Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Studio B, 11.10.07

The underdogs- who seem to want to be perceived that way- took to the club halls of Sudio B in Brooklyn to give the third show they've done in NYC in a week. Lead man, Alec Ounsworth, came on to the stage looking like he was fronting a post-psychadelic, adult contemporary outfit. But he wasn't -he
was fronting the endlessly-hyped-although their-second-album-wasn't-that-great Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. And why shouldn't we hype them? They have the talent that just keeps on growing and growing despite the step down of their second album, Some Loud Thunder, and it can be seen in their shows. Personally, I think Some Loud Thunder is pretty good but it's no CYHSY self-titled. What I'm not completely sure is if Alec's speaking voice is the same as his singing one. At times when he speaks, it seems so. Other times, not so much. In any case, it's nasally. It was really nice to hear some of the songs from Some Loud Thunder, especially "Yankee Go Home" and "Love Song No. 7." And of course they ripped out a bunch from their debut. "Is this Home on Ice" brought the house -well maybe my house- down. Other tracks translate well live because of their dancey vibe, such as "Let the Cool Goddess Rust Away" and the crowd-hit "The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth." The final song of the set was the excellent and awesomely-named "Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood," where they delivered a slightly more experimental, loud version. That song rules. If you ever have a chance to see these guys, do so. It's worth it -even if they do come across like they know it.





Recommended Listening:

New Portishead album due in April

We do know Portishead have an album coming out in April and that they are playing a couple shows across the pond this weekend. What we don't know is when in April and what the title will be. It's been a 10-year hiatus for the Brits -which coincides almost with my hiatus from grade school...so maybe we can create the magic once again together.

New Sun Kil Moon album announced!

Mark Kozelek is always doing something, always working on something- so says those who are close to them. He released his 4x Christmas LPs about 2 months ago. Earlier this year, he reissued his current outfit, Sun Kil Moon's classic, Ghosts of the Great Highway- which features a bonus disc -on his label, Caldo Verde. And now an entirely new record! According to Sun Kil Moon's website April will be released April 1st, 2008 appropriately. For those of you thinking the obvious, Kozelek isn't much of a jokester.

A Hawk and A Hacksaw throw down with La Blogotheque

Before Beirut, there was A Hawk and A Hacksaw. Before them, there were a lot of bands but none quite like this duo.

A HAWK AND A HACKSAW - Part 1

A HAWK AND A HACKSAW - Part 2

A HAWK AND A HACKSAW - Fernando's Giampori

Interpol releases limited live CD, Remix EP out today

Those dapper men who comprise Interpol have decided to take it upon themselves to prove their indieness, after they signed to mega-label Capitol. This limited-edition live EP is only available in select indie stores. And guess what, there are four stores in NY that carry it! But guess what again? None of them are in New York City. What the-

Also, check out the Paul Epworth Phones Remix of "The Heinrich Maneuver" which is included in the 3-song Remix EP Interpol released today.

Visit here to see if the limited edition live CD is available in an indie store near you

Album of the week (well, last week)

Grizzly Bear
Friend EP (Warp)

hear: He Hit Me, Little Brother, Shift, Plans(covered by Band of Horses), Deep Blue Sea




www.grizzly-bear.net
www.warprecords.com

Okkervil River daytrotts

Okkervil River sat down -or stood up- with the indie darlings down at Daytrotter. Many bands will take this opportunity to explore some new territory and it should come as no surprise that these kids did just that: covering 3 songs by the likes of Carole King("No Easy Way Down"), John Phillips("April Anne"), and Jimmy Web("Do What You Gotta Do"). I guess they may have felt the need to really jam that Americana button. They did put down one song off their recently acclaimed The Stage Names, “You Can’t Hold the Hand of a Rock and Roll Man.”

For complete coverage of Okkervil's Daytrotter session, including an interview with WIll Sheff, visit this.

Menomena video: "Evil Bee"

Album of the week

Trembling Blue Stars
The Last Holy Writer (Elefant)










hear: Idllwyld, This Once Was an Island, November Starlings, Say Goodbye to the Sea, The Tenth of Always




www.myspace.com/tremblingbluestars
www.elefant.com

Menomena @ Webster Hall, 11.10.07

Menomena has already delivered one of the best albums this year in Friend and Foe. The album is complex, slightly experimental, yet rustic and it is dang impressive with its vocals/melodies combination mixed in. Their live show lived up to the greatness of the album. Each member of the band seems to play an equal part in the development of their music, which is probably because all three are so prolific at each of their rolls. As far as I know, the show wasn't sold out but you could hardly tell. It was a diverse crowd yet again, which was no surprise as such is the direction indie music is moving in. Justin Harris is astounding in his abilities to play multiple instruments, especially the Barritone Saxophone. "The Pelican, "Wet and Rusting," and "Boyscout'n" were the highlights for me. "The Pelican" is one of the 5 best songs of the year in my opinion. "Wet and Rusting" was the crowd favorite, understandably. For the final 3 songs or so, Menomena brought a choir of sorts on stage to add some backup vocals. They weren't too audible but it added some more character to their finale.





Recommended listening:

Plug Awards' nominees announced

The annual Plug Awards, the honors given to the best of the world of independent music focusing mainly on indie rock, are coming up. How do we know this? Because the nominees were announced. Why are the nominees announced 5 months before the awards ceremony in New York City? We have no idea. But we do have an idea on who's nominated and how YOU can rock the vote (although we also don't have an idea on what the qualifications are to make the nomination committee as it's just pretty much people in glitzy indie positions getting together and picking their favorite bands).

Leading the way with seven nominees a piece, are Battles and Of Montreal. Of Montreal? Seven? The Arcade Fire and Justice follow close behind with six nominees each. Arcade Fire? Six? Of course both Of Montreal and especially Arcade Fire did deliver solid albums this year worthy of recognition. The question is: how much recognition? Well you can have a say by going to the Plug Awards website and voting yourself. Everything from Album of the year to Music Blog of the Year is up for grabs. The awards will be announced at a hootenanny on March 6th of next year at Terminal 5 in NYC, where there will be bands and comedians and all sorts of wondrous indie goodies. I know. I went last year and David Cross was the MC, and Steven Malkmus, Deerhoof, and Tokyo Police Club performed. I know.

Video: Stars, "The Night Starts Here"

Stars have come a long way in the past 3 years...from playing small-room venues and openers to fellow Canadian bands, to now headlining shows at prestigious venues such as NYC's Town Hall. Their latest album isn't their best but it's not bad, and "The Night Starts Here" is one of the better songs included. Alas, Stars made a video for their first single.

Take away this show: Final Fantasy

La Blogotheque's Take Away Shows caught up with Owen Pallett, aka Final Fantasy a little while back. Final Fantasy won the 2006 Polaris Prize for his awesome(but poorly named) album, He Poos Clouds. The Polaris Prize is Canada's music prize for best album. Yes, Canada is for real. Pallett also participates with that other Canadian band, The Arcade Fire.

"Pour Light is Spent"

"Horsetail Feathers"

Album of the week

Figurines
When the Deer Wore Blue (Morningside)










hear: Childhood Verse, The Air We Breathe, Hey Girl, Let's Head Out, Drunkard's Dream, Bee Dee



www.figurines.dk
www.morningsiderecords.dk

Radiohead does exclusive "Thumbs Down" webcast

Apparently Radiohead did a webcast last night but that was only a teaser for the marathon web party they threw tonight on RadioheadTV. The actually pretty assuming hooligans play an array of songs for a webcast they titled "Thumbs Down," mostly from the new album but also covers. They also did quite a bit of DJing, spinning songs from Iggy Pop to Iron and Wine to M.I.A. Below are videos for "Jigsaw Falling into Place," "Bodysnatchers," The Smiths' "The Headmaster's Ritual," and New Order's "Ceremony," consecutively. There are many other songs and videos that can be found on Youtube and eclectic images that can be found on any of the Radiohead worshiping music websites(pretty much every big indie or rock site), including perhaps Radiohead's own site.

Figurines @ Mercury Lounge, 11.1.07

Singer Christian Hjelm and guitarist Claus Salling Johansen led my Danish brothers, Figurines, into the second show of their stint at Mercury Lounge. Hjelm looked as comfortable as any leading man I've seen and every member of the band seemed to know their part -and did it well, unleashing their infectious hooks. The band's enthusiasm translated well to the crowd and it seemed it would be impossible to not enjoy this show. They played 7 songs off their recently dropped When the Deer Wore Blue and 6 beauties off last year's great, Skeleton. Thanks for the hook, boys.



Recommended listening:

My Bloody Valentine back together, new record!

There's been speculation about a My Bloody Valentine reunion for some time now. Apparently, Bloody mastermind, Kevin Shields has confirmed with The Daily Swarm that this time it's for real and a new record is in the works.

Read the exclusive article from The Daily Swarm in here

New Playlist up

New playlist is up if interested...down to the right...

New Killers video: "Tranquilize," feat. Lou Reed; rarities album due Nov. 13th; prep Christmas song

The Killers' "Tranquilize" video includes 2 exciting features: First, Lou Reed's face and Second, a backup choir comprised of dolls. Lou does add some voice and piano play but his role is mostly to make old, wrinkly faces at the camera, bless his heart. The doll choir sounds suspiciously similar to Alvin and his 2 brothers. You know, there is a new "Alvin and the Chipmunks"movie coming out...cross promotion?



As you've probably already heard -for better or worse, The Killers are coming out with a B-sides and rarities album, Sawdust( How many rarities can there be after only 2 albums?) Sawdust will include their cover of Joy Division's "Shadowplay" featured in the recently released Ian Curtis Biopic, and it will also include "Move Away" from Spiderman 3, as well as a hideous titled song, "Glamorous Indie Rock And Roll." The Killers are also throwing their Christmas spirit into the ring once again. Last year, they came out with the excellent "Great Big Sled." On Dec. 1st, they will release "Don't Shoot Me Santa."

Shadowplay

Joy Division(Rhino) releases "Closer" anniversary 2 CD set, "Still" 2xLP

Yes, it's been 30 wonderful years that we have been enjoying Joy Divison's excellent Closer. Rhino, as with most music outfits, really knew Joy Division. No, really. Anyway, they have the rights to Closer so they are releasing this "collector's edition" 2xCD and 2xLP vinyl version. I've always hated the "collector's version" peg. Can we still get it if we want it for the music and not a collection -or is there a different version we have to buy? DVDs are the worst with this. Another Joy Divison great, Still, has been released in "special" 2xLP vinyl format. Not sure if Rhino's behind this as well but I'm guessing most likely.

The 2nd CD of the special Closer edition includes live takes from most of the album's tracks as well as live versions of "Love Will Tear Us Apart," "Dead Souls," "Insight," "These days," and "Glass."

Album of the week

Beirut
The Flying Club Cup (Ba Da Bing)










hear: Nantes, A Sunday Smile, Cliquot, Forks and Knives{La Fete}, In the Mausoleum, St. Apollonia, The Flying Club Cup




www.beirutband.com
www.badabingrecords.com

Jens Lekman @ Webster Hall, 10.27.07

Jens and his traveling hillbillies -well, "darlings" is more like it -may have been the most ironic show at the "clubbing" Webster Hall yet (The Clientele played there but they were touring with Spoon so that doesn't count). Especially given Jens's recent rockabillyish masterpiece, Night Falls over Kortedala, which stands as a stark contrast to the techno music and dancing that started upstairs at the end of the show. Jens and his girls were also dressed in Scandinavian-like Sound of Music apparel, which adds to the irony. In any case, Jens is brilliant and put on a brilliant show. His set lists are always a little unpredicatble but no matter what, his shows are so happy and entertaining that if Jens doesn't jam one of your favorites, you don't care. The highlight of the night was probably during the jubilant "Sipping on the Sweet Nectar," when all the ladies dropped their instruments and swooped across the stage, arms outstretched as if flying, all the while Jens was strumming his guitar and singing in a posethat reminds of Art Garfunkel. Another highlight was "Shirin," which is named after a past hair-stylist(thus, the cover?). He played acoustic, alone on stage, giving it a more personal, nostalgic feel than the album version which is more upbeat. So the moral of this post or whatever is that you should see Jens Lekman if you ever have the chance.





Recommended listening:

Panda Bear video: "Comfy in Nautica"

Noah Lennox, one of the masterminds behind Animal Collective IS Panda Bear and he actually may have the better band all to himself. For the excellent, bittersweet "Comfy in Nautica," Noah follows a skater former-merman around what seems to be California, but could be anywhere- Portugal, Baltimore -wherever the nomadic Noah Bear has lived.

Shout Out Louds @ Bowery, 10.25.07

The Shout Out Louds have proven they're more than a one-album wonder with their latest offering, the Cure-ish Our Ill Wills. It was even an Echo album of the week! So anyway, the swedes brought their hook-laden tunes to Bowery and played a delightful set of both past and present goodies. Unfortunately , at times, it looked like a too well-oiled machine, almost running on automatic. This is cool because you get to hear the songs as you know them, but it didn't seem like anything from this particular show was different from any of their others. Lead singer, Adam Olenius, seemed as interested in his looks as much as the way he performed -which was well(on the latter). A nice part of the new album is the addition of vocals from the lone female in the bunch, Bebban Stenborg, who's prowess with her voice and instruments is equaled by her femme fatale-like beauty. She sparkled on he headlining "Headlights" and on backup to "Impossible", 2 of the better tracks off Our Ill Wills. "Normandie," "Tonight I Have to Leave it," "Please Please Please" and "Very Loud" were my chosen favorites of the night.


Recommended listening:

Howl Howl Gaff Gaff