one of the reasons I fell in love with New Orleans. I made the blues tent my home for two days and it was incredible as one great blues musician after another took the stage. Next door, the gospel tent was in full tilt revival mode. Even non-believers were converted by the power of the mass choirs. If you love music in all of its many varieties, Jazz Fest is paradise.

How amazing would it be for the 2006 festival to mark the rebirth of this great city? Eight months from now New Orleans will still be struggling. Holding the fest in the face of this mighty struggle to rebuild would be an inspiring show of support and strength. If it happens, I will be there.

UPDATE: Fats is alive. He was rescued on Monday. Check out this article on CNN.com for the story and a picture of Fats getting out of the rescue boat. Finally a little bit of good news. May it please continue.

I saw this story on ILM and also found it on the Fox News website about Fats Domino and other New Orleans musicians missing since the hurricane hit the city:

Before NBC, MTV or anyone else puts on a telethon to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, they might want to explore some ancillary issues. To wit: New Orleans is a city famous for its famous musicians, but many of them are missing. Missing with a capital M.

To begin with, one of the city's most important legends, Antoine "Fats" Domino, has not been heard from since Monday afternoon. Domino, 76, lives with his wife Rosemary and daughter in a three-story pink-roofed house in New Orleans' 9th ward, which is now under water.

In the meantime, another important Louisiana musician who probably hasn't been asked to be in any telethons is the also legendary Allen Toussaint.

Another Rock Hall member, Toussaint wrote Patti LaBelle's hit "Lady Marmalade" and Dr. John's "Right Place, Wrong Time."

Last night, Toussaint was one of the 25,000 people holed up at the New Orleans Superdome hoping to get on a bus for Houston's Astrodome. I know this because he got a message out to his daughter, who relayed to it through friends.

Also not heard from by friends through last night: New Orleans's "Queen of Soul" Irma Thomas, who was the original singer of what became the Rolling Stones' hit, "Time is On My Side."

Rolling Stone posted a story yesterday by Alex Mor on musicians' reactions to the situation in New Orleans. Here are some highlights:

Phish bassist Mike Gordon: "I'm very passionate about the city -- I've had amazing experiences there," says former Phish bassist Mike Gordon, who has played the city numerous times. "We used to go canoeing on the bayou, go to Mother's Restaurant and see these hip brass bands that no one knows about. New Orleans is such a fuel for the entire country's music. There is such a looseness to the city and the people, a happy-go-lucky quality, throwing caution to the wind. I don't think the pure essence of the place can be wiped away by natural disaster."

Daniel Lanois: "As terrible as this may seem, nothing could ever kill the music of New Orleans," he says. "I have a feeling that the music community there will pull up its pants and get on with things. It's a part of the world that's seen a lot of hardship -- and yet a lot of beautiful music has come out of there."

Ani DiFranco (who lives in the French Quarter): "Ani is devastated," says her spokesperson, "as she's had a lot of damage to her home in the French Quarter, including the loss of her new album."

Shannon McNally: "I live in one of the higher parts of the city, so [my house] could still be there -- but I don't know," she says through tears. "I didn't talk to many of my friends before we left, so I have no idea where anybody is. I'm just assuming that anybody I haven't talked to is on the road or in the Superdome, but I don't know. I'm a little numb. The best parts of New Orleans are underwater. And all those people that couldn't get out -- they're New Orleans."

Read more here.

NPR's All Things Considered Live Online Concert Series will broadcast the White Stripes and The Shins live from Columbia, Maryland on September 27. The concert will be on the radio and streaming online at www.npr.org.

This announcement was just posted on Sub Pop's Shins page:

On September 27th, our heroes The Shins will be part of the White Stripes' live webcast for NPR's All Things Considered Live Online Concert Series! The super-sweet thing about this is that since it's available simultaneously to listeners online at www.npr.org, you could totally go to the show (it's in Maryland), bring your radio AND your computer and listen to it in TRIPLE 3-D! It'd be like a ghetto version of The Flaming Lips' Zaireeka experiment.

Or maybe, you know, you should just listen to it alone. By yourself. In your room. The show will indeed be archived and available for repeated streaming!

As mentioned here several days ago, Spoon are returning to New York for two shows, November 5th at Nokia Theatre Times Square and November 6 at Warsaw in Brooklyn. Pre sale tickets for both shows go on sale Wednesday, September 7 at 10 AM here. Mary Timony and American Music Club open each night.

In other Spoon news, the band plays the Letterman show tonight at 11:35 PM EDT.

This post will have little relevance for anyone not familiar with Tucson's Club Congress. So if you've never heard of the place and you don't care that the club is celebrating its 20th anniversary, please feel free to skip this.

For those (two) who are still with me, thanks for indulging me. It's not often that I have a reason to talk about the music scene in my hometown. Sure there's a scene there, but I'm don't know a thing about it. I do know that Club Congress is easily the best club in town and one of the best places to see live music in this country. Check out their live shows list and you'll see all of the cool names, from TV on the Radio to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

It's not all about the hip out of town acts. The locals more than hold their own. To commemorate its 20th birthday and celebrate Tucson's music history, Club Congress has assembled 40 local bands, many of them reuniting just for this occasion. The names include Giant Sand, Green on Red, The Friends of Dean Martinez, River Roses, The Sidewinders, and members of Calexico. It will take three days, September 2-4, for all of the bands to play. It should be quite a party. I wish I could go.

If you're curious, check out Club Congress' official site for a history of the club, the famous hotel it resides in as well as bios of all the bands. Another good read is the Tucson Weekly's oral history of Club Congress.

Here's some Tucson music to download:

- Giant Sand - "Creakin' Chair" (MP3)
- The Solace Brothers - "Better Than Pilgrim's Pride" (MP3)
- Calexico - "Crystal Frontier" (MP3)