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.

I would like to apologize to all of you LtM readers right now, I’ve known about Denver hip-hop outfit Flobots’ “Handlebars” for a month now, but it didn’t occur to me to share it. It’s become kind of a big deal around here, being a consistent contender X96’s Top Ten Songs That Don’t Suck, as well has having a good run on Xposed. (You can say what you will about the state of the radio, but Corey O’Brien does great things for my ears).

So, one of the things about this song that I love is how it is political in nature, but subtly so. The song actually got me to thinkin’, and I felt like I ought to figure out the point of this boast fest. I hope I didn’t ruin it for anyone, and I won’t say more than that, but it’s a good song, okay?

Flobots Official | Flobots on MySpasm | Buy Fight With Tools

 Flobots - Handlebars [3:27m]: Play in Popup | Download

Alright, kids, here’s the deal. It all comes back to Love You Long Time. This whole indie obsession with the last two decades comes back and is glorified in LYLT. The tight pants, the subtle interest in hip-hop culture, the Teenage Mutant Ninja 80’s References; the whole current wave of hipster throwback all point directly to Love You Long Time.

So here’s the breakdown: MC Oz (vocals, keys, occasional guitar), $ally Kat (keytar, vocals), Chains (bass) and Dr. Liam (drums & sequencer) throw down a fantastic selection of party time hip-hop and feel good synth-pop, then sprinkle it generously with a commanding stage show: lots of dancing (break and otherwise), some freestyling, a big ol’ boombox, riding on shoulders, and frontflip 180s off a stack of speakers. It’s the best feeling party time always, deal?

I had to tell you that. It’s important to know.

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

Another very well-conceived but poorly-named concept from LovetheMusic: Mashup Madness.  I like mashups in a very similar way to how I like cover tunes [I have more tribute albums than is healthy], so I thought I'd share one of my all time favourites. Danger Mouse's Grey Album sparked about a billion similar projects, none of them nearly so inspired.  The big gem that I pulled from the heap was this bonus track from the Black & Blue Album, it hasn't gotten nearly as much exposure as it deserves.  Give it all your lovin'.  Also, if you got time, dig "Surf Wax Off Your Shoulder", it's the best non-bonus number.

Jay-Zeezer Official Website 

Yeah In the Sun - Usher et al. vs. Weezer

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/15_Yeah_In_The_Sun.mp3] 

I've been inspired to start a series of posts, lamely named Under the Covers. While I pride myself on being quite good at snagging and digging the internet for cover songs, Damon exceeds at this much more so than I, so we should be able to rock your socks. And we're all about rocking socks. 

And if you come up with a better name for this series, let me know.

First up we have a classic high school jam (for me, anyway) by an Austin cover band called Pictures. I found this track on one of my favorite albums, Like a Version, which was released by Australia's hot radio Triple J. Why do I like it? Because it's fucking funny. And acoustic. And just cool. And hearing a bloke sing about his Milkshake is pretty good, too. It was originally done by Kelis, on her hit 2003 album Tasty.

Consider buying the album. It's awesome, and has an excellent cover of "Message In A Bottle" by one of my favorite artists, John Butler, which I will have up here soon.

Pictures - Milkshake

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/pictures%20-%20milkshake.mp3] 

Buy Like A Version