Following up on our first Rock History Lesson a few months back, we thought it would be interesting to crack open the cadaver of yet another day of the calendar year and see what rock goodies lie within. In doing so, we’ve decided to up the ante as well, featuring TWO days in music history this time around. Why two? For starters, Leap Day is at a distinct disadvantage to the other 365 days; there’s like 25% as much of a chance that anything rocking happened on it. I think it deserves our sympathies. Also, you just know a day is worth noting when McDonalds gives away free breakfast burritos to commemorate it.
Okay, so why March 1st too? Well, there are broader considerations to keep in mind here, namely the fact that tomorrow is my birthday and I like to know what kind of company I’m keeping in the grand scheme of things. So, (once again) without further ado, here’s a very loose guide to today, Leap Day, and tomorrow, March 1st, in ROCK: Read more
“The Telephone Call” by Kraftwerk which clocks in at 8:03
From Wikipedia: “Chinese whispers or Telephone is a game in which each successive participant secretly whispers to the next a phrase or sentence whispered to them by the preceding participant. Cumulative errors from mishearing often result in the sentence heard by the last player differing greatly and amusingly from the one uttered by the first. It is most often played by children as a party game or in the playground.” Read more
Band: Beach House
From: Baltimore, MD
Sound: dreamy, shimmery ballads; think melancholy but hold the depression
Similar Artists: Mazzy Star, Cat Power, Galaxie 500, Nico
Listen Now: “Heart of Chambers”
Having the opportunity to see a rock concert in a venue as special as the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House is a rare treat. Generally, modern rock bands are relegated to the confines of various banged up ballrooms (at best) and/or basement bars (or worse) in this city. While abundant in character and rock and roll charm, these standard kinds of venues lack quite a bit in terms of mood-setting ambiance and happy acoustics. However, these characteristics are precisely where opera houses excel. Given that Boxer was perhaps my favorite album released last year, it should come as no surprise that I headed into Saturday night’s performance by The National with great hopes, expectations, and anticipation. Just what, exactly, would such a glorious venue do for one of my favorite current American rock bands, and how would The National treat the opera house in return? Read more
Listen:
“I Would Work If I Could” by Brian Michael Roff And The Deer from Inventory
View:
Image search results for I Would Work If I Could - above image is from the eleventh page of results (and was originally from HERE).
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In the recent past these songs were featured in Hit-or-miss posts:
“My Last Kiss” by The Durutti Column
“Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone” by The Walkmen
“Cosmic Dancer” by T. Rex
“I Just Called to Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder
“Stay On Your Toes” by Del Tha Funkee Homosapien
“The Queen Of Outer Space” by The Wedding Present
“Powder Blue” by Ween
“Good Morning, Captain” by Slint
To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM’s Hit-or-miss (and to find out just what this Hit-or-miss is) click HERE.
The first time I saw Black Mountain was in 2005, and I’m pretty sure the number of folks crammed onstage alone would have constituted a fire code violation.
Such is the benefit of sharing members with opening bands (as was the case then with Blood Meridian and Ladyhawk); when a given tune simply must have four additional people playing cowbells and maracas, you get to have four extra people playing cowbells and maracas. That night, the Mercury Lounge stage looked more like a hippie commune than a setting for a proper rock show.
And let’s face it, if you’re into Black Mountain it’s because you want a big ole’ thick-cut slice of ROCK. And while it wasn’t as though they failed to deliver the ROCK then, it was just a bit difficult at times to discern the ROCKING through the mass of unwashed bodies onstage.
Nearly three years later, Black Mountain traded in the cramped digs of Mercury (cramped when you have a dozen folks onstage) for the more spacious environs of Bowery Ballroom. In the process, they also shed their superfluous entourage and rocked a sold-out crowd with the devastatingly effective lineup of their five core members.
Let’s cut to the chase: if the 2005 version of Black Mountain was a traveling band of noodling gypsies, the 2008 version is a revved-up Mystery Machine, with singer/guitarist/mastermind Stephen McBean at the wheel (he’s Shaggy of course) and vocalist Amber Webber riding shotgun (as Daphne). Up to you to figure out who’s Velma, Scooby, and Fred… Read more
The premise itself was immensely appealing: Super Furry Animals trade in their stadium-sized visual feast of a live show for a scaled-back club tour of America. In the process, they throw this widget up on their site and ask fans in each city to vote on that night’s set list. The results? A tightened focus on the band’s actual music over the bells and whistles of tours past and the day-late dollar-short realization that you’re watching one of the best live bands in the world do their thing about 6 feet from where your jaw hits the floor. And to think you could have seen it three other times this past month…. Read more
Is there any argument that music and film are perhaps the two most celebrated, recognized and lucrative forms of artistic expression in our popular culture?
Is there any argument that they also generate more arguments than all other popular artistic mediums combined?
So why then, despite our obsessive dissecting, debating, analyzing and chronicling of the two, doesn’t there exist a comprehensive list detailing the intersection of music and film? Somewhat related, are you sick of us asking rhetorical questions? Fair enough, we get it.
Less questions, more solutions! In this, our first installment of the Earfcyclopedia - just in time for the Oscars - this glaring omission within the annals of pop culture will stand no longer. We present you with a comprehensive as hell list of musicians who have crossed the line and tried their hands at acting. Sure, other reputable sources such as MTV and Rolling Stone have lamely attempted to chronicle this merging of artistic mediums, but frankly most of those lists suck.
Where’s the love for the Kristoffersons, Kowalczyks, and Kiedises of the world (and that’s just the K’s)?
After the jump, peruse our list of 110+ alphabetized names of musician actors and please feel free to add any we might’ve overlooked. As well, before the jump you’ll find lists of each of our own personal top 5 favorite musician actors. But first, some rules… Read more
This little doozy of a video fits in perfectly with our forced attempts all week at providing film-related music content in celebration of Sunday’s Oscars.
It’s inspiration is pretty clearly derived from the song’s title (and the whole vibe of The Evening Descends for that matter): a spooky, grainy, midnight B-movie. Directed by Matt Leach. Enjoy!
Also, don’t forget to catch Evangelicals this Sunday (2/24) at Mercury Lounge and next Friday at Union Hall (2/29), both of which are with Headlights
“Oh Comely” by Neutral Milk Hotel which clocks in at 8:18
Or, The Assassination of Jeff Mangum by the Coward Colin Meloy.
No, I do not think Colin Meloy is a coward; I actually like him as well as the Decemberists. The above is simply a strained haymaker aimed at timeliness, a one-two punch if you will. Punch one, right in the gut: Neutral Milk Hotel’s seminal album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea turned ten this month, what ideal fodder for this week’s 8+….except that last week was it’s actual anniversary, so perhaps then would have proven more ideal. Alas. Read more
Let’s play that game from Highlights where we search for what’s wrong in the above picture, sound fun? Okay, ready, set, oh you found it already….
Yes, didn’t have to look too far. Earlier this month it was NME misremembering (Roger’s words not mine) Lez Zeppelin as Led Zeppelin in erroneously breaking the “news” that they’d be headlining Bonnaroo (screen-grab expertly captured by Matt prior to them taking it down in shame available after the jump). Read more
Band: Computer Perfection
From: near Detroit, MI
Sound: jangly indie pop with sunwashed synthesizers
Similar Artists: Bishop Allen, Evangelicals, Michael Andrews, Broadcast
Listen Now: “Able Archer”
Drink Up Buttercup began their residency at Pianos last night with a bang…and a thwack, and a kablammo, and tons of other onomatopoeic expressions as they literally smashed their way through a raucous early set with little more than trash cans, a few worn instruments, and a hell of a lot of energy.
Seeing these guys live was a big payoff for us, as we’ve been spinning their new demos regularly since their turn as Band of the Week and were left wondering just how they could pull it all off live. Well let me tell you something Mean Gene, the Bucks County crew proved their ability to morph the great promise shown on demos such as “Gods and Gentlemen” and “Sosey & Dosey” into something else altogether when played live, an infectious blend of harmony, deceptively enthralling rhythms, and workmanlike showmanship.
Arms-folded New Yorkers, you’ve been warned twice now: this band rules. Do yourself a service and make it out to their upcoming shows. We’ll even make it easy for you….keep reading to check out pics, mp3s, live video from last night’s show, and upcoming dates. Read more
Listen:
“My Last Kiss” by The Durutti Column from Time Was Gigantic… When We Were Kids
View:
Image search results for My Last Kiss - above image is from the seventh page of results (and was originally from HERE).
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In the recent past these songs were featured in Hit-or-miss posts:
“Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone” by The Walkmen
“Cosmic Dancer” by T. Rex
“I Just Called to Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder
“Stay On Your Toes” by Del Tha Funkee Homosapien
“The Queen Of Outer Space” by The Wedding Present
“Powder Blue” by Ween
“Good Morning, Captain” by Slint
“Septopus Theme” by Brendon Small
To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM’s Hit-or-miss (and to find out just what this Hit-or-miss is) click HERE.
For once, Ticketmaster graced our inboxes with a worthwhile announcement: it appears perpetual EF favorites Islands will be returning to Webster Hall on Saturday, May 24th. Tickets are on sale TOMORROW at 5:00 pm - random time, yes? - and you can find them HERE.
If you’re stressed because you already have plans that night, fear not. Given that it’s a Saturday night at Webster Hall the show should wrap up while it’s still light outside. Read more