Another Night of Double Giggage: Apples in Stereo; Carina Round

Apples in Stereo; Aqueduct; The Old Soul
@ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Brooklyn, NY - September 16, 2007

Robert Schneider is one of the most likable men in rock, a verbose goof ball who combines psychedelic stylings with power-chord rock n' roll. His band, the Apples in Stereo, are truly in the vein of the Flaming Lips and other neo-psychedelic bands, but it is that consistent yearn for anthemic rock that helps the Apples stand apart. Live-wise, the power really shines and, at least on this night, Robert kept the talking to a minimum, focusing instead on bringing the house (pretty crowded but far from sold out) down, which he more or less succeeded at.
"Energy":

Both Aqueduct and the Old Soul were complimentary power-pop bands. The former, from Seattle, sounded, at times, more 80's - especially when using some electronic gizmo. Also led by a likable (and notably unglamorous) frontman, Aqueduct would sometimes lose their way but they managed to bring it back to where it had to be time and again. The fun, rollicking cover of R. Kelly's "I'm a Flirt" was a high note. The Old Soul, from Toronto, are a more eclectic brand of power-pop rock. The one unifying theme in all their songs seems to be a subtle ragtime-ish swoon. All 3 bands had a good time but these guys really seemed to be having a good time. Also, a little anthemic but again, with a twist.
Pictures here.

Carina Round
@ Sound Fix
Brooklyn, NY - September 16, 2007

There are two ways to think of Carina Round and the two ways do not contradict each other: Joni Mitchell and PJ Harvey defied science and had a baby and out popped Carina Round. That's one way. Another way is to ask you if you remember the mid-90's when a flock of female singer-songwriters seemed to really come into their own. On the one end were alternative rebels like the aforementioned Harvey and Ani DiFranco, and on the other were the more mainstream, pop-oriented acts like Sarah Mclachlan and her Lilith Fair cohorts. In the middle of that wide chasm, lies Carina Round. Think of Sarah Mclachlan's best work, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, dirtied up a bit by Polly Jean, and this is the music put forward - strikingly and successfully - by Carina. Carina's vocal talents are fascinating - she can sing pop songs dearly but she can thrown her voice around like a punching bag, creating effective alternative sounds. Her ability to scream a note without really moving her lips is a bit hypnotic to watch.
This night, in a stripped down set of acoustic guitar and one electric guitar, Carina's music did not have the full register that it does on her records but it offered a simple, basic examination of the pop-craft she's weaving. It is this kind of pop-music with a knife edge that needs to be pushed and played and popular.
Here's an SPTV Mini-clip of "Come To You":

Photos here.