Episode 17: A Cornucopia of Reviews
The Stage Banter boys return to WOLG to chime in on nine (NINE!) new fall releases, including records by Dan Reeder, Cursive, The Decemberists, Yo La Tengo, TV on the Radio, The Killers, Pernice Brothers, The Swell Season and, almost, The Hold Steady. Also, music news and possible bleed-through of our studio neighbor and her Josh Groban CD.
51 Comments:
theres a guy from jersey that some kids call boss
im never gonna utter his name again
How would you like me to respond to this?
the train fiasco took place at butler university
however youd like
howdy, SB boys and music lovers.
some initial comments about the reviews...i am not all the way through the show. i'm saving the pernice brothers to the end for my morning run.
i'm personally totally digging the new decemberists and yo la tengo. funny that you chose that "mr. tough" song...that seems to be the one i go to most on the album when i'm playing DJ, which is most of the time. it sounds like the impressions with the trumpet riff from otis redding's "respect" added in for good measure. i knew nothing about them before. if i like this side of them, and that other song you played before. ("sugarcube", i'm thinking!?) greg, where do i go next? this one's a strong 4 for me.
as far as the decemberists, i'm not always keen on all of colin's big archaic words (and, yes, i was an english major) but think that this album's variety and sequencing are superior to all of their other albums. the productions pretty good too. i am liking it so much, in fact, that i'm going to see them at the riv in a few weeks. i give this one a 4 too.
as far as cursive goes, i like the guys voice and the concept of the album, but for my current tastes, it's a bit too much...of what, i don't know. i'll get back to you. i'm thinking a 2.
i'm excited to hear more dan reeder. that opening track ("beautiful"?) was stellar. based on that alone? 3 1/2.
i haven't listened to the rest of SB yet, as i mentioned, but i'm going to put a bit of my two cents in now:
hate tv on the radio, except the sample on track one. 1 1/2, but just because of that one song.
hate the killers...they lost the pop that made them ok and added loads of dung. that snl performance pretty much made up my mind, but snippets of other tracks made it completely vile to me. 1. without a doubt.
i have been listening to the pernice brothers album since i bought it the week it came out. i am seriously loving it and am considering going against what i've been told and catching them on a school night. we'll see. 4 1/2.
the hold steady. that's my "i don't know yet" album. my friend adam is a HUGE fan and has been sending me their lyrics in emails for a long time. i think they are brilliant lyricists and social commentators, but the snips i've heard of them via wendy's rhapsody haven't really impressed me. this new album is getting positive attention from three people whose tastes i often agree with...mk being one. honestly, i've haven't heard it as a cohesive unit, so i'll give it another spin or two and get back to you later on this one...
the swell season? never heard of them. i'll look 'em up.
some albums that i would recommend that came out recently are the new bobby bare jr. on bloodshot, the new lemonheads, the minders 'it's a bright guilty world' and albert hammond jr.'s solo disc.
my biggest disappointment this year thus far, i think, is lindsey buckingham's new solo disc. while most of the songs are ok, the echo and effects on his voice are nauseating. i saw him live a few weeks ago, and the show confirmed that he does not need effects on his voice...it still sounds lovely. i just wish he'd sounded so raw and live on the disc.
last thing: saw okkervil and the wrens last week. both bands are seriously amazing live and ridiculously cheap to see. if you get a chance, get out and see them.
thanks for reading. oh, and boys, this episode, so far, is really fun. if permitted to use the patented buy it, burn it...just kidding...i give it 4 banters.
j
Appropriate article posted on www.salon.com today- Reborn to Run: Gangstas and ghetto Cinderellas rule the airwaves, but the Killers and the Hold Steady find success speeding through Springsteen's America.
http://www.salon.com/ent/music/review/2006/10/18/steady_killers/
Try TVOTR's Young Liars EP for a capella Pixies cover, skip the New Health Rock EP. Jeers on the 1.5 banters.
Jeers!!
I'm only being honest with my feelings.
Sara, I don't think we know eachother, but I appreciate you took the time to listen and write in. I will get the EP and give these lads another chance.
Jen, I agree on the LB record. This whole "recorded in hotel rooms on the last Fleetwood Mac tour" could not be more misleading to the sound of the album. I'd love to hear about the show, though.
NYC in 8 hours.
Re: Bruce.
Sean, I just thought you were wrong -- thinking a 40-44 year old Bruce Springsteen (the era you referenced) should have wrote that Hold Steady album instead of Tunnel of Love and HT/LT...I just didn't get it, frankly.
The other reference, I just though you implied the man made music happier than the Scissor Sisters.
Please, speak his name. I like it when you do.
For the record, I support the bitch-slap at the Wilco show.
nothing i say ever turns out right ... my tongue is an asshole and the eighteen xgfs i have would sign a petition to have it executed
bruce saved yer life much in the same way you saved mine
bruce speaks of promise and nothing better than getting down to it at the moment - dont wait - life yer life every second and change what needs sorted out
cursive is sullen and despondent and settled in for the big sleep thirty yrs in
opposites ... so i brought them up in regards to the guy from jersey because they are dead opposite
re: the aitch ess comparison - ive heard you say that those albums from that era/age are plagued by production ... so my mind says - if he had produced them properly maybe they couldve sounded like this album
its not like the subject matter on bee and gee is uplifting or giddy
its all crutches and cancers and disconnect ... theres nothing solid or worthwhile discussed the entire album
kinda like that guys marriage
im still wrong - but i tried
for the record - i support bitch slapping at wilco shows too
a few more comments after the morning run:
as far as the new pernice album goes, i only know a random song here and there other than what i've heard on this album. the album as a whole seems fresh to me since i don't know the progression of the rest of their (and the related bands you boys mentioned)catalog. "somerville" is one track i think i'll never get sick of...there'll probably be a few more after i let this album marinade a bit longer. i stand by my 4 1/2.
ok...i was schooled a bit on this swell season. upon first impression, i hear a lot of cat stevens, but it could be that i listened to this in the five o'clock hour of the AM. i'm getting the impression that this is a strong lyrical representation of what is carried over to the frames, but i know absolutely nothing about that band. based on this, i still don't feel confident i can assess this, though i liked the clip i heard quite a bit.
have to get ready for school...i'll listen to the rest and get back to ya'll on prep.
have a great time in nyc, mk!
Maybe a jeers was too harsh, but I am happy you are considering buying the EP. Here's some more interesting info about the band, and then I'll shut up. Also, ditto on the recommendations for Bobby Bare Jr. and the Lemonheads from Jen.
TVOTR Absolute Facts:
1. Their lead singer, Tunde, used his pretentious art school degree to get a job as an animator on that pretentious MTV claymation show, Celebrity Deathmatch,
2. Their demo reached David Bowie after they bribed his doorman with a work of art.
3. Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes probably unfairly beat out Van Lear Rose for the Shortlist (not Mercury) Prize in 2004.
4. David Letterman cured world hunger, got a boner and reached nirvana, all during their live performance on his show.
5. They are so good live, they supressed my waves of rancid sushi nausea for at least 3 hours...scientific proof of their live medicinal awesomeness.
Actually, only 4 of the above are true.
The Letterman show with TVOTR will be replayed this Friday, Oct 20.
Looking forward to Matt's NYC/You Am I review ASAP. His Rocky Mountain Folks Fest review (Ep 13) was one of the finer moments of this series.
My recommendation: Chavez Better Days Will Haunt You collection. Matador knows how to reissue!
Like others on here, I cheer the return of Evan Dando.
Jay>Jeff
always gotta get that jay-jeff jab in, rmike!
the only slapping i endorse at wilco shows is the same as i would endorse at other shows: talkers and drunk girls should be slapped silly.
my fave comment made recently concerning this issue was made saturday's wrens show in cincy. people were talking loudly during a quiet part of the show, and a sweet guy i had met the night before, a photographer and a huge wrens fan, finally said what we were all thinking:
"shut the f*** up; THE WRENS are playing."
most of crowd applauded, and jerry, the drummer, got up, went to the merch table, and got our hero a shirt.
word.
sara, i'll be home friday night and will try to give TVOTR another shot, ok?
oh, and rmike, evan never left...at least, not my cd player. he has written some of the sweetest pop songs ever.
I know the Wilco fans (especially the ones here) are very passionate, and that's a good thing. I have decided to henceforth reserve my 'greater than' symbol for math equations only.
Great Wrens story. These constant talkers need their own section.
Dando's "Brass Buttons" (GP) cover was sweeeeeeeeet. What happened to the covers lists?
The Chavez reissue is 17 of the best bucks I've spent all year long.
Matador knows how to do ... everything.
(See the Pavement re-issues for even further proof.)
Concert of the year - Todd Snider - The Vogue - Nov. 11 - $35
Who's going?
Does the tattoo bet apply to that (insane) proclamation?
to paraphrase jagger:
wild horses couldnt drag me to that shithole
I'm not sure what the criteria is for the tattoo ... any listeners going to get in on this with us?
Sean: 30 yo.
Status: No tats
Greg: 26 yo.
Status: No tats
MK: 32 yo.
Status: One small tat
Snider ... concert of the year, remember I said it. (Or, hoped it.)
wild horses might not be able to, sean, but our boy ryan did. i don't know about you, but i had a great time there. come to think of it, i always have a great time there...minus having my foot fall asleep, of course.
as far as the todd snider show...it's $35? that's a bit steep, isn't it? is he that good live?
i could be easily talked into it. i love the album is he touring with a full band?
rmike, feel free to keep up the "greater than" sign...i can take it.
two bad experiences in a row are enough for me to consider that a shithole
dando is a ponce
anyone who sabotages their own show for publicity is a sad sad man
not to mention shoving a kid who merely wanted to buy a t shirt off of him
my list for thinking dando is shithead is three miles long
that kid was done yrs ago
too bad these kids cant be more like dylan ... they oughta wear the bracelet
as mr e said:
whatever happened to soy bomb?
now this kid has a story and i have even more reason to despise jtwee
i just realized that i made a grammar error in my previous post. a run-on sentence is a sin. way to go, english teacher!
sean, i'm sorry you feel that way about the vogue. i think it's a pretty great venue. i wish i could see every band i love in a place that tiny and open.
i'm not trying to open a can of worms again, but i just have to say it: jeff tweedy is a pretty great guy, even if you don't like his music or his band politics. he is sweet, funny, and kind to his fans. i've myself have been around him on numerous occasions, and it was true each time. he's also a great father (i've seen him in action and am friends with a girl who has babysat for him) and has raised thousands of dollars for numerous charities. i respect him as not only a musician, but for the man that he is; slap, punch, whatever, and all.
that's my story, and i'm sticking to it.
I love shitheads.
I love shitholes.
I love the Vogue.
Lemonheads rock.
Rock & Roll ain't pretty. (thankfully)
Vogue...
I saw the Ramones* play the Vogue on April 25, 1978. At the time, there was a space down front, and then tables at various levels the rest of the way back. Patti Smith was in town, and danced by herself on the dance floor. I still love the place.
Dee Dee wore his Snoopy Ohio State shirt.
I HATE shitheads.
I love shitholes.
I love the Vogue.
Lemonheads do nothing for me.
I counted at least 5 references to me and my hair on this episode. So I gotta ask.....why am I not a member of this show?
I agree with Sean on the Kllers, hell, he almost quoted me verbatim.
I love that Hold Steady album, Greg, I don't remember if I let you know that, so I win both ways I guess.
Matt, I didn't expect to enjoy TVOTR and I didn't initially. It took a little getting used to, now I love it. Same with the Killers album, it took at least seven full listens for me to "get it", regardless of what that dumbass Flowers has to say outside of the lyrics he sings.
I want some Dan Reeder.
damn. i can't believe someone didn't jump on that whole "used to baby sit for jeff" comment i made about my friend rosie...actually, she used to babysit for his kids.
glad i got to it first.
your hair is pretty awesome, zach.
lastly, i want to put my vote in. i like all of the listed except shitheads.
I too, want some Dan Reeder.
I love ... this "message board."
But I still don't love Dando.
Or the killers.
when the shitheads at that shithole invent rules for some and not for others and also see fit to stand around and witness someone being harassed and do nothing for forty five minutes then - yeah - that place is a shithole ... i dont care if hoon came back from the grave and blind melon played with rem for free ... after the way their shithead staff has mistreated situations in the only two visits ive made to that shithole ... then yeah - its a shithole
trying to convince me otherwise is like trying to convince me that jtwee and lemondork matter
Someone has to stand up for the shitheads. I can handle it. I got your back, Anton.
Yes, this board has blown up.
-Resident Shithead Apologist
zach-
didnt yer hair get the rsvp?
you can always guest on the show
but we all know who the real talent is!
Sean...
I do respect your bad opinion of the Vogue staff, and never condone mistreating patrons. You don't seem like a troublemaker, so I'll take your word on the issue.
It's still a fine venue (building) and I hope you'll give it another chance.
As long as you have a fan at the ready, my hair will be there.
i could care less if the paints peeling and the floor is sticky
that does not a shithole make
its how those running the place treat those that attend
and twice the vogue went out of their way to disrespect me and.or someone i attended a show with
i know i should be the bigger person and let it go
but twice - hows that dubya quote go?
i really cant look the other way considering i asked to speak to someone in charge after the first incident and they completely blew me off and as they escorted me to the door - handed me a nuevo and invited me to read about all the upcoming shows i was going to miss there
they can do a number of things involving specific body parts and im certain theyd enjoy none of them
a fan of yer hair
or
a wind machine
???
Fair enough. (Vogue)
whats the worst concert experience anyone owns up to?
mine would be:
eels @ the vogue
or
train (with or without the security confrontation)
i miss the days of the patio
ooh, i saw train once. i know what you mean, sean. i think the best part of the show was the aerosmith cover...the rest was super boring. i feel bad about it, but i couldn't stop staring at the singer's facial scar. did you see them when they opened for counting crows seven or eight years ago?
i miss the patio too. that nice low stage and big empty space. i think there was only a doorman...no security to cause problems. the people seemed to control themselves. it was definitely a different crowd than the vogue...more music-minded and less social during the sets. best show i saw there? the wrens a year or so ago, not long before it closed.
I have been to Rouge (formerly the Patio) recently. Surprisingly, not much has changed. The floor looked new, but everything else seemed about the same. They still book good live music, but maybe just local and regional acts. Nothing wrong with that. Hopefully, it will be revived as a smaller Vogue-alternative soon.
train headlined
push down and turn opened
it was when that soy latte song was huge
-----------
the rouge sounds like the perfect place to launch the band zach and i just formed
Launch away!
I think Jon Ross is the best new front man in the Fort.
However, he ain't no Johnny Revers.
johnny rivers?
i actually really love johnny rivers...seriously, rmike.
"mountain of love"...one of my fave oldies.
Jen- You have proved my point, if I had one.
Johnny Revers sings and occasionally plays guitar for Fort Wayne's best kept secret, TITO DISCOVERY. He should be a star. The band is playing a MOMS at Columbia Street on Nov. 7. They have endured some issues recently, including a break-up and a family death. I have made it a personal duty to champion them.
Johnny Rivers was cooler than most give him credit for, also.
I have been behind Tito Discovery 100% since Mr. Revers approached me at the Brass Rail about three or four years ago and told me our band sounded like Heroic Doses. I bought the LP as soon as I first laid eyes upon it after that. it was awesome and I took it as a huge compliment from a pretty rad fella. I made it a point to see his band and was floored when I did. I saw them almost every show until they mysteriously vanished and I lost interest in the bar scene for about 6 months (I am currently on a "lost interest" spurt right now). Good to hear they are back, I'll have to see them again.
sara, i stand corrected...a little, anyway.
i watched the tvotr on letterman. they were pretty explosive live. i definitely enjoyed it. maybe it was just the album that didn't do much for me. i will give it another listen, though i'm not really feeling the super driving rock sound right now. i'm feeling a bit more laid back as of late, minus a bit of rockin' from the wrens.
thanks for the schoolin'.
No surprise that Zach supported the TD. Great story.
I saw them for the first time at their recent reunion show. I was floored, also. After telling Cornfed Craig it was my first Tito experience, I had to endure his scorn for the rest of the set.
scorn from corn?
nuff to make ya wanna eat meat
(sounds like a def gary tune)
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