February Concerts
February is just around the corner and a whole bunch of shows are coming up that are worth checking out. Here are my highlights worth checking out.
- 02.02.2012 – Nada Surf @ Tractor Tavern
- 02.07.2012 – Wilco @ The Paramount Theatre
- 02.14.2012 – Dr. Dog @ The Neptune
- 02.15.2012 – The Dear Hunter @ Neumo’s
- 02.17.2012 – Cursive @ Neumo’s
This is a pretty solid moth of shows, especially if you were lucky enough to get tickets to the Nada Surf show!
Andrew WK Live!!!!
FUCK YES!! Andrew WK plays The Showbox Market March 3rd!! Playing his entire first album I Get Wet!!
2011 in Review: Albums
As many of you know, I listen to a lot of music, so I though I’d share my favorite albums of 2011.
Thursday from The Weeknd was easily one of my favorite albums of the year. Another electronic pop album that has punishing beats, crazy singing, and it is FREE! The title track is probably my favorite song of the year.
Each year a metal album comes out that is the one to listen too. Epic facial tattoos, a crazy singing drummer, and a sick album cover, Mastodon returns this year with The Hunter and reminds us that a good rock metal album is pretty freaking awesome. Black Tongue will rock your face off.
A late addition to the list, but has been on constant rotate on the car drive to work. This all started with the new REI commercial which uses Chapel Song by We Are Augustines. This song is just so darn catchy, I had to listen to the rest of Rise Ye Sunken Ships (how awesome is that album name) and I was rewarded with a strong album. If you like Interpol, The National, and countless other bands, you would probably enjoy this one.
This list wouldn’t be complete without some local flavor and with that spot is Campfire OK. I have heard the name Campfire OK for a while, but didn’t hear them until the Nevermind 20 Year Anniversary show where they played Polly. Campfire OK first album Strange Like We Are combines all types of flavors of music into a nice mix. They also rock the banjo! I’m sad I haven’t been able to be around for one of their impromptu shows here in Seattle, including this one at Oddfellows.
The Kills return after a couple years off with Blood Pressures is pretty darn good. I was actually able to see them live at The Showbox Market, which just reminds me how awesome of a hot rocker chick Alison Mooshart is. With a different sound, The Kills still have it. Just listen to the first single, Satellite. Also Alison Mosshart is freaking hot.
While Drive the movie was hit and miss, the soundtrack is freaking amazing. The heavy flavor of electronic-pop is the perfect mood setting score. Each song fits perfectly and an amazing album to just chill out too.
I found out about Kurt Vile’s Smoke Ring for my Halo via good people on NeoGAF has this listed on the monthly rotation, and it is great. Mellow singer song writer brings a nice change of pace to the other albums I listened to this year. This really came out of nowhere for me.
While Crazy for You technically was released in 2010, I didn’t start listening to it until 2011, so I’m listing it in this years group. I have a soft spot for female singers and Best Coast hits it on every chord. The surf inspired music paired with the almost juvenile pop song makes my hear bleed. Even though the songs are from the female perspective, I think anyone can relate to the lyrics, example When I’m With You and Crazy For You.
Grouplove at Vera Project
A couple weeks ago I went to see Grouplove at the Vera Project. Their song Colours was etched into my head while playing this years Madden, and the song is just so damn catchy that I thought I’d check them out. I took a listen to the rest of their album as well and it is pretty good. First thing. Vera Project is really young. I feel old at most concerts now, but I felt really out of place at Vera Project. I swear Chris Hanson was going to walk in or something. Quite strange seeing lots of ‘hip’ parents taking their kids to a show. Anyway, I took my camera and filmed Grouplove perform Colours which they closed with. Good show, well worth checking them out if they are in your town.
2010 in Review: Albums
As many of you know, I listen to a lot of music, so I though I’d share my favorite albums of 2010.
The Arcade Fire return with their 3rd studio album, The Suburbs. I wasn’t a huge fan of Neon Bible, but this album caught me by surprise. If you haven’t you should really check out the long form video for the title song, The Suburbs directed by Spike Jones.
I love Dr. Dog and their latest album Shame, Shame didn’t disappoint. This album felt a little more loose then previous albums, perhaps they were happy drunk when making.
Stranger Live on KEXP
I like all types of music, sometimes bands will catch me off guard with their sound, and Fitz and the Tantrums fall into that category. I heard clips of their sound, but only after seeing their amazing live show was I sold on their hip soul sound. Be sure to check them out at Daryl’s House!
I’ve been listening to Pete Yorn for years and his self titled album is a strong fun album to listen too. With anthem songs like Precious Stone and my favorite Rock Crowd.
Sleigh Bells was easily one of my most played albums of 2010, I even picked it for my favorite album while working at Irrational Games. Just something about the raw beats, thrashing guitar, with female vocals during the summer months created a perfect mix.
I love The Black Keys and their latest Brothers didn’t disappoint. Bring Danger Mouse on board to produce brought a fuller sound bringing in keyboards and bass. Love the sense of humor in the video for Tighten Up.
Spacehog at Harpers Ferry
I remember when my good pal Chris Croft had me listen to a strange band in his Mustang back in 1995. I remember vividly driving down H Street plugging in the tape adapter to listen to Spacehog. Sadly I never got the chance to see them live way back when but fast forward 15 years (holy shit!!) and 3,000 miles to my new home in Boston and I get the chance to see them live. They played some of my favorites, In the Meantime and others from their first album Resident Alien such as Space is the Place, Spacehog, and Zeroes. It was a great show. They were a little rusty, even cracking jokes how they forgot some of their songs, but it brought me back to rocking out so many years ago.
Mew starts US tour in Boston
Mew started their short tour to promote their new album No More Stories Saturday in Boston at the Paradise Rock Club. Mew opened with New Terrain, which was astonishing to see performed live, then played seamlessly into Introducing Palace Players. It was a wall of sound that is rarely heard. The layering of sound was incredible. Mew played for the next hour and twenty minutes covering their entire catalog. Like previous Mew shows, they included a video projector synced to the music, including cats and rabbits playing violins. One of the great moments in the background video is during Sometimes Life Isn’t Easy where they have guys dancing synced to the clapping and stopping their feet, then it changes to kids singing the chorus. As always Mew is an amazing sight to see live and I’ll always see them if they are playing.
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New video for Introducing Palace Player from Mew
Mew is set to release their new album No More Stories… next week in the United States, and they happening to be playing Boston this weekend at The Paradise. I have seen Mew twice back in Seattle, and they put on an amazing visual and audio show. I am pretty excited as Mew is only doing a handful of shows before the release of the albums in the States. Check out the first video from the new album
Supporting my Seattle peeps! Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head @ T.T. the Bear’s
Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head were in town tonight playing T.T. the Bear’s Place over in Cambridge. I decided to go check them out from all my Seattle peeps telling me their live show was pretty darn fun, and they were right. A youthful explosion of moog dance rock. Nice crew too. Great seeing bands from Seattle getting some national attention.
Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band Upstairs
Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band returned to Boston and played the Middle East Upstairs this time. They played some new songs coming from their second album, which they anticipate coming out next next year sometime.