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

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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

Good Zach Condon Interview

Thanks Adam :)

theStranger

Perhaps my suppositions about a break up are incorrect? Would really like to hang out with ZC for a couple of hours.

<3 the Elephant

How did I mss this song last year?

I really like this song. Its catchy as hell, which oddly enough has suddenly become key for me. My patience is all gone. I gave them a little bit of a listen over at myspace, and I wam feeling good about them in general. A little jammy, but you know, it is time to expand. Anyways, check out White Denim's "All You Really Have to Do". <3 the Elephant

An Open Letter From Zach

Thanks BrooklynVegan for posting:

April 3

A Letter from Zach

It's with great regret that I have to tell all of you that Beirut is canceling their summer European shows. My reasons for doing this are many, a lot of them personal, but I still feel I need to provide something of an explanation.

The past two years have been a mindblowing experience. From the first indications that people were putting songs from Gulag up on their blogs to our incredible tour of Australia and New Zealand that we just completed, everything that has happened has been beyond anything I'd ever hoped could happen with the music I wrote and recorded in my bedroom. Once things started happening, I decided I wanted to do everything as big as possible. So, I set about putting together a large band, and giving that band a huge sound, and making the most spectacular records we possibly could.

I know this can sound like an artist shithead kind of comment, but going through all that really does have its low points along with the highs. The responsibilities of gathering people around your vision, working with great people like those who work directly for the band and those at the label, wanting to insure that every show is as good as humanly possible so that every single person in the audience sees that we put in a real effort, all of that leads to a lot of issues in terms of doing right by people who have done you right.

It's come time to change some things, reinvent some others, and come back at some point with a fresh perspective and batch of songs.

Please accept my apologies. I promise we'll be back, in some form.

-Zach

Concert Review: Cut Copy w/Black Kids

Cut Copy, Melbourne

Black Kids, Jacksonville

So I schlepped to Greenpoint. On a Tuesday. Why? Because I couldn't miss this line up: Mobius Band, Black Kids and Cut Copy. I couldn't quite get my shit together to be early, so I missed Mobius Band, which was a major let down (they were holding the line outside, it was sort of absurd). But I will see those guys soon, I'm sure of it.

Black Kids went on around 10:20, and I was struck by how young they look. Brother/sister duo Reggie and Ali Youngblood are an awesome on stage team, although Ali sort of steals the show. With her rich doo-wop vocals, gold AA hot pants and killer dance moves, she was everyone's focus. Her chemistry with keyboardist Dawn Watley is also remarkable, lending a very Supremes-esque flavor to the show. Although their sound is essentially 80's pop-dance, they make it feel new, young and vibrant. Although I wasn't totally feeling it for the first few songs, they broke out "I'll be your Limousine" and I think most of the audience was grooving after that. Although they were a bit sloppy, and the sound quality wasn't perfect, I think these kids had fun, and they are worth checking out.

Much like LCD Soundsystem at Randall's Island, Cut Copy completely stole the show at Studio B. They didn't hesitate about dominating, they just schooled the audience. They came out, and the entire crowd just started dancing. It was a proper indie dance party, the indie dance party of my dreams. It was literally not possible to hold still, the need to move was captivating. Everytime the crowd sort of calmed down, frontman Dan Whitford stepped in. He wasn't going to let us forget that this was the party of the month. Together, he and keyboardist Tim Hoey kept us pulling and alive. It was unstoppable and electrifying. Dynamic. It was easily one of the best shows I have seen in the last two years. I always feel that way after electro dance shows though, because of the adrenaline and sweat. And endorphins. Anyway, if you haven't yet, check out this Aussie band's In Ghost Colours.

<3 the Elephant

p.s. Studio B is hipster heaven. Or vanilla hell.

Rumor Mongering...

Photo LA Weekly

Word on the street, Beirut will no longer be touring or making new records. I have no solid confirmation on this, so I'm just repeating this as heresay and gossip. I sincerely hope if they are done, they are breaking up on good terms, with lots of other, progressive, interesting, quirky projects in the future for all band members. If they aren't breaking up, then I'm sorry I'm spreading nasty rumors.

<3 The Elephant


<3 The Elephant

Beirut Sunday at MHOW

Thanks Dave for pointing this out.. Sunday night, $20, Music Hall of Williamsburg, Zach Condon. Sexy, sexy man. Tickets go on sale some time today (i hope it isn't Amex only, that would be a bitch move).

<3 The Elephant

For those of you that weren't happy w/ my WP review

Check This...

Record Review: Wolf Parade's At Mount Zoomer

Dan Boeckner and Spencer Krug are pretty fucking awesome. Apologies to Queen Mary was one of my album love affairs, as was Shut Up I am Dreaming. So when I got of wind of a second Wolf Parade LP to be released Spring/Summer 2007 I was pretty excited. Then nothing came of it. Then still, nothing. Then a Sunset album (Random Spirit Lover, which was really solid) gave me some hope. One morning, At Mount Zoomer materialized in my inbox, and it was a done deal. What I'm getting at: there was a ton of anticipation and waiting involved in this release (which is officially 6/17). Sterogum gave it a more favorable review than I am about to, so if you want to hear some nice gushing, check this.

I always find it really hard to form an opinion when I am this excited about something because I have astronomical expectations. That being said, I am a little disappointed with the album. It lacks the crazy, rock-outness that defines Apologies. There are a lot more mellow rhythmically driven, vocal-free sections. I just keep waiting for the real build up and release found in my traditional concept of WP. It sounds like in an attempt at growth they lost sight of their original, true character which was quirky, fun and multi-layered. I just can't quite wrap my mind around the simplification that seems to have occurred here. Perhaps it is an attempt at being more digestible and universally listen-able basic indie rock. It also sounds like they did a ton of jamming, and used a lot of those jams as songs.

Of course I still really like the album, and have been listening to it pretty much on repeat. The intro of the album sounds more or less like I had expected, in a good way. They start with "Soldier's Gun" which sounds like pretty typical WP. I could do without the repetitive, lengthy guitar interludes. "Call it a Ritual" sort of has the same flavor as "Soldier's Gun", but a bit darker. I keep looking for these songs to be in Sonata form (enter dweeb talk). Basically, we have an intro, but the development isn't growing enough to make the recapitulation satisfying. Track 3, "Language City", is the first stand out track on the album. There are divisive layers: vocals in one place, synth in another and guitar in yet another place. They all come together around the half way marker of the song, and it is able to fully move into a development, and no recapitulation, which is fine, because it doesn't feel unfinished. "Bang your Drum" feels a little bit like filler (a horrible thing to say, I'm sorry). But it just doesn't feel like it adds much to the album for me. I particularly like "California Dreamer" for personal reasons mostly. It is also one of the somewhat darker, off feeling songs. It does have some of that really rocking feeling to it, but it also has a little bit of that jam sense that is pervasive in the album. What this 6 minute monster does have is a really solid recapitulation. That makes me happy, it makes the song sound complete. "Grey Estates" has been widely touted as the pop hit of the album. I agree, its pretty catchy and cute. I like it, I'm down with some solid indie pop. "Fine Young Cannibals" is possibly my least favorite track. Again, at over six minutes, it sort of doesn't go anywhere. "An Animal in Your Care" has one of the saddest lines in the album:
"Like some dead relative, you will remember me most by my funeral". Gee, thanks Spencer! In fact, the whole song is really sad. It tells a story of obsessive love and death (at least I think it does). Although the themes are pretty consistent with all other WP and Sunset songs, it is a bit more striking in this case. The final track, "Kissing the Beehive" is more than 10 minutes long, and it feels like the lyrics match the sounds exactly. They keep mentioning the word "drifiting" and that is how this song sounds. Like it drifts for the better part of the first 3 minutes, and then gets on course for them 7 or 8 minutes. The song is declaration of disappointment, perhaps in a lover? The metaphor of kissing the beehive is a good one. It definitely speaks to all of those times one enters into a relationship, with a foreseeable, horrible end.

This is an album worth checking out, and I would bet, it will make for a great live show. There are a lot of aspects that will resonate live, that a recording can't quite represent. I am looking forward to their tour this summer, I think this will doubtlessly be a show that has a lot more to offer than the album. P.s I hate the album art.

At Mount Zoomer is out 6/17 on Sub Pop.

<3 The Elephant

If you only go to one Guggenheim Exibit in Your Life

These pictures don't do justice to show. At all. Seriously.

I know this isn't music related, but just want to let everyone know that you absolutely must, without exception, go to the Guggenheim's Cai Guo-Qiang show. It is electrifying, dynamic and unique: seriously the best contemporary art I have seen, and in my top 5 museum visits ever. And a bit violent, maybe not so good for kids. It is absolutely worth the $20 for admission. Get the free audio tour, you won't regret it.

<3 The Elephant

Lykke LI, again

Hot Shit. Courtesy of her MySpace.

Well folks, today is a big day. Its thursday. That means that tomorrow is friday, and there its the last day of work this week. Thank God. This has no relation to anything to do with the title, so I will talk a bit about Lykke Li again.

I stumbled upon her again on some music blog somewhere, and I gave her a third re-listen. I really do like her sound, it is pretty. Lets be honest, there is a stereotypical Northern European Nordic sound, you know the one, with off-kilter female grumbly vocals, building layers of sound, and a sense of really intense serenity. Silje Nes and Lykke Li both embody these attributes, but while Nes is a bit downtrodden and melancholy, Li has an upbeat, happy sound. It's almost as if she is happy on the other side of a dark window, so we get the idea that she's excited, except we can't quite experience it ourselves. Maybe that is a terrible analogy, but I'm standing by it. When I find a really, really good song/artist, I get this knowing rush in my blood. I can feel it immediately. With Lykke Li I don't quite get that feeling, but I seem to be trying to feel it. Hopefully it just needs to grow. Her songs do all sound sort of similar, not that thats bad, but it is somewhat true. Check out her myspace link above and be your own judge.

Concert Review: The Cave Singers at Mercury Lounge

Last night Andy, Dave and I stopped by Mercury Lounge to check out The Cave Singers from Seattle, WA at Mercury. I'm pretty sure that I was the only one who wanted to go, but after successfully guilting A+D into going, it was a decent show.
I think that there is a lot of subtly in their music, in the gentle crooning effect of lead singer's voice. One thing that stands out to me about this particular group of indie folksters is the sense of intimacy in their music in relation to the blanket privacy of their public profile. One might argue that they are a relatively unknown band, and thus, really don't have much of a public profile. Their myspace page doesn't seem to list their names anywhere obvious, and their blog is a photo journal. This is particularly intriguing because there are no captions. There is a brief youtube video of an interview with them which provides the most insight. In the interview they mention that they became roommates and then formed a band around the instruments that they had (including my personal fave, the Melodica, thanks Andrew). In the video they play a song, and confirm exactly what I had suspected: there is one good guitarist, one good singer, and then of course the mystery 3rd guy.
So the concert: I think that they are excellent live, but especially when they are performing some of their more intense music. I really got into "Seeds of Night", "Dacing on Our Graves" and "Oh Christine". I'm sorry, but I just need to be inspired to dance to fully appreciate a concert. I have a hard time with really slow, calm music live. I struggled through Phosphorescent, even though he is awesome, and even at times, I had a hard time with Bon Iver. The depth of their sound was sort of what surprised me, I had expected more, but it was a little bit flat sometimes. I don't mean to say that I was disappointed, but I had really hoped that they would be more live than they are in recording. I am driven lately by really strong percussive sounds, and I felt that it was more singing/guitar heavy. Losing sight of the foundation of their awesome beats and somewhat dissonant sounds surprised me. I would still see them again, but I think they need a bigger, more voluminous venue. I think that they just didn't resonate enough at Mercury Lounge, I refuse to believe that their records are the best of their work. My criteria for good concert going includes having something more to offer from than just the recording, and I'm afraid that this didn't quite make the cut. That said, it was still awesome.

Discuss.

<3 The Elephant

Siren Fest Artist Announced

Illustration by Paul Antonson

Saturday July 19th we can all go bake in the sun with a bunch of drunken hipsters, and hang out on the beach while the bands we don't like play...Unless it rains. Both times that I have gone it has been really hot, and really crouded. And really awesome. For those of you that don't know what I'm talking about, click the link, and read the Village Voice description of their event. So see the line-up here.


<3 The Elephant

Couldn't have said it better myself....

Hercules and Love Affair...

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Record Reviews: Islands and Wolf Parade

I know I'm behind my game on writing about both of these upcoming releases. Part of me was trying to wait until the actual records were released, instead of writing about the leaks. That part of me has a small, weak voice. And my overbearing, demanding half won, and I am going to write about them once I give each of the records solid chances at winning my heart.....

<3 The Elephant

Cave Singers at Mercury Lounge Tomorrow!

Thanks Matador for the Pic!

I think they go on at 10. I'm going to try to go, since I have heard from a very, very reliable source that they are truly amazing live. Take a quick listen.

Concert Review: Blues Traveler, Hollywood Race Track, CA

Note the guys in ties, they were born w/o the fun chromosome. Obviously, our friends in the foreground each have a healthy helices.

Last weekend I saw Blues Traveler! I know, remember them?!? Were they giving me the run around? Ok, sorry for the bad puns, but there were several things that made the situation awkward/awesome. For starters, we were at the horse races in Compton, that part of LA that all of the gangster rappers reference as "the hood". Apparently it is considered to be a pretty unsafe neighborhood. Not to worry, we were traveling in a large group, and we were armed with Sparks and Captain's. We had collectively had enough to drink to kill a menagerie of vermin before we entered the grounds. We arrive at the races, and watch the horses run...it was moderately entertaining. We used the time valuably to drink beer and take sips from the plastic flask (because obviously a metal flask sets off metal detectors) in preparation for the impending wild dance party that is a Blues Traveler's show. Except that we had missed the memo that it was a wake. I'm not sure if everyone was sour because their horses had lost, but never have I encountered such an uptight crowd at a Friday night concert. Our little troupe (of 8 people) was set to party and we did, much to the chagrin of the people around us. Whatever they were mourning we were desecrating.
The actual concert was a blast, the band was completely rocking out, and it was one of those shows where every song melted together (or not, and that was the Captain's I was feeling) and we just danced like crazy for the whole show. I think it was Colin who equated it to a Dan Deacon show, that same level of crazy dancing...except it was just us. Needless to say, I now have a warm spot in my heart for both LA and Blues Travler.

Worst Opener Ever Contestant Has a Video

Remember Blood On the Wall? I wrote about their penchant for screetchy, low growls and wanna-be Pixies sounds last month after Dave, Andy and I saw them open for Sunset Rubdown. Well, apparently they played SXSW, and made a video montage of their opening song "Hibernation". This is a great chance for of you readers to watch them in live action, and then write comments! Maybe the three of us (plus our new friend Chris) were being a tad harsh when we instantly decreed them as "crappy live band of the century". Or maybe not. So take a listen and a look at their Awesomer myspace page.....

<3 The Elephant

Thao and the Get Down Stay Down Tonght!

Tonight at the Brooklyn Maisonic Temple, Thao is opening for I'm from Barcelona. The latter is a fun, bright indie pop band, with horns and multi-person choruses, and Thao is, of course amazing. Take a moment to listen to both artists on Hypem.com and decide that you want nothing more than to feel like you are at a middle school dance watching two great bands. I love that strange displacement that the Masonic temple causes. Plus, they have beer tickets.

This is instead of an Art Party Thursday. I know, I have been a little lame on the art parties lately...

<3 The Elephant