Sonic Parthenon's The Year In Music 2008: Part 4

The Hard Lessons
A couple of quality gigs and toying around with some new tunes, and - even with the loss of the Anvil - Koko and Augie just refuse to surrender rock n' roll to the forces of evil.

Headlights
This very low-key band from Illinois has the potential for very big things if they churn out well-crafted shows like the one in May at the Mercury Lounge.

The Hold Steady
What more can be said on this blog about the Hold Steady? Stay Positive was not perfect, in fact, there were at least 4 better records out this year, but what did work works better than just about anything else out there right now ("Constructive Summer" is without question the best song of 2008). Combine that with a continued excellence on the touring circuit and this band that refused to go away, whose infectious devotion to irony-free vintage rock proved to be too much to scoff at, is just impervious to negativity.
As we enter 2009, it is quite clear that in the review-of-the-decade-to-come, Craig Finn and the boys are going to be right at the top, sharing the spotlight with only a few other bands at most, and if they own 2009 like they did 2008, 2007, (and in hindsight, 2006 and 2005), they could make the case for being number 1 without any sharing.

Hot Chip
Hot Chip do not challenge you to like them like a lot of other bands but they are also not the most easily digestible. Made in the Dark was equal parts friendly and uninviting. But it all came together, and Alexis is leading an outfit that taps into a wellspring of creativity, making techno-nerd-rock groove in all the right places. "Ready for the Floor" and "One Pure Thought" prove that.

Joan as Police Woman
To Survive was Joan Wasser's contribution to 2008 and it was a sterling one. Though she's been working at it for years, it was only in 2008 that people seemed to finally get something that's not hard to figure out: soul music is invincible, and Joan's take on it - smoothed, seductive, sedate, and infused with a kink of folk - is ripe for perfection. And see her live to really get it.

Jukebox the Ghost
"Hold It In" was a quality cut of 2008 and this band's sensible live show is charming.

Langhorne Slim
Langhorne Slim finally broke into the big time this year with his solid self-titled LP, well deserving after years of toiling in the NYC-based muck. From all over NPR to David Letterman, everyone was finally getting a taste of what only a select few knew before. With a couple of dandy War Eagles backing him up, the only question one had to ask was "what took everyone so long?" And it always feels good when a sincerely nice person does well in this crazy world. Truly, 2008 was the year of the well-meaning slim, whether in presidential elections or country-fried rock n' roll.

Jenny Lewis
The title track of Acid Tongue and her collab with Costello on "Carpetbagger" alone were enough to remind us Jenny Lewis is probably better off without Rilo Kiley. Though now the debate will rage whether she is better off without the Watson Twins and that is a little harder to answer (actually it isn't - keep reading).

Looker
It was a quiet second half of the year for Looker but the first was pretty snazzy, what with a good Saturday night gig at the now gone Luna Lounge and one of the singles of the year with "Gates of the Old City".

Long Blondes
It was all going great, and then it was over. Of all of this year's sudden band-break-ups this one hurts the most. It's a damn shame. But before they closed up shop, the Long Blondes left us with a decent final record, including the stellar "Here Comes The Serious Bit", and a successful live tour that included a terrific stop at the Bowery Ballroom.

Lykke Li
"Tonight" and "Dance, Dance, Dance" were the two top tracks from this very divisive bit o' pixie dust.

Shwa Losben
Brooklyn girls may not be from Brooklyn and neither is Shwa but he's allowed to live here because his pop music is so damn catchy and he knows how to put on a show.

CMJ 2008: The Hard Lessons; Great Lakes; The Teenage Prayers; The Box Social; The Orion Experience; The Gay Blades; Action Painters

The Hard Lessons; Great Lakes; The Teenage Prayers; The Box Social
@ 92 Y Tribeca Makor Center
New York, NY - October 25, 2008

The Orion Experience; The Gay Blades; Action Painters
@ Public Assembly
Brooklyn, NY - October 24, 2008

With the economy in the tank, and everyone hurting, and questions and nervousness and a "too good to be true" attitude abounding among the believers of the big presidential campaign, who really wanted to spend their CMJ trolling the venues for fresh new talent? Besides how much room for new blood could there be when practically every show featured a Reatard or a Vivian Girl or a Muslim (not THAT kind of Muslim you fearful Republicans you)? So alas, the call was made, the die was cast - this CMJ was going to be about old friends, a few of the kids from the Sonic Parthenon family of bands - a one-two weekend punch of reliable favorites. And it was a decision well worth making.

It was a time for fun but polite frontmen, wickedly good guitar heroes, and dames on keyboards. The Hard Lessons are a ven diagram in this scenario: Augie is the chops-heavy, mad-dash man of the ax with a penchant for solid vocals while Ko Ko Louise tickles the electric ivories and herself delivered just about the best damn vocal performance this CMJ. The Michigan kids (recently married by the way - YAY!) brought a touch of that Lower Peninsula rough-and-ready to the swank decor of the Makor Center - a Kosher performance space that is as sleek and fancy as things go these days. It proved a great juxtaposition between the haves and the have-nots: the society with the riches hosting the band that needs gas money. And yet, it worked.

Meanwhile back at Public Assembly (once the site of Galapagos - and itself a volatile mix of yuppies, hipsters, artists and people who just like to rock a bit), Tom of Action Painters and Orion of...Orion anchored their respective bands with a little panache, a lot of gumption, and good old fashioned talent. The bands themselves delivered the goods as they have been known to do. Their divergent sounds offered a great little yin-yang of New York rock - the 70's Partridge-Family-From-Hell grooves of the Experience and the New Wave power-pop anthems of Action Painters. With feisty, punky Linda offering shake-it-if-you-got-it keys for the Orion Experience, and Alison charming vast swaths of the electorate with thoroughly tingling pop constructions for Action Painters, a woman's touch was also never far away.

In these days of Joe the Plumber, and Joe the this and Joe the that, let's not forget Joe the Guitar Player. Specifically, Joe the Action Painters guitar player. With much stealth, this Joe may be the best unknown guitarist in the city - and he doesn't need a license to prove it. So let's make him known.

It was also a weekend for duos. The Great Lakes are a soft-spoken country duo, almost draining in their takes on things. But they were far from bad. Conversely, the Gay Blades are hard, in-your-face, blues rock. In fact, except for a little dance beat thrown in, they are pretty much a rip-off of the early White Stripes. Copying isn't necessarily a bad thing if it wasn't so damn obvious. The lead singer even copies Jack White's squirrley live voice circa 2003. On top of that, he's also rather obnoxious, thinking quite highly of himself as a true rock n' roll badass who is too cool for CMJ - to go along with other "I'm an outsider" shtick. It was all quite a turn off - except damn if those riffs aren't catchy as hell and the foot-stomping stage-slamming dancing isn't smile inducing.

The Teenage Prayers continue to channel the Grateful Dead but I wish they would perk up a bit and show some vigor.

The Box Social are nerd-punks from Wisconsin. They play their semi-sleek riffs hard and fast, making for a pretty fun time. Reminds me of the sunny 90's. Remember those days? The economy was good, we knew our place in the world...memories. Thanks guys.

CMJ Update: What Update? Well...Go See Action Painters and the Orion Experience

In a perfect storm of election, work, and personal affairs, yours truly has been MIA from CMJ. But hopefully you, dear reader, have not been.

Look at the concert calendar and see all the old friends of the blog making the rounds. Looker have done their part but tomorrow, the Orion Experience and Action Painters will own the night at Public Assembly while the Hard Lessons tear it up at Union Hall. Where will I be? Probably another night cancelled - or actually, as of right now - at a third gig entirely but I would be remiss if I didn't encourage you to go out there and catch these bands. This blog has been a little under the weather in its bread and butter lately but don't be discouraged - these bands are still making it happen out there.

The Hard Lessons @ Union Hall

The Hard Lessons; The Sterns
@ Union Hall
Brooklyn, NY - March 28, 2007

This just in from the front: the Hard Lessons are still one of the hardest working and energetic bands in all of rock and they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Miss Ko Ko Louise possesses pristine yet sweltering vocals, the Anvil drops the sticks on the drums like hammers (fittingly enough) and of course Augie leads the proceedings with his chop busting guitar skill. A lot of the songs seem to have a new punchy, pugnacious sneer to them - the band sounds more punk than ever on some songs - but there is still that smiling shine to the whole affair, a warm hearted embrace from the trio onstage to the fans in front of them.
The Sterns tap into the essentials for making good pop-infused rock songs but there is something slightly amiss - either the band gives off a negative vibe or they're just not skilled enough or the equipment was just not in their favor this night. Still, there is something there, it just needs to be finessed a bit.

New Hard Lessons Video: "See and Be Scene"

One of the best songs of 2007 finally has a proper video, a spoof of the scenesters and it's exclusively at Spin.com

Sonic Parthenon's The Year In Music 2007: Part 2

“Four Winds” by Bright Eyes
The best song yet from this frantic alt-country dynamo. Conor Oberst’s voice is still something to be desired but he made it work with this one.


Going Way Out With Heavy Trash by Heavy Trash

One of the best albums of the year. More bluesy than Blues Explosion ever is (was?), Jon Spencer’s collaboration with Matt Verde-Ray not only dodged the sophmore slump, it kicked its sorry ass to the curb and back again. “Outside Chance” and “Crazy Pretty Baby” are the two most shining examples of this little dollop of near perfection. Tom Waits gone rockabilly is one way to describe this whole thing and that’s a very good.
"Outside Chance"


Gogol Bordello

• Live Show
  
• Record: Super Taranta
• Song: “Wanderlust King”
  

Eugene Hutz’s Gogol Bordello would be the best band in the world if they weren’t so exhausting. The good stuff is so intense, so ferocious, so skilled, and so much, that after just a few short bursts, it’s enough already. Super Taranta was far from perfect, like their previous material, but the lead single got the job done. More important, the live show was historic. 3,000 intense maniacs from all walks of life turned Terminal 5 into a giant Eastern European wedding. All that was missing was the marinated herring. And it's going to happen again on New Year's Eve.


Grinderman

• Live Show
  
• Record: Grinderman
  

Nick Cave took the rump of the Bad Seeds, slapped some mustaches on them and himself, and churned out the top tier candidate for Best Album of 2007 (if the old system was still in place). If that wasn’t enough, Cave and the band went to Madison Square Garden, opened for the White Stripes, and stole the damn show. The raw, pounding concussion of the sound is matched bizarrely well by Cave’s rich lyrics, a poetic mess of Alvy Singer-like laments sung humorously in a confident, cocky manner. Being an aging hipster doofus never sounded so cool.
On Later, "Honey Bee (Let's Fly to Mars)":

No Pussy Blues
Depth Charge Ethel

The Hard Lessons

• Live Show
  
• Songs: “Hey Hey My My”; “See and Be Scene”
  

Those incorrigible Hard Lessons were at it again in 2007, sporting not one but two stellar singles that showcased on record what the band has been doing live. New York got tore up a bunch of times this year, including three times in the Autumn. It was a very good year for this very good band.
"Wicked Man" at Union Hall:

SPTV at CMJ


“Hate It Here” by Wilco
Well look at that. Wilco. After years of being found rather dull, this recalling of 70’s singer-songwriter pop finally made ol’ Pennypacker take notice for the first time since “Casino Queen”. Sky Blue Sky as a whole allowed for a new look at Jeff Tweedy and it’s looking good from here on out.

Wilco – Hate It Here

CMJ 2007, Night 5: Dirtbombs, Hard Lessons

The Hard Lessons
@ Magnetic Field
Brooklyn, NY - October 20, 2007

You know there was a brief time when this writer got so cynical, he kind of sassed the Hard Lessons for being so positive, so resilient, and so determined. Who the hell were they? Who the hell did they think were? Didn't they know they were supposed to be too-cool-for-school and mildly indifferent to the rock n' roll lifestyle? Jerks. Of course, everyone knows the deal by now: very few other bands have the fun and the joy this band has, and very few have so much productive value to show for it. The new "See and Be Scene" is the latest in a string of individual pop sensations that - and you knew this was coming - in a just world, would be a Top Ten smash across America. And better yet, they saved everyone in the crowd about 192 dollars with their so-good-it's-almost-knee-shaking ode to Neil with "Hey Hey My My".


Another exclusive Hard Lessons clip for SPTV on Blip!

The Dirtbombs
@ Maxwell's
Hoboken, NJ - October 20, 2007

An epic 3 night run around the NYC metro area came to an end, along with the five nights of CMJ, at the iconic Maxwell's in Hoboken. Tonight's "Candy Ass" report: the original version returns, rejoining the stable of audio intensity that makes for the most satisfying, hip shaking, head banging time of one's life. What more is there left to say? Truly, what is there left to say?



SPTV: CMJ Music Marathon 2007
Photos

CMJ 2007 Schedule

Tue 10/16:

Voxtrot (later); Dean & Brita; Most Serene Republic @ Bowery Ballroom

Voxtrot (earlier) @ Other Music

Looker @ Pianos

Wormburner @Midway

Teenage Prayers @ Arlene's Grocery

Dean Deacon @ Silent Barn

NYC Smoke @ Fat Baby

Bella Noir @ The Delancey

Brad @ Highline Ballroom

Tigers & Monkeys @ Luna Lounge

St Vincent @ Other Music

Wed 10/17:

Vampire Weekend (early) @ Cake Shop

Mates of State @ Avalon

Xiu Xiu @ Blender Theater at Gramercy

Nikki Corvette; Black Tie Revue @ Southpaw

Eskimo Joe; Robbers on High Street; Eagle Seagull @ Mercury Lounge

Deerhunter; Dan Deacon @ Bowery Ballroom

The Giraffes @ Crash Mansion

Serj Tankian; The Nightwatchman @ Fillmore at Irving Plaza

Sam Champion @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Imperial Teen @ Maxwell's

Excellent @ Europa

Teams Robespierre @ Knitting Factory Tap Bar

Division Day; Arizona @ Canal Room

Barcelona @ Arlene's Grocery

Via Audio @ Lion's Den

Dayna Kurts; Adam Levy @ Banjo Jim's

Thu 10/18:

The Dirbombs; Jay Reatard; The Intelligence; Miss Alex White; Cheap Time; Turbo Fruits @ Mercury Lounge

British Sea Power; Pela; 1990's; Tiny Masters of Today @ Bowery Ballroom

Spoon; 1990's (later) @ Blender Theater at Gramercy

And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead @ Highline Ballroom

Division Day; 1900's @ Union Hall

Action Painters @ Europa

Vampire Weekend (early) @ Other Music

Palomar @ Arlene's Grocery

Meat Puppets @ Maxwell's

M.I.A. @ Terminal 5

The Giraffes; Beat the Devil @ The Delancey

St. Vincent @ Knitting Factory

UKLE; Holy Fuck; Walter Meego @ Webster Hall

Catfish Haven; Eagle Seagull @ Puck Building Day Stage

Imperial Teen; Catfish Haven @ Southpaw

Mates of State @ The Annex

Pterodactyl @ Cake Shop

Fri 10/19:

Rodrigo y Gabriela @ Roseland Ballroom

The Dirtbombs; The Intelligence; Turbo Fruits @ Southpaw

The Spinto Band; Sons & Daughters; The Maccabees; Sahara Hotnights; 1900's @ Bowery Ballroom

Coheed & Cambria @ Highline Ballroom

Jay Reatard; Miss Alex White @ Galapagos

M.I.A. @ Terminal 5

Spank Rock; Noisettes @ Fillmore at Irving Plaza

Mates of State @ Joe's Pub

The Insomniacs; The Nouvellas @ Magnetic Field

O'Death; The Black Hollies; Takka Takka @Union Pool

The Maccabees (later) @ Blender Theater at Gramercy

Catfish Haven @ Arlene's Grocery

Capital Years @ Pianos

Japanther @ Kntting Factory

Bowerbirds @ Puck Building Day Stage

Sat 10/20:

The Dirtbombs; Jay Reatard @ Maxwell's

Spoon; The Ponys @ Roseland Ballroom

Band of Horses; The Brunettes @ Bowery Ballroom

Justice @ Terminal 5

The Hard Lessons @ Magnetic Field

Great Northern @ Pianos

The Contrast @ Arlene's Grocery

Matt & Kim; Art Goblins (Brut) @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Coheed & Cambria @ Blender Theater @ Gramercy

Eli Paperboy Reed @ Crash Mansion

Tigercity; Harlem Shakes; Georgie James @ Mercury Lounge

Arizona @ Galapagos

Via Audio @ Ace of Clubs

Artist of the Week: Bands of CMJ; AKA The Attempted Sonic Parthenon CMJ Itinerary

Killing two birds with one stone, this weeks' artists of note are the bands to be seen, or to try to be seen, for the CMJ Music Marathon. Some of these shows overlap so there won't be reviews of some of these bands but it is heartily recommended that if you don't see one, see the other.

Tuesday, October 16

Teenage Prayers @ Arlene's Grocery
These New Yorkers got short shrift when they opened for the Hold Steady at Prospect Park now is the time to make it right.

Wormburner @ Midway
Fun local guys that know how to party. This time, we're seein' 'em sober!

Sam Champion & Looker @ Pianos
How much can a band capitalize on the name of a weatherman? Find out. And before that, see New York's best pop-punk band.

Wednesday, October 17

Nikki Corvette and the Stingrays & Black Tie Revue @ Southpaw
A hot rockin' gal and Pittsburgh's best and brightest all on one bill. The latter have a pop-punk record but they are pure good time garage live.

Thursday, October 18

The Dirtbombs, Jay Reatard, The Intelligence, Miss Alex White, Cheap Time, & Turbo Fruits @ Mercury Lounge
Two bands from Nashville, one from Memphis, one from Seattle, one from Chicago, and the headliners from...what's that city? I forget. But they're good. And half of this bill is practically guranteed good and the rest are looking good. Maybe the bill of the festival.

Action Painters @ Europa
A great New York band. Utterly great.

Friday, October 19

Sahara Hotnights & The 1900's @ Bowery Ballroom
The Sahara Hotnights won't go away and they prove it by flying over from Sweden just to play this one set. We may have to check them out just because. The 1900's are a cute little pop band from Chicago. 2008 may be Chicago's year, and if it is, this band will play a big part in it.

The Nouvellas @ Magnetic Field
Dansettes 2.0 take off on Atlantic Ave.

The Dirtbombs @ Southpaw
The Dirtbombs for the nightcap.

Saturday, October 20

The Hard Lessons @ Magnetic Field
Get the last night of CMJ off to a rockin' start with these kids. But don't wear yourself out just yet...

The Dirtbombs @ Maxwell's
The SP house band, and this year's CMJ house band it seems, end the fest with their traditional hour-plus party in Hoboken.

A Weekend of Old Friends: Mondo Topless and the Hard Lessons

The Hard Lessons; VLA
@ Union Hall
Brooklyn, NY - October 6, 2007

There aren't harder working kids touring the USA today than the 3 from Detroit affectionately known as the Hard Lessons. They just don't stop, they don't compromise, and most importantly, they are having fun making everyone have fun. You can't beat that. You just can't.
Exclusive to SPTV on Blip, "Milk and Sugar".
And here is "Carey Says (Alright)":

VLA are a Los Angeles trio sounding very Cure-inspired, which is a broad definition, but you know it when you hear it. Better suited for a dance-rock night, they still satisfied. Mini-Clip.
Photos of all the festivities.

The Ugly Beats; Mondo Topless
@ Magnetic Field
Brooklyn, NY - October 5, 2007

Austin-based Ugly Beats are a satisfactory if not immediately wowing 60's inspired garage band. Very much influenced by Roky Erickson and co., they know what they are doing, have great direction, and should go places. And their lefty guitarist looks just like the Japanese actor in Babel. No foolin'.
Then there's Mondo. The boys from Philly have a very new drummer in tow and they are sounding great. Not a misstep in the proceedings, the Philly 4 proved once again why they are the best Northeast garage rock band going. They just never screw up. Ever. Seriously.
"One, Two, Three, Me":

Photos galore!

October 2007 Concert Calendar Highlights

-Mountain Goats is sold out tonight but he's playing Studio B tomorrow.

-On Saturday, there is a great alternative to the Arcade Fire-led mega show at Randall's Island: The Hard Lessons at Union Hall.

-The Pipettes cute it up at the Filmore on the 8th.

-Jay Reatard is basically a resident in New York for a chunk of this month with 2 sets of 3 nights in a row, first the week of the 9th at Death by Audio, the Cake Shop, and Don Hill's and then later at CMJ.

-Remember the Hives? They're playing Webster Hall on the 9th before they open up for...wait for it...Maroon 5 at Madison Square Garden. While my exterior patrician facade shows no change, know that inside I am laughing my ass off.

-Remember the Donnas? You're better off seeing them than the Hives on the 10th. They'll be at the Highline Ballroom if you're feeling silly.

-Some chick named P.J. Harvey is playing the Beacon on the 10th.

-The Raveonettes are also doing a 3 night run around town starting on the 10th.

-Terminal 5, the city's next mega venue, kicks off its impressive calendar with the National and St. Vincent on Thursday the 11th. The following two nights, the National will be playing at the smaller confines of the Music Hall of Williamsburg.

-The CMJ Music Marathon kicks off on the 16th. Check back for all the details.

-Starting Monday the 22nd, Morrissey begins a week-long at the Hammerstein. What a guy!

-Khannie and the B, also known as the King Khan and BBQ Show will be at the Cake Shop on the 25th and in Williamsburg the next two nights.

-The Go Team has already sold out their Bowery Ballroom show for the 28th. They'll be at Studio B the next night.

-Halloween night is pretty major this year: The Police, The Black Crowes, Ryan Adams, Demons Claws, and Zap Mama. The best bet is with Ryan but it sold out in just a couple days back in August. Rats.