Fleet Foxes with Espers – Electric Factory (Philadelphia, PA) – July 30, 2009
Although I loathe the Electric Factory because of its poor sound, cavernous nature, overpriced drinks (that you can’t even enjoy on the main floor or anywhere outside of the designated bar areas), high prices and stringent security, I like Fleet Foxes and I took an extra ticket that a friend and I’m glad I did because they put on a great show. The focus is rightly on singer/songwriter ROBIN PECKNOLD and his unique style, in which he manages to make late ’60s/early ’70s (think CSNY or THE BEACH BOYS records from that time period) feel contemporary, but drummer JOSH TILLMAN (also one of the four voices providing the beautiful, choir-like harmonies and interestingly, the band’s arranger) is the glue that holds the entire band together. Simply put, he’s absolutely incredible and totally underrated. In short, I think that Fleet Foxes are a really good band with even brighter things ahead of them.
Although I like the openers, Philadelphia’s own freak-folk collective Espers (see my review of a previous show of theirs here), they just didn’t go over very well in such a large venue. I could barely hear them as they were drowned out by the crowd noise. Oh well.
Neko Case with Jason Lytle – Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center (Philadelphia, PA) – July 29, 2009
Whenever Neko Case plays in Philadelphia, it seems to rain. I don’t remember if it rained the last time she played in the area (see my review here), but a few years ago when she opened for RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, it poured! And boy did it pour right before this show, too. By the time the show started, though, it was dry and since it was indoors, not a factor anyway. Plus, we were in the very front row! I don’t think I’ve ever had that pleasure before except for a great NICK LOWE show here a few years ago.
Anyway, as usual, she was great and there weren’t any major changes from the last time she played here (also to promote her new Middle Cyclone). The banter between her and backing singer KELLY HOGAN was endlessly entertaining as well, culminating in a discussion about “soft rock school” with contributions from the audience as well.
GRANDADDY never did much for me and having never seen or JASON LYTLE solo before, his opening set didn’t really change my mind. I know he has his fans, but it’s just not my bag.
Yo La Tengo – Popular Songs (Matador)
On the first few listens, I’m really enjoying this. I think that it’s astonishing and wonderful that they’re still making terrific, challenging music this late into their career. I would even argue that they get better with age. The opening track, “Here to Fall”, is absolutely incredible. I can’t even describe its unique, bass-heavy sound. Make sure to turn it up LOUD and your walls will shake! The fourth track (“Nothing to Hide”, which is my wife’s favorite) reminds me of a few tracks from their last album, 2006’s wonderfully-titled I Am Not Afraid of You And I Will Beat Your Ass, particularly “The Race is On Again”.
TV Smith – In the Arms of My Enemy (Boss Tuneage)
This is slowly turning out to be one of my absolute favorites of the last few years. Yes, it’s THAT good. In certain parts, it reminds me of some of GRAHAM PARKER (another veteran of the late ’70s punk/new wave era who still makes great records)‘s recent work, but in any case this music will make you wanna get up and do something instead of just sitting around! Inspiring stuff.
The Chameleons – What Does Anything Mean, Basically? (Statik)
After I read my colleague TIM BUGBEE‘s fantastic review of a recent MARK BURGESS show in Boston, I played this and boy, what a terrific album. I’m sure that most readers of this blog will be familiar with The Chameleons, so I won’t waste my time describing what this sounds like. However, I will say that on occasion this album gets short shrift next to their debut Script of The Bridge and their 3rd album Strange Times. This is easily as good as either, though. “Intrigue in Tangiers” is also my favorite Chameleons song.
Death Cab for Cutie – The Photo Album (Barsuk)
I’ve been on a bit of a Death Cab kick lately, as I noted a few weeks back, so I’ve been re-listening to their albums in reverse chronological order. In retrospect, I definitely think that their last 3 albums are better than this 2001 effort, but the songwriting on such gems as “We Laugh Indoors” and “Why You’d Wanna Live Here” is already well-established. It was adding drummer JASON McGERR that enabled them to get from here to 2003’s incredible Transatlanticism, their breakthrough.
Neko Case – Middle Cyclone (Anti)
Although I’m STILL not quite as taken with this one overall as some, the nature of Neko’s albums are such that sometimes they take me years to fully appreciate. That was the case with 2006’s terrific Fox Confessor Brings the Flood and it very well could be the case here, too. With all that said, “This Tornado Loves You” and “People Got a Lotta Nerve” are both absolutely incredible and will make up future “Greatest Hits” compilations (commercial or for home use). It also has my favorite album cover of the year so far!
Animal Collective – “Summertime Clothes”
I have a confession to make. I’m still not completely or even partially sold on Animal Collective’s genius. I just find them too much over the course of an entire album, though interesting in small doses. I love this song from their latest release, Merriweather Post Pavilion, though.
Kaya Oakes – Slanted and Enchanted:The Evolution of Indie Culture (Holt, 2009)
Those who have read MICHAEL AZERRAD‘s Our Band Could Be Your Life, the 924 Gilman book or the PAVEMENT biography Perfect Sound Forever) will learn very little from the music-related portions of this book. Also, I think that Oakes bites off more than she can chew, trying to fuse Beat culture, underground comix, small crafts makers and indie rock all together in one compact book when any of these subjects deserve (and in many cases, have gotten) books devoted to them alone. With that said, it’s not a bad read and the premise (fusing all of these disparate elements) is interesting. I will say that there are way too many egregious and embarrassing errors that the editor should’ve caught (GUIDED BY VOICES are from Dayton, not Toledo, for example), which makes the book feel slightly less credible and authoritative in regards to its subject.
Seabrook Power Plant – Seabrook Power Plant (self-released)
In the interest of full disclosure, this disc was given to me by my friend STEPHEN BUONO, who is friends with BRANDON SEABROOK, this band’s banjo player and guitarist. Stephen told me that Brandon’s favorite musicians are THE MINUTEMEN and VAN HALEN, but honestly this sounds nothing like either. I like it a lot, though. It’s not for the faint of heart, though. This is some seriously experimental shit. Imagine ORTHRELM or LIGHTNING BOLT if either had a banjo prominent in the mix and enjoyed free jazz to go alongside their hyper-speed thrashing and guitar solos. You can get it here.
