It’s definitely a shame that it sold out that fast. A bummer, really. But the minute people start flinging blame around, it just gets unnecessarily ugly. Point being? You’re not special, get over yourself, and if you’re that bitter, shell out the big bucks to see him on tour.
[Of course I also want to add the above is addressed not to you, dear readers of LARS, but to the whiners I came across on several plains (including the comments section of Stereogum. I know that my readers would never be so callous or mistaken].
Moving onwards…
BLACKOUT
Several bands have taken control of my iTunes lately. Ironically, they’re all black. That is, their names are. So here they are, in no particular preference, the black sheep:
*BLACK LIPSTICK*
I don’t think you can get much better than BL’s “Grandma Airplane.” You have all the makings of a fantastic pop/rock song, and every piece is interlaid without the feeling of authenticity. The yin of the woozy vocals of Philip are neatly complimented by the calming yang of Elizabeth‘s female seduction. The distortion on the guitar is just right, lending all the right twangs and jitters to the upbeat trimmings of drums. It’s the type of song that travels, that you can picture humming along a sunny country road with the top down. And it’s a perfectly balanced song, not getting too into its own pop with some healthy doses of extended guitar solos in the middle. “Grandma Airplane” was my initiation into the wonders of Black Lipstick back towards the end of winter. Since then, I’ve yet to part with their ‘Sincerely, Black Lipstick’.
Website
Grandma Airplane
Bob Fosse
[For a superb review of Black Lipstick’s stint at Hank’s Saloon, turn to Jay Good Times].
*BLACK MOUNTAIN*
Not to press the issue or anything, seeing as how I posted about them before, but Black Mountain are awesome. In a huge way. Their “Heart Of Mountain” was and still is one of my favorite tunes. But let us now talk about the other single from Jagjaguwar Records, “Druganaut”. It’s heavy, dirty, wily rock n’ roll. It sounds like Josh Homme got together with Caleb Followill and danced around a funeral pyre. The mix of droning and heavily amped guitars add solid depth and dread to the tone, while the deep moaning vocals howl away at the listener, eager to destroy and pillage. It’s such a wild departure from “Heart Of Mountain”, and one that solidifies my desire to get their self-titled LP.
Site
Druganaut
*BLACK MOTH SUPER RAINBOW*
Weird name? Yeah, no argument there. Weird music to match? Wonderfully so, yes. Think Deerhoof if they became addicted to LSD and broke into a RadioShack. “I Am The Alphabet” proudly displays their keen sense of beats and distortion, while “Trees And Colors And Wizards” trips around a elementary keyboard line until exploding into manipulated drum lines and undecipherable robotic vocals. They’re newest output, the Brothers Grimm-titled “Lost, Picking Flowers In The Woods”, hooks the ear with a killer drum dub under a moody mechanic vocal. Slowly, BMSR builds the tune until synths fly out of the stereo and melody after melody becomes interlaced. Cool can’t even begin to describe their style and output. Need more? ‘Start A People’ came out last year, while ‘We Live In The Rainbow’ is coming out in June.
Website
Lost, Picking Flowers In The Woods [for iTunes]
Trees And Colors And Wizards
I Am The Alphabet
SHOWTIME
As we all know by now, Beck’s playing the Hiro tonight. But, there’s equally important and awesome shows going down this weekend, including an appearance by one of my favorite young bands out there, CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH, at Northsix. Sadly it’s sold out (not my fault this time, I swear). Why, pray tell? Well, perhaps it’s because resident breakout band AMBULANCE LTD is joining them.
Other notables? Well, you might feel the presence of John Peep (R.I.P) at both Southpaw and the Knitting Factory this weekend. The legendary UNDERTONES are appearing at both to churn out their finest.
Also appearing at the Knitting Factory this weekend are the lovely and amazing MAGNOLIA ELECTRIC CO., a band whose talent has produced a lot of buzz lately. Of course, the buzz is mentionable due to its (gasp!) correctness, as MEC put on a great rock front, with some nice country/western touches. See the Events Calendar for more info. on this and other gigs.
Beck: Black Tambourine Video
Ghetto Chip Malfunction [Hell Yes] Video
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: Tidal Wave
Ambulance LTD: Heavy Lifting Video [Live]
The Undertones: Download “Teenage Kicks” clip
Magnolia Electric Co.: The Dark Don’t Hide It
IN OTHER NEWS:
Another Day For Eno:
Pitchfork manages to multitask as they post about BRIAN ENO and throw in a side-swipe at Louis XIV in the same breath:
Brian Eno Prepares New Album
IF YOU DON’T KNOW BY NOW:
You need to jump on this information before the tickets are long gone.
*BLOC PARTY are coming to Webster Hall exactly two months from now, 6/14 and 6/15. The latter is already sold out, so you’d best get here to see them play with Engineers and Automato on the 14th [16+, $20].
*Daft Punk may not be playing at your house, but LCD SOUNDSYSTEM sure as hell is. Surprisingly enough, tickets are still available for the Bowery Presents gig at Webster Hall, so get ‘em quick [18+, $20 advance].
[You know, I could go on and on about how many great gigs are going down at Webster courtesy of Bowery Presents, but for now, go to their Calendar for the month of June and feast your eyes on all the available shows for the likes of THE FUTUREHEADS, SPOON, THE GET UP KIDS/FRENCH KICKS, and more].
*You may think that the upcoming RAVEONETTES show at the Mercury Lounge is sold out. And you’d be partially correct in thinking so. The 27th is indeed sold out. However, another show on the 26th is still wide open, and it features not one, but two shows by the band (at 6:30 and 9pm respectively). Get the tickets and rock out for your favorite Swedes.
*You do not want to miss DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979 playing at the Mercury Lounge, especially not when they do so with the help from Controller.Controller. Tickets anyone?
[Alright, just a few more Webster gigs]:
*Slowly but surely, these dates are going to sell out. So don’t miss BRIGHT EYES and THE FAINT playing Webster Hall for five straight nights (from 5/21-5/25). The 21st show is already sold out, so go here before it’s too late.
*But just in case you are, you can still drown your sorrows at the venue the following two days when RILO KILEY play. $18, 18+, click here and enjoy.
*And last but certainly not least, catch the KAISER CHIEFS in July at the obviously well-booked venue of the moment, Webster Hall, and celebrate your independence from shitty music. 7/21, 18+, $20
For more updates on shows, head over the Events Calendar.
A cute reminder from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah:
Rock Photo:
The Undertones. Taken by Denis O’Regan in 1976 for CORBIS.
Recommended at the price/Insatiable an appetite/Wanna try?-S.
