Concerts:
Of Montreal, Roseland, PDX: I knew this would be an over-the-top theatrical show. I saw the pictures on Pitchfork. My former roommate saw them in Boston and thought it overpowered the music a bit. My ex-boyfriend saw them in DC and described the show as a "live-action erotic indie music cartoon." Well, it lived up to the hype. It was also the best crowd at a Portland show that I have been to - probably due to the inevitable need (of most) to dance to Of Montreal's music. It improved dramatically when I made it past a wall of standing tall people, and into the crowd of movers. They ended the encore with 2 covers: Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand and Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. The latter turned the jumpy-dancey crowd into moshers, providing most of them the first mosh to a Nirvana song in their lifetime, especially given that it was an all ages show. I realized that many of these concert-goers were born 4 years or maybe even less before Kurt Cobain killed himself. They did know, however, that Nirvana was something to mosh to. It was a fabulous show, and I ended the night stripping myself of soaking wet shirts - soaked with sweat from dancing in the hot hot heat (temperature, not music). UPDATE: After talking to my exes (roommate and boyfriend), I found out that there is little variation in the show. So little that it was some band/crew member's "birthday" at all 3 of the concerts (Boston, DC, and Portland). I think Smells Like Teen Spirit was the last encore song at each show, as well. I guess that is fine - why change things up if you have a good thing going. Just feels a little less spontaneous, which can sometimes be a nice feeling at a show.
Yeasayer, Aladdin Theatre, PDX: I had a very unsettled stomach when we got to this one. Fortunately for me, the Aladdin is a seated theatre, so I sat through the whole show (except for when they played 2080, when I stood and danced as much as my aching stomach would allow). It was still a great show (although openers Icy Demons sucked). I love the odd mix of people in the band - they do not look like they go together, which always attracts me for some reason. And I loved any time they all sang together. It was a nice follow-up to the chaotic craziness that was Of Montreal - smooth and together and simple showmanship. The only "extra" that they had on stage with them were glowing/colored balls throughout the stage. I think it worked.
New Albums: (if I like it a lot, it is in bold. if I am not sure or indifferent, it is in plain text. if I do not like it, I will say so. NOTE: I edit this entry as I listen, so if something has no comment by it, one may be added later - check back!)
- +/- - Xs on Your Eyes: This is a little boring, but fine. It don't hate it, but I don't love it.
- All Girl Summer Fun Band - Looking Into It
- Anathallo - Floating World: Ida's suggestion - it's ok. Kind of reminds me of Sufjan Stevens, although not as strong. I like the songs off of their album Canopy Glow better than Floating World.
- Arizona - Glowing Bird: Another Ida suggestion - eh...it's a little boring on first listen.
- Atlas Sound - Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel
- Karl Blau - Nature's Got Away: Everyone raved about this. Maybe I need to give it more time...
- Bloc Party - Intimacy: I really like a few songs, but overall I say, "eh."
- Chop Chop - Screens: I loved this. It's very poppy, so if you don't like semi-cheesy pop music, you my not like this.
- Crystal Stilts - Alight of Night: I am torn on this one. Some songs, sometimes, I love. Other times, it feels too lo-fi to handle. A little too much droning - to where it sounds like someone in pain. Each listen has felt different, though, so maybe it's me...
- The Dears - Missiles: Some people have raved about this album. I have yet to like any song on it.
- Fight Bite - Emerald Eyes
- Frederik - Na Na Ni: Another Ida suggestion - haven't listened.
- Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires: I LOVE this album. Dance pop that is really addictive.
- Jared Mees and The Grown Children - Caffeine, Alcohol, Sunshine, Money: This is hit-or-miss songwise. Some songs I really like, and others I want to skip. I guess you can't expect to love every song on an album, but perhaps my standards are too high then, cause it's disappointing to me to have to skip songs. Some of them are great, though. Trampling Daisies is one.
- Loch Lomond - Paper the Walls: I loved the one song of theirs that I have had for months now. I'm just now starting to listen to this album, so I will keep you posted on it.
- Love is All - A Hundred Things Keep Me Up at Night: I really like this so far. They are playing in Portland tonight, but I couldn't do 3 concerts in a row...
- Miniature Tigers - Tell it to the Volcano: This is so-so, although a few songs stand out and are really good - like Giraffe. Giraffe is also particularly appealing because my animal theme radio show a few months ago was greatly lacking in giraffes.
- Noah and the Whale - Peaceful the World Lays Me Down: Pitchfork hated it, in part because it's all been done before. Sure, it follows lots of pop music rules and recycles some ideas that have worked, like male/female vocals and "quirky" instrumentation, but I still like it.
- The Rosebuds: Life Like: This is pretty and nice. Much better, in my opinion, than their last album.
- Samamidon - All is Well: Ida suggestion - haven't listened.
- School of Seven Bells - Alpinisms: Dream-pop with female vocals that remind me of Papercranes. Smooth, layered sounds with subtle synths.
- Taken by Trees - Open Field: Vocalist is from The Concretes. If you like The Concretes, you'll probably like Taken by Trees.
- Tobacco - Fucked Up Friends: This is techno-electronicish stuff. It's pretty good if you're in that kind of mood. I am only sometimes in that mood, so I have yet to get a good rating of this.
- Shugo Tukumaru - EXIT
- Vic Chesnutt, Elf Power, & The Amorphous Strums - Dark Developments: I haven't listened to the whole album, but I saw them perform last week and really enjoyed it.
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