Central Village

I tried to resist...

For some reason I didn't think I'd like Sufjan's new album.  I never bothered to download the leak when it first came out, just kind of figured I'd ignore it.  Not really sure why. 

Well, after hearing a few tracks on KEXP, I caved.  Of course, it's as good as everybody says.  It's a long and sweeping collection of songs, and I haven't really had the chance to take it all in yet, but I love everything I've listened to so far. 

This song Chicago, in particular, really grabbed me.  I'm having a hard time getting to the rest of the album because every time I put it on, I just wanna go back and listen to this over and over again.  So great.

Sufjan Stevens - Chicago

Voxtrot Returns

Voxtrot is coming back!  These guys were one of my favorite little gems last year, and I've been patiently waiting for them to come play back east again.  The tour dates are below, as well as an MP3 off their site.  They'll be playing two shows in August as of now in NYC at Rothko and Magnetic Field.  Catch them if you can, they are a ton of fun.

Voxtrot - The Start of Something

Billy Connects!

Last night I went to see Billy Corgan at Webster Hall.  It could have been a disaster, but it wasn't.  It was a perfectly good show.  I'm not a particularly big fan of the new album, and he played songs exclusively off it this time around, but the stuff seemed to come off better live.  Webster Hall was hot, as expected, but the show was not sold out so it was reletively bearable.

I was impressed by how good Billy still was.  The songs are not great, but his image, the guitar and his voice were all perfect.  I see no reason why he couldn't step back into his Pumpkin shoes and take off right where he left off.  While this album isn't bad, it just feels very empty and soft.  The fact that everything is electronic really takes a lot of the soul out of the music.  I hate to sound like one of those old rock purists, cause I love plenty of electronic music, but in this particular case, it's true.  It's certainly not too far gone tho, and getting back with a band and making real music again should come easier than many would like to believe.  I'm looking forward to it.

He also seemed suprisingly happy.  Very receptive to the crowd, taking time to blow kisses and shake hands with the fans after his encore.  You read all the interviews and stories about him and you wanna see him as this cold, egotistical has-been, but he appeared to be trying to really embrace his fans on this tour. (no pun intended)  It was endearing.  I really want to see him back on top.

But anyway, I forgot my camera at home, which is a real shame since the stage layout was beautiful and quite photogenic.  I stole that image above off flickr from a different show on this tour with the same setup. 

Overall, much better than expected.  I hope he sticks to his word and brings the band back together.  It'd totally be worth it.

(also off flickr from a different show)

Putting Food on the Table...

I have no idea where his parents were.  There was a cigar box with some change and a few bills in it at his feet.  The sign on the ground said he had been doing this since 5:30 and his record was something like an hour and a half.   It was about six when I walked by.

While amusing, there was something eerily depressing about the whole scene.  Too many questions...

July is Upcoming

I haven't been going to all that many shows lately.  Not sure what it is exactly, since I remember looking ahead to June last month and thinking every band in existence would be playing in NY.  Guess not?

Anywhoo...There are a few shows coming up in July that I'm already pegging to attend...

UPDATE: Two other shows coming up soon to throw in there.

Surefire is playing Shout at Bar 13 this Sunday, July 3rd, and the Diggs are playing Merc next Tuesday, July 5th.  Still trying to get in touch with that suburban youth hidden away inside me somewhere...

7/7 - The Von Bondies, World Leader Pretend at Pier 54
The Von Bondies haven't done anything for me lately...or ever really I guess, but World Leader Pretend seems pretty promising.  If the weather's nice, it's hard to pass up a free outdoor show.  Of course this is the same night as...

7/7 - Charlie Bissell solo at Pete's Candy Store
The Wren's frontman is playing a solo show at the little venue this night as well.  He goes on at 11, so maybe I can catch a bit of WLP, then head over to this.

7/9 - We Are Scientists at Mercury Lounge
Kinda over that one song already, but everyone says they're lots of fun live.

7/13 - Five O'Clock Heroes, Spinto Band, Nightmare of You at Rothko
Rothko's been quiet lately, but they've got some interesting shows coming up.  Ultragrrrl's Stolen Transmission showcase will likely be a trip, no matter what you actually think of the bands themselves.

7/13, 20, 27 (more?) - Scissor Sisters at Mercury Lounge
I have tickets to the first two shows.  Don't know if I'll go to one, both, or somehow all three, but if you can go, these shows are not to be missed, ovbs.

7/14 - Dinosaur Jr., Broken Social Scene at Summerstage
To be perfectly honest, I'm going strictly for BSS.  Dino Jr. is fun and nostalgic and all, but I don't think I'd shell out $30+ to see them alone.  Calixico and Sun Volt are playing tonight as well (both free and outdoors)

7/15 - The Ponys, Chin Up Chin Up, Rahim at Rothko
This is the Insound pre-Siren party.  CUCU is enough to get me there alone.  The other bands I'd like to check out too.

7/19 - Hard-Fi, The Cribs, Sam Champion at Mercury
This show has a giant must-see asterisk next to it.  Two fantastic British groups I'm dying to see, as well as one of the most talked about local bands around.  I think it would behoove everyone to get there early for Sam Champion anyway, since tickets are apparently not going on sale for this one, and it'll surely fill up quick.

7/20 - Dirty on Purpose, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Saints and Lovers at Southpaw
I hear Saints an Lovers are no longer playing this, but the other two bands are reason enough to still come check it out.  UPDATE: S&L ARE playing this show after all, as Audrey points out in the comments.  Absolutely not to be missed now.

7/21 - Kaiser Chiefs, The Cribs at Webster Hall
I still stand by my earlier assertion that The Kaiser Chiefs are the most fun live band around right now.  I had an absolute blast at both of their shows I went to this year, but Webster Hall can be quite the deterrent.  Maybe if I reeeally like The Cribs earlier in the week...

Then after that, I'm off to Lollapalooza for a weekend, then Antony at Town Hall to close out the month.  There's a lot of really good stuff I wanna see.  Much more than I thought there'd be when I started this list.  Am I missing anything?

Pride

From a balcony high above lower 5th ave we watched the parade stomp downtown.  There were wine coolers in the fridge and LPGA golf on TV.  Beautiful day.  Always a spectacle.  I put lots more pics up here on Flickr...

The Diggs will break your heart

Was lucky enough to catch a set by The Diggs last night at The Delancey.  Pure emo bliss done to perfection.  I mean, watch that intro for their website!  Is there anything that could make you more want to be an angst ridden suburban teenager?   I don't normally listen to this kind of stuff...didn't even when I was a kid, but these guys are real good.  You can listen to some of their stuff on their MySpace page, and download some MP3's here.  I thought they sounded even better live.

They have a few shows coming up next month at Mercury Lounge and the Cake Shop before they start a late summer residency at Sin-e.  Go see them if you can.

For the converted...

• WHITE WRANGLER RODEO western DISCO JEAN

• White Dress Pants for Boys

• How To: Wear White Pants

• "Where, online, can I get a good pair of white jeans?"

and finally...

• White Is Back In Men's Clothing

Links found by JER and JPG.

Image via BrianVan

Inspiration by Ghostland Observatory.

Puppydogs

The people over at Script Blog e-mailed me a story the other day about the fellas from Death From Above 1979's exploits while touring around Japan.  Not sure that I totally buy it, since by all accounts, and as the story seemed to hint at early on, these guys are sweethearts on the inside.  Unmitigated violence doesn't seem to be their MO.  Either way, it gave me an excuse to put up this Black History Month Remix I had been scouring the internet for weeks trying to track down.

Death From Above 1979 - Black History Month (Alan Braxe and Fred Falke Remix)

Looks like Autolux is touring with NIN and QOTSA at the end of the summer, but they are not listed for the MSG show in September.  The rumor was back when everything was announced that DFA '79 would be opening for them here.  Any conformation yet?  Both bands are quite stunning live, but I think I'd prefer to see DFA.  Autolux I feel is a band you gotta see up close to really appreciate.

Either way, If I can get a good ticket, there's a strong chance I'd go to this.

I know I've been a bit of a broken record

Kind of not much to talk about this week.  Haven't heard anything remarkable on the radio recently.  The band of the hour is, clearly, Ghostland Observatory.  So I'll talk about them.  Again.

Tonight I'm going out to see the GLO for the third time in four days.  I rarely go and see a band twice.  But that's how much I enjoy watching these boys perform.  They are playing at the Delancey tonight, and I cannot urge you enough to come see them play.  I've put up the MP3's, linked to the reviews, shown the pictures...what else can I do.  See you there.