While I have ranted and
raved before about each of these groups in concert, I felt the need to
talk about this show, perhaps one of the best concerts I've ever seen
here in Boston. On Monday night, both bands took to the stage in front
of a fully packed movie theater, Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline
and played to a smokeless attentive, well-behaved audience. The biggest
beef I think any fan of these groups has is that their shows' crowds
can often be too loud, interfering with each's own brand of quiet and
intense music. Ida's set nearly brought me to tears, featuring many
combinations of on stage musicians, including the core four (playing
guitar, bass, piano, drums, percussion, and stringed instruments)
accompanied with a full-time violinist and double-bass player. Low's
set included many unrecognizable new songs from their forthcoming
album. From what everybody heard on Monday night, it's going to be
stunning. Additional surprises included their cover of the Beach Boys'
"Little Surfer Girl" and a captivating lullaby for Alan and Mimi's new
baby daughter. I was hardly surprised to see all the copies of that 7"
single gone by the time I saw the merchandise table that night. Thanks
to this concert, I have new hope for Boston venues, let's just hope the
magic doesn't die.
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On a brief tour
supporting their recent full-lenghter the closest this London-based
band came to Boston was NYC. Although I bitched and complained when
they toured last supporting Fiona Apple, I figure I spent more trying
to get to NYC to see them this year. It was worth the trip however.
Laika's rhythmic pop charm is undeniable - you can't play their music
for anybody without them being instantly captivated. "Good Looking
Blues" is one of my top albums of the year and to see them live once
again was enjoyable. The band played tunes mostly from this album and
their previous release, "Sounds of the Satellites," basically picking
up from the last time I saw them (on tour supporting Tricky following
their debut release "Silver Apples of the Moon.") Fronting the band is
Chicago-area born Margaret Fiedler, whose vocal abilities have grown
over the years to a range that goes from almost beat-poetry spoken word
to beautiful lead melodies, blanketing the jagged rhythms beneath.
Watching her play guitar is a treat as well, as her abilities match
some of the best lead/rhythm guitarists of rock. [FYI, her guitar abilities earned her a spot in PJ Harvey's touring band, hitting the USA in a matter of weeks.]
Surprises of the night included "Looking for the Jackalope," a tune
which first appeared on the 'Off-Beat' compilation, later remixed by
Jack Dangers into a stunning 9 1/2 minute piece.
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"I held a Pasolini film
fest and nobody showed up!" Waters takes out the Hollywood trash in
Cecil, letting his bitterness towards the Californian movie machine
shine bright.
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This past week, 28 U.S. states filed suit against the five major labels and
three of the biggest retailers, demanding "hundreds of millions of
dollars" in damages.
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Tonight the For Carnation pulled it off - they recreated the sound that was captured on one of this year's best CDs on a stage.
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Until further notice,
brainwashed will actively ignore major label music.
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I have to admit that I like Eminem. I don't
like his music and don't necessarily agree with whatever he's saying but he's good for the
music industry in many ways.
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While I hate dropping other bands' names in reviews (especially of things I love), I must mention this fact while reviewing this CD: the only time I drive through Bridgeport is heading down to New York.
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I worked, I napped, I showed up just in time to catch the set from Reckankreuzungsklankewerzeuge recording artist Hrvatski.
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From Mo Wax comes the second full-lengther from Tommy Guerrero, featuring a little bit of samba and spice tossed into an acoustic blend.
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Listening to a peel session with songs you have known by heart for nearly 20 years gives you an insightful view of the band recording live in a contained environment.
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Recorded at liveperformances in Maine and Massachusetts last March, this disc combinesthe tape loops and experimental noises from Thomas DiMuzio with thelive drumming of Chris Cutler.
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Pretty and charming, theClientele release their first piece of optical plastic, with two newsongs and two pulled from older 7" releases.
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The debut DepartureLounge comes in the form of a 7-track EP in the UK from Bella Union andan 11-track LP in the USA through Flydaddy.
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Here's what happens when you go looking in a section from a band you've recently fallen in love with but know very little about.
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Somebody musta missed announcing this release as it sort of magically appeared without warning.
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Also on the minimalist rhythmic tip this week, Chris Carter & Ian Boddy have joined together for the "Caged" CD release.
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Again on the minimalismtip, but this time completely absent of rhythm, this limited release isthe result of another "Mort Aux Vaches" program on Holland's VPRO Radio.
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Bridging the gap betweentwangy country, 70s glam rock and modern electronics, Califone (whichfeatures ex-members of Red Red Meat) present this 20 minute 5-track EP.
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