Apparitions

Danish noise rockers, The Raveonettes, just released a new video for Apparitions, off their 2011 LP, Raven In The Grave.

Middle Of The Map Fest

I went to Ink's Middle Of The Map Fest at Westport in Kansas City, MO last night. Checked out Daniel Johnston at the Beaumont Club and The Raveonettes at the Record Bar. Below are a couple of videos of Johnston's set, courtesy of I Heart Local Music, a Lawrence, KS outfit, who wrote up reviews of Day 1 and Day 2. Also check out Ink's write-up.

Updated with a few vids of The Raveonettes set, courtesy of imstld.

Recharge and Revolt

New vid from Danish fuzz rockers, The Raveonettes, off their upcoming album Raven in the Grave, due out April 5th. Check out the video for Recharge and Revolt, below.

Rave On

One of my favorite bands, Danish fuzz rockers, The Raveonettes, just released a sneak peak at their new album Raven In The Grave due out April 5th. The album drops just ahead of their April 9th show at Record Bar in KC as part of Middle of the Map Fest. Check out the free track Forget That You're Young.

Tracklist for Raven in the Grave:
01 Recharge & Revolt
02 War in Heaven
03 Forget That You're Young
04 Apparitions
05 Summer Moon
06 Let Me on Out
07 Ignite
08 Evil Seeds
09 My Time's Up

Scion Garage Fest - Lawrence, KS

I went. Last night. It was awesome.

Saw Cloud Nothings at the Granada. Not a lot of people but it was early and the band had tons of energy and played a great rendition of Didn't You.

Got ripped and went to Liberty Hall to see Best Coast. Bethany was hot. She played most of the good cuts from Crazy For You and she also played two of her popular, but definitely less poppy, singles that preceded the album, Sun Was High (So Was I) and Up All Night.

Went to The Bottleneck to see Thee Oh Sees and as it turns out they had switched time slots with another band and had already played. Pretty bummed because I heard they played the best show of the festival.

Took a few tabs to cheer up.

Headed back to Liberty Hall to get seats in the balcony.

The Greenhornes had just started their set. Never heard of them. They were incredible. Stripped down, pounding garage rock.

Sharin looked sexy as f@&#. Couldn't take my eyes off of her. The Raveonettes played a super mellow show for the most part. Moody and haunting. The stage was soaked in red light. Crazy celestial paintings covered the ceiling and walls. Every sight and sound was part of a dreamy, ethereal haze. I can die happy.

My Top Ten Favorite Albums

DJ Shadow - Endtroducing..... (1996)
A Hip Hop masterpiece. The first album ever to be comprised of only samples. Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt needs no introduction.

Panda Bear - Person Pitch (2008)

A dynamic solo album from Panda Bear (Noah Lennox) of Animal Collective. Usually tagged as Freak Folk or Psychedelic Pop, the sound of the record is eerily similar to the production of Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys. Check out Take Pills. It starts out slow but gets very lively.

The Raveonettes - Lust Lust Lust (2007)
This album is characterized by dark lyrics, intense noise, pounding beats and 50's/60's pop chords. It sounds like what I think an album by The Jesus and Mary Chain would sound like if it were produced by Phil Spector in the 60's... brilliant. Blush is one of the most moving tracks off the album.

Madvillain - Madvillainy (2004)
Collaboration between producer extraordinaire Madlib and masked rhymer MF DOOM. Highly acclaimed at release, Madvillainy is already regarded as a classic, and for good reason. There are three remix albums, one by Madlib himself. The other two are by Koushik and Four Tet, both electronic artists on Stones Throw Records. Check the videos for All Caps and Accordian.

Lovage - Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By (2001)
Concept album from supergroup Lovage, featuring Mike Patton and Jennifer Charles on vocals, Kid Koala on turntables and Dan the Automator as producer. Lazy trip hop beats meld with sultry, passionate vocals, and spirited cuts by Koala. The themes of lust, intrigue and betrayal are revealed in a playful, tongue in cheek manner. To Catch a Thief is one of my favorite tracks off this record.

Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)

Debut full length album by Canadian indie giants, Arcade Fire. Every track on this album is incredible and diverse. Defies explanation. Check out Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) and Neighborhood #2 (Laika).

 

Danger Mouse - Ghetto Pop Life (2003)
Top notch producer DJ Danger Mouse and Jemini the Gifted One collaborate on this rare hip hop gem. With guest appearances from Prince Po and The Pharcyde, its easy to see why this is heralded as a classic. Some tracks are hard hitting and serious while others are lighthearted, like Don't Do Drugs.

The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
This album was largely ignored upon release but has since been proclaimed as one of the most influential rock albums of all time. Perverse and sadistic lyrics over strange and noisy instrumentation. Venus in Furs has an Eastern quality to it.

The Avalanches - Since I Left You (2001)

One of the most creative albums ever produced, The Avalanches debut LP is cobbled together from over 3,500 obscure samples from old records, films, and TV shows similar to Endtroducing. It's an awe inspiring feat of musical production. The album mixes disco, hip hop, trip hop, and dance music to create a strange balance that weaves throughout the tracks. Frontier Psychiatrist really shows off their creative sampling.

Leonard Cohen - Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967)
The first album I ever heard. I still have my father's original pressing. It may also be my favorite album ever. So Long, Marianne was likely the first song I ever listened to, and I wouldn't mind if it were the last.