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Review: Anni Rossi - Rockwell (2009)

Anni Rossi

Rockwell [4AD - 2009]
Rating: 7.8/10

Annie Rossi has been plagued by (and praised through) endless comparison. Not a review goes by that doesn't immediately situate her among Final Fantasy, Regina Spektor, and/or especially Joanna Newsom. And while this triumverate is most certainly fantastic company (and would surely make a brilliant album if they ever to collaborated), I tend to think that focusing too heavily on the various parts distracts from the mysterious and piercing beauty of the whole.

The Good: Her debut full length, Rockwell (4AD), is as chilling as it is short. Her instrumentation is extremely sparse which makes the fact that she is consistently praised for her ability to captivate audiences with her nonchalant and intriguing stage presence all the more impressive. To the detriment of each of her previous releases (2007's Scandia and last years Afton) the energy of her live shows was more or less lost in the sterility of the studio. This time, in addition to toning down some of her vocal quirks, she enlisted the help of legendary producer (insert Newsom comparison here) Steve Albini with aim to capture the detailed interplay between her vocals and instrumentation.

Rossi, a Minnesota native who resides in Chicago by way of L.A., is as nomadic musically as she has been physically. For example, the track entitled "Venice" begins sounding like middle eastern folk music until working its way shortly toward the song's chorus of a downcast march with a strikingly beautiful string melody. From there she displays her viola talent by playing music that I could hear Yo-Yo Ma covering on cello and yet simultaneously resists classical formality by makes a noise that sounds like a little kid imitating a motor boat. If you aren't consumed by her quirks at this point, Rossi is probably not for you. Throughout the album her restless vocals rise and fall, punctuated by piercing falsetto jumps and dissonant bends that consistently threaten to fall out of tune in a way that would seem lazy if it wasn't so manically effortless. Unafraid to change tempos when it suits her, she often strums and plucks her viola rather than using a bow, using the instrument as an sonic highlighter to accentuate the subjects of her lyrics. Having begun her musical training at the ripe old age of three, she is able to manipulate her viola and voice for so many different and unexpected sounds that it can seem like milking a cow and getting a bicycle.

The Bad: Interestingly, many of her songs that were re-recorded for the Rockwell got a bit of a trim with only two tracks making it over the three minute mark. It seems as if her frantic performance's are like sprints that she can only maintain for a couple minutes. With the intensity of each song, the brevity makes it hard to find an entrance point. By the time I feel like I am finally on the same page as her and can immerse myself in the chilling landscape she has crafted, the song is over. The only other criticism I will offer is that while Rossi tends to ruminate on the same unsettled dissatisfaction that say, Hail to the Thief revels in, it does so without being as emotionally varied or convincingly dark. The album feels to me less like an emotional exploration than a demonstration of obsessive dreariness that seems contrary to Rossi's unpredictability.

The Verdict: Rockwell ultimately reminds me of bones. It is chillingly bare and at once extremely personal. While somewhat emotionally singular and rather short, it is certainly an improvement on her former releases. Rossi shines through her eccentricities, having created a captivating and intriguing album.

See Rossi on tour with Seattle stop details here.
Listen to a few tracks here.
Buy Anni Rossi - Rockwell here.
Watch Rossi cover Radiohead's "Creep" here.
Download "Wheelpusher" - Rockwell here.




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Newsom, Banhart and Antony in New Documentary

No New Newsom is Now Growing Oldsome
If you are like me, you have been hitting your head over anything close enough to hit your head over wondering when Joanna Newsom was going to come out with new material. The Joanna Newsom and the Y's Street Band Ep came out two years ago, and though interesting, it has not been enough to satiate my hunger for warbly voiced labyrinthine, baroquely orchestral folk gems of near perfection. That being said, the excruciating wait continues as Newsom does whatever she does in complete reclusion. Maybe she hangs out with Thomas Pynchon?

So naturally, in order to capitalize on mindless followers like me, Currituck Co. frontman Kevin Barker is releasing a documentary that consists of 2004 tour footage from Newsom, Devendra Banhart, Antony and the Johnsons and others. The film is called The Family Jams (which, as it turns out, is a terrible choice for the title as it is shared by an album made by Charles Manson). It is set to premier at The Sarasota Film Festival on April 2 and 3 (via P4k). According to the synopsis, the film is "brimming with beautiful footage of intimate live shows," and "is more than just a revealing portal into a very special moment in time. It reflects the engaging spirit of a special group of artists connected by their passion for music and care for one another." Touching.

Actually this trailer looks fantastic. Anything set to Joanna's music will have a difficult time being bad.



Still no word on whether or not this film will be playing at SIFF, but I sure hope so. For more "freak folk" documentary goodness, check out Eternal Children.

Download Joanna Newsom "Bridges and Balloons" - Milk Eyed Mender (2004)
Download Decemberists "Bridges and Balloons (Joanna Newsom Cover)" - Picaresqueties (2005)

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Brand New Brand New Show

An e-mail I just recieved:
Neumos and Infinite Present
BRAND NEW
Special Early Show! Just announced!
Saturday, MARCH 28TH

Brand New is a Post-Hardcore band from Long Island, New York. They will be playing a special acoustic set at Neumos tomorrow. They were schduled to play in Alaska but the show was cancelled because of the erruption of Alaska's Mount Redoubt. We are extreemly pleased to host this very special surprise show.

Tickets will go fast!
Be sure to get there on time!

BRAND NEW

$16 at the Door
4 pm doors 5 pm show
All Ages
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Black Box 3/27/09


Friday's Black Box


Friday is a day to crash. Crash meaning "to kick back and relax." And also, for me, meaning to violently burn to the ground in a heap of broken pieces because of all of the things that I have neglected to write about during the week. Since this happens pretty much every friday, I've resolved to go the way of the airplane and record everything in a tiny black box. Also, for your convenience I have decided to forgo the inevitable casualties usually associated with plane crashes. Cheers.
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Björk and Dirty Projectors to do Benefit
This Stereogum sponsored awesome-fest is in support of Housing Works, an NYC non-profit that has fought against both AIDs and Homelessness since 1990. It is set to go down like this:
In a brand new collaboration, Björk will perform music composed for her by David Longstreth. The suite, written for five voices, will pair Björk with Longstreth and Projectors' Amber Coffman, Angel Deradoorian, and Haley Dekle. The band will also perform material from Dirty Projectors' oeuvre, using only voices and one acoustic guitar.
If you happen to live in NYC (then why are you reading this blog and not this one?) the show is on Friday, May 8th, at 8PM at Housing Works Bookstore & Café (126 Crosby Street) in Manhattan. More via Sterogum.
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Prince Does Leno. Three Times.
If you couldn't help but notice your life was a little short on the funk-o-meter, Prince as arrived. His purpleness is making quite a splash this year performing three nights in a row on Leno, playing three shows in one night, and releasing three albums in one year day. Im starting to think he might be blessed. MPLSoUND, Lotusflow3r, and Elixer out on Sunday at...Target.


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Animal Crack Box sells, Then Doesn't
Like we said, Animal Collective's Animal Crack Box was up on ebay for $2,425 which it eventually sold for. However, it turns out that the winner (loser) couldn't pay up, which seems like a mean thing to do to a charity. Catsup Plate's website says to keep looking at Catsup Plate's website for information about a relisting.
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All Five of Death Cab's New EP available at Stereogum
As a redux to some certain strong opinions regarding the new Death Cab offering, The Open Door EP, here are links to all the tracks. The EP is available online at the end of the month on Atlantic.

01 "Little Bribes"
02 "
A Diamond And A Tether"
03 "
My Mirror Speaks"
04 "
I Was Once a Loyal Lover"
05 "
Talking Bird" (demo)
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Sunset Rubdown announces Third LP, Dragonslayer
Spencer Krug is a busy person. Besides releasing two albums in the last two years with two different bands, he already has another album ready with another different band. Dragonslayer is out 6/23 via Jagjaguwar along with a picture disc 7" called Introducing Moonface that'll include "Coming To The Dawn" and "Insane Love Is Awakening." It's out in early April via Aagoo.

01 "Silver Moons"
02 "Idiot Heart"
03 "Apollo and the Buffalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh!"
04 "Black Swan"
05 "Paper Lace"
06 "You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)"
07 "Nightingale / December Song"
08 "Dragon's Lair"
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Metric's New Album Fantasies streaming online

The Album is out digitally in a couple days (on 30th March) and the album will be released physically, four weeks later, on 27th April. But if you can't wait, that is what myspace is for .
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Blender Mag Gone Under
Alpha Media Group closed Blender magazine today, eliminating about 30 jobs and reducing its portfolio of titles to Maxim alone. The April issue of Blender out now will be its last. Not that I ever read the magazine. It is sad to see people lose their jobs.
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Muppets Interview Shins



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Los Campesinos! Recording Another Album
Via their new blog:
"We’re about 7 tracks (probably about halfway) into our over-thought, over-long, over-the-top sophomore album, and I’m thinking this is probably going to be our 'Coke Album' what with the track-numbers piling up, egos a-flailing and a Gallagher-sized sense of misplaced belief in our own band. Sadly though (for you) there’s not a sniff of white powder in sight, so it might not be as bombastic as we’d all hope… (though i’m sure if we went searching in the cracks of the SSL board here at Carriage House we’d find enough to make Be Here Now 2). So it’s probably gonna be more of a 'Diet Coke Album'."
They are working with John Goodmanson for this record, who has produced both Blonde Redhead and Hanson. Maybe they can get sweet hookups with some Tinted Windows.
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Neutral Milk Gone Sour

By far the funniest Neutral Milk Hotel cover I have ever seen.
And a lot of people think the original is hard to listen to.



(via Videogum)

Neutral Milk Hotel
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Merge - 1998)
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Shins Shed (Some) Sub Pop Skin

The Shins to Self-Release Fourth Album
In a recent Billboard article, Sub Pop favorites and notable appendages, The Shins, announced that they are likely to forego the aforementioned hometown label in order to self-release their next album through James Mercer's Aural Apothecary label. Instead of a Radiohead variation, the release would be more like a partnership. According to the article:
"The deal will be more of a [pressing and distribution] deal than a traditional record deal," Shins manager Ian Montone tells Billboard. "That partner could very well remain Sub Pop, who have done a remarkable job with the band and have a great staff of people who really love music. It could be a digital partner with respect to other rights. All of this is being determined. The first goal is to make the record and see where that takes us."

Says Sub Pop general manager Megan Jasper, "The Shins have been a huge part of Sub Pop's story. We'd love to continue working with them."
A huge part indeed. The single for New Slang is one of Sub Pop's top three selling albums, along with Postal Service's "Such Great Heights" and Nirvana's Bleach.

The Shins will also be embarking on a short May tour after taking some time off to have a child and star in a movie. You can viddy all the tour dates here. And, if you do, you will notice that they start the tour with a couple shows at the Showbox. Tickets are $35.00 and available here.

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Death Cab For Cutie New EP

Death Cab For Cutie: The Open Door EP
So I am not a huge fan of anything DCFC since Transatlanticism. I thought Plans was overproduced and Narrow Stairs was just plain boring. However, this week Stereogum has been previewing tracks off Deathcab's new EP, The Open Door, and its actually good!
The best track so far is "My Mirror Speaks", which can be streamed here.
Another good song off the EP is "Little Bribes" which can be streamed here.

Granted, its nothing compared to old DCFC, but I'll take anything after songs like "Long Division".
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Laura Gibson Makes a Sonic Boom


If you also think Laura Gibson (the Portland folkster not the jeweler) goes nicely with a cup of the great Northwest don't miss her this saturday (28th) at Sonic Boom Records in Capitol Hill. The show is free and all ages so you really have no good excuse not to go. If that doesn't convince you, here is this from NPR:
“One of the year's most breathtaking albums. Beasts of Seasons is nothing short of a masterpiece, both for its flawless and often haunting execution and for its inspired statements on the human experience.”

Listen to Beast of Seasons (2009) here.
Download "Come By Storm" - Beast of Seasons here.
Download "Spirited" - Beast of Seasons here.
Buy Beast of Seasons here.

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Animal Collective to release Live Rarities on Vinyl

Animal Crack, meet Bohemian Cuddle
Animal Collective is releasing a limited three vinyl set of live rarities called Animal Crack Box. I like the title cause it reminds me of animal crackers (which are objectively amazing) and cracker jacks (maybe there is an extra prize inside?).
The music for the discs was all recorded live to mini-disk documenting roughly the first few years of the bands existence. The tracks span from September 2000 to July 2003 which means that the last disc has a few Sung Tongs tracks on it (full track list via Stereogum).
The albums are produced by Catsup Plate Records (responsible for early Animal Collective albums like Danse Manatee and Campfire Songs) who are only pressing 1000 copies so its probably going to be a little pricey. They claim they will have everything ready in 4-6 weeks "if all goes well."

However, if you have already (somehow) played out Merriweather Post Pavilion and need some Animal Crack immediately and also have an extra few thousand dollars lying around, you're in luck. Catsup Plate is auctioning off a test pressing of the Lp's on ebay right now. All proceeds won from the auction go toward Doctors Without Borders which is really a fantastic (Nobel Peace Prize winning) organization and is entirely deserving of the money. Fortunately for them (and less so for you) the auction is already up to $2425.00 with a couple days to go.

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Leonard Cohen LIVE

Today NPR reported its readership is currently at an all-time high, an impressive feat considering the state of news media recently (See, Seattle PI).
And who is surprised? NPR continuously manages to remain relevant. They have premiered several great albums this year (Andrew Bird, Laura Gibson, etc.) and now bring us Rock&Roll hall of famer Leonard Cohen's new live album.
At 72, Cohen has recently taken his enormous (and mixed) catalogue of songs on a worldwide tour. His voice still has the recognizable richness and depth, and though his style the past few decades has strayed towards the late-night-diner-crowd, this collection of songs will please any Cohen fan.
For those who haven't been introduced to Cohen's music, I would recommend skipping this album and picking up his 1968 classic, Songs of Leonard Cohen or his 1974 record New Skin for the Old Ceremony.
Or if you don't like music you could pick up some of his poetry (The Spice-Box of Earth [1961]) or one of his (sexy!) novels (Beautiful Losers [1966]). What a renaissance man (Did I mention he is an ordained buddhist monk?) Just read the wiki.
Anyways, you can stream the live album, which was recorded in London last year, at NPR Music.

And for new fans...

Leonard Cohen :: Field Commander Cohen (from New Skin for the Old Ceremony 1974)
Leonard Cohen :: Suzanne (from Songs of Leonard Cohen 1968)

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Neko and Her Nerve

Neko Case has a new video for the lead single "People Got a Lot of Nerve" off of her recently released album, Middle Cyclone. The entire video is animated which seems to be the new trend after the video from those Cute Cabbies of Death. To be honest, I like this video a lot better. The animation aesthetic is captivating and fits the music. Not to metnion that the video plays like a musical noah's ark, featuring Orca whales, dogs, an elephant, an ostrich, a tiger and others.



Also check out this interview Case recently did with (the ubiquitous) P4k. Here is a sample "I had a good dream where I met a tornado at a rest stop on the side of the highway, and he wanted me to read him a book. He was frustrated. "

Middle Cyclone was out on March 3rd on Anti-
Buy Middle Cyclone here.
Listen to Neko Case here.
Download People Got a Lot of Nerve" here.
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Unreleased Hendrix Footage and Music

Left Coast Lefty Gets New DVD
The Guardian reported today that a "reality TV" style DVD of Jimi Hendrix will soon be released, according to Hendrix's sister. The footage, dating from around (the pinnacle of American awesomism) 1969, reportedly displays Hendrix offstage, at home, backstage and just "hanging out."
The film is to be distributed by Universal Music Publishing Group along with "at least two albums this year, and a Jimi Hendrix Experience concert DVD of the band's Royal Albert Hall gig in February 1969."
Having grown up just a three miles from Hendrix's grave, I personally would really like to get my hands on all of this goodness. It's really a tragedy that he wont be playing at Woodstock '09.

Elsewhere in Hendrix-land, NME reports that "an unreleased tape of 14 acoustic songs played by Hendrix is expected to sell for between £50 000 and £100 000 when it is auctioned this April." The tape consists of songs from Hendrix's 1968 album Electric Ladyland and is to be auctioned on April 28th via The Fame Bureau. The best part of this though, is that apparently in a noble display of bartering art for goods, "Hendrix himself gave the tape to his neighbour, Carl Niekirk, as a thank you for lending him some milk and sugar." Google says £50 000 is about $73,000. In these ridiculous economic times, that is certainly not a bad return on a cup of sugar.

This sounds...how you say?..."far out"

Watch "Star-Spangled Banner" at Woodstock (1969) via YouTube.
Now Watch this interview. Brilliant.


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Show Me Something - April


Show Me Something
Every month Bohemian Cuddle Box updates you on the shows in Seattle from the bands that you love.

April 2nd
Mirah w/ Lovers @ Vera Project 7:30 pm $15

Sebastien Grainger @ Crocodile Cafe $10 8pm 21+

April 3rd
Chad VanGaalen w/ Women and Cataldo @ Chop Suey 21+ $10adv/$12dos Doors 9pm

J. Tillman w/ Pearly Gate Music @ Crocodile Cafe 21+ $10 8pm 21+

April 4th
The Duchess and the Duke @ Neumos 8pm $12 Doors 21+

Past Lives w/ The Mae Shi @ The Vera Project 7:30pm

TIG PResent: Top of the Croc Feat: Awesome, BOAT, Tullycraft @ Crocodile Cafe 21+ $10 adv 8pm

April 5th
Alexi Murdoch @The Vera Project $20 7:30 pm

April 6th
Lily Allen w/ Natalie Portman's Shaved Head @ Showbox Sodo 9:00 pm $25 adv/$29 dos

April 7th
Friendly Fires w/ White Lies, The Soft Pack @ Neumo's 21+ 8 pm $13

April 8th
Point Juncture WA w/ Johanna Kunin and Secret Highways @ Sunset Tavern 21+ 9pm $8

April 9th
The Roots @ The Paramount Theatre 8pm $35

April 10th
Los Campesinos with Sky Larkin @ Neumo's All Ages 8pm doors $12

Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter w/ Marissa Nadler @ Tractor Tavern 21+ 9:30pm $12adv/$15dos

April 10th
Head Like A Kite w/ Sleepy Eyes Of Death @ Crocodile Cafe 21+ $10 8pm

Viva Voce w/ Rafter, Shaky Hands @ Chop Suey 21+

April 11:
Heartless Bastards @ Crocodile Cafe $12 8pm 21+

The Thermals w/ Panther, Parenthetical Girls @ Neumo's Doors 8 pm $15

April 12:
The Ting Tings @ Crocodile Cafe $15 8pm 21+

Junior Boys w/ Max Tundra @ Neumo's Doors 8 pm $15 adv

April 13th
Franz Ferdinand @ The Paramount 8:00pm $32.50 Adv/$36 Dos

April 14th
Dr. Dog w/ The Cave Singers @ Crocodile Cafe $15 adv 8pm 21+

Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu @ The Vera Project 7:30 PM $11

Glasvegas w/ Von Iva @ Neumo's doors 8 pm $15 21+

The Presets w/ The Golden Filter @ Neumo's doors 8pm 21+

April 15th
Fucked Up @ Neumo's doors 8pm $15

April 16th
Portugal the Man @ Crocodile Cafe $12 adv 8pm 21+

April 17th
Tiny Vipers w/ Grouper @ The Vera Project 7:30 PM $8

Throw Me The Statue w/ Telekinesis, Say Hi @ Crocodile Cafe 21+ $10 adv 8pm

April 18th
Vetiver w/ Richard Swift, Black Whales @ Crocodile Cafe 21+ $12 adv 8pm

April 21st
Noah and The Whale w/ Anni Rossi @ Chop Suey 9:00 pm

April 22nd
Cold War Kids w/ Crystal Antlers @ Showbox Market 9:00pm $20 21+

The Killers @ WaMu Theater

Mastodon w/ Kylesa, Intronaut @ Neumo's $20 adv

April 23th
Leonard Cohen @ WaMu Theater

April 24th
Bloc Party w/ Menomena @ Showbox Market doors 7pm $25

Slender Means w/ Shim, Transfer @ Tractor 21+ 930pm $8

The Lonely Forest CD Release w/ Wild Orchid Children @ The Vera Project 730pm

April 25th
Dan Deacon & Ensemble w/ Future Islands @ The Vera Project 7:30 PM $11

The Black Lips w/ Flowers Forever @ Neaumo's doors at 8 pm $13 21+

April 26th
The Grand Poetry Slam @ Neumo's 6:30PM $15 ADV 21+

April 27th
My Bloody Valentine @ WaMu Theater

April 28th
Yann Tierson w/ Asobi Seksu @ Neumo's 8:00PM Doors $15 ADV 21+

April 30th
Vivian Girls w/ Abe Vigoda @ Neumos 8:00PM Doors $12 ADV 21+

Aqueduct w/ The Republic, Josh Ottum @ Sunset Tavern 21+ 9pm $10
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Cryptacize: Mythomania [2009]


Cryptacize: Mythomania (2009)
8.3/10
Much of Cryptacize's new album, Mythomania, sounds like it should the soundtrack to a Clint Eastwood western. For example, "I'll Take The Long Way", one of the album's stand out tracks, begins with a great tack-piano line and a cowboy electric guitar riff. Its one of those songs that makes you feel real badass. I honestly fantasize tumbleweed blowing about me when I walk around listening to this album, and thats a good thing. This may also explain the cowboy on the album cover being strangled by a cloud (?)
Fans of Deerhoof will certainly find much to love here. Former Deerhoofian guitarist Chris Cohen drives each song with his incredible rhythmic riffs, and the resulting sound is very similar to his prior band. Like Deerhoof, Cryptacize doesn't take themselves too seriously, allowing for cute theatrics to dominate several songs. The most notable difference between the two bands, which may at first seem like a similarity, is the vocals. On a few songs Nedelle Torrisi's voice bounces and chirps like Deerhoof, but when she slows down and drags her singing embodies a beautifully full aesthetic. And the melodies, oh the melodies! They are all over the place, dropping and lifting where you'd least expect it. Cohen and company certainly aren't pushing boundaries here, but they have crafted a light and intricate album that is full of imagination.

Cryptacize releases Mythomania April 21 on Asthmatic Kitty Records.

Cryptacize:: I'll Take the Long Way (from Mythomania [2009])

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The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

No Pains of Being Pure at Heart, No Gains of Being Pure at Heart

In between all of the highly anticipated releases this year, a few newer bands have been causing quite a stir. So far this year, my favorite of these is most certainly The Pains of being Pure at Heart. Based out of Brooklyn (cause who isn't nowadays?), the fuzzy pop quartet have been writing warm cuts of jangly music since their self-titled EP in 2007. But besides their debut EP and a couple split EPs and a 7" single, Pains music has been rather hard to come by. However, this year Slumberland Records released the Pains debut full length (which, creatively, is also self titled).

The album contains a lot of songs previously released on the Ep's but this time around they are considerably more polished. The album is a consistent exhibition of trebly noise-pop that doesn't rely on showiness as much as solid songwriting to propel the music. Most of the songs are driven by Kurt Feldmen's drums and Alex Naidus's bass while guitars provide a blanket of noise that more envelopes the room than draws you in to itself. Kip Berman and Peggy Wang's vocal interplay is continually engaging and endearing yet still subtle enough to blend into the band's forthright approach. The lyrics harken back to a youthful playfulness that when combined with the music becomes detached and nostalgic reminding me of why I like bands like Belle and Sebastian and the Smiths.

This video, via Yellow Stereo, is for the song "Everything With You" from their debut LP and basically just displays visually the playful romping around that their music implies sonically. It is shot entirely on Super 8 film which seems like a fitting compliment to the nostalgic quality of their music.



Most recently, Slumberland announced that they will release a new 7″ single for the track “Young Adult Friction” on Mar. 31st. The Pains are touring all the way through June, including a tour through Europe, a stop at the P4K music festival and ten shows at SXSW (including 4 in one day!). Yet somehow, they are still not coming to Seattle. My pure heart feels the pain.

Listen to the band's myspace here.

Buy The Pains of Being Pure at Heart here.

Download "Young Adult Friction" here.
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Cuddle Buddies: Alela Diane

Alela Diane Promotes Tranquility
In order to support artists from the Great Northwest, we here at BCB present Cuddle Buddies. A biweekly article about regional artists we think you should check out.

When I first began listening to Alela Diane, it was purely because of how much I love singing along to her songs. But, after a while, I realized that I couldn't stay away for more than a few days. I'd be scrolling through my itunes looking for music to listen to and her name's always at the beginning of the alphabet, I would try to skip over her name, but a little voice in my head would say, "ooh! alela!" (not to mention Alela is so much fun to say...) Her voice is captivating. Even mesmerizing, and it kept drawing me back.

Her new album, To Be Still, has been receiving a lot of attention lately. The folks over at poptartssucktoasted labeled her new album "definitely buzzworthy." Similarly, Gorillavs.Bear has a "well-documented love"for Diane and most recently they posted her warm and eerie video, "White As Diamonds." It seems that no one can quite get enough of Alela, newly signed on Rough Trade Records. And with good cause. She's amazing.

Many of the new songs aren't really new at all, they're remakes of her older songs, but every one of the remakes is much fuller and richer. Her music has a great old folk feeling; each of the songs tell a story with such imagery to place you directly in the nature she so seems to love. But don't think you'll just get the same old thing that's already been done either: her voice is her own (with a tiny hint of Joanna Newsom's whimsically warbly warble) and it turns the classic folk into a story out of a different world. Every song is completely wonderful and each time I listen, I am transported to isolated woods of nostalgia.


Also, if you're lucky enough to make it over to Austin, TX by March 20, you can catch Alela Diane at SXSW. And this is a cute video she did with her dad accompanying her on mandolin


Download
"White as Diamonds" hizzle

Listen To Be Still at Rhapsody here

Buy Amazon.com here

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The Croc's Grand Reopening

Beware Captain Hook!
The Croc Chomps
Once More
As previously reported, The Crocodile Cafe is reopening. If you didn't hear, the story went like this: after closing down in 2007 due to financial difficulties we were sad. Now we have to be sad no longer!
The reopening festivities begin thursday and consist of two nights of free music from all local bands. Thursday night features a lineup ranging from the psychedelic Hypatia Lake, to the poppy popsters The Quiet Ones. My personal favorite is in the middle, the playfully unsettled The Kindness Kind. Being from Seattle as they are, their music sounds rainy without going over the top depressed. Friday features a lineup of heavier music including Akimbo, and Brothers of the Sonic Cloth. Both nights are 21+ which means you can get your drink on while enjoying the remodeled show space (no pesky pole), skylights, dining area and (ooh!) brand new plumbing. According to The Stranger's Line Out weblog, "the Crocodile has expanded and improved its legendary sound system, and completely updated the lighting rig" as well. What's more, the Croc is serving super delicious pizza from Seattle fav Via Tribunali now too! Well, that sure does sound exciting.
In the words of managing owner, Marcus Charles "the Crocodile has always been about local bands and community, not the superstars that the room has been lucky to host.” That said, I can't think of a better way to re-welcome the beloved venue back into our music community.

Thursday, March 19, 2009
8:30 PM Doors 21+ Free!

Friday, March 20, 2009
Akimbo, Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, Patrol
8:00 PM Doors 21+ w Free!
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bobby D


New Bob Dylan Album
From P4k comes the news of a new Dylan album (His 46th!), titled "Together Through Life". The album comes out April 28th on Columbia.
Bob Dylan is 67. That is all.






also this album cover is pretty lame.
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meow!

New Tunes!

From Sufjan's ever-wonderful Asthmatic Kitty Records comes two new artists,
DM Stith and Cryptacize.
DM Stith has released his debut LP, Heavy Ghosts, and its getting quite a bit of attention from the critics. As far as sound, think the chaos of Sufjan/melodies of Radiohead/voice of Department of Eagles. Eerie and wonderful.
DM Stith :: Pity Dance (from Heavy Ghosts [2009])

Cryptacize is the new project of former Deerhoof guitarist, Chris Cohen. I guess you could describe the sound as lo-fi Deerhoof with tolerable (almost beautiful!) vocals. The melodies are really what catches you here. They release their new LP Mythomania on April 21. According to Asthmatic Kitty, they recorded the album "in a cabin near Yosemite National Park over the summer of 2008". Awesome.
Cryptacize :: Blue Tears (from Mythomania [2009])
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Record Store Day

Record Store Day!

According to their website, Record Store Day was "founded in 2007 as a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally." The joyous day is now celebrated yearly on the second saturday of April (which is the 11th). Reasons to attend include "Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances."

The websites features an absurd litany of artist quotes in support of the project. And, in a strange move, the hands down best quote was from Meatwad who is apparently anti-indie-music-store though endearingly subtitled "Aqua Teen Hunger’s mostly peaceful, childishly simple-minded mass of compressed meat - not approved for human consumption." He writes: 

“If it weren't for Best Buy, I would have never discovered the New Release Aisle. And if it weren't for the New Release Aisle, I would have never discovered Panic! At the Disco. And if it weren't for Panic! At the Disco, I would have never starting wearing mascara with my top hat, which is what I was wearing when I beat my 12-year old neighbor to death with a set of cast-iron log tongs. If it weren't for my dead 12-year old neighbor, I would have never gone to prison. But if it weren't for my fireplace, I would have never discovered my cast- iron log tongs. So who truly is to blame for the death of my stupid neighbor? I blame independent record stores.”

The quotes are really worth perusing. They offer bits from none other than Bruce Springsteen who is "singlehandedly supporting what's left of the record business" and Paul McCartney who offers "Cheers!" among other things. Highlights include northwest heroes Colin Meloy and Rocky Votolato givin some love to Sonic Boom RecordsRegina Spektor who is characteristically sincere, and Max Richter predictably using phrases like "unexpected magic and lucid memories" and "faceless sociopathic corporations." He should really hang out with Andrew Bird.

Easy Street Records is set to participate, though no word yet on what festivities may ensue. You can find the full list of participating Washington locations Here.
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The Evolution of Revolution

New Beatles Track: Revolution 1 (Take 20)

Amidst all of our high hopes that Sir Paul McCartney will soon convince Ringo and Yoko to let him share the unreleased "plinky-plonky" 1967 track "Carnival of Light," Beatles fans were recently appeased with a 10-minute version of “Revolution 1″ from the White Album sessions.

The track starts off with John Lennon, true to character, yelling "take...your knickers off, lets go" flowing into what begins like the album version of "Revolution 1." Instead of fading out around the 4:15, Take 20 transitions in a more experimental sound collage with a strange buzzing sound that reminds me of a fly zooming past my ear. This mixed with increasingly frenetic guitar sounds (is there some reverse in there?) maniacal yelling and gibberish for the next few minutes all atop the incessant drums and shooby-doo-wops. At about the 9:35 mark the song finally breaks under its own chaotic weight with a brief harmonica and piano crash transition. The song ends with sufficiently creepy voices exclaiming at random including a short loop of a low voice saying "it will be all right." Other sounds that I can identify or at least describe are Ringo's voice, creaking door opening slowly, space alien-esque (9:47) noises that actually sound like the beginning to Animal Collectives "In the Flowers," an operatic singing voice, a little kid that sounds like the beginning to Bright Eyes' Fevers & Mirrors but is probably John because he says something about being naked, what sounds like someone trudging through a dank reverby sewer (10:10), a piano diddy, that fly like buzzing noise, and Yoko.

According to Rolling Stone, "only two copies of the take were made when recording the song was completed on June 4, 1968. One copy left the studio with Lennon that day, and the other remained behind. It’s unclear which copy appears on the bootleg, nor how the Revolution makers even acquired it." I wouldn't mind if long lost Beatles tracks just started popping up everywhere. Maybe the "Carnival of Light" will leak as a secret track on Beatles Rock Band.

Download "Revolution 1 (Take 20)" at JP's Blog Here.

Listen to an excellent program last year on NPR about the 40th anniversary of The White Album Here

Buy The White Album Here and Paul McCartney's latest album Electric Arguments Here

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Rising from the Ashes

Phoenix Has New Album

Its called Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, and its due out on May 26. The delightfully danceable French foursome has already released a track from the new album entitled "1901" (available below) which is everything I want from a Phoenix song. Its dynamic, got a tight drum beat, great catchy vocals and oh the hooks! The only new addition is light backdrop of synths which compliments rather than saturates and besides, everybody's doin it.




Tracklist:
01 Lisztomania
02 1901
03 Fences
04 Love Like A Sunset Pt. 1
05 Love Like A Sunset Pt. 2
06 Lasso
07 Rome
08 Countdown
09 Girlfriend
10 Armistice

Phoenix - "1901" - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
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Show and Presale Information

David Byrne @ The Paramount Theatre
June 24, 2009  7:30 pm
Internet Only Presale:
March 5 @ 10 am - March 6 @ 10 pm
Enter promotional code "stg" when prompted

Spinal Tap Unwigged and Unplugged The Paramount Theatre
April 20, 2009 8:00 pm
Internet Only Presale:
March 5 from 10 am - 10 pm
Enter promotional code "stg" when prompted

Neko Case @ The Paramount Theatre
June 4, 2009 7:30 pm
Internet Only Presale:
March 5 @ 10 am - March 6 @ 10 pm
Enter promotional code "stg" when prompted
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Elvis Goes Dylan

Elvis Perkins In Dear Land

Stereogum just posted this video of one Elvis Perkins in Dearland. I haven't heard anything by this artist before so I was a little skeptical when the song "shampoo" was described as "a standout amongst standouts and one of the best folk songs you'll hear this year." But as far as singles, I think I have to agree. A great warm organ tone, harmonica, catchy drum beat, attention holding voice. This is good stuffI Just hope the album is this great. It's due oue on March 10. At any rate, they have an upright bass!



Elvis Perkins in Dearland will be playing at the Tractor Tavern Monday March 9.
The show starts at 8 o'clock 21+ and is $14 and tickets are Here.

For all you youngins, you can still see them perform at Easy Street Records on the same day. The time for that one says 7:30 so I assume they wont be opening at the Tractor at 8.

Continuing our backwards time travel, they will be performing on KEXP at noon the on the 9th. Three shows in one day! The stamina...

Also, apparently I have been blatantly ignoring Perkins because here he is on Letterman.



Listen to more of their (wonderful folk) music Here

Pre-order the album Here

Download "Shampoo"
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Sad Bears

Veckatimest Leaked

Grizzly Bear's much anticipated follow up to the wonderful Yellow House leaked yesterday. The album is not set to release until May so I hadn't even thought to look for it. And yet here it is. Apparently, it is a really low quality version which makes me a little conflicted about listening to it. Not from a monetary sense because I have already pre-ordered the vinyl LP. I guess Im Floating put it best: 

"On one hand, I think you should all wait before downloading and devouring Veckatimest in its current state of awful sound quality. On the other hand, having had the opportunity to hear a few of the songs in a better format (and being a crazed Grizzly Bear fan with no will power), I know this thing slays.

Grizzly Bear Ed Droste wrote this on his Twitter:

"I'm trying to be zen about the album leaking because I'm "ok" with it, but I'm bummed. And apparently it's [a] low quality rip. :( So now everyone will be judging it off of a crappy rip. Sigh.... Was hoping to make it to at least april! I'm cool with it just....so early!"

That being said, if you do download it, please try not to let your opinion be tainted by the low quality of the recording. I have full faith that it will be better for everyone that way. 

Pre-order Veckatimest here.

Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks - Live on Lettermen