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Masada in March @ Yoshi’s

30th Dec 08 (Tue) Leave a comment

I wish it weren’t during tax season (or) that I weren’t a CPA (or) that I lived closer…

These Zornfest dates were posted on Erik Friedlander’s website.  It’s not on Yoshi’s website yet (too soon), but the Dreamers and Electric Masada sets are confirmed on bassist Trevor Dunn’s performance listing.  Eleven (or more) sets of Masada and Masada-based music spread over six days by six different groups.  This line-up looks totally freaking AMAZING…

ZORN FEST 2009 at Yoshi’s in Oakland, CA (changed to San Fran)
http://sf.yoshis.com/sf/jazzclub (tickets on sale now)

March 10 – The Secret Chiefs 3 Play Masada
March 11 – Masada String Trio – 2 sets
March 12 – Masada Quintet – 2 sets
March 13 – Bar Kokhba Sextet – 2 sets
March 14 – The Dreamers – 2 sets
March 15 – Electric Masada – 2 sets

Seriously, guys… come on… you’re killin’ me… it couldn’t have been one month later? :)

~Dan – np: Miles Davis – Get Up With It

Categories: Music News Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

* Favorite Instrumental Albums of 2008 *

29th Dec 08 (Mon) 9 comments

Disclaimer section is again shamelessly plagiarized from Andy Whitman at Paste…

Disclaimer #1: No, I haven’t heard all 8,000 albums released this year. I’ve heard about 200 of them, which makes me at least 97.5% likely to be wrong. But hey, this isn’t math class, and I make no claims to objectivity. These albums are my favorites from 2008. You might think that the one you’ve heard that I haven’t heard is the best album of 2008. And you might be right.


Disclaimer #2: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just get it out of your system now and be done with it. I am deliberately trying to be obscure. Who the hell has even heard of these people? So go ahead and vent, then read Disclaimer #1 again.

My Other Favorites of 2008 Recaps:

  • Fave Concerts of ‘08 are recapped *HERE*
  • Fave EPs/Vinyl/Live/more of ‘08 are recapped *HERE*
  • Fave Vocal Albums ‘08 are recapped *HERE*
  • Old Years: 2007V, 2007I, 2007C, 2006, 2005

As I start this post, I will say that this is all very subjective and really put together for my own purposes.  I’ll also state that, yes, some of the music below does have some vocals.  For the most part, it’s sequestered to a track or two on a long CD of mostly instrumental goodness.  My list, my rules, and/or my breaking of the rules.  With that being said, all of the artists below tend to be in the jazz and instrumental frame of reference anyway.

Hopefully my spilling out of music that I like finds interest with someone else.  But if not, thanks for stopping by… check out their webpages, MySpaces, my fave song recommendations on iTunes (in 30 second bursts), yadda yadda yadda.  OK, now on to the best of what’s hit my ears this year on the mainly instrumental front…

Honorable mentions (aka my list is too jam packed, and I still really love these records, too): Bill Frisell‘s History, Mystery (with Eyvind Kang, Jenny Scheinman, Kenny Wollesen, etc); Charlie Hunter‘s Baboon Strength; John Zorn‘s Filmworks XX & XXI: Sholem Aleichem & Belle de Nature / The New Rijksmuseum; Medeski Martin & Wood‘s Radiolarians I; and Dub Trio‘s Another Sound is Dying.

Reptet – Chicken or Beef? (Monktail Creative Music Concern) :: I feel like I’ve written too much (especially on my Top 20 Vocal albums blog); so these descriptions / raves might be shorter… we shall see.  Reptet is a great 6-piece jazz band from Seattle.  I heard about them via Jim Wilke’s Jazz Nothwest podcast back in late 2007, when a collaboration of Seattle jazz & avant bands called the Monktail Creative Music Concern played a gig that got aired in its entirety.  Anyway, Reptet is one of my fave bands in the MCMC.  They’re a quirky jazz band with an odd sense of humor.  I dig it… a great, modern brass-forward jazz sextet.  Favorite tracks are “Reptet Score!” and “Eve of Thrieve.” http://www.reptet.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/reptet
Daniel Zamir – I Believe (Tzadik) :: I have some of Daniel’s Satlah project, of which I dig a plenty.  This one was outside of the Satlah camp, enlisting NYC scene heavyweights Uri Caine, Greg Cohen, and Joey Baron.  I waffled on including it until I heard it again recently.  It’s really gorgeous.  More on the mellower, nee spiritual, side of the the music coming out of the Radical Jewish Culture series, Zamir really offers up his soprano sax melodies as prayers.  The title of the album and the music really match up perfectly. Favorite tracks are “Poem 10” and “Poem 51/52.” http://tzadik.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/danielzamir
John Zorn – Filmworks XIX: Dimitri Geller’s The Rain Horse (Tzadik) :: John Zorn put out a handful of Filmworks this year, and all of them are good.  FW XXI would have made it on the list as well, had it not been for the too often used harpsichord in The New Rijksmuseum scoring (the parts for the Belle de Nature score are really gorgeous, though).  Anyway, the Filmworks series are usually some of John Zorn’s most accessible. The Rain Horse is a subtle trio of Erik Friedlander on cello, Greg Cohen on upright bass, and Rob Burger on piano.  Favorite tracks are “Parable of Job” and “Tears of Morning.” http://tzadik.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/johnzorn
Talkdemonic – Eyes at Half Mast (Arena Rock) :: No, their album cover doesn’t really do the animation thing (a la Tool’s Ænima).  I just couldn’t help using that animated GIF from their MySpace page.  This Portland post-rock duo swung through Eugene at least twice this year.  I caught their brilliant February show.  Their album didn’t come out until later in the year, and it continues in the sound from their prior two albums.  Great electro-acoustic post-rock… drums, viola and electronics. Favorite tracks are “Duality of Deathening” and “Tides in Their Grave.” http://talkdemonic.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/talkdemonicmusicmaking
NIИ – Ghosts I-IV (halo) :: Sparse and haunting, Ghosts I-IV reminds me of a soundtrack meets demos for Trent’s next album.  Perhaps that’s where they came from, ideas kicking around in his head.  For a fan of instrumental music, it’s a highly enjoyable 110 minute journey into many different soundscapes.  For the download version, each track has it’s own artwork attached in the file which is a nice addition even though I hate the shift towards the potential eventual demise of the “album.” Favorite tracks are “14” and “31.” http://www.nin.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/nin
Bobby Previte & New Bump – Set the Alarm for Monday (Palmetto) :: A new version of Previte’s Bump the Renaissance, this group includes two of my favorite players – – Ellery Eskelin on sax & Steven Bernstein on trumpet.  Drummer Bobby Previte does many projects, some more in the avant-garde scene… but New Bump definitely fits into an accessible range (similar to Coalition of the Willing with Jamie Saft & Skerik).  This album is really “jazz-cinematic” a la a private investigator drama soundtrack perhaps. Favorite tracks are “I’d Advise You Not to Miss Your Train” and “There Was Something In My Drink.” http://www.bobbyprevite.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/previte
Steven Bernstein – Diaspora Suite (Tzadik) :: This is Bernstein’s fourth in his Diaspora series for Tzadik’s Radical Jewish Culture, and it very well be my favorite.  It seems much more adventurous than the past efforts, which is what I like about Steven’s trumpet playing and compositions.  I think Suite fits better in with his larger Sex Mob and Millennial Territory Orchestra catalog (but from a decidedly Jewish musical culture standpoint, obviously).  I hope I get a chance to see him sometime… he played in Ohio just after I moved away, and he played in Seattle in November (as part of Earshot Jazz Fest), but being on a Wednesday… well, I didn’t make it up for the show. Favorite tracks are “Zebulon” and “Judah.” http://stevenbernstein.net/ -and- http://myspace.com/stevenbernsteinmusic
Auragami – Esoteric (indie) :: Auragami is a former Dayton, OH, now San Diego-based bass guitarist named Michael Miller.  This album isn’t commercially available, as far as I know.  I know Michael Miller from going to shows around Dayton (and surrounding).  We’ve got a lot of the same leanings with the rock stuff (Galactic Cowboys, King’s X, et cetera), and I’m happy that I made it on his Christmas card list… because the Christmas card list has been a new CD of his for the past few years. Esoteric is a 40-minute record with the melodies, crunch and remix-friendly bass that I’ve come to love about his music.  He also collaborates with others on this album (a personal fave, Mike Georgin, being one of them).  As far as the sound, it’s very much a bass with drum loop affair… some subtle melodies, some heavier/grittiness (a la NIN), and some organic-electronics that fit well with another San Diego artists, The Album Leaf and Goddamn Electric Bill.  Not being commercially available officially, you can check out his music on MySpace and maybe see if he’ll sell you a copy.  It seems to be a crime to not be out there.  Anyway, thanks for the Christmas gift, Michael! Favorite tracks are “Colab” and “Clover.” http://www.myspace.com/auragami
Goddamn Electric Bill – Topics for Gossip (99X) :: GdEB is a one-man electronic band from San Diego (Jason Torbert is his name), similar in that sense to The Album Leaf, but I’d say GdEB is less ambient and definitely more in the electronic / remix realm when compared to TAL.  GdEB might compare similarly to Frog Pocket, but maybe less… um… buzzy & bleepy.  I don’t know.  I suppose me comparing a little known San Diego electronic artist to another lesser known Scottish electronic artist doesn’t help much.  Check GdEB out for yourself… Favorite tracks are “The Morning Commute” and “The Shallows.” http://www.goddamnelectricbill.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/goddamnelectricbill
Hiromi’s Sonicbloom – Beyond Standard (Telarc) :: Hiromi Uehara is a freakin’ whiz on the piano.  I got into her with her 2007 CD Time Control after a few clips on BMG’s website (I was trying to round out an order).  Her style is very much a jazz-rock fusion, which I’d almost say the rock element comes from her piano skills rather than the rest of the band.  You wouldn’t expect this sound just based by the cover alone… the 29 year-old Hiromi amidst bright colors.  You’d think it were some Japanese bubblegum pop or something.  Anyway, this is her 2nd Sonicbloom album in as many years.  She played a several date run at the Triple Door in Seattle this past summer.  If she does it again soon, I’m totally making the drive up. Favorite tracks are “Led Boots” and “XYG.” http://www.hiromimusic.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/hiromimusic
Medeski Martin & Wood play John Zorn‘s Masada Book Two – Book of Angels, Vol. 11: Zaebos (Tzadik) :: Medeski Martin & Wood have been in the Tzadik family for a while.  They contributed a track to the Unknown Masada album, which was sort of the initial idea that eventually brought out the Masada Book Two series (i.e.- new, previously unrecorded Masada book tunes not recorded by the Masada quartet).  John Medeski has also appeared on many other Tzadik releases in a studio musician sense.  With that being said, MMW’s inclusion into the Masada Book Two series came as a total shock, though.  I think it was announced in early June ’08 for a July release.  Whereas Secret Chiefs 3’s Masada Book Two release was announced in winter ’07 for a May ’08 release (almost a year and a half).  Anyway, MMW’s Zaebos is a great record.  I’d say it doesn’t rank as high as Xaphan and Lucifer for this year’s releases in that for some reason I don’t think the MMW Masada tunes work as well with their style as the tunes work with Secret Chiefs 3 or Bar Kokhba Sextet’s style.  All said and done, it’s still a brilliant record for 2008 and for both the Masada and MMW catalogs. Favorite tracks are “Chafriel” and “Tutrusa’i.” http://tzadik.com/ -and- http://mmw.net/ -and- http://www.myspace.com/medeskimartinandwood
Tiptons Sax Quartet – Laws of Motion (Zipa! Spoot) :: Similar to Reptet, I got into the Tiptons via Jim Wilke’s Jazz Northwest podcast.  I found out about them literally a day after they had been in Eugene in Dec ’07.  D’oh!  Anyway, I believe that this is their 3rd full length CD, though they had some former releases with different members under the name the Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet.  They’re an all-woman sax quartet (plus drums) from Seattle.  They’ve got ties to some great jazz musicians & composers (Eyvind Kang & Wayne Horvitz for example).  This album has some vocals, but all in all, it’s a jazz record with a touch of eastern European music (balkan-klezmer per my untrained ears) thrown in. Favorite tracks are “Fallout” and “Number Six.” http://www.tiptonssaxquartet.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/tiptons
Mostly Other People Do the Killing – This is Our Moosic (Hot Cup) :: I saw trumpeter Peter Evans in Eugene in February, and it was a mind-blowing avant-garde set.  This band on the other hand, led by Moppa Elliott, is more of a Sex Mob-influenced jazz funk romp.  Great music from these NY gents.  You can get their albums on CD Baby (please, support indie moosic). Favorite tracks are “The Bats in Belfry” and “Drainlick.” http://www.moppaelliott.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/mostlyotherpeopledothekilling
Stebmo – Stebmo (indie) :: Multi-instrumentalist Steve Moore has played with Earth, Sunn 0))), and enlisted some friends (Eyvind Kang, Matt Chamberlain, Todd Sickafoose, Tucker Martine and more) to help out on his first solo album.  I saw him open for Skerik’s Maelstrom Trio this past spring as well as play with Earth in June.  As mentioned in the live review, his album is a bit like the organic/melodic elements of the Album Leaf mixed with the building nature of an Explosions in the Sky set mixed with a heaping handful of electronic jots & tittles like those that may have hit the Kid A cutting room floor. Favorite tracks are “Dark Circles” and “Waiting Game.” http://stebmo.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/stebmo
John Zorn’s Moonchild Trio (Mike Patton/Joey Baron/Trevor Dunn) – The Crucible (Tzadik) :: This album is a rare December release on Tzadik (since 2000, they’ve taken the month off).  Continuing in the Moonchild Trio’s glossolaliac noise metal theme, this album also adds John Zorn’s wonderful sax trade-off with Mike Patton’s screaming utterances.  Guitarist Marc Ribot also adds very Led Zeppelin riffage on one track (“9×9”).  When the original Moonchild album was released (2006), I thought it was going to be a one off… well, four albums in, I’m definitely hoping it continues a bit more… Favorite tracks are “Almadel” and “Maleficia.” http://tzadik.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/johnzorn
Swami Late Plate (Bobby Previte & Jamie Saft) – Doom Jazz (Veal) :: The album’s title, Doom Jazz, says it all.  This album fits well for fans of Sunn 0))), Earth, Bohren & Der Club of Gore and others in the slow rock, doom, sludge movement.  I find it completely compelling… Favorite tracks are “Malignant Cloud” and “The Bearded Man Cannot Help You.” http://myspace.com/swamilateplate -and- http://myspace.com/doomjazz
God of Shamisen – Dragon String Attack! (Reptile) :: God of Shamisen is Kevin Kmetz, an I first heard of him when he was playing with world metal band Estradasphere.  He’s also played (briefly) with Secret Chiefs 3.  He’s had a few solo albums, but this year saw GoS release two band efforts: the 7″ vinyl for “The Science Fiction of Ray Bradbury Attack!” and then their full-length debut this past fall.  I picked up this debut at their show in Eugene (go here for my review with pictures).  While it has some minor vocals on a song or two, it’s still primarily a instrumental attack.  Japanese metal fusion… excellent stuff. Favorite tracks are “The Science Fiction of Ray Bradbury Attack!” and the spread across the album in several waves “Dragon String Attack!” http://godofshamisen.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/gos
Mogwai – The Hawk is Howling (Matador) :: Much more enjoyable to me than their recent tour (review link). I can control the volume… yay! I dig this record A LOT. This Scottish band has put out some consistently great records. This one bounces back from their mellower Zidane with more gusto, more power, yet still retaining the melody. You know… the melody that gets drowned out in their live show. Favorite tracks are “I’m Jim Morrison, I’m Dead” and “The Precipice.” http://mogwai.co.uk/ -and- http://myspace.com/mogwai
Yoshie Fruchter – Pitom (Tzadik) :: Wow… I’m definitely looking to more from Yoshie Fruchter in the future.  Like Jon Madof’s Rashanim and Yves Weyh’s Zakarya, Yoshie Fruchter brings in a great rock vibe to the Radical Jewish Culture series. Favorite tracks are “Go Go Golem” and “Lungs and Spleen.” http://tzadik.com/ -and- http://www.yoshiefruchter.com/
SF Jazz Collective 2008 (Dave Douglas, Joe Lovano, Miguel Zenon, and more) – SF Jazz Collective 2008  (Wayne Shorter feature) (SFJAZZ) :: I became a fan of this band because of one man: trumpeter since their 2007 band, Dave Douglas.  I also got to see them this past February at the PDX Jazz Fest (see my combo SF Jazz & Ornette Coleman review here).  This jam-packed 3-CD set is full of Wayne Shorter arrangements and originals by the band members.  It’s a little step on the price by today’s standards, but it helps support the not-for-profit SFJazz organization. Favorite tracks are “Aurora Borealis,” “Secrets of the Code,” and “Aung San Suu Kyi.”
 http://sfjazz.org/
John Zorn – The Dreamers (Tzadik) :: Played by the Electric Masada band, The Dreamers continues with the motif and accessibility of 2001’s The Gift… mixing world, jazz, exotica, surf and more into a very pleasing John Zorn package.  Combined with the fantastic cute animal art by Chippy, this one will most definitely rank in the top Zorn releases.  I hear it may find its way onto vinyl, or perhaps that’s just me stoking the embers of the rumor house’s fireplace. Favorite tracks are “A Ride On Cottonfair” and “Nekashim.” http://tzadik.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/johnzorn
Jason Schimmel’s Orange Tulip Conspiracy – Orange Tulip Conspiracy (Web of Mimicry) :: Jason Schimmel has played with two bands that I love: Estradasphere & Secret Chiefs 3.  This album continues on with Estradasphere’s Palace of Mirrors’ eclectic world music sound, but also brings in a bit of exotica, cinematic sound.  I saw them in Eugene in November, and John Whooley’s sax blew me away as much as Jason’s guitar work. Favorite tracks are “Fall Creek” and “Rendezvous.” http://orangetulipconspiracy.com/ -and- http://www.myspace.com/orangetulipconspiracy
Earth – The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull (Southern Lord) :: I went to their show at WOW Hall in Eugene in June after getting into Stebmo (see #12 above).  They pretty much played stuff from their latest album.  After the show, I quickly nabbed their prior work from Amazon used (and whatnot).  Great band in the slowcore genre.  They have deep ties to the Seattle scene, co-mingling with Kurt Cobain, the Melvins, Sunn 0))), and others.  In fact, Kurt Cobain even guested on Earth’s 2nd EP, Extra-Capsular Extraction.  With that being said, they’re definitely not grunge, they’re not rock, they’re not metal… they’re what you might call drone rock.  Slow but powerful. Favorite tracks are “Engine of Ruin” and “Rise to Glory.” http://www.thronesanddominions.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/earthofficial
The Bar Kokhba Sextet plays John Zorn‘s Masada Book Two – Book of Angels, Vol. 10: Lucifer (Tzadik) :: The Bar Kokhba Sextet showed up in 1996 as an almost direct spin-off of the Masada book; so them doing a Book Two album was almost a given.  Holy cow, it’s a brilliant record… but I always loved what the Sextet had done previously.  The Sextet is the tour de force of Cyro Baptista, Joey Baron, Greg Cohen, Mark Feldman, Erik Friedlander, and Marc Ribot.  This is one band in my list that I wish I’d seen… I’m crossing my fingers that Earshot Jazz can bring ’em over to the PacNW sometime. Favorite tracks are “Sother” and “Abdiel.” http://tzadik.com/ -and- http://www.last.fm/music/Bar+Kokhba+Sextet
The Secret Chiefs 3 play John Zorn‘s Masada Book Two – Book of Angels, Vol. 9: Xaphan (Tzadik) :: I shant write too much about Xaphan, as I wrote a fairly in-depth review of it back when it came out.  I will say that it aged well and still held the Top spot all year.  It’s a GREAT record.  My main disappointment is that I wish they’d have played some from it at their tour this past fall.  Favorite tracks are “Shoel,” “Bezriel,” and “Balberith.” http://webofmimicry.com/ -and- http://tzadik.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/secretchiefs3

Well, I bought ten (10) John Zorn CDs this year (unless I’m misscounting), and 2 of them didn’t make it anywhere on the list (the Lou Reed & Laurie Anderson improv benefit CD for The Stone NYC & the score for The Last Supper, aka Film Works XXII)… so, you can’t say that I’m totally biased towards John Zorn. :)  Though, I do buy just about everything in his label Tzadik’s Archival series, Key series, and Radical Jewish Culture series (and a handful of the rest of the other series).

What I’m looking forward to in 2009? More great music…

~Dan – np: Miles Davis – Miles in the Sky

Categories: Lists & Favorites Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Diva Zappa

27th Dec 08 (Sat) 2 comments

Diva Zappa‘s contributions to the recent aaafnraaa birthday bundle digital release on Frank’s 68th birthday are excellent… very quirky, she’s very much a Zappa offspring.  It’s on iTunes.  The whole album’s worth owning, especially for a Zappa fan.  Diva’s tracks are “Alice” (my fave) and “Espanoza.”  Melanie Starks take on “Dumb All Over” is another gem… of course, I’m quite fond of the lyrics to that one…

The tracklist for the album:

  1. Dancin’ Fool (Disco Version) by Frank Zappa
  2. More Trouble Every Day by FZ
  3. Gorgeous Inca by FZ
  4. Ancient Armaments by FZ
  5. America The Beautiful by FZ
  6. You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch by Dweezil & Ahmet Zappa
  7. Saturday Girl by Dweezil
  8. Alice by Diva Zappa
  9. Espanoza by Diva
  10. Dumb All Over by Melanie Starks
  11. Twenty Small Cigars by Joe Travers
  12. Lacksadaisial by Joe Travers
  13. Dirty Love by Cree Summer (Dweezil & Ahmet)

~Dan – np: the aforementioned aaafnraaa

PS- “aaafnraaa” stands for “anything anytime anywhere for no reason at all again,” a motto of Frank’s.

PPS– Fave Instrumental Albums of 2008 to be posted Monday AM (for those who care).

Categories: New Sounds Tags: , , , , , , , ,

* Favorite Vocal Albums of 2008 *

24th Dec 08 (Wed) 7 comments

Disclaimer section shamelessly plagiarized from Andy Whitman at Paste…

Disclaimer #1: No, I haven’t heard all 8,000 albums released this year. I’ve heard about 200 of them, which makes me at least 97.5% likely to be wrong. But hey, this isn’t math class, and I make no claims to objectivity. These albums are my favorites from 2008. You might think that the one you’ve heard that I haven’t heard is the best album of 2008. And you might be right.

Disclaimer #2: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just get it out of your system now and be done with it. I am deliberately trying to be obscure. Who the hell has even heard of these people? I am a sell-out who includes ridiculously well-known artists such as Metallica on his list. Who the hell actually believes that Metallica could make a great album after their atrocious efforts post-1996? So go ahead and vent, then read Disclaimer #1 again.

My Other Favorites of 2008 Recaps:

As I start this post, I will say that this is the first year (ever) that I bought more instrumental CDs than vocal CDs (though after 12/31/07, 2007 instrumental albums have since overtaken 2007 vocal albums in the CD racks).  For that reason, the favorite vocal albums list goes first this go ’round… and now on to the best of what’s hit my ears this year…

Jude Christodal – Cuba (indie) :: 2008 marked the first time in 8 years or so where I had the absolute pleasure to see Jude live.  He came through Portland in June, and absolutely blew me away.  This Cuba record didn’t necessarily “blow me away,” but it is full of some gems that for some reason or another never made their way onto a real release.  Call it a “b-sides” record.  Since Jude is totally independent these days, it’s available on CD Baby.  Favorite tracks are the title track and “One of These Days.” http://www.judemusic.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/judechristodal
Praxis – Profanation: Preparation for a Coming Darkness (Columbia Japan) :: Bill Laswell’s supergroup with Buckethead & Brain on just about every track with guests spots by Iggy Pop, Mike Patton, Serj Tankian, Killah Priest, Tatsuya Yoshida, Otomo Yoshihide, and more… It’s a veritiable onslaught of sound.  This is definitely on the heavier side of things, with a touch of the avant-garde.  As far as I know, it’s only available in Japan (or cool outlets like the Downtown Music Gallery in NYC). Favorite track is “Larynx” with Mike Patton. http://www.innerhythmic.com/
Metallica – Death Magnetic (Warner Bros) :: Ever since May of 1996, I never thought I’d really care that much about another Metallica record again. Load, Re-Load, St Anger, and all of the crap in between was utter rubbish. St Anger being the absolute nadir of their recorded work, in my opinion.  Well, somewhere inside I hate to say it, “Death Magnetic is a great record.”  I don’t know if the band (specifically Lars Ulrich) can pull it off live… nor do I plan on spending a brazilian dollars for a nose-bleed seat to find out.  Anyway, it was good to hear the band in good form again (even with their ridiculous lyrics).  Sometimes it’s like it’s a comedy record with shreddin’ guitars behind it.  Favorite track is “Broken, Beat & Scarred.” http://www.metallica.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/metallica
Ty Tabor – Balance (Molken Music) :: A late release… just got it a few weeks ago.  Ty Tabor is one of my favorite guitarists around.  He’s got the whole “volume swell” thing down to a science, and while he can do some flashy work, he’s more of the subdued genius.  Being in King’s X, he’s one of the founders of the grunge sound (though rarely gets credit).  Anyway, he’s got the chops, but when he puts out a solo album… it’s usually more of a subdued affair.  Well, not this time… it’s definitely more rocking and shows off some of his great guitar work while still maintaining the balance of his usual songwriting.  I could totally skip the opening track (“Money Mouth”), but he recovers from it greatly (IMO).  My favorite track is “Good that Way.” http://www.tytabor.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/tytabor
Opeth – Watershed (Roadrunner) :: My favorite Swedish death metal band, Opeth, is known for their blistering drums, shredding guitars, cookie monster vocals, and… their softer side?  Eh, since 2006’s Damnation album of slower tunes, they’ve had that option to expand into more genteel tunes.  The two videos from Watershed thus far (“Porcelain Heart” and “Burden”) have (IMO) been a mockery of their sound.  I mean, regardless of Damnation, these videos are totally butchered into ballads that I don’t think are giving a good representation of Opeth’s sound.  Anyway, with that being said, the nearly hour-long 6.5 song album finds great favor to my ears.  My favorite tracks are “Heir Apparent” and the aforementioned “Porcelain Heart.” http://www.opeth.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/opeth
Mike Patton – A Perfect Place (Ipecac) :: While Mike Patton has had some silver screen exposure (he “acted” in the indie flick Firecracker and was the voice of the evil animals in Will Smith’s I Am Legend), this was his first time scoring anything (though he’s on the docket to score the feature-length Crank 2).  Released as a double-disc (soundtrack CD and short film on DVD), this was a great way to get a small budget indie short film by Derrick Scocchera out to people who may never have seen it.  It’s got a twist of murder, idiocy, and humor.  Mike Patton’s score suits it well, and it also fits his eclectic back catalog fairly well also.  Favorite tracks are “A Little Poker Tomorrow Night?” and the title track. http://ipecac.com/
King’s X – XV (Inside Out) :: King’s X rarely disappoints (2003’s release fit that rare disappointment category).  Anyway, getting beyond the opening track “Pray” (what is it with both King’s X and Ty Tabor leading off with doozies?) it gets into the great rockin’ groove that King’s X is known for.  Doug Pinnick covers most of the lead vocals on this album, but Ty handles a few, and drummer Jerry Gaskill also pulls out his excellent lead vocals this time around on “Julie.”  I also got to see them in August in Cincinnati (my review with pictures), and they were a tight 3-piece unit.  They’ve been making music together for more than 25 years.  I hope they continue for a little bit more.  Favorite tracks are “Move” and “Alright.” http://www.kingsxrocks.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/kingsx
Noctaluca – Still the Wicked Rest (indie) :: I bought this thinking it was just some live CDR or something (I don’t pay attention sometimes).  When it showed up, I was all like, “holy cow, they went all out on packaging a live CD.”  Well, my mind was blown when I heard the first bursts from the newly recorded “Monkey Moon,” which didn’t make it on their last stellar album (2006’s Towering the Sum).  Let’s just say that I hope Jason Ludwig and Noctaluca can continue to make great music.  This sophomore studio record doesn’t disappoint at all.  It’s a great mix of grungy hardrock with dreams of Pink Floyd, Radiohead, and Alice in Chains with Rage Against the Machine meets Operation:Mindcrime lyrics.  And, yes, I’ll continue calling them one of my favorite local bands.  I still own property in Cincinnati (under duress due to the whole housing bubble elephant dump in Ohio); so they still count as local to me here in Eugene, Oregon. :)  Favorite tracks are “Monkey Moon” and “Hegemaniacal.”  And the vocal work by Jason at the beginning of “Doomed are the Killers Who Hide Behind the Banner of God” totally pwns me. http://www.noctaluca.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/noctaluca
Kaki King – Dreaming of Revenge (Velour) :: Venturing more and more into singing… Kaki’s 4th album shows off her songwriting in addition to the reason I found her music – her superb fretwork.  She’s on my list of “why does she keep swinging through town when I can’t go see her” artists.  Anyway, excellent songwriting, excellent guitars… a beautiful record.  Favorite tracks are “Bone Chaos in the Castle,” “Life Being What It Is,” and “Can Anyone Who Has Heard This Music Really Be A Bad Person?.” http://www.kakiking.com/ -and- http://www.myspace.com/kakiking
Carla Kihlstedt’s 2 Foot Yard – Borrowed Arms (indie) :: Carla Kihlstedt almost made it on here with another album as well (her collaboration with Matthias Bossi & Dan Rathbun called Ravish and Other Tales for the Stage).  She’s an outspoken violinist from the SF Baby area, who works in the chamber music, avant-garde jazz, and experimental metal scenes with Tin Hat Trio, Book of Knots, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Fred Frith’s Cosa Brava, and many more.  2 Foot Yard is more of her string rock band with Charming Hostess’s Marika Hughes and avant-world guitarist Shahzad Ismaily (who has worked with the Secret Chiefs 3 & Marc Ribot to name a couple).  2 Foot Yard is a supergroup of sorts.  Anyway, their 2nd album, Borrowed Arms, is a tour-du-force… my favorite track “Octopus” grabs you with it’s first lyrical sting of confusion, pizzicatto strings, and reverse-sounding effects on the drums in spots… “I have three hearts and one’s for you.  It’s only big enough for two.” fwoup fwoup fwoup http:/www.2footyard.com/ -and- http://www.myspace.com/carlakihlstedt -and- http://www.myspace.com/2footyard
Greydon Square – The CPT Theorem (indie internet release) :: As if being a rapper doesn’t bring you drama enough… Greydon is also an atheist who tends to have beefs with his own group of people (Brian Sapient and the Rational Response Squad).  Anyway, major drama notwithstanding, Greydon put out a great follow-up to 2007’s The Compton Effect.  With content like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens and style like Eminem (and some say Germaine Williams aka Canibus, of whom I haven’t heard), Greydon’s music really pops with me.  Favorite tracks are “Cubed” and “Judge Me.”  This album was an internet-only release; so it’s only available on iTunes and other e-music shops. http://myspace.com/greydonsquare
Hotel Lights – Firecracker People (Bar/None) :: I loved Ben Folds Five… a lot.  One of my favorite songs of theirs wasn’t one of the quirky tunes, it was the sentimental “Magic” written by their drummer Darren Jessee.  Well, after Ben Folds Five broke up, Darren went on to form Hotel Lights.  He’s traded the skins in for a guitar and the vocal duties.  2006 brought the excellent self-titled debut.  Last year brought a great EP, goodnightgoodmorning.  And this year brought their sophomore record, Firecracker People.  My favorite track is the lead-off “Blue Always Finds Me.” http://www.hotellights.net/ -and- http://www.myspace.com/hotellightsmusic
Ani DiFranco – Red Letter Year (Righteous Babe) :: Ani DiFranco played a few tunes that made it on this record for us in Eugene in April.  It was a fantastic show, but it doesn’t take an accountant with a spreadsheet fetish to tell you that she was bound to release that album 9.38 months after her previous release, Canon.  Oh wait, yeah, it might take an accountant with a spreadsheet fetish to get that detailed.  Anyway, this is yet again a solid product put out by her indie empire build on car tires and chicken wire.  Sometimes her detractors think her albums have too much filler (and she shouldn’t put out so much music).  Well, with every song that doesn’t work like (IMO) “The Atom” (it might work better as a poem), she has gems like “Alla This,” “Present/Infant,” and the horn-driven “Red Letter Year Reprise.”  I think if she had a new album every other month, it’d still be more geniius than what’s hovering at the top of the Billboard charts. http://www.righteousbaberecords.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/anidifranco
Sigur Rós – Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (XL) :: With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly… Sigur Rós continue to deliver excellent music in superbly and lovingly crafted packages.  This album might be their most “accessible.”  It took a bit to grow on me, though.  While it doesn’t seem as compelling as their earlier albums, I still dig it a plenty.  I also got the chance to see them in Portland in October (excellent show!).  It baffles me how this group of non-conformist, non-mainstream musicians from a small country like Iceland seem to have taken the indie rock scene by storm since 2001.  I mean how does it happen?  I guess I’m just glad that it did happen.  My favorite tracks are “Gobbledigook” and “Við spilum endalaust.” http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/ -and- http://myspace.com/sigurros
Celldweller – Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head (FiXT) :: OK, this one actually fits my rules for an instrumental album… most of the tracks are instrumental industrial jams that Scott Albert (aka Klayton aka Circle of Dust aka Celldweller) has been kicking around since working on the follow-up to his utterly superb debut (under the Celldweller moniker).  However, one of the lead off tracks and other tracks intertwined in the CD have lyrics.  So, I’m making a judgment call and including it in this list rather than the instrumental list.  The truth is that my instrumental top list is getting jammed up and I needed to flip this one to the vocal list to make room.  I make the list… I can break my own rules.

I’ve been a fan of Scott/Klayton since, oh, 1995?  His music is mezmerizing, full of powerfully rhythmic industrial music with a very heavy dose of pop sensibility.  “Celldweller” is my favorite project of his, though his other musical work (even with magician Criss Angel) rank high in my music collection.  I hope the long-awaited sophomore Celldweller release sees the light of day before 2012.  Oh, this album is available for free in mp3 format (though the CD is cheap and comes with extra bonus tracks).  Favorite track is “Birthright.”  Check out his webpages for more info. http://www.celldweller.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/celldweller
Plover (Glen Phillips / Neilson Hubbard / Garrison Starr) – Plover (indie freebie on the internets) :: I’m a big fan of Glen Phillips, whether with Toad the Wet Sprocket, solo, or side projects.  Well, this year saw him release a solo EP (which is grand), tour on his own (of which I saw when he came through Eugene), tour with Toad the Wet Sprocket (which I sadly didn’t see this time), collaborate with nerdcore rapper MC Frontalot, tour again with Jonatha Brooke (which I missed due to work schedules changing), sit on and break a glass coffee table and shred up his arm (he’s recovering nicely, I hear), and put out two solid A++ side-projects.  Plover is the more subdued side-project (compared to RemoteTreeChildren further down the list), but it really fits in well with Glen’s music.  I’d never heard Neilson or Garrison’s music before, but I like what all three artists brought to the table.  Also, it‘s absolutely free (if you want).  You can pay what you want for better quality 320kbps or FLAC (and you should, as it’s also the only way the artists get money).  Favorite tracks are “Wishing You Were Somewhere Instead of Wishing You Were Somewhere Else” and “All Eyes.” http://plovermusic.com/
Extreme – Saudades de Rock (Open E) :: What can I say?  I spent more than words on this band this year… I flew to Cincinnati to see them put on a kick-ass show at Union Center Blvd Bash.  Go here for my review with many pictures of King’s X and Extreme.  While I think there are a couple of snoozers on this record, overall it’s still a very solid record.  I hope Gary, Nuno, Pat and whatever drummer they bring along (sorry KFigg) continue to make great music.  And I hope it’s not another 13 years until their 6th studio album comes out.  Favorite tracks are “Comfortably Dumb” and “Interface” (one of Nuno’s from Dramagods). http://www.extreme-band.com/ -and- http://myspace.com/extreme
Steven Wilson – Insurgentes (indie) :: I felt guilty paying for this limited edition release.  The original pressing was only 4,000 copies, complete with in a special coffee-table book photo edition. Well, I felt guilty until I got it and saw how beautiful it it turned out.  Great job Steven!  And the music is pretty damn kick ass as well.  For those familiar with Steven Wilson (and his many bands: Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, No-Man, Bass Communion, IEM, et cetera), this first solo album hit the spot for me compared to the most recent PT & No-Man releases.  It’ll be out in a “normal” version in Feb 2009.  My luck is that Steven will tweak it or add stuff to the Feb 2009 (or later) release(s) and I’ll have to buy it again.  He’s like that… hmph.  Favorite tracks are “Harmony Korine” and “Insurgentes (Mexico).” http://swhq.co.uk/ -and- http://myspace.com/therealstevenwilson
My Brightest Diamond – A Thousand Shark’s Teeth (Asthmatic Kitty) :: When this album first came out, I liked it.  But I didn’t think it’d rise to be in the top 2.  I mean, I like it, but I liked her debut (Bring Me the Workhorse) a lot better right out of the gates.  This one was more of a slow burn.  I suppose seeing her play a lot of these tracks live last month also helped solidify the album in my mind as a gem.  Shara is charming, witty, powerful and sublime.  This is a great record, and there has also been a plethora of other MBD activity on the internets (iTunes EPs, remixes, etc) to keep me happy this year.  My only complaint… she needs to get her buddy Sufjan back in the studio and on the road.  Favorite tracks are “Inside a Boy” and the deliciously cute “Apples.” http://mybrightestdiamond.com -and- http://myspace.com/mybrightestdiamond
Remote Tree Children (Glen Phillips / John Askew / others?) – Veteran of the Loudness Wars (indie freebie on the internets) :: OK, first off, this may seem totally unfair to the albums that were in my collection for longer… but as of December 9th, I had no idea about the impending pwnage of this record.  Then Glen Phillips posted a blog and dropped it on top of the internets’ head.  Then I downloaded it… and it’s such a slut, it made sweet love to my ear holes.  I think I spun it about 10 times that first day.  Actually, maybe my ears are th sluts.  Never one to not be hyperbolous, I think it’s great and it wins as my favorite vocal album of 2008.  And the kicker?  It’s absolutely free (if you want).  You can pay what you want for better quality 320kbps or FLAC (and you should, as it’s also the only way the artists get money and can continue to make sweet love to ear holes all around the world).  Favorite tracks are “You Will Be Pwned” and “Blood Pressure Rise.” http://remote-tree-children.com/

OK, so 3 of my top 6 are ones you can nab for free (legally).  So… go on… get some great music!

Top 25 instrumental albums coming up later… before year’s end, I promise.

~Dan – np: Goddamn Electric Bill – Topics for Gossip

Categories: Lists & Favorites Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Astral Inter Planet Space Captain Christmas Infinity Voyage

22nd Dec 08 (Mon) 3 comments

OK, so before the main thrust of this post, here’s a short word from Jack Black…

With that being said, I think “piracy” might only relate to something that’s supposed to be sold and someone steals it?  I dunno… regardless… since 2001, indie quirky folkster Sufjan Stevens has made “Songs for Christmas” EPs and distributed them to friends and family.  In the fall of 2006, his record label Asthmatic Kitty released the first five volumes in a kick ass EP boxset (for a really great price – – 5 EPs for $14.99):

Since then, he’s done three more volumes… for friends and family.  Well, Volumes 6 & 7 haven’t made their way onto the internets, yet*… but Songs for Christmas, Volume VIII: Astral Inter Planet Space Captain Christmas Infinity Voyage has been made available by one of Sufjan’s friends and/or family.  So… I guess we’re all included in his friend’s list this year.  Click the picture/tracklist below to go to another blogger’s post who has download links at the ready:

01. Angels We Have Heard On High
02. Do You See What I See
03. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
04. Christmas In The Room
05. Good King Wenceslas
06. Joy To The World
07. The Child With The Star On His Head
(external links)

*– By “yet,” I mean… if you find Vol 6 or 7, tell me, yo! :)

And, kids… just like when Volumes 1-3 got leaked in early 2006… when the official product comes out, you gotta support the artists (with your wallet, not your mouse button)!  I know I’ll buy it if it comes out… but until then, enjoy it as a Christmas present from Sufjan’s friend and/or family who likes to re-gift.

Happy Festivus tomorrow!

~Dan – np: Medeski Martin & Wood play John Zorn‘s Masada Book Two: Zaebos

Categories: Humor, Music News, New Sounds Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

* Favorite EPs / Vinyl / Live Albums & more of 2008 *

21st Dec 08 (Sun) 9 comments

Before I start… happy 68th birthday to Frank Zappa.  You are missed.  Ya Hozna!

This is sort of a precursor to my “official” Favorites of 2008 blog.  Up later this coming week or two, I’ll post my favorite vocal and favorite instrumental albums of 2008.  I’m still making my way through the re-listening phase.  Yeah, I know, I’m slow (or dedicated? or certifiable?).  I was waiting on a few to show up in my mailbox.  Anyway, on with the music pimping…

My Other Favorites of 2008 Recaps:

  • Fave Concerts of ‘08 are recapped *HERE*

Favorite EPs of 2008 (coincidentally all indie artists)
1 Ellery You Did Everything Right – http://www.ellerymusic.com/
2 Estradasphere The Pegasus Vault – http://www.estradasphere.com/
3 Glen Phillips Secrets of the New Explorers – http://www.glenphillips.com/
4 Kim Taylor The Greatest Story – http://www.kim-taylor.net/
5 Wussy Rigor Mortis – http://www.wussymusic.com/

Favorite Vinyl of 2008
1 Holy Fuck Lovely Allen 19″ single (7″+12″) – http://www.holyfuckmusic.com/
2 God of Shamisen The Science Fiction of Ray Bradbury Attack! 7″ single – http://www.godofshamisen.com/
3 Puscifer Dozo 7″ single – http://www.puscifer.com/
4 David Bazan (of Pedro the Lion) Jingle Bells / All I Want for Christmas (Christmas 7″) – http://www.davidbazan.com/
5 Puscifer Queen B 7″ single

Favorite Live Albums of 2008
1 Dave Douglas & Keystone Live at the Jazz Standard, April 2008 – http://www.greenleafmusic.com/ (this was 4 nights, 2 sets each night, 8 hours of music released as “instant live” within 24 hours of each performance… and fantastic)
2 Porcupine Tree We Lost the Skyline EP – http://www.porcupinetree.com/
3 David Gilmour (of Pink Floyd) Live in Gdańsk – http://www.davidgilmour.com/
4 Ani DiFranco Hamburg Germany, 10.18.07 – http://www.righteousbabe.com/
5 Tori Amos Live at Montreux 1991 & 1992 – http://www.toriamos.com/


Favorite Comedy Albums of 2008
1 Flight of the Conchords Flight of the Conchords
2 George Carlin It’s Bad For Ya
3 Mitch Hedberg Do You Believe in Gosh?


Favorite Reissues in 2008
1 Jurassic 5 – Jurassic 5 11th Anniversary
2 John Zorn, Bill Frisell & George Lewis – News for Lulu
3 John Coltrane – The Impulse Albums, Vol 2 (including John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman, Impressions, Live at Birdland, Crescent, and A Love Supreme)
4 Ahleuchatistas – The Same and the Other
5 Beck – Odelay (deluxe edition)


Favorite Debut of 2008
God of Shamisen‘s Dragon String Attack! -and- Ashes Divide‘s Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright

Favorite Internet Only Releases in 2008
Glen Phillips had his hand in both of them… and they’re both free…
Plover – Plover -and- RemoteTreeChildren – Veteran of the Loudness Wars

Favorite Internet Leaks in 2008
Ben Folds – Way to Normal (fake version of the album leaked by Ben himself) -and-
Sufjan Stevens – Songs for Christmas, Vol VIII: Astral Inter Planet Space Captain Christmas Infinity Voyage (he made it for family & friends… luckily one of those also let it loose for the rest of us)

Favorite Artwork in 2008
NIN – Ghosts I-IV – each song in the download version had it’s own unique artwork attached to it.  Whether studio or nature or electronic, it worked well with this release.

Favorite Packaging / Design in 2008

  • Sigur Rós – Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (deluxe edition)
    Steven Wilson – Insurgentes (deluxe edition) – Both Sigur Rós and Steven Wilson came out with lush coffee table-sized books that housed the music. Call it an incentive to somewhat combat the illegal downloaders.  I call it great art.
  • Ani DiFranco – Red Letter Year – Always a packaging visionary, this one was more subtle than recent efforts… the glow in the dark moon was a nice touch.
  • Metallica – Death Magnetic – Not necessarily breaking new ground musically, their packaging for the return to form metal album evokes digging through 6 feet of fresh dirt to see if Lars Ulrich’s drumming sounds better than beating on a metal folding chair.  Thankfully it does… this time.
  • Secret Chiefs 3 plays John Zorn‘s Masada Book Two: Xaphan – I love what Chippy does for Tzadik Records.  The Masada Book Two series artwork and die-cut Star of David with offset colors that poke through is some of her best work.

Favorite “Local” Album of 2008
OK, they’re from Cincinnati and Portland (respectively)… but local enough for me… I’ve got my ears in two locales (the Cincinnati/Dayton scene will probably always have a shot at winning in this category).
Noctaluca‘s Still the Wicked Rest -and- Talkdemonic‘s Eyes at Half Mast

Favorite Soundtrack or Score
Joss Whedon‘s Dr Horrible’s Sing-along Blog -and- Mike Patton‘s A Perfect Place

Favorite Concept Album
Noctaluca‘s Still the Wicked Rest -and- Zakarya‘s The True Story Concerning Martin Behaim

That’s all for now… more coming in the next week…

~Dan – np: Celldweller – Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head

Categories: Lists & Favorites Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Over the Rhine – Taft Theater Friday the 19th

19th Dec 08 (Fri) 2 comments

Over the Rhine – 1st Decade
Friday the 19th of December 2008
Taft Theater, Cincinnati, Ohio

Does anyone have a good recording of this reunion show with Ric Hordinski and Brian Kelley?

If so, please email me. :)  I wasn’t able to attend, but I would love to hear it…

~Dan

Photo by euro60

Setlist posted by rotary11

SET ONE
Eyes Wide Open
How Does It Feel?
How Does It Feel? (Reprise) <– this was silly and awesome
Within Without (with Kim Taylor)
Like a Radio
Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander
June (with Kim Taylor, Jake, Kenny Hutson, and Julie Lee)
Circle of Quiet (with Kim and Julie)
Daddy Untwisted (with Kim and Julie)

SET TWO
Paul and Virginia (L&K with Jake, Kenny, Mickey, Kim, and Julie)
Poughkeepsie (same minus Mickey) <– this was different than before, so much FULLER
Mary’s Waltz (L, K, Paul Patterson)
Silent Night (Duet) (L, K, Paul, Julie)
Faithfully Dangerous (with Jake)
A Gospel Number (with Jake, Kim, Julie, and some awesome “cool” glasses and berets)
All I Need Is Everything (with Jake, Kim, and Paul)
If I’m Drowning <– old-school one-by-one departure. My best moment of the night

ENCORE NUMBER ONE
My Love Is a Fever
I Painted My Name (with Kim and Julie) <– my second favorite of the night. What a beautiful song, I’ve always loved it

ENCORE NUMBER TWO
Happy With Myself? (except I don’t think they played it?)
Latter Days (L & K)
What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding? (with Jake)

Categories: Music Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Porcupine Tree News

16th Dec 08 (Tue) 2 comments

Hot off the heels of Steven Wilson’s excellent Insurgentes solo album, this was posted on Porcupine Tree‘s blog about a new PT record in 2009:

Writing for the next Porcupine Tree studio record is well underway, with the band recently spending 2 weeks secluded in the English countryside working on new tracks. Recording of these pieces and a new 35 minute Steven Wilson song cycle is due to start in February, and tour plans are being put in place from September onwards following release of the new album.

I hope it’s as good as Insurgentes or at least much better than PT’s last two “band” offerings.

Steven Wilson is also going out on tour with Aviv Geffen next month:

16th Jan – Rotunda Club, Krakow, Poland
17th Jan – Postbanhof, Berlin, Germany
18th Jan – Knust, Hamburg, Germany
20th Jan – Luxor, Koln, Germany
21st Jan – Melkweg, Amsterdam, Netherlands
22nd Jan – Ampere, Munich, Germany
24th Jan – Cafe de la Danse, Paris, France
27th Jan – Proud Galleries, London, UK

The band will be the full Blackfield line up (with Tomer Z, Seffy Efrati, and Eran Mittelman).  There will be a few Blackfield songs performed, but most of the songs will be from Aviv’s forthcoming debut English language solo album (produced by Trevor Horn).

http://www.myspace.com/porcupinetree
http://www.porcupinetree.com/
http://www.swhq.co.uk/

~Dan – np: John Zorn – The Crucible (with Mike Patton, Joey Baron, Trevor Dunn & Marc Ribot)

Categories: Music News Tags: , , , , , ,

Clare & the Reasons – Daytrotter Session

14th Dec 08 (Sun) Leave a comment

Brooklyn-based French-pop group Clare & the Reasons came through the Daytrotter studios (likely recorded around the same time as My Brightest Diamond, as they were on tour together).  Four songs, in-studio for FREE…

http://daytrotter.com/article/1520/clare-and-the-reasons

1) Pluto 2) Alphabet City 3) Can Your Car Do That? I Don’t Think So 4) Everybody Wants to Rule the World [Tears for Fears cover]

If you like what you hear, check more out on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/claremuldaur

Past Daytrotter Sessions I’ve blogged about (and dug):

~Dan – np: John Zorn – The Crucible (with Mike Patton, Joey Baron, Trevor Dunn & Marc Ribot)

Categories: New Sounds Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Holy F**k in-studio & Derek Webb news

11th Dec 08 (Thu) 10 comments

It’s not that I intend to bring together two disparate artists for my music news post.  I mean, I surely do love it… but it’s usually just a function of me liking way too much music, and news comes in to me in spurts that are as controllable as a trying to plug the holes in a colander.  This post is brought to you by a foul-named (but primarily instrumental) Canadian electronic band that totally pwns (Holy Fuck) and a contemporary Christian artist for whom I still have a lot of respect despite philosophical differences (Derek Webb).

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Holy Fuck first… needless to say, Holy Fuck is in the list of artists that whenever I hear news about them… up it goes.  They’ve been an obsession since late ‘05 / early ‘06, and they just keep gettin’ better.  They make what’s best referred to as “live electronic” music.  They’ve got a 23 minute in-studio performance on UK’s Channel M.  Due to WordPress video posting capabilities, I am unable to do the streaming thing (it only seems to work for me for YouTube).  So, click the picture to be taken to Channel M’s website:

>> Holy Fuck – In Session on Channel M <<

They play The Pulse, Royal Gregory, Frenchy’s, interview segment, Super Inuit, and Lovely Allen.

Holy Fuck’s albums are rad, instrumental grooves of deliciousness – – two self-titled LPs, along with a self-titled EP.  The 2nd self-titled album is the best, IMO.  You can pick it up from the Beggars Group (USA) or Young Turks (UK).  They’ve also got some split 12″ vinyl.  One last year with the band Celebration (no longer available), and one this year with Foals where they each cover the others track (it’s on vinyl – but you can DL the mp3s here).  You can also check Holy Fuck out on the MySpaces.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Derek Webb, formerly of the folky / hip-with-the-college crowd CCM septet Caedmon’s Call, has continued to make compelling music (which is the opposite that Caedmon’s Call has done without him, IMO).  Anyway, per a recent emailing, he’s working on his follow-up to The Ringing Bell.

He’s collaborating with long time friend and former Caedmon’s Call bandmate Josh Moore on what is rumored to be a more experimental, electronic album.  Teasing with programmed and decidedly more ‘inorganic’ elements, the album called Stockholm Syndrome is shaping up to be Derek’s “most ambitious album to date.”

We shall see.  It’s expected out by May 2009.  More info on Derek at derekwebb.com.

Dan – np: NIИ – The Slip

nine inch nails / NIN

Categories: Music News, New Sounds Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Glen Phillips (another side project) & more Maynard news

10th Dec 08 (Wed) 2 comments

Glen Phillips (of Toad the Wet Sprocket) released a great Plover side-project about a month and a half ago.  I dig it a-plenty.  Find out more about it over here.

Fresh off the heels of Plover is another Glen side-project called Remote Tree Children (or the all jammed together RemoteTreeChildren).  Their debut, Veterans of the Loudness Wars, is available @ Band Camp.  I’m downloading it now; so I can’t speak to it’s greatness*.  But knowing my hyperbolic ways and my mostly undying love for Glen Phillips, it’s gonna be better than a basket full of shiba inu puppies.  Better off for you uninitiated and/or hit hard by economic downturn(s)… it is mother fuppin’ FREE (or $10 if you want lossless).

>> http://remotetreechildren.bandcamp.mu/ <<
on the MySpaces: http://www.myspace.com/remotetreechildren

It’s FREE!!  But… support indie music if you are able!!

* Update: Holy poop skittles, the lead off track is fuuuuuun & funky & kinda disco-y (in the good way)… and the rest of the album doesn’t disappoint at all.  For such a late in the year release, this is still definitely a contender for Best of the Year for me.  Seriously.  I only type with mild hyperbole.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Also, fresh off of the news of a Puscifer live show in Vegas in Feb ’09… Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle) blabbed to The Pulse of Radio that he and guitarist Billy Howerdel (APC & Ashes Divide) have been working on some fresh material for A Perfect Circle:

I doubt if we’ll do any touring or, you know, do a full album.  We might do some one-off shows here and there if the timing’s right and it seems like a good vibe and a smart thing to do. But most likely we’ll just kind of concentrate on… one or two songs at a time, rather than investing all the time and money and effort into making those plastic discs that no one cares about anymore.

The whole “plastic discs that no one cares about anymore” is troubling.  I’d hate to see only electronic releases in the future, but I guess new APC is new APC.  I gotta roll with the punches in this new, yet unfortunate, digital age…

The article also said that his main band, TOOL, has been on vacation since early 2008, although Keenan said that he expects the band to begin writing a new album sometime in 2009.

Yay!

~Dan – np: Beck – Modern Guilt

Categories: Music News, New Sounds Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Opeth “Burden” single

9th Dec 08 (Tue) Leave a comment

Opeth released an internet-only single today for “Burden” (from the Watershed album).  Sigh… where has the metal gone?  Anyway, this single is definitely more in the non-metal / Damnation-era style – – which is fine, I suppose.  I only bought the b-sides: “Mellotron Heart” and a cover of Alice in Chains‘ “Would?”

“Mellotron Heart” is a reworking of their first single, “Porcelain Heart,” but on mellotron and mini-moog.  It’s pleasant, but mellower than the original – – which was mellow to start.

The cover of “Would?” is a surprisingly true to the original version of the Alice in Chains hit.  From Opeth, I think I expected more re-working for a cover version.  No offense, Mikael, but if I wanted to listen to a straight-up version of “Would?,” I’d put on Alice in Chains’ Dirt.

They should have made this the cover art…

Anyway, the “Burden” single can be obtained from the iTunes or (I’m sure) other music retailers on the Intertubes.

Also out on iTunes today (which I haven’t vouched for yet)… a new one from Kevin Max, a many artist collaboration called “Price of Silence” with Jurassic 5’s Chali 2Na (I’m sure other big names, too – – I just heard of it from his MySpace bulletin), and the new DM Stith album (he’s done some great work with My Brightest Diamond, Sufjan Stevens, and other Asthmatic Kitty artists).

~Dan – np: Beck – Odelay (deluxe edition)

Categories: Album Reviews, Music News, New Sounds Tags: , , , , , ,

Ellery, Ric Hordinski & Free Holiday Music

8th Dec 08 (Mon) 1 comment

As mentioned around Thanksgiving, Ric Hordinski (guitarist extraordinaire from Cincinnati) is having his annual holiday show with pop duo Ellery (Dec 12th @ Ric’s Monastery Studio in Cincinnati).

Well, same as last year, Ellery is giving away their holiday EP for free.  It’s called December Days.  Last year’s was a 3 song EP.  This year has an additional fourth track, the brand new collaboration with Ric Hordinski called “We Can Dream Tonight.”

Get it here: http://www.ellerymusic.com/downloads/decemberdaysep2008.zip

It’s free, yo!

~Dan – np: Ty Tabor – Balance

Categories: Music News, New Sounds Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

My Brightest Diamond – Daytrotter Session

8th Dec 08 (Mon) Leave a comment

Brooklyn-based pop-stress My Brightest Diamond (aka Shara Worden) came through the Daytrotter studios for a 2nd go round.  Four songs, in-studio for FREE…

http://daytrotter.com/article/1515/my-brightest-diamond-encore-session

1) From the Top of the World 2) Inside a Boy 3) Apples 4) The Gentlest Gentleman

If you like what you hear, she’s got some great albums on Asthmatic Kitty Records.

Past Daytrotter Sessions I’ve blogged about (and dug):

~Dan – np: Noctaluca – Still the Wicked Rest

Categories: New Sounds Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

he shouts… he scores!

6th Dec 08 (Sat) Leave a comment

From MovieWeb (thanks for the heads-up David!):

Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor have set out to create one of 2009’s greatest films with their upcoming Crank 2: High Voltage. Not only did they hire Corey Haim for one of the most important supporting roles in the highly anticipated Jason Statham sequel, they have also nabbed legendary musician Mike Patton to score the entire soundtrack.  Earlier today while conducting an exclusive interview with Danny DeVito, the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star let it slip that his friend was currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on the music for the film.

DeVito didn’t quite know how to describe the score, but did hint that there may be a song track that contains actual lyrics and singing by Patton. The former front man for both Mr. Bungle and Faith No More, who in recent years has put out an unstoppable flow of amazing music in nearly every genre, most recently headed down the road to scoring films with his work on the short A Perfect Place, and he recently contributed lyrics and vocals to the Marc Streitenfeld score for Ridley Scott’s Body of Lies. Crank 2: High Voltage will be the musician’s first foray into scoring an entire feature length film.

Patton has a busy year coming up. Not only will he be releasing the Crank 2: High Voltage score, he will also be releasing Mondo Cane, a record of Italian pop songs from the 50s and 60s and the first Crudo album, which sees him reteaming up with his Lovage sidekick Dan the Automator for some crazy hip-hop pop music.

Mike Patton’s A Perfect Place score for the short film of the same name is among my faves of 2008.  So… yeah… a feature length score by Patton would be coo-el.

Yes, my man-crush on all things Patton usually runs at high levels.

~Dan – np: Jude – Cuba

Categories: Music News Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Damien Jurado – Daytrotter Session

5th Dec 08 (Fri) 5 comments

Seattle-based singer-songwriter Damien Jurado has a Daytrotter Session up now… four songs, in-studio for FREE…

http://daytrotter.com/article/1512/damien-jurado

1) Dimes 2) Everything Trying 3) Gillian Was a Horse 4) Ohio

If you like what you hear, he’s got some great albums on Sub Pop & Secretly Canadian Records.

Past Daytrotter Sessions I’ve blogged about (and dug):

~Dan – np: Geologic Podcast #93

Categories: New Sounds Tags: , , , , , ,

Favorite Concerts of 2008

3rd Dec 08 (Wed) Leave a comment

Well, shockingly, I don’t have any concerts on the calendar for December 2008 (next up is Zappa Plays Zappa on Jan 2nd).  Of course, Sam Bond’s may book a jazz show that I don’t find out about until a week prior.  Eh, anyway, I’ve seen 42 concerts and 91* artists perform so far in 2008 (which is oddly considered a “slow year” for me).

Assuming no other shows pop up out of nowhere and blow me away, here are my favorite concerts for 2008:

  1. Extreme & King’s X – Union Center Blvd Bash – Cincinnati, OH {10 Aug} [review with pictures]
  2. Jude Christodal, opener: Ryan Andrew – Aladdin Theater – Portland, OR {6 June} [review with pictures]
  3. Secret Chiefs 3 with Secret Chefs 3, Diminished Men – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR {3 Aug} [review with pictures]
  4. Sigur Rós with Parachutes – Arlene Schnitzer Hall – Portland, OR {6 Oct} [review with pictures]
  5. Ornette Coleman – Arlene Schnitzer Hall/PDX Jazz Fest – Portland, OR {15 Feb} [review]
  6. SFJazz Collective with Dave Douglas, Joe Lovano, Miguel Zenon and more focusing on the music of Wayne Shorter – Newmark Theatre/PDX Jazz Fest – Portland, OR {15 Feb} [review]
  7. Ani DiFranco, openers: Animal Prufrock, Judy Grahn – McDonald Theatre – Eugene, OR {16 Apr} [review]
  8. My Brightest Diamond with Clare & the Reasons – W.O.W. Hall – Eugene, OR {21 Nov} [review with pictures]
  9. Nellie McKay, opener: Amorèe Lovell – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR {15 Aug} [review with pictures]
  10. Orange Tulip Conspiracy – Samurai Duck – Eugene, OR {17 Nov} [review with pictures]
  11. Bill Frisell / Eyvind Kang / Rudy Royston – The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts – Eugene, OR {7 June} [review with pictures]
  12. Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket with J.Kingham – W.O.W. Hall – Eugene, OR {21 Feb} [review]
  13. Branford Marsalis and the Philharmonia Brasileira – The Hult Center – Eugene, OR {2 Oct} [review]
  14. Medeski Martin & Wood – McDonald Theatre – Eugene, OR {15 Nov} [review with pictures]
  15. Talkdemonic with Heavenly Oceans – Sam Bond’s Garage – Eugene, OR {9 Feb} [review]

Runners Up: God of Shamisen at Samurai Duck, EARTH at WOW Hall, Radiohead at White River Amphitheatre, Skerik’s McTuff & Skerik’s Maelstrom Trio at Sam Bond’s Garage, and Raquy and the Cavemen at Cozmic Pizza.

Shows I’m bummed I missed… Beck in Bend, Tegan & Sara in Salem and/or Portland, Sunn 0))) in Portland, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (twice) in Eugene, Glen Phillips in Portland, Chali 2Na & Ozomatli in Portland, Steven Bernstein’s Millenium Territory Orchestra at Seattle’s Earshot Jazz Fest, and next week’s Charlie Hunter in Portland (I wish it weren’t on a Monday). :( Oh well, maybe next year…

Of my concert photos this year, I think these are my faves (in no particular order):

  • Jude Christodal
  • Silhouetted Secret Chiefs 3
  • Jason Schimmel & Timb Harris from Secret Chiefs 3
  • Sunspot Doug Pinnick & Ty Tabor from King’s X
  • Nuno Bettencourt from Extreme
  • Nellie McKay
  • Ninja, laser-eyes Lee Smith from God of Shamisen
  • Jónsi Birgisson from Sigur Rós

I’m definitely looking forward to 2009… Dweezil Zappa & Co playing Frank’s music, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, the SF Jazz Collective (with Dave Douglas & Joe Lovano), and Madeleine Peyroux are already on the calendar…

~Dan – np: John Zorn – Film Works XXII: The Last Supper

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*– This was also the first year in 11 years that I haven’t seen Over the Rhine.  I wish I was able to make it to their reunion show with Ric Hordinski, but alas, I shan’t be able to go.

Past Concert Fave Recap: 2007

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{{Puscifer}} Live in Las Vegas (2/13, 2/14 & 2/15)

2nd Dec 08 (Tue) 6 comments

Update 2/16: If you came here looking for a review or setlist, SPIN has a great review here:
http://spin.com/articles/puscifer-plays-first-ever-live-show

2/13/09 Puscifer set list (per SPIN):
(Video segment #1)
(Skit)
“Sour Grapes”
“Rev 22:20”
“DoZo”
(Video segment #2)
“Drunk With Power”
“The Undertaker”
“Vagina Mine”
“Momma Sed”
(Video segment #3)
“Polar Bear”
“Trekka”
“Indigo Children”
“The Mission”
“Queen Bee”

Some fan-shot YouTube Videos from the show:

Puscifer with Milla Jovovich “The Mission”

Puscifer “Mama Said”

Original post (12/2/08):

To which I’ll add a precursor (“I wish this weren’t Valentine’s weekend”)… from Maynard:

Bust out your best mint green polyester suit and white patent leather shoes! Puscifer makes its live debut this February 13 & 14 at The Pearl in The Palms Casino. VEGAS, BABY!!! YEAH!!! With a cast of characters that include both musicians and comedians, I see the shows as a new take on what an evening of entertainment can be. I will share more details with you over the next couple of months but with rumors already circulating about what I was planning I wanted to make sure that the newsletter subscribers were the first to know. Many Many Many details to follow. C’mon 7’s and 11’s!

Puscifer will also have a remix for “Lighten Up, Francis” in Underworld 3 and we are working with Renholder and Milla for the end credits.

Update: A third date (2/15) has been added…

~Dan – np: Steven Wilson – Insurgentes

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Faith No More reforming?

28th Nov 08 (Fri) 6 comments

Update (2/24/09): Per Pitchfork and Tripwire, the band is set to reunite for some European dates in 2009.  The line-up will be their touring lineup from 1997: vocalist Mike Patton, keyboardist Roddy Bottum, bassist Billy Gould, drummer Mike Bordin, and guitarist Jon Hudson.  I’ll post dates when/if they come in.

OK, so I think I need to get my hands on a Kerrang magazine… their website has a blurb about a Faith No More reformation.  Mike Patton (their singer in the good era of FNM) talked about the possiblility of a future reunion in Jan 2008.  In other press since then, he didn’t rule it out, but he said it was unlikely.

OK, so anyone have this most recent Kerrang (with Metallica on the cover)?  Does it offer up anything more than speculation?  Or is the “reformation” something with Dio as the singer? :rolleyes:

~*~*~*~*~*~

11/29/08 Update (from Blabbermouth): According to U.K.’s Kerrang! magazine, industry insiders suggest that hugely infuential ’90s alt-metal band FAITH NO MORE is planning to return next year. Kerrang! understands that a number of U.K. venues have been placed on hold for shows from the band next spring, while U.K. festival appearances are rumored to follow in the summer. Founding bassist Bill Gould told Kerrang! “If anything like this were to happen, it would have to come from the band, and I haven’t spoken with any of them in over a year. So as far as I know, there isn’t anything to talk about, and I’m pretty sure that if you were to contact [Mike] Patton [vocals], he would tell you the same thing.” played down the speculation, telling

~Dan – np: Wussy – Rigor Mortis -EP-

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