Around 5 years ago, fresh off the release of "You Are the Quarry", his amazing record that brought his name back to prominence, Morrissey played The Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA and I didn't go. It was expensive, it was a sunday night and I didn't think it was a necessity that I was in attendance... and I regretted it for the next 5 years. That was of course until I finally got the opportunity to see the man in action, returning to the Pacific Northwest for the first time since then promoting not only his stellar "Years of Refusal" record from earlier this year but his new compilation of B-Sides, entitled "Swords" and I have to say, the show was well worth the wait. Not only did he play some of my favourite songs off of his last few records but about 1/4 of his set consisted of classic songs from The Smiths' catalogue, most notably the opener "This Charming Man" which I didn't even recognize until his vocals kicked in as it had been given a bit of a 'rock' overhaul. Although he kept the banter to a limited amount, the man famous for declaring meat to be murder did manage to sneak in a shot at Thanksgiving which stood out as one of the few comments he made over the course of the evening other than the odd 'thankyou.' The other thing I noticed which shouldn't have been all that much of a surprise to me was how beloved Morrissey really is as the set concluded with numerous counts of people rushing the stage in hopes of embracing him and even on a few occasions, sneaking a kiss on the cheek before they would be escorted off stage by security who by the end of the set had their work cut out for them. A great, energetic set that honestly was too short, maybe 70 minutes and boy did those 70 minutes fly by as he played great song after great song finally concluding with the standout opener off of his latest full length, "Something Is Squeezing My Skull" which he capped off by removing his shirt and throwing it out to some lucky fan. Whether it's his live show or his physical fitness/appearance, one thing that's for sure is that The Mozzer still has 'it.'
Setlist:
1) This Charming Man
2) Black Cloud
3) When Last I Spoke to Carol
4) Is It Really So Strange?
5) Ganglord
6) I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
7) Ask
8) Irish Blood, English Heart
9) One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
10) Death At One's Elbow
11) Because Of My Poor Education
12) Cemetary Gates
13) The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
14) Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself
15) Teenage Dad On His Estate
16) How Soon Is Now?
17) The Loop
18) Don't Make Fun Of Daddy's Voice
19) I'm OK By Myself
Encore:
20) Something Is Squeezing My Skull
2) Black Cloud
3) When Last I Spoke to Carol
4) Is It Really So Strange?
5) Ganglord
6) I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
7) Ask
8) Irish Blood, English Heart
9) One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
10) Death At One's Elbow
11) Because Of My Poor Education
12) Cemetary Gates
13) The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
14) Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself
15) Teenage Dad On His Estate
16) How Soon Is Now?
17) The Loop
18) Don't Make Fun Of Daddy's Voice
19) I'm OK By Myself
Encore:
20) Something Is Squeezing My Skull
Records I Bought This Week:
The above headline should actually read "Records I Bought This Month" but oh well. A wide variety of points of purchase this time around including ebay, Deathwish Inc, Scratch Records, Easy Street Records, HMV and RevHQ.
The above headline should actually read "Records I Bought This Month" but oh well. A wide variety of points of purchase this time around including ebay, Deathwish Inc, Scratch Records, Easy Street Records, HMV and RevHQ.
Botch - "American Nervoso" LP (Hydrahead - 1998)
I don't remember the last time I bought a record off of ebay, but odds are that it was probably some long out of print Botch 7" colour variant that I was seeking to help fill in my collection. Botch were an amazing metalcore band originally from Tacoma, WA who have inspired me in so many ways be it collecting their vinyl which led to my full on LP obsession to guitarist Dave Knudson's unique style inspiring me to do bigger and better things with a guitar to their amazing recorded output leading me to discovering a lot of great, like-minded artists just to name a few. I picked this up because it was going for fairly cheap on ebay, that is of course cheap as far as Botch LPs go (certain pressings of their critically acclaimed album "We Are the Romans" can fetch as much as $300) and this bad boy is on white vinyl with a pressing run of only 101 copies which makes it now the most limited record that I own. All the collecting and inspiration bs aside, this is one kickass album right from the start with dare I say one of the greatest heavy songs ever written "Hutton's Great Heat Engine" continuing one with Botch classic after Botch classic. This band is probably the reason that I want to play heavy music more than anything else and if my output could ever match 10% of what these guys' accomplished, I would be very satisfied.
Click Here to Download Botch's "American Nervoso"
I don't remember the last time I bought a record off of ebay, but odds are that it was probably some long out of print Botch 7" colour variant that I was seeking to help fill in my collection. Botch were an amazing metalcore band originally from Tacoma, WA who have inspired me in so many ways be it collecting their vinyl which led to my full on LP obsession to guitarist Dave Knudson's unique style inspiring me to do bigger and better things with a guitar to their amazing recorded output leading me to discovering a lot of great, like-minded artists just to name a few. I picked this up because it was going for fairly cheap on ebay, that is of course cheap as far as Botch LPs go (certain pressings of their critically acclaimed album "We Are the Romans" can fetch as much as $300) and this bad boy is on white vinyl with a pressing run of only 101 copies which makes it now the most limited record that I own. All the collecting and inspiration bs aside, this is one kickass album right from the start with dare I say one of the greatest heavy songs ever written "Hutton's Great Heat Engine" continuing one with Botch classic after Botch classic. This band is probably the reason that I want to play heavy music more than anything else and if my output could ever match 10% of what these guys' accomplished, I would be very satisfied.
Click Here to Download Botch's "American Nervoso"
Converge - "Axe To Fall" LP (Deathwish Inc - 2009)
I don't know how these guys continue to put out such amazing records that really don't differ all that much from their past work but still sound incredibly fresh. That's not really a fair comment considering this record does explore some new ground (especially on the last two songs) as well as adding a whole cast of characters to the fray. Every single review of this record that I've read focusses on the first four songs which slay in a very Converge-esque manner, rumbling along at a thunderous pace, turning on a dime and generally sounding like the end of the world. The other part of the record that's been getting a good amount of attention paid to it is the last two songs, "Cruel Bloom" which features the grizzled, amazingly powerful vocals of Neurosis' Steve Von Til and "Wretched World" where Jacob Bannon once again steps aside leaving the vocal duties in the hands of Genghis Tron's Mookie Singerman. Both songs sound like nothing else in Converge's extensive body of work but manage to find their own feet to stand on and really shine, especially "Cruel Bloom" which has this old dark country feel to it thanks in part to the Tom Waits' esque vocals, that is of course until the whole thing gets turned on its head and ripped to shreds. Not only does the music contained within absolutely kick ass, but the packaging is as amazing as one can come to expect from something with Converge's fingerprints on it. I have to say that Deathwish Inc did a fucking AMAZING job on the various vinyl pressings, most of which are a variations on the colours used in the album artwork. This is probably the best metal/hardcore releases of '09 and it's getting a lot of similar praise from a lot of places.
I don't know how these guys continue to put out such amazing records that really don't differ all that much from their past work but still sound incredibly fresh. That's not really a fair comment considering this record does explore some new ground (especially on the last two songs) as well as adding a whole cast of characters to the fray. Every single review of this record that I've read focusses on the first four songs which slay in a very Converge-esque manner, rumbling along at a thunderous pace, turning on a dime and generally sounding like the end of the world. The other part of the record that's been getting a good amount of attention paid to it is the last two songs, "Cruel Bloom" which features the grizzled, amazingly powerful vocals of Neurosis' Steve Von Til and "Wretched World" where Jacob Bannon once again steps aside leaving the vocal duties in the hands of Genghis Tron's Mookie Singerman. Both songs sound like nothing else in Converge's extensive body of work but manage to find their own feet to stand on and really shine, especially "Cruel Bloom" which has this old dark country feel to it thanks in part to the Tom Waits' esque vocals, that is of course until the whole thing gets turned on its head and ripped to shreds. Not only does the music contained within absolutely kick ass, but the packaging is as amazing as one can come to expect from something with Converge's fingerprints on it. I have to say that Deathwish Inc did a fucking AMAZING job on the various vinyl pressings, most of which are a variations on the colours used in the album artwork. This is probably the best metal/hardcore releases of '09 and it's getting a lot of similar praise from a lot of places.
The Antlers - "Hospice" LP (Frenchkiss - 2009)
Really what's left for me to say about this record that I haven't mentioned the two other times its been mentioned in this blog, both as a part of my 2009 mixtape as well as a few Danielages back where I spoke of its greatness and even offered a free download of the whole thing for those looking to have their minds blown. Run-on sentences aside, this is still probably my favourite record of the year and it's still simultaneously one of the most beautiful and most heartbreaking record I've ever heard. Even when the tone of songs seem a tad more upbeat such as on "Bear", the lyrics and underlying theme of the record still manage to tie everything together and practically break my heart. This is music as art and as inspired as I am by heavier music (as I mentioned above), this kind of record inspires me just as much.
Really what's left for me to say about this record that I haven't mentioned the two other times its been mentioned in this blog, both as a part of my 2009 mixtape as well as a few Danielages back where I spoke of its greatness and even offered a free download of the whole thing for those looking to have their minds blown. Run-on sentences aside, this is still probably my favourite record of the year and it's still simultaneously one of the most beautiful and most heartbreaking record I've ever heard. Even when the tone of songs seem a tad more upbeat such as on "Bear", the lyrics and underlying theme of the record still manage to tie everything together and practically break my heart. This is music as art and as inspired as I am by heavier music (as I mentioned above), this kind of record inspires me just as much.
Blacklisted - "No One Deserves To Be Here More Than Me" LP (Deathwish Inc - 2009)
I love when records get sprung on the public, something that's so much more possible in the internet age that we live in where you don't need months of advertising or hype to sell a record. That's exactly what Philadelphia's Blacklisted did with their latest full length, not offering a solid release date or even the option to pre-order their latest, which on top of that was only available on vinyl. I was lucky enough to pick it up on the day it went on sale and shortly after found it in my mailbox and found a bit of a change of pace for one of the most heralded hardcore bands of the last decade. The transition to a more late 80s/early 90s dare I say 'grunge' vibe was apparent on their last record, 2008's "Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God" but it's been fully realized on this record. Part of this includes some interesting use of instrumentation, namely the addition of strings and horns on a few songs as well as lead singer George almost completely doing away with anything resembling a more traditional hardcore yell/bark. Had this come out earlier in the year and I had more time for it to digest, this easily could've been one of my favourite records of 2009 and something off of it probably would've ended up on my 2009 mixtape.
I love when records get sprung on the public, something that's so much more possible in the internet age that we live in where you don't need months of advertising or hype to sell a record. That's exactly what Philadelphia's Blacklisted did with their latest full length, not offering a solid release date or even the option to pre-order their latest, which on top of that was only available on vinyl. I was lucky enough to pick it up on the day it went on sale and shortly after found it in my mailbox and found a bit of a change of pace for one of the most heralded hardcore bands of the last decade. The transition to a more late 80s/early 90s dare I say 'grunge' vibe was apparent on their last record, 2008's "Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God" but it's been fully realized on this record. Part of this includes some interesting use of instrumentation, namely the addition of strings and horns on a few songs as well as lead singer George almost completely doing away with anything resembling a more traditional hardcore yell/bark. Had this come out earlier in the year and I had more time for it to digest, this easily could've been one of my favourite records of 2009 and something off of it probably would've ended up on my 2009 mixtape.
Descendents - "All" LP (SST - 1987)
This was a boxing day pick up that I grabbed because of it's sweet price as well as what's become a tradition for me of buying old Descendents records on boxing day. This was around the time that the Descendents got weirder, and by that I of course mean weirder than they already were because lord knows they're an odd bunch. Not just content to continue to write 90 second bursts of pop-tinged hardcore punk goodness, this was the record where they started using weird, slowed down time signatures matched with really dissonant and jarring gutiar lines on songs such as "All-O-Gistics" and "The Iceman Cometh." There are still some great sing-a-long pop gems such as "Coolidge" and "Clean Sheets" that are reminiscent of their earlier work but they're definitely not the focal point of this much overlooked punk classic.
This was a boxing day pick up that I grabbed because of it's sweet price as well as what's become a tradition for me of buying old Descendents records on boxing day. This was around the time that the Descendents got weirder, and by that I of course mean weirder than they already were because lord knows they're an odd bunch. Not just content to continue to write 90 second bursts of pop-tinged hardcore punk goodness, this was the record where they started using weird, slowed down time signatures matched with really dissonant and jarring gutiar lines on songs such as "All-O-Gistics" and "The Iceman Cometh." There are still some great sing-a-long pop gems such as "Coolidge" and "Clean Sheets" that are reminiscent of their earlier work but they're definitely not the focal point of this much overlooked punk classic.
Cloak/Dagger are a really excellent punk four piece from Virginia who always seem to draw a lot of comparisons to Black Flag whenever I read reviews of them in more mainstream publications. I will admit they do have an early Black Flag (pre-Henry and Ginn losing his mind) appeal to them but they sort of run the gauntlet of low-key punk rock stylings, there's even a song that has almost a psychobilly feel to it and vocals kinda remind me of this super underrated band Bear Vs. Shark who broke up a few years back. This is the follow up to their really stellar "We Are" LP from a few years back which I picked that one up in this amazing punk record store in Portland called Green Noise. This is their debut on Jade Tree, a fairly big indie label and I have to say this record finds itself in fairly good company amongst the past output of that label which includes such stellar bands as Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, Jets To Brazil and about a million others. I think this flew under the radar of a lot of people because it was released so late in the year but it's definitely worth a pick up.
9dw/Boris - "Golden Dance Classics" Split 12" EP (Catune - 2009)
This is the definition of an impulse buy as I was chatting with my friend Shaun at Scratch records on boxing day and he brought up the fact that they had a new Boris single in the back, fully aware that I'm a huge fan of the trio from Japan. Having not even heard of its existence or knowing anything about the band with whom the collaboration is with, 9dw, I bought it on a whim. I guess I should never be surprised by anything put out by Boris but this honestly surprised me as both sides of this 12" EP consist of nothing but predominently instrumental electronic based dance music. I shouldn't be so negative as the songs are fine but really not my scene although I will say that the artwork is very cool and perhaps I should've figured out the vibe of the release by looking at the title of the EP but alas I did not. Pretty limited release, only 500 pressed although the vinyl's nohing special to write home about.
This is the definition of an impulse buy as I was chatting with my friend Shaun at Scratch records on boxing day and he brought up the fact that they had a new Boris single in the back, fully aware that I'm a huge fan of the trio from Japan. Having not even heard of its existence or knowing anything about the band with whom the collaboration is with, 9dw, I bought it on a whim. I guess I should never be surprised by anything put out by Boris but this honestly surprised me as both sides of this 12" EP consist of nothing but predominently instrumental electronic based dance music. I shouldn't be so negative as the songs are fine but really not my scene although I will say that the artwork is very cool and perhaps I should've figured out the vibe of the release by looking at the title of the EP but alas I did not. Pretty limited release, only 500 pressed although the vinyl's nohing special to write home about.
Vampire Weekend - "Cousins" 7" EP (XL - 2009)
This 7" features the first single from the new Vampire Weekend record which by the time you read this will be out and available. It starts with this really frantic guitar line that leads to an equally hyper drum beat. A mish-mash of sounds that can best be described as the sound of "tinkering" further adds to the vibe as well as the surf-esque tremolo guitar line that's become commonplace in this NYC based quartet's music. It's more of the usual greatness I've come to expect from these guys ever since their debut record came out nearly 2 years ago (hard to believe it was so long ago). The B-side is another cut off the new album "Contra", titled "California English" which isn't as stong of a title but still a fun listen. I haven't given the entire record that many listens (only one through so far) and thus far it hasn't grabbed me as much as the self-titled debut did, but I'm sure in due-time it probably will... still need to see these guys live.
This 7" features the first single from the new Vampire Weekend record which by the time you read this will be out and available. It starts with this really frantic guitar line that leads to an equally hyper drum beat. A mish-mash of sounds that can best be described as the sound of "tinkering" further adds to the vibe as well as the surf-esque tremolo guitar line that's become commonplace in this NYC based quartet's music. It's more of the usual greatness I've come to expect from these guys ever since their debut record came out nearly 2 years ago (hard to believe it was so long ago). The B-side is another cut off the new album "Contra", titled "California English" which isn't as stong of a title but still a fun listen. I haven't given the entire record that many listens (only one through so far) and thus far it hasn't grabbed me as much as the self-titled debut did, but I'm sure in due-time it probably will... still need to see these guys live.
Baroness - "Blue Record" 2xLP (Relapse - 2009)
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it ended up as one of my favourites (which you probably could tell from its inclusion on my best of '09 mixtape). Just as epic as its predecessor, 2007's "Red Album", this Georgia based quartet seem to have just the right mix of sludge, prog, and blues based metal. Their songs are long and take their time building up but they never feel excessive or like they meander. The vocals are harsh but not totally abrasive and have a really appealing quality to them, even for someone who doesn't appreciate harsh vocals. The artwork again is provided courtesy of guitar player/vocalist John Baizley and it really completes the package as Relapse did an amazing job on this double gatefold LP complete with beautiful opaque teal vinyl. It's seriously only a matter of time before the rest of the world figures out what they're missing with these guys and they're playing large clubs and small theatres a la their former labelmates and fellow Georgians, Mastodon.
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it ended up as one of my favourites (which you probably could tell from its inclusion on my best of '09 mixtape). Just as epic as its predecessor, 2007's "Red Album", this Georgia based quartet seem to have just the right mix of sludge, prog, and blues based metal. Their songs are long and take their time building up but they never feel excessive or like they meander. The vocals are harsh but not totally abrasive and have a really appealing quality to them, even for someone who doesn't appreciate harsh vocals. The artwork again is provided courtesy of guitar player/vocalist John Baizley and it really completes the package as Relapse did an amazing job on this double gatefold LP complete with beautiful opaque teal vinyl. It's seriously only a matter of time before the rest of the world figures out what they're missing with these guys and they're playing large clubs and small theatres a la their former labelmates and fellow Georgians, Mastodon.
Arcade Fire - "Funeral" LP (Merge - 2004)
My girlfriend attempted to buy this for me for this past xmas as it's a record and band that is beloved to her and one that has been growing on me as of late which probably had something to do with seeing that commercial for "Where the Wild Things Are" a few thousand times. With her unable to find it, I picked it up a few days later in Seattle with some xmas money and although it wasn't completely foreign territory to me as many of these songs were released as singles when the record first came, it was like discovering something brand new and was really refreshing to listen to such a great record even if I am totally late to the party and everyone had already declared it one of the best records of the decade, 5+ years ago. I'm just thankful that I arrived to the party at all, thank you my dearest.
The Flaming Lips - "Embryonic" 2xLP (Warner Bros - 2009)
It wasn't enough that I had to love the Flaming Lips for their live shows, seemingly endless string of catchy singles and total DIY ethic, I've now found another reason to love one of my favourite bands around. After releasing a string of albums that although had their weird moments to them were centered around amazing freaky pop songs that captured the imaginations of wider and wider audiences, Oklahoma City's favourite black sheep returned with a double record that returns to their routes of freaked out, fuzzed out indie rock that really struggles to find any kind of 'hook', but doesn't suffer for it one bit. Like most Flips releases it has an overlying theme of birth and renewal right down to the album artwork as well as the slightly less than 'safe for work' music video for one of the more accessible 'pop' songs (and even that's a stretch) from the record, the excellent closing number "Watching the Planets." After their 2006 release "At War With the Mystics" didn't really connect with me as an overall album (although it managed to garner them a wider audience through some, let's call them "interesting" mediums), I'm glad to see these guys putting out a more cohesive "album" that is fresh and unique and one hand very risky as it's quite the departure from their past few records but any real 'fan' (and they have a few) of these guys shouldn't be surprised that they had it in them. Oh and any real 'fan' should love this as much as I do.
It wasn't enough that I had to love the Flaming Lips for their live shows, seemingly endless string of catchy singles and total DIY ethic, I've now found another reason to love one of my favourite bands around. After releasing a string of albums that although had their weird moments to them were centered around amazing freaky pop songs that captured the imaginations of wider and wider audiences, Oklahoma City's favourite black sheep returned with a double record that returns to their routes of freaked out, fuzzed out indie rock that really struggles to find any kind of 'hook', but doesn't suffer for it one bit. Like most Flips releases it has an overlying theme of birth and renewal right down to the album artwork as well as the slightly less than 'safe for work' music video for one of the more accessible 'pop' songs (and even that's a stretch) from the record, the excellent closing number "Watching the Planets." After their 2006 release "At War With the Mystics" didn't really connect with me as an overall album (although it managed to garner them a wider audience through some, let's call them "interesting" mediums), I'm glad to see these guys putting out a more cohesive "album" that is fresh and unique and one hand very risky as it's quite the departure from their past few records but any real 'fan' (and they have a few) of these guys shouldn't be surprised that they had it in them. Oh and any real 'fan' should love this as much as I do.
Well that's all for 2009, I hope you continue to write and you continue to read in 2010. First up next year will be a rundown of some of my favourite concerts from 2009 and whatever else happens between now and then. Happy New Years!
-Daniel
Totally hyped me up for Baroness on Wednesday night. Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou're so very welcome...for finally being convinced of buying The Funeral, by me.
ReplyDelete