no danger

There was a really great bill at the mercury lounge on tuesday night. I walked in from the pouring rain and heard the end of Shy Child's set from afar. I was so soaked that i didn't even dare going inside the venue. But what i heard of Shy Child sounded like something i would be into. I'll have to catch them again. I also stayed for a few songs of The Double, who i would classify as experimental pop-rock and who left me wanting to hear new material as to get the full effect of their very interesting sound.

The band i was really there to see was Inouk. Why? Because their upcoming album No Danger (out on august 24th) has been on heavy rotation, and will most likely end up as one of my favorite records of the year. It is a great piece of work. The kind of album so full of gems, that every day you find yourself with a new favorite song. Every day you hear something different, a nuance, a detail you didn't catch on the previous 28 listens. Each song flows from one to the next almost seamlessly, and they each take unexpected twists and turns that never cease to intrigue the ear. The title track has been my favorite, but songs like Father’s House and With the birds are also stand out tracks. In fact, every track stands out. Something few albums seem to achieve these days.
As strange and cheesy as this may sound, when i listen to this record, i hear the ocean. I hear waves and wind. I see people running by the sea. Sure, these images spring in part from the lyrical themes, but also from the sliding guitars, the rhythm of the songs, and the two-parts harmonies and perfect union of the McMahon brothers' distinctive vocals. Funny thing is, it’s only later that i realized that both their EP and album covers have photos of the sea on it. Coincidence? Maybe not. The brilliance of No Danger also relies on the tiny details peppered across the album, for instance, the back-up vocals on the title song No Danger, the laughs on Island and the whistles on Father's House are all little things that add so much character to the music. If you’ve heard their EP Search for the bees, you’ll recognize a few tracks from it on No Danger, but don’t ask me why Sailor Song was renamed Victory because, well, i have no idea... although, i’d have to say, Victory seems like a pretty accurate song title to close this outstanding debut album.

Listen to songs off No Danger here:
No Danger
Elected

Inouk play the mercury lounge to a packed house.

michelle

Let's start with this... i haven't heard the new Sahara Hotnights album yet but this mp3 makes me think it's a lot more pop than their previous stuff.
Sahara Hotnights - Hot crash night

The Sons of Sound have a great looking new (and almost complete) web site.

New Libertines video for their song Cant Stand me Now:
WMP Low || WMP High || RP Low || RP High

I was at one of the Elefant shows last week and was so pleasantly surprised by the new songs. One of which (don't know the title) was an instant winner to my ears. The song was a little less dancy, a little more rock, still had lots of attitude. Diego was very grateful and happy to be there, he was also a bit less dramatic on stage, and that gave me chance to really focus on the rest of the band. Yes, did you know there are other members in Elefant? And not only that, but they are all excellent musicians who add something really important and great to the mix. A while ago, i read an article in which Diego claimed that he went out and found the best musicians to play with him, and seriously, he wasn't joking! From Kevin's precise drumming, to Jeff's driving bass to Mod's subtle and essential riffs, i watched and enjoyed all the band has to offer. While Diego is undeniably one of the most unique and entertaining frontmen to come around, Elefant wouldn't be the same without the other three lads. With that said and based on what i heard live last week, i think the next album will be glorious.

Other weekend happenings included a rainy but great DJ gig at Rothko on friday night where i played a mix of new, old and surprises. I'll wait until my appearance at MisShapes next week to post the set list. Speaking of MisShapes, Dennis, Brian and Greg K. set the dancefloor on fire this past weekend, literally! Ok not really, but each of them played one of these songs: A Tribe Called Quest's Scenario, Laura Branigan's Gloria and The Hives' Hate to say I told you so, and everyone loved it!

Finally, happy belated birthday to Loveleigh!

siren 2004

A look back at this year's Siren Festival...

The Ponys opened the show and gave me the rocking wake up i needed...

Then came The Fiery Furnaces who absolutely stunned me with their performance...

I then went to the other stage and was greeted by the Constantines!

Back on the main stage, TV on The Radio played a great show, i had a hard time leaving half way through their set...

But once i got to the other stage, The Fever had everyone moving and shaking, and i joined right in...

I finally ended the day with the aural and visual beauty that is Blonde Redhead...