Friday, January 05, 2007
Two Fests for this weekend
Hosted By: Rock Bottom Productions/ Mikes Metal Night
When: Saturday Jan 06, 2007
at 4:00 PM
Where: The Lincoln Theatre
128 E Cabarrus St
Raleigh, NC 27601
US
Description:
Rock Bottom Productions/ Mikes Metal Night
Unfortunately I can't make it to this one, but Metalfest is always a lot of fun, so the rest of you should check it out.
Also this weekend, if you're not into metal: Elvisfest at Local 506. I WILL be there tonight.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
A couple of reviews
I've been very slack about reviewing local music CDs that are out there right now, which is something I'd like to change. So, why not start off the new year with a few words about a couple of new releases?
North Elementary (Myspace)
"Not for Everyone, Just for You"
North Elementary is one of those bands I've heard about for a while, but never really bothered to learn much about. I've only seen them once -- when they played with The Never at 506, and since I was actually there to record The Never for a project I'm helping out with at work, I didn't really pay that much attention to them. They're going to be playing Jan. 12 at Cat's Cradle, and I plan to be there and check them out in a proper manner. Also on the bill are Schooner, Pleasant, Audubon Park, and The Heist and The Accomplice (from Columbia, S.C.).
Vocalist/guitarist/pianist John Harrison also drums with The Comas, a band that always seems to either knock my socks off or totally frustrate me. North Elementary doesn't cause such diverse reactions. Instead they make consistently pleasant, uncomplicated organ-oriented pop that diverges here and there into freak folk ("Speed of Lies"), anthemic rock ("You Have a Heart," which sounds like a rough Cars gem) or slightly psychedelic Brit-pop ("Medical Sunset" and "I'm Not Foolin'," the best song on the CD). Harrison's vocals and guitar are most of the band's focus, but it's really Holly Lowman's organ that makes a lot of really good songs on this CD great.
If you get a chance, also check out the sampler CD of all the bands that are going be at the Jan. 12 show. Harrison says that he sent it to the usual local indie record stores (Schoolkids, Bull City, CD Alley). Also check out North Elementary's appearance on WKNC at 6 p.m. on the day of the show.
Gilbert Neal
"Drink the Beast With Me"
Fightin' Fool Productions
This one's been sitting on my desk for a while, so I'd like to start of with an apology to Gilbert Neal for not getting to it sooner. Secondly I should apologize to him because, unfortunately, I can't give this CD a very good review. I admit, this has less to do with the musicianship on this CD, which is fine enough and more to do with the fact that this style of clever, acoustic jazzy rock just ain't my thing.
Neal states on his Myspace page that he is very influenced by Steely Dan, an incredibly innovative, talented band that just happens to get on my last nerve. He's also highly influenced by XTC, whom I adore. Neal has a clear voice, some nice guitar work, a tight backing band and impassioned lyrics that try a little too hard to be deep. Little of it leaves much of an impression. There are, however, a few stand-out tracks: the breezy, up-tempo "Aurora," and the funkier "Olivia" and "You're No Match for Me."
North Elementary (Myspace)
"Not for Everyone, Just for You"
North Elementary is one of those bands I've heard about for a while, but never really bothered to learn much about. I've only seen them once -- when they played with The Never at 506, and since I was actually there to record The Never for a project I'm helping out with at work, I didn't really pay that much attention to them. They're going to be playing Jan. 12 at Cat's Cradle, and I plan to be there and check them out in a proper manner. Also on the bill are Schooner, Pleasant, Audubon Park, and The Heist and The Accomplice (from Columbia, S.C.).
Vocalist/guitarist/pianist John Harrison also drums with The Comas, a band that always seems to either knock my socks off or totally frustrate me. North Elementary doesn't cause such diverse reactions. Instead they make consistently pleasant, uncomplicated organ-oriented pop that diverges here and there into freak folk ("Speed of Lies"), anthemic rock ("You Have a Heart," which sounds like a rough Cars gem) or slightly psychedelic Brit-pop ("Medical Sunset" and "I'm Not Foolin'," the best song on the CD). Harrison's vocals and guitar are most of the band's focus, but it's really Holly Lowman's organ that makes a lot of really good songs on this CD great.
If you get a chance, also check out the sampler CD of all the bands that are going be at the Jan. 12 show. Harrison says that he sent it to the usual local indie record stores (Schoolkids, Bull City, CD Alley). Also check out North Elementary's appearance on WKNC at 6 p.m. on the day of the show.
Gilbert Neal
"Drink the Beast With Me"
Fightin' Fool Productions
This one's been sitting on my desk for a while, so I'd like to start of with an apology to Gilbert Neal for not getting to it sooner. Secondly I should apologize to him because, unfortunately, I can't give this CD a very good review. I admit, this has less to do with the musicianship on this CD, which is fine enough and more to do with the fact that this style of clever, acoustic jazzy rock just ain't my thing.
Neal states on his Myspace page that he is very influenced by Steely Dan, an incredibly innovative, talented band that just happens to get on my last nerve. He's also highly influenced by XTC, whom I adore. Neal has a clear voice, some nice guitar work, a tight backing band and impassioned lyrics that try a little too hard to be deep. Little of it leaves much of an impression. There are, however, a few stand-out tracks: the breezy, up-tempo "Aurora," and the funkier "Olivia" and "You're No Match for Me."
Kelly Crisp's (Rosebuds) art on ebay
Repost from Kelly's Myspace bulletin:
Kelly Rosebud has donated a one of a kind hand crafted shadow box to be donated to the Merge Records charity auction on Ebay! 6 Days left to bid for two great causes (Oxfam America and TROSA). Read the Ebay discription below and follow this link to bid:
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZmergerecords
5X6 inch Shadow box created and autographed by Kelly Crisp of The Rosebuds!
Description by Kelly Crisp:
New Place
The concept for this series grew out of a new place I'd imagined as a child. When I was in the second grade I became so consumed with daydreaming that I couldn't do any schoolwork. My teachers thought I should either be held back or put into special classes because my grades were so poor. I was actually just spending all day planning where I would rather live if I ran away.
I knew the story of the Boxcar Children who, after being orphaned, lived in a boxcar on the margins of town and got by on their own. So I set about making plans for my own home away from where adults had messed everything up.
This shadow box series depicts a different version of that fantasy.
All proceeds will benefit TROSA and Oxfam America. Thanks!
Kelly Rosebud has donated a one of a kind hand crafted shadow box to be donated to the Merge Records charity auction on Ebay! 6 Days left to bid for two great causes (Oxfam America and TROSA). Read the Ebay discription below and follow this link to bid:
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZmergerecords
5X6 inch Shadow box created and autographed by Kelly Crisp of The Rosebuds!
Description by Kelly Crisp:
New Place
The concept for this series grew out of a new place I'd imagined as a child. When I was in the second grade I became so consumed with daydreaming that I couldn't do any schoolwork. My teachers thought I should either be held back or put into special classes because my grades were so poor. I was actually just spending all day planning where I would rather live if I ran away.
I knew the story of the Boxcar Children who, after being orphaned, lived in a boxcar on the margins of town and got by on their own. So I set about making plans for my own home away from where adults had messed everything up.
This shadow box series depicts a different version of that fantasy.
All proceeds will benefit TROSA and Oxfam America. Thanks!
Monday, January 01, 2007
Thunderlip, The Dynamite Brothers and Grappling Hook
I made up for missing Thunderlip last month by seeing them Friday, Dec. 29, at Kings. They put on a fine show, but somehow weren't as exciting as the last time I saw them. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for it. I can't really put my finger on the reason.
Thunderlip from Mann's World on Vimeo.
Dynamite Brothers, on the other hand, blew my socks off like always. I seriously believe this is the tightest band currently performing on the local rock scene. check out their cover of Superbad.The Dynamite Brothers from Mann's World on Vimeo.
(Sorry for the unusually jerky camera angles on this one. I was trying to insert my earplugs and record at the same time.) I only caught part of Grappling Hook, and didn't get a chance to record them. But I can tell you that they're made up of The Torch Marauder and a couple of folks from Analogue. Didn't do much for me, but, as I said, I only caught part of them.Menconi is podcasting
Please take a listen to the inaugural podcast by my co-worker, N&O music critic David Menconi!
Hear it here.
Hear it here.
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