Mobley + Loxsly – In Review
A pair of local bands hit the inside stage last night at the Mohawk, and those who braved the rain to check them out (avec moi) were treated to layered rock and pop-rock music. Continue reading »
Filed under Music, Reviews | Tags: Austin, Listen Local podcast, Loxsly, Mobley, The Mohawk | Comment (0)Peter Bjorn and John – In Review
There was a weekend-long Swedish dance party in Texas, if you knew the right places to be. Peter Bjorn and John hit up the House of Blues in Dallas on Saturday, playing a killer show to a less-than-enthused crowd, followed by a dirty, sweaty, awesomely fun set at La Zona Rosa in Austin. The crowd seemed much less self-conscious and much more ready to boogie down and have fun Sunday night, and the band’s energy level somehow managed to increase, feeding off of the group vibe.
The group is currently on their “birthday tour,” celebrating ten years together. In all of those years, the trio have put out five records, and they pulled from most of them for the Austin set. PB&J opened with the sleepy stoner-hit “Amsterdam,” featuring the deep-voiced Bjorn on the verses. Though Peter is typically the featured vocalist of the band, the group shows no qualms about trading up singing responsibilities: the second song of the night was the prog-rock epic, “Start To Melt,” with drummer John’s sweet voice weaving in and out of the layers of heavy, distorted guitar and bass sounds. The light show matched the song perfectly, with laser-like neon green lines of light spotlighting and flashing at the crowd.
Filed under Uncategorized | Tags: Austin, La Zona Rosa, Peter Bjorn and John | Comment (0)Monsters of Folk – In Review
A sold-out Stubb’s audience gathered Friday to hear the gospel of the Monsters of Folk in the band’s last scheduled US stop on this tour. In concert with the religious themes running throughout their debut album, the men themselves seem to take the form of evangelists on stage, preaching their modern-day folklore and bewilderment of the universe. Jim James, M. Ward, Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis and Austin’s own Will Johnson dominated the stage for almost 3 hours, playing almost every song from their album plus a healthy mix of songs from the guys’ separate bands.
Filed under Music, Reviews | Tags: live, Monsters of Folk, review, Stubb's | Comment (0)On My iPod – Inaugural Edition
I might start this as a series – a description of a couple of songs burning up my iPod of late. Today we’ve got a foursome of folksters from across the country, and a duo of pop rockers from right here in Austin. Click the titles to be taken to places where you can hear the songs while you read!
Monsters of Folk – His Master’s Voice
This song has already been raved about all over the interwebs, but I feel compelled to throw my hat in the ring. What makes this song? It’s the setting of the scene. The guitar picking in the beginning is so smooth that it imitates a heavenly harp (as is the intention of James, Mogis, Oberst and Ward, I’m sure). The echoes of the vocals give the feeling of infinite space. The harmonies are the kind that make the heart swell – “Calling like the lady…”; at that first burst of voices entwined, you will feel the goosebumps, I am certain. The strange horns disorient the listener, adding to the sense of being in an unfamiliar place. There’s something about deep drums that emphasizes a kind of inevitability. And finally, that bellowing, inhuman but similarly recognizeable strain of “calling…” finishes the song the only way it now seems possible it could ever finish. This song is a complete thought, an artist’s interpretation of the afterlife. And if it is so sweet as this imagining, we can all rest easy at night.
Ideal Soul Mart – Don’t Fight It
This song combines the desperation, hoplessness and helplessness that a young person can feel at this age with everything up in the air, just learning about the drudgery of the adult world, with the aggressive inner frustration and motivation to change the situation. Even if the lyrics didn’t match up exactly, as a listener you could understand this drama of life because of the juxtaposition of the driving rhythm of the egg shaker and the quick electric guitar riff with the moody, piano-heavy verse. However, because Adam and Clay know their shit, the lyrics complement the scenario perfectly. For me, it culminates in the lines, “Turn and fight/If you’re looking for a little bit of meaning in your life/Make it right/Don’t you fight it, if you feel it coming over you tonight”. It’s anthemic and inspiring, especially from the standpoint of an almost-graduate. I also have to point out my love for the subtle whistling that matches the guitar riff the second go-around. This one has now blasted out of my rolled-down car windows on the way back from shows. Try it!
Filed under Music, Reviews | Tags: Ideal Soul Mart, Monsters of Folk, songs | Comment (0)Renovation Imminent!
Heyo, faithful people.
I am up to my ears in school assignments right now, but I graduate in December and enter the scary world that is (hopefully?) full-time employment. By the way, if you’re looking to hire a music journalist who loves to travel and is awesome at editing…me!!
Anywho, I plan on renovating this website (and blogging with MUCH more regularity!) once I’m an official UT grad, so look for those changes coming up.
Also, I hope many of you are going to see Monsters of Folk and Peter Bjorn and John when the two groups come to town a week from now. You best believe I will be front and center.