Monthly Archives: June 2009

Grizzly Bear + Here We Go Magic at The Fillmore

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“Ready, Able”

I can’t emote enough about Grizzly Bear.  I truly believe they are one of the seminal bands of our time and will inspire a generation of musicians to come.  And they’re so young! But oh so talented.  Each of them playing a multitude of instruments and contributing vocally to their beautiful, ethereal harmonies.  The sound they create is simply symphonic. Their instrumental and vocal arrangements are so beautiful, well-crafted and of such far grander proportions I have a hard time lumping them into the category of ‘indie rock.’

As much as I love Grizzly Bear, as was just as excited to see Here We Go Magic. On the album, Luke Temple’s voice is on par with that of Ed Droste.  In person, there’s absolutely no comparison.  Mr. Droste wins hands down. I was actually quite disappointed with Here We Go Magic.  Their album is great, it just didn’t translate live for me.

So with that, I’ll leave you with a video I captured from the show. It wasn’t until later did I learn that you’re not supposed to do that. I didn’t know!  I don’t get to The Fillmore much.  I usually stick to the smaller venues and shoot video no problem. It just seems a shame to let it go to waste.  So I put it here with the pinky promise that – cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye -I will never ever shoot video at The Fillmore again.

Sunset Rubdown New Album

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Sunset Rubdown, “Idiot Heart”

Sunset Rubdown, one of the many side projects of Wolf Parade’s Spencer Krug, released their fourth LP today, Dragonslayer, on Jagjaguwar. Go get it!  This album is all the talk right now.  San Franciscans, the band will be playing The Rickshaw Stop Wednesday, June 24.

The Almighty Defenders: Black Lips + King Khan + Mark Sultan

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Vice Records announced on their website last week that King Khan and BBQ Show, the Black Lips and Mark Sultan have joined forces to create a new band, The Almighty Defenders.  Wow! Just pause for a moment to wrap your head around that one. Both King Khan and Black Lips have such notorious live shows, one can hardly image what would happen if they all got on stage and performed together. Spontaneous combustion?

Their self-titled debut is due out September 22.  No MP3s released as of yet, but I will be tracking this one closely.

Floating Action – “50 Lashes”

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Floating Action, “50 Lashes”:

North Carolina’s Floating Action self-titled debut is the latest work of Seth Kauffman – who already has a couple of albums under his belt by his own name. He mashes up a lot of influences on the album, but the jangly, soulful, lo-fi rhythms shine through.  The perfect song for such a beautiful, balmy day here in San Francisco.

The Dead Weather – Live Online Performance June 22

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Jack White’s new band, The Dead Weather – featuring Alison Mosshart of The Kills, is ramping up for the launch of their debut album, Horehound, on July 14.  Will the sum be greater than the parts?  We’ll have to wait and see. Luckily not for long. The band has announced a live performance on From the Basement TV this Monday, June 22 at 9PM BST/ 1PM PST. Mark your calendars and tune in.

From The Basement TV

Here We Go Magic

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Here We Go Magic, “Tunnelvision”

The debut album by this Brooklyn-based group has been on heavy rotation for me quite a while.  Even more so now that the Grizzly Bear/ Here We Go Magic show at The Fillmore is merely days away.  I’ve been listening to it incessantly all week and I am as infatuated with Luke Temple’s (Magic) voice as I am with Ed Droste’s (Grizzly Bear).  Both are pure and angelic and the two bands complement each other perfectly.

Both albums are atmospheric but Magic is decidedly more lo-fi and ambient in a Panda Bear kind of way with lots of loops and multi-tracked vocals.  The beautiful, murky rhythms of “Tunnelvision” and “Fangela” are representative of much of the sound found on the album.  But I must confess they lose me on a couple of their noise, experimental tracks toward the end. While it’s a bit incongruent to the overall flow of the album, it doesn’t overshadow the overall experience – enchanting.

Type A Perhaps?

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Atlas Sound, “My Car“:

This was the scene out my back door this morning.  Set up by my 4-year old, Judah.  He just received a box full of Matchbox cars from his cousins in Chicago. And this is either an extremely organized display of admiration for his new booty or he has some serious Type A tendencies.  Only time will tell.

Let’s Shag, Baby

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Brian Olive – “There Is Love”

I woke up this morning, listened to this track and had an overwhelming urge to put on my bell bottom jeans and go pick daisies – in Golden Gate Park, of course.   The sleepy, sexy, ‘let’s shag, baby’ sound of Brian Olive’s solo debut is a great way to start the day. Peace, love and rock-n-roll.

Based in Cincinnati, the album was produced, recorded and mixed by Olive alone and features some notable locals such as Jared McKinney and Craig Fox of the Greenhornes and Mike Weinel, formerly of the Heartless Bastards. The album is out June 23 on Alive Records.

New Wheat Album Coming Soon – MP3

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Wheat, “H.O.T.T“

I like Wheat.  I wonder if their name was inspired by the 70s rock band Bread.  Or if they would have named their band Wheat had they formed during the low carb craze.  Decidedly lo-fi and low key, this indie band has been rocking for more than 10 years running.  Their newest effort, “White Ink, Black Ink” is due out July 21 on The Rebel Group.

Here’s a new track off the album, “H.O.T.T”. Ain’t these lyrics the truth…

“Half of the time I feel broke, cracked, peeled and weathered/ Half of the time I feel shiney and new. Half of the time I feel I’m clever/ half of the time I just haven’t a clue.”