The Besnard Lakes – live in Phoenix

A relatively pleasant Thursday night in Phoenix was the setting for Montreal’s The Besnard Lakes. In the midst of a long tour (West Coast/Midwest and over a dozen dates in Canada to follow) it was clear to see here was a band that are playing well live and enjoying it.

The five piece took the stage at Modified with a three guitar/bass/drum lineup augmented by keyboard. Not being terribly familiar with the band I just sat back (whilst standing) and enjoyed the show. The soundcheck seemed to slowly transcend into the opening salvo – an 8 minute psychedelic epic which never relented. Things were off to a good start. The band feature (sometimes) shared lead vocals (often in call and response style) by Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas who also happen to be husband and wife. The interesting piece being the higher notes are carried by him. Songs ranged from moody keyboard driven sonnets to all out sonic blasts, personally what I enjoyed most were the tight rhythm work by bassist and drummer which allowed the three guitars to explore all sorts of different tracts. I remarked to my friends afterward, it was interesting to see both a band with three guitarists but also no apparent rhythm guitar. All three were accomplished and took turns leading songs – sometimes changing 4 or 5 times within one track. The harmonies also were very strong as 4 of the 5 members sang at differing times.

The reviews I have read have referenced Pink Floyd, and while I heard aspects of that, for me I noticed more of a wall of noise swirling due to the guitar layering. The music is too angular to be classic rock simply – It captured more of a late period ‘Ride’ sound when the 60’s influence was reigning supreme. A very diverse and interesting band – I would certainly try and capture them.

Show notes: Once again Modified (which I love) is better suited for lighter fare, the PA and acoustics just are overwhelmed by a band as loud as this. Lead singer saying it was too hot in Phoenix to which we thought – thank God the weather has cooled off. Homeless guy arriving 2/3 of the way through the set and dancing his arse off. (Did he pay!? Did he pay?!). Use of a violin bow on guitar to pluck chords…always fun and sounded great.

Finally…what is up with Phoenix…I noticed the band are playing the Troubador in L.A. tonight, the band are different enough to be of worthy, the live reviews are great, and the new album has had an excellent response. In Phoenix this equates to an audience of perhaps 20-25. Frustrating ! Isn’t one of the biggest universities in the country a scant 8 miles away?

In summary, good show – long loud epics, dynamic chord changes, tight rhythm section and funny accents.

Cheers

Tim

VUDU – the future of home movie viewing? I think not…

I heard about ‘Vudu’ a few months ago – a file saving ‘DVD type’ player. Connect to your TV and Ethernet and download unlimited films. Sounded good – if a a little concerning for the the nature of my business (buying and selling used cds and dvds – click!)

Now that the product is being reviewed I think it may have an appeal to the casual film
fan although I liken it to having Cinemax, Showtime etc. with the ability to save the file for the film. I think collectors want both the option to select any DVD they wish (from any genre) but also have the case, artwork, and visual satisfaction of a collection. I realize the IPOD generation proves the opposite but I’m not certain that the same culture applies to DVDs at present. I think Amazon’s option to download from a much bigger library directly to your PC would hold a greater appeal for the tech inclined/collector. The biggest plus is no PC or Satellite hook up is needed.

So what does $400+ get you?

• Sub DVD quality movies – from a library of 5,000 titles
• 5,000 titles sounds like a large selection – it really isn’t
• 250 GB hard drive – so you can store 100 titles. No details about possible expansion.
• Ability to rent movies for $2-$4 for a 24 hour rental (this won’t worry Netflix or Blockbuster)
• In fact you can purchase DVDs from me for less…and keep them!
• Ability to purchase a film for $15-$20 – instant gratification factor

Below is the Yahoo Tech write up – I’ve a feeling this will do about as well as DAT.

Not sure this sounds attractive as a purchase (at least to me)Want a collection of 5,000 movies that you can start watching immediately, at the press of a button? The Vudu set-top box just might be the answer, and it’ll arrive on store shelves in a matter of weeks.
I blogged about Vudu back in April; now that we’re closer to the launch date, more details have emerged, and David Pogue of the New York Times even has a hands-on review. According to Pogue, the $400 set-top box boasts impressive, DVD-level quality (competitors such as Apple TV and the Xbox Video Marketplace suffer from sub-DVD image quality with their standard-def offerings), an easy-to-use remote, an Ethernet port (no need for a PC), and a 250GB hard drive, capable of storing 100 full movies. Videos start the moment you click “play”—that’s because the Vudu stores the first 30 seconds of all available movies locally, and downloads chunks of movies from other Vudu users (see my original post for more details). While the $400 price tag is a bit pricey, there’s no monthly subscription fee; you can rent movies for $2 to $4 (with a 24-hour viewing window) or buy videos for $15 to $20.

Sounds cool, but of course, the Vudu will live and die according to its selection of movies, which (according to Pogue, at least) is a bit spotty. Sure, plenty of hits are available, including “300″ and “Blades of Glory,” but some recent titles, such as “The Departed,” are missing, and there are plenty of Z-grade stinkers. That said, Vudu execs say they hope to have more than 10,000 titles, including HD movies, available in the coming months.

Phoenix – live music scene – weather cools…bands return!

Living here in the desert the Summer can be a bit brutal, endless days going from air-conditioned home to work in air-conditioned cars. You end up feeling a bit like a gerbil by the time our Autumn arrives. Today is the first day under 100f in months it seems and coincidentally going out at night is more tempting once again to see some bands.

It just so happens that the weeks ahead have some really interesting shows coming to town as the the locals venture out again I guess touring bands don’t avoid us as readily. It could just be coincidence, but if I was a promoter I’d omit AZ and TX from a tour unless the logistics insisted it had to be on the itinerary. Couple that with audiences that somehow only impress with the complete apathy (I’m glad you met your fricking friends from ASU and you really enjoyed this season of Lost – can I please listen to the band) and an ever decreasing choice of venues. We are heading to a situation where there is essentially nothing in the 400-1,000 capacity which also hurts the Phoenix concert calendar.

But on to brighter thoughts – the week ahead looks better- just wanted to mention some good shows to try and see (in date order)

Tonight – Sep 18 – VHS or Beta / The Rhythm Room – only $10
Sep 19 – Pinback / The Marquee – $15
Sep 20 – Besnard Lakes / Modified – $10
Sep 21 – Arctic Monkeys and The Coral / The Marquee $25 (due to the dollar/pound exchange rate!)
Sep 23 – Maria Taylor (Azure Ray) / Modified $9

I’ll update October in a few weeks – but treat yourself to a great night at one of these shows – and bring your jacket – the evenings are down in the low 80’s now.

Cheers

Tim

The Clash – The only band that matters

I just wanted to write a few words about a book I just completed – it’s been out a few years and I’ve no excuses – I should have read it earlier.

“Passion is a Fashion / The Real Story of The Clash” by Pat Gilbert ISBN-10: 030681434X

What a fantastic read – it’s now 28 years since I was first introduced to The Clash. Even though they sacked Mick Jones when I was 16 and came to a halt by the time I was 19 The Clash were the reason I developed a love of music, built my social awareness and the overall potential of what a band could be. In those subsequent pre internet years I still followed Mick in Big Audio Dynamite and waited for Joe to comeback from his self appointed “Wilderness Years” – when the Mescaleros formed at the end of the 90’s I was 13 all over again.

The Clash were the background music to my youth, my social barometer, my fashion statement and political savvy all rolled into one. I may have wandered away during the 90’s a little but timing (maturity) made me return to my roots in the last decade. Music this good never goes away – and the memories brought back by this book were outstanding.

I thought I knew the Story of The Clash….and before this book I did…to a degree.

Gilbert interviewed everyone connected to The Clash and fills in the pieces. It took me reading
this book to fully understand the dynamics of Joe, Mick, Paul and Topper. Not to mention Bernie Rhodes, Caroline Coon, CBS Records and Terry Chimes. This book may leave you (like me) wishing to be a fly on the wall in ‘77 and saying “Don’t sign with CBS” or forwarding to ‘81 and saying “Help Topper out lads…you need him!!”. Moreover it will leave everything explained and the passion and pure adrenaline of the band leaves you wanting to read more. The Clash were like your first teenage love – heart on the sleeve, commitment, and unabashed energy. The events of the 5-6 year rollercoaster ride of this band left me breathless and yet totally inspired. Music can be this good – it can be this important. Cultural Diversity and Friendships do matter – and fighting against complacency and wrongs does count.

30 years later we call it punk – perhaps even naive. I call it real and vital. The Clash were the right 4 guys, thrust together and brave enough to challenge the status quo – and also treat their fans as friends. Joe Strummer left us far too early in 2002 – but the legacy of this band and the convictions they held should inspire anyone.

A wonderful book – as befits the most important band of the last thirty years.

Cheers

Tim

Stephen Merchant Radio Show – funnier than Simon Pegg

Stephen Merchant is best known as the co-writer with Ricky Gervais of the English comedies “The Office” and “Extras”. He also hosts a brilliant weekly radio show on BBC Six Music.

The “Steve Show” is built around reviewing music, it’s not only one of the funniest things you will ever hear but it also introduces new and old music that may open some doors for you (or not!).

Merchant is one of the most quick witted comedians I’ve ever encountered and the broadcast is also aided by a supporting cast who introduce the listener to some of their personal favourites.

Some of the songs are brand new, others come out from the vaults, but the diversity of the music combined with the brilliant verbal interplay between the hosts makes the two hours buzz past.

I won’t recite some of the recent heights of the broadcast but I endorse the show with abandon.

Here’s the link

New Earlimart Album – ‘Mentor Tormentor”

Following the release of Treble and Tremble in 2004, Los Angeles based Earlimart (they are named after the town in Northern CA) have just released a new album “Mentor Tormentor” on MajorDomo Records. “Treble..” slowly became one of my favourite releases of 2004, a nice natural growth from earlier releases saw Earlimart put together a wonderful album that I’ve returned to many times.

Therefore, it was with some trepidation that I listened to the new album, wondering what the band could and would do next. I needn’t have worried.

From the opening track ‘Fakey Fake’ the melodic pulse of a band totally in sync is apparent. Suddenly during the opening track, booming percussion diverts the daydream from calming to agitating – but in a ‘pay attention’ way. “Answers and Questions” is a wonderful example of the energy of the band, production feels tighter than previous and backing vocals by Murray are interspersed exactly when and where needed. Other standouts are the piano led ‘Happy Alone’ where lead vocals are handled by Ariana. Acoustic guitar opens “The Little Things’ which has a nursery rhyme lullaby quality that is simply tranquil. Thematically the album leans toward love lost and hints of revenge, though ultimately belief in yourself. “Everybody knows Everybody” has the most similarity to the earlier material by Earlimart, though in truth this sounds like a much better and more sophisticated band. The constant and tiresome Elliot Smith comparisons can be placed where they deserve to be, three albums back.

Aaron Espinoza’s breathy vocals mesh perfectly with layered and textured pop to create a masterpiece. Layered string arrangements by Ariana Murray in combination with real Cellos & Violins give songs a tremendous pallette. The two mainstays are joined by a number of other musicians. I don’t like to compare bands if I can help it, while the return to bass/guitar/drums rawness remains favoured these days, Earlimart bring back some of the best elements of post punk synths and strings. At times I hear the groove from earlier Factory Records artists; then it lurches to Moojave 3 while Doves, Slowdive and moments by the Delgados also come to mind. Perhaps Scotland’s Delgados (sadly missed) are the best analogy I can draw – and that’s a fantastic proposition. A great album, balanced and poised for greatness Earlimart come up trumps. Now if only we had a rocky coastline nearby to drive alongside while listening.

Earlimart live are not to be missed and have just announced a national tour on their website – and they will be in Phoenix at the Paper Heart on Oct 22. Do yourself a favour and go and see them.