Fresh Bread

Elvis Perkins - Bowery Ballroom 11.01.06

I booked it over to the Bowery after watching the early show by the Knife to catch an excellent lineup consisting of some major indie hitters.  For me, the nicest surprise and best set came from Elvis Perkins.

I had heard good things about his music and good reviews of his shows.  Another artist I had not seen but was looking forward to.  I really dig his voice...his lyrics...and his upbeat american-ish sound.  The song "Ash Wednesday" was amazing (download an mp3 on EP's site here).  I will defintely be seeing them again - hopefully soon.

The Knife - Webster Hall 11.01.06

My second show of this years' CMJ was the first show on american soil of Sweden's The Knife.  Like most, I am familiar with them because of Jose Gonzalez's magnificant cover of the song "Heartbeats".  The brother/sister electronic duo are garnering a cult following here over the past year or so  in the States.  This was evident during the show as the crowd gleefuly cheered them through their hour set. 

The setlist (via Stereogum..read another good review of the show there):

SETLIST
01. "Pass This On"
02. "The Captain"
03. "We Share Our Mother’s Health"
04. "You Make Me Like Charity"
05. "Marble House"
06. "Forest Families"
07. "Kino"
08. "Heartbeats"
09. "Silent Shout"
10. "From Off To On"
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11. "Like a Pen"

Other than "Heartbets" I really enjoyed the encore "Like A Pen" (watch the video here)
 

Rapture - Bowery Ballroom 10.31.06

The Rapture kicked off CMJ at the Bowery on Halloween.  People were ready to party and party they did.  There were some excellent costumes - I lol'd at heidely-ho-neighbor Ned Flanders - and some slutty ones too...as to be expected on H'ween.

This was my first time seeing the Rapture as well as not being too familiar with their songs.  However their retro brand of disco-80s-house rock got me moving for most of the set.  I like them except for the lead singer's voice...it's just too falsetto for me - and not in the right kind of way.

My favorite moment of the night was the intro.  The band danced at the front of the stage to "Monster Mash" all dressed in skeleton outfits.  Nice.