The Walkmen's new album

Brilliant new album art on the Walkmen album:

The Black Keys (again)

'Brothers' is my favourite album of the year. They're playing it again at work and in realising that it's not just the first and last half of the album that I adore, I came to terms with my massive affinity for the work of art.

It's completely in my blood at this point.

The Black Keys 'Brothers'

The Black Keys' new album is quite possibly the catchiest album of the year. We played it at work today one time through and five hours later I heard someone whistling the tune of "Tighten Up". It's completely infectious and I've totally caught on.

The amazing video:

Phantom Planet

I know Phantom Planet are a bit passé by this point, but I still love this song. I completely forgot that I knew it at all.



This is Schartzmann time.

Garden State

Garden State was an a-hah! movie for me in high school. It's always nice to watch a film where the characters are slightly more messed up than you and your family are.

At the forty-two minute point when Braff enters Portman's room, she puts on a record and it quietly plays in the background. It's Alexi Murdoch's "Orange Sky"! Amazing.

It's so quiet you probably wouldn't normally notice the tune and it wasn't included on the soundtrack!

Fall Concerts

I'm completely ready to be swept up by the fall concert roll -

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin at the Elmo September 4
David Bazan (of Pedro the Lion) September 18
The Tallest Man on Earth at Lee's September 24
Menomena at the Mod Club September 28
The Walkmen at the Phoenix October 9
First Aid Kit at the Elmo October 15
Rocky Votolato at the Drake October 18
Dan Mangan at Trinity St. Paul Church October 28
Bahamas at the Glenn Gould Theatre November 25

CDs this week

Big week for me, I splurged and bought four CDs. This is a big deal because this year in whole I probably have only bought twenty CDs, I am definitely slowing down.

Crosby, Stills & Nash - 'Crosby, Stills & Nash'
Sarah Harmer - 'Oh Little Fire'
First Aid Kit - 'The Big Black and The Blue'
The Arcade Fire - 'The Suburbs'

Very excited to dip my toes into all of these albums. Very let down by Sarah Harmer and her lack of a lyric book. Blown away by the Arcade Fire's packaging, it's one of the most gorgeous album packaging I've seen all year. For the art work look at my last post!

Jason Collett at the Magpie; Thursday August 26, 2010

I have to say that today, I was completely inspired by music. For the longest time I was mulling whether I should purchase the Arcade Fire's new album 'The Suburbs.' Today I crumbled and bought it. The album came with eight different covers, this being the one I purchased:



I listened to it once through and felt completely wonderful doing so. I am thoroughly impressed with the packaging and appearance of the album itself. The back cover looks like the opening credits of an old film:



I saw the Scott Pilgrim movie, which felt like an homage to all things Canadian - with a series of American actors. I was pretty let down by the film, as I had some serious high hopes about it. I was pleased to hear quality work from Beck and Broken Social Scene. Oddly enough, Mark Webber who played Stephen Stills, the one with the 'talent' has always reminded me of Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene. I love when my worlds collide.

Although the movie didn't completely wow me, I felt as though there were a few bits that really rubbed me the right way. First, the film's use of the song "Ramona" that Beck wrote and performed, with Michael Cera's bit in the film. It served as a solid reoccurring tune in the film. Secondly, I adored the drowned out version of the tune "Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl." It was muffed out quite a bit so only certain bits of the song came out and it was very obviously used to follow a love filled bit in the film. Big shocker.

After all this, I went to the Magpie for a show my friend told me about. I had no idea what to expect except that it was a concert worth seeing. I made it out so last minute I really didn't care who I was going to see. I coasted by the venue very sheepishly to read a sign that read 'Jay Collett' in big, bold letters. I didn't think much about, just the fact that someone was playing and I had missed most of the show. Not even two minutes of walking away, I realised 'Jay Collett' was actually Jason Collett. I anxiously ran my bike to the nearest rack and jumped at the opportunity to see one of my favourite performer's live. The Magpie was pretty empty, I had the feeling that no one knew about his appearance at this show. He played one his own the entire time showcasing a bunch of tunes I wasn't too familiar with. Most memorable being a blunt but delicate version of "High Summer." I would've never guessed he'd play it. The only other song I recognised from the batch of songs he played was a tune off of 'Motor Motel Love Songs.' Despite my lack of familiarity to his tunes, I really didn't mind. Seeing Collett is like listening to a story teller, his words are descriptive and heartfelt - so it's really easy to dip into things that you've never heard before. He was comfortable and cool.



My favourite moment was at the very last song, Zeus' Mike O'Brien slipped on stage and joined Collett with a bit of drumming. Collett immediately stepped up his game by projecting louder to compensate for the drums. It was a really good, spontaneous moment that shows that their gigs are ever evolving. It's also very much a group effort, not just one sole player. Real musicians. Real inspiring.

Now, the band that I was most surprised by was ... I can't remember the god damn band's name. I guess the tender hours of the evening are catching up to me. Yikes. Will write a short note on this band, they're pretty good for something slapped together rather quickly.

Great night, great music, good company. What more could a girl ask for?

"Stage Fright" by the Band

"Stage Fright" is a tune that was written by Robbie Robertson and sung by Rick Danko. Song passing is always such a funny thing. The album with the same title was released in 1970. It was produced by Todd Rundgren (!!!)

My Dad told me that this song was about Robertson's performance stage fright. But perhaps it was linked to all the negative responses from the Bob Dylan folky fans in the sixties.

"Unknown Legend" by Neil Young

I saw Rachel Getting Married when it first came out in theatres a few years back. Beyond the film itself, I really found myself in love with the soundtrack. Like the characters in the film, the soundtrack is warm and loving. I love how music throughout the film served as a way for people to convey their emotions. Especially heart wrenching was TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe's version of Neil Young's "Unknown Legend" -



Neil's version which appears on the 1992 album 'Harvest Moon' -

Taj and music for a rainy day

My friend Taj is a complete inspiration. He is an artist through and through.

Can you guess who these people are? Hint hint below:

"Me vs. Elvis vs. Maradona" by Brand New again

"It's family night and all the kids eat for free"

"Me vs. Elvis vs. Maradona" by Brand New

Yes!

Calexico

and "Deep Down"

Calexico

Calexico is a band that I can't keep up with.

I however am in love with the album 'Garden Ruin,' specifically the tunes "Lucky Dime" and "Smash".

Hemmingway

I am not a dancer.
I am not one to listen to loud music.

But for some reason Hemmingway's music doesn't absolutely drive me mad. Hemmingway, AKA James Harris makes pretty sweet tunes. Apparently, he's a big deal in the UK - not bad for a sound birthed in Fergus, ON.

http://www.myspace.com/djhmway

Sondre Lerche

I love Sondre Lerche. I first bought his album because I found him very attractive, it was the album 'Don't Be Shallow'.



I was so happy to see that his music was featured in the film 'Dan in Real Life.' It was the recognition he truly deserves.

One of the best concerts that I have ever had the opportunity to see was his gig at the Mod Club in April of 2007.

Simon & Garfunkel 'Bookends'

'Bookends' is one of the prettiest albums i've ever had the pleasure of listening to. It's the perfect compilation of songs for my floppy state.

Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton

I am over Emily Haines.

I began to love Metric after a serious dose of the album 'Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?' at the record store I worked at.

Listening to my friend's show, he played a tune off Haine's solo album 'Knives Don't Have Your Back' called "Reading in Bed". It's a short little ditty clocking in just shy of three minutes. I can stomach this one because it embodies all of the things I really liked about that album - a sound that is different from anything else - a little eerie with heart.



I still really adore the tune "Our Hell," what a treat to listen to it again.

Simon & Garfunkel

I am so grateful that they cancelled their tour because I opted not to get tickets. My parents would have raved about a show I never saw.



I love the difference a year can make -

On 'The Virgin Suicides'

The first time I grabbed wind of the Virgin Suicides I was fifteen and fresh into high school. I had always been a keener for extra-curriculars, so when I heard that there was going to be a shortened after school production of the film, I raced to see it so I knew I was getting myself into.

I remembered the supplied audition piece was the scene where Mrs. Lisbon was taking away all of Lux's albums and burning them. After watching this movie, mixed with fears of auditioning and rejection, I decided that I did not fit the 'Lisbon' image. I did not try out.

This movie has steadily become something to me over the years. The reason why it's made its way to my blog is because of the stellar soundtrack that gives it a complete '70s vibe. Just to catch you up to speed, the film was based on a book by Jeffrey Eugenides (Middlesex), it was released in 1993. The film was produced by Hollywood's indie gem Sofia Coppola in 1999 and showcased some of the most well-sought after actors like Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett and if you look very close a young Hayden Christensen.

This has always been a back burner film for me. It's always been there but I never really took to it as much as other films at the time, it was never a significant film to my life. The soundtrack however has put putted along with my daily life, integrating its way into one of my most cherished soundtracks. The tricky thing to realise when talking about this film's score is distinguishing between the two albums that were released in partner with the film. First, there was a CD that showcased all of French indie-electronic band Air's material. I often find myself making this distinction because the album that I really took to was the compilation of different artists, or the other disc that was released.



The latter fused together artists from then and ones from now. Whenever I put on this album, I instantly adopt a '70s cool feeling. I feel cool listening to it, it's really apart of me at this point. I especially love the fusion of past and current artists. The song that ticked me to write this note was Sloan's "Everything You've Done Wrong". The tune was originally released on the 1996 album 'One Chord To Another' - an album that I was far too young to dip into on my own, but perfect to steal from my at the time sixteen year old brother. I grandfathered that CD into my collection from his.





Another tune that comes to mind is Air's eerie "Playground Love". Which notes the next murky point to make about this album, there are so many god damn versions of Air songs. My personal favourite, is the version sung by Gordon Tracks - who is actually Phoenix front man and the daddy of Sofia Coppola's little one Thomas Mars. I also really love the vibes version - especially eerie.




The real cool factor comes out of the big hit '70s tunes that one is familiar with, but really don't get that much attention or radio play. Real '70s tunes that your mom and dad might remember fondly in a nostalgic kind of way. Like the Hollies' tune "The Air That I Breathe," Heart's "Crazy on You" or perhaps Gilbert O'Sullivan's sad sad tune "Alone Again (Naturally)." A lot of these songs in all honesty, I didn't really know until I immersed myself into the songs of this film. So the film definitely served as a good agent for both making me feel cool and time capsuling some lost gems of the past.







A few other mentionables are Al Green's "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?," "I'm Not in Love" by 10cc and a heavy hitter in my heart "Hello, It's Me" by Todd Rundgren. All songs you should definitely dip your toes into at very least.

Justin Veron's (AKA Bon Iver)new XL group Gayngs, said that their sound is exactly like 10cc's tune "I'm Not In Love" -







I'm incredibly happy that these weren't just songs that were "inspired by the film." There's nothing more depressing than identifying with a soundtrack that doesn't actually appear in the film in its whole(see The Last Kiss).

This film does the book justice, drawing from fabulous quotes and very good imagery conveyed through over the top honest dialogue. When watching this film, I feel as though I am in the '70s.

I took a really poorly put together film course in my last year of university that focused on American films since 1970. 'The Virgin Sucides' was not featured on the syllabus, but Coppola's other film 'Lost in Translation' was. For the major research paper at the end of the course, we had a bunch of freedom to choose what we want to talk about. I decided to talk about the parallels of the transition of youth to adolescence in both 'the Virgin Sucides' and 'Blue Velvet'. As soon as I started writing, I could feel the parallels running hard - both based in a small, perfect town and young individuals trying to find themselves. I felt really inspired when I wrote the paper, despite my complete and utter hate for the course itself.

It's really exciting to hear how the songs in this film have crossed my path again. I recently saw Coeur de pirate at the Gladstone for a free, spur of the moment gig. Before playing her version of "Playground Love," she regarded it as a song she once liked, but since has ceased this affection. Yet she still continues to play it. Her live version pushed me to listen to the words further, she really emphasises the burning desire and longing of the song (a big theme in the film and book).



Before seeing Beatrice Martin or Coeur de pirate. I saw a very true version by Lisa Hannigan at the Mod Club. If you are not familiar with Lisa Hannigan, she's the lovely lady that use to perform with Damien Rice. For years, they were partners in crime (ah! pun). Of the two times I had the pleasure of seeing Damien Rice, he did not have his lady friend to accompany him. She since then, has taken off with a mediocre solo career, releasing one or two albums. It was kind of an odd moment at the Lisa Hannigan show because I was getting ready to leave when she busted into the song. It earned my presence for another two songs to follow.



My third and final memory pertaining to the music of 'the Virgin Suicides' was an odd and completely unexpected performance by a man that goes by the name Har Mar Superstar. About three years ago, I saw him open for the lovely Sia. I snuggled my way up to the front to get a good glimpse at the Opera House, when I was greeted by a man, Har Mar Superstar, stripping down into his underwear and ripping patches of public hair from beneath his tighty whities and throwing them into the crowd. Thankfully, I was off to the side so I was never completely violated by this man. Har Mar played a silly, karaoke style cover of Gilbert O'Sullivan's song "Alone Again (Naturally)," nothing I would go out and buy, but something that I can remember Har Mar by.



So my point here is that this film, book and music collection has become so much more. The movie experience for me is not just limited to seeing the film, but listening to the music and relishing in familiarity and new acquaintances.

The Darcys

So, the Toronto band The Darcys have become such a big deal that getting into their shows is now hard to do. I tried seeing them a week or two ago at the Boat for their special free gig. The line was about twenty five people long and it was a strict one in one out policy. Yikes.

Stumbling upon this tonight is pretty comforting. The Darcys have to be one of my favourite Toronto bands that haven't struck big fame yet. I wonder how long they'll stay as a local gem.

LNB Episode 11: The Darcys from Late Night in the Bedroom on Vimeo.

Saves the Day's "Tomorrow Too Late" on Weezer's "Say It Ain't So"

I have refallen in love with Saves the Day's brilliant tune "Tomorrow Too Late." In watching the following Saves the Day video, I realised just how much the guitar bit sounds like "Say It Ain't So". Similar chord progression.



Memory lane -

"Real Desire" by Dan Auerbach

Lights Lights Lights!

Rockinghorse

"Oh Carol" by Rockinghorse

Radio Moscow

The Black Keys

Now this is the way to see the Black Keys live -

None of the frat boy, packed house, sweaty BS I had to go through.

"Boy with a Coin" by Iron & Wine

'The Shepherd's Dog' didn't really do all that much for me. But I really love the video for the tune "Boy with a Coin," it fits well with the beat of the song. Very clever video.

Nostalgia - Copeland

I'm sitting in my parents' house, dwindling the hours I have left to getting two very large teeth ripped out of my mouth at 9am tomorrow morning (wisdom teeth).

I just moved the first bit of my house back home. I am sad to say, come September, I will be a girl of the suburbs.

I am pretty excited for everything ahead, wherever I end up.

But for now, being here, at my parents' house, I can't help but listen to old albums that I found in the move. Like Copeland's 'Beneath the Medicine Tree,' an album that I got into in the latter half of high school. I can't put my finger down on the exact time that I got into this band, or first got wind. Around grade 10 or so, I began listening to Milita Group bands like the Rocket Summer... I really like this album still. I'm pretty amazed by how many words I know by heart to date, it always surprises me. I have no idea why this band didn't take off, they seem like something that should have been more famous than it was.

"Tautou" by Brand New

"I'm sinking like a stone in the sea. I'm burning like a bridge for your body."

Buddy Holly

I've been a little MIA for the last little while because I am applying to grad school. I have also been tremendously uninspired, but throughout this dry spell I've found the time to watch the amazing show Quantum Leap. I've never been one for ANYTHING sci-fi, but this show is just so smart. I don't think I could find something more clever than this television program.

Anyways, in the first season Sam Beckett (get the reference?) leaps into a fifties scene in the south. He somewhere stumbles upon a boy named Buddy, who he eventually instructs to sing "Peggy Sue". You'll need to watch the episode, it's really clever.

My point that I'm trying to get at is that I've dug up all my Buddy Holly records for the first time in a couple of years.



The most challenging thing about attacking Buddy Holly's catalogue is that there are so many damn versions of his songs. I like the edgier ones that haven't been embellished and fine tuned.

"1976" RJD2

Amazing

"Work" by RJD2

This is why I love RJd2 -

notes

Paul McCartney at the ACC; Sunday August 9, 2010

You know that feeling when you meet someone new and you think that they're treating you differently than anyone else they've met before? And then you quickly realise that they haven't and it's their same old act. Last night, Paul McCartney made me feel that way.

Any show you see at the Air Canada Centre (or other venues of that size) have been tailor made to satisfy all the viewers needs. There are many ups and downs to this, the first up being that most of your senses can be met, with the exception of sight, because I had my eyes glued to the TV monitor the entire time - which is also the first down as well. I often find myself questioning why I bother seeing shows at big, big venues if I'm watching the damn screen for the entire show. The concert DVD is about the same and a fraction of the price of a ticket.

The second up is the flawless performance you will see, it's pretty exciting to be able to see a flawless live show. In that sense, Paul McCartney and his band are truly performers as they are constantly putting on the same live show with each city they go to and sometimes two times over. You can bet your bottom dollar that their set list is going to be the exact same between nights.

Does it make them less of musicians if their stage show is completely planned?

The third up is certainly the stage show. For every reason I loved seeing Rain, Paul McCartney one uped every reason. Their backdrop and filming was incredible and I couldn't ask for better effects. His performance of the 1973 James Bond film's theme song "Live and Let Die" was incredible. Just as the song was taking off huge bursts of fires were triggered, throughout the entire tune fireworks were let off, all timed to the music of course.

I'm sorry for the spoiler if you're going to tonight's show. "Helter Skelter" is also tagged on the end of that video. The performance was identical to the one I saw last night. Again, really salting my excitement for an original show. I can't stress how staged seeing McCartney is, it's choreographed to a tee.



The fourth up is that Paul McCartney totally has a heart. After playing "Blackbird" he hugged a young fan after reading her sign that read "My dad drove me 2,000 miles to be hugged by a Beatle" the girl had to be no more than twelve years old. He had just played "Blackbird" and he had muffed up the verses a bit and he said that he finds himself super distracted by the signs when playing. His explanation was really heartfelt and honest, he came off sounding really cool and easy. I was really impressed by how fluid he was live, even if he acted most of it out. Although, I am certain that he didn't act this bit out.

He gave a really nice talk before jumping into "Blackbird" about how he wrote it for the Americans in the south who in the '70s struggled a bunch with rights. He hoped that this song would help them get through.



Paul paid good tribute to a couple of his lost friends, John and George. Very nicely I may add - he first started by honouring John by playing a tune that he wrote shortly after John passed away in 1982. He said he wrote it as a conversation that he may have had with Lennon... Again, you can see a carbon copy of the words I heard him say last night -

\

The second and far more touching for me was George's tribute done much later in the show. He mentioned how George was a very good ukulele player and that he had given Paul the very ukulele in his hands -

The transition was incredible from ukulele to full band. It was very flawless and for a second I felt George was really in presence.

Note the shot of Yoko and Harrison's wife Olivia.



In playing these tributes, I really felt the Beatles were there. I'm very gullible so even in seeing Rain I felt it too. but there was 'something' (!!) really special about seeing a real Beatle live. It was almost as if I saw the Beatles. I didn't get this when I saw Ringo ten years back at the wonderful Casino Rama. I didn't remember feeling much at all. This was probably because I was a little runt at the time with no respect for the Beatles.

Paul played some other Beatle tunes like "I've Just Seen a Face" -



"I Saw Her Standing There" - I would have gave a limb to see this gig. A tight Cavern Club return.



I was most surprised by his bold indulgences in tunes like "A Day in the Life" with him very beautifully singing the John bit. This is a song that really core shakes me, it's really exciting with the shifts, splashes and turns. I thought his performance was perfect. with "Give Peace a Chance" at the end, it really felt like a John tribute.




I really got excited hearing a lot of the material off of his work with Wings' 'Band on the Run' -



My favourite was the well-crafted end with "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)" and "The End". With a seamless transition. I really wished they played "Her Majesty" at the end, as 'Abbey Road' played.



In thinking about the show, I'm really questioning my giving Rain flack for their ultra rehearsed performance when McCartney's shows play live a musical. Although, in reading the program I read that they only truly rehearsed for one week before the show with one full stage run through. So, really I guess the best, most fun shows to see of McCartney's would be the first and last gigs of the tour.






Just on a side note, I would really like to point out that there are so many kid prodigies on youtube now. I stumbled upon this kid -



and of course this gem-

The Black Fever at Rancho Relaxo; Saturday August 7, 2010

The easiest thing to do when you don't know a band really well is to draw comparisons to genres and other bands. So keep that in mind every time you see a reference!

The Black Fever are good for not only their poppy hooks, but the actual musical talent. Three pieces are always especially challenging in rock bands because your singer has to also be good at an instrument, if you're sporting the traditional get up - guitar, bass, drums. I just saw the Black Keys a little earlier this week. I found them to be beyond inspiring - especially in their duo get up. Singer/Guitarist Dan Auerbach really impressed me with his ability to carry incredibly strong vocals with equally strong guitar work.

I really don't know much about playing the guitar, but I can really appreciate when bands have clean, clear sounds. It's far too easy to be messy, especially when you're trying to make your band sound more full than you should. The Black Fever were extremely impressive for this reason. In hearing them live I could hear all the little details as they were being played. This was something I could never do at the Black Keys gig because it was so god damn full, and loud.

Singer/Guitarist - Sumon Mukherjee's vocals are something i'll need to get use to. They're a bit higher, but they keep strong, he's definitely got his own personal style to his sound. In all his stage banter he was really funny too - kindly acknowledging the audience without over-doing it. If I didn't know the guy already - I'd find him charming (not to say that he isn't in knowing him)

The bassist was great too. I've always admired plucking over picking a bass. I like how it looks and how it sounds much better. Seeing them at Rancho is quite the opposite of seeing the Black Keys at the Kool Haus. My favourite part of tonight's show was being able to see where the different sounds were coming from. The bass lines really glued all the songs together. Normally, I'd simply say the bass followed along with the guitar bits, as I did earlier this week when I diminished the role of the bassist who played with the Black Keys in light of Auerbach's amazing guitar work. I could definitely not say the same for this band. Mukherjee's guitar lines for a large chunk of the songs are quick chords. But not in the pop-punk Blink 182 kind of way, but more of the shoegaze distorted kind of way. The tight bass lines worked - this also meant that Mukherjee could jump in at out with ease as there'd be a cohesive skeleton to support him.



Good quality local music is not impossible in Toronto, but it's really hard to find good clean sounding bands. This is a band that should have a stacked dance floor every time with tunes that'll get the girls moving, there are very few excuses that should keep people from going to this gig on a Saturday night.

You can see them next week on Friday August 13 at the Hard Luck Bar at Dundas and Bathurst. Give them a listen.

They often get compared to the Stone Roses (among other Brit-pop acts):

Chris Chu and The Hipless Boy

I often raid my housemates' graphic novel collection. I've found some really great gems along the way.

My favourite thus far is the love desparate short stories of Sully, otherwise known as the Hipless Boy.

My point here is that the doodle of the Hipless Boy looks exactly like Chris Chu of the Morning Benders!

Neil Quin of Zeus

OK, so I really try to supress my inner twelve year old, but Neil Quin of Zeus ate at my restaurant today.

I was never really attracted to this guy, so I never took great notice. Not to mention each time i've seen him live, he's worn a big tuque just to be extra Canadian. I'm not even sure if Zeus are really celebrities, as I don't have a clue as to how they've been received outside of Toronto. I'm certain they get some serious play in Canada as a whole, but i'm not so certain beyond our country's border.

All the buzz is around the fact that Quin has penned some of my very favourite Zeus tunes. Like "Heavy on Me" and the very short "Great Times by the Wayside".



I found some of his pre-Zeus earlier videos. A little rough but the shells of the Zeus tunes are there. It's funny to see what the band has done to them. It's sort of Billy Bragg rough... really rough.

"Kindergarden":





And if it wasn't, good on the guy that made me remember a band fondly.

The Cardigans

So you were probably less than ten years old when The Cardigans amazing album 'First Band on the Moon' was released. But for those of you whose parents let them see 'Romeo and Juliet' at a tender age definitely heard this song through.

Antics aside - "Lovefool" is an amazing song. Always has been, always will be.



and so is "Erase/Rewind" which was featured in the film 'Never Been Kissed'.



and so is "Been It" -



The Cardigans were a band who knew what they were doing. They don't really sound like anyone I can put my finger on.

And great album artwork -

The Morning Benders at the Big Chill; Wednesday August 4, 2010

I really need to warm up to the Morning Benders.

I dove in head first this week seeing them twice. Once as the Morning Benders and the second time today as Chris Chu.

I was really amazed by the good sound of his vocals. Today's gig just solidified my admiration for this band, specifically their lead singer.

This gig was an all request show. He gave the set list to the audience to decide. I'm not surprised by the song choices - a lot of them were stuff I had heard the night before. Someone in the crowd yelled for "Lovefool" - I immediately questioned whether I heard the song right, or perhaps a similar titled song. It was indeed his rendition of the Cardigans' hit "Lovefool." It was a little messy on a whole - he didn't really know the words. He didn't even make it all the way to the chorus before he stopped himself. I felt the crowd could've helped him on this one.

"Lovefool" from today's gig:



I was most excited to hear his stripped down version of "Excuses" with a crowd that really appreciates them. Much to my chagrin, there was very little crowd participation. In his performance, he called upon people to give him a hand singing the "La da das" and "ba dums" - no such luck. They sort of chimed in, but in true Canadian fashion, everyone was too shy to do a damn thing. I tried my best, but i'm super shy to sing in any given condition. It was however nice to be in the company of people who actually care to hear the band.

He played a very quiet tune he said he wrote after watching Annie Hall. Go figure, what a charming guy, I couldn't help but laugh when he said that. I really liked how bare it was, bare bones. Here's a clip of his performance of "Annie" today:



I really hate their recorded material, with the exception of the perfect song "Excuses". It is, quite possibly one of the most lovely songs i've heard in a while. One that can actually get even lovelier when the crowd reciprocates. I've been on a real hunt for the last hour or so to find the tune that I really loved both of the times I saw them live in the last 48 hours. I'll keep you posted. But for the time being, these are the only two songs I liked recorded by this band -





My affinity towards this band is really odd. I really don't like their recorded music, but live they have a really nice sound. The lead singer, Chris Chu is something to talk about. After a bit of detective work, I found out he graduated in 2007 from UC Berkeley, which puts him at 25. I was curious, because with his thin frame I pegged him at 20 give or take a few years.

Blakroc

On another note related to the Black Keys - I can't keep up with them. Their taste is all over.

See BlacRoc, their project that teamed up with hip hop artists to produce great gems like this:

The Black Keys with the Morning Benders at the Kool Haus; Tuesday August 3, 2010

The Morning Benders were everything I'd thought they'd be live.

This video alone made me like this band. To be honest, I didn't stick to their album recorded... But for me, this song saved it for me.

"Excuses" is the band's "hit". It's their biggest song, so naturally it was the one they closed their set off with. I was very pleased with the large sound they got out of only four members. The sound in this video is full - the band consisted of around twenty active participants. It's really a shame that the crowd didn't receive this band well. I think with the right crowd this band or rather this song alone could light up a room.

The lead singer very nicely asked the crowd to join in if they know the words and even if they don't as the only words they need to know are "la da da da da da da". There wasn't a really big response to this. The song kind of came off sounding a bit cheesy as it's a bunch slower than any of the music played that night. I really liked their live recreation, I was feeling a bit wry of how they'd pull it off. But they did so with looping, a keyboard created string section and vocal contributions from the other guys in the band. They definitely pulled it off.

Also - this band's from Berkeley, CA one of the loveliest places I've ever been to! It's purely a university town.

I definitely got the chills listening to this song, the only time I did the entire show. I think it was just far too sticky throughout the Black Keys' set.



Yours Truly Session, The Morning Benders' "Excuses":



The Morning Benders are having an in-store performance at the Big Chill on College. I'm eager to go to this show just to hear "Excuses" with a crowd that actually wants to hear it. I think this song has the potential to be really explosive.

I was absolutely blown away by the Black Keys' performance. Seeing Dan Auerbach perform last year was a big indicator of how amazing the Black Keys are live. Seeing Auerbach with the Black Keys felt very different, the whole atmosphere and energy of the event had a different feel altogether.

First off, this venue was packed to brim. I didn't really enjoy the sticky feeling of a sold out show. I could breathe at this venue but the air was so thick and everyone was incredibly sticky. I realise that this is a rock show and that it was completely sold out, but it's all a lot.

Secondly, The Black Keys have a different sound from Dan Auerbach's solo project. Their sound for the most part is edgier and more rock based. Auerbach's solo project is very relaxed, it chips back to some of his folkier roots. Beyond this point, the Black Keys drew mostly from their harder rocking tunes. I was really disappointed to hear only three tracks off of 'Attack and Release'. They played a good chunk of 'Rubber Factory' and their new album 'Brothers'.

The show felt really honest. I didn't for a second feel as though they played the same act before, although obviously, they did and even more obviously, they will for their second show tonight. They came out on stage as just the Black Keys - Patrick Carney on drums and Dan Auerbach on guitar and vocals. I was absolutely floored by Auerbach's capabilities. He manages to uphold his incredible vocals while playing the guitar. I like how his guitar bits often reflect what he sings, melody wise. It's mind blowing to think all of that sound comes from one guy.

There was some serious chemistry between Auerbach and Carney. There were moments when the guitar and drums would match up and it just felt really well orchestrated.

I really liked their live version of "I've Got Mine":



Their set was neatly divided they only played new stuff in the second half of their set with a full band. The first half was dedicated to material they played as a duo. I'm glad they kept it this way for the spectacle aspect alone.

Their version of "Everlasting Light" was sung perfectly. My friend turned to me and said: "I always thought they had a girl sing this for them..." I knew they didn't but I totally understood where she was coming from. Auerbach's voice on this song was perfect. I felt it was played a little bit slower than on the record, but his voice was as a strong as ever. The high high falsetto is a real different sound for the band, but it really worked on album and in the live show.



I like the different energy the new stuff has from the old. It's definitely more creative as far as sounds go - from whistling to a really great cover. I was really surprised to only hear them play material off of the first half of the album. I was really excited to hear the last four or five songs - especially the Jerry Butler cover of "Never Gonna Give You Up".





They closed shop up with a modest encore - Dan told the crowd: "Thanks! You guys are so nice, we should really come here again." He unlike the Morning Benders made no reference to the second gig today. The last song they played was the album closer off of 'Rubber Factory' - "Till I Get My Way" and I was wholly content with this decision.



I however don't think I could see this band again for two nights. It was a lot of effort to see a sweaty, packed show like this.

The Black Keys (yet again.... ....)

What a nice looking band, I like the suit and tie get up,

The Black Keys (yet again)

I'm getting pretty jittery for the Black Keys gig tonight. I think it's going to be the best thing I've witnessed in a while.

"High and Dry"

I love how Thom York plays the acoustic all the way through this tune. It's pretty interesting to hear the live version, for those few bits the music quiets down just to hear his acoustic guitar bit.

Still a near, dear song to my heart, fifteen years later -