In (not so) recent past concert news, I saw Of Montreal at the State Theatre in early March, following a Post preview. Kevin Barnes is one snazzy dude in his fishnet stockings and coy, Peter Pan-style tunic. The music is appealing in a ADD'd pop-lover's carnival way, but nothing has stuck since numerous listenings to the CDs. Still, it was a show that kept me staring at the stage from beginning to end, if only to enjoy Kevin's lovely legs.
The following week, Husband and I went to DAR Constitution Hall to see the Shins (got the tickets at a not-unreasonable mark-up though ebay) and, while we had a perfectly lovely date, the band is at a crucial tipping point that may well expose their limits. The albums are great (the new one isn't holding up as well after these first weeks of intense play) but the hall was too big for the band. Opening act, Viva Voce, made a good first impression - a White Stripes in reverse with a hot shot girl guitarist/singer and a passive guy drummer - but the effect wore off quickly. By the time they got to "We Don't Fuck Around," the novelty was wearing thin, as were the lyrics.
And then Grace and I had the supreme good fortune to be offered tickets to see The Decemberists and My Brightest Diamond at the gorgeous Strathmore Concert Hall, courtesy of MBD's label. I knew Grace was into it when, two songs into MBD's set, she turned to me and asked, "do we have this album?" (Yes, courtesy of my emusic subscription). In fact, it was the rare case when you wished the opening act had more time to stretch out. After a half hour, we were just getting into it.
And oh, Decemberists...! You are a literate college geek's musical joy. And though I may not love "The Crane's Wife" as much as the previous two CDs, it still has wonderful moments, like the propulsive Talking Heads-ian rhythms of "The Perfect Crime." Though I had seen the band in concert before, Grace was enjoying the theatrical pantomime of "Mariner's Song" for the first time, and her joy, like the band's, was contagious. Well played, Decmeberists. Well-played. I had just my little camera, so the pic (TK) is for souvenir purposes only.
And now back to the O/CD Project, long fallow...
Paid Actual Cash:
1. ARCADE FIRE – Neon Bible (Merge)
The rarest of purchases for me – preordered online. I don’t like risking that I won't have a long-awaited CD on the day of release, but the Merge site had such a good deal - $15 for the deluxe edition, free shipping, plus some bonus stuff (the poster and label sticker weren’t such a big deal when I saw them). Better yet, the CD actually arrived on the Monday before the album hit stores. And yes, you can believe the hype. So good!
2. The HOLD STEADY – Boys and Girls in America (Vagrant)
This month’s $6.99 auto-delivery from yourmusic.com. I could swear that Springsteen’s keyboard player was on this album, and the lead singer/songwriter certainly channels vintage Boss with his storylines of young love among the American lower middle class. Hearing all the songs in one sitting can be exhausting (which Bruce never was) but there’s some fine material here.
3. MOJO Presents Love Will Tear You Apart
It’s subtitled “15 hand-picked songs of hurt, pain & despair” and yes, I was in a bad mood when I bought the magazine. Nina Simone, Sparklehorse, Jarvis Cocker, Elbow, Elliott Smith, Galaxie 500.
Also, given away at the Best Buy store:
4. The KILLERS – Read My Mind (Island)
Three remixes of the single, including one by the Pet Shop Boys.
The local thrift store charges only $1.50 for its used CDs so, if they’re not scuffed and scratched (do people treat their music so badly, or is it the rough shelf life on a thrift store that takes its toll?), you can take a chance on just about anything. Then, at the checkout, I discover that it’s half-price on everything, so here’s my 75-cent specials:
5. The PROCLAIMERS – Sunshine on Heath (Chrysalis)
6. TAKE THAT – Nobody Else (Arista)
Robbie Williams is listed in the credits for vocals, but not in the list of band members or on the cover, where there are just four brooding pretty boys. Now it appears that he may be rejoining the band for a reunion (ka-ching!) tour. “Back for Good” is a song that the girls sing out loud – and with deliberately overwrought emotion – in the car when they’re trying to drive us crazy. We pretend to be annoyed, but we actually find it endearing.
Back at the CD trade-in store:
7. VARIOUS ARTISTS – Shop (Patio Music)
The cover caught my eye – a crossword puzzle grid with the name of the artists worked into it. And since those names included Joe Strummer, Annie Lennox and The Rapture, it seemed like a safe bet for $2. There’s a couple of slicksters – Chris Botti and Steve Tyrell – but the overall Adult Alternative vibe makes it a good dinner-with-friends compilation.
More from the under-$2.oo discount pile:
8. ECHO & the BUNNYMEN – S/T (Sire)
I took it as a sign that I was grooving along to a “retro-future” remix of “Lips Like Sugar” as I drove to the CD trade-in store. Sometimes it’s fun to get into the WayBack machine and recall the days when Terry and I were young, together, childless and somewhat mad, living in New York City.
9. BJORK – Venus as a Boy (single)
99.9% sure I have this already, but I couldn’t take the chance to miss out on six tracks, including two unavailable on the full-length CD.
10. BJORK – Big Time Sensuality (single)
75% sure I have this (who can keep track of all Bjork’s remix singles?!) but there’s five tunes, including rarities and remixes. Cheaper than a cup of Starbucks!
11. BJORK – Hyperballad (single)
This one I’m pretty sure I don’t have, which is good since there’s only four tracks here (those longer EPs spoiled me).
12. OF MONTREAL – 7-track sampler (Polyvinyl)
Purchased in prep for the band’s appearance at The State Theatre on March 6th (yep, that’s how far behind the list is!).
13. MIXEL PIXEL – Music for Plants (Kanine Records)
Released in October of last year, but sent as part of my research for the Post preview. They cite Influences – Pink Floyd, Velvet Underground (they say VU), The Flaming Lips and (who can tell me about…?) Quinton & Mrs. Pussycat.
What once were advances are now imminent:
14. CHUCK BROWN – We’re About the Business (Raw Venture Records & Tapes)
15. RYAN SHAW – This is Ryan Shaw (Columbia)
16. SON VOLT – The Search (Transmit Sound/Legacy)
17. KLAXONS – Myths of the Near Future (DGC)
18. RODDY HART – Bookmarks (Compass Records)
19. UMPHREY’S McGEE – The Bottom Half (SCI)
20.MIDNIGHT MOVIES – Lion the Girl (New Line Records)
21. BLACTOP MOURNING – No Regret (T-Recs)
The band was discovered on myspace and signed by Counting Crow Adam Duritz for his new Tyrannosaurus Records label. He also sings on four tracks. Angsty lyrics, rockin’ rhythms, quite at home in our Panic! At The Disco/Fall Out Boy world, though with a bit more of a classic rock sound.
Recent Releases:
22. FULTON LIGHTS – S/T (Android Eats Records)
PR compares them to Massive Attack, John Cale, Grizzly Bear and the Tindersticks. I saw a variation of the band play in NYC last year and was mightily impressed. Also liked the main guy’s previous outfits – John Guilt and Maestro Echoplex. Great sample lyric (from “The Sound of the City”): “New York is the city that never…shuts up.”
23. SIA – Lady Croissant (Astralwerks)
24. The STOOGES – The Weirdness (Virgin)
25. DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER – More Behind the Picture Than the Wall (Rounder)
A duplicate, official version of a CD I got in advance form a few weeks ago,
YTD Total: 90
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