Fresh Bread

Phosphorescent - Cake Shop 11.10.2007

After years of teasing me with mostly good albums and one excellent EP, Phosphorescent has finally come into its own and created a complete masterpiece. Pride is easily in the running for top ten of the year. It's always a joy when a band finally delivers on the promise of great things....highly recommended. (Music For Robots)

It's (Pride) Phosphorescent's third full-length, first for Dead Oceans, and far and away his finest work, sustaining a bittersweet, organic vibe throughout. There's no picking faves on an album that runs this deep, but these two are perfect Pride primers. Matthew's (Houck, lead singer) circadian strum on "Wolves," joined by harmonium and later star-gazing guitar, set a dusky backdrop for his cracking, fireside vox. "The hilltops at night, they are beautiful." Perfectly beautiful. (Stereogum)

If I had to describe it, I'd say it fits in nicely with its label-mate Dirty Projectors, but is more like (a lot like) Will Oldham (aka Bonnie Prince Billy) with a bit of Neil Young and Sufjan Stevens thrown into the mix. (Brooklyn Vegan).

If in the past Phosphorescent's work contained moments that could be received as echoing Sparklehorse, Tindersticks, Clem Snide, Low, downbeat Flaming Lips, the Pacific-pastoral K Records stable, and the Joe-Henry-curated Jesus' Son soundtrack's commingling of soul, spirituals, oldies, and faux-ldies, well, good for humanity. (Pitchfork review of Pride)

Phosphorescent played a fine show at Cake Shop last night.  The band seemed bigger than the room and, from the great reviews above, will be sure to move onto larger spaces when they return to the USA after a quick jaunt in Europe. 

Bodies of Water opened up.  I'm not really into out-of-key, banshee-like vocals and therefore couldn't wait for their set to finish. 

Pop Tarts Suck Toasted was there too - loved the bands, hated the crowd

Gothamist interview with lead singer / guitarist, Matthew Houck.

Listen to some live tunes from Phosphorescent's Daytrotter Session

Chaka Kahn - City Hall Park 08.23.07

Chaka Kahn performing at City Hall Park, Thursday Aug 23 2007

Office / The Teeth - Mercury Lounge 08.18.07

Chicago quintet Office headed up a Friction Party Saturday night at the Mercury.  My first time seeing them and I was neither impressed nor unimpressed....need a second chance type show.  Not because of their abilities and / or songs (because they were aiiiight) but mainly because the band right before them put on a performance that left me...mister overanalyzer...wanting more.

Philly band The Teeth...man...can they play live.  Vocally, not that strong.  However, they bounce and bop and jam on some crazy ass garage rock on a different level.  Infectious to say the least. 

Head over to Product Shop NYC to download an Office mp3 while checking out their upcoming tourdates (some with Earlimart!)

John Vanderslice - The Living Room 08.17.07

Thanks to Yeti I was able to see a private performance by John Vanderslice Friday night at the Living Room.  This show was recorded as part of the XM Radio series "From the Living Room to the Loft" for future broadcast.  Vanderslice, performing solo acoustic, was very loose...chatting away with the crowd, inviting fans and friends on stage to sit.  Couldn't help but feel like you were seeing him perform in your apt's living room.....um...yeah. 

Overall, the performance was good.  I enjoyed "White Dove" off of his new album, Emerald City.  Interestingly enough, Vanderslice is doing a unique Blog Tour - performing "live" each song from EC on a different music blog.  He's hit fav blogs such as the 'Gum, GvB, BV, Old KY, Aquarium Drunkard, Six Eyes, No Picasso, Catbird Seat, and Chromewaves.

Vanderslice is on tour throughout September in support of his new album with the full band.  Head here for tour dates.

Vampire Weekend - East River Amphitheater 08.11.07

Vampire Weekend played the East River Music Project Saturday afternoon. A gorgeous day was injected with VW's blend of afro-inspired-rock for about an hour while the mostly laid back crowd soaked it all in.

This was the band's first NYC show in a while as they have been taking their sounds across America - including a stop at the KEXP studios for a performance. Apparently, the boys have come back with some new material and are heading in to the studio to record a proper first LP. They played a couple new tunes during the set (didn't catch names) which sounded good on first listen. Later Saturday evening they opened up for Tokyo Police Club and Ra Ra Riot at Maxwell's.

VW is on tour throughout August with YACHT and the Dirty Projectors then back in NYC next month to help break in the Music Hall of Williamsburg on September 8th.

View the rest of my pics here

Stale Bread - Vampire Weekend 06.02.07

Soulive - Canal Room 07.31.07

NYC Band Soulive celebrated the release of their new album last night with a fun show at the Canal room. No Place Like Soul hit stores yesterday; it is the first release on the newly reformed Stax Label. They've added vocals to this album and surprisingly, it works.

Soulive are a plethora of sounds - jazz, blues, rock, soul, R&B, and are a band of players. Eric Krasno shreds on guitar. This dude could also have a "Face Off" with John Mayer for funkiest guitar faces. Alan Evans slams down on drums and his bro Neal on Organs is no slouch.

They will be on tour nationally through August. For you NYC peeps they will be playing a free show today at Union Square Virgin Megastore. Showtime 7pm.

Peep this Soulive cover of Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Lenny", live from Prospect Park Bandshell in Brooklyn 7.24.05:

Soulive - Lenny (SRV Cover).mp3

Siren Fest Post Part II

More from Saturday's Village Voice Siren Music Festival at Coney Island

We Are Scientists

Village Voice Siren Music Festival - Coney Island 07.21.2007

The annual Village Voice Siren Music Festival in Coney Island was this past weekend.  I was on duty for the Voice, shooting the first three bands on the Main Stage.

Music Snobbery was there and promises that if you stay tuned he'll give you what no other blogger will.

More Siren reviews and pics here

The Twilight Sad

Dr. Dog

The Noisettes

Pela - Schuba's Chicago 07.18.07

After the Decemberists' show I met up with a friend at one of Sinatra's favorite restaurants, The Twin Anchors, for some sweet grub then to one of Chicago's best live venues, Schuba's, to see NYC band Pela. 

Pela...they are good.  They are great.  I'm sometimes unsure of why they haven't garnered more popularity.  Front man Billy McCarthy exudes intensity.  His one of a kind voice blends nicely with the familiar yet truly unique sounds of the Brooklyn band.  Oh yeah, they like to rock out too.

Highlight for me was the catchy "Lost To The Lonesome" (download the track here).

 

The Decemberists w/ the Grant Park Orchestra - Millenium Park Chicago 07.18.07

The Decemberists Symphonic Tour hit Chicago today for a free show at the magnificent bandshell in Grant Park.  Backed by the Grant Park Symphony, the Canadian wonderband sounded just as good, if not better, than I've ever heard. 

A humidity (SO humid) / rain combo couldn't deter the massive crowd from enjoying the free tunes.  The opening "Crane Wife" was truly magnificent.  A bummer that I couldn't stay for the whole show but glad I dropped by for a few.