So this year’s Twilight Concert Series is shaping up to be absolutely buck wild.  The Knux and the Roots played tonight, and all I have to say is that you need to see the Roots now.  Like, right now. Check out this picture on the right.  See that sousaphone?  That’s not a gimmick.  That’s genuine low end.  The show was incredibly entertaining, mad mic skills, a classic hip hop medley (featuring “Just a Friend”, “Nothin’ But a ‘G’ Thang”, “This is Why I’m Hot,” and a lot more), and an incredible jam on Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War” that flowed into Hendrix’s “Machine Gun” into a roaring drum solo by ?uestlove, after which everybody left the stage, then came back for another verse of “Masters.”  The encore jam was likewise amazing, Captain Kirk Douglas laying down some vicious guitar, Owen Biddle putting down some rumbling bass, Black Thought spouting at the speed of sound.  Incredible.  I had to write this while I’m still riding it.  Seriously people.

p.s. New Orleans rappers The Knux were good, too.  But The Roots blew me away.

So, I got my car registered yesterday, and in honour of that, I present to you “DMV” by Primus. I’m actually surprised I didn’t do it when I got my driver’s license because I sure played it on the Exposure Box. It really wasn’t a bad experience; it took forever but I went to Subway for a $5 footlong instead of sitting around with the dregs of society that always seem to be at the DMV on their lunchbreak. It’s the oddest thing. Anyhow, this song is pretty kickin’, from the start and spacious Pork Soda album. Rock it, okay?

 Primus - DMV [4:58m]: Play in Popup | Download

Hot on the heels of Jen’s glowing review of 311’s set and Lango, it’s 3-11 Day!! This year marks the return of the celebratory bi-annual marathon concert to New Orleans (it was held in Memphis in 2006). So, to celebrate, I’m offering you some of my favourite 311 tracks for your auditory enjoyment.

First off, “Life’s Not a Race” from 1999’s SoundSystem. Jen’s got a crush on P-Nut, this song makes me fall in love with guitarist Tim Mahoney. The song isn’t entirely typical of 311 lead guitar playing, in fact it kind of reeks of Santana, but I don’t care. Mahoney puts it down and I like it.

Displaying another distinctly different approach to guitar is “Use of Time” from 1997’s Transistor. This song always struck me as unique for it’s strummed guitar opening, closest I’ve heard 311 get to an acoustic number. It’s super-atmospheric, which is one of the reasons that Transistor is my favourite 311 record. And also, Mahoney hits it hard again with some soaring solo action.

Rounding out MahoneyFest ‘08 is Evolver’s “Beyond the Gray Sky.” It’s got a great dynamic, moving from slinky verse to sweeping chorus. One closer listen, it’s not really lead heavy, but it’s still kickin’ and fairly catchy, and fitting now that the weather here is lightening up a smidge. Excellent.

Happy 311ing!!

311 Official | 3-11 Day Unofficial | 311 MySpasm

Buy a 3-11 Day Concert DVD!

 311 - Life's Not a Race: Play in Popup | Download
 311 - Use of Time: Play in Popup | Download

I found out about Flight of the Conchords, "New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo a cappella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo," through a friend's brother about a week ago. I've been thinking about searching out some Mp3's to play on the Exposure Box, but you really need to see this band. Songs like "Jenny" and " Albi (the Racist Dragon)" benefit so much from Bret's facial expressions. Jemaine's, too, but to a lesser extent. FotC provide snappy jabs at cliches found all throughout today's music: rap, bedroom funk, and issues-based motivational music. The results are extremely entertaining musical excursions. Definitely one to check out at Bonnaroo. Peaces, -D.