With apologies to Yogi Berra for the above headline, here’s Ira, Georgia and James performing ‘Popular Songs” climactic “And The Glitter Is Gone”, just prior to play being called on account of darkness. Video shot and hosted by Pitchfork TV. Please watch responsibly!
With Tuesday officially welcoming “Love Comes Close” to the Matador canon, here’s an opportunity to check out Cold Cave’s debut masterwork in its entirety. Listen, then order the album to own forever.
Photo taken from Rezflicks’ photo stream, without permission.
There’s going to be a lot of these ‘insert band name’ tour starts tonight! posts from me over the next month, so make sure you’re not caught out with gig clashes by keeping up to date with the Tours page. Europe’s the place to be in November it seems. At least for the majority of Matador’s roster. As I write, Cold Cave should have just touched down on UK soil to head straight to Bristol to start their 10 date tour.
Here’s the dates and at the bottom, a lovely flyer from our friends at Transparent blog who are promoting the show on Tuesday at White Heat.
As most of you are aware, when I’m not opening prescription medication I’ve found in Chris Lombardi’s desk attending marketing meetings at 304 Hudson Street,, I spend the majority of my time in the lovely city of Austin, TX. The region’s musical heritage, while often acknowledged in the major trade fairs and sprawling rock festivals, often leaves some folks more recognized than others ; 13th Floor Elevators, Bubble Puppy, Moving Sidewalks, Doctor’s Mob, True Believers, Big Boys, Dicks, Nice Strong Arm, Butthole Surfers, Scratch Acid, Texas Instruments, Daniel Johnston, 16 Deluxe, Glorium, …Trail Of Dead, Spoon, Shearwater, Strange Boys, Total Abuse, Hex Dispensers, etc. NONE OF THESE WONDERFUL ARTISTS HAS A STATUE, and that makes me want to cry.
The thing is, I really suck at making statues. I’m a little more accomplished, however, at putting together compilations. On January 26, Matador will be releasing a double LP / single CD collection/ digital album called ‘Casual Victim Pile (Austin 2010′), featuring 17 songs from a newer generation of Austin bands (plus a couple of wildly talented ringers from Denton for good measure). I’ve been working on this comp. off and on over the past year and I feel pretty good about this record being a valid representation of….uh…..the bands I like to see most often? The Austin Chronicle recently touted CVP as “shaping up to be the most impressive regional comp since 1983′s ‘Cottage Cheese From the Lips of Death’ (Ward 9) , and while I’ll take that praise any day of the week, to my ears it more closely recalls Matador’s 1991 NYC underground sampler., ‘New York Eye & Ear Control’.
Of the album’s 19 songs, 18 are previously unreleased, Harlem’s “Beautiful & Very Smart” being the only current exception. Only Harlem, The Golden Boys, The Distant Seconds and Elvis have released full albums previously, while several of the bands on this album (Flesh Lights, Dikes Of Holland, KOSL, The Stuffies, The Persimmons) are making their recorded debuts (at least as of this writing). Here’s the track listing.
There will be more news to follow in the days in weeks ahead, including a multi-night stand at one of Austin’s more beloved nightspots (OK, Beerland) featuring the majority of the album’s participants. In the meantime, ‘Casual Victim Pile’ is available for preorders starting today from The Matador Store, 2XLP for the discount price of $15.30, single CD for $8.50
P.S. ‘Casual Victim Pile’ is an anagram for ‘Live Music Capital’. I learned that from a talking statue.
Jay Reatard and his new band are starting their European tour tonight in France, all the dates can be found below. As previously billed, he’s playing with the Cola Freaks as his new band and by all accounts they’re raring to go as this statement from Mr Reatard attests…
“Life has been great since I’ve been here in Aarhus (Denmark) the last ten days. Working on music all day, walking a half hour to the rehearsal studio, playing with the Cola Freaks all night. With the last band it was all overplaying – turn it up, play it fast – but the songs got lost in all the distortion. This new band makes the songs in a way sound more pure by scaling back and putting more emphasis on the melody and the changes. It sounds exactly the I wanted these songs to sound like live when I wrote them.
We added a lot of new songs to the live set. There’s already been a secret show in Aarhus before we start a 12 country European tour before coming right back for those Pixies shows. Can’t wait for those.
I also recorded a cover of Chris Knox’s first band The Enemy – a version of “Pull Back The Shades” for a Chris Knox tribute album. I did it right in the bathroom of my hotel room here – put the computer on the sink, recorded the guitar and vocals sitting right on the toilet!”
L-R Jacob Elving (drums), Jay Lindsey (Flying V), Anders Thode (bass)
Girls are shipping up to Boston to rock the Sox off of everyone from Back Bay to Somerville… so check it out, FO FREE.
Free Instore
Saturday November 7th @ 5pm
Newbury Comics – 332 Newbury Street
Until then, grab a copy of Album so you can sing along. Or just check out this wicked good video that the Lust for Life directors dropped on us without telling anyone… but we still love them.
So it’s been a mere couple of weeks since Mission of Burma celebrated their very own day in Boston (technically they were in Cambridge, but really folks lets not knit pick) and even longer since their killer set at Jelly NYC’s Pool Party (that had no pool, again folks let’s not get caught up in the details) in Brooklyn this past July. Well fear not Northeasterners, Burma’s tour plans include coming back our way and not just hitting the West Coast . As the saying goes, “back by popular demand”, Mission of Burma have 4 new shows to announce, 2 in Boston (Paradise Rock Club on Fri, 1/15 + Sat, 1/16/10) and 2 in NYC (Bowery Ballroom on Fri, 1/29 + Sat, 1/30/10).
Pre-sale tickets for the Boston shows go up today at 10am. CLICK HERE to order tickets. Tickets are $20 for one show and $35 for both shows. The pre-sale is only available to those purchasing 2-Day Passes. You know what they say, double the Burma, double the Fun. Ok maybe only we say that but we believe it. General ticket sales for the Boston shows start on Sat, 10/31.
As for the NYC shows just CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to a single show or a 2-Day pass.
“Here To Fall” from the staggeringly great ‘Popular Songs’ LP/CD/digital album, as filmed and posted by PF TV. Nice view of the Empire State Building behind Georgia, too. More rooftop Yo La Tengo to come later this week.
There’s only one professional sports team that I dislike more than the Anaheim Promise-Keepers and that’s the hometown crew in pinstripes.
So as a Philly ex-pat living in New York, I’m more siked than most for the Fung Wa Bus series.
And like many in Philly, I’m on the Chooch Train.
While we’re pretty sure Kurt has not endorsed the following clip, I’m sure the kids over in Fishtown, out the Main Line and straight up Broad Street do.
Aside from tonight’s killer showcase lineup we’ve had a last minute addition for tomorrow (not related to CMJ), an all ages Pitchfork + Todd P benefit show at Market Hotel (Myrtle and Broadway) for Showpaper from 1pm until 6am – Cold Cave has been confirmed to play. and moar: Lemonade, Delorean, and Jamie (the XX) DJ set.
Tune in to KUSF this afternoon for a special solo live performance by the one and only Spiral Stairs at 4 PM Pacific/7 PM Eastern. San Franciscans can listen at 90.3 FM, while those in the wider world web can point their internet machine to kusf.org.
I was fortunate enough to catch a white hot Kurt Vile & The Violators set in Portland Sunday evening (supported by the always impressive Eat Skull) and while KV&V’s expansive take on things is a full-fledged sensory experience, there’s something to be said for the subtle approach of Kurt solo, too. And with that, we’ve got a couple of clips from The Fader, a version of “He’s Alright”, and the above performance of “Slow Talkers”, featuring a bit of crucial family history (thanks to Nils for the links)
(‘Childish Prodigy’, LP/CD or digital album available from The Matador Store)
Press play below to watch Cold Cave‘s music video for the title-track from their debut LP ‘Love Comes Close’, premiering over at Stereogum today.
Directed by Art Boonparn
The ‘Love Comes Close’ CD/LP is available on November 3rd and is up for preorder now. Earlier today, the limited-to-100 version of Cold Cave’s ‘Death Comes Close’ 12″ sold out in minutes. The second version is now available. Head over to the Matador Store for both.
Don’t miss Cold Cave this week in New York for CMJ, in the United Kingdom and with Sonic Youth in the next few weeks.
October
Tuesday 21st – Stereogum CMJ Showcase @ Studio at Webster Hall, New York NY
Wednesday 22nd – VICE Late Night Party @ Public Assembly, Brooklyn, NY
Friday 23rd – Matador/True Panther Sounds Showcase @ Flamboyan Theater, New York NY
On January 26 we will be releasing a double-CD and double-LP compilation of Fucked Up‘s many, many hard-to-find uncollected 7″ and 12″ tracks. Entitled Couple Tracks, it contains 25 songs. (There are rumors that there may be a simultaneous 7″ single of the same name). Designed as a sequel to their earlier compilation, Epics In Minutes (Deranged, 2004), the cover photographs riff on the Beatles red and blue albums thang. Comes with complete illustrated discography of the contents, with extensive liner notes about each song. Double CD is only $11 $12 direct from us. Double Vinyl will be gatefold 120-gram with MP3 coupon, priced at only $18 direct from us. PREORDER here.
Couple Tracks spans an extraordinarily varied (and extraordinarily collectible) musical career that has mainly been documented on 7-inch vinyl singles released around the world on many labels in many countries. Chronologically, it ranges from the A-side of their first single, No Pasarán, a commentary on the Spanish Civil War released on Deranged in 2002, to the fast alternate take of No Epiphany, their latest 7″ on Matador from earlier this year.
Other notable tracks include:
the definitive version of Generation and its two B-sides, Ban Violins and Magic Kingdom, released on Slasher – the introduction to the A-side comes from a Hamas recruitment CDR
covers of songs by British twee -pop legends The Shop Assistants, Another Sunny Day and Dolly Mixture, from two 7″es self-released by the band and only given away at a single show in Toronto in 2006, plus the B-side of a Matador 7″ from mid-2008
original, heavier versions of songs that later ended up on Hidden World, such as Triumph Of Life and Neat Parts, both from the 7″ originally released by Peter Bower Records in the UK
Fixed Race, from the Spanish version of Dangerous Fumes, aka Humos Peligrosos, released in Spain on La Vida Es Un Mus in 2006
Toronto FC, from the Hard Skin split 7″, only given away at a show in London in 2007
the 12″ version of Last Man Standing, only available if you selected the correct set of interlocked grooves on the B-side of the Year Of The Dog 12″ released in 2006
5 unreleased tracks
Plus much more – all beautifully remastered for your listening pleasure:
DISC ONE – THE HARD STUFF
1. No Pasarán (A-side of first 7″, Deranged, 2002)
2. Neat Parts (7″ Version) (B-side of Triumph Of Life 7″, Peter Bower, 2006)
3. Generation (7″ Version) (A-side of Generation 7″, Slasher, 2005)
4. Ban Violins (B-side of Generation 7″, Slasher, 2005)
5. Dangerous Fumes (A-side of Dangerous Fumes 7″, self-released, 2005)
6. Triumph Of Life (7″ Version) (A-side of Triumph Of Life 7″, Peter Bower, 2006)
7. Fixed Race (B-side of Humos Peligrosos 7″, La Vida Es Un Mus, 2006)
8. Toronto FC (from Hard Skin split 7″, No Future, 2007)
9. Black Hats (B-side of Year Of The Pig 12″, What’s Your Rupture?, 2006)
10. David Christmas (A-side of David Christmas 7″, Hidden World, 2007)
11. No Epiphany (Fast Version) (unreleased Chemistry Of Common Life outtake, intended for No Epiphany 7″, Matador, 2009)
12. Crooked Head (Video Version) (unreleased edit of track from Chemistry Of Common Life, 2008)
DISC TWO – THE FUN STUFF
1. I Hate Summer (B-side of Crooked Head 7″, Matador, 2008)
2. Teenage Problems (B-side of Dangerous Fumes 7″, self-released, 2005)
3. Carried Out To Sea (unreleased demo version of song from Hidden World, 2006)
4. Looking Back (B-side of Shop Assistants 7″, self-released giveaway at Toronto show, 2006)
5. Anorak City (Another Sunny Day cover, B-side of Year Of The Pig UK edit 7″, Matador, 2008)
6. I Don’t Want To Be Friends With You (A-side of Shop Assistants 7″, self-released giveaway at Toronto show, 2006)
7. Mustaa Lunta (B-side of Year Of The Pig Japanese edit 7″, Matdaor, 2008)
8. Dream Come True (B-side of Dolly Mixture 7″, self-released giveaway at Toronto show, 2006)
9. Magic Kingdom (B-side of Generation 7″, Slasher, 2005)
10. Magic Word (Daytrotter Version) (unreleased version of Chemistry Of Common Life song from Daytrotter Session, 2008)
11. Last Man Standing (Year Of The Dog Version) (from Year Of The Dog 12″, Blocks Recording Club, 2006)
12. He’s So Frisky (A-side of Dolly Mixture 7″, self-released giveaway at Toronto show, 2006)
13. David Comes To Life (Daytrotter Version) (unreleased version of Hidden World song from Daytrotter Session, 2008)
If you get Couple Tracks together with Epics In Minutes, then you will still have only a portion of the incredible Fucked Up singles output, but definitely the cream of the crop.
Then they come down to Brooklyn for a very special event – they will play the entirety of The Chemistry Of Common Life at the Masonic Temple in Fort Greene, with all the supporting instruments and parts from the album. Andrew W.K., The Vivian Girls and Katie Stelmanis will join them onstage, along with other performers to be announced. Katie Stelmanis and Titus Andronicus will be opening. Get your tickets HERE.
(sure, Pavement tickets are highly coveted, but the band might never match the over-subscribed week long residency of Joe Grushecky)
The Pavement-curated ATP has sold out in what observer calls “record-setting time”, so next up, we’ll see if a headining show at London’s Brixton Academy on the 11th of May can, y’know, shut down the entire internet. Ticketing details are as follows :
There will be a presale for existing O2 customers beginning Wednesday, October 21 at 9:00 AM, another presale for existing Academy Venue Group customers beginning Thursday, October 22 at 9:00 AM and the general on-sale on Friday, October 23 at 9:00 AM. Tickets will be available from www.ticketweb.co.uk, www.seetickets.com, www.gigantic.com, www.stargreen.com and www.lastminute.com.
Lovers of rock history will recall Pavement’s final show took place at this same venue in November of 1999. More importantly, I once threw up in the balcony (5 April, 1992, Rollercoaster Tour). I dunno if the venue’s new owners are interested in a plaque of some sort, but the label’s publicity dept. would be happy to discuss this at any time.
Following a busy weekend in Northern California, with a show in Santa Cruz on Saturday night, a brunch style in-store at Aquarius in San Francisco on Sunday, and a festival appearance at the Treasure Island Music Festival, Yo La Tengo are continuing to bring their music and insight to the people of Northern California and beyond by appearing live on KQED.
Followers of Twitter and some of the more popular rock blogs probably read recently that bassist Stephen Pope and drummer Billy Hayes had left Jay Reatard’s touring band ; while said move required the cancellation of some dates on the West Coast, we’re happy to announce Jay will be back on the road shortly, hitting Europe next week and the U.S. in late November, with the newly ensconced rhythm section of Anders Thode (bass) and Jacob Elving (drums), both from Danish punk titans the Cola Freaks, along for the ride.
You’ll note from the dates below that Jay is opening for The Pixies in Chicago, New York, Boston and Washington D.C. There’s also a New Year’s Eve date supporting Spoon in Miwaukee.
Wed Oct 28 Paris,Maroquinerie
Fri Oct 30 Munich, 59 to 1
Sat Oct 31 Berlin, Lido
Sun Nov 1 Copenhagen, Loppen
Mon Nov 2 Oslo, Parkteatret
Tue Nov 3 Malmo, Mejeriet
Thu Nov 5 Prague, Matrix
Fri Nov 6 Vienna, B72
Sat Nov 7 Bologna, Covo
Sun Nov 8 Clermont Ferrand, Coop de Mai
Mon Nov 9 Brussels, Botanique Rotonde
Tue Nov 10 Birmingham, Bar Academy
Wed Nov 11 Glasgow, King Tuts
Thu Nov 12 Manchester, Roadhouse
Fri Nov 13 London, Underworld
Sat Nov 14 Bristol, Croft
Sun Nov 15 Liverpool, Masque
Mon Nov 16 Dublin, Whelans
Sat Nov 21 Chicago Aragon (with The Pixies)
Sun Nov 22 Columbus The Summit
Mon Nov 23 Pittsburgh Brillobox
Tue Nov 24 New York Hammerstein Ballroom (with The Pixies)
Wed Nov 25 Northampton Iron Horse
Fri Nov 27 Boston Wang Center (with The Pixies)
Sat Nov 28 Philadelphia Johnny Brenda’s
Mon Nov 30 Wash DC Constitution Hall (with The Pixies)
Tue Dec 1 Chapel Hill Local 506
Wed Dec 2 Athens 40 Watt Club
Thur Dec 3 Atlanta The Earl
Fri Dec 4 Orlando Backbooth
Sat Dec 5 Tampa Crowbar
Mon Dec 7 New Orleans One Eyed Jacks
Tue Dec 8 Houston Walters on Washington
Wed Dec 9 Austin Emo’s (Outside)
Thu Dec 10 Dallas Granada Theater
Sat Dec 31 Milwaukee Riverside Theatre (with Spoon)
As seen in the above clip, Times New Viking always bring their best to the good people of the Twin Cities, and just because it’s a Sunday doesn’t mean they plan on resting. Today they play not just their show at the 7th St. Entry but a live session at the esteemed Radio K at 5 PM Eastern, 4 PM Central.
Radio K can be found on the dial at a veritable plethora of locations: 104.5 FM (Minneapolis-St. Paul), 100.7 FM (St. Paul), 106.5 FM (Minneapolis) & 770 AM (Metro area). If none of those locations coincides with your own, or if all that was just too confusing, you can always listen online.
Times New Viking’s stunning new album, Born Again Revisited, can be had for your very own right here.
This special version features exclusive artwork by Fernow is hand-assembled, stamped and editioned. Limited to one-hundred (100) copies, these records will make it into select stores and we’ll have it available for purchase at the Matador Store on Tuesday October 20 at 3:00 PM EST - They’re bound to go fast so mark your calendars and set your alarms.
***
If you’re in New York City next week for the CMJ festivities, you can catch Cold Cave at the following venues:
Today we have the privilege of unveiling the first video from Spiral Stairs’ The Real Feel, out October 20 and available for pre-order here.
The song is “Stolen Pills,” and the video was directed by Jess Carfield.
Don’t forget, you can stream the entire record at Think Indie right now, and it’s GREAT, no JK maybe the most “spun” album in the office right now.
And there are a few tour dates left (I hear Spiral is selling the album on the road!):
October
Friday 16 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge w/Bob Mould
Sunday 18 San Francisco, CA Treasure Island Fest
Monday 19 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour w/Bob Mould
Tuesday 20 Solano Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern w/Bob Mould
The kid-tested, Big Bear-approved Beggars Group CMJ Party (not to be confused with the Matador/True Panther jam happening the following night) goes down Thursday, October 22 at Bowery Electric (327 Bowery) from 11pm to the wee hours of the morning, and will feature, among other things, a DJ set by the one and only Gerard Cosloy. RSVP does NOT guarantee entry so please, for the love of God, get there early so we can rage together.
Hand in hand with their recent appearance on Gossip Girl, be sure to check out Sonic Youth’s “Star Power (Acoustic 09)” which is, as guessed, an acoustic version of the EVOL classic. This exclusive single comes coupled with “Antenna” (The Eternal version) via iTunes. Speaking of which, for a limited time you can pick up The Eternal, at iTunes for the nice price of $7.99.
A slew of dates coming up including 3 sold out NYC shows. Get those tickets while you can:
OCTOBER 21 – BERLIN- COLUMBIAHALLE – TICKETS
OCTOBER 22 – BRUSSELS ANCIENNE BELGIQUE SOLD OUT
OCTOBER 23 – LONDON, UK FORUM SOLD OUT
OCTOBER 25 -PARIS PALAIS DE CONGRES – TICKETS
NOVEMBER 7 – SAO PAOLO, BRAZIL PLANETA TERRA FESTIVAL – TICKETS
NOVEMBER 13 – TEXT OF LIGHT – NEW YORK, NY – HIGH LINE – INFO
NOVEMBER 21 – WITH DINOSAUR JR. + COLD CAVE – NEW YORK, NY TERMINAL 5 SOLD OUT
NOVEMBER 22 – WITH THE FEELIES – BOSTON, MA – WILBUR THEATRE – TICKETS
NOVEMBER 23 – WITH THE MEAT PUPPETS + COLD CAVE – BOSTON, MA WILBUR THEATRE – TICKETS
NOVEMBER 24 – WITH TALK NORMAL – BROOKLYN, NY – MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG SOLD OUT
NOVEMBER 25 – WITH JEMINA PEARL – BROOKLYN, NY MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG SOLD OUT
DECEMBER 4-5 – ALL TOMORROW’S PARTIES - MINEHEAD, UK – TICKETS
DECEMBER 6 – DUBLIN, VICAR ST. SOLD OUT
JANUARY 4 – WITH SIC ALPS – TUCSON, AZ RIALTO THEATRE – TICKETS
JANUARY 5 – WITH SIC ALPS – PHEONIX, AZ MARQUEE THEATRE – TICKETS
JANUARY 7 – WITH SIC ALPS – SAN DIEGO, CA HOUSE OF BLUES – TICKETS
JANUARY 8 - WITH SIC ALPS – POMONA, CA FOX THEATRE – TICKETS JANUARY 9 – WITH SIC ALPS – LOS ANGELES, CA WILTERN TICKETS – TICKETS
Today we’re pleased to bring you the (thus far) definitive Times New Viking visual document, “Do Not Do It Yourself”, a short documentary by Winston Case which premieres today on Pitchfork TV and covers most of the bases:
TNV started their US tour yesterday, and I would not miss them – reports from their recently completed UK and European dates include mention of flamethrowers and scattered brain matter.
The unbelievable Born Again Revisited can be purchased here. Those US dates:
Wed-Oct-14 Columbus, OH The Summit
Thu-Oct-15 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
Fri-Oct-16 Urbana, IL The Courtyard Café
Sat-Oct-17 Grinnell, IA Grinnell College
Sun-Oct-18 Minneapolis, MN 7th St Entry
Mon-Oct-19 Fargo, ND The Aquarium
Wed-Oct-21 Missoula, MT The Palace
Thu-Oct-22 Seattle, WA Vera Project
Fri-Oct-23 Olympia, WA The Northern
Sat-Oct-24 Portland, OR Berbati’s Pan
Tue-Oct-27 Sacramento, CA Luigi’s Fungarden
Thu-Oct-29 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill
Fri-Oct-30 Santa Cruz, CA Crepe Place
Sun-Nov-01 Los Angeles, CA Echo (Part Time Punks)
Mon-Nov-02 Irvine, CA Acrobatics Everyday / UC Irvine
Tue-Nov-03 Phoenix, AZ Modified Arts
Fri-Nov-06 Dallas, TX The Lounge on Elm St.
Sat-Nov-07 Austin, TX Fun Fun Fun Fest
Mon-Nov-09 Memphis, TN Hi-Tone
Tue-Nov-10 Florence, AL The Black Owl
Wed-Nov-11 Birmingham, AL Bottletree
Thu-Nov-12 Atlanta, GA Star Bar
Fri-Nov-13 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
Sat-Nov-14 Baltimore, MD Sonar
Sun-Nov-15 Philadelphia, PA Kung Fu Necktie
Wed-Nov-18 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
Thu-Nov-19 Brooklyn, NY Union Pool
Fri-Nov-20 Hoboken, NJ Maxwell’s
Sat-Nov-21 Boston, MA Great Scott
Mon-Nov-23 Morgantown, WV 123 Pleasant Street
By Jeremy P. Goldstein on Thursday, October 15th, 2009
Yep, in just over 90 short minutes, Spiral Stairs will be performing live on the illustrious KEXP in Seattle. Scott Kannberg and band will be sure to highlight jams from the new album, The Real Feel, out next week. Also, if you’re in the 206, and you missed their in-store last night at Sonic Boom Ballard, you can still catch them tonight at Neumo’s playing with the lovely Bob Mould. And, as always, KEXP is heard locally at 90.3FM and online at KEXP.org.
Hey, look who’s back! New shows, new songs, etc. If you’re going to the Chicago show, I’ve already got dibs on the Rod Blagovecvich wig.
10/29 – Cactus Club, Milwaukee, WI, with Sticks & Stones and Terrible Twos
10/31 – Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL with France Has The Bomb and A/V Murder
11/13 – Magic Stick, Detroit, MI, with The Paybacks, Juiceboxxx, Kommie Kilpatrick
While we’re still about a week away from the October 20th release date of the new Spiral Stairs album “The Real Feel” you can hop over to the ThinkIndie site and stream the album in its entirety right now.
For those who don’t know ThinkIndie is a digital music store run by a bunch of real record stores.
Sunday afternoons, there are just nothing like them. Get a little brunch, listen to some music, and simply relax, forgetting about the worries of your previous week. Well this Sunday should be no different, except well if you’re in San Francisco because then you can also spend it with Yo La Tengo. Yep you read that right, drop by Aquarius Records this Sunday for an intimate, brunch-style in-store appearance by Yo La Tengo. Aquarius Records have been long time supporters of the band, look no further than their recent Record of the Week review (below) of Popular Songs as evidence. Yo La Tengo have equally supported independent record stores throughout the years too. So to us this really sounds like a perfect match, the likes of a bagel and cream cheese or a donut and coffee, and from what we hear, arrive early enough and you’ll have dibs on both. Most important you’ll also get a chance to see Yo La Tengo perform a special, intimate set at Aquarius, and well we can’t imagine anything better than that on a Sunday afternoon!
Aquarius Records
1055 Valencia St, SF 94110
Sun, Oct 18 / 1-2pm
Aquarius Records / Record of the Week
They never ever disappoint, in fact more often than not, they totally blow us away. And with Popular Songs, Yo La Tengo remind us once again why they are one of the best bands of the last quarter century. From start to finish this is an album with so many different sounds, styles, moods and motifs, yet it’s all so deliciously Yo La Tengo! Like their best albums, the first time you hear this record you know it’s going to be an album that you’ll listen to for the rest of your life. And in this day and age of disposable culture it’s so incredibly refreshing to have YLT, whose music has such a timeless element, and sounds so personal and passionate, and will undoubtedly stand the test of time. YLT never aspired to be the hippest or trendiest or coolest band around. Simply stated, slow and steady wins the race! They’ve definitely won, and continue to win, and in turn so have we. They’ve made their indelible mark by just being themselves, and when it comes to pure substance it just doesn’t get more richly rewarding than YLT.
Popular Songs is like an album that represent the best friend we all wish we could have. Someone you can turn to when it’s time to get deep or vent some bittersweet sadness, someone you can also have fun sleepover parties with and let loose and experience total joy together. These are a set of songs that really do hit at almost the entire spectrum of emotion, and the pacing/sequencing of the album just couldn’t be more perfect. Whether being melted away by one of Georgia Hubley’s beautifully aching drift-away numbers or being swept up in a Motown like fury or rocked by a straight ahead burner, there is such immaculate skill in the crafting of each song.
The album features wonderfully lush string arrangements provided by Richard Evans, the legendary soul pioneer who contributed so much to the amazing ’60s Chicago/Cadet soul scene, who many of you might know and love for his work on the great Afro-Harping album by Dorothy Ashby. So awesome, and yet after taking so many wonderful twist and turns, it is the ending of the album that really leaves us so stunned and in awe.
The last two tracks are very long and mostly instrumental. “The Fireside” is eleven minutes of total shoegaze bliss, that puts most actual ‘shoegaze’ bands to shame, letting the listener get lost in a slow glowing haze. And then the album’s closer “And The Glitter Is Gone”, an almost sixteen minute sonic smolder brimming with a droning and triumphant psychedelic spirit that we could listen to forever.
One of those rare records that is all ‘favorite songs’, every listen, a new song gets stuck in your head and fills your heart, only to be supplanted by another the next time, and on it goes, favorite after favorite after favorite. We think it’s fair to say this is a total masterpiece from one of our favorite groups!
