Was once a podcast with Elwood D. Pennypacker (@oldtimeelwood on the Twitter) that went by the old expression "Punk Isn't Dead, It Just Goes to Bed at a More Reasonable Hour".
How's Pitchfork TV doing? Not bad. Yes it's been a P-fork heavy day here at the Parthenon but it happens from time to time. Anyway, here's Okkervil River on the web network's rooftop performance show:
WNYC's Soundcheck was in Austin for 2 days, here are the clips (the first of which features Peter Buck and Wil Sheff):
Trent Ostvig posted this video of one of the most talked about new bands, Times New Viking:
Out of the 1700 bands to check out two of them not getting the bigger press that should are Langhorne Slim and his outfit, and a little pop thing called Clare & The Reasons:
Songs: “Mistaken For Strangers”; “Apartment Story”.
Along with Camera Obscura and the Hold Steady, the National dominated 2007. This triumvirate of bands took up, arguably, the most blog time, the most listens, and the most energy. In the case of the National, it was the most blissfully dark. The band’s penchant for salty and raw but nevertheless dramatic lyrics coated in a garden of lush sounds – spanning a line from Joy Division to Bruce Springsteen – makes them a true standout. The boys are a thinking band, a thoughtful band, a deliberative band but also a no frills, unfiltered, savage excursion into base feelings about the bleak state of the world, the urges of human behavior, and maybe even the melancholia of the good things in life. In addition to having one of the records of the year and two of the best singles of the year (“Apartment Story” should find itself in the Top 10 singles of the decade in a few years) the Brooklyn-by-Cinci boys put on a heck of a show and they even made Terminal 5 sound good on its opening night. "Apartment Story":
“Need Your Needs” by Georgie James Very late in the year, this sugary, peppy, dance-rock single made a big impact on the SP earbuds. Stay tuned for more of it in 2008.
Norah Jones
Record: Not Too Late
Song: “Thinking About You”
Norah’s been long forgotten by the Indie crowd (if she was ever really accepted) but that didn’t stop her from putting out a decent LP that has a lovely title track and a single – “Thinking About You” - that would probably win the old fashioned Best Single by a Female Vocalist award. And that would have been her fourth win in six years.
“North American Scum” by LCD Soundsystem This one is finding it’s way on a lot of year-end best-of lists and for good reason, James Murphy’s production project doubles as a good rock n’ roll band. And best of all: Murphy sounds like he’s singing with a cold.
Okkervil River
Live Show
Record: The Stage Names
Song: “Our Life Is Not Like A Movie But Maybe”
In a great year for band singles, Okkervil’s “Our Life…” rivals the National’s “Apartment Story” for single of the year and also has a best-of-the-decade slot in its future. It is one of the greatest post-break-up analysis songs ever written and Will Sheff sings it with an unmatched passion. The live scene delivers on all the goods – it is truly knee shaking. And oh yeah, The Stage Names is one of the best albums of the year.
Pianos A hell of a year for the Lower East Side venue: The Hard Lessons, the Love Me Nots, and Looker put on excellent shows. And they have a nice, accommodating person working the live space door.
“Postcard to Nina” by Jens Lekman A very sweet, very introverted bit of romantic comedy by Indie darling Lekman. His affable attempt to masquerade as his lesbian friend’s boyfriend in front of her old fashioned family makes for a fun 4 minute romp, aided and abetted by a heavy dose of blue eyed soul in the background. It was quite the year for soul music as led by the ladies mentioned elsewhere and producers like Mark Ronson. But this Swedish single may have trumped them all. Stream
“Radio Nowhere” by Bruce Springsteen Magic was a turkey, sorry. The opening salvo though was the Boss’ best single in 25 years, which made the ensuing LP all the more disappointing when it turned out to be so bad. But it’s always better to have Bruce around than not. He’s Bruce. And you’re not. Video
Jay Reatard
Live Show
Record: Blood Visions
Song: “Blood Visions”
You may notice no account of the Black Lips in this year-end review. Well that’s because everyone else has them covered (and boy have they been put into overkill. Remember when they played every couple months to no one? That was a long time ago). Next up in the garage punk-turned-hipster-cavalcade is Jay Reatard, though unlike the Black Lips, it remains to be seen if he will embrace the hipsters back. Jay is a tough, tough dude. But despite the uninviting atmosphere, he puts on a hell of a show in support of a more than decent punk record. He also sports some damn fine vocals. SPTV at CMJ:
“Rehab” by Amy Winehouse Blah blah blah blah, it’s all about Mark Ronson OK? And the Dap Kings. That’s it. Other than that, she should win an award for Best-Description-Of-My-Pathetic-Life-Turned-Smash-Hit-Single. Whatever. Video
Josh Ritter
Live Show
The Historical Conquests may not have been the totally perfect follow up to Animal Years (Pre-Camera Obscura and Hold Steady, the best album of last year), but Josh can do it live. SPTV Insta-Clip
“Rock N Roll Backlash” by the Woggles The last of the pocket of Little Steven pushed singles, the razzle dazzle nitty gritty Woggles did what they do best: make fun songs. Still best to see them live though. Sample
Rodrigo Y Gabriela by Rodrigo Y Gabriela Another 2006 release but that didn’t stop the duo from packing headlining Roseland at CMJ. Perfect, consistent guitar. Bravo. "Tamacun" live
Carina Round
Live Show
Record: Slow Motion Addict
Songs: “Come To You”, “Stolen Car”
It was a smashing year for British siren Carina Round as she toured in support of her superior follow-up record. “Come To You” and “Stolen Car” are two of the best songs heard this year. And she’s a darling live singer.
Gettin' Their Kicks, Man: Okkervil River At Webster Hall
Okkervil River; Damien Jurado; Jonathan Meiburg @ Webster Hall New York, NY - September 28, 2007
Okkervil River has found a way to bridge symphonic pop with Texas blues and yet has somehow also found a way to not sound poppy or bluesy at all. Led by the enthusiastic if a tad trippy Will Sheff, Okkervil can belt out an array of tunes that invoke something of an art house Roadhouse. At the same time, they can occasionally cross over into dullsville, but that is rare and fleeting. "Unless It's Kicks" is the best example of the band at its best, catchy pop doused in a helpin' of Austin sensibilities. But then there is "Our Life Is Not Like A Move Or Maybe" which, in just a little over a month, has established itself as one of the best singles of the decade and no hyperbole necessary. This is the most defined record of ethereal Rock n Roll that has been heard in some time, and live it gets the full blown industrial treatment - musical showmanship, emotional purity, and commanding stewardship by Mr. Sheff. After the performance of the song, it was necessary to take a step back, find a seat, and inhale in what was just witnessed. It was that good.
As best as it could be captured, here is that performance. The recording doesn't begin to do it justice:
Damien Jurango is a melancholy acoustic guitarist and solo performer who renders a complaint free performance, but when he takes a step up with a more pop-infused guitar hook, there is real songcraft afoot. Okkervil River's keyboardist, Jonathan Meiburg, opened the night with a short set, also solo, with a banjo and then a little electric guitar. As melancholy as Mr. Jurango, Meiburg's banjo is the key melodymaker here and it serves its function well. A nice little trip to Texas and back.
The biggest question of the week is this: Does "Our Life is Not Like a Movie or Maybe" really have the strength all on its own to carry Okkervil River to greatness? Or is it time for this writer to accept that the rest of the album is good and that it's time to be a true believer in Sheff and co? Find out this Friday at Webster Hall. "The President's Dead" at Rice University:
September is packed tighter than a train in India so here are just a few highlights and remember to check the calendar to get all the listings:
-New York legends Dinosaur Jr. play Webster Hall this Monday.
-New York legend Patti Smith christens the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Tuesday.
-Peter, Bjorn, and John play Maxwell's one night next week and Roseland Ballroom the next night.
-Saturday September 8th is particularly notable:
Modest Mouse at McCarren
Vampire Weekend at the Music Hall
The Ditty Bops playing two shows at Irving
-Clap Your Hands Say Yeah resume their touring with a show at the Music Hall on the 10th.
-The Noisettes come back to town for a couple of shows the weekend of the 15th and 16th and Apples in Stereo will be playing two shows spread out over almost a week starting that weekend.
-The week of the 17th has several free shows at 7 World Trade Center including a double bill of the Hold Steady and Old 97's as well as M. Ward and Nick Lowe.
-The Black Lips play the Bowery and the Music Hall that same week.
-Friday the 21st is a killer night:
Metric at Webster Hall
Heavy Trash at Luna Lounge
Les Savy Fav at the Music Hall
The Subway Band at Lucky Cat
-Rilo Kiley, despite their new album being hated, have sold out two shows at Webster Hall the weekend of the 22nd.
-Okkvervil River play the suddenly very good Webster Hall on Friday the 28th.
-There are also shows in September featuring the Arctic Monkeys, Joseph Arthur, Cheater Slicks, The Frames, Holly Golightly, Interpol & Cat Power, Nellie McKay, Devendra Banheart, SCOTS, Kaiser Chiefs, Iron & Wine, Animal Collective, localheads the Bamboo Kids and Star Spangles, and many many more.
"Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe" is the amazingly super fantastic new song on the new album, The Stage Names. I hadn't really dug their sound before but the song, "The President's Dead", did make me give them a second chance. "Plus Ones" is another good track off the new record but "Our Life..." is the one that needs a proper video. It's a beaut. Listen to it on the official site or along with the rest of the album on the band's MySpace page.
