quickcrit - music reviews

Oh shit! PDX Pop Now! is this weekend and I haven't properly prepared. It's almost as fun sampling every bands Myspace page as I figure out my game plan, but I am not sure I have time for all that. Luckily, End Notes has had an excellent series highlighting each band playing. Of course, Hockey and the Joggers are on my list. And they play back to back late at night, which might not be a bad thing. Last year, PDX Pop Now! fell on one of the hottest weekends last summer, giving the packed Rotture a stuffy and communally dank atmosphere. Despite the B.O., I had a lot of fun sweating my asses off and listening to the up and coming local talent. I'll let you know what else makes the cut.

Here's a list of the bands playing:
Aan, AgesAndAges, AndAndAnd, Asss, Atriarch, AU, Autistic Youth, Ben Darwish, Billygoat, Blue Cranes, Blue Horns, Brainstorm, Cloudy October, Defect Defect, Da’Rel Junior, Eternal Tapestry, Fear No Music, Get Hustle, Grey Anne, Guantanamo Baywatch, Hockey, Hosannas, I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House, Jackie-O Motherfucker, Joey Casio, Joggers, Krebsic Orkestar, Kung Pao Chickens, Kusikia, Lewi Longmire, Luck One, Michael The Blind, Operative, Parenthetical Girls, Please Step Out of The Vehicle, Reporter, Rollerball, Shoeshine Blue, Skeletron, Soup Purse, SubArachnoid Space, Tiny Knives, Tu Fawning, The Tumblers, Typhoon, Wampire, Why I Must Be Careful, Ylang Ylang

Welcome to my half-year hootenanny...

5) Lady Gaga's Ego Reaches Bieber-Fever Levels
Hey folks, so what's the deal with Lady Gaga? Thanks to Nightrain's list, it's great to know I'm not the only person who feels she is dying a slow, miserable death every time I see her smug mug, well, everywhere. I hate her megalomaniacal fantasy, I hate the hype, I hate her songs with confusing lyrics (fine, you're saying goodbye to "Alejandro", but then who the hell is Roberto? Fernando?), and I hate how she never seems to wear pants (is this an F-you! to those pesky wang rumors?). On slaying her self-doubt: "When I wake up in the morning, I feel just like any other insecure 24-year-old girl. Then I say, 'B*tch, you're Lady Gaga, you get up and walk the walk today.' " Before I could even bring up my own Gag(a) reflex, Jerry Seinfeld beat me to it: "You take one 'A' off of that and you've got gag." Zing!

4) The Dresden Lounge in Hollywood

When I was in Los Angeles, I wanted to check out the Silver Lake/Sunset Junction area, aka the supposed "Williamsburg of the West," to see if it was every bit as hip as I'd read. It was... not so much on that late Sunday night, but at least I was able to pop by The Dresden on the way home with the hopes of catching jazz sensations Marty & Elayne (of Swingers fame). My impromptu trip lead me there on their off-night, but awesomely washed-up resident country/classic rock cover trio The Drinks was there to purvey all of my favorite requests with very little wait time, such as "Night Moves," "Take It Easy" and "Sister Golden Hair." It was like a cover song jukebox and I was the only person who kept feeding it quarters. One of the sweet waitresses even had the brilliant idea of requesting Talking Heads' "Life During Wartime" and they just busted it out on the fly. I've found my new favorite hangout next time I'm in L.A. and I'm looking for more low-key fun with real, everyday people. This place is so money and it doesn't even know it. Or maybe it does?

3) Folk Me Up: Banjo and Whistling Edition

Again, Nightrain beat me to this mention of ubiquitous folk-rooted rock revival all over the airwaves these days, but two specific tracks have captivated my apparently banjo-lovin' heart in ways I couldn't begin to ignore... even when I tried.

Mumford and Sons - "Little Lion Man"
Retrosexual to the max, these guys look like Leonardo DiCaprio's "working class" pals in Titanic who threw that killer dance party in the lower decks and pretty much drowned because the stupid rich people took over all of the lifeboats. "Little Lion Man" caught my ears' attention and has never let it go. I love the way they all chant along with increasing intensity as the song begins to climax, it's definitely my vote for epic breakdown of my half-year (starts at 2:35 mark).


Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - "Home"
Hi. My band runs ten-deep and we travel around the country in vans like dirty hippie rockers. So irritating, so intoxicating, man I can't stand this song... so then why can't I shut it off? "Alabama, Arkansas, I do love my ma and pa, not the way that I do love you..." Sure, she may be singing about her brother at this rate but who knew the banjo could be so damn romantic and set the mood for this year's campfire sing-along love song? "Ahh home, let me go ho-oh-home, home is wherever I'm with you..." With the catchy whistling and a chorus as gosh-darn-cute as that, I'm willing to overlook the fact that ES&TMZ's are completely insane. By the way, what the heck are you guys on (particularly the female lead singer here)!? And don't say "life" because the Polyphonic Spree already used that excuse. Either way, feel free to send some this way whenever you're done singing "Kumbaya."


2) The Gaslight Anthem
Why have I been so late on the ball getting into this band? The first song of theirs I ever heard was "Old White Lincoln," and I damn near got into a minor traffic accident because it was so good and I knew I needed to hear more. But it took the first few lines of "American Slang" to officially reel me in. "Look what you started, I seem to be coming out of my skin..." By far, my favorite intro of this half-year, but the real tingles happen when he sings "I've got your name tattooed inside of my arm" -- I know Brian Fallon isn't singing about me, but the personal, emotive nature of his delivery temporarily humors me. If you think I'm kidding about their effect, last month I "accidentally" fell asleep with "American Slang" on loop, only to wake up in the middle of the night from a dream where a Born In The U.S.A.-era Bruce Springsteen picked me up for a date (he beeped, I found him outside leaning against a red Chevy Camaro), we went to a drive-in movie theatre, came home, and then we made out in the backseat of his neighbor's car. And when it was over, I woke up alone in a state of delusional happiness. Do I really need to say more?


1) Spencer Krug and Dan Boeckner's Enigmatic Partnership

After recently seeing Wolf Parade for the 5th time, I can't help but wonder... is it the musical bromance of the century? Or do they secretly despise each other? Spencer Krug once mentioned in an interview how there's little room for egos in the studio since he and Dan Boeckner barely get to see each other and this is only proof that long distance musical relationships can make the hearts grow fonder... and the music only better. These guys manage to stay prolific in respectable side projects (specifically, Krug's Sunset Rubdown and Boeckner's Handsome Furs), yet each undeniable life force still has time for their bread-and-butter indie rock super-group Wolf Parade, both bringing something unique and different to the song-writing table. There's "Krugs' songs" and "Boeckner's songs" and some fans prefer one to the other, but I think it's a toss-up because the sum of this pairing's musical capabilities is greater than its individual parts. Yes, the theory of musical emergence in action. When it comes to their live shows, I love the equality as they insist on switching off vocals every other song to a T. And on songs where they share frontman duties (usually one sings, while the other ignites the song further by filling it out more), its a musical synergistic explosion on stage for all to see. The way they go back and forth on stage is like an insane ping-pong match where I'm left rooting for both members... I'm the ball, of course. Hit me! But since words can't do it justice, I urge all to witness their raucous musical romp in person and I promise you will be reeling for days.

On their recently released album, Supper Club, The Goodnight Loving continue to shed the twang in favor of fuzzy garage pop. While I loved the country punk of their early albums, I dig the retro party vibe. "The Pan" (mp3) sounds like a roughed up and snotty Beach Boys stomper with a sweet riff in the middle, while "Earworm" fulfills on its promise, loading the song with a catchy chorus, surf guitar and some shrieks of joy. At fifteen songs, there is plenty to enjoy, whether it is how "Summer Dreams" recalls British Invasion or "Bike + Stick" retains some of their country roots. I missed their set at last year's garage festival, but since their album just came out on Portland's Dirtnap Records, I bet that they'll be back soon.

You can stream the album over at Punknews.org.

5. Owen Pallett
   The sole member of the former Final Fantasy is totally blowing my mind with his Andrew Bird-meets-Brian Eno-doing-a-film score-together sounds. Here's the best live music clip you'll see all year.
   
   
   
   
4. Sleigh Bells - "Rill Rill"
   Pretty polarizing band, you love 'em or hate 'em. I can see both sides, but am firmly rooted in the "love 'em" camp. "Rill Rill" miht be my jam of the year. I usually try to work it so it's the last song I hear before I arrive at work at 7:00 each morning. Really compliments the last few sips of coffee.
   
   
   
   
3. Wye Oak
   Solid song writing, Spot on execution. Last year's excellent premiere "The Knot" slipped by most of us, but the new EP "My Neighbor/My Creator" should garner some attention. Except for the last track, which is awful.
   
   Tiny Desk Concert
   
   
2. Cute Bands
   Every couple of years, I get wooed back into the land of the cute bands....the Postal Service, Belle and Sebastian, the Moldy Peaches....they've all gotten me at some point. This year has thus far had a pretty solid batch, the likes of which include:
   
   Freelance Whales
   
   
   Stars
   
   
   And, for old times sake, plus in anticipation of a new album this fall, Ra Ra Riot
   
   
   
1. The National
   I dare say I'm not the only 30+ year old single man who can put back a bottle of wine and find comfort and solace in the National. Amazing new album. Like you haven't heard it.
   
   
   

I've been digging the blues lately, especially the gritty garage variety, so when The Rumble's latest press release described one of the bands, Rumspringa, as "LA based blues soaked rock act... in the vein of the Black Keys," it caught my attention. "Shake 'Em Loose Tonight" (mp3) does seem to capture some of the Black Key's laid back amble.

Filling out the lineup are San Francisco's A B & The Sea and Portland's Nucular Aminals, whose playful and free-spirited indie pop I saw last year at Berbati's during their residency there. Don't know much about A B & The Sea, but the upbeat and retro pop on their homepage is pretty catchy. It reminds me of The Explorers Club.

Overall, it seem like a fun show. Plus, it's free. It's on August 3rd at Holocne. If I'm not completely burnt after PDX Pop! I'll be there.

I think the most laughable part of this post is how I eagerly emailed Awmercy and Nightrain weeks ago asking for dibs on this review... don't I feel every bit the fool now?

5. San Jose Music In The Park Playlist - Don't mean to start off with a disappointment but I thought #5 should go to last place. San Jose's music in the park's playlist of artists sucked this year! Gaslight Anthem not withstanding. Too much reggae and radio promotion bullshit. Gimmie Black Joe Lewis and Leela James, Fuck!

4. Los Olvidados@ The Blank Club in San Jose - 80's punk rock at my favorite dive bar atmosphere, wow I needed that.

3. Hillstomp/Darker The Night - "Up Here" is amazing, awesome album. The banjo is making a comeback, always a good sign of things to come, in life, in general.

2. The Black Keys/Brother - Another rippin album from one of the best bands ever, need I say more?

1. Bo Diddley/The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection - Been kind of in a musical funk lately and rediscovered Bo, carried me through. Example: Blastin' "Ooh Baby" at a stoplight, not really payin' attention with the windows down. Turned to my right to see a convertible 66' Impala with two gangster black dudes totally rockin' out. When the song was over they said "Yo man, who is that?" So I popped out the cd and said "Mr. Bo Diddley young man." And tossed him my burned copy as the light turned green. Just the thought of them crusin' the streets listening to "Ooh Baby" makes me smile.

The Henry Clay People rank right up there with Free Energy as this summer's go-to for good timing rock n' roll. With their amps turned up and drums pounding, they channel that timeless sound of parties, bars, driving fast, and sleeping on couches. The songs are jam packed with sweet riffs, sing-along choruses, tinkling keys, and bashed cymbals. While the Replacements, Sam Roberts and many more have been there before, their youthful exuberance keeps it fresh and fun. I love the live-in-the-moment anthem of "End Of An Empire". It charges and soars with nicely-timed phrasing."Your Famous Friends" (mp3) ratchets it up with a chorus perfectly punctuated with barroom cheers. While those two are the standout tracks, the whole album is great, solid throughout.

They are playing the Crystal Ballroom on July 29th. You can bet I'll be there with a beer in hand ready to cheer them on.