Women @ Bottom of the Hill

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Thanks to Ken and Jon, I was able to squeeze into the sold out show Monday night at Bottom of the Hill to catch one of my favorite bands this year, Women. I hadn’t seen Bottom of the Hill quite that packed before and there were clearly two distinct crowds – those who came to see Women and those who came to see Swedish psyche rockers, Dungen.  It was clearly a case of the hipsters vs. the hippies.  In in my opinion, hipster band Women clearly won.  Their lo-fi sound did not disappoint.  My only complaint is that they weren’t opening for label mate, Chad VanGaalen. Now that would have been a stellar line up.  

While I’ve never been able to wrap my head around Dungen, I did stick around to see if they could change my mind.   They didn’t.  Every time I hear their music I think I’m listening to Thai karaoke and immediately want to turn it off.  It’s not fair, I know. I’ve just spent too much time in seedy Bangkok bars and San Francisco’s Thai karaoke hot spot, Ozone, I suppose.  Musically, Dungen is talented.  There’s just something about Swedish in song that doesn’t translate for me.  At all.

Listen to Women’s ‘Black Rice‘:

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San Francisco Bands You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of – Part 7 and Last

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The Botticellis

These guys have a great 60s surfer, AM radio sound.  Soaked in reverb and sunny California pop harmonies, their debut album Old Home Movies sounds (and looks) like a classic from the past.

Listen to ‘Home Movies’:

 

The Dodos

The Dodos

Okay, you’ve probably heard of this band.  Their debut album, Visiter, was a darling of many a music critic.  And for good reason; it’s exceptional.  To see them perform live is spellbinding. They are one of those artists whose energy and passion translates better in a live forum. Their world tour is already underway, so all of you international readers have no excuse!

Listen to ‘Fools‘:

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The Morning Benders

Another Bay Area indie pop group on the verge, their new album, Talking Through Tin Cans, was my go to album of the summer.  Fresh and irresistible. That and my little boy loved it.  He’s got a good ear, that kid.  It was his first concert too.  If you’re local, be sure to catch their last show of the year, December 5 at The Rickshaw Stop with The Muslims and Miniature Tigers.

Listen to ‘Boarded Doors’:

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Ty Segall

I caught this guy opening for another local favorite, Girls, recently and was smitten.  Admittedly, when I first saw this virtual one man band take the stage with his jerry-rigged drum kit and guitar, I couldn’t help but think, ‘Oh Christ.’ Which was quickly followed by ‘holy shit!’  He’s touched with that way back sound I love so much. Just take a listen and you’ll see what I mean.

Listen to ‘The Drag’:

Listen to ‘So Alone’:

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KCRW’s Nic Harcourt Steps Down

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The LA Times reported today that KCRW’s Nic Harcourt will be stepping down as the music director for the Santa Monica-based public radio station.  He will continue to host his 3 hour music program on Sundays, but his role as host of the famed, ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic’ program will end November 30.  Will it ever be the same?

For the full story, click here.

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San Francisco Bands You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of – Part 6

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Raised by Robots

San Francisco/Oakland-based Raised by Robots pays homage to a multitude of musical influences – among them early 90s indie, soul, post punk, country, and hip hop.  Sort of a multiple personality disorder perhaps, but I really like this track.

Listen to ‘I Love U/U Love Me 2′

 

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Scrabbel

Bay Area indie pop rockers, Scrabbel, are highly influenced by all things ’65-’75 and you can hear it in their music. Sunny, sweet songs that have a bit of that Belle and Sebastian feel.  On the dark side, they also do a nice cover of My Bloody Valentine’s ‘Sometimes‘.

Listen to ‘Emily and I‘:

 

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The Blacks

Described as ‘the love child of Karen O and Jesus and Mary Chain,’ The Blacks flat out rock. I completely fell in love with them this year at SXSW.  It was tambourine player JDK Blacker that did it for me.  He plays the tambourine like he’s exorcizing demons. It’s spellbinding.  The SF/NY based trio are known for their short, blistering stage shows and laser-beam intensity. Their debut full-length “Nom de Guerre” was released in 2007 on Tricycle Records. “Tiger Songs” is their latest EP.

Listen to ‘Raincoat‘:

Listen to ‘Ammunition‘:  

 

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Local Band Audrye Sessions Cover Elliott Smith’s Waltz #2

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One of my favorite music blogs, Puddlegum, turned me on to a great free download this week from Oakland-based Audrye Sessions covering Elliott Smith’s Waltz #2. Audrye Sessions is an up and coming indie pop band whose debut album set to release in February next year.  It’s not particularly my style of music, but this cover is fantastic.  I couldn’t resist passing it along.  I’m definitely adding this one to my Best Covers playlist. Enjoy!

Waltz #2 Cover from Audrye Sessions:

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The Kills – Tape Song

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Ironic that this new video from The Kills should come across my desk today.  I almost chose their latest album, Midnight Boom, as my Album of the Week.  I love it.  Maybe next week, unless something else catches my fancy before then.  

I saw them perform live recently at the Treasure Island Music Festival this September and was hooked.  I’m not quite sure how the duo defines their relationship, but based upon the sexual energy they put out on stage it’s clear they are much more than friends.  As my friend standing next to me said so astutely, “If that was my woman, I would fuck her so hard.”

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The Sea and Cake – Car Alarm

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Artist: The Sea and Cake
Album: Car Alarm
File Under: Indie Rock
Recommended if You Like: Stereolab, American Analog Set, Japancakes, Sparklehorse
Featured Track: Aerial, On A Letter

Aerial:

On A Letter:

This Chicago quartet has been around for quite a while and there’s a comfort in the familiarity and consistency of their music.  Their latest release, Car Alarm, is no exception.  And from the buzz out there in the blogosphere, this is their best album in over a decade.  I’ve been listening to their electronic grooves a lot this week. Mellow yet powerful at the same time, they are firmly rooted in Indie rock with a splash of that electronica sound I like so much.  It’s smooth, well balanced, easy on the ears and layered with just enough complexity to keep it interesting listen after listen.  Like a fine wine.

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Crystal Stilts @ Bottom of the Hill

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My first reaction to seeing Brooklyn-based Crystal Stilts take the stage at Bottom of the Hill last night was, ‘Yeah, girl drummer!’. The next was Napoleon Dynamite meets Meg White.  That was the visual anyway.  Lead singer, Brad Hargett, does evoke a Napoleon Dynamite vibe not only in appearance but also in his emotionless, monotone delivery of each song.  It was hard not to compare drummer Frankie Rose to Meg White with her long raven hair, pale skin and stripped down, minimalist drumming style.

The overall effect?  Eh.  I loved their EP and am really enjoying their new album Alight of Night, but as live performers they leave a bit to be desired.  Maybe it was an off night but they seemed out of synch – starting and stopping songs a few too many times.  At one point during show the keyboard fell off its stand, causing some commotion and a bit of levity.  But overall the spellbinding show I had heard so much about wasn’t there for me.

That’s the way it works sometimes though.  I would much rather see Dr. Dog live than listen to their albums. And Crystal Stilts are definitely worthy of a listen.  I like it very much.  I would just rather listen to their album than see them live.   

Check out ‘The Dazzled’

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Rock the Vote

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I knew our household had been over saturated with political propaganda when our three year old started to refer to his willie as his ‘John McCain’.  No kidding.  When asked what he was doing with his hands down his pants recently he replied matter-of-factly, ‘I’m playing guitar with my John McCain.’  

Yeah that’s right.  My kid plays air guitar with his penis.  But lest you think my child is a complete Neanderthal, he also said after seeing Obama on the news, ‘That’s Barack Obama.  He’s my president.’

So please, don’t let my kid down. Get out there today and vote for Obama. Otherwise I’m going to have to explain to my kid that John McCain is his president, not a dick. And I’d really rather not have that conversation.  Besides, how can you resist a kid that rocks out to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in footie PJs?

 

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San Francisco Bands You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of – Part 5

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Leopold and His Fiction

Do you like bluesy, southern fried garage rock in the style of The Black Keys, White Stripes and Kings of Leon? Then I think you’ll like this San Francisco trio called Leopold and His Fiction. I sure do.  Their self-titled debut is out now and are expected to release a new album early 2009.

Listen to ‘Come Back (Now That I’m Here)’:

 

 

Okay

I was taken the first time I heard Fremont-based band, Okay.  Mostly by Marty Anderson’s voice, which is strange, compelling and beautiful all at the same time.  His sound may not resonate with everyone but I find his songs with simple lyrics and sparse instrumentation achieve something bigger.

Listen to ‘My‘:

 

 

Port O’Brien

Oakland-based Port O’Brien has received critical acclaim for their autobiographical second album, All We Could Do Was Sing. Their ragtag indie folk/rock sound evokes the sounds of Neil Young and Bon Iver at times and back porch, drunken singalong sessions at others.   

Listen to ‘Pigeonhold’:

 

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