Ping pong'd

Andy Angelos

[ ] Good at ping pong
[X] Terrible at ping pong

Updated Chicago concert list.

This list is good for my soul. This list is not good for my wallet.

11/14 - The Hold Steady, Drive-By Truckers @ Riviera
11/14 - Subtle @ Empty Bottle
11/14 - Drop the Lime @ Sonotheque
11/14 - Kraak and Smaak, Orchard Lounge @ Subterranean
11/14 - Ben Weasel @ Reggie's Rock Club
11/15 - Ben Weasel @ Reggie's Rock Club
11/15 - Deerhunter, Times New Viking @ Metro
11/15 - The Sea and Cake @ Empty Bottle (2 shows)
11/15 - Pegboy @ Beat Kitchen
11/16 - Atmosphere @ Vic
11/16 - Cloud Cult @ Double Door
11/17 - Bishop Allen @ Subterranean
11/18 - No Age @ Reggie's Rock Club
11/18 - Hawthorne Heights @ Metro
11/18 - Smashing Pumpkins @ Chicago Theatre
11/19 - Smashing Pumpkins @ Chicago Theatre
11/19 - Pelican @ Subterranean
11/19 - Ingrid Michaelson @ Park West
11/20 - Melvins, Big Business @ Reggie's Rock Club
11/20 - Aziz Ansari @ Lakeshore Theatre
11/20 - Low vs Diamond, Barcelona @ Subterranean
11/20 - Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Thrice @ Congress
11/21 - Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Thrice @ Congress
11/21 - m83 @ Bottom Lounge
11/21 - Calexico, Bowerbirds @ Metro
11/21 - Dub Trio @ Subterranean
11/21 - Bane, H2O @ Reggie's Rock Club
11/21 - VHS or Beta DJs @ Debonair Social Club
11/21 - Camper Van Beethoven @ Abbey Pub
11/21 - Smashing Pumpkins @ Auditorium Theatre
11/22 - Smashing Pumpkins @ Auditorium Theatre
11/22 - Camper Van Beethoven @ Abbey Pub
11/22 - Brightblack Morning Light @ Hideout
11/22 - The Aquabats @ Metro
11/22 - Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains, Friendly Foes @ Beat Kitchen
11/22 - Margot & The Nuclear So & So's @ Bottom Lounge
11/22 - DJ? Acucrack, Acumen Nation @ Reggie's Rock Club
11/22 - Fishbone @ Subterranean
11/22 - 2020 Soundsystem @ Martyrs'
11/24 - "100 Songs" featuring Trevor de Brauw (Pelican) @ Sonotheque
11/24 - Clique Talk @ Empty Bottle
11/25 - El Guincho @ Empty Bottle
11/26 - Kid Sister, Flosstradamus @ Metro
11/26 - Derrick Carter @ Smart Bar
11/29 - Nada Surf @ Metro
11/29 - Boris @ Empty Bottle
11/29 - The Verve Pipe @ Martyrs'
12/2 - El Ten Eleven @ Schubas
12/2 - Mudvayne @ Congress
12/2 - Akron/Family @ AV-aerie
12/2 - Juliana Hatfield @ Double Door
12/3 - Amanda Palmer @ Metro
12/3 - Jeremy Enigk @ Bottom Lounge
12/3 - Yes @ Chicago Theatre
12/5 - Venetian Snares, The Flashbulb (DJ set) @ Reggie's Rock Club
12/5 - The Black Crowes, Vetiver @ Riviera
12/6 - Bound Stems @ Empty Bottle
12/6 - Matthew Dear @ Vision
12/7 - Lovely Little Girls @ Beat Kitchen
12/7 - Emeralds @ Empty Bottle
12/9 - Reverend Horton Heat @ Metro
12/9 - Neil Young @ Allstate Arena
12/10 - Suicidal Tendencies @ House of Blues
12/10 - Ted Leo, Tim Kinsella @ AV-aerie
12/11 - Mercury Rev @ Metro
12/11 - The War on Drugs @ Schubas
12/12 - Noah & The Whale @ Empty Bottle
12/12 - Jeff Mills @ Smart Bar
12/12 - Oasis @ Allstate Arena
12/14 - CSS @ Metro
12/14 - Wu-Tang Clan @ House of Blues
12/17 - Longwave @ Double Door
12/18 - Bon Iver @ Vic
12/18 - Twisted 15 @ House of Blues (Eagles of Death Metal, Cold War Kids, Scott Weiland)
12/26 - Lucky Boys Confusion @ Metro
12/27 - Lucky Boys Confusion @ Metro
12/27 - My Morning Jacket @ Chicago Theatre
12/27 - Rusted Root, Backyard Tire Fire @ House of Blues
12/28 - Rusted Root, Backyard Tire Fire @ House of Blues
12/28 - My Morning Jacket @ Chicago Theatre
12/29 - Umphrey's McGee @ Auditorium Theatre
12/30 - Umphrey's McGee @ Auditorium Theatre
12/31 - Umphrey's McGee @ Auditorium Theatre
12/31 - Justice DJ Set @ Congress
12/31 - Hum @ Double Door
12/31 - Future Rock, Daedelus, Dark Party, Ben Silver @ Abbey Pub
12/31 - Local H, Sybris, Office @ Bottom Lounge
12/31 - The Lawrence Arms @ Reggie's Rock Club
1/12 - Reel Big Fish @ House of Blues
1/20 - The Killers @ UIC Pavilion
1/24 - Victorian Halls @ Beat Kitchen
1/24 - Frightened Rabbit @ Empty Bottle
1/26 - Metallica, Machinehead, The Sword @ Allstate Arena
1/27 - Metallica, Machinehead, The Sword @ Allstate Arena
1/29 - Vic Chesnutt, Elf Power @ Empty Bottle
1/30 - Lindstrøm @ Smart Bar
3/7 - Tapes 'n Tapes @ Metro

The Notwist - Neon Golden

Just came across this the other day and am loving it so far. Tons of awesome sounds and textures going on throughout this album. Almost has the feel of the Postal Service but with better production value.

The Notwist - Neon Golden

In honor of the RNC.

Sorry...but I couldn't resist. I will get back to posting albums shortly. This is too good to not share. Thanks for the heads up, Jordan.

Random skate video shot at 120 fps

skate - shot on red - 120 fps from opus magnum prod. on Vimeo.

My new obsession: Trentemoller

L O L L A P A L O O Z A

Wow.

After attending my first Lollapalooza last year, I anxiously awaited for this year to arrive with extremely high hopes. After this past weekend I can safely say I was not let down.

First things first, last year my house was out of hand. We had a rotating cast in and out of the house with around 8 people staying in my 3 bedroom house in Chicago. People sprawled on couches, chairs, the floor, and a tent or two set up in the backyard for storage purposes. This year, my cousin and his wife flew in from Texas and my brother drove down from Milwaukee. Much easier to maintain and my house does not look like an earthquake it on the insides after the festival this year. So, we were working with a lot smaller group than the year before.

My cousins got in town Thursday night and after some catching up we hit the town. This (as expected) was pretty much the theme of the weekend. Drinking > Concerts > Rediculous Cab Rides> Drinking > Bars. There was a crew of DeFilippis' and many other supporting cast members. Very fun.

There were multiple bands at Lolla I was excited for, and there were other bands I was REALLY excited for. I had never seen Radiohead and I had never seen NIN before. Both bands did not disappoint. Along with those there were many other that just flat out killed it.

Gogol bordello was the biggest surprise of the weekend for me. I had no idea what they would be like live going into the show and they put on a show! Violin, accordion, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drummer, and two scantily dressed singers. The band had so much energy and it was very infectious. This was the first show of the weekend I saw. The video sucks but bear with me - they get better.



After Gogol we basically started the process of camping out for Radiohead. Bloc Party set up an hour after Gogol and they were pretty good as well. Didn't get any video or pics of that, as I was basically just sitting mentally preparing for Radiohead.

And then came Radiohead. We had a pretty great spot and overall the show was exactly what I expected it to be - - perfect - - Those guys did not disappoint. Their set had mostly everything from In Rainbows and then a lot of older classic stuff (ie - Paranoid Android, Fake Plastic Trees, Idioteque!!!!!, Everything In It's Right Place, etc.) Their lighting was incredible and the sound was perfect. My only gripe is that the crowd was seriously lame. I'm assuming it was dud to drinking all day long in the 90 degree sun but the lack of enthusiasm was semi-awkward after songs were played. Thom Yorke even said something along the lines of, "You guys are really quiet out there." AKA - "WTF...We are the best band in the world. Quit being pansies and ball up." Oh well, I was happy.












Day 1 ended with an 8 people awkwardly jamming into a random guys Lincoln Town Car and getting a ride back to my house. It was awesome - 6 in the back, my brother and I in the front and everyone was fairly inebriated. The driver was probably the nicest guy of the whole weekend I came across. Here is a pic from the cab of my bro and I practically sitting on each others lap in the front, laughing from the pain.




















Here's a video of the outside madness that was occurring outside of the festival as well. when that ends, the downtown city streets of Chicago become a playground.





Day 2 (Saturday) started 10 AM Saturday with a Bloody Mary bar at a friends apartment and an overall sense of collective enthusiasm after the experience everyone had the previous night.

We started off early that day with 2 British Dance-Punk bands, Does It Offend You, Yeah and Foals. Both had great crowds and a lot of energy for playing early afternoon shows. Does It Offend was particularly awesome. I will definitely be checking them out again when they come around. I can imagine seeing them in a cramped bar or venue to be an intense experience.










What came next was (as expected) the highlight of the weekend for me. Booka Shade! I had seen zeeeeee German duo one other time in my life and I walked away feeling I had been 1 of 200 people that had witnessed something special. I felt the same after leaving their set at Lolla (with around 5,000-10,000 other people this time.) Booka had non-stop energy and their show was a dance party from start to finish. It. Kicked. Ass. The crowd was really into it as well and everyone was having a great time, including the band. It was evident that nobody wanted it to end. My video does it absolutely NO JUSTICE whatsoever. It was a hot sweaty mess and I didn't feel like messing with my camera much.



































































After Booka Shade I made my way to a DJ set by Does It Offend You, Yeah. I figured they were pretty bad ass as a band, so lets see what they do as DJ's. Good choice. It was the first time I had ventured over to the DJ area of Lolla and it was awesome. The crowd was WAY into it and everyone was dancing in a shady area in the woods basically. DIOYY played a lot of Daft Punk, old hip hop, and a bunch of other stuff I can't remember. It was very fun.

I caught half of Battles set, but at this point I hadn't eaten in about hmmmm, all day, so I went and got some food and geared up for Rage Against The Machine. I was really excited for this but it just wasn't in the cards. We got there a little late so we were extremely far back and the sound was terrible where we were. There is something just wrong about seeing Rage Against the Machine and not leaving with your ears hurting badly from the loudness of the show. Oh well, one dud of the weekend. If I could do it over again I would have been in the mosh pit up front .... scratch that. Might not survive. They had to stop the show at least 4 times because it was getting out of control Zach De La Rocha looked scared on the monitors that someone was gonna die. Intense.

That night consisted of a post party at my place followed by a trip out to Evil Olive in Wicker Park. The night got out of hand. I left the bar around 4:30 and knew it was going to effect my waking up the next morning. No pics or vids from that night, as I was likely unable to operate a camera effictively. Haha.

The 3rd and final day everyone was a little lagging and burnt out after the first 2 days of no sleep and drinking as though we were all in college again. We got into the festival around 3:30 which was about 3 hours later than every other day. We made it to Lolla in time for Chromeo, which was really fun and something I had definitely wanted to see. After that we basically just sat around and camped out for Girl Talk............

Girl Talk.........

I have never been in a crowd like that before in my life. If you fell over, you were probably gonna die. There were so many people to see him that it was semi-ridiculous. Aside from all of that, the man knows how to put on a show. He had ENERGY and stage presence like nobody else I saw all weekend. Jumping around, dancing with the 30 or so people he just brought on stage, and sporadically screaming in the mic about how he loved Lollapalooza. Pretty fun. Throughout the show toilet paper was being launched into the crowd along with many other things. I got some great pictures and videos from this. It was a SPECTACLE.



































































The concert ended with Greg gillis (aka Girl Talk) throwing an inflatable raft into the crowd and crowd surfing inside of it. Eventually he jumped out and crowd surfed all the way back to the sound booth where he faded out of the last track he had started. It was theatrical, and awesome. The crowd was into it.

































There he is after he dove out of the raft. Some other random kid jumped in and got his 15 minutes of fame being passed around as well.

The final show of the weekend was NIN (sorry Kanye, you're annoying). I went in with high hopes and was blown away. By far, my favorite show of the weekend. The show was amazing from start to finish. It started witha lot of tracks off Ghosts that were very chilling and beautiful to listen to, and then the second half of the show was straight rock and roll NIN. The crowd was into it, the lights were amazing, and it just couldn't have been a better way to end the weekend!!! Trent Reznor also gave an amazing speech about Lollapalooza and how appreciative he was that people enjoyed his music. It was very candid and really cool to hear. I went into the weekend expecting Radiohead to be far and away the best show, but NIN stole the show. Incredible start to finish.





















All in all, the weekend was incredible. I can't say enough about it and I am not ready to go back to reality. I got to see my cousins who I had not seen in about 5 years, hung out with my brother, saw a ton of friends from the past and college, and witnessed some musically redonk performances. Let the countdown begin to next year.

Upcoming Chicago Concerts

8/5 - She & Him @ Park West
8/6 - Tilly & The Wall, The Ruby Suns @ Abbey Pub
8/7 - RX Bandits, Portugal. The Man, Maps & Atlases @ Metro
8/8 - We Are Scientists, Oxford Collapse @ Abbey Pub
8/8 - Amanda Palmer @ Lakeshore Theatre
8/9 - Pegboy @ Bottom Lounge
8/12 - Eddy Grant @ Martyr's
8/14 - The Duke Spirit @ Empty Bottle
8/14 - Jukebox the Ghost @ Schubas
8/14 - Natalie Portman's Shaved Head @ Sub T
8/14 - James Murphy (DJ set) @ Smart Bar
8/15 - Matthew Dear @ Smart Bar
8/15 - Racebannon @ Beat Kitchen
8/16 - Oneida @ Empty Bottle
8/17 - Handsome Furs @ Empty Bottle
8/17 - The Ex @ Logan Square Auditorium
8/17 - Pterodactyl @ Bottom Lounge
8/21 - Weedeater, Black Cobra @ Double Door
8/22 - The Faint @ Vic
8/22 - Ben Weasel @ Reggie's
8/23 - Ben Weasel @ Reggie's
8/23 - Boat, Creeping Weeds @ Schubas
8/23 - A-Trak @ Sub T
8/23 - Aesop Rock @ Abbey Pub
8/23 - Bang! Bang! @ Empty Bottle
8/28 - Tub Ring @ Beat Kitchen
8/30 - Don Caballero, Ponytail @ Sub T
8/30 - Richie Hawtin @ Metro
9/3 - Andrew Bird @ Millennium Park
9/3 - Xiu Xiu, Prurient @ Bottom Lounge
9/3 - Reggie & the Full Effect @ House of Blues
9/4 - Mike Gordon @ Park West
9/5 - Shudder to Think @ Park West
9/5 - The Juan Maclean @ Empty Bottle
9/5 - Van Ghost @ Sub T
9/6 - Sons and Daughters @ Double Door
9/6 - U-Melt @ Martyr's
9/6 - The Wombats @ Empty Bottle
9/7 - Benevento/Russo Duo @ Martyr's
9/7 - The Indobox, Low Life (feat. Clay Parnell) @ Tonic Room
9/9 - Lymbyc Systym, This Will Destroy You @ Bottom Lounge
9/10 - Does It Offend You, Yeah? @ Sub T
9/11 - Ra Ra Riot, Walter Meego @ Sub T
9/12 - Holy Fuck @ Sub T
9/12 - The Walkmen @ Metro
9/15 - Balkan Beat Box @ Logan Square Auditorium
9/17 - Low @ Epiphany
9/17 - Cut Copy, The Presets @ Metro
9/17 - Cut Copy (DJ Set), The Presets (DJ Set) @ Smart Bar
9/19 - Jenny Lewis @ Epiphany
9/20 - Lagwagon, MxPx @ Metro
9/20 - We Are Wolves @ Sub T
9/20 - Evangelicals @ Beat Kitchen
9/20-21 - Hideout Block Party @ Hideout (The New Pornographers, Ratatat, Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip, Black Mountain, etc.)
9/21 - A Place to Bury Strangers @ Empty Bottle
9/23 - Say Hi @ Sub T
9/24 - Sigur Rós @ Chicago Theatre
9/24 - Miss Kittin & The Hacker @ Abbey Pub
9/26 - Mogwai, Fuck Buttons @ Congress Theatre
9/26 - Why? @ Bottom Lounge
9/26 - Hayden @ Schubas
9/27 - My Bloody Valentine @ Aragon
9/27 - Buckethead @ Vic
9/28 - Hot Chip @ Metro
9/28 - Hot Chip (DJ set) @ Smart Bar
9/28 - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds @ Riviera
9/29 - Hot Chip @ Metro
9/29 - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds @ Riviera
9/30 - Born Ruffians @ Schubas
10/1 - The Wedding Present, Dirty on Purpose @ Empty Bottle
10/2 - Liam Finn @ Lakeshore Theatre
10/2 - Beck, MGMT @ Aragon
10/3 - Beck, MGMT @ Aragon
10/6 - Black Kids @ Metro
10/6 - Ani DiFranco @ Chicago Theatre
10/7 - Talkdemonic @ Schubas
10/8 - The Dodos @ Bottom Lounge
10/9 - My Morning Jacket @ Chicago Theatre
10/10 - My Morning Jacket @ Chicago Theatre
10/10 - Stereolab @ Vic
10/10 - Silver Jews @ Metro
10/10 - Southern Culture on the Skids @ Schubas
10/11 - The Kooks @ Riviera
10/11 - Oh My God, Baby Teeth @ Sub T
10/12 - Pinback, Make Believe @ Bottom Lounge
10/12 - Riot Fest 2008 @ Congress Theatre (Mighty Mighty Bosstones, ALL, Mustard Plug, etc.)
10/17 - The Notwist @ Logan Square Auditorium
10/18 - King Britt @ Empty Bottle
10/19 - Dead C, Wolf Eyes @ Empty Bottle
10/24 - Ekoostik Hookah @ Martyr's
10/25 - Fujiya & Miyagi @ Bottom Lounge
10/25 - Lotus @ Park West
10/25 - Lykke Li @ Empty Bottle
10/27 - Of Montreal @ Riviera
10/29 - Mest @ House of Blues
10/31 - The King Khan & BBQ Show @ Bottom Lounge
11/21 - m83 @ Bottom Lounge

Pitchfork Music Festival

2 Words - Animal Collective

I had no idea what these guys would be like live considering all of their albums are so experimental and somewhat "out there," but they were by far the best show I saw all weekend. One of the better concerts I have seen in the last few years, actually.

Fleet Foxes, The Dodos, and Caribou were also pretty awesome.

Overall, Pitchfork had their act together. The festival was extremely organized and well put together with a good lineup. As expected, the hipsters of Chicago did not disappoint and I was able to view multiple pairs of jorts, ironic sunglasses, and tattoos that will certainly halt future career plans. Well played hipsters.

Here are some videos from the festival Pitchfork has posted.


Fleet Foxes


Animal Collective!!!






Caribou


Dizzee Rascal


The Dodos


Public Enemy

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Usually around once or twice a year I hear an album that really makes me stop and realize why I love music. This album does that. From start to finish this album had my attention, so much so that I listened to it three times in a row while I sat at my desk at work.

This album escaped me for almost a year now, until my friend informed me that we went to school with Justin Vernon aka - Bon Iver, and told me to give the album a listen. Vernon was in an extremely popular band called Deyarmond Edison while I was in school at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, and I had heard nothing of them after they broke up.

Well, 2 years later and talent pays off. Vernon MADE it. On the world stage... Pitchfork Magazine named his album in the top 50 of 2007 and numerous other magazines have given it 5 out of 5 stars. THE MAN IS OPENING FOR WILCO THIS SUMMER. W I L C O. That's a pretty good sign.

Anyways, here is the album. If you like it, buy it, or see the artist live. I'm seeing him this weekend at Pitchfork Music Festival and I can't wait.

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Atmosphere - When life gives you lemons, you paint that shit gold

Good hip hop out of Minneapolis. I have heard "You" on the radio before which strikes me as somewhat weird for Atmosphere, nonetheless it is a damn catchy song. These guys have put out some quality, thought provoking hip-hop over the last 10 years.

Atmosphere - When life gives you lemons, you paint that shit gold

Andrew Bird - Soldier On

I just recently heard about Andrew Bird and starting listening to him, but everything I have heard from him I have liked thus far. He is a talented guitarist and violinist, and creates many interesting textures and layers with his violin by looping and using effects. This is the latest EP he released and it is a good start to see his range as a musician.

Andrew Bird - Soldier On

Coldplay - Viva la Vida

Coldplays fourth studio release. Not bad after a first listen. They're no Radiohead... :)

Coldplay - Viva la Vida

Girl Talk - Feed the Animals

The latest output from Greg Gillis aka Girl Talk. An interesting mash up that once again goes all over the place. Gillis is also taking the Radiohead/Trent Reznor approach to releasing albums - pay what you want. Here is a link to his web site where you can pay whatever you want for his album. Enjoy.

Girl Talk - Feed the Animals

Benga - Breezeblock Mix

I have been slightly obsessed with Dubstep over the last 2 months, and this guy is one of the biggest names around. Hailing from London, Benga is one of the pioneers of this sound and he has been all over the place the last 2 years. I just had a chance to see him in San Francisco and I dropped the ball because my flight landed late (aka I was lame.) Doh. Anyways, this is a great mix he released at the start of this year. Check it out.

Benga - Breezeblock mix

!!! and The Field playing around in the studio

I'm on a video kick right now. More album posts to come soon.

Daft Hands - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

Saw this homage to the French gods known as Daft Punk and had to post.

Lollapalooza #10 - Broken Social Scene

Broken Social Scene is a super-group out of Canada with somewhere around 20 rotating members. Almost everyone in the group has their own musical side project or band (after this year, probably the most notable member being Leslie Feist - who is now starting to sell out arenas after her monumental year in 2007 (partly due to Apple playing a song of hers in a commercial)). Is that all it takes these days?? 1 Apple commercial? Anyways, rambling on. Broken social Scene is good and this is my favorite album of theirs. Side note - Feist's album from this year is great as well (The Reminder). Listen if you haven't yet.

Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it in People

Lollapalooza #9 - Gogol Bordello

Gogol Bordello is a multi-ethnic Gypsy punk band from the Lower East Side of New York City that formed in 1999 and is known for its theatrical stage shows. Much of the band's sound is inspired by Gypsy music, as its core members are immigrants from Eastern Europe. The band incorporates minor-key accordion and fiddle (and on some albums, saxophone) mixed with cabaret, punk, and dub as well as multiple languages. Phill Jupitus has described the band as "a bit like The Clash and The Pogues having a fight... in Eastern Europe," while Kenneth Partridge of The Hartford Courant described lead singer Eugene Hütz's voice as "somewhere between that of Borat and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog".

I laughed when I read this description of the band because it is pretty dead on. I have heard these guys have quite a fun show live. This album is their latest release from 2007.

Gogol Bordello - Super Taranta!

Ultimate - 3:29
Wonderlust King - 3:58
Zina-Marina - 4:19
Supertheory of Supereverything - 2:56
Harem in Tuscany (Taranta) - 3:33
Dub the Frequencies of Love - 6:15
My Strange Uncles from Abroad - 5:19
Tribal Connection - 5:05
Forces of Victory - 5:23
Alcohol - 4:54
Suddenly... (I Miss Carpaty) - 5:36
Your Country - 4:15
American Wedding - 3:38
Super Taranta! - 6:44

Lollapalooza #8 - Explosions in the Sky

Explosions in the Sky is an American instrumental post-rock band from Texas. The band has garnered popularity beyond the post-rock scene for their cinematic, elaborately developed guitar work, narratively styled instrumentals, and their enthusiastic and emotional live shows. The band is a 4 piece usually with 3 of the members on guitar and the other on drums.

Explosions in the Sky - The Earth is not a Cold Dead Place

"First Breath After Coma" – 9:33
"The Only Moment We Were Alone" – 10:14
"Six Days at the Bottom of the Ocean" – 8:43
"Memorial" – 8:50
"Your Hand in Mine" – 8:17

Lollapalooza #7 - Wilco

The newest release from Chicago based Wilco.

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

Lollapalooza #6 - Foals

More Dance Punk out of the U.K.

Foals - Antidotes

"The French Open" – 3:46
"Cassius" – 3:50
"Red Socks Pugie" – 5:09
"Olympic Airways" – 4:19
"Electric Bloom" – 4:55
"Balloons" – 3:01
"Heavy Water" – 4:32
"Two Steps, Twice" – 4:39
"Big Big Love (Fig. 2)" – 5:47
"Like Swimming" – 1:58
"Tron" – 4:48

Lollapalooza #5 - Radiohead

The best album of the 90's.
The best album of the last 10 years.
The best touring band in the world.
The most influential band of the last two decades.
Probably my favorite album.
Yeah, I'm a fluffer.

Radiohead - OK Computer

Lollapalooza #4 - The National

If Jen White likes it, I probably hate it. Not so in this case. I am a fan. One of my favorite albums of 2007. (PS - Jen White already has this album. According to her, "I don't need it.") All BS aside, this album is awesome. It could be somewhat boring live, imo, but I find myself constantly listening to it. Addicting.

The National - Boxer

01. Fake Empire
02. Mistaken For Strangers
03. Brainy
04. Squalor Victoria
05. Green Gloves
06. Slow Show
07. Apartment Story
08. Start A War
09. Guest Room
10. Racing Like A Pro
11. Ada
12. Gospel

Lollapalooza #3 - Chromeo

Chromeo - Fancy Footwork

I really, really hope these guys play a bar or club after they play their festival set. They deserve a latenight somewhere. This album is hilarious, cheesy, and AWESOME. 80's dance music/Electrofunkish. Will that do for a description? PS - Bonus points for a CD cover that awesome.

Lollapalooza #2 - MGMT

This dazzling electro-psych band is two arty Brooklyn dudes who derive keyboard lines from the jumpy gait of a praying mantis and dress up in matching capes. Their buzz single "Time to Pretend" — a booming, tongue-in-bong sendup of the rock biz — sounds like a Flaming Lips outtake, with good reason: Lips producer Dave Fridmann helmed MGMT's debut disc, fluffing their glitchy daydream rock into an intergalactic odyssey. There are hints of Joy Division and Sixties nostalgia both acid-tinged and bluesy, but Oracular Spectacular's playfulness and remarkable density are best displayed on "Electric Feel," a surprising bit of funk featuring the original come-on "Ooh, girl, shock me like an electric eel." - Caryn Ganz

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

1 Time to Pretend
2 Weekend Wars
3 The Youth
4 Electric Feel
5 Kids
6 4th Dimensional Transition
7 Pieces of What
8 Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
9 The Handshake
10 Future Reflections

Time to pretend is one of the catchiest songs I have ever heard. The album is worth the download for that song alone.

Frank Zappa - Hot Rats

Hot Rats is the second solo album by Frank Zappa. It was released in October 1969. The album consists of six songs, five of which are instrumental. It was Zappa's first recording project after the dissolution of the original Mothers of Invention. Because it focuses on long instrumental jazz-like compositions with extensive soloing, the music sounds very different than earlier Zappa albums which featured short songs with satirical vocal performances. It features none of the Mothers, save Ian Underwood, who was also the primary collaborator and sideman. In his original sleeve notes Zappa described the album as "a movie for your ears." This is one of my favorie Zappa albums that I own.

Frank Zappa - Hot Rats

1. Peaches En Regalia - 3:38
2. Willie the Pimp - 9:16
3. Son of Mr. Green Genes - 9:00
4. Little Umbrellas - 3:04
5. The Gumbo Variations - 16:56
6. It Must be a Camel - 5:15



My hero (literally).
This guy did so much for the recording industry (in terms of fighting censorship) on top of being a musical genius and way ahead of his time. Let's face it, the man is hilarious as well. He will be missed :(

This is awesome....

A live animation done with painting in Buenos Aires. AMAZING!


MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Cause I got a golden ticket(s)...

Lollapalooza pre-sale tickets showed up in the mail today. Now I just need to sit back and wait for the best weekend of the summer, as well as the hotel for vagrants that my house will become. List of Lolla artist music posts to follow...

Panda Bear - Person Pitch

Panda Bear is the solo project of Noah Lennox, who is one of the founding members of the experimental rock group Animal Collective. This album is chalked full of amazing melodies, psychadelic backdrops, and just some amazing overall production. You're not really going to want to throw this on when you're having a party, but instead when you're hanging out alone and want a deep and atmospheric listen. My favorite headphones album of 2007! Folk music on acid.

Panda Bear - Person Pitch

1. Comfy in Nautica

2. Take Pills

3. Bros

4. I'm Not

5. Good Girl_Carrots

6. Search for Delicious

7. Ponytail

Ratatat - DISCOGRAPHY

Ratatat is a New York City electronic music duo consisting of guitarist Mike Stroud and synthesizer driver and producer Evan Mast. The duo primarily focuses on hip hop/electronic beats with limited or no vocals. Both of their albums are catchy and great background music. I'm not huge into hip hop but I really do like both of their hip hop remix albums, as well. Everyone who hears these albums seems to like them, no matter what kind of music they like. They appeal to the masses.

Ratatat - Discography (Classics, Ratatat, Remixes Vol. 1, Remixes Vol 2, and 9 Beats)

Theolnious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane live at Carnegie Hall

Two of the most amazing jazz musicians of all time sharing the stage in New York. The recording was accidentally discovered in an unmarked box by a Library of Congress engineer early in 2005. If you like jazz, Thelonious Monk, or John Coltrane, this is a must have. If you don't know anything about jazz, get your feet wet peoples.

Thelonious Monk Quartet and John Coltrane - Carnegie Hall November, 29 1957

1. "Monk's Mood" – 7:52
2. "Evidence" – 4:41
3. "Crepuscule With Nellie" – 4:26
4. "Nutty" – 5:03
5. "Epistrophy" – 4:29
6. "Bye-Ya" – 6:31
7. "Sweet & Lovely" – 9:34
8. "Blue Monk" – 6:31
9. "Epistrophy" (incomplete) – 2:24

LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

LCD Soundsystem is the musical project of James Murphy, who is also co-founder of the DFA record label out of NYC (which happens to be one of the only US dance labels that gets some international respect). LCD blends a lot of sounds together including Dance Punk, electronic elements, disco, etc. This is the bands second release and it has recieved much critical acclaim. It was named best album of the Year by the Guardian UK and Time magazine named "All my Friends" one of the best songs of 2007. It was also nominated for a Grammy for best Electronic/Dance album (...not that that means anything because Britney Spears belching is probably nominated...but I digress). Uber-pretentious Pitchfork also named 2 songs of the album as 2 of the top 50 songs of 2007. Either way, the album has numerous memorable songs and is very listenable.

LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

1. Get Innocuous

2. Time to Get Away

3. North American Scum

4. Someone Great

5. All My Friends

6. Us v. Them

7. Watch the Tapes

8. Sound of Silver

9. New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down

Cut Copy...

Holy shit....

Go see these guys live. I went by myself due to all of my friends being lame and I had the best time. Such a fun concert. Here is the rest of their U.S. tour schedule.


May 8 2008
8:00P
MAGIC STICK w/ black kids
Detroit, Michigan
May 9 2008
8:00P
SOLDOUT ! ! ! THE PHOENIX w/ black kids
Toronto, Ontario
May 10 2008
8:00P
Cabaret Musee Juste Pour Rire
Montreal, Quebec
May 12 2008
8:00P
PARADISE w/ black kids
Boston, Massachusetts
May 13 2008
8:00P
STUDIO B - w/ black kids
Brooklyn, New York
May 14 2008
8:00P
SOLD OUT ! Bowery Ballroom w/ Mobius Band / T&T (Tim Goldsworthy & Tim Sweeney)
New York City, New York
May 15 2008
8:00P
BLACK CAT w/ black kids
Washington DC, Washington DC
May 16 2008
8:00P
PURE w/ black kids
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 17 2008
8:00P
SONAR - w/black kids
Baltimore, Maryland
May 19 2008
8:00P
SOLDOUT!!! ECHOPLEX
Los Angeles, California
Jun 5 2008
8:00P

Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Spoon is an indie rock band from Austin, TX. Never seen them live before but all of their albums have been really good. Here is their latest.

Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

1. Don’t Make Me A Target

2. The Ghost Of You Lingers

3. You Got Yr Cherry Bomb

4. Don’t You Evah

5. Rhthm And Soul

6. Eddie’s Ragga

7. The Underdog

8. My Little Japanese Cigarette Case

9. Finer Feelings

10. Black Like Me

Battles - Mirrored

Battles is an American math rock band. The group's line-up is composed of well-known musicians, including ex-Helmet drummer John Stanier, ex-Don Caballero guitarist Ian Williams, ex-Lynx guitarist Dave Konopka, and Tyondai Braxton (son of avant-garde jazz musician Anthony Braxton), who also plays guitar and keyboard and creates live voice samples. This is one of my favorite albums of 2007, although it did take awhile for it to grow on me. I got a chance to see them live when I was visiting San Francisco and got a better feel for what they were doing once I saw them perform (although I was somewhat distracted by 3 moron hipsters who were trying to start a mosh pit)....The band looked confused.

Battles - Mirrored
1. Race In
2. Atlas
3. Ddiamondd
4. Tonto
5. Leyendecker
6. Rainbow
7. Bad Trails
8. Prismism
9. Snare Hanger
10. TIJ
11. Race Out

The Cinematic Orchestra - Ma Fleur

Ma Fleur is another standout release from the Ninjatune label, which is consistently showcasing some of the best NuJazz bands around. This is the fourth release from the U.K. based band The Cinematic Orchestra and it strays somewhat from albums past. To a degree this album avoids most of the electronic aspects of NuJazz and takes somewhat of a more downtempo, soulful approach. Definitely worth a listen.

The Cinematic Orchestra - Ma Fleur

1. To Build A Home feat Patrick Watson

2. Familiar Ground feat Fontella Bass

3. Child Song

4. Music Box feat Patrick Watson/Lou Rhodes

5. Prelude

6. As The Stars Fall

7. Into You

8. Ma Fleur

9. Breathe feat Fontella Bass

10. That Home feat Patrick Watson

11. Time And Space feat Lou Rhodes

Cut Copy - So Cosmic Mix

More Cut Copy. This is a great mix.

Cut Copy - So Cosmic mix
1. Aphex twin - on
2. Cut copy - so haunted (knightlife end edit)
3. Panda bear - bros
4. Popolice - (edit)
5. Delia & gavin - rise
6. Elitechnique - fingerfood (major swellings mix)
7. Nu musik - warp
8. Panthers - goblin city (holy ghost! dub)
9. Alan braxe & fred falke - horizon
10. Bell x1 - flame (chicken lips dub)
11. Giorgio - knights in white saturn
12. Aeroplane - aeroplane
13. Fleetwood mac - never forget
15. Lifelike - so electric
16. Saturn 5 - oscillation
17. International music system - runaway (edit)
18. Cut copy - lights & music
19. Jean michel jarre - equinoxe (edit)
20. Harmonia - deluxe (drum edit)
21. The bells - target group (C90 mix)
22. Holy ghost - hold on
23. Bagraiders - nil by mouth
24. Space - save your love
25. Inflagranti - additional alpha blocker
26. Oran juice jones - the rain
27. Cut copy - hearts on fire (a cappella)
28. Cut copy - hearts on fire (joakim mix)

Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours

Hands down one of my favorite albums of this year so far. This Australian trio has a very defining electro-pop sound with an 80's feel to the band (think New Order/Joy Division/etc). It's nothing amazingly new or original, but it's a breath of fresh air in this sometimes stagnant genre. The disc plays like a dj set with one song providing a segue into the next, and it has a very smooth feel to it. Not surprisingly, these guys are solid on the decks as well. Their "So Cosmic" mixtape is also one of my favorites of the year. Hopefully the Craigslist gods will be kind to me and I will find a ticket to their sold out show this Wednesday at the Abbey Pub.

Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours

1. Feel The Love

2. Out There On The Ice

3. Lights And Music

4. We Fight For Diamonds

5. Unforgettable Season

6. Midnight Runner

7. So Haunted

8. Voices In Quartz

9. Hearts On Fire

10. Far Away

11. Silver Thoughts

12. Strangers In The Wind

13. Visions

14. Nobody Lost, Nobody Found

15. Eternity One Night Only