Fitz and the Tantrums - "Out Of My League" [single] (2013)

Fitz and the Tantrums' new record, More Than Just A Dream, is upon us and I couldn't help but share this single because it's catchier than mononucleosis.  Maybe it's Fitz's anachronistic hair cut.  Maybe it's their stylish and colorful music videos.  Maybe it's the frenetic way Noelle always shimmies around on-stage while banging a tambourine on her gyrating hips (especially eye-catching when done Tina Turner-style in sequins dresses).  Maybe it's the fact that they were and still are, perhaps, one of the most dynamic live bands I remember seeing at SXSW 2011, let alone at the entire Dangerbird Records showcase.  Maybe it's my fascination with their refusal to feature guitar in their songs, almost as a personal band challenge to separate themselves from every other band on the planet and to find creative ways to fill out their sound.  Or maybe, it's simply all of the above.  "Out Of My league" sounds like a bit of a departure from some of their previous efforts that were dripping wet with retrosexuality and I'm not quite sure about this indie-poppish direction in which they're headed.  Is this a reinvention of sound, image, concept, quality?  Noticeably absent: the blue-eyed neo-soul elements or even a modicum of that brass section I became accustomed to from the "MoneyGrabber" days.  Who knows, but for now I really dig this track.  Not enough to move to Los Angeles and start my own tantrum, but enough to recommend "Out Of My League" to you.

PAPA - On Tour; Album Forthcoming

PAPA isn't new, but it feels like they are on the cusp of breaking out of the shadows to enter the indie spotlight and they are about to venture out on a small-venue tour. Jump at the opportunity while you can, because I have a feeling that after this next mini tour and the release of a full length they won't be offering too many more free shows. Why would they? The music is great and great music isn't free.

The band's 2011 EP, A Good Woman Is Hard To Find, is excellent (so is the album art; internet search that business), but like all EPs, it is too damn short, coming in at just under 23 minutes. They also released a single last year for the track "Put Me To Work," video below. Nice, right? One can hope that they will come out with all new tracks on the LP rather than simply tacking 3 new songs onto the EP. Time to fire up that album press, gents, the people want more. I, for one, will be ready.

On Tuesday, March 5 the band will making a stop at Brick and Mortar Music Hall in San Francisco, and will be at SOHO in Santa Barbara two days later.

Just a heads up. Now, back to work...

Soft Swells - Soft Swells (2012)

March may be a little early for summer, but it is never to early for summer jammy jams. The summer sounds come early with the Soft Swells' self-titled release. The beachy-vibed indie rock is quite popular these days, and in some respects the Soft Swells could be considered California's response to Florida's Surfer Blood, with less reverb and more appealing vocals.  Overall the album amounts to a well-crafted collection of pop songs, with shimmering vocals and rhythmic drums. Such attributes shine through on "Every Little Thing" and "Shake it Off." While every song is quality, there isn't a dominent single (in my mind) that needs listening to over and over again. More likely, one can toss this on with a couple other breezy indie pop albums, such as the latest Tennis, Drums, or Young Friends and nod along, imaging bare feet in the sand, sun on the face, and an ass in a comfortable folding chair. The combination of Brooklyn and Los Angeles roots reeks of hipster, but the tunes transcend any niche, too-cool-for pop culture genre or stylization. The Soft Swells bring great music and good times.

Scotch Howard - "Hit the Wall" Music Video

The long awaited, much anticipated debut music video for Scotch Howard's single "Hit the Wall" has hit the airwaves. We discussed the tantalizing elements of Scotch Howard's  psychedelic electro-rock release some time ago here, and even still the album hasn't lost its je ne sais quoi. Shot in Los Angeles and directed by Scotch Howard himself, the video takes you on a psychedelic journey into the depths of a... rambunctious backyard dance party. The video is a winner -- not only capturing the trippy, hand-clappin' drive of the "Hit the Wall" song, but the feel-good tone of the entire album as well. Have a look and listen...

Scotch Howard - Mandara (2011)

I love discovering new party music and this album most certainly fits the bill. On their first album together, vocalist Scotch Howard and Mitra Music, the production name for San Francisco-based artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist Gabe Lackner, team up on Mandara and the end-product is 8 tracks of psychedelic electro rock that makes you want grab a few adult beverages and go dance in the shower, with or without friends. The intro jam, "Hit The Wall," pulls you in with hand-clapping catchiness that sets the album's drive and message. "Rowdy" oozes with an alcohol-soaked swagger and a sing-along chorus that is perfect for sparking an evening of debauchery and serves as the thematic anthem. Around those, grooves like "In Time," "In The Streets," "Turnon" and "Shake Off" bring on the loungy dance vibe at different paces that keep the party going. The moods are diverse, but the tracks balance well, with some driving hard and fast, while others take their foot off the pedal. Have a listen below, grab your download here for the price of a 40oz malted beverage, invite some friends over and turn up the volume.

Fitz & The Tantrums - "MoneyGrabber" (single)

I learned fairly quickly that when Fitz throws a tantrum, you best stop, drop, and listen. Fresh off the heels of their Songs For A Break Up Vol. 1 EP (still lovin' that album art), I heard "MoneyGrabber" (free mp3) off of their new full-length Pickin' Up The Pieces and instantly dug it... hard. F&TT have this quasi neo indie retro soul thing going on that's utterly refreshing, makes me want to chair-dance and shimmy-shake at my computer, and is such a nice stark contrast against all the downer music that usually rules my wintry airwaves. This single particularly held my interest long enough to want to check out the rest of their LP. To say this shit is Motown-influenced is only partially accurate. I'd rather say it borrows from Motown, but then takes it one step further in another direction adding a little sumthin' sumthin' of their own. Plus, I really love the colors in this stylish music video. It all works and temporarily distracts from Fitz's anachronistic hairstyle.

Upon first listen, two things came to mind. 1) The first thing I said to myself was "Man, these guys must be from L.A. or something." Lo and behold I was right, except this time I didn't half-jokingly roll my eyes like I usually do at the thought of La La Land-based bands. 2) The next thing I thought was how I wanted to immediately share this "new find" with Awmercy because it totally reminded me of something I suspected he especially would go nuts over. I was feeling particularly cocky and it was high-time I recommended something new and awesome to him first for a change (instead of the usual other way around). Much to my consternation, I did a search and, of course, that jerk has already mentioned Fitz a zillion times before on QuickCrit. What was I thinking?! My musical hubris rests indefinitely until next time.

Postscript: If there is a slight chance that this music falls under QuickCrit's ever-exclusive and much ballyhooed "stripper soul" genre, I am not entirely certain. Nightrain, please do feel free to advise.

Them Jeans (Remixes) - The xx and Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Turning some of my favorite indie music into danceable jams is mind-blowing enough to get me to do what I tend to hate doing most, which is, well, dance. Still buzzed from a year of fantastic electro-dream pop releases and still reeling from this week's Leonid Meteor Shower, I was reminded of Jason Stewart, better known as Them Jeans, who is a Los Angeles-based DJ/Producer with whom I'm pretty much obsessed. Last winter he did a 6-month DJ residency at L.A.'s Natural History Museum playing "First Fridays," an institution we also have at some of NYC's cooler museums, where the first Friday of every month they transform the space into all-out dance floors so that hot paleontologists can talk nerdy to their music-loving friends while getting their swerve on next to dinosaur fossils. I wish Them Jeans would bring his magic to the East Coast to resuscitate the now defunct Starry Nights Jazz and turn the AMNH into one uber-romantic, uber-stellar cosmic dance party kissed ever so gently by the shimmery intergalactic lighting from the planets in the Hayden Planetarium. Not only is his great taste in music varied, but he also manages to remix lots of indie songs in upbeat ways so you can actually not feel weird playing them during appetizers for non-indie music loving guests at your indie rock dream wedding or during your house party in hopes the music will create the type of ambiance that will get your guests groovin' and movin' about the place... except, in a chill, loungey, downtempo "let's make out in the dark corner against the wall" sort of way, and not a coked out, riotous, Girl Talk "let's do some blow in the bathroom" kind of way. Either way could be fine, but I guess it really just depends on the mood.

In his reportoire, he's reimagined songs for the likes of Beach House, Yeasayer, Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Ratatat, and even Snoop Dogg. But the following two remixes are absolutely stunning interpretations and, of course, totally danceable versions of songs I already love. These should help get your party started right... and quickly, at that.

The xx - "Shelter" (Them Jeans Drum Edit) - [original]

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Soft Shock" (Them Jeans Acoustic Remix) - [original, acoustic]

The National @ Fox Theater, Pomona

I could just cop out and re-post Awmercy's Frightened Rabbit @ Wonder Ballroom review with The National references plugged in at appropriate intervals, but that would be just downright lazy.  Extensive market research shows High Violet is a clear number one contender for album of the year and, on top of that, it was my first live go-around with a band that I consider one of my current favorites. The anticipation was high; the performers did not disappoint.

There are two distinctively separate components to The National it seems: One, the self described “musically inept,” eccentric lead singer and primary depressing lyric-writer Matt Berninger. And two, the exceptionally tight (musically) band that tends to morph in numbers depending on when and where you see them on tour. Both elements can be spot-on with what you would expect to hear from the albums; however, they can be creatively and emotionally conflicting and unique to make a live show interesting, for better or for worse. I think this night the elements came together for the better and the band especially played to the Pomona crowd’s enthusiasm, by extending tracks with musical avalanches that went well beyond the record run time.

One aspect of The National's live show that may catch someone recently acquainted with the rockers off guard are the tracks where Berninger deviates from his familiar baritone and takes the pipes for a drive. Tracks like “Available,” “Squalor Victoria” and “Mr. November” woven in with “Slow Show” and “Anyone’s Ghost” can be jarring if unexpected, but the contrast also adds those passionately human elements that show a band is willing to put themselves "out there" and ultimately infuses the set-list with energy. After a number of self-deprecating quips, band banter and sarcasm laden song introductions (“This is another happy song… It’s about cannibalism.”), the evening ended with an entirely unplugged, chill-inducing version of “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks” that had both the crowd singing and the uplifting aura that brought an appropriate ending to show.

Owen Pallett opened with an impressive set heavily laden with looped tracks off of is recent Heartland album. The dude is extremely talented, and that’s all that really needs to be said.

Best Coast - "When I'm With You" [single] (2010)

Ear candy alert! I recently fell in love with L.A. duo Best Coast and when I calm myself down enough to properly process the entire album, I will review it for our lovely readership. In the meantime, feel free to enjoy my current favorite track... the plaintive, sun-soaked, reverb-heavy "When I'm With You." It's a personal reminder that it seems I'm not the only person out there who thinks life is all about biking along the coast, laying around on beaches, holding hands, and driving around with the top down, laughing and shamelessly flirting up a storm all over town. I seriously think I wrote this song (and directed/starred in this video) in a past life. Or at least my past life likes to dream the aforementioned on a similarly lazy, hazy, easy, breezy California day.

Marty & Elayne @ The Dresden

I was visiting Ve1cro this weekend in Los Angeles and she introduced me to her neighborhood music scene. After spending a day touring Hollywood, I was ready to relax and soak in the local vibe of Los Feliz. You may know Mary & Elayne from Swingers, but they were treating customers to their sultry tunes long before Vince Vaughn made it big.

Much like Doctor Diggs at the Canyon Club, I don't remember much of the set list. I also have no idea how long I was there -- this was a direct result of having two Belgian beers before dinner, sake and Sapporo with my sushi, and rounding out the evening with two bourbons on the rocks. However, I do know that Marty opened with Frank Sinatra's "Come Fly With Me," and rocked the evening with their special renditions of "Staying Alive," "La Vida Loca," and Elayne's original composition, "Nilesology." (I also have a video of that one with Ve1cro's middle finger dancing to the beat.)

If you ever have a chance to stop by, prepare yourself for the two drink minimum, and get ready to be blown away by the blast from the past.

NoFX & The Expendables @ The Canyon Club

We boarded the limo bus with a bucket full of beer and booze around 7ish in front of Velvet Jones. 23 brave souls on their way to witness veteran punkers NoFX do their thing at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills. I had found out a week prior while in Santa Cruz that fellow SC Locs, The Expendables, would be the second opener, so that increased the size of my boner for this show exponentially. After many years of loving NoFX's signature brand of raunchy, political, and drug/alcohol-fueled music, this was my first chance to see them live.

Having acquired a healthy buzz on the ride down, the first thing to do when we got there was hit the bar. Not long after that, The Expendables began their set. While rockin out to "Down, Down, Down", the second song of the set, long time buddy Cam (former member of The Expendables) found me in the crowd and slapped a backstage pass on me. Ho. Lee. Shit.

While backstage drinking free beer and shootin the shit with some cool folks I completely miss The Expendables set. Oops! Drank more free beer. Went to the merch table and bought an Expendables tee shirt. Drank more. Went backstage again where I almost run into Fat Mike of NoFX as he is being directed to the stage, so I just follow him up.

I end up standing directly behind the drum kit for the entire show with a shit eating grin and, of course, FREE BEER!!! Needless to say, I don't really remember what they played, or for how long, but I know I left with that same smile.

Now, I know what you are thinking, "This is the worst show review ever." And that very well may be. But I had a great fuckin time and I highly recommend checking out NoFX and/or The Expendables whenever you get the chance. Who knows, maybe you will end up backstage drinking free beer.

(Adding pics later)