DVDs, Live Shows and a Few Holdover CDs from Previous Weeks
Well you may notice that my Top 10 list this week is heavy on DVDs and live shows. I wanted to spotlight some DVDs (mostly live archival stuff and documentaries) and shows I’ve seen recently, though the new DEARS, YO LA TENGO and TV ON THE RADIO continue to grab my attention, so I’m leaving them in this week.
The road trip to my old hometown was worth it as Yo La Tengo overcame mediocre sound early on to play a delightful show as diverse as their eclectic and fabulous new record. Many songs featured singer and guitarist IRA KAPLAN on grand piano and a few even featured his wife, drummer GEORGIA HUBLEY, on the instrument as well. Not to fear, though, as the fragile prettiness of songs like “Sometimes I Don’t Get You” was balanced with the noise assault of songs like “The Story of Yo La Tango”, which was one of the most incredible performances I’ve ever seen, culminating in noise and distortion so loud and intense that I’m amazed they didn’t blow the roof of the majestic, old theater!
The excellently funny title aside, this is one of my favorite new records of the year so far. Forgoing the “quiet is the new loud” approach of their last two long-players, Hoboken’s finest return with a disc that’s truly all over the place, ranging from a CAN meets “Sister Ray” ish noise-freakout on the opening “Pass the Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind” to “Mr. Tough”, an ‘60s r’n’b-flavored song sung by bassist JAMES MCNEW in his pretty falsetto. Also included are two garage-rock rave-ups and the closing, perhaps autobiographical “The Story of Yo La Tango”, but in between we also get several beautiful instrumentals (including the eight-minute plus “Daphnia”) and several ‘60s psych -influenced numbers as well. For such a diverse and sprawling record, though, it flows amazingly well. I listened to it three times in a row on the first day that I got it and I’ve been listening to it at least once a day since. I can’t recommend it enough.
Although I’ve been listening to this album since February, when an unmastered version of it leaked, I returned to it recently since it just came out officially in the U.S. (it’s been out in the UK since last month) and I can safely say that it will probably be on my Top 10 list at the end of the year. TV on the Radio are simply amazing. This record won’t grab your attention right away, but it rewards careful, repeated listening like few things I’ve heard in recent years. Yes it’s very arty, but there’s so much going on that it takes at least a few listens just to absorb it all. “Wolf Like Me” is the best song on here, but “I Was a Lover” and “Method” are close behind. The best thing about this band is that they sound like absolutely no one else. This album differs from their previous output in that there’s a much more explicit electronica influence on here not that dissimilar to RADIOHEAD’s last few records. The excellent harmony singing is still here, but it’s not as explicity doo-wop or barbershop quartet in feel. Either way, I know this record has gotten a ton of great reviews, but you should give it a chance. You won’t hear anything else like it this year.
This was my second time at World Cafe Live in about twelve hours as this was a special WXPN at Noon lunch time concert. The Dears opened the show, but they got way more playing time than the headliner Evan Dando. That was fine with me, though, as The Dears have long been one of my favorite live bands. They stuck to songs from their excellent new album Gang of Losers and played with their customary intensity and passion. Unfortunately, they only got about thirty minutes, but since this was one of only three U.S. appearances this year, I’m glad that I got to see them at all, though I’m hoping that they come back here next year to do a full set. As for Dando, I’ve never really been much of a fan, but I was really impressed with his short, four-song set as well. He sounded great and the songs were catchy and immediate. I’ll have to investigate his back catalog further.
Tell Me Do You Miss Me (Unrated)
This is an excellent documentary chronicling the breakup of the beloved New York quartet LUNA. In many ways, it was like watching Let It Be in that fans who were wondering why the band decided to break up now fully understood what the band and insiders had known for years, namely that they can’t stand each other. Leader DEAN WAREHAM would obviously much rather stay at home with bassist and girlfriend BRITTA PHILLIPS whereas guitarist SEAN EDEN would much rather be on the road. It’s a shame because the guitar interplay between Wareham and Eden has driven the band for many years, but the tension is obvious, so perhaps the breakup is for the best. Plus, Wareham has two small children and besides, he’s long been frustrated by the machinations of the music industry, so one can easily sympathize with his reasoning. Plus, the bonus features are worthwhile as well, especially the amazing full-length live performances (I only wish they were even half as good when I saw them sleepwalk through their set at Maxwells five years ago) and Eden’s recounting of a savage mugging/beating he endured. Also, ignore the rampant criticisms that have accompanied this documentary, mainly that there’s too much footage of the band driving around in their van. That’s what a large component of touring is and I think it’s representative of the repetition of being on the road.
Bad Brains: Live at CBGBs 1982 (Unrated)
I was fortunate enough to attend a free screening of this incredible DVD last week at a theater on Walnut Street that will be torn down soon (along with most of the rest of that block) to make way for University of Pennsylvania dorms. It’s fitting that I saw it at a theater that had its heyday in the past since the likes of this kind of raw, primal rock and roll is unfortunately in the past as well (not counting reunion tours and what not). I’m not old enough to have seen them back in those days and being a big fan, I’d never seen any live footage of BAD BRAINS back in their early ‘80s heyday until now. While the sound mix varies wildly, the band just shreds. I really wanted to start dancing (not slamming) as I was watching this footage as it’s almost impossible to remain seated while they unload such classics as “The Big Takeover,” “Right Brigade,” “FVK,” “Coptic Times” and many others.
Afro-Punk (Unrated)
This is a very interesting documentary relating the African-American experience in the mostly white punk, hardcore and indie-rock scene. It features interviews with semi-famous African-American scenesters like BAD BRAINS, KYP MALONE (from TV ON THE RADIO) and former BURN singer CHAKA MALIK, but its focus is on lesser-known scenesters in different parts of the country as it relates a story of racial and ethnic identity in the midst of an alternative subculture. Highly recommended for both those interested in sociology as well as these scenes. Plus, if you see it on DVD, you MUST watch Chaka’s commentary about a show that Burn played in Allentown, PA back in 1990. It’s so riveting that I can’t believe that director JAMES SPOONER left it out of the film!
I was pleasantly surprised to see The Dears featured in a side blurb in the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, which profiled several upcoming indie releases including this one. If they do achieve more success on this album than with their previous efforts, it couldn’t happen to a better band as their unpretentious, heart-on-sleeve songwriting (which is in direct contrast to so much image-conscious indie-rock) and jaw-dropping live performances made me a fan from the first time I saw them at Maxwells, when they played to twenty people on a Wednesday night. Either way, I hope they come play here soon as I’m really looking forward to hearing these excellent new songs live.
The Trashcan Sinatras: Live at The Troubadour (Unrated)
This fabulously shot and recorded DVD was long-delayed, but it finally came out in July and I just watched it a few days ago. It’s a great document of their fall 2004 U.S. tour that coincided with the release of their album Weightlifting (my favorite album of that year).
