Archive
Favorite Albums & Concerts of 2016
- Car Seat Headrest – Teens of Denial (lo-fi indie rock) fave song: “Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales” (#6)
- Glen Phillips (of Toad the Wet Sprocket) – Swallowed by the New (singer-songwriter) fave song: “Criminal Career” (#3)
- Sia – This Is Acting (pop) fave song: “Alive” (#2)
- Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool (rock) fave song: “Ful Stop” (#5)
- Wussy – Forever Sounds (lo-fi indie rock) fave song: “Dropping Houses” (#1)
- Holy Fuck – CONGRATS (groove electronic) fave song: “Tom Tom” (#2)
- Elliott Smith – Heaven Adores You (indie rock) fave song: “Plainclothes Man” (#6)
- Steve Taylor & the Danielson Foil – WOW to the Deadness -EP- coffin (indie rock) fave song: “Wow to the Deadness” (#1)
- Circle of Dust – Machines of Our Disgrace (hard industrial) fave song: “Machines of Our Disgrace” (#2)
- Lily & Madeleine – Keep It Together (singer-songwriter duo) fave song: “For the Weak” (#2)
- Charlie Hunter, Bobby Previte, and more – Everybody Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Mouth (jazz) fave song: “No Money, No Honey” (#7)
- Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom – Otis Was a Polar Bear (jazz) fave song: “Fuster” (#1)
- David Bazan (of Pedro the Lion) – Blanco (indie rock) fave song: “Little Landslide” (#7)
- Anna Tivel – Heroes Waking Up (singer-songwriter) fave song: “Black Balloon” (#2)
- The Jelly Jam –
ProphetProfit (prog rock) fave song: “Care” (#1) - Dave Douglas’ High Risk – Dark Territory (jazz with electronics) fave song: “Celine” (#1)
- Amendola vs. Blades – Greatest Hits (jazz) fave song: “Lima Bean” (#1)
- Damien Jurado – Visions of Us on the Land (indie rock) fave song: “Exit 353” (#11)
- Greydon Square – Omniverse : Type 3 : Aum Niverse (rap/hip hop) fave song: “Defiant” (#5)
- Elysian Fields – Ghosts of No (sultry indie rock) fave song: “Shadows of the Living Light” (#11)
- Steven Wilson (of Porcupine Tree) – 4 ½ -EP- (prog rock) fave song: “My Book of Regrets” (#1)
- Opeth – Sorceress (prog metal) fave song: “Will o’ the Wisp” (#4)
- Scandroid – Scandroid (keyboard electronic) fave song: “Aphelion” (#3)
- The Claypool-Lennon Delirium – Monolith of Phobos (weird rock) fave song: “Cricket and the Genie, Movement I: The Delirium” (#2)
- Kaada & Patton – Bacteria Cult (ambient experimental) fave song: “Immodium” (#7)
- {8 Apr} Peter Mulvey w/ Anna Tivel :: Alberta Rose Theatre :: Portland, OR
- {22 Apr} Sufjan Stevens, BØRNS, Parov Stelar, LCD Soundsystem & more :: Coachella 2016 :: Indio, CA
- {23 Apr} CHVRCHES, Guns N’ Roses, Gary Clark Jr., Ice Cube, GoGo Penguin & more :: Coachella 2016 :: Indio, CA
- {24 Apr} Sia, Kamasi Washington, Wolf Alice, Joywave & more :: Coachella 2016 :: Indio, CA
- {16 Jun} Holy Fuck :: Doug Fir Lounge :: Portland, OR
- {25 Jun} Flight of the Conchords with Eugene Mirman :: Keller Auditorium :: Portland, OR
- {28 Jul} Ozomatli :: HiFi Music Hall :: Eugene, OR
- {29 Jul} Weird Al Yankovic :: Cuthbert Amphitheater :: Eugene, OR
- {13 Aug} Buster Keaton’s The General film with live score by Mark Orton, Carla Kihlstedt, Matthias Bossi, Todd Sickafoose :: Bohemia Park :: Cottage Grove, OR
- {29 Oct} Failure presents Fantastic Planet’s 20th Anniversary :: Star Theater :: Portland, OR
- {9 Nov} Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket :: Alberta Rose Theatre :: Portland, OR
- {17 Nov} Car Seat Headrest :: The WOW Hall :: Eugene, OR
O.S.I. “For Nothing” video premiere
One of mellow tracks from O.S.I.’s latest album, Fire Make Thunder, now has a video…
“For Nothing“
Directed by Jimmy Ahlander
Threatening smoke, odd beings and glorified body parts, create dark poetry in this twisted, visual representation of OSI’s melancholic tune.
~Dan – np: O.S.I. – Fire Make Thunder
* Favorite Vocal Albums of 2011 *
I’ve been buying less music… or, at least a lot less mainstream (major label) music. This is also my fourth year now that I bought more instrumental CDs than vocal CDs. I think as I get older, I am drawn more towards jazz and other instrumental forms of expression. For that reason, the favorite vocal albums list goes first this go ’round. Hopefully my spilling out of music that I like finds interest with someone else. But if not, thanks for stopping by… check out the artists’ webpages, Facebox pages, yadda yadda yadda. A lot of these also made it on to my 2011 Mix CD (free streaming/download).
OK, now on to the best of what’s hit my ears this year…
Honorable Mentions: Iron & Wine – Kiss Each Other Clean, Tres Mts – Three Mountains, Pomplamoose – The Album You Bought At Our Show (Thanks for That), MC Frontalot – Solved and The Roots – Undun.
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 Björk – Biophilia :: It started with an iPhone / iPad app… I was skeptical, but it turned out to be a really cool app and a really cool album. I don’t think the actual music broke any new ground for Bjork, but her willingness to approach technology and manifest an album initially with a new format is what will keep her in the forefront for me.   |
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 Elysian Fields – Last Night on Earth :: Brooklyn-based sultry art rockers Elysian Fields don’t really tour outside of NYC often. Jennifer Charles and Oren Bloedow find their way to Europe on occasion, but most U.S. fans only really have their studio albums to sate their musical desires. This is their sixth full-length album in their near 16-year career. Well crafted, well produced, lush vocals and folk meets dusky jazz. |
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 Blackfield – Welcome to My DNA :: I was disappointed that I couldn’t make it out for this tour. The album is good, albeit a little disjointed compared to their other two albums (probably due to Aviv Geffen doing more of the writing versus Steven Wilson who was busy with his solo album – see #9 below). Nice orchestration and a solid offering from Blackfield. |
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 Dream Theater – A Dramatic Turn of Events :: I almost didn’t buy this album. I’m glad I did, but I’m still pretty pissed at the band for choosing to continue without founder/drummer Mike Portnoy after he expressed an interest in a short hiatus/breather. They picked up a drummer I like (Mike Mangini, who i saw play with Extreme in 1995), but a BIG piece of what I loved about DT (after Kevin Moore left in 1994) was Mike Portnoy’s energy. With his absence, I’m liking them less and less. The album is good, but it’s way more bitter than sweet to me. |
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 Foo Fighters – Wasting Light :: Dave Grohl is a modern rock genius. He rocks, he hooks, he continues to put out great music. |
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 Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra – MTO Plays Sly :: A trumpet-led tribute to Sly and the Family Stone with guests vocalists. This superb collection is less funk, but still quite enjoyable. My favorite is the Antony-sung “Family Affair.” |
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 Florence + the Machine – Ceremonials :: Soulful baroque-rock chanteuse won me over with their first album Lungs, even though I didn’t pick it up this year. Her second album solidifies her as more than a fluke. The album is dancey and dark. Great for fans of Tori Amos & Kate Bush! |
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 Incubus – If Not Now, When? :: Incubus took some time off so guitarist Mike Einziger could work on his degree at Harvard and singer Brandon Boyd could put out some art as well as his solo album. They regrouped and put out an album that had a similar vibe to the ocean-groove Morning View. They aren’t breaking new ground, but they still have a solid position in my ears. |
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 The Jelly Jam – Shall We Descend :: The supergroup of Ty Tabor (King’s X), John Myung (Dream Theater) and Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dregs) finally found some time to hit the studio! The result is an excellent rock album… |
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 Chevelle – Hats Off to the Bull :: Chevelle are a sleeper in my collection. I almost write them off and then with each album, I think how stupid it’d be to write them off. Great hard rock with a vocalist that reminds me of Maynard (Tool, etc). I really need to see this band live – I’ve yet to have a the chance… |
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 My Brightest Diamond & Murat Eyuboglu – Letters to Distant Cities :: A short spoken word album, featuring the words of Mustafa Ziyalan. Words spoken by Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond), backing music by Murat Eyubolu, with two songs sandwiching the poetry – one by MBD and one by Clare & the Reasons. A great arty piece.  |
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 Jason Ludwig – Tanglings :: Jason Ludwig returns to the Cincinnati music scene after his 2010 band break up (Noctaluca) with two full-length albums (Tanglings and Lost in Love). Tanglings is my favorite of the two, but they’re both quite excellent. Well-produced, well-arranged, creative singer-songwriter that reminds me of a cross between the pop of Glen Hansard (of the Swell Season and the Frames) and the creative of Daniel Johns (of Silverchair). If you don’t like these albums, I’d be surprised. |
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 Hotel Lights – Girl Graffiti :: Darren Jesse was the drummer for Ben Folds Five, and wrote one of my absolute favorite songs for them – “Magic” from The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner. He puts down the sticks and picks up the guitar and vocal duties for Hotel Lights. This is HL’s 3rd album, and he continues to impress me with his versatile skills. Poppy indie rock. |
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 Eisley – The Valley :: The long gap between The Valley and their last album was trying for the band. After many contract dispute with their former label (Warner), they were finally set free. Many bands don’t make it out of contract disputes alive – it’s easier to break up sometimes. Well, thankfully it’s difficult for Eisley to break-up, as they’d still see each other at holidays and family get-togethers (the band consists of 3 sisters, a brother, and a cousin). The Valley picks up where 2007’s Combinations left off. Alt-pop-rock goodness. Vocal duties traded off between sisters Sherri & Stacy… |
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 Tori Amos – Night of the Hunters :: This was Tori’s first album on classical label Deutsche Grammophon. I was skeptical at first, not because of the classical bent. I knew she could handle that… I was skeptical due to the first artwork that looked plastic (which sadly stayed) and her last studio album was a lackluster (IMO) holiday album (blech). Tori enlists her daughter Natashya on some vocals, and delivers one of my favorite Tori albums since 2002’s Scarlet’s Walk. |
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 David Bazan – Strange Negotiations :: Continuing in his solo expressions after the official ceasing of Pedro the Lion, David Bazan manifests wit, a sharp tongue, and a questioning mind into his DIY-indie rock. This year, he toured quite a bit, solo and with a band. An album last year (Curse Your Branches), an album this year, and another on the way. He’s slogging away, trekking all over the country, and making some great music on the way. |
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 Steven Wilson – Grace for Drowning :: Porcupine Tree frontman Steven Wilson is a hard worker. Whether he’s producing albums for others or making albums & touring with PT, Blackfield, No-Man, Storm Corrosion, or solo – he’s always busy each and every year. This year brought his second solo album and a small tour. The album is a bit more stripped down from his other projects. It is reminiscent of Pink Floyd in spots – specifically this song “Home in Negative.” He also rocks out a bit in the almost two hour double album… check out the video for “Track One” here (it’s a bit bleak then startling). Gorgeous work. |
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 Wussy – Strawberry :: Well, I was super happy when I found out that Wussy was putting out their fourth full-length studio album this year. They’re a fantastic rock quartet made up of Chuck Cleaver, Lisa Walker, Mark Messerly, and Joe Klug. They write catchy, poppy choruses and meld it perfectly with Midwest Americana-meets-indie-rock grit (or “Midwestern drone” as their press says). Vocal duties are traded off with Chuck (of Ass Ponys) and Lisa (of Magic Words). |
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 Radiohead – The King of Limbs :: I could probably put an “indie” icon next to Radiohead… I think technically they put TKOL out by themselves. But they’re a huge superpower of a band. I like this record, but I’ll admit that it’s still sinking in… I need to give it some more spins. This album spawned a seven 7″ vinyl remix set. The video for “Lotus Flower” also spawned a silly “Thom Yorke dancing” meme… one of my favorites being the tennis/fish and the “Single Ladies” editions. |
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 Jeffrey Foucault – Horse Latitudes :: Jeffrey Foucault is a favorite Americana artist that I got turned on to by singer-songwriter/storyteller Peter Mulvey. Jeffrey and Peter work together in the band Redbird (with David Goodrich and Jeffrey’s wife Kris Delmhorst). I didn’t pick up Jeffrey’s albums until the past year and a half. He’s definitely more on the cusp of country than I tend to traverse, but I dig his authenticity, poetic wit and charm. He’s a delight on stage and a fantastic John Prine-esque songwriter for the new generation. |
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 Opeth – Heritage :: Mikael Åkerfeldt hangs up the cookie monster vocals and “Swedish death metal” rattle and puts out a solid heavy metal album that is a tribute to his progressive metal ancestors. I’ll admit, I miss the heavier side, but it’s still good to see Mikael evolve. |
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 Over the Rhine – The Long Surrender :: For those that don’t know Over the Rhine, they started out as a four piece in Cincinnati in 1989 and put out their “post-nuclear, pseudo-alternative, folk-tinged art-pop” indie debut ‘Til We Have Faces in 1991. After about a decade as a four-piece, Ric Hordinski (guitars) & Brian Kelley (drums) left. Karin Bergquist (vocals) & Linford Detweiler (keys) carried on the Over the Rhine flame throughout the years… moving away from a rockier feel to a more folky-pop-Americana thing. What I like about Over the Rhine is they continually change and evolve into a different band with each album and each outing. I’ve seen them rock out, I’ve seen them jazz it up, I’ve seen them happy, I’ve seen them somber, I’ve seen them celebratory, and I’ve seen them tell stories that will make you laugh and cry. |
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 dredg – Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy :: I love this band. I hate the album title, but I love the band. Modern progressive rock, tons of talent, thoughtful lyrics, none of that “prog wankery” that is generally detestable. While it’s hard for them to follow-up the stunning The Pariah The Parrot The Delusion (from 2009), this new album does a hearty job of maintaining their quality rock standards. |
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 My Brightest Diamond – All Things Will Unwind :: Shara Worden (aka My Brightest Diamond) took some time off since her last album – 2008′s A Thousand Shark’s Teeth. She put out some stunning collaborations in the past three years (see #15 above) including her first kiddo; so the lapse in studio work was a-OK. On this album, Shara teams up with NYC-based ensemble yMusic to create a lush backdrop for her gorgeous voice. I can’t praise this album enough! |
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 Puscifer – Conditions of My Parole :: Tool / A Perfect Circle frontman Maynard James Keenan makes wine and makes other music in his time off from Tool and APC. I loved Puscifer’s debut and the subsequent EP, but this album tops it all. It’s a brilliant record, recorded in one of his wine cellars with his friends – featuring backing vocals from Carina Round. It’s self-released by Puscifer music with a small distribution partner (available in indie shops, primarily). The tour this year was great (I caught Seattle), and I’m glad they’re heading out in the spring again (I’ll be at Portland). |
Check out the 2011 Mix for some samples, click the Amazon buttons for other samples, and support the music if you like what you hear!
My Other Favorites of 2011 Recaps:
- Fave Concerts & Photos of ‘11 are recapped *HERE*
- Fave EPs/Vinyl/Live/DVDs/more of ‘11 are *HERE*
- Fave Instrumental Albums ‘11 are coming soon
- Old Years:
- 2010: Instrumental, Vocal, EPs/etc, Concerts,
- Best of the 2000s Decade (1-10, 11-20, 21-25)
- 2009: Instrumental, Vocal, EPs/etc, Concerts
- 2008: Instrumental, Vocal, EPS/etc, Concerts
- 2007: Vocal, Instrumental, Concerts
- 2006 & 2005
~Dan – np: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Jelly Jam – Shall We Descend
The Jelly Jam, a rock super-group from Ty Tabor (King’s X), John Myung (Dream Theater) and Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dregs), is coming out with their 3rd CD titled Shall We Descend next month on Molken Music (pre-orders soon). They’ll be streaming the first song later this month (stay in tune with their Facebook page).
1. Who’s Comin’ Now (4:26)
2. Stay Together (4:26)
3. Halos In Hell (6:28)
4. Same Way Down (5:20)
5. Barometric Reign (4:58)
6. March Of The Trolls (4:13)
7. Questions (2:34)
8. Shall We Descend (4:38)
9. Come Alive (2:49)
10. Ten (8:18)
~Dan – np: John Zorn – A Dreamers’ Christmas
OSI #4 in Jan 2012 on Metal Blade
Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel dropped info on the next O.S.I. record (their 4th). It’ll hit us in January 2012 per this tweet. O.S.I. is Kevin Moore (Chroma Key, ex-Dream Theater) and Jim Matheos (ex-Fates Warning)… they make some excellent drum-programmed twitchy, sample-driven ethereal prog (like a harder version of Chroma Key). Gavin Harrison from Porcupine Tree drums on this one. Mixing is happening now, based on prior reports.
Samples from their past three records:
The 4th album was originally slated for Fall 2010. I can wait, but barely…
~Dan – np: Fishtank Ensemble – Woman in Sin 
Sneak peak at OSI #4? New My Brightest Diamond album?
Yesterday, Kevin Moore (Chroma Key, OSI, ex-Dream Theater) posted on his twitter a video that based on the sound seems like it may be a sneak peak at the fourth OSI album:
(twitvid opens in new window)
Also, an unrelated twitter news blast as well…
Shara Worden (aka My Brightest Diamond) noted that she’s going into the studio on Friday to record her next album, and then shortly thereafter hinted to the name of said album – Everything is in Line.
Score two for new media…
~Dan – np: Derek Webb – Fuck You (by Cee-Lo Green)
Kevin Moore collaborates on songs with In Progress
More news from Kevin Moore (Chroma Key, OSI, ex-Dream Theater) brought to us from The Mooreatorium…
Experimental rockers In Progress announced that Moore has collaborated with the band on three songs slated to appear on its forthcoming EP, North Athlantic Echoes. The collaboration materialized last year when In Progress’s keyboardist Jake Rosenberg – who is among the fans credited in Moore’s Shine album – reached out to Moore through his Kickstarter webpage and proposed the idea. Moore’s contributions to the three songs include drum programming, backup vocals and additional production.
“We are still doing final tracking on the EP, but are looking to have it completely wrapped, mixed, and mastered by mid-July,” band member John Dillon told The Mooreatorium. “We intend to do a small physical run of copies once we have material/art finalized.”
The band’s debut album, titled Signal Failure, was released in December and features Mark Zonder on drums. Zonder is the former drummer for Fates Warning and also worked with Moore on Chroma Key’s 1998 debut album, Dead Air for Radios.
To hear an unmastered version of In Progress’s upcoming single, “Chasing Ghosts,” featuring Moore, click below.
In Progress’s “Chasing Ghosts”:
http://soundcloud.com/inprogressmusic/chasing-ghosts
Stay tuned at: http://www.facebook.com/inprogressofficial
~Dan – np: Piano Magic – Seasonally Affective: 1996-2000
Kevin Moore (Chroma Key/OSI) finally on the social…
Kevin Moore (Chroma Key, OSI, ex-Dream Theater) is finally on the social networks…
Kevin Moore’s Twitter
Kevin Moore’s Facebook Page
OSI band page
Some news on the 4th OSI album…
Gavin Harrison of Porcupine Tree has just laid down drum tracks on a handful of new OSI songs. Jim [Matheos] and Kevin continue to write and record material for the fourth OSI album, their first with Metal Blade Records. Mixing is slated for June 2011.
~Dan – np: Eyal Maoz & Asaf Sirkis – Elementary Dialogues
Kevin Moore’s Shine (order)
If you missed the Kickstarter for Kevin Moore‘s Shine (the score/soundtrack to the Turkish film Küçük Kıyamet), you can now order it via a standard method…
http://chromakey.squarespace.com/
Click the above images to go to the website for samples and ordering info. It’s limited to 1,000 CDs. I imagine it will surface as digital only at some point.
I’ve had Shine since late, late December… I dig it. Definitely fitting more in with movie scores, like Ghost Book (his score for Turkish horror movie Okul), compared to his work with Chroma Key or O.S.I.
~Dan – np: Over the Rhine – Trumpet Child
Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Kucuk Kıyamet
Storm Corrosion (Steven Wilson & Mikael Akerfeldt)
Dec 2011 update: There’s an official FB page (other one now unlinked), and the album is expected on Roadrunner in April 2012. GO here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Storm-Corrosion/187831801312141
March 2012 update: The pre-order for the album is HERE.
For a while now, Porcupine Tree‘s Steven Wilson and Opeth‘s Mikael Akerfeldt have been talking about an official collaboration (outside of SW’s involvement in Opeth production, etc). Well, it now has a name…
STORM CORROSION
They have “churned out” about only 15 minutes of music so far, but the goal for the group is to do “something really, really special and really different” – whatever that means for these prog-metal gents.
Per Steven Wilson’s FB page, Storm Corrosion won’t occur until at least after September 2011 (when SW’s 2nd solo album comes out). Opeth also has a new one due in the Fall of 2011; so we shouldn’t expect any Storm Corrosion until 2012, most likely. Its naming is at least a good sign of things being “in the works.”
Mike Portnoy is also involved, but I think to a more limited extent compared to SW & MA… though, with Portnoy’s being ousted from Dream Theater and done on the road with Avenged Sevenfold – perhaps he’s more freed up.
For more news, I’d pay attention to these webpages:
http://swhq.co.uk/
http://opeth.com/
~Dan – np: Erik Friedlander plays Masada Book Two: Book of Angels, Volume 8 (Volac)
Favorite Concerts of 2010
Well, this year’s concert seasons were especially good to me… 365 days, 79 shows, 149 artists, many long nights driving home, and a lot of photos…
My favorite concerts of 2010:
- Sufjan Stevens :: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall :: Portland, OR {29 Oct} [review with photos] – completely stunning show
- Toad the Wet Sprocket :: Crystal Ballroom :: Portland, OR {28 Jul} [review with photos] – I am a slave to Glen & Co’s alt-pop
- Jon Þor “Jónsi” Birgisson (of Sigur Rós) :: Roseland Theater :: Portland, OR {13 Apr} [review with photos] – stupendous stage show
- Nellie McKay :: Berbati’s Pan :: Portland, OR {31 Mar} [review with photos] – missed her Eugene show while at Sufjan, I heard that show was also “the bomb”
- Dream Theater :: Roseland Theater :: Portland, OR {21 Jun} [review with photos] – made more special after Mike Portnoy left the band this fall
- Tegan and Sara :: Keller Auditorium :: Portland, OR {8 Apr} [review with photos] – first time seeing them, not too be missed
- Holy Fuck (twice) :: Mississippi Studios & Holocene :: Portland, OR {6 Jun & 14 Oct} [reviews with photos #1 & #2] – one of the most consistently great live acts, Holocene show was better, but Mississippi was also rad…
- Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa :: McDonald Theatre :: Eugene, OR {12 Jun} [review with photos] – keeping the FZ torch alive!
- Dave Douglas’ Brass Ecstasy :: PDX Jazz Fest / Crystal Ballroom :: Portland, OR {28 Feb} [review with photos] – honestly, all of these Top 15 could be #1 in a slow concert year
- Over the Rhine (twice) :: WOW Hall & Aladdin Theater :: Eugene & Portland, OR {15 & 17 Nov} [reviews with photos #1 & #2] – twice after three years of OTR drought for me
- Charlie Hunter Trio (twice) :: WOW Hall & Sam Bond’s Garage :: Eugene, OR {18 May & 16 Dec} [reviews with photos #1 & #2] – Charlie has a pact with the devil… he’s too good…
- Peter Mulvey & Jeffrey Foucault (twice) :: The Woods & Sam Bond’s Garage :: Portland & Eugene, OR {22 & 24 Oct} [reviews with photos #1 & #2] – both brilliant storytellers before VH1 made it a show
- Susan Enan :: House Show :: Eugene, OR {15 Jul} [review with photos] – at our house… super fun & intimate
- Damien Jurado :: Mississippi Studios :: Portland, OR {27 Feb} [review] – I didn’t know more than half of the songs, but it didn’t matter
- Medeski Martin & Wood :: McDonald Theatre :: Eugene, OR {25 Feb} [review with photos] – jazz dance party!
Runners-Up: Bill Frisell Trio at The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, Fishtank Ensemble at a Eugene House Show, Pink Martini at The Hult Center / Oregon Bach Festival, Trio Subtonic & the Dead Kenny G’s at Mt. Tabor Theater, The Weepies at Aladdin Theater. Even after honorable mentions, I cut some GREAT ones… 2010 was a great year.
My favorite concert photos of 2010: (in chronological order)
(all images are free to use under a creative commons designation, simply identify Daniel Temmesfeld with a photo credit and link to jazzsick.wordpress.com, or items noted with emobiephotography.com is photo credit Margaret O’Brien)
Past Favorite Concerts Lists:
Favorite music of 2010 will be coming soon… EPs/DVDs/etc, vocal albums, instrumental albums, artists of the decade…
~Dan – np: nine inch nails – broken
Jelly Jam – Additives (EP)
The Jelly Jam supergroup featuring Ty Tabor (King’s X), John Myung (Dream Theater) and Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dregs) is working on album #3. They just announced last night the digital release of Additives…
- Previously unheard audio from the practice sessions that yielded the 2nd album.
- Complete STEM mixes for the song, “I Can’t Help You” (album version on the debut album). Stem mixes are hi-res stereo MP3 files with isolated vocals and instrument reduction tracks. Anyone with basic digital audio editing software can virtually remix the entire song. Hear the individual performances of each band member. Have fun, add your own parts, etc. along with the band! Including:
- Drums
- Bass
- Rhythm Guitars
- Lead Guitar
- Lead Vocals
- Backing Vocals
- Also included in “Additives” are 4 Ringtones of Jelly Jam tunes. Each ringtone is included as a *M4R (Ringtone) file as well as an MP3 file:
- “Nature’s Girl” (from The Jelly Jam)
- “I Am the King” (from The Jelly Jam)
- “Not Today” (from 2)
- “Allison” (from 2)
Go forth and remix (and um… get phonecalls)… it’s available only at Molken Music:
http://molkenmusic.com/store/shop/details.php?id=45
~Dan – np: The Album Leaf – A Chorus of Storytellers
in the studio…
Twitter updates…
Shara Worden (aka My Brightest Diamond) posted this on her twitter yesterday…
This would presumably be her 3rd studio album under the MBD moniker – unless she’s working on some other side-project. Stayed tuned here and at http://www.mybrightestdiamond.com/ as things develop.
Ty Tabor (of King’s X) posted this on his twitter & Facebook yesterday…
Working on vocals for the new Jelly Jam disc today!
Jelly Jam is his “super group” rock side-project with John Myung (bass, Dream Theater) and Rod Morgenstein (drums, Dixie Dregs). This will be their 3rd album… expected early 2011 release. http://www.tytabor.com/
~Dan – np: Peter Mulvey – five thirty a.m.
Kevin Moore’s “Shine” artwork
As reported about 2 months ago… Kevin Moore (Chroma Key, O.S.I., ex-Dream Theater) is putting out SHINE – the score to the Turkish film Kucuk Kiyamet (2007). The Kickstarter micro-funding goal was easily met, and production is underway. Here is a 6-panel digipack classic Penguin Books-style mock up of the artwork done by Alessandro Falca of Conte di San Pietro:
Alessandro is also currently working on the poster and T-shirt design. The digipack is now finalized and will go to the manufacturer next week. Kevin is hoping to ship preorders late November or early December (2010).
Find out more about the project at:
http://www.chromakey.com/ShineProject/Shine.html
~Dan – np: dredg – The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion
Mike Portnoy leaves Dream Theater
I know, this is probably old news to some (Sept 8th), but I just got back… sigh… makes me sad (and kind of angry at the other guys for just not wanting to take a breather)…
From Mike Portnoy’s MySpace blog:
I am about to write something I never imagined I’d ever write:
After 25 years, I have decided to leave Dream Theater….the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century.
To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision…it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so….
After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater…
Please don’t misinterpret me, I love the DT guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them…it’s just that I think we are in serious need of a little break…
Dream Theater was always my baby…and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985…24/7, 365…never taking time off from DT’s never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was “off” between cycles)…working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band…
But I’ve come to the conclusion that the DT machine was starting to burn me out…and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DT spirit hungry and inspired.
We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here & there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a “hiatus” to recharge our batteries and “save me from ourselves”…
Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather…I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be…
While it truly hurts for me to even think of a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way…so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes….
Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of DT and I talked about “always following your heart and being true to yourself”…sadly I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with Dream Theater…and I would simply be “going through the motions”, and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.
I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come…I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played….
I’m sorry to all the disappointed DT fans around the world…I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work…I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)…but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within….
You DT fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me….(and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future MP projects!)
Sadly…
Your fearless ex-leader and drummer,
MP
“Move on be brave, don’t weep at my grave, because I am no longer here…
But please never let your memory of me disappear….”
— The Spirit Carries On
Kevin Moore “Shine” soundtrack
Kevin Moore (of Chroma Key, O.S.I. and Dream Theater fame) has started a pre-order fundraising project to release the soundtrack he recorded for the Turkish film Kucuk Kiyamet (2007). If funding succeeds the album Shine will be released in November, and those who pre-order will receive the CD two weeks earlier than the release date. T-shirts and posters are also part of the funding.
Please visit the “Shine” Kickstarter page for details!
http://bit.ly/kmshine
http://www.chromakey.com/
http://www.osiband.com/
~Dan – np: Beats Antique – Contraption Vol 1
REVIEW: Dream Theater @ Roseland Theater (Portland, OR – 6/21/10)
FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM
Progressive metal powerhouse Dream Theater is quite possibly one of the most technically superb group of musicians ever assembled. They’ve also weathered over 20 years in the dog-eat-dog music industry and remained a challenging force in the progressive rock/metal landscape. One might say that they’ve risen to icon status amongst their peers. When I think about drummer Mike Portnoy, guitarist John Petrucci, and bassist John Myung – I can’t really think of many other musicians in any genre that baffle me with their prowess so profoundly.
Singer James LaBrie and keyboardist Jordan Rudess round out the quintet. They are both very talented in their own right, and while I won’t dwell on it, LaBrie and Rudess sometimes make Dream Theater’s sound a throwback to the 80s… which I suppose is an unfortunate consequence of shrieking singers and ax-blade keytars (come on, guys, this is 2010!). Thankfully, the rhythm from Myung & Portnoy and the shred from Petrucci prevailed for most of the over two hour set. Sorry, but in the everlong, ever-subjective DT-fan keyboardist debate I rank Kevin Moore > Derek Sherinian > Jordan Rudess. Just laying it out there now… sorry if it’s offensive to some. Again, I don’t want to dwell… so back to the positive – all five guys in Dream Theater now run circles around the notes, making them fit in a pretty incredible sonic package.
This show was one of the handful of one-off in between dates as Dream Theater tour the U.S. with metal legends Iron Maiden. If you hit one of the Maiden shows, make sure you show up early, as Dream Theater doesn’t have much input on when they go on, and sometimes it has been before the advertised time.
Luckily, this Portland show was Dream Theater’s to shine. I showed up a little late, and unfortunately missed the opener. Dream Theater started right around 8:45pm and ripped into A Nightmare To Remember from their latest record, Black Clouds and Silver Linings. The 16-minute song (on the record) showcases all five guys’ talents and set the stage for what was to come…
Some of my favorite parts of the set were their earlier tunes… the “puppies on acid” intro to the “The Mirror / Lie” seamless prog-metal fest and the switch-up “Pull Me Under” that converts into “Metropolis Part 1” during the middle of the solos. Wow! The newer tunes, which I consider anything from Scenes from a Memory and on (i.e.- since Jordan joined), were also full of amazing musicianship… led by the “balls and chunk” in “Home” and the instrumental opening to “Count of Tuscany.” Another new era song, “As I Am,” ranks for me due to John Myung’s bass harmonics’ opening and some of my favorite Dream Theater word play (justify / just defy)…
Setlist: 2 hours 15 minutes
- A Nightmare To Remember
- Constant Motion
- Hollow Years
- The Mirror / Lie
- A Rite Of Passage
- Home
- Panic Attack
- As I Am
- Pull Me Under / Metropolis Pt. 1
- Encore: The Count Of Tuscany
Brilliant showmanship, technical skill with an air of ease, stellar solos, and only a touch of keytar… Dream Theater is yet again showing up the competition. They are truly the kings of the progressive scene.
(and one from MikePortnoyDT’s twitter…)
many more photos below
The Appropriate Linkage:
Check them out on tour with Iron Maiden now…
~Dan – np: Pink Martini – Hey, Eugene!
DREAM THEATER PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution
(click for larger)
Higher Resolution (20 pics)
Limited to 1200 pixels wide or tall (29 pics)
Dream Theater @ Roseland Portland (6/21)
So, since I’m out of town for work, I won’t be able to upload my photos and review from tonight’s Dream Theater‘s Roseland Theater gig in Portland (Oregon) until most likely Tuesday night (6/22)… in the meantime, check out some of Cinn City / Skulls-n-Bones photo coverage of the recent Denver gig… I sooooooo envy their amazing shots!!
Check back later on Tuesday for my Portland coverage! It shant be as nice looking as Cinn City’s shots, but hopefully make you wish you were there and/or bring back the joy of being there.
~Dan
O.S.I. #4
As reported on Blabbermouth, “OSI (aka OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INFLUENCE), the hard rock duo formed by Jim Matheos (FATES WARNING) and Kevin Moore (CHROMA KEY, DREAM THEATER), has inked a deal with Metal Blade Records. The band is currently working on its fourth album for a late 2010 release.”
It’s been a bit since their last record, Blood (early 2009?). It came out and then nothing afterward (no tour, no additional buzz). It seems they like to do this long period of inactivity and then, “blam!” some excellent news with a CD shortly following.
I. Am. Stoked.
~Dan – np: Lenny Kravitz – Circus
Jelly Jam 3 (finally)
Per Ty Tabor on Facebook… “will begin working on the third Jelly Jam album later this month. I’m psyched to be recording with John Myung and Rod Morgenstein again. Jelly Jam 3 will be! It’s taken a few years, but we finally worked out our schedules. I can’t wait to find out what “
The other related collaborations (JJ1 & 2, Platypus, Jughead) are all tops, if you ask me. I can’t wait for JJ3…
~Dan – np: King’s X – Tape Head
-Eyvind Kang
-Frank Zappa
Amazon.com mp3 downloads
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This blog and concert photos therein are licensed under a Creative Commons License. Available with Attribution for Non-Commercial, Non-Derivative Use.
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