In Rotation 2 : Akron/Family - S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT

With a title like S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT, I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into when I picked up the new album from Akron/Family.  Although it is the band's fifth studio album, it was my first introduction to their music.  Now, returning to the matter after a couple listens, I think it is a perfect title for their record. Its kind of out there, capturing their experimental, psychedelic rock sound, with a nomadic, earthy quality, sharing their folk-esque, landscaped tunes.

Notable Tracks:
1. "Silly Bears"
2. "Island"
4. "So It Goes"
5. "Another Sky"
6. "Light Emerges"


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In Concert: Foals @ The Beaumont Club

If you want to let loose, jump, and dance around, Foals is a must see concert.  With a killer thumping bass, the band just kept grooving throughout the night, creating an all out party atmosphere.   They have an intense English dance-punk vibe that gets even more pronounced on the live stage from feeding off the crowd.  To show they aren't just all fun and fluff, Foals performed some of their more momentous and personal songs "Spanish Sahara" and "Blue Blood," which really showcased the band's restraint and the power in lead singer Yannis' voice.  Then it was back to a fun mix of upbeat songs featured from both their Antidotes and Total Life Forever albums.

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In Concert - Arcade Fire @ Starlight Theatre

"Coming Soon...Arcade Fire", stretched across the video screens with every one in anticipation for the show to begin.  In following with the post-70's suburban theme of their album, videos rolled through touting the serene peacefulness that the suburban cultural was to offer.  Arcade Fire takes the stage with the powerful "Month of May" off their latest album.  Followed by hit-after-hit from Neon Bible and Funeral.  As I stood their completely immersed in the show I realized just how good these guys are.  The concert was fabulous and memorable finishing in full on ribbon dance to "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)".  I have not been able to get the concert out of my head all week.  In reflection of  the experience, below is a sampling of some new and old favorites.


Rotation 1
"Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" - Funeral, 2004
"Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles)" - Funeral, 2004
"Rebellion (Lies)" - Funeral, 2004
"Ocean of Noise" - Neon Bible, 2007
"We Used to Wait" - The Suburbs, 2010

Rotation 2
"Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" - Funeral, 2004
"Wake Up" - Funeral, 2004
"Black Mirror" - Neon Bible, 2007
"Intervention" - Neon Bible, 2007
"Rococo" - The Suburbs, 2010

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In Rotation 2 : Thao & Mirah - Thao & Mirah

Its always exciting when musicians come together in collaboration,  melding their unique styles together in a way that pushes the artistic limits of what they can accomplish on their own.  Cue to artists Thao Nguyen, from the indie band The Get Down Stay Down, and Mirah, with a successful solo career of her own, who have collectively come together under the new project Thao & Mirah. Their self titled album out April 26th fuses the soft intensity and airy quality in Mirah's voice with the raw edge and richness of Thao to create a beautiful collection of songs that emerge out of melodic chaos. Take their first single "Eleven" for example, I feel like I should put a basket of fruit on my head, go to the beach, and start a dance party in the sun.  Kind of crazy, but it works.

Notable Tracks:
1. "Eleven"
3. "Little Cup"
5. "Teeth"
6. "Spaced Out Orbit"
11. "Squareneck"
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In Concert - Young the Giant @ Record Bar

Spring is here with warmer temperatures, the return of baseball, and music tours.  Young the Giant is one of many bands that have taken to the stage this season, promoting their still recent release of their self titled, debut album.  In some crazy mixture of indie rock, pop, and, blues, with rich vocals, catchy tunes, and lots of vibrant Cali energy, Young the Giant are definitely a fun band to see and hear live.  Frontman Sameer Gadhia has a captivating stage presence in his ability to range from loud, belted-out vocals to softer, more intimate songs.   It was a great show, culminating in the highlight performance of the night, "My Body," which resulted in an all out craze with half the crowd up on stage and the other half jumping and dancing around the bar.

Notable Tracks:
2. "My Body"
4. "Cough Syrup"
7. "Strings"
9. "Garands"
10. "St. Walker"

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In Rotation 2 : The Kills - Blood Pressures

Releasing next Tuesday, Blood Pressures is sure to satiate any Kills fan who has been impatiently waiting for new material.  As the album is so aptly named, Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince have found a way to get the blood pumping once again with their dark, bluesy garage rock, hard hitting sound.  Opening up the album, "Future Starts Slow" has a familiar musical quality to material in The Kills' last album Midnight Boom as if it were a bridge from their past to present sound.  Cue to "Satellite," the sickest, most seductive song ever created (although a few tracks later "DNA" gives it a close run).   There are just no other musicians around that have been able to harness the bluesy power, dark intrigue, and all-consuming air that surrounds The Kills' music.  Although I didn't think possible, Blood Pressures definitely goes a step beyond its predecessors; its an album that is not only musically strong but also explorative.

Notable Tracks:
1. "Future Starts Slow"
2. "Satellite"
4. "Nail in my Coffin"
6. "DNA"
9. "Damned If She Do"
11. "Pots and Pans"


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Song of the Week 3/20

Rotation 1

Wild Flag - Wild Flag, "Glass Tambourine"

There is no sweet back-up girl tambourine shaking with this song.  Wild Flag releases "Glass Tambourine" with thick drum beats, heavy guitar and psychedelic overtones. Newly formed Wild Flag is an indie rock powerhouse of Carrie Brownstein, Janet Weiss (Sleater-Kinney), Mary Timony (Helium), and Rebecca Cole (Minders). Due out this April, they will release a 7" single to be followed by an album this fall.

Rotation 2

The Strokes - Angles, "Machu Picchu"

Five years since their last album, The Strokes are back with a new record  Angles.  Kicking it off with "Machu Picchu," there is an instant flashback to the infectious new wave hits of the 80's.  By the time the song hits the bridge, The Strokes return to their past guitar sound that we all know and love.  Bouncing between the different aspects of sound, its a very playful track, finally reaching full potential near end when Julian takes his vocals up a notch and gives the song some real power.

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