Who will win the Super Bowl?
By nick g | February 5, 2010
Every year I watch the Super Bowl, never caring about the outcome. Since my team, the 49ers, has not been in for 16 years, I don’t really have a reason to watch. But I still faithfully turn my attention to the advertising blitz that is Super Sunday for my annual display of broishness. Like many others, especially girlfriends, wives and children, I really just want to see the commercials. One in particular: The Bud Bowl.
Budweiser vs. Bud Light. It’s a battle waged since the beginning of time, with no end in sight. Kinda like America’s “skirmish” in the Middle East, but much more refreshing. Like the Super Bowl, it’s supposed to be the epitome of competition, but honestly in the beer world that’s like the Rams vs. the Raiders. Whoever sucks less wins.
Why not open it up to all cheap beers? That would be a bowl to remember. Or forget alltogether. Which might actually be better (until tomorrow morning).
Topics: Events, Random, Rants, Things We Love | 2 Comments »
GLK DJ’s at Holocene Sunday
By Erik | January 29, 2010
When you go to the bathroom, do you ever feel like you should wash your hands before you do your business? I mean, your hands are out there all day, getting dirty, when your genitals are sa
fe in your pants and protected from the environment! Why not employ a wash-piss-wash strategy? Speaking of sequential logic, The Gaslamp Killer is a DJ who mixes records together so that the beats match, and then you feel like dancing or moving your body in a provocative manner. He’s gonna be at Holocene this Sunday opening for some guy called Prefuse 73. GLK is no ordinary DJ. He wants you to know as much as he does about music. That’s why, in the middle of his set, he’ll make some remark about what it is he’s playing, and then you can take a mental note of it and use that information to make good consumer choices. As you may well know, an informed consumer is a good American citizen!
Topics: Events, PORTLAND | No Comments »
iPad: iJizzed.
By nick g | January 28, 2010
It’s that time of the month. I’m craving technology like nobody’s business, and it’s a weird craving. I want something with a touch screen, that’s thin and light but with a big, 10 inch screen. What do you mean that doesn’t exist? DO YOU WANT ME TO HURT SOMEONE?
By now, you’ve probably seen a review of the iPad. This is a review of a review, because the thing isn’t out yet. Yesterday, Steve Jobs revealed Apple’s new iPad. Today, iJizzed.
It’s basically a big iPod touch. A really big iPod Touch. That’s really cool, and I don’t even own an iProduct. (BUT I do own a Macbook). It does everything an iPod Touch does, including running all iPod/iPhone apps. There are companies also making iPad-specific apps. That’s a big boon.
First and foremost, this will kill other eBook readers. You actually turn the pages like you turn pages, and you can buy books like they’re on a bookshelf. There will be an iBook store. It’s full color.
Secondly, newspapers and magazines are making apps specifically for this thing. It’s going to save print media. I hope the New York Times sent Jobs a really good gift basket, because he featured the newspaper’s Web page during his debut of the product. I mean, we’re talking almond roca and expensive soaps. Maybe even some edible flower arrangement thing. Anyway, something women love.
Topics: Music News | No Comments »
Deerhoof is not an opening band!
By nick g | January 27, 2010
Damnit, when will this stop? I understand when a band is just starting they must open for larger acts to gain fans and respect, but Deerhoof is really, REALLY good. I mean, beyond most other music kind of good. If they wanted to, they could become more famous than Linkin Park. IF they wanted to.
But that would probably mean putting out an album of music that is classifiable into one genre, and that would defy Deerhoof’s style. On any given album you’ll be pulling your hair out to compare them to anyone - ANYONE - else in the music industry. “The Runners Four” is so good every song on that album could be expanded into a whole album, like that Bob Dylan song where every line could be a concept or title for a whole song. That might be why they’re routinely praised by a very wide range of musicians and have played with Radiohead and are playing with Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band to kick off the NoisePop festival in SF next month.
It is really no coincidence those are two of the most influential bands of all time. If Led Zeppelin or Elvis Presley tours again (which would both be very strange), check the opening act - it could be Deerhoof.
So with all that praise, why the hell are they still an opening act? They toured with Experimental Dental School a while back, and while a decent act, EDS is nothing compared to The Hoof. They are the definition of an opening band. Not Deerhoof.
If I could ask Deerhoof one serious question is would be something like this: Why are you not widely regarded as the best band of all time?
I guess I would really have to ask the music industry and music listeners at large that question to get the response I’m looking for. I actually had the chance to ask The Hoof any question I wanted, limited to four, for the NoisePop program. I did not choose this question because I was limited to a very small space for responses. But Deerhoof, if you’re reading, feel free to respond!
Topics: BAY AREA, Music News, Rants | No Comments »
YACHT & The Straight Gaze
By TG | January 26, 2010
And so it’s confirmed! Yacht’s Jona Bechtolt and Claire Evans have announced their new project Yacht & The Straight Gaze featuring recent additions Bobby Birdman, Reuben Snyder and Jeffrey Jerusalem. No Portland dates yet, but surely they have to play here!! Correction, Yacht & The Straight Gaze will be headlining a set at Holocene on February 17th. Go to Holocene’s site here for more information and the full line up!
Topics: Music News, PORTLAND | No Comments »
Rontoms’ 100th Free Show
By Annie | January 24, 2010
Rontoms is one of those bars that has absolutely no information on their website, sports only a small insignia on their building front, and basically leaves people completely reliant upon sites like pc-pdx for a weekly lineup for their free Sunday shows. The drinks may not be as cheap as other venues around town but their backdoor stage area is huge, and they frequently host some of the best bands around Portland, for free. Celebrating their 100th show on January 31st, Rontoms will be hosting a fantastic lineup with the bands Hosannas (formerly Church), and Typhoon among many others. Mark it on your calendars and get ready to celebrate with a night of great local music, cheapish tall cans of Tecate, and the wonderful feeling that you are out seeing rad music instead of just sitting at home streaming shows off hulu–your computer will still be there when you get back.
Click to enlarge!
Topics: Events, PORTLAND | 1 Comment »
KSUN Music Director’s Top Picks of ‘09
By Annie | January 9, 2010
A few weeks ago when we sent out a message asking for local musicians and music promoters to put together a list of their top five albums of ‘09, we didn’t quite know what we were going to get back. We all know how flaky musicians can be, and we’re aware that we’re just a little site that doesn’t offer much in the way of exposure or press. Despite all of these things we thought we got some really great responses from a good handful of musicians, but it wasn’t until I checked my inbox just now that I was kind of blown away by a list so detailed that I could not possibly simply add it on to the post below. So now, I give you the music list of Sonoma State’s resident music director, Eric Ritz!
1. Neon Indian “Psychic Chasms”
This was 30 minutes of weird sounds and light vocals and pure bliss. I can see this sounding nice in a dental office, but that would make it the world’s coolest dental office ever, as instead of smooth jazz it would be playing chilled out drifty pop. The tooth polish will still tickle your gums obnoxiously, but the time will go by sooooo quick.
2. Fever Ray “Fever Ray”
I don’t remember digging the Knife album as much as most people did (sounds like a prime candidate for a re-listen!), but this is just awesome. Total eerie mood builder here, and then she throws out weird tossed off lyrics about love and dishwasher tablets and it takes me to Weirdsville.
3. Cave “Psychic Summer”
This is the easiest thing for me to groove to, just like the most rocking motorik band around, making the most driving record of the summer. I got it over summer, blasted it all summer, and still don’t understand what a psychic summer is, but damn this rules.
4. Matrix Metals “Flamingo Breeze”
This was a cassette release on Not Not Fun (but I think it’s on vinyl now) and it’s awesome. It’s like one giant long lost warped 80s game show soundtrack. It’s like music that would play over an incredibly awesome montage of people just winning prizes and dinette sets and stuff.
5. Dinosaur Jr. “Farm”
J Mascis ain’t afraid to throw down on a bunch of awesome fuzzed-out guitar solos and still have long hair and refuse to dye it and throw a couple Lou songs on the record. This record just keeps getting better and makes me yearn for the Guitar Hero Dinosaur Jr. Track Pack.
Topics: BAY AREA | No Comments »
Top Picks of 2009
By TG | December 31, 2009
**We love the above print by artist Mark Weaver, check out his prints available for purchase at his site here and his flickr right here.
2009 was certainly a year of great albums, and even more notably a year of amazing releases from tons of local Sonoma County bands. We thought it would be fun to ask a few local musicians and noisemakers around town what their favorite albums of 2009 are. As expected, the following list contains albums that are high among many critics lists - so if you haven’t heard them yet head on over to The Last Record Store to pick them up! And if you’re strapped cash, take advantage of Pitchfork’s Top 50 list that will let you stream every album on their list for free! So without further ado, please enjoy:
* Not everyone that we asked had a chance to get back to us, so we would like to invite everyone to comment with your top 5 below – we would love to hear from you.
Paul Haile - Not To Reason Why
1. Mew- No More Stories. Mew is just so damn good. Takes a few listens to really get into this album, but after you hear all the detail and complexity in the music it’s like a rose unfurling. I would almost go as far to say that they are my favorite band right now. Their other albums are also way good.
2. Dirty Projectors- Bitte Orca. Solid album. There is so much diversity from track to track and each song has its own uniqueness. The thick harmonies and beautiful instrumentation definitely tickle my fancy.
3. Grizzly Bear- Veckatimest. This album is just epically beautiful. The recording sounds huge, and awesome. This album just totally hits the spot for me.
4. Manchester Orchestra -Mean Everything To Nothing. This album is also pretty diverse. The powerful vocals are what really do it for me on this album. He sings more aggressively than he has on previous albums which makes it raw and emotional. Loving it.
5. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Pheonix. Super catchy and awesome. The fact that they are both really cute frenchmen makes this band even better. What really made it for me was hearing an acoustic set of theirs. They aren’t just a thing that is going to come and go, they are really talented dudes who know how to play and write music.
Favorite show played this year:
I would probably say my favorite show of this year was with a band from Seattle called “Heatwarmer”. They were touring at the time, and we had no idea what to expect. Their musicianship was totally legit, and their show was so ridiculously awesome. It was almost hard to believe what was happening. Phenomenal musicianship throughout, even a dude playing an EWI. Really nice guys too. The New Trust also played that night with us, and it was just a really great night for me. They always perform super well. Julia has got to be the best girl drummer I’ve seen, and Sara is very entertaining to watch. Watching that man Josh Staples perform is an also experience. He’s just a badass inside and out. Great show.
Favorite show attended this year: Didn’t attend a lot of major shows this year, but I did get the chance to see Mew twice. They were impeccable. Hearing it live made me love this band even more. I sometimes have the awful thought: “Maybe they are going to suck live”, but from the first few moments they played their first song, I was blown away.
Ben Henning -Polar Bears 1.Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion. In my opinion, they are our generation’s great band. Beautiful!
2.Big Business - Mind the Drift. Heavy music with a great sense of humor, hooks/riffs out the ying yang, and no compromises. It Rules.
3.Real Estate - s/t. Mellow, subtly psychedelic, nostalgia pouring out of it as it plays. One hell of a debut record!
4.Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. They nailed it! Start to finish, it delivers, with some of their most open/emotional writing ever. A total “get stoked” record for an intense year.
5.Various Artists - 5: Five years of Hyperdub. Hyperdub is a London label that seems to release records by every awesome/original/bad ass electronic producer out there. Zomby, Burial, Joker, Kode9, Flying Lotus, Ikonika…forward thinking music for headphones and big speakers.
Favorite show played this year: Breaking the rule of the question, but Polar Bears did a 9 day California mini-tour with Rx Bandits, Tera Melos and Pebaluna and the entire experience was humbling, fun as shit and really positive for me personally. I’m very grateful to have been part of it.
Favorite show attended this year: Sorry, breaking the rule again for a two-way tie…Grizzly Bear at the Fillmore and Prizehog at Kimo’s. Grizzly Bear were perfect; warm, full, enthusiastic, all around a joy to watch. Prizehog just destroyed. Their set started with a loop pedal layering of the Legend of Zelda theme for electric guitar, dove into molasses slow psychedelic rumble with celestial electronics and then culminated with a on-the-spot cover of Tom Petty’s “Freefalling” that sounded like it was played in a teenage metalhead’s melting tape deck. Absolutely insane and one of the heaviest shows I’ve ever seen. Happy 2010 y’all!!!
Topics: BAY AREA, Music News | 5 Comments »
Things We Love
By TG | December 28, 2009
The website Winter is The New Summer has definitely got it right. Why spend the coldest months tucked inside fighting boredom with all of the electronic possibilities when you can get out and spend time around real people and real good music. Each week the site hosts a rotating cast of local musicians offering up the best shows Portland has to offer. Check it.
Topics: PORTLAND, Things We Love | 1 Comment »
Not to Reason Why Record Release Show
By TG | December 25, 2009
In honor of their new album Not to Reason Why are kicking off a list of Bay Area shows with their CD release next Friday at The Phoenix Theater. And while the spotlight is surely theirs, they’ve assembled a lineup of some of the finest bands Sonoma County has to offer.Visit their myspace page here for a full list of their upcoming shows and information on how you can pick up their epic new album, Would You Hug Fire.
Topics: BAY AREA, Events, Santa Rosa | No Comments »
Top Albums of 2009
By Charlie | December 23, 2009
I have been listening to a boat load of albums lately, trying to catch up enough on 2009 to collect a best of list. I don’t think I quite got it all, but here are some of my favorites of the year.And for the record, no, Animal Collective will NOT be on this list. They get enough attention and I have not actually listened to it. But also, some of my favorite bands like Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., and Morrissey will all be absent from this list. Just know that I still love them.
Ok, here we go. In no particular order, here’s what I remember from 2009.
Built to Spill – There is No Enemy
There is no enemy, but also there is no way a Built to Spill album is coming out and it doesn’t go in my top list. They are simply one of those bands who can do no wrong. They excel at both the heavy psych rock, the short and sweet pop song, the blazing at both ends heavy shit, everything. These guys are the consummate professional, the masters of their craft, and it comes through in every second of There is No Enemy. Not one note is wasted, not one minute misguided. Simply put, Built to Spill rule.
Cymbals Eat Guitars – Why There are Mountains
I discovered this band in the course of writing assignments, and they blew me away almost instantly. “…And the Hazy Sea” is one of the best opening tracks of the year, and the rest of the album is a chaotic, catchy and enticing blend of the best of indie rock in the 90’s (I know, right?) and some good post rock thrashing about. Plenty of good stuff to pick and choose from, but the whole album works as a single musical statement.
David Bazan – Curse Your Branches
Ever since Pedro the Lion stopped me cold in my tracks, singer/songwriter David Bazan has been one of my musical heroes. With an emotional and lyrical weight, Bazan has been exploring more and more personal issues in his solo material. This culminates on Curse Your Branches with a fall from grace of sort, a break up with God, and some of Bazan’s best writing in a decade. This was the album I was hoping for, so it’s all the more satisfying when the songs get stuck in my head for weeks on end.
I had always kind of been on the fence with Grizzly Bear until this year. They were always interesting enough, but does that make them a good band? Well, Veckatimest puts all that fence-sitting to rest, as the album breaks down any walls (or fences I suppose) one might be tempted to build. Utterly gorgeous and pitch perfectly arranged, this offering from the Brooklyn based group proves their hype and signals a new step in their rapidly maturing prowess. “While You Wait for the Others” might be my favorite song of the year.
I’m always a fan of anything Twin Peaks, so when Phil Elverum took that and the forests surrounding his own small northwest town as inspiration for this album, he had me at “Through the Trees.” Add to it moments of utterly brutal metal and scenes of wanton vulnerability, and you have one of the most diverse and original sounding records of the year. Full of nature and the fury contained within, Wind’s Poem is the bleakest of Mount Eerie’s material, but also the most accomplished.
My new favorite Portland indie pop band, Nurses excel at a whimsical and disarming psych pop blend of electronics and harmonics. While their long hair and capes may signal hippie rock, their music is anything but. With unique and hook laddened rhythms abundant throughout, Apple’s Acre is a great introduction to a band that is just months away from breaking wide open. Get in on it now, thank me later.
Papercuts – You Can Have What You Want
Where to begin with Papercuts? San Francisco’s Jason Quever has been making his off kilter brand of indie rock for years, mostly on his own, and mostly under the radar. This album is easily the best of his career. It’s an unnerving concoction of vintage organs and falsetto shakes. Quever helms some dark territory throughout, playing up his isolation and disconnect to the majority of his surroundings. For me, it doesn’t get much better than “Future Primative.” Not only does it have one of the best bass lines of the year, it breathlessly propels itself and the final act of the album to some unbelievable heights.
You know that RCA ad where the guy is sitting in his chair and the TV is just blowing a hurricane of sound into his face so hard he’s got to wear shades to protect himself from the unstoppable onslaught bearing down on him? Russian Circles is like that. Only more so. Each output by this group gets louder, crunchier, heavier. And Geneva tops all with its gut punching, face tearing, maniacal gleam in the eye brand of instrumental post rock. Get your metal face on kids, Russian Circles is not fucking around here.
The lo fi buzz of Songs of Shame comes as no surprise to fans of Woods, but may raise a few unsuspecting eyebrows otherwise. Certainly it’s the most accessible album of their career, though it’s also one of the more diverse and eccentric works they’ve produced. The boys in Woods are a restless lot, as evidenced in their myriad of side projects and label ownings, but that doesn’t mean Songs of Shame is unfocused, it’s just a spirited and, well, kind of kooky brand of indie rock. Really, I’m not sure how to recommend it, except to say just jump on in. The shock is bracing, but the water’s fine.
Yo La Tengo is in the running for best band of the last 25 years, and they should be. Their music is no less than spectacular. Time and time again they break barriers, exceed expectations, and prove themselves both as sensitive artists and freaks of the scene. Trying to out shred guitarist Ira Kaplan is an exercise in futility, as is any attempt to one up their overall craftsmanship. Popular Songs continues this tradition of kicking everyone’s ass with pop painted aural soundscapes. Long live Yo La Tengo.
That’s enough. I’m spent.
Topics: Music News, Reviews, Things We Love | No Comments »
The octopus knows
By nick g | December 15, 2009
I bet you don’t know that octopus remember you by touching a sucker to your skin? One touch and next time it’s “Hey, how’s the family? Two daughters, right? Must be, shoot, 8 and 11 by now? And the job? You still work at Arby’s? One-eighth Polish, right? And your brother once shot himself in the leg with a BB gun because he thought there was a spider crawling on him but it was really just a dust ball? Yeah, how ya been?”
Octopus also are strong enough to crush your skull and delicate enough to fit into the smallest of crevices. They change color. They’re fast. Some are deadly poisonous. They shoot ink. Now they’ve been filmed using tools.
The veined octopus in Bali has been documented as using coconut halves as hiding places. But they go through a considerable amount of work to get them. Finding them stuck in the mud, the octopus digs in underneath and blows out the mud inside of the upside-down shell with a high-powered jetstream of water from a valve on its head.
What the story doesn’t really say is this octopus does just what the acclaimed mimic octopus is famous for – imitate other creatures. At one point in the video it uses two halves to become a giant clam, later it is a hermit crab. It’s fairly obvious imitation, and the story doesn’t point it out.
In addition to using tools, this creature mimics other creatures depending on what would be most useful in the situation. It makes a snap fight-or-flight decision by choosing to hide or defend itself. That’s a lot of brains and the fastest use of it. Do you know, right now, what you would do if you were accosted by a sea lion 20 times your size? No, but the octopus does.
By the way, jeers to the BBC for writing such biased and opinionated articles. Tabloid journalism at best.
Topics: Music News | 2 Comments »
Abby Kadabby’s ‘Magic Wand’
By nick g | December 3, 2009
Since now it’s not “OK” to leave your kid alone in front of the boob tube (but oddly enough, is ok to leave them on the boob for years), children’s programming has become more “adult friendly,” with subtle jokes or celebrity guest stars. But sometimes, it might be going too far.
Watch the clip here.
Or maybe some of us just automatically “go there.” Sorry. Try listening to the last minute or so with your eyes closed.
Topics: Music News | No Comments »
Get Here Now
By Annie | November 29, 2009
Our very talented friends Kindness and Lies will be playing their North Bay CD release show on December 12th at the always wonderful Last Record Store. I can personally attest to the fact that their new album, Look Up Now, offers five tracks packed to the brim with luscious vocal harmonies and intricately layered instrumentation that will keep you listening on repeat for hours. We can only imagine how amazing they must be live, which is why we are patiently awaiting their eventual tour up North (make it happen ladies!).
*Complete review of their new album forthcoming!
Topics: BAY AREA, Events, Santa Rosa | No Comments »
Portland Shows December 1st-13th
By Annie | November 29, 2009
So, we have been pretty broke here in Portland and in being so have missed out on some pretty rad shows lately. Fortunately for us there are some pretty great and more importantly cheap local shows going on in the month of December that we are pretty excited about. Here are just a few of our favorite!
12/1 - The band Church will be headlining a show at the always classy Mississippi Studios. The trio plays super melodic indie pop that goes well beyond a simple catchy beat - offering layered vocals and synth tones that will keep you transfixed in a head nodding stupor through their entire set.
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12/3 - Thursday night Stagbitten will be playing The Branx along with Gone to Croatoan and Gull. We’ve only seen Stagbitten and can fully guarantee that they are awesome live, dynamic and heavy with guitar and drum breakdowns that will pretty much blow your mind. Can’t find a flyer for this one so you’ll just have to take our word for it or check out the above Stagbitten link for more info.
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12/11 - Westfold will be playing at Ash Street alongside several notable Portland pop contemporaries for a night of music that is sure to please. Last time we saw Westfold they played an amazing acoustic set that totally sold me on these guys. Expect an expertly crafted and tightly arranged electronic set from the quintet on this night. Also excited to see Aristeia for the first time since based on their myspace tracks, they play rather epic instrumental rock in the same vein as This will Destroy you or a more accessible Mono - all very good things.
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12/12 - One of our very favorite Portland bands, Nurses, will be headlining Berbati’s. We have seen them a few times now and if we weren’t so damn lazy we would definitely have a show review talking about how great they are live and how often their music gets stuck in my head for hours after listening to them. Instead, go here to read a review I wrote about their music that pretty much covers everything you need to know about this band and why it is well worth your time to see them.
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There are no doubt many more shows worth going to during these few weeks, these are merely a few that we are likely to attend. For more show listings, we totally support PC-PDX, a great resource for both house shows and venues throughout Portland.
And yes that’s right, I don’t know how to format line breaks, thus the many periods thrown in randomly within my posts. Completely inept, I know.
Topics: Events, Music News, PORTLAND | No Comments »
The HAM strikes back!
By nick g | November 24, 2009
Just in time for Thanksgiving…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ljfeinduEs
(video embed keeps screwing up the site, sorry guys!)
Does this mean Paula’s love affair with pork will cease? Doubt it. I especially love that the crew makes a joke and goes out of her way to point out how much Paula Deen really loves pork.
Topics: Random, Things We Love | 2 Comments »
vision of the future, my ass.
By nick g | November 16, 2009
Visioneers is a not a movie you should see if you hate your life. In the end, everything works out fine, which as we all know is never the case in real life.
But if you’re in a relatively sane state of mind, it’s a great flick.
George Washington Winsterhammerman (he says his name several times in the movie) thinks he might explode. In this not-so-distant-future setting there is an epidemic of explosions and doctors can’t figure out what’s causing it. Maybe it’s stress, or could be monotony. Subtle hints are dropped that maybe it’s not being true to yourself.
Spoiler alert: YES, you do get to see an actual human explosion, and it’s way better than scanners.
G.W. Winsterhammerman’s company, the Jeffers Company, is the most profitable company in the world boasting millions of employees. He is a level three (out of five, we think) with a hot wife (Kitty from Arrested Development) and a huge house with no neighbors. So why is he a candidate for explosion?
Zach Galifianakis has proved that he actually can be a serious actor - in the John Malkevich, Jason Schwartzman, kind of way. He is the perpetual weirdo, like a more mysterious Jon Heder with a sick ass beard. His role as G.W.W. is more than just his usual, awkard and zany self. It’s partly based on that persona but with more depth and feeling. Ironically, Galifianakis accomplishes this feat with a lack of feeling and little dialogue.
It’s on the Netflix instant que right now. Just log in with your roommate’s (or parents, cousin, friend, etc) account and watch it.
Topics: Reviews | No Comments »
Tuesday November 10th
By TG | November 10, 2009
Tonight at Powell’s downtown location renowned author Antonino D’Ambrosio will be speaking about his new novel, A Heartbeat and a Guitar, followed by an intimate performance of Johnny Cash songs by local folk musician Dick Weissman of the legendary trio The Journeymen. The event begins at 7:30 sharp - hope to see you there.
Topics: Events, PORTLAND | No Comments »
The Grizzle
By TG | November 9, 2009
We would like to take a moment to wish our very own Nicolas Grizzle a very happy Birthday today! If not for him, this blog would certainly be lacking all the hilarious and witty reviews that he so often contributes.
Cheers Nick you’re the best!
Topics: Things We Love | 4 Comments »
I’d hug that fire, for sure.
By nick g | November 8, 2009
Not To Reason Why’s new album melts my heart
Rating: Vinyl: 9/10. CD: 8.5/10
The gentlemen, and lady, of Not To Reason Why.
Photo by www.sarasanger.com.
Not To Reason Why is melting the hearts (and faces) of audiences in Sonoma County, throwing new logs on the waning fire that is the North Bay music scene. Their latest release and first full-length offering, “Would You Hug Fire,” was officially put on the market on vinyl (its intended format) and compact disc Saturday night at the Guyaki mate bar in Sebastopol.
The vinyl pressings, limited to 300, arrived that morning to the band. It wasn’t an official release party, but nonetheless dollars were forked over for the much-anticipated album. Though Tonegazer was able to secure an advance digital copy, we held off on a review until it was available to the public.
Some may say because its lack of a voice leading each track that this album is “boring” or “repetitive.” But this is not the case. Each song evokes a different feeling. The most powerful for me personally is easily Zeitgeist, which in an instant makes me remember anyone I’ve ever lost, by death or otherwise, all at once. It’s moving to the point of paralyzation. Crushing delayed guitar, pounding, forceful drums, two separate piano chord progressions so beautiful they evoke tears and the ceaseless throbbing, pumping, chest-shaking bass work together like the world’s best repression-specialist psychologist.
The album title is fitting. “Would You Hug Fire” is not a provocative question until one hears the album in its entirety. It makes the listener actually question his sense of feeling, whether it’s physical or mental, making the thought of embracing a warm glow seem enticing. The intensity of the music dictates the glow and embrace be equally intense; maybe the album should have been titled “Would You Bear Hug Fire?”
It picks up where the band’s previous offering, “Who wants flowers when they’re dead?” left off. Epic songs were weakened only slightly by repetition and a sense of hesitancy. No songs longer than about six minutes and beautiful, but simple offerings. “Fire” features one song pushing 12 minutes, one with a horn section, three with a string quartet and really achieves the sense of fearlessness “Flowers” was seeking.
The vinyl version is by far a superior listening experience. Not necessarily because it’s a 180-gram thick pressing (an audiophile’s wet dream), but because the four sides give pause and allow each pair of songs to sink in. Like Romantic Era composer Gustav Mahler, whose second symphony has a programmed five-minute pause between the first and second movements, Not To Reason Why understands the power of silence. The songs are so monumental in their relatively short (4:49 to 11:48) time span, a little pause does the mind a favor. It’s in that silence the thoughtful craft of blending art and intensity can be truly appreciated.
This is what Not To Reason Why thrives on. Three of the four members graduated the same school with music degrees, and all are outstanding musicians in their own rites. Those three were also in advanced choral groups focusing on early music like Monteverdi and Josquin, so forming an instrumental post-rock group with an emphasis on minimalism sounds outlandish – at first.
But it only makes sense. A true craftsman (or craftswoman) is able to communicate the most emotion with the smallest effort. Like a perfect haiku, this music isn’t hard to duplicate, but each note bears significance.
The record(s) comes with eight framable prints (one for each song) by Sonoma County artists and even has a CD for listening in the ca.
I cannot recommend this album enough. Easily the best record to be released this year, even if its not officially out yet. The only downfall might be its status as a complete album. It might be tough to listen to one track on its own, and might be hard to pick a “single” off this album. So setting it on for a couple minutes while getting ready for work in the morning might be tough, but my ears would be hard pressed to find a better way to spend 56 minutes.
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