I told you I moved, right?

I mentioned before that I kinda/sorta moved over to BackseatSandbar... so...

I saw The Killers along with the great band Ra Ra Riot. Here's what I had to say:

Review: The Killers with Ra Ra Riot @ Indiana Horseshoe 8/8/09

Long time, no see

I've been off writing for the Louisville music blog BackseatSandbar. Hence, no new posts here. Check us out over at http://backseatsandbar.wordpress.com/. We'll have a Casiotone For The Painfully Alone review with videos of every song up quite soon.

Stay tuned there. Well, here too if you want. Probably nothing new for a while here though.

Enjoy.

Portishead - Third

Guess I should have started at the first one, but I found the third one. I heard Portishead do a guest DJ set on NPR's All Songs Considered podcast and that was the first time I had heard their music. I remembered it enough to get this CD about 4 months later. I'm slow. Deal with it.


When I was buying this CD it was Record Store Day, so I also had a stack of records including, but not limited to, The Decemberists, Belle And Sebastian, Elvis, and The Monkees. Quite a variety of music that was purchased that day. Even though it was RECORD Store Day, I looked through the used CD's, as always. They are cheap and good, so I look. I almost always find something I want to get, so this time I got Third by Portishead. While I was buying my massive stack of vinyl, this CD was set to the side. I had paid my total and was ready to go when we noticed that I forgot to get the CD. I was already totaled and paid, so he gave it to me for free. Such a nice guy. Plus, I guess it helps that
I spend my entire allowance at that store every month. As I was leaving the store, another person told me how good the CD is. He said, "It's spy movie music." I laughed and left, then I listened to the first song and knew what he meant.

I have kind of a spy movie-esque car, so I turned up the volume a bit louder than usual, opened all the windows and the sunroof (it was about 78 and sunny), and drove around town really fast. It was fun until I ran into traffic. Oh well, I guess spies run into traffic sometimes too. The music didn't have to slow down though, after a while it did, but not for long. It picked up again after a few songs, as did my volume levels. So did my car's speed, and that was fun.

On the NPR Podcast I mentioned earlier, they called Portishead's music style as trip-hop. I hadn't heard of this before, and now I am aware that I kind of like it. I now have learned two new styles of music since writing this blog; shoegazer, and trip-hop. Any other electronic sounding music styles I should know? Huh?

I've given this about two listens all the way through and have become lost in it. Be careful, you'll be addicted soon enough. That's a good addiction though, I certainly don't mind not being aware of anything while I listen to a record.

Written in 15 minutes while highly caffeinated.


Two favourite tracks:
Silence/Machine Gun I can't choose.
Threads

Death Cab For Cutie - Louisville Show Review

I wrote a review for the Death Cab For Cutie show in Louisville from last week. Local music blog Backseat Sandbar was kind enough to let me write it for them and they posted it that same day. Even if you don't read my review, check out their blog. I would have missed quite a few shows if I didn't find their blog that one fateful day.

http://backseatsandbar.wordpress.com/2009/04/18/review-death-cab-for-cutie-palace-410/

http://backseatsandbar.wordpress.com/

Recent Purchases 4-18-09 (Record Store Day)

It was Record Store Day on Saturday for those of you who didn't know. Even though I just spent way too much on Thursday, I had to get more. I also caught Ben Sollee's set at Ear X Tacy which was incredible. I'm definitely going to try and catch him on May 8 in Louisville.

Steve Martin - A Wild And Crazy Guy 12"
MSTRKRFT - Work On You 12"
The Decemberists - Her Majesty 12"
Billy Bragg - Life's A Riot ETC (With The Between The Wars EP) 12"
Belle And Sebastian - The Boy With The Arab Strap 12"
The Monkees - More Of The Monkees 12" (the first record I remember having as a kid)
Elvis - Let's Be Friends 12" (for Morrissey next time)
The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds 12"
The Beatles - Rubber Soul 12"
Record Store Day 2009 12"
Various other free RSD promo 12"

Black Kids - Wizard of Ahhhs 10"

The Smiths - Headmaster Ritual 7" (I got the only 2 in Louisville [as far as I know])
Tom Waits - Live 7"
The Pretenders - Break Up The Concrete 7" red
Jenny Lewis - Carpetbaggers 7"
Depeche Mode - Wrong 7"
The Decemberists - Rake's Song 7"
Grizzly Bear - Live On KCRW 7"

And, I know it was RECORD Store Day, but I got 2 CD's (plus a ton of promo CD's from RSD)

Radiohead - OK Computer (3CD Special Edition)
Portishead - Third CD


That's it for a while.

Recent Purchases 4-16-09

David Bowie - Live Santa Monica '72 double 12"
Xiu Xiu - Fabulous Muscles 12"
Mates Of State - Re-Arranged: Remixes Volume 1 12"
New York Dolls - New York Dolls 12"
New York Dolls - The Early Live Years blue vinyl 12" (to replace the one I gave Morrissey)
Matt & Kim - To/From 10"
Elliot Smith - Needle In The Hay 7"
Casiotone For The Painfully Alone/Donkeys - Split 7
Q And Not U - Hot And Informed 7"

And...

I won a free turntable from Ear X Tacy on Vinyl Night tonight! I got a raffle chance for each record I bought, plus they were all 20% off tonight. Good night indeed.

Depeche Mode - Some Great Reward

The billing and shipping weren't the same. You didn't have to, but I do thank you.










I received this in the mail as a kick in the ass to write more of these. I wasn't expecting it, but then again, I don't expect a lot of things that happen.
It's true, I'm not familiar with Depeche Mode's Some Great Reward. Well, I was with ONE of the songs. You would think that with all this 80's that I'm exposed to, plus the fact that the 80's are cool until next year (the decade that is two decades past is always the "in" thing), that I would have heard all of this at some point. Well, I often disappoint. Here goes though, broadening my past.

I first played this through a few times in my car, and I felt like John Hughes was telling me where to drop off Judd Nelson so that we could pick up Molly Ringwald to go get dinner. Meaning: it's very 80's feeling. Which is easy for me to say, because that's what I imagine the 80's were like. So, in my mind, this is the way things were and are.
Something To Do starts out the record by making me feel like I'm supposed to be running. I don't know what I'm running from though. Oh, right, because I'm running to something. Fast paced and so fucking catchty.

Lie To Me, no, please don't. This is totally an 80's gettin' it on song. More mellow and darker than Something To Do, it has a great swaying feel to it.

People Are People is the only song I knew on this record. I never knew it was Depeche Mode though. I used to hear it when Louisville had an 80's station. Then it turned to country, then I got an iPod and left behind radio. You've heard it. If I've heard it, then you've definitely heard it before. No explanation necessary.

It Doesn't Matter comes next and makes me think that if I went to a cool music-nerd 80's prom that I would be dancing to this and then making out to it later. It's a slower one kids, but it's still a good one. Guess I'm a sucker for the slower mellow ones. That's what old age does to me. My days of pop-punk are done for.

Stories Of Old starts out slower but then brings in catchy synth and vocals. A good little kick is in this one.

Somebody slows it down again, and that is not a bad thing. It's a slower one, so of course I love it. The piano in it and ambient background noises make this a nice and relaxing song. The vocals are just as flowing as the piano, and together they sound very smooth.

Master And Servant is completely different than the last track. More of a feeling like Something To Do made me have. For you kiddos out there, this sounds like a Faint song. You know them, right? One of you is seeing them tonight! I really can tell that they got a lot of their sound from this song. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. I just thought of their sound when hearing this song.

If You Want starts out slowly until the noises start happening. Picks up with a jumpy beat after that. Most of these songs make me feel like I should be at a club somewhere at 2 in the morning, this one has that feeling too. I'd still be ordering drinks for everyone because we're all doing strange dances in a dark room, even though we know it's almost time to go.

Blasphemous Rumors is the last song on this party mix. It's a long one too, but I don't mind. It has that good epic feeling that I expect of a longer song. I really love the dark but light sound of this song. Makes me feel fine that I've reached the end of the record. Not all the way fine, but it's something that I can handle.


I am happy to have heard this record, and to be able to be back at writing. No matter how much drivel there may be. As always, enjoy.


Two favourite tracks:
Lie To Me
Somebody

Death Cab For Cutie 4-10-09 Louisville Palace

Videos here:
http://www.youtube.com/jflispart

An overall great show. I was very impressed by Cold War Kids, and a little sad I was too late for the outstanding Ra Ra Riot. I did catch Sarah from Murder By Death and told her how I love her so. I mean, how I love her band so...

No, this is not a review. Go watch the videos

The only 2 clear pics (hey, I took mostly video until I was told to stop):

And we're back...

I think it's about time to get back to this after being on sabbatical due to my Morrissey pilgrimage. It was worth the sudden impulse to drive 8 hours round trip on a "school night" to see him play Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others. Some things just cannot be explained.

I just want to say, oh I haven't been away. I am still right here, where I always was. So one day, if you're bored, by all means send me CD's...

Steve Martin - Let's Get Small

I'm still trying to think of how I'm going to write about this record, but I guess I like to start out by doing one thing that is impossible. Steve Martin is such a genius and a legend that it will be hard to begin describing why that is so. It just is so. Deal with that.



Let's Get Small is of course Steve Martin's first and only record. The label only pressed 11 copies on vinyl due to lack of interest. I was fortunate enough to find one while in Atlanta at a great little place called Wax N Facts. He was only 12 and a half when he wrote and recorded this record and it was only performed once before an audience of his immediate family. Such a shame that this talented comedian's life came to an end when a savage fan shot an arrow through Steve's head. This is captured on the cover artwork, even though the record label tried to hide this by superimposing a balloon animal over his head. What a tragic end to his life. He will always be remembered by the Martin family.


But seriously folks...
I played side B for my parents earlier today and my dad was telling me how when he first heard it he really didn't think Steve Martin would catch on with people. I'm very happy to say he was incorrect. It starts out with Steve playing the banjo, which is actually quite incredible. He is a very talented banjo player. Banjoist?

After the banjo playing he states to the audience that he likes to start out by doing one thing that is impossible. So he decides to suck a piano into his lungs. Since this is a record, I could not see it happen. Though by the sound of the audience I could tell it was a sight to see. Steve asks the people in the audience how much they paid to get in the show. "Four dollars?" This is strange since that is exactly what I paid for the record. Well, I had to pay tax and everything, but you get the idea. It was fate that put the $4 price sticker on the record.

Overall this is a great record. It will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between. Even if you don't like his minimalistic approach to music, it is great. It's a raw, live, rough cut, but very well played. Highly recommended, but only if you have the ability to laugh.



Two favourite quotes:
"Mind if I smoke? No, mind if I fart?"
"...and I really didn't want to drive her home, so I shot her."

Recent Purchases 3-9-09

I cured my Morrissey cancellation sadness by comforting myself in music buying. Some buy clothes, some eat food, some drink. I buy music, fucking music:

Steve Martin - Let's Get Small 12"
Explosions In The Sky - The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place 2x12" (I beg to differ)
Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night 2x12"
The Paper Chase - God Bless Your Black Heart 2x12" (Finally)
R.E.M. - Reveal 12" Clear Orange
New York Dolls - Live In Concert Paris 1974 12"
My Morning Jacket - Chocolate And Ice 12" Blue and White Splatter
Raymonde - These Boots Are Made For Walking 12" (Find of the week)

Joy Division - Permanent CD
Talking Heads - Remain In Light CD
Built To Spill - Time Trap CD Promo
Tom Waits - Heartattack And Vine CD
Twin Peaks - Soundtrack CD
Radiohead - Kid A CD Special Edition with Book
Morrissey - Southpaw Grammar CD ...again

Stars - Sad Robots

Reader, please note that this is not your usual musical tour guide and a young tippler has usurped the electronic quill and is anxiously writing down reflections of meaning; the quill's ink is not well administered, thoughts are not collected. Yet the youth relishes each moment knowing the former scribe will return to his study at any second...

Pitchfork granted in a holy declaration: Sad Robots, 6.2/10. As I have no power vested in me by the consumerism gods, I will not attach any scale of preference to the album other than to say I enjoy it. There is no narrative structure or concept linking the songs together, so you can listen to it on shuffle if you please. The album opens with Maintenance Hall, 4 a.m. A brief instrumental that although only two minutes and eighteen seconds manages to trudge around your home leaving a trail of gasoline while you're out watching Disney movies with your ex. As the song wanes away it flicks a match over its shoulder, this match's glowing arc consumes the oxygen rich night air and lands playfully, nearly not in reach of the gasoline wick.

The next song is nearly six minutes, it keeps the same melodic drone throughout. Your thoughts wander as you head home. You reach your driveway and find your home ablaze. Amy joins in halfway through the song and lends her greatness. Torq comes back in and the song reaches it's full potential. Bass lines support delicate piano riffs, snares accent guitar distortion, the world is alright. You take a shot of canadian club, a whisky you normally would not purchase due to it's price, but for some reason you've treated yourself this time. As you feel the alcoholic heat expand through your blood into your fingers and toes Amy's voice questions "When will it stop?" in the song "Undertow". A crowd has formed around your house that is burning down, no one is calling the fire department, everyone is treating it as if it's a large bonfire and they've been needing a get together. The house is burning steadily, the foundation is still stable and the flames are licking all the crevices, exploring with great excitement.

The fire grows at this point in ways you don't see. The band is covering their own song. "Going, going, gone". "There is nowhere to move on." Geeky synth drives the song. Countless bad jokes are being made about the burning down house... "Hot Party!"

What's the point? The next song is "14 forever". The bands strange balance between growing old but still playing songs that appeal to young people and the paradox of young people finding the appeal of their songs. The band is growing up, the crowds are staying the same age. I can't begin to articulate the emotions involved. "The revolution starts in a sea of paper cups".

You have several more shots, a few beers, and time begins to blur. Laughter piles upon laughter and everyone is dancing. The contrast between the dark and the burning house is so incredible you have no idea what to do. It begins to rain. Songs are sung in french. The rain, in a final twist of fate ends the party early, cutting short the perverted enjoyment of the house burning. The flames are dowsed, but the damage to the house is irreparable. The music ends before you know and the everyone but you is ready to go home. The excitement in your muscles feels like a ditched date leaving you with handfuls of confused energy. A robot is being rained on and it is going to rust and die. "Sad Robot" explains "My heart will turn from steel to dust". A primal instinct floods your brain with sleepy chemicals and you feel comfortable in the wet grass. You fall asleep.

You wake in the morning rain. Everything is different in the light. All the people are gone. You loved the party, you are lost now. Your muscles ache, your nose is runny, your clothes are wet. Your home is gone and your heart is sore.

However there is still some whisky and still some friends with whom you plan a series of nocturnal arson attacks...

You've learned a very valuable lesson: the complex nuances of emotion, youth, and love are not discovered through thought. You are a sad robot.

Contextual Details: I've been a fan of a Stars for several years now and it would be hard for me to not enjoy something they created. It's early March 2009. The world's markets are failing splendidly. Spring is still springing, people are still laughing. Amy's voice is heaven.

Submitted by Zach

Update

I've been on a break due to work and my upcoming Morrissey pilgrimage. Going to Atlanta tonight and Asheville on Monday. Then New York City in a few weeks. My friend Zach wrote a review that I will post here in just a minute. I'll try to be back at this in April.

Enjoy.

Recent Purchases 2-25-09

The New York Dolls - The Early Years Live 12" blue vinyl
The New York Dolls - Red Patent Leather 12"
Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You 12" picture disc
Kings Of Lean - Because Of The Times 12"
R.E.M. - Monster 12"
Deerhunter - Cryptrograms/Fluorescent Grey 2x12"
Louisville Is For Lovers 2x12" of local bands on red vinyl
Donna Fargo - The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A. 7"

Overall, a pretty good night of record buying.

Tom Waits - Rain Dogs

I've always heard of Tom Waits, but I've never actually listened to Tom Waits. I guess the time has come to do so. I've actually been listening to this album for the past week or so, but haven't written about it yet due to being still ill. I think I was in a coma or something. I know, I know, it's serious. Here is the long-awaited (well, for some of you) review for Rain Dogs.



When I first heard Rain Dogs start off, I felt as though I had entered a circus or carnival. I was surprised about this because I hadn't anticipated leaving my car to see clowns, bearded ladies, or Karnov breathing fire. That's what Singapore sounds like to me. Either that or Insomniac with Dave Attell. The second song, Clap Hands, is something I should have heard before. I think this is one of my favourites on this record. The best point in the song is when I realized where Radiohead got the lyric:
"We all went to heaven in a little rowboat"
I never knew that's where it came from. One of my favourite songs ever (Pyramid Song) wouldn't have been the same if it wasn't for that song.

The next song, Cemetery Polka, takes me from that circus I was at earlier, to a pirate ship. I wasn't sure how I made that transition, but I don't think I minded too much. This song makes me want to grab a mug of grog, wear a puffy shirt, and shout insults at people while waving a sword. Maybe not all of those things, but it is close. Very close. Arrrrrgggg...
After letting go of being a pirate comes another song I had to mention, I won't mention every song, but this one is especially smooth sounding. Jockey Full Of Bourbon is the name, don't wear it out. The guitar is simply incredible. A smooth surf sound to it, but much darker than just that. A bit like Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet (that's right, I name dropped them) only darker, and with words.

Listening further into the record, I realized Amnesiac (one of my favourites of all time) may not have been real if this whole album wasn't created. The sound of the song Tango Till They're Sore reeks of the wonderfully familiar horns heard in Life In A Glass House. The "New Orleans Funeral Song" sound as I've heard it referred to. The broken piano intro to it really changes your mood to conform to the song. That's right, you're going to get into it. You have no choice.

On Big Black Mariah, I expected for him to bust out some skat skills. I was a bit disappointed that it didn't happen. Oh well, maybe on another record. The song has a nice jazzy feel to it, like something you would hear when you walk in a jazz club where you don't belong. Silly wizard, hipsters don't belong in jazz clubs.

Blah blah blah, I promised these reviews wouldn't be too long. This is definitely different from what I've reviewed so far, but such a nice change. I really enjoyed listening to it. It has a gritty, real feel to it. Not a perfect sound, it's not supposed to be perfect, nothing should be. I do believe I'll pick up some more of his recordings some day.


Two favourite tracks:
Tango Till They're Sore
Gun Street Girl

Years Of Refusal - Released Today

This was released today in the U.S.
Go buy it. That's what I'm doing with my evening. No review on it since, well, let's just say I've heard this one before.






If you don't buy it, Morrissey will get angry with you. You wouldn't like him when he's angry...

My Bloody Valentine - Loveless

In an effort, to make an attempt to, following a good old college try, I will persevere to recognize Valentine's Day by bringing you My Bloody Valentine's - Loveless. The title which sums up my holiday-filled Saturday and my past few hundred standard Saturdays. I promise this to not be a bitter review, just filled with a few jokes poking fun of those who are, for lack of a better term and also because it's the record I'm listening to, Loveless. Enjoy. Or not, it is entirely up to you. I am just telling you what I think. So there.


As soon as I hit play on good ol' Mr. Bill (my current iPod ever since Thomas had a heart attack), I was hit with a barrage of sound. This record certainly makes you aware of its presence from the get go, and you better hit dance mode within 25 seconds. After that you can mellow out, but don't do that for long. You will not even want to. It kicks right into those sounds and noises after the first verse. The first song is titled Only Shallow, in case you were wondering. If you were not wondering, then that is fine with me. I won't force you to think of the names of songs. I just would like you to know that the first song abruptly goes into the second one. My only complaint about the first song is that I wish it would go on longer. That noise is just so spectactular to hear.

I really wasn't sure why this came up in my iTunes as "Shoegazing" music, but after a few listens I can see why. After reading a bit into this genre of music I've never heard of before, I see that I like a lot of bands recognized as shoegazers. It's a style of music where, well, you gaze at your shoes. So to speak. Er, so to type. Kind of that swaying sound where you just hear smooth noise that is chaotic and melodic to the point where you are just losing all interest in anything that anyone ever did except for what you are hearing right then and there. Yeah. The best songs to example that feeling on this record are To Here Knows When, I Only Said, and Sometimes. Screw it, almost the whole album is like that. This is just a solid album all the way through.

I realize pretty much everything ever needing to be said about this record has already been said. So I'll stop here. Go buy this record/CD, listen to it while you are banging your significant other on Valentine's Day, and enjoy the rest of the week.


Two favourite tracks:
To Here Knows When
Soon

Brand New - The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me

I really wanted to make this album artwork bigger, but for layout's sake, it's only regular size. It's such a cool looking picture.

Today I will be listening to Brand New for the first time. Yes, that's true, I haven't listened to them before. All my friends have raging boners for this band and one of my friends even compared seeing them live to what heaven would be like. I don't know if that is true or not, since I have never seen them live, nor have I seen heaven. I'll just have listen to this album before making any heavenly assumptions. I'm going to be out and about tonight while listening instead of just sitting and writing at the same time. Hopefully it will be a good driving album.


I'm writing half this review tonight, and the other half in the morning when I am more refreshed. When I first started playing this, I expected to have a barrage of noise blaring at me from the get go, so I cranked up my stereo (after I drove out of my old-people neighborhood) a bit more than usual. That blaring didn't happen. It soon did though, don't worry. It didn't start out like I thought it would, but all of the sudden screaming and noise were in my face again. Been a while since I listened to something along these lines. Reminded me of what it would have been like to go to high school and listen to music that the popular kids didn't like.

This record was a lot more melodic and darker than I thought it would be. A lot better than I thought it would be, because I expected a pop-punk type of album...

I'll just apologize right here. This is a really shitty review of a very incredible record. I really liked listening to this, but I just can't write anything that describes it well. For anyone reading this, please know that this is most definitely worth buying. I will probably review this later when I can actually think of words to put for it. After hearing Jesus Christ I can see why all my friends have those raging boners that I mentioned earlier. The dark and dreamy sound of it enrages my boner as well. I don't know what that term is where it sounds like it was recorded in a well, but I love that. Somebody tell me the right word for that and I'll take note of it for future writings and also to sound smart in conversations about music. That song going right into one of my favourite songs on the record - Degausser - is such a great change in tracks. Harder and a little faster, it has a great pick up from the last song. The energy through this record is maintained extremely well. After Degausser comes Limousine, a 7 plus minute song. Again, long song, I expect an epic track. This definitely did not disappoint. That track stretch could have been an amazing EP just by itself.

Another song I took note of was Welcome To Bangkok, an instrumental track that was just noise. That's all it was, noise, awesome noise. I really didn't think I'd hear something like this on the album. Quite a good sound, but since I like vocals it's not one of my two favourites.

Luca is in my top two. I state that right here. Extremely melodic and has such a swaying sound to it. A very very great sounding track. I really can't put a good description on it, you just have to hear it. After that it kind of picks up with The Archers Bows Are Broken, but then quites down for Handcuffs. The whole record has a fairly smooth flow to it, with some extremely high points, and very few lows. It does not disappoint in the slightest. I'll definitely look forward to what they have next on their plate.


Two favourite tracks:
Luca
Jesus Christ

No review today either

As my post below states, the Pretenders concert was postponed (I believe due to an illness). I spent the evening in Bloomington with a few friends playing music, drinking beer, reading a picture book, and watching wizard people. Not necessarily in that order, except that drinking beer happened first.

No review today due to lack of sleep and traveling. I did listen to some NPR podcast concerts from the likes of Stars, The National, and Okkervil River during my travels. I would highly recommend checking out NPR's All Songs Considered - podcasts and website. They have a podcast just for live concerts and one for new music, guest DJ's, band chats, etc.

Another good one is KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic - In Studio performances. The Walkmen were on a little while back and I just got around to hearing it right before skipping town.

I should return with a review tomorrow (Friday) evening. Until then, go find the Morrissey Radio 2 concert somewhere and send the videos to me!

The Pretenders - Concert Review

Hello, this is Ticketmaster Customer Service with an important alert for your event. The Pretenders, that was scheduled at Murat Theatre on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, at 7:30PM, has been postponed. The new date is to be announced.


:(