Instrumental Analysis

As the year comes to a close, it’s time for the year in review. I won’t bore you with a top ten list or any profound insights, just a very brief overview of what caught my ears and eyes during the past twelve months.

BEST ALBUMS (Regional and National)

Do You Like Rock Music? – British Sea Power

This album is exactly why I love Brit-Pop. Packed with stadium ready anthems (“Waving Flags”) as well as the down tempo shoegaze much like their genres predecessors (“No Need to Cry)”. Garnering rave reviews from just about everyone (Pitchfork and Pop Matters, are you actually listening to the same album?), it was also nominated for the coveted Mercury Music Award. Even for those unfamiliar with their previous work, this is a good introduction to the band.

mp3: Waving Flags

Rook – Shearwater

My love of Austin music is no secret. Couple that with my penchant for overly sad, almost mournful sounding songs, and Shearwater’s June release was bound to make my favorites. As usual, Jonathan Meiburg uses the natural world, particularly birds (guess that happens when you are an ornithologist), as recurring themes. The vocals are soulful, yet slightly emotionally pained, while the instrumentation blends beautifully underneath. Again, almost universally acclaimed by the critics (got it right this time Pitchfork and Pop Matters) and picked by many as a ‘must have’. I concur.

mp3: The Snow Leopard

We Belong to the Sea – Aderbat

Philly has been producing notable music since the ’50s soul scene. Now as the ’00s come to a close, the city is seeing a sort of revival. Not to say the music hasn’t always been here, but bands are breaking from the local scene and garnering national acclaim. For pure indie, I give the nod to Aderbat. I only recently became acquainted with their music midway through this year and within the last month received their latest release. I am completely enamored with them since. Not much on the typical rock & roll stylings and ego driven individual contributions, Aderbat fuses everything into a tight package of subtle musical wonder.

mp3: Make You Run

On The Ground – Peasant

The Philly folk scene has always been a mainstay, with the annual folk festival camp out every summer, just outside the city limits. One man band Peasant (Damien DeRose) is the brightest light out of the many beacons the city claims. Well crafted lyrics sung with timid, muted vocals over simple yet complimentary instrumentation, this is the album to spend a rainy day with or as a cool down from a frantic week. The album is going through another release, this time with wider distribution, just after the new year.

mp3: We’re Good

LIVE SHOWS

I got to see quite a few shows this year. Some I have seen before, others I caught for the first time. Most were locals, with some big names sprinkled in. Of course, the biggest show for me was seeing Robert Smith do his thing. But that’s the obvious choice. I’m here to give love to the locals that deserve it.

Papertrigger is the must-see band in Philadelphia. I said it last year, and this year I double my emphasis. SEE THIS BAND! Whether it is the belled ankle coverings that are constantly jingling from the stomping feet of their owners, the upright bass getting bowed and rocked back and forth, or the stand alone bass drum with “Papertrigger” in electrical tape stuck to it being pounded, something will catch your attention and make you listen. It is an experience that must be had. With a new album coming out next year, this band is only going to get bigger. Now is the time to jump aboard.

mp3: Fox Hunting

And speaking of experiences, this time of the almost religious, you will be screaming ‘Hallelujah’ after seeing the gospel/folk/bluegrass blend of Hoots & Hellmouth. After seeing both of these bands within a week of each other, it was so hard to chose my favorite, so I suggest you take my word for it and see them both.

mp3: Want On Nothing

And I wouldn’t be an IA writer if I didn’t give a shout to These United States. Their two shows at IOTA for our anniversary were absolutely stellar. Never one to mail it in, they gave it their all both nights and we thank them whole-heartedly. A repeat showing next year? God, I hope so.

mp3: If You Gotta Go, Go Now (live)

Now I am sure my co-writers will have different opinions (if they put something together), but that’s why we have so many. If you just listened to me, you would only be getting part of the picture. I hope that you enjoy what we bring to you here at IA. Let 2009 be just as musically relevant as this year was. Happy New Year!

Don’t settle for some champagne toast at some dress-up ball or some crappy cover band at your local dive bar. Bring in 2009 at a show this year. Quite a few good one’s to choose from.

Two shows are in Philly this year, both a little quirky and a bit geeky, but worth seeing. The Grand Poobahs of geek rock are coming to the TLA. John and John of They Might Be Giants will be performing all of your old favorites and some new songs from their latest in two different shows. Of course, the late show (11:00) is the place to be for the celebration, but those not able to stay out past midnight or just have stuffy parents can catch the early show (7:30). Opening the first show is .357 Lover. Basically take late show opener Corn Mo and put a band around him. Ben Folds and Andrew W.K. have good words for them and you will to.

Up in Fishtown at Johnny Brenda’s is local band made good, Pattern Is Movement. Opening is The Mural and The Mint. While celebrating the new year, take time to bid farewell to Philly Weekly writer Doug Wallen, as he moves on to Australia. Here’s a snippet of his writing about Pattern Is Movement.

The combination of Thiboldeaux’s swooning, near-operatic singing style and Ward’s fierce yet deconstructive drumming, surrounded by flurries of shimmering keys and sometimes strings, makes Pattern Is Movement more unusual than ever.

And TM&TM

The single ‘Builders’ is precisely that—a breezy standout that brings us into the album while making the most of Jones’ backing vocals. Like the rest of Private Pockets, it twinkles gently but burns with sincerity, romantic and critical at once.

mp3: Pattern Is Movement – Bird
mp3: The Mural & The Mint – Private Pockets (entire album for free on website)

For the big night in the District, Rock & Roll Hotel is also getting in the party mood with local favorites. Catch US Royalty along with Pash, Lode Runner and a ton of DJs for a festive night.

mp3: US Royalty – Every Summer
mp3: Pash – Four Straight Days
mp3: Lode Runner – Dirigibles

The big ticket in Baltimore is Wu-Tang at Sonar. This place is going to be a mad house. After a night like that, you want more Wu? 9:30 Club is hosting a New Year’s Day show.

Slim pickins for lifting those post-holiday blues. Friday is almost a complete wash and Philly is completely barren the entire weekend. At least DC is giving us something to look forward to.

Local acts are coming out to play Saturday night and a belated gift is the CD release party for New Rock Church of Fire’s latest effort Of The Wild at the 9:30 Club. Throw in favorites The Dance Party and you got yourself one hell of a show. Think of it like a post Xmas gift and an early NYE party rolled into one. I highly recommend being there.

Olivia Mancini is making an appearance with the Terrible Two (according to the show poster) at Black Cat. Along for the ride is another District band Revival and Fredericksburg’s popsters Tereu Tereu.

New York’s The Spring Standards are making a couple of local stops. Roots rock with a a large splash of country. The three part harmonies put them in the league of CSN. Catch them in Arden, Delaware (just north of Wilmington) at the Arden Club Friday, then down at DC9 Saturday with Brooklynites Elizabeth & The Catapult.

And of course, making a stop in Lancaster at the Chameleon Club, Wu-Tang Clan livens up central Pennsylvania.

Only one show to mention for Sunday. From the tiny confines of Rhode Island, Makeupbrakeup is finishing off the year with a mini-tour that brings them through the area. The Velvet Lounge has the pleasure of hosting. Philly, check out Bar Noir Monday night for the show.

mp3: The Dance Party – Lipstick
mp3: New Rock Church of Fire – Europa
mp3: Olivia Mancini – My Old Ways (stream)
mp3: Tereu Tereu – Dont Be Sore Farmer John
mp3: Revival – Fog Rolling In
mp3: The Spring Standards – Your Lie
mp3: Makeupbreakup – Jungle City

The final segment in our week long look at regional holiday offerings features our old friends from DC, Vandaveer. Unlike the other artists in our series, they choose to go the traditional cover route and they even want as far as to offer a 3 track EP. If you’ve ever seen them live, you’ll instantly recognize the heartbreakingly beautiful harmonizing between Mark and Rose. If you haven’t, this is a great introduction. Have a wonderful holiday.

mp3: The Little Drummer Boy
mp3: Silent Night
mp3: Auld Lang Syne

I keep reading from a lot of bloggers about this new Auto Tune vocal effect phenomena. First off, I would like to point out that vocal effects are nothing new. If you don’t know Newcleus’ “Jam On It,” well, you don’t know what hip hop is all about, my friend. Further, Prince and Ween have damn near made side careers out of utilizing the vox technology of the day. Most recently, it’s been Kayne’s bag, but now everybody’s favorite half pint rapper, Lady Sovereign, has dipped her toe into the stream, too.

Now, I was fairly impressed with her debut album, but I’ll be honest, most of that CD already has been wiped from ye olde iPod. Her new track, “I Got You Dancing,” however, has me addicted. I’m not sure what it is, exactly, but that vocal chicanery just does something for me. She has offered the track from her upcoming Jigsaw, as a free download on her website and MySpace.

The last time Lady Sov hit the 9:30 Club, I understand that much expectoration and rudeness ensued. Sadly, I was not there in person for that one, but if the rest of the album sounds as good as this, I believe that I will catch round 2 in person.

mp3: I Got You Dancing

Photo By Lisa Schaffer
Next up in our Holiday series is Philadelphia’s The Swimmers. Their track, “The Christmas Sound,” was recorded in 2007. Much like We Were Pirates and Middle Distance Runner before them, their offering is an indie pop original.

mp3: The Christmas Sound

While listening to Dance of the Crazy Man, by Los Angeles brother duo Chapman & Brocker, I felt as if a melancholy movie was unveiling itself to me. The album literally plays like a soundtrack to an obscure indie flick that is taking place in your mind. I guess that makes sense, coming from a duo that got their start by scoring a documentary.

What is surprising, is how they were able to take their background and make the concept work within the confines of a basic song structure, while adding intelligent and compelling lyrics to the proceedings. This is definitely one of the most intriguing listens of the year and it will be interesting to see what they do for the sequel.

mp3: Chimes

San Francisco’s Or, The Whale are gearing up for a wide release of their debut album via Seany Records in January 2009. The DIYers deliver a sincere alt-country presentation mixing in a little indie rock with a mess of resolute back porch blues. Much like the similarly named Noah and the Whale, this group is quickly and impressively making their way to the very top of my list. Their debut album, Light Poles and Pines, combines croaky lead vocals and a whining pedal steel pulled together by stirring harmonies. The west-coasters are staying to their own side of the map for now, but a new album will hopefully change that.

mp3: Call And Response

Photo By Hatnim Lee
DC/Baltimore band Le Loup provide the next selection for our spotlight on regional holiday music, “Shenandoah.” This track was their offering to the recently released compilation I’ll Stay ‘Til After Christmas.

mp3: Shenandoah

Are you into that whole James Bond theme song sound? You know, big and bombastic, typically full of sweeping strings, power chords and blaring horns, that kind of thing.

Anjulie’s new track, “Boom,” isn’t quite like that, yet there’s something about it that definitely falls into that genre for me. Maybe this isn’t quite appropriate for the opening theme credits, but it would do damn fine in that scene where Bond is chasing a villainous female wearing an eye-patch through a crowded Euro bar. Maybe it’s the heavily reverbed guitar licks or the stuttering horns here. Perhaps Anjulie’s vocals just sound like they belong in that kind of scene. Or maybe I just can’t get over the fact that Quantum of Solace wasn’t better than it was. Fortunately, this song goes a long way towards healing that hurt for me.

So far, Ms. Anjulie has only released a three-song EP, but her debut LP is expected to drop in Spring ‘09.

mp3: Boom