Best Albums of 2008

There are always some great debates at the end of the year about who deserves to be on the "Best Of" lists that every magazine and blog posts. I am sure it is quite an honor to be on any of the lists, but there were a couple of conspicuously missing artists who I didn't see much on any of the lists. Perhaps I have bad taste (which I HIGHLY doubt, but can't rule out) or perhaps, people are putting too much weight in commercial popularity? Honestly, who knows.

Albums that didn't get enough credit from the lists:

- Sigur Ros - með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
- Department of Eagles - In Ear Park
- Noah and the Whale - Peaceful the World Lays Me Down
- Land of Talk - Some Are Lakes
- Passion Pit- Chunk of Change
- The Dodos - Visiter
- Basia Bulat - Oh, My Darling
- Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson

Other Albums that I loved and everyone else did too:

- TV on the Radio - Dear Science
- Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
- Hercules & Love Affair - Hercules & Love Affair
- Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
- Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak
- Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
- Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
- Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (wasn't this a 2007?)
- Chairlift - Does You Inspire You?

Albums that I don't like but everyone else does:

- Fuck Buttons
- Fucked Up
- Marnie Stern
- Crystal Stilts
- Pony Tail


So there you go, a summation of albums that are worth listening to from 2008. Stereogum posted a nice little list of albums they are looking forward to in 2009 that you can check out here.


<3 The Elephant

A Return!

Hi Bloggies!!

I missed you! Work got a little bit out of hand for a while there and I couldn't write. Fear not though, because while work sucks, my music listening time really gets maximized. I just wanted to direct you to the cover of Under the Radar Magazine this month. I <3 it....I have been supporters of Vampire Weekend (even as the critics get bitchy about their success), The Dodos and Fleet Foxes for what feels like a long time. The first time I saw Vampire Weekend was at Unoin Hall in April '07, I was in awe. They deserve every ounce of credit they have received. As for Fleet Foxes....I was a little behind on picking them up. I had Ragged Wood, which came from a friend, but it wasn't until Sun Giant that I really got into them. Ironically, the first time I saw them was at Union Hall also (I love that place!!!). They were fucken incredible. We were all blown away. The Dodos remain to be the just about the best live band I have ever seen, they have energy, skill and presence. I saw them at Union Pool in January 08, and loved them so much I started a blog about music. So there you go. Go buy Unde the Radar.

More musing on music in oh eight to come!!!

<3 The Elephant

Album Review: Lykke Li, Youth Novels

I was initially put off by this album because I don't like the first track. I just don't feel that it showcases the her best, which I believe an opening track needs to do. As a result of this little snafu I was not getting into the album the way I could have months ago when I first started talking about her.

So if you can get past the first song, the second song is "Dance, Dance, Dance" which was my introduction to Lykke Li last winter. It typifies her sound of percussion and vocals, sung very evenly at the same dynamic and vocal range. I arbitrarily decided to listen to her album starting on the 3rd track at work the other day, and was so pleasantly surprised. Actually, every song after the first is pretty good! My favorite tracks include "Little Bit", "Breaking it Up" and "Time Flies". Her sound remains bare bones percussion accompanying her breathy vocals. I like to think of this album as relaxed pop, since it seems to always put me into a happy zen place. Music always has such a strong effect on me, and I think this might the first album that causes me to feel calm, even down to relaxing my shoulder muscles.

I know that I complained all summer about having nothing new to listn to, and no shows to go to, but that has really turned around this fall (as it always does....maybe I should stop acting like such a whiney little girl every summer, and instead focus on my excitement for the upcoming Fall releases. Doubtful.). Lykke Li sold out 3 NYC shows during CMJ, and was recieved very well. I couldn't make it to any of the shows, but I am now regretting that decision (I actually missed a lot in October).

So if you are feeling stressed out, put on some Lykke Li and feel the zen flowing through your veins.

<3 The Elephant

Album Review: TV on the Radio, Dear Science

I love the simplicity of the felt board lettering.

For some reason, I never really got into Return to Cookie Mountain TVotR's first critically acclaimed album. When Dear Science was released several weeks ago I got it but then didn't listen to it. I had heard "Golden Age" on Stereogum and though I liked it, I was totally shocked. Admittedly, I can't remember at all what Cookie Mountain sounded like, but it must have been different from this. The glaring falsetto, the LCD Soundsystem-esque Glam Disco beats, the rush of harmonies....what is this new sound?

Needless to say, I finally listened to the album through, and I am more than impressed. Last night at a party we were talking about what makes an album worth listening all the way through, referencing Weezer's Blue Album, which largely defined the music of my high school years. Everyone knows all the words to the whole album because the album flows form song to song perfectly. Although the songs all sound similar, there are a few different styles represented, slow and lyric, upbeat and dancey etc. Weezer never looses sight of who they are on the Blue Album, they are never trying to be something that they aren't.

Dear Science is exactly that. There is a wonderful variety of musical style represented. From the etherial "Family Tree" to the intensity of "DLZ" which has almost rapped spoken word. I like that every song on the album is a comletely distinct entity but that the flow is still strong from song to song. One of the biggest criticisms I often give of an album is that I can't feel a big enough difference in the songs on an album. It is much harder to create a completely unique piece of art in each song than it is to find something that works and create variations on that formula.

I would absolutely go see them live in the near future (although thy seem to be in Europe starting tomorrow, and going straight into February). No matter what, go out and grab Dear Science to help you get through this transition into the dreary winter months. On that note, go ahead and revisit Return to Cookie Mountain too and be pleasantly surprised.

<3 The Elephant

Crystal Castles Remix the Little Ones

Such different bands, such a happy combo!

Concert Review: Crystal Castles w/ Fujiya and Miyagi at Webster Hall

Sold out show's are always interesting because you can really gauge how popular a band is. Is everyone here a die hard fan? Or are these all people who scan the blogosphere vapidly, waiting with trepidation to disagree with the various acclaimed music bloggers? If not disagree, then to drool in amazement, because this band is going to blow their socks off.

Crystal Castles sold out shortly after tickets went on sale. In the two weeks prior to the show, people were asking $150 a ticket on Craigslist. Thats a lot of hype for two kids from Canada. I was tired, so I didn't stand in the crowd for Fujiya and Miyagi, but I kept getting up to see if it was actually a live performance, because from my seated position, they sounded dead on like the recording. It was freakish. I was in the balcony lounging on the sofas, so I can't give them any sort of solid review, other than to say that I was really impressed with their set. It was intensely well rehearsed and clean. They had these awesome graphics involving dice that really blew me away too.

The crowd was really there to see Crystal Castles, and it was obvious. The band is made up of Ethan Kath who is the musical talent, and performer Alice Glass. Kath gets the audience warmed up with a bit of an intro. Searingly bright strobes come on. And then there is Alice. She basically gets on stage and starts wailing into the vocoder. She doesn't stand still for the whole show. She is just there for antics, and she knows what she is doing. From pouring booze onto the audience to crowd surfing, she doesn't stop from the minute the set starts.

Alice isn't contributing much musically to the act, but the audience loves her with a burning passion. Her wild on-stage voodoo creates a trance akin to tweens at a Backstreet Boys concert. Everyone is going wild merely because she is there. Crystal Castles doesn't create pleasing sounds either, so it is definitely the beats that draw the crowd.

If you get the chance to see them don't miss it. Wear your dancing shoes, and have a few drinks. Life is short, and this is something to write home about.

Shearwater is Secret Guest at BV CMJ Showcase

SWEET. How lucky are we? Check out "Red Sea Black Sea" which isn't particularly quiet. For those of you who are unfamiliar with them, they are two members from Okkervil River Jonathan Meiburg and Will Sheff. They started a little side project because Okkervil River wasn't folk-y enough. Ok guys. Maybe we are listening to two different bands. Dunno. I think that Shearwater is a bit more rock-y than O. R., although the Wiki page for them claims that they wanted to play quiter songs. You be the judge.

<3> The Elephant

Midnight Dan Deacon Show Saturday

Picture via Love to Hate? Maybe?

At le Poisson Rouge...Part of the Baltimore Round Robin. Its $8. We are going.

<3 The Elephant

Shugo Tokumaru is upbeat pop

Japan pop music: Japop. Exit, Tokumaru's latest US release has flavors of The Dodos, Final Fantasy, The Little Ones and Sufjan Stevens. I could write a long description of the album, but I think PopMatters did a great job here which I originally saw here.

The one major downfall for me is that the lyrics are entirely in Japanese, despite some english titles. I am a girl who loves lyrics, particularly cheeky and winding lyrics. That said, I will never fall painfully in love with this album because I can't quite relate to it (read: sing along). Nonetheless, its an interesting departure from the american and european pop scene right now. Check it out.

The Little Ones: a few quick words

They are totally this smiley on stage too. And they sound like a modern Partridge Family

I saw The Little Ones twice during the summer of 2006, the first time they opened for The Figurines, and the second time....I can't remember. All I can tell you is that they played Mercury lounge twice, and they were so good the first time, that I went again that week to see them.

Live they are smiling, boisterous and happy. It was such a pleasant departure from the sullen nyc bands that I had been seeing all summer (alone, I might add, I had only been in the city for a few weeks when I saw them). I just have a bunch of random songs by them on my iTunes, but they released "Morning Tide" yesterday. Its probably some really happy, calming pop. Check them out at Mercury Lounge 10/16.

<3 The Elephant

More Department of Eagles: In Ear Park

The first time I heard (or more accurately, saw) department of eagles was probably about a year ago, when they had a Take Away Video of them walking through chinatown. I haven't ever been a die hard Grizzly Bear fan (read: I only like about 2 songs off of Yellow House) so I saw Department of Eagles, and was sort of underwhelmed by the video, and wrote them off as not for me. Very occasionally I am wrong. This is so clearly one of those occasions.

My first pass at the album revealed it to be a vintage Eliot Smith sound, with more complicated guitar and a tendency toward dissonance. The songs are eerie and haunting. I am going to assume that you saw the NYTimes article posted below, because lets face it, they are far better writers than I am. I don't want to say too much about it, other than saying that it going to be one of my obsessions this winter. What is the lesson to be learned here? Just because I don't necessarily like what i hear at first, doesn't mean that I should abandon said band. In fact, I like bands that have had some time to steep and marinade, bands that can put on a legit live show. Long story short, listen to "In Ear Park".

side note: department of Eagles played last night at the 826nyc benefit last night. I didn't make it (i went to a hysterical amateur singing night). Clearly, I should have considered supporting a Dave Eggers charity and seen DoE.

New York Times Hits up Daniel Rossen

Here

Also, have you heard the Jojo "Too Little Too Late" Daniel Rossen Cover? Its hysterical!!!

Iceland Airwaves feels the Credit Crunch

Some interesting stuff about the current situation in Iceland right now.

2008 Albums

Cough, cough. You should check out this site. seriously, do it now. Preferably when you are going to be at your computer for a loooong time, with looooots of available bandwidth.

<3 The Elephant

Concert Review: The Dodos w/Au

There isn't to much to say about the Dodos, its always the same. They get on stage, and start playing, and I think, my god these guys are SO incredible. It just never gets old. They are so tight. Anyway, see all of my previous reviews, they are going to sum up last night's show. Also, I guess the lead singer Meric Long has mono, but I seriously would have NEVER guessed. They also played a new song or two, both of which left me with high hopes for their next album.

Au on the other hand wasn't really what I had anticipated. That's not to say they weren't good, just that I had expected a 5 piece band with an orchestrated approach to their craziness. In reality, it was a two piece set up with an experimental jam approach. This means that I could only vaguely identify about a third of their set. I did really enjoy the songs that I recognized, but it was a bit spacey for my taste. They def rocked out, but I value their studio recordings because they are so unique and admirably complex, which I didn't feel translated well in the live show.

My brother has a running list of "the best songs in non-standard meters" (assuming that 3 and 4 beats per measure are the basis for 99% of all non-classical music). So far it looks like Outkast is in first place with "Hey Ya" which is in 22 (according to him, not sure if I believe that) and Radiohead's "Everything in its Right Place" in 5. It should be noted that 5 is a tremendouly underused meter in rock music, it really lends itself to a unique sound. Just my opinion.

Lykke Li and Bon Iver....a surprisingly good combo

So she looks much like an Olsen twin here, but thats not her fault. A solid showing.



via Music Slut
you like?


<3 The Elephant

Tonight: The Dodos w/ AU @ Spiegeltent

I think I've said enough about the Dodos to skim over them in describing tonight's show's. I'm going to cut right to Au (get it? like the periodic symbol for gold!). I'm interested to see them tonight, as most experimental music is hard to really understand until you see it live. I'm not even sure what instruments they use, or how they could possibly create so many sounds with only 5 people.

The west coast has been sort of kicking ass this year in terms of releases. Fans of Animal Collective and other experimental outlets will be impressed by the circus-y, jazz influenced sounds of Au's Verbs. The whole album feels like one epic track, beginning with a crazy choral ensemble, slowly whittling down the sounds to a discordant mist in the album's final track "Sleep". This is not an album for listeners yearning for catchy, easy listening, however it will impress those yearning for something one step beyond indie pop.

Anyone else joining us tonight?

<3 The Elephant

Fall Albums

Added Bonus: Who knew that Noah and the Whale were sexy mofos?

All summer long we whined about the lack of new music, and the lack of good shows in the city. My god we are SUCH whiners. Just because we didn't know what the impending joys of fall music were, doesn't mean that they don't exist. I have had some quality time to listen to music at work recently (when they lay off 20 out of 35 people on your team, suddenly things become very quiet, and very busy). In the last few days I can't get enough of the following albums:

-Noah & the Whale: Peaceful, the World Lays me Down (the new Bishop Allen, who will be famous in about 2 weeks)
-Land of Talk: Some are Lakes (doesn't sound at all like Bon Iver, but deliciously different)
-Passion Pit: Chunk of Change (like the Black Kids meets Cut Copy or something)

Listen, my friends, and appreciate what you waited all summer for!

<3 Elephant

OhMyRockness's Calendar Feature

Perhaps I am just a little behind the times, but I just discovered ohmyrockness's calendar feature which allows you to click an icon next to a concert listing, and it will add it to a master calendar that each user can create. Here is the issue: I can't quite figure out how to automatically feed it into my google calendar. Instead, I can put it as a sidebar list on the blog. Obviously, this isn't ideal, and it doesn't look pretty. Ideally, I will figure out how to do this. In the mean time, check out the content to the right!

<3 the Elephant

Reckoner Remix

It might be time ro learn how to make remixes. If you want me to forward you the e-mail so the links work, let me know. See text below:

To coincide with asking radio stations to think about playing Reckoner we are breaking up the tune into pieces for you to remix. After the insane response we got from the Nude remix stems and the site that was dedicated to your remixes...

Unique visitors: 6,193,776, Page Views: 29,090,134, Hits: 58,340,512, Bandwidth: 10.666 Terabytes, Number of mixes: 2,252, Number of votes: 461,090, Number of track listens: 1,745,304

...we thought it only fair to do the same with a tune that at least is in 4/4. You can get the stems (the different instruments/elements) from here

Sample, cut, take the sounds, whatever. Play it in a club. Or your room. Then if you want you can upload your finished mixes to http://www.radioheadremix.com and be judged by everyone else. You can create a widget allowing votes from your own site, Facebook or MySpace to be sent through too. To start things off we asked James Holden and Diplo to do their versions.

Oh, and by the way, if you weren’t lucky enough to get your hands on one of our recycled plastic bottle shirts at a show this summer, you’ll be glad to hear we’ve made some more and they are available at the w.a.s.t.e. shop here

All at w.a.s.t.e x

Passion Pit

I didn't mention that we sort of saw Passion Pit open for Sunset Rubdown. They were fun. I bet they would be Cut Copy fun if the audience hadn't been such a downer. It is clearly dance music. In fact I was standing outside before the show waiting for my group and I heard them all talking and hanging out. I really liked them based on my eavesdropping. I swear its not just because they remind me of my high school boys from Boston (Passion Pit also hails from the great city). Although that doesn't hurt. I just got the impression that they are a bunch of cool, down to earth dudes. Maybe a bit dorky, but isn't that a good quality in a man these days? listen to them here. There is also a nice little tid bit about them here.

<3 The Elephant

Concert Review: Sigur Ros at United Palace

The whole time I was sitting there watching these guys, I was thinking that I needed to remember the three S's to describe them. So now, a week later I'm scratching my head...wtf are the three S's? My own little mnemonic device doesn't even work. Here is my best guess:

Syncopation: Have you ever noticed in Sigur Ros how often it sounds like there really isn't a beat? I think I have it figured out (I was trying way to hard before, and not surprisingly, I was wrong). They very rarely start on the first beat of a measure. So its not like they are writing their songs in seven or something bizarre and unnecessary. Really, they just always start on the second and fourth beats of the measures. I only realized this by watching one of the band members bob his head up and down and obviously, I could be completely wrong. This really lends to the ethereal quality of their sound.

Suspense: There is more suspense in Sigur Ros than anyone I have ever seen. At the show, there was a pause in one song that lasted so long that I seriously wasn't sure if the song was over. Granted, I am not that familiar with all of the albums, but it felt like the pause was well over a minute. And even with their more subtle suspense, they tend to hold their notes, and extend their passages for much longer than a normal band. I think they take a lot of roots in classical and traditional music. Suspense will always attract attention, and their suspense is usually not overt, but subtle, so you find yourself on the edge of the seat, digging your fingernails in. But why? Because they use tonal suspense and rhthmic suspense together. Very cool.

Symbolism: The song that really defined the performance for me is one that I hadn't heard, and couldn't describe. All of the musicians got up and sat together in a cluster and all of the lights in the house went off. As each player began to play his instrument, a single light bulb would light up. In other words, each instrument completed a circuit while it was actively producing sound and when the instrument wasn't being played, the light bulb was off because the circuit was broken. I know this sounds lame: 4 light bulbs turning on and off as the song progressed. But the light bulbs were such a visual representation of the energy of music. They symbolized the levels and depths, as the lights would flicker, the sound would grow and cease. It was beautiful. BTW, this is the song where I realized how heavily they rely on syncopation. Something about being able to see exactly which sound each artist was producing showed me. I was completely in awe of the simplicity, and how their music seems so complicated, but really, it amounts to many many layers of simple music.

At the end when everyone stood for the encore, I felt like they could have played something a little more active to leave us feeling high. But. It was still a very unique experience, completely unlike most of the shows that I see (i.e. sweaty, crowded, dark). They also employ such unique methods of creating sound. The whole thing was quite impressive.

Agreed?


<3 The Elephant

Concert Review: Sunset Rubdown at Mercury Lounge

Well folks, it's fall in New York, and we all know what that means: a new concert season. Typically starting at the beginning of September there are more shows than I have time to attend, but this season I wasn't up for it. Fortunately friends were on their game and got me tickets to shows that I would probably like to see.

I have seen Sunset only a few other times, and usually I really like them. They lack the professional polish of Wold Parade, and its completely charming and wacky (much like their music). But this time something was amiss. D and A blamed it on the audience, but I think that good audiences often reflect good acts. This is certainly not a hard fast rule, but its usually pretty safe. So I am going to divide the blame for this in half: 50% lame ass audience, 50% band fault.

Although the sound was good, I felt like there were a few too many unfamiliar songs (and I like to hear a new song or two, its a little hard to really enjoy entirely new music from an old favorite.) That said, the new songs did leave me with high hopes for the next release, which I think is as yet unscheduled. I also felt a general lack of enthusiasm from them, like they weren't really that excited to be hanging out with us. Possibly because they played the night before at Music Hall of Williamsburg?

Despite my usual harsh and critical review, I still will go see them at every opportunity, and I still think they have some of most interesting music out there right now. So you should go see them, and buy their CDs. For that matter, buy a tee shirt too. Lets support Canada.


<3 the Elephant

Last One...

Download Land of Talk-Some are Lakes. I am not sure if it is going to be good, but I have a bit of a hunch, a suspicion if you will. Its Bon Iver's girlfriend, and I think they recorded the album together.

Also, Noah and the Whale

musicsnobbery.com

I like it. I had a commitment on Friday night and thus had to skip the show, but I do plan to see them when they are next in town. Which doesn't look soon. This is what happens when I stop creating my own concert Calendar. I miss things that I shouldn't have missed. :(

Blitzen Trapper-Furr Out tomorrow...Finally!

Blitzen Trapper-Furr is out on Sub Pop tomorrow. I have been semi-obsessed with the title track since I heard it a few days ago. I know it sounds like all other indie folk blah blah blah, but I still really like it. I also am willing to bet that they will finally get really big this year, even though they have a few albums out already. Signing to Sub Pop was obviously a good thing for them, but a bad thing for us pathetic New Yorkers, since it means that they aren't playing a New York show until November 17th. And then its at Terminal 5 (seriously?? Why not Bowery or something even remotely decent? Webster Hall or Irving would have even been better). Worst of all they are opening for Iron and Wine. Sigh. I know this is insanely ethnocentric but most major bands start their post release tour in NYC. I know they were here last spring, but they are playing a handful of shows on the west coast and then they are off to Europe. Oh well, I guess I will have to decide if I feel like going or not....

Ray LaMontagne-You are the Best Thing

No Ray, YOU are the best thing. Seriously sweet love song.

via Jonk

Look What I found!!

A really nice articel about Owen Pallette. Speaking of Owen, when are the Polaris prizes due? I know they announced the short list last month....Ok, Monday September 29th wait with baited breath. Also seems to me like its about f-ing time for Basia Bulat to get her day. I want her to win. Badly.

<3 the Elephant

Foals: Why Haven't I been listeneing to you?

I have known about you for 6 months, yet I continue to ignore you. Such energy. Such dance. Such fun. Much better math rock than Battles.


<3 The Elephant

Blip.fm Might Change Your Life

I'm not exactly sure how this works yet, but I'm hoping that someone with some free time can look into blip.fm and let me know if it really lives up to its hype. Once again, I stole this from PSFK, I can't take credit for it. Its like twitter...you post your songs, with blurbs about the songs, and then you network with DJs. So I'm going to give it a test run, but I'm interested in other people's take on it.


<3 the Elephant

CMJ 2008

Check it out here. I. Can't. Wait.
via stereogum

<3 the Elephant

Dirty Projectors Friday @ South Street Seaport

If you are willing to deal with outdoor shows, Brooklyn's Dirty Projectors are playing Friday evening in the financial district. They are quite experimental and interesting, so if anyone is interested, I'll be there "rocking" out. Or whatever you do to semi-orchestral rock.

<3 The Elephant

P.S It's free. You can drink outside too.

BandsinTown

Dear PSFK, I love you. You alerted me to Bandsintown, which is such an excellent interface for finding shows. Sigh. Thanks man.

<3 The Elephant

My Weekend of Music

When was the last time you had fun? No, I mean a lot of fun. The kind of fun that you can't stop talking about for days, the fun that lingers in your mouth, and blood. The kind that makes you drag your sorry ass out, and do spontaneous things just because you can. For me, it was Friday, followed by Saturday. I want to share my fun with you all (including Hercules, carbonated Mojitos, and of course, T. Yorke.) The longer I wait the more of a challenge it becomes (read: I can't remember why I liked it) and therefore I would like to write soon. So stick it out. Check back soon. Also, there are pictures from Saturday (thats right! I won't have to steal them!)


<3 The Elephant

Notable Albums from the First Half of 2008

So I was looking at what has been released this year, and it is already going strong. Here is a list of the 5 most notable albums so far this year, in no particular order (except the first one):

*Sigur Ros-með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
Do I need to comment on this? I could listen to this album in pretty much any mood. Feeling down? Listen to Sigur. Elated? Listen to Sigur. Seriously, tremendous job guys. I would be proud to be your mom.

*Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson-S/T
What would you do if you were a drug addict and homeless? Write some damn cheeky lyrics, thats what! Additionally, you might somewhat get your shit together, and record and release an awesome album.

*Fleet Foxes-Everything They have Released this Year-
I had some pretty strong feelings about these guys when I first wrote about them back in March. Then I saw them live. I have a whole new set of respect for them now.

*The Dodos-Visiter
I am a person who tends to looooove the first album I hear by an artist. Usually I don't like the second album as much. Not the case here. Superb sophomore effort.

*Hercules and Love Affair-S/T
Love all things 70's. Cannot wait to go dance it out with these guys on friday night (I am hoping that all of the cool kids and bros alike will be at APW, and that this will be a seriously excited croud).

Some other albums that are noteworthy, but probably won't make my top ten of 2008 list:
-Cut Copy
-Crystal Castles
-Basia Bulat
-Thao
-Cave Singers

Thoughts?

<3 The Elephant

Concert Review: Wolf Parade at Terminal 5

{Cough, cough} thanks BV

Dan Boekner and Spencer Krug played a show on Thursday. I was there....wait....so were you. And the rest of your dorm? And your buddy's frat? And their girlfriends? Needless to say, Wolf Parade, lured an amazing turnout at Terminal 5 last week. The venue is definitely a mega venue, with a capacity in the several-thousand-range, spread out over three levels. (Note: the ration of bros & hos to regular people, was about on par with the number of iPhone cameras to regular cameras.) We were on the floor, towards the back, but the sightlines were decent, the stage must be at least 5 or six feet high. I mean, I'm a really bad judge of space, but from where we were standing about a street block away from the stage, I could more or less see. The space is also quite nice, clean, big bars plenty of space, excellent air conditioning. But. The sound quality. What happened there? It seems that Bowery Presents went to all the trouble of creating a beautiful space, but didn't feel the need to install some audio architecture. Perhaps fans of bands big enough to draw those kinds of crowds tend not to notice bad sound? I'm not clear on what the deal is, but lets leave it at that.

So of course I'm a weak kneed little girl at any event involving Spence, and having never seen Wolf Parade (gasp) I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I had an odd little group of people with me, ranging from preppy Wolf Parade old-timers to ultra hip Wolf Parade newcomers.

Highlights: Kissing the Beehive, which I don't love in recording was crazy tight. Also, I <3'd Language City. I remain an Apologies fan to the core, reveling during Dear Sons and of course, I believe. The overall show was surprising for two reasons. First, Dan and Spencer's sounds mesh really well live, you can get a little taste of each flavor, but they worked beautifully live together that night. Second, the over-polished sound of the second album mixes with the rough-stone sound of the first album, to create a much more unified sound. I personally love the youthful sloppiness of the first album, but I have heard from that WP doesn't like that sound. Instead they prefer the cleaner sound of Mt Zoomer. As it turns out, live, they are able to pull off just enough zestiness to not sound sound too perfect. I can't really dive into something that sounds like it was recorded until each note was perfectly heard. I can however, float in the half-way ground that they achieved live.

That said, maybe I should have gone again on Friday. If you get a chance to catch these guys, you won't regret it.

<3 The Elephant

ps...this is my 101st post. And my blog has been viewed more than 700 times. Thanks Dave.

Concert Review: Chairlift at Knitting Factory

Stolen from itsnothebandihateitstheirfans.blogspot.com

For a number of reasons, mostly involving bitchy firewalls, I didn't get a chance to listen to Brooklyn based Chairlift before I went to Knitting Factory on Wednesday. Turns out that it was for the better, because they were pretty awesome live. I was actually there to see LA crazy man Ariel Pink, but you all know how I feel about getting my beauty rest, and I wasn't about to hang around for hours waiting for his set to start. After Chairlift finished their set, I was satiated musically.

At work on Thursday, I listened to Chairlift on hypem, and was sort of disappointed. They didn't seem nearly as exciting in recording as they did live. It essentially sounded like Au Revoir Simone occasionally mixed with Stars.

In concert, it was surprisingly ethereal, there was something about the way that they performed, even their slower, spacier sounds made us want to dance. The lead singer was very powerful live, her voice sounded sweet and confidant, and not at all dependent upon her background music. The synthy sound wasn't overpowering either, it wasn't just some chick with a casio, there was solid music making happening.

Chairlift's album releases on Kanine sometime this summer....although I doubt that I will buy it, they are more of a live band anyway. We'll see if I'm eating my words in a few weeks, but for now, I'm holding off on home listening.


<3 The Elephant

Santos Party House Tonight!

I know what you were thiking: I wish I could go to a party house tonight. Here it is: Black Kids with Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson (sort of an oddball line-up) but whatevs, we are there. And we are going to dance. Crazy dance that is. So be there or be square. don't frunt.


<3

Severely Postponed: Dr. Dog w/MBAR

Yep. I was obvs pretty excited about this one. I realy couldn't wait. except now I will have to wait, until August 23rd. What if I were busy that night? I would be Screwed! Bitches! I'll chill out now, just wanted to rant a little bit about that.

On that note, I will write of full review of Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson after I have listened to it about 60 more times. So far, I am crying the driest, most heartwrenching immaginary tears from this album. Also feel that way about my book, so clearly they were designed to go together, my book and this album. At least they won't cheat on each other.

<3 the elephant

Blogalicious

Dear faithful reader,
I apologize for my utter lack of writing recently. I find that summer, despite its recent unbearable humidity, has swept me off of my feet. I know it seemed like my relationship with the blog was really strong, but towards the end of June I started cheating. At first it was just a bit here and there. But then, in combination with a lack of local, good, worthy concerts and good CD releases, I have not had a lot to say. I don't want to write about random crap, I want to say meaningful things. So that said, I am going to try to reconcile with my blog, if it will have my dirty, cheating ass back. Also, my relationship with summer has been dwindling anyways, as I am getting bored with all of the events, and no longer can stand it. I just need the slow, steady life that my blog was providing.

<3 The Elephant

Friday Evening Music

Summer Fridays are full of difficult decisions since every park, cafe and venue has some sort of thing planned. This week, the best option appears to be the bandshell at Prospect Park. They are hosting: DEERHOOF / METROPOLIS ENSEMBLE: THE RITE: REMIXED. It's Stravinsky's phenomenal work "The Rite of Spring" remixed (I'm not sure if they are just taking extreme liberties in their interpretation, or if they are actually playing something other than what Stravinsky originally penned). At any rate, Metropolis Ensemble sounds like an interesting group of young, quirky chamber musicians. I think this will be a culturally unusual experience, something just a little bit unlike anything else.

<3 The Elephant

Rogue Street Art

I know that I primarily write about music, but occasionally I will write about other things...I don't have a completely one track mind. There is a great website called PSFK which covers trends in culture. They have all kinds of fascinating articles, but one thing they wrote about was D. Billy's unique foray into street art. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I am never in Times Square, but I wish I had seen this myself. I thinks it's remarkably sweet and refreshing. The installation feels celebratory and upbeat, which is not a common sentiment floating around these days. Hope it brightens your day....

<3 The Elephant

Concert Review: Fleet Foxes at Union Hall, Midnight

Flagrantly stolen from BV

Seattle quintet Fleet Foxes graced New York with their presence at two venues this week: Bowery Ballroom, capacity 498, Union Hall, capacity 100. The decision there was not a tough one. I, being high and mighty, didn't buy a UH ticket the second they went on sale because it's Union Hall. Then suddenly, they were all gone. As I just found out today, after the fact, Sub Pop bought themselves 40 of those tickets. Whether it was intentional or not, by selling out the Brooklyn show, they got a huge hype in a very short period of time and Bowery sold out too. I was pissed that I wasn't going, particularly since I had only myself to blame.

So on Thursday at 10 am when they announced an additional midnight show, Dave was right on his game, reading BV. He tried to get them, and of course they sold out. We got nothing. When I checked Craigslist later, people were offering $160 for two tickets. Sick. I had already realized that this show wasn't in my future. So when my boss asked me to go fabric sourcing in midtown at 8 or 8:30 the next morning I didn't sweat it. Until 2 seconds later when Dave texted me that he had gotten tickets. In the land of irresponsibility, I am queen.

Every ounce of doubt dissolved in the first 3 seconds after FF started playing. I had heard that they really rocked when they played Bowery in March, so I was reasonably confidant that they would be good. Good doesn't begin to do justice to they way that they performed. A lot of their music is dependent upon graceful harmonies and dissonance in their chorus. Whenever this is the case, I always fear that they are just working really hard for their studio takes, but in reality they will not be able to hit those notes live. Every pitch was executed, every rhythm was nailed, and every pause was suspenseful. They played a tight, ridiculously tight show. I was floored. I read a bunch of bitching on BV about the quality of the audiences, and a lot of criticism of the photogs, but that must have been for the first show of the night. At the second show everyone was respectful and the photographers were fine. People just look for a reason to complain about shit. Seriously, they should be so lucky to have been at that show. They have a flexibility on stage that allows them to push and pull throughout each song and they can remain in control. They are a band that is so much better live than in recording that I only hope to see them again, since listening to the record allows a faint nostalgia to linger.

The other thing that I really liked was the band's random on stage banter. I know it annoys some people, but they were funny and witty. They seemed to think that they were playing pretty well, and so did I. They were clearly enjoying themselves and the crowd. A band that is at ease with themselves and having fun always performs better. Anyway, if you know what's good for you, you will go see Fleet Foxes in any context possible. Also, buy their album and EP on insound.

<3 The Elephant

Sigur Ros and Bjork Duet at Nattura

I picked up on this from the Music Slut but it sort of quasi-illustrates those light orbs...except this is daytime, so not nearly as dramatic. Also, sound and video quality could be a bit better. Nonetheless worth watching.






<3 The Elephant

Prospect Park Bandshell

We went over to prospect park Friday evening to see Elvis Perkins in Dearland. Discovered something: no need to buy tickets to any show at the Bandshell, unless you are actually planning on getting seats and paying close attention. I find it very hard in those huge outdoor venues to pay attention, I would rather chat and have a beer with my friends. Given the setting, the sound quality is decent, and the space is clean and nice.

Feist is playing at the bandshell Wednesday, July 9th. I'm feeling a picnic outside the perimeter of the venue, listening to her crooning folk and drinking wine. Maybe eating cheese too? Since the tickets are $35, I don't plan to actually pay for it, so I think that this will be a nice little way to enjoy the summer.

<3 The Elephant

Fleet Foxes Already Sold Out, Am an Idiot

I knew this would happen, it always does. I thought about buying tickets right away, like a month ago, and then didn't. Sigh. So I'm going to scrounge around on CL, see what I can come up with. There just aren't that many good shows this summer, so to let that one slip through the cracks.

Blood on the Wall? Again?

Ok, back me up guys. You were there. Blood on the Wall sucked ass. They sucked so bad I started a crappy openers contest! And I wasn't the only one who thought that. Yet, despite this alarming truth, I keep reading about them. I always thought that The Deli wasn't for me. But seriously, they got a V. Hot chili pepper next to Blood on the Wall. And I have seen them on love to hate a few times too. I'm sorry, but I'm standing up against them, any band that is worthless live, is in essence worthless in the recording. I'm just saying.


<3 the Elephant

Concert Review: Sigur Ros at MoMA

Pictures via BV

On Tuesday evening, myself and several friends joined the lucky swarm of hipsters invading the Museum of Modern art on 53rd st. I'm going to come right out and say it: MoMA isn't an ideal setting for a concert, as there was no stage, although there was free beer. The show was unusually long (maybe two hours?) but I had no sense of the length until I got outside and it was past 11. The concert was in conjunction with the exhibition Take your time: Olafur Eliasson, an exhibition which featured works of this Icelandic contemporary artist. Sigur Ros and Olafur Eliasson are an interesting parallel to draw in the art/music consortium. Sigur Ros' music creatures textures and landscapes primarily using instrumentation and rhythm, forcing the listeners to draw conclusions without verbal cues. Eliasson similarly creates environments and space using lights, spacial relations and mirrors. His compositions don't contain any symbolic or concrete imagery that the viewer can identify as scenery, rather he alters one's inner sense of space creating a fantasy environment of space and time.

One thing that really set this apart from a regular show (although having no history with SR, I can't compare to their usual sets) was an absolutely exceptional light show. I have virtually no idea how lighting design works, but I was very impressed. Without theatrical lighting, SR can create create suspense and longing, with the visual cues, it was an all encompassing experience. The lighting was primarily composed of several lantern like orbs that were behind a glass wall in an exterior courtyard. The orbs were a soft, warm light at their "home state" and as the mood of the music called for, the quality of the light would change. Ranging from a very yellow soft tone to an industrial, harsh blue. There were also gels that looked like moonlight through a summer forest, creating moving shadows that imitating the rustling leaves. They were absolutely beautiful. At one point, they employed a green back light that brought the whole courtyard to an emerald glow.

If I had a better position at the front, near the stairs, I would have had the pleasure of watching the marching band approach, in full white uniforms. There were four of them, that comprised the horn section and they entered with such theatrical grace, the whole audience was completely overtaken with thrill. It was a nice, ironic touch. Here is the BV link with lots of great pictures.

I am overwhelmingly excited to see them again in mid september at the church in Harlem. Yeah, you know, the ornate one, with no windows. On the corner.


<3 The Elephant

Todd P Rocks

If you don't care about soccer at all, then you should come with me to this free show on Roosevelt Island. Here is Brooklyn Vegan's little write up. I stole the picture just to give you a sense of how cool this is going to be.

Record Review: Sigur Ros: með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

As I have mentioned, I was never a huge Sigur Ros fan, I just never quite got it. I also did the same thing with Radiohead, it took me until In Rainbows to catch on. I know that this is embarrassing, so lets move away from this point. I heard Gobbledigook first on Stereogum, and was instantly enamored.

"With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly" is a perfect title for this album. Every beat, every second, every chord leads to emotional swells, cooing, and chiming. My initial reaction to this album was that it felt like a soundtrack. For me at least, a good soundtrack stands alone, telling a story through the drudging of feelings and expressions. Although that is the goal of most albums, I think with soundtracks the emotions are stronger because of the concrete narration. This album doesn't need the storyline. It tells us a tale much more powerfully than a simple soundtrack. I find myself soaringly at peace with this album. As it rolls forth, unfolding is magical streams of sound I have that happy little warmth in my chest that a really good album brings out. I forget sometimes what thats like, as I have only experienced it handful of times. The orchestration is especially laudable because it is done seamlessly with the choral layering. Some highlights (outside of Gobbledigook) include the second track Inni mer syngur vitleysingur, Su i eryum and Festival. These are all dynamic and heart wrenching in their own way. Needless to say, I am not describing the full body experience that you will get from lying in your bed listening to this album, cover to cover, so to speak. No interruptions, just absorbing the subtleties of organs and voices. Please buy this album, and enjoy every rich morsel of it.

Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust is out 6/24 in North America 6/24 via XL.

<3 The Elephant

Concert Review: The Bellmer Dolls

The Bellmer Dolls

With the bad comes the good, I guess. A few weeks ago I went to that church-y place on Delancy and Suffolk. Remember that place? Yeah, I went on that date there that one time. So this time, again I find myself slightly tipsy and far from home late at night. Going to see this band called the Bellmer Dolls with a good friend of mine and her sister. I love these girls, they are just darlings, and both of them have lovely boyfriends. So I trust them when they take me to a concert that I hadn't heard of. This is really rather exciting. Apparently the first band was excellent. Preacher and the Knife is unsigned, but word on the street is that they are really phenomenal live, so I am going to give them a little shout out. Based on myspace and their website, I sort of doubt that they are my taste, but who knows, maybe I will have a change of Heart. Needless to say, I missed them.

So this brings us to the Bellmer Dolls, who were unspeakably awful. They were a parody of themselves, shaking and grooving to their screechy melody-less crap. Dressed in all black, and breathing heavily into the microphone, I sort of felt bad for the lead singer. But sort of not, maybe this just isn't my bag, y'know? So I look over at my very polite, sweet friend Anna, and she is staring intently at them, sort of in the same way you'd watch a child's piano recital. So the first song passes, followed by the second, equally shitty "song". Meanwhile, I am casting furtive glances at my ladies and their men, waiting for someone else to identify this accurately: this is a graceful exit scenario. Unfortunately this is a seated show, and the seats are in a bit of a balcony, so we can't really get out subtlety. Meanwhile, my friends seem to think this is perfectly acceptable music. FUUUUUUCK. I can't escape. My ears are just burning with cruel irony. Suddenly Ashley (Anna's sister) leans over and breathes into my ear, "oh my god i'm sorry" They are horrible. I breathe a lighter, happier breath. Anna turns and agrees. So we do just that: escape to have another drink. Oh Anna and Ashley, you came through. Thank GOD. Lesson learned: don't go to a show w/o listening to the band first.

<3 The Elephant

Summer Concert Dichotomy

Summer in the city means two things: virtually no good ticketed shows (only major bands seem to have summer shows, possibly because they tend to play fewer festivals?) but tons of free decent shows. Be sure to check out McCarren Park Pool Parties, Prospect Park Bandstand, Central Park Summerstage and River to River. In an average New York month there are between three and six hows I would seriously consider attending. In the summer I amhard pressed to find two. Also, since the weather is nice and the days are long, I have no desire to stay inside and read about music. In the winter, however, I can sit at my computer and delve deep into the world of music for hours. So as a compromise, in the summer I go to a random shows that I might not have considered seeing otherwise. In the past this has kindled excellent romances with bands (ex: Beirut) and also resulted in some pretty painful shows (ex: The Belmer Dolls more on this later).

So tomorrow, I am going to see Mark Kozelek (frontman of Sun Kil Moon), whom I hadn't planned to seeing until Monday, when my boss gave me a pair of tickets to see him (a sudden death in her family is preventing her from attending). I'll let you know how it goes, Jamie Lidell is opening for him at Highline Ballroom tomorrow. Wish me well!

New Sigur Ros Album

From OneLastDrinkTonight

I'm planning to write a full review later, but my initial impression is that it sounds like a movie soundtrack...no? What do you all think?

Avi Buffalo Makes You Look Like an Untalented Wretch

What did you do in High School? I played violin, drank Mike's Hard Lemonade, smoked an occasional bowl and stole orange street cones. Avi Buffalo, started a band, and a pretty decent one at that. Its orchestral soothing folk, reminiscent of Fleet Foxes and maybe a little bit of Thao. There is also a bit of Sufjan in there, but without the religious undertones. They have slightly childish voices and a strong sense of innocence, but perhaps I just sense that because I know they are so young. I think they need a couple more years to marinate, to grow and be grown up. To figure out what their lyrics should be. To become a truely great musician takes that. Listen to them, and try not to move, lest the heat kill you. The soothing music will help you meditate the heat away. Or whatever.

I'm Really Feeling Dr. Dog

I'm really not feeling that name. In fact that was the main reason I have been disregarding them for so long. For about the last six months I have just been sort of ignoring the peeps around the blogosphere (I shudder to use that term, but it just sums everything up so well). So how would I describe Dr. Dog? Its one part blues, one part 60's rock, one part gospel. One part indie folk? I'm always reluctant to compare bands, so instead I will say this: lots of tambourine, unison singing, instrumentation (strings, percussion, horns?) So check em out....

Dr. Dog - The Old Days
Dr. Dog w. Elvis Perkins and Cold War Kids-St. John
<3 The Elephant

Record Review: Cut Copy-In Ghost Colours

This album is the epitome of what I needed to start summer. Fully loaded with catchy dance hits, Cut Copy has really outdone themselves this time. Every track on this album is whipped lightly, and prepped perfectly for the French pop sound they are frequently accused of imitating. I disagree with comparison because it implies a simplicity and lack of depth to the music, which is simply not present in this album. The lyrics are catchy, and the beats are fresh. Although their sound is similar from song to song, each song has something different to offer, namely, emotion. This is the most emotive electro pop I can remember hearing, and it shows through in their dynamic live performances. There are some standout tracks from “Lights and Music” which recalls the glory days of the 80’s club era to “Hearts on Fire” which brings back memories of Madonna and slumber parties. If you are a person who even vaguely likes pop, the subdued fun in this album will speak to your inner dance-self. <3 The Elephant

Record Review: Crystal Castles Self Titled

It is unusual that a band accidentally releases a single and then gets a record deal. Toronto duo Ethan Kath and Alice Glass managed to do just that. The MySpace leak, "Alice Practice", eventually became the second song on their eponymous first album. “Alice Practice” landed in the second slot on the album, encouraging listeners toward their melodic, syncopated opening track "Untrust Us". The first two tracks define the character of the album: divided into melodic, rhythmic pop beats and dark, noise-distortion heavy tracks. The weakness is the underlying lack of cohesion. Although variety is valuable, there isn’t a strong enough bond between the melodic tracks and the dark tracks. “Crimewave” and “Untrust Us” almost belong to one album, while “Alice Practice” and “xxzxcuzx me” might belong to another. Oddly, this disparity is also the strength of the album. There isn’t one second where the hooks try to hold you for too long, or where the next track is underwhelming. Like it or not, Crystal Castles has created a multi-lingual, looped, catchy-ass bunch of songs.

ElephantWhale meets DiscoSalt

Well, despite the rumors that I am a total slacker who hasn't posted in a week, I have actually been doing something. I have been listening to music. Over and over and over. Just for you. And now for discosalt.com. What? Yes, it's true. I'm not sure exactly when my little insights will begin to appear in their album reviews, but fear not. They will be brief. Much shorter than here. So go over and check it out, and while you are at it, take a look at some of their fine artist and collaborators!


<3 The Elephant

Sunset does Black Cab

Um, I'm pretty sure that Camilla cut her hair to be like mine. No? Um yeah, you were there, she totally did it after we met in Brooklyn.

I know the important thing here is the PHENOMENAL new song, You Go On Ahead.

<3 The Elephant

Songs to Download!

Photo

So I'm not exactly erm...tech savy. I can learn, but lets be real here, it isn't my forte. Given this, I would like to announce that you will now be able to download songs from me! For example:

Kickball-Beards
Kickball is a Portland Oregon based band that is pretty flippin sweet. Listen to them for yourselves on myspace and by downloading this song :)

I am still not sure how to get it to stream, but some more time spent on google, and I will get it. I also want to try to use this new found feature to introduce bands that you aren't reading about (currently) on other blogs.

<3 The Elephant

Sasquatch! 2008

Photo via Stereogum

Well friends, it's pretty safe to say that we fucking missed out. Spang, my darling, despite repeated invitations, I still didn't come. I'm sorry, but you are going to need to promise to stay out there for another year, so that we can go to Sas together next year. Scouts honor.

Stereogum did a lovely photo journal thing in 2 parts, so here they are.

Part 1
Part 2

<3 The Elephant

A Nice Song for Your Evening

Via Good Weather for Airstrikes.

Nick Mulvey-I Didn't Have Time.

Sort of like a one man Vampire Weekend.

<3 The Elephant

Holy Shit, Sigur Ros

Totally NSFW...seriously

I have never had the deep, heartfelt feelings for Sigur Ros that many other people seem to have. Those days are over, sista. Click here, and check out their new single. Its is AMAZING. Also, their album artwork is by Ryan McGinley, who recently had a show of nudes here in NY. Anyway, if anyone sends me a leak, I will happily write a full review. Sigur Ros plays 6/16 at the Grand Ballroom.

með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly) is out 6/23 worldwide and 6/24 in North America via XL.

<3 The Elephant

P.S. Sort of reminds me of AU

Apes & Androids Friday at Bowery

Image via Stereogum

Hi Kiddies.

Just in case you were wondering what you are doing friday night, the answer is that we are going to see A&A together. Who is going to volunteer to swing by the box office and pick up tickets? Why are we going to this show, because apparently it involves costume changes, crazy dancing, and a laser show (this last bit is semi-unconfirmed, but I'd like to believe that its going to be true).

The Forms are opening, although Icarus is a great album, they aren't the best live. I'm willing to give them another chance since they keep opening for other well known acts.

<3 The Elephant

Excellent Lyrics

Lately I have been listening closely to song lyrics, even though I can't remember them to save my life, I still think that it can really make a mediocre song amazing. Some notable songs include:

Thao, Chivalry:
" i am through
when i love i will love so hard
harder than i could love with you"

Beirut, Scenic World:
"when i feel alive
i try to immagine [sic] a careless life
a scenic world where the sunsets are all
breathtaking"

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, Buriedfed:
"Goddamn I'm tired of being black, go save somebody else instead"

Sparkle Horse, Don't Take My Sunshine Away:
" Your face is like the sun sinking into the ocean
Your face is like watching flowers growing in fast motion"

Sarah McLachlin, Ice Cream:
"Your love is better than ice cream...
Your love is better than chocolate"

Sunset Rubdown, Shut Up I Am Dreaming Of Places Where Lovers Have Wings:
" He wants to send you drawings
Drawings of men with faithful hands
They will make such good boyfriends
He wants to tell you stories
Stories of boys who stomped their feet saying,
“Shut – shut up I am dreaming of places
Where lovers have wings...
I will say your name, before I sink.
Oceans never listen to us anyway."
Actually...every word in this song is great.

Post other suggestions in the comments...

<3 The Elephant

I'm cool...

Well, cool enough to recognize how bad ass this song is. Shut up, it's fucking amazing.

Favourite by Snake & Jet's Amazing Bullit Band via STG

<3 The Elephant

Concert Review: Beirut at Music Hall of Williamsburg

Pictures totally stolen off Flickr, thanks Brooklyn!

I love going to concerts, but I only want to go to shows where I can't stand still because the musical serum is pulsing through my veins. This week I was lucky enough to go to two of those shows.

I have seen Beirut twice before: first at a pool party at McCarren Park Pool, and second at Bowery Ballroom. The first time I was pretty underwhelmed, they had strong ideas, but their album wasn't released, and it just felt a little messy. They seemed like a scared group of marching band kids who got thrown into Williamsburg. Yet I still bought their album and loved and cherished every track on Gulag Orchestar. The second time was at Bowery about a year ago, meaning that I have seen them about once a year for the last few years. Sweet Jesus how they have grown. I felt like a proud Mama Bear watching my dweeby little marching band blow the audience away.

The energy that the audience expelled was very much reciprocated by the band. Every song was a pleasure to behold: crazy, off beat little gems of music. They played with the intimacy that only comes from time, confidence and hard work. I had just read the interview (see the previous post) and it helped me to understand Condon's song writing, which should more accurately be described as composing. You could see the glee in his eyes as he performed and conducted his new material, which is horn heavy and lyrically light. His appreciation for other languages also leads me to believe that his interests lie in the combination of sounds and beats rather than lyrics. Scenic World (particularly the Lon Gisland EP version) is on of my favorite of his songs because the lyrical beauty matches the tonal beauty.

Some highlights for me last night included the aforementioned Scenic World, After the Curtain and of course Postcards. I really felt Sunday Smiles too, even though it isn't my favorite in recording. Two new songs were My Wife and The Shrew...at least I think they are new. Both were seriously awesome. I must have been wrong about alleged impending break-up (although I still trust my source, he doesn't typically lead me astray). I have also read a lot of blog comments about last night's show, basically all of which are the same glowing mush that I am spewing. One thing that seems to have gone suspiciously uncommented is Condon's excellent connection with the audience, he is a superb performer in that I always feel like we are just hanging out in his living room making some music. I loved how he sang us that Portuguese poem (about blue eyes?? and beautiful meetings?) and then when he was through he knelt down and gave it to someone in the audience. I am not really interested in the whole story, since I prefer to think of it a warm and understanding gesture of how important a dedicated audience is.

I'm fairly non-religious, however if ever there were a sign from God for me not to leave New York, it has been this recent series of interesting cultural events I have experienced. Between cool art events (Guggenheim, Tokion Party, Armory Show) and great concerts (Black Kids, Cut Copy, Beirut) I am barely home enough to change my clothes. Well...there is always time for a new outfit, but you get the point. Until next time...

<3 The Elephant