My CMJ top 15: Part 3

5. The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers
Man, I really love this band.  It's a shame that Pianos was such a mess on Friday afternoon and the 3:30 scheduled set turned into a 5:15 start time.  Perry Wright writes some really heartbreaking stuff that I just cannot stop listening to.  My favorite song (maybe of the entire year) is Lisa, which is told from the perspective of an imaginary friend who is trying to cope with the real person growing up and forgetting about her.  Finally hearing it live was like a religious experience.  I can't wait till they come back in October with the Mountain Goats.

4. Silversun Pickups
Is there such thing as an Indie one-hit wonder?  I thought these guys were it, hearing Kissing Families almost every day on KEXP for the last few months.  I had nothing else to go on except the strength of this one song, and I wanted to hear it.  Little did I know that when I wandered over to the Fader House on Saturday, that not only was the rest of the set was going to be flawless, but that the band would would be so magnificently loud and intense.  Literally, the amps on the back of the stage were rocking back and forth, on the verge of tipping over.  There was just this feeling in the air that something special was happening.  The band was so caught up in it all that the lead singer inexplicably announced mid set that they now live in New York, which according to their manager is completely untrue.  Regardless, they are welcome back anytime.  Hopefully soon.  And as if seeing Brian Jonestown Massacre at Pianos tonight wasn't enough, these guys will be opening for them there.  Very much looking forward.

3. Wolf Parade
It was almost as if Wolf Parade was trying to blow it.  One member stumbles on stage with a billowing joint in his mouth and wouldn't stop babbling about how he is seeing ghosts.  Another wouldn't shut the fuck up about how drunk he was, acting like a College Freshmen trying to impress a Senior during rush week.  A third looked absolutely terrified to be playing a show this big with his bandmates in such states of mind.  There was also the theremin player who looked appropriately fried for a theremin player, and a comatose drummer who silently gazed off into space for most of the set.  It had all the makings of an epic disaster. This was THE hype band of CMJ.  All eyes were on them, and they were acting like may be too much for them to handle.

But then they started playing music and oh my fucking god did they deliver.  The show had this sloppy precision and overwhelming intensity that was on an entirely different level from anything else I had seen all week.  Whether they like it or not, they nailed this show directly on the head.  Next month, they come back and get to try and top themselves once again. (Tickets are still available)

2. Two Gallants
Seeing these two perform on Friday gave me the idea to create this list.  I don't know why, but it's when it came to me.  I needed to quantify exactly how good I thought they were.  And to think that I was very close to not even going.  What a mistake that would have been.  Jen had mentioned them earlier in the week, and texted me right before they were supposed to go on.  I knew nothing about them, but had nothing else really to do till much later in the night, so I hopped in a cab and booked it crosstown.  By far the best decision I made all week. They were perfect.  I was in awe.  I didn't know people made music like this anymore.  I hope they come back soon.

1. Cloud Cult

These guys are simply the best band out there right now. I feel like I've been talking about them so much recently I'm out of complements.  Craig Minowa's songs deserve the attention of the world.  They are filled with so much pain yet so much hope.  I don't know a fraction of the hardship he's dealt with, but listening to his music is truly inspiring.  I hope CMJ was a positive step in the right direction for them, because they deserve every ounce of praise that will undoubtedly be headed their way over the coming years.

Click here to see 11-15
Click here to see 6-10

Comments

[t99]

not

[David Z]

I'm with you on numbers 1 and 5 (don't really know the others). KEXP has put together a live podcast with Prayers and Tears AND Cloud Cult--just go to iTunes Music Store/Podcasts and look for KEXP in NYC.

Prayers and Tears album is only HERE:

http://www.buhananrecords.com/catalog-bh009.php

[jerry yeti]

Jeff, hook us up with that Lisa song. You've mentioned it a couple times now.