Decemberists and Grizzly Bear cast spell on Central Park Audience

Cred
With the weather being near perfect-Monday night was a great night to be at the Summerstage. Having to work till 7, I was only able to listen to the tail end of Grizzly Bear and I must say they sounded good. Their music blends quite well with the outdoors and gives one an overall eerie vibe (I think their latest album 'Yellow House' is one of the better albums of 2006 and when listened to with the lights off can give one some chills). As per The Decemberists, well, they were just what I wanted for a nice simmer evening outdoors in Central Park. Drawing not so heavily from their most recent release, 'Crane Wife', Colin and his crew of melody makers really had the audience enraptured. If there was one crowd that was not afraid to clap when the band said clap, it was this one. Everywhere you looked people were really enjoying the music and having a good time. Overall, The Decemberists gave the sold out audience just what they wanted and left everyone straight up feeling good. Although, I could say I was disappointed I did not get 13 Military Wives....what can I say, I love that song.
Grizzly Bear-Owner of a Lonely Heart.mp3
Decemberists-Sons and Daughters
Decemberists Tags
Grizzly Bear Tags

-Jaime W.

Revenge of the Bookeater's Benefit @ Beacon Theatre

A benefit concert for kids to nuture their imaginations-priceless
For those of you not familiar with the 826NYC, it is a non-profit organization that works with kids to nuture their creative writing skills in a one on one environment. As with any non-profit organization they rely on funding for the continued success of their program and for the second year they organzied a great benefit show at The Beacon in nYc. This years' line-up included A.C Newman, Grizzly Bear, Jim James, Feist, Kevin Drew, & Britt Daniel. Along with the music it was hosted by comedian Demetri Martin and was one great night for a good cause.

Arriving into The Beacon towards the latter end of A.C. Newman's I was only able to catch the last song of his set. Following Newman was one local Brooklyn act Grizzly Bear who are meant to play these big rooms which just fill so nice with their slightly eerie music. Ed Droste and the crew rolled through a couple of songs including 'Knife', 'Marla' as well as Feist joining them for a song which I believe was called 'Cast A Spell'. The band ended their set with just Christopher Bear and Daniel Rossen covering Paul Simon's 'Graceland'.

Jim James
After some great stand-up comedy with Demetri Martin,Jim James of My Morning Jacket came on to deliver the nights highlights. Armed with an acoustic guitar and some weird electronic music device Jim straight up killed it. Opening with a song with the repetitive line "I Feel Wonderful" I could only think of The Talking Heads classic 'The Book I Read' but it was not to be (it was a song I was not familiar with). Jim then went on to play a tremendous version of one of my favorite My Morning Jacekt songs 'Bermuda Highway'. After this Jim brought out some odd electronic music device which he played 'Wonderful Man' and straight up rocked the house. Jim then continued the trend of material from "Z", My Morning Jacket's latest album, and ended the set with 'Gideon' and 'Anytime' which saw Jim back on the electronic beat / keys combo finishing with Jim running from side to side as to figure should he keep going or not...sadly he did not.

Feist and Kevin Drew
It was after this we were treated to some stand up comedy skits followed by videos made by kids at the 826NYC. The video from "Death is Calling" was pretty hilarious. Feist then came out to read a couple of stories by the kids which offered the audience the chance to feel like kids laughing to stories about peanut butter of all things. She then played the piano for a rendition of 'The Water' before Kevin Drew and a member of Broken Social Scene joined in with 'F--ked Up Kid' off of their latest album and sweet version of 'Super Connected'. The show came to an end with Britt Daniel who said the last time he was in the Beacon was in 1999 when he saw Elvis Costello. He mentioned how in front of him there was an extremely liberal family which was all smoking pot together. Britt then went into playing "I Summon You" before inviting a friend to join on keys for "Finer Feelings" off of Spoon's latest album "Ga Ga Ga Ga." The show ended when Britt invited A.C. Newman for a cover which I am just not sure what name was. Overall it was a great way to spend Sunday night and had the crowd enjoying some laughs and tunes all for a cause that helps support creativity in today's youth.
My Morning Jacket-Dancefloors.mp3
Broken Social Scene-Hotel.mp3
Revenge of the Book Eater's Benefit Tags
-Jaime W.

*It should be noted that whoever was the jerk that felt the need to heckel Dimitri Martin you should feel like a grade A jack-ass. I think everyone besided you in The Beacon tonight thought Dimitri pretty much killed it and I for sure was definitely impressed.*

I cursed these legs I walked on

In Ear Park is the perfect record for that transition that happens to light during the colder months where in late October it goes from being strands of thick, golden warmth into strained weak translucent lemon light by the early December. Maybe it was my time that I spent in Southern France or my love of the Impressionists but I have always had a fond affection for the evaporating element of light and adore late afternoon winter light the best above all else. Sitting tucked into my bed and reading by my window Department of Eagles was the perfect companion. The band formed back in 2001 thanks to New York University where Daniel Rossen (who went onto join Grizzly Bear) met Fred Nicolaus. The two roomed together, discussing and sharing music theory and preferences leading to them making a sample CD that they originally planned to only distribute amongst friends. These early tracks ended up being released via California-based independent record label, Isota Records under the name, Whitney on The Moon UK. To avoid a possible encounter with a San Francisco band the two changed their band name to Department of Eagels. The album In Ear Park was named after a park in Los Angeles where Rossen used to go with his father, who recently passed away. In January the band commences a mini-tour including an upcoming date at Bowery Ballroom on Monday, January 19th. Ticket are already on sale.
**************DEPARTMENT OF EAGELS TOUR DATES****************
Jan 15-Schuba’s Tavern-Chicago, Illinois
Jan 16-Wexner Center for the Arts-Columbus, Ohio
Jan 17-Johnny Brenda’s-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jan 18-The Brattle Theatre-Cambridge, Massachusetts
Jan 19-The Bowery Ballroom-New York, New York
Department of Eagels-In Ear Park.mp3
Department of Eagels-Teenagers.mp3
Grizzly Bear Tags

Orchestras lend support to Decemberists upcoming tour

By now it has been widly reported that The Decemberists are returning to New York City for a slot at this years Summerstage in Central Park with local Brooklyn artists Grizzly Bear. If you have not yet procured a ticket to this summer nighttime event i highly urge you to do so. Both bands have such story teller lyrics backed up with melodous music that will be perfect for Summerstage. Billboard Magazine reports how other cities will be viewing The Decemberists with some very special support, Orchestra support that is.

"This July, The Decemberists will perform alongside local orchestras at select dates in amphitheaters in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago and Columbia, Md. The Portland, Ore.-based act is currently playing 1,500- to 3,000-capacity theaters in support of its Capitol debut, "The Crane Wife," which has sold 214,000 copies in the United States since its October release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The idea to match The Decemberists with orchestras came after Johanna Rees, who has booked similar shows at Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl, approached the act's booking agent, Kevin French with Bigshot Touring Artists "I was the liaison between the band and the orchestra folks, because they don't really know how the rock world works," Rees tells Billboard.com. "And if you're a fan, it's such a perfect band to put with an orchestra. Musically, they're just astounding." To help organize the dates, Rees, who also books the L.A.'s Walt Disney Concert Hall, reached out to various venue and orchestra promoters around the country. "I needed to make sure all the pieces fit together," she says. "Obviously, an orchestra promoter won't be able to promote a rock concert the way it needs to be promoted." In 2004, Rees paired French electronic duo Air with an orchestra for a sold-out concert at the 17,300-seat Hollywood Bowl. And over the next two years, she did the same with Dead Can Dance (2005) and Belle and Sebastian (2006). "After the third year, the artists, managers and agents started calling -- and so did some of the orchestra promoters that I know," Rees says. "They were wondering how to be a part of it." For the Decemberists July 7 concert at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Rees predicts many concertgoers will simply attend out a desire to experience something different. "I think people are just interested in seeing a band play with an orchestra, even if they don't know the band or orchestra that well." Indie act Band Of Horses will open the show. For the orchestra shows, the Decemberists will play songs from their entire catalog, according to sources close to the band. Leading up to the five orchestra-backed concerts, the band will play the Coachella and Bonnaroo festivals. A theatre tour is expected in the fall which hit 4,500-17,300-capacity sheds, the Decemberists are scheduled to appear at Indio, Calif.'s Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival on April 28, and Manchester, Tenn.'s Bonnaroo Festival on June 17. Beyond that, the band is expected to hit theaters again this fall."

Here are the Decemberists summer tour dates:

June 16: Manchester, Tenn. (Bonnaroo Festival)
July 7: Los Angeles (Hollywood Bowl, w/ L.A. Philharmonic, Band Of Horses)
July 13: Atlanta (Chastain Park, w/ Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)
July 14: Columbia, Md. (Merriweather Post Pavilion, w/ Baltimore Symphony
Orchestra)
July 15: Philadelphia (Mann Center for the Performing Arts, w/ Mann Festival
Orchestra)
July 16: New York (Central Park Summerstage, w/ Grizzly Bear)
July 18: Chicago (Jay Pritzker Pavillion, w/ Grant Park Orchestra)
July 22: Troutdale, Ore. (Edgefield Winery, w/ Menomena)

*i also throughly enjoy the whole aesthetic value behind The Decemberists so i invite you to check out this artist who reminds me a bit of the artwork on Crane's Wife as well as the artwork link on their website.


Sons and Daughters mp3
Summersongmp3

Yeah DC and MArylAnd!

I am so excited about the music scene that is happening all around my beloved lil home. Nothing makes me happier than listening to a new band only to find out they hail from an area that i am so proud to call home and influenced my musical tastes growning up. (rest in peace WHFS! Long live WRNR!) Being the girl who was made fun of all through out college for my hometown love- now the rest of the country has a few reasons to sit down and take notice, besides all of the muck that goes on surrounding the White House. Dan Deacon is blowing up the blogs these past few weeks, Beach House have found great success touring with the likes of Grizzly Bear, and recently Le Loup was signed to Sub Pop's Hardly Art. Le Loup have a sound that could easily be loved by broad audiences who are fans of Sufijan Stevens, Grizzly Bear, or Lonely Dear. All good things! Who is next? Maybe The Thrushes, Jukebox the Ghost?


*Le Loup play Washington, DC's Rock and Roll Hotel, alongside the Rosebuds and Bowerbirds, on May 22.
*Jukebox the Ghost will hit NYC in September 7th & 14th at Pianos @ 9:00 PM after an extensive run in London this summer.
The Thrushes-Aidan Quinn.mp3
The Thrushes-Heartbeats.mp3
Jukebox The Ghost - Hold It In.mp3

Welcome Yeasayer....we've been waiting

This is my feeble attempt to listen to the new Yeasayer album and describe everything I am hearing, from the first note to the last. From the first track even the most studied of ears to their sound and Chris' voice would not recognize that this is them. It sounds more like a new song by the Swedish brother/sister duo the KNIFE. It is creepy, dynamic, intricate, daunting and dark. As dark as you could get on the deepest of winter nights. The voices singing sound like they are from the netherworld. Calling out to you from beyond the void and just when you think you might be beginning to understand...the song is over.

Track two=Ambling Amp trickles out onto the sound scape skipping and jumping along with all of the energy of that the band has been hiding from us while we have been eagerly awaiting this next album. I first heard this song when I was at the Pitchfork Music Festival. It was mixed into their set and immediately was at home. Traditional Yeasayer elements are bursting forth from every beat of the wooden sticks that you hear laughing at you in the background. Chris' voice sounds much more optimistic and confident than we have ever heard before.

As the third track begins, like I usually feel with all of my favorite bands---i hope this one is longer than the songs that have come before. I instantly recognize that they played this song at the Pfork Festival as well. This time it is not Chris we hear singing, but Anand Wilder ...calling out to us with longing and loss with the lyrics "if my vices are a burden, please don't let me know*...cast me from your home." One of the hidden weapons within this band's bulky arsenal of talent is the interchanging vocals of both Chris and Anand. They harmonize magically into one piercing and delicate voice, individually they are inviting and textured like silvery velvet. Easily said, they are going places.

Much will be said about this next song comparing it to Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective. I am calling it now. I want people to remember that when Panda Bear came out with his album and had bursts and fits of vocal calls, chants, screams and clips, Chris was doing this as well. Because bloggers and music writers love to discuss cause and reaction...there will be comparisons made for sure. This is another reason why we will see Yeasayer become one of the biggest bands in 2010. Right now is just the calm before the storm. Much like Girls from Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion, this track rises into the sky like a lullaby. Easy on the ears and powerful enough to not slide into the grey zone of being overdone or tacky.

"You're stuck in my mind all the time" Hey-every album needs a ballad, right?

Track five has to be big based on positioning alone...you have hit the half-point on the album---and it is. Jovial from the first beat it is full of rhythms and I am happy to welcome it's sound back into my ears. THIS IS THE SONG. The song that I have been reporting back about for months now. The song that could have busted up and broken down their set. They played it just as it began to completely downpour onto an audience of Chicago music lovers and it could have gone either way...people could have been pissy and run for shelter---or they could have given into joy and danced. This is what happened and it was amazing. It was one of those moments when I completely forget all of the shitty bosses I have had, all of the tears of frustration I have felt at moments over the past years trying to work with what I love and still be successful---for this is quite the feat in the music industry. I LOVE this song and you will too. If you do not instantly feel like getting up and jumping around and singing and spreading your arms to this song then stop---just stop listening, stop reading my blog, any blog for that matter...because you should be jumping around. You 100% absolutely should be.

**"Having time having fun, it's much easier said than it's done. Hoping you could fall, hold me like you used to, control me like you used to. No, you don't me move me anymore. And I am glad that you know, cause I can't have it anymore. I thought you should know, you don't move me anymore. And I am glad that you know. Cause I can't take it anymore."

Building from the momentum collected from track five, track six kicks over like an animated car video with spaceship technology and 70's costumes. That is to say it sounds like a futuristic Daft Punk synth dream fast-forwarded with sounds from the 70s and 80s that we welcome as known knowledge. Chris kind of sounds like Justin Timberlake combined with Alexis Taylor at first. Alright...don't hate...but he kind of does. This is also not a bad thing. When Chris reaches for that vocal point, straining on his lungs' tippie-toes it is a good thing. It lends a whole other sound and element of emotion to the band's already deep and dynamic box of tricks. It is obvious the band had fun listening to Chromeo's signature voice modifier tube (not sure of the technical term), they toss it in here and there and it works well.

The seventh song sounds like Hall & Oats on speed. The harmonies and the backbeat remind of this band...it is completely fun and works well to push the album forward. Whereas it is not a standout track, it is still a good one and is sure to be a crowd mover during their live shows. The lyrics tell about the world being there's...it's just a matter of time. Much like MGMT's famed song Kids foretelling of their fame, this song is just sharing with us what is sure to happen to this Brooklyn ensemble.

Track eight I have to re-play, clocking in at 2:35 it is over before I can even wrap my critical ears around it. I also have to lower the volume on my laptop which has been punishing all of my neighbors to see if this helps me understand it at a different decibel. It is a ghost of a song, swaying in with invisible, prowling moves and cooing layered melodies. It is a good transitional song and very beautiful.

Tracks number nine and ten end the album with a complete bang. Track nine teases and flirts as Chris repeats how much he loves making love with his baby "until the early light." Totally dance-floor worthy and will easily be remixed by hungry dj's who will in turn post their tracks all over Hype Machine. Track number ten...well, i have shared enough. You will just have to wait and hear for yourself ;)

Overall, new Yeasayer= LOVE. 10.0! ***** Two thumbs up...and all that jazz. Cannot wait.

*(or go, not sure...)
**(not sure of exactly lyrics either...)
*Yeasayer video from Blogotheque...my favorite.

#87.2 - YEASAYER - 2080
by lablogotheque

*Yeasayer will release this, their sophomore album via Secretly Canadian in 2010
*Yeasayer Facebook
*Yeasayer Twitter

A Grizzly Bear blogging from Coachella

Hmmm... people driving hummers to Coachella- nothing warms my heart more. VOMIT!

Details coming soon...

I am still kicking myself for not heading out to last years Sasquatch Festival with the best festival line up of 2007. (at least i think so...) So I am waiting and watching for details for this years events to unfold. You should as well. If they follow suit last year they hosted Arcade Fire, Bjork, Ghostland Observatory, Grizzly Bear and Neko Case just to name a few (of the ones i wanted to see the most!). I am wondering if Radiohead or R.E.M. will be the headliners this time around. I definitely would not miss that!
Sasquatch Festival Tags

Revenge of the Book Eaters Benefit

Tickets go on sale this Friday for Revenge of the Book Eaters a benefit for local non-profit 826 NYC to be held on Sunday, August 26th at the Beacon Theatre. Grizzly Bear, Feist, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, and A.C. Newman will lend their voices to the cause. Last year Jon Stewart hosted, this year Demetri Martin will have his go. It is a highly enjoyable night which reminds you exactly why you should take time out to volunteer-WHICH WE ALL SHOULD- and treats you to some lovely music at the same time.
A.C.Newman-The Cloud Prayer.mp3
Feist-Honey Honey.mp3
My Morning Jacket-Gideon.mp3

Take Away Shows via La Blogotheque, c'est super cool!

"The Take Away Shows are a Video Podcast produced by the french weblog La Blogothèque. Every week, we give away a session, shot with a band, in an unusual, urban environment. Sessions are always filmed as a unique shot, without any cut, recorded live. We usually haven’t much time to record them, so the groups have to be spontaneous, to improvise, play with what they have with them, and with their environment, whether there’s a public or not. The Take Away Shows are produced by La Blogothèque, based on an original idea by Chryde and Vincent Moon. They are directed by Vincent Moon, and supported by Kidam, who lends us the cameras and shot some of the sessions. Our partner for the english version is the wonderful american site Daytrotter, who gives away twice week incredible audio sessions from the bands they love. Go and check their site!

*Andrew Bird-strolling the streets of Montmartre-it is absolutely beautiful, and my personal favorite. Other artists available as well, Cold War Kids, Tapes n' Tapes, The National, Arcade Fire, The Kooks, Grizzly Bear...all worth checking out. Who would you most want to see!? A little Jack White perhaps...
**NYtimes review
Skin Is, My.mp3
A Nervous Tic Motion Of The Head To The Left.mp3

Rosewood Thieves residency at Pianos, Night Two

Everytime i open my mouth to tout about how good the Rosewood Thieves are i use adjectives like, "best band in New York right now," "amazing stage prescence, "yes- Erick does sound that good live," "amazing songwriting" and it works everytime-sucking people in and getting them to venture out to their live shows. Once there all of my friends have been completely won over. It does not take much. They ARE that good. They WILL go places. And if you have yet to see them you NEED to before they aren't playing small spaces like Pianos. Especially with bands like Cold War Kids, David Vandervelde, Illinois, Blitzen Trapper and Grizzly Bear all finding comfortable amounts of success and acclaim. Rosewood Thieves have the talent as much as any of these bands. I have seen each of these bands live shows and the Rosewood Thieves deserve to be where their peers are. Last night was the first time i had the chance to hear the new material that the band has been testing out since the release of their 2006 demo, 'From the Decker House.' The new songs are incredible. I was completely blown away and happily so. Erick has a knack for depth and story telling much like David Vandervelde and delivers his poetry with a smooth swagger and brazen passion. You are completely enraptured while he is on stage, drawn into a world of lovers swirling around as he tells you the story behind the third song he debuted and how it was passed down through the generations in his family. The song and story are chilling which leads you to realize that most of their songs are. This is a perfect effect and most likely intentional. I could not be more excited to see them again next week. Same time, same place. Life is good.
Mad Man (Demo).mp3
Lonesome Road.mp3
Cold In The Country.mp3

Sasquatch Music Festival Weekend

Oh how i so wish i was there. THis is the ONE festival i really wanted to make it to this year- killer lineup, beautiful background, close to Seattle...oh well. There is always next year. Head over to Yeti via BrooklynVegan for details and reports. Here are some songs for those of you lucky bandits who are going. Enjoy the show!
Arcade Fire-No Cars Go.mp3
Beastie Boys-Sabotage.mp3
Blackalicious-Powers.mp3
Black Angels-The First Vietnamese War.mp3
The Blow-Bonjour Jeune Fille.mp3
Bjork-Declare Independence.mp3
The Dandy Warhols-Get Off 1.mp3
Earl Greyhound-SOS.mp3
Ghostland Observatory-All You Rockers.mp3
Grizzly Bear-Owner of a Lonely Heart.mp3
The Hold Steady-Your Little Hoodrat Friend.mp3
Interpol-NARC.mp3
Lonely, Dear-I Fought The Battle Of Trinidad.mp3
Long Winters-Pushover.mp3
Neko Case-That Teenage Feeling.mp3
Patrick Wolf-The Magic Position.mp3
Saturday Knights-45.mp3
The Slip-Children of December.mp3
Smoosh-Find a way.mp3
Spoon-The Ghost Of You Lingers.mp3
St. Vincent-These Days.mp3
Stars of Track and Field-Movies of Antartica.mp3
Tokyo Police Club-Be Good.mp3
Two Gallants-All Your Faithless Loyalties.mp3
Viva Voce-From the Devil Himself.mp3

OtherMusic to host Free Concert Ticket Giveaway on Sunday

Before you prepare for yet another suspense ridden Sopranos episode you should make it a part of your Sunday routine to trek over to OtherMusic who via Absolut will be giving away 100 pairs of concert tickets to various venues including: "McCarren Pool, Central Park SummerStage, Keyspan Park, Highline Ballrooom, Madison Square Garden, Roseland Ballroom & The Town Hall. It's a great selection of Other Music's favorite artists and top sellers. Some of these events are already sold out. Tickets will be distributed first come, first served, but you must be 21+ with government issued ID to participate. Giveaway begins at 12PM. Each person will be limited to one pair of tickets." (BrooklynVegan) Definitely some good summertime shows to be had- White Stripes, Muse, Daft Punk, Feist, Grizzly Bear with Decemberists, The Veils...enough reasons to go?!

The Veils-Advice For Young Mothers To Be.mp3
Decemberists-Summersong.mp3

Julian Casablancas STILL Wears Sunglasses At Night

***Photo taken by Dana Loftus***
Thank god for somethings always staying the same. As this past year ticked away I kept anxiously awaiting news of this supposedly upcoming Strokes record. The interviews with Julian came out and they were not always what I had hoped to hear...that the band wasn't writing together and other snarky comments added by various bloggers but at least they were back in action.
With a sprinkling of surprise London shows and this past weekend's performance at Lolla it is evident the band has been practicing and are still as they have always been, one heck of an awesome rock band. Things have drastically changed since the band last toured together in 2006. Bands such as Yeasayer, MGMT, Grizzly Bear, Suckers, Neon Indian, Fleet Foxes, Local Natives have taken over the indie rock headlines and then there is the whole internet/blog craze. Still The Strokes have weathered the storm. They continue to strike a soft spot in the hearts of many ever-so-fickle tastemakers hearts and they seemed to reign over their audience in Chicago....Lady Gaga armed with fireworks and all. Good music will ALWAYS be good music. This band always had that going for them. You can't fake talent, chemistry or hard work. Pitchfork's mini-review of their set says it all. Check it out here. Another avid fan wrote a review that made me remember what it felt like to see them live here.

You've got us in your pocket-and there's no way out now

*Cred
"You work for a record label? We all work for a record label! You work for SPIN magazine? We all work for SPIN magazine? You live in New York City? We all live in New York City!" And thank god for that. Jack White and his big sister Meg visited New York and played Irving Plaza last night, June 19th at approximately 10:50. There was electricity in the air. Candy canes for sale. Immaculately dressed stagehands in black pants, black t-shirts, and black fedora hats with red feathers. A theaterical opener set the stage as the room buzzed with fans, press, music industry buffs, and random celebrities all straining and fidgeting waiting for the main act to hit the stage. Whispers of which songs would be played, how many copies of the new album people had bought, stories of past White Stripes shows were tossed around as the excitement grew with each passing minute. And then, the entrance- and all was forgotten. Transported immediately to another time and another place, you are exactly where Jack and Meg want you to be, their captives completely, for as long as they desire to play. It was as if you silently said to yourself, 'ah yes...now i remember what this rock n' roll gig is like." Yes-yes, you've fallen in love with Cold War Kids, David Vandervelde, Grizzly Bear and numerous others who have come crawling out of the nooks and cranies of America to represent and test the rock n' roll stage, checking to see if the masses are still interested. And we took the bait, turning out to shows and purchasing albums...enjoying our experience along the way-but it is because of the White Stripes that we stuck it out. Knowing they were still out there. Immediately you respond. You don't know which one to watch- Meg who seems to have grown into her Nashville living-beating her drums with more salt and spirited will than ever before. Or Jack, pacing around the stage as if trapped within an imaginary laso that brings him front and center where he would stop and concentrate on the guitar-staring down the audience as to say, you want to test me? You want to see what i can do?

*Cred
Icky Thump hit record stores yesterday and live the new material sounds even better. Stripped down versions of 'A Martyr For My Love For You' slowed the lyrics- strangled with the pain of Jack's voice. Slices of 'Rag and Bone' clipped the audience on the chin and stirred the dancing back up into true form. Teasings of 'Little Cream Soda' and flat out debuts of 'Icky Thump' and 'I'm Slowly Turning Into You' sounded so classically positioned and delivered that you hardly remembered that you these songs are still new to you. It was beautiful, it was heartbreaking, it was passionate, it was everything you had been missing. It was The White Stripes. And you loved every single second.
John Peel Session-Astro_Jack The Ripper.mp3
John Peel Session-Boll Weevil.mp3

*A Vegan From Brooklyn was there
*ProductShop also enjoyed the scene
*The Modern Age rocked itself silly
*Special Edition Tour Poster
*Stereogum thoughtfully fills us in on other Jack White stories:

"Today I had coffee at the base of Empire State Building. And then I had a latte at Ellis Island. And then I had a cappuccino at the top of some nice, shiny building, I think it was the Chrysler Building. And then I had a funnel cake at Battery Park. And then I had a cigarette on the Staten Island Ferry. I didn't smoke it, I just held it. And then I rode across Central Park. I wrote a song, but I forgot it by the time I got to the other side."

"Anyone here from Yonkers?" (Mix of cheers, boos, laughs) "That's a strange reaction to a question ... I had a friend when I was 12, we went camping and he caught a squirrel with his barehands in the broad day light. We sat in the tent, it was a lot like prison, just talking, and he started telling me stories. Like about his favorite types of lawnmowers, gas vs. electric, about how his parents let his sister take swimming lessons, but he wasn't allowed to take lessons to learn how to operate farm equipment. Which was weird 'cause we lived in southwest Detroit, not like there's much use for farm equipment. It was then that I realized he had brought that squirrel in, that he had captured and killed." (Audience responds) "Yeah, tough question ... you don't know if you should be sad or what. To this day, I don't know how I'd react."

*A bit o history behind the track, 'Black Jack Davey':
"The band also plays many covers of Bob Dylan songs, including "One More Cup of Coffee", "Isis", "Love Sick" and "Outlaw Blues". "Black Jack Davey" was also recorded and released as a B-side; the song is traditional, but has been made popular on Bob Dylan's Good as I've Been to You. Jack White said that Dylan covers are usually suggested by Meg, who is a huge Dylan fan. Jack White also performed "Ball and Biscuit" as an encore with Dylan on March 17, 2004 at Detroit's State Theatre."
-Thank you dearest Bob-O!

They line up in row after row...

There is a major reason why i do not read Pitchfork. I do not like the idea of one website making or breaking a band. All those months of hard work writing melodies let alone lyrics. When was the last time you tried to write a song P-fiddle...or try a letter to a friend- or even a thank you card for that matter. None of this can be researched and I am sure they are all incredibly lovely people at heart. They write their opinions about things just as I do. The MAIN reason I do not read Pitchfork is because they are snobs. SNOBS to the core. They ignore a lot of good bands until they are popular enough for their standards. This usually comes about only after the band has been written about a million times by the 'smaller blogs' and Pitchfork is forced to pay attention due to sold out shows or NYC buzz. This is true. This can be statistically proven. Take for instance my beloved Fanfarlo. They are going to be huge. They sold out Mercury Lounge and had their show moved to Bowery Ballroom before they even had their single released. (*check-sold out show). They have the interesting indie details: the little girl in the bird mask on the cover of the album is Jonsi from Sigur Ros' sister---which is how the band got it's name. (*check-hipster cred) They have attracted the attention of writers who I do read and highly respect such as Culture Bully and I Am Fuel, You Are Friends. (*check-blog buzz from people who do their own research) All of this could mean nothing except for the fact that their music is fiercely beautiful and their album, "Reservoir" will be one of the best of the year. It will beat Grizzly Bear's latest and Deer Tick on my list. Before the band had the official video for their first single, "The Walls" they had four or five home made videos from their backyards which were just as classy and blog worthy as any Vincent Moon story. Still Pitchfork has ignored them. They played showcase after showcase at SXSW and over the month of September have a session scheduled with KEXP. Still...not good enough for Pitchfork. But crap bands like the Drums are? Seriously people. This is why I do not read Pitchfork. Because if you hold your breath and wait for them to decide whether or not something will receive enough hits you----my dear reader----are the ones who miss out. You will be late to loving an album that you could have been excited about for weeks, or a show that will already be sold out by the time it is posted. Which is why baby blogs matter-because after all if no one else is reading this but myself--I will still feel satisfied that I at least loved Fanfarlo from the very beginning. Who needs a 9.2 review?

"I demand you get into Fanfarlo as soon as humanly possible, assuming you haven't already."-Personal Sauna
Fanfarlo's Reservoir is due out October 6th.

FANFARLO TOUR DATES
Sep 14*Chop Suey*Seattle
Sep 15*Troubadour*West Hollywood
Sep 17*Popscene*San Francisco
Sep 20*Kungfu Necktie*Philadelphia
Sep 21*Bowery Ballroom*New York
Sep 22*The Bell House*New York