Upcoming Concerts

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

What's on tap for 2007?

Here is a list of albums that could see the light in 2007. The list consists of some old familiar names to go along with some of the newer more popular names in modern rock. What albums are you looking forward to?

I wouldn’t expect all of these bands to actually come through and provide us with new music in the upcoming year, but if most of this list becomes a reality, it would be another really good year for music lovers.

Arcade Fire
The Shins
Bloc Party
Doves
The Good the Bad and the Queen
Apples in Stereo
B-52’s
BRMC
Blanche
Kings of Leon
The Cure
Feist
Hives
Interpol
My Bloody Valentine (every year, you have to hope)
Ned’s Atomic Dustbin
Polyphonic Spree
Portishead
Radiohead
The Sea & Cake
Stereophonics
Subways
The Thrills
Travis
Wilco

Also, here is a list of the Onion’s essential 2006 list
http://www.avclub.com/content/node/56969

Thursday, December 14, 2006

2006 Top 20 Albums

The wait is over, my list is complete. It has taken a bit of time, but I am pretty happy with the way this turned out.



1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Show Your Bones


These guys sure do know how to rock. I remember when I first got this album; I immediately sent messages to a lot of my friends telling them that I just heard the best album of the year, by far. Several months later, I was right. From the opening drum beat on the album and Karen O’s powerful voice, you knew that the trio from New York was going to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump.

Key Tracks – Gold Lion, Cheated Hearts, Dudley, Warrior, Turn Into



2. The Decemberists – The Crane Wife


In my opinion, this was the surprise of the year for me. Not because I dislike the Decemberists, but because of how incredible the album is from start to finish. The band has gotten better with each album, but the jump from last album to the Crane Wife goes from good to great. The band also switched from a small label to major label and that is usually the kiss of death for artsy bands, but Colin Meloy and company didn’t let that get in the way from their best work to date. Oh yeah, their live show for this album was by far the best concert I have seen all year.

Key Tracks – The Crane Wife 1 & 2, The Crane Wife 3, O Valencia



3. Sonic Youth – Rather Ripped


These guys have been around forever and in my opinion, they are still getting better. I have always been a fan of Sonic Youth, but I have also found myself not being a fan of their albums as a whole. For me, it was always one good track followed by a lot of noise. Don’t get me wrong, I like noise rock, but after a while, that is what it was, just noise. Rather Ripped is an incredible piece of work for these “old” rockers. The album flows with beautiful melodies and strong rhythms throughout. Definitely one of my favorite albums and I don’t just mean for this year.

Key Tracks – Incinerate, Jams Run Free, Reena



4. The Strokes – First Impressions of Earth


The critics will bash them with every new album they put out, but I think their songwriting continues to get better with each release. Despite the awful title, the album starts off strong and finishes with a nice kick, just like every other strokes album. However, you do hear Julian Casablancas write one of those ever popular “respect me, I’m an artist” songs, “Ask Me Anything,” which is right dead in the middle of the album. Well, that song sucks, skip it. The rest of the album is the rock you are searching for.

Key Tracks – You Only Live Once, Razorblade, Electricityscape, Fear of Sleep



5. Elf Power – Back to the Web


Is Athens, GA the rock capital of the world? It might be if it continues to produce great bands and albums like this one. From the Elephant 6 collective, Elf Power strips down their normal crazy guitar rock sound and provides the world with a gentler form of the Athens Rock scene. Even with a heavier use of the acoustic guitar and violins, you still know it is an Elf Power record by the great hooks and melodies.

Key Tracks – Come Lie Down With Me (and sing my song), Peel Back the Moon, Beware!, All the World is Waiting




6. Beirut – Gulag Orkestar



The Doors had no bass, the Gypsies had no homes and Beirut had no guitars. Despite the heavy collection of string instruments on this album, there are no guitars, which is not a bad thing. A great Middle Eastern sound with a bit of a Neutral Milk Hotel feel to it and you got the latest hot album from a 19 year old from Albuquerque.

Key tracks – Postcards from Italy, Mount Wroclai (Idle Days), After the Curtain



7. South – Adventures in the Underground Journey to the Stars


Despite the awful name, this is a really good album. In fact, this is the best New Order album to be released since Republic. I still can’t find Bernard Sumner or Peter Hook in the album notes, but I’m telling you, they are there somewhere.

Key Tracks – Shallow, You are One, A Place in Displacement



8. Built to Spill – You in Reverse


The boys from Boise do it again by creating another solid rock and roll album for the masses. The songs tend to run a bit long and Doug Martsch does let his guitar run a bit wild, but this is still their best work since 97’s “Keep It Like A Secret.”

Key Tracks – Going Against Your Mind, Conventional Wisdom, The Wait




9. I’m From Barcelona – Let me Introduce My Friends



Swedish pop music at it’s best. Well, some of it’s best. This is the kind of album you put on and all of a sudden you are in a good mood. You may not make it through the whole album because too much happiness might turn you into a Panda bear or something like that, but still a nice surprise for the year.

Key Tracks – Oversleeping, Collection of Stamps, We’re from Barcelona



10. M. Ward – Post-War


Recommended by a friend and NPR, this album caught me by surprise considering how pretentious and overrated his other albums were, but this one is a solid piece of work. Great guitar playing and solid melodies over a melancholy album make this one of the year’s best.

Key Tracks – Poison Cup, To Go Home, Chinese Translation



11. Mojave 3 – Puzzles Like You


Neil Halsted and company continue to create great music, however this album is slightly different then their previous works. Normally when you come across a pop album, one of the last bands you would think of would be Mojave 3. After all, this was the reincarnate of the Reading, England shoegazing band Slowdive, not really a beach boys pop band, but this album is filled with great pop tunes. They are getting older, but the music continues to be great!

Key Tracks – Truck Driving Man, Breaking the Ice, To Hold Your Tiny Toes



12. Graham Coxon – Love Travels at Illegal Speeds


OK, this guy is becoming a really good solo artist. The former guitar player for one of my favorite bands of all time, Blur, Graham Coxon released his 6th studio solo album in May and in my opinion, this is his best work to date. Graham, do me a favor, put the solo act down and get back and tour with Blur, trust me, it will be FANTASTICAL!!

Key Tracks – Standing On My Own Again, You and I, Tell It Like It Is



13. Belle & Sebastian – The Life Pursuit


In all honesty, I want to kick my own ass for liking these Scots. So cheesy, so lame, so trendy, yet so good. The past couple of albums have gotten away from that whole sad bastard genre of music, and this one is no different. Silly lyrics with incredible hooks. I think Jack Black’s character in High Fidelity would reconsider calling this band’s music sad bastard music if he heard this album. However, I do like that sad bastard stuff.

Key Tracks – Another Sunny Day, We Are the Sleepyheads, Funny Little Frog




14. Beck – The Information



I honestly don’t need to write a lot about this album, because what needs to be said about Beck has already been said. Very original and not afraid to challenge his audience is all I have to say. Yeah, I know he is a Scientologist, but if they could all channel their ways into great music, I might not be so critical of space alien spirits being sent down from space into volcanoes, so when the volcanoes erupt, those spirits are spread across the world into all of us. Isn’t that what they believe?

Key Tracks – Strange Apparition, Nausea, No Complaints




15. Peter Bjorn and John – Writer’s Block



If I had heard this album earlier in the year, it would have been much higher on my list. I’m telling you, the Swedes got it! I don’t know what it is, but between these guys and the Barcelona band, they got it. This trio really puts together a full sound for a small group. Their songs range from straight out rock to mellow dance grooves. Think of them as a poppier version of Soundtrack of Our Lives with a hint of Of Montreal, only not as crazy.

Key Tracks – Objects of my affection, Young Folks, Up Against the Wall, Paris 2000




16. Be Your Own Pet – Be Your Own Pet



I will let the band describe themselves with a line from one of their songs, “I’m an independent mother fucker and I’m here to take your money. I’m wicked, rad and I’m here, to steal away your virginity.” Now that is tough and it is coming from a female singer. This band from Nashville is all energy and a lot of fun. Just a pure punk rock album, the way punk rock is supposed to be done.


Key Tracks – Bunk Trunk Skunk, Bicycle Bicycle You Are My Bicycle, Adventure



17. Artic Monkeys – Whatever You Say I Am, That Is What I’m Not


Stupid name for a band and a stupid name for an album, but then again, that is why we listen to the music or never judge a book by its cover. This band swarmed on to the scene with nothing but hype. Being compared to the Clash, well let me tell, the clash they are not. A good modern punk band, yes, they have accomplished that. As a good friend of mine says, “There ain’t no monkeys in the arctic,” he’s right, they are instead from South Yorkshire doing the modern punk movement a good deed by putting this album out.

Key Tracks – A Certain Romance, Dancing Shoes, I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor



18. The Flaming Lips – At War With The Mystics


“With all your power, what would you do?” That’s a great question by a band who continues to make quality experimental rock and roll with an inspirational touch. This is the weakest of the last three albums, but it is still a quality piece of work. I know, everybody can say this, but if you get a chance, listen to this album on your walkman, discman or ipod, basically through your headphones, it’s great!

Key Tracks – The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song, Free Radicals, It Over Takes Me




19. Band of Horses – Everything all of the time



One of the indie rock kids “it” albums of the year. Surprisingly, it is pretty good. Generally when I read about an album on the interweb and in magazines and they all say the same thing “amazing” I tend to go away from it. Well, the hype brought me in and it’s pretty good. Not complete, but it does have its moments.

Key Tracks – The first song, Weed Party, Funeral



20. …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of the Dead – So Divided


This is what happens when you put cocaine, guitars, black t-shirts and two drummers in a band in Austin, TX. ROCK and ROLL!!!

Key Tracks – Stand in Silence, Wasted State of Mind, So Divided

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Liberace, Pure Genius - Guest Post by Matt Erwin

When I say the word, "Liberace," what do you picture in your head. Pianos, candelabras, gays? Well, all those things are right while at the same time they are so very very wrong. When I say "Liberace," you should think one word. Genius.

The man from West Ellis, Wisconsin was a rockin', albeit glam rockin', bad ass of the first order. Allow me to prove this and in the process, blow your Liberace-biased little minds. He was a rock star for the simple reason that to this day, you will never find a popular performer that can even touch the amount of excess Liberace wrapped himself in. Michael Jackson has an amusement park and a monkey? Good for him. Elton John spends 200 grand on flowers a year? How quaint. Keith Richards gets his blood changed so he doesn't fall out of more trees? Shakin' in my boots. Liberace had diamond buttons on all his suits. Diamond. Buttons. The plastic things that hold your shirts on, his were made of fucking diamonds. He has a Rolls Royce painted with REAL FUCKING GOLD. He put an underwater piano in his pool. For Christ's sake, he owned the worlds largest rhinestone! I don't even know what that is, but Liberace's was the biggest.

Liberace made a living putting on rock concerts without rock music. He flew in like a gay bat out of hell, played some Chopin, made a wise crack about how the girls loved him, and people creamed their shorts. Watch a video of the man some day. Showmanship must have been his mantra. Liberace could entertain anybody anywhere. He makes Bobby Short look like a crack-addicted rapist. The man had charisma!

In conclusion, give Liberace a chance people. He devoted his life to making people enjoy classical music with a pop twist and also to advancing the cause of the outrageous yet closeted homosexual. The least you can do is help to keep that dream alive.


Flight of the Bumblebee


Stage Flying
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZMWZuzdfs8

Noel & Gem

Noel & Gem from Oasis did a small club tour to promote their newest compilation album, Stop the Clocks. Here are some songs from their performance in Paris.

PS - Coming soon, the 2006 top 20 albums list.

Listen Up




Slide Away




Wonderwall




Whatever




Strawberry Fields Forever

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Saturday, August 19, 2006

FEEL GOOD VIDEOS OF THE DAY!

Grandaddy - Nature Anthem


Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cheated Hearts (acoustic)



The Raveonettes - Love in a Trashcan

Thursday, August 10, 2006

The world certainly has changed

COMING SOON, THE PAGE TO VENT

As most of you know, I am busy doing something special for the world right now, well maybe not completely special, but doing something for someone and it has me pretty busy.

Since, I am going crazy, I think I am going to use this page to vent or ramble over the next few months.

check back for crazy stuff or attend my concert on Sept. 16.

Friday, February 17, 2006

Lollapalooza 2006



IT’S BACK!!!

After a successful show last year, Lollapalooza will return to the windy city on August 4 – 6. An extra day was added for more rock, can you take it?

To my surprise, last year’s show was great. Sure it had its share of crap bands and boring music, but to see the Pixies play with the Chicago Skyline in the background was pretty cool.

Rumors are going around as to who will be playing this year. Some of the names to reach the internet as a possibility have been the Smashing Pumpkins and Wilco.

For these festivals there is always a new big band, an up and coming band and a band that is reuniting or has recently reunited.

Let’s start our own rumors or say our own prayers. Who would you like to see play grant park this August?

Here are a few of the bands that I would like to see.

The Strokes
Polyphonic Spree
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
The Raveonettes
Broken Social Scene
Bloc Party
Richard Ashcroft
Kings of Leon

and for the reunited: Masters of the Hemisphere, the Smiths & Jane's Addiction (w/ Eric A.)

Friday, February 03, 2006

It's been a long time since I...

rock n' rolled and posted on this "blog"

here are a couple new links and I swear I will post something with some content in the near future.

Ask A Ninja

Pop Quiz

Shameless Promotion

Shouts and Murmurs

What you learn at swim camp

Why Tigers eat their young

Heavy Metal Umlaut

and now for the best thing Canada has to offer other than health care

Broken Social Scene

BSS Video

Cause=Time

Anthems of a 17 year-old girl

Also, I am thinking about putting together a rocking mix with everyone's input. Send me the first 5 songs that pop into your head or the last five songs you heard. We can then see how crazy you are and attempt to put them on a disc and have it flow.