In Concert : Generationals @ Record Bar

Generationals opened the night bringing their toe-tapping beats onto the stage.  The New Orleans based band energized the room with fun up-beat tempos, instantly sparking the audience to dance along.  With the release of their second album, Actor-Caster, Generationals find opportunity to intertwine 50's doo-wop, british guitar rock, 80's keyboard pop, and dreamy vocals in to their minimalist indie rock. They are a young band with a fresh opinion on how to incorporate sounds from generations past into a present sound.

Notable Tracks:
1.  "Ten-Twenty-Ten"
7. "Black and White"
8. "Tell Me Now"
10.  "Please Be It"

_____________________________________________________________________________________

In Concert: tUnE-YarDs @ Jackpot Music Hall

On a gloomy rainy evening, one might not think going to a concert is high priority, but that was not the case this past Monday at the Jackpot. To a standing room only crowd, the tUnE-YarDs took the stage with their warpaint on.  A phantom of multitasking, Merrill Garbus looped drum signatures and vocal "skats" effortlessly. With tremendous vocal range, lyrics of regressed modern oppression whilst backed with a rhythmic bass groove, the tUne-YarDs had the entire crowd moving as one. Every song from whokill takes over your body, dropping you deep into an African drum circle where every spastic limb movement is an extension of the beat.

Notable Tracks:
1. "My Country"
2. "Es-So"
3. "Gangsta"
4. "Powa"
6. "Bizness"

_____________________________________________________________________________________

In Concert: The Wombats @ Record Bar

"Tooooorrrd!" echoed from the back of the crowd, as The Wombats brought their fun, energetic music to the stage.  Tord, playing bass whether he was bouncing back and forth across the stage, climbing atop speakers or being down on the ground, brought nonstop action to the show.  All the while lead singer Matthew Murphy and  drummer Dan Haggis brought their cheeky English humor to the forefront, telling jokes in between songs, and hiding behind amps and curtains for the encore.  Their songs are a direct reflection of their fun-natured attitude and are all happy, uncomplicated music that you can't help but dance to as The Wombats Proudly Present... This Modern Glitch.

Notable Tracks:

1. "Our Perfect Disease"

2. "Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)"

3. "Jump into the Fog"

6. "Techno Fan"

7. "1996"

_____________________________________________________________________________________

In Rotation 1 : My Morning Jacket - Circuital

As the title suggest, Circuital, has the feeling of progression traditional narration.  My Morning Jacket introduces their 6th studio album with the broad sweeping orchestral rock of "Victory Dance".  Moving into the climatic sing-along "Holdin' on to Black Metal".  And then, ending with a sweet piano ballad "Movin' Away".  Don't let the dropped g's fool you as to the content of the lyrical narration, there is a grand sense of life observations and archetypal notions of the passing of time.  A great addition to the American/Southern Rock genre for your collection.

Notable Tracks:
1. "Victory Dance"
3. "The Day is Coming"
8. "You Wanna Freak Out"
10. "Movin' Away"


_____________________________________________________________________________________

In Rotation 2 : Givers - In Light

Fun, upbeat, and playful...no other words best describe the Givers first album In Light.  This collegiate, indie pop group from Louisiana have a great spirit about their music. There's a warmth to their songs, almost as if it were born from a day in the sun.  Their afrobeat-infused percussion and interchange in lead vocals between male and female parts adds to the album's playfulness.  Well developed music and solid lyrics give In Light  real substance, an album that can easily be played on repeat for days.

Notable Tracks:
2. "Meantime"
6. "Ceiling of Plankton"
7. "In My Eyes"
9. "Go Out At Night"
10. "Words"


____________________________________________________________________________________

In Rotation 1 : Washed Out - Within and Without

Washed Out debut studio album Within and Without is born out of the recent wave of chilled electronic music.  Each track blends from one to another with a sense of ephemeral transitions of time.  Each track is musically transportive utilizing repetitive drum tracks, droning bass, a heavy use of ambient synth, with a backing of blending vocals.  A perfect inclusion to your Fall playlist.

Notable Tracks:
2. "Echoes"
3. "Amor Fati"
5. "Far Away"
8. "Within and Without"

_____________________________________________________________________________________

In Concert: Portugal. The Man @ The Bottleneck

Loving some Portugal. The Man this year...and not just their new album In the Mountain in the Cloud released in July, but also going back to 2008's Censored Colors and 2009's The Satanic Satanist.  Portugal has a fresh sound, revitalizing rock music.  While their albums are a bit lax, their stage show is supercharged.  Every song was played with such excitement and high energy that reverberated through the crowd.  There was not a body in the place that wasn't rocking when they started their beloved hit "People Say" or the all-out cover of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter".  A very exciting show from an exciting new band that everyone should know about.

Notable Tracks:
2. "Colors" - Censored Colors
4. "Salt" - Censored Colors
9. "Never Pleased" - Censored Colors

1. "People Say" - The Satanic Satanist
2. "Work All Day" - The Satanic Satanist
8. "Do You" - The Satanic Satanist

5. "Head is a Flame (Cool with It)" - In the Mountain in the Cloud
8. "All Your Light (Times Like These)" - In the Mountain in the Cloud
11. "Sleep Forever" - In the Mountain in the Cloud

_____________________________________________________________________________________