Only Music Left

4/13/10

Familjen

Proof that you don't always need the words to enjoy a good song. Just added Familjen's new album "Mänskligheten" to my new release list (out May 5th)

Familjen - När planeterna stannat from Adrian Recordings on Vimeo.

[from Discobelle]

New Scissor Sisters!

First Robyn (posted on FaceBook)... now Scissor Sisters!

(Thanks Brian!)

4/10/10

It's funny how I've tried talking myself out of seeing these Swedish bands, but just couldn't resist. The same thing happened with this Love Is All performance Easter Sunday. After gorging at dinner, I wasn't really excited about a late Sunday night performance. Then again, there was another local opener that I was interested in seeing. Earlier in the day, before hiding eggs, I checked out the openers and saw that Cloud Nothings were catching some nice national press. Hmm... tempting.

The show was extremely impressive.

I then listened to Love Is All for the whole care ride home to Cleveland and enjoyed each song more, every time I heard it. These guys have a little grittier sound than their Swedish counterparts, Little Dragon. But both have empassioned female lead singers... Not many people were at this show, but that didn't stop the band from giving their all. This also allowed me to get closer to the stage than I normally would. Not so good for the ability to hear the next day, but totally worth it. One of these days I'll remember my ear plugs.

Seabear (4/1/10)

Third concert night in a row, and it's been a good run. Seabear is from Iceland, and I'm beginning to realize just how much I like these foreign / northern bands. The music has been phenomenal, and the accents are just a treat.

I first got connected to Seabear through a side project of frontman, Sindri Mar Sigfusson, called Sin Fan Bous. That album is probably one of my favorite albums in the last year. Seabear just released their second album (We Built a Fire) and I'd highly recommend them, especially if you're a fan of bands like The Shins.

See what I'm talking about...

Here's a regular video of theirs...

Seabear: i´ll build you a fire from morr music on Vimeo.

And a Sin Fang Bous video... because you need it.

Little Dragon (3/31/10)

After having just seen Passion Pit the previous night, and planning on seeing Seabear the next night, I really considered skipping out on Little Dragon. But the more I listened to their album, the more I liked it.

Helping to tip the scale was Cleveland's own The Sleeps opening. I had an older CD of theirs that that had slowly grown on me, and I was curious to see what they sounded like live. I'd be very excited to have a good, local electronica-type band. Their blacklight stage presence was trippy and a bit distracting, but that wasn't a bad thing. These guys have good thing started, just need a little more polish. They're on a good track.

But talking about polished.... Little Dragon did not disappoint! They performance was slick, spirited and energetic. I'm also a kind of sucker for the Swedes.

Check out a couple of my favorite songs. I'd see these guys again in a heartbeat.

My Step - Little Dragon

4/9/10

Passion Pit (3/30/10)

A little over a year ago, I was watching Passion Pit perform at The Spot, with only a couple dozen people in attendance. Now they're playing a sold out performance at the House of Blues. Good for them. I think they're a fun band, definitely worth keeping an eye on. I can't say I'm as excited about Manners as I was about their first EP (Chunk of Change). But they're good enough for me to plan on getting whatever they put out next (the reissue of Manners doesn't count).

Hanging back for this show wasn't the way to go. To really have enjoyed this show, you needed to be in "the pit," and probably intoxicated. Next time.

4/8/10

The Big Pink (3/23/10)

The Big Pink was kind of a gamble for me... I really enjoyed the sound and imagery of their Dominos and Velvet videos. They have a rather dense, electronic sound, but still with some pop sensibility. As the show approached, more friends were talking about A Place to Bury Strangers - even questioning why they weren't the headliners. I should have spent some more time with them before the show.

A Place to Bury Strangers took the dark stage, barely allowing you the ability to see them. Unfortunately the sound made it difficult to hear them as well - at least the vocals. Everything else was turned UP. Those who know more than me about them agreed, and said they didn't sound quite right. All in all, I enjoyed the performance.

The Big Pink was also good. A little better on the vocals. They sounded as I expected. Maybe a little heavier on the jam, but that was welcomed. Some people in the party didn't like them as much as the openers, but they landed pretty evenly in my book.

Here's a pic I grabbed before they turned the lights down...

4/7/10

Xiu Xiu Tonight at the Spot

Xiu Xiu tonight at the Spot (on the Case campus). Can't say I know much about them, but I see their name all over the place. Should be interesting.

4/6/10

Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore / Dear Companion (3/11/10)

I can't say enough nice things about Ben Sollee. He's so adorable and talented. This time, he brought some of his adorable and talented friends with him, touring on his new collaboration album called Dear Companion. But first, opening was Family of the Year, an LA band that I first saw open for Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros at the Kent State Folk Festival. This time, they were a little more casual, and quite enjoyable. A nice opener for Ben & company.

Ben & Daniel took the stage with a woman on violin, guitar and vocals, and a guy on drums. The four of these guys were pitch perfect in their performance. Their voices and instruments just blended seamlessly, but also provided an exciting dynamic to solid songwriting. The show was impeccable. Ben just owns that cello.

My favorite song on the album... (you can find the rest of the videos from this performance here)

Titus Andronicus (3/9/10)

I feel lucky to have caught this performance. Titus Andronicus did a promotional, free, record store tour for the release of their new album, The Monitor. I hadn't even had a chance to hear the album yet, but had a feeling this would be a good show. And it was.

This album is already being talked about as one of the best of the year.

Check out their newest video:

A More Perfect Union

Titus Andronicus | MySpace Music Videos

Hot Cha Cha (3/6/10)

(whoops... getting a little out of order)

Saw Cleveland's own Hot Cha Cha a the Nickel, a Cleveland lesbian bar. Whatta show! Hot Cha Cha was all over the place... quite a spectacle. These women know how to rock.

Tom Evanchuck (2/25/10)

You should know by now that Tom Evanchuck is one of my favorite local performers... This was another night at the Barking Spider. This time was actually able to bring a group of people with me. Unfortunately, this performance wasn't as smooth as usual - but thoroughly enjoyable as always.

Ani DiFranco (2/23/10 & 2/24/10)

It's actually been a not quite a year since I've seen Ani - who is probably the person who I've seen in concert the most. I wasn't expecting to see her two nights in a row, as she originally only booked the Kent Stage show. Tickets were purchased. Then a couple weeks later, she booked Oberlin's Finney Chapel, which was a must-see location. Two nights in a row it would be.

Kent Stage was nice. Had decent seats. I got in the door just as Erin McKeown was finishing up with a cover of Beyonce's "Single Ladies." Wha? Unfortunately the security was militant about no photos, but was able to sneak the one below.

Ani's performance was good. Lots of new stuff as usual, and her new songs are sounding really good.

The next next night in Oberlin, we were able to catch all of Erin's set, which I'm really glad we did. Her new album (out on Righteous Babe) is really growing on me, more so than any albums prior.

Ani mixed up the set a little bit for the next night, thought I would have really liked to hear "Swan Dive" in the Chapel.

Overall, great stuff. Ani is a consummate performer. I do have to say that she didn't seem to be her glowing self these nights, almost like this touring thing was becoming a job for her. Or maybe it was just a bad couple days. But keep in mind, Ani on her bad days will probably blow away most performers on their best.

Songkick Is Now the Biggest Concert Database?

I don't know about that claim... but Songkick has impressed me lately. It particularly made my day with this update this morning:

JUNE 2010

Saturday 12

Freelance Whales at Grog Shop, Cleveland Heights, OH, US

Event details

Saturday 19

DJ Rupture at Cleveland Museum Of Art, Cleveland, OH, US