am/fm

Here we go again ...

Alamo Race Track "Black Cat John Brown"
What is with this British Invasion revivalism? Aren't we done with this yet? Not that this isn't a capable group with an enjoyable product, but come on. This album could have been made 40 years ago and it would have sounded exactly the same. I, too, like the music of that era, but we already have The Kinks, The Who and the like. Can we try something new? No? Ok. At least they do a nice job of it.

Fun fact: These guys are from Amsterdam.

Charlemagne "We Can Build an Island"
This album is making no impression on me.

Buffalo Tom "Three Easy Pieces"
Americana bordering on country.

Will Hawkins "Ghost Town"
Hmm ... I think the kids are currently digging this guy, but it's really not moving me.

More after the jump...

(This has nothing to do with music. I just love Yoda Cat.)

• More Kanye! The album's leaked and everyone's talking about "Good Life."

• David Bowie may appear on Dr. Who.

• For my UK reader (also, from my UK reader) a new database of songs used in British commercials. Now we can all be international commercial watchers!

• Heart on a Stick remembers Hilly Kristal and CBs with some live tracks from back in the day.

• And, finally, surprise! MTV isn't running this year's VMAs once and only once after all.

eh. www.amNY.com

• RIP Hilly Kristal. I have conflicted feelings about the closing of CGBG — who needs more luxury condos on the LES vs. the club hadn't been relevant in years — but no doubt, it, and Hilly, was an important part of NYC rock history.

• Radar talks with British rapper M.I.A. about her visa troubles, politics and what being an outspoken woman gets you in today's social climate (nothing good).

• Kanye has teamed up with just about everyone in the world for "Graduation," including Coldplay's Chris Martin. Stereogum has some advance analysis. They also send me back to the drawing board with my theory that everyone who mentions Daft Punk in the next few years will have to also bring up James Murphy. Although, if we include the stipulation that the Daft Punk/LCD Soundsystem connection must be made IF AND ONLY IF Daft Punk is the primary subject of a given post, the theory holds true.
Per their comments on Steely Dan, the Steely Dan Principle is still intact: People who like music like Steely Dan, even if they admit it only reluctantly. If you think this is untrue, you're lying to yourself or you've never heard Steely Dan.

• Spinner has an eclectic list of the top 25 best opening lyrics. Prince, Elvis Costello, Pavement and Merle Haggard!

• The Modern Age has some Radiohead synchronization shenanigans.

I'd heard vague good things about José González, a Swedish-born musician with an Argentine father and a universal style, but I hadn't quite caught on until today.

I am absolutely in love with this song. I want to marry it, in all it's problematic glory.

He plays Spiegeltent Tuesday. Go and tell him I love him. If you want to hear more, he has more videos on his website, and he's streaming several songs from his MySpace page.

eh. www.amNY.com

I had just about a perfect summer weekend these past few days, and tomorrow night I'm set to leave the city again for a whole week. Golly, I'm excited! What that means for you is, no blog updates (or updated comments) until Aug. 27. Til then, take a load off, Annie, Granny or whoever (Fanny).

eh. www.amNY.com

I have no intro for you here. Let's just launch right into the mess.

Powersolo "It's Raceday ... and your pussy is GUT!!!"
Kind of hardrock psychobilly, that I'm liking OK despite the presence of countryfied song titles like "Truckin'" (not a cover), "Hillbilly Girl" and "NASCAR."

Illuminea "Out of Our Mouths"
Full disclosure: One of the band members is friends with one of my good friends, and I have been to see this band in a "support the friends of your friends" kind of way. They did not, however, use that channel to get this CD to me; it came in the usual way, through their publicist.

This Philly-based band recently changed their name from Illumina. The name change hasn't made it any easier to pin the band down genre-wise. A 6-8-or-more piece, Illuminea can go from chamber rock to glossy Euro-pop in one song flat. And these guys give an engaging live show. Unfortunately, you, and I, just missed a bunch of New York shows. Here's hoping they come back soon.

The album is good, tighter and more focused than their Illumina debut, and captures effectively the exuberance of their live shows. And they seem to have shaken some of that post-collegiate angst, which is a good thing. Still, there are a couple of ballads on there that make me thing that lead singer (well, one of them, anyway; the structure of the band seems to be that the members, multi-instrumentalists all, switch off roles) Jen Appel is spending far too much time up in her room crying over boys, which is a shame, because, from what I can tell, she's a lovely girl.

Luke Temple "Snow Beast" [Release date: Aug. 21]
I first heard of this guy a couple of months ago when Said the Gramophone posted a track (it's not still up, don't bother looking). And he's playing a bunch of local shows next week to prep for his new release. Which is awesome, the new release is. It takes all the best quirks of the "Brooklyn sound" and grounds it in a solid understanding of American traditionalism. In other words, he plays some mighty old-school country rhythms, but dresses it up nicely with playful and modern production. It's mournful and melodic and upbeat and fun (all at the same time, sometimes). Go to his shows and buy this album.

Kathryn Williams "Leave to Remain"
She's a capable singer-songwriter.

More after the jump...

(Cred)

(Cred)

Yes, seriously I went to see Justin Timberlake last night. HBO, who was taping the show for a special to air Labor Day weekend, invited me down, and I thought, "Why the hell not?"

And it truly was like nothing I had ever seen before. Two sum up in two words: slick spectacle. To flesh it out in 680 words:

We arrived to find the arena packed with soon-to-be-screaming girls — we skipped openers Good Charlotte, 'cause even for free, I wasn't really interested. The multilevel stage bisected the room along the short axis, creating a setup wherein Justin would be performing in the round. The backing band took the stage to jam up a funk stew — perhaps as if to present their credentials as actual musicians.

Then Justin emerged from the floor center stage, and the girls started their screaming. Would they stop? No they would not.

The show was a mix of numbers which demonstrated Justin's ability to dance in lockstep precision with his team of hoofers — their moves seemed a cross between The Robot and a cheerleading routine, which is not to denigrate the action; the dancing was at least as much a part of the show as the music — and showcased his instrument-playing skills. I personally enjoyed the dance numbers better; I wasn't really there for the music. In fact, I found myself wishing at the start of each song that it would be "Sexyback." To totally spoil it for you, he didn't play that one until last.

Now, this is a man with presentation skills. Looking dapper in a three-piece suit, Justin tore around that stage, self-assuredly owning every move, twitch and gesture. He's got energy, that's for sure. But the whole thing is wrapped up in a slick veneer of showbiz (he didn't grow up Disney for nothing). While Jack White took total command of the venue a few weeks back with just a guitar and his "sister" behind a drumset, I felt none of that kind of emotional intensity from Justin and his crew. It was more a kind of "look at me" spectacle, with Justin et al. flailing around the stage, crazy light show and projection screens being raised and lowered. At times, I felt like I was already watching the HBO show, rather than watching it unfold live.

Which is not to say that it wasn't a fun night. I did enjoy myself, although I'm not sure I never need to do it (attend a high-profile pop concert) again. Unless it's the reunited Spice Girls.

More after the jump...

BANDS JUST ANNOUNCED:
Spoon – UNKLE – Justice – British Sea Power – Mates Of State – Coheed And Cambria – Rodrigo Y Gabriela – Xiu Xiu – Del Tha Funkee Homosapien – Dirtbombs – Mute Math – Jesu – Devin The Dude – The Ponys – Islands – Tiny Masters Of Today – Eisley – Vietnam – Little Brother – Mickey Hart & Zakir Hussein – Brother Ali – Marnie Stern – No Age – Crystal Castles – MSTRKRFT – Chromeo – The Brunettes – 1990s – Ruins – A-Trak – Foreign Islands – Kavinsky – Simian Mobile Disco

The festival takes place Oct. 16-20, which seems later than usual. The lineup so far seems like the usual indie eclecticism. I've seen Islands a couple times (once with Metric, which was one of my favorite concerts of all time), but I'll see 'em again. Dirtbombs and Spoon would be cool to see, too.

The problem you always face with CMJ is that everyone wants to see all of the same buzz bands, making it super hard to get into those shows, unless you have some sort of hook up, or get there reeeeeally early and sit through five nobody acts. Although, the point of CMJ really is those "nobody" acts. It's always an adventure. Usually around Friday afternoon, I get all music-ed out and end up blowing off the rest of the bands I had planned to see anyway, and going out drinking with my non-music obsessed friends. I'm gonna try my best to make it through the whole weekend this year, but I foresee something similar happening. It's not getting any easier as I get older.

eh. www.amNY.com

• According to Brooklyn Vegan, New York Magazine is hosting a killer NYC scavenger hunt Labor Day weekend. Explore nooks and crannies all over the city in search of clues, with your eyes on the $1,000 prize. Afterparty features performances by Dan Deacon and Ra Ra Riot. Now I appreciate Mr. Deacon, there's something about his music that reminds me of Wesley Willis, minus the mental illness, I guess.

• Stereogum doesn't like it, but I think "Be Kind Rewind" could be cool. Why is this music related? Well, we could stretch the Mos Def connection — I love him as a musician and an actor, he was an awesome Ford Prefect — and Jack Black/Tenacious D, of course. But also the music in the trailer. Is it cool to use another film's score as part of your own? OK, String Quartet in F major By Ysaye Quartet is it's own piece of music, but given that soundtrack is such a vital part of every Wes Anderson movie, it just doesn't seem like a good idea to go sniffing through his laundry. But, this is just a trailer after all. And second song, Billy Preston's "Nothing from Nothing" is one of those songs that, like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," is a go to soundtrack song, but I just love it. It should be in every movie. (Tangent: There should be some sort of soundtrack database, that tracks which songs are used in each movie. C'mon internet, get to it.)

Gothamist is reporting that indie club monolith Bowery Presents has acquired a new venue.

The latest establishment will be in Midtown and is called Terminal 5 (the old Club Exit).

With a capacity of 3,000, this club is by far the largest of the Bowery Properties (Webster Hall main stage tops out at 1,400). It opens mid-October, but they already have a cracker jack roster of bookings, including M.I.A., The Shins and The Decemberists. A dream team of indie acts. Tickets for all announced shows go on sale Friday, except for The Shins, which are on sale Saturday.

Also, have you ever noticed that whenever you go on YouTube, under "Videos being watched right now," nine times out of 10 there will be a clip from "Family Guy"?

eh. www.amNY.com

... And they're on "Dinner With The Band," with Sam Mason. I want them to come to my house and make dessert. We could even have a food fight if they wanted.

eh. www.amNY.com

I was going to review Common's new CD "Finding Forever" for ya here, but someone swiped it from my desk. Jerk.

So instead, apropos of yesterday's digression, let's take a listen to "Guilt by Association." I've mentioned it before, but if you've forgotten, its a compilation of terrible songs guilty pleasures recorded by indie artists who are ostensibly above that sort of thing.

It's a fun effort, albeit a little uneven. One man's guilty pleasure is another man's aural torture, and some of the originals are so terrible that they just can't be saved. These are songs that are ingrained in our cultural consciousness — "Don't Stop Believin' " (Journey), "Back For Good" (Take That), "Say My Name" (Destiny's Child); we all know 'em and love 'em, or hate 'em, or hate to love 'em — and some of these songs carry with them such personal baggage that there's no way a dressed up cover can say anything new. Again, one man's guilty pleasure ..., the unlistenable track will be different for everyone. Mark Mulcahy's "From This Moment On" is that for me. Also, as nice as Petra Haden's a cappella version of "Don't Stop Believin' " is, I will just never like that song.

more, after the jump...

Fiona Apple has been one of my favorite singers for a long time, but I'll admit she has her flaws. One thing I've never thought, however, is, "She needs more bluegrass noodling backing her up." In fact, if you had asked me five minutes ago, I would have told you that was a recipe for trouble. Then I saw this video of her singing with Nickel Creek (a band I never got into, for reasons having almost nothing to do with their music).

It totally works.

Although, I think the reason this works it that it's a cover. You (or, I, at least) have the ghost of the original in the memory banks, which lets you think, "What a cool take on that song." 'Cause there's nothing really "Americana" about Apple's voice or intent with this song (Or this one, for that matter, although I think this adaptation stands up better than "Fast As You Can"; it seems more an actual song than a cover). So I'm curious how their collaborative concert this Tuesday will turn out. Lemme know, if you go.

eh, www.amNY.com

If you've been trapped in a closet of your own recently, you may not have heard that R.Kelly's epic "masterpiece" resumes where it left off tomorrow at IFC. Chapter 13 premieres tomorrow, and IFC will be posting a chapter a day until they finish the saga, which clocks in now at 22 chapters.

In case you've forgotten the story so far, they also have a chart detailing each character's relationship to the others and chapter summaries. Oh, yeah, and a summary/preview video.

VH1.com Blog

All I can say is that pop-culture-wise, in a weird way, I kind of hope that this is what our generation is remembered for. It's just so freaking absurd, but at the same time encapsulates our cultural climate. A melodramatic opera cycle about the lives and loves of a tight-knit community that slowly comes unraveled when truths are revealed, set to sing-song R&B, with a midget. And, apparently, a Sopranos-biting mob plot line. This is no less than what we deserve.

eh, www.amNY.com

That this lady is awesome. Ok, I just overheard my well coiffed seatmate on the train this morning extolling Zap Mama's virtues, but from her website, she does sound, well, awesome. And, if you're reading this RIGHT NOW, you can go see her at SummerStage with Angelique Kidjo at 3pm. It's FREE.

eh, www.amNY.com

Guacamole, Bacon, Cheddar, Tomato and Onion. That was what was on the sandwich I had for lunch today. Notice anything? There's no "star" of the sandwich; no turkey or pimento loaf to carry the show. This is a complete ensemble cast, and let me tell you, all these voices talking over each other, both supporting and opposing each other ... well, it worked. Let's hope our CDs today do as much.

Sgt. Disco "Circus Devils" [Release date: Aug. 28]
Initially, given the cover, I was wary. This looks like an album capable of sucking, a lot. Then I noticed the Ipecac Recordings label, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Not that label fealty means anything these days, but Mike Patton's label is pretty small, and pretty choosy. Also, this sounds a hell of a lot like Bob Pollard ... because it IS Bob Pollard. This being a product of the ultra-prolific ex-Guided By Voices frontman explains the fact that this disc clocks in at a sprawling 32 tracks. And it sounds like a slightly harder-edged version of what he's been doing for the past decade and change. All I'm going to say is maybe, just maybe, Pollard could benefit from some editing.

Roky Erickson "You're Gonna Miss Me"
A soundtrack to the documentary about the musician that was released earlier this year. Essentially a "greatest hits" compilation for an artist who's heretofore flown too far below the radar to have made that a profitable enterprise. 'sgood.

Amy Speace "Songs for Bright Street"
She sounds like she does what she does well, but what she does is a little too shiny, happy, country for me. Especially after the hard rock we've started with. Although, in her favor, she does have collab with Gary Louris of the Jayhawks.

Mike Rocket and The Stars "Attn: Mr. Davis"
Um ... no. Meatloaf-y lame rock with a dash of imitation Boss. From track 3: "I'm just a procrastinator/when it comes to loving you." What does that even mean? It sounds like a song by that band from "Sesame Street." (Hey, when I was looking for that video, I found this one, which was one of my favorites when I was a kid!)

Gogol Bordello on Letterman. I think bands on late-night talk shows are the most boring part of the show. It's usually when I turn off the TV and say, "Self, get to bed. It's late." But I would have stayed up for this. Eugene Hutz has some energy.

I love Eddie Argos. He's one of the most engaging, charming musicians working today, I submit. Also, I've noticed, anecdotally, that guys from the U.K. are really into B.A. Baracus. Maybe guys over here are too, and it's just never come up.

(via) Yeah, she sounds very with it and together. But is this not the most boring interview you've ever watched? Her new(-ish) song sounds promising, though. Anyone make it to the show Monday? I talked some friends out of it, because it was supposed to rain. I fail.

Also: Jack White and Karen Elson had their baby today!

eh, www.amNY.com

(AP)

I took a very special trip to a taping of TRL today, where they held an on-air press conference to announce this year's nominees for the VMAs — which air on Sept. 9, mark your calendars.

It was intense. Those kids (the actual audience, not the press in the audience; we're way too cool for that stuff) scream LOUD. For anything the producer tells them too. I kind of wished that I had brought my earplugs.

Anyway, there was a whole lot of hurry up and wait while we counted down until 1pm, which is when the Live (that's what the "L" in TRL is for, of course) telecast started. But once we were rolling, we were rolling. Special guest stars came swooping in and out of the studio accompanied by ear splitting screams. And the nominees were announced. Because this was, ostensibly, a press conference.

More on this, after the jump ...

• Gothamist has a really cool interview up with the Beastie Boys' Adam Horovitz. And he talks about Willa Sands! I used to love her cable access show, but I've never met anyone else who's ever heard of it.

And ... that's all I've got, for now. I've been at TRL (seriously) all morning. I'll tell you about it later.

eh, www.amNY.com

I really am. Maybe it has something to do with the recent web redesign, but it's annoying.

So here's what I have to say to cqnkfblu@mail.com and all his orthographically challenged friends:

This was one of my favorite songs when I was young. I remember there was some public radio show that we would listen to every week, and maybe they only played this song once or twice, but it definitely stuck with me. The first time I heard it (I was probably about five or six), I remember feeling just delighted and overjoyed that such a song was being broadcast into my home. It was so fantastically silly. He took a fishhead out to see a movie! Didn't have to pay to get him in! Wonderful.

Apparently Bill Paxton directed this video.

eh, www.amNY.com

If I'm home, New York Noise is my Sunday night television experience of choice. And so, just about every Monday I'm tempted to just sum up what happened the night before. Seriously, this is quality music programing coming atcha on cable access. But I generally refrain, because if you know about the show, you're probably already watching.

I do wanna share this video with you, however, 'cause up until now, I had largely ignored the Matt & Kim love parade. "Yay, just what we need," I thought. "Another twee indie couple peddling lo-fi happiness." How wrong I was. Or rather, how right I was, once you remove the sarcasm.

How can you not love these guys? Sometimes it takes a video to get the song to resonate, but seeing their unmitigated joy with one another as they were pelted with food ... well, it made me a convert. And then this (it's long, and the first part is a little annoying; skip to Peggy's interview if you're pressed for time) ...

I also really like this Menomena video.

And, their video for "Cough Coughing" is interesting as well.

eh, www.amNY.com

This is amazing. Pattie Boyd, the woman who loved and inspired both George Harrison and Eric Clapton, speaks out about her relationships.

At one point, Clapton, drunk on brandy, arrived at their house, and Harrison decided to have a duel for Boyd's love.

"George handed him a guitar and an amp - as an 18th-century gentleman might have handed his rival a sword - and for two hours, without a word, they dueled."

This totally tops, "She could write songs at home and ask me what I thought of them, and maybe include one of our private little jokes in the liner notes," as a reason to date a musician.

eh, www.amNY.com

We're back and better than ever for our Thursday afternoon audio marathon. Let the games begin.

The Budos Band "The Budos Band II"
An instrumental funkgasm from the fine folks at Daptone Records.

Via Audio "Say Something" [Release date: Sept. 25.]
While listening to this CD, which features the vibraslap, I did some mind wandering, and came upon this. Weird Al's Cake impression is spot on, but what's most notable about the song is that it features the line: "She got me choked up like Mama Cass." Indeed.

Anyway, Via Audio ... um ... kinda boring, but I'm also kinda distracted.

Sound the Alarm "Stay Inside"
Not immediately as bad as I was expecting, given the cover art.

Yes, it's still mall-punk emo bs, but not terrible.

more, after the jump...

In case you haven't heard, R.Kelly has a deal with IFC to produce 10 new episodes of his epic tragedy Trapped in The Closet. Don't have cable? No worries. The whole thing will be online. The press release in all it's glory.

In 2005 multi-platinum Jive recording artist R. Kelly launched a cultural phenomenon with the mega-hit urban operetta Trapped in the Closet Chapters 1-12. Audiences and critics alike applauded the unique series filled with over-the-top characters and complex story lines, all set to a sexy R&B groove. Viewers demanded more and R. Kelly delivers with Trapped in the Closet Chapters 13-22, featuring brand new characters and plot twists that will shock and delight.

Beginning August 13 a new chapter will be added daily to http://www.ifc.com/Trapped, leading up to the DVD release of Chapters 13-22 on August 21. In addition to the new chapters, the DVD will include a recap of the first 12 chapters and new behind-the-scenes footage.

For those needing to catch up on the saga, IFC.com will exclusively host Chapters 1–12 beginning on August 6. IFC television will also air the entire series as a feature film on Friday, September 7 at 9pm followed by the half hour IFC News Special: Exclusive Interview with R. Kelly at 10:30pm.

Trapped in the Closet, which was shot in High Definition format, defies categorization. Part contemporary movie musical, part urban soap opera, part epic music video, part independent film, this groundbreaking series unfolds like a juicy tabloid story, full of suspense, mystery, drama and packed with unexpected twists and turns.

... and midgets.

eh, www.amNY.com

Before I skipped town last week, I did manage to catch my friend Tommy's band, The Dirty Pearls, at The Delancey. I somehow, in the course of the night, managed to lose my BRAND NEW hoodie sweatshirt, but that's entirely my own fault.

What Tommy could control, i.e., the music, was awesome. The band is kind of a hard rocking, garage-punk combo, with a little bit of glam metal thrown in for good measure. I had heard some of their tracks on CD Baby a few months ago, and they're good, but the live experience is where it's at. The band packed the Delancey's 100+ capacity basement, and Tommy was the consummate frontman, flirting with the crowd and reveling in the attention (although, grain of salt: the audience was probably 75% friends and acquaintances). The rest of the band had good chemistry too. I particularly enjoyed the drummer, sitting behind his kit wearing a captain's hat, and twirling his drumsticks anytime there was a break in the action.

At one point in the night, I was having a good enough time to jot down, "This is what the blog is about — down and dirty New York rock and roll, played by someone I kind of know." So there you have it.

If you're interested in down and dirty New York rock and roll played by someone I kind of know, the Pearls play Mercury Lounge sometime in September.

eh, www.amNY.com

Just heard these guys on All Songs Considered, and I love 'em. A quick perusal of their (they, in this case, is Austin-based band Peel) MySpace shows that just about everyone and their mother has already cottoned to them, but I'm sure they wouldn't mind one more positive vote in their favor: Awesomely sloppy pop rock with an undercurrent of fun, fun, fun.

eh, www.amNY.com

Usually I think Interview magazine is a load of self-congratulating piffle (albeit piffle that makes a good read at the hair salon), but this month's cover interview with the White Stripes is pretty good. I especially like the part where they discuss joking around (read: planting lies) in their press releases. If I ever make it big as a rock star, I am going to lie all of the time about everything.

And that's part of what makes them stand out as a band. Sure, their music is excellent, but they come complete with their own mythos. Yeah, everyone knows that they lied about being brother and sister and are in fact ex-husband and wife, etc., but that's just a part of their story. As far as origin stories go, it's a damn sight more interesting than, "Well, we practiced a lot in my parents garage, and then we just started playing around." And it also makes Jack and Meg White outsized characters, ones that can carry a venue like MSG. It would come to nothing if they couldn't bring it with the music, of course, but in my opinion, it's their old-fashioned (not an accidental word choice), highly calibrated showmanship that brings them to the next level as a band.

eh, www.amNY.com

Really. Check it here.

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Here's something I hadn't noticed until now in my perusal of the summer concert listings: River to River is hosting a series of free concerts on Governors Island. Every Saturday afternoon in August, a different world music superstar will perform, starting with Antibalas this weekend. It's a beautiful setting, and I would rate this as a high "do not miss."

eh, www.amNY.com