Central Village

Somebody tell them!

In case you haven't seen this yet...The Do They Know it's Halloween video!  For the lyrics (and who sings what parts) go here.  Honestly, the only one I could pick out at first listen was the second Wolf Parade part.  And David Cross', obvs. 

Speaking of DC, he was at this Halloween party Saturday night with a few friends of mine.  One of them kept on going up to him saying he loves his show on Comedy Central where he goes to different cities and stays up all night with the locals.  I think my buddy was just trying to fuck with him, but he ended up vomiting in a pile of garbage about 20 minutes later, so we can't be 100% sure. 

Anyway, Happy Halloween everybody!

Do They Know it's Halloween? (video)

(Thanks Erin for reminding me to post!)

H'ween Music

I dunno what to think about She Wants Revenge.  I'd love to like them, but the album feels a bit off.  There are a few solid songs, but the whole thing seems too artificial.  Like a plastic vampire you buy at Wal-Mart or something.  That being said, this has been my Halloween weekend anthem.  An absolutely filthy track.
She Wants Revenge - Tear You Apart

I don't remember when I got this song, but I've had it for a while.  Someone mentioned Patrick Wolf a few weeks ago, then I was re-reminded by this Pitchfork item on Friday.  I love it.
Patrick Wolf - Tristan (.m4a file)

Also, KEXP is playing an amazing Halloween mix this morning.  Songs with 'Ghost', 'Blood', 'Curse', etc. in the title, as well as the obvious Bauhaus, Siouxsie and others.

Boo!

A buddy of mine, who on every other Friday goes by the name DJ Never Forget, forwarded me this MP3 of Ben Gibbard covering Michael Jackson's thriller.  I know it's been around for a while, but...tis the season.  He's throwing a Halloween party at the Graham Lounge in Williamsburg tonight.  Details here.  Free Sparks till dawn...

Ben Gibbard - Thriller

Also, less seasonal I suppose, but The Mountain Goats are in town this week with CV favs The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers.  If you're going to either of these shows, be sure to get there early to check these guys out.  This has become my favorite song off the album of late.

Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers - The Sad Lives of Hollywood Lovers

Laguna beach Revealed!

It may not come as a shock that pretty much every concern or question you may have about Laguna Beach could be explained in under a thousand words.  We're not talking about Twin Peaks or Lost here.  But really, how has there not been an article like this yet?  It covers the bizarre contrivances of the show, every relationship anyone can could care about, what these people do in real life and EVEN touches on the appeal of Jason!  Bravo Seattle Times staff writer Pamela Sitt!  My favorite tidbit is "Casey's stepdad invented the frozen burrito."  Wow.  That just explains everything.

Running with the "Laguna" kids: Foam parties. Wow. Dun-zo.

UPDATE: Ok.  Just re-read for a third time.  Stephen and Jason live together?  Does LC ever sleep over?  How does "Single and Looking" Stephen deal with this??  The cameras better be rolling...

Just Because

Around 3:00 yesterday I got this song stuck in my head.  I was feeling a bit feverish after eating a funky lunch, but I just kept on having "I'm not...Your Academy!" looped in my brain.  I'm not even a particularly big Mission of Burma fan, either.  I like them fine and all, just a bit before my time.  I barely even know the song.  It actually took me a good 20 minutes to figure out what it was and who sung it.  How does this happen?  Where'd it come from?  Something must have triggered it, but I cannot for the life of me figure out what. 

Anyway, it was stuck up there.  The only cure was to go home and listen to it over and over and over again.  I can't explain.  Great little song.

Mission of Burma - Academy Fight Song

While I'm on the subject of absolutely nothing, is there any precedent for how amazing this new Franz Ferdinand album is?  I mean, it shouldn't it have been dead on arrival?  I don't know anybody who thought it could be even marginally decent.  I remember when the leak started floating around, I was completely indifferent as to getting it.  Barely could have cared less.  They were 100% last years news.  Then I finally get around to listening and, dare I say, it may be better than the debut?  They managed to keep the irresistible catchieness while actually improving on the formula, making the songs significantly deeper and more interesting.  These songs have lyrics!  And unpredictable hooks!  Not to mention that they play a show at what I can only imagine is one of the most undesirable venues in New York and (from all accounts) absolutely kill.  Unbelievable.  Far and away the biggest surprise of the year.

Franz Ferdinand - Walk Away

Three Disco Sheets to the Wind

Same set last night for the most part, except for one major addition...Disco Sheets! They played it to kick off their three song encore.  No Grounds for Divorce again, however.  They did reveal during the in-between song banter (following a request for Afternoon Delight I believe?) that they know how to play 2 covers very poorly: Graceland and one other (Dylan maybe?  I wanna say Knocking on Heaven's Door, but that doesn't sound right) (UPDATE: Bill P says it was, in fact, KoHD in the comments).  Overall, not as exciting as the Bowery show for me, but this was prolly because I got there late and was stuck in the back near the bar.  They played the same new and unreleased songs as they did the night before and on a second listen I liked them even more.  If anybody comes across a decent recording of any of these, please lemme know. (I imagine they've been playing the same ones throughout the whole tour?) 

For those who never picked up the Sub Pop EP, here's the song of the day.  Dance dance DANCE!

Wolf Parade - Disco Sheets

UPDATE: I love that picture above.  Via Brooklyn Vegan, who has many more from last night up here. Jen was there too.  And Jay.

Fancy Claps

Excellent last night.  A few comments:

• Lots of new material.  While a curious move so soon after releasing an album, it was all very good.
• No Grounds for Divorce.  On purpose.  The crowd was calling for it from when they came on stage.  They say they're sick of playing it.  Haven't played it the last 3 times in NYC, however.
• You are a Runner -> Fancy Claps was heaven.  Best moment of the set.
• Going back tonight.  Cannot wait.  Hoping they'll play Disco Sheets.
• Read other impressions at Heart on a Stick, Yeti, Bumpershine, Prefix, Brooklyn Vegan and Good Times Roll.
• More pictures after the jump, and on flickr.

Fork Plus

I'm happy to see The Joggers' newest get an excellent review.  Pitchfork gave With a Cape and a Cane an 8.3, which will hopefully draw some positive attention towards a well deserving band.  They'll be in town at the Knitting Factory on an excellent bill November 8th with Rahim and GoGoGo Airhart.  Tickets are available now.  Pitchfork also chimed in with the most positive 4.0 review ever for the new Fiery Furnaces album.  They're at Northsix on November 5th.  Tickets are still available for this show as well.

The Media

Walking to work today, I noticed the front page of the Daily News.  Classy.  It's not easy sometimes, but I try to root for the Daily News to take the high road, considering their competition is consistently slimy and awful.  So while they often disappoint, I was oddly struck by the cover this morning.  It just felt...perfect.  Very powerful.  Very well done.

Hello Inbox!

A surprising amount of interesting and important stuff came in via e-mail while I was in Colorado this weekend:

The newest Strokes song leaked, 'Razor Blade' is my favorite new one (Thx Jason).  I like almost everything I've heard so far (Especially the Walkmen-esque '15 minutes of pain'), but this one I guess is the most traditional?  Good song.  People seem to be a bit scared to post these leaks anymore, but Golden Fiddle shows no fear.

Death Cab is going to be webcasting their show from DC tonight at around 9:45 on NPR's 'All Songs Considered'.  You can listen in here.

Gothamist is now running op-ed columns on Sunday.  Most notably, the columns will be written in the first person, singular!  My General Admission concert reviews will still be posted during the week, but I may use this platform to exhibit my limited vocabulary on some topics beyond music.  We will see.

If you're a music fan (even a casual one) and haven't signed up for Coolfer's new music mailing list, you owe it to yourself to do so.  One e-mail every week listing what's new, with a bit of intelligent commentary.  Think of it as the Oh My Rockness of releases.

Finally, Morning Theft, a band I haven't written about in ages, is following one of my favorite Halloween traditions by covering Weezer's Blue Album all the way through on Friday, 10/28 at Fat Baby. Great chance to check out the new venue on Rivington and Essex.  Feel free to still yell out Pinkerton requests to no avail.