Suckin Ya Dry

Deertick with Johnny Corndawg - The Visulite, October 18th 2009

Sunday night shows are tough in a town like Charlotte. For the most part, Charlotte is a play it by the book kinda town, the crisp shirted, big banking folks who enjoy being scene at the best spot more than checking out the scenes that the backside of this town offers. Sunday nights are tough because most folks have hit it hard all weekend and most guys just wanna sit on the couch and watch the tube. But every now and then, if you venture out, you'll catch a rare show, a band in their groove on a Sunday.

I've caught a few Sunday shows in my time and the most amazing of them is My Morning Jackets show at the Tabernacle on the Z tour; changed the way I see live music.

Deertick is not going to redefine anything about my life, but there is plenty they solidify, and on a Sunday sometimes the best thing going is a true affirmation. A calling of faith of all things southern, twangy, rough and tough, a little boozed up and full of grit, hard lessons and broken hearted songs.

The last time I attempted to see Deertick was over a year ago at the world famous Milestone in town, where there were maybe 5 people in attendance and Deertick pulled a no show; flat tire en route. How Deertick landed a gig at Visulite I ain't real sure. Despite it being sparse in crowd, Deertick made the place feel like home, playing a show more like they are your buds jamming out at your favorite bar than a national touring act. This sits well with me on a Sunday and it matches all my expectations of the band.

The opening act is of course just the band with an additional vocalist, Johnny Corndawg. Corndawg is a mix between the guy that works at the general store that sells you beer in High School, a drunk art student and Hank Williams Jr (like a 30yr old version of Willie Nelson's grnadpa). His music is all twang and life and the lyrics are raw and twisted but delightful. He sings about his love being a cherry with chocolate mouse on top and a dog sporting a red rocket and a married couple yelling at one another in a long roadtrip ("Shut Up"). It's damn entertaining stuff and you can feel the realness of this guy coming over the PA. Despite a nagging cough that left him napping center stage until his bandmates woke him to start the set and his momma's sweater, the boy put on a show. http://www.myspace.com/thecorndawg

Deertick as a whole was everything I want them to be. Torn, scratchy, loose put together. Having fun, being themselves and keeping things light and movin. They open with an A-cappella version of "Dirty Dishes" and the trend for taking old standard songs of theirs and others in new directions is the theme for the evening. "Ashamed" came full steam ahead, enjoyable but not the tender, rip your heart out style I prefer. Mixed in the set were a variety of songs by John Prine and a number co-written with members of Those Darlins; a naughty number at that.

Despite my request for "Nebraska", MacCauley (lead) informs me that they are from Rhode Island, a witty conversational stageman with good anecdotes and crowd interaction. My only complaint would be the volume, could have used it turned down a notch in order to catch more vocals when things picked up tempo.

After a nice solo set that included a great version of the Replacements, "Can't Hardly Wait" (also covered perfectly by Justin Townes Earle this year), there was a solid encore featuring "La Bamba", "Maybellene" (suits there swagger and rockabilly attitude) and a tease of "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

A perfect birthday gift of a show to me

Rating:

The Voice of A Ghost

Josephine - Magnolia Electric Co.

I have been a devoted fan of Jason Molina since I first spun the Songs:Ohia side two of a split EP with My Morning Jacket. I was drawn of course by the split billing with Jacket, assuming I was to discover another band of the same elk, which at the time was rare (unlike these days). What I found did not resonate with me immediately. There was a familiarity with their music and the voice, well the voice is undeniable. Cutting, foggy, sorrowful and real.

I soon purchased Songs:Ohia and then worshiped Farewell Transmission for about a month. The way that song unfolds itself it still downright awing to me. It's nothing flashy but it draws and draws until you are smothered and smoldering.

After the stint with Songs:Ohia, Molina soon regrouped and formed Magnolia Electric Co., a name he had previously toyed with, naming an Songs:Ohia album the same. The movements and arrangements changed subtly, but there is a distinct enough before - after that the artists music can be well defined by the changing of nomenclature.

Magnolia Electric Co. are in many ways a music snob or artists band. They aren't easy to wrap around and celebrate. Like Califone, most can offer a passing listen and think little of it, but those that linger discover so much below the surface and decide to stick around for a bit. Ben Bridwell, of Band of Horses, has been a major flag waver of the MEC fanbase, often seen at the shows and promoting Molina in interviews. Bridwell claims Molina has the best voice around, bold words coming from the man that sings The Funeral.

Magnolia Electric Co. made a big hit on my Essential List of 2007 with Sojourner, a double album that explored beyond the straight forwardness of What Comes After the Blues. It's an amazing collection, but bloated and muddy to get all the way through. My review wasn't the best, I simply ran through the album twice at work and noted the songs that stood out. I then arranged these songs into a playlist and credited that as what the album should have been. Don't tell Molina.

Sadly, this practice is one I still found myself wanting to take with Josephine. But before I say anything negative allow me to start with the praise. As soon as the horns are swept in on the opening track O! Grace, a new confidence with this band is announced. It's a direction they should have been exploring more over the years and it's more than welcome. O! Grace is great but then we get more standard Molina in between songs. Let me clarify this last statement as I know it reads as a bit of a contradiction after attempting to preach for this band the last few paragraphs. MEC writes great music, they just might write too much music and on the whole you'll find more songs without strong legs than those that stand tall. I firmly believe that Molina is a victim of the same burden that artists like Spencer Krug, Ryan Adams and Conor Oberst suffer, don't release so much damn music and focus more on that which you do!

Anyways, Josephine gets back on track fast with Whip-poor Will, the best of the album in my opinion. The lyrics here are the strongest both in terms of the emotion and imagery as well as how well they fit his voice and the stylings of the band. Josephine continues it's ups and downs until the end, and when it all finishes out I am glad to say I find more tall pines than scraggly shrubs.

Molina and Co. have a unique place in music and perhaps one of the lesser know and under appreciated voices around. What they need is a friend like Bridwell to nudge them along a stronger path. Getting bigger and bolder is not always bad in this genre as we will soon see with the latest Avett release, which just might be the best I've heard all year.

Rating:

More from the NBA/Music blogger. This time he takes on Country music and for the most part I have to whole heartidly agree with his impressions of modern country music and how bands such as Wilco, MMJ, DBT and the sorts embody more of what country is born to be; from the heart and of the head. I even love how he's not afraid to call some of the what the National does 'country' because it certainly is. In fact a lot of what falls under a broader 'indie' tag is nothing more than what country grew into when those artists intent on music and not pop success created a back to basics but evlolved sound.
See what he has to say: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/thelife/news/story?id=4375278

I'll get back to my work later, just enjoy finding a blogger I can relate to, despite our vast differences in lifestyle we share a commonality in musical taste and perspective on life.

Bright Is the Music

Dark Was the Night - Various Artists (all super duper cool indie acts though)


Dark Was the Night has been getting plenty of Internet buzz and rightly so, it's practically a attendance sheet for who's attending the "in scene" for 2009 indie music. There is plenty of new material here from the standard bands in the business, most of which is really damn good. There's the whole notion of this being a charitable album as well, so that gives it even more credence.

The album is produced by Aaron and Bryce Dressner of the National in association with the founder of the Red Hot Organization. The sweep of styles and approaches makes for a compelling listen that doesn't drag or lull ever. The songs are interesting in structure, length, originality and feel. The title comes from an old Blind Willie Johnson tune, which is featured on the album, along with several other covers and remakes.

The bands seem be having fun with themselves, pushing creative limits and breaking out of the shell of writing songs for an album, rather a stand alone track to can just let loose.

Since it's a compilation it is difficult to rate the album as a whole, not just to those artists that blow the door off the hinge and those that played it safe. So, in just accreditation, I am reviewing each track with a few words and a * to ***** ranking. * of course being the opposite of *****, which is of course awesome. I'll review the most worthy tracks.

Knotty Pine - Dirty Projectors and David Byrne: From the onset you realize this album is taking itself seriously and putting forth real music from eltie artists. Knotty Pine is one of the strongest tracks on the album. I'm not overly familiar with DP but they have certain sensibilities that flush up perfectly with King Bynre. ****

Cello Song - The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez: Playful pop tune that works well with the vibe of the album, I like this track more with each listen. the vocals are crisp and rolling. ***

Train Song - Feist + Ben Gibbard (DCFC): Great rendition of this x song. Feist just has such a beautiful voice, soulful and smart with the right amount of lift. Ben does a great job of balancing, but his voice has grown raspier of late, lost are the sweet whisper tunes of DCFC. ****

Brackett, WI - Bon Iver: Bon Iver is going to have a big year, very big. He has a formula and it simply works. The more ghostly his vocals the more endearing the song. The arrangement on this track keeps the song progressing at a great tempo. ***

Deep Blue Sea - Grizzly Bear: Dude just has perfect lyrics. Dark, swelling, moody song. ***

So Far Around the Bend - The National: They took pride with this project and lay down one of it's top tracks. Man this band just gets better with time. The brass is a wonderful delight of an addition to their sound. Lyrically, The National's songs tell the best narrative and dig deeper into characters than anyone out there. *****

Tightrope - Yeasayer: Another band ready for a big year. This song is phenomenal. Love what these guys have going on, there sound is unique but so catchy. *****

I Was Young When I Left Home - Antony + Bryce Dessner (the National): Antony's voice is magic. Beautiful song, reminds me a lot of Richard Thompson. ****

You Are the Blood - Sufjan Stevens: WOW. This song is epic. Sufjan has been out of my loop for some time but I am more than intrigued after this winner. Possibly the best track this album has to offer. *****

Well-Alright - Spoon: Spoon simply never disappoints me. Perfect pop. This tune hags with my all day, great sound for him and I love the heavier layered guitar work. *****

El Caporal - My Morning Jacket: I've come to complete terms with this band, they are doing exactly what they want and be it great it not it always sounds swell. Just a fun song, that isn't over the top as some of Evil's tracks. ***

The rest:
Feeling Good - My Brighest Diamond ***
Dark Was the Night - Kronos Quartet ***
Big Red Machine - Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) + Aaron Dressner (the National) ***
Sleepless - the Decemberists ***
(Die) - Iron and Wine ****
Service Bell - Grizzly Bear + Feist
Lenin - Arcade Fire ***
Inspiration Information - Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings ***
With a Girl Like You - David Sitek (TV on the Radio) ***
Blood Pt. 2 - Buck 65 (remix) featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti ****
Hey, Snow White - the New Pornographers ***
Gentle Hour - Yo La Tengo **
Another Saturday - Stuart Murdoch **
Happiness - Riceboy Sleeps ***
Amazing Grace - Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues **
The Giant of Illinois - Andrew Bird ***
Lua - Conor Oberst and Gillian Welch ***
When the Road Runs Out - Blonde Redhead + Devastations **
Love vs. Porn - Kevin Drew *

Overall, would have been an insane single album, songs on the second disc begin to loose me, but all are worth a listen. Clear that these artists were looking to impress/inspire one another as well. Great compilation.

24-13 of LTME Essential Albums of 2008

Here's the list.

Explanation for picks to come tom.

13. Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust – Sigur Ros
14. Alegranza – El Guinchino
15. Santogold – Santogold
16. Evil Urges – My Morning Jacket
17. Furr – Blitzen Trapper
18. In the Future – Black Mountain
19. The Slip – Nine Inch Nails
20. Consolers of the Lonely – the Raconteurs
21. The Midnight Organ Fight – Frightened Rabbit
22. Mission Control – The Whigs
23. Conor Oberst – Conor Oberst
T 24. Rejoined – The Shaky Hands
T. House with no Home - Horsefeathers

In the meantime keep posting your fav albums and songs of the year. I'll review some of your pics as well including Destroyer, Dead Confederate and others.

Sing Me a Song, Your the Bloggerman

Before I unleash LTME Essential Albums of 2008 (which will look nothing like all of the other lists that come out this time of the year, mine will be in far more interesting order and Coldplay, MGMT and Kings of Leon are not on mine, which already makes mine better!), I'd like to know what songs rocked your world in 2008.

Give feedback and we'll post the readers Guide to the best of 2008 and Noah will provide everyone with a link to download the songs(he doesn't know about this yet).

Here are 12 songs (in no order) that struck me as amazing this year.

LTME Essential 12(+ 5, got carried away) songs of 2008

Murder in the City - The Second Gleam, The Avett Brothers




I Got Mine - Attack and Release, The Black Keys



Skinny Love - For Emma, Forever Ago, Bon Iver





Bixby Canyon Bridge - Narrow Stairs, Death Cab For Cutie




Phantom Other - In Ear Park, Department of Eagles




Paint the Rust - Visiter, the Dodos




Kalise - Alegranza, El Guincho




Ragged Wood - Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes




Old Old Fashioned - The Midnight Organ Fight, Frightened Rabbit




Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Part II - Evil Urges, My Morning Jacket



Eraser - Nouns, No Age



1,000,000 - The Slip, Nine Inch Nails



Creator - Santogold, Santogold



Donde Esta La Playa? - You and Me, The Walkmen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_fkop71wOc

Golden Age - Dear Science, TV on the Radio

Here's Looking at you

MY MORNING JACKET - HOB, Myrtle Beach, SC; Aug. 31, 2008

Evil eyes hid ominously in the shadows as Jacket marched on stage and strummed their way into the opening of a massive set full of the zealous and wild sounds of Evil Urges. The album has garnered mixed reviews, deservedly so. It’s a frustrating album from a band thought be putting out the finest material of their career, not toss away songs. But regardless LTME’s opinion of Evil, Jacket still melts the stage live.
Jim James is a rock icon.
He embodies the true essence of a lead man. Flamboyant, confident, bold, weird, brilliant and talented as hell. The difference in a lead man like Jim James and say Bono is that the rest of jacket are just as essential to the live show as is their front man, often times more crucial than he.
My Morning Jacket is a perfect unit of sound.
They are about the tightest band in the world. They play rockin’ songs without overshadowing the sound with loudness or unneeded solos. They appreciate the importance of the layered sound and stay in time perfectly to execute their songs to a degree that always makes them sound better live than on the album.
Obstinately, My Morning Jacket is the premiere rock outfit in the US, southern or otherwise.
Theoretically, My Morning Jacket is among the most important bands in the modern era of rock n’ roll.
Technically, My Morning Jacket is the most engaging live act in the US.
Obviously, My Morning Jacket kicks ass.
This is the second go round I have had with the band, and it met and possibly surpassed expectations. I am openly obsessed with this band (that little picture on the far right of my header, that’s Jacket playing live). Seeing them at the height of the Z tour ranks among the greatest shows I have ever witnessed. This was a pretty amazing show as well; there were just some different circumstances that played a role in this one.
Rolling into Myrtle about 35 minutes before the door opens and having dinner as the groups top priority was not the best way to start the night. But I had just travelled from Athens, GA, so we needed to sit for a minute, catch our breath, grab a bite and drink a cold beer. It’s just a shame that 500 other people got settled in the venue while I ate a shitty Philly cheese steak.
Once inside, my brother and lady friend were content hanging out in the balcony, not in a vantage point of the actual band, rather catching some glimpses of the act on a fuzzy monitor that hung off the side of the wall. I go into a mild panic attack.
This is not an event to be heard, it is to be felt and lived.
I had to find a better spot.
Missing the first few tracks, I scrambled my way around the balcony and lower levels peering in and around the masses, eyes desperately scouring for a void in the sea. I found a temporary focal point, no panorama, but a sneak peek all the same. I hurriedly grab the others and bring them to rest their eyes on what I was seeing. They were not seeing things as I was. Another move was in order and my eyes chased the floor as a dehydrated dog laps at an empty bowl on a hot day.
Success!
We found a spot where we could all see, at least well enough.
Sharing turns at the front of our triangle of vantage and rotating around on the stairs and making runs to the bar, we took in as much Jacket as we were able to set our eyes on. I think I made two believers in the process. One, a fan for a while via me finally saw the might of the act he previously felt would be mellow and folksy live. The other realized, well at least took a major stride towards realizing, that I don’t go to shows with noodling hippies. She’s still not sold, but we are making progress.
The energy, the showmanship, the insane lighting!!! The set list was stellar. Heavy on Evil, as it should be in support of the album, they still touched on It Still Moves, TN Fire and the cream of the crop from Z. In the finale these eyes soaked up the one two punch of Evil’s closer then into a smashing Run Thru with a somewhat unexpected Holiday closer. This was a rock show by all accounts. I am a redeemed believer in the Jacket again.
Jacket may have had their evil eyes perched to loom over the crowd, but all eyes were on them as we heard and lived a special show.

Long live Jacket and long live the craft of a true rock show.

Rating:

Dawgs roll, Jacket rocks

Well the dawgs put up some big numbers, played a lot of new names and delivered on not falling to the No. 1 hype. Athens was damn hot and the 12:30pm kickoff was not a picture perfect way to start the season, but we've got plenty of good ones coming up. The SEC had an interesting weekend all around. USC surprised many folks with a solid second half while UT surprised everyone with their second half collapse. But the talk of the weekend was BAMA and the way they handled a highly tauted Clemson squad. Looking forward to seeing the dogs on the tele with some ac and replays this weekend and then we'll get a crack at USC with the SEC opener, game will say a lot.

MMJ show on Sunday was phenominal! Back on the wagon with MMJ, they are insane live, such a awe encompassing perforamce and production.

Setlist:
2008-08-31 House Of Blues - Myrtle Beach, SC
1. Anytime
2. Aluminum Park
3. Off The Record
4. Evil Urges
5. Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.1
6. Two Halves
7. Golden
8. Thank You Too!
9. I'm Amazed
10. Evelyn Is Not Real
11. Sec Walkin
12. War Begun
13. Phone Went West
14. Cobra
15. Librarian
16. Dondante
17. Gideon
18. Lay Low
19. Mahgeetah
----------
20. Wordless Chorus
21. Highly Suspicious
22. Smokin From Shootin
23. Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.2
24. Run Thru
25. One Big Holiday

Review to come.

Because it's been so long since someone challenged me

Taking the theme, design, creative genius of Spike Jonze and his upcoming production of Where the Wild Things Are, MMJ has whipped itself up a little trek in the jungle to go along with the stellar album closer to Evil Urges' Touch Me I'm Going to Scream pt. 2.

The video has a subtle message about the abuse of resources in man's quest to control and harness without balance or need. Totally changed my whole perspective on shit.





Pumped to see these crazy fellas next weekend after watching the number one team in the nation take on Georgia Southern between the hedges. GO DAWGS!!!

Closing out the Essential 12 of '08 to date

Here we close in on LTME's Essential albums of 2008 at the midway point. The selection process was odd, slanted and took into account the amount of controversy surrounding a certain album that made it essential.

Without further delay, here are 6-1:

6. Mission Control - The Whigs

Fearless Rock is back. The Whigs exceed expectations with stellar follow up album that introduces new genres and influences. The material flows well as an album but more importantly is stellar live. I am biased on this band, but for good reason.

5. Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket

Possibly the single most polarizing album of the decade, Evil shakes the very foundation of MMJ and launches itself into the headlines with a whirlwind of an album. In many ways the weakness of some of the songs and the near failure to present a cohesive effort makes this album so damn interesting. Just what the hell was the band trying to do? There are some brilliant songs on here, but they nestle up next to some of the worst MMJ has to offer. Essential to say the least.

4. At Mount Zoomer - Wolf Parade

Did I say controversy would help make the album Essential? Then Wolf Parade march right up. The most defining argument against the album is the dismay fans have with the inability of Dan and Spencer to reconnect as they did on the debut. The material is split, making the album choppy and move along as a mix tape of your favorite songs from the various side projects. That's too bad, because looking past the ability of this album to sound like it's predecessor you'll see some stunning craftsmanship. Dan steal the show on this one and that's the way I like it.

3. Attack and Release - Black Keys

The duo knows no fear! With DJ Danger Mouse in the drivers seat the Keys release an attack on the ears and soul. Their songs never disappoint and here they have a edge that takes them places that sound so so sweet. The album unfolds at a perfect pace and the arrangement of songs is perfect. A spectacular effort by one of the best bands out there.

2. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Without a doubt the 'it' band of 2008. This is some of the most well displayed musicianship I have heard in a long time, just awesome in every aspect. Saw this band this past Sat evening and although I was in the very back of the venue and couldn't see, the songs were performance enough. This band has so much promise it is scary. I'll be listening to this album for some time to come.

1. Visiter - The Dodos

This album completely took me off guard and won me over with little effort. It's composition of folk, rock, experimental, indie and just plan simplicity overwhelms me. It is so bizarre at times that I cannot seem to resist it. So far this album have garnered the most respect and adoration for 2008, however, I would like to see it fall as I expect great things to come in the next 6 months.

Back on track. LTME's promises to get things going again in the second half of the year, sorry for the slow start.

There's Something Suspicous Going on Here...

The Urge of the Evil

The mind transfixes. Drained are all alternative thoughts as the primary subconscious takes rite. Restraint is futile. It is basic. It is real. At times it must be suppressed. Other times the self-discipline never takes hold. It does as it pleases with no regard. Such is the power of an Urge. Be warned of those that come under shadow of the dark.

At the core of every great band lies the urge to overwhelm and overcome. Overwhelm the senses and overcome the expected and assumed. At the core of every great album is a band at balance with the force of urge. Risks are taken, new territory explored while arrangements and sounds are twisted, mangled, disassembled and meticulously replaced. The new beast rarely resembles the creature of its origin, but contains the same soul.

There are common downfalls in the art of the great. Expectations for a direction can destroy an album for some (Sky Blue Sky) other albums are rushed and sound unfinished and unfocused (The Information). Despite the notion of losing a core fan base or losing an identity, bands must take a risk as an essential evolution. It’s a risk worth taking and if the band has true mettle it will rise again, stronger than before. A change in sound is sometimes crucial for the members of the band but can still alienate despite displayed brilliance (Kid A, Good News for People Who Love Bad News).

When these urges are nurtured and directed there is no stopping the might. Such is the case with Z, the album that launched Jacket into the stratosphere of the elite. To change sound again would be an act of evil? Will yet another rebirth lead the band into legend status or leave them in a wallow of over zealousness.

When Beck went acoustic and the Jack White sat at a piano the world of music raised an ear. How had such come to be? These seemingly masters of a craft reinvented themselves at the height of notoriety for what they had become. It is a rare feat. It can kill a band as easily as it can save it (Use Your Illusions).

Jacket has teased and edged into other worlds but never fully engrossed as they have on Urges. It’s being tagged a ‘funk, Prince influenced, rollick,’ but listen deeper and its true nature rears its head.

It yearns to be an epic, theatrical declaration in the lineage of Pink Floyd, but in what these eyes hear falls short of such company.

Before I discourage further reading, let me state that this is a powerful and important album and dispute some issues, I believe it inescapably defines Jacket as the most important active American band. It does however wallow in the over zealousness.

Like the before mentioned Illusions, the album plays as a string of tracks or a series of songs, where Z plays as a coherent album (they both have the awful over tracked deep voice overs that never work). If that concept is not one you can readily grasp then think of it in this manner: Urges sounds like a exercise in experimentation to stretch sounds, delve deeper in that which they have explored before and because of such focus it losses the ‘album’ stigma and plays as a collection of songs…many of which are stunning and atop the Jacket pile, while others play as leftovers from It Still Moves. Whether Jacket is prepared to accept the fate or not, the defining song on this collection is Highly Suspicious. The title itself speaks volumes.

It denotes a choice by the fans, one that will likely split them into two camps. Those that will accept the High of the sound and those Suspicious with its intent. It’s overproduced, overdone and far too theatrical (sounds like time with Wax Fang has had an influence), but I must commend Jacket on the risk. It’s not a song I’ll likely play much and could easily go without in the live show, but it makes a statement. This band refuses to be pigeonholed.

Some claim Jacket invented a genre of its own, I agree. The peers are bold and exceptional (Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, Songs:Ohia etc.) which forces the parent to adapt or die. Jacket Adapted. Essentially, Jacket has always been theatrical, over the top and tending towards heavy metal styling. This is just the first crack at becoming Evil.

Urges is dualistic in nature. On one hand it displays the might of the finest Southern Rock Anthem band of the modern era; I’m Amazed, Sec Walkin’, Smokin from Shootin’, in the other hand is screams of the Evil. Evil Urges despite being the title track lends itself more towards the sound of Z. Touch Me I’m Going to Scream (Parts 1 and 2) are the album in many ways. They swirl between distinction of old and new, but never reach the might of Z’s Gideon. That is where I see the album as falling short. The songs loose the exploration within themselves. They roll out loud, but poppy, tight and rarely surprising. That’s not to say they aren’t good songs, they are, I just mean to say there wasn’t the powerful unknown that came with Z.

To be honest I could do without Librarian and Look at You, Jacket has been there before. TMIGTS2 sounds a lot like Cobra Jr. At its core, this album remains Highly Suspicious. Oddly, I think that’s why I am so into it.

I want so badly for my favorite bands to take massive risks. If they truly are the amazing acts they seem to be then they’ll either blow me away (Yankee, Hotel, Foxtrot) or make a step towards a sound that will ultimately blow me away (Alligator before Boxer).

Fight the Urge to resist the change and let the Evil reside. Deep down inside this album is all Jacket and that, well that is fucking amazing.

Here’s to the best American band defying expectations and getting Evil with them Urges!

LTME’s track of the album: Aluminum Park

Rating:

The Jacket and the Whigs leave their mark on Austin

MMJ gets all Evil on ya' and the Whigs do their Rockin best.

Take a listen via NPR/Pitchfork

Full sets for both bands as well as Yo La Tengo.

Lips Take Over OK Zoo, MMJ to reissue, Man Man on the Tube and Beastie's Compute

The Flaming Lips are getting set for their July 10th release of U.F.O.s at the Zoo: The Legendary Concert in Oklahoma City which appears to be a kick ass show. Clips have begun to leak out so I thought I'd get hold of one and share the Fearless Freaks in action.

Here's a little ditty called She Don't Use Jelly...




I tell ya, that drummer is still just incendiary.

Here's a solid clip of Man Man doing that thing they do:


My Morning Jacket frontman, Jim James, is set to release material from his original project Mont du Sundua after years of sitting on the shelf. Haven't found any reviews yet but I'm sure it will have plenty of James' signature epochal and crushing vocals. Click the creepy face for more details.
Take a hard listen here.


Here's the Jacket with the Boston Pops on Letterman...

New single from Interpol 'The Heinrich Maneuver'







New Single from Beastie Boys The Rat Cage