Apes & Androids might be my favorite live band ever, and I've seen 'em all. Seriously I can't even describe how fucking excited I am for this show tonight. Damn, I just can't wait to see what kind of shit they have planned for tonight. You really can't miss this tonight, you CAN'T. I might go nuts when they play "Hot Kathy."
It's FREE if you RSVP: rsvp@fotpnyc.com
$5 if you don't
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Arctic Monkeys, Cold War Kids, Bloc Parties, Modest Mice & Arcade Fires, Oh My!
Tom Says:
1) Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
The Arctic Monkeys have been through this before. In their Northern homeland, the Monkeys found their first LP release, “Whatever People Say About Me That’s What I’m Not”-- released only one year ago!-- preceded by an unprecedented storm of media oggling due to the smashing success of their myspace-and-pub anthem “I Bet That You Look Good on the Dance Floor.” Fortunately, the group rose to the occasion and the album was every bit the frame for the single; a filler-less, coming-of-age in a post-nuclear age romp-de-triumph. In short, it was great. In fact, People actually speculated out loud as to whether the band had had help composing the material. Now here they are again, faced with the ghost of that very critical coup, back in the eye of the storm of expectations. C’est la vie, indeed. Here’s to hoping that these blokes eventually get to release a record without a colossal burden of artistic proof riding upon it.
As for the results, well, they are more than good. The lads are dealing straight aces again on “Favorite Worst Nightmare” and they don’t sound cowed by pressure whatsoever (despite what you may have already heard from more distinguished news sources who’s names may or may not rhyme with ‘snitch-pork’ or ‘thin’-- outlets that don‘t seem to much care for rock n roll music that doesn‘t feature banjos or key-tars anyway). In fact, “F.W.N.” is every bit the first album and then some. Really. For one thing, it is great for what it isn’t. It isn’t what has become the industry-standard second album. You know, the one where the group recalls tales of excess from ‘the road’ over string/horn sections or call in there new friend Bono for a consult (you decide which is worse). Nor is “F.W.N.” the “oh shit, you know those songs on album ‘1a?’ Well those, were, um, seriously the only 12 tunes we’d ever really finished”-album. Instead, Arctic Monkey’s 2nd is an ideal throwback to second records of the past,* the kind that few groups would consider making anymore. All the lad’s have done here is to turn the screws, polish the brass, and written a new playbook of smart hooks and air-lock-tight rhymes. For this reason, the Arctic’s are likely-- and already beginning-- to catch much of the same brand of flak as the Strokes got for “Room on Fire” ( a record which was also a better, tighter, superior version of the sound on its predecessor). All because they have refused to register an album full of ill-fated jazz odysseys and sonic umma-gumma moments. But fuck…there isn’t a bad song here, and that says a lot for a rock band these days, and you’d be kidding yourself if you argued that the best moments of F.W.N. --“505” and “Do Me a Favor,” specifically-- haven’t approved upon “When the Sun Goes Down” and “I Bet.” So let’s all give the Monkeys a break and a chance at a proper career, eh?
2) Cold War Kids - Robbers & Cowards
On the opposite end of the spectrum of ‘indie’ musical culture and general buzz, I find the Cold War Kids. Who the fuck are these guys?,^ (and don’t answer that, I am only making a point.) I was supposed to have reviewed their album “Robbers and Cowards,” back in the Fall when it was released -- then I lost it the cd when my review was half written, along with the Annuals* record, which it turns out, was really good, you should buy it, only to find them both recently in a stack of cd’s which my roommate, Jesse^ had been hording, prick -- and I got to tell you, it wasn’t pretty. R’s & C’s comes across as a series of almost ludicrously dull chord sequences amalgamated into an almost absurdly dull sequence of tunes, each of which sound flattened into the same vaguely-reverby* drone, sans hooks, often accompanied by a ‘trippy’ or ‘phat’ beat underlying the proceedings. It sucked. There may or may not have been vocals (and lyrics) present, I was rendered too numb to remember.^
And you know what? A lot of other reviewers I read at the time agreed with me. So, good, I thought, that’s that. Hah! Unfortunately, these pretentious, suburbanite, surfers of smugness have, in the course of the last month or so, caught a second wind.* Well, I thought, this is unacceptable! So I repeat, this album still BLOWS. And, after doing some YouTube-related research, I can assure that the live effect is no less boring or, well, boring than it was the first time. Perhaps CWK’s are in fact flexing a measure of stylistic genius that is beyond me -- though I doubt it, I mean how many times can random piano-key hits on the same album be sonically ‘interesting’?-- and therefore, I will keep an open mind towards their further releases. But for now, I wish them ill.
3) Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Speaking of me NOT getting something,^ I have an apology to make, humbly, to Modest Mouse. Here’s to you lot. You have changed my mind completely. I still don’t enjoy your first two albums, but I get “it” now, and I was stupid and my shame abounds. Sorry doesn’t cut it, mea culpa. Your new album, I don’t care what they say! It’s brilliant. Mr. Broc, you are a songwriter at the top of your game, steadily progressing in theme and practice, and you had me at the first deviously gobblinish “ahahahA!” of “March into the Sea.” And as for you, Mr. Marr --who’s seminal band’s oeuvre I still dislike, but that is the fault of another English cultural luminary-- your guitar work on that goddamn single is like, solid fucking gold. Oh, and I love the nautical themes and the subtle bluesy undercurrents throughout. Props to the drummer to for recovering his sanity and improving his chops in the process. Stars all around.
4) Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City
Which brings us back to where we began. The weight of expectations and specifically, the dueling options of progress or collapse into failure. As for Bloc Party. Oh dear. I have been dreading this review, putting it off indefinitely. I should have known what was coming when in early news singer Kele reported that the band was going in a more “gentle”* direction, which for a band who sounded equal parts Mission of Burma, Devo, and the Beatles on their first album, sounded err, like a poor plan. The results speak for themselves. The best parts of “A Weekend in the City” sound like “Silent Alarm” and the lesser parts sound like Genesis, the later years. That said, these guys still have mad skillz^: the lead guitar player dude (with the hair bangs) and drummer (with the geek glasses) are two of the most inventive interesting players in popular music, and if Kele cheers up or just gets mad again in the near future, redemption surely awaits. Go well boys, and good luck.
5) Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Lastly, and with a big ‘sorry folks’ to the diehards, but the Arcade Fire have also failed to grasp my attention with “Neon Bible.” I know that Q Magazine loves it, gave it 5 damn stars, but I just don’t hear it. I think that a lot of magazines are racing to recognize the group for being what it is, an unqualifiedly fantastic band; one which has one more classic album under their collective belt that most groups will ever have. However the new record is sadly, not aces. It did manage to hold my attention for a week, and then, well, I just haven’t had the urge to listen to it since. Not once. Once again, the best song here, “No Cars Go,” sounds like it could have concluded “Funeral…” and as it turns out, it could have, since it was written in advance of “Funeral.” There is some lovely (and I don’t mean “gentle”) stuff here, “My Body is a Cage” is a winner, “(Antichrist Television Blues)” works for the first three of its five and a half verses, and the “Black Wave” half of the Bad Vibrations/Black Wave suite is both melodically and lyrically compelling. But like Bloc Party with “Silent Alarm,” the Arcade Fire are faced with a task of following a nigh perfect record, and like the London foursome, they chose to try to expand on that blueprint greatly rather than flesh it out. The result explains why “Leave the Car Running,” an almost tuneless meander that wouldn’t have cut muster on “Funeral,” but, due to its jaunty beat, has been featured as a single. Today’s lesson: why rush to remodel your sound when you’ve just barely arrived at it?
End Notes:
* See: “Axis/Bold as Love,” “Give ‘em Enough Rope,” “Led Zeppelin II,” “Nevermind”
^See: “Who the Fuck are Arctic Monkeys”
*“Be He Me”
^Reno, Jesse: Rawles’ Balls’ Finest
*No, not a word
^Yes! Upon a re-listen, moments ago, I can confirm that there was, in fact, singing and lyrics which display “social consciouness.” Rather, I blame the utter absence of melody for my memory lapse in this case.
*Credit to them for their persistent touring.
^Like, for instance, I saw the much ballyhooed Tokyo Police Club on “Conan” the other day, and I like, just didn’t get it. It just wasn’t very good. Sorry.
*see also: pussy, shlocky, schmaltzy, lame, dull; also: ‘more gentle’ not a correct phrase, I know.
^also: skills
Matt Says:
Agree on all but Cold War Kids. They're not great but they aren't nearly THAT bad. In fact I kinda like them. The new Arctic Monkeys is top notch. I wasn't sold on the first one but after hearing the latest it's safe to say these kids are legit.
1) Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
The Arctic Monkeys have been through this before. In their Northern homeland, the Monkeys found their first LP release, “Whatever People Say About Me That’s What I’m Not”-- released only one year ago!-- preceded by an unprecedented storm of media oggling due to the smashing success of their myspace-and-pub anthem “I Bet That You Look Good on the Dance Floor.” Fortunately, the group rose to the occasion and the album was every bit the frame for the single; a filler-less, coming-of-age in a post-nuclear age romp-de-triumph. In short, it was great. In fact, People actually speculated out loud as to whether the band had had help composing the material. Now here they are again, faced with the ghost of that very critical coup, back in the eye of the storm of expectations. C’est la vie, indeed. Here’s to hoping that these blokes eventually get to release a record without a colossal burden of artistic proof riding upon it.As for the results, well, they are more than good. The lads are dealing straight aces again on “Favorite Worst Nightmare” and they don’t sound cowed by pressure whatsoever (despite what you may have already heard from more distinguished news sources who’s names may or may not rhyme with ‘snitch-pork’ or ‘thin’-- outlets that don‘t seem to much care for rock n roll music that doesn‘t feature banjos or key-tars anyway). In fact, “F.W.N.” is every bit the first album and then some. Really. For one thing, it is great for what it isn’t. It isn’t what has become the industry-standard second album. You know, the one where the group recalls tales of excess from ‘the road’ over string/horn sections or call in there new friend Bono for a consult (you decide which is worse). Nor is “F.W.N.” the “oh shit, you know those songs on album ‘1a?’ Well those, were, um, seriously the only 12 tunes we’d ever really finished”-album. Instead, Arctic Monkey’s 2nd is an ideal throwback to second records of the past,* the kind that few groups would consider making anymore. All the lad’s have done here is to turn the screws, polish the brass, and written a new playbook of smart hooks and air-lock-tight rhymes. For this reason, the Arctic’s are likely-- and already beginning-- to catch much of the same brand of flak as the Strokes got for “Room on Fire” ( a record which was also a better, tighter, superior version of the sound on its predecessor). All because they have refused to register an album full of ill-fated jazz odysseys and sonic umma-gumma moments. But fuck…there isn’t a bad song here, and that says a lot for a rock band these days, and you’d be kidding yourself if you argued that the best moments of F.W.N. --“505” and “Do Me a Favor,” specifically-- haven’t approved upon “When the Sun Goes Down” and “I Bet.” So let’s all give the Monkeys a break and a chance at a proper career, eh?
Score: 8/10
2) Cold War Kids - Robbers & Cowards
On the opposite end of the spectrum of ‘indie’ musical culture and general buzz, I find the Cold War Kids. Who the fuck are these guys?,^ (and don’t answer that, I am only making a point.) I was supposed to have reviewed their album “Robbers and Cowards,” back in the Fall when it was released -- then I lost it the cd when my review was half written, along with the Annuals* record, which it turns out, was really good, you should buy it, only to find them both recently in a stack of cd’s which my roommate, Jesse^ had been hording, prick -- and I got to tell you, it wasn’t pretty. R’s & C’s comes across as a series of almost ludicrously dull chord sequences amalgamated into an almost absurdly dull sequence of tunes, each of which sound flattened into the same vaguely-reverby* drone, sans hooks, often accompanied by a ‘trippy’ or ‘phat’ beat underlying the proceedings. It sucked. There may or may not have been vocals (and lyrics) present, I was rendered too numb to remember.^And you know what? A lot of other reviewers I read at the time agreed with me. So, good, I thought, that’s that. Hah! Unfortunately, these pretentious, suburbanite, surfers of smugness have, in the course of the last month or so, caught a second wind.* Well, I thought, this is unacceptable! So I repeat, this album still BLOWS. And, after doing some YouTube-related research, I can assure that the live effect is no less boring or, well, boring than it was the first time. Perhaps CWK’s are in fact flexing a measure of stylistic genius that is beyond me -- though I doubt it, I mean how many times can random piano-key hits on the same album be sonically ‘interesting’?-- and therefore, I will keep an open mind towards their further releases. But for now, I wish them ill.
Score: 2/10
3) Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Speaking of me NOT getting something,^ I have an apology to make, humbly, to Modest Mouse. Here’s to you lot. You have changed my mind completely. I still don’t enjoy your first two albums, but I get “it” now, and I was stupid and my shame abounds. Sorry doesn’t cut it, mea culpa. Your new album, I don’t care what they say! It’s brilliant. Mr. Broc, you are a songwriter at the top of your game, steadily progressing in theme and practice, and you had me at the first deviously gobblinish “ahahahA!” of “March into the Sea.” And as for you, Mr. Marr --who’s seminal band’s oeuvre I still dislike, but that is the fault of another English cultural luminary-- your guitar work on that goddamn single is like, solid fucking gold. Oh, and I love the nautical themes and the subtle bluesy undercurrents throughout. Props to the drummer to for recovering his sanity and improving his chops in the process. Stars all around.Score: 7.5/10
4) Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City
Which brings us back to where we began. The weight of expectations and specifically, the dueling options of progress or collapse into failure. As for Bloc Party. Oh dear. I have been dreading this review, putting it off indefinitely. I should have known what was coming when in early news singer Kele reported that the band was going in a more “gentle”* direction, which for a band who sounded equal parts Mission of Burma, Devo, and the Beatles on their first album, sounded err, like a poor plan. The results speak for themselves. The best parts of “A Weekend in the City” sound like “Silent Alarm” and the lesser parts sound like Genesis, the later years. That said, these guys still have mad skillz^: the lead guitar player dude (with the hair bangs) and drummer (with the geek glasses) are two of the most inventive interesting players in popular music, and if Kele cheers up or just gets mad again in the near future, redemption surely awaits. Go well boys, and good luck.Score: 4/10
5) Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Lastly, and with a big ‘sorry folks’ to the diehards, but the Arcade Fire have also failed to grasp my attention with “Neon Bible.” I know that Q Magazine loves it, gave it 5 damn stars, but I just don’t hear it. I think that a lot of magazines are racing to recognize the group for being what it is, an unqualifiedly fantastic band; one which has one more classic album under their collective belt that most groups will ever have. However the new record is sadly, not aces. It did manage to hold my attention for a week, and then, well, I just haven’t had the urge to listen to it since. Not once. Once again, the best song here, “No Cars Go,” sounds like it could have concluded “Funeral…” and as it turns out, it could have, since it was written in advance of “Funeral.” There is some lovely (and I don’t mean “gentle”) stuff here, “My Body is a Cage” is a winner, “(Antichrist Television Blues)” works for the first three of its five and a half verses, and the “Black Wave” half of the Bad Vibrations/Black Wave suite is both melodically and lyrically compelling. But like Bloc Party with “Silent Alarm,” the Arcade Fire are faced with a task of following a nigh perfect record, and like the London foursome, they chose to try to expand on that blueprint greatly rather than flesh it out. The result explains why “Leave the Car Running,” an almost tuneless meander that wouldn’t have cut muster on “Funeral,” but, due to its jaunty beat, has been featured as a single. Today’s lesson: why rush to remodel your sound when you’ve just barely arrived at it?Score: 6/10
End Notes:
* See: “Axis/Bold as Love,” “Give ‘em Enough Rope,” “Led Zeppelin II,” “Nevermind”
^See: “Who the Fuck are Arctic Monkeys”
*“Be He Me”
^Reno, Jesse: Rawles’ Balls’ Finest
*No, not a word
^Yes! Upon a re-listen, moments ago, I can confirm that there was, in fact, singing and lyrics which display “social consciouness.” Rather, I blame the utter absence of melody for my memory lapse in this case.
*Credit to them for their persistent touring.
^Like, for instance, I saw the much ballyhooed Tokyo Police Club on “Conan” the other day, and I like, just didn’t get it. It just wasn’t very good. Sorry.
*see also: pussy, shlocky, schmaltzy, lame, dull; also: ‘more gentle’ not a correct phrase, I know.
^also: skills
Matt Says:
Agree on all but Cold War Kids. They're not great but they aren't nearly THAT bad. In fact I kinda like them. The new Arctic Monkeys is top notch. I wasn't sold on the first one but after hearing the latest it's safe to say these kids are legit.
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Thursday, April 26, 2007
Type O Negative "Profit Of Doom" (Video)
There aren't a lot of bands I listened to when I was 13 that I still get excited about today. In fact Type O might be the only one left - they NEVER let me down. To this day they remain one of my favorite bands. One of the few bands out there that are truly unique.
Anyway, they have a new video up on the Headbanger's Ball website. Unfortunately it's not embeddable, which is a bummer. The video is nothing special but damn that song is killer.
Anyway, they have a new video up on the Headbanger's Ball website. Unfortunately it's not embeddable, which is a bummer. The video is nothing special but damn that song is killer.
Superbowl Of Hardcore
The lineup for this years Superbowl Of Hardcore was just announced. Highlights include Negative Approach, All Out War, H2O, and One 4 One. The best part is it's right down the street at Studio B - although it would have been better at the Warsaw. I'm very excited to see One 4 One since I've never had the pleasure. Aside from them I've seen most of the bands playing. Hopefully they add a few more big names to the lineup - Madball or Turmoil would be nice. At this point I'm not sure it's worth the $25 cover. 
Swimming In McCarren Park Pool
It was recently announced that our beloved McCarren Park Pool will be for swimming once again. Now I know what you're saying, "Where is Deerhoof going to play?" Well that's a good question with a simple answer - the stage. You see the new pool is going to be 1/3rd the size of the original. Which means there's plenty of room for a stage and maybe even dodgeball. Lounging in a pool while bands play is going to be awesome.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Coachella Contest: Win 2 VIP Tix + Airfare & Hotel (Ends Today!)
HeyLetsGo.com and JetBlue are giving away VIP passes to the 2007 Coachella. Check out the flyer for more details. You must enter by midnight tonight!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Langhorne Slim @ Rockstar Bar 4/19
I've been meaning to write about this for a few days but I slacked...sorry. Anyway, last Thursday Langhorne Slim played under the bridge at Rockstar Bar. It's unusual for someone good to play there so I decided to check it out. The show was listed as having a $5 cover but I walked right in, and then I waited 20 minutes for a fucking beer while the bartender chatted with her friends.
At around 12:30 Slim took the stage and played a song. Then the legendary shit sound at Rockstar kicked in. Nearly all of the speakers cut out or something because the level dropped to almost nothing. This happened during the middle of a song but he kept going until the end. Then everyone tried to get whatever broke working again and the show stopped. Slim said something that sounded like "I need to charge my amp. I'll be back in 20 minutes." Charge your amp? Never heard that one before.
I had a feeling the sound was dead so i said fuck it and I went home. Gabe (BSC reviewer) and my brother stuck around. Thirty minutes after I left Slim was back on stage - I was right about the sound, it was fucked. But that didn't stop Slim from playing a set. He called the crowd up on stage with him and played a true acoustic set - NO amplification of any kind. According to my brother everyone was on stage dancing and singing. It was a good old fashion hoot-n-nanny.
Langhorne Slim with be playing at Union Pool on May 4th.
At around 12:30 Slim took the stage and played a song. Then the legendary shit sound at Rockstar kicked in. Nearly all of the speakers cut out or something because the level dropped to almost nothing. This happened during the middle of a song but he kept going until the end. Then everyone tried to get whatever broke working again and the show stopped. Slim said something that sounded like "I need to charge my amp. I'll be back in 20 minutes." Charge your amp? Never heard that one before.
I had a feeling the sound was dead so i said fuck it and I went home. Gabe (BSC reviewer) and my brother stuck around. Thirty minutes after I left Slim was back on stage - I was right about the sound, it was fucked. But that didn't stop Slim from playing a set. He called the crowd up on stage with him and played a true acoustic set - NO amplification of any kind. According to my brother everyone was on stage dancing and singing. It was a good old fashion hoot-n-nanny.
Langhorne Slim with be playing at Union Pool on May 4th.
If anyone has pics from after the sound went out let me know.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Tonight: Muggabears Release Party + Skate Park Party In Greenpoint
Did any of notice how shitty last night was event-wise? There wasn't much to do, which was a bummer considering it was kinda nice out. Well tonight is different - there's plenty to do. Early today I stuffed my face at The Taste Of Chinatown and I'm about to take a nap before I head out to one of the following.
First of all the Muggabears are having their album release party at Pianos. I just recently gave this band a chance and I have to say they're pretty damn good. Thanks to FreeNYC I also found out that there's a skate park party in my hood, Greenpoint.
First of all the Muggabears are having their album release party at Pianos. I just recently gave this band a chance and I have to say they're pretty damn good. Thanks to FreeNYC I also found out that there's a skate park party in my hood, Greenpoint.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Arctic Monkeys New Album Streaming On MySpace
The new Arctic Monkeys album "Favourite Worst Nightmare" is streaming in it's entirety on MySpace. So far I've listened to about two songs and it's pretty damn good. The album hits stores here on April 23rd.
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