If you are a fan of the 80s, Lost In the 80’s is a great blog to check out. i was reading through it and discovered a bunch of songs that i have totally forgotten about. Namely, Human League’s “Open Your Heart”. I had forgotten how great that band is! Sure, everyone has heard “don’t you want me” and “fascination” but what of the other songs? Each post also has a lot of information and “trivia”. so check it out!

I forgot about this video but i thought it was appropriate being my first 90’s Nostalgia post. Im going to admit that Ace of Base was in fact the first CD i have ever bought. I’m not going to be lame and say that it was a guilty pleasure because its not- i genuinely like the record. I STILL listen to it! But, i never realized how lame this video was.

It features random jump cuts between band members combined with really lame effects with fire and floating signs. There is overuse in bad wavy dance movies to the extent where I feel like I’m watching them do the time warp. The guys stand in the background trying to emphasize parts of the video. But wait…. This song doesn’t actually have a spoken word part for them to perform. Instead, they just stand in the background do runway walk. There is also the stupid fan effect that blows the hair back as the guys try to look tough while shaking their fists and making other “big” gestures. Somehow there is still a story going on- guy and girl were together and then “saw the sign” that they were not meant to be.

—————-
Now playing: Damien Rice - The Blower’s Daughter
via FoxyTunes

I’ve been a fan of Nerina for a few years now. I discovered her singing on the Delerium track “Truly”. I was lucky enough to be at one of the west coast shows where she actually performed the track live with Delerium. After the show, I proceeded to immediately purchase her solo record “Dear Frustrated Superstar”. Songs like “My Last Tango”, the tracks that showcased her piano playing really resonated with me. About a year and a half later, i was surprised to see a Myspace message from her introducing herself and asking to be my friend. A few months of correspondence she wrote me again telling me that she would be doing a small show at Hotel Cafe. I jumped at the opportunity to see her play and was completely blown away by what i heard. These songs became the basis for “Fires”, her second record. Boasting such talent as matt chamberlain, wendy melvoin, jon brion, and eric rosse on the record, “Fires” was released on her own label with the backing of her publishing company. The record found success and Nerina was signed on 14th Floor records (damien rice’s label) and re- released. This year Nerina was nominated for a Brit award for British Female Solo Artist as well as an Ivor Novello for best song.

Listen to:
- Idaho
- Sophia
- Damascus
- My Last Tango
- Geek Love
- Peg (steely dan cover)
- Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division Cover)

She’s also been featured on Live at Abbey Road:

The Aquarium Drunkard has a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” by the White Stripes up on their page. I’ve never heard the song before but its wonderfully depressing.

there is this post i just read about Jose that really resonated with me. I think you should read it.
Author Molly Lambert compares Jose’s music to the term Saudade and couldn’t be more accurate.

You should also watch this commercial feat. Jose’s cover of “Heartbeats”

TOUR UPDATES

The Berlin show on September 13th is SOLD OUT. An extra show has been added on the following day, Friday September 14. Get your tickets immidiately if you don’t want to miss out. www.kartenhaus.de

The Bratislava date has been changed from the 6th of October til the 8th. Ticket can be purchased at http://www.ticketart.cz

Tickets for the ORLANDO, FL show on November 9th will go on sale Sat, 08/25/07 10:00 AM EDT. www.ticketmaster.com

THE ALTERNATIVE TOUR 2007

SEP 08 - MOONBEACH FESTIVAL / GERMANY
SEP 13 - BERLIN / MAGNET SOLD OUT
SEP 14 - BERLIN / MAGNET
SEP 21 - LIVERPOOL / ACADEMY
SEP 22 - GLASGOW / KING TUTS
SEP 23 - MANCHESTER / ACADEMY
SEP 24 - BIRMINGHAM / ACADEMY
SEP 25 - CARDIFF / THE POINT
SEP 26 - LONDON / ISLINGTON ACADEMY
SEP 28 - BARCELONA / SALA BIKINI
SEP 29 - MADRID / SALA CARACOL
OCT 03 - HAMBURG / UEBEL & GEFARLICH
OCT 04 - PRAGUE / LUCERNA MUSIC BAR
OCT 05 - BRNO / FLEDA
OCT 07 - VIENNA / ARENA
OCT 08 - BRATISLAVA / ZRKADLOVY HAJ
OCT 09 - GRAZ / ORPHEUM
OCT 10 - MUNICH / BACKSTAGE
OCT 11 - INNSBRUCK / WEEKENDER CLUB
OCT 12 - FRANKFURT / O25
OCT 13 - MONS / EXPO

OCT 15 - PHILADELPIA / NORTH STAR BAR
OCT 16 - BROOKLYN / MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG
OCT 18 - BOSTON / GREAT SCOTT
OCT 19 - MONTREAL / PETIT CAMPUS
OCT 20 - TORONTO / THE MOD CLUB
OCT 22 - DETROIT / MAGIC STICK
OCT 23 - CHICAGO / DOUBLE DOOR
OCT 24 - MINNEAPOLIS / 7TH STREET ENTRY
OCT 26 - DENVER / BLUEBIRD THEATRE
OCT 27 - SALT LAKE CITY / URBAN LOUNGE
OCT 29 - VANCOUVER / PLAZA CLUB
OCT 30 - PORTLAND / DOUG FIR LOUNGE
OCT 31 - SEATTLE / CHOP SUEY
NOV 02 - SAN FRANCISCO / BOTTOM OF THE HILL
NOV 03 - LOS ANGELES / EL REY THEATRE
NOV 06 - DALLAS / CLUB DADA
NOV 07 - HOUSTON / ENGINE ROOM
NOV 09 - ORLANDO / THE SOCIAL
NOV 10 - ATLANTA / TBA
NOV 11 - NORTH CAROLINA / TBA
NOV 13 - WASHINGTON DC / TBA
NOV 14 - NEW YORK CITY / BOWERY BALLROOM

NOV 17 - LUXEMBOURG / DEN ATELIER
NOV 18 - PARIS / TRABENDO
NOV 23 - FRIBOURG / LE TRANSFORMATEUR

Chris is one of my favorite musicians. You may know him from his work with the Sneaker Pimps- he was the vocalist and primary song writer for “Bloodsport”. You should catch him in these mid- sized clubs before he explodes onto the scene (i guarantee it will be very soon).

If you get a chance to see Carina live you will not be dissapointed! She is one of the most natural performers i have ever seen.

“Moneymaker”, the first single off of “Under the Blacklight” left many fans wary of the direction the band was going in with their new record- the video featured porn stars and had Jenny Lewis erotically moaning and singing about her moneymaker over a simple guitar riff. It raised questions of whether RK sold out and lost their indie cred. With the last record, “More Adventurous”, it seemed that Jenny Lewis & Co. were heading off into the alt rock direction but they did a complete u- turn and created a homage to 70s music. With Mike Elizondo at the helm, the record is infused with elements of disco, country, blues, and funk. Lewis, after creating her solo country influenced record brings a lot of the same vocal styles to this record.

Songs like Silver Lining and Close Call may sound more familiar to RK fans than the rest of the record (which is probably why they were the first two tracks on the record). “Breakin’ up” has an electro intro that sounds like a Postal Service track. The back up soul singers are an unnecessary addition to the track. The title track, “Under the Black Light” is a beautiful and melodically rich ballad that lets Lewis’ vocals really shine. “Dreamworld” features Blake’s best vocal work to date (I normally skip the songs he sang on from the last records). I guess a duet is a nice change in pace. “Dejalo” is a perfect example of the disco and funk influences. “15” sound sounds like a Dolly Parton song. “Give a little love” reminds me a lot of the Steely Dan track “Peg”.

For Rilo Kiley fans of the old, they will probably hate this record. Many of the tracks sound too polished, overproduced, or forced. Unlike the past records, there is less diversity in the tracks and therefore difficult to get into. Many times, it seems like Lewis is trying to be lyrically vague and the byproduct are songs that feel insincere. But, give it a few more listens and you will warm up to it. It helps if you think of it as a new band with a new record as opposed to “new” Rilo Kiley. I mean the band deserves some credit- breaking out of the indie mold and coming out with a disco record? Don’t write them off just yet….

You should listen to:

• Moneymaker
• Close call
• under the blacklight
• give a little love

Boasting a lineup of:

Julien- K

HIM

Placebo

Taking Back Sunday

My Chemical Romance

Linkin Park

it is difficult to see why Placebo is even in this grouping- they have been one of my favorite bands since the 90s.  Brian & Co. have boasted international success along numerous world tours. Hopefully the MS broadcast of their set will make their name even more recognizable.

The Long Blondes is one of those bands that is great for long drives in traffic- they make me wanna rock out in my car pumping my fists, drumming, and singing along LOUD. The tracks are poppy with catchy lyrics and fun beats. They are in the same vein as Sahara Hotnights gone fem rock.. In the song “Once and Never Again”, Spade sings about a 19 year old and her need for a boyfriend to define her life. “Separated By Motorways” is the story of two girls in a hopeless relationships and the friendship between the two girls that helps them overcomes loneliness.

Listen To:

• Once and Never Again
• Separated by Motorways (I prefer the first version as opposed to the re-release)
• Giddy Stratospheres
• Madame Ray
• Weekend Without Makeup

Does adding to the Long Blondes to my interest list make me cooler? No, but I sure feel like it when listening to their music.

Tegan and Sara “The Con”

Im going to admit that I downloaded the new T and S record a two weeks before it was released (don’t worry, I bought their record). Having been a fan of the twins since “If It Was You” I was unsure of the direction they would be taking with the new record. At first listen, I didn’t like it was much as “So Jealous”. I found the two opening tracks forgettable. But the girls were right when they sing “Capsized on the verge of safety”. For me, I was on the verge of getting sucked into the rest of the record. Tegan and Sara’s lyrics have always been okay and they’ve grown a lot in their songwriting. The melodic content and the music always overshadowed their lyrical ability. On this record the highlight would definitely be the arrangements and the layers of guitars combined with synths. I guess the new addition of Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie) as co- producer and Matt Sharp (the rentals) solidified the T and S sound and balanced out the record more.

Be sure to take a listen to:

The Con

Burn Your Life Down

The Knife Going In Hop A Plane

Ninteen

Rilo Kiley announced a secret show via a myspace message!

FRIDAYFREE! / All Ages!
Doors @ 8:00 PM
August 10th, 2007

DETAILS BELOW

All Star Lanes

4459 Eagle Rock Blvd,

Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 254-2579

YOU WILL NEED A

WRISTBAND
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO GET A

WRISTBAND

Writsbands will be avalibe for pick up after 4PM (NO LINE UPS PRIOR TO 3PM) Friday at the Echo (The echo is located at 1822 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026 in echo park - The telephone number is (213) 413-8200)

You must bring a print out of your MySpace profile with both Rilo Kiley & Secret Shows in your top 8.
Entry is limited so get there early to ensure success!

Absolutely no cameras and no camera phones will be allowed in the show

THIS IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVED, so get there early and stay in line.

If you will, imagine a poorly lit, hazy backroom lounge. As you walk in, voices change to hushed whispers. You can’t help but eavesdrop on some secret conversation. This is what 8mm sounds like.

Listen to:

• - No Way Back (this track is epic)
• - Liar (i love the piano on this song, its like a dream)
• - Quicksand
• - Give it up

Their record Songs To Love And Die By (please note the James Bond- like title) was released in 2006 and features a record full of epic and sexy sounding songs. Selections from the record was played on shows like Grey’s Anatomy (Liar was feat. in the episode where Meredith falls off the dock), One Tree Hill, and Wonderfalls.

I will admit that I sat through a torturous episode of One Tree Hill just to hear 8mm. Yes, it was worth it simply because Sean’s voice brought someone out of a coma. He sounds a bit like Jon Brion and having both voices on Forever and Ever Amen is simply delicious.

If you get the chance, catch 8mm in your city! Seeing this band perform live is an entirely different experience- the energy is transformed into something much more intimate like a conversation. The band is now a three piece and features Sean doing all the guitar work, Juliette on vocals and Jon on drums. The band looks like how they sound- sophisticated and grand. Juliette is simply hypnotic onstage. During their last song “Give It Up” Sean and Jon get a bit crazy with just guitar and drum solos. By the time their set is over you will probably need a cigarette.

You can check out some of their vids from their Snocap performance here:

Check out this video: 8mm Live @ SNOCAP “No Way Back”

Add to My Profile | More Videos