tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90806578870772324492024-03-12T20:29:53.876-07:00Music Parlour"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture"Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-61966145250267139272010-05-06T09:19:00.000-07:002010-05-06T09:20:35.336-07:00Get 'em MamisI feel totally removed from the US music scene. Going out around here involves heavy club techno, or really old "alternative" music. It's unfortunate that there isn't more respect for the hip-hop/rap/R&B scene (and yes, I'm totally unapologetic in my affection for that genre) around here. With the recent closing of LaLa, I'll miss out on cheap, available music (actually Karl will miss out on this, and by extension, so will I).<br />
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NPR's All Songs Considered rarely plays respectable hip-hop/rap but they recently featured their "resident expert in hip-hop" and she had some great finds, specifically the Get 'em Mamis. So if you want to dance like these cool peeps, check 'em out:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbuGd2g4xkBy4Z0gHOHZzQVca3namKjHoire1BWcv3JaFOVAT-AmzYBWQsiIAERRu-G9CLCcqpfUWAhAxSMdB2alBZiI4kOqnz9HSPqhZvA7TSBSwPfYR_NWmPgOmIzQ-YO_K6plzx24/s1600/get+these+dance+moves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbuGd2g4xkBy4Z0gHOHZzQVca3namKjHoire1BWcv3JaFOVAT-AmzYBWQsiIAERRu-G9CLCcqpfUWAhAxSMdB2alBZiI4kOqnz9HSPqhZvA7TSBSwPfYR_NWmPgOmIzQ-YO_K6plzx24/s400/get+these+dance+moves.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Tracks are available for download on their site <a href="http://www.getemmamis.net/">Get 'Em Mamis </a> and <a href="http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Get_Em_Mamis/music">here</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/753931634318fb0e/">zSHARE - Soft Skin Remix.mp3</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Get_Em_Mamis/track/Work?sms_ss=blogger">Get 'Em Mamis - Work</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/75650448e01a09df/">zSHARE - Get Em Mamis - All That Junk.mp3</a></span>Neelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101041067369774035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-66978007395827915272010-04-07T03:56:00.001-07:002010-04-07T03:59:29.052-07:00Pitch for lalalala.com is an awesome website, if you spend a lot of time listening to music on your computer. Here's the dealio:<div><ol><li>You have an online library</li><li>You can listen to any song in their collection (massive) once for free</li><li>You can buy songs for this library at 10c a pop (album discounts as well). You can then listen unlimitedly on the website</li><li>For an additional 79c, you can buy the mp3 and download it to your device. High quality rips at 256kb with album art</li><li>You can upload your collection so that you can listen to your personal library from anywhere</li><li>You can make online playlists and send them to others, although they may be limited to a single listen if they don't own the song in their library</li></ol><div>It may be perfect for this blog as well. I love it and swear by it as the music solution of our time.</div></div>Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03014969705201895375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-21181444742694111942010-03-24T11:05:00.000-07:002010-03-24T11:05:00.200-07:00Joe Pug<a href="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/5884808.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 167px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/5884808.jpg" border="0" /></a> We went see Joe Pug and Justin Townes Earl at the Artscenter after a referral from my music savvy friend Caroline. Joe Pug was the opener and we enjoyed his gig the best. Now, I'll let some music writers do the talking :)<br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">“One of the most surprising facts about singer-songwriter Joe Pug is that he’s only 23 years old. Not only does Chicago-based singer have a beautifully mature voice, but the lyrics on Pug’s debut EP, Nation of Heat, possess wisdom seemingly beyond his age.”–NPR</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">“While most singer/songwriters are content to warble out a few semi-clever turns of phrase, Pug’s scorching poetry and soulful, ‘every phrase could be my last’ voice will stop you cold. If you want to read the actual endorsement, touch the braille stretching up my arms. Twenty years from now, lazy journalists will compare every halfway decent songwriter to Joe Pug. Mark my words.”–Jason Killingsworth, Paste Magazine</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div></div><div>Our favorite song from the show: <a href="http://files.me.com/kj445/9ktoin.mp3">Joe Pug - Hymn #101</a></div><div> </div>KJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05689348095276261207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-57095729650830242010-03-15T09:15:00.000-07:002010-03-15T09:17:33.978-07:00bands to check out further...<div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/timbertimbre">Timber Timbre</a></div><div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/ivanandalyosha">Ivan and Alyosha</a></div><div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/kingsgoforth">Kings Go Forth</a></div><div><br /></div><div>all appearing at SXSW this year. </div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-80819094909129743542010-03-03T06:53:00.001-08:002010-03-03T06:53:51.206-08:00Band of Horses new album<a href="http://pitchfork.com/news/38073-band-of-horses-announce-new-album/">http://pitchfork.com/news/38073-band-of-horses-announce-new-album/</a><div><br /></div><div>Maybe I will have to hit that Widespread Panic/BoH show after all. </div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-46232193899013350652010-02-28T18:18:00.000-08:002010-02-28T18:56:18.392-08:00Beach House *side story*<div>Ok so funny story. I first read about Beach House in 2008 when their album 'Devotion' came out and I really liked a couple of their songs. My favorite being 'Gila'. So I was at Open Eye "studying" one day when 'Gila' started playing. I got all excited because I had just "discovered" this song (thanks to hype machine) so leave my study carrel and approach the barista, who happens to be an artista (de musica) and asked "Is this Beach House?", to which he replied "Yeah, it's from their new album!" Now, if you noticed the exclamation point you might be thinking that this is all BS because an Open Eye barista would never show this much affect to one of their customers. But it's true!! I happened to have "made a connection" with this particular guy. I didn't know it at the time, but I found out from Dave later that day that his name was Brian Howe, Open Eye worker by day, Pitchfork writer by spare time. Here's his picture if you don't know him (yes you can see that the pic was taken at the Eye)......and here is <a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11208-devotion/">his take</a> on Beach House's 2008 album 'Devotion' which received an 8.5 rating. </div><p align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443487827425665618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 141px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lbdKtaiDlzo/S4snVpTeolI/AAAAAAAAFAM/8eRZDvOPLeo/s320/IMG_0122a.jpg" border="0" /></p><div> <a href="http://files.me.com/kj445/5851go.mp3">Beach House- Gila</a></div><div> </div><div>Now, After reading Nils and Kals posts I'm excited to check out Teen Dream, which Pitchfork describes as "the most diverse and listenable of their 3 full length LP's". Also, Mark Richardson gave it a '9'. ;) </div><div> </div><div>yay for parlour blog! </div>KJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05689348095276261207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-17958167150964623922010-02-27T10:31:00.000-08:002010-03-25T10:30:38.736-07:00BROKEN BELLS<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lbdKtaiDlzo/S4llI-ZEDuI/AAAAAAAAFAE/hqCRrY0iziE/s1600-h/broken-bells.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442992829515435746" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lbdKtaiDlzo/S4llI-ZEDuI/AAAAAAAAFAE/hqCRrY0iziE/s320/broken-bells.jpg" border="0" /></a> I cannot express how excited I am about this self-titled album release. Danger Mouse and The Shins' James Mercer are the collaborators on this project set to be released a week from this Tuesday on March 9. I have pre-ordered my copy from the website <a href="http://www.brokenbells.com/">http://www.brokenbells.com/</a> after sampling some of the tracks ;). I feel like these two can do no wrong. They are both such talented craftsmen and they were somehow able to capture the classic Shins sound with those sweet Danger Mouse beats you might recognize from Gorillaz, The Good, The Bad and The Queen, and Gnarls Barkley tracks.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://files.me.com/kj445/xto9ni.mp3"></a>KJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05689348095276261207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-69972491094246017042010-02-26T13:54:00.001-08:002010-02-26T13:57:24.609-08:00The Pains of Being Pure at HeartIf a picture is worth a thousand words, an animated gif is worth an album. The eponymous debut of "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart" is described thusly:<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.morrisseydance.com/">http://www.morrisseydance.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>(I actually love this album (and Morrisey) and the aforelinked picture is in no way insulting).</div>Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03014969705201895375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-23611463078831627172010-02-26T13:49:00.000-08:002010-02-26T13:50:57.933-08:00if you ain't dance to this shit you ain't alive<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRo_I_WeYfI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRo_I_WeYfI</a>Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03014969705201895375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-7891202517617683162010-02-26T13:36:00.000-08:002010-02-26T13:38:20.471-08:00That's what she said<div>Echoing Nilam (in my own words, written previously to reading hers):</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Corinne Baily Rae: The Sea</b></div><div>Mixed-race jazz-pop artist guaranteed to turn the head of any culturally hyperaware NPR enuthiast. An album of good moments that is too often seduced into Starbucks-friendly choruses, best exemplified by the supremely grating "Paris nights and New York mornings". C+</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Beach House: Teen Dream</b></div><div>Beach music for the haunted. A melodic blend of surf guitar, organ, and caterwaul. Likely to be one of the year's best. A+</div>Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03014969705201895375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-47099841016208119992010-02-26T04:08:00.000-08:002010-02-26T04:12:52.258-08:00Beach House, Lawrence Arabia, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Bomba EstereoKarl and I went to see Beach House in Gent at this music venue place called <a href="http://vooruit.be/en/gebouw">Vooruit</a>. It was a really fun show and an amazing music/arts hall. For a Sunday show their set was under an hour, with Lawrence Arabia opening. For an opening band, Lawrence Arabia rocked it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.beachhousebaltimore.com/">Beach House's</a><i> Teen Dream</i> has been on near constant rotation. Ethereal, poppy, keyboard-electric piano and nice slides. The entire album is worth a listen all the way through.<br />
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<a href="http://www.corinnebaileyrae.net/">Corinne Bailey Rae'</a>s <i>The Sea </i>comes alive for me with Belgium's rainy days. I like about 4 of the songs, the rest border on R&B cheese. Something you would imagine a suburban couple to be listening to while they cook dinner and drink wine while prepping ingredients from Whole Foods or WSM OR alternatively, me and Duds couching it while rain patters on the window. You get it. Like these tracks a lot: Are You Here, The Sea.<br />
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Finally (a Karl fave):<br />
<a href="http://www.myspace.com/bombaestereo">Bomba Estereo</a>: solid beats, punk, cumbia, MIA-style Spanish rapsing (rapping + singing?). So. freaking. awesome. Here they are live on <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124010655">Seattle's KEXP</a> and don't miss <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZXlgNMDK3E">Fuego</a>Neelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101041067369774035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-5494097087613852302010-02-25T19:43:00.001-08:002010-02-27T17:13:17.649-08:00resurrectedlet's see if i can get this old thing up and running again... i'll start with what's been spinning for me in 2010. <div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/localnatives">local natives</a> - for fans of fleet foxes, yeasayer, and dodos. harmony and percussion heavy uptempo indie. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/telekinesismusic">telekinesis</a> - a merge band that i missed at XX merge and was reminded of them on a trip to denver. "coast of carolina" is fun. other songs are a little grittier, but all with poppy hooks. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/frightenedrabbit">frightened rabbit</a> - scottish band, whose songs are about as gloomy as edinburgh in february. new album streaming for a week <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124085431">here</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/giversmusic">givers</a> - heard them on all songs considered. "saw you first" was my jam for a week. more percussion, some male-female harmonies, some synth beats. will enjoy this more when there is sun. </div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-76380715977493709302009-03-26T17:26:00.000-07:002010-02-25T19:21:21.248-08:00WebsiteHey guys,<br /><br />I still check the Parlour blog. In Nashville right now, staying with a friend, who told me about a pretty great website with tons of free live sets from a lot of the musicians we've shared. <br /><br />www.daytrotter.com<br /><br />Click on 'session archives' and take your pick....<br /><br />RobSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-66885865457366525692009-03-14T07:57:00.000-07:002010-02-25T19:21:21.249-08:00Rainy Day FunCan't say much for my new music listening these days. Long nights on labor & delivery and nailbiters by the Tar Heels have been too much distracting. Despite Sara's offer to burn me up a slice of <a href="http://www.myspace.com/andrewbird">Andrew Bird's</a> new one, I'm happy with my call to pull it off the shelf for myself - lots of unwrapping appeal. It makes me wish I could whistle. My attempts have likely amused the smokers in front of the hospital.<br /><br />On this lazy, rainy, pre-ACC semifinal, Lawson-less, thinking about a swim but probably won't Saturday morning I've wandered back to <a href="http://songbytoad.com/">Song By Toad</a>, my favorite blog today, and am enjoying his podcast and rant on anti-Darwin sentiment in America. Check it out. FFW to the 35.00 min mark if you don't have as much free time as I've lucked into.<br /><br />Makes me pissed I missed Clem Snide this week.<br /><br />GO HEELS!Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-57157865134924913342009-01-04T08:09:00.000-08:002010-02-25T19:21:21.250-08:00Best of - Sara's picksFor some reason this year's best of has been a real stumbling block for me... I think it's because, on account of our parlours, I've already foisted most of my favorite music upon you guys. But just in case you weren't listening the first time, here's some must-listens that debuted in 2008. (In no particular order)<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/theblackkeys">The Black Keys</a> - Attack and Release</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>There is nothing inherently mind blowing about this band, and yet I find this album returning to my playlist frequently. Solid blues rock. Fave song: Psychotic Girl<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/thedodos">The Dodos</a> - Visiter</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Along the same lines as Vampire Weekend... very rhythm heavy indie rock. Fave song: <a href="http://rabidwombat.net/SB/music/01%20Walking.m4a">Walking</a> (though not entirely representative of the album)<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/grandarchives">The Grand Archives</a> - S/T</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Somehow related to Band of Horses, so how could I not love them? More upbeat indie rock, think Seattle/Portland on a bright sunny day. Fave song: <a href="http://rabidwombat.net/SB/music/02%20miniature%20birds.m4a">Miniature Birds</a> (this was a difficult choice though. Second fave: Sleepdriving)<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/aabondy">A.A. Bondy</a> - American Hearts</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I love this guy. Both on plastic and in the flesh, he just seems like a genuine soul. The music is blues-driven, dark, and engrossing. An example? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"I don't wanna talk about Jesus/ I just wanna see his face. The trees are swinging like hanging men/and I just wanna see his face"</span> from my Fave Song: Rapture (Sweet Rapture)<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/thefelicebrothers">The Felice Brothers</a> - S/T</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Perhaps the most fleeting favorite, I'm not sure what the staying power of this album will be... but the live show is raw and spirited, and the CD lived in my car for a few weeks following. Fave Song: Helen Fry<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/theheliosequence">The Helio Sequence</a> - Keep Your Eyes Ahead</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Another great album from Sub Pop. Mostly upbeat rock, soaring vocals, strong songwriting. Fave Song: <a href="http://rabidwombat.net/SB/music/07%20Back%20to%20This.mp3">Back To This</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/thetallestmanonearth">The Tallest Man on Earth</a> - Shallow Graves</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ok, he's skinny, Scandinavian, and finger picks. He wouldn't necessarily <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">have to be </span>talented for me to like him, thankfully he is. Gorgeous guitar playing, unique voice, interestingly abstract (but not obtuse) lyrics. Fave Song: I Won't Be Found<br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/bowerbirds">Bowerbirds</a> - Hymns for a Dark Horse<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Raleigh locals, inventive sound, gorgeous tunes. Fave song: In Our Talons<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Also rans, because I am running out of things to say: </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="http://www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes">Fleet Foxes</a> - S/T (n.b. I am not as enamored of this band as many year enders, but it's ok)<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="http://www.myspace.com/deltaspirit">Delta Spirit</a> - Ode to Sunshine<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="http://www.myspace.com/goblindpilot">Blind Pilot</a> - 3 Rounds and a Sound<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="http://www.myspace.com/micahphinson">Micah P. Hinson</a> - Micah P. Hinson and the Red Empire<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="http://www.myspace.com/sunkilmoon">Sun Kil Moon</a> - April<br /></div><div><br /></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-2396582252165445832008-12-26T08:21:00.000-08:002010-02-25T19:21:21.252-08:00Best of - Rob's picksThought I'd get it started, remotely.... With Last.FM links and descriptions of the bands/albums, much better than I could do at the moment. Lots of debuts on my list, very exciting for the upcoming years.<br /><br />In alphabetical order [Band - Album (Label)]:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Cheap+Time">Cheap Time</a> - Cheap Time (In the Red). Best snarky punk revival album of the year.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Crystal+Stilts">Crystal Stilts</a> - Crystal Stilts (Woodsist)/Alight of Night (Slumberland). Best subdued bedroom-DIY-rock album of the year. <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Sic+Alps">Sic Alps</a>' U.S. EZ is a close second place.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/The+Dutchess+And+The+Duke">The Dutchess & the Duke</a> - She's the Dutchess, He's the Duke (Hardly Art). Best Brian Jonestown Massacre Meets Bob Dylan album of the year.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Gentleman+Jesse+and+His+Men">Gentleman Jesse & His Men</a> - Introducing Gentleman Jesse (Douche Master). Best Exploding Hearts-influenced album of the year.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Grouper">Grouper</a> - Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill (Type). Best post-call album of the year. <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/M83">M83</a>'s Saturdays=Youth is second.<br /><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/King%2BKhan%2B%2526%2BThe%2BShrines"><br />King Khan & The Shrines</a> - The Supreme Genius of King Khan & the Shrines (Vice). Best (?only) garage soul album of the year.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Jeremy+Jay">Jeremy Jay</a> - A Place Where We Could Go (K). Best It's-about-time-we-have-a-full-length-album album of the year. Also best indie diva album of the year.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Silver+Jews">Silver Jews</a> - Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea (Drag City). Best Silver Jews album of the year or Best new album from my favorite actively recording band.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Thomas+Function">Thomas Function</a> - Celebration (Bomp). Best album of the year from a weirdo band from Alabama.<br /><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/The+Walkmen"><br />The Walkmen</a> - You & Me (Gigantic). Best return to form album of the year.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-27623280318324088992008-12-16T08:56:00.000-08:002010-02-25T19:21:21.254-08:00Bon Iver w/ Tallest Man on Earth - 12/14/08 - Wilbur Theatre, Boston MAI spent this past weekend in Boston, and was fortunate enough to have Rob and Barbie squire me about town on Friday and Saturday. We had a blast, caught up on some music, drank some beer and watched UNC demolish Oral Roberts. All in all a fantastic way to spend a day. On Sunday, I headed across the common to the Wilbur Theatre with my friend Alannah to see Bon Iver and Tallest Man on Earth. I was hugely impressed, so I wrote about it. A lot.<br /><br />The Wilbur Theatre, near Boston's Emerson University, is a diamond in the rough. An almost certainly historic building, the theatre appeared to be in the midst of major renovations, judging by the state of the women's bathrooms. The main hall, viewed from the top of the balcony, is an expansive room with great moulding and architectural detail. Even more wonderful, it's one of those rooms that was made for music appreciation, with near perfect acoustics. Even Justin Vernon commented that this was a perfect place to play. The show was sold out, and judging from the people seated around me, this was a testament to the very, very hip college students in the area.<br /><br />The Tallest Man on Earth (Sweden's Kristian Matsson) took the stage precisely at 8pm, as advertised. The Tallest Man on Earth might also be the skinniest man on earth, and though my perspective was nearly birds-eye, I don't think I'm exaggerating saying he looked like a peanut on stage. Thankfully, his performance upended any suggestion of him being slight of talent. He played most of "Shallow Graves" with standouts being "I Won't Be Found" and "The Gardener." When he wasn't singing, Matsson swirled around the stage, tangling himself among monitors and mic stands. He often found himself front and center, nearly touching the crowd as he leaned over his guitar, eeking out sounds as much with his fingers as his body. He finished his set with one of my favorite, oft-covered songs, "These Days." He went through his 40 minute setlist with only a few words to the crowd, and scurried about changing guitars between songs, as if he wanted to cram in as much music as he possibly could. I appreciated the effort, and enjoyed the show thoroughly.<br /><br />At this point, I have to mention the difference in the stage set up since the first time I saw Bon Iver in February 2008. Stage left contained Vernon's usual set up - keys, stool, a sizeable case of guitars (about 5 more than the first time I saw him.) Center stage was a single drum, and stage right was another stool for Mike Noyce on baritone guitar. All par for the course, but I was quite surprised to see 2 drum kits behind, in addition to a bass guitar and more keys. And as Bon Iver took the stage for their opening song, "Lump Sum" I was shocked to see 5 people on stage. I was a bit uneasy to see such an expanded lineup, given that I'm a bit of a folky minimalist type, and having seen Bon Iver stripped down to 3 band members and very few accoutrements, I wasn't sure what the night would hold.<br /><br />"Lump Sum" was a fair enough beginning to the show, and provided lots of room for expansion both in sound and feeling. They followed with "For Emma, Forever Ago," dropping to the more standard 4 piece lineup - Vernon, Noyce, Sean Carey on drums/keys and another guy on drums/bass. The show continued its upward swing with "Skinny Love." I've never seen, nor can imagine, a more perfect rendition of this song than I saw this night. It was at this moment that the need for 3 backing voices and 3 percussionists was fully realized. The click of drumsticks against the drum reverberated through the room, providing a taut edge to Vernon's soaring falsetto. Watching those 4 guys playing this song, you'd think they'd all had their hearts broken and spent a few months in the woods recuperating. Every single one of them felt something, and it showed. I was moved.<br /><br />Next, Vernon introduced a new song from the EP "Blood Bank," currently available on vinyl at shows, due out on CD January 20th. "Babys" is a song that also harnesses the power of multi-instrumentalism, but I'd have to say it lacks enough coherence and melody to really survive as a live offering. Personally, I could not connect with the song on any level. Next was "Beach Baby," another song off the new EP. This song is a little tighter, more sedate, and closer to what I have come to expect from Bon Iver.<br /><br />After the 2 new songs, he launched into one of my favorite songs off the debut album, "Creature Fear." Seeing him the first time, in a tiny room with a very quiet feel, this is the song that blew my top off. The hard parts of this song contrast so beautifully against the quiet, and the changes in tempo remind you that Vernon can convincingly deliver soft folk melodies, or driving indie rock. At one point during the song, Vernon dropped to his knees, rocking back and forth, pressing random pedals to create discordant, distorted noises. It was pretty rock n' roll, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. At the end of the song, everyone but Vernon left the stage, and I knew it meant "Re: Stacks" would be up next. I love this song so much in its live form that I can still recall the quiet buzz of speakers the first time I heard it, the crowd so transfixed that it might as well have been a collective breath holding contest. Mind you, this was in a room that holds maybe 200 people, and I did not expect a similar effect in a huge theatre. But he did it. If "Skinny Love" showcased the full talent of a band of 4, "Re: Stacks" proved that one man with a guitar can command an audience even more powerfully. An absolute gem of a song, and gorgeous performance.<br /><br />I could have left happy at that moment, not wanting any miscues to ruin a near perfect night. The rest of the band returned for "Flume" which quite honestly, was a bit of let down after the show's ascension. I think it served nicely to bring everyone back to the feel of a more energetic, interactive show, though. The next song Vernon introduced as a cover that we might like to sing along to. I vaguely recognized the opening verse, but it wasn't until the chorus that I realized it was a slowed down version of The Outfield's "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love Tonight." Strangely, the cover suited the band very well, and wasn't too kitschy or contrived. Vernon then prepared the crowd for the sing-a-long portion of "The Wolves," of which I was very excited to be a part of, particularly in such a large theatre. I'd say we did a commendable job, and it does fill out the song in a way that the band alone couldn't do.<br /><br />The band took a short break after this song and returned for a one-song encore, "Blood Bank." The titular track from the new EP, this song has the most potential to be a single. Vernon drops his voice into a deeper range, and the dark, brooding guitar riffs suit the song well. I could see the band moving in this kind of direction, and I'd be completely ok with that.<br /><br />All in all, I got everything I was hoping for out of this show. There were a few fans yelling out for "Blindsided" at the end of the show, but I think it would have been a bit of a disappointment after what we'd heard that night. I left the the theatre thoroughly content, and couldn't imagine anything that would have made it better. Except maybe a Harpoon IPA while listening.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-38217037704043084422008-12-15T17:34:00.000-08:002010-02-25T19:21:21.256-08:00Best of - NPR's picksI like going through my year-end reflections on the best albums, but NPR does a far better job than I could. Go read, listen, and acquire: <br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97910451">Top 11 Debut Albums</a><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Notables:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Fleet Foxes<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Grand Archives</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Blind Pilot<br /><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98092448" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(255, 102, 0); ">Best Songs Picked by Listeners</a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>Notables: </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>Vampire Weekend<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>Bon Iver</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>Okkervil River</div><div><br /></div><div>Feel free to comment/post with your personal Top 5/10 albums of the year. </div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-83229997876899268712008-12-01T06:43:00.000-08:002010-02-25T19:21:21.257-08:00Reunited, and it feels so good.We braved the spitting rain and cold temps to meet last night over at Jimmy and Jacquelyn's. It was nice to see folks again, and we heard some good stuff. We also discussed future parlours, and unanimously decided that in an effort to branch out our listening tastes, we'll start to theme some parlours. Next up - "No Alternative." Bring anything and everything you love, except alt/indie rock. Also, we're going to start a little cd mix swap activity. You bring a mix to each parlour, and you'll walk out with someone else's mix.<div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I wanted to get this down before the paper from hell takes over my week, so here goes: </div><div><br />Tallest Man on Earth – I Won’t Be Found (supporting Bon Iver currently)<br />Micah P. Hinson – You’re Only Lonely (courtesy of Jen, a soon to be member slaving away at law school)<br />Felice Brothers – Helen Fry</div><div><br />Magnetic Fields – Papa Was A Rodeo<br />T.I. - Whatever You Like<br />TV On The Radio – Family Tree</div><div><br />Silver Jews – Party Barge<br />Paul Pena – Venutian Lady (Sara's pick for best CD I've never heard of)<br />Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band – I Don’t Want to Die In A Hospital</div><div><br />The what the hell happened to this band part of the evening:</div><div>My Morning Jacket – The Bear<br />My Morning Jacket – Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Pt. 2</div><div><br />The Morning Benders – Waiting For a War<br />The Radar Bros – Auditorium (at 506 this Saturday, 12/6)<br />Wembley – Crumbs<br />Shearwater – Rooks<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll try and get some links up to these songs soon. </div><div>So next month - No Alt, cd swap. Break!</div><div><br /></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-9982369371997616222008-09-05T15:47:00.000-07:002010-02-25T19:21:21.258-08:00WalkmenHello from Boston where Hanna is breathing down our necks and it's humid as hell.<br /><br />I notice that you have The Walkmen show posted on the blog as an upcoming event. Their new album is my favorite of the year so far (granted, internship has sapped my ability to listen to much new music). I've seen them play at least three times and every show has been outstanding. I hope you all can get together for the one in October, I plan on going to see them up here in a couple of weeks.<br /><br />Some other favorites for me this year: King Khan and the Shrines ('The Supreme Genius Of...'), the new Silver Jews (going to see them tonight!!), Thomas Function ('Celebration'). <br /><br />Come and visit when you can. We have a guest bedroom.<br /><br />RobSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-66043897637388035632008-09-01T12:13:00.000-07:002010-02-25T19:21:21.259-08:00Paste doing our job for us<a href="http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/08/the-best-of-whats-next.html">http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/08/the-best-of-whats-next.html</a><br /><a href="http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/08/best-of-whats-next.html">http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/08/best-of-whats-next.html</a><br /><br />Ahead of the curve on:<br />bon iver (<a href="http://musicparlour.blogspot.com/2008/01/parlour-2.html">exhibit 1)</a><br />the dodos (<a href="http://musicparlour.blogspot.com/2008/04/and-were-back.html">exhibit 2</a>)<br />langhorne slim (<a href="http://musicparlour.blogspot.com/2008/06/scheduling-snafu.html">exhibit 3</a>)<br />the everybodyfields (ask jimmy and sara for reference)<br />alela diane (<a href="http://musicparlour.blogspot.com/2007/11/session-1.html">exhibit 4</a>)<br /><br /><br />Seriously though, let's get together soon.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-42706284288229131922008-08-09T23:22:00.000-07:002010-02-25T19:21:21.261-08:00<br /><br /><br />Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-51613957939771738042008-07-29T21:30:00.000-07:002010-02-25T19:21:21.262-08:00RatatatI just bought tickets to <a href="http://www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/onlineSale?action=selectPerformance&searchType=venue&venue_id=35&performance_id=812734">Ratatat</a> 9/26 at Cat's Cradle and I'm also thinking about seeing Toubab Krewe on 9/17 which will mean that I need to do a little pre-partying. I should be out of my cave soon. In other news, I got my computer back and since XP was reinstalled, I can now view blogs with all of their boxes and frames which makes posting to the Music Parlour a whole lot easier. Peace<br /><br />song in my head today: Please Read The Letter- Allison Krauss and Robert PlantSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-16798196142250624632008-06-24T06:10:00.000-07:002010-02-25T19:21:21.263-08:00Scheduling SnafuOne year of residency down, head hurting from celebration, attention was then paid to the upcoming rotation this morning, noted that I'm scheduled for a peds-ED shift AND clinic tomorrow morning, after working until 1am tonight...hmmm... that beer right there looks tasty.<br /><br />Searching for light in an already bleak schedule, I found these:<br /><br />7/5 Big Fat Gap - The Cave<br />7/6 Fleet Foxes - Local 506<br />7/11 Langhorne Slim - Cat's Cradle<br />7/11 Joe Romeo & the Orange County Volunteers - The Cave<br />7/12 The Club is Open Festival (Roman Candle) - Cat's Cradle<br />7/25 The Strugglers - Local 506<br />7/27 <a href="http://www.myspace.com/wolfparade">Wolf Parade</a>* - Disco Rodeo<br />8/6 Mike Gordon - Lincoln Theater<br />8/8 Wilco/Bon Iver - somewhere in Cary, USA<br />8/12 The Hold Steady - Cat's Cradle<br />8/16 Shooter Jennings - Lincoln Theater<br />9/11 <a href="http://www.myspace.com/silverjews">Silver Jews*</a> - Cat's Cradle, Tix on sale 6/28<br />9/12 Old Ceremony - Pour House<br />9/29 Stereolab - Cat's Cradle<br />10/5 Black Keys - Disco Rodeo<br />11/8 Black Crowes - Lincoln Theater<br /><br />* CDs I'm hoping will be at CD Alley this morning, with alternates <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thesubmarinesmusic">The Submarines</a> and <a href="http://www.stonesthrow.com/nowagain/records/NA5036.htm">First in Funk</a><br /><br />Also, diggin' this right now - <a href="http://fuelfriends.blogspot.com/2008/06/got-forty-fives-to-play-at-night-m-ward.html">James, Ward, & Oberst</a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080657887077232449.post-75849642791205440402008-06-17T08:35:00.000-07:002010-02-25T19:21:21.264-08:00Downhome Parlour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlArtWmxHCJkET_tiejVOTmGQYcJgBrXfvNSIzJRxLberWQCFpb4q3m6LEv4VIpxlQFNLj2YaSeD6QKGKJhO7RHkao9zNvueHSbZkqDn5rC1WmsQ82vKt1HfBUKZzNOT4fACeWFUPehvQ/s1600-h/IMG_0134.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlArtWmxHCJkET_tiejVOTmGQYcJgBrXfvNSIzJRxLberWQCFpb4q3m6LEv4VIpxlQFNLj2YaSeD6QKGKJhO7RHkao9zNvueHSbZkqDn5rC1WmsQ82vKt1HfBUKZzNOT4fACeWFUPehvQ/s320/IMG_0134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265354344046454930" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>What a lovely evening we had at the farm. Music, food, a perfect sunset, and wide open space. I am content to leave well enough alone, so here is a list of what we heard:<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/silverjews"><br />silver jews</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/bowerbirds">bowerbirds</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/hellokavita">hello kavita</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/deathcabforcutie">death cab for cutie</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/bobbybarejr">bobby bare, jr</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/thewaifs">the waifs</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/frightenedrabbit">frightened rabbit</a><br /><a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=21406062">gillian welch</a><br /><br />And we also listened to Rob's finds, and poured one out for our homie.*<br /><br />Feel free to elaborate via comments or new posts.<br /><br />*Not true.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05925536920027002906noreply@blogger.com1