Saturday's Tough Decisions

There are always plenty of good shows in Portland. Sometimes there are too many. That's the case this Saturday. Any of these would be great.

A Weather @ The Woods
One of Portland's most beautiful acoustic folk bands in a town with many. Not sure I'll be in the mood, but that doesn't mean I don't love them.

Ruby Suns @ Mississippi Studios
Loved their last album of afro pop, still getting into the new one.

Beach House @ Doug Fir
The biggest band on the list. Saw them live last year, before they released the album that turned me into a fan.

Hockey @ Wonder Ballroom
One of my favorite Portland bands. Each show seems more packed and ready to dance.

Moneybrother @ East End
Too bad these guys aren't playing with Hockey. They take soulful vocals in a different direction, closer to Joe Strummer than Rod Stewart.

The Very Best - Esau Mwamwaya And Radioclit Are The Very Best (2008)

So far this album is my favorite new find off Pitchfork's The 50 Best Albums of 2008 list. For starters they sample a ton of artists that made the our Quickcrit lists, specifically Santogold, M.I.A., Vampire Weekend, and the Ruby Suns. Take all those bands, some other cool bands I likely missed, add a healthy dose of Amadou & Mariam and throw it in for a couple spins in El Guincho's blender and you have a fair idea about how awesome this album sounds. Oh, and right now they are giving it away free on their Myspace page. Of course, check out "Kamphopo" (the Pitchfork recommended track), but also listen to them steal the beat from "Paper Planes" on o "Tengazako" and their reappropriation of "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa". At times the album reminds me of the way Girl Talk references pop hits, dresses them up, and gets them ready to party. However, don't get the impression that this album is all remixing and sampling. It's not. The Very Best mostly play and sing their own songs — their orginal work fitting in perfectly with the groups they reference.