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